Sunday, September 29

9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Guest Preacher, Rev. Gary Haller

This Rule is Golden, Matthew 7:12, 24-29“

"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you: for this is the law and the prophets.” Jesus gave us very concrete rules upon which we are to build our lives. We call this one the “golden rule,” yet rarely do we practice it. Still, this teaching is the real deal. Unless we build our lives on it, Jesus said, our lives will be swept away like a house built upon shifting sand. For a life that endures, this rule is golden!

About Rev. Haller

Rev. Gary Haller served churches throughout Michigan for 39 years. For twenty years he served Grand Rapids First United Methodist Church, the first thirteen years as co-pastor with Rev. Laurie Haller, then seven years as senior pastor. In 2013, Gary and Laurie were appointed as Senior Pastors at Birmingham First United Methodist Church. When Laurie was elected as a bishop in 2016, Gary remained at Birmingham First for an additional year as senior pastor. He retired in 2017 and moved to Iowa to support Laurie in her ministry. In retirement, Gary and Laurie now live in Troy and love singing in the Birmingham First choir.

Children's Worship

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.

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!

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!

Flu Vaccinations

Unfortunately, due to decreasing participation and rising costs associated with on-site administration time, First Nurses will not be offering flu vaccinations, previously provided by the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), this year.

Crop Walk

Dear Birmingham/Bloomfield CROP Hunger Walk Congregation,

We regret to inform you that, due to the lack of responses from churches that have participated in previous years, we will not be holding an in-person Birmingham/Bloomfield CROP Hunger Walk this year. However, we still encourage those interested in supporting the mission of the CROP Hunger Walk to donate online at www.crophungerwalk.org/birminghammi.

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to ensure that all have enough, both locally and globally.

Sincerely,

Rachel Kessel (she/her)

Community Engagement Specialist

Church World Service

Sunday School & Nursery Care Volunteers

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! 

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.

On October 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. join us for a rewarding Family Work Day at Cass Community Services! We invite families to roll up their sleeves and make a difference together. Bring your own water, work gloves, and yard tools such as weed whackers. We’ll meet at 12025 Woodrow Wilson Blvd., Detroit. For those interested, a group will be leaving from Berkley First at 8:30 a.m. for carpooling or caravanning, and we’d love to coordinate a group from Birmingham if anyone is interested in leading.

Children of all ages are welcome to participate, but please note that the tasks will be best suited for older children. This is not a drop-off event—children will work alongside their parents, so come ready for a day of teamwork and community spirit!

Questions? Please contact Patty Reynolds at patty1229@yahoo.com.

Get ready to fall in love with autumn! 🍁

Join Birmingham and Berkley First Children & Family Ministries for a delightful time of fun, fellowship, and complimentary cider and donuts from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12 at Yates Cider Mill (1950 E Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI). Let’s gather at this historic cider mill and enjoy the season together! 🥯

Merry Mates Gathering – Friday, October 18

Merry Mates, a group of senior friends, will host a catered dinner and program in Fellowship Hall at Birmingham First on October 18. Our featured speaker, Mark Colonese, will present his award-winning video, "This Is the Church." The video, narrated and featuring people and activities at our church during the 1980s and 1990s, offers an uplifting and engaging pictorial history of our congregation.

The evening schedule is as follows:

• Gathering: 5:30 p.m.
• Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
• Program: 6:45 p.m.

The cost is $20 per person, payable upon arrival. We warmly welcome singles, couples, guests, and newcomers to join us for this special dinner and program.

To make a reservation, please contact Carol and Jim Rillema by email at crillema@gmail.com or by phone at 248.851.6438. Reservations are due by Sunday evening, October 13.

Christian Classics Book Club - Wednesday, October 9

The Christian Classics Book Club will be reading, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald this month. We will meet on Wednesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. with the meeting location to be determined due to Rummage Sale. Please contact Ann Wilbur with questions at annwilbur18@gmail.com.

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

DISCOVER FIRST AT BERKLEY FIRST: Sunday, October 20

ANGEL TREE SUNDAY: Sunday, November 24

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT: Saturday, December 2

CHURCH CONFERENCE: Monday, December 9

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.

Birmingham and Berkley First: A United Methodist Church seeks a part-time Connections Coordinator for its Children & Family Ministries department at the Birmingham campus. Collaborate as part of a passionate, creative team to recruit volunteers, implement programs, and help children from birth through 5^th grade become committed disciples of Jesus Christ.

Click the button below for a full job description. Applicants can send their resume to Rev. Zack Dunlap at zdunlap@berkleyfirst.org.

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.