NEWS @ FIRST
January 21, 2022
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
January 23

"The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want" - Psalm 23
IN-PERSON SERVICES
9:00 a.m. NewSong service
Fellowship Hall

11:00 a.m. Traditional Service
Sanctuary

Online access beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Current COVID Guidelines On-Campus
Due to the elevated COVID transmission rates in our area, our session has returned to required face mask-wearing on-campus. Please wear a mask while on the church campus and during worship services, whether or not you have been vaccinated. It is our goal to protect the health and provide comfort for all, especially to our most vulnerable, as we gather.

Under the guidance of the Worship and Music Committee, ribbons will be used to block off every other pew on one half of the sanctuary for those desiring extra space between seating. The doors to the sanctuary will also be open if the weather permits. In the Fellowship Hall chairs will be spaced widely to allow for social distancing.
Giving Thanks for Lydia!
Sunday, January 30

Please join us in the courtyard on Sunday, January 30, between services, as we share individually packaged treats and give thanks for Lydia Chapdelain’s ministry among us. Lydia is stepping back from an official staff role as our Children and Youth Leader, but will continue to be an active member and parent in our community. We want to celebrate the heroic work she has done in the last couple of years.

Please come and share your thanks in person. We also will have a basket available to receive any notes you may want to share with her. If you are not able to be with us on the 30th, notes may be sent to Lydia via the church office.
Message from the Pastor Nominating Committee
We have begun! We wrote our Mission Information Form (MIF) in October. Our session approved it in November and presbytery approved it in December. After Christmas, our MIF was posted on the PC(USA) denomination’s website so any pastor looking for a new church opportunity can learn about us. Pastors wanting to relocate fill out a Personal Information Form (PIF) telling their training and experience, their leadership styles, and their personal statements of faith. They submit them to the PC(USA) website where they are sorted and then sent to churches looking for pastors.

We have already received the first batch of PIFs and have received training in how to read and evaluate them. As they sound promising, we will contact the applicants to ask for additional information. We will receive another batch of PIFs in about three weeks, and so on until we find the pastor God has planned for our church. All of us on the PNC will read all of the PIFs and compare our impressions. When one or more candidates begin to stand out above the rest, we will contact them with further questions and conversation. As you can see, this is just the beginning of a lengthy process that will last several months. We plan to meet weekly.

What can you do? Please pray for us as we meet on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Pray for our next pastor, that he or she will be receptive to God’s call. And if you know any pastors outside our Peace River Presbytery that might be good candidates, please give us their names and encourage them to apply. They will know how to do it.

In joyful service,

Frank Frey, moderator
Steve Knopik, secretary
Michael Fingerle
David Landers
Carrie Mills
Janet Olshewsky
Kay Steinman
“Every Living Creature: God’s Design for Animals"
Six-Week Adult Education Class Offered via Zoom
Wednesdays, February 23 - April 3
 
The launch of this class was postponed due to high COVID transmission rates. The class will begin on Wednesday, February 23, at 12:00 noon by Zoom. This class, taught by Doug DeCelle, retired minister, and Hal Serrie, anthropologist, 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.

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
Look to the Cross: A Lenten Study
Tuesdays via Zoom, 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 knew the three hours when Jesus hung on a Roman cross were decisively important to their eternal salvation and their relationship with God. 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.

Sign-up by emailing 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
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!
Volunteer Day Trip to
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry
Sponsored by the Mission and Justice Committee

NEXT Wednesday, January 26
Work at Beth-El: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
 
Be a part of the group from First Presbyterian, Sarasota, that gathers at Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma to volunteer sorting food or related activities on the last Wednesday of each month. This mission partner distributes food to help 600-900 folks each week. To sign up or for more information, contact Dave Householder at dphouse47@gmail.com; call or text (724) 462-4235.
The Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo
Will Be Our Guest Preacher Sunday, February 6
 
Neddy is a Venezuelan-American, an ecotheologian and PCUSA pastor who has taught in seminaries in Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru, México and the United States. She explains ecotheology this way: “Ecotheology is reflecting on our faith from a belief in God as Creator. It seeks to find faith-based solutions to the environmental challenges of our time, lifting up Creation care as an act of faith.”
 
