First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo

February 8, 2026, Sunday Worship
2026-02-08 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Detroit) | First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, 212 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
In this season of Epiphany, you are invited to worship, not just for an hour a week but with your whole life, making every day, every moment, living worship to God. This is a call to action for our own good and for the good of society as we accept the invitation to live out our faith in real-world ways. Faith is a set of beliefs and a pattern of behavior. Jesus shares the kingdom vision with kin-dom relationships that shape us as the body and reconciles the world. This reconciliation is not just to those who are like us. The vision is larger, as it extends through God; it is inclusive as people respond by becoming the light and love for the world. Let us answer the call to live worship both inside and outside the sanctuaries we build. In doing so, we glorify God and reveal God’s glory to the world as we worship in a jazz musical style. Come, let us worship!

Sunday Service February 15 - Transfiguration Sunday
2026-02-15 10:00 - 11:00
This Sunday brings closure to the season of Epiphany and serves as our transition into the season of Lent. On this day much is confirmed about Jesus, while the events of this day draw us deeper into the mystery. Jesus stands on a mountain with disciples when Moses Liberator and the Prophet Elijah stand on either side. Light radiates from Jesus and the voice of God confirms the truth of his baptism that he is God’s son, God’s beloved, followed by the command to the disciples to listen to him. The glory of God is revealed fully in Jesus and confirmed by the law and the prophets. The disciples do not know how to respond. How are we to respond to the revelation of God’s glory?

Ash Wednesday – February 18: Lent Labyrinth at 6:00 PM
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00
Ash Wednesday – February 18: Lent Labyrinth at 6:00 PM
As we enter the sacred season of Lent, you are invited to begin your journey with a quiet walk through the Labyrinth. On Ash Wednesday, come reflect on what it means to live a faith that seeks justice, mercy, and renewal. Step into the winding path as we ask God to help us ‘roll down justice’ in our lives, our community, and our world. May this first walk set the tone for a season of transformation.

Ash Wednesday Worship Service
2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection and penitence that precedes the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. We mark our foreheads with the sign of the cross as an outward and visible sign of our repentance. We gather on Ash Wednesday to remind ourselves that we are both dust and spirit, which has been breathed into us by our Creating God. In the 6th century, the church began a ritual at the beginning of the Lenten season, imposing ashes made from the previous year’s Palm Sunday palm branches as a reminder that God created us from dust and to dust, we will return. In between the clay of creation and the dust of death is a life worth living and living fully. Ash Wednesday is an important reminder that God will create a faithful spirit deep within us. The ash upon our foreheads invites us to open our hearts and be reconciled to self, others, and to our God.

Fast-Track Disciple Bible Study
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:15
Disciple Bible Study – Pastor Matt is planning a daytime Fast-Track Disciple Bible Study on Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:15pm, beginning February 19th, which will take participants through a comprehensive study of the Old Testament over a 12-week period. If you would like to participate, please email Pastor Matt at mweiler@umc-kzo.org.

February 22 - Sunday Worship @ 10:00 a.m.
2026-02-22 10:00 - 11:00
First Sunday of Lent:
Throughout this season of Lent, we are attentive to the cry of the prophet Amos, who proclaims that God desires for our worship and our ways of living be centered on justice. “Roll down, justice,” as God renews our hearts, minds, and spirits. This renewal provides the devotion to serve the world with compassion and solidarity that is true. This justice-seeking and making begins within our own hearts, as we claim our belovedness as our grounding because nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Come, let us worship!
“I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.” ~Romans 8: 38-39

Sunday, Feb 22: Celebration of Our Shared Life
2026-02-22 11:00 - 12:00
Beloved Community of FUMC, You are warmly invited to join us for a special Congregational Celebration of Our Shared Life today following worship. This gathering is an opportunity for us to come together as a church family to reflect on, celebrate, and look forward to all that God is doing in and through our ministries. During this celebration, we will share highlights and reports from our 2025 Church Conference, as well as stories of how our mission, vision, and values have come to life in the past year. We will also look ahead to the ways we hope to continue living out our calling in 2026. A booklet entitled “Our Shared Life: 2025-26 Ministry Reports & Celebrations” will be available, featuring reports and reflections from our various ministries. Your presence and participation are important as we celebrate our shared journey and discern the road ahead together. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing in this meaningful time as a congregation!

Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series Concert - Omar Padilla
2026-02-26 12:00 - 13:00
Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series
February 26 – Omar Padilla
Director of Music, St. Philip Catholic Church, Battle Creek, MI
Omar Padilla opens our Lenten recital series with a program rooted in devotion and heartfelt expression. His playing reflects a deep sense of reverence — a musician who understands how sacred music can draw us into stillness and open us to God’s presence. With warmth and prayerful sensitivity, he invites us to listen for the Spirit in every phrase, allowing the beauty of the organ to lead us toward quiet reflection and renewed 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 Worship March 1, 2026 - Communion Sunday
2026-03-01 10:00 - 11:00
Second Sunday of Lent: “How Long: Renouncing Evil”
How long, O Lord? How long will pain and injustice linger?
How long must we carry sorrow in our hearts and see suffering in our world? ~Psalm 13
Today we come, as the psalmist did, bringing our honest cries of grief, along with our questions, and our longing for God to see and respond. But we also come trusting in God’s steadfast love, believing that even in seasons of silence, God’s justice and mercy are at work among us.
Let us gather as a people who dare to lament, who dare to hope, and who dare to pray:
Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Come, bring your whole self, your pain, your hope, your longing for change, and worship the God who hears, the God who saves, the God who calls us to roll down justice in our world.

Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series Concert - Dr. Peter Kurdziel
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series
March 5 – Dr. Peter Kurdziel
Director of Music, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Kalamazoo, MI
Dr. Peter Kurdziel brings a depth of artistry shaped by years of service to the church and a profound love for the musical tradition. His performances illuminate the interior journey of Lent — thoughtful, balanced, and filled with moments of grace. Through his clear musical lines and contemplative interpretations, we are guided into a deeper awareness of God’s faithfulness and the quiet joy that sustains us through this season.
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 Worship March 8, 2026
2026-03-08 08:00 - 11:00
Third Sunday of Lent –
I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ … ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these siblings of mine, you have done it for me.’”
When we welcome the stranger and care for those in need, we are welcoming and caring for Christ himself. And this is the church God desires for us to be. But that kind of radical welcome asks something significant of us. It requires us to repent of those things that stand in our way. Today we ask the question, “With what are we possessed that prevents us from the movement of the Spirit in this church in our work to transform the world”
Join us this third Sunday in Lent where we dream of a church. Our choir will sing us in and First Beats will share their gifts as well.

Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series Concert - Marilyn Ossentjuk
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
Bernie Foulk Memorial Lenten Organ Recital Series
March 12 – Marilyn Ossentjuk
Music Minister, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Kalamazoo, MI
Marilyn Ossentjuk offers a recital filled with gentleness and heartfelt sincerity. Her approach to music reflects a life shaped by service, compassion, and faith. Each piece is offered with warmth, inviting the listener to rest in God’s peace. Marilyn’s sensitive touch and expressive spirit remind us that the season of Lent, though reflective, is also a time of profound comfort and deep, abiding joy.
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.

Spelman College Glee Club Concert Tour
2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00
The Glee Club is the premier performance organization at the College and performs at most campus events. It has had the unique opportunity to perform with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, world-renowned singer Jessye Norman, and as part of the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. With each performance, audiences are left in awe.
Glee Club | Spelman College | Atlanta, GA

Sunday Worship March 15, 2026
2026-03-15 10:00 - 11:00
“We are a Reconciling Congregation, welcoming all. First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo invites all persons to join us on our journey of faith. Jesus Christ calls us to be an inclusive church that exemplifies the kingdom of God.”
Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. ~Matthew 6: 12
Many years ago, our church community crafted the words for our Reconciling Statement. It was important work as the denomination struggled with welcoming and affirming LGBTQI+ persons. In many ways, our congregation was ahead of the times in 2008. The statement was crafted with great care, painstakingly considering each word. The desired outcome was to have a statement that would endure and be welcoming to all persons and “affirm those who are marginalized for any reason.” What does it mean, today, to be a reconciling congregation? Jesus shows us that reconciliation is choosing love and forgiveness. Choosing love as a daily spiritual discipline interrupts the cycles of apathy, disconnection, and “us and them.” Let us worship, seeking God’s presence as we support one another, and follow Jesus’ example of choosing love in all things.

Lent Labyrinth
2026-03-15 11:15 - 12:30
Sunday, March 15 – 11:15 AM: Lent Labyrinth
Pause in the beginning of your week and enter a space of stillness. The Labyrinth invites you to bring your questions, your hopes, and your longing to live faithfully. As you walk, consider the ways God calls us to be bearers of compassion and justice. Let each step guide you deeper into the heart of Lent and into the work of love that the world needs.

Potluck - A Conversation with Ezra Klein and James Talarico - w Pastor Julie
2026-03-15 17:00 - 18:00
Join us for a joyful Potluck Gathering before class!

You’re welcome to come just for the potluck, stay for both potluck and class, or simply arrive in time for class—whatever fits your evening best. The choice is completely yours!
We’re calling it a Wild Bonanza Potluck because anything goes! Bring a favorite dish, a family recipe, a store‑bought surprise, or whatever inspires you in the moment. We’ll spread everything out, share generously, and enjoy a fanciful feast together before we settle into class time.
Come for the food, stay for the fellowship, and enjoy a wonderful evening with our community.

A Conversation with Ezra Klein and James Talarico - w Pastor Julie
2026-03-15 18:00 - 19:30
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.
