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. 
 

An Undeserved Gift
 FaithWeaver lesson for May 4

Gifts are a way to recognize special times in people’s lives.  People get gifts on their birthday or at Christmas.  They receive gifts when they get married or have a baby.  There are thank-you gifts, graduation gifts, Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts, anniversary gifts, even “I’m sorry” gifts. We like receiving and giving gifts -- but most of the time, it’s not a big surprise when you get one.  There’s usually a reason for the gift.  But occasionally someone gives us something for no reason at all.  It’s a kind act, a free favor.  That is the kind of gift that God gave us when he sent Jesus.  Because of Jesus, we can be forgiven for the wrong things we do. Another way of saying it is that we are saved from our sins because of Jesus. We can get right with God and stay connected to God because Jesus paid for our sins.  The gift of forgiveness and salvation is something that Jesus did for us -- not something we did to earn it.  All we have to do is to believe and accept the gift of God’s love and forgiveness that Jesus makes possible.  Christians call this gift grace. Grace is a free gift from God.  We can’t take credit for it.  We can’t buy it.  We can’t do enough good things to earn it. All we can do is accept it as a gift.

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2008!

On Sunday, April 27 at the 11:00 a.m. worship service forty-five middle school students were confirmed at First Church.  Confirmation is when a person becomes a member of a church.  The students began attending the Confirmation process back in September.   Students learned about the history of Christianity.  They learned about John and Charles Wesley and how  the United Methodist Church began.  They heard from different ministers what it means to be a United Methodist  They helped with service projects and went on retreats.  Some asked faith friends to join them at different activities. Students also presented Confirmation projects at interviews with church staff members. During the Confirmation ceremony the confirmands answered questions about their belief in God.  They will promise to participate in the life of the church and to support the church.  Confirmation is an important and exciting time in the life of a Christian.

BISHOP’S SEAT COVER PROJECT

Bishop Keaton of the Detroit Annual Conference is asking for donations of “seat covers” (underwear) for children and youth.  We are collecting NEW underwear which will be taken to the Detroit Annual Conference meeting in May.  They will be distributed to various locations throughout Michigan.  Bring your donations to church and let’s see how many seats we can cover!

JUBILEE PROJECT WORK CAMP FOR Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Graders

Want to do something really special this summer?  Sign up for the Kids’ Mission trip to Sneedville, Tennessee, July 16-19.  You will travel by bus to the mountains of Appalachia where you will work together on projects to help the people there.  It is a wonderful opportunity for young people to learn what it is like to work in the mission field--and to swim in an old-fashioned swimming hole!  This will be our fourth trip to Sneedville.  Pick up a registration brochure outside the Children’s Ministry Office.  For information contact Jan Mistele at 248 646 6407 ext. 3131.

 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. Click here for a registration form

AROUND THE WORLD IN HALF AN HOUR

On Sunday, June 1 as part of our Pentecost celebration, people of First Church will get a look at the different places  that people from our church go to do mission work.  There will be a big tent on the church lawn where there will be displays about different mission projects and people to talk about them. You will receive a special “Passport to Missions” which will be stamped at each “country” you visit. 

get ready for it...the lemonade stand revolution....coming this summer....

              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.