News
August 28, 2026
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 Mike’s Corner
We continue our series “Discovering Our Identity” this week as we reflect on the story of Moses speaking with God through a burning bush. This was at a time in Moses’s life when he seemed content. He was taking care of his father-in-law’s flocks and roaming the wilderness in peace. He appears to have evaded Pharaoh’s retribution for the murder he committed in Egypt, and he had a new family. But God had an assignment for him now; one that would take him back to his fellow Israelites in Egypt.
God often has new assignments for us just when we think we are getting comfortable. When we think we’re ready to settle down and relax, God can call to us out of a burning passion to do something new, using all the experiences we’ve had up to that moment. It may be a task we never thought of doing before or feel ready to take on, but God is able to equip and empower us to do things we may think were impossible.
Our question for this week is about these special callings: When have you received a calling to take on a task or activity you weren’t sure you were ready for?
Congregational Prayer Requests
(Please join us in lifting up the following items in prayer!)
PRAYER QUILT IN THE NARTHEX
he prayer quilt displayed in the narthex is for Bonnie Rheaume. Bonnie is a long-time member of FUMC. 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 Barbara Zippel, who passed on August 11. Barbara was a long-time member of FUMC, and the wife of Tom Pickrell. Services are scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m., FUMC.
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Tom Rice, who passed on August 24. Tom was a long-time member of FUMC, and the husband of Cathy Rice.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Gerry Oliver, Jean Oliver, Bonnie Rheaume.
OTHER
Please join us in prayer for Jim Hyde, and Karen Champagne.
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
New Song UMC- Surprise
Prescott UMC- Prescott
(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)
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)
Jim Cox 8/15
Marjorie Lange 8/17
Vickie Beaver 8/24
Ken Hagin 8/29
Delora Cornelius 9/4
Julia Fernstrum 9/4
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Blood Drive Results
We’re excited to share the official results:
6 donors were registered into interview
0 deferrals
0 donors stopped bleeding (typically dehydrated or very small veins)
6 successful blood donations
8 units of lifesaving blood collected!
The blood donated will begin helping approximately 12 hospital patients!
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A Message from Pastor Mike
Dear First Church Community,
Although I’ve met most of you in and around church over the past 8 weeks, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those I haven’t been able to visit with yet. My name is Mike Wilkerson, and I’m your new pastor.
Originally from Florida, I grew up in the Southeastern part of the country. After high school, I enlisted in the Navy and later received an ROTC scholarship to attend the University of Florida. After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, I returned to active duty, serving on submarines.
After military service, I returned to the University of Florida, where I earned a Master of Engineering degree in electrical engineering and was then hired by Intel Corporation in Chandler, Arizona.
After 20 years at Intel, I decided to change careers again, this time going into ministry. I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and have served at the First United Methodist Church of Yuma and Saint Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church in Tucson.
I’m an ordained elder in full connection in the Desert Southwest Conference and have most recently been appointed to serve at the First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, beginning in July 2026.
I am married to Rev. Dr. Brooke Wilkerson and have three mostly grown adult children.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve at First Church Phoenix with such a kind, hospitable community that loves God and the church. I look forward to working together and getting to know each of you better. Feel free to stop by during my office hours, Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. I will also have a Zoom session open during those hours (Zoom Room ID: 602 263 5510 and Passcode: 5013).
Thank you for the warm welcome and the opportunity to serve in this beautiful community.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Mike
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All – Church Service & Meal
Join us October 4th at 10:00 am for a combined worship service followed by a meal. Please RSVP to ensure we have enough food!
https://firstchurchphoenix.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3844021
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New Book Study- Sign Up Now!
Sign up for our new book study! Pastor Mike is hosting a study of the book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster. Grab a copy from your favorite book distributor and come join us on Thursdays at 6:00 pm in the church’s chapel starting September 10th. Registration is requested but not required. (https://firstchurchphoenix.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3836783)
For those interested in joining the study, please come to our first meeting having read chapters one and two.
Here are some links from popular retailers for those who would like to purchase the book:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/07IZ3fY9
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/celebration-of-discipline-richard-j-foster/1100150936?ean=9780062803887
Cokesbury (available as an ebook):https://www.cokesbury.com/9780062843555-Celebration-of-Discipline-Special-Anniversary-Edition
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NextGen Monthly Newsletter: August/September 2026
Welcome & Monthly Highlights
Welcome to this month’s NextGen Newsletter. Join us on August 30th to celebrate the end of summer with a splash party and open house in the morning and the return of regular Sunday Youth Group in the evening. We are so excited to welcome everyone back for the new school year and have a great year planned ahead! But first, enjoy a couple of highlights from the summer. Youth had a busy summer filled with fun outings, service opportunities, and Mingus Mountain Camp. Meanwhile, our younger kids combined for an all-ages “Fruits of the Spirit” themed summer Kids Church.
Ministry Program Updates
Children’s Ministry (Preschool – 5th Grade)
Starting September 6th, we will be returning to our regular school year programming. Kids Church will be held weekly following the children’s message during the 9:00 service and divided into age groups in rooms 221-223. In addition to Kids Church, Kids Choir will meet most Sundays between services from 10:05-10:50 a.m. Kids Choir is open to all K-5th grade students with opportunities to sing at Sunday morning services throughout the year.
