This week's note from Rev. Bill

FOR ALL THE SAINTS – 

             This coming Sunday we will be celebrating All Saints’ Day, remembering those of our church family who have gone on to be with our Lord in glory!

             We say “celebrate” because it is a celebration – their homecoming to be with our Lord forever, and our gratitude for knowing them on this earth. This doesn’t mean that we ignore the sadness. It is natural to feel sad that we will not see them again this side of eternity. But we do not grieve as the world grieves. We have faith that this world is not all there is, and that there will come a time when all things will be made new. 

             This Sunday we will ring a bell for Kay Brandon, Delores Gaylord, and Mary Lou MacBride. We will take time in silence to remember and thank God for their witness in our lives. We will pray a prayer of gratitude. And I always ask myself, “Who will remember me when a bell is rung in my name? What will they remember?”

             What we do now determines our legacy. It’s not enough just to hope that people will think that we were nice people. What you do today is what people will remember tomorrow. Whom you forgive today will be a part of your heritage. Whom you slander today will speak of you then. Whom you show grace to will carry on your name. 

             What is your heritage, and mine? We stand here in Bonita because, 100 years ago, people wanted to share God’s love with others. I am grateful for those saints. And now, it’s your turn and my turn to be one of those saints that they will talk about 100 years from now. To God be all of the glory!

• Rev. Bill

Service for November 5, 2023

" Strength for the Journey" (ADULTERY)

Exodus 20:14; Genesis 2:18-25

On Wednesday Rev. Bill will be

at the church office to guide our scripture study that we use to get a "sneak peek" at the

sermon message for Sunday!

November 8, 2023

NO

Bible Study

ADDITION TO THE SERMON ON MURDER

You have given me LOTS of good feedback on our worship series for the Ten Commandments. I think what has surprised us most are the things that we thought we knew, and then we find out God was headed in a completely different direction!

I offer you now some further study I did for THOU SHALT NOT KILL – it was going to be a part of the sermon, but it would have made it MUCH too long! I hope this blesses you – 

         “It’s interesting to note that St. Augustine in the 4^th century was one of the first to suggest that Christians could serve in the military. Up until that time, Christianity was strongly pacifistic. Even in the 4^th century many Christians chose to be conscientious objectors – still serving their nation, but in non-combatant roles such as medics or supply. 

         The Romans found that Christian soldiers were reluctant to kill the enemy, because Christians saw them as human beings. If a person was injured, regardless of what uniform they wore the Christians would try to help them. This isn’t what Rome wanted – they wanted for their soldiers to see the enemy as immoral, godless savages who had no soul and who were less than human. It’s easy to kill something that is less than human. 

         But Christians believed that Jesus had died for all people, and that there was something more important than political identity at stake. This continued for centuries.

         Later in the 13^th century, almost 900 years after St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas developed what has been called a “Just War Theory” that the Church adopted. This theory stated that Christians could serve in active military positions, but only in cases of a “Just War”. 

        So the question was, “What is a just war?” Aquinas wrote out what he believed would constitute rules for warfare. He followed the traditions of other great scholars, including a discussion from ancient India. In that treaty there were five provincial rulers who felt that war should not just be wanton carnage, but if it had to happen, they laid guidelines for fairness: 

- Chariots cannot attack foot soldiers.

- No one can attack injured persons.

- No poisoned or barbed arrows.

- Prisoners are to be humanely treated.

- No war shall be declared out of rage. 

         Rome had already adopted some of these ideas, but Aquina was the first to comprehensively put it all together. 

First, Aquinas said, war is always sin. There is never a case when war is not sin. We may try to bend scriptures to justify it, but Aquinas believed that the scripture is clear in saying that war (and the killing that goes with it) come about because of our fights and jealousies and covetousness. Most wars are political in nature, and since there will be no political parties or nations in heaven, war is an earthly/sinful occurrence.

         But when situations arise which make war inevitable, St. Thomas Aquinas listed three conditions which must occur for a war to be considered just:

         First, Only the proper governmental authority can declare war. It is not to be taken lightly or haphazardly, because of all of destruction it causes, which is against God.

         Second, War is to be declared only to address wrong or to recover property. You can reclaim territory that was taken from you, but you cannot take more territory.

         And Third, the intention and end result must be the restoration of peace, never for personal or political gain for the state. 

         As we look at the wars taking place around the world today, it is hard to evaluate them based upon these three rules. Our world tries to tell us that the best way to deal with a threat is to make it afraid. But Jesus’ way is to provide a safe, loving place where that threat can choose to change. We have to decide if we believe that Jesus’ way of love is going to triumph over the world’s way of violence."

