DECEMBER 2020/

JANUARY 2021

Special points of

interest:

Electronic giving

Publication Deadline

Spire Deadline

Annoucements 2

Online Events 3

Birthday &

Anniversary Corner 4-5

Inside this issue:

Volume 51, Issue 7

@FirstChurchMesa

Download our

FUMC Mesa app!

www.firstchurchofmesa.com

THE

SPIRE

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR Isaiah 40:1-5 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

The season of Advent is upon us! This the season in which we look hopefully toward the birth of our Savior, the Christ child on Christmas day. The season is marked by hope, love, joy and peace as we wait expectantly for the arrival of the “light” of the world to enter into the darkness that our lives can often experience. We look forward to the “new life” that is offered in a renewed encounter with God, and a fulfilment of God’s promises of restoration and reconciliation.

The scripture from the prophet Isaiah was a reminder of God’s promises to the Israelite people who had suffered so many times of tribulation and struggle. It’s a promise of God’s restorative power providing comfort in a time of turmoil that if the people should heed the cry, and “prepare a way,” that the LORD will make everything “normal.” There is a promise that all of God’s people will see this time of restoration together. This is just the type of message that we need during this Advent season! We need to know that God is making all things “normal.”

We can rest assured in the promises of God just as the Israelite people did so many years ago. We know that God has seen our time of suffering and will fulfil the promise of restoration. God is faithful to God’s promises as we “prepare the way” to receive God’s blessings.

During this season of Advent let us prepare the way for the coming of the Lord by attending to Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace with one another. Let’s keep the hope that God is still at work among us and knows our fears and concerns. Let’s keep love for God and love for one another, although it may be difficult during this time of social distancing. Let’s keep the joy of the Lord in our hearts as we look toward the joy of Christmas day and the light of the world coming into the darkness. Let’s keep the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, as the peace that sustains us. Let’s be reminded that God will restore all things!

God bless you all through Advent and into Christmas! Rev. Khalif A. Smith Sr. Pastor

http://fumcmesa.org/

Page 2

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHURCH OFFICE

HOURS

M-TH:

9 am to 3 pm

PH: 480-969-5577

(currently closed

due to COVID 19

but phone will be

answered during

office hours)

Missions Team Update The Clothing Closet, POWWOW, UMW & Ugly Quilt Group: These ministries require occupation on the church campus so are all on hold at the present time due to the COVID-19.

Save the Family: Items needed for Christmas gifts for teens are earbuds, simple jewelry, gift cards, etc. They continue to be in need of household items like kitchenware and sheets (queen and twin).

Blessing Bags for the needy: As of this printing these items are needed:

Travel size grooming items, snack items, water & Gatorade. Thanks from the Missions Team to all who donated in 2020.

Tithes & Offerings We understand that these are very challenging times which are putting a tremendous financial strain on many of us. We are asking that you continue to support the church financially as you are able. Please continue to make your contributions via mail or online:

Option 1. Mail to: 15 E 1st Ave Mesa AZ 85210

Option 2. Online at: https://pushpay.com/g/firstunitedmethodistchurchofmesa

Option 3. By Text: Text the word firstchurchmesa to 77-977

Option 4. Direct bank payment: Send payments to First United Methodist Church of Mesa through your online banking (may require some setup through your bank).

Reach Out The Advent Season looks a bit different this year. Although we are not able to meet in person, please take the time to call and check on other church members, friends and family who may be feeling alone during this time. When we reach out to others in love, we extend the hand of God! SPRC After over ten years of dedication and service to First Church, Katie Mozurkewich, our Office Administrator, has decided to begin a new chapter in her professional life. We have been so blessed to have her as part of the First Church staff. Katie's skills, talents, kindness and commitment will be greatly missed. We wish her all the best and thank God for the blessing she has been to our church. Katie’s last day will be December 26. In Appreciation It has been my very real pleasure to work for First UMC of Mesa for over 12 years. First in the preschool for two years, then as your Administrator for over ten. I feel as though so many of you have become not only my friends, but family. It is with much sadness, but also eagerness for the future, that I must end my employment with First Church; and begin my exciting new career in real estate. Paul and I will always consider ourselves a part of the First Church family, and we can't wait for the day when we can all be together again. God bless you and keep you. Katie Mozurkewich, EXP Realty www.agentAZmoz.com

