see, everything has become new! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Extended time to 12:30 p.m. this Sunday

THIS SUNDAY, Sunday, February 20, the Membership and Fellowship Committee will be on hand to take individual and family pictures for the online church directory. The photo shoot will be in the courtyard from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. AND from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. No appointment is needed—just show up when you are able during these times. You also have the option of sending a favorite photo of yourself to the church office to be added to the online directory: Email: info@firstpressarasota.org.

The session has called the annual meeting of the congregation to take place in conjunction with our worship on Sunday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.* Music will be led by Dixieland jazz instruments, choir, and guest singer Syreeta Banks.

Following joy-filled worship, we will fill our plates in the fellowship hall and eat in the open air. PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE. You may drop it off in the Fellowship Hall prior to the service. Warmers will be on and ready to receive anything that needs  to stay warm.

Youth Fundraiser: Our youth will help to host the brunch. During the meal you will have an opportunity to make a donation to help fund summer youth trips, conferences, and mission trips. Just look for the “Moving Mountains” display! (Checks can be made to First Presbyterian Church, with “youth trips” in the memo line.)

The annual report is NOW available online (click on the link below). Printed copies will be available next Sunday, February 27.

Highlighting Our Cuba Partnership 

Alison Infante Zamora, the pastor of our partner church, Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church in Cardenas, Cuba, was just elected the moderator of the Synod of the Presbyterian-Reformed Church in Cuba (IPRC).

 

Hope Seeds International is a charitable Christian ministry that seeks to improve the nutrition of the poorest in the world by providing quality garden seed and agricultural education through Christian missionaries and organizations. Hope Seeds strives to help as many people as possible grow food for themselves to help end hunger and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with every shipment of seed and materials. Teaching someone how to grow their own food while sharing our faith in God is the core purpose of Hope Seeds.

Everyone is welcome! Instructions are given and the task is easy, all done while sitting at tables with other packers. Join us on Thursday, March 3. Packing begins at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until noon in the Fellowship Hall. Come and go as your schedule allows. If you help with the food bank distribution, stay a little longer and pack seeds!

Six-Week Adult Education Class Offered via Zoom

The launch of this class will begin on Wednesday, February 23, at 12:00 noon by Zoom, taught by Doug DeCelle, retired minister, and Hal Serrie, anthropologist. They will present the biblical evidence that God’s intention is to preserve all living things, bringing them to perfection and a joyous, harmonious existence. We will consider the nature and destiny of the whole created world.

Click below for the Zoom link to participate in this class:

Tuesdays via Zoom, March 8 - April 12  

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

All are invited to participate in the Run for the Turtles sponsored by Mote Marine Laboratory Saturday, April 2. Run, walk, or jog at Siesta Beach--or virtually, anywhere you choose, now through April 2. Go with buddies or on your own, or just donate the race fee (adults $40, children $30). In the past, refreshments and coffee have been provided free by vendors.

This race benefits Mote's Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program.

For questions, contact Sue Hargis Spigel at hargisspigel@yahoo.com or (941) 735-8786. Links to the run signup and Mote’s conservation and research program are below:

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.

Join our fun team of volunteers and help distribute food to our community neighbors Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:30 a.m.

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

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.

If you want to join the effort to support the Mam women of Guatemala in providing nutrition to their malnourished children, Mary Webb is happy to accept a donation of any amount. A special drink mix called incaparina is making a difference in the lives of these children. Please include "incaparina" in the memo line of your check made out to Presbyterian Women and send or deliver it by the end of this month.

To sign up or for more information, contact Dave Householder at dphouse47@gmail.com; call or text (724) 462-4235. Let us know of your interest in carpooling. Come and make a difference!

The Francis House Steering Committee has begun a weekend hot meal delivery plan. Already, our First Presbyterian Church family delivered a healthy hot meal to the family currently staying in Francis House.

To support this mission with a cooked meal, contact Pam Mathes. Cell phone: (518) 495-3776; Email: pjmathes@hotmail.com

You can support Francis House by donating items from the link at left below, most of which are found on Family Promise’s Amazon Wish List. Look for a collection box in the narthex or go to the Amazon Wish List, using the link at right below. These items include necessities for babies, new moms, and the house.

Though volunteers are still not back in the Brentwood classrooms, First Presbyterian Church continues to support the school in other ways. One of these ways is to adopt classrooms. Recently, we received a colorful Thank You from one of the classes we have adopted during this school year (at right).

Mrs. Wasil teaches ESE (Exceptional Student Education) and Access Points students in a  

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 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!

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.