Mondays

Women's Ministry Circles

Into the Light: Finding Hope Through the Prayers of Lament
Monthly, September - May
The biblical practice of lament is found throughout scripture but is largely neglected in the church today. This monthly Bible study explores the practice of lament as it is found throughout the Bible and invites us into this practice as we stand with the suffering and lift those sufferings to God, finding hope along the way in the God whose love for us knows no end.

Join a Circle to find a community of women who studies and supports one another thought life's joys and challenges.

• Circle 3 – second Monday of each month at 10:30am in the Parlor
• Circle 9 – Offsite
• Circle 11 – second Monday of each month at 10:30an in the Perrin Room
• Circle 12 – Offsite quarterly

For more information or to join a Circle, please contact Craig Foster.

Second Thoughts About the Second Coming

Mondays at 6pm in the Purnell Room and on Zoom
September 16 - Early December
Led by Craig Foster

OR

Thursdays at Noon in the Purnell Room and on Zoom
September 12 - Early December
Led by Nan and Tom McDaniel and Craig Foster

What happens after we die? What will happen before, during, and after Jesus comes again? It has been so long; do we still even think Jesus is coming back? These questions have perplexed Christians throughout history. The study will explore what the Bible says about these questions and how Christians from various traditions throughout history have approached these questions, and the differences it makes to how we live our lives in the here and now. Our text for this study will be Second Thoughts About the Second Coming: Understanding the End Times, Our Future, and Christian Hope by Ronald J. Allen and Robert D. Cornwall. Let’s explore these important questions together!

Tuesdays

Tickled Pink Women's Study

September 10 – November 5
Tuesdays at 9:15-10:30am in Fogartie Hall
Led by Susan Oldham and Ansley Page

Our fun-loving intergenerational large group gathers for community, Bible study, and joy.  Women of the church are invited to join in the stand-alone lessons, special service projects, and faith friendships that bless the soul.  This fall our theme is Genesis Blessings: As Vast as the Stars,  a Genesis study, reflecting on God’s call and faithfulness to our faith ancestors and us, with insights from Falling Upward by Richard Rohr.  Come for the fun and spiritual boost and leave with a good word and a deeper friendships!

Evening Tickled Pink Women’s Bible Study

September 10 – November 5
Tuesdays at 5:30-6:30pm in the Middle School Room
Led by Susan Oldham and Ansley Page

Women of the church are invited to join in the stand-alone lessons, trusted conversation, and faith friendship making. This fall we will study Genesis Blessings: As Vast as the Stars, a Genesis study, reflecting on God’s call and faithfulness to our faith ancestors and us, with insights from Falling Upward by Richard Rohr. Come for the fun and spiritual boost and leave with a good word and a deeper friendships!

BBC

10:30 am & 7 pm, First Tuesday of each month // The William Arthur Center

Named for its founder Dr. Bill Arthur, this large and enthusiastically devoted group of literature lovers gathers monthly for an insightful analysis of a variety of good reads. Each month focuses on a different book, and all are welcome for refreshments, fellowship, and stimulating discussion.

The Book of Job Bible Study

Tuesdays at 12:30pm in the Purnell Room and on Zoom
September 10 – November 19
Led by Craig Foster

The Book of Job is a bit of enigma. It challenges the easy answers to our hardest questions, giving voice to those questions and various answers in the extended poetic conversation between Job, his friends, and eventually God. This 11-week study will walk through the text of Job and consider what it has to offer as we seek to understand where God is in the midst of human suffering. This will be a hybrid Zoom study, and participants are welcome to join in-person or by Zoom.

Optional Commentary: Job for Everyone by John Goldingay ($14)

Finding Hope in Lament

Third Tuesday of each month, August 20 – April 15
5:30-6:30pm in the Purnell Room
Led by Craig Foster
The biblical practice of lament is found throughout scripture but is largely neglected in the church today. This monthly Bible study explores the practice of lament as it is found throughout the Bible and invites us into this practice as we stand with the suffering and lift those sufferings to God, finding hope along the way in the God whose love for us knows no end. (Note that this study uses the same materials that the Circles will be using this year but is open to everyone. All are welcome, regardless of age or gender!)

Wednesdays

Christians in the Making Women's Study

10:00 am, Wednesdays // Purnell Room
Starting September 11
Led by Jennifer Biber

Join this great group of faithful women as they read, study, and pray through the Bible. This fall, CITM will be studying Eugene Peterson's book Hallelujah Banquet which explores the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. They will not be counting candlesticks and trumpets or identifying the Beast, but will find messages of love and encouragement to Christians facing difficult times.

