In Person and Livestreamed

Worship Service

First United Methodist Church of Naples

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

10:15am

June 9, 2024



From the Pastor

Dear Friends,

Hope you all had a blessed week. I am at Annual Conference with our crew from FUMC: Pastor Scott, John Mayeux and Rob and Gwen Pleban. The Annual Conference event is in Lakeland. This conference can be intense as there is so much business to cover in such a short time, but it is always wonderful to be with other pastors and laity from around the state, to share ideas and learn about their churches.

Today, they had the Retirement Ceremony for me and other pastors who are also retiring this year. It was special. Tomorrow morning, your Pastor Scott will formally be licensed and recognized by Bishop Berlin in the Ceremony of Licensing, Commissioning and Ordination. That will also be a special milestone ceremony. Pastor Scott ran a 5k race his morning with others from throughout the Florida Conference. Our new Senior Pastor, Rev. Sara McKinley, was a speaker throughout the last two days, receiving standing ovations several times There are a couple of photos from the Conference down below, but look for more details of what was discussed and voted on in next week’s Eblast.

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



Pastor Nancy

pastor@fumcnaples.org.  

Pastor Scott Ehler



All-Knowing God

In 1986, I went to a concert starring one of my favorite artists, Michael W. Smith. From the stage he recited Psalm 139 from memory. It was a life-changing moment in my spiritual journey as he brought the Scriptures to life and showed me that reading the bible was not boring. It also became one of my favorite passages. My finite mind cannot comprehend that God has known my name for all of eternity. He knows me, he has called me, and he wants to direct my paths. Come join us this Sunday as we look as these verses and learn more about the all-knowing God that loves us. 

Psalm 139:1-18

Backpack Drive for Grace Place Children & Families



We will be collecting full backpacks for Grace Place for students Kindergarten through 12th grade. Click the link below for a list of requested supplies. Backpacks may be dropped off at the church throughout the week or brought to church on Sundays throughout the month of June.  

Help Our Youth Go to Camp!



It is almost time for your youth to 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. 

Altar Flower Ministry

This week's altar flowers are dedicated in honor of Wendy Moyer's 75th birthday.

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 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.

Jackson Parry and Boy Scouts

Donate Benches and Picnic Table

Jackson Parry, one of our youth and a member of Boy Scout Troop 165, chose his church to be the recipient of his Eagle Scout project. He was required to complete a project that would benefit a local organization and he chose First United Methodist Church! For his Eagle Scout project, he needed to design it, submit a formal proposal, get donations of goods to help complete the project, line up Scouts from his troop along with other volunteers to work on the project and then organize and supervise the work! Jackson Parry showed good organizational and leadership skills in putting this all together in order to build and refurbish some items we really needed here at church: four nice benches and a picnic table. The benches will be placed in front of the sanctuary and Barton Hall and in the playground for the teachers. The picnic table will also go in the playground for the children. We have missed having these items, so they were much needed. Thank you, Jackson and troop 165!

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 MDS 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 for the 2024/2025 school year for toddler, 2 year, 3 year, and VPK. 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 mdsofnaples@gmail.com

THANK YOU!

Your Giving Is a Form of Worship

Thank you for being a joyful giver! 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, and that you continue to 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: tom.j.bach@gmail.com

Last Week's Worship Service



If you would like to watch last week's worship service click on the link below. Pastor Scott Ehler began the Ascribe to God Worship Series with a sermon titled "All Consuming Presence" based on Isaiah 6:1-8.

We Packed 450,000 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 WendyMckee3@gmail.com. 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: 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. 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: pastor@fumcnaples.org .

• Judy Currier (member)
• Joan & Dick White (friends of Judy Margrey)
• Mary Lou Riccio (member)
• Pam O'Brien (member)
• Jen Wolf
• Barry Phiffer (friend of the Baker's)
• Bob Davidson (friend of Al Johnson)
• Jill Loveday (family of Susanne Edson)
• Julianne Lofendo (friend of Gail Jaworsky)
• Dawn Sumrall (friend of Norine Tempelman)
• Marcia Bowser (neighbor of the Parry's)
• 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)
• LeeAnne Merrifield (daughter of Jim Merrifield)
• Larry Croy (friend of Bill Parry)
• 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 April 5, 2024) 

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

Learning is Always Wonderful & Fun at MDS!

Congratulations to our VPK Graduates for 2024! It's been an amazing year. Pray for our students and families over summer break! Register now for 2024/2025 classes.