NEWS @ FIRST
December 18, 2020
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MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE
Online access beginning at 7:00 a.m.
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Results of the Congregational Survey
Click on the Congregational Survey link below to read a report from the FPC Session and Re-Opening Task Force with the findings from the recent "Join the Conversation" survey.
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Most Recent Message from the Designated Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (DAPNC)
The latest letter of update from the DAPNC, dated November 17, 2020, may be accessed by clicking on the link below:
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All Communication from the Administrative Commission
All communication from the Administrative Commission, including the most recent letter dated October 28 2020, can be readily accessed on First Presbyterian’s website home page, using the link below:
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A Message from Your Stewardship Team
The pandemic has meant new patterns for all of us, but virtually every day new pledges arrive in the mail at the church office. We are so encouraged by that steady stream. Here’s where we stand as of December 14:
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As you can see, we are making progress, but still have significant ground to cover. Pledges can be made online, or by calling Lisa Garcia in the finance office, or by filling out a pledge card. Please call us at (941) 955-8119, if you need one mailed to you. With so much uncertainty in the world, the faithfulness of this community means so much. We are grateful for your persistent witness. |
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We want to see YOU at our virtual Coffee Hour |
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Pre-K - 2nd Grade Sunday School
Leaders: Rebecca Clissold, Lydia Chapdelain, Haleigh Smoot
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings
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3rd - 5th Grade Sunday School
Leaders: Sue Nurczyk, Mariah Martin, Lauren Reasoner
9:15 - 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings via Zoom
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Middle School
Leaders: Scott McLeod and Sandi Soper
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings via Zoom
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We all have to wear them--why not show off your church and support the youth! The blue masks with FPC logo are just $5. The proceeds go to benefit youth ministries. Contact the church office to pick one up or have it mailed
to you.
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SAVE THE DATE:
DECEMBER 24 - 4:00 PM
UNIQUE INTERPRETATION
OF THE NATIVITY STORY
VIA ZOOM
WITH LIVE ELEMENTS
Getting geared up for
CHRISTMAS EVE
in 3 easy steps:
1. Get In the spirit - pick up your Nativity bag
at the church office
2. Practice your Christmas carols
3. Share joy with your church family
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Celebrating Epiphany
at First Presbyterian!
We will celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, January 3--just two weeks from this Sunday!
On Epiphany Sunday we remember the star that the "wise ones" followed that led them to the Christ child. FPC will continue the tradition of distributing star-shaped pieces of paper with a single word written on it. This word becomes your “star to follow” for the coming year—a particular way for you to watch for God at work in the world and in your life. Since we cannot be together this year, we will be mailing the stars to you next week. Please save your envelopes to open when participating in the Sunday, January 3, Epiphany worship service online.
If you are a friend of FPC and not on our regular mailing list, but would like to receive a star, just click on the link below to request a star--or email your request to info@firstpressarasota.org. We will be happy to send you a star!
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New Adult Education Classes
The Bible, God and the Future for Presbyterians
This study focuses on what the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions have believed in the past and the ways key theological understandings matter in our Christian lives in the church and world today. Theological issues include the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Using scripture, music and conversation, this 6-week series will begin via ZOOM on January 5, 2021 and for the next five Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. The classes will be led by Elaine Barnett.
January 5 - The Bible for Presbyterians
January 12 - God for Presbyterians
January 19 - Jesus Christ for Presbyterians
January 26 - The Holy Spirit for Presbyterians
February 2 - The Church for Presbyterians
February 9 - The Future for Presbyterians
Illuminating Lent: A Look at the Lord’s Prayer
Studying together for these six weeks in Lent will deepen faith and enhance knowledge through the exploration of the Lord's Prayer. Each session examines a part of the prayer, its theological understandings, and what it means for Reformed Christians in practical ways during Lent. The class begins the week after Ash Wednesday--February 23--via ZOOM at 11:30 a.m. and ends Holy Week on March 30 at 11:30 a.m. The classes will be led by Elaine Barnett.
