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. 
 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Advent is one of the seasons of the Christian year.  It begins four Sundays before Christmas.  It is a time of waiting and getting ready for Jesus’ birthday.   What do you do to get ready for Christmas?  Maybe you listen to Christmas music, put up a Christmas tree and decorate the house, go to Christmas parties, send out Christmas cards, shop for and wrap presents for loved ones, or maybe even cook special Christmas treats.  Whew!! Such a lot to do in four short weeks.  Is there any time left for the Baby Jesus? Be sure to plan time to think about the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  At home you can read the Christmas story from the Bible. You can set up a Nativity scene and light candles on an Advent wreath to remember the angels, shepherds, wise men, and the Holy Family.  You can pray for peace.  And don’t forget to come to church during Advent. There’s no better place to get ready for Jesus’ birthday!

 
A Great Thing!
Faithweavers Lesson for December 9

Long, long, before Jesus was born Solomon knew that God would someday send someone special to the people of the earth who would do great things.  Solomon said God’s Son  would teach people about right and wrong. A great thing! He would teach us how to be fair.  Another great thing! He would help people who were hurting and sad.  He would be a friend to everyone and would love all people.  Great things!  What great things God’s Son would do!  And at last, Jesus was born, just as the ancient Scriptures said he would be.  And Jesus did all of the great things Solomon talked about. He loved people and helped them and taught them what God was like. But it didn’t stop there.  Jesus continues to do great things.  One of the greatest things Jesus still does is to make a way for us to go to God.  Think about how we might pick up a baby and carry her to her mother.  Jesus carries us in his arms to God.  Because of Jesus, we always have a way to go to God.  Now that’s a great thing

BIG CHAPEL TODAY AT 9:30
Three year olds through fifth graders will meet together in Ritter Hall in the CLC for Big Chapel. 

HERALDS OF CHRISTMAS CONCERT TODAY

Enjoy the music of the season when all of the choirs of First Church will join together to present programs of Christmas music in the Sanctuary on Sunday at 4 pm and at 6 pm.  The music will be the same at both times except that the Cherub Choir (preschoolers) will sing at 4 pm and Sonshine Choir (K and 1st grade) will sing at 6 pm.

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! 

 CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP FOR FAMILIES
There are six Christmas Eve services at First Church but two of them are planned especially for families with young children.

 4:00 p.m. Welcome to Bethlehem!  This is designed especially for families with very young children.  Babies through pre-Kindergartners are welcomed to attend the half-hour service in the church Sanctuary. Simple songs, finger plays and rhymes tell the Christmas story. Costumed actors add a real-life feeling to the worship experience. 

 5:30 p.m. Come to the Manger is designed for families with elementary children.  Less than an hour in length, the service takes place in the Christian Life Center and is led by children in Grades 1-5.  Children participate as worship leaders, musicians, and actors in the play “The Baby King,” a telling of the Christmas story. 
 

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