BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://umc-kzo.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Detroit
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20230312T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20231105T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240128T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240128T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240125T192044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240128T143944Z
UID:19080-1706436000-1706441400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Heal Us and Strengthen Our Love
DESCRIPTION:“I know who you are\, the Holy One of God.” Mark 1: 24b \nWe need healing. One of the beauties of being a Christ follower is recognizing that we are wounded\, and that Christ is the healer of our every ill. When we can recognize our own woundedness and accept the vulnerability that comes from seeking wholeness\, we are set free. When we hide our fears\, our doubts\, our hurts\, and our despair\, we give them further command to wound ourselves or others. Jesus readily embraced those who needed healing\, he turned toward them\, not away. Our worship will embrace our need for healing as we have a time of anointing\, accepting the balm of compassion. As wounded healers\, we then go into the world with the eyes of love. Come\, let us celebrate the love of God.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/heal-us-and-strengthen-our-love/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240122_172150029_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240204T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240201T225352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240204T150042Z
UID:19135-1707040800-1707046200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Belonging: Manna and More
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM for a special Sunday\, where our Young Adult resident\, Jonathan Townley\, will be preaching. \nWe will also have a reading from “This Here Flesh: Spirituality\, Liberation\, and the Stories that Make Us” by Cole Arthur Riley\, the first of the writers we will continue to feature throughout the month of February in celebration of Black History Month. \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 AM. \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/belonging-manna-and-more/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Copy-of-Join-us-for-Christmas-🎄✨-Our-Christmas-services-🕓-400-PM-Children-and-Family-Worship-🕖-700-PM-Lessons-and-Carols-Childcare-available-🕚-1100-PM-Lessons-and-Communion-followed-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240211T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240211T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240208T231323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240211T141559Z
UID:19179-1707645600-1707651000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Transfiguration Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us in person or online at 10:00 AM. \nElisha saw an astonishing thing take place right before his eyes when Elijah\, the greatest of the prophets did not die but was swept away into the heavens by a chariot of fire. The student was so devastated he tore his clothes in two. The next time we see Elijah is on the mountain with Peter and James and Jesus. Elijah stands on one side of Jesus ministering to him while Moses stands on the other. When all is finished Jesus tells the disciples\, “Don’t speak a word of this until after resurrection.” There are some things we can never understand until after resurrection. Chariots of fire. The law and the prophet ministering to Jesus. The voice of God proclaiming “This is my son\, listen to him.” And what does the resurrection tell us of these things? That surely God was there. And if God was there\, then perhaps God is here. And if God is here\, then perhaps God will always be here – bringing us to the other side\, ministering to us in our distress\, carrying us away in chariots of fire. Resurrecting our lives and our stories that they too might minister to those who follow. \nThe Worship Planning Team is hoping that folks of all ages might consider lending us a copy of your favorite story (or stories) to use for visuals during the season of Lent. If you are willing\, please bring them to the Welcome Desk on Sunday (with your name on it\, so it can be returned).  Thank you\, one and all\, for being part of building a meaningful worship.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/transfiguration-sunday/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240208_145451111_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240218T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240218T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240215T214157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240218T144236Z
UID:19238-1708248600-1708254000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:First Sunday of Lent
DESCRIPTION:The story of Jesus’ baptism and the Spirit driving him out is certainly brief in the Gospel of Mark but there is plenty of drama. With the clearing away of details\, we find ourselves focusing on Jesus. This is the meaning of the season of Lent. The opening verses of Mark are demanding our attention\, calling us to focus in this holy season. Please rise in body and in spirit for the reading of the Gospel. \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 AM.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/first-sunday-of-lent/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240214_172417456_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240225T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240225T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240222T205433Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240225T143712Z
UID:19296-1708855200-1708858800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Community: We are the story we tell
