Weekly eNews

April 5, 2024

Dear Church Family,

From Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday and from Good Friday to Easter, we remembered the events of the last week in the life of Jesus. On Easter Sunday we raised the glad shout, “Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.” Now our challenge and our calling is to live an Easter life every day of the year. An Easter life is a resurrected life in which we claim with Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Christ is made visible when we care for one another, serve our community, teach our children and youth, share the faith with others, and worship together. A particular calling is to support the effort to raise up strong leaders, educators, and pastors for the church. We are honored to have the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, the President of Columbia Theological Seminary, with us this Sunday to preach at the 9:00am Contemporary Service and the 11:00am Traditional Service. Also, he will lead a Combined Adult Sunday School class at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall about the seminary’s mission to equip a new generation of church leaders. He will challenge us to join as partners in this calling.

Please see all of the opportunities below to grow in life together as an Easter people.

Blessings,

Dr. Lewis F. Galloway

Interim Associate Pastor to Congregational Care

This Sunday

8:30am - Early Worship Service (Chapel)

9:00am - Contemporary Worship Service (Fogartie Hall)

10:00am - Combined Adult Sunday School (Fogartie Hall)

11:00am - Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Stream our services live on FPCSpartanburg.org/worship, YouTube, or Facebook.

Want to re-visit sermons on the go? Listen to our Sermoncast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you find your podcasts.

Guest Preacher Victor Aloyo

This Sunday, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo as our guest preacher during our 9:00am Contemporary and 11:00am Traditional Worship Services. He will also lead a Combined Adult Sunday School at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall.

Aloyo currently serves as the eleventh President of Columbia Theological Seminary. Previously, he served as the Associate Dean of Institutional Diversity and Community Engagement at Princeton Theological Seminary and as Organizing/Lead Pastor of Iglesia Presbiteriana Nuevas Fronteras in North Plainfield, NJ.

TOTAL Ministries

Food Drive

Drop off non-perishable donations for TOTAL Ministries before or after service in the marked bins in the Tower Room, Narthex, or the Family Life Center Lobby.

For a list of items needed, visit fpcspartanburg.org/total.

Ways to Connect at FPC

Wednesdays at First

Faith, Food, and Fellowship!

Come enjoy good food and fellowship time. Please sign up for dinner before 4:00pm Monday. Reservations required for dinner.

JOY Fellowship: Hatcher Garden Tour

Thursday, April 18

Join the JOY (Just Older Youth, 55+) Fellowship on Thursday, April 18, for a tour of the beautiful Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve. Boxed lunches will be provided from Blue Moon Specialty Foods.

The cost will be $12 per person. Meet at FLC Lobby at 10:30am and return by 1:00pm. Click below to register by Monday, April 15.

Come Tour the Garden

Young Adult Fiesta Night

Sunday, April 21

Come join us at the Morehead's home for fajitas and festive beverages on Sunday, April 21 starting at 5:30pm. Book a sitter and enjoy a night out! All young adults (22-45ish) are invited!

Click here for more details and to RSVP.

Chamber Singers Concert

Thursday, May 2

The First Presbyterian Church Chamber Singers and Orchestra invite you to join them for their concert titled, "A Day in the Life: Sacred Music Celebrating the Beauty and Wonder of the Everyday."

The program will take place on Thursday, May 2, 7:00pm in the Sanctuary.

We hope to see you there!

Youth Summer Calendar

Summer Kickoff // June 2
Vacation Bible School // June 3-6
High School Mission Trip // June 9-15
Carowinds Day Trip // June 26
Middle School Mission Week // July 8-11
Montreat Youth Conference // July 20-27

VBS Registration

Camp Firelight

It’s time for a summer camp adventure with God! Campers will explore timeless Bible stories that demonstrate how people trusted God in the face of their own fears and went on to do great things in God’s name. Click the button below to register..

If you would like to volunteer for VBS, please reach out to Kara Clark.

Join Camp Firelight!

Children's Montreat Playdates

June 22 & July 20

All rising 4K to rising 6th Graders are invited to summer playdates in beautiful Montreat, NC!

The playdates will take place on June 22 & July 20, 10:00am-3:00pm. We will rock-hop in the creek, play on the playground, eat lunch, and enjoy games in the Youth Center. Cost is $10 per child. Click the button below to sign up today!

Join Our Playdates

Montreat Women's Conference

August 9-11

Women’s Connection 2024 will be a time for women to connect with old and new friends, a time to care for yourself; a time for space and Sabbath. Our hope is you will experience spiritual nourishment, inspiration, and discernment.

This year's keynote speaker is Becca Stevens, a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur and priest, as well as the founder and President of Thistle Farms. She has founded 13 nonprofits and justice enterprises, mentored another 70, and has raised over $75 million to support them. Becca has also authored 12 books with over 300,000 copies sold.

Cost: $425 (includes housing and conference registration)

Visit fpcspartanburg.org/womensconnection to learn more and save your spot!

Service Opportunities

Winter Warmth Donations

Preparations have begun for FPC’s largest annual mission project, Winter Warmth, where we distribute brand-new coats to children in need across Spartanburg County.

In addition to coats, children will also be receiving hats and scarves, handmade by members of the church. That’s where you come in! If you’re able to knit or crochet, we could really use your help in making it happen!

Winter Warmth will take place on October 26 this year. It’s never too early to start! If you have questions, please email them to winterwarmthfpc@gmail.com.

AVL Team

Volunteers Needed

The Audio/Video Team is a way to be involved in worship and special events behind the scenes. We currently need camera operators, and training will be provided! Most A/V team members serve one Sunday per month and an occasional special event such as a WAF program or concert.

Contact Caroline Goodman, Communications Director, at cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org if you are interested in this exciting opportunity!

Church Opportunities

Sunday Morning Greeters

Sunday School Greeter (9:30-9:55am in Fogartie Hall)
Sanctuary Greeters (10:30-11:00am in the Sanctuary)

More opportunities for service are available in our Ministry Finder.

Looking Ahead

April 13 - Churchwide Day of Service
April 21 - Confirmation Sunday
May 2 - Chamber Singers Concert
May 3-5 - Congregational Retreat in Montreat
June 3-6 - Vacation Bible School
June 9 - Acts 2 Lunches & Dinners
June 22 - Children's Montreat Playdate

More activities and events can be found in First News .