In-Person and Livestreamed Worship Service First United Methodist Church of Naples Sunday Service 10:15 am ~ 10th Sunday after Pentecost Communion Sunday August 1, 2021

From the Pastor Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, A lot has happened in the last week regarding COVID-19, and it all impacts our church. Two of our “fully vaccinated” church members got COVID, and at least one of them got it from another fully vaccinated person. We were all feeling comfortable and safe because we got vaccinated. The masks came off and we began to live our old lives again. We have now learned that the vaccination is doing its job and is preventing us from getting serious illness, hospitalization or dying. However, it does NOT prevent us from getting COVID. It does NOT prevent us from being contagious and giving it to someone else (vaccinated or unvaccinated friends and people we come in contact with).    The new Delta Variant is a formidable adversary, as it is so contagious. The number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths has skyrocketed in the last couple of weeks, with Florida still in the lead for new cases. The CDC is recommending masks indoors for all areas of high positivity, of which Florida is one. Older populations and immunocompromised people are especially encouraged to wear masks. Federal employees, many healthcare facilities and private corporations are now requiring vaccinations and masks indoors. Walt Disney World just enacted a new mask mandate for all indoor activities in the park (whether vaccinated or unvaccinated), with a recommendation to wear masks outdoors as well.   THIS SUNDAY, we are “strongly urging” everyone (vaccinated or unvaccinated) to wear a mask during worship. I know this is hard on everyone, especially since we have felt home-free from this virus and have been enjoying being maskless since we got our shots. However, keep in mind that wearing a mask protects both you and others around you. It is a way to love your neighbor, which Jesus asks us to do. Dependent on how things go during the next week with the spread of this virus, we may need to go back to mandatory masks for everyone. We will likely postpone singing for the time being as well, until we all know more. We will continue to monitor the guidance of the CDC, Collier County Dept of Health and the Florida Conference of our denomination as things progress.   Please look at our “COVENANT” which is at the front door before you come in on Sunday. Everyone flies past it without reading it. I am grateful that the people who got COVID last week, let me know (as per the covenant) so that I could contact the people they had spoken to and anyone sitting near them in worship last Sunday. Fortunately, we are social distancing (every other row and 6 feet between family groups) and also fortunately, we take photos at the end of every service. This is so we know who was sitting near the persons who were infected and we can call them.    The COVENANT you agree to when you walk through the doors is a promise to listen to the ushers and sit where guided. We stagger exiting so that no one gets near another person while we are inside. I have discovered that people are moving around, chatting together before worship and doing the same after worship in small clusters. This totally defeats the purpose of social distancing in your seats if you gather together, inside, before/after worship. Please exit immediately as the ushers guide you and save the chatting for outdoors where it is much safer. I am so happy that we are a friendly, loving congregation, and we love to get together to talk and catch up, but let’s please do this safely outside.   Let’s work together to keep our congregation COVID-free. Our sister church in Cuba had to shut down because so many people in the congregation got COVID. They can’t get the vaccine. It is available, but they have no syringes, so people are getting very sick and hospitalized. Please pray for them.   It is good to be back from vacation. John and I had a great 4 days in St Augustine Beach. Thanks to everyone who held the fort down while we were gone.   Love and Blessings, Pastor Nancy pastor@fumcnaples.org

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!

 This Sunday's Online Worship Service   Every week you will receive a newsy Eblast on Saturdays. This is our electronic newsletter and you are reading it now! It will always contain a link for you to press that will cover you for both the “live” version and “recorded” version of our worship service on YouTube. You can also find our recorded service through our web page or Facebook. So, join us in-person Sunday mornings, online “live”, or at your convenience, through our recorded service. We start showing announcement slides at 10:05 (or earlier) as people are coming into the sanctuary and then the actual worship service starts at 10:15.    If all else fails, just go to www.youtube.com and in the Search box at the top of the page, type "First UMC Naples" and press enter. On the next screen go down about 4 or 5 topics and you will see "First UMC Naples - Sunday Worship - Rev Nancy Mayeux - 08 01 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.

Click here for Livestream link for this Sunday's service

Life & Faith Lesson Rev Christine Holden   Wonder Bread   My friend and colleague, Rev. Christy Holden, knew that I was on vacation this past week, and offered to preach this Sunday so that I would not have to work on a sermon during vacation. Thank you, Christy! We are glad to have you back at FUMC.  For those of you who do not know Pastor Christy, here is her bio: Rev. Christine Allen Holden founded Gulf Coast Wesley Foundation at Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers in 2012. As its director, Christy has developed multiple partnerships within the university community, serves as a spiritual wellness coach, and teaches courses on Contemplative Studies and Community Reconciliation. She is passionate about Wesleyan theology, contemplative practices, cultivating spaces for spiritual discussions with folks who are spiritually curious, and the ministry of encouragement and healing with folks who have been marginalized, or hurt by the church. Within the Conference, she is devoted to supporting clergy through the Clergy Care Initiative and mentoring emerging clergy. She has served several local churches in the Annual Conference prior to her work with young adults. She has two children and delights, more than anything else, in her call to motherhood.     Scripture: John 6:24-35

