First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

A Conversation with Ezra Klein and James Talarico - w Pastor Julie
2026-03-15 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Detroit) | First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
A Conversation with Ezra Klein and James Talarico

Ezra Klein, political commentator and journalist, had a conversation with Texas State Representative James Talarico that aired on YouTube on January 13, 2026. It is rich with meaningful conversation as James Talarico reclaims the core message of Christianity. All are invited to have a further conversation and reflection. We’ll watch this interview in segments, followed by our own conversation about confronting Christian Nationalism with a vision of faith that resists exclusion, advances the common good, and embraces the call to love, justice, and inclusion. We seek to understand and respond to Christian Nationalism through a lens of authentic, justice-oriented Christianity.

Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series - Gail and Andrew Jennings (Organ & Violin)
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series
March 19 – Gail Jennings (organ) & Andrew Jennings (violin)
Retired Organist, Bethlehem United Church of Christ, Ann Arbor & Professor Emeritus of Violin, University of Michigan
Gail and Andrew Jennings bring together two instruments — organ and violin — in a shared offering of beauty and devotion. Their music speaks tenderly to the heart, blending strength and delicacy in ways that lift the soul. The pairing of their gifts creates a contemplative landscape that invites prayer, gratitude, and a renewed awareness of God’s presence. This recital becomes a reminder of how music unites us, heals us, and points us toward hope.
This recital series is offered in loving memory of Bernie Foulk, whose deep devotion to music and faith continues to inspire us. Bernie believed that sacred music opens the heart to God’s presence, and we honor his legacy by sharing the beauty he cherished.

Sunday March 22 Worship Service
2026-03-22 10:00 - 11:00
“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice… to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house?” ~Isaiah 58:6-7
The prophet Isaiah, speaking for God, reminds us that true devotion is not found in outward displays alone. Even as some in the ancient community fasted, wore sackcloth, and humbled themselves, God challenged them and us not to separate religious practice from the needs of those around us. Fasting and humility hold meaning only when joined with acts of justice, compassion, and care for the community.
As we worship, with prayer and thanksgiving, let us lift our hands and hearts in love as we commit to restoring, rebuilding, and renewing within our church and extending it to our neighbors.

Jenna Saldana from El Porvenir
2026-03-22 10:00 - 12:00
Jenna Saldaña from El Porvenir will be joining us during worship to share about their mission, followed by a time of conversation where she will provide additional information and insight into the impactful work El Porvenir is doing in the communities they serve.

Lent Labyrinth
2026-03-22 11:30 - 12:30
Sunday, March 22 – 11:15 AM: Lent Labyrinth
Continue your Lenten journey with another opportunity to walk the Labyrinth. Whether you seek clarity, courage, or a moment of holy rest, this contemplative walk can open space to hear God’s whisper. Together, we reflect on how our daily choices might help ‘roll down justice’ like flowing waters—steady, faithful, and life-giving.

Singing For Resistance
2026-03-23 19:00 - 20:30
Kalamazoo, let’s raise our voices together!
Come join us for an energizing, all‑community sing with Singing Resistance Kalamazoo—where everyone belongs and every voice matters.
No experience needed. Seriously.
We sing simple, powerful songs taught by ear. Anyone can jump in—whether you’ve sung for years or never sung in a group before. The songs center on solidarity, love, resistance, grief, and hope—music that helps us breathe, connect, and find strength together.
Singing Resistance is part of a national movement using song as a tool for solace, strength, and collective courage. We sing to uplift one another, to stand together, and to refuse cooperation with oppressive forces.
This is a welcoming space for all made possible by the belief in the power of community.
Come ready to sing.Come ready to listen.Come ready to feel the spark of voices rising as one.
All are welcome—every voice, every background, every level of experience.
Let’s fill the sanctuary with sound, spirit, and the beautiful energy of people coming together.
We can’t wait to sing with you!

Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series – Robert S. Ragoonanan
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00
Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series
March 26 – Robert S. Ragoonanan
Minister of Music, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, MI
Robert Ragoonanan closes our series with a program grounded in faith-filled artistry. His music carries both reverence and joyful assurance, offering a rich tapestry of sound that celebrates the nearness of God. With thoughtful interpretation and deep musical conviction, Robert leads us into the final days of Lent with hearts uplifted and spirits renewed — a fitting conclusion to this season of sacred reflection.
This recital series is offered in loving memory of Bernie Foulk, whose deep devotion to music and faith continues to inspire us. Bernie believed that sacred music opens the heart to God’s presence, and we honor his legacy by sharing the beauty he cherished.

Palm Sunday Blessing of the Palms in Bronson Park
2026-03-29 09:45 - 10:30
Join us for a joyful and spirit‑filled community gathering of Kalamazoo‑area churches as we come together for a shared Palm Sunday Blessing of the Palms in the heart of Bronson Park.

This multi‑church celebration is a cherished moment when our congregations unite as one body—lifting our voices, raising our palms, and stepping together into Holy Week with hope, gratitude, and praise. Surrounded by the historic beauty of the park and the warmth of our shared faith, we will remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and the welcome of a people longing for peace.
As the palm branches are blessed and shared among us, may the entire community feel the sweep of grace, the renewing breath of spring, and the joy of gathering as neighbors and friends.
Following the blessing, First United Methodist Church will host the Palm Sunday worship service and a Palm Sunday Brunch, and all are warmly invited to continue the morning in reverence, fellowship, and celebration.
Come and be part of this beautiful expression of unity, faith, and tradition.
All are welcome—just as you are.

Palm Sunday March 29th, 2026
2026-03-29 10:00 - 11:00
It is Palm Sunday, a time when we remember Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And so we, like those who hailed Jesus on that day, wave our palm branches, shouting “Hosanna – Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Palm Sunday Brunch
2026-03-29 11:00 - 13:00
Following our Palm Sunday worship service at First United Methodist Church, everyone is warmly invited to a festive Palm Sunday Brunch—a time to come together, share a meal, and celebrate the beginning of Holy Week as a church family.

As we move from the echoes of “Hosanna!” in the sanctuary into the welcoming space of fellowship, we’ll continue the spirit of joy, connection, and community that marks this sacred day. The brunch table will be set with delicious offerings and warm conversation.
Whether you joined us at the multi‑church Blessing of the Palms in Bronson Park, participated in worship, or simply wish to share in the fellowship of the morning, you are invited and welcomed.
Come as you are, stay as you’re able, and let this meal be a beautiful beginning to Holy Week—a moment to pause, savor, and be together in the love and grace of Christ.

Holy Thursday – April 2 at 6:00 PM: Lent Labyrinth
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:00
Holy Thursday – April 2 at 6:00 PM: Lent Labyrinth
On Holy Thursday, step into the Labyrinth as we remember Jesus’ commandment to love one another. In the soft quiet of this evening, walk with intention, reflecting on humility, service, and the courage it takes to live love in action. May this walk prepare our hearts to follow Christ on the path of self-giving love that leads to justice and hope.

Holy Thursday Service April 2 @ 7pm
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:00
Holy Thursday, sometimes called “Maundy Thursday,” invites us to remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples at Passover, his act of humble service in washing their feet, and his call to love one another. On this night, we gather around the table, practice servant love, and begin the journey of the three sacred days that lead us toward Good Friday and the hope of Easter.

Good Friday – April 3 at 6:00 PM: Lent Labyrinth
2026-04-03 18:00 - 19:00
Good Friday – April 3 at 6:00 PM: Lent Labyrinth
You are invited to a solemn and meaningful Good Friday walk through the Labyrinth. As we remember Christ’s journey, we contemplate the weight of injustice and the depth of God’s love. Let each step help us consider how we, too, can bear witness to healing, hope, and justice in our world. The path today is both reflective and resolute—a walk toward resurrection promise.

Good Friday - Tenebrae: Service of Shadows April 3 @ 7pm
2026-04-03 19:00 - 20:00
The service of Tenebrae, meaning “darkness” or “shadows”, has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of the worship of the common folk during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae. Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ’s suffering. Readings trace the story of Christ’s passion, music portrays His pathos or power, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous event. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ’s suffering and death. Please pray in silence until worship begins.

