A Message from Our Lead Pastor

It is springtime in Yuma! The temperatures are moderately warm and comfortable, the breezes (and wind) are blowing, and everything is blooming. If you are an allergy-sufferer, I hope that you are hanging in there and doing well.

That means it is time for us to celebrate Easter! We, as believers, get to rejoice that Jesus rose from the dead, and everything that it means for us. We get to participate in Christ’s victory over death while knowing that as God’s children, we have overcome death as well. And as believers, we have in fact overcome death already. Romans 8:11 assures us “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

Unfortunately, we all know somebody who does not have a relationship with God. Outside of that relationship, they are doomed for eternity, an eternity without hope. They walk this life as they choose to, according to their own sinful desires. They desperately need Jesus. And maybe it starts with you inviting them to an Easter service. We have services Thursday evening, Friday evening, Sunday morning at 7:00 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am.

Those are pretty good opportunities to invite non-believers to hear the Good News of the Gospel! We will be having a free pancake and sausage breakfast Sunday morning, so maybe even use that as an excuse to bring them to church with you!

At the end of the day, what really matters is that everybody hears the gospel message. Sometimes it might even be you just sharing what Jesus has done in your life. The eternal security that you have because of Him. Or maybe telling them of the Spirit living in you so that you’ll never, ever be alone again.

Make this the year that you share the Gospel at Easter—even if it is as simple as inviting a friend to church!

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Romans 6:4

Jeff Elzey, Lead Pastor

Summer is Coming!

Isn’t it crazy to think that summer is right around the corner? For those of us who stick around to endure the desert heat, summer can feel like a time to coast a bit spiritually.

But what if instead, we took the opportunity to grow our faith? This summer we will be offering opportunities for you to kick things up a notch and maybe learn some of those Christian life skills you’ve always said you wanted to develop but haven’t found the time for. 

Here is what we have coming up:

Ancient Christianity

Begins Wednesday May 1, 7 pm, in the Hub (Room 117)

Learn your roots as a believer and explore how our faith grew from a dozen apostles to a global movement. This video and discussion group will enrich your understanding of church history and the faith of those who lead the way in spreading God’s Kingdom throughout the world.

Sharing the Good News

Begins Sunday, May 5, 9 am, in Room 107 (for 7 weeks)

Topics will include basic apologetics, sharing scripture, your witness, and your testimony. You’ll learn how to grow in confidence living out the Good News and sharing it with others.

The Parables Today

Begins Sunday, July 7, 9 am, Room 107 (for 7 weeks)

A special teaching method employed by Jesus, the parables found in the Gospel accounts are a unique opportunity for us to see ourselves in the biblical narratives, without inserting our own culture into them. The parables are timeless teachings that illustrate many valuable spiritual truths and remain relevant and accessible to us today.

And lastly, an extended teaching session of “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” will begin Saturday, June 1, and continue into July. This class, based on the seminal book of the same name, invites you to understand more deeply how to engage the Bible for yourself. Ask anyone who’s read the book or taken the class and they’ll tell you it really helps open up the narrative of scripture for you. Classes will start at 1 pm and go until… we’re done! So ask your tough questions, and enjoy an extended time learning how to access the treasures of God’s word for yourself. 

Please call the church office at 928.726.5616 for more information or to preregister.

Let’s not just complain about the heat this summer let’s light a spiritual fire that can last forever!

Zebadiah Ohland, Discipleship Pastor

Women's Ministry

Girlfriends’ Dinner & Mini Golf Night

Join us Friday, March 22 at Z Fun Factory for dinner at 5:00 pm and mini-golf at 6:00 pm. No need to RSVP. Just grab a friend and join us! We will pay individually for our dinner and golf game. For more info, contact Melissa Matos at mmatos@fccyuma.org or call the church office at 928-726-5616. 

Spring Bible Study - "When You Pray"

Begins Tuesday, April 9, at 9:30 am (Coffee and fellowship at 9:00 in cafe)

or Wednesday April 10, at 6:45 pm

Register for this study on Sunday, March 31, and April 7 before each service in the south lobby. Study guides will be available for purchase ($25) while supplies last. If you have questions or need childcare on Tuesday mornings, please contact Melissa Matos at: mmatos@fccyuma.org or call the church office at 928-726-5616.

Bingo

Women's Ministry is in need of INDIVIDUAL size snacks for our "Bingo Ministry" at the AZ State Veterans' Home. (Favorites include: miniature packs of Oreo and Chips Ahoy cookies, variety packs of cheese and crackers or peanut butter crackers, individual packs of trail mix, small packs of Pringles chips and Skinny Pop popcorn.) Thank you for your support.

Sunday Studies & Groups

Ephesians: 9 & 11 am, Room 117 (The HUB, north hallway)

Worldviews: Engaging the Universe Next Door: 10:30 am, Room 107

College Age (18-25) Ministry: 6:30 pm, 5883 E. 44th Pl.

The Sayings of the Master 5:30 pm, in the HUB, mixed group. Please park in the dirt lot and use the North Entrance (facing 32nd Street).

FCC Youth

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:35-40). 

These words of Jesus are so inspiring. The simple fact that we can serve the King of Kings by serving others is incredible. Of course, nothing we can do will repay what He’s done in us, and through us, but to have the honor of reflecting His love in small, simple ways is exciting! In fact, throughout the years, we’ve intentionally directed FCC Youth to engage with those opportunities. We want our students to experience the joy of serving the Lord by serving others.

This month, starting on Easter evening, we are hosting our annual Spring Break Service Project. Students will spend the night at the church for two nights – eating food, worshipping, playing games, etc. Then, during the two days, they will be working in the community to help with various work projects. Not only will they give up part of their Spring Break to do it, they pay for their own food and supplies. We’ve seen great results from these projects in the past, in the lives of those we serve and in the lives of the students who serve. 

