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

Worship Online

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.

Join us to Celebrate Advent and Christmas

Christmas Eve – Sunday, December 24
10 a.m. – Worship Service
This celebration includes a Christmas carol sing-along and joyful message of anticipation: Walking in the Light of Love.

4 p.m. – Family Service
Let us share the Christmas story with your children at this family-friendly service.

7 p.m. – Traditional Candlelight Service
Filled with your favorite carols, this service is led by our Chancel Choir and magnificent pipe organ.

December 31, New Year’s Eve Morning Service
10 a.m. only

January 7, Epiphany Sunday
Back to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services
See you in church!

Advent Sermon Series – Walking in the Light

Advent is the season of waiting and expectation for the birth of Jesus. As we prepare for the light to enter the world, we walk in the light of hope, peace, joy, love, and ultimately with Christ. Join us in worship and online throughout the month of December.

Community Christmas Tree

Along I-17 traveling north to Flagstaff, one can often find the growth in the median that is decorated for Christmas. A few years ago, it was lost due to a brush fire. But in the spirit of community, we are making an opportunity to celebrate the season by having our own community tree located near the front of the sanctuary. You and your families are invited to place an ornament on the tree. Write your name on the ornament to be returned or to add to a collection for future use. Let us come to celebrate the season by sharing a bit of our home with each other.

Finish Strong – Help Meet Our Financial Obligations in 2023

“Hundreds of Hugs”

Folks are writing heartfelt year-end thoughts about First Church. We decided to chime in from our experience.
In a very topsy-turvy, uncertain world, a welcoming community is a source of relief. At First Church, the beautiful cam-
pus, the deep history, the talented staff, the amazing music program, the kids’ events, the small groups, and especially the hugs are what make it a welcoming community.

Many of you know that Stephen Barnes is courageously battling a brain disease. He’s doing great right now, but over the past 7 years, there have been some real lows. We have many resources of support, but there is nothing like the love from First Church. When we cross the threshold of our church community with our heavy hearts, there are hundreds of hugs waiting to lift us up every time.

As our family comes to the end of the year, we ask, ‘How can we help a community that has helped us so much’? We found out that the church still needs about $113,000 to finish out the year in the black. This seems like a lot, and yet, if we all dig a little deeper, we can pull this off and finish strong for the year. How many hugs have you gotten from First Church, and how many can you give back?

– Stephen and Kathie Barnes

NEW Water Bottle Filling Stations

We have two new water bottle filling stations on our church campus. Both provide chilled filtered water for your water bottles. One is located in the breezeway outside Rooms 106 and 107 near the northwest corner of the interior grass courtyard, and the other is located between Asbury Hall, Centennial Room, and the kitchen. Give them a try and “Fill-R-Up!”

Solution on Central – a New AA Group Meeting

Solution on Central is a NEW open-speaker discussion AA meeting held on Wednesday’s from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Epworth Room at First Church. If you have a problem with drinking or think you may, you are welcome to attend. If you need help or wish to speak to someone about your drinking more urgently, you can call Alcoholics Anonymous central office at (602) 265-1341 or (212) 870-3400 24-hours a day.

(Note: Meetings do not occur on Wednesday’s when the church is closed.)

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 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 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!