News
February 20, 2026
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
The Meaning of Forty
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that after his baptism in the Jordan River, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days. This is not the first time the number forty appears in Scripture. Again and again, we encounter this sacred span of time.
Noah endured forty days and nights of rain before stepping onto dry land. The people of Israel wandered forty years before entering the promised land. Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights before receiving the commandments. Goliath defied Israel for forty days before David answered the call.
What are we to make of this?
Were these exact timeframes of precisely forty days or forty years? Perhaps. But more importantly, in Scripture the number forty represents a meaningful stretch of time — long enough for transformation. Long enough for old ways to fall away. Long enough for faith to be tested and strengthened. Long enough for God to shape something new.
Forty marks a season of preparation and renewal.
As we enter the forty days of Lent, we follow this same biblical rhythm. From the ashes placed upon our foreheads to the celebration of resurrection on Easter, we are invited into our own wilderness journey. Lent is not simply about giving something up. It is about making space — space for prayer, generosity, repentance, and community. Space for God to form us anew.
A lot can happen in forty days.
Habits can change. Hearts can soften. Perspectives can shift. Faith can deepen.
Lent is a call to arise from our old selves into a new creation in Christ. It is an invitation to walk the path of grace and discover what God may be shaping within us during this holy season.
May these forty days open your heart to new life.
I look forward to walking this journey with you.
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 is for Sherri Volk. Sherri is a friend of Bonnie Naegle-Wilson. Another prayer quilt displayed in the narthex is for Karen Champagne. Karen is a long-time member of FUMC. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
DEATHS
First Church invites you to attend the Celebration of Life for Jon Talton, who passed on January 28. Services are on Tuesday, February 24 at 10 a.m. at FUMC, following a reception in Wesley Lounge.
It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of our beloved custodian, resident host, and friend, Derrick Sewell. Derrick joined our staff in April 2022 and cared for our campus, our congregation, and our guests with joy and enthusiasm. We all loved Derrick and will miss him a great deal. Please keep Derrick’s family and our staff in your prayers in the coming days. Services on Saturday, March 7, viewing and services at 10 a.m., at Hansen Mortuary Chapel 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020. Following the services the family invites you for a luncheon at FUMC 5510 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013 in Asbury Hall.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Gerry Oliver, Jean Oliver, Bonnie Rheaume, Mary Lou Salyer, Susan Secrest, Buzz and Liv Stevens, Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young.
OTHER
None
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 patricia@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)
Buzz and Liv Steven 2/19
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Jim Hyde 2/2 Anne
Walser 2/2
Mary Williamson 2/6
Betsy Heuermann 2/9
Gerry Oliver 2/10
Kent Klein 2/11
Donna Moninger 2/15
Marion Pease 2/16
Grier Cooper 2/23
Al Hayer 2/23
Daniel Scott 2/26
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Mission’s Committee Black History Month Weekly Quote
“When everyone is included, everyone wins.”
-Reverend Jesse Jackson
Derrick Sewell Memorial Information
Weekday School Mod Pizza Fundraiser
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Lura Turner Homes Mission Project- March 14th
Our church is looking for 15-20 volunteers to help with various light projects including painting inside and outside, landscaping/yard work, organizing shed, hanging shelves, and playing games with residents with developmental disabilities from 9:00 am to noon.
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Scholarship Applications Now Open
Our scholarship applications are now open! Please click here to apply! The deadline this year is Monday, March 16th, at 4:00 pm, and late applications cannot be accepted. Applications can only be submitted electronically, and we request that you submit a photo of yourself along with your application. Applicants will receive an electronic confirmation of a successful submission.
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Groups and Gatherings Committee- Get Engaged!
Do you have a knack for bringing people together? Do you like planning a great movie night for your friends, or family activities after the big game? If so, we have a great way for you to serve your church!
