Naples UCC Family,

Our world at war just doesn't feel right. Our world is hurting to the point that it doesn't even seem real to us at times. How could all this be? The heartache we have over our world causes us to hunger for a new world. We hunger for a world where there is peace between nations and neighbors. We hunger for a world where everyone's dignity is honored. We hunger for a world where there are no more tears and no more pain.

Humor me for a moment. If the world for which we are hungry collided with our world, what would happen?

To be sure, it would feel like an earthquake. I'm not the least bit surprised that Matthew's account of the resurrection includes an earthquake (Matthew 28:2). For that's what the resurrection is—a transformation of things, and a transition into newness. 

On Sunday, I pray that our celebration of Easter at Naples UCC would shake us all with hope. On Sunday, the world of heaven will collide with the world as we know it. Our lives and our world could use a good shaking. God, shake us up. 

In Christ,



Pastor Mark 

The Caregiver’s Support Group meets every other Friday year-round to support those caring for loved ones. Whether you’re a caregiver, a past or future one, or seeking resources, all are welcome. Church membership is not required, and discussions remain private. For more info, contact Joan Millon at joanmillon6@gmail.com.

The Bargain Box will be closed Today, April 3, in observance of Good Friday. However, our Church offices remain open.

EASTER SUNDAY

April 5, 2026

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7 AM

Clam Pass Beach

Rev. Jim Moseley

“God’s Yes to Our No!”

John 20: 1-10

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9 & 11 AM

Traditional Services

Rev. Dr. Mark Williams

“Shake With Hope”

Matthew 28: 1-10

This year, our Lenten and Easter offerings will support the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), which serves the children and families of migrant farmworkers and other low-income households in the Immokalee area.

Many of our Immokalee neighbors live on the margins, facing food insecurity, limited transportation, substandard housing, and—amid recent events in our nation—deep uncertainty and fear. RCMA responds by putting love into action, standing alongside these families with compassion and practical support. It cares for some of the most vulnerable families by providing high-quality childcare and early education to more than 350 children, and it opens pathways to lasting success through its free K–8 charter school. In addition, RCMA’s family service and learning centers strengthen the broader community by empowering adults and parents with educational opportunities, English language learning, parenting support, and essential life-skills training equipping families to build stability and grow stronger together.

When we support RCMA, we participate in a living ministry—one that nurtures children, opens doors of opportunity, and helps cultivate brighter futures. Just as importantly, we plant seeds of hope. We invite you to give generously this Lenten and Easter season. Every gift makes a difference in the lives of children and families in need. You can easily contribute by clicking the button below!

Due to the Easter Holiday this Sunday, Naples UCC will not be collecting cans. The collection will continue next month on May 3. Thank you for all of your donations so far this season! Have a beautiful day - He is risen!

As we prepare our hearts for the joy of the Resurrection, we invite you to witness a powerful symbol of renewal on our campus. After a season of absence, our beloved steeple has been restored and returned, reaching once again toward the heavens! Come see for yourself at Naples UCC this Easter Sunday.

Get a "Sneak Peek": Watch the incredible footage of the steeple being lifted back into place, a modern-day labor of love and faith.

We can't wait to worship with you as we celebrate the Risen Christ!

April 6

Our church offices will be closed on Monday, April 6

in observance of the Easter holiday.

This week, Mahjong has been cancelled as we take a break following the Easter Holiday. Join in next week to challenge your mind, one tile at a time. Mahjong is the perfect blend of fun and focus. Join us for Mahjong on Mondays from 1 - 3 p.m. in Nelson Hall.

APRIL 7, 10:00 AM | N-104

Monthly Meeting

APRIL 7, 11:00 AM | N-104

Educational Program

Please join us for our monthly WISE meeting (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) on Tuesday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. in Nelson Hall. We welcome anyone who would like to share the mental health experiences of their family or community—and those who simply wish to listen as others share their stories. Our group supports one another through sharing, prayer and learning as we seek to become more informed about the mental health crisis in today’s world through book studies and professional speakers. We are lifted up by our time together and invite you to join us. In addition, at the 11:00 a.m. Educational Programming, Linda Russell will lead a book discussion on the book Between Two Trailers by Pastor Dana Trent, a recent guest preacher at Naples UCC. Her early childhood exposure to mental illness and then into her later life and development will be explored.

APRIL 7, 1:00 PM | PARLOR

Please join us as we prayerfully knit and crochet beautiful prayer shawls and lap blankets for those who need a warm hug from God. Lessons & supplies are available or bring your own project to work on. Everyone is welcome to participate in this caring ministry. Contact Janet Goodhart at (610) 420- 7196 for questions.

