NEWS @ FIRST
June 25, 2021
Join us for the FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY LIVE PERFORMANCE
this Sunday, June 27, 7:00 p.m. outdoors on FPC Sarasota's lawn.
Read all the details in this newsletter.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
10:00 a.m. in-person worship in the sanctuary
Online access beginning at 10:00 a.m.

(Sunday School for all ages is in summer recess.)
COVID Safety Practices at FPC Sarasota
Those who are fully vaccinated may attend meetings and events without a mask or social distancing. Per CDC guidelines, unvaccinated persons should continue to wear a mask and stay six feet apart. Any who feel more comfortable wearing a mask are encouraged to do so. Every other pew is blocked off on one side of the sanctuary for those who need or prefer to maintain distance. 

If additional safeguards would allow you to participate more fully in the life of the church, please contact Margaret Torrence or Rachel Martin and let us know what would be helpful. We want everyone to feel welcome in God's house!
Meet-and-Greet Molly Horner
New Children and Youth Coordinator

This Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. worship service everyone is invited to personally welcome Molly Horner in the courtyard outside Fellowship Hall. We are so excited to have Molly with us and look forward to getting acquainted with her. Come and introduce yourself!

At 5:30 p.m. this Sunday is also an opportunity for those interested in participating in the children and youth ministry to chat with Molly. We will gather both outside and inside Fellowship Hall. A pizza dinner will be provided. We hope you will also stay for the special family-friendly musical performance outside on the church lawn, "On the Road Again!" presented by the Florida Studio Theatre (see announcement below).
IT’S NOT TOO LATE
Your thoughts and opinions count,
and we want to hear from you!
 
What might the future look like for our church? How can we be the Body of Christ here and now? What qualities do we hope for in our next pastor?   

As a person who attended one of the small group meetings said, “A good pastor has to be a good preacher.” Do you think that is important in a new pastor? What would you say are a pastor’s most important qualities? 

Sign up now for one of the small group meetings, either face-to-face or via Zoom, by calling the church office during the week (941) 955-8119 or by clicking on one of the links below. Be part of the planning for the future of FPC Sarasota!
 
We thank you for your input and your prayers as we go forward.
 
Your Mission Study Team,
Elaine Barnett, Chair
Ed Clissold
Michael Fingerle
Frank Frey
Janet Olshewsky
Joanne Simons
Emily Weitekamp
Margaret LaMotte Torrence, ex-officio
Meetings by Zoom
Meetings by Zoom
Meetings In-person
Presbyterian Women
All women are invited to attend the annual summer luncheon for a time of fellowship and reconnection at Der Dutchman Family Restaurant, 3713 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota on Tuesday, July 13. Please plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. Reservations not required.
Questions? Contact Pamela Lamb at: bmalp54@gmail.com.
The Cowden-Smith Library News
Library open Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
and on Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

There is a library book cart in the narthex with a varied selection of our newer books from which you can choose, including some children's books. No due dates; simply return when you finish with them. A sign-out sheet is on the cart.
INVEST IN CHILDREN

Consider these words as you ponder our investment in the children of First
Presbyterian Church and Preschool,
Brentwood Elementary School, others in
our area, and children throughout the
world.

 
Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.  
Henry Ward Beecher
 
There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul
than the way in which it treats its children.   
Nelson Mandela
 
Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.    
John F. Kennedy
 
And Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 
Matthew 19:14 

May our investment in children continue to flourish and grow!
FPC Volunteers are needed for
CARITAS at HERRIG CENTER*

to interview clients needing emergency financial assistance with 
utility bills, prescription medicine, work boots,
 SCAT tickets, food and clothing.
All clients are interviewed privately in the Herrig Center, 1645 Fruitville Rd.
CDC guidelines will be followed and all will be masked. 

