GROW WITH US
CrossWalk KIDS
BREAKFAST FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
EVERY SUNDAY MORNING
9:45 – 10:10
KIDS WORSHIP
8:45 and 10:10
Beginning in the sanctuary during worship, children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to leave for Kid’s Worship in the children’s fellowship hall following the Lord’s prayer. Children join their families back in the sanctuary during communion.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
10:10 – 11:00
Preschoolers through 5th graders experience Bible stories through an innovative curriculum, rotating between crafts, drama, science experiments, and story stations.
JUNIOR YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
two Sundays monthly
3:45 – 5:15
2nd – 5th graders gather for fellowship and fun! Join us for an afternoon of activities and games, and the occasional field trip! Our favorite trips include Gage Park Zoo, bowling, and the pumpkin patch!
Children’s Chimes practice from 5:15 – 6:00 pm following JYF and are included in worship throughout the year.
SHINE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:15
October through December, Pre-K through 5th graders prepare for the Children’s Christmas program. Spring musical practice is February through April. Shine meets in the Children’s Fellowship Hall.
Nursery Care
Sundays 8:30 – 11:30
Our nursery provides a safe, loving, fun, and soothing environment for parents and children alike. Conveniently located on the main floor of the church just east of Unity Hall, the nursery is open through each of our Sunday morning services.
Help us keep our children healthy.
Please do not bring children to the nursery until they have been fever free for 24 hours.
We do not distribute medication to any child in our care.
Please report allergies to our nursery staff.
CYF and Chi Rho – Crossroads Youth
6th-12th grades
Sunday school — 10:10 – 11 am Youth and their families are invited to breakfast every Sunday morning from 9:45 am to 10:10 am. Breakfast is held in the children’s center café room and the menu includes: sausage and egg croissants, pancake and sausage on a stick, waffles, cold cereal and milk. Youth in grades 6th -12th meet for Bible study and discussion in the Children’s center for Sunday school.
Sunday Afternoon Youth Fellowship CYF (9-12) and Chi Rho (6-8) gather on Sunday afternoons during the school year from 4:30 to 6 pm. There’s something for everyone — fun & games, outreach opportunities and fellowship.
Sunday Afternoon Bells CYF (9-12) and Chi Rho (6-8) have bell rehearsals on Sunday afternoons prior to youth group meetings. Chi Rho and CYF bells practice from 3:45 to 4:30 pm. The youth bells provide music in worship throughout the school year.
Ministry leadership Youth are active in ministry in our church: providing musical leadership, serving in worship, teaching younger children in summer Sunday school, Vacation Bible school, serving as CIT’s (Counselor in Training) at church camps, and weekly in the Kid’s worship program. The youth prepare and lead a Sunday morning worship service every year.
Connections to the Larger Church Youth participate in the life of our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), through leadership on the regional youth cabinet, regional youth retreats and conferences and Church Camp experiences. FCC youth also participate at the general level of our denomination by attending International CYF conference and in their commitment as a Global mission youth group through the Global ministries of the general church.
Missions – Global and Local
Our youth are active with mission projects each year. In the local Topeka community they participate in the “Hands and Feet” weekend where they serve at Doorstep, Topeka Rescue Mission, Let’s Help and other local community projects.
As a global mission youth group they focus on a global concern every year. In past years they have focused on issues facing young people in Africa, specifically northern Uganda and the Congo, where children have been abducted and forced to serve as child soldiers. They have participated in Gulu Walk, a walk to raise awareness and funds to help rebuild northern Uganda and have hosted Invisible Children and their Ugandan advocates at our global mission events along with raising money for nothing but nets, a campaign to end malaria and charity water, an organization that raises money to drill water wells in Africa. In 2017-18 their global mission focus will be on human trafficking.
Summer Mission trip 
In June the youth – ages 8th to 12th grade – take a summer mission trip and focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus in community with our neighbors. We have traveled to Washington D.C., Chicago, St. Louis and Denver.
