Welcome to the Family!

WELCOME to First Church!  We hope that you will want to be a part of all that we have planned for kids and families and that you will invite your friends to come with you.  We are excited about our schedule of activities and events, from Sunday School and weekday programs to special events throughout the year. A great bunch of volunteers have signed on to make things fun for all. 

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM
 

8:15 AM
  Nursery care for Infants through 4 year olds in Room 155

9:30 AM
Nursery care and Sunday School for children through 5th grade

11:00 AM
Nursery care for babies, toddlers, and 2 year olds in Room 155. Children 3 years old (as of Dec. 1, 2007)  through 3rd grade begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment.  3s, 4s, and Kindergartners are grouped together and 1st-3rd graders are grouped together.  4th and 5th graders meet in the Children's Center for God's Kids Youth Group

12:30 PM - begins September 23
Nursery care and children through Kindergarten are in Room 155.  Older children worship with parents.

5:00 PM
Nursery for Infants through Two year olds in Room 155
3 and 4 year olds (by Dec. 1, 2006) through 3rd graders begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment. 

All Saints Sunday is November 5

All Saints Day is when Christian churches set aside a special time to remember people who have died. As Christians we believe that after we die we go to live forever with God. In our church service we  remember the people of our own church who have died in the past year, by saying their names and ringing a bell for each person named.  All Saints Day reminds us that even after we die, God loves us and we still are God’s people. 

One God
 FaithWeavers Lesson for November 4

The Bible tells about King Ahab of  Israel, who worshipped many gods.  He told his people to worship his gods, especially the one they called Baal.  Elijah, a prophet of the one, true God of Israel, told the people the king was wrong.  He said there was only one God who was real and that Baal and the gods of Ahab were not real.  Elijah made King Ahab very angry but Elijah wasn’t afraid of him.  Elijah knew what he believed was right and true.  To prove it to the people, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest.  He said that they would set up two fires and then see whose god would light the fires. Baal’s prophets piled up dry wood and twigs and began to dance, shout, and pray to Baal to light it.  But nothing happened. All day they tried but the fire didn’t light.  Then Elijah built his fire.  He told the people to pour lots of water on it  so the wood would be really soaked. Elijah prayed to God to show the people who was the real God.  God answered his prayer and sent fire that burned the wood and dried up the water! God and Elijah showed the people that Baal was not real and that Elijah’s God was the one the people should worship and obey. The story about Elijah reminds us always to keep the one, true God first in our lives.

UPCOMING EVENTS 

Watch for notices about upcoming activities.  The Sunday newsletter, KidLink, appears on the church website as well.  Steeple Notes and flyers are other ways to find out what’s going on. For the very latest information about church activities, check the Interactive Church Calendar on the church’s website at www.fumcbirmingham.org.  Remember, It’s never too late to get involved. New people are welcomed at any time!

Next Sunday is Big Chapel for 3 year olds through 5th graders     

Children’s Pledge Cards are available As a part of the Remember the Promise campaign, this week in Sunday School children will receive a pledge card that lists some ways that they can help the church.  Children may bring them back next week on November 11, and turn them in during Big Chapel worship.

For the last three Sundays, we have been hearing and seeing a lot about promises - the promises that God makes to us and the promises people make when they become part of the church.  When people join our church, they promise to support the church in four ways:  by their Prayers, by their Service, by their Presence, and by their Gifts.  Each week people have been talking about one of the promises.  We will learn about some of the different things our members do to support the church.  It is a way to get people  thinking about what they can give to the church.  On November 11 people will turn in their pledges and promise to give money to the church in 2008.

 Other Notes

Don’t forget to check the CLC schedule for classes!  There are activities for all ages, from yoga to basketball! Call extension 3155 for information.

 Choirs for all ages are organized by the Music Department.  Call extension 3125 for information.

            SAFETY FIRST...

The Sneed Children’s Park provides many hours of fun for our children.  We would ask that all users of the playground follow basic safety guidelines when playing on the equipment. 

1) Parents or care-givers should supervise children at all times from inside the fenced area.

2) No pets should be brought within the fenced area.

3) The equipment is specifically designed for children 5-11.  Younger children should be closely monitored and children over the age of 11 should not be on it at all.

4) No climbing UP the slide -- use the stairs.

5) No climbing ,sitting, or standing on top of the curly slide structure or the tube.

6) The Preschool and Enrichment programs have exclusive use of the playground Monday through Friday at specific times.  For the safety of all of our children, please do not visit the playground when the preschool and enrichment classes are playing on the playground.

NO NUTS and NO ANIMALS, PLEASE!!!

Please be aware that First Church has been declared a nut-free environment.  No nuts of any kind should be brought to the church.  A number of people in our congregation have life-threatening allergies to peanuts and other kinds of nuts. Please check the ingredients of any food product you bring into the church. Also there are people who are highly allergic to animals, so please leave your pets at home.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

THERE'S ALWAYS A PLACE FOR VOLUNTEERS
IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY!

Volunteers must complete a Volunteer application and submit to a Michigan State Police Criminal Record Search.

IN CASE YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY…
During the week you can usually find a staff person in church:
Monday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday—9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday—9 a.m. to 4p.m.
Thursday—9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays are days off — Please try to contact us about Sundays before Friday morning