Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! Hope you’re having a great 2013 so far. If you’re reading this
then we know that all the speculation about the Mayan calendar was incorrect and the
world (and life) goes on. What will this year be like— for us as individuals, our church,
our community, our nation, the world? That is the great adventure of life— living it a day
at a time. As I have often said, the Scripture promises us a lamp to our feet, not a headlight down the highway. God will help direct our next step if we will listen. And although
we can greatly influence others, the reality is that the only one we can truly make
changes in is ourselves. Our challenge in 2013, as it is every year, is to strengthen our
covenant with God, to work toward being the person He has called us to be.
John Wesley had a Covenant Renewal Service that he would do each new year.
The prayer that opens the service is this:
“O God, Searcher of our hearts, you have formed us as a people and claimed us for
your own. As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace, and to enter anew
into covenant with you, reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us. Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being, and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen”
May we as individuals, and as the Church of Jesus Christ, strive this year to
serve God in our actions and in our words. Again I wish you Happy New Year!
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Jim
Get Ready For The Guy Penrod Concert,
which takes place on January 20, 2013.
The tickets are $25.00 per person and are
available in the Narthex and in the office
during the week. The concert is at 3:00 on
the 20th
and the
doors
w i l l
open at
2:00 pm.
February 3rd
Dueling Pianos
with Jodie DeSalvo and Linda Matthews
3:00 concert—doors open at 2:00
March 17th
Voices of Naples
In concert at 3:00—doors open at 2:00
GUY
PENROD
MISSION OF THE MONTH
Updates:
Hey Church Family!
This is Brandon Perez... I’m currently a junior at the University of Florida and it’s that time of year again! It’s time to
talk to you all about the church Scholarships! On behalf of
myself and all the other scholarship recipients, I want to
thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the love and
support you have shown all of us. You have no idea how
helpful the money you provided, really is. Shown below is
my financial breakdown for this 2012-2013 school year.
ANNUAL COST OF EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
And he most certainly did. We offered many ways for each of
you to help with this project. Some of you donated money to
help buy gift cards to provide food for the families during the
Christmas Holidays. Some of you chose a gift tag and bought a
present for one of the 19 children and 5 adults who were part of
these special families. Some of you provided gift tags and
wrapping paper. Some of you prayed for these families and
this project. We couldn’t have been so successful without your
help. As the gifts were wrapped and sorted, we had exactly the
number of gifts and gift cards that we needed. Each child received 3 gifts or gift cards. Each parent received a gift or two
or a few gift cards. Each family received Walmart and Publix
gift cards for Christmas meals. Thanks for all your prayers and
donations.
FL RESIDENT $190 PER CREDIT HOUR
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
APARTMENT COSTS
PERSONAL EXPENSES
TRANSPORTATION
TOTAL
Shadowlawn Christmas Families: God Will Provide!
$ 5,700
1,500
5,000
3,200
3,000
$18,400
However, many students pay more; which depends on
whether you stay in state or go to a private college. Many
college students have scholarships, grants, Florida prepaid,
etc. which help with finances; but in reality, there is no “full
ride” to college anymore. And any little bit helps. Speaking
for all college students, money is the last thing we want to be
thinking about with all the stresses of college. I am a full-time
student; I am part of a research lab; I work part-time at a
bookstore; I lead a weekly Men’s Bible Study and I attend
weekly meetings at CRU, a Christian campus organization,
on top of wanting to live the college student life with friends.
Some of my fellow scholarship recipients have these activities, plus a sport that takes up even more time. You get the
picture. College students are busy. But, because of your donations to the scholarship fund, I can happily say that when I
graduate from Undergrad I will be debt free, which I would
not have been able to say without this Church’s generosity.
Your contributions to the Scholarship fund really do allow us
to use the gifts that God has given us on all of our separate
campuses.
