In Person and Livestreamed

Worship Service

First United Methodist Church of Naples

Sunday Service 10:15 am

~

6th Sunday of Easter

Mother's Day

May 14, 2023

From the Chaplain

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

What a wonderful time of worship this past Sunday! It brings me such great joy to be able to serve communion to everyone and I thank those that helped to administer the elements.

Many of you who have volunteered in the past should have gotten an email to request your help in future services. It is such a great ministry to be able to help people worship! If you are willing to help in any areas of worship (greeters, ushers, Scripture readers, helpers with communion/anointing, etc.), please let me know if you weren’t contacted.

Continue to keep Pastor Nancy in your prayers over the next couple of weeks as she renews her spirit and takes a well-deserved leave to recharge.

This past week, I had the blessing of praying at the MDS for the mothers of all our children. It is such a great ministry that all of our MDS teachers do and you can see the joy on the kids’ faces all day. There is a great article below to show some of the wonderful things they are doing.

One of the things I was thinking about this week was the influence of so many people I have had in my journey through life. I want to recognize all the ladies in our church family for the role they played, known or not, to countless individuals throughout the years. You are all a blessing to this church and to so many people.

Brunch Bunch will continue next week and we are always looking for new and tasty places to eat and share fellowship after church. Let me know if you have a favorite restaurant that we should try! More details down below.

We enjoyed two bible studies during the early spring months. I would like to continue diving deeper into God’s Word through bible Study in June. Be on the lookout for more details.

 God Bless You,

Chaplain Scott

Director of Discipleship and Congregational Care

discipleship@fumcnaples.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE! DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that you may not be getting a portion of your Eblast because Gmail and some other email programs may limit what they display. You may be missing important articles, photos and our Prayer List! How to find out? If you get to the bottom and have not seen the Prayer List or our MDS Preschool photos, then you know there has been a cut-off. After you reach what looks like the end, you may see a little note down at the bottom that says something like: “Click here to view all” or “Click here to continue.” Press that and you will see what you are missing that has been cut off!

 This Sunday's Online Worship Service



If you aren’t able to make it to in-person worship on Sundays, you can watch it online “live” at 10:15 am or you can watch the “recorded” version anytime that is convenient for you by clicking on the box below. We generally start showing announcement slides at 10:00 am as people are coming into the sanctuary and then the actual worship service starts at 10:15 am. 

You can also find this link by going to our web page, our Facebook page, or directly to www.youtube.com. In the Search box at the top of the YouTube page, type "First UMC Naples" and press enter. On the next screen, go down until you see "First UMC Naples - Sunday Worship - Rev Nancy Mayeux - 05 14 2023". Click on that title or the picture next to it to see the “live” broadcast. 

Blessings as you watch and participate. Be sure to share the link for live or recorded versions of our service with your friends and family so they can join you in worship!

Life & Faith Lesson

Chaplain Scott Ehler



ARE YOU READY?

How many times has God put someone in your life who needed to hear your story? How many times did we realize that was what was happening? Are you ready to tell your story? This week we will look at Paul and his message to the philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens, Greece. We will look at the opportunity that he was presented and the measures he took to tell his story about what God was doing in his life and what he could do in theirs.



 Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Altar Flower Ministry

This week's altar flowers are dedicated by Jeff Currier in honor of his wife, Judy Currier, for all her years of loving motherhood.

Every week, you have the opportunity to 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. Future dates are available beginning May 28th except for July 23. Purchase and dedication can be arranged by sending an email to Jaimie Dandridge 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 Support UMCOR Relief from Impact of

Tornadoes, Earthquake, Invasion



UMCOR, the United Methodist Commission on Relief, assists United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need. Right now, UMCOR is actively helping provide relief for:

• People impacted by the many recent tornadoes in the U.S. have destroyed homes, businesses and taken lives. Amongst the many destroyed buildings, a number of them having been Methodist Churches.
• People who are suffering in Turkey and Syria after a devastating earthquake
• Continued help for those displaced or suffering in Ukraine with the constant bombardment of homes, schools, stores and other buildings that are important for daily life.  



