Weekly eNews
February 3, 2023
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Last Sunday, we gathered in the Sanctuary during the Sunday school hour for our Annual Congregational Meeting. This is an important opportunity each year for the church to hear reports about the good ministry happening in our midst – past, present, and future – and to handle those matters requiring congregational approval. More importantly though, it provides us with a snapshot of the remarkable ways God is on the move here at FPC!
Here are a few highlights from the 2023 annual meeting:
- FPC is a growing congregation. Not only do we have new visitors and friends coming into through our doors every week, but we also received over 55 new members in the past year and celebrated over 20 baptisms. Additionally, our average Sunday worship attendance is as high as it has been in over five years.
- Our ministries of care and compassion are robust. Under the leadership of our Diaconate there are meals being delivered, neighbors in need being served, and the sick and homebound being visited and prayed for every day.
- Fellowship, mission, and learning are thriving. Wednesdays @ First are filling Fogartie every week. Sunday school and Bible studies are happening six days of the week. And, over the past year, new mission partnerships have been born and existing ones strengthened. This includes renewed energy for the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty and a return to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
- The church is in as good financial shape as ever. For the second consecutive year, we ended 2022 with an operating budget surplus of nearly $175,000. Stewardship is also strong with 432 pledges (up from 389 in 2022) supporting an expanded operating budget for 2023 of $3,170,000. All of these numbers translate into our congregation’s ability to have an even greater impact in the lives of our members and community in the year to come.
- Finally, we continue to be blessed with an incredibly gifted and loving staff team. We are especially excited to have welcomed a number of new staff members in 2022 including Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise (Associate Pastor for Youth and Campus Ministry) and Kara Clark (Director of Children’s Ministry).
As part of the meeting, we also approved the slate of nominees to serve as the 2023 Congregational Nominating Committee as well as a 4% cost of living adjustment for the pastor’s terms of call. This 4% salary increase also applies to all FPC staff members as part of this year’s operating budget. You can find information about all of these items and more by clicking here to read the Annual Report.
Finally, please remember to be in prayer for the team of twenty-five folks who will be serving alongside our mission partners in the Dominican Republic next week. The group will be providing vital medical care and construction support while on the ground. You can find the names of those participating on this year’s mission team below.
Blessings to you all. Join us at church this Sunday. Invite a friend.
Peace,
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Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
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Witness Season 2023
Starts This Sunday
This year, we are raising funds for a water purification system in Cuba, which will benefit not only our partner congregation, but also the entire community at large. We will be working with Living Waters for the World to make this project a reality. You will hear about this project throughout February, and on February 26th a representative from Living Waters for the World will be speaking with us during the Sunday School hour.
If you would like to donate to this important project, please click the button below.
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Boy Scout Sunday
This Sunday
This Sunday we will observe Boy Scout Sunday. Each year, the Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. The Boy Scouts will be participating in all three worship services. During the 11:00am Worship Service, The Scouts of Troop 2 (the troop that meets at First Presbyterian) will sit together in the Sanctuary and participate in worship.
Please help us honor and thank these scouts and their adult leaders for all they do for the Spartanburg community!
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Cub Scout Food Drive
This Sunday
In honor of Scout Sunday, our Cub Scout troop will be collecting canned goods for TOTAL Ministries this Sunday. Donation bins can be found in the FLC and Tower Room.
To see the full list of recommended donations, click the button below.
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REMINDER:
Don't forget to make your WAF Dinner Reservation
Click below to make your reservation by 4:30pm Monday.
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Acts 2 Dinners
Sunday, February 26, 5:30-7:30pm
We invite you to join us for a time of fellowship with faith friends! When you register for an Acts 2 Dinner, you will be placed in a small group of 8-12 church folks, who will all bring something for the meal. You will select your group type preference: Intergenerational (22 y.o.–102 y.o.) or your “Same Decade”. Your host will reach out via email the week before with their address and the menu. This great connecting opportunity is open to all. The more the merrier! Register by clicking the button below. Deadline is February 10.
Have questions or want to help or host? Contact Ansley Page – apage@fpcspartanburg.org.
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Tickled Pink Women's Bible Study
Tuesdays, 9:15-10:30am
Jesus Connection & One Another-ing: Jesus calls us friends and shows us the way to a life of love and faith. Come explore Gospel accounts of Jesus loving others and teaching us how to build strong faith and friend connections through Him.
Tickled Pink is an intergenerational group of women gathered to study the Bible and to grow in faith and friendship through laughter, reflection, and conversation. We will be meeting Tuesdays, January 24-March 28, 9:15-10:30am in Fogartie Hall. All are invited – bring a friend! Wear pink for fun! The more the merrier! Questions? Contact Ansley Page, Susan Oldham, Kathryn Bridges, Scottie Lummus or Jean Palmer.
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February Book Study
Select Thursdays
In today’s late modern world, Christianity is often questioned and sometimes dismissed by society. Maybe your friends, adult children, or teens are asking questions about faith as they encounter such doubts. The old ways of engaging doubters and non-believers don’t seem to resonate any longer.
In his book Telling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age, Joshua D. Chatraw presents careful analysis of our culture and offers “inside out” apologetics to engage the new questions respectfully. Join Ansley Page and faith friends to discuss Chatraw’s ideas learning how to speak love and faith to our culture’s deepest aspirations. We will be meeting February 9 & 23, 5:30–6:30 in the Small Private Dining Room. Interested? Contact Rev. Ansley Page.
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Younger Women's Bible Study
Wednesdays & Thursdays
Our Bible study geared towards younger women will meet on Wednesday nights, 6:15 7:15pm, and Thursday mornings, 9:15-10:15am.
For more information, please reach out to Rev. Leslie A. Lang (llang@fpcspartanburg.org).
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Tuesday/Thursday Bible Study
Join Nan and Tom McDaniel via Zoom for their next book study. They will be studying Tom Evan’s book, “This Way Forward: Sermons that Matter”.
Please contact Shannon at shutcheson@fpcspartanburg.org for the Zoom link, and information on picking up the book.
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1843 Fund Endowment Dinner
Tuesday, March 21
You are cordially invited to the 2023 Endowment Dinner. Join us for a free meal and a discussion of the 1843 Endowment Fund. Learn more about the Legacy Fellowship and how you can support the missions, ministries, and facilities of First Presbyterian Church.
The deadline to register is March 13. Click the button below to reserve your spot.
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Bake Sale of Love
Wednesday, February 15
The 5th grade Girl Scout troop will be hosting a bake sale during WAF on February 15, 5:00-6:30pm. All proceeds will go to P.S. I Love You Ministries by creating birthday party packs for foster children in Spartanburg County.
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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. | |
Try Our New Kiosk
Located in the Financial Office
We are experimenting with the uses of a Kiosk and would love for you try it out. It is currently located in the Financial/Columbarium offices – just outside of Lynise Clarke’s office. On Sundays, it can be located in the Perrin Room. You can “Register for an Event” (such as WAF, the 1843 Endowment Dinner or other upcoming events), or you can “Give Now” to any of the church funds through our secure online giving portal.
If you have any questions, Lynise is more than happy to assist at lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org or 864-208-2130.
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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!
Our sermons are now 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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February 22 - Ash Wednesday
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February 26 - Witness Season Sunday
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March 21 - Endowment Dinner
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April 9 - Easter
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April 30 - FPC Homecoming
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June 5-8 - VBS
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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