Weekly Update for October 11, 2019

There are some important deadlines coming up in the next week (and even today!). So don’t miss out on your chances to be involved in these ministries of our church!

Also note the security measures which will go into effect on Sunday/ Please remember to bring your access card with you anytime you come to the church and see Didi if you do not yet have a card.

Please note that there will be no Sunday Night Youth Group due to the Middle School Retreat and no Pastor’s Bible Study on Wednesday, as Tom will be away.

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.)

Security Changes Effective Sunday
Starting this Sunday, all entrances to the Clark Building will require key card access. The Family Life Center doors will be locked at 10:30am. In the Main Building, all doors will require key cards except for the Tower Room and Narthex's Main Street facing door. The Narthex side doors will lock at 11:15am. On Wednesday evenings, the monitored front doors of the Family Life Center are unlocked, but for other unmonitored doors around campus, including the Tower Room, Clark Building, and Chestnut Street doors, you will need your key card. This is for the protection of all of us, but especially for the protection of the children. Key cards can now be made on-site for a cost of $10.To sum up: All entrance doors are accessible with a member key card. To obtain a key card, see Didi Terry in the church office during the week.

On a related matter, a car was broken into in one of our parking lots on Monday evening. Please remember not to leave valuables in plain view in your vehicle when parked at the church (or anywhere).

‘Girl Talk’ with Dr. Dawn Bingham Sunday – Sunday, October 13
4-6pm in the Arthur Center
Cost is $5.00/child
Girl Talk is an interactive talk for mothers (or grandmothers) and daughters in the 4^th through the 6^th grade on growth and development. Register with Beth Cecil bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org by TODAY, October 11, 2019.

NEXT WEEK
Sign up by TUESDAY for the DR Mission Trip – February 1-8, 2020
For more information and to apply for our Dominican Republic Mission Trip, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/dr2020.

WAF Program: The Enjoyment of Scripture w/ Dr. Kirk Neely
October 16, 23, 30
6:30-7:15pm in the Sanctuary
Do you read scripture as an obligation or duty? Do you open the Bible as a home remedy for insomnia? Has the Holy Writ become a neglected classic piece of literature in your life rather than the living, active Word of God? Please join us on three consecutive Wednesday evenings, October 16, 23, and 30, for a life enrichment seminar. Dr. Kirk Neely will lead “The Enjoyment of Scripture,” a way to refresh our approach to the Bible.

Other After-Dinner WAF Programming
Christian Recreation for Children (Gym and Activity Room)
Youth Wednesday Night Fellowship (Middle School Room)
Sit ‘n Stitch (FLC Lobby)
Wednesday Walkers (Walking Track)

Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance Book Discussion
Thursday, October 17, 11:00am-12:00pm – Large Private Dining Room
The Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance will be hosting a book discussion on “Jesus & the Disinherited” by Howard Thurman. This event will be led by Dr. James Hailstock and is open to anyone who would like to attend. This discussion will be in preparation for the Martin Luther King Jr., Day Trip on Thursday, October 24th. Please email Jasmine Guest at jguest@spcf.org if you plan to attend.

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.

Getting the Sanctuary Ready for Kirkin’ – Friday, October 25
1pm in the Sanctuary
Join the Sanctuary and Flower Guilds in decorating the Sanctuary in Scottish style for the Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans on Friday afternoon, October 25, at 1:00 pm. Please contact LeAnne Thurmond (864-621-0213; leanne.thurmond@gmail.com) for more information.

Help Needed at SPIHN – October 27 – November 3
SPIHN's mission is to help temporarily homeless children and their families become self-sufficient by bringing together community resources to provide essential needs and life skills in a compassionate environment. Our next SPIHN week is October 27-November 3. These families need assistance by providing meals, supplies, and positive interaction. Want to find out how you can help? Click any of the links below:
SPIHN Meal Provider
SPIHN Evening Host
SPIHN Overnight Host/Supplies/General Questions

Help Support the Little Free Food Pantry
The Little Free Food Pantry is a project started last year by FPC member and Spartanburg Day School student, and now alum, Anne Dobson Ball. This year Susi Wright and two additional SDS students will be taking over the pantry and working to continue its impact. The pantry provides homeless members of the Spartanburg community with access to non-perishable food, hygiene items, and other necessities that they may be lacking. The pantry is located beside the Arthur Center near the Free Little Library. There is a bin in the AIM closet (just inside the Chestnut St. door, across from the library) to drop off donations. Some suggested items are water bottles, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, hygiene and sanitary items and canned foods that have a tab-opening lid. For questions, contact Susi Wright at susi.wright@sdsgriffin.org Thank you!

OTHER NEWS
Concert of Hope – October 27
5pm in the Sactuary
Please join the Chamber Singers, FPC’s Senior Choristers, the Meeting Street Academy Choir, and Jazz pianist John Moody and friends for a benefit concert to support the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty. Dr. Russell Booker will serve as emcee for the event, which will combine important information with a wide variety of music designed to highlight both the challenge and the opportunity that faces our community. The concert is free; an offering will be taken and you will learn about many other ways you can contribute to the Faith Initiative.

Sign up for Church Basketball by October 30!
It’s that time again! Church basketball season is just around the corner! Online registration is now open. We are excited for a great year ahead and invite all First Presbyterian Church children and youth to participate in our basketball leagues, as well as non-members. Church basketball is open to boys and girls in grades 1-12. The early registration fee is $75/player. The price will increase to $85/player after October 23, so don’t wait! Final deadline will be Wednesday October 30. Please see the link below to sign up and pay. If you have more than one child playing, you will need to register each child separately. If your child is trying out for a school team, please go ahead and turn in your form and fee for church basketball. We will gladly refund your money if they make the school team. Sign up and pay here: https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/grow/recreation/fpc-church-basketball

List of Veterans and Active Service Personnel Needed by Monday, November 4
In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 10, 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 4 to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 208-2132).

High School Fall Retreat – November 8-10
Awanita Valley, SC
Cost: $100 per student
Link to register: www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/abd2996a-c734-4d47-b4d6-56c425ca8558

We will also need several adult chaperones to make this trip possible! Please contact Robert or Carrie if you are willing to go with us!

LOOKING AHEAD
October 11-13 – Middle School Fall Retreat
October 13 – First Grade Bible Presentation
October 13 – Girl Talk
October 17 – JOY Fellowship Trip to Hendersonville Mineral and Lapidary Museum
October 26 – Young Adult Wofford Tailgate
October 27 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
October 27 – Concert of Hope
Oct. 27-Nov. 3 - SPIHN
November 3 – Ecumenical Blood Drive
November 8-10 – High School Fall Retreat
February 1-8 – Dominican Republic Mission Trip

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