Unite-Worship-Serve-Thrive

Unite.  Worship.  Serve.  Thrive.

Cultivating Faith, Community, and Diversity Together.

Image is not available
Unite-Worship-Serve-Thrive

Unite.  Worship.  Serve.  Thrive.

Cultivating Faith, Community, and Diversity Together.

Image is not available

Join Our Team as Director of Music! 🎶

First Congregational United Church of Christ is seeking a passionate and dynamic Director of Music to lead our diverse and vibrant music program. The ideal candidate will be an inspiring organist and choir conductor who collaborates closely with the Senior Minister to create engaging and meaningful worship experiences. If you have a heart for ministry and a talent for music, we invite you to apply!

 

Looking to Grow Your Faith?

Multiple hands holding seedling

Do you have a spiritual longing for a deeper connection, meaning, and purpose in life?

Our congregation offers a variety of opportunities to deepen your faith and strengthen your spiritual journey. From Sunday worship to Bible studies to fellowship events, we provide a space for you to connect with others and with God.

WE HOPE YOU JOIN US ON YOUR JOURNEY

Looking to Join a Community?

Multiple hands holding multiple seedlings - community

Do you feel a need for belonging, support, and shared values?

We are a faithful, diverse, inclusive and relevant congregation that honors and celebrates each individual. We believe that diversity strengthens our community, and we are committed to creating a space that welcomes people from all walks of life. Our congregation is made up of people with different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.

Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+, a person with disabilities, someone who has experienced racial injustice, or simply feel like you don’t fit in elsewhere, we welcome you with open arms.

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME HERE

Worship This Week

Worship This Week

November 3 ~ TWO Services at 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. 

Please join us as we celebrate All Saints Day and welcome Glenn Priest as guest musician

9:00 a.m.  We gather in the sanctuary to honor our saints.  Pastor Wes will preach on Isaiah 11

 

Hands holding glass globe

11:00 a.m. ~ Pastor Wes will preach on Isaiah 11 and the choir will sing, “We Are Surrounded”.

 

Fellowship Time follows 11 a.m. to celebrate November Birthdays.

Click here to read Pastor Wes’ blog.

Special Programs for the Fall

Empowering Conversations: Addressing Gun Violence and Challenging Cultural Bias

Join us at our church for two special events featuring distinguished guests: Po Murray, Cofounder & Chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance, and Byron Hurt, acclaimed filmmaker of “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes.” Don’t miss these insightful discussions!

October Event

Thank you to all who attended.

November Event

Celebrating 70 Years

Word cloud by Carol Fields made from the words we collected from our congregants expressing how they feel about our church.

Celebrate with us as we mark a significant milestone in our journey of faith and reflect on 70 years of ministry, growth, and community at First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota. Watch our special video, ‘Celebrating 70 Years of Ministry,’ and witness the cherished memories, impactful moments, and inspiring stories that have shaped our church’s legacy. Let’s honor the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future together.

Video by Carol McCloud

Discover Our Culture

First Congregational United Church of Christ, rooted in Sarasota with a passion for God, all God’s people, and God’s planet, prayerfully seeks to be a light to the world. We covenant with God and each other to honor racial justice and people of color in all we do.  We are open, affirming and allies of LBGTQ+ people.  We seek creation justice, learning to actively care for our planet.  We commit to study, learn and live these values.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” John 15:5

vine drawing with transparent background

Caring

Justice

Worship

Belonging

Faithfulness

Welcome

Our Covenants

Creation Justice

It is our duty to conserve natural resources, protect the existing natural environment and repair damage.

Open and Affirming

We work faithfully and prayerfully to end discrimination against our LGBTQIA+ siblings.

Racial Justice at First Congregational UCC, Sarasota
Racial Justice

We are intent to discuss America’s original sin of racism and that everyone is made in God’s image.

Slide 1

Meet Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby
Wes Bixby

“Maybe you’re new to our church, new to Sarasota, or new to church altogether. Whatever brings you here, I’d love the chance to get to know you better. Please know I am available to talk with you and help you connect in meaningful ways with our community of faith.
 
“During times such as these, we are aware that many in our community are facing challenges. If you are in need of prayer or care, please let me know.”
🙏

Wes Bixby
“Two Sides of a Coin”
Latest Sermon

Latest Sermon

“Two Sides of a Coin”
DATE:
October 27, 2024
SPEAKER:
Rev. Ellen Marsey
RELATED SCRIPTURE:
All Saints Day

Morning Meditation

Coffee cup with church logo
All Saints Day
DATE:
November 1, 2024
AUTHOR:
Wes Bixby

 

This Sunday we will celebrate
All Saints Day.  Today, I invite you to
light a candle and name your saints.  For
me, that includes my grandma, my mom, people whose love I felt at the church,
and those whose fingerprints are on my life. 
Recently, my Uncle Keith passed away. 
I got to see him a few years ago when I was visiting Iowa.  I admired my Uncle Keith.  He was optimistic, caring, smart, energetic,
and loving.  Uncle Keith sent handwritten
letters, until arthritis caused him to turn to a typewriter.  Uncle...

Latest Sermon

Morning Meditation

Upcoming Events

Giving
Thank you.
Everything we do here at First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota is made possible by the faithful generosity of our incredible community.