Worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. | |
Rebellion in the Vineyard- Matthew 21:33-46 | |
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Dear Friends,
We invite you this Sunday, August 6 to worship in the Birmingham First Sanctuary. We will observe Holy Communion as we reflect on the sermon, Rebellion in the Vineyard, taken from Matthew 21:33-46.
In this sermon, we will hear again Jesus’ parable about the workers in the vineyard who made an agreement with the landowner to work in the vineyard in return for sharing the harvest with the landowner. But when the time came to share the harvest, the workers rebelled against the landowner and their contract. These workers stoned, beat, and killed every messenger the landowner sent to collect his share of the harvest; including the landowners own son. The landowner’s response to this rebellion prepares the careful listener and faithful disciple for an appropriate response to God’s expectations.
This amazing parable presents the reality of the Gospel of salvation to all who wish to follow Jesus. It is a timeless and timely reminder to all Christians that we have a charge to keep, a calling to fulfill in this present age.
Come, let us worship together this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in-person or online by clicking the button below. You will be blessed and reminded again about the real purpose of your life. Sunday School and Nursery Care are available.
With faith and commitment,
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Rev. Dr. Charles S. G. Boayue, Jr.
Senior Pastor
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Click a button below to watch worship online Sunday at 10:00 a.m. | |
Rev. Charles Boayue, Jr., our senior pastor, will be on vacation from August 9 through August 30. He will travel to Liberia during this time. While in Liberia, he will visit and negotiate land to be purchased for the school he will build there. While he is away, please reach out to Rev. Susie Hierholzer with administrative questions. Personnel issues should be addressed to either Chuck Truza, chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, or Frank Turco, Director of Finance and Operations. | |
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This Sunday, August 6, Jeremiah Wade-Olson will preach the sermon, “You Belong” based on the scripture John 20:24-29.
In this first message of a three-week series on belonging, Jeremiah will unpack some of his own experiences with doubt and a sense of belonging in the church.
Worship on Sunday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. at Berkley First in-person or online via livestream, Facebook, YouTube, or BerkleyFirst.org.
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On Sunday, August 6, First Nurses will provide blood pressure checks during coffee hour in Fellowship Hall as a courtesy. All are welcome. | |
Watch Worship from Sunday, July 30 | |
Watch a recording of worship from last Sunday, July 30 by clicking on one of the buttons below. | |
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Mission Candle
The Mission Candle is dedicated to the glory of God in celebration of the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Dick and Carol Dills.
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Congratulations
We offer our congratulations and best wishes to Julie Armitage and Brennan Ackerman, who were married in our Sanctuary on Saturday, July 29.
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Sympathies
Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with David and Ann Corba and family on the death of David's mother, Mary Lou Corba on July 24.
Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Will and Lori Handzel and family on the death of Will’s mother, Patricia Reis on July 22.
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We are happy to welcome the following new members who were received into our church family. We hope that they will form warm friendships and find their place in the work of Birmingham and Berkley First.
- Lisa Fleming
- Patrice Kofa
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Thank You to Laura Auberry | |
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On Sunday, August 6, join us in Fellowship Hall after worship in thanksgiving of our Duke Seminary Intern, Laura Auberry. This will be Laura’s last Sunday with us.
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Welcome Fernando de Castro | |
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This week, we welcome Fernando de Castro, a senior Master of Divinity student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois to Birmingham and Berkley First.
Fernando is a native of Angola in southwestern Africa and a member of the Angola Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is here to serve at Southfield: Hope UMC and with our congregation. He will be in worship with us on Sunday, August 6 and will reside in the church apartment until August 14, when he leaves for Garrett. He will worship with Southfield: Hope on August 13.
He is available to attend, participate in, or speak to groups in our church until August 12. If you wish to have him speak to your group or participate, please reach out to him by phone at 773-971-7208. Fernando’s visit to Michigan, although brief, is an opportunity to gain experience and share our ministries together. Please reach out to him and let us continue to build upon the spirit of First Taste as we expand our fellowship and our relationships around the world!
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Volunteer at the Brightmoor Family Fun Day!
On Saturday, August 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Brightmoor will be hosting a “Family Fun Day” with kids’ activities, lunch and the distribution of backpacks. All families are welcome to volunteer at this event!
Click the button below to sign up!
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Next Chapter of the CLC Update | |
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The Christian Life Center (CLC) is undergoing renovation to prepare for the next chapter! The original flooring has been removed and new flooring will be installed next week. The stairwells have been updated, bathrooms painted, and the stage refinished. Pickleball nets, balls, and racquets have been purchased and we look forward to launching Pickleball in the Fall!
