Christian Education

Wednesdays at First

The Intergenerational Christian Education Team is very excited about our winter series! Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for excellent programs on January 18, January 25, February 1, and February 8!

January 18 Accepting Great Gifts –The Saint John’s Bible

Come learn all about this amazing gift that FPCN has received. Both your pastors and a few elders will present “What is the Saint John’s Bible?” and “Why is it important for our church?” Come see it in-person to experience awe and have your spiritual imagination ignited!

January 25 Shining Light on Mental Health

We all want to be healthy. But, wellness is about more than just our physical health. We need to take care of our mind just as much as we take care of our bodies. Our presenter will be Jessica Liria, the Community Outreach Specialist at the David Lawrence Center and she will talk to us about how mental health is an important topic not just for our youth, but also for older adults as well. Dinner will be available at 5:30 p.m. for $10 followed by the presentations at 6 p.m. Children, youth and their families can come for dinner at no cost! Reservations may be made either in Spencer Hall or by e-mailing Sandy Knight at sandyk@fpcnaples.org. Please indicate whether you wish to come for dinner or for the presentation only. Questions? Contact Roni Haggart, vhaggart@gmail.com.

Growing Young upcoming events

GenWe Worship Services: January 1 February 5 March 5 April 2 May 7

Intergenerational Trip to Immokalee

Monday, January 16 from 9:30 a.m. –2 p.m. Please join us as we travel to Immokalee to learn about the Immokalee Fair Housing Alliance whose mission is to eliminate substandard and overcrowded rental housing for farmworker families and other low and moderate income residents in the area. • What does this mean? • How is the church helping? • How can we make a difference? Cleve Cleveland will give us a tour and educate us about this very important work. Following the visit we will enjoy lunch together. Please RSVP to Ashley Hancock, ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org or 239.262.1311 ext. 2012.

THE BOOK OF ACTS

Women’s Ministry Bible Study

All women are invited to join us for a weekly Bible Study held on Mondays at 1 p.m. in the Parlor. We are currently reading the Book of Acts.

Please bring your Bible. We look to covenant with each other week by week as we delve into God’s Word. For more information contact Janeen McClure at jrmc@airmcclure.com.

ALL women of the church, mark your calendars for our '23 Season Women of the Way Study!

We hope you'll join in with the good women of WOW to enjoy another season of scripture-based study and teaching, small group discussion and friendship. We will gather on Thursdays in Spencer Hall, beginning with coffee and fellowship: 9-11 a.m., January 26 -

March 2.

Our study theme is still being finalized -- please watch the January bulletin and email notices for more details including sign-up information. We hope you'll be part of this study! We have the wonderful privilege of gathering together year after year as Christian women to learn and grow and deepen in our care for one another. It's what church is all about! And whether you're a first-time participant or a WOW lifer, you will be warmly welcomed. For more information, contact Andie Goodrich (andie.goodrich@gmail.com or Pat Nordbrock (patnordbrock@gmail.com).

Wednesday Morning Men: Faith and Fellowship

We will meet on Wednesday, January 4 in the Youth Room at 8 a.m. with coffee and pastry. There will be no topic theme that morning. We will have an informal gathering to share with each other our holiday happenings and any other sharing you would like to do. And maybe even talk about some Bowl game results! We will come together again on January 18 for our 2023 kickoff session with a Breakfast Gathering in Spencer Hall at 8 a.m. You will be contacted as to your attendance to make sure we have enough food. Our kickoff gathering will feature Larry Comstock and his presentation will be a follow-up to the topic "Loving Your Enemies" which we held this past fall. Hope you are able to join us. For more information and questions, please contact Bill Kearney at 239.348.2871 or skearney239@comcast.net.

A Men’s Bible Discussion Group

All men are invited and encouraged to gather with us in Spencer Hall each Thursday at noon. Bring a Bible and your lunch! If unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join the meeting via Zoom. Please contact David Fister at davidf@fpcnaples.org for Zoom instructions and a link to the meeting.

Young Adult Retreat

VBS 2023

We are looking for volunteers to help with Vacation Bible School to be held June 26-30, 2023. We will hold a volunteer meeting for those interested in helping. Join us on Sunday,

February 12 following the 10:15 a.m. service in the Youth Room to learn more. For more information you may contact Ashley Hancock at ashley.hancock@fpcnaples.org.

January 27–30, 2023 – Montreat, NC

The Manna Retreat is three days and dedicated to creating deeper faith and deeper relationships. If your faith could use a deep laugh, if your heart could use a weekend away, or if your body could use a place to belong, then this is for you. Contact Nancy Van Fleet to register, nancyv@fpcnaplesorg. Confirmation 2023

Are you interested in joining the confirmation class of 2023? This class is offered to any student in grades 8 and higher who wish to explore their faith, learn about our denomination and be confirmed in the church. We will have an informational brunch January 15 after the 10:15 a.m. service.

Kidz Lab meets in the Youth Room on Sundays after the Children’s Time. On the first Sundays of the month, GenWe Sundays, children stay in the service and worship with their families. Children in Kindergarten through grade 6 are Deacons invited to this faith formation journey based on the weekly lectionary choices. Children in Kidz Lab engage with the same lessons that their parents hear in church, which encourages family conversations after the service.

Young Adult Group

Sunday, January 22 at 12 noon young adults are invited to join us on Zoom. We seek to be a refuge for those who are spiritually hungry and looking for meaningful connection rooted in our faith tradition. Contact Nancy Van Fleet (nancyv@fpcnaples.org) for additional information or if you require the Zoom link.

GenWe Sunday

The Coine Family GenWe Children's Time with Jack Fogelman

Blakely and Cole

Parents’ Night Out and a visit from The Grinch!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

(Craig and Andie Goodrich) provide magic and cheer while reading “The Polar Express” to the Preschool’s VPK students.

2023-2024 Preschool Enrollment Dates:

Monday, January 16 - Church Members

(Contact the Presc hool office for the online registration link)

Monday, January 23 - Current Families

(The online registration link will be provided via email)

Monday, February 6 - Open to the Community

(Visit our website at www.fppnaples.org/enrollment to register)

*VPK vouc hers are required for all VPK students (age four years by 9/1/2023). Visit www.familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com to obtain the vouc her.