J.O.Y. Fellowship Christmas Luncheon

Register by Noon Today!

Join your First Presbyterian friends for food and fellowship in celebration of the season, as well as stories from Dr. Kirk Neely! The J.O.Y. Fellowship will be holding their Christmas Luncheon on Tuesday, December 12 at 11:30am in Fogartie Hall.

Click the button below to save your spot!

Columbarium Memorial Wreaths

Last Day to Order!

This Advent season, we are offering the opportunity to purchase wreaths in memory of those inurned in the Columbarium.

The cost of a memorial wreath is $35. Memorial names will be listed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 17. The deadline for wreath orders is Friday, December 8.

Click the button below to order yours. For questions, please contact Lynise Clarke at lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org.

Early Worship in Sanctuary

This Sunday

This Sunday: The 8:30am Early Worship Service will be taking place in the Sanctuary, instead of the Chapel. To accommodate for the larger space, we encourage you to sit closer to the front during the service.

We look forward to worshipping with you!

High School Youth Christmas Party

This Sunday

This Sunday is the Youth High School Christmas party (6:30-8:00pm) Drop off and pick up from the Family Life Center.

Don’t forget to RSVP to Mrs. Carrie (ccoleman@fpcspartanburg.org).

Do You Hear What I Hear?

An Advent Sermon Series

Down through the ages – from the prophets to the gospel writers – people have heard and told the good news of the Messiah’s birth in slightly different ways. Join us this Advent as we are invited again to listen for where and how God is calling us to tell the story of the incarnation for our world today.

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. This Wednesday will be the last WAF until January 10.

White Gift Service

Wednesday, December 13

Please join us for our annual White Gift Service on Wednesday, December 13, at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. The service features our children's choir, youth orchestra, and handbells presenting The Bells of Christmas and culminates in the giving of gifts, wrapped in white, for local missions.

Visit fpcspartanburg.org/whitegifts for gift ideas! This will also mark the last WAF for December; WAF resumes January 10.

Church Facilities Closed

Thursday, December 14 at 2:00pm

On Thursday, December 14, all Church Facilities will close at 2:00pm for a Staff Christmas Event. Basketball practices will meet, as scheduled.

The Church Offices will reopen at 9:00am on Friday, December 15.

Order a Christmas Poinsettia

by December 15

Would you like to order poinsettias in memory of or in honor of loved ones? Click the button below to order yours!

The names of those honored/memorialized will be listed in a commemorative booklet. You may also request that an acknowledgement card be sent to the person or family of those being honored/memorialized.

The cost per plant is $25 and must be ordered by Friday, December 15.

You may pick up your plants in Fogartie Hall or the Tower Room any time after the 11:00 service on Sunday, December 24.

For questions, please contact Lynise Clarke at lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org.

Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 17

Lessons and Carols will be a part of both Worship Services on December 17.

At the 9:00am Contemporary Service, the Music Team will offer their distinct take on carols of the season, while the 11:00am Traditional Service will feature five lessons from the traditional King’s College liturgy with music led by the Chancel Choir. There will be no 8:30am service that day.

Celebration of the Ministry of Joanne R. Hull

Sunday, December 17

On Sunday, December 17, we will celebrate the 40+ year ministry of The Reverend Joanne Ruth Hull. There will be a special presentation during the 11:00am Traditional Worship Service and, afterward, a time of fellowship in the Social Hall.

Leading up to December 17, we invite you to write words of well wishes, what she’s meant to you, and perhaps some retirement advice. Joanne and Eddie plan to get out of town whenever they can, so travel tips are appreciated!

You may place your cards in the designated baskets located in the Perrin Room, FLC Lobby, and the Tower Room.

Please join us in showing Joanne how much we care for her at First Pres and that our prayers are with her as she navigates through the unknown of retirement life.

Congregational Meeting

Sunday, December 17

Approval of a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 17, 2023, for the purpose of requesting Foothills Presbytery to dissolve the Pastoral Relationship between Rev. Joanne R. Hull and First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, effective December 31, 2023.

