Greetings!
Ideas for celebrating Pentecost at home
A UMC.org Feature by Joe Iovino*

Pentecost, an important day in the life of the church, can be a wonderful opportunity for family worship, discussions about church and the Holy Spirit, and a celebration of our faith. Pentecost is celebrated the seventh Sunday after Easter, May 31, 2020.
On  Pentecost Sunday , we remember the day the disciples received the  Holy Spirit  in a special way. There was a powerful wind and tongues of fire (see  Acts 2:1-41 ).
With the gift of the Spirit, the disciples were able to tell people from all over the world about Jesus in ways each could understand. The Bible reports that about 3,000 people were baptized that day, creating the first church.
Creatively celebrating Pentecost in the home can be a wonderful addition to your family's devotional life, as you give thanks to God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the church.
Here are some ideas to help get you started.
Wear red:  Red is the color of Pentecost , symbolizing the Holy Spirit's arrival with tongues of fire. Go through your closets and find red clothes to wear to church on Pentecost Sunday to join in the celebration!
Tell the story: Read together the story of Pentecost in  Acts 2 . Imagine the scene. Ask each family member what they will try to remember from the story.
Pretend to be Peter: Peter was concerned that some people misunderstood the disciples' faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. If you were Peter today, what would you want to say to help others understand what it means to follow Jesus?
Bake together: Make a cake to celebrate the birth of the church. Red icing and candles serve as great reminders of the Spirit coming as individual flames and resting on each of the disciples.
Enjoy the wind: Make and fly a kite. Blow bubbles and watch the wind carry them away. Play with pinwheels. Talk about all the wind does, even though you cannot see it.
Balloons: Use balloons to celebrate. Some balloons rise, while others do not. The difference is the air inside. Helium is invisible, but we can see its effects on the balloon.
Learn the story of your church: Talk to an older member of your church or research the history of your congregation. Ask members what the church was like when they began attending. Share your own memories of Sunday School, church, and people who have been important in helping you grow in faith.
Make decorations: Make a banner, draw some pictures, or find another way to express the day artistically. Post your creations around your home as reminders of the gift of the Holy Spirit and the church.
Pentecost in a box: Greeting cards, red streamers and birthday candles, gathered in a box, make for a simple way to sit down and experience Pentecost with one another.  Learn more .
Pray together: The Rev. Mary Jane Pierce Norton shares the following prayer for families to use:
Gracious God. We are reminded again when the first believers in Jesus were given the courage to tell others about Jesus. We believe you give us that same courage to tell others about Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. You know, O God, that sometimes we are fearful and we feel alone. But just like that Pentecost long ago, we, too, are surrounded by your love and presence. Help us live in such a way that others see in us a reflection of your love. Help us have the courage to tell others about the difference it makes in our lives to trust in your love and care. Help us see those around who want to be in the fellowship of Christians. Help us to witness to one another so that we grow in faith. Through the power of your Holy Spirit and the witness of your son, Jesus the Christ, we pray today. Amen.

This story was first published on May 25, 2017 and updated May 21, 2020. Many of these ideas are adapted from  a story by the Rev. Mary Jane Pierce Norton , retired staff member of United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.
* Joe Iovino  works for UMC.org at  United Methodist Communications . Contact him by  email .
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.
We are not alone: Pentecost 2020
Pentecost 2020 comes to us as the world continues to deal with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. In this special United Methodist Communications production, set in the ever-increasingly common virtual world, a small group examines the meaning of Pentecost and the good news that we are not alone.
"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, Pete Brown,
Rev Gary Buhl,  Don Carr,
Nancy Coleman, Marcia Costello, Lu Edwards, Mike Edwards, Connie Hamilton,
Hedger Family, Helen Holt, Bob King,
Don Kinnaird, Rick Littlefield, Mary Doris Parker, Lou Pomrenke, Carlos Ramos Jr.,
Gary Shaffer, Jerry Shelso, 
Tink Shelton, Tim Swafford, Linda Theiss, Penny Weiskerger, David Westfall,
Charlie Wooten.
Be on the lookout for a very short (3 question) survey coming to you early next week from the Church Office. Your input is important as we continue our planning to safely reopen for Worship. A prompt reply would be greatly appreciated by the planning committee. 

