In Person and Livestreamed

Worship Service

First United Methodist Church of Naples

Sunday Service 10:15 am

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25th Sunday after Pentecost

November 19, 2023

Thanksgiving Service

From the Pastor

Thanksgiving is coming soon and we all have so much to be thankful for. We have passed through some rough times in the last few years, with a pandemic and hurricane. Some of us have battled health issues or the loss of loved ones, but we still have so much to be grateful for, when we come out on the other side of these difficult times. Please spend some time looking for the silver linings and the wonderful things God is doing in your life, and be sure to tell God how you feel about that! 

For this service of Thanksgiving, we thank Arthea Brimmer for the beautiful music she has prepared. She has something special prepared for our Sunday postlude, so I recommend you hang around right after the blessing to hear it! Thanks also to the choir and to Pam Kennedy for preparing our beautiful altar décor every Thanksgiving and other holidays.

Please don’t forget that Pat Schanke’s funeral service will take place in our sanctuary, this Sunday at 2:00pm with a reception to follow in Barton Hall. She was greatly loved by us at FUMC and by so many in the community whose lives she touched. She will be greatly missed now that she has gone on to glory. Scroll down for more details and her obituary.

Please mark your calendar and plan to help with decorating our sanctuary for Christmas, on Thursday, Nov 30 at 10:00am. Sign up at our Welcome Center in our Narthex or call the church office to let us know you can help. Many hands make the work go quickly! 

Please also scroll down through the Eblast to learn about all the opportunities for service available to you at FUMC, and who needs your prayers within our church, the community and world. Most of all, please pray for peace.



Love and Blessings,

Pastor Nancy

[email protected]

 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 - 11 19 2023 ". Click on that title or the image 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

Rev. Nancy Mayeux

Where Your Treasure is, Your Heart Will Be Also

This Sunday is a “New Member Sunday”, when the congregation always has the opportunity to renew their membership vows along with the new people joining our congregation. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it is a time to especially think about all that we have received from God and to be thankful for those things. Following our thanks, we can give some thought to the fact that all that we have came from God and ask ourselves, “What will I give in return?” We give to Jesus through our church, through “our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness” (our membership vows). Jesus had a lot to say in the Bible about how important this giving is. There are so many ways that we can use the abundance of blessings that God has given to us, and there are many misconceptions about how and what we should do. Sunday, I hope to clarify some of these and explore ways together that we can serve God by using and sharing what God has given to us.  Come Sunday at 10:15 for our in-person worship or join us online through YouTube, Sunday or whenever you are able to watch the recorded service.

 Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Altar Flower Ministry

Our altar flowers this Sunday are placed by Judy Margrey & Leo Poisson in loving memory of Pat Schanke who will be greatly missed.

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. Purchase and dedication can be arranged by signing up in the church lobby or by sending an email to Jaimie Dandridge at [email protected]. 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. 

Last week's flowers were donated to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at NCH Baker.

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: "View entire message", or 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!

Service for Pat Schanke

is this Sunday at 2:00 PM

in our Sanctuary

Pat Schanke, one of our long-time members, passed away recently. She was 94. She deeply impacted so many lives during those years, especially children that she taught. Pat was very active at FUMC and one of the strongest prayer warriors we have ever had in our church. If you knew her, you were surely on her daily prayer list. Pat will be greatly missed, but we know that she has gone on to her heavenly home and is very happy. Her service will be here at the church on November 19th at 2:00pm, (click link below for details) followed by a reception in Barton Hall. Come to be with her family and to hear of Pat’s amazing life. Click below to read her published obituary:

Advent Bible Study begins Weds, Nov. 29 @ 10am

Faithful: Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph

In this four-week study by Adam Hamilton, you will understand how Joseph's place in the nativity story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would have never chosen for ourselves. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas season. Sign-up in the Narthex. Books are available at the church. For more information, see Chaplain Scott.

Pictures from recent worship services

Sunday Brunch Bunch

Our next Brunch Bunch is Sunday, November 26 at Hogfish Harry's, 600 Neapolitan Way. Join us every other week for a time of fellowship and getting to know one another.  We meet at a different local restaurant for brunch right after worship each time. Reservations are required so please sign up at the Welcome Center in the Narthex.

Upper Room

The new edition of the Upper Room devotional is available in the Narthex (church lobby). Pick up your copy on Sunday or stop by the church office during the week. There is no charge, however donations are appreciated to help cover the cost of providing this resource.

United Methodist Women Christmas Luncheon

The UMW Christmas luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12th at 11:30am. Pam McDonnell has graciously offered her home for the event. Following tradition, it will be a potluck meal. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex to let us know you are coming and what dish you will bring to complement a ham.

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.
• “Capital Expenses” which include roof replacements and other capital needs on our campus. 
• UMCOR Disaster Relief for disasters in the US and abroad.
• “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: [email protected]

A Financial Snapshot is available for you at our Narthex Welcome center.

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, "Are You Lukewarm?", which was preached by Rev. Nancy Mayeux and based on Revelation 7:9-17.

We Packed 385,000 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 [email protected]. She will schedule you. It’s lots of fun! 

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 Pastor Nancy’s personal cell number on the message. She or Chaplain Scott will respond to all pastoral emergencies. 

Call the church office: (239) 262-1033

Email us: [email protected]  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 or Pastor Nancy 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, 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 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: [email protected] .

• Linda Mills (Sister of Judy Margrey) 
• Jeff Jaworsky (Son of Gail Jaworsky)
• Normand Poisson (Brother of Leo Poisson)
• Blake Whitley (Brother of Pam Kennedy)
• Sue Smith (Sister of Karen Bach)
• Lynn (Daughter of Shirley Maas)
• Chris Grimshaw (Member and husband of Christine Grimshaw)
• Harry Archer (Brother-in-law of Kay Craynon)
• Evelyn Johnson (Sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• Brenda Soleto (Daughter of Patty Richards)
• Rev. Flo Scott (Attender)
• Tom Russell (Member)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (Daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Eleanor Muchmore (Grandmother of Jaimie Dandridge)
• Larry Croy (Friend of Bill Parry)
• Peter Schmitz (Friend of Karen Parry)
• Baby Theresa Grace (Great-granddaughter of Pat Schanke)
• Lidia Rodriguez (Pastor's daughter of our sister-church in Cuba)
• Baby Abby Joy and parents (Family of Lisa Passeri)
• 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)
• 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 October 27, 2023) 

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

Learning is Always Wonderful & Fun at MDS!

It was another great week at our Methodist Day School. The children helped out at Food-Packing to provide food for people with food insecurities. They had a Creative Movement Class where they moved with fun songs, parachutes and colorful scarfs. The children celebrated Veterans Day and practiced singing songs in the sanctuary with Ms. Arthea to prepare for singing to the congregation on December 10^th. Friday, the children and their families had a Thanksgiving lunch picnic on our campus. It was a busy week! 

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 Pastor Nancy’s personal cell number on the message.