News
Aug 22, 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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Pastor David’s Corner
Recently, I spent a couple of days reaching out to active members who haven’t had any recent contact with First Church. This is a common practice in the United Methodist Church, where individuals who haven’t attended worship, participated in church events, or contributed financially are placed on what’s called a “first-year attention list.”
This approach gives us a valuable opportunity to reengage with our members—through a letter, a phone call, or even a friendly conversation if we happen to see them out and about. These personal touches allow us to express our appreciation for their past involvement and extend a heartfelt invitation to reconnect.
After two years without contact, individuals are then placed on an “inactive” status. Please note: this is not excommunication, as it may be in other traditions. Instead, it’s simply an administrative step to reflect levels of engagement and allow us to better understand and care for the active body of First Church. And the door is always open—anyone can be returned to active status when they reengage.
The other day, I requested an updated list of those who haven’t attended in over a year. To my surprise, it was nearly eight times larger than the previous list I worked from. This new list includes active members, constituents, and others in various stages of connection to First Church. At a recent meeting, someone joked, “Oh, we know what Pastor David will be up to.” But this isn’t just about me. Reconnecting with one another is a part of the vows we all take when we join the church. It’s about care, community, and mutual support—core to who we are as the body of Christ.
So here’s the plan:
After we audit and finalize this list, we’ll send out “Missing You” postcards with handwritten notes. Each card will include a message saying, “In the coming weeks, you’ll receive a greeting call from a member of First Church. This is simply a chance to reconnect—no strings attached.” People will also be encouraged to reach out directly via phone or email.
Then, members—like you—will begin making those friendly greeting calls. Again, there are no expectations or obligations in these conversations. Just an opportunity to say hello, show we care, and invite reconnection.
What do we need? YOU. We need your help writing postcards and making calls. Keep an eye out for more information soon about how you can be part of this reengagement team.
Together, let’s be a church that truly embraces everyone.
I hope and pray this summer has offered you moments of rest, renewal, healing, and wholeness—body and soul. 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 Amanda Foster. Amanda is the niece of Beverly Shindler. A second prayer quilt displayed in the narthex this morning is for Mark and Luba Volodarsky. Mark and Luba are long-time friends of Pat Jones. 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 Shirley Myer, who passed on August 16. Services are pending.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Yvonne Fischer, Barbara Harvey, Judith Humbert, Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Marge Needham.
We also request prayer for Doug Dunipace, who has been hospitalized.
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.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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)
June Becker 8/13
Don Randall 8/13
Jim Cox 8/15
Jerry Eddy 8/17
Betty Luallin 8/17
Dora Angle 8/19
Vickie Beaver 8/24
Ken Hagin 8/29
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ron Rhode Retirement
Dear Members and Friends of First Church,
Ron Rhode is retiring from Music Ministry!
After decades of service to the local church, Ron Rhode has decided to hang up the keys and enjoy civilian life. Ron has served several churches in the Phoenix area since he moved here in 1973, including First United Methodist Church of Gilbert, Church of the Beatitudes (and the Beatitudes Campus), and finally First United Methodist Church of Phoenix.
Ron is most well-known as a theatre organist. Having given concerts internationally, Ron has played virtually every major theatre organ in the world. He was the Associate Organist at Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa for over 25 years, and many have heard him accompany the “Silent Sundays” film series at the Orpheum Theatre.
Ron’s final service will be Sunday, August 31st. There will be a casual reception after the 11 AM service, during which we can express our love and appreciation to him, and honor his service with gifts as you choose.
For the past 10 years, First Church has been blessed beyond measure by Ron’s musical talents. We are honored to be his final post. We will miss him dearly.
With much love and gratitude,
Joshua Ian Elder, Minister of Music
________________________________________________________________________
First Church Cherubs Choir Update
First Church is thrilled to announce that Morgan Pinkerton will be our new Weekday School Cherub Choir director!
Morgan grew up at First Church, where she participated in the FirstKids Choir, First Youth Singers, and Praise Choir. She is currently a junior at ASU studying music composition. Morgan is very excited to begin her work with the Cherub Choir and continue her involvement in the music department here at First Church.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
First Kids Choir
First Youth Singers
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
New Member Class – August 24th
Are you interested in becoming an official member of First Church? Join us for our next new member class on August 24th! Rev. David Rennick welcomes prospective members, answers any questions you may have, and shares expectations of membership. If you plan to attend, please call Cathy Fuentes at 602-263-5013 x100 or email cathy@firstchurch.church, so that we can prepare your new member packet.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
New Hearing System Update
In our churches ongoing efforts to increase accessibility accommodations, we have updated our hearing systems for those who are unable to hear during our Sunday services. These systems are hearing aid compatible, and our hosts are trained to help you set them up if you need assistance. If you would like to start using them, they are available starting this Sunday, the 24th!
________________________________________________________________________
Desert Southwest Conference Mission Project Update
You may recall that the Desert Southwest Conference set a mission’s project goal of raising $30,000 dollars in order to help combat hunger in the Las Vegas area, admitting it felt like a lofty goal. But they are pleased to announce that $32,596 have been raised and donated to seven different food pantries in the area to help tackle the issue of hunger head on. Thank you to anyone from our church who helped support their project.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
New Christmas Decorations Donation Link
As many of you heard on Sunday, 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.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
First Church Business Directory Updates
Here is an updated first church business directory.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Giving Report
Here is an updated giving report from Carrick Sears. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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 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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
The next meeting is scheduled for August 26th. The book for August is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