DESCRIPTION:This second Sunday of Lent we raise the congregational value of COMMUNITY. How fitting then to celebrate the baptism one of our youngest disciples as the community reaffirms our own baptismal covenants and welcomes a child into the covenant. In our Baptism we put on the grace of God through Jesus Christ\, and we commit ourselves to the radical nature of Christian Discipleship. Jesus’ words to Peter in the Gospel reading today remind us that Sacred Christian Community demands that we deny self\, take up our cross and follow Jesus\, and\, in following\, we will know a life fuller than we could have imagined. \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 AM.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/community-we-are-the-story-we-tell/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/c-Mumma-051-02-18-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240303T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240303T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240301T005039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240303T140100Z
UID:19361-1709460000-1709465400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Inclusion: Bent on Mercy
DESCRIPTION:Inclusion seems to be a buzz word of the time with many organizations and entities claiming inclusion as a value. For Christ followers\, inclusion is an ancient spiritual practice that was embodied by Jesus. His life and ministry consistently exemplified that love and community must include the marginalized as they too were God’s beloved. Jesus walked in forbidden territories\, healed broken hearts and bodies and nourished all in body and spirit\, in the name of radical inclusion. On this third Sunday of Lent\, we find Jesus enraged in the temple and we find ourselves contemplating our own angry reactions and how they may become opportunities for wholistic change rather than creating further harm. As we worship\, let us set our heart and minds on the challenge of living inclusively in a polarized world as we find our sustenance at the table of grace.   \nJoin Us in person or online at 10:00 AM
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/19361/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Slides-3.3.24.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240310T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240310T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240307T234942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240310T122433Z
UID:19410-1710064800-1710070200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Justice: What the Cross Means for Justice
DESCRIPTION:In the Old Testament\, when Moses raised the staff of the serpent any who had been bitten by a venomous snake could gaze on the staff and be healed of the serpent’s poison. It is a strange reference to an obscure story. The point is\, those who look to Jesus who was lifted up on a cross\, will be healed. The Lent journey involves us\, the church\, gazing at the cross of Jesus\, that we may be made whole on the day of resurrection. It is also the work of the church to raise the cross of Jesus for the healing of the world. On this 4th Sunday of Lent as we also celebrate our congregational value of Justice: Restoration of Equity and Wholeness\, we raise the cross knowing\, trusting\, that Christ died for an unjust world\, and that we\, the body of Christ\, carry the cross in the name of Justice. When a hurting world turns their gaze towards the church\, will they see justice and be made whole? \nBulletin_March_10_2024 \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 AM.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/justice-what-the-cross-means-for-justice/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/c-Mumma-006-02-25-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240317T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240317T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240314T224114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240314T230152Z
UID:19512-1710669600-1710673200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:The Call of Love and Life
DESCRIPTION:“Very truly\, I tell you\, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies\, it remains just a single grain\, but if it dies it bears much fruit” ~John 12:24   \nWe are called to experience\, celebrate\, and share God’s love. This is our mission as First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Our call to life is love. Yet\, Jesus is beginning to talk of death and the fruitfulness found in endings\, surrender and trust. Plants have much to teach us about resurrection. The signs of spring are unfolding all around us. What was dormant is now coming to life. We are called to a life of love that has beginnings and endings\, seasons of dormancy and seasons of fruitfulness. Our mission calls us to be open to the wonders of living through experience\, celebration and sharing. As we worship this week\, let us renew our commitment to our mission as Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church.  \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 AM.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/the-call-of-love-and-life/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Slides-3.17.24.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240324T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240324T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240320T175413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240324T125554Z
UID:19571-1711274400-1711279800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Kalamazoo FUMC Sunday\, March 24th ~ Palm Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Led by: Rev. Matt Weiler \nBulletin: https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Bulletin_March_24_2024.pdf \nIt 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.” However\, by the time we come to the end of worship our hearts are heavy as we enter into Holy Week\, the week of Jesus’s suffering and death. In the gospels\, those who celebrated Jesus mostly left him abandoned at the cross. Will we do the same? Or will we walk through Jesus through his trial of suffering? We enter worship in triumph. We leave worship with heavy hearts. \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 a.m.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/palm-sunday-2/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thumbnail_Palm-Sunday.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240328T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240328T203000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240328T200119Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240329T225542Z
UID:19633-1711652400-1711657800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Maundy Thursday
