News 02/07/2020

PEER PRESSURE FROM THE PHARISEES (MATTHEW 5:13-20)

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket,” says Jesus, “but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house” (v. 15). Our righteousness as Christians depends on doing whatever we can to be lights to each other and to the world around us.

We are –

To be open and honest instead of hiding in the dark,
To offer other people warmth and encouragement instead of being cold and discouraging,
To be an energy source for others, so that together we can advance the mission of Christ in the world.

There is so much darkness all around us, so much loneliness and isolation. And so much peer pressure from the evangelical right — to say the right things and keep all the rules and regulations while neglecting our neighbor’s needs. We may feel that our light isn’t enough. This Sunday we’ll look at Jesus’ description of our lives as “salt and light” within the framework of his masterpiece sermon. ]See you then. — Dave

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.

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.

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 9th discussion please read Revelation.

STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

This Sunday, February 9, new member Nancy Chorpenning will share a Prelude to our Stewardship campaign for this Spring. Our theme is “Growing Through Giving.” (Look for our new banners on Sunday!) Nancy will speak about Stewardship in the context of Abundance and Scarcity, and how these concepts transform her faith journey. She comes to us from Atlanta where she headed up Stewardship in two congregations and for the Southeast Conference of the UCC.

UCC HISTORY, POLITY, AND THEOLOGY

Rev. Dr. Jim Boler and Community Minister Rev. Wesley Snedeker recently led a four session workshop about the origins, identities, and workings of the United Church of Christ. If you were unable to attend or if you have ever been curious about our denomination, where it came from, and what it stands for, the full set of videos provided by the United Church of Christ are available here: Exploring UCC History, Polity, and Theology

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.

BODY PARTS

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) Paul uses the metaphor of a human body to explain how Christians are to work together to be the body (and message) of Jesus in the world. There are lots of parts needed to make a body function. So too with the church. So what part are you? Please take some time to review the ministry opportunities and see all the different parts that are needed to make the church function. Prayerfully consider stepping out in faith and/or stepping up to leadership. Maybe your part is to host a coffee hour, or volunteer to usher. Maybe even join a committee. What part are you? Think about it.

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.

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