APRIL 2019

Special points of

interest:

Electronic giving

Publication

Spire Deadline

Altar flowers

Church calendar

Preaching Schedule 2

Church Council News 2

Youth News 2

Announcements 2-3

Birthday &

Anniversary Corner 4

Dinner Menu 4

Calendars 5

Inside this issue:

Volume 50, Issue 3

@FirstChurchMesa

Download our

FUMC Mesa app! www.firstchurchofmesa.com

THE

SPIRE

REFLECTIONS FROM PASTOR MEL

Recently, I, along with others in the Mesa faith community, have been invited

to the City of Mesa Interfaith Breakfast on April 9th. This is always a wonderful opportunity to meet and network with other faith leaders, but this year our gathering has a specific purpose. We will be discussing the recent uptick in teen suicides in the East Valley along with best practice ways to address adolescent mental health, specifically focusing on ways the faith community can be more involved. Dr. Ember Conley, Mesa Public School Superintendent and Consultant Katie McPherson will be joining us to share their insights. Last October the East Valley Tribune reported that 31 East Valley teenagers have completed suicide in the past 15 months – including five since Aug. 30, 2018. Many are working towards developing a community-wide approach to deter teen suicide. McPherson envisions a coalition of schools, city governments, law enforcement agencies and faith-based organizations working collaboratively to deliver the same message about emotional wellness and teaching parents and other adults how to recognize the warning signs of suicidal ideation. See the newspaper article here:

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/teen-suicides-in-months-fuels-alarm-in-ev/article_7038d252-cf64-11e8-8765-abf84bf9e713.html

Perhaps it is fitting that this crisis is being addressed during this Lenten and Easter season. After all, as we mediate on the events of Holy Week with Palm Sunday, Gethsemane and then Good Friday, it all leads to a very somber and depressing conclusion. The cross, as much as we might admire it today, was originally a symbol of the rejection of Jesus and his death. If the story of Jesus ended on Good Friday, then most likely there would have been no Christian movement - and no hope. But as Tony Compolo reminds us, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!” On Friday, Jesus was nailed dead on a cross; Mary cried her eyes out; the disciples hid themselves; evil reared its head and roared! If the story would have ended there, well, our Sundays wouldn’t have ever happened. But Sunday did come. There was a resurrection which has for generations given hope to people in all times and places. There was power in the resurrection and there was hope. Why is this important? Because the resurrected Jesus offers and is able to give hope to a world that desperately needs it. A sympathetic ear, a sense of trust, and a whisper of hope needs to be made known to teens who have lost hope. Keep you eyes and ears open, you might just be able to provide that hope when it is most needed to some-one who needs it the most during this Easter season.

Pastor Mel

Page 2

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 Sia Sikalu for

further details.

CHECK OUT our new

option to give with a

debit/credit card on

our website at firstchurchofmesa.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Preaching Schedule: April 7 Guest Speakers: 9:00 am Rev. Anna Bell 11:30 am Rock Robinson

April 14 Passion/Palm Sunday 9:00 am Mark 15:21-32 “An Unexpected Encounter” 11:30 am Mark 15:33-41 “Nail it to the Cross”

April 18 Holy Thursday 7:00 pm “I Was There - “The Emotions of Gethsemane”

April 19 Good Friday 7:00 pm “Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness” Presented by the Chancel Choir

April 21 Easter Sunday 6:30 am Sunrise Service Guest Speaker: Johnn Elmore, Global Ministries missionary, Chile 9:00 am Mark 16:1-8 & I Corinthians 15:12-19 “Bending towards Hope” 11:30 am Mark 16:1-8 “Bending towards Light”

April 28 Matthew 28:16-020 9:00 & 11:30 am “Go to Galilee”

All events take place Sundays nights

from 5 to 7 p.m. in the FLC and include a meal unless otherwise noted. April 7th Church Picnic at Pioneer Park Ramada 2 10:30 am-1:00 pm

April 14th Cook a meal together for the clients at Save the Family

April 21st Easter—No Youth

April 28th Everyone Has a Story

Friday May 3rd Lock in 7 pm-7 am

CHURCH OFFICE

HOURS

M-TH:

9 am to 2 pm

PH: 480-969-5577

Welcome Pastor Kalif & Family!

Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata has appointed The Rev. Khalif Akil Smith, Sr. as our senior pastor, starting July 1, 2019. Khalif was raised in New York City from birth until age 18. Son of of a United Methodist

pastor, he served numerous positions in the Church from acolyte to Sunday school teacher. As a young adult he worked at United Methodist Church camps as a coun-selor, served community youth as a men-tor, served as a youth delegate at New York Annual Conference and worked with homeless shelters and senior living facilities throughout the New York metropolitan area. He moved to Georgia in 1991 to attend college.

Khalif attended DeVry University where he completed a B.S. in Telecommunications Management and also one in Information Technology, and went on to complete a M.I.T (Master of Information Technology) degree at American Intercontinental University.

Khalif decided to answer God’s calling on his life in 2006. He is a graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University having completed a Master of Divinity degree in May of 2011.

Khalif has served as the lead pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, as Associate Pastor of Dacula United Methodist Church, and as senior pastor of Clarkston United Methodist Church, in the North GA Conference. He has served as the senior pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada for the last 5 years. Khalif’s family consists of his wife Nikki and his children Cassie, Khalif II, Asti, and Zoe, who are all very supportive and active in his ministry. Khalif has a strong sense of purpose and passion for spreading the Gospel, as well as a deep dedication to God, family and community.

During this time of transition, please remember to keep Rev. Smith, his wife, Nikki, and their family, as well as the people of Trinity UMC in Las Vegas and our own congregation in prayer.

FUMC Annual Spring Picnic Join us April 7 at Pioneer Park, Ramada 3 for lunch, fellowship games, a bounce house & Easter egg hunt! Grilled burgers, hotdogs and fixings will be served starting at noon. You may bring a dessert to share if you wish. See you then!

Page 3

Publication

Deadlines

Sunday Bulletins /

Announcements

Wednesday Noon

Spire Deadline

All articles to be

submitted to the church

office no later than

April 10th

(Holidays and vacations may

advance or delay these dead-

lines by a day or two.)

Flowers

To place flowers on the

Lord’s Table in honor or

memory of someone

special contact the

Church Office at

480-969-5577

4/14 Palm Sunday 9:00 am 4/18 Maundy Thursday 7:00 pm 4/19 Good Friday 7:00 pm Tenebrae: A Service of Darkness by Hal Hopson Presented by the Chancel Choir 4/21 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service 6:30 am Traditional Service 9:00 am Coffee House Worship 11:30 am

Breakfast served 7:30 to 9:00 am & 10:00 to 11:30 am

Nursery care will be available for all services except Sunrise.

