BAYWATCH. A Newsletter from First Congregational Church of Naples 6225 Autumn Oaks Ln Naples, Fl

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1 BAYWATCH A Newsletter from First Congregational Church of Naples 6225 Autumn Oaks Ln Naples, Fl Volume 11 No 8 November / December,2016 FROM THE PASTOR I know it sounds like a broken record to keep saying it s been an exciting fall at First Congregational Church, but the truth is that some wonderful events have occurred for which the church can be very proud. Such services as World Communion Sunday and Disabilities Awareness Sunday have become points of focus for the fall season. This year s services were no exception with the outstanding participation of the Litany of the Flags, and Dr. Debbie Heil as the special speaker for Disabilities Awareness Sunday. The presentation of Beth and Max Hatch on October 16 was equally heart-warming. Such presentations remind us of those who face challenges seem to have a way of stepping up to the plate with courage and resolve. The presence of people like Dr. Heil, Beth, and Max enable us to know that angels have walked among us. We were further blessed by the New Horizons Children s Choir on October 30. Wow! These kids are something special! e are saddened by the resignation of W Norma Farmilo as organist due to health concerns. Norma has served the church for twelve years, beginning three weeks after the church was started in the school cafeteria in We will keep Norma in our prayers for better health and look forward to her visiting the church from time to time. Hats off to Frank Rostron for another successful Charity Golf Tournament. This year s charity was the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwest Florida. It appears proceeds from the tournament will reach the six figure amount. We ve been challenged! A couple of people in the church have issued a challenge that everything that comes into the church between November 1 and December 31 will be matched by a 50% matching gift. These gifts must be above the normal support of the church and placed in the special Challenge Envelope. The Women s Retreat is on again, this time on Friday and Saturday, December 2-3, and will be held at the church. An exciting program is planned with many gifts included for attendees. All women are invited and encouraged to bring a friend. Thanksgiving Sunday, November 20, will begin with the Pilgrim March and a special re-enactment of Puritan Pastor John Winthrop with his famous City Set on a Hill sermon delivered on board the ship Arbella before de-boarding in the Boston Harbor in The sermon has been quoted many times, several by American presidents. The Trunk or Treat event was quite an evening with well over 200 participants. Boys and girls were everywhere checking out the treats in the 14 trunks that were open, and of course, the hay ride. We live in a world of tragedies and two happened this fall: the floods of Louisiana and Hurricane Matthew that struck Haiti. Thanks to the generous ways the church stepped up with support. Finally, many wonderful services are planned for the Christmas season. Don t miss out on any as they will bring you much Christmas joy. Les Serving Him together,

2 A World Communion Sunday Left: Children process with One World, One Faith, One Baptism. Right and below: The procession of flags from around the world.. World Communion Sunday was first held at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, now a historic landmark, in By 1940, the National Council of Churches adopted the idea to promote Christian unity around the country. The movement was soon adopted by the World Council of Churches to be held the First Sunday of October. The procession of flags and litanies read in the native languages of the thirty participants at FCCN makes the service have a special meaning that we are all one in Christ. Carol Stoneson, a native of South Africa, holds South African flag and speaks litany in her own native dialect.

3 A Baptism and New Horizons Children s Choir Receiving the Sacrament of Baptism on October 9 was James Nuff III, son of James and Kerry Nulf. Let the little children come unto me, for it is to such asthese that the kingdom of God belongs. Matthew 19:14 Pictured above are the fifty-some children who comprise the New Horizons Children s Choir who sang in the church on October 30. The children are a part of the after-school program on the New Horizons Ministry in Bonita Springs. The offering received to support the ministry was $

4 The Frank Rostron Invitational Golf Tournament Pictured left is Curt Robidoux at the Registration Table. It took a host of volunteers to pull off the tournament, but the church stepped up to the plate again and again with volunteers to help with orchestrating the tournament. Thanks to everyone s help, the tournament was a huge success. The Frank Frostron Invitational Golf Tournament held at the Naples Grande Golf Course and Beach Resort on October 29. including 110 players and nearly 200 in attendance of the Awards Banquet. Over $100,000 was raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southwest Florida. Pictured right is the winning team, consisting of Glen Midnet, Jim Kurtyka, Jerry Messonnier, and Kevin Hall. This is the 3rd year this team has come in 1srt. (Wow!). There is no way to thank Frank and his volunteers for all that was accomplished. Many children will have a Wish Granted for Left is participant Bruce Folkerth. Right are the Stonebridge boys: Larry Linderer, John Thompson, Bopb Thompson, and John Taylor, all standing in front of the Rolls Royce they hoped to win. (Sorry Guys!)

5 Thanks to Norma Farmilo for Twelve Faithful Years Lorena Willis shares her Christmas Card Display in the foyer. Lorena has a variety of hand-made Christmas cards she is selling with all proceeds going to the Women s Retreat. Lorena s card display will be in the foyer for a couple of weeks. Stop by and see her. After service as church organist for twelve years, Norma Farmilo has tendered her resignation due to some health issues. Norma began playing the keyboard in the school cafeteria three weeks after the church was started in 2004 and has been organist ever since. Norma is a talented organist with a PhD in music. She has brought a number of musicians to the church. Her presence will be sorely missed. You may send her a thank you note for her years of service at 4036 Kent St., Naples, Once a month there is a Family Night Dinner in Zilinskis Hall. The food is always great and the fellowship time is something to die for. Watch the church bulletin for au upcoming dinner. Remember: There s a place for you at the table.

