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X-WR-CALNAME:First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://umc-kzo.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231203T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231203T113000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231130T203530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231203T143809Z
UID:18583-1701597600-1701603000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:First Sunday of Advent: Hope
DESCRIPTION:Join Us this week as we welcome the season of advent ! \n“You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5  \nWelcome to the season of Advent. A time of waiting. Oh no\, waiting? We are so impatient with waiting. The red light is too long\, our kid is taking forever as we wait in the pick-up line at school\, all the grocery lines are long\, good grief is that person buying enough food for the whole neighborhood? Waiting is something that we are not likely to enjoy. Nevertheless\, this season calls for us to actively wait and prepare for Jesus to be born\, for the Life-Light to blaze out of the darkness to bring hope to a weary world. For this time of waiting\, we prepare by transforming our time of worship to deep listening in the dark\, sharing our heart with God in confession\, hymns that yearn for the promise to come\, prayer with new words rather than the ones we have memorized. It is all an invitation to awaken\, rise and meet the transcendent light that brings hope\, peace\, joy and love. God is coming\, let us prepare our hearts and wait.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/first-sunday-of-advent-hope/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Transcendent.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231207T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231207T130000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231128T142057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231128T142057Z
UID:18553-1701950400-1701954000@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:2023 Advent Concerts
DESCRIPTION:December 7: Selkie\, is a trio of dynamic Celtic musicians who play traditional music and original music with a trademark intensity\nand drive. The sounds of flute\, fiddle\, bouzouki\, banjo\, guitar\, accordion\, and harp are woven into Selkie’s music\, along with the vocal\nharmonies they use for their songs. \nDecember 14: Gary and Martha Matthews\, their concerts are a musical and spiritual journey with classical\, jazz\, and arrangements\nof the great well-known hymns that you love. What is unique about their concerts is how this well-known music is specifically\narranged for the gifts Gary and Martha bring. Gary plays piano and trumpets and sings\, while Martha plays a variety of flutes\, penny\nwhistles (Celtic Irish sound)\, piano\, and handbells that fit on a “Handbell Tree!” As an ordained pastor Gary has a heart for\nshepherding God’s people and does that through his music and worship leading. He served three churches as their Worship Pastor.\nMartha holds a Masters in Flute Performance and is a sought-after Handbell Clinician. She is the Director of the Kalamazoo Ringers\,\nthe oldest continual community Handbell Ensemble in the United States. She also teaches flute at Cornerstone University in Grand\nRapids\, MI. Gary and Martha’s concerts include diverse music using the piano and organ\, trumpet\, voices\, flute\, and handbells. \nDecember 21: Aris Chaplin\, solo jazz piano Aris is an international award-winning jazz pianist and keyboardist at Western Michigan\nUniversity in Kalamazoo\, Michigan. He has performed at several musical events both locally and abroad. He has performed and\nplayed alongside world-class jazz musicians\, such as Chris Potter\, säje\, Christian McBride\, Johnaye Kendrick\, Jesus Molina\, the Emmet\nCohen Trio\, and the Paul Keller Orchestra. Aris is based in Kalamazoo\, MI and travels around Michigan to perform in different\nvenues. He has performed at venues such as Hill Auditorium\, Blue LLama Jazz Club\, and the North American International Auto Show\nCOBO Center in Detroit.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/2023-advent-concerts/
LOCATION:MI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Advent-Concerts-4.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231210T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231210T113000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231207T212123Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231210T142804Z
UID:18653-1702202400-1702207800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:What’s So Good About this News?
DESCRIPTION:“Every valley shall be lifted up\, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level\, and the rough places a plain.”   -Isaiah 40:4 \nThe ancient words of the prophet call to us on the second Sunday of Advent. “Comfort\, comfort\, my people” says your God.” These words are echoed by Mark the gospel writer in the wilderness and illustrated by John the Baptizer preparing the way for Christ to come. In Advent we await three comings of Christ. 1.)  Christ’s arrival through his birth. 2.) Christ’s arrival in our present. 3.) Christ’s final coming when God’s reign will be full on earth as it already is in heaven. We wade more deeply into the waiting this second Sunday of Advent. May the good news of God’s pending arrival meet us with peace.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/whats-so-good-about-this-news/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transcendent-5.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231217T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231217T113000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231215T010313Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231217T144804Z
UID:18742-1702807200-1702812600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Third Sunday of Advent: Joy
DESCRIPTION:Join us this Sunday in person or online as we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent and the Children’s Pageant: “A Shepherd’s Adventure”  at 10:00 am in the sanctuary. \n Advent invites us to be shepherded by the good news that proclaims the birth of a Savior and a new way of life that leads to liberation and joy. Come\, as the children lead us in worship with the pageant “A Shepherd’s Adventure.” As the shepherds are gathered on the hillside and are going about their everyday lives\, they learn of the immense love that God has for all people. This love can be a transcending light in our lives\, even though Thomas\, a hard-working shepherd has his doubts about God’s abiding love. As a Christ centered community\, our stories of new and old are woven with God’s story. This brings a joy that liberates.  
