News
June 19, 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
In honor of David having his last day of work this week, we wanted to use this Pastor’s Corner space to honor his time here with a slideshow video of some fun memories. Thank you, David, for everything! We love you and wish you the best on your next big adventure.
Click this link to watch: https://video214.com/custom-player/3nnbfo0dbfIV6UWOVPFoVQ
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 Sally Coughanour. Sally is a friend of Marcia Boyer. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
DEATHS
None
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Bill Carpenter, Ruth Clark, Mary Anne Cooper, Laura DeNinno, Yvonne Fischer, Barbara Harvey, Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein.
OTHER
Please pray for these members of our church family: Jim Hyde and Tom Rice.
PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Haven UMC- Jerome
Lakeview UMC- Sun City
Liberty UMC- 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)
Mike and Sandy Fox 6/15
Stan and Jill Brown 6/16
Larron and Karen Horton 6/22
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Janet Ambrose 5/30
Jill Huddleston 6/2
Judith Wilson 6/8
Diane Howard 6/9
Sarg Magyar 6/11
Phyllis Chase 6/13
Dennis Domer 6/15
Carolyn Allen 6/17
Ann Flaherty 6/25
Lyn Warder 6/27
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Summer Voice Classes for Adults
Do you love to sing? This class is free of charge and appropriate for all skill levels, whether you’ve never sung before or are already an accomplished singer. No prior experience or training is necessary. The class begins Thursday, July 9, and will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., in room 106, through Tues-day, August 11, for a total of 10 sessions. To sign up, or if you have questions, contact Dr. Elizabeth Leyva at elizabeth@firstchurch.church or contact the church office. Space is limited so sign up today!
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Mini Sermon Series: June 21 & 28
Join us at church on Sundays 21 and 28 for a mini-series on Jonah by our own Sammi Burkhart. Get ready to think through this classic story in new ways.
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Reminder- Wear Your Nametag!
This is a friendly reminder to please be mindful about wearing your nametag once Pastor Mike gets here, as it will help him to get better acquainted with our congregation.
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UMCOR Missions Trip
One final trip to the Sager Brown UMCOR Depot is planned for September 20-25. This adult mission trip to Baldwin, Louisiana, is the “next time” you’ve been waiting for! Come along to the hub of relief supply operations, which responds to disasters in the U.S. We are headed back one last time before the depot closes at the end of 2026. Volunteer opportunities include working on relief kits and serving in the local community. Thanks to Janet Spiker’s leadership and our Foundation for approving coverage of some expenses, this is an experience you don’t want to miss! Spaces are limited, and the July 14 registration deadline is approaching. Interested or just want to learn more? Contact Janet or the church office today!
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Seasons of Giving
Here’s the Scoop on our Incoming Pastor, Mike Wilkerson – Part 3
While in Yuma as pastor of the First UMC of Yuma, Pastor Mike met his wife, Rev. Dr. Brooke Wilkerson, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. They married in September 2022 and share a blended family. Mike has two adult children from a previous marriage who live in Tucson and Leeds, England, and a stepson who will be in his senior year in high school this fall. In his free time, Mike enjoys pickleball, hiking, and board games. In July 2023, Pastor Mike started leading Saint Francis in the Foothills UMC in Tucson, and our congregation is now looking forward to his appointment to First Church starting July 1st!
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Children’s Ministry Summer Updates
Kids, Jr. High, and Sr. High have moved to summer hours for June, July, and August. All-ages Sunday School will be meeting from 9:00 am – 10:00 am in room 221. Children and youth crafts and games will be available between services from 10:00 am – 11:00 am in room 222.
There will be no regular evening youth group meetings over the summer, but there are lots of fun activities and service events planned. Please contact julie@firstchurch.church with any questions or to be added to the invite list.
And finally save the date for Sunday, August 30, for our End of Summer/Back to Sunday School Kickoff Celebration to be held from 10:00 am – noon in the grassy courtyard area.
Kids Church, Youth Sunday School, and evening Youth Group will return to regular school-year hours.
Summer Choir
then you should join us for summer choir!
For more information, please contact Joshua Elder at Joshua@firstchurch.church.
First Church Logo Shirts
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An Interview with Our Weekday School’s New Director- Our Own Natasha Hawkins!
