Weekly Update for the Third Week of Advent (December 14, 2018)

We have a very full Sunday ahead of us after last week’s cancellation of services because of winter weather. And it is a Sunday full of special music, with the Chancel Choir services of music being rescheduled to this Sunday, MorningSong Lessons & Carols, and the Moravian Love Feast all featuring some very special music and musicians! Make a day of it, and don’t miss any of these special services of worship!

Order your Poinsettias by TODAY
Would you like to order poinsettias in memory of or in honor of loved ones? Order online at www.fpcspartanburg.org/grow/eventregistrations or fill out a form at the church by next Friday. You may pick up your plants in Fogartie Hall anytime after MorningSong on Sunday morning, December 23. If you do not plan to do so, we would appreciate your giving us permission to use your gift for the purchase of cut flowers or greenery to enhance our Christmas arrangements.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong* in Fogartie Hall &
Early Sanctuary Worship Service
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
11:00am Sanctuary* Worship Service
4:00pm Moravian Love Feast (Chapel)
6:00pm Moravian Love Feast (Chapel)

(* 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.)

Chancel Choir with Percussion and Handbells
8:45 & 11:00 am Sanctuary Services
The special services of music that had to be cancelled last week because of the weather have been rescheduled to this Sunday in both the 8:45am and 11:00am Sanctuary Services.

MorningSong Lessons and Carols
8:45am in Fogartie Hall
This annual service leads us into the Christmas story through scripture readings and song in a contemporary adaptation of the Lessons and Carols tradition.

Moravian Love Feast
4pm and 6pm in the Chapel
This service features music from the Chamber Singers. Traditional Moravian coffee and buns will be served by the Palmetto Moravian fellowship.

Boy Scout Blood Pressure Checks
9:30-11:00am in the Family Life Center
Boy Scout Troop 2 will be in the Family Life Center this Sunday checking blood pressures. Dr. Michael Hoenig will be instructing the troop in their endeavor to earn their Medical Merit Badge. Please drop by to get your blood pressure checked in support of our scouts.

FPC Women’s Retreat “The With-Us God”– February 1-3, 2019
EARLY BIRD DEADLINE IS THIS SUNDAY!
Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC
Led by the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross
Early Bird Deadline: December 16 Final Deadline: January 2
As women, we long for fruitful and meaningful relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors but can easily feel depleted by the demands and to dos. At our weekend-long women’s retreat, February 1-3, the Rev. Elizabeth Michael Ross will lead us in a time of digging more deeply into the relationships in our lives. Come be a part of this wonderful weekend away! For more information: https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/events/womens-retreat-2019

Return your Angel Tree Gifts!
Please return all wrapped Angel Tree gifts to the Perrin Room by this Sunday, December 16. As a reminder, all presents should not be over $25.00 and the Angel Tree tag should be affixed to the gift. If you have not already signed up and would like to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve beginning at 9 am, please contact Brandt Goodwin ( brandtgoodwin@gmail.com / 864-542-4764)

Thank you to the Sanctuary Renovations Team
The Sanctuary Renovations Team put in countless hours with local craftsmen to design the beautiful pulpit, baptismal font, and communion table that now adorn our Sanctuary. Be sure to check them out this Sunday and thank this hard-working team for their efforts.

NEXT WEEK
No WAF until January 9
There’s no Wednesdays at First until January 9, but there’s a great line-up of meals and programs lined up for the new year!

Service of Comfort and Light – Wednesday, December 19
6pm in the Chapel
Are the holidays made more difficult this year because of a loss or sadness in your life? You are invited to join us for an intimate time of worship. This “Service of Comfort and Light”, which includes communion and candle lighting, is especially for those, of us for whom the Christmas season is a struggle this year. The Health Committee will host a time of refreshments and fellowship following the service in the Parlor.

Christmas Eve Choir
Rehearsals Wednesday and Thursday
Anyone high school age and above is invited to join the Christmas Eve Choir, which sings for the Candlelight Services at 6pm and 11pm. Rehearsals are December 19 and 20 at 7pm. For more information, contact Holt Andrews ( rhandrews@fpcspartanburg.org ).

Youth Lock-In/Lock-Out – Sunday & Monday, December 30-31
8pm on Dec. through 6am on Monday
REGISTER BY WEDNESDAY!
All youth are invited to celebrate the end of 2018 with an all-nighter. You will be going to an escape room in Greenville and then having food, games, and tons of fun all night at FPC! The cost is $20 per person plus the cost of the escape room. The FINAL deadline to register is Wednesday, December 19 ^th , so register here today: https://www.shelbygiving.com/f/f2?formid=167cbec9-aae5-44bf-af2f-826664c10ddc . Also, chaperones are needed (especially female chaperones).

