In-Person and Livestreamed
Worship Service
First United Methodist Church of Naples
Sunday Service 10:15 am
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21th Sunday after Pentecost
October 17, 2021
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From the Pastor
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Thank you to everyone who attended the online Zoom Charge Conference, our annual business meeting for the church. Thanks also to all who came to celebrate the life of John Wood at his memorial service this past week. Once again, I wanted to share how grateful I am to North Naples Church, who made their facilities available to us for this service, since our church would not have been large enough. They not only provided space, but helped us with an organist, soloist, volunteer ushers, audio visual technical support, and arranged for traffic control through off-duty deputies, We could not have done this service without them, and it was so important for us to be able to provide the best service possible, as family, friends and business associates gathered together to remember and celebrate the life of our long-time member, John Wood. This was truly the body of Christ working and serving together for God’s work.
I wanted to thank all of you for making Pastor Appreciation Day special. I shared this special day with John, who is my partner in life and in ministry, and who does so much for this church. We appreciated the cards, notes and words of encouragement. I love and appreciate you all. I’ve been here 6 years now and am so grateful to have been appointed here. Scroll down for a special note from me.
With COVID numbers beginning to drop, we are now back to singing, but with masks on. We are hoping to have an organist soon (possibly as early as next week), but we could also really use someone with a nice voice to lead our singing. Any volunteers? If you are watching from home, you will NOT hear any of the congregation’s voices because there are no microphones in the pews where the singing is taking place, but please know they are singing. My microphone is turned off, because you certainly do not want to hear my singing….but, you can read the words on your screen and join us in singing!
We have had two requests from the congregation for a place to live: One is a male who wishes to rent a room, if anyone has one available. The other is a female looking to be a live-in companion who can cook, clean and even pay some rent. The family of someone who passed away this past year is recommending the caregiver/companion who took care of their loved one, and who is looking for someone new to love and care for. We’re not disclosing names publicly. Please let Pastor Nancy or her admin, Jaimie Dandridge, know if you are interested or know of an opportunity.
A reminder that our office is now open Monday – Thursday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Stop in, but please remember to bring your mask, which is required anywhere indoors on church campus.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Love and Blessings,
Pastor Nancy
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IMPORTANT NOTICE!
We have learned that many of you are only getting HALF of your Eblast! You are missing important news and photos, because Gmail and some other email programs are sometimes cutting off the bottom half! This is especially true when we have a very full Eblast with lots of photos. Most of you don’t even know that has happened. How can you know??? After you reach what looks like the end, you may see a little note down at the bottom that says something like: “Click here to view all” or “Click here to continue.” If you don’t click there, you will miss important things, especially our Prayer List, which is down near the bottom. If you read the Eblast and don’t see the Prayer List, then you KNOW you’ve been cut off. Just look for that note & link at the end and click on it to see all that you are missing!
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This Sunday's Online Worship Service
If you aren’t able to make it to in-person worship on Sundays, you can watch it online “live” at 10:15 am or you can watch the “recorded” version anytime that is convenient for you by clicking on the box below. We generally start showing announcement slides at 10:05 as people are coming into the sanctuary and then the actual worship service starts at 10:15.
You can also find this link by going to our web page, our Facebook page, or directly to www.youtube.com In the Search box at the top of the YouTube page, type "First UMC Naples" and press enter. On the next screen go down until you see "First UMC Naples - Sunday Worship - Rev Nancy Mayeux - 10 17 2021". Click on that title, or the picture next to it, to see the “live” broadcast.
Blessings as you watch and participate. Be sure to share the link for live or recorded versions of our service with your friends and family, so they can join you in worship!
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Life & Faith Lesson
Rev Nancy Mayeux
Do You Really
Love Me?
