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Oct. 25, 2026, 10 am
Consecration Sunday
"Our Hearts, Our Home"
As we gather for Consecration Sunday, we celebrate the spiritual home God is creating within and among us. Through our shared life of learning, growing, worshiping, serving, and welcoming, we see how mutual love becomes ministry and how every gift helps make this house a living home of grace. Today, each of us is invited to join in pledging for Our Hearts, Our Home, not simply as a financial commitment, but as a shared promise to nurture the church we love, sustain the ministries that form us, and extend hospitality so others may find belonging here. Rooted in the prophet Joel’s promise of the Spirit poured out on all and Jesus’ call to humble, grateful hearts, we bring our commitments, our offerings, and ourselves before God. Together, we offer our hearts and our home so that God’s love may continue to grow among us and reach beyond us with compassion, justice, and hope. Come, let us worship.
Service led by Rev. Julie Kline
Worship
Baptism and Holy Communion
Sacraments
The United Methodist Church celebrates two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion (Lord’s Supper or Eucharist). These were both instituted or commanded by Christ in the Gospels.
“Sacraments are sign-acts, which include words, actions, and physical elements. They both express and convey the gracious love of God, making it visible and effective. In all our brokenness and limitations, we can receive and experience God’s grace through the sacraments.” (This Holy Mystery)
Baptism
In Baptism “we are initiated into Christ’s holy church…incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit.” In baptism we reject the power of sin and begin our journey as disciples of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, we are born into a new way of living. Whether an infant or adult, this is just the beginning.
Baptism takes place during public worship of the community we call the church. Persons of any age may be baptized. Infants, children and others unable to take the vows for themselves are presented by parents and/or sponsors. Later those young people make their personal profession of faith in the service called confirmation.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is an act through which our connection with God, each other and our life of ministry in the world is nourished and strengthened. It is a profound act of remembrance that recalls the last supper Jesus had with his disciples.
In the United Methodist communion liturgy, we pray seeking the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the gifts of bread and juice so that we will be sustained and strengthened to live as Christians in the world. We remember the saving work God has done through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We also celebrate God’s work of making us one with Christ and uniting us in ministry to all the world.
The United Methodist Church practices open table communion. This means all are welcome with no barriers to community with Jesus Christ and with others.
At Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church, communion is served on the first Sunday of each month, as well as on Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, and other special days.