We are a curious, inclusive, and diverse gathering of imperfect people united by our common hope in Jesus Christ. Through worship, study, and service we seek to know and show the transformative love of God found in the pages of scripture and revealed in the person of Jesus. No matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey, know that you are welcome here.  

You can also watch the Sunday sermons on our YouTube channel

Summer Worship Schedule

Reminder

Welcome to Our First Sunday in the Fellowship Hall!

This week marks our first Sunday worshiping together in the Fellowship Hall for the month of July. We hope you'll enjoy this opportunity to gather in a more intimate setting as we continue our summer worship season.

We will continue to worship at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall on July 5, 12, 19, 26

Before worship, we invite you to join us for fellowship from 9:00–9:50 a.m. Enjoy coffee, light refreshments, and time to visit with friends and fellow church members as we prepare our hearts for worship.

On Sunday, August 2, we will return to our regular worship schedule with the 9:00 a.m. New Song Contemporary Worship Service in the Fellowship Hall and the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service in the Sanctuary.

We look forward to worshiping with you throughout the summer and welcoming everyone back to our regular schedule in August! 

Pastor Tim Away in July


Pastor Tim will be away on vacation and study leave for the month of July. We wish him a restful and renewing time away.


If you have a pastoral care need during this time, please contact the church office at 941-955-8119. The office will connect you with a member of our Care Team, who will ensure you receive the support and follow-up you need.


Thank you for keeping Pastor Tim and his family in your prayers as they enjoy this time of rest and renewal.

Usher Training – July 5

All current and prospective ushers are invited to attend an usher training session on Sunday, July 5, at 11:15 a.m. following worship, come to the sanctuary after worship. An additional training will be held in October.

This training will review hospitality practices, worship procedures, safety protocols, and the important role ushers play in welcoming people to First Presbyterian Church.

Whether you are a longtime usher or interested in serving for the first time, we encourage you to attend. For more information or to sign up, contact James Jordan jej.jordan@gmail.com or call the church office.

It's Time 
for Our Annual Brentwood School Supply Drive!


Help us give Brentwood students a great start to the new school year! 



Our mission partner, Brentwood School, has provided a list of much-needed school supplies, and we've created an Amazon Wish List to make giving easy. Simply purchase items from the list, and they will be shipped directly to the church.

Prefer to shop in person? You're welcome to purchase school supplies locally and bring them to the church. We also welcome donations by check. Simply note "Brentwood School Supplies" in the memo line, and we will do the shopping for you.

We will collect all donated supplies and deliver them to Brentwood in time for the Welcome Back Lunch for teachers and staff.

Thank you for helping us equip Brentwood students and encourage their teachers and staff as they begin a new school year!

The deadline is Sunday, July 26 to bring supplies to church.

New things are happening Brentwood for the 2026-2027 school year....

As part of Sarasota County Schools' Future Focused Strategic Initiative, Brentwood Elementary is changing its name to Brentwood School as it transitions to a K–8 campus over the next three years. Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Brentwood will welcome its first 6th grade class, followed by 7th grade in 2027–2028 and 8th grade in 2028–2029. This phased expansion will provide students with a continuous learning environment from kindergarten through middle school, helping strengthen academic and social development.



As a mission partner, First Presbyterian Church is excited to continue supporting this Title I school as it grows. Through our annual school supply drive, volunteer efforts, and other partnerships, we remain committed to helping Brentwood School's students, teachers, and families have the resources they need for a successful school year.

On June 24, 2026, Venezuela was struck by two powerful back-to-back earthquakes, causing widespread damage and adding to the challenges already faced by communities across the country.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is coordinating an emergency response with local partners and the ACT Alliance Latin America and Caribbean Forum to provide immediate humanitarian assistance. Emergency grants are helping meet urgent needs, including temporary shelter, food, clean water, hygiene supplies, medical care, and other essential resources.

The people of Venezuela have been living through years of hardship, and these earthquakes have only deepened their need. While immediate relief is underway, recovery will take years. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance remains committed to walking alongside local partners for the long-term recovery effort, providing hope and practical support as communities rebuild.

If you would like to contribute, please make checks payable to First Presbyterian with Venezuela in the memo line.