Upcoming Events

TOMORROW, Saturday November 4, 2023

Church workday starts 9:00am

DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK!

Saturday November 11, 2023



Rummage to Treasure?

Plans are underway to host a church-wide rummage sale on Saturday, November 11, from 9 am-1 pm.  Your rummage might turn out to be someone else’s treasure. And always remember, just because you no longer need/want an item, it might be welcomed by others in our neighborhood.

This sale will be a “kick-start” event for our annual summer reserve drive, but it will be unlike past sales in that furniture will NOT be accepted for the sale (we just don’t have the young “muscle” to handle that).  The items that are included are hand tools, household/kitchen items, linens, books, CDs, DVDs, and clothing (adult and children).  And since it is before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, appropriate decorating items are also acceptable.



So, how do you get your items to the sale?  Items can be stored before the event in one of the sheds behind the church/fellowship hall.  Individuals will be available to accept your donations on several dates:  before or after the October 28 community breakfast; Thursday, November 2 between 3-5 pm; and Sunday, November 5, before church from 8:30 to 9:30 am.

 DON’T FORGET!!! CHARGE CONFERENCE COMING UP

Next Sunday NOV. 12^th at 11:30 AM! 

       We are excited to have our District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Debbie Allen, come preach for us at 10:00 and then hold our Charge Conference. Rev. Allen will be continuing our worship series on the Ten Commandments, guiding us through the concept of “the Sabbath”.

             Afterwards we shall have our normal time of coffee and fellowship, and then return to the Sanctuary for our Conference. Everyone who loves this church is invited to attend; elected church leaders are required to attend.

             The major topics we will discuss will be our church leadership for the coming year, our apportionments, and voting on the budget. Rev. Bill will give a “State of Church” address.

             Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make this church a success!

FIRST UMC BONITA SPRINGS 2024

PROPOSED LEADERSHIP

CHAIR OF CLC –                David Schmitt

LAY LEADER -                   Jann Mier

TREASURER -                  Michael Simons

FINANCIAL SECRETARY    (OPEN)

LAY DELEGATE -                 Cleva Luebke

ALTERNATE -                   Mike Roach

RECORDING SEC. -            Susan Atkinson

MEMBERSHIP   -              Sandy Eberhardt-Schutte

TRUSTEE CONVENER       Mike Roach

UWF President-                Susan Atkinson

STAFF/PARISH             Kathy Schmitt (CHAIR)

     Susan Atkinson            Julie Kampmann          Jann Mier

          Cleva Luebke                   Leroy Jones           Russ Baird

           Marianne Simons  

FINANCE                     Michael Simons (CHAIR)

Leroy Jones                    Giles Schutte                  Judy Flagg

Jann Mier                       Doug McIntosh               Bob Peffer (Staff)

NOMINATIONS          Rev. Dr. Bill Fisackerly, IV (CHAIR)

Julie Kampmann           Jann Mier     Sandy Eberhardt-Schutte

Judy Flagg                Betty Suprosky              Ginny McIntosh

FORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP  Debbie Lane (CHAIR)

Carlene Cummings       Julie Parks         Sandy Eberhardt/Schutte

Susan Atkinson              Julie Kampmann

Community breakfast:  A day of “fabulous chaos”

What do you call a morning with a nutritious breakfast, a crowd of children and families from our neighborhood, contests and games, delicious prizes, and lots of additional volunteers?  I’d call it “Fabulous Chaos”! That’s exactly what the October 28 Free Community Breakfast was with at least 120 meals served (our biggest number yet)!  

We’ve been serving our hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit, and sometimes biscuits and gravy for months now.  But this month’s event was even more special.  We combined nutrition with family-friendly fun.  Children were able to decorate their own Halloween sugar cookies, play a ring toss game, make a mask, color pictures,  compete with paddle balls, and enjoy a “treat walk” which was a little like musical chairs but without being eliminated!  

The children received prizes for many of the games and there was enough candy donated to make area dentists cringe (or parents felt that way after the sugar high set in).  The treat walk was a huge success as all the children were able to win home baked or store-bought cookies, brownies, desserts, and candy to take home for their family to enjoy.  And this was only possible because our church family stepped up and donated those items; everyone was a winner in our games.

And, we must say that those volunteering at the event also felt like winners too!  We often say that we are blessed as we bless others.  And that was certainly the case this month.  Seeing the joy on the children’s faces was wonderful.  And finding that our neighbors are feeling safe and comfortable with us is a blessing. 



The next two months will also be challenging with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  The next breakfast will be November 25 (the regular 4^th Saturday) and the December breakfast will be December 23, before Christmas.  We’ll plan several special holiday activities for that day…so plenty of volunteer help will be needed.  Some of our regulars might be traveling to northern families during those days, so check your calendars, volunteer in any way you can, and be prepared to be blessed. 

