In-Person and Livestreamed

Worship Service


First United Methodist Church of Naples

Sunday Service 10:15 am

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5th Sunday in Lent

Anointing & Healing Sunday

March 26, 2023

From the Pastor


Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,


Just another week or two and many of you will be leaving for the cold north. We will miss you so much, but we know you have family and friends at your second home who await you. Please let Chaplain Scott know what date you are leaving and when you will be back so we can stay in touch. We hope you will still participate in our services online while you are up north. For those who are staying year-round, we will have lots of activities and service opportunities for you to participate in, the rest of the year, so watch for news on this.

 

Everyone has been enjoying our fellowship events and Bible studies. Please mark your calendars for upcoming events: the next Brunch Bunch is tomorrow, March 26, at The French Brasserie and Rustique (scroll down for information on parking due to the Naples Art Show); New Pastor’s 2-week Bible study on “Angels” on March 29 and April 5 at 10:30am, Men’s Ministry breakfast on March 16 at 9:00; Chaplain Scott’s Bible Study that continues for the next two Thursday mornings at 10:30; and a Couples Relationship workshop on April 1, from 10am to 1:30pm. Scroll down for more info and ways to sign-up. Some sign-up sheets are in the church sanctuary lobby (Narthex) if you are here on Sunday. Meal Packing is on-hold for another week.

 

For our Holy Week schedule of services, just scroll down. Note that our preschoolers will sing for Palm Sunday worship next week! We will have an evening service for Maundy Thursday at 6pm, and two sanctuary worship services on Easter Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30. Unfortunately, with our Naples Pier mostly destroyed and closed, we will be unable to do our Sunrise service this year. Since we will be celebrating Holy Communion at both Easter services, we will not have communion on Palm Sunday, as we will already have a pretty full Sunday service praising God with music, with our Choir and MDS preschool children. Sunday school will be available for children at the 9am service and the 10:30 Easter service will be a family service for children to share with parents.

 

Since Gmail and some other servers cut off the end of our Eblast due to space, be sure to scroll down to the end. If you don’t see the prayer list and our preschool news and photos, look for the link at the end that says something like “Click here to continue.” Press on that link to see the rest of your Eblast.

 

I especially hope you will scroll down to the prayer list near the bottom, so you can be praying this week for the many needs of your church family and their loved ones.  Pray for those encountering tornadoes, floods, ice and heavy snow in winter storms around the country, and please continue to pray for the people of Turkey, Syria and Ukraine. Consider supporting UMCOR disaster relief.

  

See you all tomorrow!

 

Love and Blessings,

Pastor Nancy

pastor@fumcnaples.org

IMPORTANT NOTICE! DID YOU KNOW?

 

Did you know that you may not be getting a portion of your Eblast because Gmail and some other email programs may limit what they display. You may be missing important articles, photos and our Prayer List! How to find out? If you get to the bottom and have not seen the Prayer List or our MDS Preschool photos, then you know there has been a cut-off. 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.” Press that and you will see what you are missing that has been cut-off!

We are now in the season of Lent, 40 days of preparation for the glorious celebration of Easter. But what exactly is Lent? Just click on the link below to learn more.

What Is Lent?

 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 10:00 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 - 03 26 2023". 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 to watch THIS Sunday's service

Life & Faith Lesson

Rev Nancy Mayeux



“I’m So Angry I Could Just…”

 

Do you remember the Wendy’s commercial where a lady looked at the big hamburger bun with only a tiny little hamburger in it? She exclaimed loudly, “Where’s the beef?” Sometimes I think Jesus must say that about us, when he looks at us. He’s expecting that we will have grown spiritually as Christians, but then sees that this has not happened. “Where’s the fruit?” he might exclaim. He expects to see the fruit of the Spirit—evidence that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. This season of Lent, we are working on cleaning out the rotten fruit from our closets: anger, impatience, envy, pride, deceit, and hate – vices we may not have conquered. We’re asking God for help to transform us and replace them with healthy, beautiful fruit like self-control, love, humility, kindness, patience, peace, joy and faithfulness. I am so thankful that we worship a God of Grace. A God of second chances. 


Jesus’ story about the fig tree that has no fruit (Luke 13:6-9), indicates that “just being here” is not enough. He says, A man owned a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. He said to his gardener, ‘Look, I’ve come looking for fruit on this fig tree for the past three years, and I’ve never found any. Cut it down! Why should it continue depleting the soil’s nutrients?’ 8 The gardener responded, ‘Lord, give it one more year, and I will dig around it and give it fertilizer.9 Maybe it will produce fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.’”


It is a clear warning against a fruitless existence in the light of God’s grace given to us. Come Sunday to learn more about God’s amazing grace and what we can do to start living a more fruitful existence! We’ll focus on the rotten fruit of “anger.” We’ll learn how to conquer it and whether or not there is any type of anger that is actually ok. The Bible has a lot to say about this. See you at 10:15 this Sunday, in-person or online through YouTube (scroll up for link).



 Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Altar Flower Dedication

 

The flower arrangement on the altar this week is given by Pam O’Brien in honor of John O’Brien’s birthday.

 

“Happy birthday, John! I love you!”

 

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 $40. All future dates are presently open except for July 23. Purchase and dedication can be arranged by sending an email to Jaimie Dandridge at admin@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.

 

Last week’s altar flowers were given to the David Lawrence Center, a non-profit organization providing prevention and treatment services for children and adults with mental health, psychological, and substance abuse challenges. During the last few years, anxiety, stress, depression and substance abuse have been at an all-time high due to the Coronavirus lock-downs, lost jobs, and life turned upside down. The Center offers help and hope through its 28-day recovery program where staff and residents will enjoy our flowers this week. The David Lawrence Center remains committed to serving our community, including “Telehealth services.” If you need help, please call them at: 239-304-3055

Holy Week Services


Mark your calendars for the following services as we celebrate Holy Week!


  • Palm Sunday, April 2, 10:15, our MDS children will be singing in worship, as well as our chancel choir with special music.
  • Maundy Thursday 6pm - our Chancel Choir will be singing, we will serve communion and demonstrate how Jesus taught an important lesson with foot washing, followed by stripping of the chancel area as is our custom, before Good Friday. There is no service on Good Friday (We ask you to use Good Friday to meditate on what happened on this day.)
  • Easter morning, April 9, we will have two services here at the church at 9:00 am and 10:30 am. Our choir will sing at both services. Children’s Sunday School will be available during the 9:00am service. The 10:30am service will be family worship where children will attend with their parents or grandparents. Bring flowers to put on our flowering cross and take photos! Due to the Hurricane damage to the Naples Pier, we are unable to have our Sunrise Pier service this year. 

Anointing & Healing Service

 

This Sunday, our service includes a time of anointing and healing. It is a special time for all of us to pray for each other, and loved ones who need healing from brokenness (spiritual, physical, emotional, economic, relationships, memory or grief). If you are home, you can provide your own oil wherever you are watching this service (olive oil, cooking oil, suntan oil or baby oil) and your spouse or family members can anoint each other or you can anoint yourself while I do the liturgy. To make your participation even more interactive, if you're watching from home, you may want to read from the liturgy from the United Methodist Book of Worship that we normally use by clicking on the link below, and printing it out to use on Sunday morning. If you don’t have a printer, it will be on the screen during the worship service.

Liturgy for Anointing & Healing

Never Too Late to Join the Choir!

 

If you are enjoying listening to the choir, think how much more fun it would be to actually be a part of it! Never too late to join in! If you’d like to know more about what’s involved, just put your name on the sign-up sheet in the sanctuary lobby or call/email the church office that you are interested, and our Director, Karen Click, will give you a call to tell you more. Actually, you can just show up at any of the rehearsals, Thursday nights at 7:00. Just take the elevator in the Admin Reception area right up to the choir room. We are very excited to have a formal music program, once again, at FUMC!

What Does the Bible Say

About Angels? 

New Two-week Bible Study

 

Did you know that much of what you THINK you know about angels may not be true? Over the years, artists and writers have created their own versions of angels that do not resemble anything the bible tells us. Come join this Bible study, taught by Pastor Nancy, to learn what the Bible actually says. Have you ever wondered why angels were created and what they do? Are there good and bad angels? Do we have guardian angels? Do they marry and have baby angels? Do they have ranks and names? How many are there and how old do they get? What do they look like and do they have wings? What part do angels play in end-times? If you are curious, join us for two Wednesdays at 10:30 am, on March 29 & April 5 in the church parlor. Sign up in the sanctuary lobby or call the church office. No books needed for this class.

Please Support UMCOR Relief for

Turkey, Syria and Ukraine



UMCOR, the United Methodist Commission on Relief, assists United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need. Right now UMCOR is actively helping provide relief for people who are suffering in Turkey, and Syria after a devastating earthquake, and continued help for those displaced or suffering in Ukraine with the constant bombardment of homes, schools stores and other buildings that are important for daily life. In all three countries, people are without electricity, water and heat during a tough winter. You can support the relief and recovery efforts by sending your donation to the church, earmarked “Earthquake” or “Ukraine” and it will be sent to UMCOR for immediate on-the-ground help.  Please also pray for the many people impacted in all three countries

Relationship Workshop for Couples

Mark Your Calendars!

 

Been together for 5 weeks or 50 years? Learn different ways to express love in a productive, fun, and biblical way. April 1, 10am – 1:30pm. Lunch and childcare provided at no cost. Facilitated by Scott and Amy Ehler who have led this workshop together for many years, for couples associated with the military. Register by calling the church office or emailing Chaplain Scott Ehler at discipleship@FUMCNaples.org

United Methodist Women Gathering

 

All women of the church are invited to attend the gatherings of the United Methodist Women, the first Tuesday of every month at 10am in our Church Parlor. We have great guest speakers and wonderful fellowship!

Men’s Group Breakfast

 

Our men had a great gathering with breakfast and discussion based on a devotion given by Chaplain Scott Ehler. The next Men’s Group Breakfast will be April 20, at 9:00am at Lulu’s Kitchen, 2125 Airport-Pulling Road South. We hope you will join us for a great time of fellowship. Open to all men in the congregation. Bring a friend.

Bible Study

(not too late to join in)

 

Join us for our Bible Study The Power of the Names of God Thursday mornings, at 10:30am at the church (each Thursday in March) Facilitated by Chaplain Scott Ehler. God has revealed his nature to us through many different names. As you get to know the names of God and understand their meaning, God’s character will become real to you in life-changing ways. Each week stands alone, so if you missed the first few sessions, it’s not too late to register and join by calling the church office or email Chaplain Scott at discipleship@FUMCnaples.org We hope you will join us!

Brunch Bunch


Join us for brunch, right after worship, every other week, at a different restaurant for a time of fellowship and getting to know one another.  Our next brunch will be tomorrow (March 26) at The French Brasserie Rustique, 365 5th Ave S. There is still room for a few more to come. If you’d like to join us, see a greeter at the door when you arrive, use the sign-up sheet in our narthex (sanctuary lobby), or contact Lori Martin at 309-507-1135 or via email at ljmartin-77@hotmail.com This is a wonderful way to meet new people! Everyone had a great time at our last gatherings. PLEASE NOTE: Lori has just informed us that 5th Avenue will be closed for the Naples Art Show which may provide parking challenges. There are two parking garages there but you may wish to consider car pooling. Good thing is that you will not only have a great meal, but can enjoy some amazing art afterwards.  

THANK YOU!

Your Giving Is a Form of Worship

 

Your incredible generosity is allowing our church to do ministry that will change lives. We hope that you will continue to give of your time, your talents and your prayers, in addition to your financial giving, and that you find joy in your giving!

 

These are some of the categories that you may wish to give towards:

  • “General Operating Budget” which funds our regular ministry programs and our costs to keep staff and buildings going.
  • “Earthquake Disaster Relief” efforts in Turkey and Syria through UMCOR, donated through our church.
  • “Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief” efforts through the Florida Conference
  • “Capital Expenses” This includes roof replacements and other capital needs on our campus. 
  • “Ukraine Relief” for the people of Ukraine who are enduring tremendous hardships
  • “Food Ministry” funds will go to St. Matthews and Grace Place food banks

Just indicate on your checks where you want your donation to go.

 

Your past and future gifts allow us to help people to know Jesus, to grow in their faith, and to serve Him as we help those in need.  Your donations may be brought to worship on Sunday or mailed/delivered to the address below:

  

First United Methodist Church of Naples

388 First Avenue South

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 Finance Chairperson, Tom Bach: tom.j.bach@gmail.com

Click Here to Give Online

Last Week's Worship Service

 

Did you miss worship last week? Click on the link below to view the video of last week's service entitled, Patience, which was preached by Chaplain Scott Ehler and based on Job 1:13-22.