We’re developing a Groups and Gatherings Team to plan events and activities for our church throughout the year. The team will be able to plan as few or as many events as they’d like, with no pressure, and will have support from church leaders when needed.
Unlike our established administrative committees, there are no regularly scheduled meetings, no minutes to take, and no reports to present! The team will meet/communicate as needed to share ideas and plan some fun events for our church and the community, including things like board game nights, movie nights, outings to go to dinner, attend a theatre performance, or whatever else sounds fun to you!
Does this give you some ideas? If you are looking for a way to serve that is creative, flexible, and FUN, please email Sammi at sammi@firstchurch.church to join today. Thank you for bringing more engagement to our church!
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Have You Ever Wanted to Learn More About Our Foundation?
First Church is blessed by having a Foundation that has been serving and supporting our ministry for more than 70 years. Through extraordinary generosity and careful stewardship, our Foundation helps sustain many important areas of church life, including significant support for our operating budget.
If out have ever been curious about how our Foundation works, or if you might be interested in learning more about serving on its board, we would love to hear from you. Board service is meaningful and rewarding work that truly impacts all areas of our church.
To learn more, please contact Anne Bettis.
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Pancake Breakfast- March 15th
Please join us on Sunday, March 15th from 9 am to noon in Asbury Hall. Enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast and help support BSA Venturing Crew 2041’s Northern Tier Adventure! The recommended donation is $10. We look forward to seeing you!
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New Pew Attendance Card
We are using a new attendance card that can be found in the pew pockets. Please let us know you are here by writing in the blanks or using the QR codes on your phone. Use the first QR code if you attend regularly.
Just a head’s up: You may be invited to use our new Church Center mobile app! Please do! It’s great!
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A Morning of Worship and a Table of Community
Sunday, March 1 we’ll gather as one church for worship at 10:00am, then keep the joy going as we head to Asbury Hall at 11:15 for lunch and fellowship.
Thanks to the generosity of our Foundation, a casual lunch will be provided at no charge. Just good food and even better company.
It will be a time to slow down, connect, laugh, and enjoy being together as a church family. Community. Fun. Engagement. Connection. We hope you don’t miss it.
Please contact the church office or sign up online to attend. https://registrations.planningcenteronline.com/signups/3425606
Come for worship, stay for lunch. Leave with a “Panza llena, corazón contento” (“full tummy, happy heart”).
Upcoming Blood Drive
www.donors.vitalant.org (Blood Drive code: firstunited).
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A Message from the Desert Southwest Conference- Asylum, Refuge, and Immigration Task Force
We want to be sure you are aware of several opportunities for connection and support being offered by the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force.
The Task Force is hosting Prayer and Conversation Circles, virtual gatherings designed to provide an informal space for prayer, conversation, and mutual support. These circles are intended to be gentle, accessible spaces for people who may be carrying fear, grief, or uncertainty related to immigration issues.
Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 PM MST
Clergy are encouraged to attend and to share this invitation with others in their congregations or communities who may need emotional and spiritual support. Click here to register and receive the recurring meeting Zoom link.
There is also more ahead. On Thursday, March 12, at 10 AM MST, the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force will host a Forum on Immigration. This forum will offer an update on the current immigration landscape across the United States, resources and information for local churches and leaders, and space for conversation and planning. Additional details about the forum will be shared soon, but please save the date.
To stay informed about these gatherings and other updates, we encourage you to subscribe to the Asylum, Refugee, and Immigration Task Force news at: https://dscumc.org/subscribe/
If clergy or congregation members have questions, you may contact the Task Force directly at calltoaction@dscumc.org. Ongoing information and resources are also available at: https://dscumc.org/committee/asylum-aid-and-immigration
Thank you for your care, leadership, and presence across our Conference.
On behalf of the ARI Task Force,
Christina Dillabough
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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 March 1. We look forward to seeing you!
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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 February 24th. The book for this month is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
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First Church Business Directory Updates
Here is an updated first church business directory.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
