One Worship Service on April 7

There will be one worship service on Sunday, April 7 at 10:30am as we gather to praise God on the second Sunday of Easter. A coffee and fellowship hour will follow the service, hosted by Session, and feature yummy doughnuts!

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Men’s Fellowship Group

The Men’s Fellowship Group will gather Monday, April 8 at 7:30pm at Bagger Dave’s (2972 Coolidge Hwy) in Berkley. Feel free to join us for a return visit or your first time! Contact Derek Helenberger or Matthew Nickel for more information.

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Women’s Fellowship Group

The Women’s Group will meet from 9:30-10:30am on the following Fridays: April 12, May 10, and June 7 at Coffee and Bark (2733 Coolidge Hwy) in Berkley. Questions? Contact Amanda Curry.

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Flower Sale Fundraiser for S.T.A.G.E. Youth Ministry

The annual Flower Sale is back! Order beautiful flowers to plant in your garden, as well as hanging baskets, and tomato pots with cages. All fundraiser proceeds support the operation of the S.T.A.G.E. Youth Ministry. Orders are online only. Place orders by 2pm, Sunday, April 21. Order pick up on Saturday, May 18 from 12pm-2pm at Greenfield Presbyterian Church, 2312 Greenfield Road, Berkley.

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S.T.A.G.E. Youth Ministry

Middle and high schoolers and friends are invited to our collaborative S.T.A.G.E. (Somewhere To Ask God Everything) youth ministry. Meetings, on select Sundays, are from 4:30-6:30pm, unless otherwise specified. Questions? Contact Director, Jessica Gibbs.

• Sunday, April 7: Regular Meeting at First Pres. Birmingham

• Sunday, April 14: Service Project TBD

• Sunday, April 21: Regular Meeting, location TBD

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Diving Into Friendship with God! Mark Your Calendars
for a SCUBA VBS: June 24-28, 2024 • 9am-12pm.

Registration begins March 1, 2024!

Volunteer at SCUBA VBS!

Our 2024 VBS is June 24-28! This is a wonderful week of sharing God’s word with our church children and the children of our community. We are looking for volunteers for a variety of areas. Not only do we need helpers during the event, but also helpers for planning and designing sets and props. Please visit our sign-up genius at to join in on the fun!

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Scholarships for Student in Education

Each year, the Detroit Area Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta (an international educational honor society), awards 10 scholarships of $2,500 to students in education at any Michigan college or university who will be doing their student teaching in the next school year. Below are the six requirements (which were written when the scholarship was established). They are:

1. A GPA of 3.5 or above

2. A statement of need

3.  Two references

4. A copy of an official student transcript

5. Explanation of a volunteer project for his/her community or house of worship

6. Innovative ideas for their classrooms

Most teacher preparation programs require two student-teaching placements, during which time the students is not allowed to work, yet still has to pay for the total of 14 credit hours for the two semesters involved. This scholarship aims to offer the financial assistance needed during the student-teaching period. If you know a student who fits the criteria, please contact Barbara Weiskopf. (Barbara is a member of the State Employees Retirement Association (SERA), who rent Kirkman Fellowship Hall for their monthly meetings at FPCRO.) Barbara Weiskopf may be contacted for more information. All required documents must be received no later than April 15, 2024. Scholarship awardees will be notified by May 30, 2024.

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Returning Outside Group Rental

Sportsman’s Dog Training Club will again be hosting an AKC Scent Work Trial at FPCRO on April 20 and April 21. They will be using our entire building both days for scent trials, except the worship wing, starting at the reception desk, and extending through the sanctuary and the nursery. During their rental on April 20 and April 21, we are asking that you please:

• Enter the building through the Chapel or Hendrie doors. We will have the sandwich board signs out as reminders.

• Remain in this section of the building as much as possible. The rest rooms will be open. If you are able, please use the ones at the top of the stairs in the CE Lobby.

• The dogs are being timed, please don’t interact with them in any way.

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Want to Become a Better Listener?

On Monday, April 29 from 7-8:30pm, Pat Johnson, retired healthcare chaplain, spiritual director, and Commissioned Ruling Elder, will present “Listening Sets the Bruised Heart Free,” an in-depth look at listening to others, to ourselves, and to God. This broad spiritual view of what makes for a meaningful growth experience is based on her book, Listening for Life. Highlighting these three layers of listening, Pat will share stories of encounters with patients while a chaplain. Read her book in advance (listed on Amazon) or purchase it after the presentation (check/cash only). Learn more about Pat on her website.

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Earla Smith Foundation Grant Applications

Applications for the Earla Smith Foundation grants will be accepted until April 30. The Earla Smith Foundation Committee will review the applications and send them to Session for approval in May.
Earla Smith set up this grant to benefit FPCRO and the Troy School District for special programs and other activities of the church. If you have a proposal for how these funds could be used we encourage you to submit an application. Visit this page to download application form. Contact Kari for more information and/or assistance.

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Save the Date! Spring Grounds Clean-Up

Please save the date of Saturday, May 4, from 9am to 12noon for this year’s Spring Grounds Clean-Up. Plan to join us as we ready the church’s flower beds and grounds for the growing season. Saturday, May 11 is the rain date. Thank you from the House & Grounds Committee.

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Buy Nothing Free Sale Event

On Saturday, May 18 from 9am-12pm (rain date, June 15), FPCRO will host a group from Royal Oak to have a Buy Nothing Free Sale in our parking lot. Many RO residents are members of Buy Nothing Facebook groups, where they can take unwanted/unused items from their homes and gift them to others in the community. Usually these arrangements are made individually. This year the group wants to host an in-person event and we have the parking lot space to do that! This event encourages community connections and cares for creation by keeping items out of landfills. To offer this service to our community, we need some volunteers! Could you:

• Serve as a parking lot attendant on this day, directing people where to park and set-up?

• Serve as a host at a booth for our church, offering greetings, giving directions to our church’s bathrooms, water fountains, and pointing people to the event’s coordinators for other assistance?

Look for a sign-up soon, or email Pastor Emma to let her know you want to participate.

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Save the Date! Sunday Serenade
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 2 at 2pm, our talented section leader/soloists Bryan Clinthorne, Brady DelVecchio, Olivia Donnel, and Audrey Frieberg will be sharing their gifts with us in an afternoon of song. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful quartet of soloists here at FPCRO, and
this concert will feature them in ways that go beyond what we hear on a Sunday morning.

Their program will include solos, duets, trios and quartets from classical Art Song, Opera and Musical Theater. Within this huge variety of pieces there will be something for everyone to like. The singers will be accompanied by our own Joseph Jackson at the piano.

Join us in support of our talented singers for a beautiful concert which will showcase the versatility of their gifts. The concert will be free and open to the public.

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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.

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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.

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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. Contact to Audrey Frieberg with questions.

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Need a Ride to Church?

The Deacons want to ensure that everyone who wants to come to church can get here! Roger Watson 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 Roger. Or call the church office to get his contact information. Roger can work with you to see how we can arrange a ride for you to join us for worship.

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Forging Faith Podcast

What happens when spirituality collides with life? In FPCRO's new podcast, Pastor Emma talks with folks who have experienced a variety of challenges—from cancer to divorce to adoption—and hears how their faith has been stretched and shaped by these experiences. Check it out here. “Forging Faith” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms. We’re grateful to the Evangelism and Communication committee and the Earla B. Smith Foundation for making the podcast possible!

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Liturgists in Worship

Are you comfortable with public speaking? Do you love God and love to serve the church? Do you want to try something new? Pastor Emma and the Worship and Nurture Committee invite church members and friends to serve as liturgists in the new year. If you are able and willing to serve, please contact Pastor Emma to be added to the weekly schedule.