Weekly Update for December 28, 2018

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Christmas isn’t over yet in the church, and we get to celebrate all the way until Epiphany on January 6.

Please note that the FINAL deadline to sign up for the Women’s Retreat is this Wednesday. So don’t miss your chance! See below for more information.

Also note that any gifts to the church that you wish to be counted toward your 2018 taxes need to be received or postmarked by December 31. More information below.

THIS SUNDAY
One Worship Service
11am in the Sanctuary
Let’s all come together one last time in 2018 for a one combined worship service in the Sanctuary on Sunday, December 30! There will be no Sunday School or early services that Sunday. Traveling? Tune in at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live!

NEXT WEEK
Holiday Hours at the Church
Monday, December 31 – open until 5pm
Tuesday, January 1 – closed
Wednesday, January 2 – Regular schedule (No WAF)

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 on December 31, 2018. Members will serve for one year and will be charged with the nomination of Church officers. Please email your nomination(s) to Bert Moore (bert@diversifiedcolors.com).

Year-End Giving
For credit as 2018 contributions, donations must be received in the church financial office by 5:00pm on Monday, December 31, 2018 or postmarked by December 31, 2018. Any contributions received or postmarked on or after January 1, 2019 will be considered as 2019 contributions.

Year-End Stock Contributions
By giving appreciated stock to the church for your pledge, you can receive a tax advantage. Please notify Lynise Clarke in the church financial office at the time you notify your broker with the following information: * Name of your broker and the particular stock that is involved and * Year (or years) in which to apply your gift and/or whether any special funds are involved. Please allow 2-3 weeks for completion of stock transactions. For information, contact Lynise Clarke (lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2130)

FPC Women’s Retreat “The With-Us God”– February 1-3, 2019
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
Led by the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross
Final Deadline: January 2
As women, we long for fruitful and meaningful relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors but can easily feel depleted by the demands and to dos. At our weekend-long women’s retreat, February 1-3, the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross will lead us in a time of digging more deeply into the relationships in our lives. Come be a part of this wonderful weekend away! For more information: https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/events/womens-retreat-2019

No WAF until January 9
There’s no Wednesdays at First until January 9, but there’s a great line-up of meals and programs lined up for the new year!

Read Through the Bible in 2018
Friday, December 28 – Zechariah 11, 12 / Revelation 20
Saturday, December 29 – Zechariah 13, 14 / Revelation 21
Sunday, December 30 – Malachi 1, 2 / Psalms 149, 150
Monday, December 31 – Malachi 3, 4 / Revelation 22

Congratulations! You’ve made it through the entire Bible in a year! Need to catch up some? The readings are all available at www.fpcspartanburg.org/bible , or you can see Shannon Stewart in the church office to purchase a book that has the reading schedule and some monthly commentary. Hopefully, in addition to reading some parts of the Bible you may not have read before and maybe getting a better idea of the big picture of the Bible, you have also established a devotional discipline of daily Bible reading that will serve you well for years to come.

OTHER NEWS
First Presbyterian Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral counseling with Dr. Kirk Neely is offered by the congregation for First Presbyterian Church members. There is no fee, but a contribution may be made to underwrite the ministry. Counseling is by appointment on Tuesdays. To make an appointment, please contact Didi Terry (dterry@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-583-4531).

Help needed at SPIHN – Week of January 20
SPIHN's mission is to help temporarily homeless children and their families become self-sufficient by bringing together community resources to provide essential needs and life skills in a compassionate environment. Our next SPIHN week is January 20-27, 2019. These families need assistance by providing meals, supplies, and positive interaction. If you have any interest, please contact:
Meals: Katherine Burns; marchk2b@yahoo.com
Evening Host: Hannah Lane; hannahlanedc@gmail.com
Overnight Host/Supplies/General Questions: Crystal Workman; workman06@charter.net

Weekday School Subs Needed
The Weekday School is currently searching for loving, enthusiastic substitute teachers. We are in need of some dependable adults who love children and would be willing to periodically be called upon to assist in a preschool classroom. Each classroom has two teachers, so as a substitute you would be assisting one of the regular classroom teachers. While prior professional experience with children would be wonderful, it is not a requirement. The hours are 8:30 -12:15 and we pay subs $40 per day. There is a VERY brief orientation session and background check. If you are interested, please contact Moira Scheel, Weekday School Director, (mscheel@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2148).

Nursery Staff Needed!
We are looking for some new people who enjoy babies and children to join our paid nursery staff on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Cesily King (king@fpcspartanburg.org).

Golf Cart Drivers Needed
Our Sunday morning Hospitality cart needs a few new drivers! If you would like a fun task at the church that enables you to meet lots of church folk, then this is the one for you. Our rotational schedule means you would drive once every 6 to 8 weeks. Contact Bryan Pack at (bryanpack@gmail.com / 864-541-1486) or Marsh Rogers  mrogersjr@tworog.com / 704-438-1298) if you are interested.

APNC Needs YOUR Input
The APNC would like your help to find an Associate Pastor of Young Adults and Mission. Through your own connections, many of you know potential candidates. Please give one of our Committee members the name and contact information and we will follow up. APNC: Mac White, Chair, Cathy Bagwell, Andrew Darr, Kellie Foster, Laura Stille, Alan Workman, Hannah Zimmerman. You may send information to APNC Chair Mac White or contact any committee member via the ShelbyNext Portal (    https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/discover/member-login ).

Search for Director of Children's Ministries
The DCM search team need your help to find our next Director of Children’s Ministries! The very best candidates are often already linked in some way to the congregation they will serve. So please talk to a few people you know, or email them, and let them know FPC is looking for a full-time Director of Children’s Ministries. Or give one of our search team members the name and contact information and we will follow up! People can find the full job description at www.fpcspartanburg.org/dcm. Resumes and cover letters may be sent to Sara Bailey at sara.bailey@ministryarchitects.com . DCM Search Team: Tim Camp, Celia Cogdell, Craig Foster, Anne-Marie Glover, Callie Hammett, Arthur Jones, Cesily King, Emily Neely (chair).

LOOKING AHEAD
December 30 – One Service in the Sanctuary (11am)
December 30 – Youth Lock-In/Lock-Out
December 31 – Church Closes at 5pm
January 1 – Church Closed
February 1-3 – Women’s Retreat at Kanuga
February 2-9 – DR Mission Trip

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