NEWS @ FIRST
July 23, 2021
"Loaves and Fishes"
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
10:00 a.m. in-person worship in the sanctuary
Online access beginning at 10:00 a.m.
There will be a brief in-person Called Congregational Meeting
THIS Sunday, July 25, 2021
following the 10:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of electing an elder to fill an unexpired term in the class of 2022. All members are asked to participate so that a quorum is met. Click on the link below to read elder nominee Carrie Mills’ biography.
Two-Service Worship Format Resumes Sunday, August 15
We will return to a 9:00 a.m. contemporary worship service in the Fellowship Hall and an 11:00 a.m. traditional service in the sanctuary, beginning Sunday, August 15. Sunday school classes for all ages will be offered at 10:00 a.m.

Please wear your FPC name tag to church services for the benefit of our worship guests.
ON-TARGET WITH OUR MISSION STUDY PROCESS
Our Mission Study Report will be completed in the coming month and presented to the session for approval at the August stated session meeting. Then it will go to the presbytery’s Committee on Ministry for review in September.

Our Congregational Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates for a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to be elected by the congregation, likely in October.

The PNC will develop a Ministry Information Form (the MIF, or “position description”)—which will be informed by what we have learned in our mission study. Your input provided this past month through small group feedback helps the Mission Study Team and PNC accurately reflect this congregation’s history, faith, and sense of calling.

We are grateful for the many of you who shared your valuable input in this process through being a part of one of the 18 small group meetings, either face-to-face or via Zoom.
 
We thank you for your prayers as we go forward.
 
Your Mission Study Team,
Elaine Barnett, Chair
Ed Clissold
Michael Fingerle
Frank Frey
Janet Olshewsky
Joanne Simons
Emily Weitekamp
Margaret LaMotte Torrence, ex-officio
6-Week Adult Education Elective
Following Jesus Today:
Challenges and Opportunities

Continuing This Tuesday, July 20
at 11:30 a.m. via Zoom

Jesus told his disciples: “Come, follow Me.” These three words provide opportunities and present challenges to each of us. In this class, participants are considering what following Jesus means—in our personal lives and for the church. We are reflecting on both the challenges and opportunities of modern-day discipleship in light of the great ends of the church. Elaine Barnett, an elder and a Certified Christian Educator, is the class leader. You can sign-up by emailing Elaine at: ewbarnet@me.com
 
July 27:  Embrace of God
Aug 3: Worshiping God by Walking Backwards
Aug 10: What is Truth?
Aug 17: Show and Tell
Aug 24: A Costly Commitment to Love
CHILDREN AND YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL
2021-2022 KICK-OFF
AUGUST 8
BACKPACK BLESSING
10:00 am Service
 
Students of all ages, educators,
and volunteers!
 
Bring your bag or backpack for a special blessing in worship beginning at 10:00 a.m. Kids will be able to craft a special personalized backpack tag or lanyard for their bag.
AUGUST 15
RALLY DAY
 
All children, youth, volunteers, and their families (and all who want to experience the excitement) are invited to join us for RALLY DAY to kick off the beginning of Sunday School Season 2021-2022. Please meet in the Fellowship Hall at 10:10 a.m. Meet your teachers, tour your classroom, and enjoy sweet treats!
 
YOUTH Sign-Up - Come and build your
activities for the year. Your opinion matters. Let us know what mission, fellowship and activities are important to you—sign-up!
AUGUST 22
SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS
 
All Sunday School classes begin.

Please meet your
teachers in the Fellowship Hall at
10:10 a.m. All students will meet their teachers and walk upstairs together.
 
*Parents will sign in all
elementary students at this time.
Presbyterian Women Service Project
Tuesday, October 12
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Come and go as you are able

We are making breast surgery recovery pillows (that go underneath the arms or over the breast area to protect incisions) and fidget blankets (small tabletop or lap blankets with activities for dementia and Alzheimer patients to provide sensory and tactile stimulation for restless hands). All items will be donated to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. There is plenty to do in addition to sewing; no special skills required. Bring a sack lunch if you want to stay during the lunch break.

Donations of construction materials are needed. Click on the link below for a complete list. Please leave donations in the large PW mail room bin in the church office by Sunday, October 10. Be sure to call the church office to let us know you intend to attend (941) 955-8119. Come for some fun, fellowship and service! Questions? Contact Pamela Lamb at bmalp54@gmail.com.
Family Promise is grateful for everyone who has the heart to give and chooses to donate to Family Promise and the families served.

Please note that Family Promise is not able to receive or store used / household items. In the event that they are searching for gently used items, or even new items, they will make specific requests to ensure they are only collecting things for immediate use. 

Here is an alternative way that your used items can still help: Consider selling used items and donating proceeds if possible. Cash donations and gift cards are most useful for the families because financial resources can be used to meet direct needs. Thank you so much for your generosity and understanding. Family Promise and its clients appreciate all you do. 

Financial gifts may be sent to:
Family Promise of Sarasota, P.O. Box 48199, Sarasota, FL 34230
FPC Volunteers are needed for
CARITAS at HERRIG CENTER*

to interview clients needing emergency financial assistance with 
utility bills, prescription medicine, work boots,
 SCAT tickets, food and clothing.
All clients are interviewed privately in the Herrig Center,
1645 Fruitville Rd.
CDC guidelines will be followed and all will be masked. 

FPC operates with 2-3 volunteers on the
1st, 3rd & 5th Thursdays each month, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

If you are willing and able (or need further information) please contact
Brian Bowen: Call (941) 360-6717 or email bbowen38@verizon.net

*Caritas is a coalition of five churches in downtown Sarasota. Its primary purpose is to provide temporary emergency assistance to those who find themselves in acute financial need. 
Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network (FLAPDAN)
Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Read these important recommendations, restock your supply kit, and be aware of our church’s communication protocol.  
FPL Assistance
CARITAS is offering FPL assistance up to $100
for Sarasota County residents.
 
The CARITAS office is currently closed for in-person interviews, but you may call (941) 366-5620
Monday through Friday
from 9:00-11:00 a.m. for assistance.

Please have your SSN
and your FPL account number ready.
Remembering Our Church Family in Prayer
Thank you for upholding members of our congregation with special prayer needs during this time. Click on the attached link for a complete list:
We Care Posters
Click on the list below for a list of those who have recently, or are currently, hospitalized from our congregation who have been sent a personalized We Care poster-card on behalf of our church family. Please keep them in your prayers and consider sending a message of encouragement.
SunCoast Blood Drive at First Presbyterian Sunday, August 29, 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Contact Cheryl Track at 4tracks@comcast.net or (941) 320-3828 to reserve your space. Masks are required. The Quick Pass allows you to begin the blood donation process at home the day of donation. Access Quick Pass at scbb.org/donor-quick-passhtml.
 
American Heart CPR Course taught by LifeTech Instructional Services will be at FPC Sarasota Wednesday, September 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon; more information coming soon.
The Cowden-Smith Library
Library open Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
and on Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

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.
Giving Options
Please continue to mail your contributions to us at the church or donate online. Your gifts make a great difference during this challenging season.

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.

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.