WEEKLY ENEWS

August 2023

• FPC Weekly eNews - August 25, 2023

  Posted Aug 25, 2023

  The pastoral and program staff have just returned from two days of learning, reflection, and visioning in Montreat, NC. This annual retreat is always a meaningful opportunity for us to briefly unplug from our regular routines and focus on strengthening our relationships as a program staff team. As in past years, this time together was filled with laughter, honest sharing, productive planning, prayer and praise, and much added insight about how we can continue to grow in our individual and collective callings as servant leaders of First Presbyterian. Most importantly though, it was yet another reminder of what a joy it is to be a part of such a faithful, gifted, compassionate, and funny staff. FPC is truly blessed!

  With school back in swing and summer travel slowly winding down, we are now looking ahead to an exciting (and full) Fall around church. As always, you can find details about all the upcoming happenings below. Please make special note that Rally Day is right around the corner on September 10. This is the day when our regular Sunday school offerings – including a new class for parents of youth and college age students – will be relaunching. We will also have a BBQ picnic for all ages in the Family Life Center parking lot after the 11:00am Traditional Service. So if you have been looking to get (re)connected to church, now is a great time!

  Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - August 18, 2023

  Posted Aug 18, 2023

  Did you know that the First Presbyterian Weekday School provides learning, laughter, and love to nearly one hundred students from across our community each school year? This longstanding ministry of the church is gearing up for another semester beginning this coming Monday. Our teachers, pastors, and staff all gathered in the Chapel earlier this week to pray for the year ahead and to ask God’s blessings upon the students who will fill the classrooms and the teachers who will guide them.

  Those prayers extend too to all the teachers and students who have (or soon will) return to school in these weeks. The psalmist writes, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8) We give thanks to God for all the ways God’s instruction and counsel are showered upon us through the love and dedication of educators and those who support them.

  Changing gears to a slightly more somber note, I am sad to report that the main campus of the church was broken into in the early morning hours this past Wednesday. The burglar gained entry by breaking through the window of an exterior door near the pastors' offices. No serious property damage inside or outside the church was incurred, however, the individual did force their way into the church financial office and took a small desktop safe containing loose cash awaiting deposit as well as several checks that had already been scanned and deposited.

  We do not believe any other sensitive information – financial or otherwise – was compromised and those with affected checks have already been notified. That said, if you have made a recent financial contribution(s) to the church by check we encourage you to monitor your bank activity for any potential fraudulent activity. The church’s bank, First Horizon, is also closely monitoring our accounts. We are grateful to our church facilities administrator, Lee Raines, as well as to the City of Spartanburg Police Department for responding to and investigating this incident.

  Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - August 11, 2023

  Posted Aug 11, 2023

  In April, the Rev. Joanne Hull announced her plans to retire from her ministry here at First Presbyterian at the end of this calendar year. Joanne has faithfully and lovingly served as an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for over forty years including as our Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Deacons here at First Presbyterian the past ten years. Thankfully, Joanne’s official last day is still several months away – December 31 – but plans are already in the works for celebrating her years of ministry and offering blessings to her and Eddie as they begin this exciting new season in their lives! Stay tuned for forthcoming details regarding those plans later this fall.

  As Joanne continues to actively serve and lead in her role through the coming months, the Session is simultaneously taking proactive steps to plan for the transition. To that end, the Foothills Presbytery recently approved a request from the Session to form an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) prior to Joanne’s official retirement. This step allows us to begin searching for the person God is calling to follow Joanne in this important position for our church. The women and men who the congregation elects to serve on the APNC will be tasked with prayerfully discerning what gifts, characteristics, and skills we are looking for in our next associate pastor and then conducting the search to find that person.

  Below you will find a link to submit nominations of church members who you feel may be well suited and called to serve on this APNC. All nominations will be given full consideration; however, the Congregational Nominating Committee is especially looking for nominees who have past or present experience serving in the areas of congregational care, older adult ministry, or other Diaconate related ministries. Please note that all nominations need to be submitted prior to Sunday, August 20.

  We will continue to share more details in coming weeks and months as we prepare for this transition. In the meantime, we give thanks to God for Joanne and for the good ministry she continues to nurture in our midst. And speaking of good ministry… as you will see below, lots of things happening and coming up in the life of the church. Be sure to make special note of the Blessing of the Backpacks and Book Swap happening this Sunday, August 13. Hope to see you there!

• FPC Weekly eNews - August 4, 2023

  Posted Aug 04, 2023

  After a delightful month of worshipping together in a single service each week, we return this Sunday to our “normal” – albeit slightly amended – worship schedule. Please make special note that beginning this Sunday, August 6 early worship will be at 8:30am in the Chapel, contemporary worship at 9:00am in Fogartie Hall, and traditional worship at 11:00am in the Sanctuary.

  We also will begin a new sermon series on the Book of Romans that we are calling “Heart of the Matter”. Together, in both worship and the joint Sunday school class, we will spend the next four weeks seeking to know the Apostle Paul better and to understand how his ancient letter to the church in Rome continues to shape our faith in Christ today.