Immigration Justice Coalition  

Recently, First Presbyterian Church became a community partner with the Immigration Justice Coalition of Southwest Florida. The mission of the Coalition is to advocate for, and support our immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seeking neighbors by:

·        Advocating for humane, lawful, and evidence-based immigration policies

·        Educating the public and decision-makers on immigration justice issues

·        Coordinating advocacy, organizing, and public engagement consistent with Coalition values

·        Protecting the dignity, safety, and confidentiality of impacted communities

One of the ways our congregation can support the work of the Coalition is by volunteering and providing donations to their Food 4 Our Neighbors emergency food pantry program that serves immigrants in our area.

Volunteers are needed to help sort and pack food on

Mondays, 9:30-11:30, and Thursdays, 1:30-3:00,

at the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd.

If interested in volunteering, contact Carol Papa, carolpapasrq@gmail.com or Susan Sanderson, susan@sandersonmn.com.     

The following food and hygiene items can be dropped off at the entrance of the Fellowship Hall or in the church office:

Essential Non-Perishables: ground corn flour, lentils, rice, beans, cooking oil, pasta, pasta sauce, canned tuna and chicken, taco shells – hard, peanut butter and jelly, canned fruit and vegetables, cereals.

Essential Hygiene Products: bath soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby diapers sizes 1-7 (but sizes 4-7 are especially needed), baby wipes.

Monetary Donations are also welcome. Checks should be made out to First Presbyterian with Food 4 Our Neighbors on the memo line. 

Letter was received from Juan G Hall 
by Carol Papa on Thursday, June 25.

Fraternal Greetings. May God continue to use us for His work. We give thanks to God for the ways in which He shows His love and His grace, which always bring hope and comfort in the midst of present difficulties.

We ask for your prayers for the people of Cuba. Today we face severe trials ranging from food shortages, the high cost of basic products, the lack of electricity and fuel, to social tensions and the deterioration of spiritual and civic values. All this has strongly affected the daily life of our families and communities, increasing insecurity and the number of vulnerable people, who are no longer only the elderly but also professionals whose average salary is not enough to cover basic needs.

We ask for your prayers for our people, that God may give us strength of spirit and lift the spirits of so many desperate and afflicted. We ask for your prayers for daily provision to sustain life in the midst of such precariousness. We ask for your prayers for the restoration of hope. We ask for your prayers for unity, so that in the midst of so many difficulties we may remain united and firm in fraternal communion, supporting one another.

May our churches remain steadfast to be a testimony of God’s work in His people. We trust that your prayers and supplications will be like pleasing incense before God, and that together, as the body of Christ, we will see a new time for our land.

Receive a fraternal embrace in the love of Christ. We thank God for your spiritual companionship and for your help, which sustains the life and mission of our church.

A strong fraternal embrace.

Blessings.

PP Josué Montejo Bayola

Juan G. Hall

College/Continuing Education/Technical School Scholarships



Interested students should go to the website www.fpcsrq.org, go to “Connect” tab and select “Youth & Families” and print an application. The application and transcripts must be received by Monday, July 27. Returning applicants need only to have a current transcript sent in along with any updated contact information. All college and technical school students are encouraged to apply.

A Celtic Christmas 2026 Planning Team



Do you love A Celtic Christmas as much as we do? This cherished annual event is made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers, and we'd love to have you join us!

If you're interested in helping plan this year's concert, please contact Kim Schmeits at 941-284-0001 or outreachandevents@vianovachorale.org.

Our next meeting is scheduled for 
Wednesday, July 15 at 2:00 p.m. 
Zoom will be available!


We hope you'll be part of making this special tradition another success!

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Hurricane season is here, and now is the time to prepare your family, home, and neighborhood. Create an emergency plan, know your evacuation level, and stock a disaster supply kit with enough essentials to last at least seven days, as extended power outages are possible and emergency responders cannot assist once winds reach 45 mph.

No two storms are alike, so preparation is essential. Find preparedness guides, checklists, and evacuation information at scgov.net/beprepared.

Chapel News

“Solitude is the place where our own hearts discover our deep yearning to be loved unconditionally and to love with our whole beings… it is the place of the great encounter from which all other encounters derive their meaning.”

-Henri Nouwen

 The Chapel is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

We Need Your Help!



Each week, First Presbyterian Church’s All Faiths Food Bank distribution serves more than 200 families—and volunteers are essential to making it possible. As many of our regular “snowbird” volunteers head out for the season, we especially need extra helping hands right now.

Join us on Thursday mornings in the south/back parking lot. We begin packing food at 8:00 a.m., and distribution runs from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. You don’t need to stay the entire time—any amount of help is truly a blessing.

