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.

Friendship Club Outing

The Friendship Club has made arrangements to get together again this year on Sunday, October 16 at 3 p.m. for an organ concert with Ron Rhode playing his theatre organ in his home. We will need to shuttle ticket holders to Ron’s house from the First Church parking lot, returning around 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. Refreshments will be served.

Please contact Jan Hyde at 602-944-4817 or Carolyn Cooper at 602-943-3082 for reservations.

Blood Drive – Sunday, October 30

• 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)

Youth Group Reminder

As a reminder this Sunday:

Choir at 4:30 p.m.
Youth Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth Program at 6 p.m.

Meeting parents and youth this past Sunday was a highlight for me. Thank you for your encouragement, support, and consideration during this season of transition. I believe we’ll persevere.

Thank you to Jose, Rachel, Aaron, and Caitlin for their leadership. There is a need for evening dinner sign-ups and also extra adult presence in Sunday school. Please contact Rachel, Jose, or Aaron for further details.

My prayers are with you for this week and for the month ahead as we growth in spirit to be a place where God’s goodness and grace is for anyone.

My best to you,
Pastor David

First Church Completes Five Years Helping Students

First Church Tutors are happy to report that we have completed FIVE years of tutoring with the Madison School District OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program! Many thanks to all First Church tutors who have helped make a difference in the educational lives of our students. Our Tutoring Program continues to thrive despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021-2022 school year, the OASIS Tutoring Program introduced tutoring done on-line via “Google Meet” virtual meetings. All tutors were also able to stay connected with each other, and with OASIS officials including our own Mrs. Kim Gullo, Madison OASIS Tutor Facilitator, by participating in Zoom virtual meetings.

We are looking forward to continuing the OASIS Tutoring Program for the 2022-2023 school year. Tutors will be back in-person to mentor students. For the safety of our tutors and students, great safety precautions have already been put in place! There is still time to sign up to be a Tutor. Training for new tutors is September 27 and 28, 2022, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. If you would like to share in this great ministry, or have any questions, please contact: Marie Morais Garber at 602-448-0419.

First Church extends thanks and appreciation to our pastors, all tutors, and other church members who have helped over the past five years (see below) to make the First Church OASIS Tutoring Program a success. May God bless all of you.

Patricia Barnes (F), Joanne Lynch (F), Jerry Collins (F), Patty Morgan (C), Nancy Dillon (F), Bethyl Pearson (F), Marie Morais Garber (C), Nancy Phillipi (F), Karen Horton (C), Gail Reiley (F), Pastor Denny Silk, Larron Horton (C), Scott Holcomb (Board member), Hud Huddleston (F), Jill Huddleston (C), Delores Smith (F), Jane Scott (ELD Coach), Jaimie Jeffries (C), Carol Vecchi (C), Patricia Jones (F), Donna Wright (C)

(C) Current
(F) Former

In His Service,
Marie Morais Garber, First Church Tutor Coordinator
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received, to serve others…” I Peter 4:10

Youth Choir is Here!

Looking for a way to share your talents with our church? Come check out our First Youth Choir! Open to all youth grades 6-12, we perform in worship about once per month. We rehearse Sundays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in Room 106. For more information contact Dr. Elizabeth Leyva at elizabeth@firstchurch.church. No musical experience is necessary, just a willingness to make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Future Planning Update

The Future Planning Committee is committed to communication. Here is some news you can use!

The ‘Future at First’ Congregational Gathering on August 14 was a success! We set-up chairs for 48 folks to attend, but 93 of you showed-up in person and 8 of you were in the Zoom Room. After some brief presentations from our committee, we heard many helpful comments and questions from attendees. Pastor David was our host with the most and Pastor Denny closed us out with great comments on our progress. If you missed the event, it was recorded. You can contact Russ Morrow in the church office for the recording.

Joe Jensen, our lead consultant from The Barna Group, was on campus August 18 and 19. He then joined our Future Planning Committee meeting by Zoom on August 22. After listening to our First Church community through focus groups, congregational and youth assessments, lots of prayer and planning, Joe and our staff have crafted a new Vision Statement. It’s still in draft form, but the rollout is coming soon. Joe Jensen and Pastor David met with Beckie Humphrey and the gang at Weekday School. There is good alignment, energy, and synergy with First Church and Weekday School. This relationship goes way back and everyone is excited to get to work on making it stronger.

