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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:icalendar-ruby
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20261008T050140Z
UID:239-569624@mcphersonfirst.org
DTSTART:20261108T143000Z
DTEND:20261108T173000Z
CLASS:PUBLIC
CREATED:20260929T161356
DESCRIPTION:On Sunday\, November 8\, we will welcome new members into the M
 cPherson First UMC family during both worship services. If you have been w
 orshiping with us and want to make this your church home\, we would love t
 o welcome you as a member.\nAt McPherson First\, we are forming disciples 
 of Jesus Christ who love boldly\, serve joyfully\, and lead courageously. 
 Joining the church is how you say yes to growing in that life alongside pe
 ople who will walk with you. Ready to take the step? Complete the interest
  form by Sunday\, October 25 and Pastor Andrew will be in touch.\nWhat hap
 pens that morning. New members come forward during worship and join in fro
 nt of the whole congregation. There is no private joining\, because member
 ship is a promise made in community: you make promises to the church\, and
  the congregation makes promises to you. The service includes the historic
  membership questions\, baptism for anyone who has not yet been baptized\,
  reception into the United Methodist Church\, and a welcome from the whole
  congregation. Your previous baptism (in any Christian tradition) is recog
 nized. You only need to be baptized once.\nThe promises you will make. Whe
 n you join\, you commit to 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: showing up for worship and the life of the church.\n\
 nGoal: weekly worship and involvement in a small group or class.\n\n\nGift
 s: giving financially to support the church’s mission.\n\nGoal: tithing 
 (10% of income) given regularly.\n\n\nService: finding where you’re call
 ed to serve and giving yourself to it.\n\nGoal: regular volunteering using
  your unique gifts.\n\n\nWitness: sharing your faith through words and act
 ions.\n\nGoal: naturally inviting others and living your faith visibly.\n\
 n\n\nThe promises are not about perfection. They are about growing togethe
 r in faith\, each at our own pace\, supporting one another along the way.\
 nA natural next step: Grace Groups. A small circle of people meeting weekl
 y for one hour to watch over one another in love. Groups form at the start
  of a season and stay together through it\, so they begin together rather 
 than adding people week by week. The next season opens in January with a c
 ome-and-see night\, so you can find out what a Grace Group is before joini
 ng one. Tell Pastor Andrew you are interested and he will make sure you kn
 ow when that night is set.\nHow to join.\n\nExpress interest. Complete our
  interest form by Sunday\, October 25\, two weeks before New Member Sunday
 .\nMeet with Pastor Andrew. He will reach out to schedule a conversation t
 o get you ready. He will review the five promises and walk through the que
 stions you will answer during the service.\nJoin on New Member Sunday. You
  will come forward during the service to answer the membership questions a
 nd be received by the congregation. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early and sit 
 near the front. Invite family and friends.\n\nAlready a member of another 
 United Methodist congregation or another Christian denomination? The proce
 ss is the same. We would love to welcome you. Curious about confirmation f
 or an 8th grader\, or about baptism for yourself or a child? Contact the c
 hurch office and we’ll talk it through.\nLearn more about membership\, t
 he five promises\, and Grace Groups on our Next Steps page. We can’t wai
 t to celebrate with you.
LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T161356
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--239/
 2026-11-08
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