  As always, you will find listed below there is much happening in the life and faith of First Presbyterian. If you have been feeling a bit dis-connected in all of the travel and lack of routine that summer sometimes brings, I hope that August might be a month for re-connecting with God and with your church family.

  Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - July 28, 2023

  Posted Jul 28, 2023

  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.

• FPC Weekly eNews - July 21, 2023

  Posted Jul 21, 2023

  For those of you who didn’t already know this about me, one of my favorite parts of being a pastor is having the opportunity to serve Holy Communion. I grew up Catholic for the first eighteen years of my life where I was taught that the table was only open to practicing Catholics, so I was particularly drawn to the beauty of Presbyterian theology that believes in an open table. On Maundy Thursday this year, we served Communion to our friends at the Neighborhood Meal Ministry. It was so well received that many asked if we could offer this sacrament more often, so now we are going to celebrate it every quarter. This past Thursday, Alan and I served communion again to our neighbors there, and I was struck once more by just how powerful this meal can be. At the Lord’s Table, we truly see a glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven, where all that divides us here on earth (age, race, socioeconomic status, etc.) fades away, and every single person hears the same reassurance: “Christ died for you.” What a beautiful reminder of exactly what the Church is called to do-- to Glorify God and share Christ together through word and deed.

• FPC Weekly eNews - July 14, 2023

  Posted Jul 14, 2023

  As we near the midway point in the month of July, I want to share with you upcoming improvements to our Sunday morning worship schedule. Throughout the winter and spring a Task Force of the Session set out to visit peer congregations in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Columbia to see how they organize their Sunday morning worship services with a special focus on their contemporary worship offerings. The primary goal was to identify areas to further strengthen our MorningSong service and better coordinate it with FPC’s other worship offerings.

  From that work have come several key recommendations involving the leadership, planning, and branding for our contemporary worship service. You can read a summary of the Task Force’s report by clicking here. The most visible difference though involves our church-wide Sunday morning schedule. Specifically, beginning Sunday, August 6, we will shift to a slightly modified worship schedule:

  • Early Worship in Chapel @ 8:30am
  • Contemporary Worship in Fogartie Hall @ 9:00am
  • Sunday School @ 10:00am (Gathering Time at 9:45am)
  • Traditional Worship in Sanctuary @ 11:00am

  A key benefit of this schedule change is that it will allow us, on most Sundays, to have one preacher preach in-person across all three services resulting in a consistent message and more cohesive worship experience for the entire congregation. I am excited about these upcoming changes and grateful for the work of the Task Force in carefully studying and developing their recommendations.

  Friends, there is so much happening in the life and ministry of First Presbyterian. Our July worship services are off to a spectacular start with wonderful music and an exciting buzz in the air each Sunday as we gather for one service together. As always, I encourage you to check out all the opportunities for mission, faith formation, and fellowship that are happening in our midst. Know that every opportunity is open to every person!

• FPC Weekly eNews - July 7, 2023

  Posted Jul 07, 2023

  Summer always seems to send and pull all of us in so many different directions. Between holidays, vacation, house guests, camps, mission trips, and work, it is sometimes easy to lose track of which way is up. If this is how you are feeling during these hot July days, might I make a suggestion? Come to church. Let the worship, prayer, and Christian fellowship happening here be and/or become a grounding place for you – a calm in the midst of the chaos, a center in the midst of all life’s push and pull.

  To that end, we continue our summer series focusing on Godspeed this Sunday. I hope you will join us for our joint Sunday school class at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall followed by one worship at 11:00am in the Sanctuary. Our worship this week will also be featuring jazz music by John Moody and friends – not to be missed! You can find a list below of the other musical genres that will help lead us in worship in coming weeks, along with details on the many other opportunities happening for fellowship, study, and mission happening here at FPC.

  Blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - June 30, 2023

  Posted Jun 30, 2023

  When it comes to church polity and governance, a close mentor and friend in ministry of mine is always fond of saying, “No lone rangers allowed.” Indeed, Presbyterians have always placed a high priority on empowering groups over individuals when it comes to decision making. This aspect of our theological makeup tends to make us the butt of many jokes – e.g., How many Presbyterians does it take to change a light bulb?* – but it also highlights why we pour so much energy into discerning and calling church officers.

  This annual process is now getting underway with the leadership of our Congregational Nominating Committee (CNC). The CNC’s task is to prayerfully consider the names of women and men who God may be calling to serve as Deacons and Elders of First Presbyterian. To do that work well, however, we need the input and wisdom of the congregation. You can find more detailed information about each of these roles and nominate an individual(s) by clicking here. The CNC will include all submitted names in their discernment process as they go about selecting the final slate of nominees who will be presented for congregational approval in September.

  As we move into July, please remember that throughout this month there is only one worship service at 11:00am each Sunday of this month. We will still gather for Sunday School at 10:00am in Fogartie Hall, except for this Sunday, July 2. See below for more details on Worship in July, as well as information about the special music that will be featured each week.