FPC operates with 2-3 volunteers on the
1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays each month, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

If you are willing and able (or need further information) please contact
Brian Bowen: Call (941) 360-6717 or email bbowen38@verizon.net

*Caritas is a coalition of five churches in downtown Sarasota. Its primary purpose is to provide temporary emergency assistance to those who find themselves in acute financial need. 
The first baby has been born in our Family Promise of Sarasota chapter! Prayers and blessings for baby Moses!

Mom, Carline, and baby are doing well; mom expects to be discharged later this week. Carline is a single mom of two other children and was living in her car while working at a local pharmacy. She is working hard to save money for her own apartment, but she will need to be out of work and without income for about 4 weeks. Florida does not offer ANY form of financial support, such as "temporary disability," for new moms. Carline is left without any income while she is out on maternity leave.   
 
Carline is considering returning to work in two weeks against medical advice because she's concerned about finances. Doing so would not only endanger her health but could expose Moses to health challenges because he is too young to be around other children in daycare.
 
Any contributions made on her behalf will be used for the costs of shelter and basic needs for Carline and the baby as she looks for a more permanent place to live for herself and her children.  
 
If you would like to contribute, please send donations to:

Family Promise of Sarasota
8499 Tamiami Trail, PMB 267
Sarasota, FL 34238
 
Mark all donations for "Carline/Moses" so that they may be used for this family.  And please offer prayers for continued health for mom and baby Moses, as well as his brother and sister.
Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN)
Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Read these important recommendations, restock your supply kit, and be aware of our church’s communication protocol.  
FPL Assistance
CARITAS is offering FPL assistance up to $100
for Sarasota County residents.
 
The CARITAS office is currently closed for in-person interviews, but you may call (941) 366-5620
Monday through Friday
from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for assistance.

Please have your SSN
and your FPL account number ready.
Resurrection House
Resurrection House is open each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There are still a few volunteer spots available. If interested, please contact Joe at rhlucero@verizon.net
Remembering Our Church Family in Prayer
Thank you for upholding members of our congregation with special prayer needs during this time. Click on the attached link for a complete list:
We Care Posters
Click on the list below for a list of those who have recently, or are currently, hospitalized from our congregation who have been sent a personalized We Care poster-card on behalf of our church family. Please keep them in your prayers and consider sending a message of encouragement.
First Presbyterian, Sarasota, hosts Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) beginning Monday, June 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m., in room 203. Family and loved ones may attend. Call (727) 410-1569 to register. (https://dbsatampabay.org)
 
NAMI Family Support Group hosted by FPC Sarasota beginning July 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Forum every third Thursday of the month, for adults with loved ones with mental health conditions.
Visit NAMISarasotaManatee.org or email info@namisarasotamanatee.org
 
SunCoast Blood Mobile will be at FPC Sarasota Sunday, August 29; more details to follow.

American Heart CPR Course taught by LifeTech Instructional Services will be at FPC Sarasota Wednesday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; more information coming soon.
Giving Options
Please continue to mail your contributions to us at the church or donate online. Your gifts make a great difference during this challenging season.

Online: If you are interested in giving electronically through our secure e-giving process, please visit FirstPresSarasota.org and select the online giving button.

Texting: Are you interested in the convenience of contributing by text message? Text FPC2050 to 73256 to donate via text. Standard rates may apply.

Mail In: All mail, including contribution checks, securely arrives to our church office.
Pastoral Care
When you or a loved one is hospitalized, it is important that you contact the church or one of the pastors to inform us directly and inform the hospital that you are a member of our congregation and would welcome a visit by one of our pastors. Hospitals will not contact the church. We have also discovered that some will no longer even list a patient as our church member on their internal records unless the patient is careful to note their relationship with our congregation. Thank you for your assistance.

We’re Here for You!
The FPC care team, Stephen Ministers, deacons, elders and church staff continue to be available for you. Please feel free to reach out to Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse (941) 320-3828 or call the church office (941) 955-8119 if we can be of support to you.