News
July 4, 2025
Worship Online with Us
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.
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Pastor David’s Corner
To Dream the Impossible Dream:
Mission Project for 2025 reaches $28,524.40!
It seemed impossible – for a moment. As the Mission Project for the 2025 Annual Conference Session was announced during the Plenary, an audible sigh was heard in the room. Only $3,900.00 had been received toward a $30,000.00 goal to feed hungry people, through local church food pantries, in Nevada! $30,000.00 by June thirtieth, was an impossible dream.
But then something happened during the Annual Conference Session in Las Vegas, Nevada. The people called United Methodist began to act. They went on-line to the donation page on the Annual Conference website. They sent notes to Conference staff with pledged contributions. They made verbal commitments with a hug or a handshake, and when it was all over, the 2025 Mission Project had reached a funding total of $28,524.40! Only $1,475.60 short of the goal of $30,000.00!
In just a few short days and weeks, seventeen local churches contributed a combined $20,522.25. Sixty-four individuals contributed a combined $5,702.15 on-line. The Ordination Service offering, also designated for the Mission Project, garnered $2,300.00.
Several churches participated in the challenge issued by North District Superintendent, Timote Piukala. The three largest gifts were provided by: First UMC of Tempe, AZ contributing $10,000.00, Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Sun City West, AZ contributing $2,985.00, and University UMC, Las Vegas, NV contributing $2,500.00. While most of the giving was spread across all the local church food pantry sites, some churches and individuals did take advantage of the opportunity to designate a particular food pantry site to receive the contributions given.
It seemed impossible, and yet, when United Methodists get together, they dream an impossible dream and make Healthy Churches for a Healthy World by filling the shelves of a local church food pantry. They make the difference of whether a child will go to bed hungry tonight, or a senior will have to make the decision of paying rent or buying food for the week. The gifts contributed to the 2025 Annual Conference Mission Project will make such a difference in the lives of hungry people.
Thank you, to everyone who made the impossible…possible.
Contributions can still be made to the 2025 Mission Project. With recent cuts to SNAP and WIC and other assistance programs, food insecurity is a clear and present danger throughout our Annual Conference. Go to the Conference website and contribute today.
Congregational Prayer Requests
(Please join us in lifting up the following items in prayer!)
PRAYER QUILT IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the narthex this morning is for Doug Dunipace. Doug is a long-time member of First Church. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
DEATHS
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Jan Dunipace, who passed on June 28, 2025. Services are currently pending.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young, Selena Alderman, Carolyn Allen, Bill Carpenter, Tom Christensen, Ruth Clark, Mary Anne Cooper, Merrill Davison, Laura DeNinno.
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Mission Bell UMC – Glendale
Mountain View UMC – Cottonwood
(Got a prayer request? Need someone to pray with? Need support? Our congregational care team is here for you! Please contact the church office to have them forward your request to the congregational care team, fill out the form on our website https://firstchurch.church/prayer-requests/, or reach out to the congregational care team directly by emailing deby@firstchurch.church.)
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Congregational Celebrations and Praises
(Please join us in praising God for these celebrations!)
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
Larron and Karen Horton 6/22
Jim and Lynda McCoy 7/12
Terry and Rosemary Lutz 7/13
Cliff and Rita Hotchkiss 7/21
Steve and Suzanne Haehl 7/28
Dennis and Barbara Rogers 7/31
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Ann Flaherty 6/25
Lyn Warder 6/27
Billie Nightingale 6/30
Donna Andrist 7/3
Bill Carpenter 7/4
Jeff Shank 7/4
Merrill Davison 7/5
Elizabeth Vick 7/9
Loraine Stewart 7/9
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Letter From Joshua
Dear Members and Friends of First United Methodist Church of Phoenix,
I’m writing to share some exciting news with you! As many of you know, I’ve served as your Minister of Music here at First Church for 14 wonderful years. To mark this milestone and ensure I continue to bring fresh energy and inspiration to our worship, I’ve been granted a sabbatical leave from September 1, 2025, through the end of the year.
This sabbatical is a vital period of creative renewal for me. My goal is to return with fresh perspectives, new compositions, and expanded musical knowledge to enhance our worship experiences even further. During these four months, I plan to:
- Complete several creative projects, including a significant focus on my contemporary Holy Week project. This will involve composing 10–12 original songs that explore Jesus’ ministry and final days on earth, offering our congregation a new and meaningful way to engage with this sacred season in 2026. I also hope to finalize several traditional choral compositions that have been in the works for some time.
- Attend worship workshops to deepen my understanding and inspiration.
- Participate regularly in worship services at other institutions to gain new insights.
