first church life · 128 s. pineapple avenue sarasota 365-5994 a missions ministry of first church...

First United Methodist Church 104 S. Pineapple Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 955-0935 www.firstsrq.com

Volume 48 Issue 3 March 2020

LifeTo Celebrate and Share the Joy of Christ’s Love

First Church

Pastor’s NotesRev. Dr. Sam Wright

www.firstsrq.com March 2020 Church Life

Church StaffDonna Maynard

Director of Ministries

Joyce Johnson Pastoral Care Assistant

Faith Community Nurse

Debi Adams Church Secretary/Program Assistant

Amy AlgustowskiCommunication/Marketing Coordinator

Sue Loncaric Early Care Center Director

Marc LopezHead Custodian

Jesse MastersCustodian

Paul AnackiDirector of Finance/Administration

Michael StuartDirector of Music/Organist

Brian SilvasChurch Technology Coordinator

David Jackerson Audiovisual Tech Assistant

Ondie VinsonYouth/Children’s Director

Baron GarriottContemporary Music Leader

Woody WoodwordAssistant Pastor for Outreach

Rev. Dr. Sam WrightSenior Pastor

Build a school. Help a family. Save a rainforest. Share a dream.

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128 S. Pineapple AvenueSarasota 365-5994

A Missions Ministry of First Church

God speaks to us in many ways - through the Scriptures, through church tradition, through our experiences, and through friends. I also believe the Spirit communicates to us through great music (with which our church is abundantly blessed) and through literature. Matt Rawle has written several books on how great stories can communicate God’s message to us. His The Redemption of Scrooge and The Gift of the Nutcracker have spoken to our hearts in Advent sermon series. Rawle’s latest study is titled The Grace of Les Misérables based on Victor Hugo’s classic Les Misérables. We will listen to the themes of this important work to see how God speaks to us in our Lenten journey. Below is a list of sermon titles for our Lenten services:

Lenten Sermon Series The Grace of Les Miserables

March 1 Grace Well Received: The Story of Jean Valjean

March 8 When Grace and Justice Collide: The Story of Javert

March 15 The Poor Are Always with You: The Story of Fantine

March 22 The Gift of Love: The Story of Marius and Cosette

March 29 Building the Barricade: The Story of Les Amis

April 5 Palm Sunday: The Blessed Garden: A Hopeful Vision

May we experience God’s grace in ever new ways as God’s Spirit works to transform us into his image.


When you know of any of our members who are in the hospital, please call the church office (955-0935). If you are hospitalized, please inform Admissions that you are a member of First United Methodist Church of Sarasota and ask them to add your name to the clergy visit list.

8:30 a.m.Traditional Worship ~ Chapel

9:45 a.m.Contemporary Worship ~ Sanctuary

live streamed(www.firstsrq.com)

11:00 a.m.Traditional Worship ~ Sanctuary

live streamed (www.firstsrq.com)

Sunday Worship

Hospital & RehabilitationPastoral Care

Kara Altice-Montes, ChairTony Kenworthy, Lay Leader

Tom Pruitt, Church Treasurer/StewardshipDonna Shane, Recording Secretary

Leah Pittard, United Methodist WomenSusan Quigley, Children/Youth Representative

Janet Davis, Music RepresentativeJanet Shapiro, ECC RepresentativeRev. Dr. Sam Wright, Senior Pastor

STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS Matt Shane, Board of Trustees

Wally Mossbarger, Finance Committee Sally Kingston, Staff-Parish Relations

Peggy Hite, MissionsJim Davis, Perpetual Fund

Member At-LargeBill Grimes

WORSHIP REPRESENTATIVES8:30 a.m. Service, Paul Nelson

9:45 a.m. Service, Dee Woodward11:00 a.m. Service, Maria Mossbarger

2020 Church Council

Holy Week and Easter at First Church

Palm Sunday – Sunday, April 5 8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship in Chapel11 a.m. - Traditional Worship in Sanctuary

9:45 a.m. - Contemporary Worship in Sanctuary

Maundy Thursday Worship and Holy Communion

Thursday, April 9 - 7 p.m. Zenith and Mark Parking Garages

Good Friday: Stations of the Cross WalkFriday, April 10

7:15 a.m. - Regal Hollywood - 1993 Main Street

Easter Sunday Worship – April 12 8:30 and 11 a.m. - Identical Traditional Services ~ Sanctuary

choir, brass quintet, percussion, organ

9:45 a.m. - Contemporary Worship ~ Sanctuary Nursery

8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.First Church Kids

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Palm Sunday – Sunday, April 14


