Steeple Notes Weekly Newsletter

As we enter the Fourth Week of Advent, we light the Candle of Love, remembering that God’s love came near to us in the most human way—through the birth of a child. Love is found in quiet moments of care, in steady presence, and in the promise that we are never alone. As we move into the week of Christmas, may this love settle deeply in our hearts, shape how we welcome one another, and prepare us to receive the good news of Christ’s birth with gratitude and hope.
For worship information, including dedications and Sunday School times, click the button below.
Sunday Worship Information
For Berkley First worship information, click here.
You're Invited to Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24
An 11:00 a.m. Children's Christmas Eve Service will be held in the Sanctuary and online, bringing the story of Jesus’ birth to life. Children may take part in interactive moments and choose to participate as angels, shepherds, or kings. The service includes a Christmas message for all ages. Nursery care will not be available, as worship will be shared together by all generations.
 
Traditional Carols & Candlelight Services will be offered at 2:00, 7:00, and 9:00 p.m. (in-person and online), and 11:00 p.m. (in-person). These services feature your favorite Christmas carols, candlelight, and the proclamation of the Christmas gospel. Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr. will preach “Good News,” based on Luke 2:1–14, reflecting on how God’s plan of salvation unfolds with perfect timing and enduring purpose. Nursery care will be available at the 2:00 p.m. service.

All online Christmas Eve worship services can be watched through our regular Sunday online worship page, Facebook Live, and YouTube. Links, along with an online bulletin, will be sent to the Steeple Notes email list the morning of Christmas Eve.


Christmas Eve Luminaries Volunteers 
Sign up in Fellowship Hall at the 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!  

IXOYC Alumni Choir Sings Christmas Eve
All former IXOYC Choir members are invited to join the Alumni Choir for the 9:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service.  Rehearsal will be on Christmas Eve at 8:30 p.m.  We hope to see you there!
Christmas Greeters Needed
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 with the Sign Up Genius by clicking here, at the kiosk in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, or contact Melissa Ng at mjoyng@comcast.net.
Abide with Me: A Healing Service of Comfort
Set aside time to attend this healing service on Monday, December 22, at 7:00 p.m. This is a gentle time of worship centered on the theme “Through Cloud and Sunshine” and grounded in Psalm 147:1–11.

Amid life’s changes and challenges, this service offers a quiet space to breathe, reflect, and receive God’s tender care. You are invited to rest in sacred stillness, light a candle in remembrance or hope, and find grounding peace in the presence of community.
Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams Meet-up
On Monday, December 22 at 7:40 p.m. join the CFM team for Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams at Corewell Royal Oak Hospital (3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak), a heartwarming holiday tradition where the community shines lights to lift the spirits of hospitalized children. We’ll meet in the hospital parking lot and join others in shining flashlights and glow sticks up to the windows so kids know they’re seen and cared for. Wear warm outdoor gear and bring something that lights up! All are welcome to join in! Email Beth Torrey at btorrey@fumcbirmingham.org to sign up.

Announcements

New at the Circuit Rider Bookstore
We have new book titles available at the Circuit Rider Bookstore, just inside Fellowship Hall—perfect for a last-minute Christmas gift or a cozy read on a cold winter night. New arrivals include Everything Teen Girls Should Know About the Bible, Knowing God, The Crippled Lamb, Mere Christianity, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia, and The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, The Jesus I Never Knew, and more, along with beautiful Bible editions for study and reflection. Stop by this Sunday and find something special for the reader in your life!

Altar Flowers & Mission Candle 
Looking to honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion? We still have the Altar Flower and Mission Candle dedications open for December 28 and in the new year too. To reserve your dedication, stop by the main office or email Dorothy Duensing at office@fumcbirmingham.org.

Dr. Boayue on Anything is Possible with Jack Krasula 
On Saturday, December 20, our Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Charles Boayue, Jr., will be featured on the radio program Anything Is Possible, hosted by Jack Krasula. The show airs earlier than first announced, at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on WJR-AM 760, with live streaming available at WJR.com. Anything Is Possible is a thoughtful and inspiring conversation series that explores faith, purpose, and life’s big questions. After the original broadcast, you can listen to the recorded episode via the podcast at WJR.com or on YouTube at @AIPSpeakerSeries—and we encourage you to share it with friends.

New to the CLC—Mah Jongg 
Discover the fun and strategy of Mah Jongg! We now offer 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! Click here for more information. 

First Kids Preschool
Registration opens on December 11 for current families and church members, and to the public on January 8.  Visit our 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!

