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.

Fall Festival – Sunday, October 27

Volunteer to decorate your vehicle’s trunk or be a helper 

First Sunday Social Hour

Please join us for our First Sunday Social Hour Gathering between services at 10 a.m. in Wesley Lounge. This is a time to mingle and talk about what’s going on or how you can serve at First Church. We look forward to seeing you!

Youth Choir

Calling all youth who like to sing! First Youth Singers is back in session. All youth in 6th-12th grades are invited to join us for rehearsals on Sundays in Room 106 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. before youth group. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Leyva.

Axios Unaltered

Axios Unaltered is our resident queer small group that meets every week here at the church for a time of discussion, Bible study, and prayer, as well as service projects to support the community. If you are LGBTQ+, please join us on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. to connect with other like-minded individuals and grow in your faith. Contact Sammi Burkhart or search @axiosunaltered on social media for more information.

Blood Drive Sunday, October 27

• Sunday, October 27, 2024
• 8 a.m. – noon
• The 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)

Attention Business Owners!

We are starting up a business directory for all church members to receive a complimentary listing if they are self-employed, an independent contractor, or a business owner. This will be a classified ad-style listing with one sentence about what you do, including your contact information. This will enable our members to support one another when looking for a business professional. Please email info@firstchurch.church with your information if you would like to be included.

Foundation Celebration Sunday, October 20

Platinum is one of the rarest metals. Platinum is also the traditional metal for celebrating a 70th anniversary, symbolizing endurance, strength and lasting values. Just like Our First Church Foundation! Mark your calendars to gather to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Our Foundation on October 20. We will begin with a single church service at 10:00 a.m. and gather in Asbury Hall to celebrate at 11:00 a.m. It will be a time of fellowship, food and gratitude. Please RSVP to Cathy Fuentes at 602-263-5013 x100 or online by September 30. And in case you didn’t know, chrysanthemums are the traditional flower for a 70th celebration!

Christmas Greens

Once again, this year the members of the music program at FUMC are taking orders for fragrant Christmas greens from Washington state. You may order wreaths, centerpieces, swags, or cones. Interested? You may order through the month of October. Check-in at the table on the patio or call Don Richardson at 602-997-1205.

Young Adults Small Group

Join our brand new young adult ministry. Teens out of high school, twenty-somethings, and thirty-somethings are invited to this new group meeting each week on Sundays at 3 p.m. in Room 102 for Bible study, prayer, and connection. Prepare to be challenged and dive deeply into the Word of God. Let’s take our faith to the next level!

Volunteers Needed for our Tutoring Program

Please join a group of FUMC tutors who assist and support students, Kindergarten – 4th grade, in the Madison School District OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program. Please contact Marie Morais Garber at 602-448-0419 for more information.

United Women of Faith – Eve Circle

All women are invited to join the Eve Circle for an evening with Jessica Morris, our new Community Engagement and Outreach Director. She also works
with Children and Junior High Groups. Refreshments will be served, and an opportunity to meet the Eve Circle members and hear Jessica’s plans for the
future. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. in Wesley Lounge.

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 22.
The book for October is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Gamus. We welcome all who love to read and discuss and travel the world through books.

Prayers for the Congregation

PRAYER QUILT IN THE NARTHEX
A prayer quilt displayed in the Narthex this morning is for Ross Balderas. Ross is the neighbor of Diane Raden. We invite you to stop, tie a knot, and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Loraine Stewart, Jane Suddarth, Bev Sutton, Twyla Thompson, Brenda and Jim Unsworth, Elizabeth Vick, Bob Young, Selena Alderman, Carolyn Allen

DEATH
First Church is saddened to announce the death of Marjorie Johnson, who passed on September 30, 2024. Services will be scheduled in the future.

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80 or more birthdays)
John Beaver 10/6 John Reinhold 10/8 Maurie Helle 10/10

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

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) 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 or credit 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!

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.