DESCRIPTION:Join us in person or online March 28\, 2024 at 7:00 PM \nWith water and a basin\, we remember that Jesus tells the disciples that he wants to wash their feet. They are bewildered by this gesture of humility and service that reverses all normal roles of authority. In humility\, we symbolically wash our hands and hear the call to serve and love. Breaking the bread and lifting the cup of grace\, Jesus says\, come and eat with me for this grace can transform you. As our worship closes\, we strip the sanctuary by removing all ornaments\, linens\, and paraments. This is symbolic of the humiliation of Jesus at the hands of the soldiers.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/maundy-thursday-2/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Merry-Christmas-2.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240331T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240331T120000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240329T003549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240331T132423Z
UID:19638-1711879200-1711886400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Sunday\, March 31st ~ Easter Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Christ the Lord is risen! Alleluia. Come\, join us for Easter as we sing our praise and raise our joys and triumphs high with brass\, choir\, organ\, and timpani declaring that love’s redeeming work is done. Easter begins in the dark and moves into our lives as the dawn lights up the sky and our hearts are filled once again with the hope that Christ leads us to a redemptive love. Invite your friends and family to join us for worship as we remember. \nJoin us in person or online at 10:00 am
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/easter/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Copy-of-First-United-Methodist-Church-of-Klamazoo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240407T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240407T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240404T214026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240404T225207Z
UID:19814-1712484000-1712489400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Second Sunday of Easter: How We Respond
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday\, April 7\, at 10 am for worship\, either in person or online. We’ll celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter\, reflecting on the themes of unity\, generosity\, and divine mercy as portrayed in Acts 4:32-35 and 1 John 1:1-2:2. Let’s come together to explore the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection and the call to live out our faith in community. \nIn Acts 4:32-35\, the passage describes the early Christian community living in unity and harmony\, sharing their possessions and resources with one another. They held everything in common\, and no one among them was in need because those who owned land or houses sold them and brought the proceeds to the apostles\, who distributed them according to each person’s need. This narrative highlights the spirit of generosity and communal living that characterized the early followers of Jesus\, emphasizing the importance of caring for one another and sharing resources in Christian community. \nIn 1 John 1:1-2:2\, we reflect on the nature of Jesus Christ\, emphasizing his divinity and humanity. The passage speaks of the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to humanity through Jesus Christ\, the Word of life. John declares that they have seen\, heard\, and touched this Word of life\, bearing witness to the reality of Jesus’ incarnation. Furthermore\, the passage addresses the concept of sin and forgiveness\, asserting that if we confess our sins\, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This underscores the theme of divine mercy and forgiveness\, inviting believers to acknowledge their sins and receive God’s gracious pardon through Christ.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/second-sunday-of-easter-how-we-respond/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/c-Mumma-075-03-31-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240414T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240414T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240411T195948Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240414T120141Z
UID:19904-1713088800-1713094200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Third Sunday of Easter: The Essence of Resurrection
DESCRIPTION:“What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed\, we’ll see him—and in seeing him\, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready…” 1 John 3: 2  \nWe are children of God. Through the love of God\, we are claimed and called God’s children. “See what love” is the opening of this passage in the first letter of John. It is proclaimed with amazement and joy that this love is freely given. This is Eastertide\, a living and leaning into the essence of resurrection which requires an eager anticipation for the revelations of Christ. As we are attentive\, awake\, and alive in Christ we become like him. We are a Christ centered community; may we look forward to his comings and stay steady in love. Let us celebrate this Easter love! \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/third-sunday-of-easter-the-essence-of-resurrection/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240421T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240421T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240418T215711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240421T123905Z
UID:19996-1713693600-1713697200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Children and Families Ministry Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday for a special celebration dedicated to our Children’s and Families Ministry. It’s a time to honor and uplift the vibrant souls who are the heart of our church’s future. \nCome experience the joy and energy as our CFM team leads us in worship. Together\, we’ll recognize the blessings they bring to our community and the vital role children play in our faith journey. \nIn addition\, we’ll take a moment to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who generously give their time and love to nurture the minds and hearts of our children. \nLet’s come together in celebration and appreciation this Sunday\, as we affirm our support for our children\, families\, and the volunteers who guide them with love and wisdom. Your presence will make this day even more special. \n \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/19996/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/c-Mumma-057-12-3-23--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240428T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240428T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240425T221758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240428T125211Z
