Weekly Update for August 30, 2019

This Sunday we will have only one combined worship service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. There will be no Sunday School or youth group on Sunday. We hope to see you in the Sanctuary or in our online worship guestbook! The church will also be closed on Monday, in observance of Labor Day.

THIS SUNDAY
10:30am Sanctuary Worship Service*

(* Services with asterisks will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found on that page.) 

Prayers of the People in the Web
Did you know that the prayers of the people from worship are often available to read and pray at home in the Devotional Readings section of the church website and also in the Worship Archives for the service in which those prayers were spoken? Let these prayers be a way to enrich your personal prayer life, and let the connections to God we find in worship carry through the week ahead! If you are an officer who is leading those prayers, please don’t forget to share a copy of the prayer to Monteigne.

NEXT WEEK 
Church Closed for Labor Day – Monday, September 2
All church facilities, including the gym, will eb closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.

BBC w/ Dr. Kirk Neely – Tuesday, September 3
10:30am or 7pm in the Arthur Center
A new year of readings and conversation begins the day after Labor Day. See www.fpcspartanburg.org/bbc for more information.

Tom's Sabbatical Journey – Wednesday, September 4
6pm in the Sanctuary
Come hear about Tom's adventures out West, along with preliminary results from the Church-wide Survey!

Chancel Choir Rehearsals Resume – Wednesday, September 4
7:30pm in the Choir Room
Anyone who enjoys singing should consider becoming a part of this important ministry. Contact Holt Andrews ( rhandrews@fpcspartanburg.org) with questions or for more information.

Regular Sunday Schedule Resumes NEXT Sunday, September 8
A week from Sunday, on September 8, we will return to our regular Sunday morning schedule for worship and Sunday School.
8:45am MorningSong and Chapel Worship Services
9:45am Sunday School
11:00am Sanctuary Worship Service
 
Rally Day is Next Sunday, September 8
With the return to our regular schedule comes the restarting of our full Sunday School program at 9:45am. Preschool children should all be dropped off in their new rooms. Elementary children should eb dropped off in the Social Hall for a special opening program. They may be picked up in their new rooms in the Clark Building. Youth and Adults will return to their regular places with a few changes. This year we welcome the Purnell Class and the Fellowship to join together in the new Purnell Fellowship Class in the Purnell Room. The LIFT Class will also move to its new home in Room 2201. And finally, the Young Adult Class will resume this fall in Room 2216.
 
Congregational Meeting Next Sunday, September 8
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting to be held at the conclusion of the 11:00am Sanctuary worship service on Sunday, September 8, 2019, for the purpose of receiving and acting on a report from the Congregational Nominating Committee relative to the election of Ruling Elders and Deacons to the Class of 2022 and Deacon to the Class of 2020 to fill an unexpired term.

Calling all Moms of Teens and Tweens – Sunday, September 8
5-6pm in the Parlor
All mothers of teens and tweens are invited to encourage each other and share some laughter next Sunday! Join Ansley Page in the church parlor for a little refreshment for the body and soul. It’s time to reset our schedules and refresh our spiritual lives. This group will gather once a month to reflect on how Christ wants more for you, not more from you. Wear comfy clothes and bring a friend!

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES 
Find all sorts of ways that you can serve in the Ministry Finder section of the website (under the “Serve” menu). There you can search for service opportunities that match your interests and schedule, and with one tap make contact with someone who can tell you more and/or help you to get involved.

Find our more about these opportunities and more in Ministry Finder!
Shepherd’s Center Choir Director
Bus Drivers

Items Needed for the Cuba Mission Trip, September 20-25
Our Cuba Mission Team needs a number of things to be donated to take down with them on their trip. These include:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Adult Vitamins
• Tylenol – regular & arthritis strength
• Children’s vitamins (not gummy)
• Ibuprofen
• Razors (both men & women)
• Tooth brushes & tooth paste
• Twin sheet sets (new)
• Towels (new)

Donations for the Cuba Mission Trip may be left in the missions drop-off closet, just inside the Chestnut St. door.
 
OTHER NEWS 
Family Life Center Survey
We need your input! The Recreation Committee is trying to identify what our members currently use in our fitness facility and ways we can improve it for all members. The survey is confidential; no one will know your individual answers. After the data is collected, the results will be shared with the congregation. Please complete the survey right away at: Family Life Center Survey.
 
Children’s Choir and  First Steps in Music
It is time to register for our Children’s Choir and First Steps in Music programs! Space is limited for First Steps, so sign up now! Click to register online for Children’s Choir and First Steps in Music.

WAF Resumes – Wednesday, September 11
Mark your calendars for another season of great food, fellowship, and programming starting September 11. See the September edition of First News for menus and programming options.

Angels Charge Ministry’s Law & Order: Spartanburg – Thursday, September 12
11:30am-1:00pm in Fogartie Hall
Angels Charge Ministry invites you to experience Law & Order: Spartanburg, a luncheon featuring chefs from several departments of local law and order. The lunch will consist of tapas style cuisine and remarks will be delivered from Chaplain Ken Apple of the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Angels Charge Ministry. Click here for more information to purchase tickets.

Our Next Welcome Class Starts September 15
Sundays, 9:45am in Room 2200
If someone you know is considering membership in First Presbyterian Church, or just wants to know more about our church, please invite them to join in this five-week series running from September 15-October 13.
 
Lunch ‘N Learn: Early Childhood Education & Child Care Forum
September 17, 12-1pm, Large Private Dining Room
Join us for the first of a series of Lunch ‘N Learn events focusing on the target areas of the Faith Poverty Initiative. The cost is $7 per person. Register online or with Caroline Goodman in the church office.

Hop on the Bus to Thornwell! – Thursday, October 10
9am-1:30pm
Bet you didn’t know that the Thornwell Charter School just opened OR that some newer initiatives are being cultivated now. Join this half day tour on Thursday, October 10^th to find out more about this Presbyterian ministry to children and families. We will meet in the Family Life Center parking lot at 9am for a 9:15am departure and return by 1:30pm. Lunch is included. Make your reservation by contacting Caroline Goodman ( cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-583-4531).

Sign up now for the DR Mission Trip – February 1-8, 2020
For more information and to apply for our Dominican Republic Mission Trip, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/dr2020.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
September 1 – One Worship Service at 10:30am(No Sunday School)
September 8 – Return to Regular Sunday Schedule
September 8 – Rally Day
September 11 – Children’s Choir Rehearsals begin
September 11 – WAF Resumes
September 20-22 – Church Retreat at Montreat 
September 20-25 – Cuba Mission Trip
October 2 – Healing and Wholeness Service
October 9 – Vaccination/Skin Screening Clinic
October 11-13 – Middle School Fall Retreat
October 27 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans 
November 3 – Ecumenical Blood Drive
November 8-10 – High School Fall Retreat
February 1-8 – Dominican Republic Mission Trip

Find out more in First News: fpcspartanburg.org/firstnews