Weekly Update for September 13, 2019

We had a great Rally Day and first Wednesdays at First over the past week, and everything is off to a great start for the year. If you didn’t find yourself in Sunday School or WAF in the last week, you really missed out. Don’t miss out again next week!

Also, you hopefully all received an email earlier in the day about fake emails appearing to come from Tom Evans. Remember that emails from church staff will always come from an email address that ends with @fpcspartanburg.org or from the address noreply@shelbynextchms.com.

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    Youth Discipleship

(* 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.)

Welcome Class
Sundays, 9:45am in Room 2200
If someone you know is considering membership in First Presbyterian Church, or just wants to know more about our church, please invite them to join in this five-week series running from September 15-October 13.

NEXT WEEK
Tickled Pink Women’s Study Resumes – Tuesday, September 17
Tuesdays September 17 – November 5
9:15-10:30am  Fogartie Hall

Lunch ‘n Learn: Early Childhood Education & Child Care Forum – Tuesday, September 17
12-1pm in the Large Private Dining Room
Join us for the first of a series of Lunch ‘N Learn events focusing on the target areas of the Faith Poverty Initiative. The cost is $7 per person. Register online or with Caroline Goodman in the church office.

Heart Matters Support Group – Wednesday, September 18
11:30am-1pm in the Arthur Center
Heart Matters is open to women with or at risk for heart disease. Join us monthly for lunch, support, education, and fellowship. Elizabeth Fenner will share information about the Blue Moon Community Garden that is located on Church Street across from the Spartanburg County Library. To register, please visit: https://www.spartanburgregional.com/events/heart-matters-support-group.

Wednesdays at First – Wednesday, September 18
5:00-6:15pm Serving Line Open
Costs: $12 for adults & youth (12+), $7 for seniors (55+), $5 for children, $25 family max
Wednesdays at First got off to a great start on Wednesday. Join us again this Wednesday for meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans! Then stick around after dinned for 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: Education Outlook w/ Dr. Russell Booker
6:30-7:15pm in the Sanctuary
Join Dr. Russell Booker for a discussion on education in the last decade and how you can make an impact for Spartanburg students.

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)

Wedding Shower for Joanne Hull Postponed
Because of Joanne’s recent surgery, the congregational bridal shower that was scheduled for Thursday, September 19 has been postponed. It will be rescheduled for a later date as her recovery progresses. Thank you for the care that you have shown to Joanne during this time, and join us in prayers for a swift recovery!

JOY Fellowship Guided Tree Tour with Stewart Winslow – Friday, September 20
Bus seating for this guided tour is extremely limited. Please make your reservation to attend with Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org or 208-2132.

Congregational Meeting – NEXT Sunday, September 22, 2019
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting to be held at the conclusion of the 11:00am Sanctuary worship service on Sunday, September 22, 2019, for the purpose of receiving and acting on a report from the Congregational Nominating Committee relative to the election of Ruling Elders and Deacons to the Class of 2022 and Deacon to the Class of 2020 to fill an unexpired term.

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.

Find our more about these opportunities and more in Ministry Finder!

WAF Sound Operator
WAF Broadcast Operator
Shepherd’s Center Choir Director
Bus Drivers

OTHER NEWS
Police Presence on Sunday Mornings
A City of Spartanburg police officer is on duty at the church throughout the morning every Sunday, and are ready to assist when there is a need or concern. If you see anything suspicious, please let that officer know as soon as possible, so that the issue can be dealt with. If the officer is making rounds through the building and not plainly visible outside, please let un usher know so that they can get in touch with the officer.

Access Cards
As programs get started for the year, please remember to bring your church access card with you each time you come to the church. 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 access card to get in. This is for the protection of all of us, but especially for the protection of the children in children’s choirs on the second floor of both the Clark and the Main buildings. If you do not have your access card with you, please use an interior route to get to after-dinner WAF programming. Access cards can now be made on-site for a cost of $10. Please see Didi in the main church office during normal business hours if you would like to get a new access card made.

WAF Poverty Simulation – Wednesday, October 2
6-8pm in the Gym
On October 2nd, the United Way of the Piedmont will join us to conduct a Poverty Simulation at a special time: 6-8pm. Join us to learn first-hand what it is like to live in poverty. Space is limited, and you won’t want to miss this special opportunity. Please register here.

Scholastic Book Fair – Wednesday, October 2
5:00-5:45pm on the first floor of the Clark Building
Please stop by our Weekday School Scholastic Book Fair on October 2nd from 5:00-5:45pm on your way to children's choirs and purchase some exciting new books for your family!

Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance Day Trip to Atlanta – Thursday, October 24
Cost: $100 (includes lunch)
Register by Tuesday, September 24 at 5pm
The Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance invites you to join them as they take a one day trip to Atlanta, Georgia to learn more about the African American struggle for civil rights in America and the role that religion played in that struggle. Learn more about the roots of the man who inspired hundreds to boycott and march for their basic civil rights. There are a limited number of spots available. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information, please contact Jasmine Guest at (jguest@spcf.org / (864) 582.0138).
To register online: https://spartanburginterfaithalliancedaytrip.eventbrite.com

Hop on the Bus to Thornwell! – Thursday, October 10
9am-1:30pm
Bet you didn’t know that the Thornwell Charter School just opened OR that some newer initiatives are being cultivated now. Join this half day tour on Thursday, October 10^th to find out more about this Presbyterian ministry to children and families. We will meet in the Family Life Center parking lot at 9am for a 9:15am departure and return by 1:30pm. Lunch is included. Make your reservation by contacting Caroline Goodman (cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-583-4531).

Registration Is Now Open for Fall Youth Retreats
Online registration for our Middle School and High School Fall Retreats are now 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
Link to register: https://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: https://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
September 17 – Lunch ‘n Learn: Early Childhood Education & Child Care Forum
September 20 – JOY Fellowship Spartanburg Tree Tour
September 20-22 – Church Retreat at Montreat
September 20-25 – Cuba Mission Trip
September 22 – Congregational Meeting
October 2 – Healing and Wholeness Service
October 2 – Poverty Simulation
October 2 – Book Fair at WAF
October 9 – Vaccination/Skin Screening Clinic
October 10 – Thornwell Tour
October 11-13 – Middle School Fall Retreat
October 17 – JOY Fellowship Trip to Hendersonville Mineral and Lapidary Museum
October 27 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
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: fpcspartanburg.org/firstnews