Weekly eNews

February 2, 2024

It was great to see a full Fogartie Hall this past Wednesday for our first ever “Year in Review” presentation. During that hour we celebrated all First Presbyterian Church accomplished over the past year and then looked ahead to where God might be leading us in the coming year. You can find a recording of that presentation by clicking here – be sure also to pick up a copy of the 2023 Annual Report that is available in print around the church or online.

Looking ahead, Witness Season is just around the corner! As Pastor Leslie mentioned in last week’s eNews, we are partnering this year to support The Bethlehem Center, which is a hub of positive activity in the Highland community. With your support, we will help to fund the construction of an outdoor play space and natural playground at The Bethlehem Center. This project will help to foster learning and imagination, promote social and emotional growth, provide creative engagement, and provide more accessible green space for the Highland community. We hope you will consider joining us in supporting this important effort! More information and ways to give can be found here.

Lastly, there are many other great things that are right in front of us. This Sunday, we will celebrate Scout Sunday which marks 100 years of BSA Troop 2 here at FPC. We will have Scouts in worship in the morning and a reception will happen in the Social Hall after the 11:00am Traditional Service. We are grateful for the immense blessing that Troop 2 has been and continues to be for our congregation and community!

Also coming up in February is a production of James Weldon Johnson's God’s Trombones. I am excited to be a part of this project that will be hosted at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on February 17 at 6:00pm. You can purchase tickets through the church by clicking here.

Finally, be praying for the Dominican Republic Mission Team, which will head out early tomorrow morning for a week of service with our mission partners in the DR.

Blessings to you all. See you at church. All are welcome.

Peace,

Rev. Alan F. Dyer

Senior Pastor

This Sunday

8:30am - Early Worship Service (Chapel)

9:00am - Contemporary Worship Service (Fogartie Hall)

10:00am - Sunday School for All Ages

11:00am - Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Stream our services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.

Want to re-visit sermons on the go? Listen to our Sermoncast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you find your podcasts.

Celebrating 100 Years of Troop 2

This Sunday, we will recognize 100 years of scouting at First Presbyterian Church. Troop 2 would like to recognize all Eagle Scouts (earned with any Troop) on Scout Sunday. Please stop by the Tower Room before the 11:00 Worship Service to pick up your Eagle Scout nametag.

Scouts will also be taking non-perishable food donations for TOTAL Ministries on February 4. Place items in the bins located in the Tower Room, Narthex, and outside Fogartie Hall.

Questions: Contact Ashley (She) Millinor at agmillinor@gmail.com / (864) 706-5412.

Sunday Night Youth

5:30-6:30pm – Middle School Youth

6:30-8:00pm – High School Youth

All Youth will be meeting in the Family Life Center.

Witness Season 2024

This year's Witness Season project will fund an outdoor play space with a natural playground to be built at The Bethlehem Center, a hub of positive activity in the Highland community. This space would include a gardening area, amphitheater, and water play areas. Visit fpcspartanburg.org/witnessseason to read more about this incredible project.

Visit our church giving site to give toward the new natural playground to be built at The Bethlehem Center, benefitting our friends in the Highland community. Once on the page, click on the drop-down menu under "Fund" and choose "Witness Season."

There are also several other ways to give this Witness Season! Stay tuned to learn more throughout the month of February!

Witness Season Lunch 'N Learn

Monday, February 19

If you would like to sign-up to attend a Lunch 'n Learn with more information about our Witness Season project, join us on on February 19 from 11:30am-1:00pm. You can register by clicking here. The deadline is February 13th.

Art Supplies & Snack Drive

Throughout February

For Witness Season, the FPC Children's Ministry will be gathering arts & crafts supplies and snacks for the Bethlehem Center all throughout February. Drop off donations to Kara Clark's office, or look for baskets in the Tower Room and Family Life Center.

Ways to Connect at FPC

Acts 2 Fellowship

Register by February 12

Spend time around the table, breaking bread with friends to strengthen your faith family ties through conversation and serving others! Acts 2 Dinners are for adults ages 22-102.

The February 25 Acts 2 Dinners will include a service project along with dinner to honor Witness Season and to serve The Bethlehem Center.

Visit fpcspartanburg.org/acts2 to register by February 12, or let us know if you’d like to host a group in your home.

Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts. Acts 2:46 (NRSV)

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.

This week's after-dinner program will be in the Sanctuary. Marcia and Holt Andrews will demonstrate the new festival trumpet and will discuss how the organ works in Pipe Organ 101.

Balance Class for Seniors

Beginning February 7

Balance Class for Seniors is back!

This class is great for those looking to improve balance, strength, and mobility.

Join Colleen Wednesdays beginning February 7th at 11am in the Activity Room of the Family Life Center. Balance Class will last four weeks, and there is no fee for church members. Pre-Registration is required.

Please contact Colleen Darrall to register.

Intro to Pickleball

Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm

Come visit the gym courts for an Intro to Pickleball!

This time is 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.

We will be meeting on Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00pm. Pickleball paddles are provided; come and try it out!

God's Trombones: Seven Services in Verse

February 17, 2024 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church

Sweet Gilliard Productions and New Day Baptist Church proudly present James Weldon Johnson's God's Trombones: Seven Sermons in Verse on February 17 at 6:00pm at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. James Weldon Johnson was a noted author, educator, lawyer, civil rights activist, and a leading figure in the creation and development of the Harlem Renaissance.

His work God's Trombones was published in 1927 and is seven sermons, written in verse, inspired by the memories of sermons by black preachers heard by Johnson in childhood.

We invite you to this production of James Weldon Johnson's iconic work, which will include eight local pastors preaching through each of the seven sermons.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by clicking the button below.

Purchase Tickets

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.

Visit montreat.org/accommodations to get information on each lodge and choose the right one for you and your family. Please note that room sharing is possible and scholarships are available.

For complete information and to register by March 15, go to fpcspartanburg.org/retreat.

Service Opportunities

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.