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Member LoginHappy Thanksgiving from FPC! (11/23/21)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you can join us tonight either in person or online at the Community Thanksgiving Service, hosted this year by the Temple.
Please note that the church campus will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a happy and safe Thanksgiving and join us this Sunday as we begin the season of Advent.
Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications
Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 23 at 7pm (Temple B’nai Israel)
Each year, The Spartanburg County Foundation partners with area clergy to host the Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service, an annual ecumenical service that provides an opportunity for clergy members from various faith groups, as well as members of the community, to worship together and give thanks. A committee of local clergy selects a nonprofit organization each year to receive the offering. This year, Brothers Restoring Urban Hope will be the recipient of the offering. As a sponsor of this event, The Spartanburg County Foundation matches the plated offering from the night of the service dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000. Fully vaccinated community members wearing masks are invited to join in person at Temple B’nai Israel located at 146 Heywood Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29302. You may also view the service virtually at facebook.com/ourtemple29302.
Family Advent Workshop – DEADLINE TO Register for Lunch IS TODAY
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. To prevent the “hangry”, there’s a light lunch. If you’d like a Chicken tenders and Mac & Cheese lunch for $6.00. Register on the website
by Tue, Nov. 23. Contact Pastor Ansley or Beth Burris with your questions or if you’d like to help. The more the merrier!
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – NOVEMBER 28
8:45am MorningSong (Fogartie Hall)
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
Stream our MorningSong and 11am Sanctuary services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
NEXT WEEK
Deck the Halls with the Sanctuary Guild!
Poinsettias and wreaths will be delivered on Saturday, November 27 at 9:00am. Help us build the poinsettia trees in Fogartie Hall and hang wreaths on the outside doors of our Sanctuary. Chrismon Trees will be decorated on Tuesday, November 30 in the Tower Room and the FLC Lobby. Meet at 10:00am to add the Chrismon ornaments to our big, beautiful trees. Contact LeAnne Thurmond at leanne.thurmond@gmail.com
for more details and to sign up.
Giving Tuesday - November 30 (Give Now)
Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. This idea has grown into a global movement that inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This is a day when non-profits give people the opportunity to improve the world around them.
This year, we are inviting members of our congregation and community to support specific areas of the Church Operating Budget. Your gifts will be included in your gifts to the church. We would like for you to consider this as over and above your regular giving to FPC Spartanburg. We tried to have fun with this - hope you do, too. Additionally, we welcome you to serve through one of the opportunities listed on the form. (Give Now)
WAF returns Wednesday, December 1! (Register Now)
Wednesdays at First will return December 1. Pano and the team will be cooking up hot chicken salad casserole, sauteed carrots, fruit salad, and a yummy dessert. There will also be a separate kid’s menu. Sign up is available now and will close Monday, November 29 at 4:30pm. You may also register for dinner on December 8. We will have our annual White Gifts service that evening!
JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon – Thursday, December 2
Join the JOY (Just Older Youth) Fellowship Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 2 at 11:30am in Fogartie Hall. Please RSVP to Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org by Monday, November 29.
Youth Christmas Party – Sunday, December 5 (5:00-7:00pm)
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. Mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more details!
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.
Weekday Bible Studies and Groups Next Week
- Women’s Circles 3, 5, & 11: First Monday of the month at 10:30am
- Women’s Circle 4: Second Monday of the month at 2pm
- 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
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.
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, scrub techs, and an anesthesiologist. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please click the link above to learn more.
Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder
OTHER NEWS
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: Isaiah 58:6-10
During this month, the Peace & Justice Task Force is focusing on Isaiah 58: 6-10, helping those who have been affected by incarceration, injustice, and poverty. This week’s spotlight is about poverty and affordable housing. This is a serious issue all over our country including Spartanburg. People who don’t make a self-sufficient wage have a difficult time finding safe, affordable housing. Even those who qualify for Section 8 housing have trouble finding a place that will accept their voucher, and, if you have an offense on record, it becomes almost impossible. Spartanburg is trying to address these issues and you can learn more by reading “The Myth of Affordable Housing” and “Affordable Housing Efforts in Spartanburg.”
LOOKING AHEAD
November 28 – First Sunday of Advent
November 30 – Giving Tuesday
December 2 – JOY Fellowship Luncheon
December 5 – Advent Workshop
December 8 – White Gifts Service/Final WAF for 2021
December 19 – Moravian Love Feast
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services
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.