  Happy July 4^th to you all (albeit a little early)! See you Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - June 23, 2023

  Posted Jun 23, 2023

  Last week, the Dyer Family ventured down to the South Carolina coast, enjoying a few days of vacation at Edisto Beach. We had heard that as far as beach towns go, Edisto was about as quiet and low key as they come (“Edislowww,” as one person put it) – and boy did it live up to its reputation! It was a perfect week of beach, ping pong, porch sitting, and exploring God’s beautiful creation.

  As it happens, it was also a beautiful opportunity to lean a little further into our summer theme here at First Presbyterian of going Godspeed. Namely, finding moments – whether on vacation, at work, or at home – where we might slow down and be more fully present to who and whose we are. We are off to a great start exploring this theme in our summer Sunday school series happening in Fogartie Hall each week at 10am. Hope you will join us! You can also sign up by clicking here to receive a weekly email with a recap and self-study resources after each lesson.

  Looking ahead to July we are going to go one step further in the “practice what you preach” department by moving to a single service at 11A each Sunday. Throughout that month we will continue to have Sunday school each week (except for July 2) in Fogartie Hall followed by a single worship service that will include a special musical focus. You can find more details on our July worship plans below.

  Blessings to you all in these summer days. I pray that each of you are finding opportunities big and small to share the gift of Godspeed with yourselves and with others. Please remember that this Sunday morning is our summer Blood Drive as well as our second Summer Sizzle – Undies and Sundaes* – in the Social Hall after our 11:00am Worship Service. Hope to see you there. Invite a friend!

• FPC Weekly eNews - June 16, 2023

  Posted Jun 16, 2023

  Happy Father’s Day to the fathers and father figures out there! I hope that you all get to celebrate, and let us all hold in our love and prayers those for whom Father’s Day is difficult or painful.

  This Sunday we continue with Week 3 of our Godspell Sunday School and sermon series, this time exploring the theme of “presence” and we will ponder together the difference between having a place to live and choosing to truly live in that place. Even if you have not participated in previous sessions, join us this Sunday at 10am in Fogartie Hall as we continue to explore how to intentionally move at God’s speed in our life and relationships. If you haven’t watched it yet (regardless of whether you are joining in the study and sermon series), the 36-minute film at www.livegodspeed.org is well worth your time. And if you want more content related to Godspeed, be sure to sign up by clicking here.

• FPC Weekly eNews - June 9, 2023

  Posted Jun 09, 2023

  It has been a wonderful week of Vacation Bible School here at FPC. From Monday to Thursday our campus was teeming with laughter, play, dance, and learning as nearly 150 children gather under the theme of “Hero Hotline.” In my experience, VBS is always one of the most fun weeks each year in the life of the church and this year was certainly no exception! A very special thank you to all the volunteers and staff who worked so hard to plan and lead this year’s VBS – well done!

  Looking ahead, our worship and Sunday school throughout June and July is focusing on what it means to slow down and go Godspeed. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this series is inspired and guided by a video that I came across several years ago put together by an American pastor who was serving a small Church of Scotland parish in Methlick, Scotland. You can watch that video by clicking here. In the weeks ahead we will dig deeper to explore how the pace at which we live informs how and where we see God at work in our church, community, and lives.

  Finally, please remember that our Sunday schedule has not changed during the month of June. Chapel and MorningSong worship happen at 8:45am, joint Sunday school at 10am in Fogartie Hall, and Sanctuary worship at 11am.

  Blessings to you all. See you Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - June 2, 2023

  Posted Jun 02, 2023

  This week’s eNews is chock full of new opportunities for the summer! Whether you are looking for study, fellowship, or adventure, there is something for everyone. There are summer studies during Sunday School and during the week – morning and evening. There are excursions to be out in nature by foot, bike, zipline, and boat. There are opportunities to give of yourself and serve. So join us each Sunday morning for “Godspeed,” join us each Thursday to walk and to bike, join us throughout the week to explore faith with your church family, and join in the special events to explore the beauty and fun of God’s creation. Try something new with FPC this summer!

  Please note that our Sunday schedule will not change during the month of June. So please come at the times you have been coming during the school year: 8:45, 10:00, and 11:00.

• FPC Weekly eNews - May 26, 2023

  Posted May 26, 2023

  This week marks the end of the school year in the Dyer House which can only mean one thing: summer is here! For many of us the next few months will be full of activity, travel, pool time, hot temperatures, and (hopefully) a little rest. Amid all of that though, I hope that you will continue to find ways to connect with your church family by joining us for any of the myriad ministry opportunities that are on the horizon here at FPC.

  I am especially excited for our upcoming Godspeed series that will be happening in June and July. Our worship and Sunday school during those months will focus on striving to understand better what it means to slow down and go Godspeed. This series is inspired and guided by a video that I came across several years ago put together by an American pastor who was serving a small Church of Scotland parish in Methlick, Scotland. We will watch this video during our first joint Sunday school class on June 4, but you are welcome to take a sneak peek by clicking here.