COVID Safety Guidelines at FUMC   Because of the rapid spread of the Delta Variant of COVID 19, especially in Florida, we are “strongly urging” 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 (no symptoms, no hospitalization and no death) they are still contagious to others. Since our mask policy is not yet “mandated”, there may be some people still not wearing a mask on Sunday. If you are uncomfortable sitting near them, please go to our “Comfort Zone”. This is a section (back rows of East side of sanctuary) that is for masked people only 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.

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 continue helping people to know Jesus, to grow in their faith and to serve Him as we help those in need. Please remember that your giving is a form of worship. We pray that you will continue your regular offerings, consider working toward a 10% tithe, and also consider including the church in your will as you review your estate planning. Of course, as a church member and as a Christian, we know that you will be “giving” of yourself, to God’s mission in the world: your time, your presence, your prayers, your talents and your witness. Your financial support is one more way to do that. 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, Giving Goal cards or financial statements, please send an email to our Treasurer, Jeffrey Currier: jeffreylcurrier@gmail.com

Click Here to Give Online

Communion Sunday (It’s different this Sunday) This is Communion Sunday. If you are going to watch the service from home, you may participate with all of us in the sanctuary. All you need to do is have some bread on hand (or substitute of crackers, cookies, etc.) and juice (or substitute). When I ask God’s blessings on the elements in the sanctuary, I will ask God to bless those in your homes as well. Unfortunately, we will not be projecting the liturgy on screens this Sunday so you will not be able to see it either. We do not have anyone to run the slides in the AV room this Sunday. So, we will hand out liturgy to people as they walk into worship, and those at home can participate by listening. People in the sanctuary will receive small individual chalices with both the bread and juice in them, for partaking from their seats.

Altar Flower Dedication    ERROR in last week’s Eblast: We listed our altar flowers as being “Given by Judy Margrey and Leo Poisson in memory of loved ones.”  That should have been for THIS week. So, THIS week’s flowers are especially in memory of these loved ones. Last week’s beautiful “all white” flowers were given by Mary Lou and John Riccio in honor of their 43rd Wedding Anniversary. I did announce it correctly in worship but made the error in the eblast. After worship they had a small ceremony to renew their wedding vows. It was beautiful. Congratulations John and Mary Lou!

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 “Repent? How Do I Do That?” which was preached by Rev. Nancy Mayeux and based on Matthew 3:1-12 .

Last Week's Worship Service

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: August 15, August 29, and beyond.

New Lay Servant Ministry Basic Course: "Connecting and Serving During COVID-19" Would you like to become a Certified Lay Servant in the United Methodist Church? It opens the door to become a better trained leader in your church. The first step is to take the “Basic Course”. Then you can choose any number of “advanced” specialized classes in preaching , leading worship, discipleship, prayer, spiritual gifts and much more. A Basic and an Advanced class make you eligible for certification. The Florida Conference is offering a new “Basic” class you can take online, November 1-15 ! This online course is for members of the Florida United Methodist Conference who are hungry to know how God can use them to help others during COVID-19. This 2-week-course will give you clarity around your talents and the needs of your community. Learn online while connecting with others who want to lead better without losing time from your work and loved ones. Easy and doable even if you are new to online learning. The Basic Course is a requirement towards becoming a Certified Lay Servant, but it is open to all. Six of the required 10 hours will be offered online with an additional four hours through use of Zoom Meeting software. This course is being offered online on a focused basis to meet needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and is approved for use within the Florida Conference. Learners will need the Lay Servant Ministries, Participant’s Book (Basic Course)  The first Zoom meeting for this course will be held Monday, November 1st – 6:00-7:30 pm EDT. The second and third meeting days/time will be scheduled with learner input during meeting 1. The three Zoom meetings are a required part of this course. For more information on the cost, how to order the book, and sign up for the class, click below:

More Information

Back to School Is Around the Corner! Support Grace Place Backpack Drive   Kids will be going back to school on August 10! When a family is struggling to decide where to spend limited funds – like food or medicine, school supplies does not even make it to the necessity list. But it’s so important for children to have the tools they need to be successful in school and get the education they will need to succeed in life. Grace Place’s backpack drive will help many children start the school year with all the necessary supplies. Please click on the link below to see what they need (scroll down the document to see both back and front of the flyer). Please consider helping by either filling a backpack or making a financial donation. Each backpack costs $100 for the backpack and the contents. Donations can be made to the church designated for “backpacks” or you can donate directly to Grace Place.

