Weekly eNews
July 28, 2023
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This past week I have worshipped, hiked, broke bread, and contemplated God’s grace at the Montreat Youth Conference, alongside 30 high schoolers from FPC. I know many of you have attended this conference as youth, faithfully chaperoned, and served as small group leaders. Our time spent together over 7 days in intentional community is transformative. No doubt there are highs and lows each day. There are certainly times of tension that arise out of lack of sleep or simply being around each other “too much.” But there are also times where we burst in laughter together at the dinner table or are left in awe of a shared experience on the mountaintop. In it all, the Holy Spirit is undeniably present.
The theme for this year’s conference is “In Joy”. Our keynoter noted the opposite of Joy is hopelessness. As we sat in back home group on Tuesday night, a time where we reflect on the day’s theme, I was asked by a youth what anchors my Joy. I sat for a second and kept thinking about the people in my life: my wife, Eliza, my family and my friends. And in that moment, as the youth stared at me, I realized how impactful each of them were in my life. This community of young people are anchors of my Joy. What a blessing to be called to minister to and with the youth of FPC Spartanburg. I am grateful for God’s timing and joy.
Peace be with you,
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Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise
Associate Pastor for Youth and Campus Ministries
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During the month of July we have been worshiping together as a church family with ONE service at 11:00am in the Sanctuary. Each Sunday the music has centered around a different musical genre.
Our final one this Sunday will be Global Music!
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Godspeed Sunday School
Concludes this Sunday
This summer, through our joint Adult Sunday School class and worship, we have slowed down to explore the kind of life and relationships into which God invites us. Join us for the final gathering of our Godspeed study.
We will gather in Fogartie Hall at 10:00am. We also encourage you to click the button below to receive an update and some discussion questions regarding our final Godspeed study session.
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Order Your Kirkin' Banner
by Today, July 28
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 28.
Click the button below to order your tartan.
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Church Family Bingo
Wednesday, August 2 | 5:30pm
Come out and join your church family for dinner and a fun game of bingo in Fogartie Hall! Reservations are required. WAF pricing applies.
Click the button below to make your reservation by Monday, July 31!
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Children's Choirs
Registration Opens August 1
Get ready to get your shine on with this year's Children's Choirs! Kids from 4K to 5th Grade will be the stars of Wednesday evenings as they burst into song!
The children's choir lineup will be different this year, but they'll be shining brighter than ever:
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Joyful Sound (4K) - Taught by Debbie Keiser
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Angel Chatter (5K-Grade 1) - Taught by Martha Bean
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LightShine (Grades 2-5) - Taught by Marcia Andrews & March Moody
Registration opens this Tuesday, August 1. The fun will begin on September 13 at 5:00pm! Click the button below to sign up!
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First Steps in Music
Registration Opens August 1
It's never to early to teach your babies to make a joyful noise for the Lord! Our First Steps in Music program allows newborns through age 3 (and their parents) to experience music and movement together!
Registration opens this Tuesday, August 1. Classes will begin in mid-September. Click the button below to sign up.
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Young Adult Summer Fun!
Sunday, August 6 | 2:00-5:00pm
Come celebrate the end of summer with sweet treats, games, and fun, hosted by Anna Blanton and Jennifer Hoy!
The event is kid-friendly: Arrive in your swimsuits, bring towels, lawn chairs, or blankets! Open to anyone in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Invite a friend!
Please RSVP: Text (864) 435-7825 or email bradleyhoy@gmail.com.
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Book Swap & Coffee Shop
Sunday, August 13
Between and after services on August 13, stop by the Social Hall for coffee, treats and to swap some books for summer reading!
Books can be dropped off at the church office from August 1-10.
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Lemonade on the Lawn
Sunday, August 27
After Traditional Worship on August 27, come out to the front lawn to enjoy lemonade and refreshments as a church family!
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Church Family Trivia Night
Wednesday, August 30 | 5:30pm
Bring your thinking caps and enjoy a dinner & game night for the whole family! Reservations are required. WAF pricing applies.
Click the button below to make your reservation by Monday, August 28!
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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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Tuesday/Thursday Adult Study
Led by Tom and Nan McDaniel
From now until 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.
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Thornwell Tidbits & FPC Lunch
Thornwell provides a variety of opportunities for children to flourish in a safe, stimulating environment. A Child Development Center on Thornwell's campus offers young children fun learning experiences promoting mental, social, and emotional development in age-appropriate environments. Join us for lunch and get more details!
Make reservations for our Thornwell luncheon at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, August 29 at noon. We will meet in the Large Private Dining Room. There is no cost, but we need your reservations. Click the button below to register, or contact Ian Ritchings (iritchings@fpcspartanburg.org / (864) 208-2139) with your name and how many will be attending.
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Weekday School
Substitute Teachers Needed!
The Weekday School at FPC is looking for a few more substitute teachers for the 2023-2024 school year.
If you are interested in being a substitute at our wonderful Weekday School, or know someone who would be great, please contact Kris Graham at (kgraham@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-706-0460).
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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.
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Ferncliff Educational Mission Trip
September 9-16, 2023
Join Foothills Presbytery for an educational mission trip to the Ferncliff Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ferncliff is home to a 10,000 sq ft Disaster Assistance Center, which is in partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Church World Service.
The DAC serves as a site for the CWS Gifts of the Heart kits, as well as the national warehouse for tools and equipment used in the PDA volunteer sites around the country. Along the way, we'll stop in Birmingham Alabama to explore historical aspects of the Civil Rights Movement and attend worship on Sunday.
The cost is $754, includes travel, overnight stay in Birmingham (coming and going), lodging at Ferncliff, all breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners. Some excursions and meals on the road will be an additional expense.
Click here to learn more, and click the button below to register! Registration deadline is August 1.
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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. | |
"This Is My Story"
What's your funniest FPC memory?
On Pentecost, we as a church said thanks to Winnie Walsh for her many years of work as our church archivist. Winnie said that the hardest part of her job was convincing people that they could be part of telling the history of our church. You have stories to tell, and we want to hear them!
In the coming months, we'll be asking you, our church family, to share your favorite FPC stories, under a certain theme.
The first theme: What’s a funny story you have from church? It doesn’t have to be a “laugh-out-loud” story (although it can be), but one that makes you smile. Bears in trees? Crazy things on mission trips? Mishaps in the service or in Sunday School? Fun at church get-togethers? Your favorite joke from one of the sermons?
Submit your story (in as much detail as possible) one of the following ways:
- Email it to archivist@fpcspartanburg.org
- Write it down, label it "archive story," and drop it off in the church office
- Tell it to Cesily or Tom King in person
We look forward to hearing all of your precious church memories!
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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!
All of it is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you find your podcasts.
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Sundays in July - ONE Worship Service @ 11:00am (with a Special Music Focus Each Week)
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August 2 - Dinner and Bingo
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August 13 - Book Swap & Coffee Shop
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August 27 - Lemonade on the Lawn
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August 7-10 - CAST Camp
More activities and events can be found in First News.
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