Scroll through this page to see what is happening at First Church.

Volunteers Needed for Tutoring Program

Please join a group of First Church tutors who assist and support students kindergarten – 4th grade in the Madison School District OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program. For more information, please contact Marie Morais Garber at 602-448-0419. Thank you!

Youth Choir is Here!

Looking for a way to share your talents with our church? Come check out our First Youth Choir! Open to all youth grades 6-12, we perform in worship about once per month. We rehearse Sundays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in Room 106. For more information contact Dr. Elizabeth Leyva at elizabeth@firstchurch.church. No musical experience is necessary, just a willingness to make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Stump Pastor David Night at Youth Group

Pastor David will be our guest August 28 for a meet and greet. Get to know him by asking just about any question under the sun.

Sunday evening schedule for youth includes:

• Youth Choir at 4:30 p.m.
• Youth Dinner at 5:30 p.m. (by the way, dinner is on Pastor David)
• Jr./Sr. High Program at 6 p.m., or until Pastor David gets stumped.

Jose, Rachel, and Aaron look forward to greeting you in Asbury Hall. We hope to see you all there!

Future Planning Update

The Future Planning Committee is committed to communication. Here is some news you can use!

The ‘Future at First’ Congregational Gathering on August 14 was a success! We set-up chairs for 48 folks to attend, but 93 of you showed-up in person and 8 of you were in the Zoom Room. After some brief presentations from our committee, we heard many helpful comments and questions from attendees. Pastor David was our host with the most and Pastor Denny closed us out with great comments on our progress. If you missed the event, it was recorded. You can contact Russ Morrow in the church office for the recording.

Joe Jensen, our lead consultant from The Barna Group, was on campus August 18 and 19. He then joined our Future Planning Committee meeting by Zoom on August 22. After listening to our First Church community through focus groups, congregational and youth assessments, lots of prayer and planning, Joe and our staff have crafted a new Vision Statement. It’s still in draft form, but the rollout is coming soon. Joe Jensen and Pastor David met with Beckie Humphrey and the gang at Weekday School. There is good alignment, energy, and synergy with First Church and Weekday School. This relationship goes way back and everyone is excited to get to work on making it stronger.

The search for our Next Generation Ministry Director is in full force. We have received 10 applications. Pastor Denny and Pastor David will begin initial Zoom interviews with 6 of the candidates. However, the search is still on! We are committed to being patient with the process until we find the right person. In the interim, the pastors, staff, and parents are being high-energy and supportive of the youth leaders and youth. Kickoff Sunday will be August 28 with “Stump the (New) Pastor Night”. (New) Pastor David will treat the group to dinner that night.

We also want to give Russ and the team that assisted him on updating and rolling-out the new and improved website. WOW!

United Women of Faith – Eve Circle

Rachel Circle, of United Women in Faith, will have its first meeting after summer break on Thursday, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Asbury Hall. Refreshments will be served and speaker will be Pastor David Rennick. We look forward to hearing Pastor David speak and our return to the new year. All women of the church, their friends, and family members are invited. Join us for a great afternoon of fellowship and events taking place within the United Women in Faith.

Would You Like to Help?

We need volunteers! Please consider volunteering in one of the following ways:

• Hosts are the friendly face of welcome. Hosts guide and assist visitors and guests and help everyone feel they belong. If you would like to serve as a host, please contact Cathy in the church office.
• Liturgists are the voice of worship. Liturgists invite us into celebration and bring the word of God to the people of God. If you would like to serve as a liturgist, please contact Karen Champagne.
• Pew Pocket Crew makes sure our pews are neatly stocked with “I’m Here” cards, Blue Prayer Cards and other important information. If you would like to serve on the Pew Pocket Crew, please contact Cathy in the church office.
• Front Office help is needed for Sunday mornings for both services. You will be able to listen to the worship service. You might greet people walking through, answer phones, take messages, direct office traffic, receive offerings and donations of all sorts, make copies for the different classes that meet that morning. If you would like to volunteer in the office, please contact Cathy  in the church office.

Thank you for stepping up to help your church community!

Top 10 Reasons to Sing with the Chancel Choir

10. You don’t have to dress up on Sunday morning – the robe hides a lot!
9.  Singing is good for your body – it reduces stress and helps you live a longer, happier life.
8.  You have a guaranteed seat for Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 11!
7.  Singing is good for your brain – it improves memory and overall brain function.
6.  The ushers never pass the collection plate through the choir loft.
5.  Singing is good for your spirit – it can lift you above your daily problems and concerns.
4.  You have an iron-clad excuse to get away from your crabby spouse – at least twice a week.
3.  You get to hang out with the coolest members of the congregation.
2.  It’s exactly like singing in the shower, except you’re wearing clothes and people are actually listening.
1. The Bible commands it! – Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises! – Psalm 47:6

The Chancel Choir sings during the 11 a.m. traditional worship service. We rehearse each Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. This is a non-auditioned choir that welcomes anyone who loves to sing. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Joshua Elder.

First Praise Choir Begins September 8

Come be part of our modern worship choir – an intergenerational group of singers that leads worship at the 9 a.m. Contemporary Service! Rehearsals are held every Thursday night at 6 p.m. in the Choir Room. We perform special songs and lead worship at the 9 a.m. Worship Service about once a month. If you love the vibe and the energy of the First Praise Band, and you love to sing – this choir is for you! For more information, contact Joshua Elder.

Do You Need a Ride?

Do you need a ride? Our Transportation Ministry is up and running. This service is currently available for the 11 AM worship time. In order to confirm your seat please contact the church office at 602- 263-5013 by Wednesday of each week. To cancel this service we ask that you let us know your plans have changed by Friday. The contact person for this offering is Renae McKee.

Altar Flowers

You can request to provide altar flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one. Our altar flowers are $35 per arrangement. You can provide one or both arrangements for most Sundays with any dedication you choose. Please call Cathy Fuentes in the office at (602) 263-5013 x100 for more information.

PRAYER QUILTS IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex this morning is for Ben Arnold. Ben is the brother-in-law to Renae McKee. We invite you to stop, tie a knot and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Bonnie Rheaume, Bobbie Rudd, Joann Sapp, Susan Secrest, Betty Slonaker, Jeannette Smith, Jane Suddarth, Bev Sutton, Brenda Unsworth, Jim Unsworth

DEATH
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Marjorie Kildow, who passed on August 19, 2022.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
William (Bill) and Betsy Heuermann, 8/23

SENIOR BIRTHDAYS (Celebrating 80 or more birthdays)
Ken Hagin, 8/29

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
New Song UMC, Surprise; Prescott UMC; Prescott Valley UMC