Easter Sunday Worship Service - April 5, 2026
2026-04-05 10:00 - 11:00
After nights touched by deep darkness, we gather now in the radiant brilliance of Easter morning, our hearts alive with wonder. Christ is risen indeed! Resurrection unfolds before us, not only as a hope we carry, but as a joy that pulses through this day. The sanctuary blooms with tulips, the air rings with brass and timpani, and our voices rise together in joyful awe, singing “Hallelujah!”
In this holy light, let us listen for the whisper of life awakening life, for the mystery of grace stirring within us. Christ is Risen! Our worship will reach its joyful height as we stand together to sing the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus,” every voice invited into the fullness of praise.
Come—experience the wonder.
Come—enter the joy.
Come—let us celebrate the boundless love of God with our whole hearts.

Sue Paul Memorial - 2pm
2026-04-11 14:00 - 15:00
Please join us at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo to celebrate the life of our dear friend Sue Paul. The service will take place in the sanctuary on Saturday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m.
If you are unable to join us in person, the service will be live-streamed. You can access the livestream by using the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM
Obituary

Susan Elizabeth Paul passed peacefully on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Friendship Village in Kalamazoo, Michigan, at the age of 86, lovingly surrounded by family. Born on February 8, 1939, Susan was the cherished daughter of Leland and Bertha Morse. Throughout her life, Susan was guided by her deep faith and enriched by music, family, and enduring friendships. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, where she sang joyfully in the choir for many decades. Her church community was a source of great meaning to her, and she found true happiness in worship, fellowship, and serving others.
Susan was blessed to share her life with two loving partners. While attending Central Michigan University, she met Douglas Paul, and they soon married, building a life together centered on love and family. They raised two sons and shared many happy years until Douglas’s passing in 2015. Later in life, a long-standing friendship with David Lundquist, whose family had been close to Susan and Douglas since the early 1960s, blossomed into a beautiful second chapter. Susan and David were married in December 2016 and enjoyed a deeply loving marriage until David’s death in May 2024. Susan’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her sons and their spouses, Brian Paul and Johanna Nilsson, and Mark Paul and Sharon Turner; and by her five beloved grandchildren, Noah and Sophia Nilsson-Paul, and Isabel (Johnny) Penella, Matilda, and Phoebe Paul. She is also survived by her brother Richard (Carol) Morse and her stepchildren Anne Lundquist; Tom (Diana) Lundquist; and Sarah (David) Leskovec and their children.Funeral arrangements have been made by Joldersma and Klein Funeral Home of Kalamazoo. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Friends and family may share a condolence message online

Sunday April 12 Worship Service: Eastertide
2026-04-12 10:00 - 11:00
This is the second Sunday after Easter and we continue proclaiming, “Christ is Risen!” Our Gospel lesson for the day puts us in the upper room with the frightened disciples on the evening of Christ’s resurrection. He breathed the Holy Spirit upon them and spoke the words, “Peace be with you.” We’ll also leap forward in time to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost when he boldly proclaimed “…God raised him [Jesus] up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24) We are indeed Easter people, recipients of the risen Christ’s peace and power. Let us continue the celebration of this good news and live in the freedom of God’s resurrecting power and grace.

April 19th Sunday Worship - Graduate Sunday!
2026-04-19 10:00 - 11:00
In May 2025, the bishops of the United Methodist Church released a vision statement designed to help the church live into the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. They built this statement around the themes of loving, serving, and leading. The invitation comes, however, not simply through the words, but in the way they are described. We are not just called to love, but to love boldly. We don’t just hear a call to serve, but to serve joyfully. And we aren’t seeking those who will just lead, but those who will lead courageously. The adverbs add a spark to the statement. We are invited by the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table to celebrate this new vision statement in worship. Come, let us love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously. We will also be celebrating this year’s high school and college graduates in our congregation!

Kalamazoo Community Chorale Concert
2026-04-19 15:00 - 16:00
Kalamazoo Community Chorale is pleased to present “Gathered at the Table: Songs of Heritage, Harmony and Hope.” Freewill offering.

Potluck Worship Service - Sunday April 26th (Marathon Sunday) - 6pm
2026-04-26 18:00 - 19:30
Because the Kalamazoo Marathon will be taking place downtown on Sunday, April 26, we will gather for a special evening worship celebration instead of our usual morning service.

