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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260811T231712Z
UID:224-522644@mcphersonfirst.org
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260920
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260920
CLASS:PUBLIC
CREATED:20260807T113451
DESCRIPTION:On Sunday\, September 20\, we will welcome new members into the
  McPherson First UMC family during both worship services. That morning fal
 ls inside our five-week sermon series\, Five Promises\, so people who just
  say yes to the membership promises hear those same promises unpacked in d
 epth week by week. The timing is intentional. New members do not just say 
 the words\; they learn what the words mean.\nAt McPherson First\, we are f
 orming disciples of Jesus Christ who love boldly\, serve joyfully\, and le
 ad courageously. If you have been worshiping with us and want to make this
  your church home\, we would love to welcome you as a member.\nWhat happen
 s that morning. The service includes the historic membership questions\, b
 aptism for anyone who has not yet been baptized\, reception into the Unite
 d Methodist Church\, and a welcome from the whole congregation. Your previ
 ous baptism (in any Christian tradition) is recognized. You only need to b
 e baptized once.\nThe promises you will make. When you join\, you commit t
 o five spiritual practices that shape how we grow as disciples:\n\nPrayers
 : connecting with God through prayer\, scripture\, and listening.\n\nGoal:
  daily conversation with God that shapes how you live.\n\n\nPresence: show
 ing up for worship and the life of the church.\n\nGoal: weekly worship and
  involvement in a small group or class.\n\n\nGifts: giving financially to 
 support the church’s mission.\n\nGoal: tithing (10% of income) given reg
 ularly.\n\n\nService: finding where you’re called to serve and giving yo
 urself to it.\n\nGoal: regular volunteering using your unique gifts.\n\n\n
 Witness: sharing your faith through words and actions.\n\nGoal: naturally 
 inviting others and living your faith visibly.\n\n\n\nThe promises are not
  about perfection. They are about growing together in faith\, each at our 
 own pace\, supporting one another along the way. The Five Promises sermon 
 series walks through one promise per week from September 13 through Octobe
 r 11\, so the promises you make on September 20 keep unfolding through the
  rest of the series.\nA natural next step: Grace Groups. A small circle of
  people meeting weekly for one hour to watch over one another in love. Gro
 ups form at the start of a season and stay together through it\, so they b
 egin together rather than adding people week by week. The fall season runs
  Wednesdays through November 18\, and the next season opens in January wit
 h a come-and-see night\, so you can find out what a Grace Group is before 
 joining one. Tell Pastor Andrew you are interested and he will make sure y
 ou know when that night is set.\nHow to join.\n\nExpress interest. Complet
 e our interest form by Sunday\, September 6\, two weeks before New Member 
 Sunday.\nMeet with Pastor Andrew. He will reach out to schedule a conversa
 tion\, review the five promises\, and walk through the questions you will 
 answer during the service.\nJoin on New Member Sunday. Arrive 10 to 15 min
 utes early and sit near the front. Invite family and friends.\n\nAlready a
  member of another United Methodist congregation or another Christian deno
 mination? The process is the same. We would love to welcome you. Curious a
 bout confirmation for an 8th grader\, or about baptism for yourself or a c
 hild? Contact the church office and we'll talk it through.\nLearn more abo
 ut membership\, the five promises\, and Grace Groups on our Next Steps pag
 e. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T113451
LOCATION:Sanctuary at McPherson First UMC (1200 E Kansas Ave\, McPherson\, 
 KS)
SUMMARY:New Member Sunday
URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.mcphersonfirst.org/events/new-member-sunday--224/
 2026-09-20
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