Young Adult Small Group 
The Young Adult ministry of FCC Topeka hopes to bridge the gap that exists between the adult church and the high school and college age years by providing a place for young adults to have community with one another, do life together and share with each other on the journey. We meet twice a month on Monday evenings for fellowship and conversation during the months of September to May. If you have questions about this ministry or would like more information you can contact Donna Schultz at peace_now@msn.com.
Schedule: Monday Nights in 2018 – 2019
We meet from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Adult Center for Dinner and Discussion.
September 10 and 24
October 8 and 22
November 12 and 26
December 10
January 14 and 28February 11 and 25
13March 11 and 25
April 8 and 22
May 13
Music Ministry at FCC
- First Christian Church has a very active music program and choirs are open to all age groups and interests. Our 8:45 a.m. service is led by organ music and traditional choir. Our 11:10 service is led by our Worship Team singing more contemporary music. New members are invited to join any of the church’s choirs.
We also invite individuals to share their musical talents (vocal or instrumental) during the Sunday services or other special activities throughout the year. Please contact the Director of Music Ministries if you desire to share your musical talents.
Music Ministry Staff
Director of Music Arts – Tiffany Rea
Organist – Tim Smale
Chimes & Handbell Director –
Debby Martin
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir rehearses at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays in the sanctuary. They sing at the 8:45 a.m. Sunday service from September through June. This choir is open to adults and youth. Our Chancel Choir has a wide and varied repertoire of sacred literature, from the classics to contemporary. A cantatas is performed at Christmas.
Bells & Chimes
Bells and Chimes meet Sunday in conjunction with Youth Groups. Each group plays a variety of sacred music and performs at various Sunday and special services from September through May.
Rehearsal Schedule
- Youth Bells 6th – 12th grade at 3:45
- Adult Bells at 4:30
- JYF Chimes 3rd – 5th grade at 5:15
Shine Choir
Children from 3 years of age to 5th grade meet Wednesday evenings, 6:15 – 7:15 pm during the Fall and Winter/Spring to combine music, drama and movement. Choir members present a Christmas musical during the advent season in December and a Spring musical in early April. All children are invited to participate.
Additional Adult Ministry & Fellowship
Bunko Ministry
The Bunko Ministry provides for fellowship and support of chosen ministries in the Topeka and surrounding area. We meet the first Thursday of every month, enjoy a few games of Bunko and then winners choose which ministry will receive their winnings. Join us for fun and fellowship. If you have questions call Susan Wright or the church office.
Card Ministry
The Card Ministry provides hand-made greeting cards to spread God’s word to all nursing home residents at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, KS for their birthdays, religious holidays, and other events. To provide encouragement, we also make cards for our FCC home-bound members, those experiencing health issues, or those who have suffered the loss of a
loved one.
If you love expressing yourself creatively, or would like to learn how to make greeting cards, please consider joining us. Please contact Sandy McDaniel for more information.
Health Ministry Team
The Health Ministry Team provides focus on the health needs of our congregation. The goal of this faith-based health and wellness program is to focus on the spiritual, emotional, social and physical dimensions of individuals to help them achieve wellness and manage health. This team supports the Parish Nurse program by providing assistance with tasks and determining the priorities for the congregation. The team has health professionals and others who have an interest in health promotion. New ideas and team members are always welcome. Team meets every 6 weeks.
Just Move It!
This free program promotes exercise at all levels of abilities by active participation in a supportive environment. Each session includes low impact group exercise with the sharing of health tips. The emphasis is on performing at individual abilities in a non competitive environment. Choreographed with simple fun, yet effective movements that just about everyone can do regardless of age/shape and exercise experience. Wear comfy clothes.
We meet at 6:00 pm every Wednesday for one hour in Fellowship Hall. This small group is sponsored by your HealthMinistry Team.