UID:20086-1714298400-1714302000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Fifth Sunday of Easter ~ Festival of God’s Creation
DESCRIPTION:This Sunday\, if you are able\, walk to church\, ride your bike to church\, call a friend and carpool to church. We celebrate the Festival of God’s Creation as we come to God in praise for the beauty of life unfolding around us. We offer thanksgiving for the creation that sustains us and makes life possible. Our worship calls us to hear from Jesus\, the Real Vine that brings forth life even while pruning us for the well-being of all. We are the branches of the Vine\, sustained\, nurtured and pruned by Love. Let us celebrate. \nColumbarium Proposal Q & A \nColumbarium Proposal Survey \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/fifth-sunday-of-easter-festival-of-gods-creation/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240424_162903382_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240505T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240505T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240502T143030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240502T175412Z
UID:20309-1714903200-1714908600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Conquering Love & Complete Joy
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday for the sixth Sunday of Easter. Service will begin at 10:00 am and you may join us In-person or online\, after the service stay for one of our Sunday School classes. \n“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands\, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.”  \n-John 15: 9-10 \n  \nMaking our home in God’s love is residing in sacred space that allows us to be fully present and belong. Jesus bids us to be fully vested in this holy dwelling that finds home within us and then gives us the agency to create this sheltering place for others as well. We are commanded to be present to one another in love. Here in our church community and there in our world that longs for safety. As we worship this Sunday\, we come to the sacred place in the broken bread and the cup of blessing. We pray that the Holy Spirit will be poured out on us\, that we may be for the world the body of Christ. Come\, the table of grace awaits our presence.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/conquering-love-complete-joy/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240512T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240512T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240509T191214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240511T165159Z
UID:20447-1715508000-1715513400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Seventh Sunday of Easter: "Loving Boundaries"
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am as we welcome Rev. Michelle King. Rev. King is a Deacon in Kalamazoo\, specializing in mental health ministry. She travels to churches across Michigan preaching on topics related to mental health and mental wellness. Michelle graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2018 with a Masters of Divinity. She is a Spiritual Care Provider at Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E.\, where she provides pastoral support to older adults in Kalamazoo County. \nLuke 5:12-16 \nOnce when he was in one of the cities\, a man covered with a skin disease was there. When he saw Jesus\, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him\, “Lord\, if you are willing\, you can make me clean.”  Then Jesus stretched out his hand\, touched him\, and said\, “I am willing. Be made clean.” Immediately the skin disease left him.  And he ordered him to tell no one. “But go\, show yourself to the priest\, and\, as Moses commanded\, make an offering for your cleansing\, as a testimony to them.” But now more than ever the word about Jesus spread abroad; many crowds were gathering to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Meanwhile\, he would slip away to deserted places and pray.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/seventh-sunday-of-easter-loving-boundaries/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Copy-of-Bulletin-Cover-4.14.24-6.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240519T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240519T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240516T212540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240519T124201Z
UID:20588-1716112800-1716116400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Confirmation Sunday/Pentecost: Who is Speaking and Who is Listening?
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. This day is a special one as we not only commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ\, but also celebrate confirmation Sunday. Our scripture for the day will be Acts 2:2-21\, a passage that beautifully encapsulates the essence of Pentecost. \nIn celebration of Confirmation Sunday\, we invite you to stay after worship. We will be having a reception with cake for the confirmands. Please make sure you wear the colors of fire (orange\, red\, yellow) to make this Confirmation Sunday/Pentecost even more special. \nWhen the day of Pentecost had come\, they were all together in one place.2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind\, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues\, as of fire\, appeared among them\, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages\, as the Spirit gave them ability.  \n5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered\, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished\, they asked\, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear\, each of us\, in our own native language? 9 Parthians\, Medes\, Elamites\, and residents of Mesopotamia\, Judea and Cappadocia\, Pontus and Asia\, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia\, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene\, and visitors from Rome\, both Jews and proselytes\, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed\, saying to one another\, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said\, “They are filled with new wine.”
