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Member LoginAdvent at FPC (December 3, 2021)
Dear Friends in Christ,
The season of Advent marches on. On this second Sunday of Advent, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion and light the candle of Peace in all three worship services. At noon, we will have the Family Advent Workshop, and at 5:00pm the Youth will have a progressive dinner tacky gift exchange and ugly Christmas sweater contest. So it is a day full of activities for all ages!
Don’t forget that our final Wednesdays at First for 2021 will be this Wednesday, as we join for food and fellowship around tables before our annual White Gifts Service. Check out the lists on the linked page to find out more about this beloved service and to see what gifts you can bring.
Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT – DECEMBER 5
8:45am MorningSong (Fogartie Hall)
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
9:45am Sunday School for children, youth, and adults.
11:00am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
12:00pm Family Advent Workshop (Under the Tent and in the Gym)
5:00pm Youth Christmas Party
Stream our MorningSong and 11am Sanctuary services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.
Stop by the Perrin Room for a Treat!
This Sunday (and every Sunday during Advent) in the Perrin Room (Welcome Center) we will have lemon squares made from Anne Porchér Perrin's favorite recipe. Please stop by and enjoy this delicious treat and enjoy fellowship with members and visitors!
12pm Family Advent Workshop
Let’s get ready for Christmas together! On Sunday, Dec. 5 from 12-1:30, join other families to create live Advent wreaths and age-appropriate crafts (e.g., Nativity story wheels, “Jesus” wreaths, crystal icicle ornaments, and more). Special projects for tweens and teens. We’ll gather under the tent and in the gym. The more the merrier!
5pm Youth Christmas Party (Sign Up!)
All Youth are invited to join us for a Progressive Dinner in Andrews Farm. We’ll have an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest with prizes and a TACKY Gift Exchange. Please sign up by emailing Carrie Coleman!
NEXT WEEK
Wednesday Night Dinner – December 8 beginning at 5pm (Register Now)
Before the Annual White Gifts Service, join us for a Greek dinner beginning at 5pm! There will also be a separate kid’s menu of pizza, cheese sticks, applesauce, and dessert. Sign up now through Monday, December 6 at 4:30pm.
White Gifts Service: Who is My Neighbor? – Wednesday, December 8 at 6:30 (Sanctuary)
Please join us for our annual White Gift Service featuring our children's choirs and the giving of gifts wrapped in white for four local organizations: Cleveland Academy of Leadership, Mobile Meals, Hope Center for Children, and Thornwell. Gift ideas may be found at fpcspartanburg.org/white-gifts.
A Light for All Nations – Sunday, December 12
On Sunday, December 12 at both sanctuary services, the Chancel Choir, along with the orchestra, will offer musical reflections on the remarkable reach of the Christmas story’s resonance—through multiple generations, countries, and cultures. Highlights included a brand-new piece commissioned by FPC for this service written by Dr. John Moody. The service was inspired by the beloved annual Christmas program at Princeton Seminary, which Holt and Marcia attended while on their sabbatical in 2019.
Weekday Bible Studies and Groups Next Week
- Women’s Circle 11: First Monday of the month at 10:30am
- Women’s Circles 3, 4, and 5: Second Monday of the month at 10:30am (Circles 3 and 5) and 2pm (Circle 4)
- Wednesday Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at noon, in person and on Zoom (Join in)
- Christians in the Making Women’s Group: Wednesdays at 10am in the Purnell Room
- Middle School Boys Bible Study: Wednesdays at 3:30pm (River Birch entrance/Cottonwood Trail)
- Children’s Choirs: Wednesdays at 5pm
- Bootcamp – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
- 6:30am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Small Private Dining Room
- 7:00am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Arthur Center
- Middle School Girls Bible Study: Fridays at 3:45pm-5pm at Downtown Starbucks
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Ushers Needed for December
We are seeking additional ushers willing to help pass out bulletins and assist seating during the 8:45am Traditional Service. Our immediate need is for December, but there are openings for other months as well. Please contact Joanie in the church office and let her know when you are available to help (Joanie Shackleton; jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org; 864-208-2132).
DR Mission Trip Registration Extended (More Information)
We are looking forward to serving in the Dominican Republic February 5-12, 2022. Our team is in need of registered nurses and scrub techs. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please click the link above to learn more. The deadline to register is December 15!
Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder
OTHER NEWS
BBC Christmas Gathering – Monday, December 13 at 6pm in Fogartie Hall
Please bring your favorite appetizer, finger food, or dessert to share at the BBC Christmas Gathering. Dr. Lewis Galloway will speak, and don’t forget to bring your Christmas spirit!
Service of Comfort and Light – Wednesday, December 15 at 6pm in the Sanctuary
Join us for an intimate time of worship including communion and candle lighting. This service is especially for those who struggle during the Christmas season.
MorningSong Lessons and Carols – Sunday, December 19 at 8:45am in Fogartie Hall
The MorningSong Music Team will lead the congregation in carols of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
Moravian Candlelight Service – Sunday, December 19 at 5pm in the Sanctuary
Celebrate the season in a service inspired by our brothers and sisters from the Moravian tradition. Moravian Christmas hymns are supplemented by music from the First Presbyterian Chamber Singers and guest instrumentalists, and the evening concludes with the sanctuary bathed in light provided by traditional Moravian candles.
Join the Christmas Eve Choir!
Anyone high-school age and above is warmly invited to be a part of the Christmas Eve Choir, which sings at the 7:00 and 11:00 PM Christmas Eve services. The music is beautiful but not too complicated, there are experienced singers to lean on if you need them, and the view of the candlelight portion of the service can’t be beat. There are two rehearsals, right after church on Sunday, December 19, and Wednesday, December 22 at 7:00 PM. Contact Holt Andrews to reserve your spot or with questions.
Sign up to Receive Electronic Advent Devotions!
“Prepare the Way for the Messiah,” FPC’s 2021 Advent Devotion booklets will be placed around the church this Sunday. Please feel free to take a paper copy and/or sign up for electronic delivery! If you would like to receive the devotions each morning during Advent, please sign up here: http://eepurl.com/bqtMS9.
Order Your Poinsettias
Would you like to order poinsettias in memory of or in honor of loved ones? Fill out the form available at the church or online. The cost per plant is $20.00 and orders are due by Friday, December 10. You may pick up your plants in Fogartie Hall any time after MorningSong on Sunday morning, December 19. If you do not plan to do so, we would appreciate your giving us permission to use your gift for cut flowers or greenery to enhance our Christmas arrangement. Contact Lynise Clarke if you have questions.
Recommendations for CNC
The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking a slate of nine members from the congregation to replace members who will rotate off the CNC. Members will serve for one year and will be charged with the nomination of Church officers. Please SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION(S) HERE. Deadline is Friday, December 31, 2021.
The Peace and Justice Task Force Spotlight: Live Healthy Spartanburg
This group is a merger of Spartanburg’s Way To Wellville and The Road to Better Health and represents a “collaborative with the mission to achieve health equity and improve health outcomes for all Spartanburg County residents.” Please take the time to review spartanburgwellville.com for the latest information about this initiative. Please join us at the next Peace and Justice Task Force Meeting on January 21st from 12:30-1:30pm in the Purnell Room.
LOOKING AHEAD
December 5 – Advent Workshop
December 8 – White Gifts Service/Final WAF for 2021
December 15 – Service of Comfort and Light
December 19 – MorningSong Lessons & Carols
December 19 – Moravian Candlelight Service
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services (4pm, 7pm & 11pm)
December 26 – One Worship Service
January 2, 2022 – One Worship Service
January 12 – WAF Resumes
More activities and events can be found in First News.