Weekly Update for November 9, 2018

This Sunday is Youth Sunday, and youth will be leading each of our three Sunday morning worship services. This is always an exciting and encouraging celebration of the present and future of our church!

Tomorrow will be our annual Winter Warmth coat distribution. This ministry provides new winter coats for needy children throughout Spartanburg County. You will soon have the opportunity to give to purchase a coat for next year’s distribution. Truthfully, most of the people on our Christmas lists don’t really need what we could give them, but the gift of a coat in a loved one’s name is always the right size and color and makes a real difference right here in Spartanburg.

We also have two excellent programs for Wednesdays at First this week. Even if you aren’t a regular WAF attendee, this would be a great Wednesday to give it a try! See below for more information.

TODAY
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.

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.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Worship (Youth Sunday)
8:45am    MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
                Chapel Worship Service
9:45am    Sunday School for All Ages
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.)

NEXT WEEK
Veterans Day Event at Wofford - Monday
6:00-7:30pm at the Anna Todd Wofford Center, Andrews Field House
Societies have honored their returning warriors by listening to their tales from battle. Most stay quiet, some talk with friends or family, and some will share their story only with other veterans. Come listen, come tell, come think, come be together for a period of reflection and brother/sisterhood. No judgment, simple acceptance — a time for reflection and remembrance and not a time for grievance and rage. Sponsored by Department of Psychology, Office of the Chaplain, ROTC and Second Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg

Join us for Wednesdays at First
5pm in Fogartie Hall
Menu: Salad Bar, Pot Roast, Rice, Green 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 debit/credit cards are accepted at the door.

Why Interfaith Relationships are Important to the Community – Wednesday
6:30pm in the Sanctuary
Come hear our InterFaith Alliance panelists share about these various faiths/denominations: Islam, Hinduism, Jewish, Catholic, Latter-Day Saints & Episcopalian. It will be a great opportunity to learn how all are both unique and similar.

Contemplative Prayer – Wednesday
6:30pm in the Chapel.
Contemplative prayer is a spiritual practice that opens us to the presence and guidance of God. Join Dr. John Simmons in exploring this rich spiritual practice. John is a member of Central Methodist Church and leads retreats on spiritual development.

Read Through the Bible in 2018
Friday, November 9 – Ezekiel 18, 19 / 1 Peter 1
Saturday, November 10 – Ezekiel 20, 21 / 1 Peter 2
Sunday, November 11 – Ezekiel 22, 23 / Psalms 120-122
Monday, November 12 – Ezekiel 24, 25 / 1 Peter 3
Tuesday, November 13 – Ezekiel 26, 27 / 1 Peter 4
Wednesday, November – 14 Ezekiel 28, 29 / 1 Peter 5
Thursday, November 15 – Ezekiel 30, 31 / Psalms 123-125
Friday, November 16 – Ezekiel 32, 33 / 2 Peter 1
Saturday, November 17 – Ezekiel 34, 35 / 2 Peter 2

OTHER NEWS
Community Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 20
6:00-8:30pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
Join with the interfaith community of Spartanburg to give thanks, and support a local cause! All proceeds from the evening's offering will benefit SWITCH, an organization that fights human trafficking and sexual exploitation. SWITCH will use the funds to support its intervention program in the Spartanburg County Detention Center, providing trauma-informed care to women who are incarcerated and have a history of sexual exploitation. The Spartanburg County Foundation will match the offering up to $5,000.

Family Advent Celebration – Sunday, December 2
Noon in the Social Hall
Come and join in the 2018 Family Advent Celebration! This year’s celebration will be held right after the 11 o’clock service on Sunday, December 2.  We’ll have activities— crafts, telling the Christmas story, and singing—for children of all ages, as well as an opportunity to make Christmas wreaths.  Light snacks/lunch will be served.

JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon – Tuesday, December 4
11:30am in Fogartie Hall
Please RSVP to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org) by Wednesday, November 28.

FPC Women’s Retreat “The With-Us God”– February 1-3, 2019
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
Led by the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross
Early Bird Deadline: December 16  Final Deadline: January 2
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...

SPIHN Donations Needed
Our church is looking to replace some well-loved items before our next Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network rotation. Please put any donations in the SPIHN crate in the All in Missions room (across from the church library). We are so appreciative of any and all donations!! If you have any questions, please email Crystal Workman workman06@charter.net.
Items Needed:
2-4 pack and play(playpen) sheets in neutral colors
pillows
hand towels
twin sheet sets

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.

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