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Weekly Update for January 1, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2020 and look forward in hopeful anticipation for what 2021 might bring, let me thank you for your faithfulness and encouragement during these trying months. It has been amazing to see the creativity and care shown by our members during this time to make sure that ministry continues and thrives here at FPC. Thank you, and many blessings as we begin this new year together!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Online Services Only on January 3 and January 10
Given the current serious spike in COVID-19 case numbers nationally, in South Carolina, and in Spartanburg County, and given the prospect of further increases following the holidays, we feel that the only prudent course of action for First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg is to alter our worship schedule in the following way: we will worship via livestream only (both MorningSong and Traditional Sanctuary service) January 3^rd and January 10^th. These changes were approved after discussion with the Health Cabinet and church staff, and with the support of the Worship Committee.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
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 or
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.

Communion this Sunday, January 3, during Online Worship

This Sunday, we will be participating in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. This is a time of thanksgiving and remembrance for the self-offering of Jesus Christ once and for all time on a cross in Jerusalem. 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.

No Combined Adult Sunday School This Sunday
The Combined Zoom Sunday School will resume on January 10.

NEXT WEEK
BBC with Kirk H. Neely – Tuesday, January 5 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom
All are invited to attend a Zoom book discussion of Furious Hours by Casey Cep. You do not have to be a member of FPC to attend. To receive the Zoom link, email Didi Terry.

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.

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)
Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (resumes January 10) (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.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers Needed for Witness Season 2021: Ministry of Hope Lesotho
Witness Season 2021 will be here 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: www.ministryofhopelesotho.org. We need men, women, and youth who want to help for two 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 Leslie Lang or 2021 Witness Season Chair, Holly Hoenig.

Spartanburg Housing Authority – Homework Club at Prince Hall Apartments
Volunteers are needed to help students in 3^rd through 8^th grades with homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Help is needed in all subjects, monitoring the room, helping with snack, and cleaning of tables, etc. for the entire school year. You are welcome to choose only one of the two days, or what your schedule will allow. Spartanburg Housing Authority only asks that it is consistent with however you choose volunteer. Masks and background checks are required. If you are interested, please contacting Emily Young.

St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic – Volunteer Physicians Needed

Calling all upstate doctors and medical professionals. A Spartanburg clinic devoted to helping those in need is looking for some help of their own. Appointments are booked out into mid-January at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic in Spartanburg. They are looking for more volunteer providers to help. For more information, visit slfmc.org.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
These Days Devotional for January 2021
Our shipment of the “These Days” Devotionals are delayed, but you can access the January entries online at thethoughtfulchristian.com.

ECHOES on Zoom – Thursday, January 14 at 7:00p.m.
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, Rev. Joanne Hull, and Parish Nurse Beth Cecil on Thursday, January 14 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 register with Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org.

FPC Church Office Schedule
The Church office will be closed January 1 and 18. Outside of holidays, please be reminded that all office staff are onsite half days and continue to work remotely the other half day. The church office remains “closed” for now, but staff are still here to maintain church business. 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.

An Update from the Interim Pastor Nominating Committee
The IPNC has been diligently working since it was formed by the Session in late September. The group finalized the Ministry Information Form (MIF), an essential component of the pastoral search process in our denomination, and it was approved by the Presbytery in late October. The IPNC has been meeting regularly, has been reviewing and evaluating a large group of potential candidates, and conducting interviews. The IPNC is making good progress and is hopeful that a successful conclusion can be achieved in a reasonable period of time. As this important work continues, this committee would certainly covet your thoughts and prayers.

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.

LOOKING AHEAD
January 1 – Church Facilities Closed
January 3 – Online Worship Services (fpcspartanburg.org/live)
January 5 – BBC with Kirk Neely
January 10 – Online Worship Services (fpcspartanburg.org/live)
January 14 – ECHOES
January 18 – Church Facilities Closed (MLK, Jr. Day)
August 13-15, 2021 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

More activities and events can be found in First News.