December 2018 Outreach Newsletter

In the Heart of Naples with the Love of God

December 2018

IN THIS ISSUE From Rev. Goodrich Music Congregational Care Finance Missions Preschool Calendar Presbyterian Women Christian Education News & Events Birthdays Staff Poinsettia Form

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Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff As we move from November and the Thanksgiving season into the hope and expectation of the seasons of Advent and Christmas, let’s not leave behind the spirit of thanksgiving. As we look back on this past year, we have so much for which to be thankful!

I am particularly grateful for our staff, our elders, deacons, Stephen Ministers and all who serve so faithfully and well.

craigg@fpcnaples.org

Our sermon series for Advent and Christmas is based on the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Sermons will focus upon the promises of hope given to Elizabeth and Mary and the birth of their sons, John the Baptist and Jesus.

We look forward to worshipping with you, and especially to Christmas Eve when we welcome Jesus our Lord and sing Silent Night by candlelight!

On behalf of the Staff and Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Naples, we wish you a very Blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas.

“Let every heart prepare Him room.”

Faithfully and Gratefully,

Your staff are truly gifted, a great and dedicated team. We give thanks for those who have joined us this year: Eduardo Martinez, Anna Focht, Kristen Lucas, Ashley Hancock and Rex Childs and we are delighted to announce that Nancy Van Fleet will be joining us as our new Director of Children and Youth Ministry. (See page 12). Nancy was a member of this congregation years ago and most recently was on the staff of Naples United Church of Christ. Welcome Nancy!

Your elders have led faithfully and well, making good decisions and guiding our life together. Your Deacons and Stephen Ministers have rendered compassionate and heartfelt care, living out our call to bear one another’s burdens and to care for those in need. Thank you!

There is so much to look forward to and about which to be hopeful. December brings more wonderful Season of Music concerts. Our women’s and men’s groups continue to meet and there are many mission and giving opportunities, all set out on the following pages.

And regarding giving, I hope you will consider making a year-end gift to support our ministry together (See page 5).

From the Pulpit December 2 “How It Begins” Rev. Craig Goodrich December 9 “How Can This Be?” Rev. Rex Childs December 16 “Companions in Hope” Rev. Craig Goodrich December 23 “Preparing the Way” Rev. Craig Goodrich December 30 Rev. Bill Crawford

Music

Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries, briceg@fpcnaples.org

A Season of Music Concert Series presents

Chancel Choir Christmas Concert Dr. Brice Gerlach, conductor Sunday, December 2, 2018 4:00 p.m.

The Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church will present a concert that celebrates the joy of Christmas through the art of song.

The annual concert showcases the incredible talent of First Presbyterian Church.

The program will feature a professional chamber orchestra, the soloists from the choir and the First Presbyterian Church choir singing Christmas favorites.

This is a concert you will be sure to remember!

There is no charge for the concert. A free-will offering will be taken.

Doors open at 3 p.m.

For a list of all Season of Music concerts, please visit our website www.fpcnaples.org/music.

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Congregational Care

Shirley Hagerson, Director of Congregational Care shagerson@comcast.net

Stephen Ministers Serving First Presbyterian Church May you be blessed With the spirit of the season, which is peace, the gladness of the season, which is hope, and the heart of the season, which is love.

Joy and peace fills the hearts of those who believe in the miracle of Christmas.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Cynthia Anderson Carolyn Bennett Tom Clark Isabelle Connell Andie Goodrich Carol Graham Betsy Grant Shirley Hagerson Walter Gadkowski Jack Marsh Saralene Oldham Karen Parker Gary Root Suzanne Rose

God’s Will for FPC Naples Going Forward The second of two organizational meetings to fill out our Strategic Direction Planning Team took place on November 15 with 26 people attending.

As reported in last month’s Outreach, the total team of close to 50 people will be meeting regularly from now until May to produce a short document having three important parts: A Mission Statement – which will address, “Why does FPC Naples exist?”

A Vision Statement – which will address, “What does God want us to achieve in the next 3-5 years?”

Key Objectives – which will direct future activities and plans for our church and be fully consistent with our Mission and Vision Statements.

Our work will include much prayer and reflection both at the meetings and between meetings at home. Every Sunday we pray, “thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” We are excited by the challenge of discerning God’s Will and proposing actions consistent with it.

In an effort to be fully transparent, we invite any member with a passion for helping to lay out the future of FPC Naples to join us at any and all meetings. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, December 6 3:30-5 p.m. in Spencer Hall. It will be followed by two meetings per month from January through April.

