Weekly eNews

July 14, 2023

As we near the midway point in the month of July, I want to share with you upcoming improvements to our Sunday morning worship schedule. Throughout the winter and spring a Task Force of the Session set out to visit peer congregations in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Columbia to see how they organize their Sunday morning worship services with a special focus on their contemporary worship offerings. The primary goal was to identify areas to further strengthen our MorningSong service and better coordinate it with FPC’s other worship offerings. 

 

From that work have come several key recommendations involving the leadership, planning, and branding for our contemporary worship service. You can read a summary of the Task Force’s report by clicking here. The most visible difference though involves our church-wide Sunday morning schedule. Specifically, beginning Sunday, August 6, we will shift to a slightly modified worship schedule:

 

  • Early Worship in Chapel @ 8:30am
  • Contemporary Worship in Fogartie Hall @ 9:00am
  • Sunday School @ 10:00am (Gathering Time at 9:45am)
  • Traditional Worship in Sanctuary @ 11:00am 

 

A key benefit of this schedule change is that it will allow us, on most Sundays, to have one preacher preach in-person across all three services resulting in a consistent message and more cohesive worship experience for the entire congregation. I am excited about these upcoming changes and grateful for the work of the Task Force in carefully studying and developing their recommendations.

 

Friends, there is so much happening in the life and ministry of First Presbyterian. Our July worship services are off to a spectacular start with wonderful music and an exciting buzz in the air each Sunday as we gather for one service together. As always, I encourage you to check out all the opportunities for mission, faith formation, and fellowship that are happening in our midst. Know that every opportunity is open to every person!

 

Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.


Peace,

Rev. Alan F. Dyer

Senior Pastor

This Sunday


10:00am - Godspeed Combined Sunday School (Fogartie Hall)

10:30am - Fellowship Time (Perrin Room)

11:00am - ONE Worship Service (Sanctuary)


This week's musical focus: Acoustic


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

During the month of July (beginning this Sunday) we will worship together as a church family with ONE service at 11:00am in the Sanctuary*. Each Sunday the music will focus on a different genre. Prior to each service, there will be a time of fellowship in The Perrin Room.


The different music genres will be:

  • July 16 - Acoustic
  • July 23* - Bluegrass (with the Contemporary Worship Music Team [aka MorningSong] and Friends)
  • July 30 - Global Music


*Exception: On Sunday, July 23, we will worship together in Fogartie Hall. Fellowship will be in the FLC Lobby.

Godspeed Sunday School

Continues this Sunday


This summer, through our joint Adult Sunday School class and worship, we will slow down to explore the kind of life and relationships into which God invites us. Join us for this study entitled Godspeed written by Julie and Matt Canlis and featuring videos from N.T. Wright, Eugene Peterson, and others.


Gather in Fogartie Hall at 10:00am each Sunday in June and July (not meeting this Sunday, July 2) as your pastors lead us in seeking to “slow down in order to catch up with God.” Come as often as you are able!


We also encourage you to click the button below to receive weekly updates and discussion questions regarding our Godspeed study.

Click to Sign Up

Congregational Nominating Committee

Recommendations for Church Officers

Due Today


The Congregational Nominating Committee needs your help nominating members of the church to serve as Elders and Deacons. A nomination form can be found HERE. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of FPC, including yourself. To see the list of current church officers on the church website, click HERE.

Next Week

Wired Wednesdays

Continues this Wednesday


The Young Adult Committee will be at Fretwell Wednesday morning beginning at 9:30am. We invite you to join us for some quality time and conversation! Fretwell is kid-friendly, so bring your little ones to play while you catch up with others.

Thursday Morning P.A.L. Trail Days

Continues July 20


Bring a buddy, and walk a P.A.L.! Join Recreation Director Colleen Darrall in exploring a new P.A.L. (Play. Advocate. Live Well.) trail on select Thursdays throughout the summer!


The final P.A.L. day will be Thursday, July 20. We will be meeting at 9:30am in the FLC Lobby. Friends and children are welcome to join!

