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, October 20

World Communion Sunday

Campus Clean-Up Sunday, October 20

Presbyterian Disaster Workshop for Adults and Families

October 20, 12-2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

First, we pray that you and your family are safe after Hurricane Milton. We’ve had three hurricanes in two months, which have affected not only our area, but Hurricane Helene also devastated large parts of the mid-south. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been at the front lines of responding with life-giving financial and material support, and these natural disasters have brought to light the importance of our own faithful, Christian response.

To better equip us to faithfully prepare for and respond to future weather events as families and as a church, we're hosting a disaster response and preparedness workshop. Kathy Broyard, head of Florida's Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, will lead the event. It will be informative and interactive, with hands-on activities for children and adults.

Creation *note date change

Tuesdays Starting October 22 on Zoom



In scripture, we are introduced to different ways of picturing God and the creation God made. This class will consider these diverse images through biblical perspectives on creation- celebrating creation in Psalms and Genesis, reflecting on the “wilds” of creation in Proverbs, and anticipating the hope of the new creation in Romans and Revelation. This class will be held via Zoom beginning Tuesday, *October1 5, at 11:30, and will run for 6 Tuesdays. The class will be led by Elaine Barnett, a member of First Presbyterian, an ordained Elder, and a Certified Christian Educator. 

October 22 “At Home in Creation”  Psalm 104

October 29 “In the Beginning”         Genesis 1: 1-2:3

November 5 “In the Garden”            Genesis 2: 4b-3:24

November 12 “Into the Wild”             Job 1-3, 36-42

November 19 “In Play”                          Proverbs 8: 22-31

November 26 “Into the Future: The New Creation” Romans 8:18-23

       Revelation 21:1-22:5​

Spotlight on Adult Education

Rethinking Vocation meets next on October 23 at Noon via Zoom or Room 203

We will continue our study of Eric’s boo in chapter 3, where we’ll look at the realities of work and workplace inequality in 21st-century America, and how this might shape our understanding of vocation and calling.

Centering Prayer

Sometimes, we feel dissatisfaction in our spiritual life, which is, in fact, an invitation to deepen our relationship with God. Centering Prayer is a spiritual practice that asks us to make silence a part of our daily lives so we can go there.

The class will be held in the library beginning Sunday, October 20, 27, November 3, from 10:00 am to 10:50 between services. Please get in touch with Pat Higgins

 patriciahiggins@ymail.com or text 941-993-9221) for more information.

Calling Children and Youth to Lead in Worship

Children 2nd grade and older are invited to sign up to lead the Call to Worship during New Song. Children 5 and older are welcome to read the Prayer over the Offering. To help them feel comfortable, children can bring an older sibling or adult with them. Sign up using this link!

Important

Time with Young Disciples Announcement

As a staff, we decided to make a small change to our Time for Young Disciples, at the New Song service, beginning October 20. We are asking children to sit on the floor rather than on the stage, with Eric sitting on the stage. We’ll provide nice mats for the kids to sit on. There are a few reasons for making this change:

• It will help the kids to focus better
• For safety and protection, so our kids’ faces are not on the Livestream
• It will allow Eric or whoever is leading to interact with the children and adults

If you have any questions about this change, feel free to reach out!

First Presbyterian Youth Group!

We are thrilled to announce the start of our First Presbyterian Youth Group! Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 20 from 6-8p in the Fellowship Hall. We will meet on the first and third Sundays of every month. Any youth in 6th grade or older is invited! 

What should I expect from Youth Group? 

• Fellowship: Enjoy time getting to know one another through games, food, fun, learning, and service. 
• Faith: We will open up the Bible and learn together in creative and engaging ways.
• Food: There are many generous people in our church who are excited to provide a meal for Youth Group. Sometimes, we may order pizza!
• Service: We will sometimes engage in service projects during Youth Group, as well as plan other service and mission projects!