An Opportunity for Shared Growth
While this sabbatical is a time for my personal renewal, it also presents a wonderful opportunity for our church community to grow in new ways. Our talented church musicians, staff singers, and dedicated volunteers will have the chance to step into expanded leadership roles. This will foster deeper engagement in worship planning and execution, strengthening the long-term sustainability of our music ministry and allowing new voices and ideas to emerge.
Our Music Ministry is in Good Hands
I want to assure you that all music and worship planning is being handled in advance by Pastor David and myself, ensuring a seamless transition. Our music ministry will be in excellent hands during my absence:
- For our contemporary ensembles, Christine Kyhn will serve as interim Music Director for the Praise Choir and Praise Band.
- For our traditional ensembles, Katherine Rosenfeld, our current Soprano Staff Singer, will lead the Rejoicing Handbells, Chancel Choir, and Christmas Community Choir.
Both Christine and Katherine have a proven track record of working effectively with our music department volunteers. I have every confidence that the music department will not waver under their leadership!
Thank You
I cannot express enough how much I value my ministry at First Church and the privilege of serving this congregation. I am incredibly grateful to Pastor David and the SPRC Committee for this opportunity for artistic and spiritual renewal, which will allow me to continue leading with energy, creativity, and inspiration for years to come. Additionally, I want to thank the First Church Foundation for subsidizing a portion of the additional costs for professional leadership. Finally, thank YOU for the many ways you have supported me in the past, and for your encouragement as I head into this important time.
I look forward to sharing the fruits of this sabbatical with you all upon my return!
Sincerely,
Joshua Ian Elder
Minister of Music
First United Methodist Church of Phoenix
An inclusive community of faith where ANYONE can experience the goodness and grace of God.
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Upcoming Spirit Month
July is spirit month, where we spend each Sunday celebrating a certain theme by dressing up, having themed food, and activities. The 6th is red, white, and blue day, the 13th is island breeze, the 20th is Disney day, and the 27th is Christmas in July.
NOTE: We will have themed food available at the 10:00am hour on all weeks, not just the First Sunday Social Hour. So plan to be there at 10:00am if you would like some yummy treats!
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First Church Tutoring Program- Sign up to Volunteer!
We are looking for volunteers to participate in the Madison School District Oasis intergenerational tutoring program which serves children grades k-4. If you are interested in volunteering or want more information, please contact Marie Garber at (602)448-0419.
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UMOM Underwear and Diaper Drive
As part of Spirit Month, the Next Generation Ministry is hosting a donation drive to support UMOM New Day Centers, which serves families experiencing homelessness right here in our community.
We are collecting the following NEW items for children throughout the month of July:
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Socks (children’s sizes)
- Underwear (children’s sizes)
From July 6th – July 27th, please drop off these items in the church office during the week, or in the designated collection buckets that will be out in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.
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First Church Foundation – Hats off to Students!
From the early years of its inception in 1954, the First Church Foundation has been awarding educational scholarships to members of the church. Over the past ten years the Foundation has granted more than $445,000 in post high school and theological scholarships.
In May, the following students were awarded scholarships by the Foundation – Christopher Boadu, Ian Elder, Erin Sullivan, Skye Goodman, Josh Boadu, Grace Cooper, Mattie Cork, Morgan Pinkerton, Mary Ellen Shaver, Maya Smith, Hali Cork, Jessica Morris and Cade Rogers.
Congratulations students! Your church is behind you!
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Food Pantry Updates
The shelves of our food assistance pantry are in need of the following items: cases of bottled water, Vienna sausage, packaged or canned tuna, canned soup, small jars of jelly and peanut butter (plastic jars please), fruit cups, apple sauce, granola bars, hard or chewable candy. For all canned goods, please provide only pop top cans. If you are able to help with any of these items, please drop them off to the church office.
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Giving Report
Here is an updated giving report from Carrick Sears. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
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Sunday Social Hour
Please join us for our First Sunday Social Hour Gathering every first Sunday of the month between services at 10 a.m. in Wesley Lounge. The next one will be July 6th. We look forward to seeing you!
Axios Unaltered (LGBTQ+ Small Group)
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, visit axiosunaltered.com, or search @axiosunaltered on social media for more information.
Young Adult Small Group
This is a small group for anyone in our church 18-40 looking to dive deeper into their faith and connect with other younger people. We meet every Sunday afternoon in room 102 at 3:00pm for a time of community, Bible study, and prayer (and if anyone away at college would like to join in, contact Sammi Burkhart for a Zoom link to participate virtually). Come join us in the book of Romans.
Community Yoga Classes
First 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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 22. The book for July is The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
