Worship with Us
We invite you to join us in worship as we experience, celebrate, and share God’s love.
Upon entering the sanctuary, my mind settles into a calmer, peaceful realm. Distractions of a busy life tend to fade.
In this gathering place, we’re growing up in God together.
Current Series
Comfort for the Soul
Many years ago, we began a mid-winter series to beat the winter blahs entitled “Rhythms of the Soul.” This year as we consider the theme and implementation of this series our worship planners decided that a spin off was necessary. Thus, “Comfort for the Soul” emerged as a good and necessary theme. Winter itself brings the desire for comfort in the form of food, warm blankets, cozy fires and fuzzy sweaters. Our souls yearn for restoration, renewal and a more dormant space that allows for growth and understanding. As we continue pandemic living, we hunger for our lives to be collective rather than separate. We desire health and well-being for all rather than sickness and death. We desire unity rather than divisiveness and we want to return to a comfort of life that is more predictable yet changed from our “normal” that did not benefit or compassionately consider the whole. The Psalmist tells us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. It is a word of comfort, an image that can and will lead us from our distress and strengthen us as we live into this day that is still a gift. As we worship together in these next few weeks, immerse yourself in God’s comfort and share this comfort as you engage with your neighbors and this world.
Latest Message
Being the Body of Christ
January 23, 2022
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Latest Services
Being the Body of Christ
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 […]
Spirit for the Common Good
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You […]
First Sunday After the Epiphany
You’re invited to join us for coffeehouse worship! As we continue to experience the Epiphany, we celebrate Light being revealed to the world. Our worship will seek the light as […]
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Latest Livestream
January 23, 2022, 10:00 am
Led by: Rev. Julie Kline
Psalm 139: 1-18
Bulletin: 10:00 am
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 […]
Sometimes after worship I see First church people reaching out to those they don’t know. That’s good because we are all strangers who find ourselves on a journey to find the ways of Christ.
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.
Worship
Satellite Worship Services
Satellite Worship Services Resume!
In-person Sunday satellite worship services will resume at all three retirement communities:
- Heritage Community: 3:00 pm in the Bistro
- The Fountains at Bronson Place: 4:00 pm in the Auditorium
- Friendship Village: 6:30 pm in the KIVA
We are excited to celebrate with one another again and invite community residents to join us for worship, including Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month with individual servings for added safety.
As per the governor’s orders, mask wearing and spaced seating are required. Residents of Friendship Village and the Fountains should sign up with their respective activity directors. (Please confirm the time and location by checking the community calendar.)