  Also, don’t forget that this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. In addition to marking the birth of the church as told in the Book of Acts, we will also recognize a very special servant leader in our congregation as part of our worship. For several decades now, Winnie Walsh has faithfully served as the official historian and archivist of First Presbyterian. As she now steps back from that role we will take an opportunity to say thank you to her for her years of dedicated and immensely effective service.

• FPC Weekly eNews - May 19, 2023

  Posted May 19, 2023

  This weekend is yet another exciting Sunday in the life of our church and community. At our 11 o'clock service we will be recognizing our High School seniors, celebrating their accomplishments and blessing their journeys into the next chapter of life. I hope that you will join us this Baccalaureate Sunday and reflect on that time in your own life. The days, months, and possibly years after finishing high school are often a sacred, liminal space. There's so much potential and excitement, but those feelings are regularly accompanied by anxiety and uncertainty. Even as our seniors prepare to take this next step in their lives, we, as the church are called to remain true to the vows taken at baptism. We must continue to nurture their faith, be a supportive community of love, and most importantly PRAY, PRAY, PRAY for this wonderful group of young people. Join us this Sunday for worship and then commune on the Church lawn after the 11 o'clock service for a reception for our high school seniors. See you there!

• FPC Weekly eNews - May 12, 2023

  Posted May 12, 2023

  This Sunday, May 14 is Mother’s Day. For some this is a day of great celebration. For others it is one of mixed emotions and even sadness. There is a Presbyterian pastor named Rev. Marci Glass who wrote a prayer for Mother’s Day several years ago that has stuck with me. The prayer is based in part on her own experience of being adopted as a child as well as an adult who later placed her own child for adoption. As we give thanks for all the mothers and mother figures in our lives this weekend, I commend the words of her prayer to you.

  Also, do not forget that Pentecost Sunday is only two weeks away on May 28. But before we get there we will first honor our high-school and college graduates on Baccalaureate Sunday happening May 21. Our love and prayers are with all the remarkable young people of our church who will mark this important milestone and prepare to start the next season of their lives!

• FPC Weekly eNews - May 5, 2023

  Posted May 05, 2023

  What a special Homecoming Celebration it was this past Sunday. It was so very special to be able to hear from and visit with three of our past senior pastors as well as enjoy rich fellowship (and great food) around tables afterwards. I want to say a BIG thank you to the committee and volunteers who poured so many hours into planning all the details for that event. This was truly a team effort and they made it look easy! If you were not able to be here on Sunday – or you just want to go back and see things again – you can find video recordings of worship and the panel discussion by clicking here.

  Looking ahead to this weekend, we are so excited to welcome Dan Forrest to FPC. As you will read below, Dan is an internationally known composer who will be spending time with our choir today and tomorrow as well as being with us in worship and for a joint Sunday school class on Sunday. The real capstone of the weekend, however, will be a gala concert happening in the Sanctuary this Sunday at 3:00pm featuring his work Requiem for the Living. I hope you will join Dan and our music ministry for some, part, or all of this weekend!

  Finally, we are excited to welcome Rev. Buz Wilcoxon as our preacher at the MorningSong and Sanctuary services this Sunday. Buz serves as the Dean of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, which is, of course, an institution already known and loved by many of us but also one that our congregation has shared meaningful ties with past and present. In addition to preaching, Buz will share with us about some new opportunities for congregations to partner with the students and ministry happening on their campus.

• FPC Weekly eNews - April 28, 2023

  Posted Apr 28, 2023

  Are you ready? This weekend is our Homecoming Celebration here at First Presbyterian. The theme for the weekend is “Rejoicing In Our Story” – together, we will celebrate the past, give thanks for the present, and look forward with expectant hope to the future. We are so excited to welcome back three of our former senior pastors to be with us in sharing fellowship and stories of God’s faithfulness across the years.

  Below you will find a schedule of all the activities happening this Sunday, April 30. Please know that everything will happen rain or shine! The outstanding leaders on the Homecoming Committee have already made contingency plans in the event we need to move our luncheon following worship indoors. You can find details below including where to drop-off side dishes or desserts. Please also note that we have made the decision to move the Sunday School Pastor Panel happening at 9:45am to the Sanctuary in order to accommodate the anticipated large turnout. Sunday School will be followed by a single worship service starting at 11am in the Sanctuary.

  Again, please be sure to see below for all of the details of this special Sunday in the life of our church. This would be an excellent Sunday to wear a nametag to church – I know our former pastors and guests would appreciate it! As you read this weeks eNews be sure to also note the many other upcoming opportunities for fellowship and learning. Lots happening here at FPC. Blessings to you all and see you soon.

• FPC Weekly eNews - April 21, 2023

  Posted Apr 21, 2023

  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.
  

• FPC Weekly eNews - April 14, 2023

  Posted Apr 14, 2023

  What a beautiful Holy Week and Easter we enjoyed at First Presbyterian last week. We not only had overflowing worship services on Sunday, but more importantly everywhere I turned throughout Holy Week I found a community full of people seeking to love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ. What a beautiful thing to see the church truly being church – thank you. And a big thank you also to our dedicated pastoral and staff team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help equip all of us for ministry. From planning worship to cooking meals to sending out communications to rehearsing musicians to caring for our children to maintaining our beautiful campus, these women and men are instrumental in making all our ministry possible – thank you!

