Church Life Ministries

Tempe First UMC has an active fellowship group for couples and singles who are Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). They gather monthly for a variety of fun-filled activities. Newcomers are always welcome.

The Bible reminds us why we bring our children to church:

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Tempe First is a place where children and families are welcome. Children are included in worship as they learn alongside their parents. The sound of children brings joy to our hearts, and we love to teach, guide, and introduce them to the love of God.

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available each Sunday for our worship service. Two experienced child caregivers are in the nursery at all times. We provide a safe, loving and well-equipped environment for our youngest guests.

The 9:30 am service includes a Children’s Moment. Sunday School is available for elementary children after the children’s moment.

During our worship service, Our children volunteer to be part of our worship service as acolytes. At the beginning of the service, as they bring their lighted staffs into the sanctuary, they remind us of the light of the Holy Spirit coming to be present with us as we worship. As the acolytes take the light out of the sanctuary at the close of worship, they help us remember that we as Christians need to take this light into the world with us. Training is conducted for anyone who is interested in participating as an Acolyte. For more information about being an acolyte, please contact us.

Tempe First welcomes college students to join us for worship on Sunday mornings. College students participate in all aspects of our church life, including in worship leadership and leadership in church committees. Tempe First is surrounded by Arizona State University; our campus is a short walk from on campus housing.

In addition, Tempe First hosts Valley Wesley, a United Methodist Campus Ministry open to all college students.  Valley Wesley will be meeting Tuesdays for lunch (drop in between 11:15AM and 12:45PM) in Ross Hall on Tempe First’s campus.  During these lunches, students will build community with other students and strengthen their faith.  Our students are from diverse backgrounds.  We have both graduate and undergraduate students.  Some of our students are lifelong Methodist and others have no religious background.  Similarly, some of our students are Phoenix/Tempe natives, some are from other parts of the United States, and a large percentage are international students from half a dozen countries.  We value being in intentional dialogue and learning from others who have perspectives on life and faith that are different from our own. 

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Did you know that Tempe First is a Stephen Ministry church? This Christ-centered, caring ministry gives a person who is going through a crisis in their lives a care giver who they can talk with in a safe and confidential environment. Stephen Ministers are led by Cris Bass and Paul Sandilla. Care givers are available. You do not have to go through a crisis alone.

Stephen Ministry trains lay members of the church to provide short and long term support to people in need. Stephen Ministers are God’s representatives trained to work alongside our pastors to meet regularly with their care-receivers and to bring Christian love and spiritual support. Classes are held every two years to train new Stephen Ministers.

If you feel that you need the help of a Stephen Minister, or if you feel called to become involved as a caregiver, please contact the church office.

UWF is for women of all ages and interests. We meet in small fellowship groups — morning, afternoon or evening — on a monthly basis for fun and programs. Our purpose is to know God and experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, to develop a creative, supportive fellowship, and to extend the concept of missions through participation in global ministries of the church. All UWF groups are open to all women.

UWF sponsors the following groups:

Unity Circle This diverse group of women meets at 10 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month in Ross Hall. They support church outreach programs. They enjoy an active fellowship and often invite guest speakers to keep themselves informed.

Love Knots This group makes blankets with prayer and love to comfort sick church members and friends. They meet at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month in Ross Hall. They welcome new members and donations of fabric and funds.

UWF also sponsors several activities throughout the year:

The Annual Cookie Walk, held on the second Saturday in December, is a cookie sale extravaganza to benefit local outreach ministries for women & children.

The Four-Score & More Luncheon honors church members & friends who are 80 years old or older. It is held every February in Ross Hall.

Our UWF also offers receptions in Ross Hall for weddings and other occasions such as bereavement receptions, anniversaries, and birthday parties for church members.

Worship is the place where we come to know God in prayer, music, inspirational preaching, and meaningful time together as a community of faith. In worship we come to be touched by God’s presence and spirit. If you want to worship in a community where your mind is challenged, your faith is ignited, and your heart is prepared to go out into the world, then try worshiping with us!

 Our worship service can be accessed in person or online.  

 In Person – Sundays, beginning June 20, at 9:30 in the Sanctuary – Traditional worship for contemporary people featuring music of our adult sanctuary choir and praise band with hymns, praise songs and organ accompaniment. Our praise band leads worship once a month, typically every fourth Sunday of the month.  At this time, children will remain with their families in worship.  

Online- Zoom – Sundays at 8:00 AM – Join a Zoom gathering to watch the service with others.  After the service, there is a time of reflection on the sermon and a time to share prayer requests.  

Use this link to join.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93202669738?pwd=Nkh3S1l6OTYrVkJQVTU3KzdUbi9jQT09

Online – Anytime – You can also watch our Sunday services on our YouTube Channel.  

Come and find the presence of God as you worship with us.

Our church is actively involved in Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian group that works to provide decent, affordable housing for all people. Works teams from our church helped fund and build two homes as part of the “Mighty Methodist Habitat Coalition” this past year. Build dates are announced periodically and you are invited to help us construct the next home!

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Provides food for the community at Scales Technology Academy

Tempe First UMC also hosts UMOM’s Youth Resource Center. They provide services for homeless Young Adults ages 18-24. They provide free food, water, showers, hygiene and personal care items, and clothing. Case management, housing navigation, as well as the coordinated entry point for HUD housing programs such as Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing are also available at the Youth Resource Center. They are open from 12 to 3:30 p.m. every weekday. For further information, they may be contacted at 480-868-7527.