Weekly Update for January 4, 2019

Happy New Year and 11^th Day of Christmas! This Sunday is Epiphany when we celebrate the coming of the wise men and the revelation of Christ to the world, and we have something special planned for the children’s sermons in MorningSong and the Sanctuary. Please note that the 8:45 traditional service returns to the Chapel this Sunday.

Also, you will notice a new section in our weekly email. Each week under “Service Opportunities” we will highlight a few timely service opportunities through which you can put your faith into action. Simply tap or click on the name of the opportunity to find our more and/or connect with someone who can help you to get involved. Check that section every week! Not finding anything that fits? Click on the “ Ministry Finder ” link) to find more ways to serve that meet your schedule and interests.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
Chapel Worship Service
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
10:30am Monthly Fellowship (Perrin Room)
11:00am 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.)

Monthly Fellowship
10:30am in the Perrin Room
This Sunday is our monthly fellowship time in our newly renovated gathering space. Meet in the Perrin Room at 10:30am for doughnuts, coffee, and fellowship with your church family. Parent’s please be sure to pick up your children from Sunday School by 10:30 so that everyone, including teachers, can enjoy the fellowship time together.

NEXT WEEK
Undeck the Halls – Tuesday, January 8
10am – Meet in the Tower Room
Come help take down the wreaths, crismon tree, and other Advent and Christmas décor in and around the Sanctuary and Tower Room. Please contact Linda Kiehl (jnlkiehl@gmail.com / 864-345-2367) or LeAnne Thurmond Holcombe ( leanne.thurmond@gmail.com / 864-621-0213,) if you are inerested.

WAF Resumes January 9
Wednesdays at First resumes next week with a new season of delicious meals, warm fellowship, and informative programming. January will feature health programming, including a panel discussion regarding the opioid crisis, “The View of Addiction” with Nick Wildrick, and a program on forgiveness by the Rev. Travis Webster. No reservations are necessary, but if you wish to pre-pay online, you may do so at: fpcspartanburg.org/waf. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted at the door.

Attention 3^rd Grade Parents!
If you haven’t yet picked up your child’s Bible to prepare, you may get one from Cesily King or Shannon Stewart. Please remember that we need them to be returned to Cesily King, Shannon Stewart, or Craig Foster by January 10 so we can prepare for the presentation in the chapel at 10:00 on Sunday, January 27.

Pick Up Your Advent Celebration Creations
If at the Advent Celebration, your child made a clay figurine for the Nativity scene that’s been on display outside of Fogartie, you may pick it up from that display any time this coming week. If you cannot pick it up before Sunday, Jan. 13, the figurines will be kept in Cesily King’s office for a week or two, but will be disposed of after that.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Find these and more 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.

• St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic (Front Desk)
• St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic (Back Desk)
• SPIHN Evening Host (January 20-27)
• SPIHN Overnight Host/Supplies/General Questions (January 20-27)
• Hospitality [Golf] Cart Drivers
• Weekday School Substitute Teachers (paid)
• Nursery Staff (paid)

UNITY WEEK EVENTS
Movie Night – Friday, January 18
6pm at the Spartanburg County Library Headquarters
Documentary: King in the Wilderness
This documentary chronicles the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life. Facilitated discussion will be led by Pastor M. Keith McDaniel.

Walk as One – Saturday, January 19
9am at the Spartanburg Public Library Headquarters
Our diverse community joins together to walk as one for a time of fellowship and reflection.

Unity Celebration – Monday, January 21
6:30pm at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium
Keynote Speaker: Darrin Goss (President & CEO of the Coastal Community Foundation)
Music will be provided by the Sounds of Diversity Choir and Orchestra. Poster Contest winners, Humanitarian Award recipients, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Celebration scholarship winners will be announced.

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).

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
January 6 – Epiphany
January 13 – Officer Ordination and Installation
January 20-27 - SPIHN
January 21 – Church Closed (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
January 27 – Third Grade Bible Presentation
January 27 – Commissioning of DR Mission Team
February 1-3 – Women’s Retreat at Kanuga
February 7 – Weekday School Sweethearts Celebration
February 8-10 – Confirmation Retreat
February 2-9 – DR Mission Trip
February 17 – Blood Drive
February 27 – Healing and Wholeness Service

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