Worship this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Recently returned from the General Conference of The United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, I will preach a sermon entitled, “Rooted: Catholic Spirit,” based on 1 Corinthians 3: 4-9. We will ponder the meaning of the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church when he says “I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.”

The United Methodist Church is changing how it is organized and the change leads us to wonder what it means to be a United Methodist Christian today. Methodism’s founder, the Reverend John Wesley, once preached a sermon entitled, “Catholic Spirit,” in which he addressed the essentials of the Christian faith in light of humanity’s divergent experiences, behaviors, and opinions. This Sunday, you are invited to reflect with us on what it means to be rooted in Jesus Christ in the world today.

There will be great sacred music from our storied Chancel Choir, accompanied by congregational singing, scripture reading, intercessory prayer, and fellowship. Come, worship with us! Services begins at 9:30 a.m. in-person or online, and 11:00 a.m. in-person. Sunday School and Nursery Care are available at 9:30 a.m. with Nursery Care available at 11:00 a.m.

I look forward to worshipping with you.



Rev. Dr. Charles S. G. Boayue, Jr.

Senior Pastor

Click a button below to watch worship online Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Altar Flowers

The Altar Flowers are dedicated to the glory of God and given in loving memory of Nancy Ketko by the Ketko and Kwapis Families. 

Mission Candle

The Mission Candle is dedicated to the glory of God and given in loving memory to the mothers who have entered into eternal rest, their legacy of love and nurturing forever cherished in our hearts. 

We honor the incredible mothers among us, recognizing their selflessness, love, and unwavering dedication. We celebrate not only the mother of each family or individual but also the profound impact of maternal bonds and the invaluable role of mothers in shaping our society. May today be a reflection of our gratitude and appreciation for all that mothers do, as we offer prayers for their continued strength and blessings upon their journey of motherhood. 

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Birmingham and Berkley First is working to name where we are and to discern God’s vision for our future. Please take 10 minutes between now and May 12 to complete the Vision Survey.



To take the survey, click the button below or, if needed, printed copies are also available in the church offices at Birmingham and Berkley First.

Your input is essential.

May 12 is Hunger Sunday. Contribute your loose change during the offering. For checks and bills, simply use an offering envelope and designate the "Hunger" line. Online donations can be made by clicking the button below, or you can mail a check to the church with "Hunger" noted. Your support directly impacts our Hunger Ministry, channeling funds to local agencies for vital hunger relief in our community. Every donation makes a meaningful difference!  

This Sunday, May 12 the Hunger Ministry will distribute bags for the Food and Supply Drive. The collection will be the following Sunday, May 19. They will also need volunteers to sort and distribute the food and supplies. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, click the button below.

Sermon: Rooted: Catholic Spirit, 1 Corinthians 3:4-9

Pastor Zack Dunlap preaching

Some follow Luther, some Calvin, others Wesley or the Pope. What really matters is whether or not we follow Christ. This Sunday at Berkley First, Pastor Zack will unpack our understanding of a “Catholic Spirit” – the ties that bind us one to another as followers of Christ and the shared work that we engage in together. This Sunday, you will also have an opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day, hear an update on the Capital Campaign to create space for all at Berkley First, and take a grocery bag to fill for the Berkley Cares Food Pantry. God is up to good things – and you are a part of it!

We are excited to welcome Liv Vermane, our Duke Seminary Intern! She is a second year Master of Divinity student at Duke Divinity. Prior to starting at Duke, she attended George Mason University where she graduated with a degree in Communications and Religious Studies. When she's not busy doing ministry work or studying, you can usually find her drinking coffee, enjoying Italian food, or watching the television show, "New Girl." She lives to serve the world by helping others, and oftentimes she finds that she can do this best through her work in ministry! She describes herself as a dreamer, an artist, and a future UMC pastor. She is excited to serve among us here at Birmingham and Berkley First. Liv will begin her summer with us the week of May 26.

Please join Merry Mates Friday, May 17 for dinner, fellowship and an inspiring program. Merry Mates is a social group for singles and couples in their 60's-90's. We gather at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6:00 p.m., and the program follows. Dr. Carl Price will help us feel and see God through his nature photography. The cost is $20 per person payable upon arrival. For a reservation call Sharon or Bob Pierce at 248-364-4438 by Sunday evening, May 12. Please join Pat and Carl Price, longtime friends, teacher and former pastor.

Join us for "A Mosaic of May, Mothers, and Madness" at our Spring Tea Luncheon!

When: Saturday, May 11 Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Where: Berkley First campus (2820 12 Mile Road, Berkley)

Celebrate the joys of spring and honor mothers and all women with United Women in Faith! Bring the favorite woman in your life for a delightful lunch and engaging program. While the event is free, please register in advance to secure your spot.

VOLUNTEER FOR PICKLEBALL WITH A PURPOSE TOURNAMENT & LESSONS

You can volunteer to provide snacks for the tournament and/or to volunteer at the event. Proceeds from this event will support our Hunger Ministry, in which all proceeds to to local agencies that provide hunger relief in our community. Click on the button to sign up.

Sunday Social is May 26. We will meet in Thomas Parlor from 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm for a hot lunch and fellowship with our Birmingham and Berkley First friends. Cost of the lunch will be $15.00. To ensure your place at the table, please make your reservation by Wednesday, May 22 with Mary Feldmaier, mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org.