Wednesday Men's Bible Study

Wednesdays from Noon-1:00pm (year-round)
In the Arthur Center
Led by Kyle Keefer, this faithful group of men takes an in-depth walk through books of the Bible. Bring your Bible and a bite to eat, if you want!

Younger Men's Bible Study

Young Men's Bible Study
Noon-1:00pm (Small Private Dining Room)
Starting September 11
Young men of the church and community are invited to a weekly Bible Study, led by Rev. Alan Dyer. This is a great opportunity for fellowship, prayer, and learning with other men in their 20s/30s/40s. Lunch provided. To get on the text list, please contact Monteigne Campbell ([email protected]).

This fall, we will do a 12-week series on Timothy Keller’s book, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. This study will invite us into scripture-based conversation and learning around the topic of vocation as we consider how God works through and in us in our various professional endeavors. I am going to lead the study but am also going to invite those who participate to take an active role in facilitating our weekly conversations. More on that later.

Wednesdays at First Adult Programming

6:30-7:15pm in the Social Hall
Starting on September 11

Wednesdays at First (WAF) is an intergenerational time of food, fellowship, and learning. After sharing a meal together, adults are invited to the Social Hall for a fall series that centers around the Kingdom of God. Each Wednesday we will learn something about what it means to live in God's kingdom even here and now. We will explore what Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God. On the second Wednesday of each month, starting in October, we will also hear from a different leader from our Spartanburg community in a series we are calling "Spartanburg Now." We are excited to learn more about our community and how we can manifest God's Kingdom in our own community. No registration is needed, though reservations for the meal are expected. Join us as often as you are able!

• Sept. 11   Seeking the Kingdom of God in Our Church and Community
• Sept. 18   Celebrating 80 Years of the WDS
• Sept. 25   Understanding the Kingdom of God
• Oct. 2      Dominican Republic Mission Team
• Oct. 9      Spartanburg Now
• Oct. 16    Understanding the Kingdom of God
• Oct. 23    Understanding the Kingdom of God
• Oct. 30    Trunk & Treat
• Nov. 6     Understanding the Kingdom of God
• Nov. 13   Spartanburg Now
• Nov. 20   Understanding the Kingdom of God
• Nov. 27   NO WAF
• Dec. 4     Advent Family Workshop
• Dec. 11   White Gifts Service

For more information about the WAF meal, and other programming for all ages please visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/waf.

Younger Women’s Bible Study

Wednesday/Thursday in Room F207 (High School Room)
6:30-7:15 pm on Wednesdays
September 25 - November 20
OR
9:15-10:15 am on Thursdays
September 26 - November 21

This fall, we are studying the Gospel of Mark.

Thursdays

Younger Women’s Bible Study

Wednesday/Thursday in Room F207 (High School Room)
6:30-7:15 pm on Wednesdays
September 25 - November 20
OR
9:15-10:15 am on Thursdays
September 26 - November 21

This fall, we are studying the Gospel of Mark.

Second Thoughts About the Second Coming

Mondays at 6pm in the Purnell Room and on Zoom
September 16 - Early December
Led by Craig Foster

OR

Thursdays at Noon in the Purnell Room and on Zoom
September 12 - Early December
Led by Nan and Tom McDaniel and Craig Foster

What happens after we die? What will happen before, during, and after Jesus comes again? It has been so long; do we still even think Jesus is coming back? These questions have perplexed Christians throughout history. The study will explore what the Bible says about these questions and how Christians from various traditions throughout history have approached these questions, and the differences it makes to how we live our lives in the here and now. Our text for this study will be Second Thoughts About the Second Coming: Understanding the End Times, Our Future, and Christian Hope by Ronald J. Allen and Robert D. Cornwall. Let’s explore these important questions together!

Fridays

Early Men’s Bible Study

6:30-7:30am in the Small Private Dining Room
Led by John Verreault, this men's group begins their day studying the Bible and exploring faith together.

Friday Men's Bible Study

7:00-8:00am in the Arthur Center
This Friday Morning Bible Study is a group of men who gather each week to journey through the books of the Bible. And what a journey it is! There is commentary that is interesting (and often humorous) as it is informative. Also, there is fellowship and camaraderie that you wouldn't quite expect at such an early hour. Come and join us for a faith-inspiring time of study and learning.