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

Hope and joy to you in this season of Advent!

Advent is a time of watching, waiting, and preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus. It invites us once again to reflect on the generous love of God—love that engages us fully and enters our world in the most humble and transformative way. Our response to this divine generosity is a renewed calling to live as people of hope, compassion, and joy.

This year, our theme of “Advent in Motion” encourages us to keep moving forward while looking back with gratitude and looking ahead with purpose. We celebrate the many ways God has been at work among us: through worship that lifts our spirits, missions that meet the needs of our neighbors, ministries that nurture our children and youth, and relationships that strengthen our community. None of this happens without you. Together, we discover the presence of Christ being born among us as a community of faith.

I look forward to seeing you in church as we wait in hope and open our hearts to the joy of Christ’s birth in our lives.

Blessings, 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 Adele Surovich. Adele is the friend of Diane Raden. Another prayer quilt displayed in the narthex this morning is for Ronda Hair. Ronda was a long-time member of FUMC. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

DEATHS

None

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE

Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Marge Needham, Gerry Oliver, Jean Oliver, Bonnie Rheaume, Mary Lou Salyer, Susan Secrest, Buzz and Liv Stevens.

OTHER

None

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES

Mingus Mountain Camp

Justa Center Phoenix

Wesley Community Center

(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.)

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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)

Sarg and Patricia Magyar 12/21

Joe and Marie Garber 12/23

Don and Sandy Hillegass 12/28

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)

Audrey Clayton 11/29

Carolyn Cooper 11/30

Diane E. Davis 11/30

Bob Young 12/1

Buzz Stevens 12/3

Karen Kelley 12/4

Clark Dove 12/8

Noel Markman 12/9

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Blue Christmas

Join us on December 21st at 4:00pm for a special service for anyone dealing with grief or the loss of a loved one this holiday season.

Stories With Hope Event With Iglesia Aliento

Join First Church on December 7th at 3:00pm in friendship and partnership with Iglesia Aliento UMC for a faith-centered outreach initiative that provides spiritual and emotional healing through storytelling, a shared meal, and guided prayer gathering. This event creates safe space for immigrants to reflect on their journeys, process trauma, and encounter the transforming presence of God. Come be inspired by the faith journeys of our siblings in Christ from Iglesia Aliento!

“Dear Parents and Families,
There has been a lot happening behind the scenes with the Next Gen Ministry. Recently, both youth and adults have experienced
comments and situations that have made our church feel less like the inclusivecommunity we strive to be. Because of this, and to realign with First Church’s vision of inclusion and respect, we’ll be shifting our focus during youth group from January through May.
During this time, we’ll welcome special guests to lead sessions on cultural competency, empathy, mental health awareness, safety and first aid, community engagement, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and many more. Our hope is that as our youth grow through these conversations, they will help lead our church toward truly becoming the inclusive community we are called to be.

If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out to me directly. I want to hear from you and walk alongside
you. We are here to serve Christ, our families, and the community.

We’re always looking for more volunteers in the Next Gen Ministry—if you feel called to serve, please let us know! Parade tickets are on sale on Sundays, during the week in the church office, or through Church Center. Youth Group will be caroling at the Laura Turner Homes on December 14th at 4:30PM. Youth should arrive at the church by 3:45 PM wearing their ugly Christmas
sweaters. Dinner and fellowship will follow during our regular youth group time.

November 23: Youth Group Cultural Thanksgiving Feast
November 30: No Youth Group
December 14: Caroling at the Laura Turner Homes”

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Community Choir Concert

The First Church Chancel Choir will be joined by chamber orchestra, soloists, and community singers on Sunday, December 14th for the 11 o’clock service to perform Vivaldi’s Gloria. Join us for a beautiful performance of this beloved masterwork! – Katherine Rosenfeld

Light Parade and Fiesta Bowl Parade Tickets – On Sale Now!

🌟 Light Parade

The Light Parade is Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Let’s light up the night together and show our community the joy and love of Christ through our glowing presence!

🎊 Fiesta Bowl Parade

The Fiesta Bowl Parade is Saturday, January 3, 2026

Come kick off the new year with a celebration full of color, energy, and unity!

🎟 Seat tickets are $5, and parking tickets are $20.

Gratitudes from the Quilting Ministry

Appreciation From Prayer Quilt Recipient

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Van Drivers Needed

Please contact the church office to sign up or sign up online using this link:  (https://firstchurchphoenix.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3246189)

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Congregation Survey Results – New Updates!

Your invaluable congregational assessment input is helping shape future plans for worship, ministries, outreach, and more – thank you! Open-ended survey comments received from the June 2025 First Church Congregational Assessment have been reviewed by your Church Council and several church committees who shared action plans to address priorities you identified. An Open-Ended Comments Report has been added to the 2025 Survey Results – Congregation folder. Please check your email for a link to view the survey results and updates.

Christmas Greens- It’s Not Too Late!

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Behold the New Christmas Decorations!

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary (Psalm 96:6)

Our new Christmas decorations are a visible reflection of the generosity and cheerful spirit that fills our community. Your contributions have truly made this transformation possible, and we celebrate not only the beauty in God’s house but also the loving hearts behind every gift. Thank you!

This year marks the first exciting installment of even grander plans for our sanctuary’s festive decor. Join us for the next chapter! Phase 2 of the Decorations campaign is underway, and your continued support will help us realize an even more splendid vision next Christmas. Donate by clicking this link https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z2EJcampaign/C-15ZY4 or however you typically donate to the church. (Just make sure you indicate the donation is for Christmas decorations if using other means.

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First Church Business Directory Updates

Business Directory July 2025

Here is an updated first church business directory.

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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 December 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 the library. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 9th.

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.