Q: Hi, Natasha! I’m sure many people in the church are already familiar with your work, but for those who aren’t, can you tell us what you are currently doing at the Weekday School?
A: I have been the Assistant Director of Weekday School for the last 17 years. I assist Beckie in all areas of school operation while also working closely with the staff to support them in any way needed.
Q: And can you tell us how your role will change as Beckie Humphrey retires?
A: The biggest change is becoming the decision maker for our school. Monica and I will collaborate on how to best support our team and community, but I will oversee our licensing readiness and ensure our campus is up to the standard our families expect and our students deserve.
Q: What has been your favorite memory you’ve had at the school in your current role?
A: I have so many in the over 30 years I have been here. As challenging as the pandemic was, a memory that stands out is finding a way to be here for the families that needed us. After their children had been away from school for weeks, I was worried we’d see lots of tears on our first day back. Instead, we were met with children running to the playground and so excited to be back at their school. That time taught us so much. We had to get creative in how we operated, but seeing those excited children validated everything we do at Weekday.
Q: And what are you most looking forward to in this new chapter for you and for the Weekday School?
A: I am most looking forward to keeping up the legacy Weekday has created in the last 64 years. I am excited to lead and work alongside our incredible group of teachers and assistants. I am here to support them in any way I can as we all work together to maintain our vision for Weekday School.
Q: We’re so excited for you! Are there any ways that the members of our church can pray for or support the Weekday School during this time of transition?
A: Thank you! 😊 We would love prayers for safety and good health on and off of our campus, for wisdom in taking care of our little friends, for continued success and growth, and for a smooth transition for all of us.
Q: Great! Anything else you’d like to share?
A: Some fun facts about Weekday School 😊
- Weekday School was established in 1962 and has only had 6 directors before me.
- Our licensing number is #0032, the 32nd Childcare/Preschool established in the state. Out of the first 32 schools, only two are still operating.
- There were only 3 classrooms when the school started. We now have 14!
- Many of our teachers and staff (including myself) have been here long enough to teach two generations from the same family!
I am so excited for this opportunity and honored to become the 7th director. I have had so many amazing mentors and work with such a seasoned and passionate staff. I am definitely looking forward to continuing in my Weekday Era!
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Iglesia Aliento Summer Camp
Iglesia Aliento will be hosting a summer camp for kids Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from July 7-22, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. There will be music, food, and more, so please don’t miss out on the fun! They are looking for volunteers as well as participants. If you would like to sign up to help or know of a child who would enjoy the camp please let them know!
If you would like to volunteer, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWrIlAcAvEb8GfKllEjox2U3qplzd5B74G3iCqKq5K_2a9zw/viewform
Donations can be sent here: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZMEK/campaign/C-16E7T?access=tile_direct&source=qr
To register a student, please click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc856yV3BpCD1B8fKCaoNs1v20AEtyuHRJUYdnpW8SW6mMx8Q/viewform
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From your Lay Leadership Development Committee (Nominations)
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are just that – gifts, given to Christian believers for the building up of the whole body of Christ. They are not given for personal gain, but for ministry in the world. Learning about the spiritual gifts we have, as well as helping our congregation learn about their gifts, can be useful when we pair it with opportunities to engage our community. Such gifts of God’s Spirit include wisdom, shepherding, exhortation, helping, discernment, faith, and compassion.
The following links are to learn more and to discover you own spiritual gift.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/equipping-leaders/spiritual-gifts
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/spiritual-gifts-inventory/en
What’s next? After you discover your gift, pray to God to enhance and use your gift, call the pastor, tell a friend.
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Annual Conference Van Drivers Needed
Van drivers are needed during the Annual Conference in Sun City to shuttle delegates to and from parking and the conference. If you are interested in learning more, please email info@firstchurch.church. Various times Thursday through Sunday, June 18 – June 21.
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Reminder- Text Message Updates are Available!
If you’d like to opt into text message news and updates from our church, please contact the office to be added onto the text list!
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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 July 5. 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 Tuesday, June 23. The book is The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau.
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) 599-4262 in your cell phone text messaging program and type GIVE $_ as the message (example: type “GIVE $20” to give twenty dollars).
- You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and bank 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 GIVE and 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.
