Steeple Notes Weekly Newsletter

Worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

“The Greatest Question” 

John 21:15-17

Sermon by Rev. Zack L. Dunlap


Greatness holds a sort of magnetic attraction. The GOATs in sport, theater, and music intrigue and captivate audiences of all ages. They offer something not only to enjoy, but to aspire to.


In Scripture, you’re likely familiar with the Great Commission. Encircling the Agnus Dei on our Sanctuary’s stained glass rose window are these words from the Great Commission: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel unto every creature.” You’re also well acquainted, I am sure, with the Great Commandment, compelling us to love both God and neighbor. But of all the questions in Scripture that are asked, answered, or left unanswered, what may perhaps be the greatest?


This Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., I look forward to worshiping with you at Birmingham First as we explore one of Jesus’ questions for Peter, and its significance for us today. It’s a simple question, really, but one with profound significance.


We will also celebrate the sacrament of baptism, and bid farewell after worship to our Director of Children and Family Ministries, Kim Bowyer. Join us in-person if you can make it, or online if you will be at home or traveling.

Holy Baptism Sunday

Our prayers of joy and celebration are shared with Damien and Natalie Crawford as we celebrate the baptism of their daughter, Winslet Kaye.


After Worship Celebration

Let’s celebrate the nearly 11 years of dedicated service from our Children & Family Ministries Director, Kim Bowyer, in Fellowship Hall this Sunday after worship. Kim and her husband, Steve, will be moving to North Carolina. Please stop by to wish her well and share your gratitude for all she has done! 

Dedications for Sunday

The Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Rebecca Young by Merrill Haviland. 

Worship in-person or online

Worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 in-person at 1589 West Maple Road in Birmingham, MI and at 9:30 a.m. online through our website, Facebook page, or YouTube. Click the buttons to access online worship.

Website
Facebook
YouTube

Children's Worship Information

Children's Worship and Sunday School

On September 22, children will go to their Sunday School classrooms before the 9:30 a.m. worship service. Nursery Care is available at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.


Middle School and Youth group should meet up in the CLC Pit at 9:15 a.m.



On September 29 and October 6 children will worship with their families. It is with open hearts and joyful spirits that we warmly welcome all children into the worship service, where the love of community and shared faith create a sanctuary for us all. Nursery Care is available.

Read More About the Children & Family Ministries at Birmingham First

Thank you to everyone who donated or attempted to donate blood on Tuesday, September 17. A total of 37 pints were successfully collected, helping 111 people in need.


What an incredible, life-saving gift! If you would still like to donate this month, you can do so at our Berkley First Campus on Wednesday, September 25 from 2:30-7:00 p.m. where donors will be entered into a drawing to win 2 Detroit Lions tickets!


The next blood drive at Birmingham First will be held on Tuesday, December 3, from 12:30 to 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS!

Get involved in classes, choir, Journey Groups, Sunday School,

CLC activities, and these September events!

It’s time to gather at this place again. Time to return to the goodness that happens here. It’s time to respond to the good causes and engage in the good work that needs us here. Time to rejoice in the abundance of hope and grace found here. And time to invest in the future of God’s good plan being realized here. We can’t wait to see you! It’s gonna be so good!

Sunday, September 22

Tapas Sunday

Have you ever seen the TV show Chopped where a chef is given the challenge of preparing a meal from a random basket of ingredients? Well, that’s just what we’ve done for our own Hollie Kotwicki. To kick-off this year’s fall food drive, we’ve given Hollie an assortment of non-perishable goods and asked her to make us a small bite buffet. You can find out what she came up with on Sunday in the Fellowship Hall. 


Be sure to take home a Food Drive bag to fill and bring back. So good!

Saturday, September 28

Chanticleer Concert

Join us on Saturday, September 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Birmingham First for an exquisite evening with the world-renowned ensemble Chanticleer. The program will feature music from the Renaissance, a newly commissioned work by GRAMMY-nominated composer Ayanna Woods, along with a fresh arrangement of the jazz standard "Without a Song" by last year’s Composer Festival guest, Stacey Gibbs.