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

             We had over 30 people come for our Volunteer Appreciation luncheon this past week – people who have been serving our Lord and our church graciously!

             This event was sponsored by your Staff/Parish Relations Committee, and put on by your staff – Vincent Martin (Janitor), Bob Peffer (Bookkeeper), Juanita Palomino (Office Manager), and Rev. Bill (???)!

             We will be having a similar event in February/March for our seasonal volunteers, so any of you “long-timers” who want to help out – we will see you then!

Princess, if I work out, can I paw-lease help them on the roof?

Tom, the only workout I've seen you do is on Sunday! With your great Purrsonality you sure can work a room!

Six United Women in Faith members gathered October 15 in Fellowship Hall to discuss important mission projects in our community.  With the support of several donations from members and the congregation, the group has already delivered about 30 uniform items to Bonita Springs Elementary School. Initially, the need was for small sizes.  After the first delivery, we learned there was also a need for larger sizes for girls.   

Last spring UWF had another project of providing period products to support girls at Bonita Springs High School and Bonita Springs Middle School.  These products are not currently required to be provided for the girls.  We now learned that the older elementary students have these same needs. So, more donations and shopping allowed us to donate size 12-16 uniform bottoms for the older girls at Bonita Springs Elementary.

We work closely with the staff at Bonita Elementary to learn of their needs. You may have seen the poster outside the church office.  The school provided this for organizations that have served as “education collaborators” with them.  We are pleased to be a part of that work with our neighborhood school.

The group is also looking ahead to the Baby Jesus Shower, scheduled for during coffee hour on December 3.  This event gathers donations of baby clothing, diapers, wipes, etc. to be presented to an organization that supports pregnant women in need.  UWF members will make appetizers and Christmas cookies for the event.  The congregation is invited to join us in this project.  You may enjoy shopping for cute baby outfits, or you may prefer to donate money and have us do the shopping. 

UWF members will be supporting the church rummage sale on November 11 by helping receive donated items before or after the October 28 community breakfast; Thursday, November 2, from 3-5 pm; or before or after church on November 5.

Also discussed at the October meeting were the possibility of a tour of ECHO in North Fort Myers, an organization we have supported for many years.  We are constantly on the lookout for missions that serve women, children, and families in our community.  

We look forward to more of our seasonal members to be back with us.  Our  next meeting is scheduled for November 20 at 3 p.m. However, we are seeking input on if this is the  best time/place for meetings.  Many women support our mission projects, but attendance at meetings has been limited.  We hope you will speak to any officer or active member if you have questions.

                                 Susan Atkinson, UWF President

Book Club’s December Selection

The First UMC book club tries to read a wide variety of books from historical fiction to non-fiction to current best sellers and everything in between.  After  reading and discussing an older book, Peace Like a River (first published in 2001) in November, the group will read a more current book, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller for the December 6 session.

The club meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Royal Scoop, 15 Eighth Street off Vanderbilt Drive.  Members gather at 1:15 for lunch and/or ice cream and discussion.  Those participating in Rev. Bill’s Bible Study on Wednesday afternoons will be able to attend both.

This book, another book club kit from the Bonita Springs Library, will be available to interested readers at church.  The book is described as “a story of summer, secrets, love, and lies in the course of a singular day on Cape Cod…”. Main character Elle must decide between the life she has made with her genuinely beloved husband, Peter, and the life she always imagined she would have had with her childhood love. A New York Times best selling author describes this novel as “a magnificent page-turner”.  The book was picked as the July 2021 pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club.

The only requirement to be in the First UMC Book Club is to enjoy reading a variety of literature and discussing it with fellow readers.  For the library kits, the books must be returned the day of the discussion  so we can pick up another selection (only one kit may be checked out at a time). If you have any questions or want a copy of the book, please contact Susan Atkinson by text (239-405-9078) or see her at church.  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.

Our friend and long-time member, Katherine “Kay” Brandon went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, October 24,2023.



 Please keep her family in your prayers. If you wish to send a card or note to her daughter,

Cathy, her address is as follows: 

Cathy Bowser, 1727 Sparta Circle, Sebring, Florida 33870.

Come Pray

Friday at 9:30 AM

Zoom and in the sanctuary

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

PRAYER REQUESTS

Cleva L.

Kay's family

Russ

Bill

Israel

Palestine

Ford

Mike

Mary

George

Bill

Betty

Kathi

Rose

Parker

Ron

Carolyn

Peter

Steve

Sharon

Shannon

Kenn

Kevin

Tom

PRAISE:

If you have any changes or updates please email:

Prayer@

FUMCBonita.org