Weekly eNews
March 1, 2024
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A big thank you to everyone who has participated in this year’s Witness Season supporting the construction of an outdoor learning lab at the Bethlehem Center. Patrena Mims, Executive Director of the Bethlehem Center, joined us for worship and Sunday school last week to present about the good work they are doing in the Highland neighborhood of Spartanburg and how this project will support their mission moving forward. You can watch a recording of her informative Sunday school presentation by clicking here. Unfortunately, we are still about $18,000 short of our $40,000 goal. So if you haven’t given yet, or are in a position to give more, would you consider helping to shrink that gap by supporting this wonderful mission partner? See below for more details and for a link to give online.
Friends, here on the first day of March, I am mindful that the month in front of us is a busy one – after all, Easter Sunday is only thirty days away! Our Lenten journey at First Presbyterian continues to be chock full of opportunities for learning, fellowship, and mission. Information about all the ministries happening now and coming up can be found below. As always, know that each and every opportunity is open to each and every person. This is a wonderful time to bring yourself (and invite a friend) to church as we walk together once more towards the events of Holy Week and the joy of the empty tomb!
Blessings to you all. Hope to see you Sunday. All are welcome.
Peace,
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Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
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TOTAL Ministries
Food Drive
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 fpcspartanburg.org/total.
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Discover FPC
9:45am | Large Private Dining Room
Discover FPC is an opportunity for you to learn more about Presbyterianism as well as explore the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church: who we are, how we are organized and how you can be a part. We are a church seeking to live out our faith in Jesus Christ!
Click here to learn more. You can RSVP to Cathy Bagwell at cbagwell@fpcspartanburg.org.
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Sunday Night Youth
in the Family Life Center
5:30pm - Middle School Youth
6:30pm - High School Youth
All Youth will meet in the Family Life Center.
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Why Jesus?
A Lent Sermon Series
Lent is a time each year for prayer, fasting and self-examination as we follow Jesus towards the cross and empty tomb. But when was the last time we asked ourselves whether or not we truly knew just who it is we are following?! Are we actually ready to walk in the footsteps of someone who invites us to find our lives by giving our lives away in service to God and others?
Our Lenten Sermon Series is an invitation to better understand who Jesus is, and in so doing, begin to learn why following him is the only way to discover the true meaning and purpose of our own lives.
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Witness Season Update
There is still time to give to this year's Witness Season project. We are $19,000 short of our goal to help build a natural playground at The Bethlehem Center, benefitting our neighbors in Highland. You can give your gift online any time!
To learn more, you can visit fpcspartanburg.org/witnessseason, or watch our special Combined Sunday School with Patrena Mims, Executive Director for The Bethlehem Center.
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At the Well: Congregational Retreat
May 3-5, 2024
Join your church family in beautiful Montreat, NC, for a weekend of relaxation, fun, and spiritual growth. There will be programming for all ages (including nursery) and plenty of free time to hike and explore Black Mountain, play games, or take a nap.
Accommodations will be in Assembly Inn and Winsborough, with single rooms and two-room suites available in each. Scholarships are also available.
For complete information and to register by March 15, visit fpcspartanburg.org/retreat.
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Art Supplies & Snack Drive
There's a few days left to donate arts/crafts supplies, snacks, and books for the Bethlehem Center through our FPC Children's Ministry Witness Season Project. Drop off donations to Kara Clark's office, or look for baskets in the Tower Room and Family Life Center.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
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Wednesdays at First
Faith, Food, & Fellowship!
Come enjoy good food and fellowship time. Please sign up for dinner before 4:00pm Monday. Reservations required for dinner.
Pastor Alan will continue the Why Jesus? study for our after-dinner programming.
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Faith Initiative Quarterly Lunch
Tuesday, March 5
The Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty will be having their Quarterly Lunch on Tuesday, March 5 from 12:00pm-2:00pm at Greater St. James Temple (13255 Asheville Highway, Inman).
This session will focus on education. An additional hour of optional training will be held from 2:00-3:00pm on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed congregations, led by the Spartanburg Academic Movement. If you have not registered yet, please RSVP to Scott Neely so they may plan for food and space.
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Will Willimon at FPC
Sunday, March 10
Throughout Lent, we will be embarking on a sermon series called Why Jesus?, based on the book of the same title by leading pastor, author, professor, and UMC bishop Will Willimon.
On Sunday, March 10, Will Willimon will be with us again as our special guest preacher for our 9:00am & 11:00am Worship Services, as well as Sunday School.
We are also studying Why Jesus? at WAF and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon in the Purnell Room and via Zoom. We encourage you to join us!
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CAST Informational Sessions
Throughout March
CAST - Care, Accept, Share, Teach - A Ministry for God’s Homeless Children has been part of the life of First Presbyterian Church for 10 years.
If you want to learn about the ministry, join us at one of the following informational sessions:
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March 12 at 10:30am (Large Private Dining Room)
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March 13 at 5:00pm (Small Private Dining Room)
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March 21 at 5:30pm (Large Private Dining Room)
Each session is only 30 minutes. Please contact Gloria Close at closely@bellsouth.net with questions.
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Young Adult Pickleball & Pizza
Tuesday, March 12
It’s time for another Young Adult Pickleball and Pizza night! Join us in the gym on Tuesday, March 12 at 5:30pm for some friendly competition, and then we will walk to Venus Pie afterward for dinner.
If you have questions or want to join, please let Leslie Lang know (llang@fpcpspartanburg.org)!
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Art & BBQ with JOY Fellowship
Tuesday, March 12
Take an art tour of the Johnson Gallery and AC Hotel gallery and enjoy a barbecue lunch with your JOY Fellowship friends! Church buses will leave at 10:00am from the Family Life Center. Space is limited.
Please sign up by Friday, March 8 at fpcspartanburg.org/joy.
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Children's Choir Concert
Wednesday, March 13
Our March 13 WAF program will feature our FPC Children's Choirs as they present their program called Sharing Our Gifts.
The concert will take place at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. We encourage you to come out and support our talented boys and girls as they make a joyful noise to the Lord!
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Easter Eggs Needed
by March 17
Bring on the eggs! Our Children's Ministry is in need of pre-filled plastic eggs for their Easter Egg Hunt on March 20! Eggs can be filled with stickers, small toys, or candy.
Drop your egg donations off at the church office, or to Kara Clark by March 17.
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2nd Annual Churchwide Day of Service
Saturday, April 13 from 9:00am-1:00pm
Join church members of all ages and volunteer at one of many different ministry partner locations in Spartanburg! We will gather in the morning for prayer, work throughout the day at ministry partner sites, and reconvene at the church for a Chick-fil-A lunch and debrief. Register by March 30 at fpcspartanburg.org/dayofservice.
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Lent Devotional Signups
For this year's Lent Devotional, we will be navigating The Presbyterian Outlook's Local Pilgrim: A Wandering, Wondering Daily Devotional.
The devotional books will be available throughout the church. You can also click the button below to receive email devotionals throughout the season of Lent!
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Church Opportunities
- Sunday Morning Greeters
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Sunday School Greeter (9:30-9:55am in Fogartie Hall)
- Sanctuary Greeters (10:30-11:00am in the Sanctuary)
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March 13 - Children's Choir Concert
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March 24 - Palm Sunday
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March 28 - Maundy Thursday
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March 29 - Good Friday
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March 31 - Easter
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April 13 - Churchwide Day of Service
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April 21 - Confirmation Sunday
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May 2 - Chamber Singers Concert
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May 3-5 - Congregational Retreat in Montreat
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June 3-6 - Vacation Bible School
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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