We’ve Got You Covered 
Need to borrow an umbrella, snow scraper, or even a pair of reading glasses after a service or meeting? We’ve got you covered! Umbrellas and snow scrapers are available at three main locations: the Main Entrance, Kitchen Door, and Circle Drive. Reading glasses can be found at the Welcome Center near the rear of the Sanctuary. Please be sure to return any borrowed items when you’re finished so they’re ready for the next person who may need them.

Christmas Missions

Thank You from Cass Community Social Services
Everyone at Cass Community Social Services extends heartfelt thanks to Birmingham & Berkley First for your continued support during these challenging times. From the generous gifts purchased and volunteer hours given for the Christmas Store, to stockings stuffed and attendance at the Friday God Bless the Child holiday concert, your love and care have been deeply felt and are truly appreciated. If you’d like to visit and learn more about their newest Tiny Homes, tours will be available—please click here for a flyer.

Here's one more opportunity to serve this coming week:
  • Cass Community Social Services – Serve on December 20, 21, or 22 (Contact: Karla Bole – karla.bole@yahoo.com)

Micah 6 Santa’s Workshop – December 20
Thank you for your generous donations—our collection drive was a huge success! Volunteers are still needed on Saturday, December 20 to help move, organize, and distribute gifts at 32 Newberry, Pontiac. Help is needed anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and you do not need to stay the whole time. This is an outdoor event, so please dress very warmly. Questions? Contact Steve Read at seread66@gmail.com.

Thank You from Samaritas New Americans
On behalf of the Samaritas New Americans mission project at Birmingham and Berkley First, Katy Niglas and Rachel Campbell extend a heartfelt thank you to all who organized and attended this year’s Advent by Candlelight event. Your gifts of time, presence, joy, and generous support created a beautiful beginning to the Christmas season and helped Samaritas New Americans continue their important work of welcoming refugee families and supporting them as they rebuild their lives in Southeast Michigan.
Winter Pickleball Schedule is Here!
The CLC courts are ready—and so is your winter pickleball lineup! Check out our updated schedule for drop-in hours, beginner lessons, ladder leagues, and intermediate skills & drills with Coach Steve.

You don’t have to be a pro to play here—just come ready to have fun, try something new, and stay active this winter. Whether you’re looking for competition or connection, there’s a spot for you on the courts.

The CLC is your space—bring a friend, invite your family, and make it a season to remember!
Go to the Pickleball Page
A Child Is Born Book Study-New Session Offered
Meets December 22, & 29
Ritter Room #217
Rev. Rachael Dunlap facilitating

Discover the fascinating connections between ancient birth stories and the Nativity of Jesus in this captivating four-week Advent study. The study delves into the narratives of Isaac and Ishmael, Moses, and Samuel to reveal how they foreshadow and enrich the timeless Christmas story in the final chapter. Author Amy-Jill Levine brings her expert knowledge of Scripture and careful consideration of the Christian story to show readers how Scripture's earlier birth stories anticipate the story of Jesus' birth and how the birth resonates, giving new meaning to those earlier stories.  Books are $15, some are available in the office.

Planning Ahead: Dementia Forward
Join us on Saturday, January 11 at 12:30 p.m. for another session of Planning Ahead, A Free Series on Aging and Care, focused on understanding dementia, recognizing early signs, and knowing what steps to take next.

Lunch is generously provided by and Endowment Grant. Everyone is welcome!
For more information, or to reserve your spot click the button below, or call/text:
(248) 520-9318.
More Information & RSVP
Liberia Mission Trip 
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.

Dementia Support Group
January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21
A safe place of compassion, hope & understanding. Join us for a welcoming & faith-centered Dementia Support Group designed for Caregivers, family members & loved ones of those living with some form of Dementia. We share experiences, ask questions, and receive emotional support. Meetings are led by compassionate volunteers & professionals who understand the challenges of caregiving. Together we listen, learn & lift one another up. Whether you're seeking guidance, encouragement, or simply someone who understands, you are not alone. Seating for attendees in a casual setting in Room #104 - Wright Parlor (or Room #101 - Martin Room). Please RSVP to Kyra Jackman at 248-644-8100 or kjackman@arden-courts.com.  


GriefShare Support Group
Join Pastor Rachael in the second floor Steven’s room on Thursdays from 9:30–11:00 a.m., beginning January 8 through April 16, for a weekly GriefShare support group. This is a Christ-centered, 13-week program offering biblical guidance, video teaching, and supportive conversation for those grieving the loss of a loved one. To register, click here. For questions, please email rdunlap@fumcbirmingham.org.

Advent & Christmas

Click the button below to view our Advent & Christmas Calendar, featuring seasonal events, special worship opportunities, Christmas Eve worship times, as well as livestream links for both the Birmingham First and Berkley First campuses, concerts, and more. 
Advent & Christmas Calendar