This Sunday . . . 

Follow Me and Step Into the Boat

The Education and Formation Committee invites you to “Follow Me and Step Into the Boat” by reading, watching and even stepping into a boat for an adventure. 

Read: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown or The Boys in the Boat Young Reader Edition also by Daniel James Brown. 

Watch: The documentary entitled "The Boys of '36' available on Amazon Prime.

Step Into: One or both of the boating adventures coming up on Sunday, August 27th and Saturday, September 9th. See details below.

Copies of the book are still available in the church office. Pastor Tim introduced us to this book in his sermon on Sunday, May 7: YouTube 

Benderson Park Boating Adventure

Sunday, August 27th from 3-5pm

Location: Benderson Park on the island. Take the east bridge and follow it down to the left.



Attire: water shoes or old sneakers

Cost: $10 per person Memo line: Benderson Boat.

**Must be 6+ to participate.**

Join your church family and STEP INTO a Dragon Boat! Team Building Specialist Don Bickel will lead us in conquering land challenges for team bonding. He uses playful games to build communication and trust to prepare the group for a dragon boat adventure. The real connection happens on the water learning the synergy of paddling a 20 person dragon boat together. Teams learn the commands to paddle as one boat. We will finish with a race to victory, but everyone will be a winner after a day on the water together. Spots are limited so RSVP soon!



Questions about what to expect? Contact Emily Weitekamp at emily.weitekamp@gmail.com or our boating guide Don Bickel at dbickel0825@gmail.com

KAYAKING DAY SEPTEMBER 9

Kayak day is coming! Meet your church family on Saturday, September 9, at 8:40 a.m. on the bay side of Turtle Beach (8918 Midnight Pass Road), Siesta Key. Bring your own kayak or rent from our preferred vendor, Ultimate Kayak SRQ at (941) 720-8807, and ask for the discount rate for FPC. Call Pete by Thursday, September 7, to reserve: single kayak $35, double kayak $40, for 3 hours. Pay them by credit card or cash.

We’ll paddle in the bay down to peaceful Midnight Pass Beach to swim in the Gulf, if you like. Bring sunscreen, hat, clothes that can get wet, and water to stay hydrated. Afterward, we’ll have lunch at Turtle Beach Grill. If you don’t want to kayak, meet us at Turtle Beach Grill around 12:30. For more information, call or text Sue Hargis Spigel at (941) 735-8786 or Wendy Miller (941) 321-8488. 

Family Promise of Sarasota/Manatee

Francis House

 August News

Wonderful news! An expectant mother, along with her eight year old daughter, and an 18 month old, will be settling at Francis House this week! Francis House is located on the grounds of Pine Shores Presbyterian Church. The house is fully furnished and beautifully decorated. It is going to be a safe and comfortable setting as the family prepares to welcome their new family member.

Our congregation can help in two ways……

We will provide a healthy, hot meal for the family on the weekends of August 18-20 and August 25-27 and September 1-3.  Contributing a home cooked meal or contributing for a purchased meal are welcome. Please contact Pam Mathes at 518-495-3776, if you wish to help.

Family Promise is seeking volunteers interested in interacting with the new mothers and their children. Please consider attending a training to become a volunteer.

(Note: Persons delivering hot food do not need to take this training.)

Thursday, Sept. 7 10:00 -11:30 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota

2^nd Floor

--Or--

Thursday, Sept. 7 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Pine Shores Presbyterian Church

Council Room in Administration Building

Volunteers will need only ONE session. 

Please RSVP your choice to Mary Margaret Barbour, 404-216-6208, mmbarbour38@gmail.com

Brentwood Elementary School Welcome Back Breakfast

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU

Last Thursday, August 3^rd was the first day for teachers returning for the 2023-2024 school year! Thanks to First Presbyterian Church, they not only had an abundance of school supplies for the students but were treated to a delicious breakfast for all staff. There were three kinds of Quiche, Frittatas, and Bacon, catered by Nellie’s Deli. FPC members baked delicious breakfast breads and treats to add to the fare along with fresh fruits and juices. The teachers were delighted as many shared that they look forward to this amazing treat each year. Special thanks to Lorraine and Rick Foltz, Tony Williams, Mary Williams, Kay Dunn, Rachel Martin, Rev. Tim Boggess, Sandi Soper, and special guests Ron and Jinny Miller, former Invest in Children coordinators. Also, our thanks for more delicious treats to Marcia Schaper, Joanne Simons, and Wendy Miller. A wonderful anonymous donor funded the catering from Nellie’s Deli.