In overseas disasters, people are without electricity, water and heat during a tough winter. You can support the relief and recovery efforts by sending your donation to the church, earmarked either “Tornadoes,” “Earthquake” or “Ukraine” and it will be sent to UMCOR for immediate on-the-ground help.  Please also pray for the many people impacted in all these disasters. 

2023 Florida Annual Conference Special Offering

Every year, our pastor brings a special offering from the local congregation to the Florida Annual Conference. These offerings are dedicated to a special cause designated by the Bishop. Please see the link below for more information. We will collect an offering on May 28th, Pentecost Sunday, as well as receive offerings mailed to the office and given online.  

Help Our Youth Go to Camp!



 Every year, many of our youth go to Warren Willis Camp in Leesburg for a fun-filled and very spiritual week. We have parent volunteers who help transport them and participate in the programs. Their days are filled with activities like GaGa ball, the ropes course, yoga, cooking, fishing, swimming, boating, small group Bible studies, chapel time and an incredible time of praise and worship every evening. They meet other children and youth from all over Florida and make lifelong new friends. It is a special time for growing closer to God.  In the past, we have always tried to subsidize their own fundraising efforts with gifts from the congregation to help make the $550 fee for a week of camp more affordable. Please consider a donation to the Youth Camp Fund. Donations can be made out to the church with “Youth Camp” indicated in the memo line or when you make an online donation. They are going to camp in mid-July, but because spots fill up quickly, their registrations are due soon.

United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women (UMW) will resume gathering in September. We hope to see you in the fall!

Men’s Ministry Breakfast

The next Men’s breakfast will be on May 18, at 9:00 am at The Rooster, 600 Goodlette-Frank Rd, #101. We hope you will join us for a great time of fellowship and a short devotion and discussion led by Chaplain Scott. Open to all men in the congregation. Bring a friend.

Sunday Brunch Bunch



 The NEXT brunch will be May 21st at Ridgway Bar & Grill, 1300 3rd St S #101, Naples. Join us right after worship for a time of fellowship and getting to know one another. There will be a sign-up sheet on the credenza in our narthex (sanctuary lobby), or contact the church office at (239) 262-1033 or admin@fumcnaples.org. This is a wonderful way to meet new people! Everyone had a great time at our last gathering.

THANK YOU!

Your Giving Is a Form of Worship

Your incredible generosity is allowing our church to do ministry that will change lives. We hope that you will continue to give of your time, your talents and your prayers, in addition to your financial giving, and that you find joy in your giving!

These are some of the categories that you may wish to give towards:

• “General Operating Budget” which funds our regular ministry programs and our costs to keep staff and buildings going.
• “Tornado Disaster Relief” which funds relief efforts by UMCOR for recent tornado damage in the US.
• “Earthquake Disaster Relief” efforts in Turkey and Syria through UMCOR, donated through our church.
• “Capital Expenses” which include roof replacements and other capital needs on our campus. 
• “Ukraine Relief” for the people of Ukraine who are enduring tremendous hardships.
• “Food Ministry” funds will go to St. Matthews and Grace Place food banks.
• Any other ministries that are important to you.



Just indicate on your checks where you want your donation to go.

Your past and future gifts allow us to help people to know Jesus, to grow in their faith, and to serve Him as we help those in need.  Your donations may be brought to worship on Sunday or mailed/delivered to the address below:

First United Methodist Church of Naples

388 First Avenue South

Naples, FL 34102

OR you can click on the box below to make an online donation. If you have any questions regarding the finances of this church, please send an email to our Finance Chairperson, Tom Bach: tom.j.bach@gmail.com

Last Week's Worship Services



Did you miss worship last week? Click on the link below to view the video of last week's Sunday service with a sermon entitled, What Just Happened?, which was preached by Chaplain Scott Ehler and based on Genesis 40:9-23 .

We’ve Packed 330,000 Meals!!

We’re Helping to Feed Hungry People

in our Community

Congratulations to everyone who has helped pack food in our meal-packing program! Thank you for helping to feed hungry families. Food insecurity has been a major challenge for families throughout the pandemic, and especially now, with food prices soaring. Help us to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world and show the love of Christ to others by participating:

1. Bring in 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.
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! !