Scholarship is the Mission of the Month this January for our
church. If you would like to help support college students in
this way, please mark your donation envelope for Mission of
the Month, and your money will go to the scholarship fund
that is distributed to college students, like myself.
Thank you and God Bless!
Brandon Perez
2012 in Review Our generous donations to Missions this year
resulted in over $53,000 being sent to wonderful people and
projects around Naples and our world. Beyond our Mission of
the Month projects we have also supported UMCOR and
Global Missionaries, Homeless Orphan Outreach International,
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, Habitat for Humanity,
Sunlight Home, Florida United Methodist Children’s Home,
Eric and Allison Foster’s work with the Jesus Film Project. We
sponsored a huge food drive in August that supported the food
pantries at Helps Outreach, Grace Place and St. Matthew’s
House. Our Relay for Life team walked, donated and honored
those who have battled or continue to battle cancer. We continue to pass along soup labels, eye glasses, aluminum pulltabs, and print cartridges to support others. Many of you volunteer your time in support of local organizations and people who
need to feel God’s love. As the Mission Chairperson, I would
like to thank you for all you do to be God’s hands, feet and
heart in our world.
Kris Clemmensen
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command
you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and
to the poor, in your land.’
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we
must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
“I have decided to stick with
love. Hate is too great a
burden to bear.”
Martin Luther King, Jr
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” Isaiah 60:1-6 (NIV)
In December, we spent our time preparing our hearts for the coming of the promised Messiah, Jesus the Christ, the King of
Kings. We opened the season of Advent with the Hanging of the Greens service. We reflected on how Jesus could be the Son
of God and the Son of Man. We reflected on something John Chrysostom preached in the fourth century:
“What shall I say! And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of
days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot
be touched . . . now lies subject to the hands of men . . . God is now on earth, and man in heaven.”
Then we celebrated with the beautiful music of A Chancel Christmas, honoring a beloved saint who left an indelible mark on
the people of our church. We laughed through the children and youth telling us the Christmas Story in Camel Lot: Don’t Miss
the Manger. We were reminded that it’s easy to just live our lives and miss the point of it all – that it’s easy to miss the manger. And finally on Christmas Eve we joyously welcomed Jesus - we made time to allow our hearts to open up and receive the
greatest gift of all.
James A. Harnish wrote an Advent study called When God Comes Down. In it he said, “The good news of great joy is proclaimed in a world where preschool children sometimes lose their fathers, where parents sometimes lose their jobs, and where
families lose their homes. The angels sing of ‘peace on earth and goodwill to all’ in a world where Herod still reigns and
where nations still believe the myth that peace can be purchased through war. God comes down in flesh into a world where
love still gets nailed to a cross. The Savior is born in a world where every last one of us is like those lost, confused, disoriented shepherds who are in desperate need of a Savior.”
We know we are lost and confused, disoriented and desperate. We know we are people of darkness and live in a world covered in thick darkness. In our day-to-day life, it is easy to sink into that darkness, to let life’s troubles and despair take over
and rule us.
But we are called to something else – something different. We are called to be people of the light. Arise! Shine! For our
light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon us! In this new year, welcome the light into your life. Arise and let your
light shine!
Grace and peace,
Jessica Crown
Christian Education Calendar
January 6, 2013 – Youth Group Meetings Begin
January 14, 2013 – Christian Education Team Meeting, 6 PM, Elsey Hall
January 16, 2013 – Wonderful Wednesdays Begin
January 20, 2013 – Guy Penrod Concert, 3 PM, Sanctuary
January 28, 2013 – Invitation to the New Testament Begins, 6 PM, Elsey Hall
February 3, 2013 – Dueling Pianos Concert, 3 PM, Sanctuary
February 7, 2013 – Christian Education Team Meeting, 6 PM, Elsey Hall
February 9, 2013 – Mandatory Christian Education Volunteer Training, 9 AM – 2 PM, 2nd Floor Ed. Bldg.