Try to imagine yourself sitting with someone you care for deeply – someone you love. Perhaps it is a spouse, a parent, a child, a sibling or a lifelong best friend. Now, imagine that person suddenly asking you, “Do you love me?” You would surely and joyfully say “yes” or “of course I do” and maybe wonder why this person seemed to need that reassurance. But of course, you’d be happy to confirm your feelings of love and devotion. But what if that person then asked you AGAIN? “Do you love me?” How would you feel? Would you think they were joking with you? Would you wonder if there was really some doubt as to your love? You might even feel a little hurt. How would you answer the second time? You might say, “Of course. Why would you even ask that?” Now imagine your loved one asking you AGAIN for the third time! “Do you love me?” If you weren’t hurt after the second time, the third time would probably do you in. Just imagine your response after the third question.
All of this is exactly what happened to the disciple, Peter, when the resurrected Christ appeared on the beach, one of the few times he appeared to the disciples before ascending to heaven. He asked Peter that question three times, and you can only imagine how Peter must have felt! What was behind the questions and how did Peter respond? What would you do if Jesus suddenly asked you that very question? How would you respond? Come Sunday to reflect more on what happened on the beach that morning, while eating breakfast. How does that affect your relationship with Jesus and the loved ones in your life? Join us in-person or livestreaming online at 10:15am or tune in any time that’s convenient to you during the week for our recorded version.
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COVID Safety Guidelines at FUMC
Because of the rapid spread of the Delta Variant of COVID 19, especially in Florida, we are asking EVERYONE to wear a mask in worship on Sunday, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. This is a way of loving your neighbor, as vaccinated people are now getting COVID. Even though vaccinated persons are getting mild cases (mild symptoms, rare hospitalizations and rare deaths) they are still contagious to others.
Please note that, for the time being, you are asked to maintain the 6 foot social distancing requirement between family units. Please sit where our ushers direct you and please remain in your seat until the service is over (unless you need to use the restroom.) Exit immediately as the ushers direct you. Moving about and chatting, before or after worship, is a wonderful thing to do—but not during COVID. Please keep yourselves and your neighbors safe by waiting until you get outside for conversation.
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Your “Giving” Is a Form of Worship
Thank you for continuing to support this church and its ministries through congregational giving. Your gifts allow us to help people to know Jesus, to grow in their faith and to serve Him as we help those in need.
Donations may be brought to worship on Sunday or mailed to:
First United Methodist Church of Naples
388 First Avenue S
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 Treasurer, Jeffrey Currier: jeffreylcurrier@gmail.com
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Altar Flower Dedication
This Sunday, our altar flowers are dedicated and given by Pam and John O’Brien in celebration of their anniversary.
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Altar Flower Ministry
Every week, you have the opportunity to purchase Sunday worship altar flowers 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 $30 and can be arranged by writing the pastor at Pastor@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. The following dates are open: Oct 24, October 31, Nov 21 and beyond.
Last Sunday, our altar flowers were presented to Pastor Nancy in honor of Pastor Appreciation Day. She was surprised with a basket of cards, lovingly sent from the congregation, and a beautiful painting by the preschoolers of her “flock” with all the children’s names.
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Thank You!
Thank you to everyone for the sweet cards and kind words I received for Pastor Appreciation Day. The flowers were beautiful and brightened our home all week. I also enjoyed the painting of the little sheep (our flock) from the MDS Preschool children and teachers. The cards with words of thanks and encouragement truly brought joy to both John and me. Thank you! We love you all.
John, my partner in life and in ministry, is truly deserving of recognition too, and I wanted to take a moment to do that. Without him, we’d have no on-line worship service as he runs all of the audio visual for the in-person service and livestreaming/recording of the services each week (with help). Many of you don’t know that John takes the minutes at all of the church business meetings (Leadership, Finance, Trustees and Charge Conference) and he also serves and works on those leadership teams. I may write the content for the Eblast, but John produces it each week. He also coordinates all of the technology for our church office (phones, internet, computers). Most of his volunteer work is behind the scenes and not many know of all he does. My responsibilities as your pastor would be much more difficult without John’s support in every way – at church and at home. I want to thank him for all he does. I love him. He’s the best!