  Second, as we now enter the Easter season, there is much good ministry that is still ahead. First and foremost, our Homecoming Celebration is right around the corner. On Sunday, April 30, we will worship together as a church family at 11:00am with three of our prior senior pastors: Dr. Todd B. Jones, Dr. David A. Renwick, and Dr. Thomas E. Evans. You can find a schedule of events for that day below along with information about how you can help with the congregational “Lunch on the Lawn” that will happen afterwards. Be sure to also keep your eyes peeled on our social media over the next three weeks for some fun special memories being shared by Todd, David, and Tom!

  You will also see that we are nearing the end of our Great Presbyterian Picture Push. We have had a fantastic response to this effort to refresh our online member directory with updated photos and information. Please know that it is not too late for you to participate – you can still have your photo taken this Wednesday evening at church or upload online by clicking here. Finally, mark your calendars for Confirmation Sunday happening next Sunday, April 23 when our 9^th graders will reaffirm the vows taken at Baptism and will be confirmed for full participation in the mission and governance of the church.

  Christ is Risen. Thanks be to God. See you Sunday.

• FPC Weekly eNews - April 6, 2023

  Posted Apr 06, 2023

  Easter is nearly here.

  But before we arrive at the empty tomb there are still several stops on our Holy Week journey yet to make. Tonight, we will gather for a Maundy Thursday meal and worship around our tables in Fogartie Hall. And then, tomorrow – Good Friday – there will be two opportunities for worship and prayer centered around the story of Jesus’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion. You can find details about each of these opportunities below.

  And then… Easter! What a great joy it will be to gather in worship and fellowship to celebrate our risen Lord! Once again, we will have four services on Easter morning: Sunrise in the Columbarium, MorningSong in Fogartie Hall, and both traditional services in the Sanctuary at 8:45 and 11AM. There will also be opportunities for gathering at 10AM with Hot Cross Buns and the Flowering Cross on the front lawn. In the event of inclement weather, the Sunrise service and Fellowship will move indoors to the Chapel and Social Hall respectively.

  Blessings to you all as we near the end of our Lenten journey. Let us not forget the ultimate witness that all of the events of Holy Week mark – namely that God is with us. Even at a final meal, even in the pain of betrayal, even while suffering on the cross, and, yes, even to the grave – God is with us.
  

• FPC Weekly eNews - March 31, 2023

  Posted Mar 31, 2023

  Friends, once again our hearts are left shattered in the face of senseless violence. As I am sure you are aware, earlier this week an armed intruder killed three young students and three faculty at the Covenant School, which is housed within Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Our souls ache as we grieve for the innocent children and families and community impacted by this evil act. We can scant imagine the depth of pain and suffering all those affected must be experiencing at this moment.

  As news of this horrific event broke on Monday I happened to be at my desk working on crafting liturgy for our Good Friday Tenebrae service happening next Friday, April 7. The service of Tenebrae, meaning "darkness" or "shadows," has been practiced by the church since medieval times. The order of worship traces each step of the passion story from Jesus’s arrest to his death upon the cross. After each reading, we will extinguish a candle on the communion table until the only candle left lit is the Christ candle.

  However, following the second to last reading, which tells of Jesus’s final words before dying, the Christ candle itself will be removed from the Sanctuary leaving us in near total darkness. I don’t know about you, but that is where I felt like I was sitting yet again on Monday afternoon. Where is the light? Where is hope? Where is Christ? Those are questions that lack easy answers when faced again and again with the raw cruelty of our broken and hurting world.

  But what the cross of Good Friday reveals to us all is that God does not shy away from our places of suffering but rather meets us in it. It makes me think about how our service will end next week. Prior to departing the darkened sanctuary in silence, the solitary Christ candle will be returned to its spot upon the Table. “Through the return of the small but persistent flame of the Christ candle at the conclusion of the service,” the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship says, “we anticipate the joy of ultimate victory.”

  That is the truth we are called to hold onto in times such as these: that God and God alone is capable of working light from darkness, hope from despair, love from hate. May we each seek in our own ways to be bearers of that light and of that truth. And may we continue to hold all of those affected by these terrible events in our prayers. Below you will find a prayer written by my friend Rev. Dr. Ben Kane, who formerly lived and served a church in Nashville, that I have been praying this week and hope may be helpful to you as well.

  Blessings to you all. Hope to see you this Holy Week. Invite a friend.
  

• FPC Weekly eNews - March 24, 2023

  Posted Mar 24, 2023

  This Sunday we will have a baptism and we will commission three new Stephen ministers in our 11:00am Sanctuary service. What great symbolism there is in that confluence of events! In baptism we are claimed by God as part of the family of faith, and we are called to live lives of faithful discipleship to God and neighbor, which is precisely what we are commissioning those Stephen Ministers to do! This week’s eNews is full of other opportunities to serve, engage, and grow as disciples. I know it’s long, but keep scrolling, and find at least one new place you can grow as a disciple.

