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. 
 

Third 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!

God has plans for us 
Faithweavers Lesson for December 16

The Bible tells us about Joseph, a carpenter who lived in Nazareth.  Joseph had plans for his life.  He was  engaged to a young woman named Mary.  After they were married, they would live in Nazareth and have a family, and he would work in his carpenter shop.  But God had other plans for Joseph and Mary.  Mary was going to be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah.  When Joseph discovered Mary was expecting a baby, he was upset confused.  He didn’t know what to do.  He thought his plans for May and himself were ruined.  But one night as he was sleeping, Joseph had a strange experience.  An angel, a messenger from God, appeared to him and told him not to worry.  God wanted him to go ahead with his marriage to Mary.  The angel told him the baby Mary was expecting was  the Messiah, God’s own son.  When he awakened, he went to Mary and told her, “I had a plan for us, but God has a more important one for us.”  They were married and soon left Nazareth to travel to the town of Bethlehem.  God’s promise to send a Savior to the world was about to come true.

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. 
 

Family Worship—Sunday, December 30 is Family Worship day.  Children Kindergarten through 5th grade have a special invitation to attend the worship services at 8:15 am, 9:30 am , 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 5:00 pm.  There will be nursery care for Crib through 4 year olds but Sunday School classes for older children will not meet.

 Family Work Camp— Families of all ages are invited to be a part of the  Family Work Camp experience the week after Easter.  We will be working on projects at Camp Lael, where Choir Camp takes place during the summer.  A variety of projects and activities will give each member of the family meaningful work to do.  Cost will be $250 per family, which includes meals and lodging for the five days.  This is a joint project between  Missions Ministry and Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministries. For more information, call the Children’s Ministry office at 248.646.6407 ext. 3124.

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