February 10, 2013 – Youth Bell/Choir Begins, 4:30 PM, Choir Room
Christian Education Needs
We are always in need of supplies!
For the month of January, we are asking for donations of napkins and plastic-ware (forks and spoons especially)! On a Sunday morning or
Wednesday evening, bring them upstairs and check out our programs,
activities, and children/youth! We are
grateful for your support and donations. Thank you!
JANUARY 9:30 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL BIBLE CLASS
The general theme for the quarter is "Jesus is Lord".
This month we consider "Exalting Christ" with Scriptures from
Philippians. Bring your Bible, your enthusiasm to learn... and
your questions.
Pastor Bob
“If you can’t explain it to a six year old,
you don’t understand it yourself.”
Albert Einstein
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
United Methodist Women will begin 2013 on Monday,
January 14th @ 11 am in Fellowship Hall with a salad
lunch. The program includes the Pledge service and
Beryl Melucci will present her beautiful program on
her life in England as a child during WWII. All persons are welcome to join us for the lunch and program. If you are new or a guest, you do not need to
concern yourself with what food to bring. Just
come.
There is always enough to eat.
Our February unit meeting will be on the evening of
February 4th @ 7 pm in Fellowship Hall. Donna Fiala
will be the guest speaker. Just cookies and coffee...
and all are warmly welcomed to attend.
Pat Poorman
New Books on the UMW Reading
Cart – Explore the 23 new books
available to check out on the United
Methodist Women’s Library Cart in
the Workroom. These books are
part of the UMW Reading Program
but are a great resource for all who enjoy a great
book. Some of the new books this year include:
Alone and Invisible No More, How Coffee Saved
My Life, Make Poverty Personal, and One Simple
Act – Discovering the Power of Generosity. We
hope that you will check out a book and enjoy a
new read!
Kris Clemmensen
RACHEL CIRCLE On Wednesday, January 16th
at 10 am in Elsey Hall, the Rachel Circle will be
starting a new study entitled: Immigration in the
Bible. We meet for one
hour, and the next three
d at es
af t er
J an u ary
are: February 13, March 6,
and April 10. Contact Pat
Poorman, 775-7257.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING The South West
District will be providing Local Church Leadership
Training in 2 locations in the district. If you have
been serving on a local church leadership team (SPR,
Finance, Trustees, etc.), been newly elected to a committee at your last Charge Conference or just interested in learning more. please join us either Saturday,
January 26, 2013 (St. John’s UMC in Sarasota) or Saturday, February 2, 2013 (North Naples UMC). Call
Pastor Jim for more information (774-4696).
THE EVANGELISM COMMITTEE INVITES YOU
to participate in an all church community outreach on
Saturday, January 26th. Door-to-door visitation and
prayer support. For information, contact Pastor Gene @
774-4696.
Endowment Team Meeting
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
at 11:00am in Elsey Hall
BARGAIN NOOK NEWS
Little Store = Big Impact
Wow! $30,000 later, the Bargain
Nook reflects on quite a year in 2012.
Hats off and a HUGE THANKS
to Carol McElroy (for her nine
months) and Bud & Elaine Kaiser (for their three
months) in leading the team of volunteers. We are so
thankful for the opportunity to reach out in our community and also bring revenue for the church operating
fund. This is truly a win-win partnership and such a
blessing. God is Good!
LEARNING CENTER NEWS! The Learning Center staff, children and fami­
lies love the new rubber mulch playground
that was provided for with a bequest from
Veora Habig. If you have not seen the new ad­
dition to the playground, please feel free to
do so. The Learning Center is excited to an­
nounce that in the new 2013/2014 school year
they will be offering a new FREE afternoon
VPK program. We ask that you please be in
prayer for this as well as for our staff,
children, and the families. We would like to
thank you for your continued support, prayers
and referrals. The Learning Center Staff pray
that the New Year brings you much joy, good
health and wonderful memories. In Christ...
