Back to Listing

Weekly Update for November 22, 2019

Gratitude is one of the central doctrines of our Christian faith, especially within the Reformed Tradition. We live our lives in the way of Jesus, not to earn God’s favor, but in thanksgiving for the love God has already given us. And so while Thanksgiving is not an official liturgical holiday, it is still rife with theological significance. So let us be thankful and express our thanksgiving to God with praise, love, and generosity!

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong* and Chapel Worship Services
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
11:00am Sanctuary* Worship Service
5:00pm Confirmation & Sunday Night Youth Group

(* 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.)

Return Thornwell Home Offering on Sunday
Sunday is the date to return the Stuffed Turkey Cards. Send the stuffed turkey cards to your child’s Sunday School class, or bring them with you to worship and place them in the offering plate. If you've inadvertently left your Turkey Card at home, please feel free to return it at your earliest convenience. Thank you.

Reforesting Faith in Christian Perspectives Class
Sundays, Nov. 3, 10, and Dec. 1
9:45am in Room C212
Join the Christian Perspectives Sunday School Class as Peter Neidenbach leads them in exploring “Reforesting Faith: What trees teach us about the nature of God and His love for us” by Dr. Matthew Sleeth.

The Bible in Handel’s Messiah
Sundays, Nov. 17 – Dec. 8
10am in Room C210
Hosted by the Faith Driven Sunday School Class
Handel’s Messiah is one of the most-known and beloved musical compositions of all time, but what many do not realize is that the words of Messiah come directly from the Bible. Over the next four weeks, Craig Foster will help us to explore the biblical texts that are brought to life in Part 1 of Messiah, which deals with the prophecy and birth of the Messiah. This is an interesting way to approach and to experience scripture, and will hopefully deepen your appreciation of the Bible and of Handel’s Messiah when the Chancel Choir sings it in worship on December 8 (the final Sunday of our study).

NEXT WEEK
Community Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 26
6:30-8pm at Central United Methodist Church (233 N Church Street)
The Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service is an annual ecumenical service that provides an opportunity for members of the community to worship together and give thanks. A committee of local clergy selects a nonprofit organization each year to receive the offering, which the Spartanburg County Foundation will match up to $5,000. This year’s offering will go to P.S. I Love You Ministries, a faith-based organization whose mission is to support the foster family.

NO WAF on November 27
Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving! WAF will resume on December 4 with “Tidings of Comfort (Food) and Joy.”

Church Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday and Friday, November 28 & 29
All church facilities, including the gym, will be closed on next Thursday and Friday in celebration of Thanksgiving.

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.

Here are a few of the newest opportunities available within Ministry Finder:

OTHER NEWS
JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon – Tuesday, December 3
11:30am in Fogartie Hall
We welcome back Dr. Kirk Neely as our featured storyteller. Please RSVP to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org) by Wednesday, November 27.

Family Advent Celebration – Sunday, December 8
noon-2pm in the Social Hall
There is a beautiful mystery of Christmas, as we wait and wonder in anticipation of our Savior’s birth. The Family Advent Celebration helps us prepare our hearts for this wonderful season. Join us in the Social Hall immediately following our 11:00am worship service for a time of fellowship, singing, and crafting, designed especially for children and families. No reservation is required; please come and go as you can. If you have any questions, please contact Holly Bannan (hbannan@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-583-4531).

Young Adult Christmas Gathering – Sunday, December 8
5:30-8:30pm at the home of Leslie Lang
All young adults (age 22-35ish) are invited to the Young Adult Christmas Gathering at the home of Leslie Lang. Bring your favorite dish to share! RSVP to Leslie at llang@fpcspartanburg.org for directions.

Music in December
Handel’s Messiah // Sunday, December 8 // 8:45 and 11:00am during the Sanctuary Services
Moravian Love Feast // Sunday, December 15 // 4:00 and 6:00pm in the Chapel
Lessons and Carols // Sunday, December 22 // 8:45am in MorningSong

White Gifts Service - December 11
6:30pm in the Sanctuary
Please join us for our annual White Gift Service featuring our children's choirs, but culminates in the giving of gifts, wrapped in white for three local missions: Mobile Meals, Hope Center for Children, and Thornwell. Gift ideas may be found at www.fpcspartanburg.org/events/whitegifts.

Service of Comfort and Light - December 18
6pm in the Chapel
Are the holidays made more difficult this year because of a loss or sadness in your life? You are invited to join us for an intimate time of worship on Wednesday, December 18, at 6:00pm in the Chapel. This "Service of Comfort and Light," which includes communion and candle-lighting, is especially for those who struggle during the Christmas season. The Health Committee will host a time of refreshments and fellowship following the service in the Parlor.

Christmas Eve Services – Tuesday, December 24 in the Sanctuary
Family Worship (4:00pm)
Come, all you angels, shepherds, farm animals, and kings. Join us on Christmas Eve for our family nativity pageant. Any child may come dressed as the part he or she wants to play from those listed above.

Candlelight Services (6:00 and 11:00pm)
These services, a tradition in our church, feature music by the Christmas Eve Choir. A special message will be delivered and the services will conclude with the Sanctuary bathed in candlelight.

LOOKING AHEAD
(Full Calendar)
November 26 – Community Thanksgiving Service (Central Methodist)
December 1 – First Sunday of Advent
December 1 – 8:45 Traditional Service Moves to the Sanctuary for Advent
December 3 – JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon
December 3 – Joint Meeting of the Session and the Diaconate
December 8 – Handel’s Messiah in Both Sanctuary Services
December 8 – Family Advent Celebration
December 8 – Young Adult Christmas Gathering
December 11 – White Gifts Service
December 15 – Moravian Love Feast
December 18 – Service of Comfort and Light
December 22 – MorningSong Lessons & Carols
December 24 – Angel Tree Distribution
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services (4pm, 6pm, 11pm)
December 29 – One Worship Service (No Sunday School)
February 1-8 – Dominican Republic Mission Trip

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