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.

First Church Kids

Come and join the fun at Kids Church during the 9 a.m. service! The children start with worship in the Sanctuary at 9 a.m. Then, after the children’s message, our incredible leaders will guide them to their groups by age. Parents are welcome to walk with us. At the end of the service, children can be picked up from the following locations:

Greenhouse (6 months to 3 years old) – Room 109
Cubbyhouse (3 years old to Pre-K) – Room 222
Fun House (K-2nd grade) – Room 221
Lighthouse (3rd grade to 5th grade) – Room 102

Advent Book Read with Pastor David

Join Pastor David during Advent as we explore the book, “The Women of Christmas.” In this special season we’ll journey in the footsteps of three women whose hearts belong to God. Elizabeth is barren, yet her trust in God remains fertile. Mary is betrothed in marriage, yet she is willing to bear God’s son. Anna is a widow full of years, yet she waits patiently, prayerfully for the Messiah to appear in the temple courts. From the author of “Bad Girls of the Bible,” Liz Curtis Higgs provides a fresh approach to the birth narrative of Jesus in preparation for Christmas. This study meets Thursdays starting November 30 then December 7, 14, 21, from 10:30 a.m. -12 noon in Wesley Lounge. Check your favorite book distributor for a copy. Register by calling or emailing the church office, 602-263-5013.

Order Your Poinsettia Today

Help proclaim the coming of Christ through the beauty of poinsettias in the chancel of the sanctuary. The cost is $17 each and the deadline for placing your
order is Monday, December 18. Order your Christmas Poinsettia to by calling the church office at 602.263.5013 or by using the order slip in the Sunday worship bulletin.

Helping the Stranger, Our Neighbor

After fleeing their dangerous countries, immigrants arrive at our border with almost nothing. In Phoenix, the Border Patrol transports these families to the IRC Welcome Center for processing. Approximately 170-220 people arrive daily. They usually stay one or two nights before moving on to join family, friends, or sponsors. At the Welcome Center, they receive Covid vaccines, meals, showers, a place to charge their phones, safety and new-to-them shoes and clothing. The facility is in great need of new or gently used shoes and clothing for men, women, children, and infants. First Church is holding a donation drive on Sunday, November 12. Please drop off your gifts at the church office. At this time, no summer or XL clothing is needed. Thank you so much!

The Table Adult Sunday School Class

This class is a diverse, casual, and welcoming group of people. It’s a great class whether you’re new to your faith journey or a seasoned veteran. Our discussion topics are always changing, the class is loosely structured, and no homework is required. We meet outside of class socially and have a goal of volunteering to serve the community quarterly. Join us in room 116!

Faith for Today Adult Sunday School Class

Our class is a friendly, welcoming group. We meet to enhance our Christian beliefs and practices and how we can apply them to our everyday living. Our goals include outreach to fulfill local community needs and even beyond. We meet in Centennial Room between services.

Christmas Greens

The time has come to order your Christmas greens! Members of the choirs at FUMC are taking orders. These are aromatic evergreens from the Chehalis Valley in Washington State. You may order greens from the patio on Sunday morning or call Don Richardson at 602.997-1205.

NEW Water Bottle Filling Stations

We have two new water bottle filling stations on our church campus. Both provide chilled filtered water for your water bottles. One is located in the breezeway outside Rooms 106 and 107 near the northwest corner of the interior grass courtyard, and the other is located between Asbury Hall, Centennial Room, and the kitchen. Give them a try and “Fill-R-Up!”

Parade Tickets are Now Available

A Taste of Christmas is Coming Soon

Bakers and hosts wanted! Please volunteer to help with this fun event on Sunday, December 17, between services. Bakers can bring their favorite holiday cookies for everyone to try. Volunteers can help with coffee and a bit of setup. Please email Cathy Rice or call 602-291-0959 to volunteer.

Finish Strong – Help Meet Our Financial Obligations in 2023

In a good week, when I am feeling healthy, the family is safe, the world is not too wild, I am glad to celebrate at this church. It is beautiful here, the music fills my soul, the words inspire. I can greet, and hug and enjoy. But the tough times do come – illnesses, sadness, fear, pain – our world out of balance, and then I realize that I need to come to church. I need to see good people doing the best that they can. I need to be inspired or assisted or simply loved. Here at First Church, we are healed and nurtured and cared for. And what can we do to repay the care and love and guidance? We can be ready to help, to listen, to volunteer, to give what others may need. And, at the end of a year of wonderful and interesting challenges, it is really up to us, to me, to acknowledge all we receive, to channel our gratitude and joy into a financial gift that will assist all who assist us. When we need help, First Church is here. When First Church needs help, it is a blessing to give. Now is the time.

– Dixie Swan, Church Council Chair

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!