From Your Pastors

Our Holy Week Journey

Maundy Thursday - April 17 - 5:30pm

The journey continues as we celebrate Holy Communion remembering Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples and witnessing their desertion of Jesus in a service of Tenebrae or Shadows. This is a dramatic presentation that will leave you reflecting upon the times and way we all have deserted Jesus.

Good Friday - April 18 - 5:30pm

We will journey to the cross and stand vigil there as we observe a service of word and music, hearing and reflecting upon the seven last words Jesus spoke from the cross.

Easter Sunday - April 20 - 10:15am

The empty tomb in John 20 reveals the glory of Christ’s victory over death, not just as a moment of absence, but as a declaration of new life. When Mary Magdalene finds the stone rolled away, it marks the beginning of a world forever changed by resurrection hope.

Bring your family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join us on Easter Sunday morning at 10:15 am to hear the story of the first resurrection appearance through the eyes of Mary Magdalene from John 20:1-18. Let us bare witness to our own faith as we declare together: “I have seen the Lord!”

If you are bringing children to worship on Easter Sunday we will have a special children’s message for those who wish to come forward for a moment with Pastor Scott. It is also rumored that the Easter Bunny will have visited our church and their might be Easter Eggs to find all over the sanctuary after the service!

Each part of this journey helps to better prepare us for the joy of Easter morning. I challenge you to make the entire journey with us and not just go from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without appreciating the journey in between. We will be recording these services if your commitments prevent you from being present. You can still take the entire journey of Holy Week and come well prepared to celebrate the resurrection with great joy!

Click on the image below to see a preview of our Holy Week Services.

HE IS RISEN!

As we turn away from the somber tone of Maundy Thursday and the sorrow of Good Friday, you will find the music of Easter to be joyful, triumphant and filled with a sense of renewal. On Easter Sunday, the First Church Choir will sing The Lord is Risen Today – an anthem by Lloyd Larson. This piece incorporates the Easter hymn The Day of Resurrection along with Larson’s original music to share the news, proclaiming the central message: “He is Risen!”

Resurrection Life!

Starting this Easter Sunday, we are thrilled to unveil our enlightening seven-week sermon series titled "Resurrection Life!" This unique journey will invite us to delve into the profound resurrection appearances and teachings of Jesus, and offer insights and inspiration for our daily lives. Together, we will explore the transformative power of the resurrection, reminding ourselves that we are indeed Resurrection People, called to embody hope, renewal, and vibrant faith in a world that so desperately needs it. Join us as we celebrate this season of rebirth and discover the life-changing messages that await us!

UPDATE FROM MDS

Toddler Class: This week was all about Easter Fun! The children had fun doing Easter art and a favorite was painting foam eggs. Ms. Evie's class read several books this week about Easter. In circle time the children had fun sorting and matching eggs. Everyone really liked the feed the bunny activity.  On Thursday the children had fun with an egg hunt and cookie decorating party with their friends.

Two Year Class: This week in Ms. Margie's class it was all about Easter. The children did a fun science lesson using marshmallow-colored chicks, coconut oil, and power sugar to make an editable playdough. The class did several neat Easter art projects, and a favorite project was using tissue paper and making Easter suncatchers to put in the classroom window. On Thursday they had a fun Easter egg hunt and decorated cookies for their Easter party.

Three Year Class: This week in Mrs. Ledbetter's class they talked about the Easter story. The letter of the week was letter Yy. They had fun working on Nursery Rhymes. They did several activities for math with order by number. On Thursday they had an Easter egg hunt and had fun decorating cookies. 

VPK Class: This week in Ms. Angela and Ms. Audrey's class it was all about Easter. The class has been doing the Resurrection Eggs to tell the Easter story and this week they found the 12th egg. The class had fun coloring eggs using shaving cream and food coloring. The class had a race to see which table could put the most eggs together. A great fine motor skill and teamwork activity. They also had fun working as a team to make egg towers. On Thursday the children did an egg hunt and the Dads got to be egg runners for a fun activity where they had to run and the children chased them and tried to get the eggs off their shirts. They ended their week with a pizza party to celebrate with their friends. 

An amazing time of fellowship at Bahama Breeze

Brunch Bunch

We are excited to announce that our next Brunch Bunch gathering is scheduled for May 18, 2025, at Seasons 52. These times together are a wonderful opportunity for connection over delicious food. A sign-up sheet will be available at the Welcome Center starting in early May, so mark your calendars and prepare to join us for an time of fellowship, laughter, and the warmth of community. We look forward to sharing this time with all of you!

Calling all Men!

Men's Breakfast

It's time to grab a great breakfast at Joe's Diner on Thursday May 15th at 9:00 am. Please come out and have some good food, fellowship, and faith with the men of First Church.

Joes's Diner

1225 Airport-Pulling Road South

Our recent Bible study on The Grace of Les Misérables has completed and it was an incredible look at the themes of grace, justice, mercy, and redemption as seen through both scripture and Victor Hugo’s classic story. Your pastors, as well as some others, went the extra mile and did a little post-study field research. Stay tuned for our next study coming soon!

Every week, you can donate altar flowers for our Sunday worship and dedicate them to the memory of someone who was special to you or to honor someone who presently needs to be recognized! The cost is $40. Purchase and dedication can be arranged by signing up in the church lobby or by sending an email the church at admin@fumcnaples.org. Then you can either pick up your flowers after church or donate them for us to take to organizations in our community, bringing a ray of sunshine to workers and volunteers.

Cuba Update

Our sister church in Bíran, Cuba is making astounding progress in building their new temple. They reported a joyous worship service on Sunday and were blessed to have two of their members wed this past week. See the pictures below.

Please be sure to let us know if you or a loved one are in the hospital so Pastors Sara or Scott can come visit and pray with you and your family.

We are always in prayer for our church family, those around the world living in poverty, our leaders, and our country. Please join us in prayer.

Prayer Requests

From our FUMC Church Family



Intercessory prayer is a blessing that God has given us to pray on behalf of others. If you have a prayer request for someone that we can pray for specifically or even if you have a private prayer that you do not want published below, just email us and we will pray for that person and that need privately: pastor@fumcnaples.org

• Family and friends on the passing of baby Abby Joy (family of Lisa Passeri)
• John O'Brien (member)
• Kevin Lee (cousin of Tom Bach)
• Thelma Johnson (member)
• Julia Wayne (daughter of Lawrence & Jane Crouch)
• Emily Cundra (family of Gail Jaworsky)
• Danielle (friend of MDS)
• Theresa Shaw (friend of Al & Thelma Johnson)
• Ted and Ann Baker (attenders)
• Jean Humphries (member)
• John Schloendorn (Church electrician and friend)
• Michael DiGaetono (friend of John Riccio)
• Jen Wolf
• Gary Matter
• Chris and Christine Grimshaw (members)
• Evelyn Johnson (sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• Rev. Flo Scott (attender)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Family of Valya Staruchin, Januk, Orysia and family, Irina and family (three families of the Jaworsky's in Ukraine)
• Rosa Fogle (family of Thelma and Al Johnson)
• All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is open Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. After hours, for pastoral emergencies, call the office and you will hear how to contact Pastor Scott who will respond to all pastoral emergencies. 

Call the church office: (239) 262-1033

Email us: admin@fumcnaples.org  or

Mail contributions to:

First United Methodist Church, 388 First Ave S, Naples FL 34102