Father's Day

This Sunday is a day when we honor fathers and celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Father’s Day was inaugurated in the United States in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day. As we remember our earthly fathers, let us also give thanks to our Heavenly Father - for we are all children of God!

Godspeed Sunday School

Continues this Sunday

This summer, through our joint Adult Sunday School class and worship, we will slow down to explore the kind of life and relationships into which God invites us. Join us for this study entitled Godspeed written by Julie and Matt Canlis and featuring videos from N.T. Wright, Eugene Peterson, and others.

Gather in Fogartie Hall at 10:00am each Sunday in June and July (not meeting July 2) as your pastors lead us in seeking to “slow down in order to catch up with God.” Come as often as you are able!

We also encourage you to click the button below to receive weekly updates and discussion questions regarding our Godspeed study.

C.A.S.T. Camp

(Care, Accept, Share, Teach)

C.A.S.T. is a ministry of First Presbyterian that serves children who have/are experiencing homelessness. During the past eight years, 147 children have been served, 105 children have attended camps, 51 families have participated, and 20 families have secured permanent housing.

The first week of camp will be this week (June 19-22) from 9am-1pm, with two more camps July 17-20 and August 7-10. Please pray for the volunteers and the families participating! If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Gloria Close (864-431-1367 or closely@bellsouth.net) 

Wired Wednesdays

Continues This Week

Join us for a caffeinated boost and great company! The Young Adult Committee will be at Fretwell for "Wired Wednesdays" every Wednesday morning in June and July, 9:30-10:30am(-ish). We invite you to join us for some quality time and conversation! Fretwell is kid-friendly, so bring your little ones to play while you catch up with others. For all teachers and school staff: Take a break from summer break and join us for a latte among friends!

Know someone aged 20ish-40ish who'd enjoy this? Spread the word to friends and family, church members or not! We can't wait to catch up over a cup of coffee. ☕

Montreat Play Dates

June 24 & July 15, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Rising 4k through rising 6th graders - don’t miss this special playtime in the beautiful mountains of Montreat. Come on June 24, July 15, or BOTH! Parents: Drop your kid(s) off and then sit on a porch, go for a hike, shop/eat/ drink in charming downtown Black Mountain, explore Asheville, or anything else you can pack into 5 hours! Children need to bring a packed lunch, water bottle, bathing suit, towel, sunscreen (already applied is best), closed-toed shoes for the creek, and a change of clothes.

The Play Dates are free, but please register by clicking the button below:

Blood Drive

Sunday, June 25

Please mark your calendar for the next blood drive that is scheduled for Sunday, June 25, 2023. For every donation, First Presbyterian will receive a $20 charitable donation. PLUS, all donors will receive a $40 e-reward!

Contact Parish Nurse Beth Cecil (bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org or 208-2136) to register and schedule a time to donate.

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

Summer Sizzle: Undies and Sundays

Sunday, June 25 | Noon in the Social Hall

Your Church Staff’s favorite Summer Sizzle! After the 11am Worship Service, bring a new pack of underwear (children’s, men’s, or women’s) to the Social Hall and cool off with Ice Cream Sundaes. The new packs of underwear will be distributed through our Neighborhood Meal Ministry and other local agencies.

C.S. Lewis Summer Book Study

Thursday Mornings, June 1 - July 13

Interested in reading and discussing C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity with a group? Come join us this summer on Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Arthur Center! We will start on June 1 and end July 13.

If you'd like to be added to the email list, please contact Leslie Lang: llang@fpcspartanburg.org 

Younger Women's Summer Study

Monday Evenings in June

We will meet on three Monday evenings (June 5, 12, 26) from 6:00-7:30pm on Donna Pulliam's porch and discussing No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler. If you would like to be added to the email list, please contact Leslie Lang, Donna Pulliam, or Carter Smith. 

Tuesday/Thursday Adult Study

Led by Tom and Nan McDaniel

From June 13 & 15 to 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. 

