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Weekly Update for January 15, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This Sunday, we will continue to worship by livestream only. This isn’t anyone’s first choice, but while the virus numbers are so high and the vaccination numbers are so low, it seems to be the only prudent course of action.

Last Sunday, we kicked off our Confirmation process with a chilly but meaningful candlelight covenant service in the Columbarium. Please pray for these ninth graders, the covenant family leaders, and pastors as we all explore our faith together.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
10:00am Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
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 us in an exploration of the image of the Lamb in the New Testament.

NEXT WEEK
MLK Unity Week Volunteer Opportunities (Volunteer Here)
The United Way of the Piedmont is offering service opportunities throughout the week of January 17^th, and many offerings are virtual or outdoors. For more details and to register to volunteer, please visit the United Way’s volunteer website.

City of Spartanburg Unity Week Celebration – Monday, January 18
6:30pm on the City of Spartanburg Facebook Page (Link)
The 34^th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Week Celebration, presented by the City of Spartanburg, will feature a series of virtual community conversations on race, equity, and the future of Dr. King’s mission each Tuesday at 7pm on the City’s Facebook Page. The Unity Celebration will also be held virtually on January 18 at 6:30 pm on the City Facebook Page. First Presbyterian Church is honored to support these events.

Church Facilities Closed Monday, January 18
All church facilities will be closed Monday, January 18 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

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 beginning Tuesday, January 19, 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.

Congregational Meeting – Next Sunday, January 24
Join via Zoom (Join in)
The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, January 24, after the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of receiving and acting upon a report from the Congregational Nominating Committee regarding the next Pastoral Nominating Committee. This meeting will once again be held over Zoom and will also be livestreamed.

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
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 (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
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
THANK YOU from The Cleveland Academy of Leadership
In 2020, First Presbyterian Church raised over $79,000 during Witness Season to fund a Math Lab for the Cleveland Academy of Leadership. Please enjoy this short video from Marquice Clark, principal of Cleveland Academy, expressing his gratitude and for an update on the positive impact of the Math Lab. (Watch Here)

“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-12pm. 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.

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 17 – Online Worship Services (fpcspartanburg.org/live)
January 18 – Church Facilities Closed (MLK, Jr. Day)
January 24 – Congregation Meeting
February 17 – Ash Wednesday
February 28 – Witness Season Sunday
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.