Weekly Update for October 4, 2019

This Sunday is all about broadening our connections as a faith community. First of all, it is World Communion Sunday, a time when we not only remember our connections to Christians of all traditions, languages, nations, and times, but in our congregation we also remember our connections to those without adequate food in our community. Our monthly fellowship time between Sunday School and the 11am worship service will resume as well. No matter which service you go to on Sunday, stop by the Perrin Room to enjoy some goodies and get to know the people in your church family!

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

(* 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.)

World Communion Sunday
Bring Your Bread Offering
The first Sunday in October is World Communion Sunday, which celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. This year, celebrate World Communion Sunday by bringing bread to the communion table. You may bring a home baked or store-bought loaf of bread to the service of your choice and place in a basket at the front prior to the start of the service or as you come forward to receive communion. The bread collected will be given to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen.

Monthly Fellowship
This Sunday, October 6, we will have our monthly fellowship time. Meet in The Perrin Room at 10:30am for doughnuts, coffee, and fellowship with your church family.

NEXT WEEK
Vaccination/Skin and Hearing Screening Clinic – Wednesday, October 9
Vaccinations: 5:15 – 7:15pm in the Social Hall
Skin Screening: 6:00 – 7:15pm. in the Activity Room
Hearing Screening: 5:15 – 7:15pm at the Family Life Center Activity Desk.
Pre-registration with insurance information is required for vaccinations. Contact Beth Cecil (bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2136) to take advantage of the screenings.

Wednesdays at First – Wednesday, October 9
5:00-6:15pm Serving Line Open
Costs: $8 for adults & youth (12+), $7 for seniors (55+), $5 for children, $25 family max
Join us Wednesday for pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, and  broccoli and cheese as well as a full slate of programming for all ages! You may pay at the door (cash/check/debit/credit) or skip the line by pre-paying online at www.fpcspartanburg.org/waf.

WAF Program: International Missions Spotlight
6:30-7:15pm in the Sanctuary
Take a look at First Presbyterian Church's investment and impact over time in the countries of Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

WAF Program: Weekly Sermon Bible Study
6:30-7:15pm in the Perrin Room
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)

Hop on the Bus to THORNWELL! – Thursday, October 10
9am-1:30pm
Join the tour of Thornwell and lunch on October 10. Departure is at 9am from First Presbyterian Church and the tour will return by 1:30pm. Reserve your spot with Caroline Goodman at (cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2139).

ECHOES (Elder Caregivers Helping Others and Encouraging Self)
Thursday, October 10
Noon in the Senior High Room (Family Life Center, second floor)
Join Ansley Page, Beth Cecil, and Kay McClure for a time of devotion, sharing, learning and prayer. This group meets once a month to share the issues facing caregivers as they care for their loved ones. Bring your lunch if you like, drinks will be provided. All are welcome!

‘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 October 11, 2019.

Security Changes Effective Sunday, October 13
Starting Sunday October 13th, the entrance to the Clarke Building, Family Life Center, and Main Building (except for the Tower Room and Sanctuary) will require key card access. Access cards can often be made on-the-spot during business hours at the church. Please see Didi Terry to get your access card. The cost of an access card is $10.

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.

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

SPIHN Coordinator Transition
After five years as the coordinators of SPIHN, Alan and Crystal Workman have decided to step down. They are very happy to pass the torch to Tom and Cesily King and are excited to work with them during this transition. Tom and Cesily will shadow Alan and Crystal during the October 27 SPIHN week. Thank you, Workmans, for your hard work and dedication to this important ministry, and welcome Kings!

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
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.

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

Registration Is Open for Fall Youth Retreats
Online registration for our Middle School and High School Fall Retreats are open! Space is limited so be sure to sign up soon.

Middle School Fall Retreat – October 11-13
Doe River Gorge, TN
Cost: $100 per student
Register by THIS MONDAY, October 7!
Link to register: www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/6ae9c834-448d-4885-9e0b-997b74f85600

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 these trips possible! Please contact Robert or Carrie if you are willing to go with us!

Sign up now 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.

LOOKING AHEAD
October 6 – World Communion Sunday
October 6 – Monthly Sunday Fellowship
October 9 – Vaccination/Skin Screening Clinic
October 10 – Thornwell Tour
October 10 – ECHOS Caregiver Event
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