sending out its roots by the stream. - Jeremiah 17:7

Our youth will be stationed with soup pots at the doors after both services THIS SUNDAY to receive your gifts of money to help alleviate hunger in our area. Checks may be made to First Presbyterian Church with “Souper Bowl” in the memo line.

THIS SUNDAY, February 13, and the following 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. 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

* We do not anticipate needing to take any votes at this gathering, but want to receive officially the reports of all of our hard-working committees and other groups, and give thanks for all the labor and love that goes into the ministry of this community. We also want to be sure that you know the members of your Officer Nominating Committee, the officers of the church’s corporation, and our Foundation’s board of directors (meetings of the Corporation of FPC and the Foundation will run concurrently with the congregational meeting). Copies of the annual report will be available online and in person beginning February 18.

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.

The Sarasota Music Club will be holding its free concert in our sanctuary next Friday, February 18, at 10:30 a.m. Anne Tormela, lyric coloratura soprano, will be performing Beloved Opera, Operetta, Broadway and Popular Classics. The congregation is cordially invited.

All are invited to this exploration of Dr. Howard Thurman’s deep spirituality and his influence on the civil rights movement. Conference held at First United Church of Christ, 1031 South Euclid Ave, Sarasota. Registration: $35 per person.

The Membership and Fellowship Committee invites interested church members and friends 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 our 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. It's a good way to support environmental work here in Sarasota County, especially after hearing from our Faith Focus speaker, Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo.  

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.

Caritas of Sarasota is an outreach ministry that provides food and other assistance to Sarasota residents in acute financial need (e.g., utility payments, prescriptions, transportation, and work attire). The Herrig Caritas Center is located at 1645 Fruitville Road. The Caritas Food Pantry is housed at First Baptist Church on Main Street. FPC sends financial support to the Herrig Caritas Center. Our teams of FPC volunteers serve by assisting in the Caritas Food Pantry. If you would like to join this team, please contact Dave Householder: dphouse47@gmail.com

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 Horizon Bible study, worship, music, lunch and fellowship with ladies from all over the Presbytery. There is room to social distance. Access the informational 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

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.

Bible study is on Wednesday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. We will be discussing lesson 6 on Bathsheba from the Horizons 2021-2022 study guide led by Ardis Rea. All are welcome. The study guide is not required to participate. Please contact Elaine Barnett at ewbarnet@me.com for the Zoom link.  

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. Pine Shores Presbyterian Church will deliver the next meal.

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.

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!

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.