Special Guest Steve Martinucci (guitar)

The Jazz Trio Johnny Moore, drums; Dominic Mancini, bass; Tommy Goodman, piano

Sunday, March 84 & 5:30 p.m.

at First Church

Both Concerts Are FREE ADMISSION | Zenith & Mark Parking Garages


March 2020Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Communion At All Services8:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship, Chapel9:30 a.m. - Adult Study Groups9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Nursery, Office Area9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.- First Church Kids, Y.H. 9:45 a.m. - Contemporary Service, Sanctuary11 a.m. - Traditional Worship, Sanctuary4 p.m. - Bay Arts Trio Concert, Sanctuary

12:30 p.m. - Pastor’s Bible Study, F.H.

2:30 p.m. - Homework Helpers, Y.H.

12:30 p.m. - Women’s Bible Study, Rm. 104

4:30 p.m. - #SongSquad, F.H.

6 p.m. - Confirmation Class, Y.H.

6:30-8 p.m. - Youth Group, Y.H.

7 p.m. - Pastor’s Bible Study, F.H.

12:30 p.m. - Men’s Group, Rm. 104


6:30 p.m. - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Rm.

6:30 p.m. - Prayer Group, Rm. 104

3 p.m. - TeenTreble Rehearsal, Choir Rm.

8 9 10 11 12 13 14Worship Services & Sunday School Classes/Groups same as March 1

12 p.m. - Lunch with the Pastor, F.H.4-5 p.m. - Jazz at First Church, Sanctuary5:30-6:30 p.m. - Jazz at First Church, Sanctuary

10 a.m. - Dorcas Sewing Circle, Rm. 107

4 p.m. - ECC Board Mtg., Rm. 104


2-4 p.m. - UMW Author Event, F.H.



2 p.m. - Staff Meeting, Rm. 104





12:30 p.m. - Men’s Group, Rm. 104

2 p.m. - Mission Team, Rm. 103




9:30 a.m. - Creation Care Committee, Conf. Rm.



11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Child Protection Team, Rm. 104

10 a.m. - Rebekah/Sarah Circle, Rm. 104



5 p.m. - Finance Committee, Rm. 105

6 p.m. - Staff/Parish, Rm. 104

12:30 p.m. -Women’s Bible Study, Rm. 104





12:30 p.m. - Men’s Group, Rm. 104

2 p.m. - Board of Trustees, Rm. 104





10 a.m. - Be a Blessing Ministry, Rm. 104


8:25 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - Family Promise, FH11:55 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Family Promise, FH

2 p.m. - Word Weavers, Rm. 103

10 a.m. - Dorcas Sewing Circle, Rm.107



6 p.m. - Church Council, Rm. 104




6:30 p.m. - Youth Group, Y.H.


12:30 p.m. - Men’s Group, Rm. 104





7:30 p.m. - Day4Hope Breakfast, FH

29Worship Services & Sunday School Classes/Groups same as March 1

3010 a.m. - Dorcas Sewing Circle, Rm.107

319:30 a.m. - UMW Mission Team, Rm. 104

10:30 a.m. - SILL, Sanctuary ------------------------------------------------------------





Bir thdays

CelebratingAn Anniversary This Month

03/01 Allan Caballero03/01 Jaime Racine03/01 Geoffrey Walsh03/01 Kay Green03/02 Aspen Garden03/02 Angelo Teets03/03 Skylar Bredlau03/03 Amanda Warner03/03 Paul Hutchison03/03 Jeff Dolinar03/03 Sharon Todt03/04 Callie Crawford03/04 George Felder03/04 Jarrett Cowles03/04 Rudy Ovalle03/04 Robert Pressley03/04 Diane Bochan03/04 Pat Sanders03/04 Frank Todt03/06 Lincoln Wagner03/07 Gay Miller03/08 James Keenan03/08 Tom Foster03/08 Bonnie VanOverbeke03/08 Gary Pakulla03/09 Kyle Rinaca03/09 Kevin Denniston03/10 Lisa Fitzgibbons03/10 Dale Eavis03/10 William Shepherd03/10 Cheryl Field03/11 Zoey Polk03/11 Deborah McWhinnie03/11 Lynn McCall03/11 Sandy Ulrikson03/11 Stan Robinson03/11 Patricia Kosecher

