Dear Friends,

On Sunday, November 26, we will worship together and focus on the sermon theme, “In All Things” from 1 Thessalonians 15:17-19.

This message will walk us through something humanity has struggled with for thousands of years and was grappled with shortly after Jesus’ life and resurrection. How are we to be sure in the resurrection? As we wait for the resurrection, how are we supposed to rest in the hope that all things will be provided for? Paul wrote to the people of Thessalonica with a word of comfort and assurance that those who already died would go on to eternal life as Jesus promised, but they still struggled with how to live in the meantime. He teaches them how they are to treat one another and those outside the church. Paul preaches to them about wholeness. Wholeness is at the foundation of his understanding of "the good life." We are to rejoice, pray, and give thanks unreservedly. But how can we do that when the world is in such chaos? What do we do when it feels too overwhelming? Join us as we walk through this text together and give thanks - thanks for community, for Thanksgiving and abundance, and for Jesus Christ who provides us with a new perspective of living with one another. 

We will worship at 9:30 a.m. in-person and online, and at 11:00 a.m. in-person in the Sanctuary as we give thanks in all things. We will use this time to pause, give our petitions to God, and refresh for the week ahead. Sunday School for children and youth, and Nursery Care are available at 9:30 a.m. Nursery Care is available at 11:00 a.m.

I look forward to worshipping with you!

This four-week study explores the warmth of welcome at Christmas following interactions with the Holy Family, the shepherds and the Magi. This Advent we are offering the book Making Room, Sharing the Love of Christmas by Ed Robb, as a resource for impacting your faith through this season. Upcoming sermons at both campuses will be based on this book. Rev. Susie will be leading a discussion group at the Birmingham campus on Sundays at 11:00 a.m. on November 26, December 3, 10 & 17. Registration is not necessary. Come for 1 week or come every week. Books are available in the main office.

Join Pastor Shawn for a four week Advent Study beginning Wednesday, November 29. Together we will read and discuss Heaven and Earth, Advent and the Incarnation by Author Will Willimon. Willimon is a retired United Methodist Bishop who now serves as Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Duke Divinity School. Prior to his election as a Bishop, Willimon was Dean of the Chapel at Duke Divinity School for twenty years. He will be speaking at Birmingham First on Friday, April 5, as the keynote speaker for our Annual Endowment Dinner. 

The Church Annual Conference will be on Monday, December 4. You are invited to connect with one another before the Conference and share a delicious meal prepared by Chef Hollie. The gathering begins at 5:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall with dinner at 6:00 p.m. To RSVP for dinner click the button below. The Conference will begin in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. To attend via Zoom, email Kim Fitzgerald, [email protected].

Hunger Ministry is sponsoring The Cookie Walk in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 10 following both worship services. This will be a great time to select a variety of different kinds of cookies for your enjoyment, or to share with others!

The proceeds go to support local agencies providing hunger relief in our community. We need lots of cookies and goodies for this event! Please click the button below to sign up to bake cookies and/or to help work at the Cookie Walk!

Angel Tree needs your help to fulfill the wish lists of 100 children. You can also help by volunteering your talents during Angel Tree Preparation Days from December 4-December 8.

To sign up to purchase gifts or to volunteer, contact Liz Rito by email at [email protected] or call 586-703-6495.

Church & Society Ministry is sponsoring an all-church Christmas Wish List fulfillment drive as part of our ongoing support of the Pontiac-based nonprofit Multicultural Family Center (the Center). They have provided us with a Christmas Wish List that they are hoping Birmingham and Berkley First can fulfill. Our goal is to provide the Center with at least one of each item on the Christmas Wish List. You can find out more information by clicking the button below.

The women’s mission team is holding an online auction until Monday, November 27 at 10:00 p.m. This auction will help us raise enough funds to be able to give the people of La Corroza the hope of access to clean water by providing them with a well. Donors for the auction include Meadowbrook Hall, the Fisher Theater, Interlochen Arts Academy, Trader Joe’s, Hollywood Feed, Beyond Juice, cabi, Neiman Marcus, Green Lantern, Catching Fireflies, and Yellow Door. Hop online for some holiday gift shopping or to treat yourself or a loved one all while supporting our mission partner in Honduras!

Help support the Scouting Program at Birmingham First by purchasing your Holiday Greens from the Scout fundraiser. There is still time to PRE-ORDER after the service on Sunday, November 26. We will have a drive-through pickup of orders in the church parking lot on Saturday, December 2. For more information or to download a price sheet, click the button below.

Lest We Forget!—Stories of Those Who Served is now available through Amazon Books. The book can be ordered as a paperback, a hardcover book, and as a Kindle book by scanning the QR code or by clicking the button below.

The 4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service needs children and adult caregiver volunteers to retell the story of Jesus’ birth. Children in Pre-K through 5th grade will have small speaking parts. Musicians are also needed to perform Christmas songs on their own instruments. We will have a mandatory rehearsal on Saturday, December 23 at 9:30 a.m. For more information or to sign up, go to our website by clicking the button below.

Rolls of wrapping paper and bags of bows are needed for the Cass Gift Wrap Kits mission project! Children & Family Ministries will be collecting donations through December 10. Donation boxes wrapped in Christmas paper are around the church to collect donations in the following locations: outside the CFM office, (under the table) and near the Main Entry door. 

We will celebrate babies born in 2023 on Sunday, December 10 at the 9:30 a.m. worship service. RSVP your baby for this special day and submit a photo by Sunday, November 26 to Director of Children and Family Ministries, Kim Bowyer by email at [email protected].

Unite 3 on 3 basketball is looking for a few more 3rd to 5th grade girls for our 2024 season! Come and burn some energy on a Saturday morning from 10:30-noon this January-March.  Unite is a skill-based, fun league! Bring some friends and create a team! Spread the word to your neighbors, daughters, granddaughters and friends! Only $110 for 8 weeks of fun, faith and basketball! Questions? Reach out to Beth Torrey at [email protected].