Join us every Sunday as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person in the sanctuary and via livestream.
Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
The newly established Food and Hunger Group is very pleased to sponsor the collections for All Faiths Food Bank. Collections that will take place the first Sunday of every month. There will be a basket in the narthex labeled ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK. Please place your items in the basket or next to it if the basket is full. Click on the event title for more information.
First Congregational UCC is a generous congregation. We thank you in advance for your donations.
Join us every Sunday for the early service as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person. Beginning January, 2025, the 9am early service will take place in the Chapel. Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Join us every Sunday as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person in the sanctuary and via livestream.
Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
As we step into the New Year, we are invited to listen to our lives as one way God shows up. Through prayers, hymns, scripture, and meaningful discussion, each session of The Wayless Way offers a unique theme:
• January 6th: Epiphany
• January 13th: Family Systems Theory
• January 20th: Prayers for the Wayless Way
• January 27th: Listening and Discerning God in Our Lives
While each week follows a connecting thread, you’re welcome to join when you can—no need to worry about missing a session.
✨ Pastor Wes reflects, “I firmly believe God shows up disguised as our life.” Come and explore how God reveals Himself through your journey.
📩 For more information or to register, contact Pastor Wes.
We gather for a time of prayer in the Chapel. Join us as we drum together, letting the movement of our hands and hearts be a prayer to God. All levels of experience welcome for this opportunity. Instruction will be provided and together we will make a joyful noise to God. New drummers are welcome; drums are provided.
The FCC Women’s Association invites everyone to a special program on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, featuring Silvia Perez, Senior Staff Member of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), and Giselle Ramirez, Campaign Coordinator and Translator.
Silvia will provide an overview of the CIW’s history, victories in the Campaign for Fair Food, and updates on the fight for farm worker human rights today.
Sign up after church service or call the church office at 941-953-7044. Questions? Contact Terri Crawford at (239) 896-7029.
Support the CIW: Donations of printer paper and office supplies are welcome to assist with their worker education sessions.
All are welcome!
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. For more information and to join in the conversation, please contact the office.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. This is a hybrid session ~ in the Oasis Center and on ZOOM. For more information and to join in the conversation, contact Pastor Wes.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
We gather semi-monthly for a holy dialogue on issues related to the realities of racism in our country, community and church. During our gatherings, we raise awareness around issues, build trusting relationships, and commit to loving action. There is always space at the table for you to join us.
Lincoln's God: How Faith Transformed a President and a Nation
by Joshua Zeitz
Lincoln’s spiritual journey from spiritual skeptic to America's first evangelical Christian presidential believer—a conversion that changed both the Civil War and the practice of religion itself.
This is the story of that transformation and how religion helped millions of Northerners interpret the carnage and political upheaval of the 1850s and 1860s. Rather than focus on battles and personalities, Joshua Zeitz probes the many ways war and spiritual convictions intertwined.
Prayers of Gratitude for the New Year ~ Led by Lindsey Huddleston
We usually have New Year’s Resolutions. Let’s add prayers of GRATITUDE as we begin 2025. Come and share fun, creative, and imaginative ways to inspire our sense of Thanksgiving for the blessings in our lives. This practice positively changes our mindset.
For those at home on Zoom, have paper, crayons/markers, or colored pencils available. Contact Pastor Wes for the Zoom link.
Join us every Sunday for the early service as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person. Beginning January, 2025, the 9am early service will take place in the Chapel. Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Join us every Sunday as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person in the sanctuary and via livestream.
Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
COLLAGE will have a luncheon meeting on the second Sundays of each month in the Oasis Center immediately following the 11 o'clock service. We will have a free box lunch, so please RSVP to Sara Little in order to know how many lunches to order. Please indicate if you have food allergies. We will try to accommodate them.
As we step into the New Year, we are invited to listen to our lives as one way God shows up. Through prayers, hymns, scripture, and meaningful discussion, each session of The Wayless Way offers a unique theme:
• January 6th: Epiphany
• January 13th: Family Systems Theory
• January 20th: Prayers for the Wayless Way
• January 27th: Listening and Discerning God in Our Lives
While each week follows a connecting thread, you’re welcome to join when you can—no need to worry about missing a session.
✨ Pastor Wes reflects, “I firmly believe God shows up disguised as our life.” Come and explore how God reveals Himself through your journey.
📩 For more information or to register, contact Pastor Wes.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. For more information and to join in the conversation, please contact the office.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. This is a hybrid session ~ in the Oasis Center and on ZOOM. For more information and to join in the conversation, contact Pastor Wes.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
Calling all knitters and crocheters!
Experience the joy of knitting and crocheting while making a meaningful impact in our community. Create prayer shawls that offer warmth and solace to those in need.
Refreshments will be served.
Join us for the Men's Breakfast, held on the third Saturday of every month from October through May. It's a wonderful opportunity for fellowship, great food, and engaging discussions. All men of the congregation are welcome. Come and enjoy a morning of camaraderie and meaningful conversation!
Bobby's second visit to Sarasota, FL. New songs, new stories, all the love!
Bobby Jo Valentine is an explorative, hopeful, spiritual, queer artist who strives to makes music and poetry that is good medicine for everyone. Bobby Jo has won multiple awards for his songwriting, given a Tedx Talk, and is a believer in the soft and steady power of tiny everyday acts of love to heal our world.
Donations will be accepted for ALSO Youth.
