Weekly Update for May 10, 2019

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and mother-figures out there, and our prayers are with those for whom Mother’s Day can be a source of pain or loss.

This Sunday we welcome Dr. Franklin Fant from Presbyterian Communities to our worship services as we collect our annual Mother’s Day Offering to support the work of Presbyterian Homes of South Carolina. See below for more information.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
Chapel Worship Service
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
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.)

Mother’s Day Offering for Presbyterian Communities
Each Mother’s Day our church, together with Presbyterian congregations throughout our state collect an offering to support the work of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (previously known as Presbyterian Homes). Presbyterian Communities across our state provide quality care for seniors, even when their lives extend beyond their financial resources, and this annual offering helps to keep that work going. The Rev. Dr. Franklin Fant, Director of Foundation Services and Church Relations for Presbyterian Communities, will be with us in worship on May 12 and preaching in MorningSong that morning. Come hear and support this important mission of the Presbyterian Church!

Welcome Betsy Cann and Kendall Agnew as Youth Summer Interns
10am in the Youth Rooms
We are delighted to welcome our summer youth interns! Kendal Agnew and Betsy Cann. Kendal and Betsy both grew up in our church and were active participants in our youth program through both middle and high school. Kendal is a rising junior at the University of South Carolina where she is a music education major. She loves to read and talk about all things Disney! She wanted to be an intern at FPC because “I’ve always been passionate about the youth program at FPC, and I wanted to help be a part of bringing our youth closer to God and each other.” Betsy is a rising sophomore at Clemson University where she is a biological science major. Betsy loves going to the lake and paddle boarding. She decided to work at FPC as an intern because “I loved youth group and was so involved while I was in youth that I wanted to continue that.” Please join us in welcoming our interns, this Sunday during the Sunday School hour!

NEXT WEEK
Celebrate College & Grad School Graduates!
Information due by Monday, May 13
We would like to be able to celebrate together as a church the hard work of all of our college and graduate school graduates. Please send the names of those in your household who are graduating, as well as the college or university from which they are graduating to Katie Resumovic ( kresumovic@fpcspartanburg.org ) no later than Monday, May 13 so that they may be included in the upcoming edition of First News.

Baccalaureate Breakfast RSVPs Required by Tuesday, May 14
Last call for Baccalaureate Breakfast RSVPs for graduating high school seniors! Please email Joy ( jjones@fpcspartanburg.org) your attendance and two photos (one baby and one current) of your senior(s) by May 14! If you have already RVSP’ed your attendance but have not sent the requested photos, please send those in as soon as possible. Direct any questions to Joy.

Vacation Bible School – June 9-13
Register by Next Friday, May 17!
We are still looking for a few good volunteers to help out during VBS! We’d love to have you all four days, but if you only have one or two days available, we have places for you as well. Due to an overwhelming response, our mission-oriented VBS+ for rising 5^th and 6^th graders has started a waiting list while we organize another set of volunteers. The VBS kick-off will be on Sunday, June 9, during a special Summer Sizzle, and then we’ll meet Monday, June 10- Thursday, June 13 from 9am to noon. We hope you’ll join us as we deepen our faith in God and have fun while we do it! To volunteer, email or text Molly Jones ( mollyjones01@gmail.com).

VBS registration for children closes next Friday, May 17. To register your child, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/vbs or pick up a form in the church office.

Ecumenical Blood Drive – Next Sunday, May 19
The second of three ecumenical blood drives for 2019 is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. Once again, The Blood Connection will be gifting to the church $20 for every unit of blood that is collected from our members during that blood drive. We are well on our way to reaching the goal for the tower room door assist! Please contact Beth Cecil to reserve your time to donate.

Pastor Christi’s Last Sunday – Next Sunday, May 19
Sunday, May 19 is the Rev. Christi Brown’s last Sunday on staff at FPC. Christi will be preaching in both the MorningSong and Sanctuary services. Chapel attendees are invited to attend one of these two services, as there will be no service at 8:45am in the Chapel. After the 11:00 Sanctuary service, please join us at a reception in the Social Hall to celebrate Christi’s ministry and honor her family.

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.

Ushers Needed for October and April
We are seeking additional ushers willing to help pass out bulletins and assist seating during the 11 AM service in the sanctuary. Ushers serve a month at a time twice a year. Find more information in Ministry Finder .

Habitat House PASTORS’ CHALLENGE Days
As we come into the home stretch on our Habitat for Humanity home build, your pastors want to challenge you to work alongside of us to get this house finished! Please look at your schedules and join us on the following days!
Saturday, May 18 (morning) – Ansley needs your help installing columns and handrails!
Thursday, May 24 (morning) – Tom needs your help with some touch-up painting!

Work continues on other days as well. See www.fpcspartanburg.org/habitat for the schedule and information about how to volunteer.

OTHER NEWS
We are looking for a Program Administrator for Youth and Campus Ministry !
A search committee has been formed as we are currently accepting resumés for an Program Administrator for Youth and Campus Ministry. This is a largely administrative role but also would require presence at youth functions. The job description can be found on the church website . To apply, please send resumés to search committee chair Ashley Millinor at ashley.millinor@aflglobal.com .

Sanctuary Guild and Flower Guild Meeting – Monday, May 20, 2019
11am in the Purnell Room
This month we will review our Lenten and Easter activities and make plans for summer and fall events. All are welcome!

Chamber Singers Spring Concert – Monday, May 20
7pm in the Sanctuary
This concert, “A Day in the Life”, uses texts from the Old Testament, traditional liturgy, and contemporary poets to show how the extraordinary is present in the course of an ordinary day.

Remembering Their Service and Sacrifice
On Sunday, May 26, the church will honor your loved ones who have served in the United States Armed Forces and have now passed on. We will print the information in the worship bulletin. Please contact Joanie Shackleton; ( jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 208-2132) prior to May 20 with the name of the person, their rank, branch of service, and dates of service.

Young Adult Gathering – Thursday, May 30
5:30-7:30pm at the home of Cathy and Billy Bagwell (1000 Thomas Rd.)
Join the Young Adults for a summer kick-off fellowship event! Come meet the Rev. Leslie Lang, our new Associate Pastor for Young Adults and Mission, as well as connect with old and new friends! Beverages and appetizers will be provided. Just bring yourself!
RSVP HERE http://evite.me/58kSW7Gg9n or email llang@fpcspartanburg.org

LOOKING AHEAD
May 19 – Celebration of the Ministry of the Rev. Christi O. Brown
May 19 – Baccalaureate Sunday
May 19 – Blood Drive
May 26 – Begin Summer Worship Schedule
May 27 – Church Facilities Closed
June 9 – Pentecost
June 9-13 – Vacation Bible School
June 24-27 – CAST Camp
June 29-July 5 – Youth Wyoming Mission Trip
July 4 – Church Facilities Closed
July 8-11 – CAST Camp
July 21-27 – Montreat Youth Conference
July 28-August 4 – SPIHN
August 5-8 – CAST Camp
September 20-22 – Church Retreat at Montreat
September 20-25 – Cuba Mission Trip

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