In Person and Livestreamed

Worship Service

First United Methodist Church of Naples

Sunday Service 10:15 am

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Transfiguration Sunday

February 11, 2024



From the Pastor

This week is the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday. We have prepared two opportunities for you to receive ashes. You can drop in between 12:00 and 1:00 in-person, or take home your ashes and liturgy packet on Sunday to watch a recorded service online. Scroll down for more info.

This Eblast is the best way to know what is going on in the church and how you can participate! I hope you’ll take the time to scroll down to learn more about all our events, past and future.   If you did not make it to the PAWS Tour, you really missed out! It was enjoyed by 22 who attended from our church (Scroll down for pics.) Don’t miss out on the upcoming Grace Place Tour. It is a great opportunity to learn more about this wonderful organization that we already support!

You have probably heard a lot about our wonderful Bishop, Tom Berlin. You will have an opportunity to learn about his storytelling skills if you attend our Lenten Bible study, because he is the author! Also, if you attend our District’s upcoming STIR Training event, you will hear him as the keynote speaker, and attend some great workshops for anyone who is a church leader or even thinking of being one in the future.

Last week, we welcomed three new members: Nikki Koerner, Susan Fakoukakis and Lori Martin. We are so excited to have them formally as members in our church family. Scroll down for a photo and brief bio of each one. I hope that more of our regular attenders will become members in the future.

Please also remember to scroll down to our prayer list at the end of the Eblast, and lift others up in prayer.

Love and Blessings,

Pastor Nancy

[email protected].  

Life & Faith Lesson

Pastor Nancy Mayeux

High, Long, Wide and Deep: God's Love Conquers All

God tries to tell us in so many ways, how incredibly much He loves us. It is really unfathomable and can’t be measured in height, length, width or depth. Sunday, I want to make a dent into this difficult task of understand God’s amazing love. Once we have tried to understand, then how do we respond? What can we possibly do to receive and return that love? What kind of Valentine gift can you give to God on this upcoming Valentines Day and throughout the year? What do you think God wants most from you. I have some good ideas to share with you. Let’s talk about it on Sunday in worship at 10:15 in-person, or online, for our livestreamed or recorded service on YouTube at the link below:

 Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Meet Our New Members

Nikki Koerner (far left in photo) is originally from Wyandotte Michigan and has been coming to Naples since 1977. She loves history and just started a new job at the Naples Historical Society. She even has some famous historical ancestry, as she descends from John Elder of the Mayflower! She has a caring heart, is artistic and loves decorating and cooking. She’s been attending FUMC since Christmas Eve and joined by Profession of Faith.

Susan Fakoukakis (center in photo) joined by Transfer from another Methodist Church in Cincinnati Ohio. She’s here most of the year. She grew up as a Methodist and has lived all over the world with her husband, Emmanuel, who is Greek and attends Greek Orthodox churches. He is retired from Procter and Gamble and while in other countries, Susan taught English as a second language and volunteered as a librarian as well as working with children in foster care. She has volunteered here at our church as well. Susan has three children and a granddaughter.

Lori Martin (far right in photo) has been attending here for a number of years, so many of you already know her. She joined by transferring from her church in Illinois where she spends part of her year. She is married and has a son and daughter and 3 grandchildren. Lori likes to play tennis, water ski, and play with the grand kids. Before retiring she worked in a dental and orthodontic office. She has been coming to Naples for 7 years and has been involved in meal packing, Dinner church and other ministries at our church."

It seems a bit strange to have Ash Wednesday fall on Valentines Day this year. One event focuses on love and joy and the other is more somber where we are reflective of our mortality. There’s always room for both and we hope that you will find some time to do that reflecting and imposition of ashes to remind you and others, throughout the day, of who you are and whose you are. To help you with that, we have two options for you:

1.      Church Sanctuary will be open on Ash Wednesday from 12 noon to 1:00pm for you to drop in, any time, for prayer and imposition of ashes by Pastor Scott. There will be NO in-person service at the church.

2.     A full 20-minute service has been recorded and will be available to you online to be watched any time on Ash Wednesday. 

This Sunday, everyone will receive a packet with an Ash Wednesday bulletin with liturgy to follow along and a small cannister of ashes with instructions. During that online service, you may place the ashes on your forehead yourself or household members may do this for each other, making the sign of the cross. We hope you will enjoy the prayers, music and time for reflection in this recorded service. If you miss worship on Sunday, you can pick up your packet with ashes at the church on Monday or Tuesday. The link for the recorded service on YouTube is below. Note: The link will not be active until the morning of Ash Wednesday.

Join our Choir

Our choir has been singing gloriously, but there is always room for more! We would also like to start the bell choir, but we need 11 people in order to cover 2 octaves of bells. If you have an interest in either group, please feel free to contact our Director of Music, Dr. Karen Click at [email protected], or speak to her after church. Do not worry about your experience level. Your interest and enthusiasm is most important. Music is such a vital part of the church, please consider serving in this capacity.

Altar Flower Ministry

This week's altar flowers are placed in honor of our Chancel Choir.

 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! DID YOU KNOW?

Are you missing part of your Eblast?

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 end of the eBlast 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!

Tell Your Friends and Neighbors about our Preschool!



