The work of an interim pastor has a beginning and an end, and Margaret’s time with us is drawing to a close. Her last Sunday will be May 22. We will celebrate her ministry with one combined service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception. Margaret has requested that no love offering be taken; she would be delighted for any contributions in her honor to go to the FPC General Fund. Please note “in honor of Margaret” in the memo line.

Position descriptions and nominating forms are available in the entryway (along with a box for you to submit completed forms). The due date for submissions is Sunday, May 8. Please be in prayer for the committee as they undertake this work of discernment.

mhorner@firstpressarasota.org, with any questions.

First Presbyterian Church is excited to bring back FPC Day Camp in partnership with Cedarkirk’s Traveling Day Camp! A few years ago Cedarkirk decided to bring their camp programs on the road to different Presbyterian churches in the area. This is such a fun and amazing way to get the "overnight" camp experience but without spending the night.

Last Sunday afternoon, April 24, in the Fellowship Hall, 102 people of all ages gathered to pack 21,000 meals to be transported into Poland and Ukraine. A BIG thank you goes to the many who participated!

A special thank you goes to Mark Selis, from All Ears Hearing, for coming to FPC last Sunday, providing free hearing screenings for 21 people! Cheryl Track, our Faith Community Nurse, says, “I hope that those who attended will take Mark’s advice if your hearing has been impacted and you need follow up.” For assistance, contact Cheryl 4tracks@comcast.net (941) 320-3828.

Parents, grandparents, and students, please email Molly Horner mhorner@firstpressarasota.org), Children and Youth Coordinator, with the name of your graduate, school graduating from, type of degree obtained, and a brief description of future plans (i.e., entering [name of college] in the fall), by Sunday, May 8. We would welcome news of impending graduations from high school, college, technical training programs or graduate schools. There is so much to celebrate!

SURE network members invite you to the Annual SURE Celebration to be held at our church next Monday, May 2, at 6:00 p.m. All SURE congregations will be a part of this event.

Presbyterian Women  

The 2022-2023 PW Horizons Bible study guide, Celebrating the Sabbath, by Carol M. Bechtel is now available to order.

If you would like one ordered for you and are not already on the list, please contact Flossie Paul at way2goflo@gmail.com. Copies cost $10. Large print costs $15.

One way that we are hands and feet of Christ in the world is through the Annual Birthday Offering received each spring. This year the Birthday Offering observes a century of generous giving totaling almost $37 million to-date. It is an annual tradition for givers and receivers around the world.

Donations for this year's Birthday Offering can be sent to the church office. Checks should be made out to Presbyterian Women with Birthday Offering in the memo line. On May 8, special envelopes will be in your church bulletin, and a collection table set up at the church entrances to receive your donation. For more information, go to presbyterianwomen.org/birthday.

In this class we will explore what it means to live out the grace of God and perceive God’s amazing grace around us. This class will be led by Elaine Barnett via Zoom and held Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. beginning May 17. Please register through the weblink below.

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.

Please pray for those who are experiencing particular health needs and consider sending a note of encouragement. Click on the link below for the prayer list:

We appreciate 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 next blood drive at First Presbyterian is Sunday, June 12, 8:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Due the significant decline in COVID rates in our area, masks are optional for worship and while in any buildings on campus for those who are fully vaccinated.

First Presbyterian Preschool Website firstprespreschoolsarasota.org

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.

 Church Life is an app that is available to church members with iPhones or Androids. 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. Here are two simple steps:

1) Download ACS Church Life from your App Store using either iPhone or Android (Blackberry and other mobile devices can enter www.churchlife.mobi from any mobile browser).

2) Log in. Use the same username/email and password you use for your member login on our website.