APRIL 8, 8:30 AM | SEAGATE BEACH

Join members and friends for fellowship, prayer, and walking in nature. The Walk and Wonder group eagerly welcomes family members, friends, and especially newcomers to the Naples UCC community. On Wednesday, April 8 enjoy a walk along Seagate beach and the boardwalk that leads to the Naples Grande. Meet in the church parking lot at 8:30 am. Anticipate our return to church by 10:00. Contact Carole Russell at carolerussell@hotmail.com if you have questions or plan to attend for the first time.

Men's New Chapters meets regularly on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. throughout the program season. The group is reviewing a book titled The Power Worshippers, Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism by Katherine Stewart. All men are welcome! Contact Rich Kirschner for details or the zoom link if you are unable to attend in person at rdkirschner@gmail.com.

APRIL 9, 10:00 AM | N-104

Celebrate Earth Day by attending a recorded presentation on climate change. Katharine Hayhoe is the author of popular books such as Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, and A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions. Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime, as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith.

By request, the program will continue for an additional month with meetings scheduled for the first three Thursdays in April. Each week's discussion will be framed around a theme with the first week discussing 'The Art of Gathering'. There is no pre-reading or advance preparation for the April meetings. This is a unique opportunity to connect with other women in our church community and gather to listen and engage through shared experiences.

The Membership and Growth Committee has been presenting a new member orientation for the past two and a half years. We are excited to now open this presentation to all on a limited, sign-up basis. During the orientation, we will cover:

• A brief overview of the United Church of Christ and Naples UCC history
• How Naples UCC is governed, including the corporation and church leadership
• An introduction to our Boards, Committees, Ministries, and social groups
• A guided tour of our campus, including history and fun facts
• Time for questions and discussion

Refreshments and snacks will be served. Space is limited to 20, so please sign up with Samantha Santarosa by calling the Church Office at (239) 261-5469.

Sundays – We are so happy to have families with young children in our midst! Regular Sunday morning activities for children 4 years and older take place during the 9:00 a.m. worship service. Children are encouraged to come forward for the Children’s Message, then go to Sunday School with Ms. Jeanne. Coloring activities and worship resources are available on the family table in the Narthex. Please reach out to the church office if you have any questions or would like more information about upcoming events.

Children's Message – Early in the worship service, children are invited forward for a special message designed to connect the theme of worship to their lives in an age-appropriate way. Afterward, children Pre-K through 5th Grade are invited to attend Sunday School with Ms. Jeanne for engaging lessons and activities in Nelson Hall, Room 202. All children are welcome, whether visitors or members. 

Nursery Care – Nursery care for infants through 4 years old is available each Sunday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Nelson Hall, room 203 (the building across the Gathering Place). Please sign in with our nursery staff. Our former space located next to the sanctuary is still available to you as a Wiggle Room. Feel free to utilize that space if you wish to stay with your child.

Youth Sunday School – Our regular youth Sunday morning class will take a break for Easter. We will resume our normal schedule on Sunday, April 12 at 10:15 a.m.

Upcoming Events — Families with children/youth of all ages are invited to join us for our upcoming events! Parents and grandparents can gather more information from Jeanne Snedeker, Director of Youth & Children’s Education at jeanne@naplesucc.org. All are welcome!

Easter Sunday! - Be sure to join us immediately following the 9:00 a.m. worship service for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt which takes place on the southwest side of the church near the labyrinth. Bags will be provided, or you may use your Easter basket.

Earth Day – Our next midweek family gathering will be on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. We will be celebrating Earth Day with games, fellowship, and a casual dinner together. Please contact Jeanne Snedeker for more information.

Naples United Church of Christ, an Open and Affirming congregation, will host a booth at the 7th Annual Naples Pride Festival on Saturday, April 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cambier Park.

The festival celebrates diversity, equality, and unity, with music, entertainment, food, vendors, and more. Naples Pride’s mission is to unite and empower the LGBTQ community of Southwest Florida, promote education, and support equality for all.

The Justice Committee is seeking volunteers to help staff our booth. Shifts are two hours, beginning at 8:30 a.m. for setup, with the final shift starting at 2:30 p.m.This is a meaningful opportunity to share our church’s welcoming spirit and commitment to inclusion with the broader community.

You can sign up by calling the Church office at (239) 261-5469 or contact Bob Selby at bselby5186@aol.com.

Proceeds from the event support vital services at the Naples Pride Center, including health resources, safe spaces, suicide prevention, and programs for youth and seniors.

APRIL 19, 9 & 11 AM | PORTICO

Join us for our monthly focus drive on April 19 at 9 and 11 a.m. Naples UCC will collect donations before each service. For April 19, we are collecting Men’s & Women’s clothing and accessories. Please bring your donations to the drop-off table in the Portico. We’re grateful for your generous donations and we could use your help!

Join the team!