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/confirmation-sunday-pentecost-who-is-speaking-and-who-is-listening/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240516_161002948_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240526T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240526T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240523T173909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240524T232838Z
UID:20745-1716717600-1716723000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Trinity Sunday: Born of the Spirit
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online to celebrate trinity Sunday. \nTrinity Sunday\, the first Sunday after Pentecost\, is a day dedicated to understanding the concept of the Trinity. It’s a complex idea that describes the interrelationship of God. While it’s challenging to fully explain\, we can understand it as God’s relationship with us. The focus of this day is not just about God\, but also about us and what we do in the name of God. By focusing on God\, we gain a better understanding of ourselves. \nAll Christians have a vocation or a divine call to God’s service or a calling to follow Christ. These stories are varied. Our Scripture passage today involves the calling of the prophet Isaiah in which there are seraphs\, a heavenly throne\, robes of glory and a hot coal upon the lips. No matter the manner of calling\, each calling is an intersection of God’s providential care for and reconciliation of the cosmos and an individual’s purpose in the world. Hear the calling of Isaiah from the Book of Isaiah\, chapter 6: 1-8.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/trinity-sunday-born-of-the-spirit/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240523_144548423_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240602T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240530T195314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240602T015705Z
UID:20900-1717322400-1717327800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Children's Musical Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online to celebrate the Children’s Musical. Where they will be performing Through the Roof ! a play based on Luke 5:17-26 written by Terry Kirkland. \nThe play recalls the story of when Jesus was in Capernaum teaching\, among the attendees were Pharisees and teachers of the law from various regions. Amidst this gathering\, a group of men arrived carrying their paralytic friend. Unable to navigate through the crowd\, they ingeniously lowered their friend from the roof directly in front of Jesus. Recognizing their faith\, Jesus declared the man’s sins forgiven\, causing a stir among the religious leaders present. \nAddressing the silent accusations of blasphemy\, Jesus posed a question to the Pharisees and teachers of the law\, challenging their understanding of His authority. To demonstrate His divine power to forgive sins\, He commanded the paralyzed man to rise\, pick up his mat\, and return home. The man did just that\, leaving the crowd in awe. This event left a profound impact\, not only showcasing Jesus’s healing powers but also affirming His authority to forgive sins. The crowd\, filled with reverence\, acknowledged that they had witnessed something truly extraordinary that day. \n \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/childrens-musical-sunday/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/PENTECOST-5-x-5.8-in-5.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240609T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240609T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240606T194913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240607T231434Z
UID:21146-1717927200-1717932600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Pride Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online to celebrate PRIDE Sunday. We will have Rebecca Wilson as a Guest preacher. \nRebecca Wilson (she/her) is a proud Michigander\, rooted in Flint and grounded in Detroit. She is a queer extra-ordinary poet and enchanting storyteller whose writings weave together her life experiences with scripture and spirituality. Her pursuit of justice and wholeness is driven by her upbringing in the Vehicle and Motor Cities. At a young age she discovered her love for words and the transformative power of belonging to a faith community.  \nShe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies from the University of Michigan and completed a Master of Divinity\, with a concentration in Urban Ministry\, at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.  \nShe has lived out her calling in diverse and unique ways. She was baptized\, confirmed\, and commissioned as a deacon in the United Methodist Church. Her ministry in the UMC included serving in local churches and on denominational staff\, where she became a leader and sought-after motivating presenter in Disaster Response.  \nIn 2017\, just before examination for full ordination\, realizing she was called to live authentically and no longer deny her queer identity\, Rebecca made the decision to come out as lesbian and surrender her provisional credentials due to the denomination’s anti-LGBTQ+ positions and policies. The decision was the most difficult and liberating of her life. It came with profound loss and even greater hopes. \nThe church’s rejection propelled her to a dry and lonely wilderness. While there she found thirst quenching wells in surprising places and an expanded understanding of God\, community\, spirituality\, and living water. She also recognized the systems that harm us cannot be our source of healing. Bravely and boldly she sought a new path toward healing. Her determination to heal and commitment to the journey inspires others to begin and map their own.  \nIn summer 2022\, Rebecca founded 10 Camels\, where her gifts for writing\, teaching\, preaching\, and speaking are turning words into water for a thirsty world. She is offering authenticity and creativity to the world through educating\, empowering\, and entertaining others. With gentleness and humor\, with honesty and seemingly effortless skill she captivatingly engages her audience.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/pride-sunday-2/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240603_164611594_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240616T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240616T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151407
CREATED:20240613T191728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240615T135209Z
