Sunday, September 8, is Welcome Back Sunday at Birmingham First. After a summer of vacations, travel, and retirement, church members and their families will gather for a time of reunion, celebration, worship, and thanksgiving for the blessings of God. I will preach a sermon entitled "Welcome Back," based on Luke 15:11-24, which tells the story of a wayward son who takes his inheritance, leaves home, and soon loses everything. Facing hardship, he returns to his father with an apology, only to be welcomed with a celebration fit for a king. And this is what awaits you! We know your circumstances are different than those of the prodigal son, however the joy of welcoming you back after time away is just as real. Come let us worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness! Come let us reconnect with fellowship sisters and brothers of the same household of faith! Come let us meet new people in our community! Come let us sing the songs of Zion together!

I will be there, looking forward to seeing you in worship and at the fellowship that follows!

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

Children's Worship and Sunday School

Sunday School is back!

On September 8, 15 & 22, children will begin with worship in the Sanctuary. Then after the Children's Moment they will be dismissed to attend Sunday School according to their grade. Nursery Care is available.

Middle School and Youth group should meet up in the CLC Pit at 9:15 a.m.



On September 29 children will worship with their families. There will be a Children’s Moment in the worship service that all children will be invited to take part in. It is with open hearts and joyful spirits that we warmly welcome all children into the worship service, where the love of community and shared faith create a sanctuary for us all. Nursery Care is available.

MORE SEPTEMBER EVENTS!

Worship at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. beginning Sunday, September 8.

Get involved in classes, choir, Journey Groups, Sunday School,

CLC activities, and these September events!

Sunday, September 15

BBQ Dinner on the Green

Good food, good friends, and a good reason not to cook! 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the lawn. Join us!

Tuesday, September 17

Blood Drive

The need is real and this is a really good thing to do! Plan on giving! Schedule your appointment today by clicking here.

Sunday, September 22

Tapas Sunday

Grab a small bite from our “Non-perishable” Brunch Buffet AND

take home a Food Drive bag to fill and bring back. So good!

Saturday, September 28

Chanticleer Concert

Your chance to experience this incredible a capella group. Begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Donations welcomed!

Sunday, September 29

Choir Dedication and Food Drive

Join us to celebrate every choir and every voice! Bring back your Food Drive bag AND a friend!

September 8 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!

Make sure everyone remembers your name! Sign up for your name badge with Margaret Maddox or Melissa Ng on Sunday, September 8, during the Goodness Fair on the front lawn after the 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. worship services. We'll be wearing our name badges! A $10 donation is appreciated.

Journey Groups are starting in September, and we invite you to be a part of this welcoming community. Whether you're a parent, a man or woman looking for connection, or simply someone who wants to explore and grow in your faith, there’s a group for you. Led by a diverse range of leaders, these groups offer a supportive environment where you can create meaningful connections, share life experiences, and deepen your understanding of faith. Joining a Journey Group is an opportunity to find your place, make new friends, and be part of something positive. We’d love to have you with us!

This Adult Sunday School, led by Dr. Boayue, provides a dedicated time for spiritual growth and fellowship, where you can explore biblical teachings and their practical applications. It’s a welcoming environment for adults to engage in meaningful discussions, ask questions, and enrich their faith.

The first book will be Psalms: Prayers of the Heart by Eugene H. Peterson. We have 20 copies of the book for $10 per book. You can purchase your book at the Welcome Desk or on the first day of class.

Contact Dorothy Duensing at office@fumcbirmingham.org for Zoom information.

Christian Classics Book Club

You are invited to join the Christian Classics Book Club, meeting on the second Wednesday of every month, starting September 11 at 7:00 p.m. at Birmingham First in the 2nd Floor Stevens Room. We will kick off the season by discussing our summer reading assignment, “Beach Music” by Pat Conroy. Led by the incomparable Beverly Hannet-Price, this group offers a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and thoughtful discussion. Everyone is welcome! For any questions, please contact Anne Wilbur at annwilbur18@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Merry Mates, a group of seniors 65+, is returning for another season of fellowship, service, and enrichment at Birmingham and Berkley First. For over 50 years, this group has gathered on the third Friday of the month, from September through May, for catered dinners and stimulating programs. We warmly welcome both returning members and new faces to join us!

On Friday, September 20, you are invited to our first meeting of the season in Fellowship Hall, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. gathering, followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. and a program at 6:45 p.m. Todd Bryan, president of the Henry Ford Heritage Association, and Mark Campbell, a great-great-nephew of Clara Bryant Ford, will present on the fascinating history of Henry and Clara Ford. To reserve your spot, please contact Carol and Jim Rillema by email at crillema@gmail.com or by phone at 248.851.6438 by Sunday, September 15th. The cost is $20 per person, payable upon arrival. We look forward to sharing this evening of fellowship and history with you!

Sunday Social is on September 29. Gather in Thomas Parlor from 12:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a delicious lunch and fellowship. The cost is $20.00 per person, and it's a perfect opportunity to connect with friends and enjoy a relaxing afternoon together. To reserve your spot, please contact Mary Feldmaier by Tuesday, September 24 at 248-342-1929 or mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org.

We look forward to sharing this special time with you!

Ecclesia is a new Bible-based dialogue and discussion group designed specifically for parents of children and youth, led by Senior Pastor Dr. Boayue. The group meets on Sundays from September 15 to November 24 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. (excluding October 6 due to the Rummage Sale) at Birmingham First in the Martin Room. No need to register for the group, just drop in as you are able.

For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom link is available—simply email office@fumcbirmingham.org for a link. Childcare will be provided during the sessions. Please pre-register for childcare by clicking the button below.

Fall Confirmation classes begin in September. Designed for students entering 8th grade or higher, Confirmation is an opportunity for you to examine and come to own your faith in a deeper way. Click the button below for more information or to register.

We are collecting college student addresses to send care packets to them during the upcoming school year.

Please send addresses to Chris Schulte via email at cschulte@fumcbirmingham.org. If an address is the same as last year, we still need to hear from you. If you would like to join this ministry, please contact sue.smith@beachcom.net.

You can now make an online donation by using PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Credit, debit or ACH are still accepted too!

We're excited to introduce the new online giving form for Birmingham & Berkley First! This user-friendly platform is designed to make your donation process as seamless as possible. Whether you're a first-time giver or a regular contributor, our new form allows you to donate as a guest or create a sign in with a username and password.  This flexibility ensures that you can support our community in the way that works best for you. Help make a difference—giving has never been easier! Click here for instructions on how to use the new online giving form.

We invite you to share your prayer requests with us at any time, day or night.

Your needs and concerns are important to us, and we are here to support you through the power of prayer. Simply click the button below to submit your prayer request, and rest assured that our dedicated team will lift your intentions up in prayer. You can also email your request to our prayer team at prayers@fumcbirmingham.org.

Labor Day – Memorial Day

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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Give

Mail your donation to the church.

Give online to www.fumcbirmingham.org/give

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 after hours 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