From Your Pastors

MDS Family Spaghetti Dinner, Art Showcase

and Silent Auction Update!

What an amazing evening we had on Friday, March 28, 2025, at our Methodist Day School Spaghetti Dinner, Art Show and Live Auction! These concocted a recipe for success, raising over $10,000! The funds will help us purchase Electronic Smart Boards and replenishing essential supplies, ensuring our graduating students are fully prepared for their big leap into Kindergarten. A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your generosity—your support truly warmed our hearts! It was wonderful to see so many church members mingling with parents, creating a community vibe that was as delightful as a warm plate of pasta. The art show showcased the incredible talents of our dedicated teachers and students, and the underwater glow room? Simply a wonder-filled experience that was the cherry on top of a fantastic evening!

Get ready to be blown away by the stunning visuals below! We have an incredible array of pictures that truly capture the magic of the experience. Trust us, you won’t want to miss a single one! Each image tells a story of its own, showcasing the breathtaking moments that made it all so unforgettable. Dive in and let the excitement wash over you as you explore the vast collection of memories that await!

Update on Cuba

The construction of the Temple for our sister church in Bíran, Cuba continues. Pastor Dunia specifically asked me to pass along their greetings and blessings to our congregation. They are so grateful for the financial support to be able to purchase the materials they need for the construction. So much of the labor is being done by volunteers from the church and by Pastor Vincente himself. 

They also wanted to share with us that they have had a new group of souls join their church as they continue to focus on evangelism. They ask that we might be in prayer with them for several of their members who are sick at this time. 

Joining our Community in Mourning

This week we are joining many in our community who are praying for families who have been devastated by tragedy and loss. One of these families include the family of four of our former MDS students. Their father had done a great deal of landscaping work for our church. 

Please see the Facebook posting from the Marco Island Charter Middle School below and the flyer for a Prayer Vigil Thursday, April 3rd at 7pm at Veterans Park. 

🙏🏻Please Join Us in Prayer and Support🙏🏻

Marco Island Charter Middle School joins the community in lifting up the Padilla, Ullah, and Labreck families during this unimaginable time. Students from our island elementary, middle, and high schools have all been affected, and our hearts and prayers are with them.

Prayer Night & Fundraiser

April 3rd | 7 PM | Veterans Park

We encourage our school families and the wider community to come together in faith, prayer, and compassion.

Scan the QR codes on the flyer to donate directly to the families.

Even in the darkest times, our island shines brightest when we come together.

#MarcoIslandStrong #MICMSFamily #CommunitySupport #PrayerNight #FaithInAction

Challenge Accepted!

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated men who have approached our pastors over the past few weeks to affirm their commitment by stating, "I accept." The response has been overwhelmingly positive, allowing us to confidently inform the District Superintendent of the Holguin Region in Central Cuba about our intention to adopt a second church. In light of this significant step forward, the men are pledging to raise $2,000 annually to support this second sister church, which is yet to be named. Your support and commitment are invaluable, and we sincerely thank you for your contributions as we embark on this important journey together.

Sermon Series!!

Conversation With God: The Heart of Prayer

Praying For Our World

As we gather on this final Sunday to conclude our Lenten Sermon Series centered on the transformative power of prayer, we invite you to join us in a profound exploration of I Timothy 2:1-6. This scripture illuminates the heart of Jesus' desire for us to intercede not only for ourselves but for all humanity, fostering a spirit of love and unity. Together, let us reflect on how this journey through prayer has deepened our faith and enriched our lives during this sacred season. As we approach Holy Week, we hope these teachings have inspired you to embrace a more intentional and heartfelt practice of prayer, one that resonates beyond these weeks and profoundly impacts your spiritual walk. Your presence and participation in this journey are invaluable, and we look forward to sharing this momentous conclusion with you.

Holy Week Schedule and Preview

On Palm Sunday, we wave our palm branches and shout, 'Hosanna!' as we remember Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday is a day of celebration, a moment of anticipation. We know that Easter Sunday is coming—the day of resurrection, of joy, of new life. But too often, we rush ahead in our hearts and forget the road that leads us there.

Please join us on April 13 as we celebrate Palm Sunday, but, let us commit to walking the full journey of Holy Week. Because only when we walk with Jesus through the darkness will we truly understand the light of Easter morning.

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

This Sunday promises to be a worshipful music experience as we celebrate the music ministries of our church. The First Church Ringers will grace us with their final performance of the season, setting a tone of worship and reflection during the prelude. Our Methodist Day School choir will uplift our spirits with their energetic voices, alongside the First Church Choir bringing our Offertory worship. Join us as we come together in song, fostering a deep connection to our faith and one another.

UPDATE FROM MDS

Toddler Classroom: This week in Ms. Evie's Toddler class the children had fun with the oats sensory learning bins. An activity the class really liked was a puzzle search game. The class has been working on their colors this week and counting to three. In circle this week the children had fun singing songs about spring and playing musical instruments. It has been a fun week of learning and exploring in Ms. Evie's class!  

Two Year Classroom: This week in Ms. Margie's Two-Year class it was all about Ladybugs, Butterflies, and Caterpillars. Everyone had fun doing footprint ladybugs and painting their feet. Coffee filter butterflies were a favorite art activity this week. The children had fun making bee finger puppets and using them for a fun little puppet show. Making egg carton caterpillars was loved by all. It has been a fun week of learning in Ms. Margie's class!

Three Year Classroom: This week in Mrs. Ledbetter's Three-Year class it was all about Nursery Rhymes. The class had fun doing a color mixing activity. For math they have been working on numerical order. They played a fun shape and color review game that everyone really enjoyed. It has been a fun week of learning in Mrs. Ledbetter's class! 

VPK Classroom: This week in Ms. Angela and Ms. Audrey's class for literacy this week the class had fun playing Hello Bunny, a beginning sounds and alphabet review game.  For science the children learned all about rabbits and really liked playing a jumping game to see who could jump the furthest. The children did a Spring Sorting Vowel Sounds activity that everyone did well at playing. For math this week the focus was on exploring manipulatives, sorting and counting, number patterns, and measuring and weighing. It has been a fun week of learning in VPK!  

This week our Three-Year Class and VPK class had a field trip to the library. The children walked to the Central library and had a special story time with Ms. Cheryl. The children heard stories about jungle animals, sang a fun song about a very hungry alligator, and got to play with some toys. It was a great field trip!  

On Thursday several of the MDS children participated in Soccer Shots. The character trait they learned was respect. The children had fun playing a soccer game on soccer island with their friends.   

Brunch Bunch

Get ready for a delightful Sunday on April 13, where we'll bask in the gentle breezes wafting through the charming porch of Bahama Breeze! It's the perfect opportunity to indulge in the vibrant and mouth-watering flavors of the Caribbean while enjoying the company of friends and fellow worshippers. Join us for a time of fellowship and delicious food that promises to uplift your spirits and create wonderful memories. Don't miss out on this fantastic gathering – come hungry and ready for a fun-filled afternoon!

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

• John O'Brien (member)
• A Former MDS family
• 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)
• Nancy Mayeux (Former Pastor, surgery and recovery)
• 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)
• Baby Abby Joy and parents (family of Lisa Passeri)
• 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