Homecoming - Rejoicing in Our Story

Sunday, April 30

On Sunday, April 30, we will worship together as a church family at 11:00am. Special Guests: Dr. Todd B. Jones; Dr. David A. Renwick; Dr. Thomas E. Evans.

Schedule:

9:45am - Panel with Former Pastors

11:00am - Worship

12:00pm - Lunch on the Lawn

The Church will provide the fried chicken, bread, and beverages; we are asking you to fill in with the following:

If your last name begins with A-M, please bring a Side Dish – enough for at least 8-10 people.

If your last name begins with N-Z, please bring a Dessert – enough for at least 8-10 people.

Please bring your dish – in a disposable pan or tray. Hot sides must be in aluminum. Drop off your dish before worship on Sunday, April 30: 8:30-10:30am - under the tent on Chestnut Street.

Chestnut Street will be blocked off from Main Street to the FLC Parking Lot (you may enter from Kennedy Street). 

Homecoming Merch Store

Get Ready for Homecoming! Proudly show off your FPC Merchandise! Click the button below to see what we have in “store”. Once you submit the form, your items will be available for pickup by noon on the next business day. All proceeds will be used to support our Homecoming Event on April 30!

Memories from Former Pastors

In honor of Homecoming, we asked some of our former pastors: "What is your favorite memory of First Presbyterian Church?"

Every Friday leading up to Homecoming, we will be sharing their responses on social media. This week, we hear from Tom Evans, our pastor from 2012 to 2020. You can view his response on Facebook and Instagram.

Be sure to catch Tom Evans, David Renwick, and Todd Jones for a special Sunday School on April 30 in Fogartie Hall!

The Great Presbyterian Picture Push

Continues Wednesday, April 19

We are updating church member photos in our Online Pictorial Directory – “Shelby”. Our goal is to get a recent picture of every member in Shelby by mid-April. On Wednesday evening, we will have a photo station set up in the FLC Lobby for us to take pictures of you and/or your family. No need to dress up – come as you are! Additional photo times can be found by clicking here.

Already have a great family photo? Feel free to submit your photo online HERE. 

Welcome Class

Sunday, April 16

On Sunday, April 16, we will have a special Welcome Class, 12:00-2:00pm in the Large Private Dining Room. Lunch will be included. If you are interested in joining or learning more about First Presbyterian Church, please RSVP to Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2132); this will help us with planning. 

JOY Fellowship Trip

Thursday, April 20

The JOY Fellowship trip to Chimney Rock has reached capacity! Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to sharing our next adventure with you!

Weekday School Fundraiser

Thursday, April 20

Come shop at Armoire on April 20 to support the Weekday School! Armoire, a downtown women and children’s boutique located at 162 E. Main Street, is graciously donating a portion of every purchase to the Weekday School on April 20. Please share the news with your friends! 

Confirmation Sunday

Next week, during the 11:00am worship service, our 9th graders will reaffirm the vows taken at Baptism and will be confirmed for full participation in the mission and governance of the church. Please come and support our 2023 Confirmation Class.

Congregational Meeting

The Session has called a Congregational Meeting, including a meeting of the members of the Corporation (First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, SC), for Sunday, April 23, 2023, at the conclusion of the 11:00am worship in the Sanctuary for the following purposes:

a. To elect the Class of 2025 elders and the chair of the Diaconate to the Board of Trustees of the Corporation: Vic Bailey, IV, Palmer Ball, Gail Ballard, David Beacham, Kathryn Bridges, Charlie Burns, Randall Chambers, Molly Colbath, Bill Cummings, Lynn Edwards, Debbie Kocisko, Kay Maddox, Stephen Parrott, Mary Lorick Thompson, Elizabeth Young, and Cheryl Lang.

b. To ratify the actions taken at the January annual meeting: election of the CNC and changes in terms of call for the installed pastors.

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.

Rev. Joanne Hull Retirement

On Sunday, April 2, Rev. Joanne Hull announced her plans to retire at the end of 2023. We are so grateful for Joanne and excited for this upcoming chapter in her life! Thankfully, we have plenty of time to express our love and gratitude to her and Eddie over the coming months. Stay tuned for more details. You can read Joanne's letter to the congregation by clicking here.

Young Adult Fellowship @ FR8YARD

Wednesday, April 26

Come join the Young Adults (20ish-40ish) for a casual get-together at FR8Yard on Wednesday, April 26th. Drop by anytime between 5:30-7:30pm, where we will have the upper deck reserved and have snacks to share. Stay as long as you like! Family Friendly!

Blood Drive

Sunday, June 25

Please mark your calendar for the next blood drive that is scheduled for Sunday, June 25, 2023. If you donated during the February 12 blood drive, you will be eligible to donate again on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. By using code 9BBW, First Presbyterian Church will be credited with your donation.

To donate during the June 25, 2023 blood drive, please refrain from donating after Friday, April 28, 2023.

Montreat Women's Connection

August 11-13

The Keynoter for the 2023 Montreat Women’s Connection Conference is Kate Bowler. Kate is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and an associate professor of American religious history at Duke University. Other conference leadership includes the Rev. Kathryn Johnston as preacher and Dr. Margaret Aymer as Bible Scholar.

First Presbyterian Church has reserved spaces for 28 women to go to the conference. We have also reserved the entirety of the charming, historic, (and air conditioned!) Glen Rock Inn for our group, right in the heart of Montreat, with ample gathering space for participants to enjoy together. Meals will be in Assembly Inn.

For more information about the conference, visit fpcspartanburg.org/events/montreat-womens-connection. Click the button below to register!

Stickers Available

We have stickers available around the church! It's a square design with a blue background, featuring our church name and cross symbol.

Get yours from the tables outside of Fogartie Hall or the Perrin Room.

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.