“A Chat with Pastor Clark”
Hello, Church Family,
I miss seeing you on Sunday morning and I would like to offer an opportunity to catch up. If you are comfortable, please join me and a group of no more than 5 others for a chat in Fellowship Hall.
I will be hosting small group meetings on Mondays and Wednesdays until we reopen our doors. Please call the office (941.747.4406) and leave a message or send an email by clicking on the button below, letting us know if you would like to participate. We will return your call to discuss a date and time that works for you. Guests will be seated at individual tables, which will be disinfected before and after their visit.
I’m hoping you’ll take me up on my offer. I would love to hear how you are doing, see if there is anything either I or the Church can do to help you and get your feedback on the issues we are contemplating as we plan for reopening our doors for worship.
I hope to see you at one of my chats.
Your friend and Pastor,
H. Clark Edwards

If there is any way I can assist you please do not hesitate to give me a call. My cell is 727-692-1366 and I look forward to hearing from you should you need help or have questions.
Bishop Ken Carter invites you to join him for a Summer in the Scriptures as we journey through the Gospels! 
Starting June 1, we’ll read a chapter each day, beginning with the book of Matthew. Then, join the “Summer in the Scriptures” Facebook group to share your insights and gain inspiration from others across the Conference. 
Connect with us today at  facebook.com/groups/GospelSummer  for video content, podcasts and daily support for deepening in the mind, heart and life of Jesus.
Click here  to download your Daily Reading Plan check list.
Hurricane Season Starts June 1
As we continue to battle the storm of COVID-19, please remember
that hurricane season begins June 1st. We can’t stop disasters, but we can stay informed and prepared.

A simple checklist of things to have:
Floridians are encouraged to have at least 10 days of supplies. These supplies include food, water, medicine, batteries, first aid kit, etc. See a full hurricane prep checklist here .
Have some cash on hand and a full tank of gas in your car.
Let out-of-state family members know your plans (stay or evacuate) and that you will communicate with them as soon as possible, after the storm has passed.
Secure loose items around the home and church: lawn furniture, playground equipment, etc.
If planning to evacuate or in a mandatory evacuation zone, evacuate early.
Save this number: 1-855-CAT-FUMC
This is the conference hotline where you can:
Call for assistance
Report needs in your neighborhood or community
Offer assistance
Twitter post from May 27, 2020:
The total amount awarded from Global Ministries and UMCOR during the #COVID19 pandemic has crossed the $1,000,000 mark!
THANK YOU for your support in the care of vulnerable communities. #shelteringinlove.
As each of us shelters in place to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we cannot help but be impacted by the scale of illness, death, and financial distress all around us. We could even be led to believe that this is a hopeless situation. But, thank God, that is not true!
Together, we can give compassion and care to others in this time of great need.
Since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak, UMCOR has been working with health boards, medical professionals, disaster management coordinators, and faith leaders to prevent the further spread of this disease. Now it is clear that the impact of COVID-19 will be far-reaching and demands a greater response.
Even as you shelter in place, you can be there for others.
The new UMCOR COVID-19 Response fund will equip partners in the U.S. and around the world to assist our most vulnerable populations. Grants from this fund will be disbursed quickly and efficiently to address health concerns, food insecurity, water and hygiene limitations, and other pressing needs.
When you say “yes” to supporting the UMCOR COVID-19 Response, you will help bring God’s love to life for those who need it most.
Join the UMCOR COVID-19 Response with your gift today.
Advance #  3022612
Give to the most vulnerable who don’t have a safety net and need compassion and care as a result of the pandemic.
You are part of an extraordinary legacy of undauntable human beings—people of action, people of compassion, people of mercy.
UMCOR was founded by courageous men and women who did not sit idly by when confronted with World War II and unprecedented global humanitarian crisis. They took extraordinary action to do what they could to alleviate human suffering.
4 ways to continue giving:
  1. Click on box below.
  2. Visit the website at www.fumcb and click on "online giving" on the top of the page.
  3. Mail to church: 603 11th Street West; Bradenton, FL 34205
  4. Drop in the locked mailbox on the wall beside the office/preschool entrance of the church.


The new May/June Upper Room Devotionals is now available, f or a limited time, as a free .pdf you can download using this link:
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!

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📞  1 (866) 779-6121
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May 29th ~ June 15th:
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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