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

We often hear the phrase, “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” as a way of understanding another person’s perspective. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had my own version of that experience while recovering from knee surgery.

This season has limited my mobility and stamina, and even simple, everyday tasks now require more thought and effort. From personal routines to how I move through spaces, I’ve been reminded—sometimes humbly—what it means to depend on others. It’s a vulnerable place to be.

But here’s what has become clear: my limitations do not make me a victim of my circumstances. Instead, they’ve invited me to slow down and find a new rhythm for each day—one that makes room for gratitude for what I can do, rather than frustration over what I cannot.

I’m especially grateful for my family, who step in to help in ways both big and small—particularly when something is just out of reach. I’m also thankful for communities and spaces that strive to be truly inclusive, not just accommodating but empowering people of all abilities.

Most of all, I’m reminded that I am no less a person in this season of recovery than I was before. I remain who God created me to be—a beloved child of God.

So wherever you find yourself—whether walking, using crutches, or navigating life in a different way—may we enter each day aware that God’s world is still wide with wonder, inviting us to experience it alongside one another.

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 is for Norma Gualke. Norma is the mother of Bruce and the mother-in-law of Mindy Smidt. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

DEATHS

First Church is saddened to announce the death of Paul Harter, Marilyn Harter’s husband, who passed on April 16.

First Church is saddened to announce the death of Robert “Bob” Young, who passed on April 22.

First Church is saddened to announce the death of Kathy Pearson, Rev. Mike Pearson’s sister, who passed April 29.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE

Yvonne Fischer, Barbara Harvey, Barbara K. Johnson, Vickie Johnson, Ronda Klein, Betty Luallin, Terry Lutz, Ray McFarland, Gerry Oliver, Jean Oliver.

OTHER

None

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES

First UMC – Yuma

Fort Yuma UMC – Fort 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 patricia@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

Grier and Carolyn Cooper 5/13

William and Dana Devine 5/22

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80+ birthdays)

Maxine Perkins 4/27

Nancy Maxwell 4/27

Bijan Mohraz 5/3

Frances Sawyers 5/10

Dayspring Invitation: Standing With the Stranger

Dayspring UMC has invited our church to participate in their upcoming event “Standing with the Stranger,” which is centered around immigration justice. The event will feature panel discussions, workshops, musical performances, and more. The event will take place May 9th at 2:00 pm in the Dayspring Sanctuary. Please contact Dayspring at kris@dayspring-umc.org with any questions.

Requiem For The Innocent

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

The Desert Southwest Conference Celebrates 70 Years of Women in Ministry- Share Your Stories and Pictures

“Can you believe that 2026 marks seventy years of women being ordained in The United Methodist Church?

This is a milestone for our denomination and people the world over. Even as we know we have more work to do toward equity and justice for all people formed in the imago Dei, we give thanks for the impact of women in ministry.

Other upcoming celebrations include a new live episode of the General Commission on Archives and History’s (GCAH) ‘Un-Tied Methodism’ podcast releasing on May 4 with General Secretary Ashley Boggan and guest Dr. Emily Nelms Chastain to reflect on this historic event. Listen to Un-Tied Methodism now >>

We plan on celebrating this milestone as part of our 2026 Annual Conference. The DSC’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women invites you to share your stories of women’s ordination ministries. Please share your pictures and personal stories with us.

Our hope is to tell the story of how women in ministry have impacted our annual conference, our denomination, and the beloved kingdom of God. Please submit your pictures and stories at https://dsc-reg.brtapp.com/StoriesofWomensOrdinationMinistriesStorySubmission. If you have any questions or want to offer additional comments on this project, please contact Rev. Sylvia Harris, the COSROW Chairperson.”

Link:
https://www.dscumc.org/news-detail/celebrate-70-years-share-your-stories-pictures-of-women-in-ministry-19684084

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Power Up With Pastor David (Online Zoom Gathering)

Join Pastor David online each Thursday from 1:00–2:00 PM, May 7 through June 11. This is a time to connect for support and caring, sharing, and prayer.

Join using this link:
https://dscumc.zoom.us/j/88689272753?pwd=CR2R5vLbgObdtDbBxftrEL6Z6PhTsT.1

Meeting ID: 886 8927 2753
Passcode: Pastor

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Mostly Music Sunday

9:00 a.m. – The Sailor’s Bible by Long and Pote

Presented by First Youth Singers and FirstKids Choir; Dr. Elizabeth Leyva, this children’s musical includes two famous Bible stories, each featuring the ocean’s wind and waves as symbols of life’s chaos which can be tamed only by God’s great power. Come hear the stories of Jonah and the Great Fish; and Paul’s Shipwreck told with childlike playfulness, charming humor, and resonant songs with catchy tunes!

