News
Aug 1, 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
A big thank you for all who contributed to our UMOM project, donating kids’ socks, underwear, and diapers. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many families in need. One of our staff members, who was able to benefit from the support of UMOM has graciously made a video to talk about her experience there and the special place the organization holds in her heart:
Congregational Prayer Requests
(Please join us in lifting up the following items in prayer!)
PRAYER QUILT IN THE NARTHEX
None
DEATHS
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Dr. Dwedor Weslyne Ford, the niece of Marie Garber, who passed on July 16.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Laura DeNinno, Yvonne Fischer, Barbara Harvey, Judith Humbert, Barbara Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Shirley Myer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
New Song UMC – Surprise
Prescott UMC – Prescott
Prescott Valley UMC – Prescott Valley
(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)
Steve and Suzanne Haehl 7/28
Dennis and Barbara Rogers 7/31
H. Barry and Lucy Holt 8/16
Bijan and Judy Mohraz 8/16
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Darwin Schultz 7/28
Margaret Eikmeier 7/30
Ken Fox 7/30
Janet Kendall 8/5
Jerry Collins 8/9
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Dress Making Group Update from Peggy Ward
“The Dressmakers recently delivered 14 dresses to be placed in Operation Christmas Boxes and 15 dresses to The Willcox Community Pantry. We sew every 4th Wednesday of the month from 10:00am to noon in the Epworth Room. We welcome new members. Call Peggy Ward at (623) 533 – 7381 if you have any questions.”
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UMOM Drive Update
We appreciate everyone who supported our sock, underwear, and diaper drive for UMOM. Thanks to your generosity we were able to collect 1300 diapers, 45 packs of socks, and 60 packs of kids’ underwear.
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Children’s Ministry Updates
Back to School Sunday – August 10
Join us on Sunday, August 10 from 9:00–10:00 AM for a special Blessing of the School Year for all students and educators during service.
Then from 10:00–11:00 AM, families are invited to our Children & Youth Open House to tour the updated rooms and preview the curriculum for the year.
While parents explore, kids can enjoy Water Slide Fun—so don’t forget swimwear and towels!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Stay in the Know with Next Gen!
The Next Gen Ministry Newsletter is now available in the narthex! If you want to know what’s happening in Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, be sure to grab a copy.
You’ll also find a Back to School Jam postcard with details about our upcoming event.
We’ve got exciting new things coming, so don’t miss out! The newsletter will be available each month in the narthex and also emailed to our Next Gen families. Stay connected and stay informed!
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Youth Bowling Night
Hey, Jr. & Sr. High students — and parents too!
Back to school is almost here, so let’s kick off our first youth group meeting of the year with a night of fun, fellowship, and bowling on Sunday, August 17!
📍 Meet at the church at 5:30 PM
🎳 Bowling from 6:00PM – 8:00 PM
🚗 Parent pick-up at the church at 8:30 PM
Cost: $20 per student — bring it with you or get it to Jessica beforehand.
Friends are absolutely welcome, so invite someone new to come along!
👉 Please sign up using the SignUpGenius link below so we can plan transportation and reserve lanes:
🔗 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/YouthBowling2025
Let’s roll into the new school year together! 🎉
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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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Blood Drive
Our church will be hosting another blood drive on August 17th from 8:00am-noon. It is recommended to make an appointment if there’s a specific timeslot you’d like. (Please visit vitalant.org and use Blood Drive Code “firstunited”). All who donate blood will automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Volkswagon Taos S. If you have any questions, please call (602)284-1258.
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First Church Business Directory Updates
Here is an updated first church business directory.
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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 August 3. 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.
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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 26th. The book for August is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