You've been enjoying the beautiful pictures of our Methodist Day School children every week in our eblast. Do you know anyone with preschool-aged children who could benefit from our wonderful MDS preschool program? We are enrolling in the 3-year old class and VPK class for 4-year-olds. We are the earliest established preschool in Naples and have some of the best teachers in Naples who nurture and care for these children. All our children tested above Kindergarten level when they graduated from VPK last year!

Contact Director Alicia Silvin 239-262-1052 [email protected]

United Methodist Women

PAWS TOUR

Thank you to everyone who attended the PAWS Tour this week.

THANK YOU!

Your Giving Is a Form of Worship

Thank you for your giving in 2023! Your incredible generosity has allowed 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 in 2024, 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]

Last Week's Worship Service



Did you miss worship last week? Click on the link below to view the video of last week's worship service with a sermon entitled, "Witness the Miracle", which was preached by Pastor Nancy Mayeux and based on John 9:13-17; 35-41.

Wednesday Bible Study

Starting February 21 at 10:30am

In The Third Day: Living the Resurrection, Tom Berlin uses his gifts of storytelling and understanding the Scriptures to connect the reader to the experiences of several individuals around Jesus in his final days, focusing on new life and redemption rather than loss.

Join Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas as they feel the despair of losing Jesus and the surprise and joy that awaits them in the resurrection. This study traces events around these characters, along with Paul and the disciples at Emmaus, and how the resurrection transforms their lives. The is a six-week study. Books will be available at the church. The cost of the book is $15. Or you can purchase the book or eBook independently. By the way, the author is our own Bishop Tom Berlin!

 Church Directory

Plans are being made to put together a new church directory. It has been almost 5 years since we had one. We are doing all the work in-house to include pictures. We would like to start taking pictures after service on Sunday, March 3 during our Coffee and Cookies Social. There are directory information cards at the welcome center that will allow you to fill out all your current information and what you would like in the directory. Please pick one up or print one from the below link and mail it or bring it to the church office. This will be for all members, affiliates, associates, and regular attenders. 

Grace Place Guided Group Tour

FUMC is a supporter of Grace Place for Children and Families. Grace Place programs support the working-class immigrant families in our Naples community, empowering individuals by providing them with the tools they need to achieve success and break free from the cycle of poverty. They are hosting tours of their facility on the following dates.

• February 12 at 4 pm
• February 13 at 7 pm
•  March 18 at 10 am
• March 20 at 7 pm

No reservations are required. Grace Place Campus is located at 4300 21st Ave SW in Naples. We encourage all who are able to attend and learn more about the important work this organization does.

STIR! District Training Event

Keynote Speaker - Bishop Tom Berlin

February 24, 2024

Grace UMC, 400 E Field Avenue, Venice FL 34285

9:30am – 3:00pm

In order to support churches in being adaptive as we move into the future, The Southwest District of the Florida Conference is offering an in-person training event.

As we move past the season of stress and struggle, the goal is to help identify and stir up the gift of God which is within each of us AND the gifts that God has uniquely placed in our church.

In this interactive workshop, they will work with us to name what we have and explore possibilities for getting it moving, gaining momentum, and making a difference in our church and community.

Breakout sessions are specifically designed to encourage our church leaders to seek an attitude of abundance as they think through how to stir up finances, facilities, and people in ways that generate meaningful ministry.

• Leveraging Abundance: Stirring Finances and Facilities with Missional Creativity 
• Leveraging Purpose: Stirring Gifting and Passion to Engage Your People 
• Leveraging Joy: Stirring Connection to Build Relationship and Grow the Church 
• Leveraging Leadership: Stirring for Change Without Losing Everyone Along the Way 

The COST is $10 (payable via PayPal at time of registration or cash/check at the door). Please let the church office know if you plan to register. We would like to arrange a meetup time so that attendees can drive together, if desired.

Sunday Brunch Bunch

Our next Brunch Bunch is Sunday, February 18 at The Hampton Social, 9114 Strada Place. Seating is limited to 12. Join us once a month 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. Sign up on the sheet in our narthex (sanctuary lobby), or contact the church office.

We Packed 405,000 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 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 [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 Pastor 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. Pastor 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] .

• Melissa Miranda (MDS Parent)
• Isabela Weight (MDS family)
• Stevens family on the death of their infant son (friends of Gail Jaworsky)
• Barbara Mezeske (sister of Arthea Brimmer)
• Gail Buckles (Sister of Gwen Pleban)
• Russ Hurd (Member)
• Mo Pierzchala (Attender)
• Jim Merrifield (Member)
• Rick Trip
• Julianne Lofendo (Friend of Gail Jaworsky)
• Dawn Sumrall (Friend of Norine Tempelman)
• Marcia Bowser (Neighbor of the Parry's)
• Jenn Wolf
• Lynn (Daughter of Shirley Maas)
• Chris Grimshaw (Member and husband of Christine Grimshaw)
• Evelyn Johnson (Sister-in-law of Al Johnson)
• Rev. Flo Scott (Attender)
• Tom Russell (Member)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (Daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Larry Croy (Friend of Bill Parry)
• Baby Theresa Grace (Great-granddaughter of Pat Schanke)
• Lidia Rodriguez (Daughter of former pastor 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 January 13, 2023) 

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

Learning is Always Wonderful & Fun at MDS!

This week, Pastor Scott taught us about the Good Samaritan in Chapel. Our 2-year-old class loves visiting the library. Our 3-year-old class had fun finger painting. VPK learned all about Groundhog day. It was another fun and exciting week at Methodist Day School.