Unite-Worship-Serve-Thrive

Unite.  Worship.  Serve.  Thrive.

Cultivating Faith, Community, and Diversity Together.

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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

February 16, 2025 at 11 a.m.

We welcome Dr. Kevin Fenton as our Artist in Residence directoring our Amazing Choir!

9 a.m.  ~ In the chapel ~a service of centering prayer ~ grounding yourself in God’s grace and love.

 

Hands holding glass globe

11 a.m. ~ In the Sanctuary and Online ~ We warmly welcome Dr. Kevin Fenton as our Artist in Residence directoring our Amazing Choir singing, “Praise the Lord”, “Song of Resolution”, “Praise His Holy Name” and “Syzohamba Naye”.  Pastor Wes will preach on Matthew 6:1-15

Following worship we will celebrate February birthdays.

Click here to read Pastor Wes’ blog.

Local Faith Leaders Call for Justice, Equity, and Inclusion in Sarasota

Local Faith Leaders Call for Justice, Equity, and Inclusion in Sarasota

“Our destinies are bound together, and the path to true peace is paved with justice and the recognition of our shared humanity.”
A Call to Solidarity, Sarasota Faith Leaders

Standing Together for Justice, Inclusion, and Positive Peace

Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby, Pastor of First Congregational UCC, along with leaders from diverse faith communities, authored an opinion column published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The column, A Call to Solidarity: Towards Positive Peace, challenges harmful policies targeting LGBTQIA+, immigrant communities, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. It emphasizes the need for compassion, justice, and the dignity of all people as a path toward positive peace.

A coalition of local clergy, including Pastor Wes, urges the Sarasota community to stand against exclusionary policies and build a future rooted in compassion and inclusion. The letter affirms that true peace is achieved through justice, dignity, and solidarity with marginalized groups.

Read the Full Opinion Piece in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: click here

PDF version: click here

 

Engaging with Dr. King’s Legacy

Reflections on ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’

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On Sunday January 19, our church members engaged deeply with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” through readings and personal reflections. Susan Moore, Lois Wilkins, and Gregg Matthews read excerpts from the letter, while Clarence Rogers and Sheila Gossett offered personal reflections. These reflections underscored the enduring relevance of Dr. King’s message: the struggle for justice is ongoing, and it is imperative to remain vigilant and proactive in the face of challenges to equality and civil rights.

For a more in-depth exploration of these reflections, you can watch the full presentation here:

Watch Video

Special Program for February

Deepen Your Faith in February

Deepen Your Faith with the Sermon on the Mount and Eager to Love

This February, join Pastor Wes for two enriching opportunities to explore the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and its call to live in the way of Jesus.

Bible Study on the Sermon on the Mount
Gather at the table for Bible Study on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom or Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. in the Oasis Center or on Zoom. Together, we’ll reflect on these powerful chapters to ground ourselves in Jesus’ teachings and their relevance for today.

Book Discussion: Eager to Love
Complement your study with a conversation about Richard Rohr’s Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi. Explore themes of spiritual transformation and compassionate living on February 10 and 17 at 4 p.m. in the Oasis Center or via Zoom. Pastor Wes has a few copies of the book available for $16.

Come for some or all of these meaningful experiences to deepen your understanding and walk in the way of Christ!

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

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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

Honoring Pastor Wes’ 10 Years of Inspired Leadership

Celebrating a Decade of Devotion and Leadership

For ten years, Pastor Wes has been a guiding light for our community at First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota. His dedication to fostering a welcoming and nurturing environment has strengthened our bonds and deepened our faith. Through his compassionate leadership, Pastor Wes has touched countless lives, encouraging us to grow spiritually and support one another in love and kindness.

Video created by your loving church family in collaboration with:
~ Carol McCloud: Power Point Presentation Pre-production
~ Gregory Chestnut: Music Selection
~ Douglas Kingsley: Post-production Graphics & Video Editing

Pastor Wes’s journey with us has been marked by his unwavering commitment to our church’s core values. His ability to connect with each member of our congregation has created a sense of belonging and unity. We are grateful for his tireless efforts in building a community where everyone feels valued and heard.
“We Are Like Moses”
Latest Sermon

Latest Sermon

View This Sermon
on YouTube

“We Are Like Moses”
DATE:
February 9, 2025
SPEAKER:
Rev. Dr. John Walker
RELATED SCRIPTURE:

Rev. Dr. John Walker draws parallels between the life of Moses and the experiences of African Americans, focusing on themes of survival, resilience, and divine intervention. In Exodus 2:1-10, Moses’ mother defies the Pharaoh’s decree by placing him in a basket on the Nile, trusting God’s protection. Walker highlights that, like Moses, African Americans have faced oppression but have been lifted through faith. He emphasizes how God’s love and intervention transform lives, moving individuals from suffering to salvation, much like Jesus' sacrifice lifted humanity.

Friday Prayer

Morning Meditation

Coffee cup with church logo
Friday Prayer
DATE:
February 14, 2025
AUTHOR:
Rev. Dr. Wes Bixby

 On this Valentine’s Day, I invite you to lean into your
heart and listen for God’s love.  This
week we have wrestled with words of Jesus that don’t fit into neat/tidy
compartments or make us comfortable.  We
have noticed and named how Jesus’ words in the hands/mouths of humans have
caused more harm than good.  We have
confessed that how we sexualize each other has ripples and ramifications that
we don’t want to deal with.  Today, I
encourage you to pause and pray for all those whose love has left fingerprints
on your hearts.  I know for me, it is
easier to preach about God’s love, because I have...

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.