JULY/AUGUST 2019

Special points of

interest:

Electronic giving

Publication

Spire Deadline

Altar flowers

Church calendar

Announcements 2

Youth News 3

Birthday &

Anniversary Corner 4-5

Calendar 5

Inside this issue:

Volume 50, Issue 6

@FirstChurchMesa

Download our

FUMC Mesa app! www.firstchurchofmesa.com

THE

SPIRE

Welcome Pastor Khalif & Family! Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata has appointed The Rev. Khalif Akil Smith, Sr. as senior pastor of FUMC Mesa, starting July 1, 2019. He will be joining us for worship on July 7. Khalif was born on March 8th in New York, New York to Diane Jackson and Jim Smith. He was raised in New York City from birth until age 18 as the child of a United Methodist pastor, where 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 counselor, served community youth as a mentor, 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 pursue a college education.

Khalif attended DeVry University where he completed an undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Telecommunications Management. He returned to DeVry University to complete another undergraduate B.S. 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 after serving Grayson United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher for adults and Senior High youth. 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 has a strong sense of purpose and passion for spreading the Gospel, as well as a deep dedication to God, family and community. He is excited to serve at First Mesa and looks forward to meeting our congregation and continuing God’s work here. Khalif’s family consists of his wife Nikki and his children Cassie, Khalif II, Asti, and Zoë who are all very supportive and active in his ministry. Zoë is the only one still living at home and making the move to Mesa with her parents. She is 17 and joined our youth group on their mission trip at the end of June.

During this time of transition, please remember to keep Rev. Smith, his wife Nikki and their family, the people of Trinity UMC in Las Vegas and our own congregation in prayer. We are very grateful to Rev. Mel Munchinsky for serving as our interim pastor for the last year and look forward to welcoming the Smiths to our First Church Family!

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

Join us on Sunday, July 7, to welcome Rev. Khalif Smith and his family to First Mesa! Sermon title will be “On a Mission from God”.

Worship Committee Thank you to all who participate in the Fry’s Community Rewards to benefit First Church. Linking your VIP card is easy to do and does not affect your rewards points. If you need help or have questions, please see Peggy Tenney at church of call her at 602-510-2088. Every little bit helps!

Attention: All Women! You are invited to join our new United Methodist Women's Group. Our July meeting is Sunday, July 14 from 2:00-4:00. Our program will be about preventing scams and protecting your identity information. This is critical information for all of us. A Mesa woman recently lost over $4100 in a computer scam that told her she had a virus on her computer and that Mi-crosoft would correct it. It's called the Microsoft Scam and many people have lost thousands of dollars. Please join us and learn how to protect yourself!

Our August meeting is Sunday, August 11 from 2:00 - 4:00. The program is TBA.

Refreshments are always provided!See you soon!

Advent Booklet We will once again partner with Red Mountain UMC to publish an advent devotional booklet. The theme this year is “Emmanuel: God is With Us.” Think of times when you had a special feeling that God was with you. Send your stories to DandyT123@cox.net

CHURCH OFFICE

HOURS

M-TH:

9 am to 2 pm

PH: 480-969-5577

Missions Committee June 10th 2019 was a special day in the life of our church. On that date our Church Council agreed to a unique, new three-year partnership with Save the Family Foundation of Mesa to help us live our mission of Living Faith and Loving Life though Jesus Christ. We are called to provide our time, talents and treasures to the less fortunate in our community and Save the Family Foundation provides an outstanding opportunity to do just that.

Save the Family’s goal is to ’‘Equip families to address poverty, over-come homelessness, and achieve self-sufficiency”. Many of you may already be familiar with Save the Family. Our youth and

adults have already performed several ser-vice projects with them over the past few years. With this partnership we hope to engage the whole church and provide many varied opportunities for all congregation members to make someone else’s life better. We hope to build close relationships with both the staff and clients of Save the Family and help celebrate their long-term successes.

Since their founding in 1988 Save the Family has supported over 10,000 families. Most families are single parent led with one to two small children. These are the numbers, but the real stories are told by the individual successes like Clare. Clare was living a normal successful life when circumstances forced her and her three daughters into homelessness, living in a single cab pickup truck and floating from hotels to empty warehouses. Two years after Clare and her daughters entered Save the Family transitional housing program she had secured a high paying job and managed to save $25,000 and are back to a successful life.

We are very excited about this opportunity. You will hear more about Save the Family later this summer and we will share the annual Event/

Activity calendar which will provide opportunities for service and support. The final important and critical element for success is you. We hope you will actively engage in one or more activities and live your faith through this unique and special partnership. May God bless you as you bless others.

Page 3

Publication Deadlines

Sunday Bulletins /

Announcements

Wednesday Noon

Spire Deadline

All articles to be

submitted to the

church office no

later than

August 10th

Please Note:

The next issue will

be a combined one

for July/August

Flowers

To place flowers on the

Lord’s Table in honor or

memory of someone

special contact the

Church Office at

480-969-5577

Mission Project The Missions Committee is collecting school supplies to help homeless and impoverished children be ready to start the school year off right with what they need to succeed. You may drop any items listed below in the narthex no later than July 14th. Backpacks Construction paper 9x12 Flash drives Facial tissue, 2 ply, 100 count Folders, 2 pockets Pencil cases, heavy duty w/ zipper Spire notebooks, 1 subject, wide rule Markers, 8 count, washable, wide Crayons, 24 count, CRAYOLA brand Pencils, #2, all wood, dozen ELMER’S school glue, washable, 4 oz. Glue sticks, dries clear, .28 oz. Erasers, pink, large Scissors, 5 1/4”, blunt tip Rulers, plastic, 12”, inches & metric Pencil sharpeners, barrel, canister Highlighters, chisel tip, yellow Pens, medium point, red Filler paper, wide rule, 10.5 x 8 Colored pencils, 12 ct., 7” Dry erase markers, wide tip, black Scissors, 5 1/4”, pointed tip Pens, medium point, blue Filler paper, college rule, 10.5x8 Graph paper, 4 sq./in. 10.5x8 Notecards, lined Calculators, scientific, 10 digit Protractors, plastic, transparent, 6” Mechanical pencils, #2 Highlighters, student size, yellow Once supplies are collected, our youth group will be filling each backpack with supplies needed for the different age groups and they will be donated to Save the Family. You generous donations will make a difference in the lives of children in our community.