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Volunteers Needed for the CLC Welcome Desk
Our welcome desk is staffed by volunteers, and we are in need of five new volunteers to greet people and help them register. Volunteers are also the points-of-contact when our CLC visitors have questions. We are a fun bunch of folks! Join us!
Click the button below to submit your contact info, or contact Rev. Sarah Alexander by email at salexander@fumcbirmingham.org.
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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
Rummage Sale is Missions
UMW Spring Rummage Sale is open to the public Wednesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 12.
It is well known that United Methodist Women donate Rummage Sale proceeds to help others. But did you know about the multi-generational mission work that occurs during the sale?
• Volunteers-- members & their friends experience fellowship and outreach by
working together
• Youth may earn Community Service credit or money toward an upcoming youth mission trip
• Hundreds of people are welcomed to Birmingham First as they shop
The UMW Rummage Sale is about so much more than the funds generated.
This church-wide effort is about mission 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 jcarve55@icloud.com.
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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, bob.feldmaier@yahoo.com.
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We would love to be your church family! There is a place for you at Birmingham and Berkley First!
Please join us for Discover First, a one session class that will provide you with the knowledge, resources and relationships needed to take your next steps toward membership at Birmingham and Berkley First. The session will be relaxed and informative as you learn more about The United Methodist Church and Birmingham and Berkley First.
The class ends with an opportunity to officially become a member of Birmingham and Berkley First. The class is at the Birmingham First Campus on Tuesday, August 22 at 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Parlor. A light dinner will be served. For more information or to RSVP, contact Mary Feldmaier, Director of Membership and Connecting Ministries, mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org, 248-646-1200 ext. 3142.
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Summer Serve for Students - The Noah Project
Come join the fun, earn volunteer hours, and close out the summer "doing good!"
Sunday, August 13 - Meet at church (evening time) in the big kitchen to assemble 300 lunches for the NOAH Project. We'll end with ice cream sundaes and trivia!
Saturday, August 14 - Meet at church (morning time) to load up the church van and head to the NOAH Project in Detroit to serve 300 lunches to our Detroit neighbors. We will end with lunch and a tour of Central UMC!
Click the button below to register. For questions, or for more information, contact Amy Holton, aholton@fumcbirmingham.org or Sarah Alexander salexander@fumcbirmingham.org.
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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 jpk1049@outlook.com.
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Volunteer Record & Registration Update | |
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Birmingham & 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. Because most of our ministries involve children, youth or vulnerable persons in some way, all volunteers are being asked to complete this process as soon as possible to bring us into compliance with the new policy. Once the application process has been completed, only the background check release will need to be repeated every three years.
If you volunteer in any capacity with Birmingham & Berkley First please complete the online volunteer application by clicking the button below. Thank you for supporting the safety of the children, youth, and vulnerable adults of our church by participating in this process. For questions, please contact Rev. Susie Hierholzer, Pastor of Discipleship, by email shierholzer@fumcbirmingham.org or by phone 248-646-1200 ext. 3162.
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Multicultural Family Center Art Supplies Drive | |
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The Church & Society Ministry is sponsoring an all-church Art Supplies Drive as part of our ongoing support of the Pontiac-based nonprofit Multicultural Family Center (the Center) which provides family focused support services and basic life essentials to families in need (food; clothing; shelter assistance). The Center also offers neighborhood children programs and camp experiences that open up the wonderful world of artistic expression to each child. In support of this children’s art-centered enrichment activity and faced with a very limited budget, the Multicultural Family Center has provided us with a wish list of items needed. Our goal is to provide the Center with 100 items from their wish list.
An Amazon wish list has been created with the items and quantities of the
supplies the Center desires. Click the button below to go directly to the wish list. The items will be delivered directly to the Center. For questions, contact Frank Driscoll by emailing fcdriscoll@yahoo.com.
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Welcome Desk Administrative Assistant (part-time): Birmingham First seeks a part-time (8 -12 hours per week) Administrative Assistant for the Welcome Desk. Excellent hospitality skills are needed to interact with members, guests, and staff. Candidates should demonstrate exceptional written and verbal skills, along with the ability to learn new software and online programs. Experience in MS Office Word and Excel preferred. Complete job description and application are available by scanning the QR code. To send an application with resume, email to Mary Feldmaier at mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org.
Childcare Worker (part-time): 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. For more information, click the button below or contact Kim Bowyer, Director of Children and Family Ministries, kbowyer@fumcbirmingham.org, 248-646-1200 ext. 3134.
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