First Church Awarded Lifesaving AEDs

We are delighted to share that, through the efforts of Ronda Kroeschen and other members of the congregation and Village Nursery School, First Church has been awarded three new Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to replace the models we have had for the last ten years. Franciscan Health awarded these devices to First Church through their Revive & Survive grant program. These new AEDs are designed to be incredibly easy to use and can provide life-saving Read more…

From the Trustee Chair: Final Renovation Phase Update – Sanctuary & Activity Center

Dear First Church Family, We are entering the final stages of our sanctuary and activity center renovations, and we want to thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support throughout this important project. As we move toward completion, we’ll need your help and understanding as we shift worship spaces and complete the last critical pieces of work—including new carpeting and audio/visual improvements. Here’s what to expect in the coming weeks: Current Work in Progress Read more…

Pentecost Sunday Celebration: Welcoming New Members & Confirmands

Pentecost Sunday on June 8 was a joyful and meaningful day in the life of First Church. We gathered to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. During worship, we recognized and celebrated our youth who completed Confirmation class with a special ceremony. The class leading up to this moment was guided by the Family Ministry Team under the direction of Family Ministry Instructional Coordinator, Talitha Huber. We were Read more…

2025 Annual Conference Reflection

First United Methodist Church West Lafayette attended the 2025 Indiana United Methodist (INUMC) Annual Conference held June 4-7 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Anna Clark, a member of our First Church family and leadership, shares her reflection on the conference: “I’ve previously shared my story about how disappointed I was in the United Methodist Church in 2019 when we failed to become a more inclusive church. In the six years since, Read more…

Celebrate Pentecost with Us – Sunday, June 8

Pentecost Sunday is a powerful day in the life of the Church—a time to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church itself. Join us for worship at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM on Sunday, June 8, as we honor this sacred day together. During the 11:00 AM Celebrate service, we will hold a special Confirmation Ceremony for our youth in grades six and above who have been learning and Read more…

You’re Invited: Annual Church Picnic

Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship at our Annual Church Picnic on Sunday, June 22! We’ll gather at Happy Hollow Park in Shelter 4. Chicken and drinks are provided, and we ask that you bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please note: The shelter does not have electricity. We’ll have yard games to enjoy. Feel free to bring your favorites along, too! Annual Church Picnic Date: Sunday, June 22 Read more…

Help Feed and Support Freedom School Scholars

Dear First Church Family, Many of you have asked how you can get involved with this year’s Freedom School, and we’re grateful for your willingness to serve! One of the most important and tangible ways to help is by providing support for daily meals — breakfast, lunch, and snacks — for our amazing scholars and staff. Whether you enjoy cooking, organizing, delivering, or simply offering a helping hand, there’s a place for you in this work of hospitality. Read more…

Family Ministry is Hiring

First Church is hiring! We’re looking for three dedicated people to join our Family Ministry team this summer and next school year. These part-time roles offer the chance to work with our nursery, support Vacation Bible School and Sunday School, and help with family events. Details: If you or someone you know is interested, please email your resume to Talitha Huber at thuber@fumcwl.org.

First Church Prevue

May 2025 Prevue

The May 2025 Prevue highlights our Easter Season series, “The Cup of Freedom,” with Pastor Duane’s reflection on how this theme invites us to explore Christ’s liberation and new life. We honor the legacies of Pastor Denise (Denny) Frank, Richard (Rich) Frank, and Max Hoke, whose service and compassion continue to shape our community. Pastor Duane also shares insights from the Spring 2025 GBCS Board Meeting in Los Angeles, and we celebrate the success of Read more…

Honoring Pastor Denny & Rich Frank and Max Hoke

With gratitude and deep respect, we remember our dear retired Pastor, Denise (Denny) Frank, her husband Richard (Rich) Frank, and our friend Max Hoke—three faithful members of the First Church family whose lives were shaped by service, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to caring for others, especially children and those in need. Denny and Rich Frank were a team in every sense of the word. Together, they gave their time, energy, and hearts to ministries Read more…