Join us every Sunday for the early service as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person. Beginning January, 2025, the 9am early service will take place in the Chapel. Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Join us every Sunday as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person in the sanctuary and via livestream.
Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Robert E. Shore-Goss and Sarah J.Melcher will speak on January 19th
We will explore the history of the land First Congregational United Church of Christ occupies, who lived there before us, how they cared for the land, and how we can live a sustainable present and future on the land the church occupies.
We invite members of the community to join us for a Quiet Time of Prayer in the Sanctuary. Whether you are seeking personal reflection or a moment of peace, stop by anytime between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM for quiet prayer and contemplation. This is a time to pause, pray, and find solace in the presence of God.
As we step into the New Year, we are invited to listen to our lives as one way God shows up. Through prayers, hymns, scripture, and meaningful discussion, each session of The Wayless Way offers a unique theme:
• January 6th: Epiphany
• January 13th: Family Systems Theory
• January 20th: Prayers for the Wayless Way
• January 27th: Listening and Discerning God in Our Lives
While each week follows a connecting thread, you’re welcome to join when you can—no need to worry about missing a session.
✨ Pastor Wes reflects, “I firmly believe God shows up disguised as our life.” Come and explore how God reveals Himself through your journey.
📩 For more information or to register, contact Pastor Wes.
We gather for a time of prayer in the Chapel. Join us as we drum together, letting the movement of our hands and hearts be a prayer to God. All levels of experience welcome for this opportunity. Instruction will be provided and together we will make a joyful noise to God. New drummers are welcome; drums are provided.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. For more information and to join in the conversation, please contact the office.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. This is a hybrid session ~ in the Oasis Center and on ZOOM. For more information and to join in the conversation, contact Pastor Wes.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
We gather semi-monthly for a holy dialogue on issues related to the realities of racism in our country, community and church. During our gatherings, we raise awareness around issues, build trusting relationships, and commit to loving action. There is always space at the table for you to join us.
Join Lisa Kauffman, one of our snowbirds, as she shares what she has learned through a certification program on movement, sleep, food, and stress. She will share here knowledge, tools, and confidence. Lisa will begin with a chair yoga session and leave plenty of time for Q and A. We will gather in Syster Hall on January 23 at 11 a.m.
Join us every Sunday for the early service as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person. Beginning January, 2025, the 9am early service will take place in the Chapel. Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Join us every Sunday as we raise our prayer and praise to God in person in the sanctuary and via livestream.
Please see the worship page for information on the current week's service.
Join us for the Annual Meeting of the congregation where we will gather to reflect on the past year, vote on key reports, and celebrate the vibrant life of our church.
This year at our Annual Meeting, we will vote on:
• Financial Reports for 2024 and the Budget for 2025
• Nominating Report for the 2025 Leadership Team
We’ll also celebrate the incredible work of the past year.
• The Annual Report will be posted on the website January 12th
• Financials are available via email or in the church office
• Paper ballots are available in the office for those who wish to vote beforehand
• Questions? Please see Moderator Harold Mezile
We look forward to seeing you there, either in person or via livestream!
As we step into the New Year, we are invited to listen to our lives as one way God shows up. Through prayers, hymns, scripture, and meaningful discussion, each session of The Wayless Way offers a unique theme:
• January 6th: Epiphany
• January 13th: Family Systems Theory
• January 20th: Prayers for the Wayless Way
• January 27th: Listening and Discerning God in Our Lives
While each week follows a connecting thread, you’re welcome to join when you can—no need to worry about missing a session.
✨ Pastor Wes reflects, “I firmly believe God shows up disguised as our life.” Come and explore how God reveals Himself through your journey.
📩 For more information or to register, contact Pastor Wes.
We are excited to announce the new pattern for COLLAGE gatherings! Join us for our Zoom meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Additionally, we will host a luncheon on the second Sunday of each month following the 11 am service. When we have a program, we will offer it as a hybrid presentation via Zoom whenever possible. ALL are welcome. This is a wonderful way to connect, catch up, and be a part of our inclusive community.
The monthly community meal that we continue to provide at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church feeds those who are hungry and in need of fellowship. Our guests are treated to a Sandy Smith home-cooked meal. The home-baked items provided by our church family add a sweet treat that is heartily enjoyed.
Our mission is to feed the hungry and offer fellowship to our guests.
Please volunteer to help prepare the appetizers and desserts and assist with setting up and serving the meal. We welcome our guests with a smile, friendly words, and a wonderful meal. We will be providing a favorite — strawberry shortcake. We need people to cut up strawberries and bake the shortcake. To volunteer and/or inquire for more details contact Carol Hagglund.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. For more information and to join in the conversation, please contact the office.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
Join us for an enriching journey through the Scriptures in our Bible Study sessions. Guided by Pastor Wes and surrounded by a supportive community, our Bible Study offers a space for deep exploration, meaningful discussion, and personal growth. This is a hybrid session ~ in the Oasis Center and on ZOOM. For more information and to join in the conversation, contact Pastor Wes.
There is always room at the Bible Study table for you.
All are invited to this year's leadership retreat!
HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY?
8:45 - 9:10
Fellowship and Refreshments
9:10 - 9:40
Introductions and Listening/Sharing Activity
9:40 - 10:45
Bucket-Filling Program with Carol McCloud
11:00 - Noon
Team Meetings and Group Photos
Carol is the author of 10 books which began with the ever-popular "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?". Carol is graciously offering to lead us on a memorable bucket-filling exercise you won't want to miss!