Scroll through this page to see what is happening at First Church.

Worship Online

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.

Welcome Elise Nesper

I moved to Phoenix in 2021 with my little family (Cody, Charlie and Dax) after deciding that Australia was just a little too far away from our Phoenician family. In that time, I’ve come to love the beautiful mountains, sunny days, and drive thru Starbucks. Growing up in Australia I had the privilege of attending, serving and eventually working at the same church for 24 years. I’ve spent over a decade of that time in ministry, serving in Kids, Youth and for the last bit, as a lecturer in Bible College/Associate Pastor. In 2019 I completed a Master of Theology majoring in Biblical Studies and have enjoyed contextualizing the Bible to every age. My studies and experience have created such a passion to disciple young people and help families flourish.

My little family and I are just so excited to meet you all and become a part of this wonderful community!

Oh, and if you ask, I’ll pick tea over coffee, dogs over cats, and Disneyland over Disneyworld any day.

Clothing Donations Sunday, November 27

First Church is collecting wearable donations for the asylum seekers who arrive at the IRC Welcome Center. They need all sizes for children and adults of gently used clothing, shoes, sweaters, coats, scarves and more. New unopened packages of socks and underwear are also greatly appreciated. Please bring your donations to church on Sunday, November 27. They will be picked up on “Giving Tuesday”, November 29. Thank you so much!

Christmas Big Band Concert – Sunday, December 4, 2:30 p.m.

Friendship Club Outing Saturday, December 10

Dream City Church presents to you this Broadway-style musical theater performance features a full live orchestra and state-of-the-art technology with incredible special effects. Culminating in a beautiful nativity with a majestic kings’ procession, this year’s show includes exciting dance numbers, professional acrobatic silk artists, awe-inspiring aerial stunts, and so much more! A valley tradition showcasing the wonder of Christmas through music, dance, live animals, flying angels and more. This year’s production captures the magic of New York City during Christmas and the journey to find purpose.

Don’t miss out on Arizona’s Grand Christmas Spectacular this holiday season. Check-in time is Saturday, December 10 – at 1:30 p.m. Please meet in the North parking lot. We will travel to the Dream City Church, 13613 N. Cave Creek Road. We will have access to both church vehicles. If your prefer to drive yourself, we can caravan to Dream City Church. Contact Carolyn Cooper at 602.341.0131 or 602.943.3082, or Jan Hyde at 602.944.4817 or 602.625.5821 for tickets and information.

Parade Tickets!

The Junior High Youth are selling parking and seating passes for the Electric Light Parade between worshipservices each Sunday and in the church office on weekdays during regular office hours, through November 27. Parking passes are $7 in advance and $10 day of parade (if available). Seating is $5 in advance and $7 on the day of parade (if available). The parade is Saturday, December 3 and begins at 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit Junior High Youth mission work.

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If you love parades, there is no better way to kickoff the Fiesta Bowl than to celebrate by attending the annual parade that makes its way through 2 miles of Central Phoenix. The parade is Saturday, December 17 and starts at 10 a.m. We are selling tickets and parking passes in the church office every Sunday and during our regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. We have general admission tickets for $5 each, reserved seating tickets for $10 each and parking passes are $10 each. This is a fundraiser for our Senior High Youth Mission Program and they do not disappoint. Buy a ticket or twelve, get here early and buy everything from hot chocolate to bratwurst from our Senior High kids. If you need more information, please contact the office at 602.263.5013.

Christmas at First Church

Sundays, November 27 – December 18
9 a.m. – Contemporary Worship
11 a.m. – Traditional Worship

Join us for these special events

Sunday, December 4 – 2:30 p.m.
Let Heaven and Nature SWING! Kick off the season with a swingin’ 18 piece Big Band.

Sunday, December 11 – 11 a.m.
Handel’s Messiah presented by the First Church Concert Choir with orchestra and soloists.

Sunday, December 18 – Taste of Christmas, a light stand-up brunch between services.

Christmas Eve – Saturday, December 24
4 p.m. – Family Service – Let us share the Christmas story with your children at this family-friendly service.
7 p.m. – Traditional Candlelight Service – Filled with your favorite carols, this service is led by our Chancel Choir and magnificent pipe organ.

Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25 – 10 a.m.
Celebrate the Newborn King with carols, Christmas sweaters and a blessing of your favorite new toy!

Let’s Go Hiking!

Let’s get out and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather with a hike on Saturday December 3 at 7:30 a.m. Meet Tom Rice at the 32nd Street trailhead (dead end) south of Shea Blvd. (3201 E. Eva Phoenix,). We will head into the Phoenix Mountain Preserve for a modest 3 mile hike in the desert, suitable for most anyone. Hiking boots are always best due to uneven surfaces and rocks. Tennis shoes work ok too. This hike is doable for almost any age. Bring water and let’s do this! Questions? Tomriceaz@msn.com or 602.999.2465.

Electronic Giving

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 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 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!

PRAYER QUILTS IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex this morning is for Robert Cords. Robert is Nancy Maxwell’s twin brother. We invite you to stop, tie a knot and pray for healing, grace and comfort.
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex this morning is for Mary Beth Conrad. Mary Beth is Susan Sneathen’s friend. We invite you stop, tie a knot and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Lymm R. Wurth, Carolyn Allen, Dora Angle, Steve Barnes, Ron Brunson, Karlene Carlson, Bill Carpenter, Charlotte Carpenter, Ruth Clark, Hedy
Cunningham

SKILLED NURSING
Lynn R Wurth

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
Grant and Audrey Clayton, 12/03
Jeff and Gail Shank, 12/06
Joe and Marie Garber, 12/23
Don and Sandra Hillegass, 12/28

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80 or more birthdays)
Audrey Clayton, 11/29
Bob Young, 12/1
Buzz Stevens, 12/3
Clark Dove, 12/8

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Spirit Song UMF, Peoria; Sunrise UMC, Phoenix; Willowbrook UMC, Sun City