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NEWS @ FIRST
September 16, 2022
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All are welcome at
First Presbyterian Church!
We hope that you experience
the love of God
and of this congregation
as we worship,
celebrate, and serve
with one another.
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SUNDAY, September 25, 2022
TWO WORSHIP SERVICES
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
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Farewell Reception for Craig and Donna Miller
This Sunday, September 25
10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
This Sunday will be our last Sunday with Craig Miller, bridge/interim pastor. There will be a reception for Craig and Donna during the 10:00 a.m. coffee hour. Please take time to thank them for their time with us. We are grateful for Craig’s leadership for the past four months and congratulate him as he returns to retirement life! There will be a basket at the reception to accept notes of thanks and gratitude.
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COVID Update
On September 16, 2022, the CDC assessed Sarasota County’s COVID risk level as “medium.”
Thank you for doing what we can to slow the spread of the virus. Since we have now returned to a “medium” risk assessment in the county, masks will be optional for those who are fully immunized.
Below is an easy-to-use CDC link to show current risk assessment by county:
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The Education & Formation Committee wants to hear from you!
Planning is underway to offer our entire congregation a year of opportunities to learn about and grow closer to God. The Education and Formation Committee is looking for your ideas. Please complete the brief online survey using the link or QR code below to contribute your opinion. The survey will remain active until the end of September, although we are beginning to review responses as they are received. Please reach out to Emily Weitekamp or Carrie Mills with your questions.
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Children and Youth News
The Youth and Children Ministry is off and running! For the first four weeks, we are learning about the practice of “making peace,” looking at where it shows up in the Bible, and how we can practice it in our own lives. See you there!
We are making plans for a fun-filled and meaningful fall together! Please fill out the Information & Permission Form below for each child or youth who will be participating in Sunday School and/or other programs.
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Click on the link below to view the upcoming events and to find out more about Sunday School, ideas for Practicing the Practice in Your Home, and ways that you can volunteer.
Mark Your Fall Calendars
for Family Intergenerational Events
• Oct. 30 - Pumpkin Carving Party • Nov. 27 - Advent Workshop
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Come Paint a Rock THIS SUNDAY!
As part of this stewardship season, we can help to continue the tradition of welcoming those who seek to grow in God's love and grace.
There will be an intergenerational rock painting activity THIS Sunday, September 25, during the fellowship coffee hour starting at 10:00 a.m. Paint pens and rocks will be provided, or you can bring your own rock. All levels of talent are welcome!
Each rock will be labeled with our church logo, QR code, and "All are welcome here!" Once painted and labeled, the rocks will be placed around town, inviting those who find them to discover FPC.
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PW Bible study meets next Wednesday, September 28 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. We will continue the Horizons Bible Study "Celebrating Sabbath." The study guide is not necessary to join and all women are invited. Contact Elaine (Email: ewbarnet@me.com) for the Zoom link. | |
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World Communion Sunday - October 2, 2022
One Service at 10:00 a.m.
We will welcome back our 2020 bridge pastor, Rev. Dr. Kathleen Wiggins as guest preacher.
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Peace and Global Witness Offering
Peace is active, not passive. Peace is doing, not waiting. We celebrate that we are offered what we need to continue the work of building the household of God with active peacemakers here at home and around the world.
As a shared offering, your gifts on World Communion Sunday to the Peace and Global Witness Offering support peacemaking in your own community, your own region and places around the world. Thank you for your generosity; for when we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.
We will receive this special offering on World Communion Sunday, October 2.
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Volunteer Day Trip
to Beth-El Farmworker Ministry
Sponsored by
the Mission and Justice Committee
NEXT Wednesday, September 28
Work at Beth-El: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Be a part of the group from First Presbyterian, Sarasota, that gathers at Beth-El Farmworker Ministry in Wimauma to volunteer sorting food or related activities on the last Wednesday of each month. This mission partner distributes food to help 600-900 folks each week. To sign up or for more information, contact Dave Householder at dphouse47@gmail.com; call or text (724) 462-4235.
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Adult Education Opportunities
Tyranny and the Founding Fathers
Led by Hendrick “Hal” Serrie, Ph.D.
- Sundays, October 16 – November 20, 2022 - 10:00 a.m. during the Fellowship Hour
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· Enough:
God’s Blessings
in Abundance
Led by Elaine Barnett via Zoom
Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.
