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Volume 77, Issue 2 January 10, 2018

A Time of Change

A s I stepped out into the freshly fallen snow earlier this week, I found myself

wondering why a new year would begin in January. January falls in the middle

of the winter for those of us living in the northern hemisphere. The trees and the

flowers are all dormant. In the northern United States, the earth is often blanketed by

snow. When the temperature is close to zero, I’m ready to curl up under a warm

blanket with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.

Perhaps this is why new year’s resolutions are so hard for us to keep. In the bleak

midwinter, I’m all about comfort over changes to my routine. On the other hand, if a

new year started in the spring, I might be more willing to live into the resolution as I

reflected on the new life that I saw bursting forth around us.

Oh, who am I kidding? Change is hard work that requires a commitment that often moves us and those around us

beyond our familiar comfort zones.

This week, in the main sanctuary at our Birmingham campus, our Let’s Go to the Movies series continues with a focus on

the movie Hidden Figures, which tells the stories of three African-American women who not only broke through racial

barriers at NASA in the 1960s, but also helped our nation (and our world) launch a man into space. Their work took

courage as they risked breaking through the walls that had shut them out when their gifts were needed most.

If you have not seen this masterful retelling of a story that many of us never read in our history books, you won’t want

to miss Hidden Figures as the second feature in our Christian Life Center on Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 pm. Invite

some friends to come watch it with you and then invite them to church on Sunday as we reflect on the movie in light

of a lesser known story of a couple of Hebrew midwives from the Exodus narrative.

Perhaps January is a time of change and the perfect time to begin a new year. If we are moved to step boldly into a new

future that God has for us with the courage to see the world around us changed by the grace of God, then perhaps

we’ll see new life, even in the winter.

I’ll see you in church!

Elbert Dulworth

Senior Pastor

January 10, 2018

Our Church Family

Our Christian Caring and Concern are shared with the following persons, known to be in the hospital on

Tuesday, January 9: Diane Garabedian, Sheryl Hammer, Fran Hayes, Mike Hucke, John Jennings

Our Prayers for Good Health are shared with the following persons, released from the hospital since Wednesday,

January 3: Hollie Kotwicki, Dick Michel, Martha Michel, Ann Van Deusen

Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Remy Ferguson and family on the death of her husband,

Bill, on December 31.

….that this week’s Voice of Hope message is recorded by Andy McMillan, and next

week’s message is by Anita Barratt. To listen, call 248-646-6407 and press 2 when your

call is answered by our automated system.

….that the Circuit Rider Bookstore is now open every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to

noon. Come and look over our great selection of books, Bibles and other resources.

Volunteers are still needed to take one shift per month, so please mark the registration

form or contact Mary Feldmaier ([email protected] or 248-646-6407 ext.

3142) if you are interested.

….that Christian Classic Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 10 to discuss All the King’s Men by Robert

Penn Warren. Come, join the discussion at 7:00 p.m.

….that we will show a Movie Double Feature in the Christian Life Center on Saturday, January 13 for families and

adults alike. Doors will open at 5:30 for you to grab a seat and some snacks. Our children’s movie, Toy Story, begins at

6:00 pm. Stay for the second movie, or come just for Hidden Figures at 7:30. Hope you can join us! (Hear Pastor Elbert

and Pastor Dan preach on Hidden Figures on Sunday, January 14.)

….that Taizé worship is Thursday, January 18 in the Runkel Chapel at 6:45 p.m. Come worship in a quiet,

contemplative and sacred way of communing with God, have a private prayer with Pastor Suzanne Walls, or

experience Reiki healing touch.

….that Merry Mates will meet on Friday, January 19. As we start a new year, Rev. Shawn Lewis-Lakin, our Senior

Associate Pastor, will look at who and what are new in our life together as a congregation and consider what new

beginnings look like, collectively and individually, noting that new beginnings are always a possibility. Join this friendly

and diverse group of all ages, singles and couples, for Social at 6:00 p.m. and dinner ($15) at 6:30. RSVP to Bob and

Sharon Pierce ([email protected] or 248-364-4438) by early Sunday evening, January 14.

….that we will send another College Care Packet to our church’s college students on January 21. If your student

has moved since the fall term, please send the new address to Mackenzie Hibbard ([email protected]) by

January 14. Sorry, but we cannot send packages to students out of the country. If your student was on the fall mailing

list and they are still at that address, nothing needs to be done. If you are interested in helping to assemble on January

21 and/or provide a small item for the packets, please contact Sue Smith ([email protected]).

