‘The Devil You Say’ Bible Study on Mondays in October

Be afraid! Be very afraid! Or not! What’s the deal with the devil? Is he someone? Is he a ‘he’? Is he someone to fear? Does it matter whether we acknowledge the devil at all, or does it make more sense just to talk about evil in the world? And what does Jesus have to say about all this? Take a panoramic tour of Satan’s development in scripture from God’s prosecuting attorney to the source of quintessential evil. And consider what difference it makes to Christians today to understand. Join Pastor Emma beginning October 5 at 7pm in the Fireside Room. Sign-up here.

​

​​S.T.A.G.E. Youth Ministry

The next S.T.A.G.E. regular meeting is on October 25 from 6-8pm at Birmingham First Presbyterian Church. S.T.A.G.E. is open to all 6th grade through 12th grade youth. Bring a friend! S.T.A.G.E. (Somewhere To Ask God Everything) is a collaborative youth ministry for middle-and high-school youth. Meetings are on select Sundays at one of our collaborating churches. Scan the QR code for more information.

​

Trunk or Treat is Oct 23—Candy, cars, and volunteers needed

Our Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23 from 5:30-6:3pm is a great time to be with children in our community. To help make the event a success, we need volunteers to help with activities as well as decorated cars. Choose a fun theme for your car and join us or let us know if you can help with set-up, serving food, etc.! Sign up here or call the church office. Your theme can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like it. We also need lots of candy for the event. The candy collection is now underway. Bring your candy donations to the baby pool in the lobby.
 

November Worship Series—The Good News about Death

In life and in death, we belong to God. Christians live with the hope of resurrection life. So even in death, we have nothing to fear. During November, our worship services will celebrate the promises we have in Christ about eternal life and give us courage to face the difficult topic of death. After our All Saints’ worship service on November 1, join the Worship & Nurture Committee for coffee hour where you can pick up materials to help you make plans now for your own eventual funeral. Making these important decisions now is often a relief and blessing to your family members and ensures that your faith and wishes will be honored.

​

Men’s Fellowship Group

The Men’s Group will meet Monday, November 2 at 7:30pm at Bagger Dave’s in Berkley, 2972 Coolidge. Join us and enjoy a wide range of discussion topics and get to know your fellow church members better. Look forward to seeing you there!
 

Moms Night Out is November 6

FPCRO moms of kids up through elementary age are invited to a Mom’s Night Out at Tavern on the Main in Clawson on Friday, November 6 at 6:30pm! Come celebrate surviving the fall craziness with fellow moms! Share your latest back to school routines, swap Halloween horror (or humor) stories, and kick back before the craziness of the holidays hit full force! Sign up by November 2 here to let us know you’re coming. Audrey Frieberg will be making reservations, so please sign up so we know you are coming. Get in touch with Audrey (alkline221@gmail.com) if you think you’ll arrive late or have any questions.

​

​Lunch & Learn for Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity is present all around us. Many of us, though, don’t fully understand what it means or how we can be affirming to those who are neurodivergent. FPCRO is taking steps to learn and teach more about Neurodiversity and how we can be welcoming to both children and adults who are affected. Join us on Sunday, November 8 after worship for a Lunch & Learn. This will be a time of conversation and an opportunity to ask questions. We will also learn the ways our church is showing we care. This event is not only for those with young children, but is for all ages as God calls all of us to welcome neighbors, especially those different from us. Sign up in the church lobby or at this link Please join us. 
 

Fall Grounds Clean-Up

The House and Grounds Committee invites you to join us on Saturday, November 21, from 9am-12noon for the annual Fall Grounds Clean-Up. All are welcome! Bring work gloves and gardening gear as we rake leaves and prepare the church grounds for the coming winter.

 

Fall Spiritual Formation Series—through Nov 10, 7-8:30pm

Deepen your awareness of God’s presence and cultivate habits of contemplative prayer. Led by Don and Pat Johnson, the group will read The Lazarus Life: Spiritual Formation for Ordinary People by Stephen W. Smith. Attend when you can and as often as you’re able—committee and board members should still attend their regular Tuesday meetings. The first session will be an introduction, and the remaining sessions will focus on one chapter per week in the book. Each evening will consist of two parts: facilitated discussion, followed by contemplative reflection and prayer. This rhythm of study followed by stillness is designed to integrate intellectual understanding with spiritual practice, creating space for both communal and individual encounter with God. The goal is not just learning but cultivating a deeper spiritual attentiveness within our church community and awareness of God’s abiding presence.

 

Chancel Choir Rehearsals 

Do you love belting out songs in the car on your way to work? Or perhaps you’re looking for a break from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star? Our Chancel Choir could be the place for you! Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 7:30-9pm. We look forward to welcoming our members, old and new, for an exciting musical year in the church together. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenn Muse or Suzanne Lewand. We hope you can join us!
 

​Sunday School Volunteers Needed

As we are blessed with a lively Sunday school program, we are looking for volunteers who can help in the classrooms either as a helper or a teacher. This can be once or twice a month or whatever works best for your schedule. All the lessons will be provided to you ahead of time and supplies will be ready in the classroom. A sign up is available. Please reach out to Joelle Jarrait if you have any questions.

 

The Bible in a Year—Enter the Bible

Starting in September, join Pastor Emma to learn more about every book of the Bible over the course of the year. On your own, each week of the year, listen to one podcast episode of “The Bible in a Year.” Read each corresponding book of the Bible as works for you. Join Pastor Emma one Sunday evening at the end of each month to discuss that months’ books and episodes. Refer to the September issue of the Church Bell for the schedule for the first part of the year. Signup here if you plan to participate so Pastor Emma can be in touch. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to every meeting. Don’t worry if your ability to stick with the program comes and goes throughout the year. Signup anyway and do what you can!

​

Chancel Flower Dedications

The new 2026-27 flower dedication calendar is posted in the CE Lobby hallway. You are invited to sign up to honor a loved one or a special occasion with flowers during worship. There is also a card to fill out with information. Please contact Chris Klein if you have any questions.

​

Naomi-Ruth Circle Meets Wednesdays at 10:30am

Women of FPCRO, mark your calendars and attend Naomi-Ruth Circle! Circle meets at 10:30am in the Fireside Room the second Wednesday of the month September to June. We begin with fellowship and snacks, share joys and concerns, and learn of various missions, and conclude with Bible Study. This year’s study is “Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke through Acts,” produced by Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study.

​

Opportunity to Usher on Sunday Mornings

The Worship and Nurture Committee is looking for ushers. Simply arrive 20-25 minutes ahead of
the 10:30am service to greet folks and hand out bulletins. After worship, retrieve the completed
pew rack Friendship pad forms. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the Narthex. Questions? Contact Gail Meengs.

​

Need a Ride to Church?

The Deacons want to ensure that everyone who wants to come to church can get here! Lynne Sullivan is the transportation advocate on the Board of Deacons. If you need a ride to church, or would like to have a ride occasionally, please get in touch with Lynne. Or call the church office to get her contact information. Lynne can work with you to see how we can arrange a ride for you to join us for worship.

​

​Sunburst Singers Music Program for Children

Join our music program for kids (preschool through early middle school), following worship on the first and third Sundays of each month from September through June.​