News
October 1, 2024

FIRST CHURCH THE GOOD NEWS
Our Online publication of The Good News is not only current and immediately accessible but also allows us to be better stewards of our natural resources, human hours of preparation and production, and the financial cost of printing and mailing.
If you have news you’d like included, please contact the church office.
Scroll through this page to see what is happening at First Church.
Worship Online

If you are unable to attend our Sunday morning worship services in-person, please join us online. We stream both services Sunday mornings live at 9 and 11 a.m. and both are available to watch later if you can’t watch live. We also have many previous services available to watch if you missed one. Please don’t forget to let us know you are watching with the “I’m Here” button at the top of the page.
Adult Sunday School Classes

Faith for Today Sunday School Class
Our class is a friendly, welcoming group. We meet to enhance our Christian beliefs and practices and how we can apply them to our everyday lives. Our
goals include outreach to fulfill local community needs and even beyond. We meet in the Centennial Room between services.
The Table Sunday School Class
This class is a diverse, casual, and welcoming group of people. It’s a great class whether you’re new to your faith journey or a seasoned veteran. Our discussion topics are always changing, the class is loosely structured, and no homework is required. We meet outside of class socially and have a goal of volunteering to serve the community quarterly. Join us in Room 116!
The Upper Room Sunday School Class
In this class, we do a detailed study of scripture. Currently, we are studying Colossians. Dr. Pat Dickerson, a New Testament scholar, leads us as we look at context, authorship, intended audience, specific words and how they are translated from the original text, and what is happening in the world in general. We meet in the Epworth Room from 10 to 11 a.m. If you have questions, please call Peggy Ward at 623-533-7381.
First Sundays Social Hour

Please join us for our First Sunday Social Hour Gathering between services at 10 a.m., in Wesley Lounge. This is a time to gather, mingle and talk about what’sgoing on or how you can serve at First Church. We look forward to seeing you!
Youth Choir

Calling all youth who like to sing! First Youth Singers is back in session. All youth in 6th-12th grades are invited to join us for rehearsals on Sundays in Room 106 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. before youth group. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Leyva.
Axios Unaltered

Axios Unaltered is our resident queer small group that meets every week here at the church for a time of discussion, Bible study, and prayer, as well as service projects to support the community. If you are LGBTQ+, please join us on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. to connect with other like-minded individuals and grow in your faith. Contact Sammi Burkhart or search @axiosunaltered on social media for more information.
Blood Drive Sunday, October 27

• Sunday, October 27, 2024
• 8 a.m. – noon
• The Bloodmobile will be in the north parking lot
• Appointments are recommended!
Contact Stephanie Espinoza at 602-284-1258 or visit www.donors.vitalant.org (Blood Drive code: firstunited)
Attention Business Owners!

We are starting up a business directory for all church members to receive a complimentary listing if they are self-employed, an independent contractor, or a business owner. This will be a classified ad-style listing with one sentence about what you do, including your contact information. This will enable our members to support one another when looking for a business professional. Please email info@firstchurch.church with your information if you would like to be included.
Foundation Celebration Sunday, October 20

Platinum is one of the rarest metals. Platinum is also the traditional metal for celebrating a 70th anniversary, symbolizing endurance, strength and lasting values. Just like Our First Church Foundation! Mark your calendars to gather to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Our Foundation on October 20. We will begin with a single church service at 10:00 a.m. and gather in Asbury Hall to celebrate at 11:00 a.m. It will be a time of fellowship, food and gratitude. Please RSVP to Cathy Fuentes at 602-263-5013 x100 or online by September 30. And in case you didn’t know, chrysanthemums are the traditional flower for a 70th celebration!
Christmas Greens

Once again, this year the members of the music program at FUMC are taking orders for fragrant Christmas greens from Washington state. You may order wreaths, centerpieces, swags, or cones. Interested? You may order through the month of October. Check-in at the table on the patio or call Don Richardson at 602-997-1205.
Young Adults Small Group

Join our brand new young adult ministry. Teens out of high school, twenty-somethings, and thirty-somethings are invited to this new group meeting each week on Sundays at 3 p.m. in Room 102 for Bible study, prayer, and connection. Prepare to be challenged and dive deeply into the Word of God. Let’s take our faith to the next level!
Volunteers Needed for our Tutoring Program

Please join a group of FUMC tutors who assist and support students, Kindergarten – 4th grade, in the Madison School District OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program. Please contact Marie Morais Garber at 602-448-0419 for more information.
Community Yoga Classes

First United Methodist Church offers two weekly yoga classes to our community. Classes meet Tuesdays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., and Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. The cost is $12 per class or four classes for $40.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” sign as the message (example: type 20 to give twenty dollars).
- You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and debit or credit card information.
- After you complete the registration, you will receive a verification text as well as a receipt by email.
- For future giving, simply send a text message with the amount you wish to give. That’s it!

Check Your Spam and Junk

Sometimes email from our Church’s domain, “.church” isn’t recognized by all email providers. Please check your spam and junk mail folders periodically to see if something from First Church or other senders to your address might be filtered out of your inbox.
