Back to Listing

Weekly Update for February 19, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This Sunday, Dr. Lewis F. Galloway, our new Interim Pastor, will be preaching in both worship services. We welcome Lewis into the First Presbyterian family and pray for him and his wife Bunny as they transition into a new city and church.

On Wednesday, we began the season of Lent with a continuous stream of church members and friends visiting the Chapel throughout the day for prayer and the imposition of ashes, followed by an online Ash Wednesday worship service. Somewhere around 160 of you visited with us through the day. I cannot put into words how moving it was to see all of you and spend time in one-on-one conversation and prayer with you! And I know the rest of the pastoral staff feels exactly the same way. We all needed that! Thank you for spending that very special time with us!

With the beginning of Lent also came the beginning of the Lenten Devotional Video Series. Watch the videos in the Devotional Readings channel of the church website, and be sure to sign up to get these by email so you won’t miss a single one! (Sign Up)

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY
8:00am Blood Drive (FLC Parking Lot)
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
10:00am Fourth Presbyterian Lecture Series (Sign Up)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School Rotation (Contact Holly Bannan)
11:00am Sanctuary Service (Online Only)
5:00pm Middle School Youth Group
5:00pm Confirmation Session
6:00pm High School Youth Group

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

FPCSpartanburg.org/WORSHIP 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:

Check in through the ShelbyNext app or sign the online guestbook to let us know you worshipped with us.
Consider giving online or through the ShelbyNext app as a regular act of worship.

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

Blood Drive (Urgent Need)– Sunday, February 21
8am-1pm in the FLC Parking Lot (More Information)
Donating blood is considered an “essential civic duty” during a pandemic, because blood donations are vital to all communities. The Blood Connection has recently experienced low donor turnout due to bad weather. In addition to the free Covid-19 antibody testing and a $20 donation made to First Pres, every registered blood donor will also receive a $25 e-gift card. (Register for a Blood Connection account here) Please contact Beth Cecil for an appointment to give blood on February 21 from 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at First Pres. (864-641-8772 or bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org)

From Lament of Love, The Journey of Pain Seeking Understanding in the Bible
with Dr. William P. Brown
Sundays, beginning February 21, 10:00am on Zoom (Registration Required)
This year, Fourth Presbyterian of Greenville, SC has moved their annual lecture series to Zoom, and we are invited! This year’s guest lecturer is Dr. William P. Brown. Many of you will remember Bill as our 2011 Theology Weekend speaker, when he spoke about “The Ecology of Wonder in the Bible.” Registration is required on the Fourth Presbyterian website (link). From February 21 – March 28, this will take the place of our usual Zoom Combined Adult Sunday School Class, but please still join in the Witness Season Sunday School livestream on February 28!

10:00 a.m. Children’s Sunday School Rotation
Join Mrs. Holly on Zoom for Sunday School on your special day! We’re dividing into small groups so you can join your friends for Sunday School on those Sundays. Contact Mrs. Holly for more information and the Zoom link.

5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Youth Group
This Sunday, all Youth are invited to join Pastor Robert for spiritual growth, connection, and FUN! Masks and social distancing required. Middle Schoolers will meet from 5:00-6:00 p.m.; High Schoolers from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Check your Weekly Email and Remind texts for location information! Email Carrie Coleman if you need to be added to either of these distribution lists.

5:00 p.m. Confirmation Session
Confirmation will meet this Sunday and next Sunday (February 21 and 28) from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Don’t forget your mask and your Bible!

NEXT WEEK
Meet the Pastor via Zoom (Sign Up)
Mondays at 7pm and Wednesdays at 3pm
We are very happy to welcome Dr. Lewis Galloway to First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg. Dr. Galloway is looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you! While we continue to worship online, he has arranged to meet you via Zoom each Monday at 7pm or Wednesday at 3pm beginning February 22. He will hold each Zoom meeting with up to 10 households. You may choose a day/time at fpcspartanburg.org/events/meet-the-pastor to join in these conversations.