Our drive-through food distribution continues to grow as we respond to increasing needs in our community. Each family receives a generous mix of dry goods, fresh produce, bakery items, dairy, and meat.

Ways you can help:

Volunteer:

We would love to have you join us Thursday mornings to help pack bags and serve our neighbors. No experience is needed—we’ll show you everything. Individuals, couples, families, and students needing service hours are all welcome.

Donate:

Every gift makes a difference. Donations may be made to FPC with “Food Bank” in the memo line.

Thank you for helping us be the hands and feet of Christ as we serve our neighbors with compassion and care.

🗓 When: Thursday mornings

⏰ Food packing begins: 8:00 a.m.

🌟 Distribution: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

📍 Where: First Presbyterian Church, south/back parking lot

Even an hour of your time can make a real difference.

Please enjoy two collages below from Montreat along with a collective collage of our VBS pictures! Thank you to Mariah Martin for putting the Montreat collage together. Also, if you would like to view our VBS video, you can find it HERE.

First Presbyterian Preschool

from the desk of Clare Carter, 

FPC Preschool Director

Congratulations

First Presbyterian Preschool

Class of 2026!

Dear First Presbyterian Church Preschool Friends and Families,

What a year it’s been. As we wrap up another beautiful chapter, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sharing your children with us. Your trust, support, and partnership have made it a joy and an honor to be part of your child’s early childhood education.

Our Senior Send-Off and Butterfly Balls were full of love and laughter. Thank you to our amazing staff for making it all come to life. Your creativity and devotion shine brightly, and we're grateful to work beside each of you.

Thanks to Olivia Prater and Live it Up Events for the stunning balloon arch! It created the perfect photo backdrop and added a special touch to our celebration.

And to Nichole Niffenegger, who captured our graduates so beautifully—the photo link is coming soon, and we can’t wait for our senior families to see their photos! We are so grateful you have a gift for preserving these precious moments. And, we can’t wait to see the graduation highlights that Mimi Gilbert and Behind the Memories have for us soon. Look for them on Instagram and Facebook!

Thank you to Olivia Craig for creating our senior slideshow. What a gift you’ve given us. Watching it through the eyes (and tears!) of our families was truly a gift. You combed through countless photos and captured their wonder, wisdom, joy, and one-of-a-kind spirit.

To our Seniors: as your preschool journey comes to a close, we want you to know that we are so proud of you and that we love you very much. Your wings are strong, and you are ready to fly. We’ve watched you grow into curious, kind, strong, and empathetic humans. You have learned to help each other, cheer each other on, and fill each other's buckets with kindness. Whether it was a smile, a helping hand, or kind words, you've made our school a place where everyone feels loved. Your preschool family loves you more than words can say.

We’d also like to thank Scott McLeod and Rachel Martin, our audio-visual technicians extraordinaire. There wasn't a dry eye in the sanctuary when the commencement music began. And Eric Robinson, Director of Christian Education, for making our preschool families feel so welcome. We are incredibly grateful to First Presbyterian Church for being the home of our preschool and for the love and care shown to our children, families, and staff.

Finally, thank you to all our families, whether this was your first year or one of many. Thank you for being part of our community. You are what makes our school so special, and we are deeply grateful for you. You've welcomed us into your lives; we hold that gift with love and deep gratitude. We wish you a summer full of sunshine, laughter, and sweet moments of rest. We can’t wait to welcome you back again soon!

With love and gratitude,

Clare, Lydia, and your First Pres. Preschool Family

Cheryl's Monthly Health Awareness ........

Summer is Here! Don't Forget to do Regular Skin Self-Exams

The American Cancer Society does not have guidelines for the early detection of skin cancer. However, many doctors and other experts recommend that everyone check their own skin regularly. 

Please see tips from American Cancer Society and have a healthy, safe summer!

www.cancer.org/sunsafety

Pastoral Care

When you or a loved one is hospitalized, it is important that you contact the church or the pastor to inform us directly and inform the hospital that you are a member of our congregation and would welcome a visit. Hospitals will not contact the church. We have also discovered that some will no longer list a patient as our church member on their internal records unless the patient carefully notes their relationship with our congregation. Thank you for your assistance.

We’re Here for You!

The FPC care team, deacons, elders, and church staff continue to be available for you. Please feel free to reach out to Cheryl Track, Faith Community Nurse, at (941) 320-3828 or call the church office at (941) 955-8119 if we can support you.