You can sign-up for this series by emailing Elaine at
February 23 - Introducing Lent
March 2 - Upward: What We Do For God - Glorify God
March 9 - Inward: What God Does in Us - Communion with God
March 16 - Downward: What God Gives to Us - Providential Provisions
March 23 - Forward: Where God Leads Us - Discipleship
March 30 - Onward: What God Will Do - Resurrection Hope
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Family Promise of Sarasota
Family Promise needs your help with its newest project, Home for Good. Unable to house client at churches due to COVID-19, Family Promise is focusing on preventing evictions and homelessness.
Do you have any of the following gently used items that you can donate to Family Promise? A family of seven (mom, dad, and 5 children) needs sheets, pillows, blankets, bath towels, dishes, pots and pans, cups, glasses, kitchen and cooking utensils, a table and chairs for 7, and bunk beds. To donate any of these items, in good condition, please contact Joanne Simons (SimonsJC1@gmail.com, cell 703-798-7330). She will arrange to pick up your much-needed donations.
In addition, Family Promise is looking for volunteers to assist clients with budgeting, computer skills, resume writing, job applications, and preparing for job interviews. These services would be delivered virtually (by telephone, Zoom, FaceTime, etc.) so there would be no safety issues impacting our volunteers. Please contact Joanne Simons (SimonsJC1@gmail.com, 703-798-7330) to share your skills.
As always, Family Promise is happy to receive your monetary donations which would be used for small household needs and emergency expenses. You can donate by sending you donation to First Presbyterian Church and putting "Family Promise" on the memo line.
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Invest in Children - Evidence of Blessings |
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WOW! You, First Presbyterian members, have gone the extra mile as you’ve contributed to the Blessing Tree project for Brentwood Elementary School. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
You have contributed over $9,000 in gift cards and cash contributions for the families of 55 Brentwood students. The gifts were delivered to Brentwood by Lorraine Foltz, Rachel Martin and Jinny and Ron Miller on Friday, December 11, in attractive bags which held the beautiful stockings and a small gift bag for the parents.
Thanks to your generosity, we were also able to provide additional grocery gift cards for each family! Brentwood staff was elated to receive all these gifts and planned to share them with the parents beginning December 14. A check for the remainder of the contributions will be sent to Brentwood for ongoing needs of their students.
Thank you, again, for bringing a Christmas blessing to these Brentwood families! Please continue to pray for them and others whose needs are so great. The Invest in Children team wishes YOU a Blessed Christmas!
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George Chorba and Pat Higgins filling stockings |
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Small gift bags for the parents |
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Some of the large bags in Fellowship Hall |
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Millers and Tenia Rumph, BES home-school liaison |
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Presbyterian Women News
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the hygiene kits for Misión Peniel. We delivered 55 kits to Ruth DeYoe, mission coordinator.
Please join us on Tuesday, January 5 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom as we welcome Cindie Moore with the Association of Mam Christian Women for Development. The Mam (pronounced "mom") are a poor, indigenous group in the western highlands of Guatemala. During Cindie's last visit with us, we made tortilla shells as the Mam women do and supported the women by providing funds for safe cook stoves.
Since travel is not possible and supplies are difficult to obtain at this time, Cindie has found a unique way to support the Mam women. She will tell us about this program as well as bring us news about our Mam prayer partners. If you were assigned a prayer partner during one of Cindie's previous visits, bring your partner's picture or name to the meeting. To learn more about the Association of Mam Christian Women for Development go to https://ncpguatemala.com/partners/association/.
Meeting ID: 957 3394 2424
Passcode: 006096
The link to the Zoom meeting is:
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Beth-El Farmworker Ministry Food Drive
THANK-YOU, FPC !
FPC's Mission and Justice Committee hosted a drive-up, drop-off donation drive last Saturday, December 12. Our members and friends were very generous during this great time of need for the farm workers at Beth-El. We filled an entire van with food, diapers and dry goods, along with $400, which Dave Householder delivered Monday morning to Beth-El.