Maintenance Ministry Team
This group meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 8:00 a.m. They help maintain the church buildings and grounds. They also enjoy fellowship and food! Contact the church office if you have any questions.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The prayer shawl ministry gathers the first Saturday of every other month at 8:30 a.m. in the reference library. They knit shawls with a prayer in every stitch. The shawls are given to people in need of comfort, support and love. Anyone who would like to join us to pray over the shawls is welcome. If you knit or crochet you might want to share your talent with this ministry. We also have those willing to teach knitting and crochet to anyone wanting to learn. Call Connie Skinner for more information.
More than 300 prayer shawls have been shared with those in need of comfort since our Prayer Shawl Ministry began here at First Christian Church. Shawls have been shared both locally and sent across the globe.
Sack Lunch Ministry
Each Sunday of the month, some 80 volunteers give their time to either make sandwiches, sack, or deliver and serve noon meals to residents at the Rescue Mission/Hope House. To have supplies to make 150 sandwiches weekly, current donations of granola bars, individual size fruit cups and chips are always appreciated. Any donations for these items can be brought to the church between the hours of 8-3, Monday thru Friday.
Support for this ministry has been awesome. Yet to continue we need commitments from volunteers willing to help. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Please call Kay Powell for more information if desired at 785-286-0434.
Thanks for supporting this meaningful ministry!
Disciple Women’s Fellowship
The mission of the Women’s Disciples Fellowship is to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, enrichment, education and creative ministries to enable women to develop a sense of personal responsibility for the whole mission of the Church of Jesus Christ. All women attending the Church are members of Disciple Women’s Fellowship and are invited to attend meetings and activities.
Christian Action/Community Service (CA/CS) Ministry
The CA/CS Ministry Team provides opportunities for members and friends of First Christian Church (DoC) Topeka to reach out to help others, both in our church family and community, by giving and serving.
Loaves and Fishes – a fund-raising program where all monies generated are used to support local agencies and organizations. This is done through the Dillons Community Rewards program (formerly through sales of Dillons and HyVee gift cards). As of December 2016, Loaves and Fishes provided $4,861.00 in supplies to served agencies. Agencies and organizations that we support with these funds are:
- Breakthrough House
- Cornerstone
- Doorstep
- FCC Apartments
- Florence Crittenden
- Helping Hands
- Let’s Help
- KS Christian Home
- LULAC
- NETReach
- Papan’s Landing
- Red Cross
- Rescue Mission
- Ronald McDonald House
- Salvation Army
- Silverbackks
- Veterans’ Administration
Baby Bag Ministry – When a new child is welcomed into the world, we provide a bag in the Narthex where parishioners can leave a small gift or card for the family and it will be delivered to them.
Clothing Donations – Cleaning out your closets and have clothes to get rid of? Put them in the Doorstep box. Embarrassed that they are old or need repair? Don’t be. EVERYTHING is used. Doorstep takes what they want for their clothing room and passes the rest on to the Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission takes out what they want for their clothing room and bundles the rest to be sold as rags. So don’t worry about the condition, bring it on.
Pop Tabs – CA/CS collects pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. There is a box in the church office to put them in.
World Outreach
Growing with Others in the Spirit
We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ we welcome all to the Communion Table as God has welcomed us. Topeka First supports the ministries of The Christian Church Disciples of Christ including the General Church, 33 regional churches, and all local Christian Churches (DOC) in the USA and Canada. Of our budgeted giving, 10.5% goes to support the Disciples Mission Fund. In addition we support the following Disciple offerings:
Week of Compassion
“When was it that we saw you?” we ask. And Jesus replies: “When you gazed into the nameless face on the evening news; when you read the overwhelming statistics of death, pain and poverty in your world; when you learned about the hundreds who were impacted by a flood, tornado or hurricane….and your compassion drove you to respond. That’s when you saw me.” Great things happen when, as a community of faith, we give generously to Week of Compassion.
