Welcome Class

November 12

On Sunday, November 12, we will have a special Welcome Class, 12:00-2:00pm in the Large Private Dining Room. Lunch will be provided. Childcare available upon request. 

To register, contact Joanie Shackleton (864-208-2132 / jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org)

Last Time to Talk Retirement!

Monday, November 13

Gather with Pastor Joanne for lunch and reflection on the joys and challenges of retirement. Meet in the Large Private Dining Room at noon on Monday, November 13. The lunch is free, but please let us know you will be attending by clicking the button below.

Intro to Pickleball Class

November 13 & 17

Want to get into Pickleball, but don't know how to play? We have a class for you! Join our Intro to Pickleball Class on Monday, November 13 and Friday, November 17, 12:00-1:00pm on the gym courts. These classes are a great way for brand new players to learn the sport of Pickleball. Players will learn all the basics to be able to play. We will cover unique lingo, score keeping, court position, and the fundamentals of serve, return, and the volley. Pickleball paddles are provided to use during the classes.

Sign up is required, space is limited to 10 spots per class. Contact Colleen Darrall to register today (cdarrall@fpcspartanburg.org).

An Update from Your Associate Pastor Nominating Committee

Your Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) has been meeting weekly since the end of September. After completing the initial steps for an official pastoral search within PCUSA guidelines, we are well underway! Understanding that the best candidates sometimes surface through referrals, the committee welcomes communication from members of the congregation. If you would like to recommend a pastor for consideration, please e-mail Craig Long, Chair, at scraiglong@gmail.com. The committee has also created a webpage for candidates who are seeking more information about our church, the position, Spartanburg, and our committee members. If you would like to share the webpage with anyone who has interest in learning more about the position, please do so by going here: APNC Webpage. 

We appreciate your prayers as we continue this important work, and we look forward to reporting our progress in the near future!

APNC Committee: Craig Long, Chair, Brandt Goodwin, Cheryl Lang, Donna Pulliam, Josh Thompson, Linda West, Elizabeth Young

Wednesdays at First

Good Food & Fellowship!

Come enjoy good food and fellowship time at WAF. Reservations are required for dinner. 

Click the button below to make your dinner reservation before 4:00pm Monday.

Covenant Connections

Fall WAF Program | 6:15-7:00pm in Fogartie Hall

We tend to hear the story of the Bible in a piecemeal fashion – a story about Paul in Sunday School, a story about Moses in a sermon, a story about Abraham in a Bible study, and then a story about Jesus in a devotional. But how do all those stories fit together?

This fall at Wednesdays at First, we will be exploring how these individual stories connect into a single narrative timeline that enriches our understanding of each of those stories, and allows us to see beyond the trees of individual disconnected stories to the great forest of God’s redemptive work in history.

Festival Trumpet Dedication

Sunday, November 19

Next Sunday, November 19, Marcia Andrews will feature the Sanctuary organ’s new Festival Trumpet in a 10 minute mini-recital at 10:50am. This exciting new voice is the product of years of planning and the generous support from many members of our congregation.

FPC Friendsgiving Lunch

Monday, November 20

You are invited to the first ever Friendsgiving lunch on Monday, November 20, 12:00pm in Fogartie Hall. 

Bring your favorite side dish or dessert and we will provide the turkey and dressing!

Sponsored by the JOY Fellowship Committee. 

Click the button below to register by November 17!

URGENT: Basketball Coaches Needed!

November 22

There's an immediate need for two basketball coaches: One for our 5th/6th Grade Boys, and one for our 7th/8th Grade Boys. There will be one practice session and one game per week. Anyone - college age, retired, and in-between - are encouraged to volunteer!

Contact Colleen Darrall (cdarrall@fpcspartanburg.org) if you're willing to fulfill this urgent need!

Holiday Play Date

November 22

Come get some energy out before Thanksgiving Dinner!

Mrs. Colleen will be in the gym on Wednesday, November 22 from 10:00am-noon, running some fun games for kids ages 5K-5th Grade!

