This week's note from Rev. Ben Richards

Residing Hope

I grew up in Sanford, the southern side of Lake Monroe. When I started getting involved in First United Methodist of Sanford, I learned of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home on the other side in Enterprise, and soon became involved in sporadic service projects there. Between those interactions and the focus we as a church put on the ministry happening there, I came to appreciate not just the differences in opportunities available to students, but the incredible ministry happening there.

Around the same time that I became a pastor, the Madison Youth Ranch was launching in Pinetta. Serving in the North West District for several of our shared first years, I was grateful for the chance to see and serve there.

I’m no expert on their work, but it doesn’t take seeing much of what they do to know how important it is to come alongside vulnerable children, youth, and families, and to witness how life-changing their ministry has been to many. And it doesn’t take much to appreciate that this ministry, for over a hundred years, has been dedicated to doing just that consistently, in new ways, and always faithfully.

As a celebration of their development, the name of this expanding ministry was changed to Residing Hope. We’ll have the opportunity in worship to share a bit more later this month, but this week I wanted to offer you the opportunity to learn a bit more about them. Bishop Tom Berlin has offered the included video, and I would invite you to read more about them on their website, residinghope.org.

Rev. Ben Richards

Service for September 8, 2024

Proverbs 22:1-2,8-9,22-23

Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 3 pm

You are invited to join us every Wednesday at 3 pm in the church office for Bible study. All are welcome to be a part of this small group, facilitated by Rev. Ben Richards, as we explore our faith together.

ONLINE GIVING

Some people have commented about fees when using our online giving service. Yes, there are fees; however, many people don’t realize banks also charge fees. When we deposit checks or even cash, our bank charges us fees. We can pay these fees directly like with our online service or we can leave enough cash sitting idle at the bank where we get interest credit to pay the fees.

The problem with leaving cash idle is the interest rate is very, very low. As a general rule in banking, it is usually cheaper to pay cash fees and put idle cash in a higher interest account. Our online donations get deposited directly to our bank account. An additional benefit is it merges directly into our books and donor records. We don’t need to have volunteers count money or someone to post donations to our books. We will always have offerings in the form of

checks and cash, but the more we can move to online the better for us.

August Breakfast Serves 180!

The August 31 Free Community Breakfast was a fabulous success with 180 meals served to adults and children from our neighborhood.  We had 21 volunteers from our church family helping at this month’s breakfast.  This is our largest event so far…and easily could be described as “blessed chaos”!  

In addition to the always nutritious breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, milk, and juice, we had a well-received Clothes Closet which let our guests choose a bag of clothes at no charge.  The focus has been on clothing adults, particularly those working outside.  Thanks to guest and volunteer Maria for helping with Spanish translation if needed in the clothing area.

Guests could “shop” for a free bag of items from the clothing area after they had eaten breakfast.  Thanks go to all those who donated items for the closet area and those who sorted, arranged, and displayed the items. We still are accepting donations for the Clothes Closet.  It may be hard to believe during this humid, hot, rainy time of year, but we need donations for “Florida winter” clothes – not quite the same as Northern Blizzard Wear!  It can sometimes be chilly even here in Bonita during winter months, especially working outside.

And, while the parents were shopping, there were activities for the kids.  They could color pictures, receive balloons, and get tiny rubber ducks (thanks Sharon Magowan). 

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities at these monthly events.  In addition to cooking, volunteers can serve, clean up, set up, blow up balloons, carry trays for the children, and maybe most importantly, sit with and get to know our neighbors.  These breakfasts have always been about more than just food, although it is always good.  It is about letting our neighbors know that our church is a safe place where they are welcome.  And we and God love them.  So, join us for some more “blessed chaos” on September 28.  Cooking starts around 9 a.m.; serving runs from 10-11:30 a.m. You’ll be blessed as you bless others. 

United Women in Faith

  The group meets on the third Monday of each month (September-May) at 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. It is during those meetings that members plan mission projects, hear programs about important issues, learn how they can be involved in church activities and outreach, and more.  All women are invited to be a part of the group.  And, of course, enjoy fellowship with others in our church family.



So, ladies, mark your calendars for September 16 when the monthly meetings resume.  If you have any questions, see any officer:  Susan Atkinson, Jaci Colombo, Jann Mier, or Kathy Schmitt.  

October Book Club Selection

After gathering September 4 at the Royal Scoop to discuss the Kristin Hannah novel The Nightingale, a story of France during World War II, the First UMC Book Club will return to America for the October 2 selection Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1:15 to enjoy lunch and/or ice cream at the Royal Scoop and to discuss a novel.  All are welcome to join us.  These books are part of a kit available from the Bonita Springs Public Library

The October selection is set in the mountains of southern Appalachia.  It is the story of a boy born to a teenaged single mother, with “no assets beyond his dead father’s good looks and copper-colored hair, a caustic wit, and a fierce talent for survival.”  Reviewers say the character Demon is “a voice for the ages – akin to Huck Finn or Holden Caulfield – only even more resilient.”  A Washington Post reviewer said the book is “equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.” Relayed in his own voice, Demon braves the perils of foster care, child labor, bad schools, addiction, and more.

The character Demon Copperhead speaks for a generation of “lost boys, and all those born into beautiful, cursed places they can’t imagine leaving behind.”  Books will be available before and after church.  See Susan Atkinson for a copy, or text her (239-405-9078) if you have questions.

The Upper Room

The Upper Room magazine's mission is to provide a practical way to listen to scripture, connect with believers around the world, and spend time with God each day.

PRAYER & CARE

All information and last names will be kept confidential. Our list is updated weekly. If you need us to keep someone on the list, please send their name to prayer@fumcbonita.org.

Come Pray

Fridays at 9:30 am

Zoom and in the sanctuary

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Prayer Request cards are on the rack at the back of the Sanctuary.

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.

 Wednesdays from 1:00-4:00 our church participates with the Meals of Hope to feed over 150 families each week. Right now we have a DESPERATE need for people to come and help out with the initial packing of fresh fruits and vegetables into bags, and then taking them to the cars as the clients come through.