UID:21331-1718532000-1718535600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Graduation Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online for worship. This Sunday is Graduation Sunday\, a day when we celebrate those who have completed a step in their educational journey. Let’s honor their efforts and commitment. \nHear these words from Bishop Karen Oliveto of Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Oliveto is the first openly gay\, and married bishop of the denomination. “ \nWe humans see the image of God as through a mirror dimly (I Corinthians 13: 12). God is so much bigger than our limited comprehension. The God who created the world in all its diverse flourishings has imprinted on each human God’s own image. The more we encounter and enter into relationship with each other\, the deeper we look into each other’s eyes\, the clearer God’s image emerges. We gain a bigger picture of who God is\, particularly when we include those who don’t look like us\, think like us\, or love like us \nThere are people of all ages in your community who are looking for a grace-filled community that allows them to ask questions\, to be able to take tentative and shaky steps to explore who God made them to be\, to find themselves in a community who will cheer them on when they do so. Will you and your church be that community?  \nLet me tell you: there is amazing joy waiting for you if you are willing to do so. For wherever there is new life\, whenever someone says yes to being their full God-created self\, when someone is finally able to proclaim out loud to God “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” the angels sing and the saints dance.”  \nLet us share the peace of Christ with one another today\, and as we do so\, may we truly see one another for the image of God each one bears.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/graduation-sunday/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240619T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240619T150000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240610T160214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240610T160214Z
UID:21262-1718787600-1718809200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Pop-Up Free Store
DESCRIPTION:Join us on June 19th\, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm\, for our Annual Free Store event\, complemented by a hotdog lunch from noon to 2:00 pm. \nStarting June 16th\, we welcome donations at Wesley Hall. We accept clean clothing\, shoes\, toys\, books\, and small appliances. Your generosity supports our community efforts. \nVolunteers are needed for sorting donations\, assisting guests\, and event wrap-up. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated. \nNote: We cannot accept car seats\, cribs\, large furniture\, or damaged items. \nThank you for your support.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/pop-up-free-store/
LOCATION:MI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Colorful-Neon-Geometric-Shapes-Pop-up-Store-Instagram-Post.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240623T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240623T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240620T181436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240623T000207Z
UID:21507-1719136800-1719140400@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Juneteenth Sunday
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online for worship. This Sunday we honor Juneteenth\,. We want to honor and celebrate this important date in the history of our country—one that often goes unexplained or unnoticed by the mainstream. However\, this day holds immense importance as a significant stepping stone in the progress of our nation. \nWe will observe Juneteenth as a sign of solidarity and hope for all of God’s people. On June 19\, 1865 a Union soldier rode into Galveston\, Texas\, declaring that all Confederate legislative acts of the previous four years were void. Freedom was announced to the slaves\, overdue by centuries\, freedom had finally come. Juneteenth is the oldest and most well-known American holiday\, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.   \nOur Creator God is with those who suffer\, calling us to be attentive\, concerned\, and active to end suffering in all the ways we are able. Job has endured the longevity of suffering and laments with his friends as they seek to find the answer to Job’s suffering. Into this drama\, God reminds Job that God is Creator. The work of creating\, even amid suffering\, is never done. We are called to be co-creators with God\, laboring for the liberation of those who are oppressed. Let us hear from the cosmos the clang of the freedom bell.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/juneteenth-sunday/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240609_132708871_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240630T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240630T113000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240627T174515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240628T182421Z
UID:21580-1719741600-1719747000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Outta My Way Satan
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online for a special worship service as we close the month of June. This week\, we reflect on the themes of inclusion\, community\, love\, and justice\, drawing inspiration from Mark 3:20-35. \nIn this passage\, we witness a profound moment where Jesus redefines the concept of family\, not by blood but by the shared commitment to doing God’s will. He emphasizes that true kinship transcends traditional boundaries and is found in the collective pursuit of righteousness and love. \nAs we gather\, let us embrace the spirit of unity that Jesus exemplified. Let us be a community that welcomes everyone as brothers and sisters\, forming a family bound by the desire to support one another\, spread love\, and uphold justice in all our actions. \nThis Sunday\, we celebrate the strength found in our diversity and the beauty of a community that comes together to honor every individual’s worth. We affirm our commitment to being a place of refuge and acceptance\, where all are invited to join the family of faith.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/outta-my-way-satan/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240609_134322953_iOS_1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240707T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240707T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240703T154516Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240703T182950Z
