Sunday, December 21: Advent Week 4
Incarnate Love, Matthew 1: 18-25
Rev. Dr Charles Boayue, Jr preaching
The main message of Matthew 1:18-25 is that Jesus is the promised Emmanuel, "God with us," and his birth is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. The passage emphasizes Jesus' divine identity and his role as the Savior who will redeem his people from their sins. It also highlights Joseph's faithful obedience and mercy in accepting the divine plan. Dr. Boayue will address why no earthly power can prevent God’s unconditional love from setting us free.

The Altar Flower for this Sunday has been replaced with the Christmas Dedication Poinsettia Tree
A list of dedications will be emailed to the Steeple Notes email list, along with the bulletin, on Friday. The list will be available in-person during Sunday worship.
 
Welcome Center Bouquet 
The Welcome Center Bouquet is given to the glory of God and in remembrance of those who are no longer with us during this expectant season.
 
Mission Candle
The Mission Candle is given to the glory of God and in gratitude for the people of Birmingham and Berkley First who have stuffed stockings, purchased and wrapped gifts, distributed gifts, assembled kits, cut wrapping paper, volunteered their time, and made a meaningful difference this holiday season through their participation in our Christmas Mission opportunities.

NURSERY CARE at 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Infants – 4-years-old

Sunday School Schedule
December 21: Regular Sunday School
December 28: Family Worship with Nursery Care
January 4: Family Worship with Nursery Care
January 11: Regular Sunday School resumes

For SPARK and Children’s Choir families, SPARK and Choir will resume on Thursday, January 8.

Fifth Sundays of each month are Family Worship. Nursery care is available.

Middle & High School
The PIT in the CLC

Holy Communion
On Sunday, January 5 we will share in Holy Communion during both worship services. All are invited to the table. If you worship online and would like to participate, have bread or crackers and juice available.  If you cannot make it to worship, or would like to deliver to someone who may be homebound, you can pick up communion elements at the Welcome Desk during regular business hours.

Monday, December 22
Abide With Me: Healing Service of Comfort
Through Cloud and Sunshine, Psalm 147:1-11
Rev. Sarah Alexander preaching
Amid life's changes and challenges, Abide with Me offers a quiet space for reflection, prayer, and healing. This gentle service invites you to rest in sacred stillness, light a candle in remembrance or hope, and find peace in the presence of community.

Children's Christmas Eve Pageant
Wednesday, December 24: 11:00 a.m. (in-person & online)
Join us for a joyful, family-friendly service where children and families experience the story of Jesus’ birth as the Nativity comes alive before their eyes. Kids are invited to participate with interactive moments and may choose to be an angel, shepherd, or king as part of the story. The service will include a special Christmas message for all ages, bringing warmth and wonder to our celebration of Christ’s birth. (Nursery care will not be available, as children from birth to adult are welcome to worship together.)

Christmas Eve Traditional Carols & Candlelight Services
Wednesday, December 24: 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. (in-person & online), 11:00 p.m. (in-person)
Good News, Luke 2: 1-14
Rev. Dr Charles Boayue, Jr preaching
Luke 2 establishes the historical context for Jesus' birth by detailing Caesar Augustus's decree for a census, which forces Mary and Joseph to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born. The good news here is that God's plan for the salvation of the world unfolds with perfect timing, using earthly rulers and their decrees to fulfill God’s divine purpose. Dr. Boayue preaches on how God works all things together for good to those who love God and are called according to His divine purpose.

Sunday, December 28
2025 Summer Ministerial Intern, Gabriel Ervin preaching

Sunday, January 4
Epiphany, John 1:1-18
Rev. Dr Charles Boayue, Jr preaching
The Gospel according to John 1:1-18 presents the birth of Jesus Christ as an epiphany to the world. Epiphany, from the Greek epiphaneia, means appearance or manifestation. In Jesus Christ, God appears to the world in flesh. In Jesus Christ, our uncertainty about who God is and how God loves us is clarified and made plain. As we begin a new year – full of uncertainties and hopes, we can depend on God who has made Himself known plainly and clearly to us in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why has God made Himself known to us? How does this knowledge and encounter with the living and resurrected Christ change the trajectory of our lives? Dr. Boayue’s sermon will examine these questions as we enter the new year.

Sunday, January 11
The Miracle of Forgiveness, Mark 1:1-4
Guest speaker, Jack Krasula
The message of Mark 1: 1-4 is that the baptism of John the Baptist was for the forgiveness of sins for all who repent. Jack Krasula will speak on The Miracle of Forgiveness. A popular radio host on WJR-Detroit, Krasula will share from a wide range of experiences what forgiveness is and means. Come and experience this unique presentation from a devout Catholic Christian whose life is a witness to his testimony.

Introducing Our Speaker for January 11
Jack Krasula is in the “Encouragement” business. Every Saturday evening, he blasts out a one-hour dose of encouragement called Anything is Possible! on WJR Radio from Detroit. He does it by helping his guests tell their incredible stories of achievement against all odds, usually giving God the credit. Jack has hosted astronauts, Miss Americas, CEOs, inventors, Hall of Fame athletes, actors, U.S. senators, philanthropists, accomplished preachers, and many others who are lesser known – but whose stories are just as amazing. Jack’s own story is pretty amazing in itself. The son of a mailman from the South Side of Chicago, Jack is a self-made man who started a computer services firm out of a spare bedroom in his apartment in Detroit. Over the next 26 years he built Decision Consultants, Inc. into a $150 million company with 1,800 employees in offices throughout the United States and India. After selling the company to Ciber in 2002, Jack was determined to spend the rest of his life encouraging others through new business ventures, philanthropy and overcoming impossible odds, and that’s exactly what he’s done. His weekly show, Anything is Possible, has been a platform for telling many of those stories since 2005. His YouTube channel is entitled AIP Speaker Series.

Sunday, January 18
One Day with Jesus, John 1:29-42
Rev. Dr Charles Boayue, Jr preaching
John’s rendition of how his disciples met Jesus Christ is one of the earliest examples of what is commonly called faith-sharing – one a person shares his or her faith with others. Most people who are Christians today will tell you that they came to know Jesus through the faith of others. That is why, when churches talk about their desire to grow, this story comes to mind for me. On January 18, we will take a closer look at faith-sharing and how a day with Jesus makes all the difference in life. It can make a difference for you and will help you overcome whatever stands in your way. Come, let us reflect together on One Day with Jesus can do, and how to share our faith.

Sunday, January 25
Light in the Shadows, Matthew 4:12-17
Rev. Dr Charles Boayue, Jr preaching
The Gospel of Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been put in prison, he withdrew to Capernaum to fulfill prophecy and to begin his preaching ministry. Israel and the world were on the verge of a new era of hope and salvation, for all who live in the land of darkness, in the land of the shadow of death, a great light was about to shine! And that light is Jesus Christ and his saving grace. What is Matthew referring to when he speaks of those living in darkness and those living in the land of the shadow of death? And what can we do to see the great light? Come and let us see it together.