A Note from SURE

When our brothers and sisters in Christ stand for justice, we are following what Micah 6:8 commands of us. We are to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Thank you, SURE Network Member Mary Willis who had us standing for justice at the New Song Service and SURE Network Member Victoria Guenther who had us standing for justice at the 11:00 Traditional Service. In our personal lives we appear to be separate and individual bodies. When we pray, work together and strive for justice, we become one body of Christ. I invite you to answer, "Yes, I'll be there" when a SURE Network Member calls you to attend a SURE House Meeting this September or October.

                                           Peace, SURE Network Member Sue Pantling   

Follow Me:

Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John

Tuesdays at 12: 30 PM via ZOOM

September 12- October 17 



The beloved Gospel of John has deep and rich theological meanings. It focuses on who Jesus is as the Messiah and what it means to believe in him. John's understandings of Jesus are expressed in important metaphors that point toward Jesus in ways that are rich and meaningful. This study explores major themes in John's Gospel relating to the person of Jesus: Tabernacle, Giver of Living Water, Bread of Life, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and Life, and Passover Offering. These are significant images that move us to a deeper faith and to new visions of what it means, in very practical ways, to believe in Jesus today. This class will be led by Elaine Barnett, a member of FPC, an Elder and Certified Christian Educator. Register by emailing Elaine at ewbarnet@me.com.

September 12  Session 1. Tabernacle

September 19  Session 2. Giver of Living Water

September 26  Session 3. Bread of Life

October 3        Session 4. Good Shepherd

October 10      Session 5. Resurrection and Life

October 17      Session 6. Passover Offering

 We need your help!

We serve over 100 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 Preschool

Rare Summer Openings for Fall 2023 Enrollment

First Presbyterian Preschool has a couple of openings for this up-and-coming school year. 

Please contact the preschool office to learn more about our community and play based programming.

Call the preschool office for more information (941) 366-2000

or check out our new website

Fall Salt Shakers the signup deadline is August 27

Joining Salt Shakers is a wonderful way for members and friends of First Presbyterian Church to get to know each other. Groups of 6-8 people (singles or couples) meet once a month from September through November/December. Each group decides whether they want to have a potluck at a member’s home, dine at a restaurant or have a picnic or brunch. Sign up forms are in the foyer of Fellowship Hall and the narthex of the Sanctuary. Questions? Call Diane Bittner (941) 755-2268 or Marcia Schaper (941) 922-5245. Last day to sign up is Sunday, August 27.

Avoid Google and G-Mail Scams

Emails coming from FPC staff will follow the; first initial, last name @ FirstPresSarasota rule.

Please be cautious of emails claiming to be from FPC staff at other email addresses.

GOLDEN RULES:

1. Slow it down - Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency. Take time to ask questions and think it through.
2. Spot check - Do your research to double check the details you are getting. Does what they’re telling you make sense?
3. Stop! Don’t send - No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot.

This to know about phishing

What phishing is:

Phishing is an attempt to steal personal information or break in to online accounts using deceptive emails, messages, ads, or sites that look similar to sites you already use. For example, a phishing email might look like it's from your bank and request private information about your bank account.

Phishing messages or content may:

Ask for your personal or financial information.

Ask you to click links or download software.

Impersonate a reputable organization, like your bank, a social media site you use, or your workplace.

Impersonate someone you know, like a family member, friend, or coworker.

Look exactly like a message from an organization or person you trust.

If any other these things are true - Delete the email immediately.

Cheryl's August Health Awareness ........

First Presbyterian Church Sarasota is now 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.

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.