Youth Sunday School (6th – 12th Grade)
Youth Sunday School will resume on September 13th, and will meet every 2nd,3rd, 4th,(&5th) Sunday of each month from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. in room 103. On the first Sunday of each month, youth and families are invited to attend the First Sunday social hour in Wesley Lounge. For our 11:00 traditional church services, Youth are encouraged to volunteer at least once per month to serve as acolytes. Youth Acolytes are always needed and greatly appreciated! In addition, youth may volunteer in our Kids Church classrooms during 9:00 services.
Jr. High and Sr. High Youth Group (6th – 12th Grade)
We are psyched to kickoff a new year of Youth Group on Sunday, August 30th, from 5:30 7:30PM. Youth Group will meet on most Sunday evenings during the school year and will include a good mix of fun, fellowship, life skills, service opportunities, and outings. All youth in grades 6th – 12th are welcome! Dinner is provided.
Please note that there will be no youth group on September 6th due to the three-day weekend but will resume weekly on September 13th. Youth Choir will also resume on September 13th from 4:30-5:30PM and meet most Sundays before Youth Group.
Special Events & Service Projects
● 8/30 End of Summer Celebration & Open House: Sunday, August 30th, 10:00AM – Noon. All ages are welcome to come enjoy ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and tons of water-play fun, including slip n’ slides, super soakers, kiddie pools, sprinklers, and more. Bring a swimsuit and a towel! The upstairs kids’ classrooms (221, 222, & 223) and the youth rooms (101 and 103) will be open to drop by, say hi, and learn more about what’s in store for the upcoming year.
● 9/27 Youth Group Parent Meeting & Battle of the Generations:
Sunday, September 27th, 5:30–7:30PM. We invite all parents and guardians to join us for dinner, a meeting about the upcoming year, and the return of a beloved Youth Group yearly tradition: Battle of the Generations! Battle of the Generations is a fun, interactive trivia event where youth and adults go head-to-head to test their knowledge on everything from 80s and 90s pop culture, music, and history to modern slang, viral trends, and current hit shows. Will the parents prove they’re “all that and a bag of chips,” or will the kids show everyone who really has the “ultimate aura?” Join us for an evening filled with friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and bragging rights for the winning team!
August/ September NextGen Calendar
Sunday
AUG 23
9AM all-ages Kids Church in room 221
10AM Kids Choir in room 106
AUG 30
9AM all-ages Kids Church in room 221
10AM End of Summer Water Celebration & Open House
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group Kickoff
SEP 6
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
NO YOUTH GROUP
SEP 13
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group
SEP 20
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group
SEP 27
Kids Choir AND Youth Choir perform at both services
9AM Kids Church in rooms 221-223
10AM Kids Choir in room 106 & Kids Crafts in 221
4:30-5:30PM Youth Choir
5:30-7:30PM Youth Group – Parent Meeting & Battle of the Generations
Contact & Volunteer Information
If you have any questions, want to volunteer for our NextGen programs,
or need more information about upcoming events, please reach out to
Julie Cochran:
● Email: julie@firstchurch.church
● Phone: 602-263-5013 x116
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Pastor Mike’s Office Hours
Pastor Mike will be holding open office hours at the church to meet with anyone who wishes to stop by and chat on Mondays between 6 and 7 p.m. and Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. There will also be a Zoom Room open during these hours using the following meeting ID and passcode:
Pastor Mike’s Zoom Room ID: 602 263 5510
Pastor Mike’s Zoom Room passcode: 5013
If you would like to schedule an appointment at a different time, please email Pastor Mike at mike@firstchurch.church.
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End of Summer Celebration and Open House
Kids, families, and kids-at-heart are invited to celebrate the end of summer August 30th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the grassy courtyard area. Come cool down with ice cream sandwiches and popsicles while enjoying tons of water play fun including slip n’ slides, super soakers, kiddie pools, sprinklers and more. Bring a swimsuit and a towel! The upstairs kids’ classrooms (rooms 221, 222, & 223) and the youth rooms (101 and 103) will be open to drop by, say hi, and learn more about what’s in store for the upcoming year.
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Shoe Drive Thank You
Thank you to all who participated in our shoe drive! Your generosity towards the children of the Madison School District has been incredible. Final numbers are still being calculated, but between the donations of our congregation and the Weekday School, we will be able to donate around an estimated 300 pairs of shoes.
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Heartfelt Giving- Fall Festival Sponsorship Opportunities
• Gold Sponsor: $1,000
• Silver Sponsor: $500
• Bronze Sponsor: $250
If you would like more information about becoming a sponsor, please contact our office.
Thank you for helping us create a wonderful event that welcomes our congregation and the entire community!
Seasons of Giving- Keeping It Cool
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Reminder- Text Message Updates are Available!
If you’d like to opt into text message news and updates from our church, please contact the office to be added onto the text list!
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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 September 6. We look forward to seeing you!
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
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.
- Enter (888) 599-4262 in your cell phone text messaging program and type GIVE $_ as the message (example: type “GIVE $20” to give twenty dollars).
- You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and bank 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 GIVE and 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.
