Weekly Update for October 25, 2019

This Sunday we celebrate Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans and Stewardship Sunday, have the Concert of Hope, and welcome SPIHN guests to our church.

All services will be in the Sanctuary this Sunday morning for Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans, both at 8:45am and 11:00am. There will be no services in the Chapel or Fogartie Hall this Sunday.

Stewardship Sunday is when you are asked to pledge your support to the church. This year we are asking you to make a pledge, but we are giving you the option of whether to put your name on the pledge, so that, if you wish, this commitment can truly be between you and God alone. You online need to include your name if you want to, or if you want Lynise to help you track your progress toward your pledge (in which case your pledge only will be known by you, God, and Lynise Clarke. our Financial Officer). This year’s pledge card also offers you an opportunity to ask for prayer.

Sunday there will also be a wonderful Concert of Hope benefitting the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty. See below for more information.

Finally, this Sunday evening we will welcome our guests to stay with us at the church through the Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network. Thank you to all who volunteered to provide meals, spend the evening with our guests, or stay overnight at the church.

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

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am    Sanctuary* Worship Service
9:45am    Sunday School for All Ages
11:00am  Sanctuary* Worship Service
5:00pm    Concert of Hope*
5:00pm    Sunday Night Youth Group (start in Sanctuary)

(* 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.)

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.

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.

Youth Group This Sunday
5pm starting in the Sanctuary
This Sunday, the youth will gather in the back rows of the Sanctuary at 5pm to attend the Concert of Hope together. This is a free concert benefiting the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty and is an awesome way for our Youth to show their support for this important cause. Donations are welcomed but not required. After the concert is over they will walk to the Social Hall for a Halloween Party. NO COSTUMES PLEASE! Be sure to drop off your student at the Sanctuary; pick up will still be at 7 pm at the Family Life Center. Also, don't forget that our Confirmands will gather this Sunday from 5-7 pm at the home of Bert and Katharine Barre. Refer to your reminder email for more information!

Can’t be at church for Stewardship Sunday?
Did you know that you can pledge, give, check your contributions history and print contributions statements right from the ShelbyNext web portal and the ShelbyNext Membership app?

NEXT WEEK
WAF Dinner – Wednesday, October 30
5:00-6:15pm in Fogartie Hall
This week we will enjoy baked spaghetti together at Wednesdays at First. No reservations are necessary and most forms of payment are accepted at the door. Meal costs are: $8 for adults and youth (12 and older), $7 for seniors (55 and over), and $5 for children with a limit of $25 per family.

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 Wednesday!
It’s that time again! Church basketball season is just around the corner! 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 is over, and the price to register is now $85/player until the final and firm deadline on 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

Food Collection – Next Sunday, November 3
We ask that you bring donations of food next week to help relieve hunger in Spartanburg. The Local Missions Committee is collecting for Total Ministries in the wooden crates outside the entrances to all services on November 3. Questions? Email Juli Robertson; rrobertson30@charter.net.

Ecumenical Blood Drive – Next Sunday, November 3
7:30am-1:30pm in the Gym and FLC Parking Lot
Our next Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, November 3, 7:30am-1:30pm. For an appointment, please contact Beth Cecil (bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2136).

Reforesting Faith in Christian Perspectives Class – Starting Next Sunday, November 3
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.

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.

Winter Warmth needs Volunteers
On the morning of Saturday, November 16, 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 registration, fitting children with coats, and managing traffic. To volunteer, please visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/winter-warmth or contact Caroline Goodman (cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org) in the church office.

Choir Members and Greeters Needed for the Community Thanksgiving Service
Tuesday, November 26 at Central United Methodist Church
If you would like to participate in the Interdenominational Choir at the Community Thanksgiving Service, please contact Dr. Keith Jones; keith.jones@converse.edu. If you would like to be a Greeters/Passing out of Programs, please contact Jasmine Guest (jguest@spcf.org / 864-582-0138).

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)

OTHER NEWS
Search for Director of Hospitality
The Director of Hospitality Search Committee needs your help to find our next “Jane Mullins”. So many of you have contacts throughout the community and we value your input and want to hear from you. Please talk to people or email them, and let them know FPC is looking for a full-time Director of Hospitality. People can find the job description at www.fpcspartanburg.org/hospitality. Resumes and cover letters may be sent to Monteigne Campbell at mcampbell@fpcspartanburg.org. Questions? Contact one of the Committee Members: Jane Breeden (chair), Grier Bomar, John Faris, Joanne Hull, Andy Lancaster, Kay McClure, Richard Strasburger, and Sally White.

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, a faith-based organization whose mission is to support the foster family.

The November Edition of First News
The November edition of our First News church newsletter is on its way to your mailbox! Just can’t wait to read it? It’s already available online at www.fpcsprtanburg.org/news.

New Gym Hours
Monday-Thursday: 7am-9pm
Friday: 7am-5pm
Saturday: 8am-Noon
Sunday: 2pm-6pm

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 17 – Ordination of J. Robert Bannan, Jr. (One Worship Service at 11am)
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