*The AC unit in the sanctuary is out. Rachel Martin and her crew have been working hard to remedy the situation. However, parts on order will not come until next week. This Sunday, September 12, the 11:00 a.m. worship service will be held in the Fellowship Hall for the comfort of all. Our plan is to live-stream the 11:00 a.m. service. If we encounter technical difficulties the service will be recorded and available for viewing later that day.

If you are interested in membership with this vibrant congregation, please contact Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Transitional Pastor (mltorrence@firstpressarasota.org)

or call the church office (941) 955-8119.

Join us this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall to watch a short video, followed by informal guided discussion and reflections, led by Michael Fingerle. Classes for adults of all ages. Come and relax, renew friendships, and make new friends!

You are invited to a presentation of the Mission Study Team report on Sunday, September 19 at 10:10 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. This report is the result of candid conversations with more than 170 members of our congregation over the course of 15 in-person and ZOOM meetings. We believe it to be a true reflection of the concerns and desires of our congregation. Mission Study Team members will present an overview of the report and will be available to answer questions about it.

• By Zoom, 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 18

• By Zoom, 1:00 p.m. Thursday, September 23

 You may sign up for Zoom conversations by clicking on the link below. Each Zoom chat is limited to 20 persons, for ease of conversation. Should those sessions fill to capacity, we will gladly schedule additional opportunities.

Copies of the report will be available beginning September 15. Once it has been approved by the session and Committee on Ministry, it will be sent to the congregation by email and also available on the church website (https://firstpressarasota.org/). You may request a paper copy by calling the office at (941) 955-8119.

Thank you to all who contributed to this effort by sharing their devotion to, and hope for, the future of First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota. Our next step will be to elect a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). Watch for an announcement of an October congregational meeting!

Lydia Chapdelain, Children and Youth Leader: lchapdelain@firstpressarasota.org

Molly Horner, Children and Youth Coordinator: mhorner@firstpressarasota.org

These concerns will be presented and voted upon at the Community Problems Assembly, November 9 to determine what research teams are needed for the coming year. The FPC SURE house meetings will be held via Zoom. Please register in advance for one of these meetings through the links below:

PDA is responding to the devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti August 14, 2021, that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. They are mobilized to meet emergency needs such as WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), emergency power generators, shelter, food, first aid and more. PDA is relying on the generosity of Presbyterians to provide financial and hands-on support to help the whole church stand with the country of Haiti as it responds to this devastating earthquake. We have sent $6,250 to Earthquake Relief for Haiti through the PDA. Thank you so much for all your contributions! 

As our representative to Brentwood’s School Advisory Committee (SAC), George Chorba shared from the August 21 committee meeting that, to-date, there had been only 13 COVID cases on campus and 40 students have been quarantined due to exposure. All faculty and staff are coping admirably with the COVID situation.

Join our fun team of volunteers and help distribute food to our community neighbors Thursday mornings, 9:15-11:30 a.m.

NEXT TRIP: Wednesday, September 29

Preventing families from spiraling into homelessness is an essential part of the Family Promise mission. Family Promise served eleven families with children in August, and provided support with maximum efficiency and low cash output.

Several years ago, our church made a generous donation from the Imagine the Future campaign to help FP secure a more permanent facility. The session has approved the use of that money for a one-year lease on a house that will be used by FP to provide much-needed services for homeless pregnant and post-partum women and their babies.

An investment of $260 can keep a child housed in Sarasota County, but it takes $5,000 in resources to rehouse an evicted family—which is why prevention is so important. Thank you for supporting the Family Promise mission and these families. 

https://www.familypromisesarasota.org/

The PW Bible study resumes next Wednesday, September 15, at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Elaine Barnett leads the first lesson in the new 2021-2022 Horizons study, What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from the Women in Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus. Lesson 1 helps us begin filling in Jesus' family tree. The study guide is optional and not required to attend. All women of the church are welcome to join in and participate at any point in the study series.  Click on the link below to participate in the Zoom class.

Mark your calendar for the October 12 mission workshop—more details coming soon!

Our brother, Bob Johnson, died on September 2, 2021, following a long illness. Bob joined the church in 2003, after moving to Sarasota from upstate New York. Bob’s family anticipates holding a private interment service in the memorial garden later this month. Notes of condolence may be sent to Bob’s wife:

Barbara Johnson

35 Watergate Drive, Apt 401, Sarasota, FL 34236

Our sister, Ernestine Harris, died early this past week, after a long period of declining health. She had been a member of this congregation since 1993. Her family anticipates holding a small service in the memorial garden at a date yet to be determined. Notes of thanksgiving for Ernestine’s life may be shared with her sister (and ours):

Naomi Pearson

1576 8^th Street, #404, Sarasota, FL 34236

American Heart CPR Course taught by LifeTech Instructional Services will be at FPC Sarasota Wednesday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Be a life saver and register for a CPR Class in the Fellowship Hall. The cost is $25 for a 2-year certification from American Heart Association. Healthcare provider card: $40. 

A special thank you goes to all that came out to donate blood in honor of Cullen Sabin! 33 units of much needed blood were collected and there were 10 first time donors!

Mark your calendar for our next SunCoast Blood Drives, October 24 and December 19. 

Scholarship money is available for the upcoming school year. Interested students and families should go to the website www.firstpressarasota.org, go to “Grow” tab and select “Young Adult” and print application. The application and transcripts must be received by Thursday, September 30. Transcripts, including those from the spring 2021 semester, should be included or forwarded as soon as available. Returning applicants need only to update their grades and contact information. All college and technical school students are encouraged to apply.

There is a library book cart in the narthex with 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.

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.

Masks are required of all persons (over the age of two) who are on our campus, including outdoor gatherings. An exception is granted for fully vaccinated adult groups who are working outside (with no children present). Such groups may decide together whether they intend to mask.

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.

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.