This week's note from Rev. Ben Richards

It Takes a Village*

You've probably heard the expression “it takes a village”. I tend to hear it as a polite way to indicate, or lament, that it’s going to take a lot more than a single person, or at least than the smaller number originally suggested. I'm not sure if its phraseology accounts for considering how varied gifts are represented and utilized from said required village, but that's certainly what Paul was getting at in his version.

The Body of Christ is a reminder that one person is never enough. As I said on my first Sunday: it's all about relationships, one version of which is acknowledging that not one of us could ever do this alone, no matter what “this” is. But this week I'm especially grateful for that other part of “it takes a body”, that the expression of our community is never limited to the gifts or passions of any single one of us.

Growing up I hated decorating for holidays. This prompted a conversation with my parents, and was one of many that ultimately landed on: when you live in your own place, you don't have to do this anymore. So, I don't.

But I love Advent, and one of my favorite moments each year is the progression of it. Not just of the four Sunday journey towards Christmas, but the transformation of the sanctuary. Which is why I'm so glad the decorating of our sanctuary was directed and achieved not by just me, but by a dozen of you giving your time and passion (and telling me what to carry and where to put things) to achieve a beautiful, seasonal setting.

Also this week, another step in the exciting Depot Park Ministry opportunity. Following the incredible response of donated goods to share with our neighbors, someone asked the question I dare say none of us anticipated needing such an immediate and substantial answer to: where do we put all of this stuff??? Some hard work, ingenuity, and reorganizing and we're in business. Meaning once again the diverse giftedness of a Body of Christ is at work.

I share these in part because I want to say thank you to all who had different roles in them and so many other ministries of First Bonita. And also to encourage you to know that your giftedness matters. Is needed. I have the privilege of being up front and amplified during worship, but worship wouldn't happen without a team of staff and volunteers. Some people will serve breakfast tomorrow morning here in the fellowship hall, or later Saturdays at Depot Park, and many more will have worked, donated, prayed, and supported them in other ways.

It takes a Body, and one thing I'm thankful for is the opportunity to be a part of this Body with you. I pray that we would continue to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and that each of us would open ourselves to be a part of this unique Body of Christ for God’s kingdom.

With gratitude,

Ben

Worship Series: What Shall We Bring?

Service for December 1, 2024

"Journeys and Hope"

Matthew 1:1-2

Wednesday December 4, 2024, at 3 pm

You are invited to join us every Wednesday at 3 pm in the church office for Bible study. All are welcome to be a part of this small group, facilitated by Rev. Ben Richards, as we explore our faith together.

Learn Spanish

First Bonita began offering informal Spanish classes on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the church office. The first class was held November 12, but it's not too late to join the group. The class uses Mango as its primary source. Mango is available online from the Lee County Library or the Collier County Library. More information on how to access and use this resource will be available, or contact your librarian for help downloading Mango. Be sure to select Spanish (Latin American) when given a choice of languages. ¡Es gratis! = It’s free!

Mango was chosen because it has a conversational approach with grammar and vocabulary to aid understanding. It includes lots of practice and has voice recognition so you can compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker. In class we will review and receive explanations from our teacher which will augment what we’ve done in preparation and practice. It will be up to you to do as much as you like or have time to do.

We are excited to share that our teacher will be Margie Gillette, whose background includes being a language teacher for 37 years. She has her MA in Romance Languages from The Ohio State University, and is a certified teacher in Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. Margie has studied Spanish for about 50 years, and has further experience from her travels in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Spain.

If you have any questions, please contact Margie directly by phone (432.553.9538) or email (margierodgersgillette@gmail.com). We hope you will consider joining us.

November 30, 2024 Community Breakfast Tomorrow

Volunteers 9:00am

 United Women in Faith Plan December Events

When 18 women from First UMC gathered November 18 in fellowship hall, they planned two events for December – the annual Baby Jesus Shower on December 8 and the Christmas holiday dinner on December 16.

The Baby Jesus Shower is an opportunity for members and the congregation to purchase newborn baby items (clothing for 0-9 months), disposable diapers, lotions, wipes, etc. to be donated to area organizations helping new moms and their infants.  It’s always fun to see the cute clothing items that are donated. The items will be displayed in the fellowship hall after worship on December 8. For all those in the congregation that would like to join us in the project, you may bring your items before worship on that day as the women set up the display. If you would rather donate money to the project, we do have our “resident shopper” (Ruthann Etzkorn) who would be happy to shop for you! The UWF women will provide appetizers and desserts along with coffee, tea, and juice for the event. 

The second event is our early bird Christmas dinner at Outback Steakhouse at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, December 16. The women celebrated Christmas at this restaurant last year and were so impressed with the food and service that they voted to go back this year. The group does not have a business meeting in December.  All women of the congregation are invited to attend this dinner even if you have not attended our meetings. 

These two events combine two major goals of United Women in Faith here at Bonita: fellowship and mission outreach. If you would like to attend the Christmas dinner celebration, please let an officer (Susan Atkinson, Jann Mier, Kathy Schmitt) know by December 13 so we can alert the restaurant.

First UMC Book Club

Eight ladies gathered Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Royal Scoop to discuss the book Lightning Strike: A novel by William Kent Krueger. A lively discussion was held over lunch and/or ice cream. The group gathers the first Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. All are welcome to join us; the only requirements are to enjoy reading and discussing what you have read with others. 

The Dec. 4 selection is the novel The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. This book is the winner of the Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction and a Good Morning  America Book Club Pick.  It is described by the Washington Post as a “feel-good book guaranteed to lift your spirits”. 

 

The premise of the book is that “Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life…” Then the question is: “Would any of these other lives truly be better?”



If you are intrigued by this idea and would like to be part of the discussion, you may get a copy of the book from Susan Atkinson before and after church.  If you have questions, text her at 239-405-9078. This book, like most of the books the group has read, is part of a book club kit from the Bonita Springs Library. Happy reading!

The Upper Room

The Upper Room magazine's mission is to provide a practical way to listen to scripture, connect with believers around the world, and spend time with God each day.

PRAYER & CARE

All information and last names will be kept confidential. Our list is updated weekly. If you need us to keep someone on the list, please send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org.

Come Pray

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom and in the sanctuary

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Prayer Request cards are on the rack at the back of the Sanctuary.

Please help us to keep the list current, fill out a request for adding or taking off!

Altar Flowers



If you would like to honor family, friends, or loved ones for an anniversary, birthday, or memorial, contact the church office for details.

 Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 our church participates with the Meals of Hope to feed over 150 families each week. Right now we have a desperate need for people to come and help out with the initial packing of fresh fruits and vegetables into bags, and then taking them to the cars as the clients come through.