Remember to set your clock ahead, Spring Forward, Saturday night, so you will be on time Sunday Morning.

Our air conditioning problems persist - please dress in lightweight comfortable clothing on Sunday.

This Sunday . . . 

Installing Rev. Dr. Timothy T. Boggess

The way Presbyterians “do church” can be mysterious or confusing. Our new pastor, Tim Boggess has been with us since October as we all know, but he isn’t “official” until Peace River Presbytery comes to install him as the 11th pastor of First Presbyterian Church. That is going to happen on Sunday, March 19 at 4:00 p.m. in our church, It’s a big deal. It really is. The music and singing and pageantry will be memorable. A procession of 20 Elders and robed clergy will lead him in. Former pastors: Rev. Dr. John LaMotte our 6th pastor, Rev. Dr. Susan DeWyngaert our 9th pastor and ministers coming from nearby congregations - Siesta Key Chapel, Peace Church of Lakewood Ranch, Christ Church of Longboat Key - all of which our church helped establish. As Tim Boggess has said recently: “This will be my LAST installation!” So we all need to be there to make sure it is; the beginning of a promising chapter for our church and Tim’s last installation. See you March 19th at 4:00 p.m.

2023 Budget Presentation

The session will be presenting the approved 2023 operating budget at two town hall meetings. The first will take place on Thursday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The second will take place after the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 26. If you would like a summary copy of the budget beforehand, you may contact Lisa in the church office.

40 Hours Together ~ Join us on our Lenten journey toward Easter by committing to what matters–-each other.



40 Hours Together is Cultivate Faith's Lenten initiative for families. It’s a chance for us to take on regular spiritual practices together (rather than giving up something for the season). Forty hours together is the goal. The Holy Spirit meets us whenever and however, so every moment is truly sacred. Folding laundry together counts. Brushing teeth together counts. Looking for the teen's lost phone charger together counts. A text thread with ridiculous memes counts. 

The 40 Hours Tracker can be printed at home, from the link in News @ First or grabbing a copy at church on Sunday. You will find resources in your inbox and at church each week to spark ideas for spending quality time together. 

Living Well Through Lent 2023

Practicing Compassion With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind

This listing is designed for both individual reflection and for group study, this 84-page daily devotional provides a foundation for seeking a deeper experience of Lent, an experience that will help prepare us for the true meaning of Easter. If you would like a printed copy please contact Rachel in the church office RMartin@firstpressarasota.org

Read the Latest Family Newsletter with important dates for upcoming events.

SunCoast Blood Mobile

Did you know if you are on some blood thinners, you can now donate blood? Be sure to check out the new updates.

Please consider donating blood at First Presbyterian Sunday, March 19. You can now donate platelets on the bloodmobile as well by contacting Cheryl Track, faith community nurse, 4tracks@comcast.net

Donors can also do Quick Pass the day of donation to help speed up the donation process. Just print the QR code after answering the health questions or take a snap shot on your phone. Click here to do Quick Pass: CLICK HERE TO DO QUICK PASS

Cuba Partnership Trip Report: Learn about Our Time in Cuba

On Sunday, March 12, the Cuba team will present our experience with personal reflections, pictures, and future plans regarding our partnership with Juan G. Hall Church in Cárdenas. Join us in Fellowship Hall at 10:00 a.m. to learn about this important relationship. Pastor Tim will discuss what we did with pictures. A few team members will offer brief remarks about how this time transformed and touched them, followed by a Q&A time. 

Brentwood Elementary

VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED

Ask some of the folks who wear green FPC name tags about their volunteer experience at our mission partner Brentwood Elementary School and you will probably hear stories of joy and love. There is still a need for volunteers to serve once a week as monitors in the computer lab or with a learning center.  If you want to feel that joy and love, please contact Jinny or Ron Miller at 941-371-2750, ext 554 or jinnyron@gmail.com.

Family Promise Volunteer Training

Family Promise will hold training for new and old volunteers right here at FPC. Anyone who would like to learn about Family Promise and how we serve homeless families is invited to attend any one of three sessions: March 16 from 10:00 a.m. to noon, or March 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., or Saturday morning, March 18 (time TBD). Please contact Joanne Simons (SimonsJC1@gmail.com) for more information.

Book Discussion Group  

Week 2 — still room for you to join.

Last week we began our discussion of To Be Made Well by introducing ourselves, the author Amy Julia Becker, and talking about the introduction and overarching themes of the book. We would love folks to join us this week for a discussion of Chapters 1-3. 

No need to have joined us last week to jump in this week! This study is conducive to anyone jumping in when and where they can!

Walk to End Summer Hunger

Join All Faiths Food Bank to kick off the 2023 Campaign Against Summer Hunger and celebrate the campaign’s 10th anniversary with a walk around Nathan Benderson Park. The walk will mark the start of a six-week-long campaign to raise funds to feed children at risk of hunger over the summer.  Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL, 34235 - choose between a 1 mile “fun” walk or a 5K walk,. Sunday, March 26, 2023 - 7:30 am site opens | 8:30 am walk begins   Adult Registration (includes t-shirt and lite breakfast) $25.00  Child Registration - under 18 (Includes t-shirt and lite breakfast) $15.00 visit: https://allfaithsfoodbank.givecloud.co/product/CASHKICKOFF2023/walk-to-end-summer-hunger for more information and to register.

PW Bible study meets Wednesday, March 15 at 10:00 a.m. on zoom. Barbara Andrews leads the seventh lesson in the Horizons Bible Study "Celebrating Sabbath" titled Sabbath and Self-Care and is based on Luke 13:10-21 . Even though self-care is a crucial part of the Christian journey, it’s important to remember that Sabbath is not primarily about caring for ourselves. Sabbath is first about honoring God.

The study guide is not necessary to join and all women are invited! Contact Elaine Barnett at ewbarnet@me.com for the zoom link.

Congratulations to Elaine Barnett! She is the newest recipient of the PW Lifetime Membership Award for her many years of service to PW and as a Christian educator. Elaine will be presented the award at Wednesday's Bible study on zoom. Please join us.

Horizons magazine subscription

Give one gift subscription to Horizons and get one FREE! For just $24.95, you can give two gifts for the price of one. With each one-year subscription, your gift recipients will receive five issues of the magazine (in print and digital) plus the 2023–2024 PW/Horizons Bible study, Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts by Olive Mahabir 

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!

Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) urges your support in the aftermath of the 7.8- magnitude earthquake and its aftershocks in Syria and Turkey. Thousands are reported dead and injured. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria. PDA is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas. PDA will remain active throughout the recovery process, accompanying our partners as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience. Years of recovery lie ahead, and your commitment will help PDA extend the hands of Christ. Will you stand in the “GAP” (Give Act Pray) for the people affected by this catastrophic earthquake? Please make your donation through our church by marking your donation as “earthquake” on your check memo line, or via the church website /online giving; select Prsby.Dis.Asst.

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.

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.

First Presbyterian Preschool

firstprespreschoolsarasota.org

Registration is now open at First Presbyterian Preschool

for the 2023-2024 school year.

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

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month -

Learn more from Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse

Prayer List

Click on the link below for the prayer list. Thank you for praying for healing and encouragement for these dear ones.

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.