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Next Week at FPC (July 8, 2022)

Dear Friends,

First, I want to say thank you for the spirit of love and welcome that filled the air two Sunday’s ago on June 26 when I was officially installed as your senior pastor. What a joy it was to gather in worship and fellowship with so many of you on that special day as we marked the formal beginning of our ministry together here at First Presbyterian. Thank you.

Second, I am pleased to share that we have also welcomed two other new members to the staff team here at FPC in recent weeks. To begin, Ian Ritchings has officially joined us as our new Administrative Assistant to Missions, Young Adults, and Communications. Ian is already off and running and doing a wonderful job bringing lots of creativity and energy to his role. And we are also thrilled to welcome Jim Pitts as our new Campus Safety and Services Manager. Jim is already known to many of us having been employed through a third-party outfit to serve as a security officer on Sunday mornings and at weekday events here at the church for the past several years. Now full-time on the church staff, Jim will continue to lead safety services for worship and other events as well as serve as an added support for the many different functions handled daily by our facilities team. Be sure to welcome both Ian and Jim when you see them around!

Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

Peace,
Alan Dyer
Senior Pastor

PS: The Congregational Nominating Committee is actively seeking recommendations for members who might be well suited to serve as Deacons or Elders. Please prayerfully consider who God might be calling to this work. More information and a link to submit recommendation below.

THIS SUNDAY
8:30am Traditional Service (Chapel)
9:30am Sunday School for All Ages
10:30am MorningSong Worship (Fogartie)
10:30am Traditional Service (Sanctuary)

Stream our services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.

THIS SATURDAY
Ordination of John Daniel DeBevoise
On Saturday, July 9, John Daniel will be ordained at his home church, Park Lake Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida, where his parents, Dan and Helen DeBevoise, have been co-pastors for 29 years. If you would like to view John Daniel’s Ordination, the livestream service can be found on the Park Lake Presbyterian Church Facebook page and YouTube channel. Please be in prayer for John Daniel as he is ordained and begins his ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg.

NEXT WEEK
Recommendations for Church Officers Needed by Friday, July 15
Your Congregational Nominating Committee needs the help of our members in nominating members of the church to serve as Elders and Deacons. Please submit THIS FORM with your suggestion of one name. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of First Presbyterian Church, including yourself. Deadline for submittal is Friday, July 15. For a list of current church officers, please click HERE.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
There are several opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder, opportunities like these:

OTHER NEWS
A HUGE VBS Thank You!!
Last week was spectacular here at FPC. Our church was buzzing with 145 children and 75 helpers learning about God’s love and light. We danced, sang, laughed, snacked, played, created, served, searched, and grew in faith as God’s glory shone all around us. Thank you to all who gave time, resources, energy, wisdom, and love!
Every single volunteer, both adult and youth, was vital to this great week. May the blessings continue, and the joy found multiply in your summers and lives for years to come. Thanks be to God for bringing us together and working through us and among us!
“Arise! Shine! Your Light has come. The Lord’s glory has shone upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Young Adult TopGolf!
Join the young adults for a night of fun at TopGolf on Tuesday, August 2nd from 5:30-7:30pm! The event is kid-friendly, and the cost will be subsidized by the young adult committee. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children. We do need everyone to register ahead of time, so please click here to register and pay by Friday, July 29th. Please contact Pastor Leslie if you have questions.

Remain Cautious of COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to spread locally. If you think that you may have been exposed, have any symptoms, or have a positive COVID test, the Centers for Disease Control dashboard will let you know exactly what to do. CDC recommendations can be found at www.cdc.gov/Covid. You are also welcome to contact FPC Parish Nurse, Beth Cecil, for a confidential consultation (bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org).

Order Your Kirkin’ Tartan – Yes, It is Time! ORDER HERE
First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans Worship Service on Sunday, October 30, 2022. At our Kirkin’ service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God’s help and blessings in the future through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your order and payment by Friday, July 22. The cost of a banner is $135. ORDER HERE
*Some clans have multiple patterns available. If you want a particular pattern, please indicate on the form. Otherwise, we will order the most common pattern for that clan.* ORDER HERE
At the conclusion of the service on October 30, the tartan banners will be given to the sponsor for storage or display until the next Kirkin’. Only the staffs and banner stands will remain at the church.
Questions? Contact Martha Bean at mtbean@icloud.com.

Our New Director of Children’s Ministry
On Sunday, August 7, Kara Clark will begin her ministry with us as our new Director of Children’s Ministry. Kara most recently served as a middle school teacher at McCracken Middle School and for ten years has worked at Montreat during summer camps, most recently as Director of Children’s Camps.
There will be a reception for Kara following the Blessing of the Backpacks on August 14! Be sure to stick around and welcome her into our church family!
Find out more about Kara by clicking here.

Family Life Center SUMMER Gym Hours
The new Summer Hours for the Gym are: Mondays through Thursdays (8am-8pm) and Fridays (8am-2pm). If you have never used the gym facilities, stop by and check it out!

First Pres “Store”
FPC Tartan Ties and Scarves: Ties and scarves in the FPC tartan pattern are once again available for sale. The ties are $25, and the scarves are $35. You can order here or by contacting Lynise Clarke.
Church Ornaments: First Presbyterian Church 175^th anniversary postcard ornaments are available for $10. The porcelain ornaments feature a picture of the Sanctuary with the anniversary date 1843-2018. Place your order here.

LOOKING AHEAD
July 24 – Summer Sizzle: Old Fashioned Ice Cream Party
August 14 – Summer Sizzle: Blessing of the Backpacks/Popsicle Party
August 14 – Welcome Kara Clark!
August 28 – Ministry Fair (ONE Service at 10:30am, Sanctuary)
September 4 – ONE Service at 10:30am, Sanctuary
September 14 – WAF Begins

More activities and events can be found in First News.