UID:21747-1720346400-1720350000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:A Sent Community: Giving Freely 
DESCRIPTION:This midsummer worship series will find us leaning into the challenges and the joys of being a Christ-centered community sent into the world to serve with love and generosity. The lectionary readings for July lead us to explore the Biblical threads of “sentness” and dependence upon God as we go out into the world. The sending of God is always to service. As we are sent\, we are called to trust in the providence of God and those around us. The world is a treacherous place. Evil\, injustice\, and oppression are expressed in many forms. We are called to resist in love\, by love\, and for love as we are sent out in Jesus’ name. As we share God’s love we thrive when we commit ourselves to an abundant God and live as citizens of God’s reign.    \nAfter Worship this week\, we want to honor and celebrate our Outreach Team Ministry (it’s a big one)\, so stop by after church and learn how you can get involved in the many teams this ministry has. Make sure to check the insert in this bulletin for more detailed information and a form you can fill out.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/a-sent-community-giving-freely/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/c-Mumma-016-6-30-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240714T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240714T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240711T190647Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240714T125047Z
UID:21921-1720951200-1720954800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:What Herod Heard ~ ASP
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online. \n“King Herod heard about this…” Jesus has sent the disciples out in pairs to share the good news of the gospel and Herod on his seat of power heard about it\, was threatened\, and became fearful of the Jesus movement. We are sent then into a call back to John the Baptist’s arrest and execution. On either side of the story there is movement towards the Kingdom of God. Disciples are sent\, 5\,000 are fed with a few loaves and some fish. So goes the work of God; goodness and newness often interrupted with resistance. This Sunday we examine the Christian life generous in its commitment to sharing the good news yet sure to meet resistance. We also celebrate and commission those Youth and Adults headed to Eastern Kentucky to volunteer with Appalachian Service Project. \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/what-herod-heard-asp/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/c-Mumma-010-7-7-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240804T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240804T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240801T183803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240802T233459Z
UID:22147-1722765600-1722769200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Worship: A Royal Waste of Time?
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online. \nWhat do you hunger for? World peace\, health and wholeness\, a day of rest\, what do you hunger for? We often think of hunger as something to eliminate. Our stomach growls and we begin to contemplate and act for ways in which to quell our hunger. The starvation of millions of people across the globe is not only real but tragic. What if our hunger was motivation both physically and spiritually? What do you hunger for and how then will you act to quell the hunger within and the hunger of the world? Will you offer what you have and trust that in the hands of Christ\, abundance is possible. The little boy gave his lunch willingly to the disciple Andrew who then gave it to Jesus and miracles unfolded. Let us celebrate the love of God and keep the feast.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/worship-a-royal-waste-of-time/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240811T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240811T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240808T190116Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240811T121917Z
UID:22333-1723370400-1723374000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:A Fragrant Offering
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online \nLet us make an offering this Sunday. Because the Christ lives within each one of us\, may it be one of kindness\, loving the truth\, not bitterness. May our offering be a fragrant gift\, just as Christ offered himself\, may we too gift our lives to a holy sweetness that smells of grace. In this offering\, may we be tenderhearted and bend toward forgiveness that brings new life. This is the fragrance of Christ. Let us be imitators of this greatest love and radiate the love of Jesus. This Sunday we take a special offering to support our ministry of Helping Our Neighbors (HON). Our financial gifts are one portion of a love offering\, the rest is dedicating our whole selves to a life filled with love.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/a-fragrant-offering-2/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/c-Mumma-039-8-4-24--scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240818T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240818T110000
DTSTAMP:20260403T151408
CREATED:20240815T212856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240816T223726Z
UID:22482-1723975200-1723978800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Hymn Festival
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday at 10:00 am in-person or online. \nJoin us this Sunday for the hymn festival meeting at 9:00 a.m. We will sing two pieces for the service at 10:00 a.m. We’ll sing a couple of easy anthems\, so if you would like to be part of the choir for just one day\, please come and sing with us. \nWe will also explore readings by Susan Palo Cherwien. Susan was a poet and musician with a rich educational background\, including a bachelor’s degree in church music and voice from Wittenberg University\, studies in Berlin\, and a Master of Liberal Studies from Mundelein College\, Chicago. \nShe composed numerous hymn texts featured in hymnals across the United States\, Canada\, and Europe. Her writings appeared in publications like The Lutheran and Christian Century. Susan authored several hymn text collections and hymn festival reflections\, and edited a sacred vocal collection. She also contributed to the ELCA Language Consultation for Evangelical Lutheran Worship. \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/hymn-festival/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/coconut-.-10.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR