News 01/31/2020

CHRISTIANITY 101 – MATTHEW 5:1-12

While preparing to teach a class on the Sermon on the Mount, Philip Yancey watched General Norman Schwarzkopf give his final television briefing on the First Gulf War. As he listened, Yancey realized that he was hearing the words of Jesus in reverse. “Blessed are the strong. Blessed are the triumphant in spirit. Blessed are the liberated. Blessed are the conquering soldiers.” The exact opposite of the Sermon on the Mount. Yancey was not critical of the general: he saw him as someone who “embodies perfectly the qualities of strength, leadership and confidence our world honors.”

So what’s the point? “The Sermon on the Mount expresses quite plainly that God views this world with different lenses.” Looking back over the people in his own life who showed the greatest wisdom, Yancey saw a patient at a leprosarium in India, a civil-rights worker in a jail cell, a mother who lost two children to cystic fibrosis, a priest who worked at a home for the severely disabled, a minister who ran a hotel for the homeless.

People like these see life through a different lens: the God-lens. This Sunday we’ll take a look at our world through the God-lens. We’ll examine the Beatitudes as a kind of “Christianity 101” wherein humility and kindness rule.

See you then. — DAVE

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to the family of Mal King who died Jan. 26, 2020. No arrangements have been made at this time. Condolences may be sent to: Marianne King, 825 Santa Barbara Blvd., Cape Coral, 33914

NEW MEMBER CLASS

If you would like to learn more about our church, or if you think you might be interested in becoming a member or an associate member, we invite you to attend our membership class. It will be offered on Sunday, February 16th, following morning coffee. RSVP by email: ofcmgrfmcucc@gmail.com or by calling 239-482-3133. A light lunch will be served. New members will be received on Sunday, February 23rd.

NEW TESTAMENT STUDY

GROW hosts a New Testament study before worship every Sunday at 9am! We are using Marcus Borg’s “Evolution of the Word”. We are reading every book of the New Testament in the order they were written. Each session covers one or more texts, along with Dr. Borg’s historical-critical introduction. We are so excited to be digging into scripture together! In preparation for the February 2nd discussion please read Ephesians.

UCC HISTORY, POLITY, AND THEOLOGY

Rev. Dr. Jim Boler and Community Minister Rev. Wesley Snedeker are offering a four session workshop that will consider the origins, identities, and workings of the United Church of Christ. The sessions will be on January 12th, 19th, 26th, and February 2nd. We will draw from personal experiences, official denominational resources, and the stories of those gathered to explore where the UCC came from and where we’re headed. If you have ever been curious about our denomination and what it stands for, this is the course for you! We will meet in the Sanctuary during Coffee Hour, from 11:15am to 12 noon.

WORLD BEYOND WAR

Our WBW chapter will meet on Sunday, February 2nd, at our new time 4:00 pm. Rev. John Pegg will show a short video & discuss several topics. This meeting will last only one hour. (You will have time to drive home in the daylight and see the Super Bowl at 6:30pm). See Tom Miller in the Fellowship Hall to sign the Peace Pledge and receive email notifications from WBW. Click here to print your own copy of the Peace Pledge

WELCOME BABY REBHOLZ 2.0

Congratulations to Pastor Dave and Barb Bucey who welcomed their 3rd grandchild, Titus James Rebholz. He entered the world on January 29th (not on the day he was scheduled) at 6:57 pm at St Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, CT. He weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. Parents are Jordan and Bobby Rebholz. He joins big brother, Malachi David Rebholz.

YOUTH GROUP!

Starting on Thursday, February 6th, FMCUCC’s youth will gather at the church for fellowship, games, music, and faith formation! Youth group will begin at 6:00 pm and end around 8:00 pm. All middle and high schoolers in our church and our community are welcome! If you have questions about youth group, please contact our Community Minister Wesley at wesleysnedeker@gmail.com or our Chair of Christian Education, Catalina, at chirocata@gmail.com.

LECTIO DIVINA

Facilitator: Rev. Beverly Latif Duncan. Meeting at the church on February 13th, 20th, and 27th, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. The Bible is a treasure trove of history, those who peopled it, and testimonies to the grand sweep of the salvation story. Lectio divina (“sacred reading”), rather than academic, is a slow, contemplative way to read Scripture, enabling the Bible—the Word of God—to speak to each of us personally. Please bring a pen and a pad of paper, and we’ll give it a go. Bev Duncan graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1992 and served congregations across Massachusetts, retiring in 2007. She moved to Naples in 2009 and served Naples United Church of Christ as Assistant Minister until December 2018.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

Are you interested in helping serve the FMCUCC community by being a welcoming face before guests enter the sanctuary? Please consider serving at the Welcome Center desk or as a door opener once a month. See the sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall to indicate your desire.