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Last Sunday's Service
Did you miss worship last week? Click on the link below to view the video of last week's complete online service, with a sermon entitled Who ARE You? which was preached by Rev Nancy Mayeux and based on John 21:20-25
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We’re Still Collecting Food on Sundays for
Grace Place and St. Matthew’s House
THANK YOU to everyone who has been supporting our food ministry! We continue partnering with St. Matthew’s House and Grace Place. There are many people in our community who are struggling to feed their families and YOU can make a difference in the lives of hungry people in our community! You can bring in food during office hours, or on Sunday mornings. You can also make monetary donations to the church, earmarked “Food Ministry”, and it will go towards food for one of our two partners in ministry.
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We’ve Packed 160,000 Meals So Far!
Come Join us!
If you are looking for a way to “serve” missionally, sharing the love of Christ in the world, then come join us in packing food for hungry families! It’s something we can do even during COVID. We will be packing food in Barton Hall every other week.
Come join the fun! It is 1.5 to 2 hours of work and you will make a difference in the lives of many. Everyone will be wearing masks and socially distancing. If you’d like to help pack one week, please email Wendy McKee at: WendyMcKee3@gmail.com. It’s easy and fun. It’s a chance to socialize and make new friends.
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Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!
We are available to you! Our church office is now open Monday-Thursday, 9:00am to 2:00pm. Food can be dropped off during office hours or on Sundays when you come to worship. The church phone will be answered during office hours. For pastoral emergencies, when the office is closed, just call the office and you will hear the Pastor’s personal cell number listed on the message you hear. The pastor is off on Mondays, as her Sabbath day, but will respond to pastoral emergencies.
Call the church office: (239) 262-1033
Mail contributions to:
First United Methodist Church, 388 First Ave S, Naples FL 34102
Make online donations by clicking the link below:
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Please Pray!
We thank God for many prayers answered, even though we still hear “not yet” for others. We are happy to see that overall, the COVID numbers are dropping and the booster vaccines have now been approved by the FDA for all three types of vaccines. At the same time, I personally know of families grieving the recent deaths of loved ones to COVID. When that happens, it is irrelevant that numbers are dropping around you. When it hits your family, COVID is very present. I urge everyone to be vigilant and careful and to pray for all the families who have lost loved ones to this menacing virus.
Prayer is powerful! Keep praying. Jesus tells us to be persistent in our prayers! Be sure to thank God for all your blessings, especially the wonderful people that are in your life. God wants to hear your intercessory prayers for people in your faith family, your community and the world. Also, always let me know if I can be praying for anything for you as well.
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 COVID-19, 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.
- Eileen Hung (Church Attender)
- Abigail Joy - struggling newborn (Family of Lisa Passeri)
- Richard Payne (Father of Lori Martin)
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Gabriel Martin - struggling newborn (Grandson of Lori Martin)
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Dan Theune (Friends of Norine Tempelman)
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Joseph Halizak (Friend of Marie and Dick Evans)
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Sheila Strenkert (Karen Carr’s Cousin)
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Maryann Ryan (Friend of Pam O’Brien)
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Terri Rodriguez and husband, Pastor Sam (Friends of Pastor Nancy)
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James (Child connected to our preschool)
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Carole Emmott (Friend of Judy Margrey)
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Karen Kirk (Cousin of Marie Evans)
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Rosa Fogle (Family of Thelma and Al Johnson)
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All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.
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Updated Special Prayer List
You are surely praying for the needs of your immediate family and circle of friends. Hopefully, you are also praying for the urgent needs of your faith family at First United Methodist Church (above).
Wondering what else to pray for each day? Here are some suggestions!
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Our MDS Children Enjoy Learning!
Our MDS preschoolers had an enjoyable week creating artwork together, reading in our wonderful library, and posing for their photos during Picture Day.
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OFFICE HOURS
Office is open Monday – Thursday, 9:00am – 2:00pm. Outside of office hours, please call the church office and leave a message. For pastoral emergencies, you will be given a number, in the message, on how to reach the pastor.
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First United Methodist Church of Naples
388 1st Ave S.
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 262-1033
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