….that a Service of Prayer for Christian Unity will be held on Sunday, January 21 at 5:00 p.m. at Northbrook

Presbyterian Church (corner of 14 Mile and Lahser). Join your neighbors from local congregations for this timely

opportunity to reflect the love and unity we share in Jesus Christ to our community. Pastor Shawn Lewis-Lakin will

share a reflection.

….that a Special Church Conference will be held to set pastoral salaries for 2018. The conference begins at 7:00

p.m. on Monday, January 22, before the Administrative Council meeting.

Did You Know

mailto:[email protected]




We hope you will join us on Saturday night for our first Shine Movie Night! We will show Toy

Story at 6:00 p.m. for our kids and families, and Hidden Figures at 7:30. Feel free to come a

little early to grab some snacks and a seat. You will hear a sermon on Hidden Figures in the

traditional services and in Shine on Sunday. We will talk about how we can stand apart from

some of the structural and societal oppression of the world and how we can instead

encourage the power of diversity.

Next Sunday, we will also have a unique service as we host a Michigan-wide youth choir camp

group. They will bring a few choir pieces and also combine with our Shine band for a

selection. Join us for a great Sunday!

Pastor Dan Hart

Shine: Embracing Diversity

First United Methodist Church

By the grace of God, we’re experiencing some serious momentum at Berkley First! Over the

first full year, the Berkley campus had 88 in average worship attendance. If you look at the

last six weeks (not counting our Christmas Eve service), average attendance was 113.5.

Whichever worship service you call “home,” it’s a joy to be serving and growing together!

This Sunday at 10:00 a.m. we continue our Comfort Food series with a look at a little

something sweet.

Pastor Zack Dunlap

Berkley First: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Leaders of our congregation will gather on January 26-27 for the FORWARD Leaders

Summit. This event will go from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Friday evening and from 9:00 a.m.

to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday. All participants must commit to being present and

participating for the entire duration of this event, as each activity at the Summit will

build on a previous activity or decision. The goal of this gathering is to claim our core

strength as a congregation and to name the key priorities that will shape our shared life moving forward. For additional

information or to RSVP, please contact Janet Smylie ([email protected] or 248-646-6407 ext. 3121). Because

of the critical nature of the work involved in the Summit, attendees must participate in all activities, and register by Monday,

January 22 at 4:00 p.m.

FORWARD Leaders Summit

Join Rev. Elbert Dulworth for Discover First, a one-session class that will provide you with the

knowledge needed to take your next steps at Birmingham First and Berkley First. The

session will be relaxed and informative, and will include a short joining ceremony for those

who decide to become members. We will meet at the Birmingham First campus on Sunday,

January 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. We would love to be your church family! Contact Mary

Feldmaier ([email protected] or 248-646-6407 ext. 3142) for more details.

Discover First



January 10, 2018

Opportunities to Serve Others Art & Soul invites you to experience how art strengthens the heart and lifts the soul!

The Opening Reception for our “Reaching Out, Lifting Up” art show is Thursday,

January 11 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery

(33 E. Adams at Woodward, Detroit). The exhibit runs through February 4 and is

open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Come see the incredible

work of the Art & Soul artists.

It’s Time for Pie Day! Please help us support the Methodist Children’s Home in Costa Rica and the children of

Henderson Settlement in Kentucky. It’s easy! Pre-order pies and quiches any day in the church office or during the

coffee hours on January 14. Your orders will be ready for pick up on Sunday, January 21. All food items are homemade

by church members. For more information, visit the church website; you can also download an order form there.

Thanks for helping these wonderful children with your purchases!

VIM/Tour at our Mission in the Czech Republic….A team is going to our Christian Help Center outside of

Prague, September 14-22. If you are interested in more information, contact Donna Haymond ([email protected])

or come to a meeting on Sunday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ward Library. We will stay at a luxury 4 star hotel, so

the cost for airfare, hotel (double occupancy) and tours will be approximately $4,800 per couple. Meals will be on your

own, but three lunches are included on work days. We must book the hotel rooms, with a 25% deposit, by February 1

to get a reduced rate.

Communion….We could use a few more people to add to our Communion server team, especially at the 8:15 and

9:30 a.m. Sanctuary services. All that’s required is a respect for the sacrament and an interest to help when you can.

For more information, please contact Janet Smylie ([email protected] or 248-646-6407 ext. 3121).

