Greetings!
A Prayer to Find Faith in the Chaos
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
My computer monitor is lined with post-it notes containing lists of things to do RIGHT NOW, plus errands to run this week and appointments to schedule and random to-dos that I move from one list to another and never manage to complete. There are reminders of birthday gifts to buy, printer toner to order, moving dates for my college-age daughter, tuition bills due, calls to make, checks to deposit, cards to send, messages to write. I want faith to be an important part of my life, but some days there seems to be no room for it because everything else is pushing it out of the way. It may seem impossible to spend time finding faith amidst the chaos, and I agree, it’s not always easy. But I encourage you to steal moments wherever you can find them to reconnect with God in the jumble of your life. Be still. That’s all it takes. A moment in which to remember. Stop. Breathe deeply. And let yourself be aware that He is right there with you. Take that knowledge with you when you ease back into the day. Put God first. Mentally commit to putting God first, to spending time talking to Him and learning about Him. When I can do this near the beginning of my day, everything else is a whole lot more manageable and I feel more balanced. Even if I just have five minutes. Keep an eye out for God in the chaos. Peace infuses the atmosphere when you slow down and feel God’s presence, but that doesn’t mean He is not also present in the too-cluttered, hectic activities crowding your days. God is with us all the time. Just think how much more meaningful your day will be if you spend it noticing Him. When we see Him, our faith increases, and in turn we focus even more on watching for Him. Pray without ceasing. Practice keeping up a running commentary with God, thanking Him for the blessings you see and the people you encounter. Prayer is the primary way we communicate with God to strengthen our faith.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me—every single morning—to find faith in the midst of the chaos. Give me the desire and ability to see You, hear You, talk to You, and give thanks to You. And as I do, I pray that I will draw nearer and nearer to You, and that my faith will multiply exponentially as I understand in new, deeper ways that You are everything I ever hoped You would be. And so much more. Amen.

Editor’s Note: Content taken from 7 Simple Ways to Find Faith in the Chaos by Kelly O’Dell Stanley.
You can read that piece in full here. All rights reserved. 
Why we do what we do as Believers
Sunday @ 10:30 AM 
Three ways to watch live on Sunday morning:

  • Click on "Click to watch" button above.


CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER AND CONCERNS
Please pray for the following:
Pete Brown, Don Carr, Marcia Costello, Linda Gaines, Connie Hamilton, Bob King, Rick Littlefield, Doroty Merritt, Mary Doris Parker, Angelo Qualich, Carlos Ramos Jr., Jerry Shelso, David Westfall, Charlie Wooten.
Dear First Family,
In light of current circumstance and government request regarding COVID-19 and gatherings over ten people, we have an important announcement. 

Starting this Sunday, March 22nd, we will not be holding live worship but instead will have ONLINE Services. We are not canceling Sunday Worship. You can still watch live online like a normal Sunday.
Small groups and support groups that meet on campus will need to pause until after March 31st. The church office will also be closed during this time.

We believe, as Scripture teaches, that God is in control. Please join us in praying for our nation, community, and the world. We know that our God provides peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Also... giving becomes critical in seasons like this. We want you to know that your generosity towards the Lord in your giving has not gone unnoticed. It is because of the consistency of your giving and of others like you that First Church is able to bring the life-changing message of Jesus to Bradenton. Thank you so much.
As you continue to give your tithes and offerings to the Lord, we want to make you aware of convenient ways you can give. 

Tools like online giving are available at https://www.fumcb.com/online-giving/. Also, you can still mail your giving to the church office. 

We can’t wait to worship with you all online this Sunday.

Here are the ways you can watch ONLINE:
1. Go to www.fumcb.com, wait for live streaming to start on home page, or,
2. Go to www.Youtube.com, type "fumcb live" and enter, or,
3. Click on "Click to watch" button on the Friday newsletter.

Do you have an email address we can have to send you updates? Please email the church office.
If you need help in any way during this time, please let us know how we can help. You can call the church office and leave a message, call Pastor Clark on his cell or email the office.

This crisis is an opportunity for you to share God’s love with people in need. 
God bless you!

If you would like to order Coffee and/or Chocolate from United Methodist Women please call Vicki Taylor, 941-747-7984. Deadline is April 1.
The First For Kids Preschool Committee would like help reviewing curriculum. If you have preschool or elementary education experience please contact Debra Cooper Grimm at (941) 730-1700 for details. 
This is a short term project, although we would welcome someone with experience on our Committee permanently.
March 20th ~ 31st:
All activities, events and meetings have been canceled.
COMING SOON:
Join us for lunch on Tuesday, April 14, at 12:00 in Fellowship Hall to hear Lt. Cmdr. Allison Moon talk about her naval career after attending the US Naval Academy. Allison grew up in this church and is presently stationed at McDill Air Force Base. Lunch is $8 and since it is catered we do need reservations, so call Bev Clapper, 756 9091, the church office, 747 4406 or sign the pew pad.
From the Mission & Outreach Team:
Update: We are no longer able to accept furniture or household items. We are focusing more on our Beds for Children of Manatee County Ministry .
Please take all donations to Hope Chest Thrift Store (the purple building across the street) or to another donation store. Every week we give out free clothing vouchers to people in need to get one outfit and a pair of shoes from Hope Chest .

Bed Ministry for Children of Manatee County Volunteer Opportunity
 
WHAT:  Building Beds
WHEN:  Saturday, March 28 th  ~ 8 AM - 12 PM
WHERE:  6310 209 th Street East; Bradenton
CONTACT PERSON:  Mark - Ph. 260-402-5203
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR:
Painting Bible verses on bed slats
Sanding boards
Assembling beds
Sorting bed linens
Helping deliver and setting up beds on another day

Please email or call the church office to sign up.
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 on Mondays from 8 am - 5 pm here at First. For details or an appointment, contact Richard at 941-926-2959 or 813-331-7395.
 First United Methodist Church of Bradenton 
603 11th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-747-4406
STAY CONNECTED: