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.  

Technical Difficulties with Sunday Live-Streaming

We are aware that our Sunday live-stream has experienced technical difficulties in recent weeks, and we sincerely apologize for the interruptions. Our staff and volunteers are actively working to identify and resolve the issues as quickly as possible so that we can provide a reliable online worship experience.



Thank you for your patience, understanding, and grace as we work through these challenges. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to having our live-stream operating smoothly again soon.

You can also watch the Sunday sermons on our YouTube channel

Summer Worship in the Fellowship Hall

Join us each Sunday in July for our 10:00 a.m. worship service in the Fellowship Hall. We are enjoying this opportunity to gather together in a more intimate setting during our summer worship season.

Following worship, we invite you to stay for coffee hour immediately after the service. Enjoy coffee, light refreshments, and time to visit with friends as we continue our fellowship together.

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!

Immigration Justice Coalition

First Presbyterian Church is partnering with the Immigration Justice Coalition of Southwest Florida to support immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Volunteer with the Food 4 Our Neighbors pantry on Mondays (9:30–11:30 a.m.) or Thursdays (1:30–3:00 p.m.) at the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota (3975 Fruitville Rd.). Contact Carol Papa (carolpapasrq@gmail.com) or Susan Sanderson (susan@sandersonmn.com).



Drop off non-perishable food, hygiene items, diapers, and baby wipes at the Fellowship Hall entrance or church office. Our first delivery is August 3—please donate soon! Checks may be made payable to First Presbyterian with "Food 4 Our Neighbors" in the memo line.

Summer First Connect Bible Study:

Revealed – The Word and Work of Christ in the Gospels  

Note Time Change

The 8-week summer Bible study continues this week. This discussion-based study moves beyond traditional lectures, inviting participants to engage deeply with Scripture, explore its context, and discover the nature of Christ through his words and actions. 


We will begin by examining Jesus’ personal, face-to-face encounters with individuals and what they reveal about his character, mission, and love.

All are welcome, join in the library on Sundays July 12, 19, & 26 (9:00-9:55 a.m.) August 2, 9 (10:00-10:55 a.m.)

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.

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


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

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

July 20–August 20, 2026

Take advantage of Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday and help Brentwood students start the school year with the supplies they need! During the tax holiday, qualifying school supplies ($50 or less per item), clothing and footwear ($100 or less per item), learning aids and puzzles ($30 or less), and personal computers ($1,500 or less) are tax-free.

You can support Brentwood by shopping from our Amazon Wish List, with items shipped directly to the church, or by purchasing supplies locally and bringing them to the church. Prefer to give financially? Make your check payable to First Presbyterian Church and write "Brentwood School Supplies" in the memo line—we'll do the shopping for you.

Please place donations in the collection boxes in the Fellowship Hall foyer or bring them to the church office by Sunday, July 26. All donations will be delivered before Brentwood's Welcome Back Lunch for teachers and staff.

Thank you for helping Brentwood's students, teachers, and staff begin the new school year well equipped!

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.

Join Our Tech Team!


We're looking for volunteers to help support our worship services by serving on our Tech Team. Opportunities include running slides, operating cameras, and assisting with sound and live streaming. No prior experience is necessary—we'll provide training.

If you'd like to use your gifts in this important ministry, or would like to learn more, please contact Jimi Camastro jimic.thesoundlounge@gmail.com

Your help can make a meaningful difference in our worship each Sunday!

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School

Joys and Heartbreak in Cárdenas, Cuba

Last month, with the generosity of our congregation, we were able to successfully place a food order through Supermarket 23. The pastor and session of Juan G. Hall have expressed their sincere gratitude. And despite the daily difficulties in Cuba, the congregation continues to be faithful in carrying out the ministries of the church.



Recipients of the Bethlehem Light ministry enjoy meals and social activities three times a week. Those who are homebound are served their meals, with a time of fellowship, in their home. 

Prayer for Cuba from Josué Montejo Bayola, pastor of Juan G. Hall:


Shortages have become part of daily life: prolonged blackouts that plunge families into darkness—not only the darkness of the night but also the darkness of daily life—fill us with uncertainty. Questions arise hand in hand with the needs of each household: What to cook? What to cook with? (charcoal, firewood, sawdust, among others). The absence of drinking water limits the essentials and brings despair and conflict among neighbors. The lack of medicines turns common illnesses into true death sentences. Insufficient wages, faced with abysmal inflation, mean that even professionals with higher salaries live in vulnerability. Desolation hangs over our nation like a mantle that robs smiles, dreams, and hopes, because without a present there can be no future.

Let us pray together that the Lord may be the strength of these people. Let us pray that paths of provision and justice may open to relieve the weariness of so many years. Let us pray that His presence may renew hope and give us courage to transform what can no longer remain as it is. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that God can make a way where there is none and work in ways we cannot understand.

Let us pray for peace, that peace which is born when the lion and the lamb graze together. Let us pray for those who believe power is in their hands, forgetting that God is sovereign. Let us pray for the Cuban people, those inside and those outside the island. Let us cry out to God for Cuba.

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.

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.