Weekly Update for November 2, 2018

This Sunday we are remembering those beloved members of our First Pres family who have gone on to the Church Triumphant. In the Chapel and Sanctuary, the All Saints service will conclude in our Columbarium as we pause to reflect and pray on the cross we stand on in this life and the cross that lifts us up to the next.

As always, there are many things happening at the church, so please look at the list below to see where God is tugging on your heart to participate in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings and Peace,
Tom

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TOMORROW

Transparent Men Breakfast – Saturday, November 3
The Sparkle City Transparent Men will be holding its monthly breakfast meeting in our Large Private Dining Room at 8:30am. Men of all races and denominations are invited for food, Bible study, song and fellowship. You owe it to yourself to give it a try! You will be glad you did! Call Jimmy Edwards (864-570-2017 or 864-415-4999) for additional info or questions.

Daylight Savings Time Ends
Remember to “fall back” Saturday night, November 3, as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Worship

8:45am    MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
                Chapel Worship Service
9:45am    Sunday School for All Ages
10:30am   Monthly Church Fellowship (The Perrin Room)
11:00am   Sanctuary* Worship Service
5:00pm    Youth Fellowship

(* 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, join your church family for doughnuts, coffee, and fellowship. Parents: 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. And everyone, if a child offers you a sticker during that time, take it! And spend a minute talking with that child.

ALL Saints’ Day Observed
Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection in a special way as we remember those faithful from our church who have joined the church triumphant in the past year. As part of this remembrance, the Chapel and Sanctuary services will both process to the columbarium for the conclusion of those services

Faith Driven Sunday School
Please join Faith Driven (C210) on Sunday, November 4, as Youth Director, Mark Ashby comes to talk about plans and goals for the Youth. We will start promptly at 9:45 and dismiss before 10:30.

Ecumenical Blood Drive
An Ecumenical Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, 7:30am-1:30pm in the Family Life Center Gym. If you have not signed up to make a blood donation, walk-ins are welcome! Head to the gym to volunteer...it doesn’t take very long and you could make an impact on 3 lives. For an appointment, contact Beth Cecil.

Food Collection
On Sunday, we ask that you bring donations of food to help relieve hunger in Spartanburg. Please bring non-perishable food for the holidays, such as sweet potatoes, cranberries, stuffing, green beans, etc. Toiletries are also needed. These donations can be placed in wooden crates outside the entrances to all services on November 4. Questions? Email Juli Robertson.

Pickup Your New Church Directory
The new church directory has arrived! If you had your picture taken in the spring for the directory, you may pick up your copy (one per family) in Didi's office during church office hours or during the times listed below. Once those directories are distributed, extra copies will be made available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Sunday, November 4: before and after MorningSong in the FLC Lobby
Sunday, November 4: before and after 11am worship at Didi's desk
Wednesday, November 7: FLC Lobby during WAF

Grief and Grace Booklet Available
Grief and Grace: A Faith Journal is now available to you as a resource for your grief journey. The journal is a compilation of stories from church members of their own experiences with grief and healing. Copies are available in displays near the Sanctuary. This booklet is sponsored by the Women’s Ministry Committee in celebration of All Saints’ Day and the 175th Anniversary of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg.

THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5-10:

List of Veterans and Active Service Personnel Needed by Monday, November 5
In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 11, we would like to recognize church members who have served OR are currently serving in the military. Please submit church members’ names and branch of military service by Monday, November 5. Please submit names to Joanie Shackleton.

Diabetes and Nutrition Expo – Monday, November 5
William L Arthur Center, 10:00am-12:00pm
Featuring a comprehensive look at diabetes prevention, general wellness and nutrition. Taste new healthy snacks, talk to a registered dietitian, learn new recipes, and meet community resources that can help you reach your wellness goals. Drop in any time between 10 and noon. (Sponsored by Medical Group of the Carolinas)

Pray for our Leaders on Election Day – Tuesday, November 6
Tuesday, November 6 is Election Day. The Chapel will be open all day on election day (as it is every week day) so that you may have a place to spend time in prayer. The Prayer Committee urges church members to pray for our community, state, and nation as they cast their votes.

