This week's note from Rev. Ben Richards

It’s All About Me (You)

About a year ago a small group I was a part of paused from our work to share a devotion. And I confess, as my friend began by suggesting we turn our minds to Psalm 23, I rolled my eyes a bit.

To be clear: I love the 23^rd Psalm. It’s beautiful, meaningful, familiar. There’s a reason we hear it more than any of the other 149 Psalms. But my acquaintance with the passage was precisely why I was disappointed, longing instead for something I hadn’t already known, preached, or taught. And I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Before it was read, we were asked to listen to a particular part of the Psalm, an unexpected part: the pronouns. Notably, the “me” pronouns. We were reminded that Psalm 23, in all its familiarity, in all its beauty, is quite particularly written from the perspective of the reader. From my perspective. From yours.

And by “reminded” I mean had my eyes opened to a part of this apparently not-as-familiar-as-I-thought-it-was Psalm.

The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures; leads me beside still waters; restores my soul.

The 23^rd Psalm certainly calls us to consider the ministry we will offer to others, the opportunities to share the miraculous abundance of God and God’s presence in times of peace as well as darkness. But its immediate concern is me. Is you. Is a reminder that God has called you to lie down in green pastures, to note the still waters, and to be restored.

The devotion was a reminder for me, and an invitation, and I offer it in turn to you. As you enter into your own time of rest today or this weekend – whether it’s a full-day sabbath or a time of rest distinguishing itself from busy-ness – I invite you to read Psalm 23 and pay attention to the pronouns. To what God offers to you.

Rev. Ben Richards

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

   He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters; 

   he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

   for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

   I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

   your rod and your staff—

   they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me

   in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

   my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

   all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

   my whole life long.

Service for November 17, 2024

Dr. Carol Cook Moore

"Midwives for the Kingdom of God"

Mark 13:1-8

Homeless Outreach Mission

In an effort to help our neighbors who are dealing with homelessness, the First UMC family is collecting non-perishable food items to be donated to individuals dealing with homelessness.  Because they likely do not have refrigeration or cooking options, we have accumulated a list of items that would provide nutrition for these individuals or families.   The items should not need a can opener as these might not be available. Plastic eating utensils and napkins will be provided.

Here is a list of some foods that can be donated:

·      Non-perishable canned goods with pop tops, such as beans, stew, fruit, etc.

·      Snack cups of pudding, fruit, apple sauce

·      Protein snacks such as jerky, Vienna sausages, Bumble Bee Snack on the Run (crackers and chicken), Starkist Lunch-to-Go tuna kits

·      Other snacks such as granola bars, pop tarts, Lance/Ritz Peanut Butter Crackers, Lance/Ritz Cheddar Cheese Crackers, energy bars, protein bars, trail mix, nuts, seeds or dried fruit

·      Loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter

·      Cases of water bottles or fruit drinks

One of the reasons to begin this mission project is the realization that there are limited options for homeless individuals and families for free food over weekends.  For example, individuals may find weekday meal service Monday-Friday through Café of Life, but what happens during the weekends?  Café of Life often provides a chicken meal for families on Fridays, but if you don’t have access to a stove, how do you cook that meal?

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday where most of us enjoy a bountiful table, it seems like a wonderful time to share our bounty with those less fortunate.  So, on Sunday, November 24, there will be an opportunity for our church family to join in this project.  Just look over the list of suggested items; pick up one or more of these during your next grocery store trip; bring them to church to place in baskets in the front of the sanctuary.

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.

United Women in Faith

Ten ladies from the United Women in Faith here at Bonita First UMC met on Monday, October 21, in Fellowship Hall to reflect on our hosting of the Southwest District UWF annual meeting on the previous Saturday and to look ahead to mission activities here in our community. All women are invited to join us for the regular meetings on the third Monday of each month at 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The focus of our monthly meetings is on fellowship and mission outreach. 

The next meeting will be November 18.

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 December 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!

"TOM AND PRINCESS' CORNER"!

The places we go and the things we see!

Tom, did you see the crowd of people making their way to the purrage sale on Saturday? It was like a catnip parade! I had a feline instinct to pounce on some of those empty boxes and paw at the Christmas decorations. But I decided not to, since everyone looked so excited about raising paws for the summer reserve. I heard they raised over $1,200—purrty impressive!

As for Sunday, Princess, did you catch Rev. Ben with that log sticking out of his eye? Meow, what a sight! Of course, that was just part of his message, Matthew 7:3-5—something about how a log like that makes it im-paws-ible to see the tiny specks in your neighbor’s eye. Take the log out of your eye first, as the scripture instructs, ensuring your vision is as clear as a cat's night sight! Feline message, don't you think?

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.

Remembering Frank

As you may have heard, our beloved Frank Gaylord died Sunday morning following complications from a medical procedure. We will take time this Sunday, November 17 to remember him during our 10 am worship service as well as a reception immediately following. We will still have coffee hour, only its theme will be a Celebration of Frank’s Life. And if you knew him you know that means – even amid our grief – a time speckled with joy and love. You are invited to bring something to share, and we hope you will join us.

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.