The search for our Next Generation Ministry Director is in full force. We have received 10 applications. Pastor Denny and Pastor David will begin initial Zoom interviews with 6 of the candidates. However, the search is still on! We are committed to being patient with the process until we find the right person. In the interim, the pastors, staff, and parents are being high-energy and supportive of the youth leaders and youth. Kickoff Sunday will be August 28 with “Stump the (New) Pastor Night”. (New) Pastor David will treat the group to dinner that night.

We also want to give Russ and the team that assisted him on updating and rolling-out the new and improved website. WOW!

Would You Like to Help?

We need volunteers! Please consider volunteering in one of the following ways:

• Hosts are the friendly face of welcome. Hosts guide and assist visitors and guests and help everyone feel they belong. If you would like to serve as a host, please contact Cathy in the church office.
• Liturgists are the voice of worship. Liturgists invite us into celebration and bring the word of God to the people of God. If you would like to serve as a liturgist, please contact Karen Champagne.
• Pew Pocket Crew makes sure our pews are neatly stocked with “I’m Here” cards, Blue Prayer Cards and other important information. If you would like to serve on the Pew Pocket Crew, please contact Cathy in the church office.
• Front Office help is needed for Sunday mornings for both services. You will be able to listen to the worship service. You might greet people walking through, answer phones, take messages, direct office traffic, receive offerings and donations of all sorts, make copies for the different classes that meet that morning. If you would like to volunteer in the office, please contact Cathy  in the church office.

Thank you for stepping up to help your church community!

Top 10 Reasons to Sing with the Chancel Choir

10. You don’t have to dress up on Sunday morning – the robe hides a lot!
9.  Singing is good for your body – it reduces stress and helps you live a longer, happier life.
8.  You have a guaranteed seat for Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 11!
7.  Singing is good for your brain – it improves memory and overall brain function.
6.  The ushers never pass the collection plate through the choir loft.
5.  Singing is good for your spirit – it can lift you above your daily problems and concerns.
4.  You have an iron-clad excuse to get away from your crabby spouse – at least twice a week.
3.  You get to hang out with the coolest members of the congregation.
2.  It’s exactly like singing in the shower, except you’re wearing clothes and people are actually listening.
1. The Bible commands it! – Sing praises to God, sing praises; Sing praises to our King, sing praises! – Psalm 47:6

The Chancel Choir sings during the 11 a.m. traditional worship service. We rehearse each Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. This is a non-auditioned choir that welcomes anyone who loves to sing. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, August 24 at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Joshua Elder.

First Praise Choir is Back

Come be part of our modern worship choir – an intergenerational group of singers that leads worship at the 9 a.m. Contemporary Service! Rehearsals are held every Thursday night at 6 p.m. in the Choir Room. We perform special songs and lead worship at the 9 a.m. Worship Service about once a month. If you love the vibe and the energy of the First Praise Band, and you love to sing – this choir is for you! For more information, contact Joshua Elder.

Do You Need a Ride?

Do you need a ride? Our Transportation Ministry is up and running. This service is currently available for the 11 AM worship time. In order to confirm your seat please contact the church office at 602- 263-5013 by Wednesday of each week. To cancel this service we ask that you let us know your plans have changed by Friday. The contact person for this offering is Renae McKee.

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 Mike Vaughn, son of Cy Vaughn and brother of Katie Fielder. We invite you to stop, tie a knot and pray for healing, grace and comfort.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SPECIAL CARE
Bonnie Rheaume, Bobbie Rudd, Joann Sapp, Susan Secrest, Betty Slonaker, Jeannette Smith, Jane Suddarth, Bev Sutton, Brenda Unsworth, Jim
Unsworth

DEATHS
We are sad to announce the death of Mary Steed Bass on September 19, 2022. A memorial service was held for Mary on September 23, 2022. We are sad to announce the death of JoAn Hand on September 14, 2022. A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES (Celebrating 50 or more years of marriage)
Jim and Jan Hyde 9/2 Bob and Connie Bailes 9/9

SENIOR MILESTONES (Celebrating 80 or more birthdays)
Jean Oliver, 9/25 Jeannette Smith, 9/30

ALTAR FLOWERS
Given in memory of Mary Steed Bass

PRAYERS FOR OUR CHURCHES
Trinity UMC, Phoenix; Trinity UMC, Yuma; Sedona UMC