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.  

Sunday, March 24

March 24

ALL CHURCH Palm Sunday Egg Hunt and Potluck Brunch

10:00 a.m. Worship

We look forward to beginning Holy Week with you on Palm Sunday. We will mark Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem at one service at 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Children and youth are welcome to join our annual palm procession at the beginning of the service.

All are welcome following the service for an egg hunt outside and potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Children are welcome to bring their baskets to hunt for colorful eggs filled with tickets. Tickets can be redeemed at our prize table. Meanwhile, all church members and guests are welcome to enjoy food prepared by congregation members inside.

The Membership and Fellowship Committee are asking as many church members as possible to please bring a dish. Assignments will be based on your last name;

A-H: Breakfast Casseroles,

I-Q: Fruit,

R-Z: Pastries/Bread

Please let Leah Turner Cotter leah.t.cotter@gmail.com or Sue Nurczyk Flomergirl@outlook.com know if you plan on bringing a dish.

Reach out to Emily Weitekamp emily.weitekamp@gmail.com or Carrie Mills carriefmills@gmail.com with any questions about the egg hunt.

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Join us in the Sanctuary on Thursday, March 28, for communion and special music. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. 

Good Friday, March 29, 12:30 pm in the Chapel

You are invited and encouraged to attend the Good Friday service.  This short but powerful service will be a service of Tenebrae (from Latin, meaning “darkness” or “shadows”) where you will hear Mark’s account of the Passion of Jesus. You will be able to reflect as the passages are read, musical interludes are shared and the eighth candle on the communion table is extinguished after the scripture reading of the crucifixion of Jesus.  Come and be touched by the reality of Good Friday as we await the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.

No Sunday School this week

Lent Devotional for Families

 In our increasingly virtual world, the season of Lent can give us powerful opportunities to reconnect with our families, friends, faith communities, and most importantly our Creator. We have purchased a Lenten Devotional for families from Illustrated Ministry which includes scripture, reflection, discussion and coloring, a family activity, and a prayer. We know our families are busy and it's not easy to carve out the time for a devotion, much less one that includes all family members! That is why we chose one that is WEEKLY instead of daily. We will have hard copies at church each Sunday for you to take home. If you would like to receive it digitally, please email Emily at emily.weitekamp@gmail.com. 

Carrie and Emily

Education and Formation Elders

Lent Devotional

The SURE Nehemiah Action was a smashing success! There were too many of us seated from First Presbyterian for all of us to be in one photo. Chamber of Commerce CEO Heather Kasten spoke in favor of our initiative and several rousing testimonies were shared. County Commissioner Mark Smith agreed to write a plan to address our Affordable Housing Crisis, including key details that SURE has been promoting. Thank you for your support and especially your attendance to do justice.

The memorial service for Stephen Mitchell is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall.

Pastor Tim's Bible Study

Pastor Tim is offering a noon-time Zoom Bible Study on Wednesdays.

   Each class you will be studying the text for the coming Sunday’s sermon.  

One Great Hour of Sharing

The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. This special offering will be received THIS week, Palm Sunday, March 24.

PROVIDE A SHOWER AND SHOES FOR SOMEONE

The Resurrection House needs men’s athletic (tennis) shoes that are clean and in good repair. They also need hotel-size toiletries for the folks who come in for showers and supplies. So, if you have some unused shoes in the back of your closet or can collect some unused toiletries as you travel please bring them to church. There are collection bins at the entrances and at the office. Someone will be really grateful.  

 We need your help!

We serve over 150 families per week!

Volunteer at FPC's Weekly

All Faiths Food Bank Distribution

Join us on Thursday mornings to volunteer. We start packing food at 8:30 a.m. and serve from 9:30 A.M.-11:00 a.m.

You don't need to stay the whole time -- any help is welcomed.

ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK DONATION NEEDS

Boxes for donations are available at the entrance to worship

Peanut Butter

Jelly

Canned meats, Tuna, Chicken, etc.

Canned Vegetables and Fruit

Canned entrees, soups, stews, pasta etc

Cereal

Shelf stable milk

Dry mixes for cooking or baking

Rice and Beans

Specialty items for “walkup” neighbors

Peanut butter and Jelly in small containers

Canned meat with pop-up lids, Tuna, Chicken, Vienna sausage, Spam, Sardines

Snack packs, Crackers, Granola bars, Protein bars, cookies

Shelf stable Drinks

Canned or packaged entrees with pop-up lids

Canned fruit with pop-up lids 

Financial donations can be made to the church designated to All Faiths.  

Cuba Partnership

Over the next several months, our Cuba team looks forward to sharing some of our experiences. The following is the next in our series.



This was my first time traveling to Cuba. I think what stood out to me was the joy in the faces of the people at Juan G. Hall. Even though their lives are difficult and unpredictable, their faith is strong and there is a sense of peace. They are so grateful for the partnership with FPC – our prayers, our visits, and the many supplies we bring. Although they are limited in their resources, they give back so much through worship, music, art, and support to others. 

Elaine Moffitt 

The ten-member team was Graham Hart, Linda Hart, Ken Papa, Carol Papa, Sue Hargis Spigel, Elaine Moffitt, Dick Clapp, Rick Foltz, Nancy Wellinghoff, and Jay Swick.

A Deeper Dive…

New Adult Sunday Class

with Beth Knopik

Each Sunday in April, from 10:05am – 10:50am* (between services) in the Chapel, we will explore topics/questions related to Beth Knopik’s memoir, A Grace Disguised, A Mother’s Journey Through Grief to Grace. Beth will lead us through an interactive discussion, delving deeper into each topic. One does not need to read the book to participate.

Weekly topics:

April 7 - Where is God during our trials and tragedies? Why does God often seem missing or absent? How is our faith tested when our prayers (seem to) go unanswered?

April 14 - What is grace? How can we identify it? How does it lift us through trying times?

April 21 - What is the difference in perspective between asking the question, “Why me?” vs “Why not me?”. In what ways do those differences affect our faith and/or our response to loss?

April 28 - How might tragedies transform our faith in God? Our lives?

Beth Knopik is a deacon and Stephen Minister of First Presbyterian Church who tragically lost her 16-year-old daughter, Leanna, in 2012. Beth’s memoir was released in October ‘22. The weekly questions for this class were relevant and transformative in Beth’s loss.

*Choir members are welcome to join following their Sunday morning rehearsals.

Be the first to wear a Love is First shirt!

Youth sizes are available! Shirts are Sport Cool Dri fabric perfect for all activities!

Click on the link below to place and pay for your order online and have the shirts sent directly to your house (for an extra fee) or shipped to the church for easy pick up.

Short sleeve shirts are $16.00 and long sleeve shirts $21.50

First Presbyterian Church Sarasota is now live-streaming on YouTube.

Prayer List

Click on the link below for the prayer list. Thank you for praying for healing and encouragement for these dear ones.

First Presbyterian Preschool

from the desk of Clare Carter,

FPC Preschool Director

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

ACS Church Life App is Still Available

   for Download at Your App Store

We just found out that the ACS church life app is still available for download from your app store (Apple and androids). For those of you not familiar with Church Life, it is an app that is available to church members. 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. Download it now before it is no longer available through your app store.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Garcia, finance manager (941) 955-8119.

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 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.