First United Methodist Church of Phoenix in Arizona encouraged students and teachers to attend the blessing of backpacks on Sunday, Aug. 7.
On a Facebook post on Friday, Aug. 5, the church said the blessing of the backpacks was scheduled during the service at 9 a.m.
According to the church’s post, the pastors will give the students a tag accompanied by a prayer to carry them through the school year.
The church said the event was welcome for everyone from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 students.
Interested readers may visit the First United Methodist Church of Phoenix’s Facebook post for additional information.
Church’s Mission
Through worship (including baptism and communion) and spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer, and fasting, members live out this goal by deepening their love for God, according to the church.
First United Methodist Church of Phoenix said serving others, such as providing food for the homeless or visiting the sick, as well as being kind with worldly possessions, brings everyone closer to their neighbors.
The church's goal is to foster a greater love for both God and neighbor. In the Great Commandment, Jesus teaches the following:
"Love the Lord, your God, with all of your heart, soul, and mind," Jesus said in response, according to the church. The church said this is the first and most important commandment. It added that the second commandment is similar: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:36-39)
Church’s Beliefs
God is establishing the open, welcoming community of faith required for the twenty-first century at First Church, according to the church's website.
First United Methodist Church of Phoenix said Jesus provides sound advice for everyone to pursue their faith. It added that they love their neighbor as themselves and the Lord with all of their heart, soul, and mind.
According to the church, they work to deepen the love of God and neighbor among all guests and members.
It said to experience this growing love for themselves, and join for worship, study, service, or fellowship.
Every month's first Sunday features communion, according to the church.
The church said the "open communion" practiced by United Methodists welcomes everyone to the meal, regardless of their religious affiliation, place of worship, or congregation.
It added that elements of "bread and the cup," often known as wine or grape juice, are distributed at communion.
The church stated that the bread and wine are viewed as representations of the body and blood of Christ, just as communion is seen as a manifestation of God's grace.
Church’s History
The church said they may trace their roots in the United Methodist Church back to John Wesley, an Anglican priest from the eighteenth century who managed to combine his traditional high church Anglicanism with evangelical faith and a kind disposition.
They strictly adhere to this custom, according to the church.
A group of missionaries from California was dispatched to the small town of Phoenix with the intention of founding a Methodist Episcopal Church at the beginning of the First Church tale, according to the church.
The local brush arbor, which served as a gathering place for the community, hosted the first religious services in 1881, it added.
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