Weekly Update for July 23, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This week was our second week of C.A.S.T. Camp. Thank you to all those who helped to Care, Accept, Share, and Teach those young people this week!

This Sunday our Sr. High youth head out for a week at the Montreat Youth Conference. Please pray for their safety, good fellowship with friends old and new, and meaningful spiritual growth during this very special event!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Order Tartan Banner – DEADLINE TODAY (Order Here)
First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans Worship Service on Sunday, October 31, 2021. At our Kirkin’ service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God’s help and blessings in the future through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your order and payment by today, July 23. The cost of a banner is $135. For more information, visit fpcspartanburg.org/tartan. If you have any questions, please contact Lynise Clarke.

Youth Dinner and Devos – TONIGHT at 6pm
Rising 11^th and 12^th graders and ’21 high school graduates, join Robert and Carrie for Dinner and Devos this evening, July 23 at 6pm. Meet in the back parking lot of the FLC!

THIS SUNDAY – JULY 25
8:30am Traditional Worship (Chapel)
9:30am Sunday School for All Ages
9:30am Hospitality Time (Perrin Room)
9:45am Summer Choir (Choir Room)
10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
10:30am MorningSong (Fogartie Hall)

While on the Summer Worship Schedule, the 10:30am Sanctuary Worship Service will be streamed on the church website and Facebook, and the 10:30am MorningSong Worship Service will be streamed on the church website and YouTube.

However you join us, please:

• Check in through the ShelbyNext app or sign the online guestbook to let us know you worshipped with us.
• Consider giving online or through the ShelbyNext app as a regular act of worship.

Trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

Hospitality Time
Between Services this morning, stop by the Perrin Room - just down the hallway from the Tower Room - for a refreshing beverage. Feel free to take a few minutes to visit with other church members and visitors. If you have any questions about First Presbyterian, our Hospitality Team would like to help you find the answer. Additionally, if you are a church member in need of a Sonitrol Key Card, you may do so during this time at no charge! Please come by to have your picture taken; your card should be available within the week.

9:30am Sunday School for All Ages
Adults: “Welcome to the One Great Story” (Social Hall)
This summer, you are invited to join an adult class on the great sweeping story of the Bible. We will be guided by the new book by Dr. George Thompson entitled "Welcome to the One Great Story." Led by Dr. Lewis Galloway and Dr. Lewis Johnson, the class will help us understand how to interpret the wide variety of literature in the Bible and how the many stories of the Bible come together to tell one great story. This class is designed for all levels of familiarity with the scriptures. Copies of the book will be available for $28 in the Social Hall for those who want to go deeper than what is covered in class.

Adults: “Mountaintop Moments” (Parlor)
Grab coffee and come catch up with church friends in the Parlor. Rev. Ansley Page will offer a devotion and discussion around mountaintop moments in Scripture and how they connect with our stories. A little extra lift for your Sunday morning!

Children & Youth Sunday School
Preschool Sunday School (Room C110)
Elementary Sunday School (Room C201)
Nursery, 6 months – 3 years (Room C105)
Middle School Students – Middle School Classroom
High School Students – High School Classroom

9:45am Summer Choir (Choir Room)
Anyone high school age or older who has been fully vaccinated is welcome to be a part of Summer Choir. Come to the Choir Room at 9:45am, and we will take care of the rest...the music is manageable, and there are experienced singers to make your experience fun and comfortable. Questions? Contact Holt Andrews at rhandrews@fpcspartanburg.org.

NEXT WEEK
The Perfect Blend – Wednesday, July 28 at 10:30am in the Large Private Dining Room
Join Rev. Joanne Hull and Dr. Lewis Galloway for coffee, friends, and a little spiritual boost for your day!

Summer Hangouts with Mrs. Holly – Wednesday, July 28 beginning at 5:30pm
FPC Kids, join Mrs. Holly for the final Summer Hangouts on Wednesday night! We will have a FOCUS devotion and play Minute-to-win-It games!