03/12 Nancy Beavers03/12 Naomi Duff03/13 Dawn Bogue03/13 Florence Sackett03/14 Michelle Tegio03/14 Janet Shapiro03/14 Leonard Redford03/14 Ralph Young03/15 Zeke Samuels03/15 Scott Highland03/15 Mel Mott03/16 Alicia Alicky03/16 Judy Jones03/16 Mary Baldridge03/17 Rachel Adkins03/17 Christopher Scarborough03/18 Alison Christie03/18 Bud Davidson03/19 Karen Krumel03/19 Debi Adams03/20 Erin Shields03/20 Candace Luster03/20 Kim Johnson03/20 Elizabeth Schmitz03/20 Lynne Meskey03/21 Greyson McSwain03/21 David Wright03/21 Stephen Wright03/21 Kathi Stufflebean03/21 Susan Quigley03/22 Kiera Bradley03/22 Stephen Ruberg03/22 Kayla King03/22 Lisa Hilliker03/22 Evelyn Claunch03/23 Paisley Stuart03/23 Kristen Callans

03/23 Mark Bell03/23 Marion Frederick03/24 Erin Byler03/24 Carol Landsberg03/24 Alexander Mott03/24 Doris Rumph03/25 Emily Paulsen03/25 Anne Dean03/25 Connie Fulmer03/26 Madeline Jones03/26 Becky Keagy03/26 Greg Hatch03/27 Sarah Glaser03/27 Michael Ford03/27 Kimberly Holderness03/27 Sanda Buchanan03/28 Renee Hurley03/28 Toby Zinsmeister03/28 Richard Johnson03/29 Paula Solis03/29 Morgan Gorsuch03/29 Donna Largent03/30 Katelyn DiTommaso03/30 Pete McClellan03/30 Shelley Bartlett03/30 Daniel Walker03/30 Marguerite Malone03/30 Dawn Markantonatos03/31 Jill Lopez03/31 Jim Johnson03/31 Dianne Akin03/31 Peggy Reynolds

03/01 Matthew and Kristen Westerman03/04 Frank and Barbara Gabe03/06 Christopher and Kristina Grzep03/07 Barry and Earlene Kemerer03/07 Michael and Laura Travis03/07 Neal and Debbie Stubbs

03/11 Jim and Cathy Lee03/15 Jack and Lenora Jost03/22 Dale and Vivian Borger03/23 Paul and Cheryl Zaccagnino03/23 David and Susan Quigley03/25 Mark and Monica Bell

03/26 Peter and Connie Hudson03/29 Ralph and Joan Young03/30 James and Lisa Fitzgibbons03/31 Richard and Linda Hoefer


First’s Book ClubMonday, March 23 | 10 a.m. - The Water

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired school teacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in others. As the townspeople, friends and family grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life - sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition - its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.

ACTUAL BUDGET Jan. - Dec. Jan. - Dec.

2019 2019

INCOME

Pledges & Contributions 770,070 698,480Other Income 102,583 86,000 Perpetual Fund 226,000 226,000FUMC Properties, LLC 198,480 311,480

Total Income $ 1,297,133 $ 1,321,960EXPENSES

Staff/Parish Relations 706,544 730,612Ministry/Mission 133,916 140,685Administrative/Apportionments 455,413 450,661

Total Expenses $ 1,295,873 $ 1321,958

Total Income Over (Under) $ 1,259 $ 2

Finance Report2019 OPERATING FUND BUDGET

Total Expenses

Creation Care UpdateMake a conscious decision to take reusable bags with you for shopping. Have fold-up bags with you for incidental purchases. Plastic bags do not degrade; they only break down into smaller pieces that continue to pollute the environment.

Earth Day Photography Show Take/find one (or more) of your pictures that captures a part of God's Creation.

Submit up to three 8" x 10" photographs to the Welcome Center or church office by March 22 (details on packets at Ministry Table). The photography will be on display April 19 to 26.


Join Us for Lunch with the Pastor Sunday, March 8, at Noon

Fellowship HallReservation Needed | Ministry Table

or Church Office (955-0935)

Membership Sunday | Sunday, March 22 All Three Worship Services

For additional information, contact Donna Maynard, Director of Ministries.

955-0935; [email protected]

Interested in Membership Information?