Calling Adults! If you are interested in learning more about helping lead on a Sunday night, or providing a meal for our youth, please contact Eric at erobinson@firstpressarasota.org.

Youth Group Recap! October 6

We had an amazing first Youth Group meeting! A big thanks to Joanne for bringing food, Leah for helping lead, and all of our youth leaders who helped make it happen. We enjoyed dinner, played games, and packed over 60 bags of food for our All Faiths food distribution! We also had a great study introducing the book Proverbs. We asked the question–what is wisdom?

Youth Group Bowling Outing

Please join us on October 20 from 6-8p for a Bowling Outing! Bring a friend!

·        We will meet at Sarasota Lanes, 2250 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34237

·        Please drop off and pick up your child at the bowling alley.

·        The church will pay for their bowling admission, shoes, and food!

Adult Fellowship Time Discussion Starters! After the New Song service. 

After New Song, check the screens! Each week, we will have a Scripture and discussion question. This week, we will focus on the Scripture from Sunday School and Tim’s sermon, with a family-focused application question. We will look at Ephesians 2:20-22 and answer the question, What would our family, church, or world look like if it reflected the love of Christ?

A Celtic Christmas is coming on December 13 & 14



The Celtic Christmas concert is in full preparation, and we are now receiving donations to help seed the ninth presentation of this beloved event. With over 100 persons not being able to get seats last December, the Celtic Christmas Planning Team has taken these needed steps:

·        Offering two performances – Friday, Dec 13th and Saturday, Dec 14^th

·        Ticketed admission, with students college age and younger admitted free

As in years past your advance donations will help us to pay upfront costs such as artist deposits, printing, graphic design, and advertising. Would you consider donating at one of these four levels?

• Chieftains - $1,000 or more (reserved seats with 4 complimentary tickets)
• Druids - $500 or more (reserved seats and 2 complimentary tickets)
• Bards - $250 or more (2 complimentary tickets)
• Freemen - under $250 (1 complimentary ticket)

Donations may be made online at link. Checks may be placed in the offering plate sent by mail, or given in person at the church office. Please note Celtic Christmas on your check. Your support helps us bring joy to many people.  

Realm Online Giving

Please use the QR code or enter https://onrealm.org/fprsrq/give/now into your favorite browser. We are working quickly to get the Realm app up and running. The office is now in its learning phase of this new church management system.

Place your cartons in the food baskets in the Fellowship Hall foyer or Sanctuary

We celebrated World Communion Sunday alongside our siblings in Kenya

Did You Know…. By Marvin Miller

….there is a small but growing Presbyterian congregation in Kenya that counts us at First Presbyterian, as their sisters and brothers in Christ and partners in the Gospel? Surprised? It is the truth. That congregation is Ruku Presbyterian (PCEA) Church, in the Highlands of that beautiful country.

In February 2005, after much prayer and research by our Mission Committee, the first mission team traveled to Kenya to spend a week assisting their workers in pouring the footers, preparing for the Sunday service of laying the foundation stone for the new church building. Those first mission team members were: Michael Brown, Mary Ellen Miller and Marvin Miller. They worked for the week alongside the sisters and brothers there in manual labor and wonderful fellowship. That special service drew hundreds of people from the surrounding church communities. They came to celebrate and worship as one, to be a part of this growing congregation. Tents were set up for protection from the equatorial sun. The festivities were exciting, inspirational and joyful.

From that emotional beginning, our partnership with Ruku Presbyterian Church involved eleven years of assisting financially and in physical labor to the building program. For eight of those eleven years, teams from First Presbyterian Church spent 2 weeks traveling to Kenya, assisting in the work and having fellowship with members of Ruku…spending one week in physical labor and fellowship, and 3 to 4 days on safari, enjoying the outstanding beauty of that countries’ wildlife and wonderful people.

On March 13, 2016, amid a joyous and inspirational service, the new building was dedicated to the glory of God and to the work of Christ in that community. A mission team of 14 people from Sarasota was there to help prepare for and witness the dedication. Again, hundreds of community people came to support and celebrate the occasion.