Thornwell Hope for Children Luncheon – Wednesday, November 7
Thornwell is a home for children in Clinton sponsored by Synod of the Southeast. In previous years, Thornwell enjoyed very generous support from First Presbyterian Church. The manner in which Thornwell serves children continues to evolve and grow; Thornwell continues to use the model of placing children in a   Christian family environment on its campus. FPC would like to sponsor a table at the Hope for Children Luncheon on November 7 at the Embassy Suites in Greenville. The luncheon will be an opportunity to raise awareness and funds. If you are interested, contact Harriet Ike for information at 864-542-8338 or harrietike@gmail.com.

Join us for Wednesdays at First – November 7
5pm in Fogartie Hall
Menu: Salad Bar, Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Lima Beans, Bread, Dessert
Costs: $7 for Adults and Youth (12 and older), $6 for Seniors (55 and over), $4 for Children; $20 per family maximum
Join us for a great meal with your church family each Wednesday. The dinner line is open 5:00-6:15pm. No Reservations 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.

Tom Evans’ Sabbatical Project: Experiencing God – Wednesday, November 7 – 6:30pm
Come to hear Tom talk about his upcoming Sabbatical Project: Experiencing God. Tom will share his tour through Cathedrals in Europe which inspired this topic. Then he will explain the research project he will be conducting: How the church can help people experience God, Walk with God, and Build the Kingdom God. Tom will be conducting research in cities throughout the state and the country, engaging in spiritual reflection through the National Parks while writing on a train trip across the country.

Spartanburg UKirk Campus Ministries Thank You Event – Friday, November 9
Spartanburg’s UKirk Campus Ministries is holding a “thank you” event on Friday, November 9, 6:30pm, at Second Presbyterian Church (in Pryce Hall) to show appreciation for the continued support provided to campus ministry. This event will be a time to fellowship with local college students, enjoy some coffee and pastries, and listen to special guest Christopher Williams – a songwriter, storyteller, and entertainer. All are welcome; No RSVP's required. If you would like more information about Spartanburg's UKirk Campus Ministries, contact Rachel Epps or Landon Hammett.

Winter Warmth needs Volunteers and Donations – Saturday, November 10
On the morning of Saturday, November 10, our congregation will distribute winter coats to children in Spartanburg County during our Winter Warmth Mission. It takes many people to lead this event, and we need your help with event set up, registration, fitting children with coats, managing traffic, and clean up. To volunteer, register online at: https://tinyurl.com/y8924mwu. Donations of new or knitted caps, scarves, and gloves are needed to give to the toddlers of Winter Warmth families. Please bring items to donate to the mission closet across from the church library.

Read Through the Bible in 2018
Friday, November 2 -  Ezekiel 4, 5 / James 1
Saturday, November 3 -  Ezekiel 6, 7 / James 2
Sunday, November 4 -  Ezekiel 8, 9 / Psalm 119:121-144
Monday, November 5 -  Ezekiel 10, 11 / James 3
Tuesday, November 6 -  Ezekiel 12, 13 / James 4
Wednesday, November 7 -  Ezekiel 14, 15 / James 5
Thursday, November 8 -  Ezekiel 16, 17 / Psalm 119:145-176
Friday, November 9 -  Ezekiel 18, 19 / 1 Peter 1
Saturday, November 10 -  Ezekiel 20, 21 / 1 Peter 2
November 11 -  Ezekiel 22, 23 / Psalms 120-122

OTHER NEWS

SPIHN is in need of the following items: 20 towels, 2-4 pack and play sheets, and 6-8 pillows. Please place the items in the SPIHN Crate in the AIM Office (across the hall from the church library).

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.

Spartanburg Ukirk Adopt a Student Ministry
The Adopt a Student ministry aims to pair students with families in our local supporting churches to enter into a mutually beneficial relationship during the student's time at college. For the students, this provides another piece for their support system while away from home, and host families are able to continue fulfilling our baptismal vows by nurturing the student in their Christian faith. Our hope is to match students with a family for the length of their college career. We will be matching up our students with their families by November 9th. If you are interested, please contact Rachel Epps or Landon Hammett.

FPC Women’s Retreat “The With-Us God”– February 1-3, 2019
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
Led by the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross
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

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
November 11 – Youth Sunday
November 20 – Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service
November 25 – Angels Available on Angel Tree
November 29 – Prayer Coffee
December 2 – Advent Begins
December 2 – Chamber Singers Concert
December 4 – JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon
December 5 – White Gifts Service
December 9 – Chancel Choir Music Services
December 16 – MorningSong Lessons and Carols Service
December 16 – Moravian Love Feasts
February 1-3 – Women’s Retreat at Kanuga

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