Vol. 81#21 05/28/2017
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, And a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 As a church ministry that benefits greatly from the seasonal nature of our community when our northern guests go back home at the end of winter, it takes a few weeks to get used to the loss of their fellowship and presence. Besides the physical reality of fewer people in our worship and ministries, we simply miss their warmth and blessing as a part of our fellowship. We mark the passing of each year with the celebration of a birthday. Now I know some of you have stopped having them, but that does not negate the fact that you are constantly growing older. Hardly a week goes by that we do not have someone in our fellowship who passes from this life to the next. Birth and death, two realities that are constant. These two realities are the bookends of the seasons of our life. Within them are to be found many other smaller seasons; joy & tragedy, work & retirement, celebration and mourning, etc., etc. Within the seasons of life God s Word teaches us to number our years so that we can maximize our impact for Christ. We are called to live out our days proclaiming the goodness of God and the salvation He gives us through His Son with urgency! It is my hope that as we continue to experience the various seasons of our life, we will give thanks unto our gracious God who continues to make himself known in all that we experience. Join us this Sunday as we celebrate this season of life! Celebrate the seasons of life! Each year when this happens I remember that life is a sequence of seasons. For those who have lived many years, this has become a reality. To those who are still in their youth or middle years, it is still becoming reality. 2017 Vacation Bible School Galactic Starveyors! June 18-21, 2017 Kickoff - Sunday June 18 at Monday - Wednesday June 19-21, starting at Children age 4 by Sept 1, 2017 thru 5th Grade Call the Church Office at 941-365-2846 for more info.
Congratulations! The following children earned Awana Awards! Sparks Hanglider Award: Lyric Carey Dillon Helton Addison Gisiger Mason Luff Jett Manooshian Sparks Wingrunner Award: Zachary Manooshian T&T (Truth & Training )Alpha Award: McKenzie Ware T&T Excellence Award: Grace Helton Thank You to our 2017 Awana Leaders! Neil Scott, Judy Griffin, Caren Stocks, Jodi Perry, Kyle Hembree, Penny Lane, & substitute leaders Arne & Wilhelmina Ellermets. Awana Water Fun Night! FirstSarasota Student Scholarships Scholarship applications are available in the church office for all graduating active church members who are college bound and for those currently enrolled in an accredited program. Please contact the Church Office at 941-365-2846 to get an application. Applications are due no later than Friday, June 9, 2017. Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Bring a towel and be prepared to get wet! Cafe Koinonia Every Sunday in the Family Life Center. 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Fun, Free, Fellowship and goodies! Join us and chill out with friends, family, and guests! Weekly Summer Beach Run Fun for the whole family! Tuesday evenings June 13 - August 8. We will meet at on Siesta Beach directly in front of the new pavillion. Look for the FirstSarasota flag. There is a one-mile fun run that begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the larger race at For more information contact Pastor Mark Gibbens at 941-365-2846.
SUNDAY Pastor s 8:00 a.m. May 28 Contemporary Worship Service (Grad Sunday) Koinonia Cafe - FLC 9:45 a.m. Triumphant Worship Service (Grad Sunday) PowerSurge - Children s Bldg. 2nd Fl. - Ktg - 5th Grade WWSB-TV Broadcast - Channel 7 GLOW Women s - The Erb s House MONDAY May 29 Office Closed - Memorial Day TUESDAY Women on Mission Sewing Group MAY 30 ` Beth Moore : Here & Now, There & Then - Annex WEDNESDAY Melva s Kitchen - FLC - Seafood 5:00 p.m. May 31 Childcare for Infants- Preschool - Nursery 5:30 p.m. AWANA - Ktg. through 5th Grade (Water Fun NIght) Midweek Prayers & Praise Sole Sisters - Ladies Running Group momentum Men s