Easter at

First Church

Sunday, April 21st

Easter Breakfast 7:30 - 9:00 am &

10:00 - 11:30 am Pancakes with sausage

Fellowship Hall

Donations will be

accepted as a fundraiser

for Save the Family

Page 4

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

4/01 Foster, Wanda

4/01 Robinson, Joshua

4/03 Dettman, Douglas

4/03 Tatom, Emma

4/04 Berg, Virginia

4/04 Chapman, Trevor

4/05 Beyers, Rob

4/05 Bunning, Rachel

4/05 Mehrer, Lily

4/05 Thompson, Noah

4/06 Adams, Lynn

4/06 Kovalsky, Virginia

4/06 Mehrer, Elaina

4/07 Wise, Barbara

4/08 Simpson, Lisa

4/09 Montgomery Lynsey

4/10 Kuck, Jordan

4/10 Kuck, Megan

4/11 Beyers, Dorothy

4/12 Kerr, William

4/14 Weatherbee, Carole

4/15 Hayden, Jon

4/15 Portis, Yolanda

4/17 Hakaumotu, Fituilea

4/18 Ferguson, Jerry

4/18 Garrison, James

4/19 Mayberry, Eryn

4/20 Elliott, Laura

4/20 Kaleopa, Kassidy

4/20 Woodcock, John Carlos

4/21 Gorin, Tanya

4/21 Hansen, Nicholle

4/21 Kirby, John

4/22 Jordan, Kerry

4/23 Elliott, Thomas

4/24 Leathers, April

4/25 Desenberg, Sharon

4/26 Clute, Robert

4/26 Leathers, Debbie

4/26 Owens, Charline

4/27 Arthur, Phyllis

4/27 Smith, Emily

4/28 Krouse, Eric

4/29 Scott, Doug

4/30 Carbone, Kelly

4/30 Fransen, Laura

4/30 Hill, Eva

4/30 Kuck, Sara

Kids pre-school thru 6th grade are invited to

join us for children’s worship after the

Children’s Moments in the 9 am service.

Pick-up after church in Room D.

Please note: First Kids does not meet on the 1st Sunday of each

month so that children can spend

Communion Sunday in worship with their

families.

4/03 Pineapple Chicken 4/10 Sloppy Joe’s 4/17 Tuna Casserole 4/24 Burgers 5/01 Breakfast Burrito

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

Valenzuela, Michael & Amber

Richgels, Cheryl & Tom

Verdugo, Favio & Christina

O'Neal, Dottie & John

Page 5

2019 Calendar of Events

April 4/7 Church Spring Picnic 4/7 UMCOR Special Offering 4/14 Palm/Passion Sunday 4/18 Maundy Thursday 7 pm 4/19 Good Friday Service 7 pm 4/21 Easter Sunday 4/22 Office Closed—Holiday

May 5/12 Mother’s Day 5/19 Graduate Recognition 5/27 Office Closed—Holiday

June 6/3-7 Vacation Bible School 6/13-16 Annual Conference 6/16 Father’s Day 6/22-7/1 Youth Mission Trip 6/30 Summer Reception/ Farewell to Pastor Mel

July 7/4 Office Closed—Holiday

August 8/4 Blessing of the Backpacks 8/25 Ice Cream Social/ Staff Recognition

September 9/2 Office Closed—Holiday

October 10/4-10/6 All Church Camp 10/6 World Communion Sunday 10/20 Hymn Sing & Potluck 10/26 Trunk or Treat 5-7 pm

November 11/3 All Saints Sunday 11/25 Foster Youth Dinner 11/28 Office Closed—Holiday 11/30 Hanging of the Greens

December 12/1 Advent Begins 12/8 Christmas Cantata 12/15 Cookies & Craft Receiption 12/24 Christmas Eve Activities 7 pm Choir Service 8 pm Live Nativity 11 pm Candlelight Service 12/25-26 Office Closed—Holiday

THE SPIRE First United Methodist Church

15 E. First Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210 480-969-5577

fax 480-844-2846 Spire Submissions: admin@firstchurchofmesa.com

www.firstchurchofmesa.com Office Hours: 9 am - 2:00 pm Monday - Thursday

Editorial Policies: The mission of The Spire is to be one communication source for the First United Methodist Church of Mesa. Other communication sources include e-mails, the Sunday church bulletins and verbal announcements made at services or other official meetings. Chairpersons of Boards and Committees, coordinators, members and friends of First UMC may submit announcements, information or items of interest that relate to the mission of the church. The Editor shall reserve the right to either accept or reject articles, to edit for space, grammar and accuracy. Currently, the Spire is being published monthly. Deadline for submission of articles are published both in this newsletter and weekly bulletins.

The deadline for submission of articles for the next issue is April 10, 2018 The Spire Newsletter Team Editors & Printers: Katie Mozurkewich & Linda Phillips Assemblers: Irene Risser, Jan MacCarthy, & Margaret Desenberg

THE SPIRE (USMC 944660) is published monthly, by the First United Methodist Church, 15 East First Avenue, Mesa AZ 85210, a nonprofit organization. Periodical postage paid at Mesa AZ 85201-9996.

www.firstchurchofmesa.com

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE SPIRE, 15 E. 1st Ave., Mesa AZ 85210

DATED MATERIAL– DO NOT DELAY

Pastors:

Rev. Mel Munchinsky

Rev. Dr. Bob Mitchell

Rev. Cecil Lackore - Pastor Emeritus