Reserve Your Campsite for the Annual All Church Campout!

Dates: August 7-12, 2024

Location: Portage Lake Campground, Waterloo Recreation Area

Join the Dunlaps and the Whites for a fun-filled camping adventure! Book your own sites through the Michigan DNR website https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/camping-and-lodging.

Even if you can only stay Saturday and Sunday, book through Monday for a full day of fun on Sunday.

Can't stay the weekend? Join us for Sunday morning worship in nature, followed by a beach day!

Contact Zack at zdunlap@berkleyfirst.org for more info. See you there!

Hey there, did you know that VBS isn't just for little kids? It's for older grade schoolers too, up to 5th grade!

Scuba VBS, our summer morning camp, is all about exploring what it means to be friends with an awesome, loving, and trustworthy God – a friendship that lasts forever! Join us on an amazing undersea adventure where we'll dive deep into the never-ending love of God. Get ready to dive into the Bible and find out what living water is all about! At Scuba VBS, get ready for a whole week of faith, fun discoveries, awesome music, and epic adventures that will make your faith grow stronger!

GIFT PLANNING

Most members of our congregation support Birmingham and Berkley First with cash gifts in response to our annual stewardship campaign. These gifts are deeply appreciated.

In addition to such gifts, a variety of planned giving options exists, many of which can be used to reduce or in some cases eliminate income taxes, capital gains taxes, and estate taxes. There are planned giving strategies appropriate for both life-time gifts and legacy giving; such strategies may be used for operating (Ministry Plan) budget donations, Endowment Fund contributions, or donations directed to a designated ministry of your choice.

Birmingham and Berkley First has a free Guide to Gift Planning available for you to download by clicking the button below.

You may also visit our planned giving website www.firstlegacy.org or contact Pastor Shawn at 734-717-8947 or slewis-lakin@fumcbirmingham.org for more information. 

Calling all friendly smiles..

The CLC is looking for volunteers to help out this summer to help fill day and afternoon shifts as some of our volunteers enjoy vacation time. We need people who will have flexibility to help fill different days and times. This is a great opportunity to learn what volunteers do and enjoy the fun of our walking track, pickleball and other activities.

Those interested please email clcstaff@fumcbirmingham.org.

Looking for a special Mother’s Day gift, or perhaps a special gift for Baptisms and Confirmations?

Thanks to a generous donor, replicas of the Birmingham First Sanctuary Cross have been made in sterling silver for purchase. You may purchase them for a minimum donation of $60.00 which includes a sterling silver chain.

Please stop by the kiosk in Fellowship Hall on Sundays or the Main Entrance Welcome Desk during the week. All monies received will be used to support Student Mission projects.

Exciting News! Berkley First is embarking on restroom renovations to reflect our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility!

Our community-facing spaces deserve to be welcoming to all. We're raising funds to update our restrooms to be gender-neutral and ADA compliant.

The approximate cost for both upstairs and downstairs restrooms is $200,000. Generous donors have already committed $30,000, but we need your help to reach our goal!

We aim to remodel the upstairs restrooms in summer 2024 and the downstairs restrooms in summer 2025. Let's make Berkley First a place where everyone feels truly welcome. Donate today to be a part of this important project!

Click the button below to donate, or for more information.

THANK YOU

The United Women in Faith of Birmingham & Berkley First want to thank everyone who donated, volunteered, and shopped at the Spring Rummage Sale for Missions. Over 700 volunteers logged thousands of hours.

Shoppers filled the church, excited to find great items at reasonable prices.

Charities took loads of items (clothing, dishes, linen, and furniture) to help others.

Thanks to the Church and Society committee for staffing the recycling area and to the Church Staff for your flexibility during a challenging work week that brought JOY to SO many!

Together we created the Mission Field within the walls of First Church, raising money to help others.

Sale proceeds will allow United Women in Faith to continue funding mission projects benefiting women and children locally, nationally, and internationally.

Music & Worship Administrative Assistant

The Music & Worship Ministry is looking for a qualified administrative assistant to join the team. This team member serves an integral administrative role in bringing music to life, facilitating impactful worship, coordinating meaningful special events throughout the year, and empowering children, youth, and adults to participate in the music-making! With a flexible schedule, this part-time position is approximately 20-25 hours per week. If you are interested in joining the team, please contact Executive Director of Worship & Music Casey Proch at cproch@fumcbirmingham.org.

More information can be found on our employment page by clicking the button below.

Watch a recording of worship from last Sunday by clicking one of the buttons below.

Connect With Us!

Worship in the Sanctuary

Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Watch the livestream.

Watch archived worship services.

Give

Mail your donation to the church.

Give online.

Text to give at 248-368-0033:

1. Get a list of available funds by texting the word “keyword” to 248-368-0033.

2. Text any dollar amount (no dollar sign) and fund name. Examples: 50 Birmingham, 20 Missions

Caring Ministries

For pastoral emergencies, call the Minister on Call cell phone at 248-408-0038.

Submit prayer requests at www.fumcbirmingham.org/pray.

Children and Family Ministries

Contact Kim Bowyer at kbowyer@fumcbirmingham.org

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