Weekly eNews
March 8, 2024
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This Sunday, March 10 is a special one in the life of First Presbyterian. Dr. Will Willimon will be preaching at both worship services as well as teaching combined adult Sunday school at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall. Dr. Willimon is a retired bishop in the United Methodist Church, an accomplished author, and he currently serves as Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry and Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Duke Divinity School. His book Why Jesus? has been guiding our worship and learning through this Lenten Season. Please remember that we will have only two worship services this Sunday – 9:00am Contemporary and 11:00am Traditional. A full schedule for the morning can be found below.
We will also be celebrating Girl Scout Sunday this week. Scouting has a rich history at First Presbyterian Church. In fact, the Girl Scout program has been a part of the church since 1936 when Troop 4 was formed under the leadership of Miss Mary Price. In 1937, members our church joined with other churches to organize a Girl Scout Council, and the official charter was granted in February 1938. We look forward to seeing and hearing from our Girl Scouts this Sunday, and as an added bonus, you can pick up some delicious cookies in the Family Life Center lobby at the same time!
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who has supported Witness Season. Last Sunday, we challenged you to go the extra mile to help us get to our goal of $40,000. As of yesterday, we have almost reached that goal with a total of over $36,000. What an incredible outpouring of love as we seek to support our neighbors in Highland through the good work of The Bethlehem Center. If you would like to learn more and/or help us realize our final goal you can click here.
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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Will Willimon at FPC
This Sunday, Will Willimon (leading pastor, professor, UMC bishop, and author of Why Jesus?) will be with us again as our special guest preacher at 9:00am & 11:00am, as well as Sunday School.
There will be no Early Worship in the Chapel this Sunday.
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Girl Scout Sunday
March 12 marks the birthday of the Girl Scouts, commemorating the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization’s first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia.
Join our FPC Girl Scouts at both 9:00am & 11:00am as they lead parts of our worship this Sunday.
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Youth Movie Night!
4:30pm at NCG Cinemas
In lieu of Sunday Night Youth this week, all Youth are invited to join us at NCG Cinemas (Hillcrest) to watch Kung Fu Panda 4 (pre-purchase your tickets here!)
The movie starts at 4:40pm, so be there by 4:30 at the latest! Arrive earlier (and bring extra cash) if you want to purchase snacks. Drop off and pick up at the movie theater.
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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
Thank You!
We have almost reached the goal for our Witness Season project. We have raised $36,333 of our $40,000 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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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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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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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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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.
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At the Well: Congregational Retreat
Register by March 15
Join your church family on May 3-5 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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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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Senior Parent Night
March 20
Parents of high school seniors are invited to join Pastor Ansley Page (and others with recent HS grads) on Wednesday, March 20 for a night of encouragement, wisdom and prayers for the transition you and your child are about to experience. We'll check in with each other, have a brief devotion, share resources that might be helpful and pray.
Gathering will take place in the Perrin Room from 6:15-7:15pm with sips and chips to stave off hunger! RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org.
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Holy Week Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to hand out palm crosses and branches on Palm Sunday (March 24), and help with the Flower Cross on Easter Sunday (March 31).
There are opportunities available for all three services, and for all ages (bring your family to help)! Click here to sign up for Palm Sunday, and click here to sign up for Easter Sunday.
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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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VBS Registration
Camp Firelight
It’s time for a summer camp adventure with God! Campers will explore timeless Bible stories that demonstrate how people trusted God in the face of their own fears and went on to do great things in God’s name. Register at fpcspartanburg.org/vbs.
If you would like to volunteer for VBS, please reach out to Kara Clark.
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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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Winter Warmth Donations
Preparations have begun for FPC’s largest annual mission project, Winter Warmth, where we distribute brand-new coats to children in need across Spartanburg County.
In addition to coats, children will also be receiving hats and scarves, handmade by members of the church. That’s where you come in! If you’re able to knit or crochet, we could really use your help in making it happen!
Winter Warmth will take place on October 26 this year. It’s never too early to start! If you have questions, please email them to winterwarmth@gmail.com.
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AVL Team
Volunteers Needed
The Audio/Video Team is a way to be involved in worship and special events behind the scenes. We currently need camera operators, and training will be provided! Most A/V team members serve one Sunday per month and an occasional special event such as a WAF program or concert.
Contact Caroline Goodman, Communications Director, at cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org if you are interested in this exciting opportunity!
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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 12 - JOY Fellowship Trip / Young Adult Pickleball & Pizza
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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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