Brightmoor has several new opportunities for volunteers. We can be flexible to match your schedule. Please contact

Mary Pickett (248-229-1459 or [email protected]) if you would like to be involved:

Perfect for the early riser—you would be home by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday! We need a driver to pick up a carload of

donated produce and bread from a home near Pierce Elementary School at 7:00 a.m. and drop it off in Brightmoor,

where volunteers will unload it and you can be on your way home. A driver (or a team taking turns) takes this

much-needed food to Brightmoor twice a month, all year round.

If you prefer a later start to your day, we are opening a new computer lab in Brightmoor and are looking for

volunteers to help the adults who are getting their introduction to computers. No need for a graduate degree in

computer science, just a desire to help and basic knowledge of browsing the web, doing email, and using Word.

The lab will be open 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. every Saturday. We are looking for volunteers willing to be there once or

twice a month to help people who are very excited about this opportunity. What’s more, lunch is provided!

Opportunities for Women

UMW Esther Circle will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24 in Thomas Parlor. Pastor Elbert will be our

speaker. Visitors and new members are welcome. Call Claudia Crosby (248-549-0969) for more information.

Desert Sisters Retreat….Sally Meese and Anita Barratt will lead the Desert Sisters Retreat at Northport Bay

Retreat House, September 18-21. A “Reunite and Invite” information meeting is planned for Thursday, January 18 at

7:30 p.m. Come learn about registration and this year’s theme. For more information, send an email to the leaders at

[email protected] or call Anita at 248-563-2756.

https://www.fumcbirmingham.org/pie-day/





First United Methodist Church

Happening This Week Saturday, January 13

9:00 a.m. Unite 3 on 3 Basketball

5:30 p.m. Movie Night Doors Open

6:00 p.m. Movie: Toy Story

7:30 p.m. Movie: Hidden Figures

Sunday, January 14

8:15 a.m. Traditional Worship


10:00 a.m. Worship—Berkley

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship


9:30 a.m. Faith Builders

9:30 a.m. Parents of Adolescents

9:30 a.m. Sunday School: children/youth

10:00 a.m. Sunday School—Berkley

10:30 a.m. Noah Food Prep

11:00 a.m. Fresh Insights

11:00 a.m. Sunday Scholar

11:00 a.m. Sunday School: thru 5th grade

1:30 p.m. Puppy Love—Offsite

3:00 p.m. Family Movie—Berkley

7:00 p.m. At the Crossroads

Monday, January 15

Closed: Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, January 16

6:30 a.m. Tuesday Men’s Bible Study

8:00 a.m. WOW Leaders’ Meeting

9:00 a.m. Parent/Toddler Open Gym

9:30 a.m. Bridge

9:30 a.m. Tuesday Women’s Study

9:45 a.m. COW/Children of the Word

10:00 a.m. WOW/Women of the Word

11:00 a.m. Stretch 4 Life

11:30 a.m. W.O.W. Coffee

2:00 p.m. Safety Committee

3:00 p.m. HS Hang Out

6:00 p.m. Hatha Yoga—Berkley

6:00 p.m. GRIP/GRIP Kids—Berkley

7:00 p.m. Ballroom/Social Dance—

Berkley

7:00 p.m. Church & Society Ministry

7:00 p.m. Missions Ministry

7:00 p.m. Stewardship Committee

7:00 p.m. Tuesday Study—Berkley

7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball

Wednesday, January 17

6:15 a.m. Arbon Dennis (McClew)