Summer Women's Bible Study

Wednesdays, June 21 - July 26

Join Ansley Page in the Arthur Center, Wednesdays, June 21 – July 26, 7:00pm for a group study of The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. A comprehensive and easy-to-read walk through the themes of Jesus’s life and ministry. Each week we will open the Bible and talk through what it means for us today. Perfect time to connect with faith sisters and grow in faith! For the novice and the scripturally well-versed.

Mark your calendars, order your book, and RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org.

Book Discussion for Parents

June 19 & July 10, 5:30-6:30pm, Arthur Center

Summer is a great time for reflection and for changing things up. Let’s take the opportunity to join other parents to reflect on today’s kid pressures of performance, comparison, and individuation. Join Ansley for a study of Bags: Helping Your Kids Lighten the Load by Chris Sasser. For the parents of older elementary – college age.

RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org if you are curious or interested.

Calling Readers and Thinkers...

Join Ansley Page for a few summer evenings to discuss No Cure for Being Human (and other truths I need to hear) by Kate Bowler. This church history professor wrestles with cliché and truth as she reflects on the evolution of her faith after her stage 4 cancer diagnosis at 35.

For this study, we will have an afternoon series (Wednesday, June 14 and June 28, 3:00-4:15 pm in the Arthur Center) and an evening series (Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, July 18, 5:30-6:45 pm in the Arthur Center). 

RSVP to apage@fpcspartanburg.org if you are curious or interested.

Thursday Morning P.A.L. Trail Days

Continues July 6

Bring a buddy, and walk a P.A.L.! Join Recreation Director Colleen Darrall in exploring a new P.A.L. (Play. Advocate. Live Well.) trail on select Thursdays throughout the summer!

The next P.A.L. day will be Thursday, July 6. We will be meeting at 9:30am in the FLC Lobby. Friends and children are welcome to join! Can't make it? Come join us for our final trail day on July 20!

Fellowship on Two Wheels

Thursdays in June

Join Pastor Craig and others for a conversational bike ride down the Mary Black Rail Trail. All ages, abilities, and types of bikes are welcome! We will meet at 6:00pm at the Henry Street trail head, and ride the almost four miles total down and back on the Rail Trail. On the way back, if there are those who want to push a little harder, Craig will take a group around the hills of Duncan Park while the rest of the group proceeds back to the Henry St. parking area. Participants will also learn and practice some basic bike safety skills along the way.

Helmets are required of all riders, and blinky lights are recommended.

Green River Adventure

Saturday, July 8

Take a guide-assisted river trip down a three-mile section of the Lower Green River in Saluda, SC! This easily navigable rapids are perfect for anyone ages 5 and up (no experience needed)!

Pre-registration required. Contact Colleen Darrall to sign up, or if you have any questions!

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.

These Days Devotional

Now Available

The July-September edition of These Days is out now!

Copies are available for pickup throughout the church.

College Graduate Recognition

Send Names by July 10

We would like to recognize our members who have graduated from college or graduate school in the August edition of First News. If you or a member of your family graduated this past winter or spring, please contact Ian Ritchings (iritchings@fpcspartanburg.org) by Monday, July 10 with the Graduate’s Name and the University.

Recommendations for Church Officers

Needed by Friday, July 14

The Congregational Nominating Committee needs your help nominating members of the church to serve as Elders and Deacons. A nomination form can be found HERE. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of FPC, including yourself. To see the list of current church officers on the church website, click HERE.

Order Your Kirkin' Banner

by Friday, July 21

First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin' o' the Tartans Worship Service on October 29, 2023. At 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 through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans.

The construction of the staffs and stands as well as the sewing of the banners will be performed by volunteers, but we need sponsors to help with the cost of purchasing the tartan fabric and materials. The cost of each banner is $150. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your payment no later than Friday, July 21.

Click the button below to order your tartan.

Beware of Imposters!

Don't Fall for Scam Emails!

There are some cyber criminals out there impersonating our ministers and staff members via email. Please be cautious when receiving these emails! Please note that emails from church staff will only come from emails that end in @fpcspartanburg.org, @shelbynextchms.com, or @ccsend.com.

Presbyterian Promise Scholarship

The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment.

For more information visit presby.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/presbyterian-promise/. 

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.