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
Lent 2022: Listen
As we enter our 40-day journey of Lent, we “turn around” (the root meaning of the word “repent”) from the distractions of daily life and the ongoing clamor around us. Our practice of Lent will be to focus our attention on listening in a deeper way. Writer Parker Palmer suggests we must listen “to what our life is telling us,” in other words, to listen to the deep wisdom God gave to us as a birthright, connecting to God’s purpose once again. As we worship together and gather in small groups our intention is to quiet things down and heighten our attention to the “still, small voice” of God and our own True Self. Our Lenten worship music will lead us into reflective congregational responses, solos, choral singing and additional instrumentalists that will encourage the raising of our own voices as a prayer of connection to the Divine and one another. Worship will move us into meditating on the holy text and creating space to be intentional in God’s presence as we kneel at the communion rail, light candles and add our prayers to the prayer quilt in the sanctuary. If you worship from home, we encourage you to create a sacred space that allows you to journal your prayers, light candles and add a few pillows for a special place to kneel in prayer. Come and rest, come and listen.
Latest Message
Sixth Sunday of Easter: Evacuation
May 22, 2022
Watch
Latest Services
Sixth Sunday of Easter: Evacuation
This Sunday, we anticipate Jesus’s ascension and the coming of the New City of God. In one text we see God in Jesus going up, and in the next we […]
Fifth Sunday of Easter: Hallelujah, Praise God, all ye Dandelions
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise God from the heights!” All of creation praises God. Let us join in this chorus that interconnects us all. The […]
Fourth Sunday of Easter: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
The message for May 8 is called “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?” (Credit to Lin Manuel Miranda…) We’ll reflect on the 23rd Psalm in song form and […]
Watch
Latest Livestream
Sixth Sunday of Easter: Evacuation
May 22, 2022, 10:00 am
Led by: Rev. Matt Weiler
Acts 1:6-11, Revelation 21:10, 22:1-5
Bulletin: 10:00 am
This Sunday, we anticipate Jesus’s ascension and the coming of the New City of God. In one text we see God in Jesus going up, and in the next we […]
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.
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.)