All events take place Sunday nights from 5 to 7 p.m. in the FLC and in-clude a meal unless otherwise noted. July 7 Pool Party at the Mozurkewich Home

July 14 Service Project Pack Backpacks for Save the Family

July 21 Messy/ water games

July 26-27 Volleyball Tournament

July 28 East District Youth Volleyball Dance

Children’s Ministries Thank you to all who made our Vacation Bible School a success. We could not have done it without all of our great and dedicated volunteers!

CRAFTY DAYZ HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE Saturday, November 2nd

9 am to 3 pm First United Methodist Church

15 E. 1st Avenue, Mesa

Handmade items only Indoors (electricity available upon request) Free booth space Come and sell your treasures! Contact Theresa Whitford for information and to reserve your booth space at: jntwhitford@hotmail.com (in the subject line, please put Crazy Dayz Fall Boutique)

SPACE IS LIMITED—RESERVE NOW!!!

Page 4

JULY ANNIVERSARIES JULY BIRTHDAYS

07/01 Dauterman, Katherine

07/01 Tinsley, Kim

07/04 Scott, Joanne

07/05 Washington, Angela

07/06 Ahland, Anne

07/06 Hansen, Julianne

07/07 Brotemarkle, Jalynn

07/09 Hansen, Claire

07/09 Leathers, Robert

07/10 Kuck, Fran

07/10 Tapaatoutai, Kathryn

07/12 Florio, Katie

07/13 Perry, Meaghan

07/13 Placko, Seth

07/13 Richgels, Tom

07/14 Cartwright-Standage, Mary

07/16 Delgadillo, Daniel

07/16 Jones, Patricia

07/17 Friederich, Shirley

07/17 Kerr, Yvonne

07/17 Snodgrass, Richard

07/20 Aguirre, Robert

07/20 Bunning, Janice

07/20 Elliott, Tiffany

07/20 Elson, Nadine

07/21 Mozurkewich, Katie

07/21 Sikalu, Sia

07/21 Zwald, Carla

07/23 Lassen, Jo Ann

07/23 Munchinsky, Mel

07/23 Smith, Diana

07/23 Tay, Katie

07/25 Leonard, James

07/25 Sikalu, Luisa

07/25 Smith, Rick

07/26 Chapman, Elsie

07/27 Carbone, Ceci

07/28 Rizzo, David

07/29 Cates, Doris

07/07 Bunning, Shelley & Jerry

07/14 Harris, Jean & Jeff

07/15 Tongring, Laura & James

07/21 Hansen, Nicholle & Colby

07/22 Schatz, Mary & Virgil

07/24 Garrison, Iva Lee & Jim

07/25 Parker, Wendy & Rick

08/01 Schatz, Virgil

08/02 Mitchell, Kathy

08/02 Thompson, Tracy

08/03 Dingle, Vicky

08/03 Jordan, Alison

08/03 Mason, Melody

08/03 Zehring, Jillian

08/04 Robinson, Alijah

08/05 Sikalu, Taniela

08/06 Fathauer, Max

08/06 Portis, Jr., Joseph

08/06 Shaw, Pat

08/07 Johnston, Dorothy

08/09 Gorin, Samantha

08/11 Hill, Adam

08/11 Mehan, Jonathan

08/11 Richgels, Cheryl

08/11 Rittenhouse, Paul

08/12 Royer, Ryan

08/14 Backer, Pauline

08/14 Hikida, Cynthia

08/15 Neilly, Kayden

08/15 Woodcock, Greg

08/16 Royer, Tina

08/18 Fedt, Judy

08/18 Gamble, Eutie

08/19 Haines, Dale

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.

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

Page 5

08/19 Johnston, Connie

08/20 Scarano, Elmira

08/20 Schreiber, Adele

08/21 Jordan, Claire

08/23 Jordan, Julie

08/24 Schreiber, Corrie

08/24 Tripoli, Amanda

08/25 Miller, Linda

08/26 Chapman, Steve

08/26 Heath, Randal

08/27 Thompson, Scott

08/28 Price, Suzan

08/29 Fickett, Olivia

08/29 Fluhr, Irene

08/29 Sellers, Skyler

08/29 Valenzuela, Amber

08/30 Garrison, Iva Lee

08/30 Jordan, Clark

08/30 Mozurkewich, Paul

08/30 Parker, Max

08/04 Harker, Jo Anne & Tom

08/12 Haines, Darla & Dale

08/13 Hakaumotu, Lima & Fituilea

08/20 Gorin, Janet K. & Myles

08/20 McTevia, Dick & Al Ogawa

08/26 Scott, Joanne & Douglas

July 7/7 Pastor Khalif’s First Sunday 7/4 Office Closed—Holiday

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

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 Reception 12/24 Christmas Eve Activities 7 pm Choir Service 8 pm Live Nativity 11 pm Candlelight Service 12/25-26 Office Closed—Holiday

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS (CONTINUED)

AUGUST ANNIVERSARIES

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 August 10, 2019 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