To gather, nurture and equip disciples for ministry and mission. FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Traditional Worship

8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Sanctuary

Hymns

“Lord, Who Throughout These

Forty Days”

“Jesus Calls Us”

“Would I Have Answered When

You Called”

Anthems

“Create in Me a Clean Heart”

“Be Thou My Vision”

Chancel Choir

Scripture

Luke 4:14-21

Sermon

Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus

“It’s Supposed to Be Difficult!”

Rev. Laurie Haller

Shine Contemporary Worship

11:00 a.m.

Christian Life Center

Scripture

Matthew 4:19

Sermon

Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus

“Now Is or Isn’t the Right Time?”

Rev. Chad Oyer

Worship at Troy Campus

9:00 a.m.

Sanctuary

Sermon

Renegade Gospel: The Rebel Jesus

Sermon Series

Rev. Suzanne Walls preaching

SUNDAY WORSHIP

First Sunday of Lent

February 22, 2015

The Liturgists are Rev. Gary Haller in the

Sanctuary and Rev. Lindsey Hall at Shine.

The Altar Flowers are dedicated to the

glory of God and placed by Suzanne

Kuecken in loving memory of Bryant

Ewing.

The Rosebud on the altar announces the

birth of Johann Alfred Wisley-Schulz, born

January 31 to Christian and Rachel Wisley-

Schulz. Proud grandparents are Richard and

Elaine Wisley.

The Missions Candle is lit by Mary Pickett

and Rich Teets, celebrating their 33rd

wedding anniversary.

The Greeters are Shirley Klipfel, Ed

McKeehan, Sharon Pierce, Merry Beth

Valiquett, and Zeno and Ann Windley at

9:30, and Ron and Connie Aten, Kerry Fox,

Steve Murdock, Sharon Pierce, Laura

Sanders, Jan and Jenna Wade, and Holly

Woodruff at 11:00.

Sunday School

Nursery care is offered at 9:30 and 11:00.

9:30 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School

Middle School Sunday School

Middle School Confirmation

High School Youth Café Contemporary Study

Covenant Bible Study

Faith Builders Parents of Adolescents

10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School (Troy Campus)

11:00 a.m. Children’s Sunday School

Fundamentals

Sunday Scholar

Sunday’s Usher Teams

8:15 a.m. Head Usher: Fred Gardner

9:30 a.m.

Head Usher: Jim Valiquett Asst. Head Ushers: Duane Ralston, Imy Rouman

11:00 a.m.

Head Usher: John Carter Asst. Head Usher: John Miller

11:00 a.m. Shine Lead Usher: Laura Mason

The Prayer Team would like to pray for you during times of need and also to

praise the Lord during times of celebration. In addition to your concerns, please

let us know of any answered prayers, family members in the military returning

home, births, marriages and other special events. Contact Elise Norwood.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

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

the hospital on Thursday, February 12: Harold Lanning, Bonnie Vining

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

hospital since Thursday, February 5: John Gorham, Sue Thomasson

Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Bill and Melissa Peirce and family

on the death of her father, Dr. William L. Bair, on February 7.

Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Peter and Erin Uhrig and family

on the death of his mother, Joan Uhrig, on February 9.

Our Prayers of Sympathy and Support are shared with Dick and Martha Michel and

family on the death of his sister, Mary Martini, on February 11.

DID YOU KNOW

….that the Voice of Hope message for the week of February 22 will be recorded by Greg

LaBrake. The title of his offering is “The Greatest is Love.” To listen to this message, call

248-646-6407 and press 2 when your call is answered by our automated system.

….that we will offer a brief service of music, prayer, preaching and communion each

Wednesday morning during Lent. Rev. Lindsey Hall will lead the service on February 25

beginning at 7:40 a.m. in the sanctuary.

….that Renegade Gospel by Rev. Mike Slaughter is the book for our church-wide Lent

study. It’s not too late to join a Lenten study group, which begin the week of February 22

and end by Good Friday. For group dates and times and to register, please contact Shawn

David.

….that the next Live@First concert is Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. This concert

features the music of Detroit legend Alvin Waddles with the gospel quintet Testimony. You

won’t want to miss this exciting evening of powerful gospel music. Get your tickets in the

church office, through the church website, or through the music office.

….that our Haiti mission team is looking for fluoride varnish and old iPads to take to Haiti

this April. If you can ask your dentist for a box of fluoride varnish (not expired) or if you

have an old iPad you are no longer using, please contact Nancy Smith.

Our Purpose: To gather, nurture and equip disciples of Christ for

ministry and mission in the world.

Our Vision: Becoming a church that glorifies God,

serves Christ, loves others, and lives it out.

CHILDREN, STUDENT, AND FAMILY MINISTRIES

For information about our Children’s Ministry activities (Crib through 5th Grade),

check out our website at www.fumcbirmingham.org, Facebook FUMC Birmingham

Children and Family Ministries, or contact us to receive a monthly e-mail newsletter.

Want to get the inside scoop on First Student Ministries? 180seconds is a weekly e-mail

newsletter with the most current news for middle school and high school students. Get your

free subscription today! Sign up under “E-mail Subscriptions” on our website.

