Stewards of a Hope Filled Future: Hope Broadens the Mind

Hope broadens the mind. As we enter into the second week of our “Stewards of a Hope-Filled Future” series this week, we are challenged to examine in what and whom we invest our hope, and, to allow the gospel to inspire our imaginations. As the theologian Walter Brueggemann asserts, we Christians struggle to imagine that […]

Stewards of a Hope Filled Future: Hope Moves you Forward

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” ~Jeremiah 29: 11 -14 World Communion Sunday is a hope filled table. On the first Sunday in October, United Methodist congregations join many Christian churches across the […]

Habits of Hospitality: Sharing Our Authentic Selves

“…Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”  -1 Thessalonians 2:8(b) During the last week of July the FUMC Kalamazoo Youth Tribe, along with a great number of adults, came together for a week of service around the community […]

Habits of Hospitality: Welcoming All the People

“For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you.” -1 Thessalonians 1:9a The scriptures this day invite us to connect, and they point us toward true community where none is better than another, none are excluded from the presence and love of the risen Christ. Not sure […]

Habits of Hospitality: Offering Peace

“If anyone is there who shares in your peace, your peace will rest on that person.”  ~Luke 10: 6a Jesus sends more than seventy out on a mission of peace. He says, “Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” They are to offer peace, receive peace and reassure all that “The Kingdom […]

When John Wesley Lost His Mind

Faith without works is dead. One of the most often quoted bible verses from one of the shortest books in the New Testament. It becomes a mantra of sorts from churches that like to get things done. And there’s nothing wrong with getting things done. Jesus calls us to do justice and so we do. […]

Begin Where God Begins

John Wesley said once that “Religion if it is not to be the pious form of worldliness, if it is instead to be the response to the action of God, must begin where God begins, among the poor, the despised, the oppressed, and the marginalized.” The key words in his teaching are begin where God […]

Love and Hard Things

Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, Spirit. All these words are packed into these final verses of the book of Ephesians. These are among the most pious and abstract words in all Christian grammar. Truth like a belt, righteousness like a breastplate, peace like a pair of shoes, faith as a shield, salvation a helmet, and […]

Live as Children of Light

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.”  -Ephesians 5: 13-14a We are called to live as children of the light and we are to shine the light on that which brings darkness. Join us for worship as we light candles in prayer, exposing and naming some of […]

Summer Concert Series: Hazeltree

Hazeltree: Traditional acoustic songs and tunes from Ireland, Scotland, England and America Hazeltree is ensemble of close harmonies, guitar, mountain dulcimer, mandolin, flute, and drum. In Irish tree lore, the hazel embodies creativity, wisdom and transformation… Find more information at https://www.facebook.com/hazeltreemusic. Attendees are asked to enter the church through our parking lot entrance, located on […]

The Fragrance of Christ

On this Coffeehouse Sunday we hope to bring in the aroma of herbs from our gardens, patio boxes or even from the wild. We invite you to bring offerings of herbs with you as you come to the sanctuary or if you will be worshipping from home, add some herbs to your worship space. A […]

Youth Tribe

Teens are invited to join our active youth ministries at FUMC! Everyone has a voice as we learn together and take time to play, too. For more information and details on upcoming events, contact Pastor Matt Weiler at mweiler@umc-kzo.org.