All Saints' Day

This Sunday

All Saints’ Day is a time to give thanks for all those who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living communion of saints. In the knowledge that others have persevered, we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Hebrews 12:1-2), reminded that God was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. 

Join us this Sunday, November 5, in all morning worship services, as we remember and name our members who died in the past year. As we recall their witness, let us also pray for comfort for those who love and miss them.

All Saints' Evensong Service

This Sunday, 5:00pm in the Columbarium

This Sunday evening, we will have a special Evensong Service at 5:00pm in the Columbarium. This service will feature scripture, prayer, meditation, and music accompanied by a string quartet. We will remember loved ones in prayer and thanksgiving.

Don't Forget to Fall Back!

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday

There is no excuse to be late for church this week! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 5, at 2:00am. At this time, clocks will “fall back” one hour, giving us more daylight in the dark autumn and winter mornings.

Blood Drive

This Sunday

Our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, November 5, 8:00am-1:00pm. A charitable donation of $25 will be made to the church for each donation of blood. Plus, each donor will receive $25 in rewards, redeemable for eGift cards in the Blood Connection online store!

Click the button below, and use the sponsor code 9BBW to register.

If you have donated blood on or after Friday, September 8, 2023, you will not be able to participate.

Recognition of Veterans

Names Needed by Monday

In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 12, we will recognize current church members who have served OR are currently serving in the military.

Please submit church members’ names and branch of military service by Monday, November 6 to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 208-2132).

Bill's Book Club (BBC)

Tuesday, November 7

The next Bill's Book Club meeting will be this Tuesday. For this month, we'll be looking at The Most They Ever Had by Rick Bragg. Join us in the morning at 10:30am, or the evening at 7:00pm, in the Arthur Center.

Also: Be sure to mark your calendar for our BBC Christmas Gathering on December 5, 7:00pm in Fogartie Hall!

Winter Warmth 2023

Next Saturday, November 11

We have a few more spots open for you to be part of FPC’s largest annual mission project, Winter Warmth, where we distribute brand-new coats to children in need across Spartanburg County.

We still need a few more shoppers, as well as some possible translators! Want to help out without volunteering? Read about glove and hat donations below!

Winter Warmth will take place on November 11th this year. If you're interested in volunteering, please click the button below to sign up!

Children's Gloves & Hats Needed

for Winter Warmth

Our Winter Warmth mission is in need of children's winter gloves and hats for their distribution day on Saturday, November 11.

In the weeks leading up to Winter Warmth, bring your donations to Sunday School, and our fifth graders will come by and pick them up! Donations can also be dropped off in Kara Clark's box or office.

Welcome Class

November 12

On Sunday, November 12, we will have a special Welcome Class, 12:00-2:00pm in the Large Private Dining Room. Lunch will be provided. Childcare available upon request. 

To register, contact Joanie Shackleton (864-208-2132 / jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org)

Wednesdays at First

Good Food & Fellowship!

Come enjoy good food and fellowship time at WAF. Reservations are required for dinner. 

Click the button below to make your dinner reservation before 4:00pm Monday.

Covenant Connections

Fall WAF Program | 6:15-7:00pm in Fogartie Hall

We tend to hear the story of the Bible in a piecemeal fashion – a story about Paul in Sunday School, a story about Moses in a sermon, a story about Abraham in a Bible study, and then a story about Jesus in a devotional. But how do all those stories fit together?

This fall at Wednesdays at First, we will be exploring how these individual stories connect into a single narrative timeline that enriches our understanding of each of those stories, and allows us to see beyond the trees of individual disconnected stories to the great forest of God’s redemptive work in history.

J.O.Y. Fellowship Friendsgiving

Monday, November 20

The J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Fellowship invites you to their Friendsgiving Lunch on November 20, 12:00pm in Fogartie Hall. Bring their favorite dish, salad, or dessert for this churchwide potluck celebration!

Click the button below to register by November 17!

Free Gym Play Date

November 7 | 9:00am-12:00pm

School may be closed for Election day, but our gym isn't!

