All former IXOYC Choir members are invited to join the Alumni Choir for the 9 pm Christmas Eve service.  Rehearsal will be on Christmas Eve at 8:30 pm.  We hope to see you there! 

Sign up this Sunday at the Coffee Hour Kiosk to help with Luminaries for Christmas Eve. Volunteers are needed for setup on Christmas Eve from 4:00–5:30 p.m. and for Christmas Day teardown, with four people needed at a time and flexible scheduling. Thank you for helping make our Christmas celebrations shine! 

Greeter Sign Up:  November -December 2025

Help us extend a warm welcome this holiday season by serving as a Sunday Greeter or Coffee Host. It’s a simple way to share hospitality and brighten someone’s morning—and we especially need friendly faces to help welcome guests on Christmas Eve.

Sign up at the kiosk in Fellowship Hall on Sunday or contact Melissa Ng at mjoyng@comcast.net.

Tune In: Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr. on Anything Is Possible
We invite you to listen as our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr., is featured this week on the radio program Anything Is Possible. The show airs Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 10:05–11:00 p.m. (ET) on WJR-AM 760, with live streaming available at WJR.com.

Anything Is Possible is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation series exploring faith, purpose, and life’s big questions. We hope you’ll tune in, listen online, or catch the episode later through the podcast or YouTube @AIPSpeakerSeries —and feel free to share with friends.

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION
Discover the fun and strategy of Mah Jongg with new offerings in the CLC! Join us for Monday night Mah Jongg Classes (6:00–8:00 p.m.) designed for beginners, or Guided Play for those who want help sharpening their strategy—both require pre-registration. Prefer something more casual? Open Play is available Saturdays from 1:00–3:00 p.m. in the café, with no registration required. Come learn, play, and enjoy time together around this classic game!

Unite 3-on-3 Basketball
It's that time again for UNITE basketball!

YOUTH REFEREES WANTED
We are looking for middle and high school students who would like to ref for our league. Make money for the choir England trip, mission trip, spending money or community service hours! You don't need to be a basketball expert! We will train you!
 
Being a ref is so much fun and you make a positive difference for kids! Saturday morning's 9:00-noon, January 10-March 14th in the Christian Life Center.

Fill out the GOOGLE FORM to volunteer to Ref.

PLAYER REGISTRATION
Registration is now open for Young 5s–5th grade. Season runs Saturdays, Jan. 17–Mar. 14, 2026—fun, faith, and hoops! $110 includes a jersey and extras; spots fill fast, so invite friends and sign up early. We love parent coaches and youth referees—questions or to volunteer, contact Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org.

Micah 6 Santa's Workshop December 20

Many, many thanks to members of Birmingham and Berkley First for your very generous donations.  The collection drive was a huge success.  For those of you interested in helping on December 20, please note the following as times may have changed slightly:
8:00 AM---Help move gifts from storage to the event location, set up
9:00 AM --1:00 PM----Event duration.  Assist others in stocking, organizing, handing out gifts
1:00----    Assist is cleaning up and putting away tables etc.

We will NOT wrap gifts.   We will assist others in moving gifts, restocking, organizing, and whatever other tasks we are assigned to help out with.  Whatever time you can help will be very much appreciated.  You do not have to volunteer for the entire time.  Park in the neighborhood around 32 Newberry, Pontiac.  BE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN OUTSIDE EVENT.  THE TEMPERATURE IS CURRENTLY FORECASTED TO BE IN THE LOW 20'S SO PLEASE DRESS WARMLY.

Further questions, please contact Steve Read   seread66@gmail.com

First Kids Preschool Registration opens on December 11 for current families and church members and to the public on January 8, 2026.  Visit our FIRST KIDS preschool page for more information.

First Kids Preschool strives to nurture each child’s individuality and innate curiosities in a loving, Christian environment. Our goal is to instill a desire for lifelong learning as we prepare preschoolers for kindergarten and the world beyond!

