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, 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

Our Blood Drive Sunday, October 29

First Church Tutors Complete SIX Years of Helping Students Succeed

FIRST CHURCH OASIS Tutors are happy to report that we have completed Six years of tutoring with the Madison School District OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program! “The OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program is a nationally acclaimed non-profit organization that promotes literacy with a proven approach to help children in grades K-4 improve their reading, writing, and communication skills.” Mrs. Kim Gullo, Madison OASIS Tutor Facilitator, supports all tutors and encourages us to make a difference in a child’s life. “There is no such thing as a child who hates to read. There are only children who have not found the right book.” – Frank Serafini

Hence, for the 2023-2024 school year and forward, we are asking for volunteers to join our Tutoring Program to help students succeed. Would you prayerfully consider being a part of this great ministry? If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office at 602-263-5013 or Marie Morais Garber at 602-448-0419.

First Church extends thanks and appreciation to our dedicated tutors, who continue to make a difference in the educational lives of our students. Many thanks to our Pastor, leaders, and members who have helped to make the Tutoring Program a great success!
May God bless all of you.

In His Service,
Marie Morais Garber
FIRST CHURCH OASIS Tutor Coordinator

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” – I Peter 4:10

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!

The Dressmakers Sewing Group

This month, we delivered 33 dresses of varying sizes to be packed into Operation Christmas boxes. There were 440 dresses ready to be packed and sewn by groups and individuals around the valley. It brings a smile to our faces to know that we have helped to brighten the faces of girls at Christmas. The Foundation, “Dress A Girl Around the World,” has distributed over 300,000 dresses across the globe, all hand-sewn and created with love.

If you sew, we invite you to join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month to sew and chat in the Epworth Room from 10-noon. If you have fabric and are wondering why you bought it, please donate it, if it is appropriate for girls’ dresses. 100% cotton is preferred, but cotton/poly is also acceptable. Please call Peggy Ward if you have any questions at 623-847-5865.

We Need Your Help

Please consider hosting in one of the following ways:

1. Hosts are the friendly face of welcome. Hosts guide and assist visitors and guests, and help everyone feel at home. Hosts pass out bulletins, greet, and pass the offering plate. We are looking to recruit new faces. If you would like to serve as a host, please call the church office or email Cathy Fuentes.

2. Church 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, or make copies for the different classes that meet that morning. If you would like to host in the office, please call the church office or email Cathy Fuentes.

Thank you for giving your time and talents to help your church community!

Electronic Giving

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!