Dorcas Sewing Circle, Room 107 Leader: Liz Johnson 341-9763Mondays, Mondays, March 10, 24 - 10 a.m. We continue to sew for Mothers helping Mothers, knit prayer shawls, and needlepoint ChrismonsProject: Sewing clothes for children, knitting prayer shawls, and needlepoint

Esther Circle Leader: Helen Brown 309-335-7282Wednesday, March 11 - 11:30 a.m. Program: Study of 50 Women Every Christian Should Know by Michelle DeRushaLoction: Der Dutchman Restaurant

Rebekah-Sarah Circle, Room 104 Leader: Audrey Laue 922-1778Tuesday, March 17 - 10 a.m.Program: The Impact of Partnership

Be a Blessing Ministry Team - Love in Action! Leader: Joy Broaddrick 388-6441Saturday, March 21 - 10 a.m.Project: Ladies’ Purses

Spiritual Growth Event: UMC Christ Venice Church (1475 Center Rd., Venice, FL), Saturday, March 28 Registration - 9 a.m.; Program - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Lunch $8)

United Methodist Women (UMW)Tuesday, March 10 - 2 p.m. -Fellowship Hall

Author’s Event: Dr. Jeffrey Staley, author of Gum MoonEveryone Welcome!


Joyce Johnson Pastoral Care Assistant/Faith Community Nurse

( [email protected]; 374-1666)

Nurse

Faith Community

EARLY CARE CENTER NEWS

by Sue Loncaric, ECC Director

First Church Kidsby Ondie Vinson, Youth Director

It is time to remind everyone to get a flu shot if you haven’t done so. The shot doesn’t mean you won’t let the flu, but, hopefully, it will lessen the symptoms and length of time you are ill. Thus far, 2020 has been a “bad” flu season for all. Be mindful of good handwashing and not touching your face when you have been out with others.Prevention is certainly better than being ill. Get in the habit of cleaning areas of your home most touched by others: door knobs, telephones, light switches, computer keys, just to name a few.

This month also highlights National Colorectal Cancer Awareness, National Nutrition & National Kidney Awareness. May you have and maintain good health.

First Church Kids is happy to announce our 3rd annual Easter Eggstravaganza for Palm Sunday, April 5! This is our biggest children and family event of the year. Last year over 130 First Church and community children came to hear the Easter Story, have lunch and participate in games, crafts, and an Easter Egg Hunt. This year we expect to have just as many children and families.

We are currently looking for volunteers to register kids and families, to help as “crew leaders” to guide families to each activity in different stations, and to orchestrate/play games with the kids. To volunteer please contact Ondie Vinson at [email protected].

The Refuge extends a huge THANK YOU to Nate Freed, Chrissy Doll, Kaitlyn Freeman, and Patrice Thompson for their dedication to First Church on Sunday mornings. They regularly

serve as acolytes in the procession at the 11 a.m. service. They are also donate their time and talents to community service. Take a moment to say “thank you” to them for all they do for our wonderful church and community. We are very proud to have them worshiping and serving God with us at First Church.

FUMC Is Sponsoring a Table 48th Annual Sarasota Prayer Breakfast

Monday, March 9 | 7:45 - 9:45 a.m.Hyatt Regency Sarasota (1000 Boulevard of the Arts)Guest speaker is Rick Larson, founder of the STAR Project. We have an opportunity for 10 of our members to join together. Contact Joyce Johnson (church ~ 941-955-0935; cell ~ 941-374-1666).

In MemoriamVernon Bowen ~ February 3, 2020Diana Berry ~ February 10, 2020Jack Wells ~ February 16, 2020

Budding Artists’ GalaThursday, April 2 | 4-5:30 p.m.

In cooperation with art appreciation week, our students have created original works of art that will be on display in our foyer and hallways. Each class will also create a larger masterpiece. The pieces will be unveiled at 4 p.m. and displayed until 5:30 p.m. We will also host a silent auction. Light refreshments will be served. Please invite extended family and friends to celebrate the creativity in every child. Selected works will also be displayed in the Narthex of First Church on Sunday, April 5.

MARK YOUR CALENDARECC Easter Luncheon - Tuesday, April 7 | 11 a.m.

Trike-a-Thon ResultsThe results are in! The children rode 979 laps and raised $1,855 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Congratulations!

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First Church

Church Life published once a month by First United Methodist Church, Sarasota, FL 34236-5779. Subscription rate: 50 cents. Postmaster please send address corrections to 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236-5727

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Please PRINT Clearly. Name ____________________________________________________________________________

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If you would like the lily you donated, you may take it after the 11 a.m. service on Easter Sunday.

It is time to order Easter Lilies which enhance our worship on Easter Sunday. This is a special way to honor or remember a loved one.

Please complete the form below. Return it with your donation of $10 per plant to the church office or place it in the offering plate (check payable to FUMC).

The deadline to purchase lilies is Sunday, March 29.

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