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.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Pastor David’s Corner

Healing the Divide

This past week, approximately 1,700 preachers from across the United States and Canada gathered in Atlanta, Georgia, for the annual Festival of Homiletics. “Homiletics” refers to the art of preaching—and this year’s theme focused on healing the divide.

Retired United Methodist Bishop Gregory Palmer shared a powerful truth during one of the sermons: “The current divide in our country since the last electoral cycle has led to a constant state of exhaustion and despair.” At the same time, Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2024 was announced as “polarization”—a reflection of the moment we’re living in.

Another speaker, Dr. Ted Smith, offered an important insight: While the divide may appear to be about policy, at its core, it’s about identity. Policies can be debated or changed—but identity speaks to who we are. And what we must remember is that our truest, deepest identity is shared: we are all Children of God.

That raises a meaningful question: Why go to church?

Church is where we live out our identities. It’s where we learn, practice, and embody the presence of the reign of God—modeled in the way of Jesus.

The Kingdom of God is not only a spiritual hope but a lived reality. It is extended through peace, forgiveness, justice, and love. The church becomes a space for this transformation, where we study, explore, and walk the radical path of Christ together.

So even in a world marked by division—between neighbors, families, and communities—God’s love pulls us closer. Healing begins with the recognition of our shared identity. And in that sacred embrace, we start to close the gap.

Let the healing begin.

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 Judy Amsden. Judy is a friend of Susan Sneathen. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

 

DEATHS

None

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Loraine Stewart, Brenda and Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young, Selena Alderman, Carolyn Allen, Bill Carpenter, Tom Christensen, Ruth Clark

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES

First UMC – Yuma

Fort Yuma UMC – Yuma

Gila Mountain UMC – Yuma

 

(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.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Congregational Celebrations and Praises 

(Please join us in praising God for these celebrations!)

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)

John and Vicki Beaver 5/2

Carolyn Cooper 5/13

William and Dana Devine 5/22

 

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)

Frances Sawyers 5/10

Merle Wessel 5/12

Jack Sneathen 5/16

Gael Edwards 5/19

Jean Hamsher 5/21

Bonnie Rheaume 5/22

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Missions Trip Prayer Calendar Available

This month 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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Remembering Central

This month is the anniversary of the closure of Central United Methodist Church, and we wanted to take a moment to honor the long-standing ministry and impact that church had over the course of 154 years. Central was a special place in our community, as well as to many local individuals. To all of our congregants who have come to call our church home after the closure of Central, we recognize that this may be an emotional and reflective time for you, and we want you to know we are available if you need anyone to talk or pray with. We love each of you so much, and want to support you any way we can.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

May 18: Mostly – Music Sunday

Join us for a day of musical celebrations!
9 AM – Follow U: a light-hearted musical presented by the FirstKids Choir and First Youth Singers.
11 AM – Best of the Year: a musical exploration of the church calendar, featuring Chancel Choir and Rejoicing Handbells.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________

Change For Change Update

First Church Foundation – Did You Know? (Part 2)

 

Ms. A: That was quite a meeting I just attended.

Mr. J: Was that the First Church Foundation meeting?

Ms. A: It was. We have seven scheduled meetings a year to

stay on top of managing the Foundation’s business.

Mr. J: Only seven times a year? That doesn’t seem like a lot.

Ms. A: Well, throughout the year various committees like the investment, budget, financial development and scholarship committees meet regularly to make sure we are meeting our goals and honoring those who made (and make) the Foundation possible.

Mr. J: How many people are involved?

Ms. A: There is a board of 24 church members plus the chairs of each of the church’s administrative committees and the senior pastor. It’s a large group and an important commitment.

Mr. J: I think I might like to be part of that someday.

Ms. A: We’d love to have you! It’s a great place to serve First Church. Just let any Foundation board member or the pastor know you’re interested.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Youth Promotion, Graduation & Scholarship Celebration!

Join us on May 18th from 5:30–7:00 PM as we celebrate our amazing First Church Youth—including 8th grade promotions, high school graduates, and scholarship recipients!

This special event is open to all youth and their immediate families. Dinner will be provided, and we’d love for you to bring a sweet treat or a drink to share!

Please use the link below to RSVP with the number of people attending (including kids) and let us know which graduate(s) you’ll be celebrating.

We can’t wait to celebrate together! 🎉

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Giving Report

(Photo Description since it’s hard to read- Actual: $227414, Budget: $245140, Variance: $17726, Variance Percentage: 7.2%)

Here is our most recent giving report. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 June 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.

---

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 Tuesday, May 27. The book for May is The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa.

---

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.

1. 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).
2. You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and debit or credit card information.
3. After you complete the registration, you will receive a verification text as well as a receipt by email.
4. 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.