The Rev. Paul Roberts, Sr., President of Johnson C. Smith Seminary (Atlanta, GA), will be returning to FPC, Sarasota, as the keynote speaker for Faith Focus Weekend. The weekend theme will be: “Bridging the Gap: Conversations of Hope and Healing toward Racial Reconciliation.”

A special event on Saturday in the Fellowship Hall for our church and community will include a panel discussion led by members of the Manasota Interracial Book Club, a thriving group inspired by Rev. Roberts three years ago. Rev. Roberts will also offer a presentation exploring avenues everyday people can take to help build a more just and equitable society.

The Saturday event will be both in-person and live-streamed (www.firstpressarasota.org). 

THIS Sunday, October 24

In preparation for the October 31 All Saints’ Day service, all from our church family are invited to email photos of loved ones (members or non-members) who have died November 1, 2020 – present to Rachel Martin (RMartin@firstpressarasota.org). Please include your name and their name, their date of birth and death (if known), and your relationship to the deceased, We are planning a special slide presentation as a part of the service to commemorate those who have died in the last year.

Join us this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall to watch a short video, exploring our world from a perspective of Jesus. The video is followed by informal guided discussion and reflections, led by Michael Fingerle. Class for adults of all ages. Come and relax, renew friendships, and make new friends!  

– Continues Next Wednesday, Oct. 27 1:00 p.m. via Zoom

These lessons are aimed to spark interest and nurture our Christian faith so we may “do everything for the glory of God.” This class via Zoom is taught by Elaine Barnett on Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m., until November 10. You may sign-up by emailing Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com.

- Sundays, Beginning November 7, In-person

This in-person Sunday morning class will be taught by Dr. John Parks on Sundays at 10:00 a.m., in room 223, November 7, 14, 21, and December 5, 12, and 19.

Come for stimulating interaction with these timeless themes. Stories to be discussed will be posted on News@First and provided as printed hand-outs in the class and the church office one week prior to discussion. 

Molly Horner and Lydia Chapdelain are looking forward to this exciting time of fellowship with our youth. Please let them know as soon as possible if you would like to join them. The cabin at Cedarkirk must be booked this week!  

New Adult Education Zoom Class - “Advent: The Season of Hope and Expectation”

– Begins Tuesday, November 23  

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the Church celebrates Advent. This season gets its name from the Latin term adventus, meaning “coming.” It is a season when the Church prepares for Christmas Day—the great celebration of God, the Savior, coming to us in Jesus Christ. In this time of waiting and anticipation, we will focus on what Advent brings as Christ comes. The class will discuss together the rich biblical and theological terms centering on the message we proclaim as we tell the world of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yes, we have received good news from our mission partner, Brentwood Elementary School! Volunteers will soon be able to return to the Brentwood campus!

If you are interested in volunteering or just want to learn more about this amazing opportunity to invest some time with the Brentwood students, please contact Jinny and Ron Miller at jinnyron@gmail.com or by phone at Sunnyside Village, (941) 371-2750, extension 554. More information will be available soon, but we can get ready now. This Title 1 elementary school needs you!

Be a part of the FPC group that gathers at Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma to sort food or related activities each month. Beth-El distributes food to 600-900 folks each week. To sign up or for more information, please contact Dave Householder at dphouse47@gmail.com; call or text (724) 462-4235. Let us know of your interest in carpooling.

Francis House is Family Promise’s new program to support expectant and newly delivered women. It will provide a safe place for them and their children for up to 12 weeks post-partum. The two-bedroom/two-bath house will open to its first guests in November. Family Promise was able to lease this house using a generous donation from First Presbyterian Church.

Thursday, October 28 - Opening Remarks at 11:00 a.m.

RSVP by This Monday, October 24 to

Go to https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=91629 and select “Family Promise” from the drop-down menu. Family Promise and its clients appreciate all you do. 

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

The PW Thank Offering is collected in the fall of each year to celebrate the blessings in our lives. The offering funds projects not included in ongoing General Assembly mission support. This year's grant recipients include twelve organizations across the country and beyond. (Click on the link below for the complete list.) To contribute to this year's Thank Offering, please send your check made out to Presbyterian Women, with "Thank Offering" in the memo line, to the church. You may also drop off your check in the church office.

The next PW gathering is Tuesday, November 2, 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. We will dedicate our annual thank offerings and present a lifetime membership award. You are welcome to linger after the meeting for a time of fellowship. The zoom link is below:

Presbyterian Women is sponsoring an     

Tuesday, November 9 at 9:30 a.m.

Hope Seeds International Inc.

This Sunday marks the 65^th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Dr. Margaret Towner, who was the first woman to be ordained as a minister of the word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church in the United States. We give thanks to God for Marg’s continuing presence and ministry in our midst. Notes may be sent to:

Our sister, Betty Silvertooth, died on October 17. She and her late husband, Judge Lynn Silvertooth, were deeply involved in the life of this congregation, as long as their health allowed. She had been a member since 1950.

The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest,

by Heather Lang, is a picture book biography telling the story of Meg Lowman, a groundbreaking pioneer female scientist called a "real life Lorax" by National Geographic, who was determined to investigate the marvelous, undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops. Young and older readers both will be fascinated by her story. Look for this new book on the book cart in the narthex on Sunday.

One of the books Meg Lowman authored, Life in the Treetops (1999), is also a part of the Cowden-Smith Library. This book is an interesting account of Meg's life, research, and discoveries. Our copy contains her personal message to First Presbyterian. The book will be on the library cart on Sunday with Leaf Detective.

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.

The Data Dump will be held at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, with tents set up in the parking lot at 1945 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34236. Take advantage of this chance to safely recycle your unwanted electronics!

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.

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.

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.

Masks are no longer required masks in outdoor spaces on the church campus. Masks continue to be required of all persons (over the age of two) while inside, if there is more than one person in a room. The session will revisit the policy at its October 26 stated meeting, and is deeply grateful for the patience and support that this community has demonstrated through these long months. We honor God as we care for each other.