The Learning Center Board and Director
SNOWBIRDS Please remember to call the office
to change to your local address (774-4696).
Mc Curdy, Dorothy
Pogel, Amanda
White, Janet
Peavey, Robert
Arnold, Penny
Crouse, Daniel
Gonzalez, Estrella
Suarez, Ana
Boydston, Susan
Clark, Dylan
Leach, Frances
Wright, Christopher
Mediavilla, Sheree
1/2
1/4
1/4
1/5
1/6
1/6
1/6
1/6
1/7
1/8
1/8
1/9
1/10
Mellon, Doris
1/10
Perez, Armando
George, Helen
Hammond, Mike
Fraser, Eleanor
Hall, Harold
Atwell, Laura
Cooling, Ruth
Wright, Paul
Anderson, Allison
Mc Donald, Robert
Carlson, Samantha
Griffin, Katie
Hoyle, Laberta
Melucci, Beryl
Burgham, Donald
Levitt, Zachary
Good, Tammy
Pearson, Clint
Philogene, Sandra
1/10
1/11
1/11
1/12
1/12
1/13
1/13
1/13
1/15
1/15
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/16
1/17
1/17
1/18
1/18
1/18
Richardson, Debbie
Straub, Nicholas
Cicchetti, Christopher
Jones, Margaret
Mitchell, Ann
Pogany, Susan
Regula, Jason
Shaw, Brenda
Willis, Geraldine
Bedell, Brenda
Keltner, Jane
Mc Cutcheon, Marie
Vogel, Trent
Garcia, Mariano
Dossinger, Sue
Biddle, Corwin
Daudert, James
Shoemaker, Allison
Craig, George
Hayes, Mike
Sulouff, Diane
Murphy, Donald
Murphy, Joyetta
Orozco, Sergio
Ahlquist, Haley
Bain, Charles
Fetters, James
Rush, Maxine
Long, Arthur
Jordan, Lois
Kokkinos, Becky
O’Neil, Susan
Straub, Brian
1/18
1/18
1/19
1/19
1/19
1/19
1/19
1/19
1/19
1/20
1/20
1/20
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1/21
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1/28
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1/31
Thank you for the cards, gifts and kindly expressions given to me in this season in which
we celebrate Christ's birth.
Bob Hinklin
Joseph Williams
November 27, 2012
Helen Chandler
December 2, 2012
Carl Johnson
December 10, 2012
FELLOWSHIP DINNERS will resume January 16th.
A reservation form will be in the bulletin as a tear off,
which you may put in the offering; call the office (7744696) or e-mail [email protected] by Mondays @ noon.
Dinner, $10 each. Pay at the door the night of the dinner
but, don’t forget to make your reservations!
The various committees and chairpersons
of ENUMC for 2013
Chair
V-Chair
Secretary
Lay Leader
Lay Member of AC
Scholarship
Finance Chair
Financial Secretary
Trustees Representive
Staff-Parish
Evangelism
Missions
Christian Education
Worship
Learning Center Board
Nominations
Stephen Ministry
UMYF Rep
UM Men
UM Women
Membership Care
Scouting Coordinator
Disaster Coordinator
Hispanic Ministry
John Jordan
TBD
Sandy Ahlquist
Paul Clemmensen
Romelle Lemley
Danielle Poff
Gary Davis
Phyllis McGraw
TBD
Nancy Lange
Doris Mellon
Kris Clemmensen
Beth Milliren
Maxine Kilburg
Shirley Ludwig
Paul Clemmensen
Sue Dossinger
Jenilyn Tea
James Bingham
Pat Poorman
Shirley Swan
Dwight McGraw
Walt Whitten
Udene Torres
NON-PROFIT
US POSTAGE
PAID
NAPLES, FL
PERMIT # 34
EAST NAPLES UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2701 AIRPORT ROAD SOUTH
NAPLES FL 34112
(239) 774-4696
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
MAILED December 31, 2012
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