Next Week at FPC (October 8, 2021)

Dear Friends,

This Sunday, you have the opportunity to give of yourself through the community blood drive. Please roll up your sleeve, if you are able, and donate blood. Sign up to reserve your time, but walk-ups are also welcome. More information on the blood drive and also next week’s vaccination clinic (preregistration required) can be found below.

Speaking of giving, we continue to move through our annual stewardship season, with Stewardship Commitment Sunday coming in just over a week. Please prayerfully consider what you can pledge to your church’s ongoing ministry in 2022.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY – OCTOBER 10
7:30am Blood Drive (Email Beth Cecil to Register)
8:45am MorningSong (Fogartie Hall)
8:45am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
9:45am Sunday School
10:00am Welcome Class (Room 2200)
11:00am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
5:00pm Sunday Night Youth Group

Stream our MorningSong and 11am Sanctuary services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.

7:30am-12:30pm Blood Drive
FREE COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING! Donating blood is considered an “essential civic duty” during a pandemic because blood donations are vital to all communities. The Blood Connection is scheduled to be at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 10th from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please contact Beth Cecil to schedule a time to donate (864-641-8772 or bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org). The Blood Connection will be following strict safety protocols for your protection during this blood drive.

9:45am Sunday School for All Ages

• Children
• Youth
• Adults (including a Zoom option)

NEXT WEEK
Vaccination Clinic – October 12 and 13 (4-7pm)
Available vaccines will be Influenza (regular and high dose), tDap, Pneumonia, and Shingles. There will also be free bone density screening on both days and skin screening on October 13. Contact Beth Cecil to pre-register at bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org or 864-641-8772.

WAF Dinner and Volunteers Needed (Register Here by Monday)
Join us for dinner Wednesday, October 13 for Sauteed shrimp, mushroom, and alfredo pasta, Caesar salad, Bread, and a delicious dessert. Kids can enjoy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce, Mac and Cheese, Fruit, Dessert, and a Juice Box. 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. Weekly sign-up options are also available through October. We need WAF volunteers. If you would like to serve in some capacity to ensure WAF runs smoothly, please click here to sign up!

Special WAF Program: Haiti Outreach Ministries– Wednesday
6:30pm in the Purnell Room
On October 13, Dr. Greg Colbath and David Foy will give a presentation on Haiti Outreach Ministries and First Pres’ Haiti mission trips over the years. Greg and David will be joined by Nadege Gay, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Haiti Outreach Ministries.

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)
• Haiti Outreach Ministries – Led by Greg Colbath, David Foy, and Nadege Gay (Purnell Room)

Other Weekday Bible Studies and Groups

• Tickled Pink Women’s Study: Tuesdays at 9:15am in Fogartie Hall
• 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

Special Sunday School Class: Haiti Outreach Ministries – Next Sunday, October 17 in Fogartie Hall
On Sunday, October 17, there will be a special Sunday School class with Nadege Gay, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Haiti Outreach Ministries. We hope you will plan to attend and hear the latest updates on Haiti.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Neighborhood Meal Ministry (More Information)
The Neighborhood Meal Ministry is planning to resume 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.

Volunteer for Winter Warmth (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.

Dominican Republic Mission Trip - February 5-12, 2022 (Register Here)
Join First Pres in February for a medical, dental, and construction mission trip in the Dominican Republic! Registration is open now.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

• Earthquake Relief in Haiti (Donate Online)

• Habitat for Humanity Spartanburg

• Hand in Hand

• TOTAL Ministries

OTHER NEWS
JOY Fellowship Lunch at Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens – Thursday, October 21
The JOY (Just Older Youth) Fellowship is BACK! Meet at the church October 21 at 11am to carpool to Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens for lunch. Register by calling or emailing Joanie Shackleton (864-208-2132/ jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org) by Monday, October 18.

FPC Church Tartan Ties and Scarves (Order Here)
The First Presbyterian Church Worship Committee is excited to present the First Presbyterian Church tartan at the Kirkin' o' the Tartans service on October 31, 2021. This fabric, designed by the committee and woven and registered in Scotland by Lochcarron of Scotland, will appear in numerous ways in the church. We also have ties and scarves for sale. Ties are $25 and scarves are $35. Place your order today for pickup from Lynise Clarke in the church financial office.

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
October’s Spotlight is on Speaking Down Barriers. This group is well-established and respected in our area and across the country. They provide encounters that transform our life together across human difference for healing and justice. Each month they host a number of meetings designed to help participants more clearly see and understand the injustice in our lives and communities. Prayerfully consider joining one or more of these gatherings, which are still being held virtually. Click this link to access all of the community events. Click on the title of the event for more information.

Girl Talk for Moms and Daughters– Sunday, November 7
Join Dr. Dawn Bingham for Girl Talk Sunday, November 7 from 1-3pm in Fogartie Hall. This is open to girls in grades 4-6 and their mothers. Register by Friday, November 4 with Beth Cecil.

LOOKING AHEAD
October 10 – Blood Drive (Email Beth Cecil to Register)
October 12 & 13 – Vaccination Clinic (Email Beth Cecil to Register)
October 13 – The Perfect Blend
October 14 – Neighborhood Meal Ministry Returns (More Information)
October 17 – Stewardship Commitment Sunday
October 21 – JOY Fellowship Trip/Lunch at Clevedale Inn (Register)
October 27 – The Perfect Blend
October 31 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
November 7 – Girl Talk with Dr. Dawn Bingham (Email Beth Cecil to Register)
November 28 – First Sunday of Advent

More activities and events can be found in First News.