7:30 a.m. Word for Working Women

8:00 a.m. Strength Training

8:45 a.m. GRIP Childcare

9:00 a.m. GRIP/GRIP Elementary

Wednesday, January 10

6:15 a.m. Arbon Dennis Men’s Study




9:30 a.m. Mat Pilates

11:00 a.m. Aware

12:30 p.m. Bridge in the Afternoon

12:30 p.m. Mahjong

1:00 p.m. Senior Volleyball

1:00 p.m. Sisters

6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop #1032

6:45 p.m. Cub Scout Troop #1032

7:00 p.m. Celebration Ringers

7:00 p.m. Christian Classic Book Club

8:00 p.m. Chancel Choir

8:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study

Thursday, January 11


9:00 a.m. Chair Yoga—Berkley

9:00 a.m. GRIP

9:00 a.m. Mother’s Study


9:00 a.m. Thursday Study—Berkley

9:30 a.m. Prelude: 24-36 Months

10:15 a.m. Prelude: Walkers-24 Months

11:00 a.m. Prelude: Newborns-Walkers


1:00 p.m. Purl Girls

2:30 p.m. Spark Workers Hang Out

4:00 p.m. 200th Anniversary Committee

4:00 p.m. SPARK

4:15 p.m. Covenant Choir

4:15 p.m. Disciple Choir

4:15 p.m. Sonshine Choir

5:00 p.m. Cherub Choir

5:00 p.m. Children’s Bells

6:00 p.m. Compass

6:00 p.m. Faith Formation Ministry

6:30 p.m. Jr./Sr. Karate

7:00 p.m. Adult Karate

7:00 p.m. FORWARD Committee

7:00 p.m. HS Basketball

7:00 p.m. Investment Committee


7:30 p.m. Unfinished Christian Women

Friday, January 12




11:00 a.m. Hatha Yoga—Berkley

4:00 p.m. HS Retreat



10:00 a.m. Jeremie Haiti

11:00 a.m. Singing Bowls

12:30 p.m. Bridge in the Afternoon

12:30 p.m. Mahjong

1:00 p.m. Rummage Committee

1:00 p.m. Senior Volleyball

1:00 p.m. Sisters

2:30 p.m. Ruth Ellis Dinner Prep

5:00 p.m. Unite Basketball Open Gym


Kitchen Pie Prep

6:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop #1032

6:45 p.m. Cub Scout Troop #1032

7:00 p.m. Celebrations Ringers

7:00 p.m. Trustees


8:00 p.m. Men’s Bible Study

Thursday, January 18


9:00 a.m. GRIP

9:00 a.m. Mother’s Study


9:30 a.m. Prelude: 24-36 Months

10:15 a.m. Prelude: Walkers-24 Months

11:00 a.m. Prelude: Newborns-Walkers


1:00 p.m. Purl Girls

2:30 p.m. Spark Workers Hang Out

4:00 p.m. Spark

4:15 p.m. Covenant Choir

4:15 p.m. Disciple Choir

4:15 p.m. Sonshine Choir

5:00 p.m. Cherub Choir

5:00 p.m. Children’s Bells


Kitchen Pie Prep

6:30 p.m. Jr./Sr. Karate

6:45 p.m. Taize Worship Service

7:00 p.m. Adult Karate

7:00 p.m. FORWARD Planning

7:00 p.m. HS Basketball


7:30 p.m. Desert Sisters Meeting

8:00 p.m. Pub Theology—Offsite

The Liturgists are Rev. Shawn Lewis-Lakin at 8:15, Rev.

Suzanne Walls at 9:30, Rev. Lindsey Hall at 11:00, and

Rev. Shawn Lewis-Lakin at Shine.

The Altar Flowers are dedicated to the glory of God

and placed by Rex and Sue Smith in loving memory of

Jack Bolton and Rex Smith, Jr.

Steeple Notes is published weekly by First United Methodist Church.

Notices should be in writing and submitted to Janet Smylie in the church office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Traditional Worship 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Exodus 1:8-22

Let’s Go to the Movies:

“Be the First”

(Hidden Figures)

Rev. Elbert Dulworth

Hymns

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”

“The Voice of God is Calling”

“For the Healing of the Nations”

Anthems

“We Shall Overcome”

“Roll Down Justice”

Chancel Choir

Shine Contemporary Worship 11:00 a.m. in the Christian Life Center

Matthew 23:1-12

Let’s Go to the Movies:

“Hidden Figures”

Rev. Dan Hart

Our Purpose:

To gather, nurture and equip disciples of Christ for

ministry and mission in the world.

Our Core Values:

Welcome All

Put Love Into Action

Honor God Through Excellence

Embrace Bold Vision

Encourage Lifelong Spiritual Growth

Support One Another

1589 W. Maple Road • Birmingham, MI 48009

248-646-1200 • fumcbirmingham.org [email protected]

Elbert Dulworth, Senior Pastor

Shawn Lewis-Lakin, Senior Associate Pastor

Zack Dunlap, Lindsey Hall, Dan Hart and Suzanne Walls, Associate Pastors

John E. Harnish, William A. Ritter and Robert P. Ward, Pastors Emeriti

2820 12 Mile Road • Berkley, MI 48072

248-399-3698 • berkleyfirst.org

Zack Dunlap, Pastor

Weekly Worship 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Psalm 19:7-10

Comfort Food:

“Chocolate Chip Cookies”

Rev. Zack Dunlap

January 10, 2018

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus+1%3A8-22&version=NRSV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+23%3A1-12&version=NRSV

https://www.fumcbirmingham.org


https://www.berkleyfirst.org

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+19%3A7-10&version=NRSV

a time of change a - cloud object storage | store ...€¦ · a time of change a s i stepped out...

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