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

Afternoon Book Group

The Afternoon Book Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 1:30 p.m., in room 116. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 24. The book for October is The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Travis. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.

Food Pantry Donations

The shelves of our food assistance pantry are getting bare, and we are in need of the following items: empty grocery bags, cases of bottled water, Vienna sausage, tuna, soups, small jars of jelly and peanut butter (plastic jars), granola bars, individual snacks, saltine crackers, apple sauce, fruit cups, plastic spoons and forks. All cans must be pop top. If you are able to help with any of these items, please drop them off to the church office.

Community Yoga Class

First United Methodist Church is offering two weekly yoga classes to our community on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Classes meet on Tuesdays 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. The cost will be $12 per class or four classes for $40. Please bring your own yoga mat. Email the church office to register for a class and let us know what day you want to come.

Youth Mission Trip 2024

Junior and Senior High Youth

JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS
Our Junior High Students gather every Sunday morning for Sunday School, 10-11 a.m. Drop-off is in Room 103, and pick up is in Room 101.
Once a month Junior High join the Senior High students in the evening for a fun youth outing! If you would like to stay in the loop about when these evenings happen, please email Elise Nesper.

SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS
Our Senior High Students gather every Sunday morning for Sunday School, 10-11 a.m., in Room 103.
Youth Group happens for our Senior High students every Sunday evening, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in Room 103. New people are always welcome! If you have any questions, please email Elise Nesper.

Fall Festival – Sunday, October 29

Blood Drive Sunday, October 29

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.

United Women of Faith Bake Sale

United Women in Faith will hold their annual bake sale on Sunday, November 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be goodies to take home or enjoy at church, with complimentary coffee. Take this opportunity to socialize with fellow church members. Hope to see you there! All donations will be gratefully accepted. We thank you in advance for your support of this fund-raising project.

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!”

Friendship Club Outing

The Friendship Club is up and running with our first outing of the season. We are going on a one-hour tour at St. Mary’s Basilica in downtown Phoenix. We will learn the history and see the beauty of this historic church. This is a two-story structure with ramps and stairs, but no elevator. So, put on your walking shoes and join us on Tuesday, November 7 at 9:30 a.m. at First Church. The charge will be $5.00 for the tour followed by lunch at Olive Garden, Christown, at your expense.  Call Suzanne Haehl at 623-979-5449 or 623-221-6570 by Saturday, November 4.

A Note from our Foundation Board

This is National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Estate planning is more than just finances and inheritance. It’s about safeguarding what matters most and leaving a legacy for your loved ones. Whatever your age or stage in life, it is a good idea to think about and plan how your affairs will be handled.

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!