Advent Workshop

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers for our Advent Workshop on December 6, 6:15-7:15pm (after WAF dinner). There will be around 12 crafts being done, so we need a number of volunteers to pull it off! No prior prep needed - just arrive at the gym that evening, ready to help!

If you're interested in helping, or have any questions, contact Kara Clark (kclark@fpcspartanburg.org).

Columbarium Memorial Wreaths

Order by December 8

This Advent season, we are offering the opportunity to purchase wreaths in memory of those inurned in the Columbarium.

The cost of a memorial wreath is $35. Memorial names will be listed in the bulletin on Sunday, December 17. The deadline for wreath orders is Friday, December 8.

Click the button below to order yours. For questions, please contact Lynise Clarke at lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org.

Order a Christmas Poinsettia

Order by December 15

Would you like to order poinsettias in memory of or in honor of loved ones? Click the button below to order yours!

The names of those honored/memorialized will be listed in a commemorative booklet. You may also request that an acknowledgement card be sent to the person or family of those being honored/memorialized.

The cost per plant is $25 and must be ordered by Friday, December 15.

You may pick up your plants in Fogartie Hall or the Tower Room any time after the services on Sunday, December 24.

For questions, please contact Lynise Clarke at lclarke@fpcspartanburg.org.

D.R. Mission Trip

February 3-10, 2024

Registration for our Dominican Republic Medical Mission Trip is now open! We are building a team of doctors, dentists, nurses, and just regular people to provide medical, dental services as well as built construction projects and sponsor children in the Solid Rock International schools. The cost is $1700 per person, with a $500 deposit. (Scholarships available - contact Leslie Lang for more info)

To sign up or learn more, click the button below, or visit fpcspartanburg.org/DR.

WAF Volunteers Needed

Wednesdays at First is back, and we need volunteers! Jobs include: Registration, desserts, serving/prep, kids table, dish washers, and breakdown.

If you're willing to help with any of these tasks, on any week of WAF, please click the button below to sign up. We appreciate your help in serving on our WAF Staff!

Hospitality Golf Carts

Drivers Needed

Our hospitality golf carts are driving toward a return to First Pres! We are excited to announce that you will soon be seeing golf carts in and around the parking lots on Sunday mornings. This service, which was suspended during the pandemic, will be offered again starting this Fall and is available to any and all members who’d like a ride from their car to the 11:00 worship service. Lots of little people to wrangle? Had a recent surgery? Feeling extra tired? We want you to catch a ride!

But FIRST, we need volunteer drivers! We are looking for 8-10 men and women, ages 25+, to drive the golf carts. With this number of volunteers, we expect each driver to be assigned a Sunday no more than once every two months. All drivers will go through a background check for insurance purposes and will be trained and oriented on driving and storing the golf cart.

Click the button below to volunteer for this easy, fun way to get involved!

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. 

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.

Fall Focus: "This Is Our Story"

Continues this Sunday

First Presbyterian is embarking on a season of storytelling with a church-wide focus this Fall that we are calling: “This Is Our Story.” Through worship, study, and mission, we will explore the different ways that our individual and collective stories tell the Story of God’s redemptive love at work all around us. We hope you will join us as together we bear witness to the good news that God’s story is very much still being written.

Pastor Joanne's Books

In preparing for retirement, Pastor Joanne has many extra books that she does not have room for at her home. You are invited to come look at them and you are free to take some with you. There are commentaries, theology books, church life books and others. 

Help Pastor Joanne clear her shelves by the end of October and avoid the recycle bin for some good books! Anything in her office on the single or double shelving units are available. (Please leave anything on the desk or behind the desk on shelves alone.)

Now Accepting Venmo

for Donations/Contributions

We are now accepting Venmo as a payment method for donations and financial contributions.

The QR code can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/give/ways-to-give, or you can find us on Venmo at @FPCSpartanburg.

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.