On Sunday, July 28, worship at Birmingham First will focus on a sermon titled "Authenticity,” based on Matthew 11:1-6. We will reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ response to a question sent to Him by John the Baptist who is in prison. John sent two of his disciples to Jesus with the question, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” This question is always an underlying speculation among Christians. People want to know and to be sure about the identity of Jesus Christ. If we are to put our faith in him and surrender all to him, we’ve got to be sure. Christian faith needs certainty about who Jesus is!

This Sunday, we will reflect upon Jesus’ response and what that means to Christians discipleship today. The question of true identity is also a question of authenticity. The world is looking for authentic faith in an authentic Messiah. The Church must therefore be an authentic witness to faith in this authentic Messiah, who is the authentic God of the ages.

Let us worship together!

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

Senior Pastor

This Sunday Children will begin worship in the Sanctuary with their families. After a Children's Moment, they are invited to a one-room Summer Sunday School in the CLC or on the playground (weather permitting). Nursery Care is available every Sunday.

You can now make an online donation by using PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay. Visa, Mastercard, 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 sign in with your existing giving 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.

The Rev. Dr. Darryl E. Totty, Greater Detroit District Superintendent, has approved a Special Church Conference for Birmingham and Berkley First. The conference will be held on Tuesday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Birmingham First Sanctuary. The purpose of the conference is to approve candidates for ministry from our congregation and to approve revisions to the endowment bylaws. The Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Endowment Board will present their recommendations for your approval at the special church conference. Every member of our congregation has voice and vote at the church conference. If you cannot attend in person and wish to participate, please request a Zoom link from Dorothy Duensing by email at office@fumcbirmingham.org no later than August 22. The Zoom link will be sent to you prior to the conference. There will be no meal served at this conference. The Rev. Chuck Sonquist, retired United Methodist elder, will preside. Please make plans to attend. Childcare is available.

The Christian Life Center will be closed for the month of August. Thank you for your patience as we complete an annual cleaning and necessary updates. 

Voice of Hope 

Greg LaBrake's inspiring VOICE OF HOPE message will be available beginning today, Sunday, July 28. You can listen by calling (248) 646-6407 and pressing 2. Don't miss this opportunity to hear words of encouragement and hope that can uplift your spirit and brighten your day. Tune in and let Greg's message touch your heart.

Help our 45 Christians "do good" during their mission in August by donating items to fill back-packs for Redford Brightmoor Initiative. Click the button below for the Amazon Wish Lists.

Help make 300 lunces for NOAH at Berkley First on Sunday, August 11 after worship in the Social Hall. No need to sign up, just show up. If you have any questions, please feel free to text or call Patty Reynolds at 248-376-2475.

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.

Join our summer Duke Seminary Intern, Liv Vermane, for a 4-week study on some of the most overlooked books in Scripture: Ruth, Esther, Lamentations, and Ecclesiastes. Each week we will explore one of these books while considering their profound wisdom. Through studying these scriptural treasures, this class will help us to better understand these often-overlooked texts. The last class will meet on Monday, July 29 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at Birmingham First in the Martin Room. No need to pre-register. Attend all dates, or come on the days that work for your schedule. 

Jen Houck, a mother and church member, has experienced a profound personal loss with the passing of her son, Ethan, from complications of anorexia on January 12, 2023. She has since joined Berkley First with her mother, Judie Monson. Jen is now offering a new support group to help others navigate their own healing journeys.

The group will meet either at Jen’s home, within walking distance of Berkley First, or at Bacon Park. The setting will be relaxed and open, allowing participants to share or simply chat as they feel comfortable. The first meeting is Saturday, August 10 at 11:00 a.m. To sign up, email Jen directly at jensturrock44@gmail.com.

We warmly 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.

DONATE: 

We welcome your donations curbside! No Truck pickup.

• Sunday, October 6 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Monday, October 7 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

SHOP:

Public Sale Hours for Fall Sale 2024

• Wednesday, October 9 from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Regular price)
• Thursday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Regular price) and 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (50% off and/or $10 Bag). We provide 13-gallon kitchen bag(s) to fill (must use our bags!)

VOLUNTEER: 

To volunteer for fun & fellowship October 6-11, 2024 please call or text Jane Carvell @cell 248-379-2662 / jcarve55@icloud.com or the Birmingham campus Main office @ 248-646-1200. Volunteers must be a Birmingham or Berkley First member or be sponsored by a member.

The SPRC of Birmingham and Berkley First is pleased to announce that Amy Holton has been hired as the Christian Life Center Coordinator. We are excited to welcome Amy to this position. Her familiarity with Birmingham and Berkley First, in addition to her passion for recreational ministry will be of great value to the church. We are so excited for Amy to share her gifts in this way. She will begin on August 1 as she continues to close out her time as youth coordinator. This position will be housed within Congregational Care as we seek to enrich the health and wellness of our members and community!

Please note the CLC will be closed the month of August for updates and cleaning.

Birmingham First Building Summer Hours

Memorial Day – Labor Day

Sunday: Open for 10:00 a.m. worship

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday: By Appointment

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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