The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Eustis is calling for a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 26, immediately following worship , for the purpose of voting on the dissolution of the pastoral relationship between the congregation and Pastor Mario Bolivar. We want to share clearly that Pastor Mario’s decision to step down is not the result of something that he, or anyone in the life of this church, has done or not done. Rather, after a season of prayer and

As many of you are aware, Pastor Mario will be stepping down from his role as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Eustis, with his final day of service being April 30. This is a meaningful moment in the life of our church—not one defined by uncertainty, but by faithful discernment and thoughtful preparation. Over the past several weeks, your Session has been actively engaged in prayer, conversation, and planning. They have approached this transition with diligence and care

"Jesus with us: More Than We Expected" During this past season of Lent, our church family—children and adults alike—participated in a simple yet meaningful invitation: to draw what it looks like to believe that Jesus is with us . What emerged was more than artwork. It was testimony. It was theology expressed in color, imagination, memory, and hope. At the time, I did not know how these drawings would be used. I simply trusted the moment as a gift. Now, as we enter these three

Hello Church! Beloved Faith Family... It is with a heart full of gratitude, love, and deep emotion that I share with you an important update in the life of our church and my own call as a disciple of Christ. After a season of prayerful discernment, I have accepted a new call to serve as Equipping Presbyter and Stated Clerk with the Presbytery of Florida. This means that, effective April 30, 2026, I will be stepping down from my role as Pastor and Head of Staff of First Presby

When we think about Jesus Christ and His impact on our lives, many of us immediately point to His death on the cross as His greatest accomplishment. But what if we've been looking at this the wrong way? What if the most significant thing Jesus ever did wasn't something that happened in the past, but something that continues to happen today? Watch the Sermon on Demand - Click Here Is Jesus' Death or Life More Important? Consider this challenging question: What is more importan

Life is filled with grand celebrations and milestone events. We eagerly anticipate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays like Palm Sunday and Easter. But what happens in the spaces between these big moments? What can we learn from Jesus about the significance of everyday faithfulness? The Danger of Living Only for Big Events Imagine if someone decided to only show love during major celebrations - buying expensive gifts for anniversaries but never saying "I love you" on ordin

When Jesus commanded us to "love your enemies," He wasn't asking us to do something easy or natural. This might be one of the most challenging teachings in all of Scripture, yet it reveals something profound about God's character and His expectations for our lives. What Does It Really Mean to Love Your Enemies? The love Jesus speaks of isn't the warm, fuzzy feeling we have for family and friends. The Greek word used here is "agape" - sacrificial love. This means we're called

In our daily interactions, we often encounter different ways people express themselves and handle difficult situations. Just as people have varying cultural backgrounds and personalities that shape how they greet each other or respond to competition, we also see different reactions to grief and loss in our faith journey. Watch this Sermon by Rev. Mario Bolivar - Click Here How Do People React Differently to Grief? The story of Lazarus reveals how even siblings can experience

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations we don't fully understand, or we're given gifts whose true power and potential remain largely hidden from us. This reality extends to one of Christianity's most fundamental practices: prayer. What Is Jesus' Prayer in John 17? John 17 contains what's known as "Jesus' Prayer" - not to be confused with the Lord's Prayer that begins "Our Father who art in heaven." While the Lord's Prayer teaches us how to pray, John 17 reveals Jesus himse

Most of us were guided to think of prayer like a simple exchange: we ask, God answers , however as I read the bible, specially John 17 prayer appears to be something deeper. It’s less like placing an order and more like learning to live aware of God’s presence . Jesus prayed often. The Psalms are full of prayers that sound honest, messy, thankful, confused, and hopeful all at once. That alone suggests prayer is not about perfect words. It’s about relationship and awareness .

In the classic Disney movie The Lion King, we witness the power of a crowd in motion. When fear grips the animals and they begin to stampede, even the mighty Mufasa can fall victim to their panic. This powerful image helps us understand an important biblical truth about crowds - they can be both blessing and burden, helpful and harmful. In Mark 2, we find Jesus returning to Capernaum after ministry. Even in what should have been a time of rest, he finds himself surrounded by

Imagine a father holding his newborn baby for the first time. When asked if he loves the child, he responds, "No, I do not. He has not earned it." This shocking scenario helps us understand something profound about God's love - it's the complete opposite of how our world operates. Watch Sermon on Demand - Click Here What Does Jesus' Baptism Teach Us About God's Love? When Jesus approached his cousin John for baptism, something extraordinary happened. As Jesus emerged from the

This Lent, we are inviting you—church family and friends—to walk with Jesus from the wilderness to the empty tomb. Beginning Tuesday, February 24 , we will gather each week to reflect together on From Wilderness to Glory: Lent and Easter for Everyone  by N. T. Wright . This 7-week devotional traces Jesus’ journey from temptation in the wilderness to the cross—and ultimately to resurrection glory. It holds together the honesty of Lent (lament, struggle, waiting) and the hope o

We've all heard the saying "When God closes a door, He opens a window." While this familiar phrase contains truth, it represents just one of many ways God communicates His will to us. Today, we'll explore how God speaks to us through multiple channels, inviting us to expand our understanding of divine guidance beyond simple doors and windows. The Limitation of Door-and-Window Thinking The concept of closed doors and open windows isn't wrong—it's simply incomplete. When we lim

I love hymns—their history, their depth, their theology. I grew up singing beloved evangelical favorites like “He Lives,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Just As I Am,” and later encountered the sturdy strength of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Yet one hymn that has recently captured my attention is “What Wondrous Love Is This.” Though American in origin, with roots in the Appalachian South, it feels far older than its early nineteenth-century beginnings. The tune first appeare

Life has a way of throwing curveballs at us when we least expect them. Whether it's dealing with illness, facing financial challenges, or navigating unexpected setbacks, we often find ourselves asking, "What should I do?" While the popular "What Would Jesus Do?" question has merit, there's another biblical figure whose example might be more relatable for everyday believers: Cornelius. See, Acts 10:1-23 Cornelius was an ordinary man facing extraordinary circumstances. Accordin

Have you ever been so certain you were doing the right thing, only to discover you were completely wrong? The story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus reveals how God can interrupt our lives in the most unexpected ways, transforming our hearts and redirecting our purpose. What Was Saul Really Doing? Saul wasn't just casually disagreeing with early Christians. He had obtained official letters from the high priest, giving him authority to arrest, bind, and forcibly br

*Written for those that wanted to participate, but couldn't. #seeyounextweek This week in Bible study (February 3), we spent time with The Chosen , Season 3, Episode 4, paying close attention to the intertwined gospel stories of Jairus and the woman with the bleeding. The episode takes creative liberties—many scenes are not found directly in Scripture—and that matters. Still, it offers something worth sitting with. It helps us imagine the complexity  of following Jesus: the j

Filling Our Hearts With Truth That Lasts There is no shortage of voices telling us who we should be, how we should feel, or what will finally make us whole. Every season of life brings its own pressures, questions, and distractions. And yet, Scripture reminds us again and again that lasting peace, identity, and strength are not found in self-help strategies or quick fixes—but in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. This February, our women’s ministry invites you into a deeper,

Our New Class of Ruling Elders We give thanks to God for the gift of leadership in our church and for the faithful men and women who have answered the call to serve as Ruling Elders at First Presbyterian Church of Eustis . In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Ruling Elders are elected by the congregation from among its members. Their election reflects the rich diversity of the body of Christ and affirms our shared commitment to participation, inclusion, prayerful discernment,