NEWS @ FIRST
April 30, 2021
Youth Sunday
May 2 - 9:00 AM
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
In-person worship in the sanctuary
9:00 a.m. service time

A vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary music
Advance registration, masks and safe distancing required

Online access beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Plan now to be present THIS SUNDAY
to support our youth as they share their
“Reflections on Perseverance”

The youth will lead with music, scripture, prayer, and sermon. We are grateful for our youth! They are a vital part of our family of faith, and we affirm their leadership and voice in this congregation. Please show your support by coming to this special in-person worship service if you are able. Register by clicking on the link below:
Beginning May 30, and continuing through July 25,
our in-person Sunday worship service will change to 10:00 a.m.

A Reminder About Wearing Masks
Many of us are enjoying the option of returning to worship in person now that the COVID vaccines are available to all adults. However, not everyone is choosing to be vaccinated and the CDC still recommends that masks be worn in public places such as churches. FPC continues to require that masks be worn inside all church buildings. This policy applies to staff, volunteers, members of the congregation, and outside groups using our facilities. Thank you for your understanding in helping to keep everyone safe and healthy.
We hope to see YOU
at our virtual Coffee Hour
THIS Sunday, May 2, at
10:30 a.m.
Adult Education Class
JOURNEY WITH JONAH:
Living the Interrupted Life
Taught by Dent Davis

THIS Sunday, May 2,
and finishing next Sunday, May 9
10:30-11:30 a.m. on Zoom

The book of Jonah is one of the Bible’s most profound stories about faith.
Jonah tells the story of a reluctant prophet and how he learns what faith is about. Join us on Zoom as we let Jonah guide us on the journey of faith. To register to participate using Zoom, please email Dent Davis at dcdavis3@gmail.com.
No Sunday Sunday classes this Sunday, May 2
In-person Sunday School will resume May 9.
Join us next Sunday at 10 am on-campus for all ages through high school.

The last day of Sunday School before summer recess is May 23.

FPC Donates to
Family Promise of Sarasota


Family Promise of Sarasota received a grant of $7,500 from the Family Promise national affiliate for its work around Prevention of Homelessness. It has been promised an additional $2,500 if it is able to find local grants of $10,000 to match. Presbyterian Women have generously made a donation to this effort for which Family Promise is sincerely grateful. 

If you would also like to donate, you may go to our FPC website (https://firstpressarasota.org/), log in, navigate to the Giving page, and select Family Promise from the Select a Fund drop down list.

If you would prefer, you may donate to Family Promise by going to its website: https://www.familypromisesarasota.org/. All donations made on the Family Promise website in April (through today) will be matched by sponsors up to $5,000. In both cases, any amount is welcome.

Family Promise of Sarasota Board Chair Kevin McKenney sends heartfelt thanks to our congregation for being a part of the tremendous success of nearly $5,000 in pledges received so far during April, which are being matched dollar for dollar. Your generosity is enabling them to reach toward their goal of $10,000 in raised funds!


This is the last week that we will be collecting the items below that Family Promise has requested:

1.   Children's Underwear, NEW IN PACKAGES - Children coming into Family Promise’s care have been staying in situations where they have had limited access to laundry facilities. Parents and case managers see this as a critical need. Looking for all sizes and genders of new, in-package underwear.

2.   Gently Used Children's SUMMER Clothing - The majority of children in shelters have only one change of clothing. Gently used summer clothing (no jackets, blankets, stuffed animals or toys, please) will fill another important need for children experiencing homelessness.

3.   Family Promise would like gender-neutral birthday cards, suitable for kids ages 4 to 14. Cards can be handmade, computer-printed, or store purchased. Each greeting card should include a nominal gift card, such as from Walmart, Target, McDonalds, etc., for $5 or $10. Cards should be in an UNSEALED envelope containing the greeting card and the gift card. Be as creative as you'd like! It will delight a child.

Please look for the Family Promise donation box in the office. Your donation will be gratefully received. 

PW Gathering
The next PW gathering is Tuesday, May 4
at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom 
The speaker is Margi Dawson, the Director of Development at Turning Points. Turning Points provides basic needs, rent and utility assistance, and a medical/dental clinic. Margi's presentation will include testimonials.