Lenten Study Series: Handel’s Messiah
Wednesdays beginning February 24 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom (Join in)
Join Holt Andrews on Wednesday evenings at 6pm during Lent for a theological/musical look at Parts II and III of this classic work. Our resource book will be “Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah.” Contact Holt Andrews to sign up and secure a copy of the resource book. While the resource book is very helpful, it is not essential, and anyone may join for any of the six sessions.

Mom Moment with Ansley Page (Join in)
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon
Moms of teens and tweens, let’s get together for a Mom Moment – a 30-minute break to check in with yourself and others, listen to a 2-minute word of Scripture and encouragement, and share sightings of God’s grace and love. We will meet Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30pm, February 10-March24 via Zoom (for now). Bring your lunch if that works and join in for a respite and a faith connection. Email Ansley Page for more information or if you are interested in an evening group.

JustFaith Ministries Presentation – Thursday, February 25 from 7pm-8pm (Register Here)
Do you feel called to explore the expansiveness of love, a love that draws us into compassion and justice? Join us to hear from Jack Jezreel, author and founder of JustFaith Ministries, and Leila Oakley, Outreach and Engagement Manager, who will speak about the transformative power of JustFaith programs, available in virtual and in-person formats. JustFaith Ministries connects and prepares people of faith for the life-changing, world-changing work of the Gospel by offering small-group programs that deepen faith, invite learning, and inspire action around contemporary social issues.

Witness Season Sunday – February 28 (Give Online)
We have just passed the halfway mark on our goal of raising $25,000 to provide Ministry of Hope Lesotho with funds to complete their much-needed repairs and renovations to the house and grounds where they care for abandoned and impoverished children. Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to share in this ministry that shows His love to children. Financial donations may be sent in the mail (attention Lynise Clarke and noted as Witness Season donations) or by using this link to give online.

We are also collecting supplies to send to the ministry. You may drop off one or more of the items from the list below from 9am-1pm Monday through Friday or on Sunday mornings under the porte-cochere at the Family Life Center. The following items may be placed in the marked bins: school supplies, art supplies, vitamins and first-aid supplies, books, linens (crib and twin-sizes), or wash cloths and bath towels.

Walking has Resumed in the Family Life Center!
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, we will open the walking track for members 50 years and older. There is no registration required, but we will limit the number of people walking to four at a time. Masks are required at all times in the building.

Workout with Colleen Darrall via Zoom! (Email Colleen)
Zoom Group Classes are free and open to all ages every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.). Each class lasts 30-45 minutes and can be done in your living room utilizing dumbbells and bodyweight exercises. If you are unable to attend during these times, reach out to Colleen Darrall to inquire about private Zoom workouts.

Chapel Open for Prayer
9am-1pm Weekdays
As a church family, we are called to pray for our community, our state, our nation, and our world. Our beautiful Chapel will be open from 9:00am - 1:00pm on weekdays for you to come and sit and pray in the stillness of God. You can also place any personal prayer needs in the Chapel prayer box and our pastoral care staff will pray over your requests.

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

Zoom Group Workouts – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
Book Study with Nan and Tom McDaniel – Tuesdays/Thursdays at Noon (Join in)
Mom Moment with Ansley Page – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
Men’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
Middle School Fellowship – Wednesdays at 5:30pm (Contact Carrie Coleman for the link)
High School Fellowship – Wednesdays at 6:30pm (Contact Carrie Coleman for the link)
WAF/CRC Hangout with Holly – Wednesdays at 6:20pm (Contact Holly Bannan for the link)
Preschool Lunch Bunch – Thursdays at 12:30pm (Contact Holly Bannan for the link)
5^th Grade Hangout with Holly – Thursdays at 4:00pm (Contact Holly Bannan for the link)
Children’s Rotation Sunday School – Sundays at 10:00am (Contact Holly Bannan for the link)
Fourth Presbyterian Lecture Series – Sundays at 10:00am (Registration Required)

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.