Oct 18 - Nov 8
Sign-up by emailing Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com
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FPC's Weekly All Faiths Food Distribution
We have expanded our food offering and are now averaging over 100 families per week!
Join us on Thursday mornings to volunteer. We start packing food at 8:30 a.m. and serve from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Invest in Children - Brentwood Elementary School
More volunteers needed!
To join the FPC group of volunteers, contact Jinny or Ron Miller at church or call them at their Sunnyside home, (941) 371-2750 (ext. 554), or by email at jinnyron@gmail.com.
Click on the link below to view the flyer with all the details!
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Handbell Workshop
Wednesday, October 19, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
Terri Chapman, Associate Conductor of Ring Sarasota and Music Director at Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church will conduct a beginning handbell workshop teaching handbell techniques. Let Karen Olson know if you would be interested in the workshop:
klolso@comcast.net
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Family Promise Casual Luncheon and Recognition Event
- Saturday, October 22, 2022, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. on grounds of St. Boniface Episcopal Church. No charge. Register by October 8; email Joanne Simons, SimonsJC1@gmail.com
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Join the FPC Mission Trip
to Our Partner Church in Cárdenas, Cuba
February 9 – 15, 2023
Interested individuals and families may now sign up for the planned trip to Juan G. Hall Presbyterian Church in Cárdenas, Cuba, in the province of Matanzas. Some members of our congregation visited in two previous trips, and Pastor Alison Infante Zamora spoke here in 2017. COVID delayed us from building on the relationship that we had started—but we are ready to begin anew.
A planning group (Dave Householder, Rachel Martin, Jay Swick,
Sue Hargis Spigel, Karen Olson, and Graham Hart) is working out the details. Talk to any of these folks to learn more. We will need both “senders” (folks to pray, help get things ready, and provide transportation to and from the airport, etc.) and “goers” to make the trip possible. To sign up, send a note to Dphouse47@gmail.com with what you would like to do.
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Cowden-Smith Library Hours
Library open Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
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.
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Mental Health First Aid Refresher Class
If you took the Mental Health First Aid class April 2019 at First Presbyterian and would like to renew your certification, First Presbyterian will be hosting the class Friday, September 30, 9:00a.m. - 11:00 a.m. There will be no charge if you would like to attend the class without certification. $30 for certification. Tracy Daniels, BayCare Behavioral Health Educator, will be the instructor. Please contact Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse to register by Monday, September 19, (941) 320--3828, 4tracks@comcast.net
NAMI Walks Your Way - October 8, Payne Park
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is sponsoring this walk in Payne Park, FPC’s neighbor. The event is to promote public awareness of mental health and reduce stigma, raise funds, and build community.
• REGISTRATION: 8:00 a.m. • WALK KICKS OFF: 9:30 a.m.
• CLOSING CEREMONY: 11:30 a.m.
The walk features food vendors, raffles, DJ, face painting, fire truck, specialty T-shirts, and community resource tables. Register today using the link below:
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Our Condolences
Our brother, Jim Jackson died Sunday, September 18, 2022. He and his wife, Elaine, joined FPC in 1977. They were active in leadership and dearly beloved. A memorial service will be held at Sunnyside Chapel Sunday, October 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Thank you for keeping the Jackson family in your prayers. Notes of condolence may be sent to Jim’s son:
Jim Jackson, Jr.
6214 Doe Circle East, Lakeland, FL 33805
Remembering Our Church Family in Prayer
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:
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We Care Poster-Card Recipients
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!
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Staying Connected with the Pastor and Church Staff,
Session Members, and Deacons
By clicking on the link below you can easily access a printable document with the names and positions of your church leaders. Use this list when you want to contact them, send a word of encouragement, or pray for them!
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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.
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.
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Changes to Church Life App
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.
Beginning November 1, 2022 the Church Life app will no longer be available in your cellphone’s App Store. If you want to use the online directory via the Church Life app, please download it now from your App Store for your IOS and Android’s phones. If you have the Church Life app now on your phone you will not lose the app, but you cannot reinstall it once it has been deleted after November 1. After the November deadline you can go to Churchlife.mobi using the search engine of your choice and you can log in using your email address and password.
Here’s how to access church member information:
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.
You can bring your phone into the church office and Lisa Garcia, Finance Manager, would be happy to help you navigate getting Church Life on your phone. Please call (941) 955-8119 to set up a time.
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