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. 
 

BIG CHAPEL

Big Chapel happens once a month at the 9:30 Sunday School hour. Three year olds through 5th graders meet together in Ritter Hall for worship activities. Special features include lively music, a moment with Scrappy the Dog, Bible quiz time and welcoming special clergy guests.  This month we look forward to the Fifth Graders’ presentation of “Are you Smarter than a Sunday School 5th Grader,” welcoming Pastor Lynn, and talking about how and what kids can give to the church. 

How does God speak to us?
 FaithWeavers Lesson for November 11

The Bible tells us about a man long ago named Elijah.  Elijah was a good man and he was faithful to God.  He tried to convince the people of Israel to obey God but they wouldn’t listen.  They got tired of hearing what Elijah said, and wanted to get rid of him.  Elijah felt very alone and he was worried that he would lose his life.  He went to a mountain to talk with God about what to do.  While Elijah was on the mountain, great and mighty winds began to blow.  Elijah listened for God’s voice but God wasn’t in the wind.  Then there was an earthquake and Elijah listened but he didn’t hear God in the earthquake.  Then Elijah saw a huge fire, with flames reaching up into the sky, but God wasn’t in the fire.  Then Elijah heard a whisper and he listened very carefully.  He knew it was the voice of God whispering to him. God promised Elijah he would take care of him.  God wants us to listen to his voice.  God wants to help us.  But we need to take time sometimes to be quiet so that we can pay attention to what God is telling us.  God took care of Elijah and he promises to help us, too.  We can be sure that we are never alone,  because God is always near--near enough to whisper to us.

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!

For the last four Sundays, we have heard 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.   November 11 is the day people will turn in their pledges and promise to give money to the church in 2008.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING

 Sacks for Souls - Fill up a grocery bag with non-perishable food items and bring it back next Sunday! The food will be taken to food banks to help hungry people in our community. angel

 ANGEL TREE sign up will be Sunday, November 18 between worship services.  Sign up to provide and/or deliver Christmas gifts for children in our area whose parents are in prison.  Choose from  350 “angels”  on the Angel Trees in Fellowship Hall.

 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