This Sunday . . . 

It's HOT -- our air conditioning system is doing it's best to keep up with the heat, but when the heat index in triple digits, it is hot everywhere. Dress cool at church so that you can be comfortable.

New Adult Education Class

The Prophets Still Speak  

Tuesdays 11:30 - through August 1

(no class July 4^th) via ZOOM

Old Testament prophets were concerned with many of the same issues as Christians today: issues of righteousness, obedience, social justice, and visions of hope for the future. This study explores how what the prophets proclaimed to the people of their time still has urgency and importance for our time, as well. 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

July 11 - Isaiah of Jerusalem: Calling for Righteous Leaders

July 18 - Hosea and Jeremiah: Calling for Single-minded Devotion

July 25 - Ezekiel and “Second” Isaiah: Calling for Chastened Hope

Aug. 1 - “Third” Isaiah and Jonah: Calling Forth a Broader Vision

Follow Me and Step Into the Boat

Education and Formation Committee is sponsoring a series of family events inviting people of all ages to “Follow Me and Step Into the Boat” by reading, watching and even actually deciding to step into a boat for an adventure. The learning and fun begins in July as together we read The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown or The Boys in the Boat Young Reader Edition also by Daniel James Brown. Tim introduced us to this book in his sermon on Sunday, May 7. To refresh your memory you could see that sermon on YouTube For young children and their families there will be a YouTube link to Pastor Tim telling the story just for them.

The Boys in the Boat was an unlikely quest from the start. With a team composed of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team was never expected to defeat the elite teams of the East Coast and Great Britain, yet they did, going on to shock the world by defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler. The emotional heart of the tale lies with Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not only to regain his shattered self-regard but also to find a real place for himself in the world. Drawing on the boys’ own journals and vivid memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, Brown has created an unforgettable portrait of an era, a celebration of a remarkable achievement, and a chronicle of one extraordinary young man’s personal quest.

There is an interesting documentary entitled “The Boys of ‘36” available on Amazon Prime. You and your family might enjoy watching this together until the movie based on the book is released in December 2023 and we are able to have a movie night to watch the new movie. 

There will also be two boating adventures in August. One will be a kayaking day trip and the other a boating rowing adventure similar to the kind described in the book. Watch for sign-up information.

           More details will follow, but meanwhile join the fun by getting the book and begin reading this extraordinary story of courage, self-reliance and dedication. Copies of the book can be ordered from Amazon for $18.25. and $17.99 for the young reader addition. The church office has a limited number of copies on order, contact Rachel if you are interested in purchasing one.

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.

firstprespreschoolsarasota.org

Come see (and hear) fellow church members Ted Eastmoore and Jimi Camastro play in their band Goodbye Eddie on Sunday, July 9, 1-5 p.m. at Woody's River Roo, 5717 18th St., Ellenton!

A Free Program on Rosa Parks July 16, 3:00 p.m.

First Congregational UCC is hosting H.H. Leonards speaking on the life and legacy of Rosa Parks. Ms. Leonards cared for Mrs. Parks during the last years of her life. Ms. Leonards has written a book on the life of Rosa Parks. Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus is a personal look into Mrs. Parks' life, her thoughts, her beliefs, and her immense wisdom that moved people. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn more about history and share with each other. Ms. Leonards will have books for sale afterwards and refreshments will be provide.  1031 South Euclid Ave.

Caritas Food Pantry—Volunteers Needed

Caritas Food Pantry located in the First Baptist Church on Main Street in downtown Sarasota is in immediate need of volunteers on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m.-12:00. FPC is scheduled for the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays. This site serves a growing number of homeless in Sarasota, along with families in need. First Presbyterian has been a partner with the Caritas ministry since it was first established in 1980 providing volunteers and financial assistance. Along with First Presbyterian, four other downtown churches support this effort; First Baptist, Church of the Redeemer, St Martha’s and First United Methodist, all are expected to provide a team of three volunteers to help with food distribution on their designated day. If you can commit to one Thursday morning a month or would like to learn more about this outreach ministry, please call Susan Sanderson at (507)-581-0310. 

Pastoral Care Team Update

Weekly the care team, comprised of Pastor Tim Boggess, retired pastor, Doug Decelle, faith community nurse, Cheryl Track, and new to the team, Pat Higgins, and Michael Fingerle, meet via Zoom to review the medical needs of the congregation.  From this meeting, care is shared with hospital, facility, home visits and phone calls.  We are blessed to have Pat and Michael join the care team in caring for the congregation.  Feel free to reach out to them when you see them if you have a health need and to welcome them to the ministry!

Grief Matters

Monthly Conversations About Grief

Bay Care Spiritual Care

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 9:30 A.M.-11:00 a.m.

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.