Group - Annex Young Singles Small Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice THURSDAY Pray & Play Men s Golf Group - The Palms Golf Club 5:00 p.m. June 1 FRIDAY Estudio Biblico - Annex 6:30 p.m. June 2 SUNDAY Pastor s 8:00 a.m. June 4 Contemporary Worship Service Koinonia Cafe - FLC 9:45 a.m. Triumphant Worship Service PowerSurge - Children s Bldg. 2nd Fl. - Ktg. - 5th Grade WWSB-TV Broadcast - Channel 7 GLOW Women s - The Erb s House MONDAY Fostering Hope June 5 TUESDAY Women on Mission Sewing Group June 6 Beth Moore :Here & Now, There & Then - Annex Mother s Morning Out WEDNESDAY Melva s Kitchen - FLC - Meatloaf 5:00 p.m. June 7 Childcare for Infants-Preschool - Nursery 5:30 p.m. Timmy Time for Middle & High Schoolers - Chapel, 2nd Fl 5:30 p.m. TeamKID - Grades 1-5 Midweek Prayer & Praise (LORD S SUPPER) Sole Sisters - Ladies Running Group momentum Men s Group - Annex Young Singles Small Group - Chapel 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Practice THURSDAY 180SK8CHRCH 4:15 p.m. June 8 Pray & Play Men s Golf Group - The Palms Golf Club 5:00 p.m. FRIDAY Estudio Biblico - Annex 6:30 p.m. June 9 SUNDAY Pastor s 8:00 a.m. June 11 Contemporary Worship Service Koinonia Cafe - FLC 9:45 a.m. Triumphant Worship Service PowerSurge - Children s Bldg. 2nd Fl. - Ktg - 5th Grade WWSB-TV Broadcast - Channel 7 Patriotic Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary 4:00 p.m. GLOW Women s - The Erb s House
9:00 A.M. Contemporary Worship Service May 28, 2017 Praise and Worship Youth Band Diamonds Made Alive Welcome Pastor Mark Gibbens Graduation Recognition Tim Storck & Pastor Mark Gibbens Praise and Worship Message Time of Response Closing Prayer Lion and the Lamb This I Believe (The Creed) Youth Band Youth Band 10:30 A.M. Triumphant Worship Service May 28, 2017 Prelude Denise Verheul Call to Worship Sanctuary Choir In God We Trust Congregational Hymn Congregation God of Our Fathers Pastoral Welcome & Call to Prayer Pastor Mark Gibbens Graduation Recognition Tim Storck & Pastor Mark Gibbens Choral Worship In the Presence of Jehovah Soloist: Connie Helton Sanctuary Choir Congregational Hymn Lead On, O King Eternal Congregation Special Music Message Alleluia (Glory, Honor, Majesty) Iris Putman Hymn of Decision Congregation Cleanse Me Offertory Prayer Lee Bittinger Offertory Presentation of New Members Pastor Shawn Gross
SANCTUARY FLOWERS Sanctuary flowers for May 28 are placed in loving memory of our son, Jason, by Sarah and Greg Anderson. Sanctuary flowers for June 4 are placed by Fred and Myrna Aaron in honor of their 56th wedding anniversary. Periodical Postage Paid WITH SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Robert and Anna Marie Lewis on the passing of his brother, Richard Lewis on May 22. DEACON OF THE WEEK Our Deacons are available if there is a need for ministry. Please feel free to call. Week of 5/28-6/3 Elizabeth Dowdy (504-7782) Week of 6/4 6/10 Steve Parker (525-0103) Week of 6/11 6/17 Jerry Sanders (359-0167) May 21, 2017 308 Worship 9:00-147 10:30-320 Total - 467 First Report - May 21, 2017 Weekly Budget Goal $ 35,885.56 Budget Receipts $ 33,494.55 Budget Goal YTD $ 753,596.76 Budget Receipts YTD $ 816,214.69 Designated Rcpts. YTD $ 86,678.09 Main Street Property Emphasis Vision to Victory! Today $ 8259.00 Vision to Victory! To Date $287,705.41 REMEMBER OUR HOMEBOUND MEMBERS WITH A CALL, CARD, OR VISIT Mickie Weaver 425 Bristol Ct. Sarasota, FL 34237 FIRST LIGHT (USPS 671880) Published weekly, except during the week of Christmas, by FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1661 Main Street, Sarasota,FL 34236 Periodical postage paid at Sarasota, FL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address change to: FIRST LIGHT, P.O. Box 3589, Sarasota, FL 34230, 941-365-2846 Find Us On Facebook Pastor William H. Hild Lead Pastor Pastor Shawn Gross Pastor of Worship Ministerial Staff Pastor Mark Gibbens Pastor of Families & Young Adults Mrs. Donna Booth Director of Preschool & Children Ministries Pastor Paul Helton Church Planter, Redemption Church Manatee Mr. Tim Storck Director of Student Ministries