March 21st, 2025

First Bonita

Serving Bonita Springs for Over 100 Years

03.21.25

For Courage

I was recently introduced to a collection of blessings by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie called “The Lives We Actually Have, 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days”. With a title like that, how could I resist?

Certainly not all faith practices, compositions, or interpretations seem intended for, or even capable of addressing the lives we actually have. Too often I read something composed by someone who has either never experienced difficulty, or seems to think allowing others to discover otherwise would be bad. I tend to believe otherwise. I believe that God meets us where we are, and that grace is sufficient.

Last week in worship we considered how God may be calling us to give up the hold fear has on us, of the ways fear can guide our decisions. And this week, as I’ve continued to consider fear in my own life – shifting from considering as a sermon preached to a sermon experienced – I was reminded of one of the

blessings from the book, and I share it with you. Bowler and Richie point to 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (NKJV) – and then offer this prayer for The Lives We Actually Have.

Rev. Ben Richards

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For courage when you don’t feel very brave

God, I have no idea what courage is

or how to muster it,

but I know I need it.

Fear is taking up too much space

and I have so little bandwidth left.

God, if courage is a gift, then please give it.

And if it is a thing for me to learn,

then show me how.

For blessed are the brave.

Those who perform big courageous

acts of sacrifice.

Those who move toward fear and danger

so the rest of us feel a little more safe.

May we also learn bravery

in small acts of great love.

We who grieve, even if we feel like

we are doing it all wrong.

We who have received the bad news and take the

next right step towards what must be done.

We who sit in the shards of a life

that has come undone.

We who hold another’s hands

on their hardest days.

We who serve and pour out and keep loving,

no matter the cost.

We who live still,

brave and scared at the same time.

Perhaps fear is not something to be vanquished,

but rather that strange friend who tells us

who we love, and what we can’t live without.

So bless us, God.

In our fear. In our shaky hope.

Because brave looks like that too, sometimes.

Sunday Service

Join us this Sunday in-person or watch the 10 AM livestream here.

Fill the Van

United Women in Faith are organizing their annual “Fill the Van” ministry to support the Bonita Springs Assistance Office. Items can be donated before and after worship on Sunday, March 30 and April 6. We ask that you drop them off at the van, which will be in the back parking lot beginning at 9:30 AM and following worship/during coffee hour.

Requested items are as follows: diapers (size 5 or 6), baby wipes, toilet paper, napkins, dog food, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, deodorant, dish soap, lotion, laundry detergent, small bleach bottles, and dish gloves.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email or call the church office at 239-992-1312.

United Women in Faith

United Women in Faith members gathered March 17 for the annual Prayer and Self Denial program and to discuss spring mission projects. The group meets on the third Monday of each month (September – May) at 1 PM in the fellowship hall. During the summer, women in the church family are invited for lunches at area restaurants.

Mission projects on the agenda were the collection of vegetable seed packets to be sent to Redbud Mission and a drive to collect needed pantry items for Bonita Springs Assistance Office. A list of needed items is shared above and will be posted near the red collection box in the church entry. The UWF will focus on collection of non-food items needed for families in the community, having supported a “Fill the Van” project with these items each Spring. The hope is to deliver many of these items in early April.

The next UWF meeting will be April 21 at 1 PM in the fellowship hall. All women of the church are welcome.

Church Finance Update

Our expenses are currently $5,000 below our planned budget and $4,000 compared to last year due to lower maintenance expenses and the open custodian position. General offerings are up, however Summer Reserve offerings are down from the plan and last year. Amounts for Hurricane Ian repairs in 2024 (and the grant that paid for them) are excluded from the above details.

Updates

Bible Study:

Meets Wednesdays at 3 PM in the church office. Facilitated by Rev. Ben Richards.

April Book Club:

We are reading Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. On the first Wednesday of each month, we gather at the Royal Scoop at 1 PM. Books will be available at church on Sundays before and after worship. Text Susan Atkinson at 239-405-9078 for a copy.

Spanish Tuesdays:

Join us in the office at 9:30 AM to learn!

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.

Meals of Hope:

Join us on Wednesdays from 1 PM - 4 PM to participate with Meals of Hope.

Newsletter Submission Changes:

All submissions must be sent to both Rev. Ben Richards and Juanita Palomino via email (pastor@fumcbonita.org and office@fumcbonita.org) with a deadline of 12 PM (noon) on Tuesdays for that week’s Friday newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ben, and thank you.

Prayer and Care:

Join us Fridays at 9:30 AM on Zoom or in the sanctuary. Cards to submit requests are in the back of the Sanctuary. Need to keep someone on the list? Send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org. All information and last names will be kept confidential.