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. 
 

Learning to trust Jesus
FaithWeavers Lesson for February 17

The Bible tells  about Jesus and his disciples. Even though the disciples were very close to Jesus, spent lots of time with him and loved him they didn’t always understand everything about him.  Sometimes they had to learn things the hard way. One day after Jesus had spent the whole day preaching to a large crowd of people, Jesus told the disciples to go ahead of him in a boat and cross the water to the other side. By the time Jesus followed, the boat was far from the shore and the wind was blowing fiercely.  Waves battered the boat.  The disciples looked out across the water and saw something coming towards them.  At first they thought it was a ghost, then Jesus said, “It is I, do not be afraid.”  The disciple Peter stepped out of the boat and said to Jesus to help him to walk on the water, too.  Peter began walking toward Jesus but he started to notice the waves and became afraid.  His trust in Jesus wavered and he began to sink under the water. Jesus saved him and got him into the boat.   Once they were in the boat, the wind calmed immediately.  The disciples worshipped Jesus. They had seen his power and knew he was the Son of God.  The reason Christians read the Bible and hear stories about Jesus is so that we can understand who Jesus is and learn to trust him, too.

2nd Week of Lent

Lent is a special time when Christians get ready to celebrate Easter.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days plus 6 Sundays.  It is a time to think about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection; a time to study Jesus’ teachings, and a time think of ways to be more like Jesus.  Each week we will tell you about some of the ways people use Lent to become closer to Jesus. 

Prayer
Lent is a good time to think about  our prayer life. Jesus spent a lot of time praying.  The Bible tells us that there were times when Jesus would go off by himself so that he could pray.  He taught his the disciples a special prayer that we call “The Lord’s Prayer” which teaches us the kinds of things we should pray for.   We can pray for ourselves--to help us with our problems, help us change bad habits, and to help us make good decisions. We can pray for people we know who are going through difficult times.  We can pray for the world, for people everywhere who are poor, sick, and hungry.  We can pray when we are alone or when we are with others, in big groups or small groups.  During Lent, start a good habit of  setting aside time each day to pray.   

 SIGN UP TODAY 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, Hamels, Uleps, Beattys, Gerwolls, Wahls, 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 is $250 per family, which includes meals and lodging for the five days.  Deadline for signing up is February 25. Flyers are available outside the Children’s Ministry office For information call 248.646.6407 ext. 3124.

The Lenten Dinner is on Thursday, February 28

Everyone is invited to have dinner and enjoy a great storytelling experience!  Dinner will be served at 6:30 -- sign up with one of the hostesses--Jan Mistele, Laura Dickerson, and Susan Ives extend a special invitation to families with elementary children to join them for dinner in the Children’s Center. The program will begin at 7:30 and will feature Ray Buckley, a nationally known Native American writer and master storyteller.  Nursery care is available for babies and toddlers, and children in preschool through 5th grade who do not attend the program are invited to sign up for children’s activities, featuring crafts and an interpretation of some of Jesus’ parables by Rev. Jeff Nelson.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST KICK-OFF FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Plan to have breakfast at church on Sunday, March 2 at the Habitat Pancake Breakfast.  Covered Wagon Catering will be serving from  8:30 am to 11:30 am.  It’s “all you can eat” so plan to eat lots of pancakes, sausages and applesauce.  Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 years old, or $20 for the whole family. 

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. 

              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