At the December meeting, the team will conduct a SWOT analysis of FPC Naples: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

If you would like more information or have questions or comments, please contact Gary Root at adsroot@aol.com or 239.963.9838.

Please keep us in your prayers as we tackle this exciting challenge.

With continued joy and anticipation, Gary Root Strategic Direction Team Facilitator

Finance

Anna Focht, Director of Finance, annaf@fpcnaples.org

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Give directly from an IRA A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals who are 70½ years old or older to make tax-free charitable distributions from IRAs. One of the key benefits of the direct charitable contribution from your IRA is that the distribution counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). You can contribute more than your RMD to charity as long as you do not exceed $100,000 in a calendar year. The gift can satisfy a pledge that you have made.

Using your IRA distributions for charitable giving could save you more than taking a charitable deduction on a normal gift. That’s because these IRA distributions will not be included as income, thereby lowering your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). Additionally, a lower AGI could avoid certain AGI based phase outs, which limit or eliminate some kinds of tax deductions.

Gifts of Appreciated Stock Make a bigger impact by directly donating longterm appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds. Compared with donating cash, or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, you may be able to automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction.

When you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value.

And because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase because you would avoid capital gain tax.

Here

at First Presbyterian Church of Naples, we are constantly looking for new ways to help strengthen our ministries and the communities we serve. It is through your continued generosity that we can support our mission outreach to our local community (and world), our wonderful worship and music ministry, our ministries of care and our education and programs for children, youth and adults.

As we near year-end would you consider an additional gift to assure the good work of our church? From a financial perspective, fourth quarter is a great time to make charitable contributions or gifts. When doing this, be sure to consult with your tax advisor or lawyer to fully understand the recent changes in tax law.

General Instructions To complete a QCD from your IRA, please make sure the check is payable directly to the First Presbyterian Church of Naples by your financial institution or IRA custodian.

For bank routing instructions on stock donations, please visit our website www.fpcnaples.org/give.

All 2018 contributions must be received in the church office by noon on Monday, December 31, 2018 or postmarked by December 31, 2018 in order to claim a charitable contribution deduction for tax year 2018. On-line contributions will follow similar guidelines and will need to be processed

by December 31. If you are prepaying your 2019 pledge, please indicate “2019 Pledge” in the memo.

If you are interested in general information, feel free to contact Anna Focht, Director of Finance, at annaf@fpcnaples.org.

We thank you for your generous support!

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Missions

Pat Nordbrock, Committee Chair, patnordbrock@gmail.com

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Thanks to our Habitat work teams, we were able to contribute 34 hours of sweat equity to a family in October and 36 hours in November. Nearly 1,900 families inquired about purchasing a Habitat home in Collier County in 2018. Only a small portion are selected, as on the average, 100 homes per year are built. Habitat homeowners are US citizens or SALVATION ARMY permanent legal residents of the US. They purchase The Missions Committee wishes to thank all their homes with an interest-free mortgage. If you’d members who generously gave the gift of their time like to help on future homes, consider joining the to ring the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle team on Thursday, January 17, Monday, February fundraising campaign. Donations made to the red 11 and Tuesday, March 5, 2019. kettle collection provide vital help to nearly 25 million people. The Salvation Army provides more than 10 million nights of shelter and 56 million MISION PENIEL meals each year. They offer after-school programs, The mission is still in need of men’s work clothes, meet emergency needs, and run substance abuse including long pants, short or long-sleeved shirts, recovery programs with these funds. Thanks for work boots, tennis shoes, and hats. All contributions helping to spread holiday cheer! may be placed in the blue bin in Spencer Hall, with gratitude from those who will wear them as they work in the fields. Please bring all items to Spencer CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE Hall by Sunday, December 9.

Thank you, angels! Many of you have already returned your gifts of clothing for the children at Mision Peniel, and the Angel Tree looks very festive PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE with so many gift bags under its boughs. Next the Missions committee disbursed a total of Sunday, December 9, is the last Sunday to bring $5,000 for wildfire and hurricane relief through your gifts back for delivery. If you didn't receive a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Thank you for all tag for a specific child, you can still be an angel by your support. gifting the following: diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 6 only), new baby onesies (0-3 months), and small fleece baby blankets. These items can be placed under the tree, unwrapped, with grateful thanks.

