News
January 23, 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
One Body, Many Parts
In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul offers one of the most beautiful and challenging pictures of what it means to be the Church. He reminds us that we are not simply individuals who happen to worship together—we are the Body of Christ, joined by one Spirit and called to live in unity with purpose.
Paul writes that “the body is one, though it has many parts.” Just as a human body needs hands, feet, eyes, and ears, the Church needs people with different gifts, backgrounds, and callings. Some teach. Some encourage. Some serve quietly behind the scenes. Some lead. Some pray faithfully when no one else sees. Each role matters, and none is accidental. God Himself has arranged the parts of the body “just as He wanted them to be.”
This passage also challenges the way we sometimes measure value. No part of the body can say to another, “I don’t need you.” In a culture that celebrates independence and visibility, Scripture reminds us that dependence and humility are holy. The gifts that seem less noticeable are often the ones that hold the whole body together. When one part suffers, we all suffer. When one part is honored, we all rejoice.
Living as the Body of Christ means resisting comparison and embracing cooperation. It means showing patience with one another, celebrating each other’s gifts, and recognizing that our shared mission is greater than any single role. Unity does not mean sameness—it means harmony, rooted in love and guided by the Spirit.
As we serve together, may we remember that Christ is the head of the body, and we are His hands and feet in the world. When we move together in faith, humility, and love, the Church becomes a living testimony of God’s grace—many parts, one body, for His glory.
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 Rod Hilton. Rod is a neighbor of Susan Sneathen’s sister. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort
DEATHS
None
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Selena Alderman, Carolyn Allen, Bill Carpenter, Ruth Clark, Mary A. Cooper, Laura DeNinno, Yvonne Fischer, Barbara Harvey, Barb Johnson, Vickie Johnson
OTHER
None
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Ajo Federated Church- Ajo
Calvary UMC – Phoenix
Chino Valley UMC – Chino Valley
(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)
None
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Jerry Harbin 1/12
Marge Needham 1/17
Ursula Wolf 1/20
Betty Cornish 1/21
Mary Lou Salyer 1/21
Linda O’Conner 1/23
William Devine 1/23
Kate Tinghitella 1/25
Susan Freeman 1/28
Diane Gara-Weiner 1/28
Jesse Ary 1/29
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To First Church, Love Christine Kyhn
“It is a great honor to join the staff of First Church as permanent organist and Praise Band Pianist. I am excited to work with Joshua, supporting him, the Choir, the Praise Team, and the congregation as we seek to lead First Church in worship. For many years it has been my constant desire to use music within the church to help soften hearts toward God.
Here’s a bit of my background. I received a music degree with a double emphasis in organ and piano performance at California State University East Bay. After graduation I married Peter, he began his seminary training, and together we began a journey of music ministry. He was a Worship Pastor for 40 years and I served alongside as organist, pianist, and children’s (and youth) choir director at several churches throughout the Western U.S.A. Along the way, I also furthered my education to allow me to teach music in both public and private school settings, working with students from 3-years-old to High School. Currently, I work with students at Glendale Community College as accompanist for the choir program, for various music classes, and for private voice students. I also am the principal accompanist for the West Valley Chorale.
My husband, Peter, is now retired and keeps busy playing his trombone in a variety of music groups from the Scottsdale Symphony Orchestra to the Desert Brass and Bones Southwest. We have three children. Emily lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. She teaches private voice at the University in Eau Claire and often is music director for the University musicals. Matt lives here in Phoenix with his family which includes our other three grandchildren (a daughter and two sons). He works in film, usually as a grip or gaffer (in the lighting department). Our youngest, Alex, lives in Los Angeles and works as a professional bass player, often producing and playing in studios as well as touring the world with musical artists.
Music has surrounded our lives for decades. It is a joy to now share this experience and passion with First Church.
Thank you for welcoming me so graciously.”
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Girl Scout Cookies- Available Now!
It’s that time of year again! Our Girl Scout friends will be here the next few weeks selling cookies to support their troop. Their table is set up out on the patio and they’ll be here before and after services on Sundays. Come by and grab a box! (Or two or three. 
) No worries if you swore off cookies as a new year’s resolution- you can also by a box to donate to our church’s food pantry. Thank you, Girl Scouts for bringing us some sweetness!
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Adam Hamilton Event- Save the Date!
First Church and Paradise Valley UMC have partnered to bring an evening with Adam Hamilton on Thursday, February 5, as he explores themes surrounding the significance of Jesus’ death from his new book, Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Adam’s book will be available to purchase and sign. A part of this event includes hosting at PVUMC with their members to welcome those attending.
Click here or call our church office to register! (https://firstchurchphoenix.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3414257)
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Weekday School Exciting News
Our Weekday School would like to share some exciting news. They recently hosted a food drive for St. Mary’s Food Bank and were able to raise 547 pounds of food! Our church is so proud of them for their kindness and care for the local community.
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Soup Supper
Join us February 18th at 5:00 pm for our annual Soup Supper event hosted by Mindy Smidt. This light dinner will feature a soup, salad, cornbread, dessert, and a drink of your choice. Tickets are $10 and all proceeds benefit our mission’s committee. Please contact Mindy Smidt with any questions.
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Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is on February 18th this year! Come join us for our 6:00 pm service, which will directly follow the soup supper for those who are in attendance for that.
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Pilgrimage to Eternity- Lent Book Study
Our church is offering a lent book study this year centered around the memoir Pilgrimage to Eternity. The group will meet Mondays from 11:oo a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to discuss, reflect, and pray. Please contact the church office to sign up or register online here: (https://registrations.planningcenteronline.com/signups/3396953). This group will not be reading through the book during our meetings, some please come having read the assigned material in advance.
From the bulletin: “This Lent, you are invited to walk a sacred journey of faith and reflection with Pastor David.
Join us for a weekly retreat inspired by A Pilgrimage to Eternity by Timothy Egan, a moving account of his 1,000-mile pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome. Through Egan’s storytelling, we will explore what it means to journey—physically and spiritually—toward God, hope, and renewal. Each week, we will gather to read, reflect, and pray together, allowing this ancient pilgrimage to guide our own Lenten walk. Whether you are seeking deeper faith, quiet reflection, or meaningful community, this pilgrimage is open to all.
This Lent, let us travel together—step by step—toward eternity.”
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Helping Hands Milestone
Our church has a group called Helping Hands that was born out of Central United Methodist Church and was transferred over to First Church after the closure. This faithful group has continued to meet regularly for seven years focusing on their mission: creating heart shaped pillows for cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This winter, Helping Hands reached an extraordinary milestone—they have now created and delivered 2,000 pillows to patients in need of comfort and encouragement. We give thanks to God for their dedication, compassion, and ongoing ministry.
If you are interested in knowing more about Helping Hands, please contact Diane Gara Weiner or Deby Campbell.
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New Member Class
If you are interested in officially joining the church, please come by on February 8th at 10:00am for a quick new member class! Pastor David will welcome prospective members, answer any questions you may have, and share expectations of membership. If you plan to attend, please call or email the church office so that we can prepare your new member packet.
Men’s Monday Meetup- Update
Upcoming Blood Drive
www.donors.vitalant.org (Blood Drive code: firstunited).
Finance Committee Monthly Update
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First Church Business Directory Updates
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 February 1. 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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in the library. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books. The next meeting is scheduled for January 27. The book for January is The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
