Vicennium Weekend – August 24 & 25

Mark Your Calendars for Vicennium Weekend — August 24 & 25 (Noun. vicennium (plural vicennia or vicenniums) (rare) A period of twenty years.) This August, First Church will celebrate 20 years in our current location at 1700 Mitch Daniels Blvd. We have seen many changes over these years, including the name of our road changing twice! We invite you to celebrate this milestone with special events on August 24-25. Saturday, August 24 Pitch In Picnic at Wea Read more…

Going Deeper: Adult Education Series

What can Scripture tell us about an American Republic? Or Artificial Intelligence? How about a genetically engineered little rodent named OncoMouse? Maybe a modernist cathedral-in-progress, Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia? These are a few of the topics we will explore in our new adult education series based on The Christian Century’s “Going Deeper.” Join conversations on a variety of stimulating topics with other curious minds between Sunday worship services, 10:00-10:50 AM. Grab a coffee and cookies downstairs, Read more…

FUMC Children’s Ministry at Klondike Kids Club

This post is an update on the FUMC Children’s Ministry activities during the 2023-2024 school year, specifically our support for the Klondike Kids Club. Provided by Pastor Denny Frank, Director of the Klondike Kids Club. So much has happened since 2017 when Klondike Kids Club was a vision for the year ahead. Point West Mobile Home Community offered the use of their community room at no cost. This allows KKC to meet Monday through Thursday Read more…

Purdue CDF Freedom Schools @ First Church’s Program Closing Finale & Benefit Event — July 26

You’re invited to a special evening of celebration with the Purdue CDF Freedom Schools @ First United Church scholars! Join us as we mark a second summer of reading and joy. The evening will feature scholars showcasing their works and special presentations, inspiring talks from staff and family, and insights into how you can support this impactful program in our community for years to come. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Theme: Cultures Around the Read more…

Klondike Elementary School Ministry Report: 2023-2024

The following post is an update regarding First Church’s ministry work during the 2023-2024 school year supporting Klondike Elementary School provided by Pastor Denny Frank, Director of the Klondike Kids Club. Hey First Church family and friends, We would like to share with you the impact that you have made as we have moved forward in our ministry to “embrace the children, families, and staff of Klondike Elementary School (KES).” The administration and staff at Read more…

Why? Making Sense of God’s Will: Summer 2024 Adult Education Series

Where is God when the innocent suffer?  Where is God when my prayers go unanswered? Why is God’s will so hard to understand? These are questions that most likely you and almost everyone you know have asked at one time or another, sometimes aloud, sometimes silently.  Adam Hamilton, one of America’s most respected Methodist theologians, brings fresh insight to these age-old questions. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, he lays out core ideas for comprehending God’s plan for Read more…

Wesley Foundation Farewell Event to 435 on State Street — Saturday, June 1

The Wesley Foundation would like to invite you to its final farewell event to their beloved building at 435 W. State Street on Saturday, June 1, 2024. This will be a special time to reunite with old friends for the last time before their big move. Come back and share memories, eat, and learn about Wesley Foundation’s plans for a new ministry center at 2nd and Waldron. Wesley will be open from 11am to 8pm! See details below. Read more…

Join Us on May 19 for Pentecost Sunday!

Join us on Sunday, May 19, for Pentecost Sunday! We have two services: 9 AM First Up Worship and 11 AM Celebrate Worship. We sometimes call Pentecost Sunday “the birth of the church”—the day we celebrate the beginnings of a movement of God’s Spirit that spread around the world in a unique and powerful way. Symbols of Pentecost include flames, wind and descending doves in red, yellow orange and white. This year, in addition to Read more…

Purdue OutCats: Nurturing Nature and Faith

Purdue OutCats (Outdoor Catholics) is a student-led outdooring ministry for Catholic young adults in the West Lafayette area. Rooted in Catholic teachings, this ministry provides a unique space for young adults to deepen their spiritual connection through outdoor activities, prayer, and service. With membership nearing 100 Purdue students, OutCats has been proudly tending to three local parks and forests, nurturing these outdoor spaces while nurturing friendships of faith. At the heart of their efforts lies Read more…

A Humbling Evening

In this article, First Church member Diana Hoke recounts a poignant moment from our congregation’s recent past, where the symbolism of baptism merged with a powerful call to action. Inspired by the ceremony’s vows, Diana’s narrative illuminates the strength of collective action driven by love and compassion. You might recall this past winter when our congregation participated in a “Remembrance of Baptism” recitation on a gray and chilly Sunday morning. It was a lovely part Read more…