Weekly Update for May 24, 2019

This Sunday we begin our Summer Worship Schedule. See times below.

This weekend the Chamber Singers will be in Charleston. On Saturday at 1pm they will be giving a concert at St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church as part of the Spoleto Festival. On Sunday morning they will be helping to lead in worship at First Scot’s Presbyterian, where former FPC staffer Holton Siegling is Senior Pastor.

Please also note that all church facilities, including the gym, will be closed on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day.

THIS SUNDAY
8:30am Chapel Worship Service
9:30am Sunday School for All Ages
10:30am Sanctuary* & MorningSong* Worship Services

(* 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.)

Summer Sunday School – 9:30am
Experiencing God (Room 2201) – Starting THIS SUNDAY
Led by Tom Evans and Local Missions Partners
This Summer Series will explore the ways that we experience God through the lens of Tom Evans’ sabbatical work and through the work of several of our local mission partners.

• May 26 & June 2: Tom Evans: Experiencing the Holy
• June 9: Local Mission Partners
• June 16, 23 & 30: Tom Evans: Experiencing the Holy
• July 7, 14, 21 & 28: Local Mission Partners
• August 4, 11, 18, 25: Tom Evans: Experiencing the Holy

Encountering Jesus (Room 2200) – Starting June 2
Led by Ansley Page, Jason Loscuito, John Lefebvre
This summer open your Bible! Starting on June 2 and throughout the month of June, this Summer Series will explore five passages from John’s Gospel, using Encounters with Jesus by Francis Taylor Gench as a guide. She writes about John, “when we read it, the person and promises of Jesus Christ seem more immediate and available. Jesus seems up close and personal in John and we find ourselves in direct encounter with him.” Additional chapters of this summer series for July and August are in the works, and may include one of the minor prophets and one of the New Testament epistles.

SPARK Coffee Fellowship – Starting June 2
Starting June 2nd, come join SPARK (Young Adults ages 22-35ish) in the Small Private Dining Room of the Family Life Center from 9:45-10:15am in June for coffee and fellowship (and sometimes snacks). This will be an informal time for fellowship, sharing of joys and concerns, and building connections. Even if you’re only around for a week or two in June, we’d love to have you! (PS – Childcare is provided in the Clark Building during this time). If you have questions, please contact Rev. Leslie Lang ( llang@fpcspartanburg.org).

Other Adult Classes Continuing Through the Summer

• Open Class (Room 2213)
• Purnell Class (Purnell Room)

Children’s Sunday School – Starting May 26
The program for Sunday School for children will be condensed beginning May 26. The nursery staff will be in room 105 to welcome all children birth through age 2 (3 year-olds may stay in the nursery during church services as always). The 3K, 4K, and 5K Sunday School classes will meet in room 110. Rising 2nd graders through rising 5th graders will meet as one class in room 201 (the red door). Rising 6th graders will join the youth classes for Sunday School.

Youth Sunday School – Starting June 2
We will have two youth Sunday School classes this summer led by Robert, our youth interns and other volunteer teachers. Rising 6th graders are invited to join the Middle School Sunday School class. Rising 9th graders are invited to join the High Schoolers as well. In June, both groups will explore the Book of James in a series called “You Have Issues.” In July, they will look at “Friendships and Peer Pressure” through the Book of Proverbs. Finally, in August, they will do a series called “Busting Myths” and, guided by the book of Ephesians, tear down myths about being a Christian. Come as often as you are able!

NEXT WEEK
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

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.

International Flag Bearers Needed for Pentecost Service – June 9
On Sunday June 9 our church will celebrate Pentecost. We will post flags representing the various countries in which our church supports international missions. If you would like to carry a flag at either or both services (8:30 am and 10:30 am) that day, please email Emily Neely ( eneely@gmail.com).

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 .

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 .

Thank you blood donors!
On behalf of the Health Committee we would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the following 46 members that stepped forward to donate blood during the Ecumenical Blood Drive: Doug Baker, Nancy Barnard, John Bebeau, Shirley Burgess, Katherine Burns, Carl Carlson, Bethany Cecil, Muffet Chapman, Lee Close, Bill Cummings, Amy Curtis, Jean Danfy, John Easterling, Edd Ervin, Libba Glenn, Dana Halliday, Lou Ann Harrill, Ashely Henderson, Marty Henderson, John Hill, Ed Holcombe, Robin Hood, Jerry Howe, Rick Irwin, Jerry Kiehl, Zan King, Leslie Lang, Ryan Langley, Scottie Lummus, Stan Lummus, Julia Manillo, Michael Mitchell, Bert Moore, John Murphy, Beth Neidenbach, Kam Popkin, Betty Price, Shannon Rogers, Joy Shackleford, Beau Shuler, Lizzie Sims, Danny Steadman, Richard Strasburger, Ralph Tesseneer, Patricia Webster and Crystal Workman.

Our next opportunity to donate will be on November 3.

LOOKING AHEAD
May 26 – Begin Summer Worship Schedule
May 27 – Church Facilities Closed
June 9 – Pentecost
June 9 – Summer Sizzle: VBS Launch Party
June 9-13 – Vacation Bible School
June 22-29 – Youth Salkehatchie Mission Trip
June 23 – Summer Sizzle: Book Swap and Coffee Shop
June 24-27 – CAST Camp
June 29-July 5 – Youth Wyoming Mission Trip
July 4 – Church Facilities Closed
July 8-11 – CAST Camp
July 14 – Summer Sizzle: Undies and Sundaes
July 21-27 – Montreat Youth Conference
July 28-August 4 – SPIHN
August 5-8 – CAST Camp
August 11 – Summer Sizzle: Dog Days of Summer
August 25 – Last Day of Summer Worship Schedule
August 25 – Summer Sizzle: Wet & Wild Back to School Bash
September 1 – One Worship Service (No Sunday School)
September 8 – Rally Day
September 20-22 – Church Retreat at Montreat
September 20-25 – Cuba Mission Trip
November 3 – Ecumenical Blood Drive

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