Kirkin' O' the Tartans

This Sunday

This Sunday, we will be holding our annual Kirkin' O' the Tartans service. Each fall, First Presbyterian holds this powerful, historic service, a remembrance of Presbyterianism's Scottish roots. In 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.

Services will be held at 8:30am and 11:00am in the Sanctuary, complete with a procession of bagpipes and tartans. Refreshments will be served on the front lawn at the conclusion of both services.

Church Basketball Registration

Only a Couple More Days to Register!

Registration for Church Basketball will be open October 2-30. Sign-ups are open to grades 1-12, boys and girls, members and non-members!

Click the button below to sign up, or go to fpcspartanburg.org/basketball!

Thornwell Bus Trip

Wednesday, November 1 // 9:15am-2:30pm

Please join your church friends as we take a weekday road trip to Clinton, SC to visit Thornwell and Lush Acres Farm. We will learn more about our church’s long relationship with Thornwell and see their ministry in action. All are welcome!

We will meet in the Family Life Center parking lot at 9:15am. Lunch plans to be determined. Click the button below to sign up, or contact Ian Ritchings (iritchings@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2139).

All Saints' Day

Next Sunday

All Saints’ Day is a time to give thanks for all those who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living communion of saints. In the knowledge that others have persevered, we are encouraged to endure against all odds (Hebrews 12:1-2), reminded that God was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. 

Join us next Sunday, November 5, in all morning worship services, as we remember and name our members who died in the past year. As we recall their witness, let us also pray for comfort for those who love and miss them. Note: Names of saints will be read only in the morning services.

All Saints' Evensong Service

Next Sunday, 5:00pm in the Columbarium

Next Sunday evening, we will have a special Evensong Service at 5:00pm in the Columbarium. This service will feature scripture, prayer, meditation, and music accompanied by a string quartet. We will remember loved ones in prayer and thanksgiving.

Winter Warmth 2023

Volunteers Needed

We're in need of volunteers to be part of FPC’s largest annual mission project, Winter Warmth, where we distribute brand-new coats to children in need across Spartanburg County.

Volunteer jobs include helping with set-up, check-in, parking lot attendees, translators, and shoppers.

Winter Warmth will take place on November 11th this year. If you're interested in volunteering, please click the button below to sign up!

Children's Gloves & Hats Needed

for Winter Warmth

Our Winter Warmth mission is in need of children's winter gloves and hats for their distribution day on Saturday, November 11.

In the weeks leading up to Winter Warmth, bring your donations to Sunday School, and our fifth graders will come by and pick them up! Donations can also be dropped off in Kara Clark's box or office.

Wednesdays at First

Good Food & Fellowship!

Come enjoy good food and fellowship time at WAF. Reservations are required for dinner. 

Click the button below to make your dinner reservation before 4:00pm Monday.

Covenant Connections

Fall WAF Program | 6:15-7:00pm in Fogartie Hall

We tend to hear the story of the Bible in a piecemeal fashion – a story about Paul in Sunday School, a story about Moses in a sermon, a story about Abraham in a Bible study, and then a story about Jesus in a devotional. But how do all those stories fit together?

This fall at Wednesdays at First, we will be exploring how these individual stories connect into a single narrative timeline that enriches our understanding of each of those stories, and allows us to see beyond the trees of individual disconnected stories to the great forest of God’s redemptive work in history.

Recognition of Veterans

Sunday, November 12

In honor of Veterans Day, on Sunday, November 12, we will recognize current church members who have served OR are currently serving in the military.

Please submit church members’ names and branch of military service by Monday, November 6 to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 208-2132).

J.O.Y. Fellowship Friendsgiving

Monday, November 20

The J.O.Y. (Just Older Youth) Fellowship invites you to their Friendsgiving Lunch on November 20, 12:00pm in Fogartie Hall. Bring their favorite dish, salad, or dessert for this churchwide potluck celebration!

Click the button below to register by November 17!

The Stories That Shape Us

During October, we invite all of you to share your favorite Bible story from the Old or New Testament and what that story has meant to you. A selection of the submitted stories will be shared (with your permission) as part of our 2023 Advent Devotion Book: The Stories that Shape Us.

Each submission should include:

• The scripture citation for the story (e.g. Luke 2:1-20).
• A reflection of around 250-400 words about why this story is important to you. You might reflect on how you relate to the story, how it challenges or comforts you, how it inspires you, or how it tells you something about who you are and who God is. You don’t need to tell the story. The Bible reading can do that. Tell why that story is important to you.
• A short prayer (2-5 sentences).
• A couple of sentences about who you are.

Go to fpcspartanburg.org/stories to submit your story. Please contact Craig Foster (cfoster@fpcspartanburg.org) if you have any questions, or if you would like to submit your story in another way. Each story and reflection should be submitted by November 1, so don’t delay!

Basketball Coaches Needed

We're in need of coaches for the 2023 Church Basketball Season! Adults of all ages are invited to help coach these wonderful young athletes!

Interested? Contact Recreation Director Colleen Darrall (cdarrall@fpcspartanburg.org)

Blood Drive

Sunday, November 5

Our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, November 5, 8:00am-1:00pm. A charitable donation of $25 will be made to the church for each donation of blood. Plus, each donor will receive $25 in rewards, redeemable for eGift cards in the Blood Connection online store!

Click the button below, and use the sponsor code 9BBW to register.

Those who have donated blood after Friday, September 8, 2023 will not be able to participate.

WAF Volunteers Needed

Wednesdays at First is back, and we need volunteers! Jobs include: Registration, desserts, serving/prep, kids table, dish washers, and breakdown.

If you're willing to help with any of these tasks, on any week of WAF, please click the button below to sign up. We appreciate your help in serving on our WAF Staff!

Hospitality Golf Carts

Drivers Needed

Our hospitality golf carts are driving toward a return to First Pres! We are excited to announce that you will soon be seeing golf carts in and around the parking lots on Sunday mornings. This service, which was suspended during the pandemic, will be offered again starting this Fall and is available to any and all members who’d like a ride from their car to the 11:00 worship service. Lots of little people to wrangle? Had a recent surgery? Feeling extra tired? We want you to catch a ride!

But FIRST, we need volunteer drivers! We are looking for 8-10 men and women, ages 25+, to drive the golf carts. With this number of volunteers, we expect each driver to be assigned a Sunday no more than once every two months. All drivers will go through a background check for insurance purposes and will be trained and oriented on driving and storing the golf cart.

Click the button below to volunteer for this easy, fun way to get involved!

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. 

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.

Fall Focus: "This Is Our Story"

Continues this Sunday

First Presbyterian is embarking on a season of storytelling with a church-wide focus this Fall that we are calling: “This Is Our Story.” Through worship, study, and mission, we will explore the different ways that our individual and collective stories tell the Story of God’s redemptive love at work all around us. We hope you will join us as together we bear witness to the good news that God’s story is very much still being written.

Pastor Joanne's Books

In preparing for retirement, Pastor Joanne has many extra books that she does not have room for at her home. You are invited to come look at them and you are free to take some with you. There are commentaries, theology books, church life books and others. 

Help Pastor Joanne clear her shelves by the end of October and avoid the recycle bin for some good books! Anything in her office on the single or double shelving units are available. (Please leave anything on the desk or behind the desk on shelves alone.)

Now Accepting Venmo

for Donations/Contributions

We are now accepting Venmo as a payment method for donations and financial contributions.

The QR code can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/give/ways-to-give, or you can find us on Venmo at @FPCSpartanburg.

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.