Feed the 5,000

CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING Our Christmas Eve offering will fund our Meals of Hope packing event. Meals of Hope distributes packaged meals to those in need in our surrounding areas. We will be assembling meals Saturday, March 2, 2019, so save the date!

CUBA We are happy to report that we are continuing to firm up a partnership with Central Presbyterian Church in Matanzas, Cuba. Next steps include the approval of the partnership agreement by the Missions Committee and then the Session. Stay tuned for ways our congregations might be blessings to each other!

This month we are supporting Youth Haven.

Desired food: 2 cans meat, fish, or chicken 2 cans vegetables 1 lb. rice 2 lbs. pasta 2 baby food items Peanut butter and/or jelly Macaroni and cheese Fruit cups, applesauce, or fruit boxes for children Ushers will have a Publix bag available as you leave the Sanctuary the first Sunday of December. Food donations will be collected at the 6th Street church entrance on the second Sunday of the month.

If you prefer, donations can be made online at www.fpcnaples.org/give or checks may be made payable to "First Presbyterian Church" with the memo marked "Feed the 5,000" and placed in the collection plate.

Missions

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Preschool

Ashley Houk, Preschool Director, ashleyh@fpcnaples.org

Calendar

Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities, sandyp@fpcnaples.org

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

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9 a.m.

Communion Prep 9 a.m. Wedding rehearsal 10 a.m. Concert rehearsal 6 p.m. Caceres/ Wilson wedding

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9:30 a.m. Communion 8:30 a.m.

10 a.m. Grace Circle Worship Preschool Parents 3 p.m. Personnel New Member Coffee Committee Acceptance 10:30 a.m. Power pack assembly 12 p.m. Cumberland Church 4 p.m. Season of Music Concert

8 a.m. Men’s Morning Fellowship 10:30 a.m. PW Coordinating Team 12 p.m. PW Luncheon 4:30 p.m. CE Comm.

9:30 a.m. Stephen Ministers 12 p.m. HUDDLE 1:30 p.m. New Member Connect 3:30 p.m. Strategic Planning Team 3:30 p.m. Youth Grp 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m. Cookie Baking 9 a.m. First Friday event

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12

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9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

8:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. Staff Preschool Parents Christmas Luncheon Coffee 2:30 p.m. Missions Committee 4 p.m. Adult Education Meeting

11:30 a.m. Sunshine Circle 2 p.m. Jim Hartzell Memorial 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal

8 a.m. Gift Delivery— Mision Peniel 10 a.m. Sew & Sews 12 p.m. HUDDLE 3:30 p.m. Youth Grp 5:15 p.m. Deacons 5:30 p.m. Elder/ Deacon dinner gathering 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m. Cookie Baking 4:30 p.m.

Wedding rehearsal

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9:30 a.m. Worship Installation of Elders/ Deacons 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

8:30 a.m.

6 p.m. Preschool Preschool Parents Christmas Program Coffee

8 a.m. Men’s Morning Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Love/ Friendship Circle 1:15 p.m. Peace/ Honor Circle 5:30 p.m. Blue Christmas Service 7 p.m. Choir rehearsal

12 p.m. HUDDLE 3:30 p.m. Youth Grp 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m. Cookie Baking

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9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

5 p.m. Family Service 7 p.m. Candlelight Service

Church office closed

12 p.m. HUDDLE 7 p.m. Cumberland Church

9 a.m. Cookie Baking

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9:30 a.m. Worship 12 p.m. Cumberland Church

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Merry Christmas

SATURDAY

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December 2

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15 OUTREACH DEADLINE 5:30 p.m. Pratt/ Rubinton Wedding

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Presbyterian Women

Janet Root, Moderator, jnjroot@aol.com

December Circle Meetings:

All are invited to join the Presbyterian Women for a Christmas Concert and Luncheon on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:30 a.m. Appetizers and punch will be served in Spencer Hall prior to the concert in the Sanctuary which begins at 12 noon.

Grace Circle Tuesday, December 4 10 a.m. in the Parlor Andie Goodrich 404.317.5850 Coke Evans 559.978.5898 Sunshine Circle Wednesday, December 12 11:30 a.m. in the Parlor Janet Root 239.963.9838 Love & Friendship Wednesday, December 19 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor Martha Waddell 507.581.1480 or Mary VandeVoren 616.446.0882 Peace with Honor Wednesday, December 19 1:15 p.m. in the Parlor Betty Mangos 239.254.9883 Study books, “God’s Promises” still available for $10 in Spencer Hall on Sunday mornings.