 

Our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr., will lead a mission group to his homeland of Liberia from February 3–14, 2026. The trip will include a visit to the site of the school our church is helping to build, along with opportunities to participate in meaningful hands-on mission work. Anyone who may be interested in joining this journey, please contact Helen Hicks at helenk7306@outlook.com, as several important arrangements need to be made soon.

Your health matters! First Nurses will be available in Fellowship Hall to check blood pressure between services on the first Sunday of every month. Compare your results each month to be sure you’re staying on top of your health! This free and friendly service is open to all—no appointment needed! 

Birmingham & Berkley First
Have you found comfort in grief or hope in God’s word? Do you love sharing how Jesus has worked in your life? Use your voice to inspire others! Take turns recording a weekly phone message of encouragement. Call Judy Lowery at 248-792-7821 to learn more. Your voice could be the hope someone needs! 

Potluck Sunday is the third Sunday of every month. Bring a dish to pass and join us in the Social Hall downstairs after worship for a wonderful time to connect with friends new and old.

Want to help set up? Email Rachel Alpert at ralpert@berkleyfirst.org. 

If you’re interested in learning more about life-time gifts and legacy giving such as strategies used for operating budget donations (ministry plan); endowment fund contributions, or donations directed to a designated ministry of your choice, please reach out to Karen Murphy for more information. Karen is our new Development Officer and can be reached directly at (248) 646-1200 ext. 3155, or email at kmurphy@fumcbirmingham.org. She would be happy to set a time to meet together to discuss further. 

Be sure to stop by Fellowship Hall between worship services on the following Sundays: December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, and June 7. Save these dates to stock up on your favorite Fair Trade chocolate, tea, and coffee. Equal Exchange supports a more ethical and sustainable marketplace by ensuring small-scale farmer cooperatives receive fair prices for their products. Your purchase helps create a better world—one cup (or chocolate bar) at a time! 

Are you friendly?
Do you have the gift of hospitality?
Can you answer a phone and press a buzzer?

We’re looking for a few warm, welcoming individuals to take a shift or two each month at the Welcome Desk at the Birmingham campus. This volunteer role is a vital part of our ministry—greeting visitors, answering phones, and helping maintain a safe and friendly environment for everyone, including our First Kids Preschool families.

You’ll be the first face people see and the first voice they hear when reaching out to the church. If that sounds like a role made for you, we’d love to have you on the team!

To learn more or to say YES, contact Jill Brouhard at 248-302-8108. 

Acolyting is a meaningful leadership experience for children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.  This role offers a unique opportunity to take an active part in worship by lighting the Christ candles at the beginning of our services in the main sanctuary. As acolytes, children will wear a special robe and cotta provided for them. This important role not only enhances the worship experience but also often becomes a treasured part of their children’s church journey. We generally ask our acolytes to commit to one Sunday per month from September to May. If your child is considering becoming an acolyte, please contact Dayna Ratliff at dratliff@fumcbirmingham.org for further information. 

Volunteering to teach Sunday School is a meaningful way to invest in the spiritual growth of the next generation, regardless of whether you have a child in the program. It’s an opportunity to share your faith, encourage young hearts, and model Christ-like service in action. We will provide you with all the materials needed to teach Sunday School in advance. If interested in volunteering for Sunday School, please reach out to Beth Torrey btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org and Dayna Ratliff dratliff@fumcbirmingham.org. We have open spots in Preschool, K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th grade classrooms.

Nursery Care Volunteer Information
Birmingham First
If you have a passion for caring for our little babies by holding, rocking, and comforting them, we invite you to consider volunteering in our nursery. We are in need of volunteers to help in the nursery during 9:30AM and 11:00AM Sunday services. Your support is greatly appreciated. Click here to sign up!

Birmingham & Berkley First
Call the Voice of Hope at 248-646-6407, then press 2 to hear an uplifting message recorded just for you! Whether you’re looking for comfort, inspiration, or a reminder of God’s love, take a moment to listen and be encouraged. New messages are shared weekly—don’t miss out on a little hope today!