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

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. 
 

God Blesses Us all the Time
FaithWeavers lesson for February 3

An attitude is the way we look at things.   We can have bad attitudes or good attitudes.  Are you grumpy and do you grumble a lot?  Or are you happy most of the time?  Our attitudes make a difference in how we live our lives.  Jesus taught that we should always have a happy attitude, because of all the good things God does for us.  He said that even when things aren’t going well or we don’t have everything we want, God is blessing us in other ways.  One of the ways God blesses us is by comforting us.  Remembering  that God is always with us, loving and caring for us, helps us get through hard times. God helps us to have the right kinds of thoughts.  If something happens to us that doesn’t seem right or fair, thinking about God can help us not to get mad.  God also blesses us by showing us mercy.  If we do something wrong, he gives us another chance.  God calls us his children, which is an awesome blessing. So even if we don’t always realize it, we have many blessings from God. Having a happy attitude pleases God, and is how we can show our thanks to God for all his blessings.

The season of Lent begins this week

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.

Have fun with your family at 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. 

 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.  Tickets prices are $10 per person or $25 per family in advance, or $12/$27 at the door. 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