News
February 1, 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.
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Pastor David’s Corner
As the New Year begins, many of us reflect on resolutions and regrets—whether it’s changing eating habits, committing to regular exercise, or cutting back on alcohol. (And just to clarify, this is not meant to be a personal confessional.) But this year, I’m striving to do something a little different—something that nurtures the soul: reading. I’m deeply thankful for a professor in our congregation who has been feeding me a steady stream of thought-provoking reading material.
The first book I completed this year is A Pilgrimage to Eternity by Timothy Egan, a New York Times columnist. Egan embarks on a journey from Canterbury to Rome, retracing the ancient pilgrim path while reflecting on his Catholic roots and the evolution of his faith. From blisters to belief, his stories and reflections stir my thoughts long after reading. His journey is not just physical, but deeply spiritual—seeking meaning in places and experiences that transcend the ordinary.
After that, I turned to something more light-hearted—Josh Gad’s memoir, In Gad We Trust. Many know Gad as the voice of Olaf in Disney’s Frozen and Frozen 2, or from his Broadway performances in The Book of Mormon. In his memoir, he humorously and honestly reflects on his upbringing in New York, his stage career, and his personal growth. His journey to find contentment in his own skin is a reminder of the importance of embracing who we are, imperfections and all.
And then, my professor gave me another reading challenge: The Gifts of the Jews by Thomas Cahill. Cahill delves into how the ancient Hebrews, a seemingly small tribe of nomads, profoundly shaped our understanding of faith and life. Their legacy of storytelling, morality, and belief continues to resonate, offering a rich tapestry for contemplation.
As we all set our goals for the year ahead, some of which transform us and others which simply encourage us, mine is to read a book each month. Sure, some people manage a book a week, but I’m taking a slower, more reflective pace. There’s something powerful in setting aside time to read, to reflect, and to allow the words of others to fill in the spaces of our own busy minds. It’s a way to be fed, to be transformed. A big thank you to my professor for sharing that manna with me.
May your year be filled with growth, reflection, and the joy of discovery, whether through reading or another meaningful pursuit.
Pastor David
Congregational Prayer Requests
(Please join us in lifting up the following items in prayer!)
PRAYER QUILTS IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex is for Debbie McCoy Russell. Debbie is a sister of Jim McCoy. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
DEATHS
Edward Hall 1/17
Bill Heuerman 1/21
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Barbara Harvey, Judith Humbert, Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Ginger Levine, Betty Luallin, Ray McFarland, Mary Lou McWilliams
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Christ Community UMC – Avondale
Community Church of Buckeye – Buckeye
(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!)
WEDDINGS
Stephen Edward to Tiffany Fang 12/13
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
Earl and Eleanor Warner 2/8
Buzz and Liv Stevens 2/19
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Jim Hyde 2/2
Mary Williamson 2/6
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Red Cross Presentation Event
On February 8th at 10:00am, the Red Cross will be hosting a safety training presentation, providing overview information and training in various areas, including CPR, choking protocol, home safety, and fire prevention. This free event will take place in Asbury Hall and is open to anyone who would like to attend. Registration is not required, but is requested, just so the church will be able to get a general sense of how many people will be attending that day. If you are interested, please sign up using this link: https://sugeni.us/VMj7.
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Confirmation Camp
For any youth who have not yet been confirmed but would like to be, our church is offering funding for young people to attend Mingus Mountain’s confirmation camp from May 2-4. If you would like your child or a child you know to attend or would like to ask more about the funding, please contact Jessica Morris at jessica@firstchurch.church.
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Whole – Church Intergenerational Feed My Starving Children Trip
Our high school youth will be partnering with the mission’s committee in leading the church in a special Valentine’s missions project to help spread God’s love and comfort to the world. On February 15th at 2:15 pm, our church will be joining with the high school youth group to package food at Feed My Starving Children, which will be shipped out to help provide meals to impoverished young people globally. If you are interested in joining, please contact the church office or register online at https://sugeni.us/Vm5j.
(Please remember FMSC has fairly recently moved locations and are now in Tempe at 1100 West Grove Parkway).
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Tools of the Soul Retreat (Hosted by United Women of Faith)
On March 15th, our church’s United Women in Faith groups will be hosting a retreat led by Mary Hollan focused around self – compassion and life balance. These important topics will be explored through music, crafting, meditation, and community. For those who are interested in signing up, registration opens on February 1st.
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Hearing Survey
The trustees are considering an upgrade to the Church’s assistive listening system for worship services. In order to make the best choice we need your feedback. Please answer the short survey below and drop it into the collection plate or box as you exit on Sunday. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
1) Do you have difficulties hearing the spoken word during our services? Yes or no
2) Do you currently use any of the devices (Headphones or earbuds) supplied by the church to help you hear? Yes or no
3) Would you use those devices or others like a neck loop if we purchased upgraded equipment? Yes or no
4) Do you currently use your own hearing assistance devices like hearing aids in church? Yes or no
5) If you answered yes to#4 above would you use a system that interfaces with your phone and existing hearing aids or air buds? Yes or no
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Iglesia Aliento UMC Invitation
A local United Methodist Latino church, Iglesia Aliento, has extended an invitation to our church to join them at their worship service at 12:30pm on Sunday February 2nd. After the service, they will have a time of food and fellowship. All are welcome to join in. (701 S 1st St. Phoenix 85004).
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Jr High Blanket Drive Update
Our jr. highers dropped off over 60 blankets at the UMOM warehouses this week. Thank you all for your support of our service project!
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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 February 2nd. 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.
Young Adult Small Group
This is a small group for anyone in our church 18-40 looking to dive deeper into their faith and connect with other younger people. We meet every Sunday afternoon in room 102 at 3:00pm for a time of community, Bible study, and prayer (and if anyone away at college would like to join in, contact Sammi Burkhart for a Zoom link to participate virtually). Come join us in the book of Romans.
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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
Join the Mission’s Committee
The Missions Committee invites you to join them, supporting and organizing mission projects to serve our community and be transformed in service to God. They meet at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month via Zoom. If interested, please contact Tami Smith.
Business Directory (Attention Business Owners!)
Our church has a business directory for all church members to receive a complimentary listing if they are self-employed, an independent contractor, or a business owner. This will be a classified ad-style listing with one sentence about what you do, including your contact information. This will enable our members to support one another when looking for a business professional. Please email info@firstchurch.church with your information if you would like to be included.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