Click for Last Week's Worship Service

We’ve Packed 320,000 Meals!!

We’re Helping to Feed Hungry People

in our Community

 

Congratulations to everyone who has helped pack food in our meal-packing program! Thank you for helping to feed hungry families. Food insecurity has been a major challenge for families throughout the pandemic, and especially now, with food prices soaring. Help us to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world and show the love of Christ to others by participating:

 

  1. Bring in food or financial contributions earmarked for “Food Ministry” and we will deliver to either Grace Place or St. Matthew’s House for their food pantries.
  2. Volunteer to come help pack food for 1.5 hours on an upcoming packing day. To sign up, contact Wendy McKee, our food-packing coordinator, at WendyMckee3@gmail.com. She will schedule you. It’s lots of fun!

Considering Becoming a New Member at FUMC?

 

If you’ve been attending for a while and think you might be interested in learning more about what it means to formally become a member of this church and what it means to become a United Methodist (if you are not already), just send me an email at: pastor@fumcnaples.org . I will get in touch with you, and we can meet and explore this together. After we meet, if you think you’d like to do this, we will make this happen at one of our upcoming Membership Sundays. If nothing else, our meeting will help us to get to know each other better! Keep in mind, that you can still keep your regular membership at your United Methodist Church up north (or even another denomination) and join us here in Naples as an Affiliate or Associate member. Several people have already expressed interest. We’ll do a New Member Sunday as soon as we have a couple more.

Need to Reach Us? Here’s How!



We are available to you! Our church office is 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

Email us: admin@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!

  

Please continue to pray for the people around the world who are suffering. Pray that God will bring them help and relief and will make his presence known to them through God’s Spirit. Then pray for guidance on how you can help. You just may be the answer to someone's prayer.


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


  • Pat Schanke (Member
  • Victoria and Trace Hance, and unborn baby Quest (Family of Wendy Moyer)
  • Ray Schubert (Family of Gail Jaworsky)
  • Jeff Jaworsky (Son of the Jaworsky's)
  • Steven Mohler (Seasonal Attender)
  • Chris Grimshaw (Member and husband of Christine Grimshaw)
  • Larry Croy (Friend of Bill Parry)
  • Peter Schmitz (Friend of Karen Parry)
  • Baby Theresa Grace (Great granddaughter of Pat Schanke)
  • Michelle Paterson (Friend of Gwen Pleban)
  • Michael Poka (MDS Preschool parent)
  • William Johnson (Brother of Al Johnson)
  • David Siefer (Cousin of Rob Pleban
  • Linda Mills (Sister of Judy Margrey)
  • Jane Dawkins (Friend of Thelma Johnson)
  • Lidia Rodriguez (Pastor's daughter of our sister-church in Cuba)
  • Baby Abby Joy and parents (Family of Lisa Passeri)
  • Sue ReBell (Sister-in-law of Marie and Dick Evans)
  • Beth Tatman (Friend of the Mayeux family)
  • Wendy Moyer (Member)
  • Diane Langley (Friend of Norine Tempelman)
  • Family of Valya Staruchin, Januk, Orysia and family, Irina and family (Three families of the Jaworsky's in Ukraine)
  • Glenn (Friend of the Emory’s)
  • Sam (brother-in-law of Karen Bach)
  • Ann Boren (Member
  • Rosa Fogle (Family of Thelma and Al Johnson)
  • All the many unspoken requests and needs of our congregation and their loved ones.

 Special Prayer List 

(Updated March 18, 2023) 

 

 Wondering what else to pray for each day? Here are some suggestions!

Click here for Special Prayer Needs

Our MDS Children Are Back from Spring Break

 

Our Methodist Day School preschoolers had a great Spring Break and jumped right into some fun learning again in our wonderful preschool. You will get to see them all, as well as their parents, when they come to sing for us in worship on Palm Sunday. We will have a reception in our patio immediately afterwards where you can meet the children and their parents. We hope you will come.  

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS


Church 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.

First United Methodist Church of Naples
388 1st Ave S
Naples, FL 34102
(239) 262-1033
God Bless You!