On Sunday, July 21, you are invited to worship. The service includes uplifting vocal sacred music, instrumental music, congregational prayer, scripture readings, offerings in support of major local and international missional projects, and a sermon related to the human experience.

This Sunday, our sermon, entitled “Spiritual Paralysis,” is based on Matthew 12:38-45. In this passage, Jesus is confronted by teachers of religious law and Pharisees who want Him to authenticate His authority by performing a sign or miracle. However, Jesus wants them to understand that they can authenticate His authority after experiencing what surrendering to His will produces. Miracles alone do nothing to save people from their sins or change their circumstances; miracles create a need for more miracles. But fulfilling God’s will opens doors to transformation and salvation – the necessary route to new life in Jesus Christ. Our world desperately needs transformation from chaos to order, the restoration of the lost reign of God, and the alignment of our priorities to God’s will.

Come! Let us reflect on the spiritual dimensions of human life, secular values, and Christian discipleship. Let us worship God!

I look forward to seeing you.

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.

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.

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. 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.

The Haiti Missions Task Force is in need of nebulizers for asthma treatments and blood pressure machines. Please bring labeled items to the second floor Missions Office at Birmingham First and place them in the clear plastic tub labeled "Haiti-Ongoing Needs and Donations." If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Smith by email at nancyasmithrn@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who supported our July 8 blood drive.

Thanks to your generosity, we collected 33 pints of blood, which will help save 99 lives in our community.

Our next blood drive is on September 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Meet up for the July Monthly Mission at Micah 6 Community on Saturday, July 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Stay for the duration, or just show up when you're able to. Children are welcome to help if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Dress ready for the weather to work outside in the community garden. Gather and be the hands and feet of Christ to lend assistance wherever it may be needed. See you at 32 Newberry Street in Pontiac!

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.

We would love to be your church family. If you want to learn more about Birmingham and Berkley First, join us on Sunday, July 21 at the Berkley First Campus following the 10:00 am worship service. Email Mary Feldmaier, mfeldmaier@fumcbirmingham.org to RSVP.

Join us for a one session class that will provide you with the knowledge, resources and relationships needed to take your next steps here at Birmingham and Berkley First. Associate clergy and ministry leaders will also be attending. The session will be relaxed and informative as you learn more about The United Methodist Church and Birmingham and Berkley First. Near the end of each session, you will have an opportunity to become a member. 

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 class will meet at the following dates and times:  Mondays, July 22 and 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.

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