Let us never forget our connection to, and our love for, the members of Ruku Presbyterian Church of Ngecha, Kenya. They have not forgotten us. Even today (World Communion Sunday) they are having a communion service, knowing that we are having one as well. They join us across the many miles!

If you would like to talk to someone with firsthand experience of being a member of one of the eight mission teams that went to Kenya between 2005 and 2016, talk to Michael Brown, Rachel Martin, Karen Olson, Carol Papa, Mary Ellen Miller or Marvin Miller.

Brentwood Elementary - reflection from a volunteer,

Most of the children are barely tall enough to see through the window in the door of their classroom, but the greeting is always the same; “It’s Mr. George.” I’ve been a volunteer classroom aide at Brentwood Elementary for nine years. Reading to kindergarten classes with books from the Selby Library children’s collection and then hearing first-grade students read to me from their classroom books has been a joy. Their teachers are extraordinary. They are truly gifted. The reward for volunteering is knowing these children will soon run home to say, “Mommy, Daddy, I’m learning to read! I can do it. I can!”

One morning a week, or even just an hour, as a tutor or small group aide can make an enormous difference. I can tell you this: You will never regret calling Lorraine Foltz, the FPC volunteer coordinator for Brentwood (215-589-3237) to learn of opportunities still available for this school year at Brentwood Elementary.

~ George Chorba  

 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.

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

First Presbyterian Preschool

from the desk of Clare Carter,

FPC Preschool Director

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

Free Hearing Screening

On Sunday, November 10, All Ears Mobile Hearing Services will be at First Presbyterian from 8:30 to 1:00, providing hearing evaluations at no charge. Appointments are required. Please contact Cheryl Track, faith community nurse, for questions and to reserve your space: 4tracks@comcast.net, 941-320-3828. 



Untreated hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia, so let’s get your hearing checked! 

Please consider working with our Faith Community Nurse, Cheryl Track, by being a Congregational Health Promoter! Please contact Cheryl for more information 4tracks@comcast.net, 941-320-3828 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Make Sure to Schedule Your Screening



Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers yearly.

Breast cancer mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women. The median age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. This means half of the women who developed breast cancer are 62 years of age or younger when they are diagnosed. A very small number of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 45.

Lifetime chance of getting breast cancer

Overall, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer. This also means there is a 7 in 8 chance she will never have the disease.

Trends in breast cancer incidence

In recent years, incidence rates have increased by 0.6% per year. The rise is slightly steeper in women younger than 50 (1.0%).

Trends in breast cancer deaths

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. (Only lung cancer kills more women each year.) The chance that any woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 40 (about 2.5%).

Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing steadily since 1989, for an overall decline of 42% through 2021. The decrease in death rates is believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening and increased awareness, as well as better treatments. However, the decline has slowed slightly in recent years.

Breast cancer survivors.

At this time there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.

American Cancer Society screening recommendations for women at average breast cancer risk

These guidelines are for women at average risk for breast cancer. For screening purposes, a woman is considered to be at average risk if she doesn’t have a personal history of breast cancer, a strong family history of breast cancer, or a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer (such as in a BRCA gene), and has not had chest radiation therapy before the age of 30.

• Women between 40 and 44 can start screening with a mammogram every year.
• Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
• Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year or choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years.

Clinical breast exams are not recommended for breast cancer screening among average-risk women at any age. Make sure to see your doctor regularly, report any breast changes early, and have your mammogram screenings on time.

How common is breast cancer in men?

The American Cancer Society estimates for breast cancer in men in the United States for 2024 are:

• About 2,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed
• About 530 men will die from breast cancer

For men, the average lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 726. But each man's risk might be higher or lower than this, based on whether he has risk factors for breast cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any breast changes.

Taken from American Cancer Society, January 2024

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, 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, at (941) 320-3828 or call the church office at (941) 955-8119 if we can support you.