This Christmas season, there are so many ways to share the joy! Whether you’d like to serve, give, or help wrap gifts, Birmingham and Berkley First offer meaningful opportunities to make a difference for families in need. From stocking drives and gift collections to wrapping kits and volunteer projects, there’s something for everyone to take part in.

After worship this Sunday, stop by the Hands On Mission table to pick up a Brightmoor Christmas Stocking to fill with $20 of gifts, and choose a gift tag ornament to support Micah 6, Cass Community Social Services, or Redford Brightmoor Initiative.

If you are 18 and over, please join us at Bowlero (4209 Coolidge Hwy, Royal Oak) on November 30 at 1:30pm. Food is available for purchase, and final cost will be between $12-$15. Please contact Rachel Alpert to RSVP at ralpert@berkleyfirst.org or 248-535-7934 by November 24.

On Friday, December 19 at 8:00 p.m., join the staff of Berkley First for a fun and relaxed Karaoke Night at the Berkley American Legion (2079 West 12 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072). Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All are welcome!

Last year, Berkley First sponsored the creation of a Cass Tiny Home. We may not be able to solve housing affordability or income inequality everywhere, but we can do for one person what we wish we could do for everyone. The walls are now up at 1559 Cortland, Detroit, and we have the opportunity to help finish the project.

We’ll be on site December 6 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with additional workdays to follow. Volunteers are needed to prime, paint, install vinyl plank flooring, hang cabinets, and install doors and trim. We’ll begin with priming and painting on December 6. Email Pastor Zack at zdunlap@berkleyfirst.org to let us know you can help.

While our normal involvement with Angel Tree has been paused for 2025, a donation was made directly to Prison Fellowship to purchase gifts for children this year. We are hoping to find individuals to help lead Angel Tree in 2026. If you are interested in helping to lead this mission next year, please reach out to Rev. Zack Dunlap (zdunlap@berkleyfirst.org) or Missions Chairperson Bridget Schipper (schipperbridget@gmail.com). In lieu of our traditional support of Angel Tree, please consider checking out our Christmas Mission Opportunities by clicking here.

On Saturday, December 6 at 5:30 p.m., come on by Berkley First to enjoy the Berkley Holiday Lights Parade along 12 Mile Road. The parade route starts near Greenfield and ends at City Hall, where the annual tree lighting ceremony takes place. Enjoy festive floats and marching bands. Bring the whole family, or come yourself and be part of our family! We’ll have hot cocoa, and our building will be open so you can warm up or use the restroom. Volunteers are also welcome to help set up or hand out hot cocoa—contact Rachel Alpert at ralpert@berkleyfirst.org if you’d like to help.

We have nearly 200 plants to deliver to our homebound and grieving church members, and we need your help. So far, 11 people have signed up, and we’re hoping to double that number so the deliveries can be shared among many hands. If you’re able to help bring a little care and encouragement to someone this season, please sign up by clicking here.

Celebrate the births of our new children and their families within our church. We will celebrate babies born in 2025 on Sunday, December 7 at the 10:00 a.m. worship service. RSVP your baby for this special day and submit a photo by November 30 to Julie White at jwhite@berkleyfirst.org. 

All kids are invited to take part in our Berkley Children’s Christmas Pageant on Sunday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m., both online and in person at Berkley First! Children who would like to be in the pageant are asked to attend a rehearsal on Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. To sign up or learn more, please contact Julie White at jwhite@berkleyfirst.org.

This Christmas Eve, December 24, you’re invited to pause, breathe, and enter the story of Christ’s birth with us in worship. Pastor Zack will share a message centered on the wonder and hope of Jesus’ arrival—God’s light entering a world that still longs for peace.

Whether you come early in the afternoon or later in the evening, you’ll experience beautiful music, familiar carols, and the timeless story of Christmas. Bring family, invite friends, or come on your own—there is a place for you here this Christmas Eve.

2:00 p.m.: In-person & Online, Nursery Care Available
4:00 p.m.: In-person, Full Children's Programming Offered
6:00 p.m.: In-person, Worship Together as a Family