Worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. | |
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Dear Friends,
At the beginning of August, I had the privilege of traveling to Cuba for a brief mission trip. What a wonderful experience that was. The people, the places, the Spirit of God at work- it was incredible! God is changing lives in Cuba.
This Sunday we will take a look at Matthew 7:15-20 – an excerpt from The Sermon on the Mount where Jesus is talking about good trees and false prophets and so much more.
What does my trip to Cuba and Jesus’ teaching about fruit have in common? Join me on Sunday to find out. Worship in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. in-person or online by clicking the buttons below. Sunday School and Nursery Care are available.
God is changing lives here, too!
P.S. Exciting opportunities for you to Impact your Faith in deep and meaningful ways this year are detailed in this edition of Steeple Notes. Take a look and then sign up to be a part of what God is doing at Birmingham and Berkley First!
Blessings,
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The Rev. Susie Hierholzer
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
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Click a button below to watch worship online Sunday at 10:00 a.m. | |
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Altar Flowers
The Altar Flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and in celebration of Isabel Stepaniak on her 17th birthday by her mother, Adrienne Trupiano-Stepaniak.
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The Altar Flowers are available on the following Sundays; September 10, 17 & 24. The Mission Candle is available on the following Sundays: October 1, 8, 22 & 29. For more information, or to sponsor one of these dates, please contact Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected], or call 248-646-1200. | |
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Sympathies
Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Donna and Marge Russell on the death of Donna's husband and Marge's father, Lytle Russell on August 22.
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Returning this week from sabbatical, Pastor Zack brings us a word from the woods. What did he wrestle with and glean from his time away? Come find out as we welcome Zack back to Berkley First.
Worship on Sunday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Berkley First in-person or online via livestream, Facebook, YouTube, or BerkleyFirst.org.
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Watch Worship from Sunday, August 20 | |
Watch a recording of worship from last Sunday, August 20 by clicking on one of the buttons below. | |
Impact Faith: Discipleship Series | |
Impact your faith this year with a new discipleship series being offered by our clergy team. Topics will include the Bible, Methodism, Christian History, Theology, and Christian Ethics. Each class will meet for 5-weeks and will be offered at both campuses so you can choose when and where you would like to be a part of this awesome experience. Childcare is available for children birth through 5th grade. Middle School and High School students are welcome to be childcare helpers for these classes. Registration is now open for the first two classes: Bible at the Birmingham campus and Methodism at the Berkley campus. Click the button below and let us know that you want to impact your faith this year. | |
New Chapter of the CLC: Open House | |
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On Sunday, September 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. stop by the CLC for an Open House to showcase the updates that have occurred this summer; new gym floor, painted bathrooms, stairwells redone, stage refinished, and a deep clean of the whole facility.
There will be pickleball demonstrations, a chance to meet the CLC instructors, SWAG giveaways, popcorn and refreshments!
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CLC Welcome Desk - Volunteers Needed | |
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The Christian Life Center (CLC) is undergoing renovation to prepare for the next chapter. The new flooring is being installed. We look forward to reopening in the Fall but need your help! In order to launch this exciting new chapter of the CLC (including Pickleball), and to ensure it’s success, we are seeking Welcome Desk Volunteers to provide a warm welcome to visitors of the CLC.
Please submit your interest by scanning the QR code. Submitting interest does not mean you're signing up but rather interested in what this may look like and to seek more information. We are hosting two informational meetings on Wednesday, August 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and Wednesday, August 30 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the lobby of the CLC.
Come and hear more about this exciting opportunity to connect our church with the community! RSVP for one of these meetings, or if you cannot attend but are interested, submit your name to this form and note when you are available. Contact Rev. Sarah Alexander for more information, [email protected].
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Birmingham First seeks a part-time Childcare Worker- Flexible schedules are available.
Birmingham First is hiring a Childcare Worker to assist in providing a developmentally appropriate, play-based, Christian environment for children. The Childcare Worker is responsible for the well-being of the children under their care. Work anywhere between 3 to 18 hours per week. For more information, click the button below or contact Kim Bowyer, Director of Children and Family Ministries, [email protected], 248-646-1200 ext. 3134.
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Deadline to register is Friday, September 8
Confirmation is an important part of a young person’s faith journey. In confirmation class students will be challenged to think about their faith, to responsibly live their faith in the world, and to make decisions about their own spiritual formation. This class is for students entering 8th grade or higher. For more information about confirmation click the button below, or contact Rev. Susie Hierholzer, [email protected] or call 248-646-1200 ext. 3162.
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Join the Discipleship Journey of creating community, transforming lives, and sharing the love of Christ. You are invited to join our small groups, called Journey Groups. There is a place for you!
Groups for Moms
New and returning moms are invited to join a Mom’s Journey Group that meets weekly for parenting support, spiritual growth, and fellowship at the Birmingham campus. Groups are offered throughout the week, morning or evening, to fit busy schedules. Complementary childcare is available.
Groups for Men & Women
There are also groups for men and women. These groups offer Bible studies, book discussions, and guest speakers to help build your faith and grow your community.
For more information on the upcoming Journey Groups, or to sign up for a group, click the button below.
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Children's Choirs and SPARK | |
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Register now for Children’s Choirs and SPARK!
SPARK is our after school ministry that supports the choir program. Children can also attend choir rehearsals independently of SPARK.