Welcome Our Newest Members

Sunday, April 30th, Bianca McKee and Brad Woods officially joined the family of First United Methodist Church. Bianca was joined by her FUMC sponsors: husband Michael McKee, and his parents Gill and Wendy, and sister Ali. Bianca and Michael were married in our church over a year ago. They met during the pandemic and fell in love. She moved here from the Sarasota area where she worked for her family’s restaurant. Bianca likes to write. At FUMC, she helps in the AV room on Sundays. 

Brad was joined by his FUMC sponsors, Ed and Betty Jaekle. Brad has been attending FUMC for over 5 years. He was a member of a Methodist church in Georgia before moving here. Brad has many talents but his biggest is art. He was part owner of an art gallery until the pandemic forced it to close. He continues to paint and sell his work from home. He is working on updating our MDS wall mural.

Please make a point to introduce yourself to Brad and Bianca and let them know they are most welcome and loved!

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is open Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. For pastoral emergencies call the office and you will hear Chaplain Scott’s personal cell number on the message. Chaplain Scott is filling in for our pastor while she is on Renewal Leave. He 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

Food donations can be dropped off during normal business hours or on Sundays prior to worship



Make online donations by clicking the link below:

Please Pray!

Please be sure to let us know if you or a loved one are in the hospital in Naples. Chaplain Scott will come visit. Since HIPAA privacy rules came into play, the hospitals no longer let us know when one of our members is in the hospital. Also, be sure to let us know if someone you have placed on the prayer list is out of the hospital, recovered from COVID or completed their chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Please continue to pray for people around the world who are suffering. Pray that God will bring them help and relief and will make his presence known to them through God’s Spirit. Then pray for guidance on how you can help. You just may be the answer to someone's prayer! 

Urgent Prayer Requests

From our FUMC Church Family

We want to remind you that this section is for “urgent” prayer concerns only: (in the hospital, on Hospice, recovering from COVID-19, recovering from surgery, receiving radiation or chemotherapy for cancer, recent deaths, etc.) If you have a private prayer that you do not want published below, just email me and I will pray for that person and that need privately: pastor@fumcnaples.org.

• Mark Ellenberg (Husband of Bobbi Ellenberg – attenders)
• Tom Russell (Member)
• Family of Diane Langley (Friend of Norine Tempelman) who passed away May 7th.
• Victoria and Trace Hance, and unborn baby Quest (Family of Wendy Moyer)
• Larry Croy (Friend of Bill Parry)
• Peter Schmitz (Friend of Karen Parry)
• Baby Theresa Grace (Great granddaughter of Pat Schanke)
• Michelle Paterson (Friend of Gwen Pleban)
• Linda Mills (Sister of Judy Margrey)
• Jane Dawkins (Friend of Thelma Johnson)
• Lidia Rodriguez (Pastor's daughter of our sister-church in Cuba)
• Baby Abby Joy and parents (Family of Lisa Passeri)
• Sue ReBell (Sister-in-law of Marie and Dick Evans)
• Beth Tatman (Friend of the Mayeux family)
• Wendy Moyer (Member)
• Family of Valya Staruchin, Januk, Orysia and family, Irina and family (Three families of the Jaworsky's in Ukraine)
• Glenn (Friend of the Emory’s)
• Ann Boren (Member) 
• Rosa Fogle (Family of Thelma and Al Johnson)
• All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.

 Special Prayer List 

(Updated April 15, 2023) 

 Wondering what else to pray for each day? Here are some suggestions!

Learning is a Wonderful & Fun Experience at MDS!

It was such an exciting week at Methodist Day School. The 3-year-old class and VPK took a field trip to the library where they read stories about boats and ocean creatures. They even got to participate in a felt story board and sing songs. The library staff is so kind to our students.

Our VPK celebrated the upcoming end of the school year with a trip to the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre to watch a production of "Three Little Birds." It was a fantastic time for our students and parents! 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Church Office is open Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Outside of office hours, please call the church office and leave a message. For pastoral emergencies, call the office and you will hear Chaplain Scott’s personal cell number on the message.