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NEWS @ FIRST
January 13, 2023
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We hope to see you at
this Sunday's Worship Services
9 a.m. NewSong contemporary
11 a.m. Traditional
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Adult Class led by Dr. John Parks
continues THIS SUNDAY, January 15
10:00 a.m. in room 203
The class is reading six short stories and discussing them to discover what they reveal about the human condition. Today’s reading, The One Who Walks Away from Omelas, and future readings, are available in class, at the office, or through the link below. Come for a stimulating discussion!
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Sarasota Music Club presents a beautiful concert, hosted by First Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 20, at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary. The theme of this concert, “Musical Postcards from Europe,” is performed by Margot Zarzycka, violin, and Michael Stewart, piano. Admission is free—all are welcome!
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Presbyterian Women
PW Bible study meets Wednesday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Flossie Paul is leading the fifth lesson in the Horizons Bible Study, Celebrating Sabbath.” This lesson is titled Sabbath and Servitude. The study guide is not necessary to join, and all women are invited! Contact Elaine Barnett at ewbarnet@me.com for the Zoom link.
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SURE: Notice of Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 5:30 pm.
Location: Sarasota City Hall Commission Chambers
1565 First Street, Sarasota
The SURE Affordable Housing Team would like you to attend the discussion of an Attainable Housing Initiative within the Downtown Bayfront, Downtown Core, Downtown Edge, and Downtown Neighborhood Edge Zone Districts. The purpose of this public outreach process is to obtain feedback and comments from the public on implementing the City Commission approved Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Affordable Housing is one of the important issues the congregations of SURE are addressing. For us to create a solution, we must combine our thoughts, efforts and prayers. Your attendance is needed.
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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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Read the Latest Family Newsletter with important dates for upcoming events. | |
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Updated Supply Needs for February Trip to Cuba Partnership
The FPC group traveling to Cárdenas, Cuba, to visit our partner church, Juan G. Hall, is grateful for donations of OTC items. Along with these, we now have a list of specific ministry and congregational needs that you can meet. The requests are for items that are unavailable or scarce in Cuba. Thank you!
Office Supplies and Sunday School: Printing paper (8½ x11"), transparent laminating sheets (8½ x 11"), colored paper, felt, plastic-head thumb tacks, ballpoint pens, whiteboard markers and permanent markers
For Hosting Guests: Single-bed sheets, towels, cutlery sets, plates, spoons, forks, knives, teaspoons (need 20 sets), milk strainers
For the Kitchen and Snacks for Children: Oil, dish detergent, flour (wheat), cookies, peanut butter and/or Nutella, seasonings
For the congregation: Personal hygiene items—soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, women’s sanitary pads
OTC Items for the Church: Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, anti-diarrhea medications, anti-nausea pills, antihistamines and allergy medications (Benadryl, Claritin), antibiotic creams and ointments, cough syrup, cough drops, sensitive skin care (e.g., Cetaphil), oral antiseptics, antacids (e.g., Tums), vitamins, iron supplements, Band-Aids, bandages
Power Outage Supplies:
Rechargeable lights—such as solar-charging Luci lights or hand-crank power lights (available on Amazon or other online sites)
Items That Support the Matanzas Presbytery churches and Programs:
Fever reducers and pain relievers: aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen
Anti-diarrhea medications; Anti-nausea pills
Antihistamines, allergy medications: Benadryl, Claritin
Antibiotic creams and ointments
Cough syrup, drops, lozenges
Cetaphil (sensitive skin care), oral antiseptics
Antacids, e.g., Tums, Pepto Bismol tablets
Vitamins, iron supplements; Band-aids, bandages
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Campus Clean-up Day
Saturday, January 28, 2023, 9 am - noon
NOTE: Date Change
Please join us in beautifying the church campus, gardening and mulching the courtyard, and helping weed and re-mulch in in beautifying the preschool playground. Bring gloves and garden tools. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided.
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Ushers Needed
Please contact Denise Landers by calling (941) 587-7992 or emailing: davidanddenise@tampabay.rr.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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Salt Shakers
One wonderful way for members and friends of First Presbyterian Church to get to know each other better is to break bread together. Groups of 6-8 people,
(couples or singles) meet once a month from February through April or May.
Each Salt Shaker group decides whether they want to have a potluck at a member’s home, dine at a restaurant, have a picnic, or brunch or something
else, groups are encouraged to be creative! Sign up through the end of January.
Questions?
Diane Bittner: (941) 755-2268 or
Marcia Schaper: (941) 922-5245
Pick up a registration form this in the narthex or in the Fellowship Hall foyer.
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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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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 sister, Jane Bartruff, died Friday, December 30. A graveside service will be at Sarasota National Cemetery (9810 State Road 72, Sarasota) on Thursday, January 19, 12:30 p.m. Notes of condolence may be sent to Jane’s son, Gregg Bartruff, 4616 Meadow Lake Dr, Apex, NC 27502-9373.
Our dear brother, Ted Beattie, died Friday, January 6. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21. 10:00 a.m. Notes of condolence may be sent to Ted’s wife, Jill Beattie, 165 Sugar Mill Dr, Osprey, FL 34229-9073.
Our dear brother, Jim Barnett, died Monday, December 26. A memorial service will be Sunday, 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.
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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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We Care Poster-Card Recipients
We appreciate our team of We Care poster artists who creatively design poster-cards for our church members when they are hospitalized. Special notes, prayers, and well wishes are written on the cards by our congregation on Sunday mornings, and the cards are mailed out.
On the link below is a list of those who have recently received a We Care poster-card. Consider how you might support them through a prayer, a card, or a phone call. Thank you for being family for one another!
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Our Preschool’s Goals
Our preschool works hard to continue to serve our communities through the goals set for the school and staff this year. One goal set for this year was to implement an enrichment program. The preschool children learn to play chess, karate, and connect their mind, body and emotions. They also practice self-regulation skills through yoga and learn pre-literacy skills in a Reading Ready class. The enrichment classes are offered most afternoons and run in seven-week cohorts.
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Health and Wholeness
- Join the Conversation
Baycare offers online conversations related to grief, Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. All led by area hospital chaplains.
To register: mpmbereavement.org or (727) 462-7995.
Jan. 19: Grief and Resilience - Making the Connection
Feb. 16: Coping with Grief - A Creativity Tool for Mourning
Mar. 16: Spiritual Dimensions of Grief - Exploring the Big Questions
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Care Notes are short, 5–6-page inspirational booklets aimed at helping people in a wide variety of difficult life situations. In addition to the narthex, parlor, and office hallway, there are booklets for youth and teens in the fellowship hall. The entire collection of over a hundred different booklets are also available in the library. These are for you to keep but can be returned to the library if no longer needed. Please see the selection of Care Notes that are unique for the season.
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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