Thirsty Third Thursdays

July 20 | 5:30-7:00pm


On July 20, enjoy sips and nibbles at Fretwell (101 Fretwell St) with fellow parents of tweens, teens, collegiates, and empty nesters.

Summer Recreation

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.

Summer Studies

Tuesday/Thursday Adult Study

Led by Tom and Nan McDaniel


From now until August 22 & 24, Tom and Nan McDaniel will be studying the book by Peter Enns titled The Bible Tells Me So…Why Defending Scripture Has Made Us Unable To Read It.


This study is via Zoom. Please contact Shannon at shutcheson@fpcspartanburg.org for Zoom and book information. 

Summer Women's Bible Study

Wednesdays, through July 26


Join Ansley Page in the Arthur Center, Wednesdays through July 26, 6:00pm for a group study of The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. A comprehensive and easy-to-read walk through the themes of Jesus’s life and ministry. Each week we will open the Bible and talk through what it means for us today. Perfect time to connect with faith sisters and grow in faith! For the novice and the scripturally well-versed.


Mark your calendars, order your book, and RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org.

Service Opportunities

C.A.S.T. Camp Update

(Care, Accept, Serve, Teach)


Our June CAST Camp had 23 children in attendance representing 10 families, with 15 volunteers from First Presbyterian offering their expertise, love and care for these special young people! The FPC staff also worked together to provide two nutritious meals a day, create a great welcome banner, schedule spaces, prepare buses, and create a warm, inviting experience for the children.


Our scripture was Romans 14:19 - ”so let’s strive for the things that bring peace, and the things that build each other up.” The worship service focused on prayer, and was led by Marcia and Holt Andrews and Ansley Page.


The next weeks of CAST Camp will be on July 17-20 and August 7-10. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Gloria Close (closely@bellsouth.net).

Ferncliff Educational Mission Trip

September 9-16, 2023


Join Foothills Presbytery for an educational mission trip to the Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ferncliff is home to a 10,000 sq ft Disaster Assistance Center, which is in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Church World Service.


The DAC serves as a site for the CWS Gifts of the Heart kits, as well as the national warehouse for tools and equipment used in the PDA volunteer sites around the country. Along the way, we'll stop in Birmingham Alabama to explore historical aspects of the Civil Rights Movement and attend worship on Sunday.


The cost is $754, includes travel, overnight stay in Birmingham (coming and going), lodging at Ferncliff, all breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners. Some excursions and meals on the road will be an additional expense.


Click here to learn more, and click the button below to register! Registration deadline is August 1.

Click to Register

Hand in Hand Ministries

Accepting Food Donations


Our Hand in Hand community ministry is always accepting non-perishable food donations to help support Spartanburg families in need! They also accept monetary donations through the church giving site.


To learn more about the mission of Hand in Hand and see how you can help those who need it most, visit their website at handinhandspartanburg.org.

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!

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

Other News

These Days Devotional

Now Available


The July-September edition of These Days is out now!


Copies are available for pickup throughout the church.

Order Your Kirkin' Banner

by Friday, July 28


First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans Worship Service on October 29, 2023. At our Kirkin' service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God's help and blessings in the future through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans.


The construction of the staffs and stands as well as the sewing of the banners will be performed by volunteers, but we need sponsors to help with the cost of purchasing the tartan fabric and materials. The cost of each banner is $150. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your payment no later than Friday, July 28.


Click the button below to order your tartan.

Click to Order

Beware of Imposters!

Don't Fall for Scam Emails!


There are some cyber criminals out there impersonating our ministers and staff members via email. Please be cautious when receiving these emails! Please note that emails from church staff will only come from emails that end in @fpcspartanburg.org, @shelbynextchms.com, or @ccsend.com.

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! Plus: Listen to Rev. John Daniel's new Confirmation Podcast series!


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

Looking Ahead

  • Sundays in July - ONE Worship Service @ 11:00am (with a Special Music Focus Each Week)
  • July 15 - Family Day at Montreat
  • July 17-21 - CAST Camp
  • July 22-28 - Montreat Youth Conference
  • August 2 - Dinner and Bingo
  • August 7-10 - CAST Camp


More activities and events can be found in First News.

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