Weekly Update for September 6, 2019

This Sunday we return to our regular Sunday schedule, with the MorningSong and Chapel services at 8:45am, Sunday School at 9:45am, and the Sanctuary service at 11am. This Sunday is also Rally Day when the full Sunday School program resumes and children more to their new classes. We will also be commissioning our teachers and other discipleship leaders for all ages in all three worship services. See below for information about adult class changes and drop-off/pick-up for children. Note especially that elementary school children will begin in the Social Hall this Sunday.

Next week Wednesdays at First resumes. See below for more information about this year’s WAF program offerings.

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 & 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.)

Rally Day
With the return to our regular schedule comes the restarting of our full Sunday School program at 9:45am. Preschool children should all be dropped off in their new rooms. Elementary children should eb dropped off in the Social Hall for a special opening program. They may be picked up in their new rooms in the Clark Building. Youth and Adults will return to their regular places with a few changes. This year we welcome the Purnell Class and the Fellowship to join together in the new Purnell Fellowship Class in the Purnell Room. The LIFT Class will also move to its new home in Room 2201. And finally, the Young Adult Class will resume this fall in Room 2216. See https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/grow/adults/adult-sunday-school for a full list of adult Sunday School classes. See https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/events/rally-day for detailed information about drop off and pick-up locations for children.

Young Adults Sunday School Kick Off and Lunch
All young adults (age 22-35ish) are invited to join us starting THIS SUNDAY, September 8 at 10am in Room 2216 (second floor of the main building of the church and turn right once you're upstairs). After church, we will meet in the Tower Room around noon and walk down the street for lunch at Moe's...quick, easy, and stay as long as you'd like!

Calling all Moms of Teens and Tweens – Sunday, September 8
5-6pm in the Parlor
All mothers of teens and tweens are invited to encourage each other and share some laughter next Sunday! Join Ansley Page in the church parlor for a little refreshment for the body and soul. It’s time to reset our schedules and refresh our spiritual lives. This group will gather once a month to reflect on how Christ wants more for you, not more from you. Wear comfy clothes and bring a friend!

NEXT WEEK
Children’s Choir and First Steps in Music
There is still time to register for our Children’s Choir and First Steps in Music programs! Space is limited for First Steps, so sign up now! Click to register online for Children’s Choir and First Steps in Music.

WAF Resumes – Wednesday, September 11
5:00-6:15pm Serving Line Open
Costs: $8 for adults & youth (12+), $7 for seniors (55+), $5 for children, $25 family max
Mark your calendars for another season of great food, fellowship, and programming starting September 11. Wednesday we will start off the season with pulled pork, baked beans, slaw, bread, salad, and desert. 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: Virtual Poverty Tour
6:30-7:15pm in the Sanctuary
Led by Mitch Kennedy, Assistant City Manager
Join us in the Sanctuary for an eye-opening virtual tour of poverty in the City of Spartanburg with Mitch Kennedy, assistant city manager.

WAF Program: Portraits of Jesus
2^nd & 4^th Wednesday of each month starting on September 11
6:30-7:30pm in the Purnell Room
Led by Ansley Page
Registration is required by TODAY, September 6
This discussion Bible study is for super-busy folks who have no daytime left. We will look to the “I am” statements of Jesus in John to renew us and connect us more closely to God. Register with Ansley at apage@fpcspartanburg.org by Sept 6 for the $10.00 study guide.

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)

ECHOES (Elder Caregivers Helping Others and Encouraging Self)
Second Thursday of each month, starting September 12
Noon-1pm in the Senior High Room
Caring for a loved one who is aging or sick is a special ministry. If you are engaged in this and would appreciate Christian encouragement, please join Rev. Joanne Hull, Rev. Ansley Page, and Parish Nurse Beth Cecil on the second Thursday of each month from 12-1 in the Senior High Room for a caregivers’ support group. Bring a bag lunch if you would like. There will be a brief devotion and prayer, and then a time for sharing. Let your church family help you in this sacred work. Please register with Joanie Shackleton at (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org).

Angels Charge Ministry’s Law & Order: Spartanburg – Thursday, September 12
11:30am-1:00pm in Fogartie Hall
Angels Charge Ministry invites you to experience Law & Order: Spartanburg, a luncheon featuring chefs from several departments of local law and order.  The lunch will consist of tapas style cuisine and remarks will be delivered from Chaplain Ken Apple of the Spartanburg County Detention Center.  Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit Angels Charge Ministry.  Click here for more information to purchase tickets.

Our Next Welcome Class Starts September 15
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.

Congregational Meeting Next Sunday, September 15 (NEW DATE!)
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting to be held at the conclusion of the 11:00am Sanctuary worship service on Sunday, September 15, 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

Items Needed for the Cuba Mission Trip, September 20-25
Our Cuba Mission Team needs a number of things to be donated to take down with them on their trip. These include:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Adult Vitamins
• Tylenol – regular & arthritis strength
• Children’s vitamins (not gummy)
• Ibuprofen
• Razors (both men & women)
• Tooth brushes & tooth paste
• Twin sheet sets (new)
• Towels (new)

Donations for the Cuba Mission Trip may be left in the missions drop-off closet, just inside the Chestnut St. door.

OTHER NEWS
Family Life Center Survey
We need your input! The Recreation Committee is trying to identify what our members currently use in our fitness facility and ways we can improve it for all members. The survey is confidential; no one will know your individual answers. After the data is collected, the results will be shared with the congregation. Please complete the survey right away at: Family Life Center Survey.

Lunch ‘N Learn: Early Childhood Education & Child Care Forum
September 17, 12-1pm, 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.

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.

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 8 – Return to Regular Sunday Schedule
September 8 – Rally Day
September 11 – Children’s Choir Rehearsals begin
September 11 – WAF Resumes
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
October 2 – Healing and Wholeness Service
October 9 – Vaccination/Skin Screening Clinic
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