Greetings!
JUNE 12, 2020
Seeing Past the Obstacles
Monabeth Milliron (Louisiana, USA)

We live by faith, not by sight.  
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)

Early one evening my friend Sherry phoned, telling me to go outside and look at the sunset. She described how beautiful the colors were and how the sky was a brilliant pink surrounding the setting sun. I eagerly went outside to look, but to my disappointment, my view was totally blocked by the trees. However, even though I couldn’t see it, from my friend’s vivid description and my past experiences of enjoying beautiful sunsets I could imagine how brilliant the sky looked.
So often it is the same for me as I try to live faithfully each day. When I am going through trials, it can be hard to see God at work in the situation. My eyes can be so focused on my need that I do not see an answer or the way through my struggles. But reading God’s promises in scripture and my past experiences of seeing God’s work in my life reassure me that God is present, even though I cannot see past the obstructions that are blocking my view. As we recall God’s blessings and answers to our prayers in the past, we can trust and envision that God is at work in our lives right now.

TODAY'S PRAYER
Creator God, help us to remember your answers to prayers and trust that you are at work in our lives. Amen.
Online Worship
Sunday @ 10:30 AM 
Three ways to watch live on Sunday morning:

  1. Go to www.Youtube.com, type "fumcb live" and enter.
  2. Click on "Click to watch" button above.
  3. Go to www.fumcb.com, wait for live streaming to start on home page.

We found on Sunday morning that our website was very slow loading due to all the internet traffic. #1 was the fastest way to watch. As always, you can watch the sermon anytime after 10:30 am.
"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." ~ Jeremiah 17:14

Please pray for the following: 
Rosemary Althoff, Rev Gary Buhl, 
Marcia Costello, Lu Edwards, Mike Edwards,
Connie Hamilton, Hedger Family, Helen Holt,
Bob King, Don Kinnaird, Rick Littlefield, Mary Doris Parker, Jerry Shelso,  Tim Swafford, Linda Theiss,
 Penny Weiskerger, Charlie Wooten.

We extend our Christian love and sympathy to the family and friends of Presley (Pete) Brown, who went home to the Lord on June 8, 2020. 
Join us as we reopen to
Worship Together Again
on July 5th.

Arrive early for temperature take and social distancing.
For more information go to www.fumcb.com.

We will still be hosting online services at www.fumcb.com.

What is Virtual VBS? Virtual VBS is an opportunity for your child to experience the excitement and fun of VBS!
We’re sad that we are unable to host VBS at First Church this year due to COVID-19, so we are pulling out all the stops and joining forces with Bridgepoint Church in St. Pete to make this the best week of your child’s summer!! All 2 years old to finished 5th grade are welcome.


Support our church through the #IGiveUMC campaign!

Dear beloved sister or brother in Christ,
United Methodists everywhere are being asked to celebrate a dad, grandfather or father figure by donating to a local church, posting about it on social media and encouraging others to do the same!
Let’s participate as a congregation. Offer a gift in honor or memory of a special dad figure in your life. Donations of any amount are extremely helpful to our ongoing ministries. Make your donation by clicking here https://www.fumcb.com/online-giving/ .
 Or send a check with #IGiveUMC in the memo line.
Then, post on our social media page, https://www.facebook.com/FirstUnitedMethodistBradenton/ Share about your dad, why he is special and how others can join you in this celebration by making their own donation. Be sure to include #IGiveUMC in your post, as well as details about how to give to our church.
Together, we can support our church’s mission and bring positivity to social media by celebrating how we’ve experienced God’s love through our fathers.
With deep appreciation and blessings,
Your Church Family                                                                
 
Receive a FREE digital download of Chapter One of the book  Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible , beautiful printables, and a character profile on King David, plus get FREE access to 5 teaching videos with Max Lucado. These teaching videos will be available for free through
July 27. No additional registration required.
Would you like to receive professional counseling in a Christian context at affordable fees? Our church provides this ministry to its members (& non-members) with licensed counselors Richard Vantrease and Grisille Feisthammer. For details or an appointment, contact Richard at 941-926-2959 or 813-331-7395.
Sometimes it's hard to know where to go to get reliable, up-to-date information and be able to talk to a real-life person. Try the Florida Health Department website. It has a wealth of information and a telephone number to call if you have questions. Check it out!

The Florida  #COVID19  Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
📞  1 (866) 779-6121
📧 Email COVID-19@flhealth.gov
June 12th ~ July 5th:
All activities, events and meetings have been canceled or scheduled online.
 First United Methodist Church of Bradenton 
603 11th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-747-4406
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