Page 3

Publication Deadlines

Sunday Bulletins /

Announcements

Wednesday Noon

Spire Deadline

January 10th

ONLINE EVENTS

Page 4

Electronic Giving

Electronic giving is a

direct debit program

where your contribution

is debited automatically

from your checking or

savings account, either

weekly or monthly. This

is an easy way to fulfill

your stewardship

commitment, even when

you are unable to attend

church. You can pick up

an authorization form in

the church office, and

talk to our finance

secretary for further

details. CHECK OUT our

new option to give with

a debit/credit card on

our website at

firstchurchofmesa.com

or on the

First Church Mesa app.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

12/01 Hakaumotu, Lima

12/01 Tongring, James

12/02 Duffey, Marie

12/02 Jones, Gabriel

12/02 Ogawa, Al

12/04 Rizzo, Chloe

12/05 Kuck, Aaron

12/06 Gorin, Janet

12/06 Portis, Joseph

12/06 Tinsley, Jordyn

12/07 Adams, Asher

12/07 Downin, Don

12/07 Placko, Eden

12/07 Robinson, Kevin

12/09 Haines, Lois

12/09 Harris, Jeff

12/09 Schreiber, Mason

12/09 Stevens, Ben

12/10 Connolly, Cynthia

12/10 Peck, Jean

12/12 Neher, Carolyn

12/14 Cummings-John, Harriet

12/15 Hitchcock, Sheila

12/17 Lewis, Pete

12/18 Ripley, Pam

12/20 Carbone, James

12/20 McBride, Joyce

12/20 Miller, Sonny

12/20 Robinson, Scott

12/21 Wheeler, Doris

12/22 Dodds-Horey, Barbara

12/22 Kirby, Lorraine

12/22 Mozurkewich, Nova

12/22 Sellers, Winter

12/23 Ramsey, Malia

12/23 Tripoli, Lillian

12/25 Ramsey, Michelle

12/25 Robinson, Laura

12/27 Blais, Tracy

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

12/05 Thompson, Alan & Vicki

12/14 Rennick, Amanda & Phil

12/27 Schreiber, Corrie & Mason

12/27 Stockwood, Randall & Terry Wilson

12/28 Boggess, Barbara & Ken

12/27 Parker, Wendy

12/29 Gardner, Kevin

12/29 McTevia, Richard

12/30 Green, Marie

12/30 Jones, Janna Jennison

Page 5

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

01/01 Bell, Anna

01/01 Robinson, Justin

01/03 Vossler, Rebekah

01/04 Buscas, Isabella

01/04 Craig, Rachael

01/04 Kilgore, Sue

01/04 O'Neal, John

01/05 Sublett, Naomi

01/08 Cummings, Geoff

01/08 Lewis, Tom

01/09 Friederich, John

01/10 Woodcock, Amanda

01/13 Day, Ella

01/13 Ferguson, Debbie

01/14 Royer, Jaden

01/15 Snodgrass, Joshua

01/18 Phillips, Matt

01/19 Sikalu, Sepi

01/20 Ramirez-Davis, JoAnn

01/20 Sikalu, Ruby

01/20 Snodgrass, Adam

01/20 Woodcock, Jaxon

01/21 Lackore, Cecil

01/21 Standage, Caleb

01/21 Standage, Kyle

01/22 Chenier, Larry

01/22 Haines, Dylan

01/24 Barber, Anson

01/24 Barber, Ayla

01/24 Hansen, Cindy

01/24 Likens, Matt

01/27 Parker, Jessie

01/28 Schreiber, Warren

01/30 Portis, Devon

01/31 Fendelander, Paul

JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES

01/06 Huffer, Jeannine & Carroll

01/10 Simpson, Lisa & John

01/24 Miller, Herb & Carol

It’s not too late to mail in your

2021 pledge cards!