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What a special Homecoming Celebration it was this past Sunday. It was so very special to be able to hear from and visit with three of our past senior pastors as well as enjoy rich fellowship (and great food) around tables afterwards. I want to say a BIG thank you to the committee and volunteers who poured so many hours into planning all the details for that event. This was truly a team effort and they made it look easy! If you were not able to be here on Sunday – or you just want to go back and see things again – you can find video recordings of worship and the panel discussion by clicking here.
Looking ahead to this weekend, we are so excited to welcome Dan Forrest to FPC. As you will read below, Dan is an internationally known composer who will be spending time with our choir today and tomorrow as well as being with us in worship and for a joint Sunday school class on Sunday. The real capstone of the weekend, however, will be a gala concert happening in the Sanctuary this Sunday at 3:00pm featuring his work Requiem for the Living. I hope you will join Dan and our music ministry for some, part, or all of this weekend!
Finally, we are excited to welcome Rev. Buz Wilcoxon as our preacher at the MorningSong and Sanctuary services this Sunday. Buz serves as the Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, which is, of course, an institution already known and loved by many of us but also one that our congregation has shared meaningful ties with past and present. In addition to preaching, Buz will share with us about some new opportunities for congregations to partner with the students and ministry happening on their campus.
Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.
Peace,
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Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
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Internationally known composer Dan Forrest will be with us this weekend, May 5-7! He will be working with our choirs, accompanying them in worship and speaking at a combined adult Sunday School class. The weekend will conclude with a gala concert on Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm, featuring Dan’s celebrated Requiem for the Living with our choirs and orchestra.
The concert will also be livestreamed on our YouTube channel, and at fpcspartanburg.org/danforrest.
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Presbyterian College Sunday
This Sunday
Our message this Sunday will be preached by Presbyterian College alum Dr. Buz Wilcoxon. Buz has served as the associate pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC and the senior pastor of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church in Mobile, AL. He is currently the Lassiter Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, and serves on the board of trustees for Columbia Theological Seminary.
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TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
This Sunday
Drop off non-perishable donations for TOTAL Ministries before or after service in the marked bins in the Tower Room, Narthex, or the Family Life Center Lobby. For a list of items needed, visit
fpcpsartanburg.org/total-ministries.
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Annual Homeless Memorial Service
Tuesday, May 9
The Spartanburg community wishes to honor our homeless neighbors who have died in the past year. This moving memorial service is open to the public for anyone who wishes to attend. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 9th from 5-6pm in the S Walker St cul-de-sac (across from Family Dollar and Event Rentals on Main St).
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Acts 2 Dinners
Deadline May 10
You are invited to join a small group of 10-12 church folks for a meal together, so you can have a proper visit rather than a rushed hello. Hopefully, these stand-alone events will promote new connections and deeper friendships.
There will be a lunch group (12:30 - 2:00pm) if that works better for you. For the dinners (5:30 - 7:30pm), you will have the choice to be in an intergenerational (22 y.o. – 102 y.o.) or your “same decade” group. Your host will reach out the week before with their address and the menu, and everyone will bring something for the meal. Open to all. The more the merrier! With your questions, contact Ansley: apage@fpcspartanburg.org. Save your spot by clicking the button below. Reservations are due by noon, Wednesday, May 10.
Day by day . . . they were taking their meals together with gladness and generosity of heart. -Acts 2:46
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Thank you to Todd Jones, David Renwick, and Tom Evans for joining us as we "rejoiced our story" during Homecoming on Sunday. And an extra-special "thank you" to everyone who helped make this Homecoming possible!
You can re-visit the Panel of Pastors, Worship Service, and Slideshow by going to fpcspartanburg.org/homecoming.
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Hand in Hand Ministries
Accepting Food Donations
Our Hand in Hand community ministry is always accepting non-perishable food donations to help support Spartanburg families in need! They also accept monetary donations through the church giving site.
