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Weekly Update for December 11, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Last Sunday was a very special day of worship, and we enjoyed seeing so many of you in MorningSong, the Sanctuary, and the new Shelter service that evening! Thank you for continuing to be diligent wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing when on the church campus, and staying home if you are ill. As the numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths soar around our country, state, and community, and as more and more of our own members get the virus, it is important that we remain diligent in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

This week we have another wonderful Sunday of music and worship! In the Sanctuary, it will be our annual music Sunday, with the proclamation of the word coming through the alternation of scripture and music. This year’s service will feature a harp, our quartet, and music from our favorite “garage band,” the Chamber Singers. Speaking of which, you will get to hear the Chamber Singers in-person in their temporary home, and even sing along Sunday afternoon. See below for more information.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:45am MorningSong (Fogartie Hall)
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am 4th & 5th Grade Sunday School (Outside between the Main and Clark Buildings)
11:00am Nursery for children 5 years and younger (2nd Floor of the Clark Building)
11:00am Sanctuary Service
4:00pm Garage Concert and Carol Sing (Johnson Development Parking Garage)

We stream our Sanctuary and MorningSong services live each Sunday. Stream on:

  • FPCSpartanburg.org/LIVE for bulletins, Bible readings, sermon info, and more.
  • YouTube on your smart TV, streaming device, or almost any other device.
  • Facebook to join with a community of people worshipping together online.

However you join us, please:

Trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

Fill the Trucks for Hand in Hand – Sunday, December 13
Drop off between 8:30am and 12:00pm in the upper Family Life Center Parking Lot
On Sunday, December 13, we will be taking donations of essential items to support Hand in Hand, a ministry that provides necessities to families and children in need throughout Spartanburg County. Let’s “fill the trucks” with these suggested items! Drop off your donations in the Family Life Center Upper Parking Lot from 8:30am-12:00pm.

Advent Season of Giving – Sunday, December 13 (Bring gifts for Mobile Meals)
This year our annual White Gifts Service has been reimagined and reshaped into an entire season of giving! Each Sunday in Advent, we will collect gifts for an identified organization. You may also give a monetary donation here. If you are unable to attend on Sunday, you may drop off white gifts at the church office between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. For the wish lists of each organization, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/whitegifts.


10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Craig leads our combined Adult Sunday School class in an exploration of the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Please note that we will not offer the in-person option for the combined Sunday School class for the remainder of December. We invite everyone to join us on Zoom. If you are attending worship in person, consider joining Sunday School via Zoom on a phone or tablet at the church. Look for new Sunday School opportunities in the new year!

10:00 a.m. Elementary Sunday School
The Children’s Ministry will have 4th and 5th grade Sunday School outdoors in Bob’s Meditation Garden, between the Main and Clark Buildings.

11:00 a.m. Nursery
During the 11am worship only, children ages 6months – 3 years of age, are welcome to come to our nursery. Nursery will be on the 2nd floor of the Clark Building (look for the signs). All nursery staff are required to wear masks throughout the duration of childcare, and parents are required to wear them in the building. No staff, parent, or child will be allowed to stay if they are exhibiting any symptoms of illness. Parents will be asked to monitor their child’s health before arriving at church and is asked to stay home if they show any signs of illness.

4:00 p.m. Garage Concert and Carol Sing – Johnson Development Garage
Join the Chamber Singers with Brass Quartet on Sunday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m. for a short Christmas Concert and a chance to sing Christmas Carols! The event will be in the parking garage directly across Main Street from the Columbarium. The entrance is on Hall Street. Bring chairs or just roll down your windows and enjoy!

NEXT WEEK
Moravian Love Feast – Next Sunday, December 20
5:00pm online at fpcspartanburg.org/live
Next Sunday evening, we will be re-broadcasting our 2019 Moravian Love Feast, with a special live introduction from Ginger Shuler. Cozy up at home with a candle and some coffee for this Advent tradition!

Advent Photo-a-Day Challenge
The Advent Season encourages us to prepare for the coming of our Lord. we are inviting you to prepare by hitting the "pause" button...daily. Each day during Advent, we will post a word for reflection on our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) using a list generated by rethinkchurch.org. Take a moment to pause and reflect on this word, and then share a response to that word through a picture. Post your picture on social media, tag @fpcspartanburg and use #fpcsadvent. Don't worry if you miss a day or two - there is no failing this challenge. We just hope to provide a gift of added meaning to this special season and an additional opportunity to connect with each other.

Walking in the Family Life Center (For Members Age 65 and Older)
Members who are 65 or older in age can walk on the second-floor track during the times of 10am-12noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. pre-registration is no longer required, but there is a 4-person limit at one time. Members should enter through the FLC entrance near Mobile Meals.


