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.

Blood Drive – This Sunday, October 30

• This Sunday, October 30, 2022
• 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Bloodmobile will be in the north parking lot
• Appointments are recommended!
• Contact Stephanie Espinoza at (602)284-1258 or visit
  www.donors.vitalant.org (Blood Drive code: firstunited)

Trunk or Treat – This Sunday, October 30

Fall is here, join us for trunks, treats, and the dunk tank at the free Fall Festival this Sunday, October 30, 4 – 7 p.m.! Come dressed in your best Halloween Costume for games, prizes, and Trunk or Treat. Food and beverages will be available to purchase

There are two ways we are asking for your help:

1. If you would like to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat please call the church office to sign-up your decorated trunk.
2. Additionally, please donate candy at the back of the sanctuary for Trunk or Treat any Sunday morning before the event.

Invite your friends and we will see you all on October 30!

Christmas Greens

Again this year, the choirs of First Church are taking orders for Christmas Greens. Orders can be placed at the table on the patio during the month of October. If that isn’t convenient, you may call Don Richardson (602) 997-1205 to place the order. The greens sales benefit the music program at First Church, so please support the choir members.

Affordable Housing Symposium
(Watch-gathering Webinar)
Tomorrow, October 29, 1 – 4 p.m., Centennial Room

Courtesy of FACE, Faith and Community Empowerment, the issues of affordable and assessable housing will be presented along with how to utilize existing resources of buildings and land to be a part of the solution to extend ministry and community engagement while creating external revenue streams. To ensure enough seating, register by calling the church office at 602.263.5013.

United Women of Faith Program for Ukraine

Global Ministries and the District Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church are asking churches to join in setting the day of Sunday, November 6, 2022 as a Day of Prayer for Ukraine.

In addition to Sunday, November 6, our church and the United Women of Faith (UWF) are fortunate to have John Harapiak, a church member, share his family’s background and experience with Ukraine. This will be held on UWF’s regular monthly meeting day, Thursday, November 10, at 1:30 p.m. in Asbury Hall. This program will be open to all First Church members, family, friends and neighbors. Please join us to get better informed on the Ukraine situation. Any questions, please call Diane Gara-Weiner, 602-266-1732.

Bake Sale Sunday, November 6

United Women in Faith is once again returning to its annual bake sale to be held Sunday, November 6, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary breezeway. This year we will have tables on the patio for you to enjoy some of your goodies with complimentary coffee as well as taking some home. Take this opportunity to socialize with your fellow church members. We hope to see you there before, between, or even during worship services if you plan to attend another service. We thank you in advance for your support of this fund-raising project.

Thank You Pastor Denny Silk

As his time with First Church comes to close, we want to wish Pastor Denny our best as he moves into retirement. If you would like to help celebrate his almost 5 years with us and honor him, you are welcome to leave a thank you card, monetary gift, or token of appreciation in the office. If you are enclosing a check, please make your gift directly to Denny Silk. These will be given to Denny on his last Sunday which is November 20. We are all grateful for Denny’s leadership as he guided First Church through the difficult years of the Pandemic and into this next chapter where we have formalized our Vision Statement and are working on the Future Planning of First Church.

Let’s Go Hiking!

Let’s get out and enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather with a hike on Saturday November 5 at 7:30 a.m. Meet Tom Rice at 2357 E. Becker Lane Phoenix. We will head into the Phoenix Mountain Preserve for a modest 3.2 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. Doable for almost any age. Bring water and let’s do this! Questions? Tomriceaz@msn.com or (602) 999-2465.

Altar Flowers

You can request to provide altar flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one. Our altar flowers are $35 per arrangement. You can provide one or both arrangements for most Sundays with any dedication you choose. Please call Cathy Fuentes in the office at (602) 263-5013 x100 for more information.

PRAYER QUILT IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex this morning is for Zip Kileen. Zip is the cousin to Susan Sneathen. We invite you to stop, tie a knot and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Lynn Wurth, Carolyn Allen, Dora Angle, Steve Barnes, Ronald Brunson, Karlene Carlson, Bill Carpenter, Charlotte Carpenter, Ruth Clark, Hedy Cunningham

DEATH
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Cecil Cyrus Vaughn, Jr., who passed on October 22, 2022. Services are currently pending.

SKILLED NURSING
Lynn Wurth, Annetta Pike

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
Grant and Audrey Clayton, 11/3

SENIOR BIRTHDAYS (Celebrating 80 or more birthdays)
Rosemary Lutz, 10/31
Carole James, 10/25
Sarah Shafer, 11/3
Margie Voiles, 11/3

NEW MEMBERS
Roxanna Aldermann, Selena Aldermann, Kenneth (Guy) and Ariane berry, Dean and Kris Rennell, Rebecca Rennick, Sam and Kim Richard

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Shepherd of the Hills UMC, Sun City West; Shepherd of the Valley UMC, Phoenix; Spirit of Hope UMC, Peoria