Read Through the Bible in 2018
Friday, December 14 – Jonah 1-2 / Revelation 10
Saturday, December 15 – Jonah 3-4 / Revelation 11

OTHER NEWS
Winter Warmth – The Perfect Gift for Anyone on Your List!
Our annual Winter Warmth Project was held on Saturday, November 10. Over 500 coats were distributed to children from all seven Spartanburg County School Districts. Now. we need your help. A gift of $35 will provide a new, warm winter coat for a child in need. Donation forms can be found in the Tower Room or you may give online . If you would like to "give" a coat, Acknowledgement Cards are available in the church office for you to send to those whom you are honoring with this gift.

Recommendations for CNC
The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking a slate of nine members from the congregation to replace members who will rotate off the CNC on December 31, 2018. Members will serve for one year and will be charged with the nomination of Church officers. Please email your nomination(s) to Bert Moore ( bert@diversifiedcolors.com ).

Year-End Giving
For credit as 2018 contributions, donations must be received in the church fi nancial offi ce by 5:00pm on Monday, December 31, 2018 or postmarked by December 31, 2018. Any contributions received or postmarked on or after January 1, 2019 will be considered as 2019 contributions.

Year-End Stock Contributions
By giving appreciated stock to the church for your pledge, you can receive a tax advantage. Please notify Lynise Clarke in the church financial office at the time you notify your broker with the following information: * Name of your broker and the particular stock that is involved and * Year (or years) in which to apply your gift and/or whether any special funds are involved. Please allow 2-3 weeks for completion of stock transactions. For information, contact Lynise Clarke ( lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2130)

Advent Devotions
A collection of devotions by church members around the sermon series “Who Are You in the Christmas Story” is available in the Tower Room and FLC Lobby. These devotions will also be available each day on the church website, Facebook, and Twitter. You may also receive them in your email inbox each morning by visiting http://eepurl.com/bqtMS9.

Weekday School Subs Needed
The Weekday School is currently searching for loving, enthusiastic substitute teachers. We are in need of some dependable adults who love children and would be willing to periodically be called upon to assist in a preschool classroom. Each classroom has two teachers, so as a substitute you would be assisting one of the regular classroom teachers. While prior professional experience with children would be wonderful, it is not a requirement. The hours are 8:30 -12:15 and we pay subs $40 per day. There is a VERY brief orientation session and background check. If you are interested, please contact Moira Scheel, Weekday School Director, ( mscheel@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2148).

Nursery Staff Needed!
We are looking for some new people who enjoy babies and children to join our paid nursery staff on Sundays and Wednesdays. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Cesily King ( cking@fpcspartanburg.org).

Golf Cart Drivers Needed
Our Sunday morning Hospitality cart needs a few new drivers! If you would like a fun task at the church that enables you to meet lots of church folk, then this is the one for you. Our rotational schedule means you would drive once every 6 to 8 weeks. Contact Bryan Pack at ( bryanpack@gmail.com / 864-541-1486) or Marsh Rogers ( mrogersjr@tworog.com / 704-438-1298) if you are interested.

APNC Needs YOUR Input
The APNC would like your help to find an Associate Pastor of Young Adults and Mission. Through your own connections, many of you know potential candidates. Please give one of our Committee members the name and contact information and we will follow up. APNC: Mac White, Chair, Cathy Bagwell, Andrew Darr, Kellie Foster, Laura Stille, Alan Workman, Hannah Zimmerman. You may send information to APNC Chair Mac White or contact any committee member via the ShelbyNext Portal ( https://www.fpcspartanburg.org/discover/member-login ).

Search for Director of Children's Ministries
The DCM search team need your help to find our next Director of Children’s Ministries! The very best candidates are often already linked in some way to the congregation they will serve. So please talk to a few people you know, or email them, and let them know FPC is looking for a full-time Director of Children’s Ministries. Or give one of our search team members the name and contact information and we will follow up! People can find the full job description at www.fpcspartanburg.org/dcm. Resumes and cover letters may be sent to Sara Bailey at sara.bailey@ministryarchitects.com . DCM Search Team: Tim Camp, Celia Cogdell, Craig Foster, Anne-Marie Glover, Callie Hammett, Arthur Jones, Cesily King, Emily Neely (chair).

LOOKING AHEAD
December 16 – Chancel Choir Music Services
December 16 – MorningSong Lessons and Carols Service
December 16 – Moravian Love Feasts
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services (4pm, 6pm, 11pm)
December 30 – One Service in the Sanctuary (11am)
December 30 – Youth Lock-In/Lock-Out
February 1-3 – Women’s Retreat at Kanuga
February 2-9 – DR Mission Trip

Find out more in First News: fpcspartanburg.org/firstnews