You are invited!

May 29, 2025

10:00 am

Let's come together to celebrate our incredible VPK graduates, the shining stars of the class of 2025! These delightful 4 & 5-year-olds have not only completed their Christian preschool journey but are also bursting with energy and enthusiasm as they prepare to embark on their next big adventure in Kindergarten.

Join us in the sanctuary for a joyous celebration filled with music, love, and memories of the past school year. Let's make this milestone a memorable one as we cheer them on together, fostering a sense of community and connection that embodies the spirit of First United Methodist Church.

We look forward to seeing you there to support these young graduates as they take their next steps in faith and learning!

From Your Pastors

SAFE TRAVELS! We have heard from so many of you that you are leaving, or have already left, for your season up north. Please know that we miss you and are praying for you as you travel and settle back in to your communities and churches wherever they may be. We look forward to your return in the Fall and hope you will stay in touch through our eblast newsletter and by continuing to worship with us on line. You are part of our First Church family and we love you!

This week in worship we explore Jesus’ “new” commandment to Love One Another, from John 13:32-35, as we continue our Resurrection Life sermon series. Come join us us at 10:15 on Sunday to discover what’s “new” about this commandment and what it has to teach us about Resurrection Life!

A Financial Update from the Finance Chair

Hello First Church! I want to give you an update on our financial situation for the first quarter of 2025. The good news is we had a small surplus of $15,000 for the first 3 months. This is our best result in the past few years. This speaks to the reinvigoration of our church and the stronger attendance and congregational giving we have seen this year. We have also had very good expense control in 2025 with reduced costs in new contracts for cleaning, internet service, and we’ve seen a nice reduction in utility costs.

However, to put this in perspective, there are a couple things I’d like to note:

1.   We are on cash basis accounting, and there are a couple or large expense items paid in April that should have hit our first quarter financials.  Adjusting for these, we had a slight loss of about $2,000. This is still the best financial result we have seen recently for the first quarter.

2.   We are now headed into the “off season” summer months when attendance falls and with it congregational giving. However, during the summer months church expenses continue. If you can, please keep contributing using the online option on our new website or sending your contributions to the church.

Thank you for your ongoing support of First Church. 2025 is shaping up to be a fabulous year due to your generous giving toward the many ministries and administration of our church.

Tom Bach, Finance Chair

UPDATE FROM MDS

Special Notice



Methodist Day School is collecting items for four Naples girls, ages 13, 12, 9 and 6 who recently just lost their mother and father. We are making four baskets, one for each girl with fun items that girls would like. For example, games, books, make-up, art materials, hair accessories, gift cards, etc. If you would like to donate please contact Alicia Silvin at (239) 682-4060. 

Toddler Classroom: This week in Ms. Evie's Toddler class it was all about colors. The children loved playing a color find game in the classroom to help learn their colors. The children had some sensory fun playing with different colored clay. They played with colored moon sand in their sensory table. They read books about colors and had fun going on a color scavenger hunt. It was a great week learning colors!

Two Year Classroom: This week in Ms. Margie's class it was all about Butterflies and Bugs! The children have been learning about the life cycle of a butterfly and they have been watching the different stages in their classroom. The caterpillars are now in their cocoons and everyone is getting excited for the butterflies. A favorite art project the children did this week was making spotted butterflies.  

Three Year Classroom: This week in Mrs. Ledbetter's class it is all about The Five Senses and Community Helpers. The children have been doing fun activities using their five senses. They have been learning about different community helpers and the jobs they do. 

VPK Classroom: In Ms. Angels and Ms. Audrey's class this week they have been practicing writing sentences in their writing journals. They have been playing number bingo and writing their numbers in their number journals for review. They played a fun rhyming game and syllable game this week. As well as reviewing beginning and middle sounds. It has been a great week of review in VPK!

This was the last week for Soccer Shots. There was a special ceremony and all the children received medals. It was a fun soccer season with Soccer Shots and coach Hailey!  

A New Vision for The United Methodist Church

A new Vision for The United Methodist Church was unveiled in the spring of 2025. Since 2021, the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table have journeyed together in prayerful collaboration, seeking God’s wisdom and discerning a hope-filled vision for this unfolding era in The United Methodist Church.

