Next Tuesday, December 7, at 11:30 a.m., all women of the church are invited to lunch for a time of fellowship at MADE Restaurant, 1990 Main Street #112, Sarasota, in Courthouse Centre. 

Beginning THIS Sunday, December 5, through Sunday, December 19 there will be a table set up for you to pick up your 2022 offering envelopes. Please pick up your envelopes so we can avoid the cost of mailing.

Resumes This Sunday, Dec. 5

This class taught by Dr. John Parks continues this Sunday, and December 12 and 19. As serious literature, good stories offer what Mathew Arnold called a “criticism of life.” Stories invite readers to a reflection upon our condition in the world. Stories to be discussed are posted below and on the church website under the “Grow” tab. They are also provided as printed hand-outs in the class and the church office one week prior to discussion.

Adult Education Zoom Class “Advent: The Season of Hope

and Expectation”

– Continues Tuesday, Dec. 7  

The class is discussing together the rich biblical and theological terms centering on the message we proclaim of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Join with others to engage in the wonder of preparing for Christ’s coming. The class is led by Elaine Barnett, an elder and a Certified Christian Educator. You can sign up for the class at any time by emailing Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com.

  

Shop from an array of Fair Trade jewelry, Christmas ornaments, toys, folk art, coffee and chocolate, collectibles, wall hangings, kitchen and tableware, and Nativity scenes. For more information, contact our member, Jean Martin, who will be serving at the event (phone 941-544-4474 or email jean.martin4474@gmail.com).

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

During this Advent and Christmas season, please remember in your prayers the families of those in our congregation who have recently died. Pray also for those who are experiencing particular health needs. Click on the link below for the prayer list:

We are grateful to our team of We Care poster artists who creatively design poster-cards for our church members when they are hospitalized. Special notes, prayers, and well wishes are written on the cards by our congregation on Sunday mornings, and the cards are mailed out.

On the link below is a list of those who have recently received a We Care poster-card. Consider how you might support them through a prayer, a card, or a phone call. Thank you for being family for one another!

Our member, Jean Hall, is moving to live near family in Winder, Georgia, a NE suburb of Atlanta. Jean has been an active member of our church for over 18 years. She will be residing at The Landing of Winter, an assisted living facility. Below is Jean’s new contact information. All who know Jean are encouraged to send notes reminding her of your love and support as she makes this transition.

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.

Thanks to your financial generosity, we are just ahead of where we were last year at this time (having received 88% of the total amount pledged for 2021), but we need to finish strong in order to prepare for the coming year. If you have not had a chance to complete a pledge card, we need you! Your gifts will make such a difference, as we prepare for a new season of ministry and service. Won’t you join us?

Electronic pledge cards are available through the church website (www.firstpressarasota.org), or you may call the church office to request a new stewardship packet. Thank you for all the ways you embody the hope that is within you!

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 on Sunday, December 19.

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 will be optional for those who are vaccinated.

· Masks will continue to be required for those who are unvaccinated. 

· With the exception that the preschool board will have the autonomy to make masking decisions affecting the preschool. 

If daily new cases rise above 10 cases per 100,000, masks will again be required when inside (for both the preschool and other church groups).  

Contact Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse, to sign up: (941) 320-3828; 4tracks@comcast.net. You may use the Quick Pass to begin the blood donation process on the day of your donation. Access Quick Pass at: https://suncoastblood.org/donate/quickpass/

 

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.