Sunday, September 29

Choir Dedication and Food Drive

Join us to celebrate every choir and every voice! Bring back your Food Drive bag AND a friend!

Sign up to help or download a list of needs.

Get Involved

Volunteer for Sunday School or Nursery Care!

We invite you to volunteer with Children & Family Ministries to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for children during worship. We are looking for caring, fun, and enthusiastic individuals to support our preschool to elementary school-aged children. Please know that our staff will make volunteering SO FUN and EASY! 

Sign Up!

Journey Groups are starting in September, and we invite you to be a part of this welcoming community. Whether you're a parent, a man or woman looking for connection, or simply someone who wants to explore and grow in your faith, there’s a group for you. Led by a diverse range of leaders, these groups offer a supportive environment where you can create meaningful connections, share life experiences, and deepen your understanding of faith. Joining a Journey Group is an opportunity to find your place, make new friends, and be part of something positive. We’d love to have you with us!

Find Your Group!

Acolyting is a meaningful leadership role for children in 3rd to 5th grade, giving them the opportunity to participate in worship by lighting the Christ candles in the main sanctuary. Children will wear a special robe and cotta provided for them, making this role a memorable part of their church experience.

We ask acolytes to serve one Sunday per month from September to May. If your child is interested, please contact Megan Klapp at mklapp@fumcbirmingham.orgfor more information.

Supporting educators through donations to their Amazon Wish Lists is a meaningful way to make a direct impact on classrooms and provide support from our congregation! These wish lists often include essential supplies and resources that can enhance learning experiences and foster a positive environment for students. By contributing to these lists, you provide teachers with the tools they need to support their students effectively, often filling gaps that might otherwise go unaddressed. Additionally, it shows God's love when it comes from our church! If you are a church member and you'd like your list included, please reach out to Pastor Sarah at salexander@fumcbirmingham.org.

Click Here for Wish Lists

This Adult Sunday School, led by Dr. Boayue, provides a dedicated time for spiritual growth and fellowship, where you can explore biblical teachings and their practical applications. It’s a welcoming environment for adults to engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and enrich their faith.


The first book will be Psalms: Prayers of the Heart by Eugene H. Peterson. We have 20 copies of the book for $10 per book. You can purchase your book at the Welcome Desk or on the first day of class.


Contact Dorothy Duensing at office@fumcbirmingham.org for Zoom information.


Get ready for pickleball fun! Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the ropes or an experienced player aiming to perfect your short game, we have classes and leagues to suit all skill levels. Join us for a variety of programs, including introductory sessions, specialized short game clinics, and competitive ladder leagues. Plus, enjoy the flexibility of drop-in play throughout the week. Don’t miss out on the excitement—come be a part of our pickleball community!

More Information
More Information on Basic Yoga
Download a CLC Fall Schedule

Sunday Social is on September 29. Gather in Thomas Parlor from 12:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a delicious lunch and fellowship. The cost is $20.00 per person, and it's a perfect opportunity to connect with friends and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together. To reserve your spot, please contact Mary Feldmaier by Tuesday, September 24 at 248-342-1929 or mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org.


We look forward to sharing this special time with you!

 

Ecclesia is a new Bible-based dialogue and discussion group designed specifically for parents of children and youth, led by Senior Pastor Dr. Boayue. The group meets on Sundays thru November 24 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (excluding October 6 due to the Rummage Sale) at Birmingham First in the Martin Room. No need to register for the group, just drop in as you are able.

 

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is available—simply email office@fumcbirmingham.org for a link. Childcare will be provided during the sessions. Please pre-register for childcare by clicking the button below.

Register for Childcare

Donate. Volunteer. Shop.

To volunteer for fun & fellowship October 6-11, 2024 please call or text Jane Carvell at 248-379-2662 / jcarve55@icloud.com or the Birmingham First Campus Main Office at 248-646-1200. Volunteers must be a Birmingham or Berkley First member or be sponsored by a member.


