Weekly Update for October 18, 2019

Fall is finally upon us! Lots of things are just around the corner at the church, so be sure to read below to see important deadlines and your opportunities to grow, serve, worship, and enjoy fellowship as part of the family of God.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am    MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
                Chapel Worship Service
9:45am    Sunday School for All Ages
11:00am  Sanctuary* Worship Service
5:00pm    Sunday Night Youth Group
5:00pm    Mom Time

(* 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.)

Liberty and Religious Intolerance in the US
9:45am in Room C212
Please join the Christians Perspectives’ Sunday School class as Joe Dunn leads us on a series entitled “Liberty and Religious Intolerance in the US”.  During the series, Dr Dunn will look at the advancement of organized religion in the United States and the freedom of thought granted to citizens.

Mom Time for Moms of Teens and Tweens
5-6pm in the Parlor
All Moms of teens and tweens are invited to join Ansley Page for a little refreshment for the body and soul. Bring a salty or sweet to share if you are able. Please RSVP to Ansley Page (apage@fpcspartanburg.org).

NEXT WEEK
WAF Program: The Enjoyment of Scripture w/ Dr. Kirk Neely
October 16, 23, 30
6:30-7:15pm in the Chapel
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.

WAF Program: Weekly Sermon Bible Study
6:30-7:15pm in the Parlor
Led by Tom Evans
This is a time of prayer and fellowship before we dive into the text (based on the sermon 10 days from the study date). Together, we explore the passage and wrestle over what it means for our lives today.

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)

Sign Up for Church Basketball by October 30!
Early Bird Pricing Ends on Wednesday!
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

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.

Overnight Host Needed at SPIHN – October 27 – November 3
Thank you to everyone who stepped up to help in our next SPIHN rotation. We are still in need of an overnight host on Halloween night. Please click below to find out more or volunteer.

SPIHN Overnight Host (Thursday, Oct. 31)

And we give thanks to Alan and Crystal Workman as they conclude their leadership of SPIHN at FPC and for the many families their work has impacted. Tom and Cesily King will be building on a strong foundation as they take over leadership of this ministry.

Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans – Sunday, October 27
8:45am & 11am in the Sanctuary
On Sunday, October 27, at 8:45 and 11:00am, we will worship together in the Sanctuary when we hold our Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans service. Each fall, First Presbyterian holds this powerful historic service, a remembrance of Presbyterianism’s Scottish roots through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans. In our Kirkin’ service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God’s help and blessings in the future. Lemonade and cookies will be served following both services.

Concert of Hope – Sunday, October 27
5pm in the Sanctuary
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.

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.

Neighborhood Meal Ministry Thanksgiving Meal – Tuesday, November 26
With the coming of Thanksgiving and National Hunger and Homelessness Week, now is a time be thankful and generous. God has blessed us tremendously with friendships we have formed with our homeless friends. We are thankful to do as we are called to help our neighbor and be there for each other. Humbly, we will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Tuesday, November 26th at the 4th Tuesday Soup Kitchen. Food donations and volunteers are still needed. In particular, we need the following donations:
Thanksgiving meal: turkey, ham, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, rolls, pies, sweet tea.
Food: any take home food items such as juice pouches, water bottles, individually wrapped food items, granola bars, and crackers
Hygiene:  shampoo, soap, tooth paste, deodorant, combs, razors, shaving cream, baby wipes, toilet paper, hand warmers
Clothing for men, women, and children: clothes, gloves, hats, socks, shoes, coats, and scarves
Other items: blankets, sleeping bags, back packs, and flashlights with batteries.
For more information and to donate or volunteer, please contact Will DeLaney, Beth Perry, and Tina Hamilton (4thTuesdaySoupKitchen@gmail.com)

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
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.

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).

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 to support the needs of foster children in Spartanburg.

Sunday Security Changes
All entrances to the Clark Building now require key card access on Sundays. 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.

LOOKING AHEAD
(Full Calendar)
October 26 – Young Adult Wofford Tailgate
October 27 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
October 27 – Concert of Hope
Oct. 27-Nov. 3 – SPIHN
November 3 – Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 3 – All Saints’ Sunday
November 3 – Ecumenical Blood Drive
November 10 – Courtyard Dedication
November 15 – Winter Warmth Setup
November 16 – Winter Warmth Distribution
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 – Joint Meeting of the Session and the Diaconate
December 8 – Handel’s Messiah in Both Sanctuary Services
December 8 – Family Advent Celebration
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