Greetings TFUMC,

I hope that you are enjoying the great weather and having a great week!

As we move into 2026, one of the biggest challenges for our church is many staffing changes. With Pastor's Sandra and Grace leaving June 30th, the Leadership Council has been working through a number of possibilities. To that end, we are happy to announce that beginning June 15, Patrick Yancey will be joining our staff as the Director of Worship and Caring Ministries. Pat recently retired from First Presbyterian Church and is looking forward to working part-time with us at TFUMC. Here is a note from Pat.

After nearly 47 years of marriage, my wife Tamra and I find ourselves surrounded by the kind of family story that keeps unfolding in joyful chapters. Our son Kevin, along with his wife Hannah, is raising their daughter Emma (6)—and with another little one on the way, their household is happily expanding. Our son Benjamin and his wife Misty are busy keeping up with their daughters, Luna (almost 7) and Aurora (almost 5), whose energy and wonder keep life delightfully full. Following nine meaningful years at First Presbyterian Church, where I had the privilege of serving as Associate Pastor across pastoral care, youth ministry, small groups, IT, and administration, I’ve recently stepped into retirement from that role. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with Brad, Shawna, Grace, and others at FUMC, and I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of serving alongside such gifted and gracious people. I look forward to helping the congregation live into its vision and mission, especially through worship, pastoral care, and community outreach—reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new ones along the way. Patrick Yancey

This Sunday looks to being a special week in worship! We will be celebrating graduates and handing out 3rd grade bibles. We will also celebrate Holy Communion at all 3 services as we conclude our sermon series, "Failing Forward." The theme this week: "What if there is no such thing as failure?"

After the 10:45 am service, I hope you will join us for our town-hall luncheon. We will have updates on strategic planning, staffing, and the Be the Bridge Capital Campaign. 

I hope you attend the “Musical Reflections” concert on Saturday afternoon at 3 pm! Our very own Sanctuary Choir Director, Steve Eubank, who is also the Artistic Director of the Lawrence Civic Choir, is personally inviting you to the Musical Reflections Choir Concert. This concert will feature the Lawrence Civic Choir and the William Baker Festival Singers from Kansas City performing a wide variety of choral works ranging from Bach to Mark Hayes (who has performed at our church during a Tempero-Sandall event). The 70-voice Lawrence Civic Choir includes  four of our Topeka First UMC Congregants (Bill Edwards, Donna Osborne, Evelyn Eubank, & George Escobar) and has members ranging from 18 - 92 years!

See you Sunday,

Pastor Brad

On May 3, we’ll begin using Praise-Packs for children ages 5 - 5th grade to use during service. These items will include discipleship tools to help kids understand worship.

Each Sunday,  as the kids come into the worship service, there will be a cart with special items that kids can select & add to their Praise-Pack. Have your child(ren) grab items to put into their Praise-Pack as they enter the Sanctuary or the Chapel. Kids will stay in worship with their parents. At the end of the service, have your child return the Praise-Pack to the cart.

The littlest kids will also be included in the new changes! The kid’s area in the front row of the Sanctuary will now become the Pray-Ground for the 3–4-year-old kids. The area would be set up with age-appropriate items for these little kids to play with during worship time. Parents are encouraged to sit near the Pray-Ground to help supervise their kids.  For the littlest kids who sit with their parents in different areas of the Sanctuary, they are welcome to make a Praise- Pack as well.

With Joy,

De Guzman

Our very own Sanctuary Choir Director, Steve Eubank, who is also the Artistic Director of the Lawrence Civic Choir, is personally inviting you to the Musical Reflections Choir Concert this Saturday at 3 pm. This concert will feature the Lawrence Civic Choir and the William Baker Festival Singers from Kansas City performing a wide variety of chorale works ranging from Bach to Mark Hayes (who has performed at our church during a Tempero-Sandall event). The 70 voice Lawrence Civic Choir includes four of our Topeka First UMC Congregants (Bill Edwards, Donna Osborne, Evelyn Eubank, & George Escobar) and has members ranging from 18 - 92 years!

The William Baker Festival Singers is a select ensemble of 40 singers from the Kansas City Metropolitan area. One of their special numbers will be "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by their resident composer.

There is no admission fee although a free-will donation will be taken. We hope you will come and enjoy this performance in our wonderful Sancutary this Saturday afternoon at 3 pm. Doors will open at 2:30 pm. See you then! Steve Eubank

Jeanne Hentzler is turning 100 years old on May 2! We would like to recognize her with a card shower from her Church family. Jeanne is our longest tenured church member of 88 years! Please help make her special day a joyful one!

Cards can be sent to:
Jeanne Hentzler
1011 SW Cottonwood Ct., Apt. 107, Topeka, KS 66604

You can also bring the cards to church and we'll deliver them.

Starting Monday, May 4 at 6:30 pm here at church is a new book study being led by Erin Corbin. There is still time to sign-up for the book study! Books Are $16 and are available at church.