Come enjoy some free play time, 9:00am-noon on Tuesday, November 7th. Supervision required for all kids under 10 years old.

Intro to Pickleball Class

November 13 & 17

Want to get into Pickleball, but don't know how to play? We have a class for you! Join our Intro to Pickleball Class on Monday, November 13 and Friday, November 17, 12:00-1:00pm on the gym courts. These classes are a great way for brand new players to learn the sport of Pickleball. Players will learn all the basics to be able to play. We will cover unique lingo, score keeping, court position, and the fundamentals of serve, return, and the volley. Pickleball paddles are provided to use during the classes.

Sign up is required, space is limited to 10 spots per class. Contact Colleen Darrall to register today (cdarrall@fpcspartanburg.org).

Holiday Play Date

November 22

Come get some energy out before Thanksgiving Dinner!

Mrs. Colleen will be in the gym on Wednesday, November 22 from 10:00am-noon, running some fun games for kids ages 5K-5th Grade!

D.R. Mission Trip

February 3-10, 2024

Registration for our Dominican Republic Medical Mission Trip is now open! We are building a team of doctors, dentists, nurses, and just regular people to provide medical, dental services as well as built construction projects and sponsor children in the Solid Rock International schools. The cost is $1700 per person, with a $500 deposit. (Scholarships available - contact Leslie Lang for more info)

To sign up or learn more, click the button below, or visit fpcspartanburg.org/DR.

WAF Volunteers Needed

Wednesdays at First is back, and we need volunteers! Jobs include: Registration, desserts, serving/prep, kids table, dish washers, and breakdown.

If you're willing to help with any of these tasks, on any week of WAF, please click the button below to sign up. We appreciate your help in serving on our WAF Staff!

Hospitality Golf Carts

Drivers Needed

Our hospitality golf carts are driving toward a return to First Pres! We are excited to announce that you will soon be seeing golf carts in and around the parking lots on Sunday mornings. This service, which was suspended during the pandemic, will be offered again starting this Fall and is available to any and all members who’d like a ride from their car to the 11:00 worship service. Lots of little people to wrangle? Had a recent surgery? Feeling extra tired? We want you to catch a ride!

But FIRST, we need volunteer drivers! We are looking for 8-10 men and women, ages 25+, to drive the golf carts. With this number of volunteers, we expect each driver to be assigned a Sunday no more than once every two months. All drivers will go through a background check for insurance purposes and will be trained and oriented on driving and storing the golf cart.

Click the button below to volunteer for this easy, fun way to get involved!

Cleveland Academy of Leadership

Kindergarten Tutors Needed!

Are you able to commit to one hour a week to help end child poverty through the gift of literacy?

Kindergarten Tutors are needed every day from 9:00-10:00am at Cleveland Academy to work in small groups with students. Please contact Mary Elizabeth Evans (mewevan@gmail.com) if you are interested and able to help. 

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.

Fall Focus: "This Is Our Story"

Continues this Sunday

First Presbyterian is embarking on a season of storytelling with a church-wide focus this Fall that we are calling: “This Is Our Story.” Through worship, study, and mission, we will explore the different ways that our individual and collective stories tell the Story of God’s redemptive love at work all around us. We hope you will join us as together we bear witness to the good news that God’s story is very much still being written.

Pastor Joanne's Books

In preparing for retirement, Pastor Joanne has many extra books that she does not have room for at her home. You are invited to come look at them and you are free to take some with you. There are commentaries, theology books, church life books and others. 

Help Pastor Joanne clear her shelves by the end of October and avoid the recycle bin for some good books! Anything in her office on the single or double shelving units are available. (Please leave anything on the desk or behind the desk on shelves alone.)

Now Accepting Venmo

for Donations/Contributions

We are now accepting Venmo as a payment method for donations and financial contributions.

The QR code can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/give/ways-to-give, or you can find us on Venmo at @FPCSpartanburg.

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!

All of it is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your podcasts.