Weekly eNews

November 11, 2022

This past Sunday evening the First Presbyterian Chamber Singers presented a special Concert for a Cause to support The Cleveland Academy of Leadership. Honestly, the word “special” doesn’t really do it justice. The music was spectacular, and the testimony given by our friends Bill Barnett (Chair of the Northside Development Group) and Marquice Clark (Principal at Cleveland Academy) was equally moving. To date, the evening has raised over $5,000 to support this important mission partner in our community! A BIG thank you to everyone who helped make this beautiful event possible.

I also want to give you a brief update on something that I wrote about here in eNews a few weeks ago regarding a report that I prepared for the session earlier this fall. That report – which you can read by clicking here – sought to coalesce the key themes and observations that emerged across my first five or so months as your pastor. Since sharing that report, the staff and Session are already making progress in several of the areas identified as having opportunity for growth or change. Some of the things currently happening include:

Developing preliminary plans for enhancing exterior and interior signage across our campus;
Creating a comprehensive communications plan aimed at improving how we share the story of our church across a variety of mediums;
Formation of a taskforce to study contemporary worship services at peer congregations and identify opportunities for further enhancing our MorningSong worship service;
Engaging an outside expert to work with the session to study our current staff and governance structure.

As I note at the conclusion of the report, the bottom line is that FPC is a congregation blessed with a loving staff, sound financial grounding, and a growing body of faithful and caring people. I am so deeply excited for the future ministry in this place and grateful for the opportunity to play a role in shaping it with you.

Lastly, please do not forget to join me in praying for the team of church members headed overseas for a week of music and worship with our partner congregation in Santa Clara, Cuba. You can find information about that trip and the names of those participating below. Blessings to you all. See you Sunday. Invite a friend!

Peace,

Rev. Alan F. Dyer

Senior Pastor

This Sunday

Veterans Day Service

November 13

In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 13, we will be recognizing church members who have served OR are currently serving in the military.

REMINDER:

Don't forget to make your WAF Dinner Reservation

Deadline is Monday at 4:00pm

WAF Reservations

Upcoming Happenings

Winter Warmth 2022

This Saturday, November 12

For nearly 30 years, the members of FPC have provided free coats to the children of Spartanburg County, wrapping them in God’s love. The generous donations of FPC members and friends are what make this mission possible. For a donation of $35, you can ensure that one child receives a brand-new, in-style coat to wear during the cold winter months.

For more information, please contact Ian Ritchings.

Click Here to Donate!

Help Prepare Advent Decorations!

Spruce up the wreaths and bows to Deck the Halls for Advent! We will gather in Room 2213 (across from the Heritage Chapel).

When:

Tuesday afternoon (November 15) - 2:00-4:00
Thursday morning (November 17) - 10:00-noon

Call LeAnne Thurmond (864-621-0213) or Charlie Burns (864-542-7007) for details and to let us know you will be coming.

A Trip to Bostic with JOY Fellowship

Thursday, November 17

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln might have been born in Bostic, NC? Experience a guided tour of The Bostic Lincoln Center to draw your own conclusion. We’ll stop at Washburn’s General Store, founded in 1831, a fifth-generation business listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our lunch will be at Copper Penny Grill in Forest City.

Contact Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org | 864-208-2132) to reserve your spot.

Installation of Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise

Sunday, November 20

All Members of First Presbyterian Church - as well as family and friends - are invited to attend the Installation of The Reverend John Daniel DeBevoise as Associate Pastor of Youth and Campus Ministries of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg.

This special service will include guests from across Foothills Presbytery as well as a message from guest preacher, Dr. Lewis F. Galloway.

After the service, please make your way to the Courtyard between the Chapel and Sanctuary, to congratulate Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise and to meet the guests of the Commission. Refreshments will be served.

JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon

Thursday, December 1

The JOY Fellowship Christmas Luncheon will be held Thursday, December 1st in Fogartie Hall. Join your FPC friends for food, fellowship, and celebration of the season! Our special guest this year is Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise.

Contact Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org | 864-208-2132) to reserve your spot.

Ministry Updates

Chamber Singers

Total Funds Raised

Thank you to all who attended the Chamber Singers' concert "Hold On" this past Sunday.

Your generous donations helped raise $5,421 to support the Cleveland Academy of Leadership! Thank you so much for contributing to such an incredible outreach, and thank you to Bill Barnet and Marquice Clark for being our esteemed guests!

Prayers for Our Cuba Mission Team

Today, our Music Ministry is sending a team to our sister church in Santa Clara, Cuba. They will be on mission until Wednesday, November 16.

Please keep these faithful servants in your prayers:

Holt Andrews
Marcia Andrews
Rafe Andrews
Sheryl Blair
Lisa Cunningham
Kevin DeMark

Patti Foy
March Moody
John Moody
Rosa Sanchez
Pat Tatham

Thank You

from Hand in Hand Ministries

FPC Family, you heard the call for help from Hand in Hand, and you answered in an overwhelming way! You helped overfill our pantry, to help feed children from Districts 2, 3, 6, and 7 who are food insecure! We give a heartfelt thank you to all who so generously contributed to the Truck Drive.

Wow! Thank you so much!!

Service Opportunities

Chrismon Ornament Collection

Sundays in November

Chrismons are ornaments made from Christian symbols (Chrismon = Christ monogram). Many of our existing Chrismons are deteriorating with age, and we need more to decorate this season. The Sanctuary Guild requests that families bring in a white and/or gold ornament that represents one of the "Christ monograms" for the trees of First Pres.

Baskets will be places around the church for collection on the Sundays in November.

Habitat ReStore

Volunteer Opportunity

On Saturday, November 26, Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be needing help pulling from storage and assembling Christmas trees that they will be selling.

This opportunity will take approximately 4-6 hours of volunteer time. Volunteers must be 15 or over, and have one adult present while volunteering.

Please contact BJ Camp if interested (bj.camp@habitatspartanburg.org | (864) 707-0230).

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.

Click Here to Sign Up!

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.

Click here to pledge!

There are many more opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder!

Other News

Recommendation for CNC

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. Deadline is December 31, 2022.

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!

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!

Fall Gym Hours

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.

Looking Ahead

November 11-13 - Middle School Fall Retreat
November 11-16 - Cuba Mission Trip
November 12 - Winter Warmth
November 20 - Installation of Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise (One Worship Service)
November 24-25 - CHURCH FACLITIES CLOSED (Thanksgiving)
November 27 - First Sunday of Advent
April 30 - FPC Homecoming
June 5-8 - VBS

More activities and events can be found in First News.