NEWS @ FIRST
March 4, 2022
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
March 6 - 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Online access beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Communion will be served with individually pre-packaged bread and juice cups. Gluten-free elements will be available. Those participating online may gather items from home to join in the Lord's Supper.
Sunday, March 13
Sunday, March 13, is the first day of Daylight Saving Time. Be sure to set your clocks forward one hour Saturday evening, March 12!
Please join us on March 13, as we welcome the Rev. Dr. Susan DeWyngaert back to the pulpit! Susan served as the senior pastor here from 1997 to 2011. She recently retired from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park, Maryland. We are delighted to have Susan lead us in worship again.
The Annual Report
is available online (click on the link below). Printed copies are also on Sunday as you enter or exit for services, and in the church office during the week.
Youth Fundraiser
Last Sunday, February 27, following our Celebration Service and Annual Congregational Meeting, our youth helped host the potluck brunch. Thank you to all who generously gave to the youth fundraiser. Your gifts totaled $1,647! They will be gratefully used to help fund summer youth trips, conferences, and mission trips.
Lenten Devotions for Children and Families
First Sunday in Lent
Dig in . . .
Today, most churches read Psalm 91. Verse 14 says “He is bound to me in love.” (We are bound to God in love.) Bound means the same as fastened. We are fastened together with God not with rope or glue, but with something stronger: love. We are forever connected to God by love--God’s love for us and our love for God.
Question . . .
Many of the psalms are linked to King David. David is called “a man after God’s own heart.” How might people describe you? How would you like people to describe you? During Lent, are you moving closer to God’s heart?
And . . .
One of the most beloved psalms is Psalm 23. Look it up. Do you have it memorized? Can you memorize it by the end of Lent?
 
Sunday School during the Season of Lent
We are shifting our approach to Sunday school for the season of Lent. Instead of dividing into separate age groups, we will be meeting all together (preschool to high school—our youth will help the little ones, but we’ll also be sure they get some time on their own). With the leadership of all of our wonderful Sunday school teachers, we will sing, play, create, study, and reflect on the scripture for each week. We hope you can join us this Sunday to “dig in” to the Lent season with your church family and become closer to God through fellowship. 


The complete Lenten devotional guide is available by clicking on the link below for your family to use at home. Printed copies are also on hand as you leave the service.
Look to the Cross: A Lenten Study
Tuesdays via Zoom
Beginning NEXT Tuesday, March 8 - April 12  

Lent is a time to focus on the cross as a central symbol of Christianity. Ever since early Christians began to reflect on the death of Jesus Christ, they found the cross had the power to change lives forever, through the forgiveness of sins and the new life that comes through the power of God.

Biblical and theological perspectives will be explored to understand why and how Jesus’ death is so crucial to our faith. This class will be led by Elaine Barnett via Zoom and held Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. beginning March 8. For information, email Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com

Lesson titles are:
Mar 8 - The Crux of the Matter
Mar 15 - The Cross as Necessary?
Mar 22 - Accessing the Presence of God
Mar 29 - Picturing the Atonement
Apr 5 - The Cross in the Tradition of the Reformers
Apr 12 - The Invitation to Live into the Way of the Cross

Register for this class using the link below:
“Every Living Creature:
God’s Design for Animals"
Six-Week Adult Education Class Offered via Zoom
Continues Wednesdays, March 9 - April 3
 
The class is on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon by Zoom, taught by Doug DeCelle, retired minister, and Hal Serrie, anthropologist. They are presenting the biblical evidence that God’s intention is to preserve all living things, bringing them to perfection and a joyous, harmonious existence. We are considering the nature and destiny of the whole created world.

Members and friends of First Presbyterian Church are invited to participate. For details about this unique class, visit Doug DeCelle’s website:
Click below for the Zoom link to participate in this class:
Meeting ID: 818 2573 7411
Passcode: 918542
Anyone interested in reviewing the class sessions will find all materials and recorded class sessions on the link below: 
Sarasota Faith Leaders Pray to Stop Criminalizing Poverty

            Faith leaders call on State Attorney
           to create a new adult civil citation program without fees
 
SURE Press Conference / Prayer Vigil
 Next Tuesday, March 8, 2022
 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 
 
 At the courtyard in front of the Sarasota Jail
2020 Main Street
 
The congregations of SURE will gather for a prayer vigil / press conference on Tuesday, March 8. We want to make people aware that the State Attorney's pre-arrest diversion program (SURE refers to this as Adult Civil Citation) is too expensive for participants and discriminates against the poor. SURE wants a program with no fees. Pinellas County charges no fees to participate and Hillsborough County charges $50.

In 2019 there were 7,230 misdemeanor arrests in Sarasota County. 3,348 of them (46%) were for offenses related to suspended/expired/no drivers license. Non-white people in Sarasota County are five times more likely to be arrested for a misdemeanor offense than white people.

Diverse faith leaders throughout Sarasota County will be present. There will be opportunity for media personnel to speak to clergy leaders and those who have been branded for life with misdemeanor arrest records because they were driving on a suspended license or expired vehicle tag. 

We need you to join us as we collectively ask God to hear our prayers. 

Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with our God. - Micah 6:8
CONTACTS:
Dorothy Murphy and Rev. Demetrius Jifunza
(727) 465-8765 or email dartcenter.fl@gmail.com
OUT OF CHAOS, HOPE
                         
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeking support for humanitarian response to UKRAINE
 
 
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) launched an appeal Tuesday for funds to help support the Church’s humanitarian response to the war started last week when Russia attacked Ukraine. According to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), the situation is on pace to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century with more than 660,000 having already fled Ukraine to neighboring countries. All neighboring countries are keeping their borders open to Ukrainian refugees, the UNHCR says.