6 ThThanksgiving and Christmas Opportunities The church will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a luncheon to be held on November 20 following the 10:00 AM Service. Turkey and ham will be provided. Please plan on bringing a side dish. Make Thanksgiving special by joining your church family for a wonderful Thanksgiving gathering, sharing blessings and fellowship around tables. Captiva Chapel By the Sea A bus trip is planned for November 30 to the Captiva Chapel by the Sea, pictured left. The chapel was first built as a school house in 1903, purchased as a Methodist Church in 1921, and organized as an interdenominational church in It is on the National Register of Historic Places. Pastor Wicker will hold a special worship service in the chapel as a part of the trip. Following the service the group will enjoy lunch at The Green Flash Restaurant. The bus will leave the church at 9:30 AM. Please sign up in Zilinskis Hall. Don t Miss seeing your church s float in the Naples Christmas parade on December 6.

7 Disabilities Awareness, Flood Relief Dr. Debbie Heil is speaker for Disabilities Awareness Sunday on October 9. Dr. Heil is victim of Multiple Sclerosis and because of the illness, had to give up her medical practice. She has since devoted her life to sensitizing people to the needs of the disabled. She, along with Lisa Luthringer, are founders of the MS Foundation of Sourthwest Florida. Dr. Heil s presentation was gripping. Devastating Floods hit Louisiana and Hurricane Matthew his the island nation of Haiti. Pictured right is a scene from the horrendous flood that hit Louisiana in August and again in September. The church responded with a special offering of support for $ for the flood victims and $ for the hurricane victims. Pictured left is Erik Ritz, one of the leaders of the Contemporary Service that meets each Saturday at 5:30 PM. Most recently Robert and Martie Miller who specialize in contemporary worship have joined the leadership team.

8 Trunk or Treat Event on October 28 The Trunk or Treat event on October 28 was definitely a big hit! Above Danielle Fontella does a face painting for Brooke Rhondarmer. To the upper right, someone has found the hay bails and pumpkins. Lower middle is Roland with his Hayride. It seemed everyone wanted to jump on board the hayride. Lower left are two horses from the South Florida Hosed Rescue, only these horses are dressed like Ghost Horses. Lower right is Laura Lou Roth with some Trunk or Treaters looking into the trunk to see what treat might be hidden inside.

9 Angel Gift Tree and Santa for Needy Children On December 3, Pat Sheffert will join others in Golden Gate to play Mrs. Santa Claus and give out some 250 treat bags to children from Golden Gate. The event is sponsored by Chris Murphy and members of the police department. Thanks to everyone in the church who contributed to the Christmas Gift bags. This was a project of the Board of Deacons. The Angel Gift Tree will soon be set up in the church foyer. The tree will have some 75 names of needy children for whom you may be an angel this Christmas. Each angel has a list of Christmas wishes of boys and girls. Please take an angel from the tree and make some child s Christmas extra special. Thanks to Gary and Barbara Baird for their leadership for the Angel Gift Tree. This is the 6th year the church has participated in this The church will take on the season s appearance with the Hanging of the Greens Service on November 27, the first Sunday of Advent. Children are invited to participate in the service by carrying the greens into the sanctuary.

10 We ve Been Challenged! End of the Year Challenge Three members of the church of the church have issued a challenge that they will match all additional gifts that come into the church between November 1 and December 31 with a matching gift or 50 %. This year these funds are designated towards the General Fund of the Church. Please make your gift by using the enclosed envelope and either mailing it to the church or dropping it in the offering plate using the special envelope. Anyone who doesn t think the Women s Retreat is fun should think again as the above photos from previous retreats indicate. This year s retreat is December 2-3 and will be held at the church. Both an inspirational Program, wonderful prizes, and outstanding food are already in the making. BTW, the men of the church are preparing the evening dinner on December 2. Any lady that has not signed up should do so as soon as possible. By no means does any lady want to miss the Women s Retreat.

11 Pilgrim March and Christmas Schedule Why not be a part of the Pilgrim March? Pilgrims will be marching from the Target Shopping Center to the church on November 20 with the Pilgrim gathering at 9:15 AM. This year, the message will be that a portion of Puritan John Winthrop s famous sermon, A City Set on a Hill, given on board the ship Arbella, before deboarding in the Boston Harbor in The thought of the sermon was that America was a city set on a hill that would be a blessing to many nations. It has been quoted by several American presidents. No one will want to miss the Christmas Services, so mark your calendars and plan to share the Joy of Christmas with loved ones and friends: November 27: The Hanging of the Greens Message: The Ever Greening Tree Message on December 3: Message: A Gift Better Than Happiness December 6: The Church s Float in the Naples Christmas Parade December 11: Message: Away in a Manager December 18: Message: Getting to Bethlehem for Christmas Christmas Eve: The Victorian Carolers at 5:00 PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 PM December 25: Message: The Things of Mary s Heart January 1: Message: Congratulations, Joseph, It s a God

12 First Congregational Church of Naples 6225 Autumn Oaks Ln Naples, Fl Sunday Worship 8:00 am (Abbreviated Service) 10:00 am Traditional Service (Child Care) Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Permit # 174 Naples, Fl Affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED A Positive Church This Newsletter Especially For: with A Positive Message Keep abreast of church activities on website at Like us on Facebook! The Thanksgiving and Christmas Opportunities