LENT 2021 AT FPC
What is connecting you to God right now? (link) (email sign-up)
Don’t miss this daily video series featuring different members of our FPC family, as we answer the question, “What is connecting you to God right now?” and read through the Gospel of Mark! A new video is released every Weekday and Saturday morning. Sign up here to receive these videos in your email inbox each morning (Sign Up) and find current and past devotionals in the Devotional Readings channel of the church website.

Would you like to contribute to this project? Please contact Craig Foster (cfoster@fpcspartanburg.org).

Resources for Study and Devotion this Lent
A broad list of other resources for devotion and study can be found in the Devotional Readings channel of the church website and can be accessed directly here.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Racial Healing Circles
Racial healing circles are conversations that honor and value each person’s humanity, build mutually respectful relationships across racial and ethnic lines, and better reflect our common humanity. They were designed by Dr. Gail Christopher, as part of the national Truth, Racial Healing, & Transformation framework, to help communities like Spartanburg heal and transform. To register as a participant and to learn more, visit spartanburgtruth.org.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Reply All Ministry
Looking for a simple and meaningful way to stay connected with your church family even though we are apart? Reply All is a brand-new small group ministry that will help us keep in touch, learn about what is going on at the church, and build community among members. Look for a formal announcement in March. Please email Cathy Bagwell for more information about this exciting new ministry.

Young Adult Virtual Murder Mystery Party – March 12 (8:00 p.m.)
Join Pastor Leslie and friends for a virtual Murder Mystery Party in the comfort of your own homes on Friday, March 12 at 8pm. RSVP by March 1 so we can plan and assign each character. Don't miss out on the mysterious fun!

Covid-19 Vaccination Information
If you are 65 years of age and older and interested in getting the Covid-19 vaccination, contact Spartanburg Regional Vaccine Registration Customer Service at 864-577-4091, or email information to SpartanburgRegional.com/Vaccine. If you register online, each registrant must have their own individual email address. Contact Beth Cecil (208-2136 or bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org ) if you need assistance.

Stephen Ministry Available for You
Are you feeling exhausted from all the disruptions to life brought on by the pandemic? Are you or someone you know struggling with challenges like isolation/loneliness, anxiety over health, grief due to many different kinds of losses, tension from juggling multiple things in life, uncertainty about the future, or other unexpected life challenges? If so, you don’t have to face it alone. Our Stephen Ministers are ready to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. A Stephen Minister will meet with you privately (by phone, video chat, or safely in person). It is free and confidential. For more information, call Dana Halliday at (864) 237-0330.

Giving to First Presbyterian Church – Dropbox available outside of the Tower Room
Thank you for your faithful giving to First Presbyterian Church. For your convenience, we have placed a securely locked drop box outside of the Tower Room. We also receive and check mail daily at the church. Your contributions are safely getting to our financial office. Please continue to drop contributions off at the church in the outdoor drop box or mail to Attn: Lynise Clarke 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

FPC Church Office Information
Church staff will be working in office Monday through Friday from 9am-1pm. The Church Office phone will be answered during this time. Outside of these days/hours, please leave a voicemail and we will contact you as soon as possible (most of your staff can access their voicemails from home). As always, please feel free to contact us via email. Please use our Staff Directory to obtain all staff phone numbers and email addresses. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you need to contact a minister for a Pastoral Concern, please call 864-208-2142, day or night. The minister on-call will answer your call as soon as possible.

LOOKING AHEAD
February 21 – Online Worship Services – First Sunday of Lent (fpcspartanburg.org/worship)
February 21 – Blood Drive (More information)
February 28 – Witness Season Sunday (Give Online)
March 12 – Young Adult Virtual Mystery Party (RSVP Here)
March 28 – Palm Sunday
April 1 – Maundy Thursday
April 2 – Good Friday
April 4 – Easter Sunday
May 23 – Pentecost
August 13-15, 2021 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

More activities and events can be found in First News.