You are warmly invited to join us for Potluck Worship on Sunday, April 26 at 6:00 p.m. We will share in a time of meaningful worship, fellowship, and a shared meal around the table. Bring a favorite dish to share—all are welcome, whether or not you’re able to bring food. Please note: There will be no nursery, Sunday School, Godly Play or Youth Group that day. Children and youth are encouraged to be a part of this meal.

Susan Mumma Memorial Service
2026-04-29 15:00 - 16:30
A Memorial Service for Susan Mumma

We invite you to gather in loving remembrance of Susan Mumma on Wednesday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.
Susan’s life was a radiant testament to kindness, courage, and the quiet strength she shared so generously with all who knew her. Her bright spirit, gentle compassion, and joyful heart touched family, friends, and our community in lasting ways. As we come together to celebrate her life and the light she leaves behind, all are welcome to join in this sacred time of gratitude and remembrance.

Mumma, Susan

May 3 Worship Service - Confirmation Sunday
2026-05-03 10:00 - 11:00
This Sunday we celebrate confirmation and communion as we continue our look at the new Vision for The United Methodist Church. As one of our young people stands before the congregation to affirm their Baptismal Vows we’ll look to the scriptures to consider what it means to be courageous leaders grounded in the grace of Jesus Christ at this time in history.

Gilmore Piano Festival - Cameron Carpenter Concert
2026-05-03 14:00 - 15:30
Get tickets now! Gilmore Piano Festival Cameron Carpenter at First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo
The first organist ever nominated for a GRAMMY for a solo album is coming to The Gilmore Piano Festival, and if you think you know what an organ recital sounds like, think again. 😉
Cameron Carpenter has redefined the instrument with virtuosic arrangements of Bach, Mussorgsky, and more. Dazzling technique, larger-than-life style. Sunday, May 3 at 2 PM.
Experience it for yourself: https://www.thegilmore.org/event/cameron-carpenter/

Ian Maksin Cello Concert - Songs of Peace and Love
2026-05-08 19:30 - 21:00
Songs of Love & Peace: an amazing multilingual journey in search of healing and empowerment through music.
General admission: $30 (limited time and quantity). $40 once the quota is reached and at the door. Book now: ian-maksin-kmz.eventbrite.com

Sunday May 10 Worship Service
2026-05-10 10:00 - 11:00
The past four weeks have examined the new Vision for the United Methodist Church which reads: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. On this last Sunday in the series, we will turn to Romans 12:1-8 and Matthew 28:16-20 to consider the transformative power of God at work within us, and the commission of the risen Christ to go and make disciples of people.

Children and Family Ministries Euchre Night
2026-05-15 18:00 - 22:00
Join us for a fun-filled Euchre Night hosted by our Children and Family Ministries! Families and friends of CFM are invited to enjoy an evening of friendly card games, laughter, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned Euchre player or brand new to the game, all skill levels are welcome—learning and joy are part of the fun.

Sunday May 17 Worship Service: Ascension of the Lord
2026-05-17 10:00 - 11:00
While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. ~Luke 24: 51
As we come to the close of Eastertide, we remember Christ’s Ascension and celebrate the promise that the risen Jesus does not leave us without blessing, hope, or purpose. Our worship will be an offering of blessing from beginning to end as we receive God’s grace, lift our voices in praise, and pray honestly for our world and one another. Renewed by the gifts of God that gather us in and send us out, we go forth to bless others in Christ’s name through our thoughts, words, and actions. Let’s experience, celebrate, and share God’s love.

Sunday Worship Service May 24 - Pentecost
2026-05-24 10:00 - 11:00
Come, Holy Spirit. On this Pentecost Sunday, we welcome the fire, wind, and breath of God to awaken the Church and send us out in love. We are invited to step into the story of Pentecost and participate in the pouring out of God’s Spirit upon the people. The prophet Isaiah proclaims, the Spirit of God hovers upon God’s anointed, bringing gifts of the Spirit. Come, as the Spirit fills our hearts, steadies our minds, guides our choices, and gives us strong faith as we root ourselves in a renewed reverence for God’s creating ways. Come, Spirit, Come.