Weekly Zoom Times for Everyone!
See the full list online at: https://fpcspartanburg.org/events/weekly-zoom

  • Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
  • Men’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
  • Thursday Book Study – Thursdays at Noon (Join in)
  • Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (Join in)


New to Zoom? Having Trouble? Need a Password?
The current password for most church events is “5834531” (which just happens to be the church phone number as well). Please visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/zoom for tips on how to get the most out of your Zoom gatherings.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
11:00am Christmas Eve Worship – Sanctuary
This will be our only planned, indoor service. For those that may have evening plans, please join us for this very special worship service on Christmas Eve Morning in the Sanctuary.


4:00pm Family Service – Front Lawn (rain location: Gym)
Come, all you angels, shepherds, animals, and kings! Join in on Christmas Eve for our Family Service Nativity Pageant. Any child may come dressed as the part he or she wants to play (from those listed above). This year, we will hold our Family Service on the Front Lawn! Bring your own chair.


7:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Front Lawn (rain location: Sanctuary)
A different take on our traditional candlelight service. Join us in front of the Sanctuary for a candlelight service featuring the spoken word and Christmas music led by brass. Please bring your own chairs and, if needed, flashlights (cell phone flashlights are perfect). Candles will be provided to all participants.


11:00pm Messiah Rebroadcast
At 11:00pm, we will be rebroadcasting our 2019 Messiah Service, featuring our Chancel Choir.


SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers Needed- Spartanburg Opportunity Center
The Opportunity Center is expanding their hours! They are open M/W/F mornings from 8 - 11 and M/W/F afternoons from 1:00 - 3:30 and could use help with food distribution, shower scheduling (calling names and handing towels), storage room (giving out their bins), and clothing closet (helping with sorting clothing and supplying the clothing room). Volunteers are also needed to help with laundry each day (no personal contact). When temperatures fall below 40 degrees, they have cold weather shelter open from 8:00 pm - 7:00 am. They Need volunteers for setting up/take down (the next morning), intake (filling out the forms and temp check), and overnight stay. If you are interested or have questions, please reach out to Beth Rutherford at spihn@bellsouth.net or talk to Leslie Lang.


Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder


OTHER NEWS
Service of Comfort and Light – Monday, December 21
6:00pm in the Sanctuary
Are the holidays made more difficult this year because of a loss or sadness in your life? You are invited to join us for an intimate time of worship in the Sanctuary. This "Service of Comfort and Light," which includes communion and candle lighting, is especially for those who struggle during the Christmas season.

Basketball Registration is Open!
We are excited to announce that we will have church basketball starting in January 2021 at FPC! Our focus this year will be on skill development, fellowship among church members, and fun! The season will look a little different. For more information and to register, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/basketball.

Witness Season 2021: Ministry of Hope Lesotho
Witness Season 2021 will be here soon in February! We are looking for volunteers for the Witness Season Committee to help coordinate our response and prayerful giving to Ministry of Hope Lesotho, a mission we have supported for a long time: https://www.ministryofhopelesotho.org/ . We need men, women, and youth who want to help for 2 months on this project!

Lesotho is a small, land-locked country surrounded by The Republic of South Africa. In Lesotho, nearly half of all inhabitants are under 18. These children are at the forefront of vulnerability. MoHL was founded in 2009 by a PCUSA missionary and provides care, shelter, food, clothing, and a path to the future for orphaned children. Some of the children are malnourished, others neglected or abused, still others are caught in the tragedy of HIV/AIDS. If you would like to volunteer to be part of this Witness Season committee, please reach out to our Pastor Leslie Lang at llang@fpcspartanburg.org or 2021 Witness Season Chair, Holly Hoenig at hollycaustin@hotmail.com .

FPC Church Office Staff Onsite Partial Days
While the church office remains “closed” for now, all office staff are onsite half days, continuing to work remotely the other half day. We have put necessary protocols in place to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Some of our schedules are staggered, however the main church phone line (864-583-4531) will be answered Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm. Outside those hours, feel free to leave a voice mail and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. As always, contact information for each staff member can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/staff.

Pastoral Counseling with Dr. Kirk H. Neely
Pastoral Counseling with Dr. Kirk Neely is available by appointment. Currently all counseling is being done by telephone or by Zoom. Personal Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Spiritual Direction are available by appointment only. This is not emergency counseling. To make an appointment, please contact Didi Terry at dterry@fpcspartanburg.org or you may contact Dr. Neely directly by email at kirkhneely@fpcspartanburg.org.

“The Time Has Come” Campaign Pledges Due December 31
Capital campaign pledge balance: $159,858
As a congregation, we are so close to being debt-free for the first time in two decades! Thank you! If you have pledged to the capital campaign, the deadline has been extended to the end of 2020. Please help us bring this train into the station!

LOOKING AHEAD
December 13 – Third Sunday of Advent | Special Music in the Sanctuary
December 13 – Garage Concert and Carol Sing (More Information)
December 20 – Fourth Sunday of Advent | Lessons and Carols
December 20 – Moravian Love Feast Broadcast
December 21 – Service of Comfort and Light
December 24 – Christmas Eve Services (More Information)
December 27 – One Worship Service (11am in the Sanctuary)
August 13-15, 2021 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

More activities and events can be found in First News.

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