• FPC Weekly eNews - March 17, 2023

  Posted Mar 17, 2023

  Well, it is hard to believe but this coming Wednesday – March 22 – will mark one full year since I began my call as senior pastor here at First Presbyterian. All I can say is that time flies when you are having fun! Truly, what a joy these past twelve months have been. You all have welcomed me and the entire Dyer Family with such love and graciousness – thank you.

  One thing I came to understand first-hand early on is that First Presbyterian is a body of believers made up of a lot of faces and names. We are a big church. It will come as no surprise then to learn that the most practical tool for me throughout this first year has been our online Shelby directory. The Shelby directory is FPC’s protected digital database of photos, names, and basic contact information that is available to all members of the church.

  So why am I sharing this tidbit with you? Two reasons. First, we want to make sure as many members as possible know about Shelby and how to access it. Not only is does it serve as a helpful online pictorial directory for all of us (not just pastors and staff), but it is also a one-stop-shop for updating your personal information, to make electronic contributions, access past giving statements, etc. Shelby is an easy way to stay in touch with the church and help the church stay in touch with you.

  The second reason is because this Sunday we are launching what we have dubbed the Great Presbyterian Picture Push, which is your chance to help make sure that we have the most up-to-date photo and information for you and/or your family on Shelby. Beginning this weekend and continuing for the next few weeks, you will have an opportunity to have your photo taken and automatically uploaded to Shelby while at church. Our hope is that by providing an easy way to update and expand this valuable online resource we will be able to further strengthen our connections to one another – see below for all the details!

  Continued Lenten blessings to you all. See you at church. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - March 10, 2023

  Posted Mar 13, 2023

  We often think about the liturgical season of Lent as being a time for “giving something up” – i.e., shedding some of those unnecessary things in our lives that may, at times, blur or hinder our ability to glimpse God’s hand at work. But this is also an excellent moment for us to seek out some new places where we can (re)engage our spiritual lives. As we move through this Lenten season, I hope you will take an opportunity to find those places where perhaps God is calling you to serve, learn, fellowship, connect, or worship.

  I also want to highlight the incredible success of our 2023 Witness Season. Back at the beginning of February, we shared with you about the dire need for clean and safe water at our sister congregation in Santa Clara, Cuba. Through a partnership with Living Waters International we hoped to raise $30,000 to fund the purchase and installation of a water purification system to benefit not only the church but also the Santa Clara community as a whole. Well, once again, all of you – the saints of First Presbyterian – have gone above and beyond. To date, the total amount raised is nearly $40,000!

  Thank you. The generosity and faith of our congregation truly never ceases to amaze me. Because of your giving we will not only be able to help provide safe and clean water to our brothers and sisters in Christ in Cuba, but we will be able to continue our support of this congregation and community. Your giving will impact countless lives for years to come – again, thank you.
  

• FPC Weekly eNews - March 3, 2023

  Posted Mar 03, 2023

  As we turn the page into March, I want to draw your attention to a seldom talked about but incredibly important ministry of the church: The 1843 Fund. First Presbyterian’s endowed funds are comprised of over thirty different individual funds, which are collectively called The 1843 Fund. The endowment's purpose is to provide members and friends of this congregation the opportunity to practice faithful stewardship of accumulated resources and to ensure the funding of ministries of our congregation and the larger church in perpetuity. An important benefit of making contributions to endowment funds is that the gift will outlive the life of the donor, an effective way of expressing gratitude for God's many blessings.

  In order to raise awareness about the crucially important nature of The 1843 Fund, our Endowment Advancement Committee is hard at work planning a special dinner to share information about the church endowment on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:30PM. The committee is inviting all members of the church (and any interested friends are certainly welcome as well) to attend this complimentary dinner. This is not a “fund raising” dinner, and attendees should not feel pressured or obligated. Most of the information shared that evening will focus on simply encouraging all of us to consider participating in the endowment through elements of estate planning. By including the church in our estate plans, each of us can play an important role in helping to grow the kingdom of God in this place long after.

  You may register for the dinner by clicking here. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Lynise Clarke, Church Financial Officer ([email protected]). I hope to see you on March 21!

  Blessings to you all. Join us at church this Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - February 24, 2023

  Posted Feb 24, 2023

  This Sunday is Witness Season Sunday! Throughout the month of February, you've heard us talk about our project to raise money for a water purification system for our partner congregation in Santa Clara, Cuba. I wanted to explain a little more about what your money would be going towards and how it would make this goal a reality.

  We will be working directly with Living Waters for the World (LWW), and you will hear more from one of their staff members this Sunday (both in a combined Sunday school at 10am in Fogartie Hall and during the worship services). The funds we raise will go toward sending at least three members of our church to Clean Water U training (through LWW), where they will be equipped to move forward with this project. The water team will them partner with Santa Clara for at least three years, where we come alongside the people in Cuba to plan and implement the water project locally. This would take place over the course of four years total.