Easter
For more than 170 years, General Units of the Christian Church have been the hands, eyes, hearts and feet on the ground eradicating human injustice and abuse of God’s people everywhere. Gifts made through the Easter Special Offering ensures that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will continue to be and share the Good News of Jesus Christ from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. Together we are building a world of hope. Together, we are building a church with a vision. Together we are extending God’s abundance. Our gifts to the Easter offering support the worldwide mission of the Christian Church– being the hands and feet of Jesus through an array of General Ministries of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ.)
(Disciples of Christ.)
Pentecost
Planning, nurturing and sustaining new congregations are part of the Disciples’ vision. Pentecost offering supports the specialized ministry of new church development through both regional and general programs. Fifty percent of gifts received by Kansas remain in this region; the balance supports the work of general, new church efforts.
Reconciliation
When conceived, the reconciliation initiative was based on a vision for the church as a place “where brothers and sisters of all races, languages, and cultures will grow towards God’s glorious realm, where all have a place at the table and none shall be turned away.” We accomplish this mission through intentional dialogue, inclusive worship and experiential education. The Reconciliation Mission of our church is a network of people throughout our church and beyond, who plant seeds of hope that will grow in whatever cracks they can find and ultimately break apart the racist systems that hold us back from a renewed and renewing witness of God’s wholeness. This offering is received nationwide in September. Fifty cents of each dollar given is returned to Kansas to be used on projects right here at home.
Thanksgiving
Disciples have a long history of post-secondary and theological education. The Thanksgiving Offering provides direct support to 14 Disciples colleges and universities and to seven seminaries or divinity houses. Our gifts under gird a nurturing environment where students form their visions of the future; find their voices in the exchange of ideas; and prepare for their vocations. Gifts from the Thanksgiving offering continue a Disciples tradition of developing leaders for our communities and the church.
Christmas
The Christmas Offering supports 33 Regional Ministries across the U.S. and Canada. All we give stays in the Kansas Region. Often recognized for the ministries of camps and conferences, regions also play a critical role in the preparation and authorization of ministerial ordination. Both are key to church leadership and development. Regions partner with congregations to support the work required to call a new minister. The Christmas offering also supports a multitude of other regional ministries such as the men and women’s programs, pastoral care, new church establishment and church revitalization.
First Christian Church
Child Care Center
creating enthusiastic learners
FCCCCC is a ministry of First Christian Church. Created in 1973, to provide a loving & supportive Christian environment for children and their families, First Christian Church Child Care Center believes that children learn best through doing.
We seek to excite curiosity, stimulate creativity, expand cognitive and motor skills, and help each child better understand the world around them.
hours & location
First Christian Church Child Care Center is located at 1880 SW Gage Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas 66604 and operates Monday – Friday, from 7:15 AM – 5:45 PM, year-around.
Please contact Deanna Reedy, Program Director, at 785-272-4291 or via email at childcare@fcctopeka.org for additional information.
online billing and registration
learning environments
- Infants (6 weeks – 12 months & walking)
- Toddler One (12 – 24 months)
- Toddler Two (24 -36 month)
- Preschool One (3 years)
- Preschool Two (3 & 4 years)
- Pre-Kindergarten One (4 & 5 years)
- Pre-Kindergarten Two (4 & 5 years)
- School Age One & Two (before and after school as well as day out care)
- Summer Camp (Kindergarten – 4th grade)
Directions
Office Hours: Monday-Friday from 8am to 12:00 noon and 1 to 3pm.
Church Location & Address: 1880 SW Gage Boulevard, Topeka, KS 66604 (map)
Telephone & Fax: Tel: (785) 272-4290 | Fax: (785) 272-8318
Email: fcctopeka@fcctopeka.org
In the case of death or emergency please contact the church office at 272-4290.
Email Us
Giving
We are excited to announce that we have launched our electronic giving options through the link listed below. The link takes you to a secured website where you will have the option to create your online profile and designate how much you would like to give, the frequency and various categories.