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, leaders in Presbyterian World Mission and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) met to discuss the situation and how the church can respond to the growing refugee crisis, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The conversation focused on the unfolding situation within Ukraine and in bordering countries who are receiving refugees and carrying emergency supplies over the border into Ukraine as the situation there deteriorates. Mission co-workers shared information received from partners in the Central European region. PDA’s Office for Refugees and Asylum is coordinating internally and with these partners in the area and ACT Alliance to determine where funds can be directed for the greatest impact.

“The present crisis in Ukraine demonstrates how important it is that our Church maintains strong relationships across the ecumenical, interfaith and humanitarian landscape before an emergency erupts,” PDA Director the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus says. “Through trusted partners in and beyond the Reformed Church family we share across the region, we are able to demonstrate solidarity with refugees and displaced persons through immediate gifts to the communities leading relief work and receiving refugees.” “As the impact of this invasion continues, our advocacy work in the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and in the Office of Public Witness will strengthen humanitarian relief efforts . . . ”

(To read entire article, click on the link below . . . )
To support the response by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, make your check out to First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, with “Ukraine” in the memo. You can also give online via our church website or by texting giving. Please select “Psby.Dis.Asst.” fund and “Ukraine” in the optional memo.
Cowden-Smith Library Hours
Library open Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

The library book cart in the narthex offers 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.
FPC Mission Partnership
with All Faiths Food Bank
 
Join our fun team of volunteers and help distribute food to our community neighbors Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:30 a.m.
 
The food distribution is by drive-through with volunteers loading cars as clients circle in the parking lot (between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m.) Volunteers are needed each Thursday. Task options include sorting and distributing food, setting up, cleaning up, and directing traffic.
 
For information contact Bob Kirkpatrick: rkirkhv@aol.com or (941) 355-0809; or Dave Householder: dphouse47@gmail.com or (724) 462-4235.

JUST COME! There is no need to sign up!
The annual PW Peace River Presbytery Spring Retreat has changed to one day only on Monday, March 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the beautiful campus of DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center in Ellenton. 

There are mini-workshops, a service project, information about the next Horizons Bible study, worship, music, lunch and fellowship with ladies from all over the Presbytery. There is room to
social distance. Access the flyer and registration form through the links below or pick them up from the church office.

Send your completed registration to Barbara Borderieux (address is on the registration form) before March 9 and enclose the $30 registration/lunch fee.

Scholarship money is available upon request for anyone that attends. Simply notify Flossie Paul or Pamela Lamb and they will make arrangements for you to be reimbursed.
Invest in Children
Great news! Volunteers are now welcome to return to Brentwood Elementary School! It’s an exciting opportunity in an excellent Title 1 school where volunteers rave about the students, teachers, and administrators. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities available there, please contact Jinny and Ron Miller at (941) 371-2750, ext. 554 or email jinnyron@gmail.com. They will be happy to answer your questions! You can make a difference in the life of a child by sharing your love in this very special setting!
Remembering Our Church Family in Prayer
Please pray for those who are experiencing particular health needs and consider sending a note of encouragement. Click on the link below for the prayer list:
We Care Poster Recipients
We appreciate our team of We Care poster artists who creatively design poster-cards for our church members when they are hospitalized. Special notes, prayers, and well wishes are written on the cards by our congregation on Sunday mornings, and the cards are mailed out.

On the link below is a list of those who have recently received a We Care poster-card. Consider how you might support them through a prayer, a card, or a phone call. Thank you for being family for one another!
Our Condolences
We have received word that our sister, Jackie Wright, died on February 9. She and Ron moved to the Chicago area in July, in order to be closer to family members. They had been members of this congregation since 2014. Jackie had been very involved as a volunteer for Brentwood Elementary School through FPC's Invest in Children mission.

A memorial service will be planned for sometime this spring in Terre Haute, IN.
 
Notes of condolence may be sent to:
Dr. Ron Wright
Cedar Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care
777 Church St., Apt 214
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
 
Thank you for the ways you love one another.
Run for the Turtles 5K and Fun Run
Saturday, April 2, at Siesta Beach
 
All are invited to participate in the Run for the Turtles sponsored by Mote Marine Laboratory Saturday, April 2. Adults $40, children $30. For questions, contact Sue Hargis Spigel at hargisspigel@yahoo.com or (941) 735-8786. Links to the run signup and Mote’s program are below:
Let’s Take a Look at the FREE Church Life App
Church Life is an app that is available to church members with iPhones or Androids. You can search for members and view phone and address information, photos, and family members. You can send a text or call with a simple tap on the phone number. You can even send an email. Also, it is a quick way to give online.
 
Ready to go?
Here are two simple steps:
 
1) Download ACS Church Life from your App Store using either iPhone or Android (Blackberry and other mobile devices can enter www.churchlife.mobi from any mobile browser).
 
2) Log in. Use the same username/email and password you use for your member login on our website.
 
* You can bring your phone into the church office and Lisa Garcia, Finance Manager, would be happy to help you navigate getting Church Life on your phone. Please call (941) 955-8119 to set up a time.
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.
Current COVID Guidelines On-Campus
Due to continued high COVID rates in our area, masks are required for worship and while in any buildings on campus (regardless of vaccination status). Though rates continue to be high, we are grateful to see them declining steadily. Our prayers continue for all who are ill or suffering hardship because of the pandemic.

Mark Your Calendar:
Upcoming FPC Sarasota Blood Drives

Sundays, March 20 and June 12
8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
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.