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NEWS @ FIRST
February 3, 2023
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We hope to see you at
this Sunday's Worship Services
9 a.m. NewSong contemporary
11 a.m. Traditional
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Thank you Pam Schweizer
The session reluctantly made the decision to eliminate the Assistant to the Pastors position, due to our church's current financial situation. We are thankful for the many years of faithful service provided by Pam Schweizer in the church office and would like to honor her with a Love Offering. If you wish to make a contribution, please make your check to First Presbyterian Church and indicate Love Offering for Pam in the memo line. You may send your gift to the church office or place in the offering plate on Sunday. If you would like to send Pam a note or card her address is:
3707 Kingswood Drive,
Sarasota, FL 34232-5824
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Cuba Partnership Trip: February 8-14
Commissioning will be Sunday February 5
Jazz & Brunch: February. 19;
1 service 10:00 a.m.; potluck to follow
75th anniversary of preschool celebration
Ash Wednesday Service: February 22; 6:00 p.m.
Annual Congregational Meeting: February 26;
1 service, 10:00 a.m.
Installation of Pastor Tim Boggess: March. 19; 4:00 p.m.
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Adult Class led by Dr. John Parks continues THIS SUNDAY, February 5 10:00 a.m. in room 203
The class is reading six short stories and discussing them to discover what they reveal about the human condition. This weeks reading, The Brown Chest and future readings, are available in class, at the office, or through the link below. Come for a stimulating discussion!
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Stewardship
Thank you to those who have stepped forward in faith with your 2023 pledge. If you have not made your pledge, it’s not too late! All pledges are needed—you can return your pledge card to the church office or pledge online through the church website:
www.FirstPresSarasota.org and select member login.
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Read the Latest Family Newsletter with important dates for upcoming events. | |
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Cuba Partnership Trip:
February 8-14 The commissioning of the FPC group traveling to Cárdenas, Cuba, will take place TODAY. The group of 13 will visit our partner church, Juan G. Hall, which will celebrate its 123rd anniversary.
Trip participants are:
Tim Boggess, Michael Brown, Victoria Gunther, Jennie Harrod, Graham Hart, Linda Hart, Carol Papa, Ken Papa, Candy Swick, Sue Hargis Spigel, Candy Swick, Jay Swick, Nancy Wellinghoff
We have packed all the donated supplies in suitcases. We will be taking over 1000 lbs!
We are so grateful for the amazing support and donations we have received. This is a partnership trip, not a mission trip, we are fortunate to be able to donate so much to a country that suffers shortages and sanctions. Our friends in Cárdenas have faith to move mountains and an enduring love for God, each other, and us. We will be more than blessed by the time we spend with our partner church. Thank you for praying with us as we travel and build relationship with Juan G. Hall Church!
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Book Discussion Group
Join Leah Cotter and embark on a journey of spiritual and communal wellness with To Be Made Well by Amy Julia Becker. Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on personal, spiritual and social healing. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv), Becker holds a bi-vocational license with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Dates: March 5 - April 30 at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Several copies of the book will be available in the office for purchase or it can be purchased where all books are sold including electronic versions. Beginning
February 26th we will cover the introduction as well as Chapters 1 & 2.
Reach out to Leah via email at Leah.t.cotter@gmail.com for a copy of the study companion. She will have copies printed and available in the church office beginning in February for anyone unable to access one via email at home.
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Ushers Needed
Please contact Denise Landers by calling (941) 587-7992 or emailing: davidanddenise@tampabay.rr.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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Mark Your
Calendar: Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday,NEXT
February 12
Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with the simple prayer by a Presbyterian seminary intern, with a desire to inspire others on Super Bowl Sunday to donate to those “who are without a bowl of soup to eat.” Since then, youth groups have been harnessing the energy of people coming together for football, food, and fun to raise funds to help feed those in need.
Our youth and children will be stationed with soup pots at the door after both services on Sunday, February 12, to receive your gifts of money to help alleviate hunger in our area or abroad. Checks may be made to First Presbyterian Church with “Souper Bowl” in the memo line.
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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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Church Life App is Still Available
for Download at Your App Store
We just found out that the 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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Our Condolences
Our dear brother, Jim Barnett, died Monday, December 26. A memorial service will be Sunday, February 19, 3:00 p.m. Notes of condolence may be sent to Jim’s wife, Elaine Barnett, 1904 31st Avenue W, Bradenton, FL 34205-8911.
Our sister, Bonnie Stickland died Tuesday, January 24. A memorial service will be held on February 18 at 1:00 pm at Toale Brothers. Notes of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Lauren Arsenault, 1350 Bern Creek Loop, Sarasota, FL 34240
Our sister Linda Hollen, died Wednesday, January 25. Memorial service plans are not known at this time. Notes of condolence may be sent to her husband, Chuck Hollen at 4832 Stone ridge Circle, Sarasota, FL 34232.
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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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First Presbyterian Preschool is excited to begin the registration process for the 2023-2024 school year.
Registration will open for non-current student on February 6.
If you are interested or would like more information on our play-based preschool program, please contact the preschool office.
Phone: (941)366-2000
Email: preschool@firstpressarasota.org
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Health and Wholeness
Join the Conversation
Baycare offers online conversations related to grief, Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. All led by area hospital chaplains.
To register: mpmbereavement.org or (727) 462-7995.
February 16: Coping with Grief - A Creativity Tool for Mourning
March 16: Spiritual Dimensions of Grief - Exploring the Big Questions
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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.
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