Weekly eNews
April 21, 2023
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This Sunday, as a church family, we will welcome 28 confirmands into membership in the Church of Jesus Christ. That wasn’t a typo, you read that right – TWENTY-EIGHT! This year’s confirmation class of 9th graders, representing 4 schools, journeyed through the process of questions and reflections of faith. Some have been associated with this church their whole lives and others only recently. No matter when their lives and the life of First Presbyterian became intertwined, God has been present through it all. We give glory to our Creator God for each of these resilient and imaginative youth.
Our model for confirmation changed some this year, going back to a structure that has been utilized before in this church. Instead of covenant family groups, each confirmand was tasked with personally asking an individual in the church to serve as their mentor. The mentors are, like the confirmands, comprised of folks who present a wide spectrum of time associated with First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg. What the mentors each had in common is a desire to walk alongside a confirmand in their faith journey, guiding and nurturing them at each step, and they shared a love for Jesus Christ and his Church. I love this model for our confirmands because it speaks to the broader ministry to youth in our church. As much as our youth need dedicated pastors and youth leaders, the best thing we have to offer them is the entire community. As the Church, we are individually and collectively called to build up and instill the truth of God’s love in our young people. I believe that this church has done and continues to do an excellent job at this work. All our youth want is to be seen and to belong. That’s what the church is for, right?
Confirmation Sunday is also a perfect reminder of the truth that our youth are more than “the future of the church.” Twenty-eight 9th graders take their vows of membership this weekend. These vows and our collective welcoming of this group reassure them and remind us that while our youth represent a hopeful future, they are, at the same time, pivotal to the church today. Again, I say glory to God for this! I pray that we will welcome and celebrate these new members as they wholeheartedly deserve. And more so, may we remember the vows we take at their baptisms – “to promise to guide and nurture by word and deed, with love and prayer. And to encourage them to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of His Church.” We hope to see you at 11am in the sanctuary. Please keep each of our confirmands, their families, and their mentors in your hearts and prayers.
Peace be with you all,
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Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise
Associate Pastor for Youth and Campus Ministries
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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).
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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!
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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 David Renwick, our pastor from 2006 to 2011. 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!
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The Great Presbyterian Picture Push | |
The Great Presbyterian Picture Push
Continues April 30 (Last Day)
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 April 30, 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.
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Confirmation Sunday
This Sunday
This Sunday, 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.
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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 ratify the actions taken at the January annual meeting: election of the CNC and changes in terms of call for the installed pastors.
b. 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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There are many more opportunities for service available in our Ministry Finder. | |
Acts 2 Dinners
Sunday, May 21
You are invited to join a small group of 10-12 church folks for a meal together, so you can have a proper visit rather than a rushed hello. Hopefully, these stand-alone events will promote new connections and deeper friendships.
There will be a lunch group (12:30 - 2:00pm) if that works better for you. For the dinners (5:30 - 7:30pm), you will have the choice to be in an intergenerational (22 y.o. – 102 y.o.) or your “same decade” group. Your host will reach out the week before with their address and the menu, and everyone will bring something for the meal. Open to all. The more the merrier! With your questions, contact Ansley: apage@fpcspartanburg.org. Save your spot by clicking the button below. Reservations are due by noon, Wednesday, May 10.
Day by day . . . they were taking their meals together with gladness and generosity of heart. -Acts 2:46
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Dan Forrest Weekend
May 5-7
Internationally known composer Dan Forrest will be with us the weekend of May 5-7! He will be working with our choirs, accompanying them in worship and speaking at a combined adult Sunday School class. The weekend will conclude with a gala concert featuring Dan’s celebrated Requiem for the Living with our choirs and orchestra.
Click the button below for the full list of events, and to sign up for the Saturday lunch.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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| Sunday | Monday-Thursday | Friday | Saturday | | Closed | 7am-8pm | 7am-2pm | 8am-12pm | | |
Please note: You must bring your church card to have access to the fitness center.
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April 23 Congregational Meeting / Meeting of the Corporation / Confirmation Sunday
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April 30 FPC Homecoming
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May 7 Dan Forrest Gala Concert
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June 5-8 VBS
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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