11:00 a.m. – Mozart Masterpieces: a morning of sacred choral works

Presented by The First Church Community Concert Choir and Orchestra, the Chancel Choir, augmented by singers and instrumentalists from the community, will present 3 works for choir, soloists, organ and orchestra by W.A. Mozart. The centerpiece of the morning will be Mozart’s Mass in C major, K. 258 aka “Piccolomini Mass.” This upbeat mass is full of memorable and highly tune-ful melodies. Additionally, we will perform the lively Te Deum in C, K. 141, and the beautiful “Laudate Dominum” movement from Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de Con-fessore, K. 339.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

4-Week Book Study: The Alchemist

Join Pastor David for a four-week journey through The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho—a timeless story about following your dreams, listening to your heart, and discovering the deeper meaning of life’s journey.

Together, we’ll explore themes of purpose, faith, courage, and the ways God can work through our hopes and longings. Whether you’ve read the book before or are encountering it for the first time, this will be a meaningful space for reflection, conversation, and connection.

Details:

· Duration: 4 weeks, Wednesday, May 27 – June 17, 10:00am – 11:30am

· Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Available through your favorite distributor.)

· Format: Group reading with discussion and guided reflection

· To register: Call the church office at 602-263-5013

Come ready to share, listen, and grow as we consider how this story speaks into our own lives and journeys of faith.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wear Red for Pentecost!

Please join us in wearing red to celebrate Pentecost on May 24th!

________________________________________________________________________

Desert Southwest Conference Orientation to Ministry Event

God’s call never ceases or stops. Want to discover how you can respond to that still small voice? This is one way.

“What is this event: A gathering to explore call, process, and connection.

What does it include: A panel exploring calls and pathways with elders deacons, and local pastors. Outlining the process toward ordination, licensing, and associate membership. Several UMC seminaries discussing degrees, certification, and financial aid. A free dinner will be available.

You should register if you: Feel like serving in ministry makes you come alive, seek candidacy certification, are curious about any of the steps in the process, desire to learn more about seminary opportunities and funding. Hope to build relationships that can help you discern your call.

Register at: https://dsc-reg.brtapp.com/2026O2M.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Strategic Plan

A team of church leaders and staff has worked over the last year to develop and refine a comprehensive Strategic Plan for our church. Our Strategic Plan incorporates our vision: An inclusive community of faith where ANYONE can experience the goodness and grace of God, and identifies goals to be achieved in many key ministry and program areas. The plan includes ideas from our all-church survey, and will help us better identify and deliver on the many things that are needed to keep First Church growing and vibrant and sustainable. It serves as a kind of roadmap for our next few years!

The full Strategic Plan, which contains all the particulars, target dates for completion, and who is responsible, was approved by our Church Council earlier this year. A condensed version that identifies the key areas of focus and key goals to be achieved, is available in the About Us section of our church website at Strategic Plan and Core Values. You can also click here to read a PDF copy.

It’s important that we not just HAVE a Strategic Plan, but that we LIVE the plan! To help us do that, a team will meet regularly to evaluate the progress we’re making and to provide reports to church groups and the congregation on our achievements. Along the way, this team will also identify any changes that may be needed in the Strategic Plan, and any additions to accommodate new ideas and initiatives.

We are excited about the Strategic Plan, and we believe it will be a dynamic and important tool for the future of First Church. If you have questions about the plan or the process, please contact the church office.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

UMCOR Mission’s Trip Photos

________________________________________________________________________

Potluck

ALL ladies of First Church are invited to a potluck dinner, sponsored by the United Women of Faith. It will be held in Centennial Room, on Thursday, May 14, at 5:30 pm. We wish to enjoy your company for fabulous food and fellowship! If you have questions please, call Susan Sneathen at (602) 361-8235.

________________________________________________________________________

First Sunday Social Hour Hosts Still Needed!

We are still looking for a few spots on our First Sunday Social Hour host calendar to be filled, so we wanted to open up the spots to anyone who thinks it sounds fun to host, not just groups, but individuals, family, or your group of friends!

We are still looking for anyone willing to host August and October. The set up can be as elaborate or as simple as you want it to be. This is an easy, no pressure way to help support the church. Contact the church office or Sammi Burkhart if you are interested in signing up.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 7. We look forward to seeing you!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 May 26th. The book is The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods.

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.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

First Church Business Directory Updates

Business Directory July 2025

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.

1. Enter (888) 599-4262 in your cell phone text messaging program and type GIVE $xx as the message (example: type GIVE $20 to give twenty dollars).
2. You will receive a reply with a link to enter your contact and bank 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 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.