DANCING IN CHURCH

Praise Dance Ministry practices are being held on Wednesdays, at 7pm at the church. Come prepared for exercise (wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring an exercise mat). For more info please call Jackie Boler at 651-437-2785. Thank you.

GROW PROGRAMS

GROW is an educational ministry of Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ. It draws upon the resources that make our church unique to foster an atmosphere of intellectual and social experimentation. GROW is a series of free classes, workshops, and social events led by staff members, retired clergypeople, and guest facilitators who seek to edify our community through the enlightenment and organization of its members. You are welcome to attend any course listed at any point in its progress. If you would like more information about GROW or any of its courses, please contact our Community Minister Wesley Snedeker at wesleysnedeker@gmail.com. Please click here for a detailed description of all classes offered.

INSPIRED: BOOK DISCUSSION FOR WOMEN

Facilitator: Rev. Nancy Rohde. January 6, 13, 27, and February 3 at 2:00 pm. If the Bible isn’t a science book, instruction manual, or position paper, then what is it? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present.

ATTIC TREASURES

Dates to keep in mind. Sign up to let us know where you can help. Many hands make for a lighter load!!

Wednesday, February 12^th – Room set-up, tables, racks etc. (time to be determined)
Thursday, February 13^th and Friday February 14^th – Donation drop off, sorting, pricing etc. (morning hours)
Saturday, February 15^th – ATTIC TREASURES SALE (morning hours) Deliver baked goods to kitchen door on the east side of the building before 8am.

ITEMS NEEDED: In good condition, clean, working, and resalable: small appliances and tools (no computers, printers), clothing, housewares, jewelry, holiday decorations, linens, white elephants, books, DVDs, CDs, toys, games, clean plastic shopping bags, baked goods.

HELP NEEDED:

Setup Help on Wednesday, February 12th (9am – noon).
Accept donations and Sort and Price Sale Items on Thursday, February 13th (9am – noon and 4-6pm) and Friday, February 14th, (9am – noon)
Help on Sale Day Saturday, February 15th (8am – 1pm)
Sign-up Sheets are on the UCC Women’s Bulletin Board
Shoppers for Saturday, February 15th.
Clean-up Help for Saturday, February 15th (12:30-3pm)

Questions? Contact Sandy Blackington (239-432-1082 or sblacking@aol.com) or Barb Coons (239-549-8283 or kayebarb3344@gmail.com)

FREE CANCER SEMINAR

FMCUCC is including this information as a courtesy to CLUMC

Please register by Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, at cypresslakeumc.com/cancer.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We have many volunteer opportunities available to assist with various aspects of our Sunday worship services and around the church. Please consider signing up for one of these important jobs. Sign-up sheets can be found on the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall or send an email to Lisa Riehl, ofcmgrfmcucc@gmail.com, and let her know what you are interested in doing. Thanks in advance for helping make our church so great!

SANCTUARY FLOWERS

The new Flower chart has been placed on the bulletin board outside of the Parlor. Please sign-up today. Envelopes to pay for the flowers can be found at the bottom of the board.

THE BOARD OF DEACONS NEEDS YOUR HELP

Did Joan go on the around the world cruise she’s been planning these past several months? Do you know whether Harold is recuperating at his daughter’s home in Wisconsin? And how about Marie – she’s usually back in Fort Myers for the season by now, have you heard from her? Oftentimes, the Board of Deacons and the church staff know when a church member is homebound locally, and keep tabs on him or her. However, we aren’t always informed by family members or caretakers when a member has prolonged health issues making it difficult for them to attend church functions. Here’s where the members of the congregation can help out. If you are aware of a member that is homebound, or have noticed a member’s prolonged absence but haven’t heard it announced at church, please bring it to the attention of one of the deacons or the church office. Most times we are aware of the members who are homebound locally, but we don’t want to overlook anyone.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

If you have walkers or bedside commodes you no longer need, please consider donating them to the church. We loan those items out to those in need and are currently out. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Riehl in the church office, 239-482-3133

NEED TO REACH US?

Rev. David Bucey – davidbucey@gmail.com – 513-535-2121

Rev. Wesley Snedeker – wesleysnedeker@gmail.com – 239-297-1586

Church Office – ofcmgrfmcucc@gmail.com – 239-482-3133