We will enjoy a concert that opens our hearts to the Christmas season by Dr. Brice Gerlach and Michele Byrd.

Prayer Shawl update:

122 people have been recipients of prayer shawls. If you are a knitter or would like to learn, call Dorie Tichenor 202.412.0799 or Gail Clark 239.331.3312. We have donations of yarn for anyone wishing to knit at home or at prayer shawl gatherings on Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. in the Youth Room, beginning in January.

SEW AND SEWS

– The next Sew & Sews gathering will be held on Thursday, December 13 at 10 a.m. in Room 205/206. At that time, they will decide on additional meetings in December.

Again, they encourage all to come as there is most certainly something for everyone – blankets to tie, pressing to do, using patterns to cut fabric, dresses and bags to sew. . . oh, the list goes on! Come around 10 a.m., bring lunch, and stay as long as you’d like.

REMINDER – please save your stamps (all kinds). We send these to Stamp Alliance in Fort Myers. They, in turn, sell them to various collectors and use monies made to purchase Sunday School materials for Spanish speaking youngsters – nationally and abroad.

Lunch reservations ($7) can be made in Spencer Hall. Menu includes: roasted sliced turkey, scalloped potatoes, green beans almandine, cranberry relish, and turtle brownies for dessert. This Gathering will be hosted by the Love and Friendship Circle.

We collected more than $800 in Thank Offering at the November Gathering. This traditional PW offering aids families in need. This year’s Thank Offering will go to 16 national and 4 international agencies, 40% being for health services. Since 1888 PW has been collecting Thank Offering expressing gratitude for God’s blessings.

Christian Education

Fall Festival Fun!

Jill Crawford, Committee Chair, jillccrawford@gmail.com

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News and Events

Kathleen Law, Communications, kathleenl@fpcnaples.org

Men’s Morning Fellowship

All men are welcome to join us on Wednesday, December 5 in the Youth Room, when Nick Linn will present the topic "Men and Prejudice".

On December 19, we will meet in Spencer Hall and Bill Kearney will present "Men and Christmas". Each morning we will start with coffee and pastries at 8 a.m. These gatherings are open to all men of the congregation.

Hope to see many of you attending.

Questions? Contact Bill Kearney at 239.348.2871.

The men’s lunch-time Bible discussion group meets each Thursday from noon to 1:15 p.m. in Spencer Hall.

All men are invited and encouraged to bring a bag lunch, a Bible, and gather with us.

We Welcome our new Director of Children and Youth The Director of Children and Youth Search Committee is happy to announce that Nancy Van Fleet has accepted an offer to be our next Director of Children and Youth and she is very excited about joining us in ministry here at First Presbyterian Church.

Nancy has most recently served as the Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Naples United Church of Christ. She comes to us with over ten years of experience working with children, youth and their families and has a proven track record of building programs from the ground up.

She is a nationally respected Christian Educator, having served on committees dedicated to child and youth development while also helping to co-write curriculum used for a national youth event in 2016.

Her official start date is Monday, December 3 and we are thrilled about the gifts that she will bring to our ministry. Please keep Nancy in your prayers as she prepares to join our staff.

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News and Events

In Memoriam Julie McCullough November 14, 2018

Al Diephouse

November 23, 2018

The Memorial Garden

provides a place of beauty and peace to house the columbarium for the interment of ashes for those who choose this method of burial.

A Memorial Garden is a wall of niches for urns containing the ashes of loved ones. The reservation of niches, like the reservation of cemetery plots, provides the funds for perpetual care and improvement.

The Memorial Garden is located in the outer west wall of the sanctuary, under the round stained glass window and around the fountain area. Benches are provided for sitting in quiet meditation. Entrance is gained by a path on the north side of the garden.

Thank You Dear Friends, Thanks for all of the prayers, flowers, cards, phone calls, emails and visits from the staff, Shirley Hagerson, Stephen Ministers, deacons and the congregation. Also, my prayer shawl has continued to provide warmth and comfort during the past weeks. I am slowly getting my strength back and hope to see you all in church soon.

Many thanks, Chuck Gomori

I want to express my deep appreciation to the staff and parishioners of FPC who offered their support at various times during my difficult 15 month recovery from a fractured neck. Their visits, cards and flowers truly contributed to my morale during the long recuperation process.

With gratitude, John Groel

The Memorial Garden is available for interment for members of The First Presbyterian Church of Naples and their families. Any other person, regardless of race, color, or national origin, may use the Memorial Garden based on availability and approval by the Facilities Committee.

