Children's Ministry at First United Methodist Church
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

March 9, 2008

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. 
 

Jesus’ amazing power
FaithWeavers Lesson for March 9

The Bible tells us that Jesus met many people as he traveled around the country during his ministry on earth. Jesus loved all people but the Bible tells us about some of his closest friends and followers.  Jesus was especially close to the family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They lived in the town of Bethany and Jesus spent time with them as often as he could.  One day Lazarus became very sick.  His sisters Mary and Martha believed in Jesus’ power and knew he could make their brother well.  They sent a message to Jesus asking him to come to Bethany but before Jesus got to their house Lazarus died.  They buried him in the family tomb.  When Jesus finally arrived, he found Lazarus’ family and friends still weeping and very sad. Jesus cried too.  Martha told Jesus that she knew Jesus could have healed her brother because she was sure that God would give Jesus whatever he asked.  Jesus went to the tomb and prayed to God, thanking God for answering his prayers.  Then he said, “Lazarus, come out!”  And Lazarus came out of the tomb, alive and well, and walked to Jesus.  The village was happy but amazed that Jesus had power over death. Many believed in him because Jesus brought Lazarus back to life.

       

5th 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. 

Try something new

Do you feel like you do things the same way all the time? As we go through our days and our weeks  most of us have a regular routine we follow.  We figure out how to get our work done and we stick to it because it works for us.  But our lives can get stale. Sometimes it’s good to look at things in a different way or add something to our regular routine or change the way we do things.  Lent is a good time to add something new to your Christian routine.  Think of a new table grace to say at meals -- or start saying one if you don’t already ask the blessing before you eat.  Read a Bible story or watch a Bible story video instead of watching one of your usual shows.  Invite a friend to a church activity. Make a new friend at church or at school. The more you put into your life as a Christian, the more your faith will grow.

       

 FAMILY WORK CAMP

Families of all ages will be taking part in the Family Work Camp experience the week after Easter.  The Ralstons, Stones, Nelsons, Hamels, Uleps, Gerwolls, Wahls, Mary Feldmaier, Jan Mistele, and Susan Ives will be spending the week at Camp Lael, where Choir Camp takes place during the summer.  A variety of projects and activities will keep everyone busy.  Keep these people in your prayers as they learn and work together!

        

DO YOU HAVE YOUR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BANK? we are distributing banks as a way for children to be connected with the Habitat for Humanity fundraising effort. If you didn't get one in Sunday School, they will be available in the Children's Ministry office.

     

              First United Methodist Church
 PRESCHOOL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
 A great place to learn!
 Our church’s Preschool and Enrichment Program is taking registrations for next September.   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. 

    

Our church’s state-licensed school offers programs 
Tuesday-Thursday for 3 year olds 
Monday-Wednesday-Friday for 4’s 
Monday through Friday afternoons for young 5’s

For information call Paula Darany or Julie Busch at the
Preschool and Enrichment office - 248-646-4889

Click here for a Registration Form

The Preschool and Enrichment Program admits students of any race, creed, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school administered programs.

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL registrations are being accepted for this year’s“Power Lab---Discovering Jesus’ Miraculous Power” VBS.  Dates for the half-day program are June 23-27, 9 am to noon.  Children age 3 (as of Dec. 1, 2007) through fifth graders are invited to participate.  We also need older youth and adults to be crew leaders and to fill other volunteer positions.  Forms are available outside the CYF office, or contact the Children’s Ministry office at 248 646 6407 ext. 3124.

  

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


 THE CHILDREN'S NEWS NETWORK
News for and about kids at First United Methodist Church