What’s Needed for Grace Place Backpack Drive

We’re Still Collecting Food on Sundays for Grace Place and St. Matthew’s House   There are many people in our community who are struggling to feed their families. With school out, the lunch programs that kept many children sustained during the school day are gone. Won’t you help to fill that gap with donations of food, or monetary donations (online or by mail) earmarked for our food ministry? We’re partnering with St. Matthew’s House and Grace Place to make a difference in the lives of hungry people in our community! Thanks to all who have already been supporting this wonderful ministry.

We’re Taking a Short Break from Packing Meals   With Summer coming to a close soon, we are taking a short break from packing Meals, in partnership with Meals of Hope. Did you know we are now up to 140,000 meals packed for hungry families in our community since December?    We’d love for you to join in and help, when we resume. Everyone will be wearing masks and socially distancing, moving forward. 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.

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!  We are available to you! Our church office is open by appointment. Just call us and let us know you would like to meet with one of us and we will arrange it. Food can be dropped off on Sundays when you come to worship. Your pastor is mostly working from home during the week and the church presently does not have an Admin or a Director of Discipleship. When you call the church office, the call goes right to the pastor’s computer and will be checked and responded to regularly. Pastor’s personal cell number is listed on that message you hear, if you have a pastoral emergency. The pastor is off on Mondays, as her Sabbath day, but will respond to pastoral emergencies.   Call the church office: (239) 262-1033 Email us: Pastor pastor@fumcnaples.org  or Mail contributions to: First United Methodist Church, 388 First Ave S, Naples FL 34102 Make online donations by clicking the link below:

Click Here to Give Online

Please Pray! Spend some time with God in prayer this week. Be sure to thank God for your blessings, along with your requests for help – for you and for others. Remember, GOD IS LISTENING ALL THE TIME! Below are some important needs within your faith family, the community and the nation, that I hope you will include in your prayers. 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.   John O'Brien (Member) Leslie Terry (Wife of Pastor Roy Terry – Cornerstone UMC) Gail Jaworsky (Member) Carole Emmott (Friend of Judy Margrey) Karen Kirk (Cousin of Marie Evans) Rick (Father of Amelie Rider) Bob Willard (Brother of Betty Jaekle) Rosa Fogle (Family of Thelma and Al Johnson) All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.

Also, Please Pray for…      Wondering what else to pray for? Here are some suggestions! We are leaving this list up each week to help you remember some important needs. Spend a few moments to pray through this list each day! The people of Cuba who are lacking food and medicine, experiencing political unrest, and a surge in COVID cases, including our own sister church in Biran who has had to shut down due to COVID in the congregation with no vaccines possible. Everyone impacted in some way by COVID-19, especially with this very contagious Delta Variant: sickness, death, loss of jobs and business, evictions, mental health, addictions and hungry families  The people of Haiti on the loss of their president by assassination, lack of food, and experiencing political unrest, including our Methodist churches The people impacted by fires, flooding and other natural disasters Our church, our Pastor, our Bishop and our District Superintendent Everyone on our “church family” prayer list (see above) Each of the families in need who received our lovingly packed bag of food last week Each of the organizations that has received our altar flowers Our healthcare workers and first responders All those struggling and overwhelmed throughout these difficult times - for courage, strength, and peace, as they maneuver through the challenges (Some are on the prayer list and some are not.) Our leaders – that they will make good and Godly decisions Those impacted daily by racism Our church’s homebound or living in long-term living facilities All the Scouts and Scout leaders of Boy Scout Troop 165 Our MDS preschool children, parents and teachers preparing for the new year Our church’s children, youth, and college students Our military and their families Peace in the Middle East We pray for our divided nation and that people can learn to set aside their political differences, words of hate and even violence, and love one another as people who are all made in the image of God and loved by God.

Our Mission What Does God Expect Us to Do and Be?   Have you ever thought about our church's mission? It is our way of living out the United Methodist Mission: "To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World."   Making disciples means that we will: Help people to know Jesus for the first time, so that they will realize their sins have been forgiven, repent and accept the wonderful gift of salvation. They'll love God! Help people grow in their faith and be transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus every day. Help to alleviate suffering in the world as Jesus has asked us to do in Matthew 25, by loving our neighbor. EVERYTHING we do at FUMC, and every penny we spend, should support Jesus' mission in the world.

Methodist Day School Our Preschool and VPK   School is starting again on August 10! Did you know that our preschool is the oldest in Naples, established in the 60’s?  We have awesome professional, talented and loving teachers and a wonderful program that prepares our preschoolers very well for Kindergarten. Please tell your friends and neighbors about our school. We have openings for 2’s, 3’s and VPK classes for this coming Fall.

OFFICE HOURS Office is open by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment or let us know if you need us. We will be checking messages regularly.

First United Methodist Church of Naples 388 1st Ave S. Naples, FL 34102 (239) 262-1033 www.fumcnaples.org

God Bless You!