All of your donations will make their Christmas full of joy! THANK YOU!
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FPC’s Mission Partnership with
All Faiths Food Bank
NEWS
Our distribution site will remain open through March 2021.
Thursday Mornings ONLY
8:45 - 11:30 am
(distribution 10:00 - 11:30 am)
Our partnership with All Faiths Food Bank will continue as an emergency food distribution site.
The food distribution is by drive-through with volunteers loading cars as clients circle in the parking lot during the allotted time.
Please consider becoming a part of this exciting ministry
to our community!
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Sign up NOW to volunteer at First Presbyterian's
ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK
EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITE
Volunteers are needed each Thursday.
Task options include sorting and distributing food, setting up,
cleaning up and directing traffic.
Volunteer Times
Thursdays: 8:45 - 11:30 pm
All safety measures are in place:
Masks and closed-toe shoes required for volunteers;
gloves and hand sanitizer provided;
masks required for walk-up food recipients
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact
Bob Kirkpatrick, rkirkhv@aol.com or (941) 761-2455
or Dave Householder, dphouse47@gmail.com or (724) 462-4235
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2021 Offering Envelopes
2021 offering envelopes are here! If you are a regular user of envelopes we have ordered them for you, but please check with the office to make sure, before you make a trip. Since the cost of mailing the envelopes is expensive, we are asking that you come to the church to pick them up. Please call the church office (941) 955-8119 (ext. 101) to let us know you are coming.
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: During this time when the church campus is closed, all mail, including contribution checks, securely arrive to our church office.
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Good News of Great Joy - Christmas Joy Offering
The PC(USA) offers you the chance to bring Good News of Great Joy to the poor in circumstance or spirit. Your gifts to this special offering will be distributed to retired ministers and missionaries in need and our Presbyterian racial-ethnic colleges.
We will be receiving the Joy Offering this Sunday, December 20.
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Remembering Our Church Family in Prayer
Thank you for upholding members of our congregation with special prayer needs during this time. Click on the attached link for a complete list:
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We Care Poster Recipients
Select the link below for the names of our members who were recently in the hospital and received a We Care poster-card on behalf of the congregation. Please keep these members in your prayers for healing and consider calling or sending a note of encouragement.
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Our Condolences
Our prayers are with the family of Dorothy Mullen. Dorothy died Monday, December 14. She was a member of FPC, Sarasota for the past 36 years. Notes of condolence may be sent to Dorothy's daughter, Laurel:
Laurel Mullen
2938 Swifton Drive
Sarasota, FL 34231
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Preparing for Flu Season During COVID-19
Getting a flu vaccine this fall can reduce your risk of getting the flu and help save medical resources needed to care for people with COVID-19. It’s important for everyone to do their part to stay healthy this flu season.
Prevent the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses by reminding each other to:
Mask Up: Cover your nose and mouth with a mask when out in public.
Lather Up: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Sleeve Up: Roll up your sleeve to get a flu shot.
CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
Flu season peaks between December and February.
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection.
Children (aged 6 months to 8 years) who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner, because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart.
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First Presbyterian Preschool GROWING STRONG
The preschool staff and the families are thankful to all those who have contributed to our preschool community. If you have not had the opportunity to donate, you can be a part of helping our preschool continue to GROW STRONG with gifts over-and-above your regular church offering.
For online donations, use the weblink below. Thank you again for keeping our church / preschool community STRONG!
Grace and peace,
Clare Carter, Preschool Director
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Blood Drive Thank-You
A special THANK YOU to all who came out to donate blood on December 6. Cheryl Track, our Faith Community Nurse, enjoyed getting to see you. 15 people were screened and 15 units of blood were collected, potentially helping 45 people! Mark your calendar for our next drive with SunCoast on Sunday, March 28.
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We’re Here for You!
The FPC care team, Stephen Ministers, deacons, elders and church staff want you to know we are here for you. Please feel free to reach out to Cheryl Track, faith community nurse (941) 320-3828 if we can be of support to you.
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