We will also dedicate our annual birthday offerings. (Please send your birthday offering checks to the church.) You are welcome to linger after the meeting for a time of fellowship. Click on the link below to participate:
The Monthly PW Bible Study is Tuesday, May 11
at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom
The Bible study, led by Jean Luker will include the eighth and ninth lessons (the two final lessons) in the 2020-2021 Horizons study, Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament, will be discussed. We will take a break over the summer and begin the new study guide in the fall. All women of the church are welcome to join the meeting. Deborah Circle meets immediately following for fellowship and PW updates.  
The Cowden-Smith Library is now open
Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and on Sundays, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Our lovely library is located on the second floor of the administration / education building. Check out the library’s latest acquisition: Sarasota County's "One Book" for 2021 and well-timed for our county's 100th anniversary. SUNCOAST EMPIRE: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family and the Rise of Sarasota by historian Frank A. Cassell is the story of Bertha Palmer's global exploits and then her journey to Sarasota in 1910. 

She immediately purchased 140,000 acres of swampland comprising one-quarter of what would eventually become Sarasota County. The extent to which Palmer transformed that land in the years before her death in 1918, and her lasting influence on Sarasota's development and Florida agriculture, is remarkable! 
Join the SURE Celebration!

On Monday, May 17, 6:00 p.m. via Zoom, you are invited to be a part of SURE network members and friends assembling to celebrate our accomplishments, honor community leaders who continue to work with us, and re-commit to working for justice in the Sarasota community. Look for the link for the Celebration in News@First in the coming weeks.
INVEST IN CHILDREN
Even though COVID-19 caused us to suspend our volunteer involvement at Brentwood Elementary School this school year, we continue to support our mission partner through the Box Tops for Education program. If you haven’t started this easy way of earning cash for Brentwood, now is the time!

DOWNLOAD the app — Box Tops for Education or BTFE.com — on your smartphone
 
SELECT Brentwood Elementary School, Sarasota to earn cash for the school
 
BUY Box Tops products such as Cereal boxes Ziploc products, Scott tissue, Green Giant fresh or frozen veggies, Lysol cleaning products, Nature Valley snacks, Hefty paper products or trash bags. You’ll see the label above on the products.
                   
SCAN YOUR GROCERY STORE RECEIPT using the app to snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of purchase, and you’ll EARN cash for Brentwood! Each Box Top earns 10 cents for the school! Every Box Top helps--thank you!
Comfortable and attractive blue cloth masks with
the FPC logo are just $5.

Proceeds go to support our
youth ministries. Contact the church office to pick one up or have it mailed to you.
FPL Assistance
CARITAS is offering FPL assistance up to $100
for Sarasota County residents.
 
The CARITAS office is currently closed for in-person interviews, but you may call (941) 366-5620
Monday through Friday
from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for assistance.

Please have your SSN
and your FPL account number ready.
Resurrection House Update
Resurrection House is open each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There are still a few volunteer spots available. If interested, please contact Joe at rhlucero@verizon.net
Because of your overwhelming generosity, the clothes closet and storage rooms of Resurrection House are filled with items for clients experiencing homelessness. Thus, no more clothing items are being received for the month of April.
FPC’s Mission Partnership with
All Faiths Food Bank

Our emergency food distribution site
continues to remain open!

Thursday Mornings: 8:45 - 11:30 am
(distribution 10:00 - 11:30 am)

The food distribution is by drive-through with volunteers loading cars as clients circle in the parking lot during the allotted time. Volunteers are needed each Thursday. Task options include sorting and distributing food, setting up, cleaning up, and directing traffic.

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) 355-0809
or Dave Householder, dphouse47@gmail.com or (724) 462-4235

Please consider becoming a part of this exciting ministry
to our community!
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:
We Care Posters
Click on the list below for a list of those who have recently, or are currently, hospitalized from our congregation who have been sent a personalized We Care poster-card on behalf of our church family. Please keep them in your prayers and consider sending a message of encouragement.
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 arrives to our church office.
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.