  I am excited about this project because not only does it meet a dire need in Santa Clara, but it also builds upon and strengthens the long-standing relationships that we have had with this congregation for years. I hope you will consider giving to Witness Season this year and help us meet our goal of raising $30,000!

• FPC Weekly eNews - February 17, 2023

  Posted Feb 17, 2023

  Next Wednesday, February 22 is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, which is the 40-day season of prayer and preparation that will lead us once again to Holy Week and Easter. I invite you to come by the Chapel anytime between 8:00am and 1:00pm that day for a moment of prayer and imposition of ashes with one of the pastors. You are also invited to join your church family for Ash Wednesday Worship in the Sanctuary that evening at 6:30pm.

  We are also now officially in the midst of Witness Season, which is an annual effort of FPC to raise awareness and funds in support of a local or international mission partner. This year, we are seeking to support the purchase and installation of a water purification system for our partner congregation in Santa Clara, Cuba and the community they serve. We are working with Living Waters for the World to make this project a reality. I encourage you to watch the brief informative video below that was shared in last Sunday’s worship and to visit the Witness Season website to learn more about how you can support these important efforts.

  Lastly, I want to thank you all for praying for the Dominican Republic Mission Team last week. Your prayers were felt! It was truly an enriching and formative experience for all of those who participated. For me personally, it was an incredible opportunity to see firsthand the impact that First Presbyterian’s decades-long partnership and relationship with our Dominican brothers and sisters in Christ continues to have in San Juan. Our congregation’s commitment to sharing the love of Jesus Christ through giving of time, talent, and treasure over so many years has – and continues – to improve both the physical and spiritual health of countless people in that region. Be sure to mark your calendars to join us for a full report about the trip, which will be our Wednesdays @ First program on March 1.

  Blessings to you all. Join us at church this Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - February 10, 2023

  Posted Feb 10, 2023

  We give thanks for the great work our Dominican Republic Mission Team has been doing, and we pray for a safe and uneventful trip home for all of them tomorrow. We look forward to hearing their experiences and the status of the new hospital to which we contributed a few Witness Seasons ago. Be sure to check out the monitors around the campus for pictures from this year’s trip.

  Speaking of Witness Season, don’t forget that our 2023 Witness Season is in full swing as we raise money to install a water filtration system at our partner church in Cuba. Watch for more information during our worship services this Sunday, and mark your calendars for Witness Season Sunday, on February 26, when a representative from Living Waters for the World (a ministry of the Presbyterian Synod of the Living Waters) will be with us during the Sunday School hour to share more about this project.

  Don’t forget that this Sunday there is a blood drive at the church. So eat a good breakfast, drink your fluids, and roll up your sleeve to give the gift of life. Aside from the intrinsic benefits of giving blood, there are also some great incentives to sweeten the deal!

• FPC Weekly eNews - February 3, 2023

  Posted Feb 03, 2023

  Last Sunday, we gathered in the Sanctuary during the Sunday school hour for our Annual Congregational Meeting. This is an important opportunity each year for the church to hear reports about the good ministry happening in our midst – past, present, and future – and to handle those matters requiring congregational approval. More importantly though, it provides us with a snapshot of the remarkable ways God is on the move here at FPC!

  Here are a few highlights from the 2023 annual meeting:

  • FPC is a growing congregation. Not only do we have new visitors and friends coming into through our doors every week, but we also received over 55 new members in the past year and celebrated over 20 baptisms. Additionally, our average Sunday worship attendance is as high as it has been in over five years.
  • Our ministries of care and compassion are robust. Under the leadership of our Diaconate there are meals being delivered, neighbors in need being served, and the sick and homebound being visited and prayed for every day.
  • Fellowship, mission, and learning are thriving. Wednesdays @ First are filling Fogartie every week. Sunday school and Bible studies are happening six days of the week. And, over the past year, new mission partnerships have been born and existing ones strengthened. This includes renewed energy for the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty and a return to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
  • The church is in as good financial shape as ever. For the second consecutive year, we ended 2022 with an operating budget surplus of nearly $175,000. Stewardship is also strong with 432 pledges (up from 389 in 2022) supporting an expanded operating budget for 2023 of $3,170,000. All of these numbers translate into our congregation’s ability to have an even greater impact in the lives of our members and community in the year to come.
  • Finally, we continue to be blessed with an incredibly gifted and loving staff team. We are especially excited to have welcomed a number of new staff members in 2022 including Rev. John Daniel DeBevoise (Associate Pastor for Youth and Campus Ministry) and Kara Clark (Director of Children’s Ministry).

  As part of the meeting, we also approved the slate of nominees to serve as the 2023 Congregational Nominating Committee as well as a 4% cost of living adjustment for the pastor’s terms of call. This 4% salary increase also applies to all FPC staff members as part of this year’s operating budget. You can find information about all of these items and more by clicking here to read the Annual Report.

