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NEWS @ FIRST
April 14, 2023
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We hope to see you at this
Sunday's Worship Service
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
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This Sunday We Welcome Robert C. – “R.C.” Smith as our guest preacher. He grew up in a Quaker family outside of Philadelphia. After joining the Presbyterian Church at the age of 21 he felt called to the ministry, and graduated from Princeton Seminary in 1981. RC served six churches in Pennsylvania over 37 years, before moving to Sarasota in 2018. He has served as interim pastor for three congregations in Peace River Presbytery until retiring just over a year ago. RC’s wife, Barbara, is also a Presbyterian minister who serves Salem Presbytery in North Carolina as their Transitional General Presbyter.
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INVEST IN CHILDREN
LET’S CELEBRATE! Sunday we will thank the First Presbyterian Church volunteers at Brentwood Elementary School! The following have shared the love of Christ with the students and staff at BES this school year:
Jim Angelini, Bob Bittner, Diane Bittner, Sue Beach Carter,
George Chorba, Floyd Churn, Lorraine Foltz, Kari Frankenberg,
Andrea Householder, Diana Hovorka, Harriette Humphreys,
Phil Humphreys, Elaine Moffitt, Alan Nelson, Susan Sanderson, Larry Schaper, Mary Williams and Tony Williams.
For seven years the INVEST IN CHILDREN Steering Committee has given heartfelt leadership to our involvement with this Mission Partner. Thanks be to God for these faithful members of the Steering Committee:
George Chorba, Kay Dunn, Lorraine Foltz, Rachel Martin, Alan and Linda Nelson, Sandi Soper, Mary and Tony Williams, and Coordinators Jinny and Ron Miller
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YOU ARE INVITED!
This Sunday
When we will celebrate the FPC volunteers of Brentwood Elementary School
at
9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Worship Services
Join us for refreshments and a fun presentation about our partnership with Brentwood in Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m.
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The Lubben Brothers in concert @ Oak Street Stage
Thursday, April 20, 7:30 p.m.
Check out their website www.lubbenbrothers.com
Triplets and high-energy acoustic musicians from the farmlands of Iowa, The Lubben Brothers specialize in tight vocal harmonies and an eclectic blend of folk instruments involving banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, accordion, hammered dulcimer, and fiddle. Diving into classical music at a young age, their modern songwriting style merges their folk roots with complex pop ideas.
Suggested $20 donation
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Reading the Bible With Understanding
Tuesdays 11:30 April 18- May 23
on Zoom
For Presbyterians the importance of Scripture, along with Faith and Grace are foundational beliefs. This class introduces important ways to consider when interpreting different parts of the narratives, poetry and wisdom, and letters that make up the Bible. We’ll consider what Presbyterian believe about the nature of the Bible and which translation is best for each of us. Together we’ll take a broad look at the Biblical story in its many forms. This class will be led by Elaine Barnett, a member of FPC, an Elder and Certified Christian Educator. Sign-up by emailing ewbarnet@me.com
Session 1. Do You Understand What You Are Reading?
Session 2. Understanding and Choosing a Translation
Session 3. Interpreting Narrative Passages
Session 4. Interpreting the Gospels
Session 5. Interpreting Poetry and Wisdom Literature
Session 6. Interpreting Letters
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Read the Latest Family Newsletter with important dates for upcoming events. | |
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Want to learn more about this exciting congregation?
Our next inquirers’ class will be on Sunday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m.
We will meet together in class (room 225) from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., worship together from 11:00 – 12:00 noon, and then have snacks and continue our discussion from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Please RSVP to the church office (941) 955.8119
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You are cordially invited to First Presbyterian Preschool’s First Roots Gala held at Sarasota Yacht Club April 27, 2023 from 6-9pm. We are going to have an amazing evening with delicious food, crafty cocktails, awesome DJ, incredible auction, and fun activities including the wine pull, again. Ticket price is $125 per guest. To purchase tickets, please scan the QR code below. | |
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Proceeds raised from this year’s gala will support our school’s operational costs not covered by tuition or grant funds which are required to be spent on personnel and staff retention. Our preschool is in need of new classroom furniture, after operational expenses are met, any residual funds raised by the First Roots Gala will be used to purchase furniture for the classrooms.
Come celebrate our preschool’s 75th Anniversary of being the best, play-based preschool in our community!
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One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) - Special Offering
OGHS is the single, greatest way that Presbyterians come together to provide relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed. Each gift to OGHS helps to improve the lives of people in challenging situations. So far, we have received over $4,360! There is still time for you to make your gift. www.firstpressarasota.org, click on "give on line"
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Lions Club
As you are doing your Spring cleaning, don’t forget to recycle your eye glasses and hearing aides you no longer use in the Lions Club box in the church office. Thank you!
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This coming Thursday, April 20 is Family Promise Giving Day, a 24-hour online campaign to raise awareness and funds to support families experiencing homelessness. This year, low-income families need our help more than ever.
We’re asking friends to “Give an Hour” whether that’s an hour of time volunteering, an hour’s worth of salary as a donation, or an hour spent raising awareness about the crisis of family homelessness. Just one hour can create change that lasts a lifetime. Together, we can prevent children from experiencing the trauma of homelessness and keep them with their families, safe at home.
You may donate conveniently at https://www.familypromisesarasota-manatee.org/ Donations may also be sent to 8499 S. Tamiami Trail, PMB 267, Sarasota, Florida, 34238.
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Ushers Needed
Please contact James Jordon by calling (816)377-5666 or emailing: jej.jordan@gmail.com if you are interested in being a part of the new rotating team of ushers. Training will be provided. It’s a great way to serve!
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PW Bible study meets Wednesday, April 19 at 10:00am on zoom. Dorothy Murphy is leading the eighth lesson in the Horizons Bible Study "Celebrating Sabbath" titled Sabbath and Justice. Celebrating Sabbath means living lives of justice all week long because Sabbath and justice go hand in hand.
The study guide is not necessary to join and all women are invited! Contact Elaine Barnett at ewbarnet@me.com for the zoom link.
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FPC's Weekly All Faiths Food Distribution
We have expanded our food offering and are now averaging over 100 families per week!
Join us on Thursday mornings to volunteer. We start packing food at 8:30 a.m. and serve from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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ACS Church Life App is Still Available
for Download at Your App Store
We just found out that the ACS church life app is still available for download from your app store (Apple and androids). For those of you not familiar with Church Life, it is an app that is available to church members. You can search for members, 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. Download it now before it is no longer available through your app store.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Garcia, finance manager (941) 955-8119.
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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.
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Prayer List
Click on the link below for the prayer list. Thank you for praying for healing and encouragement for these dear ones.
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Pastoral Care
When you or a loved one is hospitalized, it is important that you contact the church or the pastor to inform us directly and inform the hospital that you are a member of our congregation and would welcome a visit. 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.
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