45 Christians, This is For You! Plan to attend the 45 C Lock-in on Friday, February 27 for

a rare chance to spend the night at the church. This year we will discover “Who Do You

Want To Be?” and do a service project for Cass Community Social Services. There will be

food, fellowship, fun and flashlights! Fill out a registration form outside the Children’s

Ministry office or on the church website. Contact Beth Torrey, Elementary Coordinator for

more information.

United Methodist Women Offer Scholarships….Each spring the United Methodist

Women award college scholarships, recognizing youth involvement in First Church. 2015

UMW Scholarship applications are available in the church office. Submission deadline is

March 15, 2015.

Meaning and Significance of Baptism….Led by clergy and lay staff, this class for parents

explains the biblical basis for why our church baptizes infants and children, the unique

benefits of baptism, and how God works in the lives of infants, children and their parents to

produce spiritual growth and the ongoing ministry of the church. The next class is Sunday,

March 8 at 11:00 a.m. Baptisms will take place on Sundays, March 15 at the 11:00 service

and April 19 at the 9:30 service. Please contact Janet Smylie to register for the class or to

schedule a baptism.

Opportunity for Employment….Our child care programs are experiencing a growth spurt

and we are hiring substitute caregivers for church ministry programs and events. Some

weekdays and evenings, depending on programs offered. The main qualification is a love for

God’s little ones. Job descriptions and applications are available in the main church office.

For more information, please call Janet Hucke (248-646-6407 ext. 3141).

Desert Sisters invite you to follow Jesus and “come away to a quiet place” on a journey of

Amazing Grace at the Northport Bay Retreat Center on the Leelanau Peninsula, September

22-25. The cost (TBD) will not exceed $300 and includes room, meals and program fees.

All FUMC members and previous attenders may register now, followed by non-members

after March 15, space permitting. Call Joan Duncan to register. Your registration will be

confirmed when Joan receives your $100 non-refundable deposit.

DESERT SISTERS WOMEN’S RETREAT

Personally, Lent is very significant to me here at FUMC Birmingham because everyone and

every group is given an invitation to join together for a forty day journey of discipleship!

Our communal experience through Lent is very formative because it is a shared journey.

“Come, follow me” was an invitation given by Jesus in Matthew 4:19.

“Come, join us” is an invitation given by your church for Lent

2015.

Now could be just the right time for you to accept both of

these invitations.

Chad Oyer

NOW IS OR ISN’T THE RIGHT TIME?

The news was stunning. James Robertson works at Schain Mold and Engineering in

Rochester Hills but lives twenty-three miles away. For ten years, since his car broke down,

Robertson has taken a bus part-way, then walked an average of twenty-one miles a day to

and from his home in Detroit. The reason? There is limited bus service in the Detroit Metro

area.

The time and effort simply getting to his $10.55 an hour job has ruled Robertson’s life. In an

interview James said, “No one can say I didn’t pay my dues in life.” Since the story broke on

February 4, a Wayne State student launched a crowdfunding campaign that raised $350,000

and a local dealership donated a Ford Taurus.

Of course, the lingering question for most of us who live in that twenty-three mile corridor

is, “What role do we play in our fractured bus service in the metro area?” How does our

faith inform the way we live our lives?

During Lent we are going to explore the renegade gospel that Jesus proclaimed and lived

out. As author Mike Slaughter says in our Lenten study book, “Discipleship doesn’t begin

with one’s profession of faith. Discipleship begins in the commitment to journey with

Jesus.” We will never change the world by going to church. We will only change the world

by being the church. How is God calling us to be the church and journey with Jesus this

Lent?

Laurie Haller

P.S. It’s not too late to sign up for a Lenten study group. Call Shawn David in the Adult

Education department (248-646-6407 ext. 3159).

RENEGADE GOSPEL

Our next American Red Cross Blood Drive is Monday, March 2 from 1:30-7:15 p.m. in

Fellowship Hall. Schedule an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code:

funited) or by calling 800-RED-CROSS. During the month of March, anyone who comes to

donate will receive a $10 coupon for HoneyBaked Ham Co. (while supplies last) and be

entered to win one of five $50 gift cards to HoneyBaked Ham.

March Madness for Missions….The NCAA basketball tournament is right around the

corner! With your help, this year’s March Madness for Missions fundraiser aims to raise

$4,000 for our Imagine No Malaria campaign. Who will unseat defending champion Joe

Ford in finding this year’s lucky bracket? Entry donations are $10 and may be dropped off

in the main office. Auto-pick and donation-only will again be available. To inquire or enter,

contact Dan Hubert.

One Great Hour of Sharing….For more than 50 years, United Methodist congregations

have taken part in a special One Great Hour of Sharing offering, laying the foundation for

the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to provide help and hope. This

offering, along with other undesignated gifts made throughout the year, covers their costs of

doing business and allows them to use 100% of all other contributions on the projects

donors specify instead of on administrative or fundraising costs. UMCOR does not receive

United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds. One Great Hour of Sharing is

Sunday, March 15. Look for special envelopes in your bulletin that morning or simply write

OGHS on the memo line of your check and place in the offering plate.