Neddy has a Doctor of Ministry in “Greening the Church.” In 1998, she co-founded the Angelic Organics Learning Center, a farm-based nonprofit organization, where people connect with food, farming and caring for the earth. Neddy teaches eco-theology at seminaries in the U.S. and Latin-America.
 
Neddy will be preaching in both the 9:00 a.m. NewSong worship service and the 11:00 a.m. traditional service. Between services, from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall Neddy will be available for a question-and-answer time. We look forward to hearing from this vibrant and engaging leader in the church!


Mark Your Calendar:
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 13

Souper Bowl of Caring begin 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. Now people of all ages tackle hunger by supporting local hunger relief through this ministry.
 
Our youth will be stationed with soup pots at the door after both services on Sunday, February 13, 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.
 
Including Your Photo in the Online Church Directory

On Sundays, February 13 and 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

Distribution of Incaparina Drink Mix to the Mam Children
On January 4, Presbyterian Women hosted Cindie Moore from the Association of Mam Christian Women for Development to hear the progress in Guatemala. The Mam are an indigenous group of people living in the mountainous region of Guatemala near Mexico.
In the recent past, we assisted the Mam women with funds to purchase cook stoves, cattle sheds, and incaparina, a drink mix for their malnourished children.

Cindie tells us the need is still great to reduce hunger in the children. Each malnourished child is weighed, measured, and given incaparina and then monitored. Mothers are given instruction on nutrition and how to raise egg-laying chickens and vegetables. If you would like to help continue our support of the Mam women by providing incaparina, please send or leave your donation for Mary Webb in the church office before the end of February. Checks should be made out to Presbyterian Women with “incaparina” in the memo line.

Save March 28 and 29 to attend the Peace River PW Spring Retreat at DaySpring Conference Center in Ellenton. Watch for details in upcoming church emails and bulletins.
 
Invest in Children
Thanks for Adopting Brentwood Classes
In this school year, First Presbyterian Church has adopted eleven classes, helping to support the teachers and students in their daily learning activities. Below and at right are the latest thank-you “notes” from two of the classes.
 
Dear First Presbyterian Church,
Thank you so much for adopting the ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) students at Brentwood Elementary. There are many supplies I was able to purchase with your generous $100 donation (headphones, vocabulary games, letter/sound games, letter tiles, and dry erase boards). 

Thank you for your continued support of Brentwood!

Erin Tuttle, ESOL teacher, Brentwood Elementary School
 

Family Promise - Francis House
The stage is set for opening Francis House; household goods, baby things, and food are gathered, thanks to your generosity. Because this initiative is a new concept to Family Promise, there are guidelines to be followed for mothers and their children to reside at Francis House. They must be highly motivated moms who, through a temporary setback, find their families experiencing homelessness. Families can remain at Francis House up to 90 days. The right fit for this program is someone wanting to return to financial independence and provide a safe and secure home for her family.   
 
Thank you for your generous support through the holiday season. As 2022 begins, we ask you to join in supporting this mission work to bring safety, comfort, and hope to new mothers and their children. Requests for needed goods and assistance will be detailed in future FPC Sarasota publications. Visit the Family Promise website to learn more: https://www.familypromisesarasota.org 
 
Pam Mathes: pjmathes@hotmail.com
Joanne Simons: simonsjc1@gmail.com 
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!
Tech Team Members Needed!
Are you interested in learning to operate our sound equipment, cameras, or media? You can have a ministry of tech support for our in-person and live-streamed services. This is an exciting time in the life of our church as we use technology to grow our congregation’s outreach. To get involved, call or text Jimi Camastro, our Tech Team Leader, at (941) 779-6754.
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.
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.
Mark Your Calendar for
Upcoming FPC Sarasota Blood Drives
Sundays, March 20 and June 12
8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
 
Contact Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse, to sign up for March 20: (941) 320-3828; 4tracks@comcast.net. You may use the Quick Pass to begin the blood donation process on the day of your donation. Access Quick Pass at: https://suncoastblood.org/donate/quickpass/
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.