following the World Communion Sunday Worship Service

All church members are asked to participate in this important congregational meeting. Both in-person and Zoom participants will be able to vote. This is a milestone moment as we elect the PNC that will conduct the search for our next pastor! The Zoom link is below:

· One Combined Worship Service at 10:00 a.m.

We will celebrate World Communion Sunday by sharing the Lord’s Supper together, along with followers of Jesus around the world!

· Dedication of Pledges

During the service, an opportunity will be given to bring pledge cards forward and place them in a basket as a symbol of the dedication of our lives to the purposes of God. If you have already submitted your pledge, or have not yet had the opportunity to complete one, blank forms will be available for your use, so that all may participate.

· Congregational Meeting at 11:15 a.m.

The meeting to elect church officers, a congregational nominating committee, and a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) will follow the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Members may take part and vote either in person or via Zoom.

If you intend to participate via Zoom, please note that each voting member will need to sign on from their own smartphone or computer in order to vote. We do not have the capability to record more than one vote from a single device. If you have questions, please call Rachel Martin in the office (941) 955-8119 well in advance of the October 3 meeting.

In response to falling COVID-19 rates in our area, the session will no longer require masks in outdoor spaces on the church campus.

Masks will continue to be required of all persons (over the age of two) while inside, if there is more than one person in a room.

We do this out of concern:

For our children, who are not able to receive vaccinations;

For the most vulnerable members of our community, who may be at risk, even if vaccinated;

For the larger community, to help slow the spread of the virus.

The session will revisit the policy again at its next stated meeting, October 26, and is deeply grateful for the patience and support that this community has demonstrated through these long months. We honor God as we care for each other. 

On Sunday, October 31, we will be observing All Saints’ Day with communion. There will be one combined service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Having celebrated the Lord’s Supper on October 31, communion will not be served on November 7, our regular first Sunday of the month. We will resume our usual schedule with communion on Sunday, December 5.

In preparation for the October 31 All Saints’ Day service, all from our church family are invited to email photos of loved ones (members or non-members) who have died November 1, 2020 – present to Rachel Martin ([email protected]). Please include your name and their name, their date of birth and death (if known), and your relationship to the deceased, We are planning a special slide presentation as a part of the service to commemorate those who have died in the last year.

If you are interested in membership with this vibrant congregation, please contact Margaret LaMotte Torrence, Transitional Pastor ([email protected])

or call the church office (941) 955-8119.

MISSION STUDY TEAM REPORT 

The report is available on the church website: https://firstpressarasota.org/ You may receive a paper copy of the report after the worship services, or request a copy by calling the office at (941) 955-8119.

· Peace and Global Witness Offering

The Peace and Global Witness Offering supports the efforts of the church at every level and provides witness to God’s gift of peace in the world. Gifts to the offering are divided in the following manner: 25% designated by our Mission and Justice Committee, will go to PC(USA) / Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for humanitarian relief in Afghanistan and Haiti ; 25% will be used to support presbytery and synod peacemaking efforts; and 50% will be forwarded to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

We will receive this special offering on World Communion Sunday, October 3. We hope everyone can participate in this important sharing of our treasure.

Be among the many who have attended a SURE House Meeting.  If you haven't as yet, Team Leaders Judy and Phil Kuebbeler look forward to you joining their group  via ZOOM on Monday, October 11 at 7 pm.  Register on the link below. 

New Adult Education Class

This class via Zoom will be taught by Elaine Barnett beginning on Wednesday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m., and continuing Wednesdays through November 10. You may sign-up by emailing Elaine at [email protected].

On this World Communion Sunday, the Invest in Children initiative is blessed to be part of the weaving that appears on the Communion Table today.  The note below was submitted with the fabric .. . 

Woven into the fabric of our church is our commitment to mission and justice. One of our key mission partners is Brentwood Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Sarasota. The many ways our congregation has invested in the Brentwood students are represented by this piece of a Brentwood T-shirt containing the school’s Superstar logo.   

A special event on Saturday in the Fellowship Hall for our church and community will include a panel discussion led by members of the Manasota Interracial Book Club, a thriving group inspired by Rev. Roberts three years ago. Rev. Roberts will also offer a presentation exploring avenues everyday people can take to help build a more just and equitable society. He will preach in both worship services on Sunday, October 24.

Betsy Cairns

8750 Westminster Terrace #5118

Dallas, TX 75243

Jean Luker

412 Highway 87 N

Pittsboro, NC 27312-7229

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

NEXT TRIP: Wednesday, October 27

Peace River Presbyterian Women’s autumn retreat is on Saturday, October 16, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church in Fort Myers.

Tuesday, October 12,

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., making breast surgery recovery pillows and fidget blankets (for dementia and Alzheimer patients for restless hands). No special skills required. Bring a sack lunch. Donations of construction materials needed by October 10 (see list in News@First). All welcome! Click on the link below to read all the details!

The Music Club is happy to announce that this season, on the third Friday of each month, October 2021 through March 2022, all are invited to their performances at First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy the music. The first program will be October 15 at 10:00 a.m. All programs are free of charge. Performing in the October program will be Jane Hoffman, flutist, accompanied by Donald Bryn at the piano. They will be performing Broadway show tunes.

iTNSunCoast needed to discontinue its senior transportation services due to a lack of volunteer drivers. The organization hopes to regroup, build up a new fleet of volunteer drives, and resume operations in the future. iTNSunCoast has provided a list of transportation alternative which may be accessed below: 

Sarasota County Public Libraries offers a virtual class Wednesday, September 29, 4:00-5:30 p.m. to help us be better stewards of our own mental health and the collective mental health of our community. We will also discuss mindfulness and the healing power of nature. The speakers are Dr. Kathleen Moore, Executive Director of the Florida Mental Health Institute (FMHI) at the University of South Florida, and Dr. Amanda Sharp, USF faculty member affiliated with FMHI. Link for registration in News@First.

Mark your calendar for our next SunCoast Blood Drives, October 24 and December 19. 

There is a library book cart in the narthex with 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.

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.

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.

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.