We celebrate, as a congregation, the ways we have always lived the vision, but we will strive to always find new opportunities to love, serve and lead in our communities.

Please see the resources below, including a letter from the Florida Conference Bishop, Tom Berlin.

Cuba Update

This week we received greetings from both Pastor Vincente and Pastor Dunia wishing all the mothers in our church a Happy Mothers Day!

They also report that work continues on the building of their Temple. They are making such great progress. Please continue to be in prayer for them as they do this work all for the glory of God to grow their congregation. Also please continue to pray for their daughter Thalia Gue as she awaits the birth of her child.

Card Ministry Meeting!

We warmly invite all crafty individuals, as well as those who may be new to crafting, to join us for our upcoming card ministry meeting on May 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to noon. This gathering promises to be a delightful opportunity for fellowship and creativity, where laughter will flow as freely as our artistic expressions. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or just starting your journey, you will find a welcoming community ready to embrace you. To ensure a fun and engaging experience for everyone, please RSVP to Gwen Pleban, who will prepare seats and project kits tailored for all skill levels. Come and be part of this cherished tradition that beautifully intertwines creative expression with spiritual growth, reflecting the nurturing spirit of First United Methodist Church and our commitment to community support.

Volunteers!

At First United Methodist Church, we warmly invite you to become a cherished part of our vibrant community by volunteering for our Sunday worship services. We are all called into service to God and have unique talents and gifts that can help create a truly special worship experience, as many hands working together bring our services to life. Each week, we have individuals read scriptures, light candles, take up the offering, and greet attendees. Additionally, we hold monthly communion and anointing services, where your support is invaluable. We would be thrilled to have you join our team, contributing to the uplifting moments that connect and inspire our community. Please contact Pastor Scott or Judy Margrey if you would like to be a part of this team.

Grace Place Backpack Drive

UMW is once again filling backpacks to help with Grace Place’s Annual Backpack Drive. This outreach helps the children participating in the Center’s services as well as other K-12 children in Golden Gate City get back-to-school ready.

We would like for you to join us in this mission for the upcoming school year!

There are three ways to participate:

1.    Donate to the backpack fund which will be used to purchase all the required school supplies in bulk. A full backpack runs about $50 depending on the cost of the backpack itself. Make checks payable to: United Methodist Women.

2.    Pack your own bag and bring to church prior to June 30th. The list of items by age needed is with the signup sheet in the Narthex.

3.    Donate directly to Grace Place via the website:

graceplacenaples.org

There are many option to participate, we would also love for you to come help us assemble the backpacks on July 1^st.

Click on the below button to see the list of needs.

Brunch Bunch

Our next Brunch Bunch gathering is scheduled for this Sunday, 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!

An amazing time of fellowship at Bahama Breeze

Calling all Men!

Men's Breakfast

(note date change)

It's time to grab a great breakfast at Joe's Diner on Wednesday, May 21, 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

We Packed 510,000 Meals!!

We’re helping to feed hungry people in our community

The next meal packing is Tuesday 5/20 at 10:30 at the Meals of Hope warehouse, 4344 Arnold Ave, Naples. 



Thank you for your generous support in addressing the pressing issue of food insecurity that affects countless families in our communities. Your willingness to help feed those in need is a powerful testament to the compassion and love we can share. By joining us in this mission, you are embodying the spirit of service and becoming the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Together, we can make a significant impact and demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. Let us unite in this noble cause and inspire others to join us in bringing hope and nourishment to those who are struggling.

1. Bring in non-perishable food or financial contributions earmarked for “Food Ministry” and we will deliver to either Grace Place or St. Matthew’s House for their food pantries. (Please be sure to check the expiration date before donating items.)
2. Volunteer to come help pack food for 1.5 hours on an upcoming packing day. To sign up, contact Wendy McKee, our food-packing coordinator, at WendyMckee3@gmail.com. She will schedule you. It’s lots of fun! 

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.

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

• Mary Lou Riccio (member)
• Elena Lerdon (member)
• Rob Pleban (member)
• Pastor Vincente's brother (healing)
• Thalia Gue (Pastor Vincente's Daughter/pregnancy)
• John O'Brien (member)
• Kevin Lee (cousin of Tom Bach)
• 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.

Southwest Florida District

Lay Servant Ministry News

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is open Monday-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