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Member LoginNext Week at FPC (November 5, 2021)
Dear Friends in Christ,
We look forward to honoring those we have lost this past year by acknowledging them All Saints Sunday at all three services. We hope you’ll join us as we remember their lives and share Holy Communion together, taking part in that heavenly feast with all of our loved ones who have gone before us.
There are also many meaningful ways to connect with missions in the upcoming weeks! We will be collecting items for TOTAL ministries this Sunday, and we are still looking for more volunteers for our annual Winter Warmth event on November 13th. You can find more information on both of these opportunities below.
November is usually a time where we reflect on gratitude and giving. This weekend, may we offer gratitude for our saints and reflect on how we can give generously to those in need!
Peace,
Leslie Lang
Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Missions
ALL SAINTS’ DAY – NOVEMBER 7
8:30am TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
9:45am Sunday School
10:00am Welcome Class (Room 2200)
11:00am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
1:00pm Girl Talk for Moms and Daughters (Register TODAY)
6:00pm All Saints’ Concert (Sanctuary)
Stream our MorningSong and 11am Sanctuary services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.
Daylight Saving Time Ends – Sunday, November 7
There is no excuse to be late for church this week! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday at 2:00am. At this time, clocks will “fall back” one hour, giving us more daylight in the dark autumn and winter mornings.
All Saints’ Day – Sunday, November 7
All Saints' Day is a time to give thanks for all those who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living communion of saints. In the knowledge that others have persevered, we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Hebrews 12:1-2). Reminded that God was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. Join us Sunday as we remember and name our members who died in the past year. As we recall their witness, let us also pray for comfort for those who love and miss them.
TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
Please bring your non-perishable and paper goods to donate to TOTAL Ministries from 8am-12pm. Click here to see a list of current needs. Drop off in the Narthex, Tower Room, and outside of Fogartie Hall.
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
10am Welcome Class
For those interested in learning more about First Presbyterian Church, join us each Sunday through November 14 at 10-10:45am in Room 2200. These sessions are a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Presbyterian church, the opportunities available at First Presbyterian, and to meet the staff. There is no pressure to join. We welcome non-members, members, and anyone seeking a church family to join us for a fun time of fellowship and learning together. Please contact Molly Colbath for more information.
1pm Girl Talk for Moms and Daughters
Join Dr. Dawn Bingham for Girl Talk Sunday, November 7 from 1-3pm in Fogartie Hall for girls in grades 4-6 and their mothers.
6pm All Saints Concert
The First Presbyterian Church Chamber Singers, along with singers from Spartanburg High School, will present Karl Jenkin’s Requiem for Choir and Orchestra. During the program, we will offer a special remembrance for those who have passed away from Covid over the past year, and a special thanksgiving for medical personnel who have sacrificed so much to care for patients. This is a free concert, and all are welcome.
NEXT WEEK
List of Veterans and Active Service Personnel Needed by Monday, November 8
In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 14, we will be recognizing church members who have served OR are currently serving in the military. Please submit church members’ names and branch of military service by Monday, November 8 to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 208-2132).
Winter Warmth – Saturday, November 13 (Sign Up Here)
There is work to be done in our own backyard, and you can help with an important mission of First Presbyterian Church without leaving town. Over 20 years and 36,000 coats later, FPC is still striving to keep Spartanburg County school children warm. This year’s Winter Warmth mission will be held Saturday, November 13. The Winter Warmth Committee needs your help with set up and clean up as well as during the event. Please register to volunteer today! If you would like to make a donation to Winter Warmth, you may do so at fpcspartanburg.org/give.
FPC Basketball Registration Now Open! (Sign Up)
First Presbyterian Church Basketball is back and ready for a great season ahead! We invite all FPC children and youth to participate in our basketball leagues, as well as non-members. The registration fee this season is $80/player. The deadline to register will be Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, so don’t wait! Please see the link below to sign up and pay. If you have more than one child playing, you will need to register each child separately. Rosters, practices times, and schedules will be sent out once registration concludes. Please register and pay at: fpcspartanburg.org/basketball.
WAF Dinner and Volunteers Needed (Register Here by Monday)
Join us Wednesday, November 10 for chicken ‘n dumplings, collard greens, hashbrown casserole, and banana pudding! See the full November Menu here. Sign up for the remaining WAF dinners this week! We encourage everyone to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and tailgate with us outside for dinner! Register yourself and/or your family by Monday at 4:30pm. If you would like to serve as a volunteer in some capacity to ensure WAF runs smoothly, please click here to sign up!
WAF Programs – 6:30-7:15pm
CRC – 5K-Grade 5 (Gym and Activity Room)
Youth – Grades 6-12 (High School Room)
Adults
- Poetry and the Language of Faith – Led by Dr. Lewis Galloway (Social Hall)
- The Best Yes Women’s Study – Led by Ashley Millinor and Martha Waters (Library)
- Younger Women’s Bible Study – Led by Donna Pulliam, Carter Smith, and Leslie Lang (Perrin Room)
Other Weekday Bible Studies and Groups
- Women’s Circles 3, 5, & 11: First Monday of the month at 10:30am
- Women’s Circle 4: First Monday of the month at 2pm
- Nan & Tom’s Study: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12 noon via Zoom (Join in)
- 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 Choir: Wednesdays at 5pm
- Younger Women’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Thursdays at 9am
- 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).
Neighborhood Meal Ministry (More Information)
The Neighborhood Meal Ministry resumed on Thursday, October 14 with adjustments for Covid safety measures. The Ministry has moved to Thursday evenings in the Arthur Center, with food service beginning at 5:15pm. If anyone is interested in volunteering or needs additional information, please contact Mary Lorick Thompson or Betsy Burrell.
Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder
OTHER NEWS
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 Friday, November 26.
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.
FPC Weekday School Minted Fundraiser (https://www.minted.com/about‐us)
Holiday card season is upon us. Please consider shopping Minted this year using the promo code FUNDRAISEFPCWEEKDAY. You’ll get 20% off Minted stationery, custom gifts, and more - and 15% of each order will be donated back to First Presbyterian Church Weekday School at the end of the year. Every order makes a difference!
The Peace and Justice Task Force Spotlight: Speaking Down Barriers
In November, The Peace and Justice Task Force is focusing on Isaiah 58:6-10, helping those who have been affected by incarceration, injustice, and poverty. This week’s focus is on Angels Charge Ministry. Their mission is to help women coming out of incarceration by offering safe transitional housing, holistic case management, and advocacy to help them have a productive reentry into our community. The number of women incarcerated in our nation has increased 700% over the past 40 years and is continuing to increase. This nonprofit organization was established in 2014 to meet the needs of these women. To date they have helped over 150 women find their way out to a new life. You can learn more about Angels Charge Ministry and stories of success on the ACM website. To read more about female incarceration growth, click this link.
LOOKING AHEAD
November 7 – All Saints Day/Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 7 – Girl Talk with Dr. Dawn Bingham (Email Beth Cecil to Register)
November 7 – All Saints Concert in the Sanctuary
November 9 – FPC Hosts the Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting
November 13 – Winter Warmth Distribution
November 28 – First Sunday of Advent
December 5 – Advent Workshop
December 8 – White Gifts Service
December 19 – Moravian Love Feast
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services
More activities and events can be found in First News.