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

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 is for Eli Rabadi. Eli is a friend of the Forester family. A second prayer quilt displayed in the narthex is for Jaxx Menendez. Jaxx is the grandson of a worker at the Lura Turner Homes, a 7 yr old boy, who was in a serious accident, and having surgery. 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 Jon Talton who passed on January 28, 2026. Jon and Susan Talton joined First Church as a part of the Central move. Jon and Susan also have a home in Seattle where they have been during this time. Jon was a writer for the AZ Republic and Seattle Times. Services are Tuesday, February 24 at 10 a.m. FUMC.

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of our beloved custodian, resident host, and friend, Derrick Sewell. Derrick joined our staff in April 2022 and cared for our campus, our congregation, and our guests with joy and enthusiasm. We all loved Derrick and will miss him a great deal. Please keep Derrick’s family and our staff in your prayers in the coming days. Plans for a memorial service will be shared as they are known.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE

Buzz and Liv Stevens, Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young, Selema Alderman, Carolyn Allen, Bill Carpenter, Ruth Clark, Mary Anne Cooper.

OTHER

None

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES

Christ Community UMC- Avondale

Community Church of Buckeye- Buckeye

(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 patricia@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)

Buzz and Liv Steven 2/19

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)

Susan Freeman 1/28

Diane Gara-Weiner 1/28

Jesse Ary 1/29

Jim Hyde 2/2 Anne

Walser 2/2

Mary Williamson 2/6

Betsy Heuermann 2/9

Gerry Oliver 2/10

Kent Klein 2/11

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Scholarship Applications Now Open

Our scholarship applications are now open! Please click here to apply! The deadline this year is Monday, March 16th, at 4:00 pm, and late applications cannot be accepted. Applications can only be submitted electronically, and we request that you submit a photo of yourself along with your application. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation of a successful submission.

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Have You Ever Wanted to Learn More About Our Foundation?

First Church is blessed by having a Foundation that has been serving and supporting our ministry for more than 70 years. Through extraordinary generosity and careful stewardship, our Foundation helps sustain many important areas of church life, including significant support for our operating budget.

If out have ever been curious about how our Foundation works, or if you might be interested in learning more about serving on its board, we would love to hear from you. Board service is meaningful and rewarding work that truly impacts all areas of our church.

To learn more, please contact Anne Bettis.

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Pancake Breakfast- March 15th

Please join us on Sunday, March 15th from 9 am to noon in Asbury Hall. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast and help support BSA Venturing Crew 2041’s Northern Tier Adventure! The recommended donation is $10. We look forward to seeing you!

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New Pew Attendance Card

We are using a new attendance card that can be found in the pew pockets. Please let us know you are here by writing in the blanks or using the QR codes on your phone. Use the first QR code if you attend regularly.

Just a head’s up: You may be invited to use our new Church Center mobile app! Please do! It’s great!

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A Morning of Worship and a Table of Community

Sunday, March 1 we’ll gather as one church for worship at 10:00am, then keep the joy going as we head to Asbury Hall at 11:15 for lunch and fellowship.

Thanks to the generosity of our Foundation, a casual lunch will be provided at no charge. Just good food and even better company.

It will be a time to slow down, connect, laugh, and enjoy being together as a church family. Community. Fun. Engagement. Connection. We hope you don’t miss it.

Please contact the church office or sign up online to attend. https://registrations.planningcenteronline.com/signups/3425606

Come for worship, stay for lunch. Leave with a “Panza llena, corazón contento” (“full tummy, happy heart”).

-Anne Bettis

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Here’s The Real Good News

“As we look back on 2025, there truly is good news to share about the financial life of our church. We ended the year covering all of our operating expenses with a surplus of $3700. In a time when many churches are facing uncertainty, this is something worth celebrating, It speaks to careful stewardship, faithful leadership, and most of all, the generosity of this congregation.

Unfortunately, we were not able to pay 100% of our apportionments this past year to the United Methodist Desert Southwest Conference. While disappointing, we will put great effort into fulfilling that commitment this year.

