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NEWS @ FIRST
October 28, 2022
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Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 6
Remember to set your clocks back Saturday night, November 5!
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Stewardship
This past Sunday, we celebrated Stewardship Commitment Sunday. Thank you to those who have stepped forward in faith with your 2023 pledge. If you have not made your pledge, it’s not too late! All pledges are needed—you can return your pledge card to the church office or pledge online through the church website: www.FirstPresSarasota.org and select member login.
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This Sunday, October 30
As part of stewardship season, we also hosted a creative project to continue our tradition of welcoming those who seek to grow in God’s love and grace. An intergenerational rock painting activity was held earlier this month and another one is scheduled for this Sunday during the 10:00 a.m. coffee hour. Once all the rocks have been painted and labeled with our church logo and a QR code, they will be placed around town, inviting those who find them to discover FPC!
If you haven’t seen this year’s stewardship video, you may view it by clicking on the link below:
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Inquirers' Class
An Inquirers' Class is planned for Sunday, November 13, 10:00 a.m.
If you are interested in learning more about this dynamic congregation, contact the church office (941) 955-8119.
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Children and Youth News
Pumpkin Carving Party
THIS Sunday, October 30
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Outside in the courtyard by the Fellowship Hall - *BYOPumpkin*
Why make the mess at home? Join us for this festive fellowship and gooey, goopy gathering to decorate and/or carve your pumpkin.
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Adult Education Opportunities
Tyranny and the Founding Fathers
Led by Hendrick “Hal” Serrie, Ph.D.
- Continues This Sunday, October 30, through November 20, 2022
10:00 a.m. in room 203
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Enough: God’s Blessings in Abundance
Led by Elaine Barnett via Zoom
Continues Next Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.
Through November 21 (***Note extended date!)
Sign-up by emailing Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com
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HURRICANE IAN
COLLECTION - Sunday, November 6
for Misión Peniel & Beth-El
Farmworker Communities
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We at First Presbyterian, Sarasota, are mobilizing to help meet the needs of farm worker families served through our mission partners, Misión Peniel (Immokalee) and
Beth-El Farmworker Ministry (Wimauma) following the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
Both mission partners need:
· Canned fruit, vegetables and meat; dry cereal, pasta, pinto beans, and rice
· Toiletries
· Monetary donations to buy food in bulk or to meet specific individual needs.
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Misión Peniel especially needs:
· Household goods, pots and pans, sheets, and pillows
· Caps, sweaters, jackets, and rain gear
Donations will be accepted at the entrance to both services on Sunday, November 6, and in the church office through
Thursday, November 10. Checks may be made payable to First Presbyterian Church with “Farm workers” in the memo line. Thank you!
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Presbyterian Women
As Presbyterian Women, we show deep gratitude for God's blessings by giving to ministries and programs that lift up people and communities. Through the annual Thank Offering, PWs gather their funds together and provide meaningful support to programs that provide housing for disadvantaged people, health and nutrition education, life-skills and job training and so much more. To date, nearly $27 million has been granted to more than 1,600 projects.
This year's Thank Offering recipients received $279,490 in grants. For details, go to presbyterian women.org/thank. Please give as you are blessed as a “thank offering to the Lord.” To participate, checks should be made out to Presbyterian Women with Thank Offering in the memo line and mailed to, or dropped off in, the church office. The offering will be received on Sunday, November 6, with an envelope provided in your bulletin.
Thank you for your continued support of the Thank Offering.
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SURE Community Problems Assembly
Sponsored by the Mission and Justice Committee
SURE Network members from all 22 congregations will gather on Monday, November 7, 6:00 p.m. at Greater Hurst Chapel AME, 2730 North Links Avenue, Sarasota 34234, to vote to decide the SURE research agenda for 2023.
Congregations have submitted concerns voiced at recent house meetings. This vote by SURE network members will determine what research teams will be established. Our work will then entail what is addressed at the annual Nehemiah Assembly on April 24, 2023. FPC SURE Network Members are encouraged to attend this important meeting. Please contact Team Leaders
Ann Opdycke or Dorothy Murphy with your attendance affirmation. We always need others “to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
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Invest in Children
On this Reformation Sunday, we are reminded that one of the principles of the Reformed Church (us!) is being involved in Public Education! Because of this mandate, our Invest in Children Initiative became involved with Brentwood Elementary School (BES) in 2017.
As part of that involvement, we will again support BES through our annual Blessing Trees where golden stars will offer ways to support children from Brentwood families in need with gift cards to brighten their Christmas joy. Hurricane Ian has added to their needs, so watch for the trees and be a blessing to these BES families that are facing challenges! The trees will appear November 20.
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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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Hanging of the Greens
Sunday, November 20
The glory of Lebanon
will come to you, the pine,
the fir and the cypress together
to adorn the place of my sanctuary;
and I will glorify the place of my feet.
- Isaiah 60:13
Please join us on Sunday, November 20 after the 11:00 a.m. worship service as we decorate the church for the Christmas season. Contact Frank Frey at (941) 587-7992 to register for this event.
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Inter-Generational Activity at Mothers Helping Mothers
Sponsored by FPC’s Membership and Fellowship Committee
Monday, November 21, 2022, 9:00 a.m. to noon
5933 North Washington Blvd., Sarasota (2/10 of a mile south of University Blvd.)
Mothers Helping Mothers is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization providing necessities, such as clothing and baby items free of charge to families in Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties. They are a valued partner with Family Promise. Mothers Helping Mothers needs our help on Monday, November 21. Join our FPC group as we sort donations, stock the shelves, and work to improve their store. There will be tasks appropriate for youth and adults. For more information contact Joanne Simons - SimonsJC1@gmail.com or 703-798-7330. Use the link to sign up to help.
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Join the FPC Mission Trip
to Our Partner Church in Cárdenas, Cuba
February 8 – 1, 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. 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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Prayer List
Click on the link below for the prayer list. Thank you for praying for healing and encouragement for these dear ones.
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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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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.
Our Condolences
Our brother, Jim Jackson, died on Sunday, September 18. The memorial service will be tomorrow--Saturday, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. at Sunnyside Village Chapel (5201 Bahia Vista, Sarasota). Donations in memory of Jim may be made to Sunnyside Village Foundation or to First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota.
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Be a Congregational Health Promoter
with Our Health Team!
If you are interested in working with the Health Ministry Team to implement health care programs, education and events, you can apply to register for the virtual training course held on Wednesday, November 9, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. through the link in News@First. Please contact Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse, for more information, 4tracks@comcast.net or (941) 320-3828.
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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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