"Celebrating God's Presence, Serving All People"
United Church News May 17th, 2019
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,


Do you ever wish you could go back in life and undo a previous decision that you made and now regret? Perhaps there was a decision that you made about a job or a relationship that you regret. Perhaps it was a decision or a series of decisions that you wish you could do over because it was not part of God’s plan. Perhaps it was a moral failure that you wish you could take back. Perhaps it was a season or an era of your life that you look back on and say—I wish I hadn’t have been that way or I wish I had done that differently. What if you could go back in time and undo previous decisions and actions that you now regret? 

Well, I have good news and bad news about this. The bad news is that you can’t—it’s impossible for any one of us on our own to go back and undo what has already occurred. But here’s the good news: Jesus can undo our past by offering peace and freedom to us as we go forward. If you don’t believe me, just ask Peter. I look forward to saying more about this in a sermon on Sunday entitled "Cooking Up Forgiveness" from John 21:1-19. Also on Sunday, we will give away our record-breaking 2019 Easter offering to the Honor Flight of Collier County. Finally, United Church's women's ensemble will be singing. See you Sunday at 10AM!

Pastor Mark
This Sunday's Sermon Title and Scripture Reading
Worship Sunday at 10am
Sunday, May 19th
"Cooking Up Forgiveness"

Scripture :
John 21: 1-19

Reader : Alicia Purple
Deacons : Walt and Linda Fox
Ushers : Dave and Joanie Fuller, Chuck Jennings, Rich Kostecka
Greeter : John and Jane Newcomer
Music this Sunday will be performed by LuWayne Arnold and the Women's Ensemble.
Vacation Bible School
Get ready for  Who Is My Neighbor?  vacation Bible school, where children will learn about neighbors near and far!

Fun activities will help Bible stories come to life and lead children deeply into Scripture focused on God’s care and compassion for neighbors close at hand and around the world.

Children ages 3 through rising 6th grade are welcome to this time of worship, games, crafts, snacks, friends, and fun! 

VBS will be held at the United Church of Marco Island from Monday, June 3rd- Friday, June 7th beginning at 5:30pm.

Registration for attendants is now available. Please call the church office to register your child, (239) 394-6572. Parents and Volunteers wishing to serve can also sign up to do so in the Narthex.
Food Drive for the Marco Food Pantry
Dear Congregation,

During our vacation Bible School in June, our children are going to be learning about loving their neighbors. As part of this learning, we will be teaching our children about the power of making an offering. To do this, we have embarked on a children's giving project that involves the Marco Island Food Pantry. We are asking for your help with this help with this project by bringing in a canned food offering on one of the next three Sundays: 5/19, 5/26, and 6/2. Boxes for the canned food donations will be set up in the narthex and in the church office. Thank you for your generosity!

Sincerely,

The Education Committee
Bible Study Spring 2019
Bible study continues this spring! Come join Pastor Mark on Tuesdays for a Bible Study on Mark’s gospel! Bible Study will meet at 10AM in the Sunset Conference Room. All are invited to participate. Come whatever day you can or for any topic that may be interesting to you.

Simply bring your Bible and an open mind… 
Up North? No problem! Call in using the instructions below:

Dial 1-866-866-2244 – When prompted dial the following access code followed by the #sign
Access code: 5218829
Children's Church

Lesson:
The Birth of the Church

Teacher:
Marcy

Assistant Teachers:
Please Sign Up
Children's Church is really in need of teachers and assistant teachers throughout May and June.
Susanne Golden makes volunteering very easy! If you are interested in teaching Children's Church, please email Susanne at susannegolden304@gmail.com.
Bargain Basket Update

Join us every Thursday for our Thrifty Thursday special of the week!

The Bargain Basket may be closed on Monday, May 27th in honor of Memorial Day, but that does not stop us from celebrating...
On Friday, May 24th, everything in store will be 50% off!
Remembering Bill Gaston Sr.
Memorial Service for Bill Gaston Sr.
May 18th at 3PM

A Memorial Service for Bill Gaston Sr. will be held at United Church on Saturday, May 18th at 3PM in the sanctuary with Rev. Dr. Mark Williams officiating. The Gaston Family has been long-time friends of United Church who live next door to the church and parsonage. Bill was a long-time Marco Island resident who died tragically last week in a plane crash in Naples. Let's be sure to keep all of Bill's family in our prayers. Below is a link to a recent newspaper article about Bill Gaston Sr.
2019 Summer Camps
This Summer, UCMI welcomes The Nutty Scientists for three different summer camps taking place in June, July, and August.

The Nutty Scientists has been a world leader in interactive children's programs since 1996.

Nutty Scientists of Southwest Florida has always prided itself on doing things a little differently. In fact, no one else in the world teaches quite like they do. These programs draw from the expertise of renowned scientists from all corners of the globe. They offer hands-on acitivities that will keep your children busy and excited from 9am-1pm!

For more information, click on the flyer or visit nuttySWFL.com.
Summer Book Discussions
Pastor Kathy Sprague's 5-week book discussion on Max Lucado's Anxious for Nothing, begins on Tuesday, June 4th at 10am in the Sunset Conference Room. In Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado leads participants to reflect on the promises of Philippians 4:4-8.  This passage from Paul’s epistle contains an antidote to anxiety that will help you develop a mindset of resilience. You may pre-purchase a small paperback study book / journal @ $8.00 in our Church office or in the Narthex after services the last two weeks of May.
Join Pastor Mark Williams on Wednesday, June 12th at 10am in the Sunset Conference Room for a discussion on Kate Bowler's Everything Happens For a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved. Frank and funny, dark and wise, Kate Bowler pulls the reader deeply into her life in an account she populates affectionately with a colorful, often hilarious retinue of friends, mega-church preachers, relatives, and doctors.  Everything Happens for a Reason tells her story, offering up her irreverent, hard-won observations on dying and the ways it has taught her to live.
In The Coming Week at UCMI

Tuesday, May 21st
  • 10 AM Bible Study (SSCR)
  • 2 PM Deacons Meeting (SSCR)

Thursday, May 23rd
  • 9:30 AM Board of Church Life and Growth (SSCR)

Click on the link below to see what the next few months have to offer at UCMI!
Upcoming Birthdays
5/20 - Greta Hammond
5/22 - Ron Hattendorf
5/24 - Dave Owen

We hope your special day is filled with fun surrounded by the ones you love most!
We're sorry we missed your birthday! If you do not see your birthday listed in the e-news please check with the church office to see if we have all of your info!