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Weekly Update for January 29, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This Sunday we will ordain and install new church officers during the 11:00am Sanctuary worship service. We give thanks to everyone who has answered God’s call to serve, and we pray for these officers and all those in our congregation who are continuing to serve with creativity, dedication, and love.

Both our MorningSong and Sanctuary worship services continue to be online-only this week. We all long to be back together in person and hope that we can safely join together for worship soon. In the meantime, please join us online, and rest and pray in God’s presence in the Chapel and Columbarium during the week.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Pastor Nominating Committee
Last Sunday you elected the following fellow congregants to serve on your PNC: David Beacham (Chair), Bert Barre, Randall Chambers, Molly Colbath, Suzy Cole, Harriet Ike, Whit Kennedy, Craig Kocisko, and Carter Smith. Please remember them in your prayers as they seek God's direction in the search for our next Senior Pastor.

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
10:00am Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School Rotation – K-1^st Grade (Contact Holly Bannan for the link)
11:00am Sanctuary Service (Online Only)
5:00pm Sunday Night Youth Group (See schedule)

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 – K-1^st Grade (January 31)
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 the Zoom link.

Sunday Night Youth Group
Sunday Night Youth Group will meet off site through January. On January 31, Middle School will meet at the home of Rob and Amy Usry and High School will meet at the home of Greg and Molly Colbath.

5:00-6:00pm – Middle School Girls
6:00-7:00pm – Middle School Boys
6:00-7:00pm – High School

NEXT WEEK
Witness Season Begins February 1! (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)
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.

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
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.

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.

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
January 31 – Online Worship Services (fpcspartanburg.org/live)
February 11 – ECHOES (Join in)
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.