Weekly eNews
August 4, 2023
| |
After a delightful month of worshipping together in a single service each week, we return this Sunday to our “normal” – albeit slightly amended – worship schedule. Please make special note that beginning this Sunday, August 6 early worship will be at 8:30am in the Chapel, contemporary worship at 9:00am in Fogartie Hall, and traditional worship at 11:00am in the Sanctuary.
We also will begin a new sermon series on the Book of Romans that we are calling “Heart of the Matter”. Together, in both worship and the joint Sunday school class, we will spend the next four weeks seeking to know the Apostle Paul better and to understand how his ancient letter to the church in Rome continues to shape our faith in Christ today.
As always, you will find listed below there is much happening in the life and faith of First Presbyterian. If you have been feeling a bit dis-connected in all of the travel and lack of routine that summer sometimes brings, I hope that August might be a month for re-connecting with God and with your church family.
Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.
Peace,
| |
Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
| |
August Sermon Series
Paul’s Letter to the Romans provides one of the most concise, clear, and beautiful presentations of Christian doctrine in all the Bible. It is a letter that gets to the “heart of the matter” when it comes to crucial questions about sin, redemption, grace, and the life of faith for believers.
This four-week series during the month of August is an invitation for us to know Paul better and to understand how this ancient letter continues to shape our faith in Christ today.
|
|
August Combined Adult Sunday School
Sundays, 10:00am in Fogartie Hall
This four-week study explores the historical context, structure, vocabulary, themes, and influence of Paul’s magnum opus Letter to the Romans. Come learn why this single book of the Bible has been so influential to Christians throughout history and how we can fruitfully read Romans today.
|
|
TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
This Sunday
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-ministries
|
|
Young Adult Summer Fun!
Sunday, August 6 | 2:00-5:00pm
Come celebrate the end of summer with sweet treats, games, and fun, hosted by Anna Blanton and Jennifer Hoy!
The event is kid-friendly: Arrive in your swimsuits, bring towels, lawn chairs, or blankets! Open to anyone in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Invite a friend!
Please RSVP: Text (864) 435-7825 or email bradleyhoy@gmail.com.
| |
Books & Backpacks
Sunday, August 13
Between and after services on August 13, stop by the Social Hall for coffee, treats and to swap some books for summer reading!
Our Blessing of the Backpacks will take place during Worship.
Books can be dropped off at the church office from August 1-10.
|
|
Thornwell Tidbits & FPC Lunch
Register by August 20
Did you know that Thornwell offers programs for parents? Through the Building Families and Strengthening Families programs, parents are taught important skills and coping tools that help them build a stable family and strengthen it over time through love and support.
The Building Families program serves families in FL, GA, and SC and Strengthening Families provides a 14 week course on the Thornwell campus.
Join us for lunch and learn more!
Make reservations for our Thornwell luncheon at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, August 29 at noon. We will meet in the Large Private Dining Room. There is no cost, but we need your reservations by August 20. Click the button below to register, or contact Ian Ritchings (iritchings@fpcspartanburg.org / (864) 208-2139) with your name and how many will be attending.
| |
Lemonade on the Lawn
Sunday, August 27
After Traditional Worship on August 27, come out to the front lawn to enjoy lemonade and refreshments as a church family!
| |
Thank you to everyone who attended our Church Family Bingo Night! We had an incredible time of food, laughs, fellowship, and prizes!
We encourage you to join us for even more fun on Wednesday, August 30 for our Church Family Trivia Night! WAF pricing applies for this event as well, so click the button below to make your reservation by Monday, August 28!
| |
Children's Choirs
Registration Now Open
Get ready to get your shine on with this year's Children's Choirs! Kids from 4K to 5th Grade will be the stars of Wednesday evenings as they burst into song!
The children's choir lineup will be different this year, but they'll be shining brighter than ever:
-
Joyful Sound (4K) - Taught by Debbie Keiser
-
Angel Chatter (5K-Grade 1) - Taught by Martha Bean
-
LightShine (Grades 2-5) - Taught by Marcia Andrews & March Moody
Registration is open now. The fun will begin on September 13 at 5:00pm! Click the button below to sign up!
| |
First Steps in Music
Registration Now Open
It's never to early to teach your babies to make a joyful noise for the Lord! Our First Steps in Music program allows newborns through age 3 (and their parents) to experience music and movement together!
Registration is open now. Classes will begin in mid-September. Click the button below to sign up.
| |
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.
| |
Pray for C.A.S.T. Camp
(Care, Accept, Serve, Teach)
This week (August 7-10) is the last C.A.S.T. Camp of the summer. Please keep our C.A.S.T. volunteers, families, and campers in your prayers. We pray that God's love can shine through and touch the lives of His children as camp comes to a close.
| |
Weekday School
Substitute Teachers Needed!
The Weekday School at FPC is looking for a few more substitute teachers for the 2023-2024 school year.
If you are interested in being a substitute at our wonderful Weekday School, or know someone who would be great, please contact Kris Graham at (kgraham@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-706-0460).
| |
Cleveland Academy of Leadership
Kindergarten Tutors Needed!
Are you able to commit to one hour a week to help end child poverty through the gift of literacy?
Kindergarten Tutors are needed every day from 9:00-10:00am at Cleveland Academy to work in small groups with students. Please contact Mary Elizabeth Evans (mewevan@gmail.com) if you are interested and able to help.
| |
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.
| |
There are many more opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder. | |
"This Is My Story"
What's your funniest FPC memory?
On Pentecost, we as a church said thanks to Winnie Walsh for her many years of work as our church archivist. Winnie said that the hardest part of her job was convincing people that they could be part of telling the history of our church. You have stories to tell, and we want to hear them!
In the coming months, we'll be asking you, our church family, to share your favorite FPC stories, under a certain theme.
The first theme: What’s a funny story you have from church? It doesn’t have to be a “laugh-out-loud” story (although it can be), but one that makes you smile. Bears in trees? Crazy things on mission trips? Mishaps in the service or in Sunday School? Fun at church get-togethers? Your favorite joke from one of the sermons?
Submit your story (in as much detail as possible) one of the following ways:
- Email it to archivist@fpcspartanburg.org
- Write it down, label it "archive story," and drop it off in the church office
- Tell it to Cesily or Tom King in person
We look forward to hearing all of your precious church memories!
| |
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!
All of it is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your podcasts.
| |
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.
| |
-
August 7-10 - CAST Camp
-
August 13 - Book Swap & Coffee Shop
-
August 27 - Lemonade on the Lawn
-
August 29 - Thornwell Informational Luncheon
-
August 30 - Church Family Dinner & Trivia
-
September 3 - ONE Worship Service @ 11:00am
More activities and events can be found in First News.
| | | | |