We’re looking for in‑store volunteers, especially cashiers, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays to:

• Assist customers and support cashier operations
• Lift, organize, and sort donations
• Help prepare and stage items for sale

Your support—whether time or items—keeps the store running and ensures resources reach those who need them. If you have a few hours and a willing heart, we’d love to have you on our team. Please sign up with Samantha in the Gathering Place or call the Church Office at (239) 261-5469.

April 12, 2026

9 & 11 AM

Rev. Jim Moseley

The Three Little Pigs

I Corinthians 3: 10-14

APRIL 12, 12:15 PM | N-104

A time for visitors to learn, ask questions, and meet our ministers. The Meet and Greet takes place following the 11:00 a.m. service in Nelson Hall, room 104. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Become an Associate Member

At Naples UCC, we offer an Associate Membership for our seasonal visitors who wish to also retain their membership in a Northern church. Our Associate Membership offers all the same rights and privileges as our full membership. We have Joining Sundays each month during season. You may join either publicly or privately. For more information, see Samantha in the Gathering Place or email her at samantha@naplesucc.org.

Let's make it official! Join us April 26

We’ll have both private and public joining on Sunday, April 26. Private joining will occur at 10:30 a.m. and public joining will occur during the 11:00 a.m. service. Those wishing to maintain the membership in a northern church are invited to join as Associate Members. For additional information see Samantha in the Gathering Place or contact her at samantha@naplesucc.org.

APRIL 12, 10:15 AM | McSPADDEN HALL

On Sunday April 12, 30 Good Minutes will host Aram Wheatley, the CEO of Project Build, a mission partner with our Board of Mission and Outreach. Aram Wheatley is the founder of Project Build SWFL bringing over 16 years of

experience in youth development, operations leadership, and community impact. He leads the organization with a deep commitment to transforming the lives of foster, homeless, and justice-involved youth through skilled trades

training, mentorship, and job placement. Aram will be interviewed by Rev. Rich Kirschner in McSpadden Hall beginning 10:15am between services.

And be sure to join us in worship, where we will have a Mission Moment featuring Project Build.

APRIL 15, 10:00 AM | GOLDEN PAWS

Golden PAWS provides highly skilled service dogs to combat wounded Veterans, first responders, and children with life-changing abilities. There will be a presentation and then a walking tour of their state-of-the-art facility. The tour ends with a chance to observe a training class. We need a minimum of 20 spots filled. Plan to meet there at 3645 Gateway Lane, Naples, FL. Please RSVP by April 12. A free-will offering will be taken to support their program.

APRIL 16, 10:00 AM | McSPADDEN HALL

Please join us for an informative morning at our last Aging Well presentation of the season. Bruce B. Rosenblatt is a certified dementia practitioner (CDP), a trained specialist who helps understand the aging process and some of the challenges this presents. Bruce has a unique combination of compassion, expertise and knowledge and will provide insight into what factors are important to consider in a move to senior housing, what questions are key to interviewing them, and what are ways we can safely “age in place”. Call the church office to register to attend!

APRIL 17, 12:30 PM | N-103

CELEBRATING OUR 10TH YEAR! - Welcoming all past, current and future caregivers to join us for an OPEN HOUSE LUNCH on April 17 at 2 p.m. in Nelson Hall room 103. Please RSVP to joanmillon6@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

APRIL 18, 1:30 PM | REVS INSTITUTE

Join us for a tour at Revs Institute. This is more than a car museum - it is a place to see society through a different lens. Explore the rich historical materials that defined the automobile’s role in society and motor sport. Registration is required, and there is a minimum of 10 allowed. Cost is $35 payable at the time of registration. Call the Church office to register at (239)261-5469 by 4/15/2026. For information about REVS, visit their website at: https://revsinstitute.org/

APRIL 19, 3:00 PM | SANCTUARY

The Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra (NPYJO) celebrates its 11th year in 2025-26. Nearly 25 students from Lee and Collier counties participate in the NPYJO each season, where they learn jazz techniques and styles in a big band setting. Directed by Brandon Robertson, please join us at 3:00 pm in the Naples UCC Sanctuary for the last in our concert series of the year. Find more information about their program with the button below.

APRIL 19, 4:00 PM | TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES

Please join this community-wide gathering for a worship service in celebration and support for the LGBTQ+ community. IASWFL has committed to continuing this annual tradition, first begun by PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) in 2008. Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida will be hosting this year’s Interfaith Pride Service at Temple Shalom. (4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119) Please see their website for further details.

To view all our upcoming events and ways to connect,

visit our online calendar here.

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

Mission Statement: To love God and all our neighbors as God loves us.

Open and Affirming • Mission-Driven • Powerful Worship • Continuing Generosity • Caring Ministry • Hospitable Fellowship