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Weekly Update for February 5, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Hopefully this morning you all received the news about our new Interim Pastor, Lewis Galloway. You may read the announcement from the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee along with a few words from Lewis Galloway himself here. Lewis Galloway’s first Sunday with us will be February 21. Many thanks both to the IPNC and to Lewis Johnson for their great work during this time of transition!

Please continue to be in prayer for our Pastor Nominating Committee as they begin their work to find our next Pastor!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Prepare for Communion This Sunday
If you wish to participate in Communion during Online Worship this Sunday, we ask that you prepare your own elements ahead of time (crackers, a slice of bread, or any type of bread you might have on hand) and a sip of grape juice or wine. You can partake, as directed, during the service, so that even while we are apart, we can enjoy this transcendent, yet very earthly, communion together.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
10:00am Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School Rotation (Contact Holly Bannan)
11:00am Sanctuary Service (Online Only)

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:

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.

10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
This Sunday, Pastor Craig will lead our combined Adult Sunday School Class.

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.

NEXT WEEK
Mom Moment with Ansley Page (Join in)
Wednesdays beginning February 10 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.

ECHOES – Thursday, February 11 at 7pm via Zoom (Join in)
Caring for a loved one who is aging or sick is a special ministry. If you are engaged in this and would appreciate Christian encouragement, please join Rev. Ansley Page and Parish Nurse Beth Cecil on Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. From the comfort of your home, you can enjoy this time of devotion, prayer, and sharing with folks in similar circumstance. Let your church family help you in this sacred work. Please reach out to Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org if you have any questions.

Witness Season is Here! (Give Online)
February is Witness Season, and this year we will be raising money to help Ministry of Hope Lesotho. For the past decade, the Ministry has been caring for up to 30 children in a 3 bedroom, 1 bath house. Our goal is to raise $25,000 for the orphanage to repair, renovate, and enhance the house where the children live. Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to share in this ministry that shows his love to children. You may send contributions by envelope to the church office or use this link to give online.

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

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)
Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10:00am (Join in)

Workout with FPC in 2021! (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.

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 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Imposition of Ashes and Prayer – Wednesday, February 17
8:00am-6:30pm in the Chapel
The Chapel will be open from 8:00am to 6:30pm on Ash Wednesday, and a pastor will be present during those hours for you to receive the imposition of ashes and for prayer.

Ash Wednesday Service – February 17 at 7:00pm (Online)
Join us via livestream from 7:00-7:45pm to mark the beginning of the Lenten season with worship.

What is connecting you to God right now?
This is an important question for all of us to consider during these trying times when our usual routines are shattered. This Lent, our church is producing a series of daily video devotionals that explore this very question. Each weekday and Saturday a new video will be released featuring progressive readings through the Gospel of Mark, read by a member of our FPC community. On Wednesdays, that reading will be followed by organ music played by Marcia Andrews. On the remaining days, a member of our congregation or staff will share what is connecting them to God right now. On Sundays, all are invited to connect to God though our regular Sunday worship services.

Would you like to be part of this project? Please contact Craig Foster (cfoster@fpcspartanburg.org) to receive your assigned reading from Mark and to make arrangements for recording your answer to this important question!

Lenten Study Series: Handel’s Messiah
Beginning February 24 via Zoom (Time and Zook link to come)
Join Holt Andrews on Wednesday evenings 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 secure a copy. While the resource book is very helpful, it is not essential, and anyone may join for any of the six sessions.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Financial Opportunity Center – Greeter
The new Financial Opportunity Center is looking for volunteers to help greet clients 2-3 days a week beginning in February. Volunteers would mostly be needed during tax season (February-April) to greet VITA clients, but the opportunity could extend beyond that. The Financial Opportunity Center is open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. They are flexible to schedule but are looking for someone who can serve consistent hours (2 days a week, every morning, etc.). If you are interested in learning more, please contact Hannah Jarrett at the United Way: hjarrett@uwpiedmont.org

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Tickled Pink Drive Through Galentine Party – Monday, February 15 (12:30-2:30pm)
Calling all women at FPC! Be a part of a Tickled Pink Galentine Drive-Thru Party on Monday, February 15 any time between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Wear pink and bring a “Welcome to Spartanburg” note to our new Interim Pastor. Please include your name and a Sparkle City favorite (a recommendation of restaurant, shop, hike, hair salon, shopping deal, FPC Holy spot, etc.). These will be collected in a basket through your window. Happy car hops, Susan Oldham and Ansley Page will give you an inspirational sercy as you drive under the porte-cochere – something to cheer you and something for you to share with a friend or neighbor. Let the love of Christ go round and round!

Blood Drive – Sunday, February 21 from 8am-1pm (More Information)
Donating blood is considered an “essential civic duty” during a pandemic, because blood donations are vital to all communities. The Blood Connection is scheduled to be at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, February 21 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. There will be free Covid-19 antibody testing, and a $20 donation will be made to First Pres for every blood donor. Please contact Beth Cecil to schedule a time to donate (864-641-8772 or bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org).

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.

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.

“These Days” Daily Devotional for January-March 2021
The January-March edition of “These Days” are here! Secure your copy by filling out the form on this link. We will mail you a copy of the devotional book.

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 7 – Online Worship Services (fpcspartanburg.org/live)
February 11 – ECHOES (Join in)
February 15 – Tickled Pink Galentine Drive Thru
February 17 – Ash Wednesday
February 21 – Blood Drive (More information)
February 28 – Witness Season Sunday (Give Online)
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.