During the month of July (beginning this Sunday) we will worship together as a church family with ONE service at 11:00am in the Sanctuary*. Each Sunday the music will focus on a different genre. Prior to each service, there will be a time of fellowship in The Perrin Room.

The different music genres will be:

• July 9 - Jazz (with John Moody and Friends)
• July 16 - Acoustic
• July 23* - Bluegrass (with the Contemporary Worship Music Team [aka MorningSong] and Friends)
• July 30 - Global Music

*Exception: On Sunday, July 23, we will worship together in Fogartie Hall. Fellowship will be in the FLC Lobby.

Godspeed Sunday School

Continues this Sunday

This summer, through our joint Adult Sunday School class and worship, we will slow down to explore the kind of life and relationships into which God invites us. Join us for this study entitled Godspeed written by Julie and Matt Canlis and featuring videos from N.T. Wright, Eugene Peterson, and others.

Gather in Fogartie Hall at 10:00am each Sunday in June and July (not meeting this Sunday, July 2) as your pastors lead us in seeking to “slow down in order to catch up with God.” Come as often as you are able!

We also encourage you to click the button below to receive weekly updates and discussion questions regarding our Godspeed study.

Recommendations for Church Officers

Needed by Friday, July 14

The Congregational Nominating Committee needs your help nominating members of the church to serve as Elders and Deacons. A nomination form can be found HERE. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of FPC, including yourself. To see the list of current church officers on the church website, click HERE.

Church Facilities Closed

July 12 | 12:00-2:00pm

On Wednesday, July 12, all Church Facilities will close by 12:00pm for a Staff Appreciation Luncheon. The Church will reopen after 2:00pm. Thank you.

College Graduate Recognition

Send Names by July 10

We would like to recognize our members who have graduated from college or graduate school in the August edition of First News. If you or a member of your family graduated this past winter or spring, please contact Ian Ritchings (iritchings@fpcspartanburg.org) by Monday, July 10 with the Graduate’s Name and the University.

Wired Wednesdays

Continues this Wednesday

The Young Adult Committee will be at Fretwell Wednesday morning beginning at 9:30am. We invite you to join us for some quality time and conversation! Fretwell is kid-friendly, so bring your little ones to play while you catch up with others.

Thursday Morning P.A.L. Trail Days

Continues July 20

Bring a buddy, and walk a P.A.L.! Join Recreation Director Colleen Darrall in exploring a new P.A.L. (Play. Advocate. Live Well.) trail on select Thursdays throughout the summer!

The final P.A.L. day will be Thursday, July 20. We will be meeting at 9:30am in the FLC Lobby. Friends and children are welcome to join!

C.S. Lewis Summer Book Study

Thursday Mornings, through 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 be meeting until July 13.

If you'd like to be added to the email list, please contact Leslie Lang: llang@fpcspartanburg.org 

Tuesday/Thursday Adult Study

Led by Tom and Nan McDaniel

From now until August 22 & 24, Tom and Nan McDaniel will be studying the book by Peter Enns titled The Bible Tells Me So…Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable To Read It.

This study is via Zoom. Please contact Shannon at shutcheson@fpcspartanburg.org for Zoom and book information. 

Summer Women's Bible Study

Wednesdays, through July 26

Join Ansley Page in the Arthur Center, Wednesdays through July 26, 6:00pm for a group study of The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. A comprehensive and easy-to-read walk through the themes of Jesus’s life and ministry. Each week we will open the Bible and talk through what it means for us today. Perfect time to connect with faith sisters and grow in faith! For the novice and the scripturally well-versed.

Mark your calendars, order your book, and RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org.

Book Discussion for Parents

July 10, 5:30-6:30pm, Arthur Center

Summer is a great time for reflection and for changing things up. Let’s take the opportunity to join other parents to reflect on today’s kid pressures of performance, comparison, and individuation. Join Ansley for a study of Bags: Helping Your Kids Lighten the Load by Chris Sasser. For the parents of older elementary – college age.

RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org if you are curious or interested.

C.A.S.T. Camp Update

(Care, Accept, Serve, Teach)

Our June CAST Camp had 23 children in attendance representing 10 families, with 15 volunteers from First Presbyterian offering their expertise, love and care for these special young people! The FPC staff also worked together to provide two nutritious meals a day, create a great welcome banner, schedule spaces, prepare buses, and create a warm, inviting experience for the children.

Our scripture was Romans 14:19 - ”so let’s strive for the things that bring peace, and the things that build each other up.” The worship service focused on prayer, and was led by Marcia and Holt Andrews and Ansley Page.

The next weeks of CAST Camp will be on July 17-20 and August 7-10. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Gloria Close (closely@bellsouth.net).

Ferncliff Educational Mission Trip

September 9-16, 2023

Join Foothills Presbytery for an educational mission trip to the Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ferncliff is home to a 10,000 sq ft Disaster Assistance Center, which is in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Church World Service.

The DAC serves as a site for the CWS Gifts of the Heart kits, as well as the national warehouse for tools and equipment used in the PDA volunteer sites around the country. Along the way, we'll stop in Birmingham Alabama to explore historical aspects of the Civil Rights Movement and attend worship on Sunday.

The cost is $754, includes travel, overnight stay in Birmingham (coming and going), lodging at Ferncliff, all breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners. Some excursions and meals on the road will be an additional expense.

Click here to learn more, and click the button below to register! Registration deadline is August 1.

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.

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.

These Days Devotional

Now Available

The July-September edition of These Days is out now!

Copies are available for pickup throughout the church.

Thirsty Third Thursdays

July 20 | 5:30-7:00pm

On July 20, enjoy sips and nibbles at Fretwell (101 Fretwell St) with fellow parents of tweens, teens, collegiates, and empty nesters.

Order Your Kirkin' Banner

by Friday, July 21

First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans Worship Service on October 29, 2023. At our Kirkin' service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God's help and blessings in the future through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans.

The construction of the staffs and stands as well as the sewing of the banners will be performed by volunteers, but we need sponsors to help with the cost of purchasing the tartan fabric and materials. The cost of each banner is $150. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your payment no later than Friday, July 21.

Click the button below to order your tartan.

Beware of Imposters!

Don't Fall for Scam Emails!

There are some cyber criminals out there impersonating our ministers and staff members via email. Please be cautious when receiving these emails! Please note that emails from church staff will only come from emails that end in @fpcspartanburg.org, @shelbynextchms.com, or @ccsend.com.

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.