Greetings!
Your Kindness Quotient
How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee—without being asked?
Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn't speak the language. Maybe she doesn't fit in. Are you kind to this person?
Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor's trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they'll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: "When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers" (Galatians 6:10).
And, here is a challenge—what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it's not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32 NKJV).
Jesus said: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy (Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35-36).
Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don't you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.
Since he is so kind to us, can't we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don't know me, Max. You don't know my faults and my thoughts. You don't know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don't, but he does. He knows everything about you, yet he doesn't hold back his kindness toward you. Has he, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?
No, he is kind to you. Why don't you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don't you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don't you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?
Be kind to yourself. God thinks you're worth his kindness. And he's a good judge of character.
~ Max Lucado
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What does It Mean to be a True
Disciple of Christ
Online Worship
Sunday @ 10:30 AM
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Four ways to watch the Worship Service on Sunday morning:
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Go to www.Youtube.com, type "fumcb live" and enter.
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Click on "Click to watch" button above.
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Go to www.fumcb.com, click on video on home page.
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Go to FaceBook, https://www.facebook.com/FirstUnitedMethodistBradenton, click on Sunday post.
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.
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Click on the video for an Important Message from Pastor Clark
For safe seating, please call or email the office for reservations for Sunday the 20th
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To keep everyone safe, please follow these protocols:
1 ~ We are requesting that everyone wear a mask. This helps to protect our neighbors. We must always strive to do no harm.
2 ~ When you enter the church please allow our volunteers to take your temperature.
3 ~ Our ushers will help you to find a seat. We have the seating blocked off so that everyone can worship comfortably and socially distanced.
4 ~ Please remember to stay in your family groups but remain six feet apart from others.
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"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 Sherry Angus, Rev Gary Buhl, Paul Clapper, Ann Gooden Combs, Ann Marcia Costello, Rev. Dennis DeWitt, Lu Edwards, Mike Edwards, Josephine Farley, Fouts Family, Connie Hamilton, Hedger Family, Helen Holt,
Bob King, Don Kinnaird, Diane Levey,
Rick Littlefield, Mary Doris Parker,
John Pesiri, Jerry Shelso, Tink Shelton, Tim Swafford, Linda Theiss, Penny Weiskerger,
Charlie Wooten.
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First United Methodist Church Bradenton
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Many thanks to the Dan Blalock Foundation for funding the repaving and striping of the Church Parking Lot.
~ Pastor Clark
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Volunteers Needed
With the re-opening in place, Jim James is requesting the following for Sunday mornings on a weekly basis:
- 3 volunteers are needed at the ramp entrance
- 3 volunteers at the elevator entrance
- 1 volunteer on the sidewalk between the elevator entrance and the parking lot
Please call the church office to sign up and co-ordinate with Sharon
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FUMCB is collecting for Ballard Elementary School. They need boys & girls underwear, size S-M-L. Please drop off donations here at the church and we will deliver them to Ballard. |
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United Methodist Women Meeting October 6
Women of the church are invited to attend the United Methodist Women Unit meeting on Tuesday, October 6 at 11:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Roz Keppler will lead a discussion about the faith based ecumenical Manatee Justice Ministry program. Pat Roberts will lead the devotions. Much has happened since we met in March so here's a chance to visit again. To maintain safety please bring your own bag lunch. Coffee and water will be provided. We will wear masks and maintain social distance.
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Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 9:30 AM – 12 PM
1816 9th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Meals on Wheels PLUS, through The Food Bank of Manatee, will be providing #Food4Families—breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that will feed a family of five for 2 or more days.
If you, or a family you know, are in need of food, we will be distributing food at Renaissance on 9th/The Bradenton Dream Center, 1816 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205. Please refer to the event timeline for distribution schedules or visit https://mealsonwheelsplus.org/f4f/, for additional info.
Please share these distribution events with all of your friends!
*Quantities may be limited. Distribution times are subject to change.
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DRIVE-THRU FREE FLU SHOT CLINIC
WHEN: Thursday, Oct 15th
FROM: 9-1
*65 & over Flu Shots are available also!
We need at least 25 people to sign up for this event so Walgreen's can accommodate everyone.
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September Birthdays
13 ~ Patti Lewis
20 ~ Debra Quevy
21 ~ Sarah Marks
24 ~ Evelyn Keller
28 ~ Laura Schisler
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2020 Annual Conference
Saturday, September 19
AC 2020 will be virtual only on September 19th!
Important Dates:
September 12th – Laity Session
September 16th – Registered Members Receive Zoom Credentials
by email
September 19th – Virtual Annual Conference Session
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Sermon by Phone
Pastor Clark records a new message every week for your listening pleasure. (Not the same as Sunday's Worship Service)
You can access this Sermon by calling
941-870-3945.
Please share this number with your friends and family.
Be sure to open your Bible to the scripture and read along as you listen.
You can also access this message on our website.
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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.
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The Florida #COVID19 Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
📞 1 (866) 779-6121
📧 Email COVID-19@flhealth.gov
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Sept 11th ~ 19th:
All activities, events and meetings have been canceled or scheduled online.
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First United Methodist Church of Bradenton
603 11th St. West
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-747-4406
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