• 5:30-6:20pm – Completed 3K, 4K, and Kindergarten
• 6:30-7:20pm – Completed 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th

Summer Book Discussion – Thursday, July 29 at noon
Join Leslie Lang in the Small Private Dining Room on Thursday, July 29th at 12pm to discuss the book, I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown. This book has been on the NY Times bestseller list and was referenced in a recent sermon by Rev Lang. It gives a firsthand account of a black woman growing up in the United States, and how she has experienced racism in her own life. All are welcome. Invite a friend and bring your lunch if you'd like.

Weekday Bible Studies and Other Groups

• Summer Women’s Bible Study with Ansley Page: Mondays at 7pm in the Arthur Center through July
• Wednesday Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at noon, in person and on Zoom (Join in)
• Young Adult Women’s Summer Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6pm at the home of Donna Pulliam through July 28 (Contact Leslie Lang)
• 6:30am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Small Private Dining Room
• 7:00am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Arthur Center
• In person and Zoom Group Workouts – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
• Thursdays at 12 noon – Yoga in the Activity Room with Leslie Lehmann

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Habitat for Humanity Workdays
Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg utilizes volunteers on new home construction as well as smaller exterior projects for our critical home repair program. These homes are in Spartanburg County with most of the homes in or around the city of Spartanburg. Volunteers can participate Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturdays with the option to volunteer for a full day or a half day. Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older, anyone under 18 years of age must have a volunteering adult accompany them on the work site. Projects are lead under the direction of a construction supervisor. No experience is necessary to participate. Anyone interested in learning more, have questions about specific dates, or would like to schedule in advance for future dates should contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Carrie Vaughn 864-707-0230 or carrie.vaughn@habitatspartanburg.org. Here are current volunteer opportunities for the month of July:

Stephen Ministry Needs YOU!
If you are looking for a way to serve First Presbyterian Church that allows you a flexible schedule, once a week interaction with someone who is desperately in need of some Christian caring, this is the place for you!! A new training class will begin in August. Come and join us! Interested? Contact Dana Halliday for more information at danahalliday1@charter.net or (864) 237-0330.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

• Cleveland Academy of Leadership
• Hand in Hand
• TOTAL Ministries
• SPIHN
• Mobile Meals

OTHER NEWS
Dog Days of Summer – August 1 after 10:30am Worship
Summer Sizzles continue Sunday, August 1 with Dog Days of Summer! Join us in the Gym for a delicious hot dog lunch after 10:30am Worship.

Celebration of Ministry for Robert and Holly Bannan – August 8 at 11:30am in the Gym
Rev. Robert Bannan and Mrs. Holly Bannan have accepted a call to Kingston Presbyterian Church in Conway, SC; Robert as the Pastor and Holly as the Director of Discipleship and Communications. Join us for a reception Sunday, August 8 in their honor at 11:30am in the Gym. If you would like to write them a note, there is a basket in the church office or bring it to the celebration of their ministry on their final Sunday at First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg. Please join us in expressing our gratitude to Robert, Holly, Jacob, Hattie, and Trace and wishing them God's blessing as they make Kingston Church their new home.

Next Blood Drive – October 10
Our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, October 10. If you gave blood during our last drive Sunday, May 16, you will be eligible to donate again beginning July 12. If you would like to donate at the next blood drive at First Presbyterian Church, please refrain from donating after August 15.

FPC Health Guidelines
First Presbyterian Church is observing CDC Health Guidelines. As Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Thank you for your understanding.

Questions about your Church Membership?
If you have any questions or comments about your church membership, please email Lynise Clarke. You may also use contact Lynise to update any changes to your information (addresses, phone numbers, etc). Thank you.

LOOKING AHEAD
July 25-31 – Montreat Youth Conference
August 1 – Summer Sizzle: Dog Days of Summer
August 1 – TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
August 2-5 – CAST Camp
August 8 – Celebration of Ministry for Robert and Holly Bannan
August 13-15 – Women’s Connection at Montreat
August 20 – Young Adult Fellowship and LIFT Fellowship at the Criterium
August 29 – Rally Day & End of Summer Bash
September 5 – One Worship Service (No Sunday School)
September 15 – WAF Resumes
September 25 – Young Adult Event: Northside 5k
October 3 – World Communion Sunday
October 10 – Blood Drive
October 31 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans

More activities and events can be found in First News.