News
June 6, 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
After thoughtful conversations and planning, I’m excited to share an important update regarding the roles of Jessica Morris and Sammi Burkhart. Effective immediately, Jessica will be serving as our Director of Next Generation Ministry.
In this role, Jessica will oversee and implement programming for infants through young adults, with the goal of helping them grow in their Christian faith. She will also focus on equipping and supporting families to lead well at home and on creating ministry opportunities that welcome and engage new families in our community. Her responsibilities will include leadership in Children’s Ministry, Middle and High School Youth Groups, Sunday School, and Young Adult Group Ministry. This position has been shaped by insights from past successes and areas of growth, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.
Additionally, Sammi Burkhart now serves as our Director of Church Marketing, Growth, and Communication. This position is key in amplifying both our internal and external voice. Sammi will lead efforts in marketing, website development, social media growth and engagement, and the coordination of all internal communications and publications, as well as outreach initiatives and church program development as we continue to grow and connect more deeply with our congregation and community. Sammi will continue to serve with the Axios Unaltered programming.
Please join me in praying for Jessica and Sammi as they step into these vital roles, continuing to support the vision and mission we share here at First Church.
In addition: I’m excited to share that Patricia Magyar has returned to lead the Congregational Care Team! Patricia will be serving 15 hours per week, making calls and visits on Tuesdays, meeting with the Congregational Care Team on Thursdays, and being present on Sunday mornings.
We are incredibly grateful to Deby Campbell for her leadership during Patricia’s absence. Deby will continue to serve the team in a volunteer role. A big thank you to Deby for her dedication, and a warm welcome back to Patricia!
Patricia’s email has been reactivated, and she can be reached at patricia@firstchurch.church.
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 this morning is for Nick Wubker. Nick is a friend of Susie Cons. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
DEATHS
None
PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Mary Lou Salyer, Susan Secrest, Buzz and Liv Stevens, Loraine Stewart, Brenda and Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young, Merrill Davison
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 deby@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)
John and Peggy Ward 6/2
Noel and Inese Markman 6/3
Doug and Jan Dunipace 6/9
Fred and Ginny Karnas 6/12
David and Jean Rupley 6/12
Mike and Sandy Fox 6/15
Stan and Jill Brown 6/16
Larron and Karen Horton 6/22
SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)
Gail Reiley 5/26
Jack Smalley 5/26
Janet Ambrose 5/30
Jill Huddleston 6/2
Judith Wilson 6/8 B
Diane Howard 6/9
Sarg Magyar 6/11
Phyllis Chase 6/13
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First Church All-Congregation Survey June 8-22
Our Church Council is looking forward to your responses to an all-church survey available through June 22. Your answers are important, completely confidential, and they help guide the future of our church.
Use https://bit.ly/FirstChurchSurvey25 to connect to the survey on the internet. The survey works best from your desktop computer or laptop.
For those who do not have internet access, paper copies are available by contacting Cathy or Russ in the church office: 602-263-5013. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
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Iglesia Aliento Combined Service 6/1 Update
Our congregation hosted a bilingual service with Iglesia Aliento on June 1 during the 9:00am service, and they joined us afterwords for the First Sunday Social Hour as well. During this service, our congregation was able to present Pastor Flor with the Change for Change money we raised during Lent for their church totaling over $2000.
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Summer Voice Class 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 will meet 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:00-7:30pm, in room 106, although there will be some weeks that we do not meet. Class meeting dates are: June 17, 19, 24, 26; July 15, 17, 22, and 29. To sign up, or if you have questions, contact Dr. Elizabeth Leyva at elizabeth@firstchurch.church or call the church office to leave her a message. Space is limited so sign up today!
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Sunday School Summer Hours
Kids, Jr. High, and Sr. High have moved to summer hours for June and July! We’ll be meeting Sundays from 9 – 10 AM only. Parents must pick up in Room 101. There will be no evening youth group, but stay tuned — we’re planning a fun event for Jr. and Sr. High the last week of July to kick off the back-to-school season! And don’t forget our Mission Trip to New Mexico, happening June 9–13!
Let’s have a great summer together! – Jessica Morris
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Remembering Central – Video
A video tribute honoring the legacy and ministry of Central Church. (The video was too large of a file to upload on here, so please click this link to watch it on YouTube.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fqCppRjq_c
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Missions Trip Prayer Calendar Available
Please grab a prayer calendar from the Narthex or the church office to join our church in praying over our June missions trip group. Our group will be heading to the Navajo Native American reservation in New Mexico to meet felt needs of the people there. The organization leading the trip is called Adventures in Missions. Adventures in Missions has been in operation over 30 years helping to connect groups with mission opportunities and help missions trip participants grow in their faith while serving.
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Blood Drive
On June 15th, our church will be hosting another blood drive! The Bloodmobile will be in our parking lot from 8:00am to noon for anyone who would like to donate. If you would like a specific time slot, the organization recommends booking an appointment in advance. Visit vitalant.org and use code “firstunited” to make your appointment.
The organization is currently running a drawing for anyone who donates blood between May 23rd and September 7th, you will be entered for a chance to win a 2025 Volkswagen Taos.
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A Requested Update on the Religious Trauma Symposium
We’ve gotten a request for an update on the religious trauma symposium from a few weeks back. It overall went well. We had about 25 people in attendance. We held the initial panel interview and then after that opened it up for a time of audience Q and A, which led to some really wonderful discussions. We had a number of people reach out to various panelists about resources to help them or people they know who are working to heal from religious trauma.
For those interested in the questions asked, here is a link to the script given to Jessica to read from for the panelist interview: https://firstchurch5510-my.sharepoint.com/personal/sammi_firstchurch_church/Documents/Religious%20Trauma%20Symposium%20Outline.pdf
The church looks forward to hosting other types of religious trauma related events in the future, as well as symposiums on other important topics that can help support people who are struggling and need our community’s support.
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First Church Foundation – Hats off to Students!
From the early years of its inception in 1954, the First Church Foundation has been awarding educational scholarships to members of the church. Over the past ten years the Foundation has granted more than $445,000 in post high school and theological scholarships.
In May, the following students were awarded scholarships by the Foundation – Christopher Boadu, Ian Elder, Erin Sullivan, Skye Goodman, Josh Boadu, Grace Cooper, Mattie Cork, Morgan Pinkerton, Mary Ellen Shaver, Maya Smith, Hali Cork, Jessica Morris and Cade Rogers.
Congratulations students! Your church is behind you!
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Food Pantry Updates
The shelves of our food assistance pantry are in need of the following items: cases of bottled water, Vienna sausage, packaged or canned tuna, canned soup, small jars of jelly and peanut butter (plastic jars please), fruit cups, apple sauce, granola bars, hard or chewable candy. For all canned goods, please provide only pop top cans. If you are able to help with any of these items, please drop them off to the church office.
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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 July 6th. 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 $40. Email the church office for more information: info@firstchurch.church.
Afternoon Book Group
The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m. in room 116. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 24. The book for June is To Serve Them All My Days by R.F. Delderfield.
Visit our website https://FirstChurch.church and click on the “Give” button at the top of the home page, or scan the QR code at the bottom of this message with your mobile device for a quick and easy link to the giving page. You can set up a recurring frequency or give when you want to by making a one-time gift using your checking or savings bank account.
You may also give electronically using your bank’s bill pay service.
Another way to give electronically is Text-to-Give with your debit or credit card.
- Enter (888) 303-7535 in your cell phone text messaging program and a dollar amount without including a “$” 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.