Donate Items

Easy Drive-Thru at Birmingham First (1589 W. Maple Rd.), Curbside Drop-Off

No Truck Pickup for this sale.

 

Sunday, October 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, October 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

More Information

Jen Houck, a member of Birmingham & Berkley First is now offering a new support group to help others navigate their own healing journeys.

The setting will be relaxed and open, allowing participants to share or simply chat as they feel comfortable. The next meeting is Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. We will meet at Bacon Parks sign & bench (corner of Webster & Bacon in Berkley).


To sign up, email Jen directly at jensturrock44@gmail.com.

Scout me in! Cub Scout Pack 1032 meets Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Boy Scout Troop 1032 meets Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Birmingham First. If you would like to know more information, reach out to Linda Engler at llengler.1013@gmail.com.

SAVE THESE DATES

PUMPKIN PATCH

Our Annual Pumpkin Patch is from October 13-31. You can sign up to volunteer by clicking the button below.

Pumpkin Patch Sign Up

FAMILY FUN DAY AT YATES CIDER MILL: Sunday, October 12

BIBLE SUNDAY FOR KINDERGARTEN & 3RD GRADERS: Sunday, October 20

Coming Up at Berkley First

September 22, 2024

Rev. Dr. Charles S. G. Boayue, Jr. preaching


On Sunday, September 22, Dr. Boayue comes to our Berkley campus with the sermon, “Doing Unto Others,” based on Matthew 18: 21-35. In this parable, Jesus tells his disciples that they ought to forgive others seventy times seven. To explain his point, Jesus tells the story of a servant forgiven by his master for a large debt he could not repay. But this forgiven servant soon proceeds to punishing another person who owed a little debt and could not repay. When the master hears this, he is enraged, rescinds his forgiveness, and harshly punishes the unmerciful servant. The sermon will reflect upon the biblical wisdom of the Golden Rule – to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. Come, let us worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.


Check out the Berkley First Website for more information or to worship online.

An Important Note About Qualified Charitable Distributions

Individuals aged 70½ or older can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $105,000 from their IRA directly to Birmingham First, without incurring income tax on the withdrawal.


This contribution can satisfy part or all of the individual's required minimum distribution. By making a QCD, you avoid paying taxes on what would otherwise be a taxable distribution, and you can still claim the standard deduction. The tax benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions are substantial.


If you’d like to learn more, Shawn Lewis-Lakin, Associate Pastor for Planned Giving, is available to discuss this and other tax-advantaged giving strategies. You can reach him at lewlakfam@gmail.com lewlakfam@gmail.com or 734-717-8947.

Online Giving

You can now make an online donation by using PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Credit, debit or ACH are still accepted too!


We're excited to introduce the new online giving form for Birmingham & Berkley First! This user-friendly platform is designed to make your donation process as seamless as possible. Whether you're a first-time giver or a regular contributor, our new form allows you to donate as a guest or create a sign in with a username and password.  This flexibility ensures that you can support our community in the way that works best for you. Help make a difference—giving has never been easier! Click here for instructions on how to use the new online giving form.

Give Now

We invite you to share your prayer requests with us at any time, day or night.


Your needs and concerns are important to us, and we are here to support you through the power of prayer. Simply click the button below to submit your prayer request, and rest assured that our dedicated team will lift your intentions up in prayer. You can also email your request to our prayer team at prayers@fumcbirmingham.org.

Submit a Prayer Request Online

Building Hours

Labor Day – Memorial Day

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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Give

Mail your donation to the church.

Give online to www.fumcbirmingham.org/give

Text to give at 248-368-0033:

1. Get a list of available funds by texting the word “keyword” to 248-368-0033.

2. Text any dollar amount (no dollar sign) and fund name. Examples: 50 Birmingham, 20 Missions

 

Caring Ministries

For after hours pastoral emergencies, call the Minister on Call cell phone at 248-408-0038.

Submit prayer requests at www.fumcbirmingham.org/pray.


Children and Family Ministries

Contact Kim Bowyer at kbowyer@fumcbirmingham.org