  Finally, please remember to be in prayer for the team of twenty-five folks who will be serving alongside our mission partners in the Dominican Republic next week. The group will be providing vital medical care and construction support while on the ground. You can find the names of those participating on this year’s mission team below.
  Blessings to you all. Join us at church this Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - January 27, 2023

  Posted Jan 27, 2023

  This season brings a great deal of excitement in our church family. The beginning of 2023 highlights great mission and ministry locally and abroad. I know our team of members preparing to make the journey to the Dominican Republic is excited for the ways God will be at work among them in a couple of weeks. We have five youth going on the trip this year! Please pray for these youth and the other members. We will have a liturgy of dedication for their missional work this Sunday during the 11:00am Traditional Worship Service.

  Youth ministry at FPC is back and in full swing. Last weekend we had our confirmation retreat to Asbury Hills Camp in Cleveland, SC. This retreat was a time spent away growing together as a community and beginning the process of coming to understand and own one’s faith for themselves. We have twenty-eight ninth graders who are going through the confirmation process. Twenty-eight! I am grateful for the faithful efforts of Rev. Craig Foster, Rev. Leslie Lang, and Carrie Coleman. These individuals have and will continue to play a pivotal role in confirmation for our youth. Again, I ask that you continue to pray for all our 9th graders in confirmation. A special thank you is deserving to Josh Jones (elder), Rev. Eliza DeBevoise, and Jackie Bielevicz for serving as volunteer chaperones on our retreat. This year our confirmands have each selected a mentor who will journey alongside them in their questioning, discernment, and learning. Gratitude abounds for the call from God that has been placed on these mentors.

  February is going to be a wonderful time in the lives of our youth. In two weeks, a group of forty-ish youth and adults will be taking a ski trip to West Virginia. A week later on Sunday, February 19th, the youth will be leading our morning worship services for Youth Sunday. Please come and support these incredible middle and high schoolers as they have been putting in intentional time to make these services meaningful. Pray for our two preachers – Abby Edwards (8th Grade) and Sallie Barre (12th Grade). Every day I am reawakened to the truth that our youth have a great amount to teach us. One of the beautiful things about the church is that we exist as an intergenerational body of Christ. When we lean into the unique perspective of each person, the creative lens they view the world through, we get to witness a piece of who God is in the world. What a blessed and beloved community this is! I look forward to the continued kingdom work of God alongside each of you this season and beyond.
  

• FPC Weekly eNews - January 20, 2023

  Posted Jan 20, 2023

  There is a lot happening in the life and faith of First Presbyterian. This congregation’s heart for worship, mission, fellowship, and learning continues to amaze and inspire me! Truly, each week brings with it new opportunities for growing closer to God and nurturing our call to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ for the world around us. As always, I encourage you to take a moment to peruse this week’s eNews. You will find below a whole host of opportunities to get engaged both inside and outside the walls of the church.

  Blessings to you all. See you Sunday. Invite a friend.

• FPC Weekly eNews - January 13, 2023

  Posted Jan 13, 2023

  This Monday, our nation will remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a prophetic voice who committed his life to witnessing to that basic truth of the Christian faith: that in Jesus Christ, God’s love and mercy is extended to all of God’s children. I pray that this weekend will be for each of us a reminder of our own call to recognize the image of God in all our neighbors regardless of race, age, gender, creed, or any other dividing line we might draw. I am especially excited for our worship and learning opportunities that will build on those themes this Sunday including a joint Sunday school class at 10am in Fogartie Hall led by former state representative and community leader, Brenda Lee Pryce – information below.

  Changing gears slightly… it was a great joy to get back in the swing of Wednesdays at First (WAF) this past Wednesday. The FLC was overflowing with good food, fellowship, and fun this week. Truly, all you have to do is look around the room on a Wednesday night to know that God’s presence is alive and on the move at First Presbyterian! Throughout the month of January, the after-dinner WAF programming is focusing on mental health among children and teens. Sponsored by the Health Committee, this three-part series covers a variety of topics and is being led by medical experts from our congregation and community. You can learn more and see recordings of each presentation by clicking here.

  Finally, I am thrilled to share some exciting news regarding our congregation’s financial health, which is that we ended 2022 with a $175,000 giving surplus. Not only does this surplus give us added confidence in our ability to plan and do ministry for the year ahead, but it also serves as a reflection of the incredible generosity of this congregation. Our gifts of time, talent, and treasure translate into tangible ministry that impacts the lives of countless people both within and outside the walls of the church. Because of your generosity – both past and present – FPC can continue growing in its call to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ with neighbors near and far. Thank you!

• FPC Weekly eNews - January 6, 2023

  Posted Jan 06, 2023

  Happy new year, FPC! Tell me, did you make a resolution for 2023? Maybe to exercise more, snack less, reconnect with old friends? Personally, I have never been much of a “resolution guy” – nothing against them, it’s just never been my thing. Instead, what I enjoy doing at the start of each new year is writing down three to four goals I have for the twelve months ahead. These goals are not so much things I am resolving to do as they are big picture dreams I am aiming myself towards. Anyways, earlier this week I wrote down a few of my personal goals for our ministry together this year at FPC and thought you might like to know them as well. So here it goes…