Weekly eNews
December 2, 2022
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Advent is upon us. During these days leading up to Christmas, we are invited to celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again. There are many opportunities happening around FPC to aid us in our watching and waiting.
First, last Sunday, we embarked on a new sermon series that we are calling Witnesses To The Miracle. Every Sunday in worship this Advent we are exploring some of the lesser-known characters in the story of Jesus’ birth and considering what they have to teach us about the power and place of the incarnation in our lives today. Don’t forget that if you miss worship on a Sunday, you can always find a full recording online as well as listen to the sermon podcast anytime (*just search “First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg Sermoncast” on any podcast platform). I also encourage you to take advantage of our congregational Advent devotional and consider participating in one of the many opportunities to share Christ’s light with others throughout this season – e.g., White Gifts Service on December 14, Reverse Advent Calendar, or sponsoring a child from Cleveland Academy this Christmas. Details on all of these wonderful resources and happenings can be found below.
Finally, I want to say thank you to each of you for your ongoing generous support to the ministry and mission of First Presbyterian Church as a whole. As we enter the month of December, financial giving to the church remains strong. Based on historical trends we are hopeful that we will meet or slightly exceed budgeted giving for a second year in a row. If you have not yet completed your pledge for this year or would like to give, please consider making a gift before December 31. And if you have not yet submitted your pledge of estimated giving for 2023, I hope you will consider doing so. Pledging encourages the generosity of others and helps strengthening the Gospel ministry of First Presbyterian in our community and beyond. More information about both of these opportunities can be found below or by clicking here.
Advent blessings to you all. See you Sunday. Invite a friend!
Peace,
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Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
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"From Generation to Generation" Advent Hymn
Week One
Each Friday our “From Generation to Generation” Advent Devotional offers us a new hymn set to a familiar Christmas tune to go along with the readings for that week. Click the button below to hear a recording of our Chancel Choir singing this hymn, and grab your devotional book to sing along. Haven’t picked one up yet? Access the devotional online by clicking here.
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Sparkle City Transparent Men's Breakfast
Saturday, December 3 | 8:30am
Most men have been acquaintances with those of another race, but how many true friendships do they really have? The goal of the Sparkle City Transparent Men is to build lasting friendships among Christian men of all races, so that race itself becomes transparent in the spirit of godly fellowship! The Sparkle City Transparent Men will be meeting for breakfast tomorrow at 8:30am in the Large Private Dining Room.
Call or text Jimmy Edwards at 864-415-4998 for more info, and to help them know how much food to provide!
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REMINDER:
Don't forget to make your WAF Dinner Reservation
Deadline is Monday at 4:00pm
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The last WAF of the year will be on December 14.
WAF will resume on January 11, 2023.
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Handel's Messiah
Sunday, December 11 | 8:45 & 11:00am
Next Sunday, December 11, the Chancel Choir and Orchestra will be dedicating the Traditional Worship Services (8:45am and 11:00am in the Sanctuary) to a special performance of George Frideric Handel’s timeless masterwork, Messiah.
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White Gifts Service
Wednesday, December 14 | 6:30pm
Please join us for our annual White Gifts Service in the Sanctuary. The service features our children’s choirs presenting “Advent Around the World” but culminates in the giving of gifts, wrapped in white, for local missions: Thornwell, Mobile Meals, and Hope Center for Children.
Click the button below for gift ideas!
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Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 18 | 8:45am
The MorningSong Music Team will lead the congregation in carols of the Advent and Christmas seasons during regular MorningSong worship time on Sunday, December 18 in Fogartie Hall.
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Moravian Love Feast
Sunday, December 18 | 5:00pm
Celebrate the season in a service inspired by our brothers and sisters from the Moravian tradition. The Moravian Christmas hymns will be supplemented by music from our Chamber Singers and guest instrumentalists.
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Service of Comfort and Light
Wednesday, December 21 | 6:00pm
Are the holidays made more difficult this year because of a loss or sadness in your life? Join us on December 21 at 6:00pm in the Chapel for an intimate time of worship, including communion and candle lighting. This service is especially for those who struggle during the Christmas season.
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Sponsor a Child for Christmas
We are doing something slightly different from our traditional Angel Tree program this year, and will be sponsoring families from Cleveland Academy of Leadership for Christmas. The trees are located in the FLC Lobby and Tower Room. You can select a wish list item for a child from the tree, and then return it wrapped and with the label to the church by Sunday, December 11th.
For more info, please contact Brandt Goodwin at brandtgoodwin@gmail.com.
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Reverse Advent Calendar
Until December 18
We invite you to participate in this year's Reverse Advent Calendar! You will start with an empty box and each day, add the designated item to it. Fill your box, decorate it for Advent, and bring it to church on December 18! All donations will go to TOTAL Ministries.
Click the button below to see the list and participate in the Reverse Advent!
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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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Stewardship Season 2023
It's Not Too Late to Pledge!
We have had an incredibly strong response to this year's call to stewardship. To date, nearly 390 individuals and families have made pledges to "Celebrate God's Abundance" in the year to come! It is not too late for you to join us in these efforts! Click the link below to submit your pledge online.
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There are many more opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder! | |
Giving Tuesday 2022
Thank You for Giving!
November 29 was Giving Tuesday, a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to celebrate generosity. And celebrate you did! You not only helped us reach our goal of $6000, but we surpassed it with a grand total of $6500! All funds raised will be evenly distributed amongst our Community Impact Ministries (Hand in Hand, CAST, Neighborhood Meal Ministry).
It's not too late to give! Click the link below to give your tax-deductible gift of support to our local ministries. Every gift counts!
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Winter Warmth 2022
Another Successful Year!
On November 12th, First Presbyterian Church distributed over 700 winter coats to Spartanburg County students in grades 4K-8. Many thanks to the 100 volunteers who helped make this event possible! Everyone can participate in this mission! For a gift of $35, you can be a part of providing a warm new coat for a child in need. Your gift will help sustain this mission for years to come.
For more information, please contact Ian Ritchings.
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Thank You, Landon Hammett!
We give thanks to Landon Hammett for his leadership of UKirk Spartanburg over the past six years. UKirk is a campus ministry that serves students from several surrounding colleges. Landon recently resigned from his role with UKirk due to growing demands in his full-time job outside of campus ministry and to discern where God might be leading him in the future as he nears the end of the ordination process to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
Landon and his family will continue to be active at the church — including playing in the MorningSong band — so be sure to tell him “thank you” when you see him around.
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Recommendation for CNC
Deadline December 31
The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking a slate of nine members (non-officers) from the congregation to replace those who will rotate off at the end of 2022. Members will serve for one year and will be charged with the nomination of Church officers.
Please go to fpcspartanburg.org/cnc and complete the form.
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New Stickers Available!
We have new sticker designs 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 Formats!
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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December 14 - White Gift Service / Last WAF of 2022
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December 18 - Moravian Love Feast
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December 21 - Service of Comfort and Light
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December 24 - Christmas Eve Services
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January 11 - WAF Resumes
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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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