Anyone desiring to purchase a Burial Right in the Memorial Garden, either for immediate use or as a Preneed Contract, must submit a written application.

Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Memorial Garden will be available at the time of application.

Based upon the information contained in the application and the conditions outlined in the Rules and Regulations, the Facilities Committee will approve applications that meet the required credentials.

If you would like additional information, please contact Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager.

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News and Events

Birthdays in

December 1 Joanne Kampas Anne Townsend Ian Psota December 2 Carl Brandt Dan Wilder December 4 Margaret Lamont December 5 Cynthia Haradean Bob Cook December 6 Carl Newhart December 7 Patricia Shoellhorn Michelle Power December 8 Chris Miller December 9 Calvin Koonce December 11 Lisa Nicolai December 12 Fran Englehardt Roy Olson December 13 Richard Barkley Donn Denniston

December 14 Donald Pickworth Susan Campbell Lynda Mayes Lee Irvine December 15 Linda Dolan Elizabeth Ruprecht Jon Myers Gil Long John Ferguson December 16 Helen Patton Margaret Stap

December 17 Susan Rielly

December 28 Carole Summerfield Walter Gadkowski Marion Blodgett Rosemary Mason Johnny Langenheim December 29 Ed Walker December 30 Addison Holmberg December 31 Anne McAslan Joan Eisenhauer Tom Anderson Walter Yang

December 19 Chris King Jody Donaldson December 21 Curtis Buckner Carolyn Marshall Chris Wagner Coke Evans December 22 Rebecca Sumlin December 24 Suzanne Vogel Cheryl Hulsen Donna Shirley December 25 John Stromberg

We’d like to wish all our members born in December a very happy birthday!

If you have a December birthday and your name is not listed please contact the church office so we can add the information to our records.

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News and Events STAFF LISTING Name Phone: 239.262.1311 Minister Rev. Craig Goodrich, Senior Pastor Rev. Rex Childs, Associate Pastor

Ext.

E-mail

235 227

craigg@fpcnaples.org rexc@fpcnaples.org

Music Dr. Brice Gerlach, Director of Music Ministries

239

briceg@fpcnaples.org

Christian Education Ashley Hancock, Christian Education Assistant Nancy Van Fleet, Director of Children and Youth

212 229

ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org nancyv@fpcnaples.org

Office Anna Focht, Director of Finance Nickie Hannula, Administrative Assistant Kathleen Law, Communications Coordinator Kristen Lucas, Office Assistant/Receptionist Sharman Pfaus, Executive Office Manager

242 237 213 200 236

annaf@fpcnaples.org nickieh@fpcnaples.org kathleenl@fpcnaples.org kristenl@fpcnaples.org sharmanp@fpcnaples.org

Facilities Lisa Ethier, Custodian Eduardo Martinez, Maintenance Sandy Poore, Director of Facilities

216 215 228

lisae@fpcnaples.org eduardom@fpcnaples.org sandyp@fpcnaples.org

Preschool Ashley Houk, Preschool Director Liz Psota, Preschool Administrative Assistant

209 238

ashleyh@fpcnaples.org lizp@fpcnaples.org

Poinsettia Dedication Form Please fill out the following form and return it along with payment to the church office. Please note Poinsettia Dedication on the payment. All or der s must be r eceived no later than Sunday, December 9. Please use one form per dedication. Additional forms may be found in the church office, Spencer Hall or online at www.fpcnaples.org. The cost is $25 per poinsettia. Please PRINT CLEARLY the information you would like to appear in the dedication.

In memory of _________________________________________________________________________ In honor of ___________________________________________________________________________ Given by_____________________________________________________________________________ Your name ________________________________________

Phone ____________________________

Amount enclosed $________ A list of dedications will appear in the Christmas Eve bulletins.

You may pick up your poinsettia following the 7 p.m. service on Christmas Eve.

First Presbyterian Church of Naples 250 Sixth Street South Naples, FL 34102 www.fpcnaples.org 239.262.1311

Join us this Christmas Wednesday, December 19 5:30 p.m.

Blue Christmas Service

A service of comfort, hope, wholeness and renewal

Monday, December 24 5 p.m.

Family Worship Service 7 p.m.

Traditional Candlelight Worship Special music begins at 6:30 p..m.

Non-Profit Org. Postage PAID Naples, FL 34102 Permit No. 8