A Henderson Settlement VIM Trip Planning Meeting for interested participants will be

held at noon on Sunday, March 15 in Room 216. This year’s trip will take place June 21-27,

and is a wonderful opportunity to participate in a non-construction mission trip. We will

again be working with youth in the summer program, expanding upon previous years’ units

of teaching life skills. This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages (including

teenagers with a parent or guardian). For more information, please contact Deb Roy.

Do you have appliances you no longer need? We are always collecting clean appliances in

good working order to help families in need. A recent donation of a microwave was very

much appreciated by a young couple who is expecting a baby and had no means to heat or

cook foods. To donate, contact Shar Hammond (248-646-6407 ext. 3146).

Volunteers Needed for Fair Trade Coffee Sales….We sell Equal Exchange Fair Trade

coffee, chocolate and other items as a way of supporting farmers in the developing world.

Equal Exchange helps the farmers get a fair price for their goods and helps them learn to be

more productive in an environmentally sustainable way. We are looking for volunteers to

help with the sales on Sunday mornings and ordering the supplies. It takes about four hours

per month, and guidance will be provided by the emeritus leader, Mary Peterson.

Rummage Sale Dollars at Work….United Methodist Women give financial support to the

mission work of our children and youth. Rummage Sale proceeds provide supplies for

mission and outreach for FUMC children and family mission projects year-round. Caring

Christian Kids visit nursing homes. Family Ministries participates in Make a Difference

Day, Hands 4 Detroit, serving food at Cass, and many other activities. 45 Christians do

mission work locally and on a summer mission trip. These activities provide opportunities

for the youngest in our First Church family to experience the joy of mission and service.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTREACH

Stratford Theater 2015….Join Rev. Gary Haller on our Endowment Express for day trips

to Stratford, Ontario to see three of this season’s productions:

Tuesday, June 16: Taming of the Shrew

Wednesday, August 5: The Sound of Music

Wednesday, September 23: Carousel

We depart from the church at 8:30 a.m. and return by 9:30 p.m. Costs are a little different

this year, depending on the play(s) you wish to attend. Tickets are limited, so contact Janet

Smylie today.

Wesley Heritage Tour….The story of John and Charles Wesley and the Wesleyan

movement is not only fascinating, it changed the history of England and reshaped much of

Christianity. Pastors Laurie and Gary Haller are pleased to be co-leading a Wesley Heritage

Tour with Jack and Judy Harnish. The dates are November 9-17, 2015 with optional post-

tours of London or Ireland. More information will follow. Brochures of the tour can be

found in our church information racks.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

February 22 “It’s Supposed to Be Difficult!” Rev. Laurie Haller

Series Introduction – Luke 4:14-21

March 1 “Beyond the Frozen Chosen!” Rev. Gary Haller

Chapter 1 – Luke 9:23-24, 14:26

March 8 “Turning the World Upside Down” Rev. Laurie Haller

Chapter 2 – Acts 17:1-9, Romans 12:1-2

March 15 “Who Do You Say That I Am?” Rev. Lindsey Hall

Chapter 3 – Luke 9:18-20

March 22 “Do You Want to See Christ Today?” Rev. Gary Haller

Chapter 4 – Matthew 25:31-46

March 29 “She Did What She Could” Rev. Laurie Haller

Palm Sunday Chapter 5 – Mark 14:1-9

April 2 “The Blessing of Christ’s Departure” Rev. Gary Haller

Maundy Thursday 7:00 p.m.

April 3 Community Good Friday Service Rev. Laurie Haller

Good Friday Noon in our Sanctuary

April 5 “When We Walk Through the Door!” Rev. Gary Haller

Easter

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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Birmingham Campus: 1589 W. Maple Road, Birmingham, MI 48009

Church Office ............................ 248-646-1200 Office Hours ....................... 8:30-5:00, Monday-Friday

Voice Mail System .................... 248-646-6407 Email Address ............... Office@fumcbirmingham.org

Church Fax ................................ 248-646-2661 Website ............................. www.fumcbirmingham.org

Troy Campus: 4050 Coolidge Road, Troy, MI 48085

Church Office ............................ 248-643-8585

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Laurie Haller and Gary Haller, Senior Pastors Lindsey Hall, Chad Oyer and Suzanne Walls, Associate Pastors

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

SENIOR STAFF

Mary Feldmaier ................................... Director of Membership and Congregational Care

Doris Hall ............................................ Organist

Tony Kotwicki..................................... Director of Facilities Holly Pisano ........................................ Director of Finance

Casey Proch ......................................... Director of Music

Janet Smylie ........................................ Executive Administrative Assistant Lisa Wells............................................ Director of Program

Kelly Willian ....................................... Director of Children and Family Ministries

Steeple Notes Editor: Janet Smylie. Notices for Steeple Notes should be in writing and in the main church

office by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday of the week preceding publication.