A third of our operating expenses were underwritten by our Foundation in 2025. That support has been vital in sustaining ministry, maintaining our church property and ensuring Frist Church continues to be a place of meaningful worship, service to our community and welcoming to anyone.

Most importantly, we want to say thank you. Thank you for your faithful giving, your trust and your commitment to this community. Every gift, large or small, helps keep our church alive and thriving, allowing us to share God’s love in purposeful ways.

As we move into the new year, we do so with gratitude, hope and confidence in what God is doing among us. That, truly, is the good news.”

-Carrick Sears and Colleen McManus

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To First Church, Love Christine Kyhn

“It is a great honor to join the staff of First Church as permanent organist and Praise Band Pianist. I am excited to work with Joshua, supporting him, the Choir, the Praise Team, and the congregation as we seek to lead First Church in worship. For many years it has been my constant desire to use music within the church to help soften hearts toward God.

Here’s a bit of my background. I received a music degree with a double emphasis in organ and piano performance at California State University East Bay. After graduation I married Peter, he began his seminary training, and together we began a journey of music ministry. He was a Worship Pastor for 40 years and I served alongside as organist, pianist, and children’s (and youth) choir director at several churches throughout the Western U.S.A. Along the way, I also furthered my education to allow me to teach music in both public and private school settings, working with students from 3-years-old to High School. Currently, I work with students at Glendale Community College as accompanist for the choir program, for various music classes, and for private voice students. I also am the principal accompanist for the West Valley Chorale.

My husband, Peter, is now retired and keeps busy playing his trombone in a variety of music groups from the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra to the Desert Brass and Bones Southwest. We have three children. Emily lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. She teaches private voice at the University in Eau Claire and often is music director for the University musicals. Matt lives here in Phoenix with his family which includes our other three grandchildren (a daughter and two sons). He works in film, usually as a grip or gaffer (in the lighting department). Our youngest, Alex, lives in Los Angeles and works as a professional bass player, often producing and playing in studios as well as touring the world with musical artists.

Music has surrounded our lives for decades. It is a joy to now share this experience and passion with First Church.

Thank you for welcoming me so graciously.”

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Upcoming Blood Drive

Our next blood drive is Sunday, February 22! The bloodmobile will be in our North Parking Lot from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. If there’s a specific timeslot that you want, we’d recommend booking an appointment. Contact Stephanie Espinoza at 602-284-1258 or visit
www.donors.vitalant.org (Blood Drive code: firstunited).

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A Message from the Desert Southwest Conference- Asylum, Refuge, and Immigration Task Force

We want to be sure you are aware of several opportunities for connection and support being offered by the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force.

The Task Force is hosting Prayer and Conversation Circles, virtual gatherings designed to provide an informal space for prayer, conversation, and mutual support. These circles are intended to be gentle, accessible spaces for people who may be carrying fear, grief, or uncertainty related to immigration issues.

Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 PM MST

Clergy are encouraged to attend and to share this invitation with others in their congregations or communities who may need emotional and spiritual support. Click here to register and receive the recurring meeting Zoom link.

There is also more ahead. On Thursday, March 12, at 10 AM MST, the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force will host a Forum on Immigration. This forum will offer an update on the current immigration landscape across the United States, resources and information for local churches and leaders, and space for conversation and planning. Additional details about the forum will be shared soon, but please save the date.

To stay informed about these gatherings and other updates, we encourage you to subscribe to the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force news at: https://dscumc.org/subscribe/

If clergy or congregation members have questions, you may contact the Task Force directly at calltoaction@dscumc.org. Ongoing information and resources are also available at: https://dscumc.org/committee/asylum-aid-and-immigration

Thank you for your care, leadership, and presence across our Conference.

On behalf of the ARI Task Force,

Christina Dillabough

Finance Committee Monthly Update

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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 March 1. We look forward to seeing you!

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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 February 24th. The book for this month is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

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.

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First Church Business Directory Updates

Business Directory July 2025

Here is an updated first church business directory.

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.

1. 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).
2. You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and debit or credit card information.
3. After you complete the registration, you will receive a verification text as well as a receipt by email.
4. 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.