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/third-sunday-of-advent-joy/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231201_154513838_iOS-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T110000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231221T231907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231224T144035Z
UID:18802-1703412000-1703415600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love
DESCRIPTION:The Air Love Breathes is Freedom \nThis a strange fourth Sunday of Advent being that it happens to share the calendar with Christmas Eve and might even shrink a bit in its shadow. But it would do us well to still light the fourth candle on Sunday morning and listen to Mary. She is\, after all the theotokos – that is\, the bearer of God. Her pregnancy deserves as much attention in our worship as the birth. After all\, it didn’t have to happen. She could have responded to the angel with a firm\, “yea\, but no thanks…” And then where would we be? But Mary said “Yes” because Mary was given the freedom to say “no” as well. She is an exemplar our own lives of faith. We are given freedom: freedom to love or not to love\, to say “yes” and to say “no” to God. And it is by God’s love we have this freedom. The air love breathes is freedom. May we know this love on this\, strange\, yet important fourth Sunday of Advent. \n  \n 
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/fourth-sunday-of-advent-love/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transcendent-8.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T233000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231218T175943Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231223T164957Z
UID:18776-1703433600-1703460600@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Christmas Eve Services
DESCRIPTION:This Christmas\, we extend a warm invitation to you and yours to join us for a celebration filled with joy\, music\, and reflection. Our Christmas Eve services are designed to create lasting memories and embrace the true spirit of the season. \nEvent Schedule: \n🕓 4:00 pm – Children and Family Worship \n\nJoin us for a Christmas Eve service tailored with kids and families in mind. We encourage children to actively participate during the service\, making it a festive and memorable experience for all.\n\n🕖 7:00 pm – Lessons and Carols (Childcare available) \nFor Bulletin click HERE \n\n Throughout the season of Advent\, we have lit the candles of hope\, peace\, joy\, and love. Tonight\, we light the Christ candle to honor that Christ is our Light. We will raise our voices to sing Christmas carols accompanied by brass instruments\, listen to the Scripture lessons of the shepherd’s amazement\, and end our night raising our candles and singing “Silent Night.”\nChildcare will be available.\nThis livestream will be broadcasted in the b1 lounge at Friendship Village for those who are unable to physically join us in the sanctuary\, Pastor Thom Victor will be there.\n\n🕚 11:00 pm – Lessons and Communion\, Silent Night on the Front Steps \nFor Bulletin click HERE \n\nIn a quieter spirit we sing carols\, listen to the beauty of the oboe\, and come to the communion table to receive the bread of life and the cup of blessing. If the weather cooperates\, we will take our candles to our front steps and sing “Silent Night” as a call for peace and goodwill for all persons.\n\n  \n🎥 Livestream Information: \n\nCan’t join us in person? Watch the 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm services on our YouTube channel.\n\n\nLet’s make this Christmas a celebration to remember. We can’t wait to share the joy of the season with you!
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/christmas-eve-services/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/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-by-Sile-1.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231223T162646Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231223T162740Z
UID:18820-1703444400-1703449800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Christmas Eve 7:00 PM Service
DESCRIPTION:Christmas Eve: Christ Be Our Light   \nThroughout the season of Advent\, we have lit the candles of hope\, peace\, joy\, and love. Tonight\, we light the Christ candle to honor that Christ is our Light. We will raise our voices to sing Christmas carols accompanied by brass instruments\, listen to the Scripture lessons of the shepherd’s amazement\, and end our night raising our candles and singing “Silent Night.” \nChildcare will be available. \nThis livestream will be broadcasted in the b1 lounge at Friendship Village for those who are unable to physically join us in the sanctuary\, Pastor Thom Victor will be there.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/christmas-eve-700-pm-service/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Merry-Christmas-4.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231224T230000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231225T003000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231223T163424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231223T163424Z
UID:18823-1703458800-1703464200@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:Christmas Eve Service: 11:00PM
DESCRIPTION:Christmas Eve: Christ Be Our Light   \nIn a quieter spirit we sing carols\, listen to the beauty of the oboe\, and come to the communion table to receive the bread of life and the cup of blessing. If the weather cooperates\, we will take our candles to our front steps and sing “Silent Night” as a call for peace and goodwill for all persons. \n  \nJoin us in-person or online.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/christmas-eve-service-1100pm/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://umc-kzo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Merry-Christmas-5.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20231231T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20231231T100000
DTSTAMP:20260615T230054
CREATED:20231228T192359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231231T145211Z
UID:18867-1704016800-1704016800@umc-kzo.org
SUMMARY:First Sunday after Christmas
DESCRIPTION:With Christmas Eve behind us and a new year merely hours away in our present time\, we find Mary 2\,000 years ago with a Baby Jesus only 40 days old as she brings him to the temple. There Mary is met by Simeon and Anna\, an old man and a prophetess whose deepest longings have been fulfilled by this child. God in Jesus has come down in a particular time to a particular place. Just the same the good news of Christmas today is that God in Jesus comes to us in our particular time and in our particular place. On the Eve of this new year we linger in the joy of Christmas just a bit longer with Mary\, and look forward to the promises with Simeon and Anna. \nJoin us in-person or online at 10:00 am for worship. \nClick here for the Song sheet.
URL:https://umc-kzo.org/event/first-sunday-after-christmas/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:Service
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