To learn more about the mission of Hand in Hand and see how you can help those who need it most, visit their website at handinhandspartanburg.org.
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Sunday Greeters Needed!
Looking for an easy way to get involved in the church? Come share your smile and help greet on Sunday mornings! We need three greeters each Sunday- one to welcome those coming to Sunday school from 9:30-9:55 and two to welcome Sanctuary worshippers from 10:30 to 11:00. All you have to do is stand outside your assigned door and welcome people as they arrive! (You are welcome to bring your kids to help as well!) We just ask that you bring your warm smile and friendly face.
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There are many more opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder. | |
Picnic with the Pastors
Wednesday, May 17
We invite you to join us for an afternoon of food, friends, and fellowship, as well as a chance to connect with your pastors, sponsored by the JOY Fellowship!
Click the button below to make your reservation by Friday, May 12.
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JOY Fellowship Spring Luncheon
Wednesday, May 31
On Wednesday, May 31, all church members are invited to the JOY Fellowship Spring Lunch at 11:30am in Fogartie Hall. The guest speaker is our very own Rev. Ansley B. Page. There is no charge for the luncheon, but reservations are needed for planning purposes. Join us as we Radiate Joy! (This event is planned by our Just Older Youth Fellowship Committee.)
Click the button below to sign up:
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Presbyterian Promise Scholarship
The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment.
For more information visit presby.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/presbyterian-promise/.
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C.S. Lewis Summer Book Study
Thursday Mornings, June 1 - July 13
Interested in reading and discussing C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity with a group? Come join us this summer on Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Arthur Center! We will start on June 1 and end July 20.
If you'd like to be added to the email list, please contact Leslie Lang: llang@fpcspartanburg.org
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Montreat Women's Connection
August 11-13
The Keynoter for the 2023 Montreat Women’s Connection Conference is Kate Bowler. Kate is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and an associate professor of American religious history at Duke University. Other conference leadership includes the Rev. Kathryn Johnston as preacher and Dr. Margaret Aymer as Bible Scholar.
First Presbyterian Church has reserved spaces for 28 women to go to the conference. We have also reserved the entirety of the charming, historic, (and air conditioned!) Glen Rock Inn for our group, right in the heart of Montreat, with ample gathering space for participants to enjoy together. Meals will be in Assembly Inn.
For more information about the conference, visit fpcspartanburg.org/events/montreat-womens-connection. Click the button below to register!
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Blood Drive
Sunday, June 25
Please mark your calendar for the next blood drive that is scheduled for Sunday, June 25, 2023. If you donated during the February 12 blood drive, you will be eligible to donate again on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. By using code 9BBW, First Presbyterian Church will be credited with your donation.
To donate during the June 25, 2023 blood drive, please refrain from donating after Friday, April 28, 2023.
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Stickers Available
We have stickers available around the church! It's a square design with a blue background, featuring our church name and cross symbol.
Get yours from the tables outside of Fogartie Hall or the Perrin Room.
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FPC Spartanburg Sermoncast
Available on All Podcast Platforms
Missed last week's worship service? Want to revisit your favorite sermons while on the road, at work, or anywhere at all? Now you can! Plus: Listen to Rev. John Daniel's new Confirmation Podcast series!
All of it is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your podcasts.
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| Sunday | Monday-Thursday | Friday | Saturday | | Closed | 7am-8pm | 7am-2pm | 8am-12pm | | |
Please note: You must bring your church card to have access to the fitness center.
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May 7 - Dan Forrest Gala Concert
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May 17 - Picnic with the Pastors
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May 21 - Baccalaureate Sunday
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May 28 - Day of Pentecost
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May 29 - Memorial Day (CHURCH FACILITIES CLOSED)
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May 31 - J.O.Y. Spring Luncheon
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June 5-8 - VBS
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Sundays in July - ONE Worship Service @ 11:00am (with a Special Music Focus Each Week)
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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