News
January 18, 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
Can’t get enough of Pastor David? You’re in luck! This new section of the newsletter is now known as Pastor David’s corner, and he’ll be able to share his encouragement, thoughts, and announcements with you throughout the week.
Here is this week’s announcement:
Each of us is beautifully unique, and our differences offer a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives. The challenge, however, is not just in recognizing these differences, but in going beyond them to see one another as God sees us—each created in the Divine image and with inherent worth.
The apostle Paul reminds us that though we may differ, we are still called to embrace one another as gifts. Our diversity doesn’t divide us but rather enhances the beauty of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role in the greater whole.
This week let’s take a moment to reflect on the Wonder of Living in Faith Every Day, and how that includes celebrating our individual gifts while remembering that we all point to the One who is the source of all life, love, and unity.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we dive deeper into this beautiful truth.
Blessings,
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 Kelly LeBarbara. Kelly is a friend of Jennifer Schwarz. The other prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex is for Linda Parkin. Linda is the sister of Sandy Fox. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Buzz and Liv Stevens, Loraine Stewart, Bev Sutton, Twyla Thompson, Brenda and Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Ajo Federated Church, Calvary UMC, and UMC Valley UMC
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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)
Brenda and Jim Unsworth 1/27
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Ursula Wolf 1/20
Betty Cornish 1/21
William Devine 1/23
Linda O’Connor `1/24
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Announcement Communication Update
Got an announcement for the good of the church that needs to go in the bulletin, be posted on social media, The Good News, etc.? All communication about that now needs to be sent to Sammi. If communication is not sent to Sammi there is no guarantee that it will be able to be printed. Please send all announcement details to sammi@firstchurch.church (preferably with a bit of notice, if possible, as bulletins are often prepared up to a couple weeks in advance, although we understand sometimes things pop up last minute).
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Whole – Church 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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Committee Bootcamp Event
All former committee members from 2024 and newly appointed members for 2025 are invited to participate in an important orientation session on Saturday, January 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
What to Expect:
· Pre-Orientation Materials: Prior to the orientation, members will receive committee descriptions, expectations from the United Methodist Church, and other relevant materials to review.
· Agenda:
o Getting to Know Each Other: A time for introductions and building connections among committee members.
o Strategic Direction: A discussion on the mission and vision of First Church, with a focus on the strategic direction for the upcoming year.
o Prayer for Guidance: A time to seek God’s guidance and blessing as we embark on the work ahead in 2025.
Please mark your calendars and come ready to participate in an engaging and prayerful time together.
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Iglesia Aliento Invitation
A local 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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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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
Join the Mission’s Committee
The Missions Committee invites you to join them, supporting and organizing mission projects to serve our community and be transformed in service to God. We meet at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of the month via Zoom. If interested, please contact Tami Smith.
Business Directory (Attention Business Owners!)
Our church has a business directory for all church members to receive a complimentary listing if they are self-employed, an independent contractor, or a business owner. This will be a classified ad-style listing with one sentence about what you do, including your contact information. This will enable our members to support one another when looking for a business professional. Please email info@firstchurch.church with your information if you would like to be included.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