Choirs for children Pre-K through 5th Grade! Every Thursday beginning September 7. For more information on rehearsal times, or to register, scan the QR code or contact Kim Bowyer, [email protected], 248-646-1200 ext. 3134.
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Youth workers needed for SPARK!
Youth in grades 6th-12th are invited to apply as a SPARK Youth Worker for the 2023-2024 school year. Youth SPARK Workers assist with younger children during SPARK on Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Schedules can be flexible. Training & paperwork are required prior to beginning. There are our options for compensation: Paycheck (must be 14 years old), Mission trip account, England Choir Trip account, or volunteer hours. For an application, contact Kim Bowyer at [email protected].
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Children and Youth Choirs | |
Young singers begin the journey towards making music for a lifetime by participating in our choir program. Combining excellence in music education with faith development, there is no program quite like this around. From weekly rehearsals to Choir Camp, to England Tours, our singers learn skills, make friends, and learn faith lessons that will last a lifetime. Don’t let your child miss out on these transformational experiences. For more information on Music Ministry programs for children and youth, please contact us at [email protected]. | |
Looking for an old fashioned family dinner without the cooking or the dishes? Too busy Sunday’s preparing for the week to get dinner on the table? Join us for Sunday dinner with your church family. Sundays, beginning September 10 at 6:00 p.m. More information soon. | |
No one has time for the Flu! Do your best to prevent it by getting your annual Flu shot on Sunday, September 17 at Birmingham First in the Martin Room from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Flu shots are provided by Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). | |
Voice of Hope is a weekly devotional available to you by phone 24 hours a day. Starting on Sunday, August 27 and lasting for a week, the Voice of Hope message will be recorded by Greg LaBrake titled, The Friend Above All Friends. To listen, call 248-646-6407 and press 2 when your call is answered by our automated system. | |
Fantasy Football for Missions | |
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It’s time again for Fantasy Football for Missions! Live Draft in Fellowship Hall is Sunday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. A $30 donation is ALL that is required. For more details, click the button below.
Be sure to email Mark Adams at [email protected] today to sign up.
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Monthly Mission - September | |
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Monthly Mission - September
Micah 6 Community will be helping our neighbors on Murphy Street with a variety of outdoor clean up projects including painting, gardening, home repair, light concrete work, sidewalk clearing, trash removal during their BLOCK BLITZ on Saturday, September 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Fall Rummage Sale - Get Involved! | |
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Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace.-1 Peter 4:10
UMW Fall Rummage Sale is open to the public Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12.
This church-wide effort is about mission giving on many levels. Get involved! Rummage Sale Week is a fun way to meet people and get connected at Birmingham First while helping others in need.
To volunteer the week of October 8-13, call or text Jane Carvell at 248-379-2662 or email [email protected].
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Hunger Ministry will be hosting a Home Produce Table every Sunday through Sunday, September 24. Visit their table in Fellowship Hall. Bring any extra items from your garden and drop them off at the Home Produce Table before worship then purchase items brought by others after service to benefit the Hunger Ministry.
We need volunteers! Click the button below to sign up or contact Bob Feldmaier, [email protected].
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Fair Trade Equal Exchange | |
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Get your Fair Trade chocolate and coffee on the second Sunday of every month beginning on Sunday, September 10 in Fellowship Hall following the Worship Service. Fair trade organizations make sure the farmer gets a fair fraction of the price, and often helps them improve their farming and business methods.
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On Sunday, August 27 meet in Thomas Parlor from 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. for a wonderful picnic lunch prepared by Chef Greg Ervin. Come for fellowship with your senior friends. Cost of the lunch will be $15.00. To reserve your place at the table, please make your reservation by Tuesday, August 22 with Mary Feldmaier, Director of Membership and Connecting Ministries, [email protected], 248-646-1200 ext. 3142. Future Sunday Socials will be held on September 24, October 29 & November 26.
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Crop Walk - Join the Team! | |
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We are less than 60 days away from the 2023 Crop Hunger Walk! Start your stretching and practice stepping!
On Sunday, September 24 at 1:00 p.m. the walk will begin at Birmingham First and end with an Ice Cream Social at First Presbyterian Church.
You can begin your fundraising efforts now by joining the Birmingham First Team online! Click the button below to register! For more information, contact John King at [email protected].
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We will be sending our church’s college students a care package during the month of September. Please send your student’s college address to Chris Schulte by September 4 at [email protected].
If you would like to be part of this ministry, contact Sue Smith by email at [email protected].
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Volunteer Record & Registration Update | |
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Birmingham and Berkley First has a new policy for working with children, youth and vulnerable persons. This new policy asks for volunteers to complete an application, background check release, and provide the names and email addresses of two references who will be asked to fill out a form recommending you as a volunteer. Click the button below for more information.
For questions, please contact Rev. Susie Hierholzer, Pastor of Discipleship, by email [email protected] or by phone 248-646-1200 ext. 3162.
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Coming in September to the CLC | |
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Yoga N Beyond
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the CLC
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Mat Pilates
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. in the CLC
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Shine a light on sickle cell disease by donating blood on Tuesday, September 19 between 12:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
All attempting donors will receive a limited-edition sickle cell awareness t-shirt as a thank you, while supplies last.
Thank you to those who have donated this year. Our May drive which was 34 pints collected and the July drive which was 33 pints collected.
Click the button below to reserve your time to give!
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