Reverse Advent Calendar

Bring Finished Boxes on December 17

We invite you to participate in Reverse Advent. Start with an empty box and, each day, add the designated item in your box. On December 17, bring your full box to the church. All donations will go to TOTAL Ministries. Feel free to decorate your box!

To see the full list of items, go to fpcspartanburg.org/reverseadvent.

Angel Tree Ministry

Gifts Due December 17

As part of our Angel Tree Ministry, First Presbyterian is providing gifts to 124 local children on behalf of an incarcerated parent.

Angel Tree tags are hanging on the small Christmas trees in the Tower Room and in the Family Life Center. Wrapped gifts - with the affixed Angel Tree tags - are due back to the Perrin Room by Sunday, December 17.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to deliver gifts on Saturday, December 23 at 9:00am, contact Brandt Goodwin (brandtgoodwin@gmail.com / 864-542-4764)

Christmas Eve Choir

Open to All!

Anyone high school age and above is warmly invited to be a part of the Christmas Eve Choir, which sings for the 6:00pm and 10:00pm Candlelight Services. Rehearsals are Wednesday, December 20 at 7:00pm and Christmas Eve morning at 9:00am.

Want to sign up, or have questions? Contact Holt Andrews.

Coping with the Holiday Blues

Feeling somewhat blue this Christmas season? Wondering how to cope with the holiday blues? Here are some suggestions from Pastor Joanne and the National Mental Health Association:

• Keep expectations for the holiday season manageable.
• Make a list and prioritize the most important activities. Be realistic about what you can and cannot do.
• Remember that the holiday season does not automatically banish reasons for feeling sad or lonely. There is room for these feelings to be present.
• Let go of the past. Don’t be disappointed if your holidays are not like they used to be. Life brings changes.
• Do something for someone else.
• Enjoy holiday activities that are free, such as driving around to look at Christmas decorations.
• Don’t be afraid to try something new. Celebrate the holidays in a way you have not done before.
• Spend time with people who are supportive and care about you.
• Find time for yourself. Don’t spend all your time providing activities for your family and friends.
• Make time for God with worship and prayer. Attend a church service. 

Consider joining us for the Service of Comfort and Light on Thursday evening at 6:00pm in the Chapel. This service on the longest night of the year might just help you cope better with the holidays, especially if you have lost someone you love, are struggling with personal problems of the past or the present, or are simply not experiencing the joy you think is present all around you.  There will be candle lighting, opportunities to share prayer requests and personally be prayed for by one of the pastors, singing of some music of the season and hearing words of comfort and hope from God’s Word as we reflect on the gift of Jesus our Christ. We hope you will come worship with us and enjoy the warmth of fellowship after the service in the Church parlor. Anyone and everyone is invited.

Give to Hand in Hand

This Advent Season

When you give to Hand in Hand, you provide fundamental essentials to children and families throughout Spartanburg County. This Christmas, give a gift to this ministry in honor of a loved one. Holiday cards are available upon request so you may let the recipient know a gift has been made in their honor.

Please contact Lynn Long at (864) 913-2179 or handinhandspartanburg@gmail.com to give your gift and receive your special Christmas cards.

Ways to Give

We offer a variety of ways to give your financial contributions to the church, including giving through the church website, Venmo, texting, and more!

Visit fpcspartanburg.org/give/ways-to-give to see all the ways you can steward your finances to support the mission of First Presbyterian Church.

Church Opportunities

• Sunday Morning Greeters
• Sunday School Greeter (9:30-9:55am in Fogartie Hall)
• Sanctuary Greeters (10:30-11:00am in the Sanctuary)

• Hospitality Golf Cart Drivers
• 8-10 Volunteers Needed (Men and Women, Ages 25+)
• Volunteers can expect to work no more than once every two months (depending on number of drivers).
• All drivers will go through a background check (for insurance purposes), along with basic golf cart training.

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. 

The Stories That Shape Us

2023 Advent Devotional

The season of Advent is upon us. And with it - a new advent devotional series! The Stories That Shape Us takes us on a journey throughout scripture, sharing the favorite Bible stories from you, the members of First Presbyterian.

Printed booklets are now available at the church. You can also click the button below to sign up for email devotionals throughout this Advent season!