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 - Mid-Day Worship - through January 27
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. 
 

Spreading the word
FaithWeavers lesson for January 27

Jesus traveled around the countryside, sharing the good news of God’s love with anyone who would listen.  People came to him  with terrible diseases and in great pain.  He put his hands on them, touched them with the great love and power of God, and they were made well.  Other people who came to him were blind.  He put his warm, gentle hands on their eyes--and they could see again.  Other people came to him with great sadness or anger.  Jesus held them close and took their bad feelings away.  News about the incredible things Jesus did spread throughout the country and soon large crowds of people followed Jesus wherever he went.  They wanted to know more about this unusual man who never turned anyone away and made so many things better. Many of the people of Jesus’ day didn’t know that he was God’s Son but they knew that there was something very different about Jesus -- and they knew that it was good.  They wanted to share the good news about Jesus.  Good news just has to be shared, doesn’t it?  Because we know that Jesus was God’s Son and because having Jesus in our lives is the best thing we could ever ask for, we should tell everyone about him.  Our world needs the healing love and power that Jesus brings us-- so share the good news!

The Season of Lent is near

On Wednesday, February 6 the 40-day church season of Lent begins.  Lent is a time when Christians remember Jesus’ last days on earth, leading up to his death on the cross. Lent ends on Easter, when we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The first day of Lent is called Ash Wednesday.  It is a day when Christians all around the world take time for prayer and to tell God they are sorry for the wrong things they have done and ask God to forgive their sins.  Many churches hold special services where ashes from palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are mixed with oil and are used to mark the sign of the cross on worshippers’ foreheads.  Lent is a good time to grow in our faith -- to learn more about Jesus and to think about how we can become better Christian disciples.  May all of us learn something new about ourselves and our faith during this time of Lent.

Plans are in place for the Family Work Camp— Families of all ages are invited to be a part of the  Family Work Camp experience the week after Easter.  Join the Ralstons, Stones, Nelsons, Mary Feldmaier, Jan Mistele, and Susan Ives 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.

First Church's Preschool & Enrichment Program - A great place to learn!
Our church’s Preschool and Enrichment Program is taking registrations for next September.  We have wonderful programs for 3 year olds (Tues-Thursday mornings), 4 year olds (M-W-F) and 5 year olds (M-F afternoons).  Since 1959 our program has provided a great first school experience in a Christian setting.  If you know of parents who are looking for preschools for their little ones, please tell them about our program.  Or call the Preschool at 248.646.4889 to talk to Paula Darany (Preschool 3s and 4s) or Julie Busch (Enrichment - young 5s program).

 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. 

 BABYSITTING CLINIC FOR 4TH-8TH GRADERS

Want to learn everything you need to know to be a great babysitter?  Mary Feldmaier, our Nursery Coordinator, will be teaching a three-week class which will cover all kinds of information for people who take care of little people.  Dates for the classes are January 29, February 5, and February 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Those who attend all three sessions will earn a Certificate of Completion. Call extension 3124 to sign up.

EMPTY BOWLS SUPPER TO BENEFIT HUNGER PROGRAMS

On Ash Wednesday, February 6, the church’s Hunger Ministry will be sponsoring an Empty Bowls supper to raise money for programs to help the hungry.  Plan to come with your family to church for a simple dinner of soup and bread.  Each family will receive a special bowl to remind them that there are always hungry people in the world.  If you have a special bowl you would like to donate, bring it to the church by Sunday, February 3.

 CARING CHRISTIAN KIDS are on the road again
Infants, toddlers, and children of all ages are invited to join Caring Christian Kids at Alterra Wynwood Residence in Troy at 4:15 pm on February 11 as they share crafts, greeting cards and smiles with the senior residents.  This is a great way for children to reach out to older friends in our community.  For more information call Mary Feldmaier at 248 646 6407 ext. 3134 or Ann Tenniswood at 248 816 3191. 

            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