Weekly eNews
February 23, 2024
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This Sunday is Witness Season Sunday. This year’s Witness Season is supporting The Bethlehem Center, which is a hub of positive activity in Spartanburg’s Highland neighborhood. With your support we are helping to fund the construction of an outdoor play space with a natural playground. This effort will help to foster learning and imagination, promote social and emotional growth, and provide creative engagement as well as more accessible green space for our neighbors in Highland.
A big thank you to everyone who has already made a gift towards this effort. Please know that it is not too late to support Witness Season. You can either make a gift online or put one in the offering plate this Sunday. Our goal is to raise $40,000. I also encourage you to join us for our combined Sunday school class in Fogartie Hall at 10:00am this Sunday where we will hear from Patrena Mims, Executive Director of The Bethlehem Center.
Finally, we are off and running in the Season of Lent. We are spending these forty days leading up to Holy Week focusing on the question: “Why Jesus?” This series is following a book of the same title written by Rev. Dr. Will Willimon, who taught a packed house at our Wednesday night program earlier this week – click here to watch a recording – and will be back with us preaching and teaching on March 10. The Lenten Season is a wonderful time to bring yourself and invite others to join you at church as we seek to better understand who Jesus is, and in so doing, begin to learn why following him is the only way to discover the true meaning and purpose of our own lives.
Blessings to you all. See you at church. All are welcome.
Peace,
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Rev. Alan F. Dyer
Senior Pastor
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Click above to watch a video showcasing our Witness Season project! | |
Sunday Night Youth
in the Family Life Center
5:30pm - Middle School Youth
6:30pm - High School Youth
All Youth will meet in the Family Life Center.
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Witness Season Sunday
and Combined Sunday School
This Sunday is Witness Season Sunday! We invite you to bring your gift to help build an Outdoor Learning Lab at The Bethlehem Center in a designated Witness Season envelope or a check marked "Witness Season" or you may give online any time.
We will also have a special combined Adult Sunday School class with Patrena Mims, Executive Director of The Bethlehem Center. Be sure to join us at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall as we hear even more about their incredible ministry!
For more information about this year's Witness Season project, visit fpcspartanburg.org/witnessseason. We can't wait to see you Sunday!
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Art Supplies & Snack Drive
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.
Suggested donations include:
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ARTS/CRAFTS: Play-Doh, markers, paint, glue, etc.
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SNACKS: chips, crackers, cereal, juice boxes, etc.
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BOOKS: 5th Grade is also working on a special service project of a "Free Little Library" to go in the garden, so if you have any children/YA books (new or gently used), feel free to drop those off, as well!
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
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Why Jesus?
A Lent Sermon Series
Lent is a time each year for prayer, fasting and self-examination as we follow Jesus towards the cross and empty tomb. But when was the last time we asked ourselves whether or not we truly knew just who it is we are following?! Are we actually ready to walk in the footsteps of someone who invites us to find our lives by giving our lives away in service to God and others?
Our Lenten Sermon Series is an invitation to better understand who Jesus is, and in so doing, begin to learn why following him is the only way to discover the true meaning and purpose of our own lives.
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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. Scholarships are also available.
For complete information and to register by March 15, visit fpcspartanburg.org/retreat.
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Meet Our New Hospitality Team!
Early this year, Pano Stathakis, our Director of Hospitality, requested a reduction of his hours to allow him to spend more time with his family. Beginning on March 1, Pano will transition into a newly created, part-time Kitchen Assistant role, working 25 hours per week. This change will allow us to further expand our Hospitality Ministry at FPC while also ensuring that Pano continues to be a part of our staff and WAF/hospitality ministry family.
With Pano’s endorsement, Jane Mullins has agreed to step in as the Interim Director of Hospitality. Jane began this position on Monday and will continue to serve until a search for a new Director of Hospitality is commenced later this year.
Please keep Pano and Jane – as well as our future Director – in your prayers as we continue to grow our Hospitality Ministry at First Presbyterian Church.
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Discover FPC
Discover FPC is an opportunity for you to learn more about Presbyterianism as well as explore the life and ministry of First Presbyterian Church: who we are, how we are organized and how you can be a part. We are a church seeking to live out our faith in Jesus Christ!
When are the classes? What can I expect?
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February 25 at 10:00am (Purnell Room) - Discover more about the values, mission, and opportunities at FPC.
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March 3 at 9:45am (Large Private Dining Room) - Enjoy a light breakfast, complete your membership with Session, and take a tour of church facilities.
Click here to learn more. You can RSVP to Cathy Bagwell at cbagwell@fpcspartanburg.org.
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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.
Pastor Alan will continue the Why Jesus? study for our after-dinner programming.
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Will Willimon at FPC
Sunday, March 10
Throughout Lent, we will be embarking on a sermon series called Why Jesus?, based on the book of the same title by leading pastor, author, professor, and UMC bishop Will Willimon.
On Sunday, March 10, Will Willimon will be with us again as our special guest preacher for our 9:00am & 11:00am Worship Services, as well as Sunday School.
We are also studying Why Jesus? on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon in the Purnell Room and via Zoom. We encourage you to join us!
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Easter Eggs Needed
by March 17
Bring on the eggs! Our Children's Ministry is in need of pre-filled plastic eggs for their Easter Egg Hunt on March 20! Eggs can be filled with stickers, small toys, or candy.
Drop your egg donations off at the church office, or to Kara Clark by March 17.
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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.
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FPC Columbarium on Chronicle
First Presbyterian Church is the only columbarium on Chronicle, an innovative online tool that provides up-to-date information on our available, reserved, and occupied niches. The interactive map allows you to visualize the Columbarium in a unique way.
Memorials for those who are already inurned can be purchased and placed on our Chronicle site for all to view. A portion of your memorial purchase will directly benefit the church.
For more information, click the button below.
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Lent Devotional Signups
For this year's Lent Devotional, we will be navigating The Presbyterian Outlook's Local Pilgrim: A Wandering, Wondering Daily Devotional.
The devotional books will be available throughout the church. You can also click the button below to receive email devotionals throughout the season of Lent!
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Processing Fees on Contribution Statements
Some of you may have noticed Processing Fees on your contribution statement. These are fees that you paid the church to help cover credit card fees (Thank you!). Since you chose to include these fees in your payment, they are considered a contribution to the church.
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Stock Contributions
By giving appreciated stock to the church for your pledge, you can receive a tax advantage.
Please notify Lynise Clarke in the church financial office at the time you notify your broker with the following information:
- Name of your broker and the stock that is involved.
- Year (or years) in which to apply your gift and/or whether any special funds are involved.
Please allow 1-2 weeks for completion of any stock transactions.
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Church Opportunities
- Sunday Morning Greeters
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Sunday School Greeter (9:30-9:55am in Fogartie Hall)
- Sanctuary Greeters (10:30-11:00am in the Sanctuary)
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February 25 - Witness Season Sunday
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March 13 - Children's Choir Concert
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March 24 - Palm Sunday
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March 28 - Maundy Thursday
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March 29 - Good Friday
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March 31 - Easter
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April 13 - Churchwide Day of Service
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April 21 - Confirmation Sunday
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May 2 - Chamber Singers Concert
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May 3-5 - Congregational Retreat in Montreat
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June 3-6 - Vacation Bible School
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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