Dustin Womer, Youth Pastor

Youth Services

Sundays:

Middle and High Sunday School, 9:00 am

Upper Room Worship, 11:00 am

Jr High Surge, Sundays, Upper Room, 5:30-6:30 pm

High School Unite, Sundays, Subway—Big Curve, 7-8 pm

Mondays: 6 pm, FREE MUSIC LESSONS for students

Wednesdays: Combined Worship, Upper Room, 7—8:00 pm

Follow us on: Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube

Global Outreach

The International Teams for 2024 have been chosen and have entered the fundraising and training portion of the trip. 

The Sierra Leone team trip is scheduled for May 31-June 10, and will include: Magen Reed, Makayla Galdones, Owen Courtney, Samantha Kinnell, and Memphis McCarthy Thompson.

The Chile Team trip is scheduled for June 7-17, and will include: DeeDee Baumgarner, Steve Jacobo, Rebecca Ross, and Kevin, Maria, and Pamela Swearingin.

Last week, support letters from each of the above participants were mailed. They are sent out together, so those who want to help can divide the amount they wish to donate by the number of letters they receive. All money will be raised as teams and is tax-deductible when given through the church in the team's name. Please consider supporting one or more of these team members with your prayers and financial support. Don’t feel bad or left out if you did not receive a support letter from one of the team members. You can still (and are encouraged to!) play a role in sending these teams. You can donate online or in the plate on Sunday morning by simply designating your gift towards "Short-Term Teams").

Prayer is another essential component of these trips. You are encouraged to keep the team members in prayer, starting now, and throughout the trip. Pray that God would use them to be a blessing to the Chileans and Sierra Leoneans, that He would grow their faith, that they would learn more about their gifting, and expand the Kingdom of God. It is also important to pray for those on the field as they prepare to receive the teams. If you agree to pray regularly for one or more team members, you will receive regular prayer updates. 

From short-term trips come career missionaries. Our family served in Chile and Sierra Leone on a long-term basis because we first went on short-term trips to Mexico. Even weekend trips have a lasting impact on those who go. As children go to Arizona Reservation Ministries, they see the world through God’s eyes. Teenagers are stretched as they are challenged with important questions on stewardship and lifestyle. Young adults are motivated to take their learning beyond the classroom. Adults spend time using skills where the bottom line reflects their faith. Seniors learn that God is not finished with them yet.

This is all part of the effort to have the entire church become involved as senders or goers. If your name is not listed above, then you are a sender. I promise you will be blessed as you receive updates on how these trips have changed lives in the US and abroad. We are sending five people to Sierra Leone and six to Chile. It will take everyone to raise the money to send teams that will make an eternal difference.  

Thanks in advance.

Chad Courtney, Global Outreach Pastor

Kidz Min!

There is now a parent resource wall by the Kidz Zone main entrance. If you are looking for information about what is coming up in Kidz Min, that information will be there. Also, there are some book resources that parents can look through and sample to see if it is something they want to buy. Next time you are at the church, please come by and take a look. 

Easter is right around the corner! If you would like to donate small, unopened candy or Easter eggs, please come see any of us at the Kid’s Check-in Counter.

Speaking of Easter, we are doing our annual Easter egg hunt for preschool through 5th grade! We will start between services at 10:30 am, so don’t miss out! if you come to 1st service, please stay a little later, and if you come to 2nd service, come a little earlier!

Summer is fast approaching and with that June is going to be a busy month…

Family fishing day is June 1. More details to follow!

VBS

June 10 - June 14

6:00-8:00 pm

Volunteers are needed. If interested, please contact Jake (as in “Mr. Jake” )Gompert by calling the office at 928. 726.5616 or email jgompert@fccyuma.org

Summer Camp at UCYC

Dates this year for the 4th-5th grade camp will be

June 19 – June 23

Seats are limited, so get your deposit in as soon as possible. All current 3rd graders (going into 4th) and all 4th graders (going into 5th) are welcome. 

Point of contact for 4th-5th grade camp is the man, the myth, the legend, Kidz Min’s very own Sean Weaver, in Kidz Zone on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Pick up your packets in Kidz Zone. Payment plans are available. 

Fifth graders (going into 6th) are encouraged to join the 6th–8th grade camp with the Youth group (point of contact Dustin Womer, 928.726.5616).

Unfortunately, camp prices have gone up, and it is getting hard for some families to send their kid to camp on their own. If you would like to help send a kid to camp, it would be greatly appreciated. Any money donated for camp goes straight to camp scholarships to help families with the financial burden.  

Keep in mind:

Sundays

First service, at 9:00 am, is Sunday school for all ages 3 through 5th grade.

Second service is one combined elementary worship service at 11:00 am in Kids Zone, while the pre-K through kinders are downstairs to Room 151 for their own combined worship. Nursery is provided both hours for infants through potty-trained three-year old’s and for nursing mothers.

Wednesdays

Every Wednesday evening, we have a Bible-based children’s program with a focus toward reinforcing the lesson from Sunday. We do so with Bible lessons, lesson-based games, lesson-based snacks, etc. It is geared to give your children an opportunity to have a mid-week engagement with the Lord, as well as giving parents an opportunity to attend their own mid-week Bible study.

7:00-8:00 pm

Check-in begins at 6:45 

Ages 3 years through 5th grade

Nursery is also available for those attending a Bible study or volunteering. 

PowerPack

You may drop off your items in the specially marked bins in both lobbies of the church.

You may contribute in any of the usual ways: online at Pushpay, text "YUMAFCC" to 1.833.620.7637, or make your contribution through a giving envelope. Whichever method you choose, please remember to clearly mark PowerPack on the memo line.