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NEWS @ FIRST
February 17, 2023
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We hope to see you at this
Sunday's Worship Service
10:00 a.m.
Featuring Music will be led by some of Sarasota’s best jazz players, along with our Chancel Choir and NewSong Band.
Pastor Tim will preach on “Mountain Top Experiences,” and the service will be followed by a pot-lunch brunch in the Fellowship Hall.
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Jazz and Brunch - This Sunday, February 19
One Service at 10:00 a.m.
Join us for our pre-lenten "Sunday-Gras” celebration.
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Potluck Brunch details:
A thru M – main dishes such as stews, chili, chicken, pasta, tofu
N thru S – vegetables, salads
T thru Z – breads, rolls, desserts
The Membership & Fellowship committee is looking for help in the kitchen on Sunday morning before at 9:30 a.m. and some help after the pot luck to help clean up.
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Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m.
We begin our observance of Lent on this special evening with the words of our faith; “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life in Jesus Christ.” Our service will be led by George Chorba, Patrick Monahan and Steven Phillips, with special music by our wonderful choir and cellist, Isaac Mingus.
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Annual Meeting Sunday February 26
The session has called the annual meeting of the congregation to take place on Sunday, February 26 at 10:00 a.m. (one service only) in the sanctuary. We do not anticipate needing to take any votes at this gathering, but want to receive officially the reports of all of our hard-working committees and other groups, and give thanks for all the labor and love that goes into the ministry of this community. We also want to be sure that you know the members of your Officer Nominating Committee, the officers of the church’s corporation, and our Foundation’s board of directors (meetings of the Corporation of FPC and the Foundation will run concurrently with the congregational meeting).
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Today is Preschool Sunday
We welcome the teachers and staff to worship today. We will hear from Shelley Watson, preschool board member, about their 75th anniversary plans and the exciting things happening in the preschool. After the service check out the educational centers set up outside to learn more about how children learn through play.
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Meet our teachers and staff | |
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Clare Carter -Director
Lydia Chapdelain – Administrative Director
Just 2’s:
Beth Horn
Jenn Villaveces
Almost 3’s (2’s & 3’s):
Janine Taber
Jen Valentino
Juniors (3’s & 4’s):
Nancy Pagano
Larisa Belonozhko
Mariah Martin
Candace Ferguson
Jean Ferderber
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Seniors (4’s & 5’s):
Sue Cole
Chris Gantert
Debbie Cook
Elyse Manzer
Small Beginnings & Baby Play Classes:
Evan Morgan
Emily Weitekamp
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A New Class for Adults
“From Age-ing to Sage-ing”
A profound new vision of growing older based on the book of the same title.
By Zoom on Mondays February 20-April 3
Who are you, apart from your occupation? If your job suddenly terminated or you abruptly retired, how would you identify yourself?
As an older adult, have you figured out the significance of certain events in your life? Are you sure you got it right?
Have you really forgiven those who have hurt you in the past? Are you at peace with yourself?
These and other questions will be examined in the new class, "From Age-ing to Sage-ing," beginning Feb.20 and continuing via Zoom on Monday evenings at 7 PM. Discussion will be led by Janet Olshewsky and Michael Fingerle, based on readings from the book From Age-ing to Sage-ing, by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Ronald S. Miller (available through Amazon).
Please sign up in the church office, and try to read the first three chapters of the book prior to the first class.
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Read the Latest Family Newsletter with important dates for upcoming events. | |
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Book Discussion Group
Join Leah Cotter and embark on a journey of spiritual and communal wellness with To Be Made Well by Amy Julia Becker. Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on personal, spiritual and social healing. A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary (MDiv), Becker holds a bi-vocational license with the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Dates: March 5 - April 30 at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Several copies of the book will be available in the office for purchase or it can be purchased where all books are sold including electronic versions. Beginning
February 26th we will cover the introduction as well as Chapters 1 & 2.
Reach out to Leah via email at Leah.t.cotter@gmail.com for a copy of the study companion. She will have copies printed and available in the church office beginning in February for anyone unable to access one via email at home.
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If you would like to receive Peace River Presbytery’s NEW “News Letter”, please click on link below and register.
You will not be able to receive it unless you register.
Peace River Presbytery will be sending out an
e-newsletter twice a month starting on February 14, 2023. To get the latest news from the Presbytery and its churches delivered straight to your inbox, fill out the form from the link below.
https://peaceriverpresbytery.us8.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=1b44f95683c4b45f310b7d696&id=ebee09c85d
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Request:
We are looking for gently used chess sets and a manual typewriter for our preschool. Please contact Chris Gantert or Rachel Martin
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Ushers Needed
Please contact James Jordon by calling (816)377-5666 or emailing: jej.jordan@gmail.com if you are interested in being a part of the new rotating team of ushers. Training will be provided. It’s a great way to serve!
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FPC's Weekly All Faiths Food Distribution
We have expanded our food offering and are now averaging over 100 families per week!
Join us on Thursday mornings to volunteer. We start packing food at 8:30 a.m. and serve from 10:00-11:30 a.m.
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Stewardship
Thank you to those who have stepped forward in faith with your 2023 pledge. If you have not made your pledge, it’s not too late! All pledges are needed—you can return your pledge card to the church office or pledge online through the church website:
www.FirstPresSarasota.org and select member login.
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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.
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Registration is now open at First Presbyterian Preschool
for the 2023-2024 school year.
If you are interested or would like more information on our play-based preschool program, please contact the preschool office.
Phone: (941)366-2000
Email: preschool@firstpressarasota.org
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Cowden-Smith Library Hours
Library open Monday – Friday
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
The library book cart in the narthex offers 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.
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Our Condolences
Our dear brother, Jim Barnett, died Monday, December 26. A memorial service will be TODAY February 19, 3:00 p.m. Notes of condolence may be sent to Jim’s wife, Elaine Barnett, 1904 31st Avenue W, Bradenton, FL 34205-8911.
Our sister, Bonnie Strickland died Tuesday, January 24. A memorial service will be held on February 18 at 1:00 pm at Toale Brothers. Notes of condolence may be sent to her daughter, Lauren Arsenault, 1350 Bern Creek Loop, Sarasota, FL 34240
Our sister Linda Hollen, died Wednesday, January 25. Memorial service plans are not known at this time. Notes of condolence may be sent to her husband, Chuck Hollen at 4832 Stone ridge Circle, Sarasota, FL 34232.
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Prayer List
Click on the link below for the prayer list. Thank you for praying for healing and encouragement for these dear ones.
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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.
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