News
November 14, 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
Leaping In with Generosity
The other day, I came across this old picture of me sitting in a grocery cart — from about eleven years ago! It made me smile, but it also got me thinking. In a funny way, that picture feels like a snapshot of generosity — a reminder that giving isn’t just about offering a little bit of ourselves. It’s about jumping in with our whole hearts, responding fully to what God has already given us.
As we move through this season of stewardship at First Church, I think that’s what we’re being invited to do — to lean all the way in. To celebrate. To move forward. To explore all that’s possible when we follow Jesus’ call to live with goodness and grace.
Now, I’ll admit — the image of jumping into a grocery cart might sound a little wild! But it makes me think about what it really means to live out our faith as part of the Body of Christ. It’s about showing up with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.
And as Philippians reminds us, “I can do all things through Christ.”
So as we wrap up this year and look ahead to 2026, I want to invite you to join in — to share your time and your talents, to bring your energy and your heart, and to embrace all the good things that God has in store for us.
See you in Church!
Pastor David
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 Mary Chard. Mary is a member of FUMC. Another prayer quilt displayed in the narthex this morning is for Bruce Moorehead. Bruce is the son of a friend of Susan Sneathen. 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 Dan Germond, who passed on November 2, 2025 and the death of Velia Amparo-Rivas, who passed on November 11.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Marge Needham, Gerry Oliver, Jean Oliver, Bonnie Rheaume.
OTHER
None
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Sunrise UMC – Phoenix
Willowbrook UMC – Sun City
(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)
Jim and Jan Hyde 9/2
Bob and Connie Bailes 9/9
Grant and Audrey Clayton 11/3
Clark and Jamie Dove 11/6
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Ilah Pickrell 10/23
Sandy Fox 10/26
Rosemary Lutz 10/31
Sarah Shafer 11/3
Kurt Heidenga 11/5
Edward Becker 11/7
Ruby Vineyard 11/13
Linda Smalley 11/13
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Giving Tree Project
The Giving Tree- a project that helps bring Christmas to children in the foster care system is starting up at our church. Please contact Tami Smith or another member of the mission’s committee with any questions. We are looking for things like Legos, hoodies, headphones, hygiene items, craft kits, ear buds, gift cards, sporting good, movie passes, chapter books, socks, Crocs, STEM kits, PJS, play dough, bath toys, and racing cars. Please keep all gifts unwrapped. Donations are due by December 5th and can be brought to the church office.
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Lura Turner Homes Workship Day- Update
Stories With Hope Event With Iglesia Aliento
Join First Church on December 7th at 3:00pm in friendship and partnership with Iglesia Aliento UMC for a faith-centered outreach initiative that provides spiritual and emotional healing through storytelling, a shared meal, and guided prayer gathering. This event creates safe space for immigrants to reflect on their journeys, process trauma, and encounter the transforming presence of God. Come be inspired by the faith journeys of our siblings in Christ from Iglesia Aliento!
Transportation is available from First Church. Please call the church office to rsvp. Please register by November 30th so we can make sure we have enough food for everyone!
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Youth Group Updates From Jessica
“Dear Parents and Families,
There has been a lot happening behind the scenes with the Next Gen Ministry. Recently, both youth and adults have experienced
comments and situations that have made our church feel less like the inclusivecommunity we strive to be. Because of this, and to realign with First Church’s vision of inclusion and respect, we’ll be shifting our focus during youth group from January through May.
During this time, we’ll welcome special guests to lead sessions on cultural competency, empathy, mental health awareness, safety and first aid, community engagement, LGBTQ inclusion, and many more. Our hope is that as our youth grow through these conversations, they will help lead our church toward truly becoming the inclusive community we are called to be.
If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to me directly. I want to hear from you and walk alongside
you. We are here to serve Christ, our families, and the community.
We’re always looking for more volunteers in the Next Gen Ministry—if you feel called to serve, please let us know! Parade tickets are on sale on Sundays, during the week in the church office, or through Church Center. Youth Group will be caroling at the Laura Turner Homes on December 14th at 4:30PM. Youth should arrive at the church by 3:45 PM wearing their ugly Christmas
sweaters. Dinner and fellowship will follow during our regular youth group time.
November 23: Youth Group Cultural Thanksgiving Feast
November 30: No Youth Group
December 14: Caroling at the Laura Turner Homes”
Light Parade and Fiesta Bowl Parade Tickets – On Sale November 12th
Van Driver’s Needed
New Member Class
Advent Book Study
What Do You Want for Christmas? by James W. Moore is a short, inspirational book designed for Advent study and reflection. Moore invites readers to look beyond the commercial side of Christmas and instead consider the deeper spiritual gifts that God offers through Christ—such as hope, peace, love, and joy.
Weekly session includes a theme with scripture readings and reflection questions that encourage personal application and group discussion. As we prepare for Christmas participants are invited to realign their priorities and rediscover the true meaning of the season.
Join us in the Welsey Lounge for four weeks beginning Tuesdays December 2, at 11:00 a.m. The book costs about $11 and available through your favorite book distributor.
Please contact the church office to sign up or sign up online using this link: (https://firstchurchphoenix.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3246189)
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Elder Fraud Seminar
This month we had a wonderful Elder Fraud Prevention seminar hosted in collaboration with the Attorney General’s office. This event provided helpful information and training to the senior community to ensure that none of our seniors become victims of consumer fraud. Thank you to all who helped to organize and all who participated in this event!
Finance Committee Quarterly Update
Your Finance Committee values providing information about First Church’s operating fund with the quarterly statements we send to every contributor. We all share the goal of keeping our programs vital, fulfilling our commitments to mis-sions and the work of the church in the larger world, and reaching out to help those in need as Christ taught us. We hope inclusion of this information will keep you informed and perhaps inspire you to participate more fully in the minis-try of First Church. Please feel free to contact a member of the Finance Commit-tee or our Business Administrator with questions about our operating fund. Thank you for your generosity and support of First Church.
Through September 30, 2025
What we’ve received: $ 923,836
What we’ve paid: $ 996,959
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Income over expenses: $- 73,123
Ordering Christmas Greens
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New Christmas Decorations Donation Link
Our church is raising money for new Christmas decorations for the sanctuary. If you are interested in donating, you can do so using this donation link https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z2EJ/campaign/C-15ZY4 or however you’d typically donate to the church. (Just make sure you indicate the donation is for the Christmas decorations if using other means). Thank you for your generosity in supporting this project, and we can’t wait to see what the sanctuary looks like with the beautiful new decor.
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First Church Business Directory Updates
Here is an updated first church business directory.
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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 December 7. 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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in the library. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 18th. The book for November is The Women by Kristin Hannah.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
