Weekly Update for July 10, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This Sunday at 8:45am we will celebrate our high school graduates with a very special service. Be sure to tune in online for this one-of-a-kind service featuring the MorningSong Band (unplugged!) in a little bit different setting than usual! Congratulations to all of our 2020 high school, college, and graduate school graduates! We know this has been a hard year to graduate, with so many things shut down because of this dreadful virus, and we look forward to celebrating and honoring our high school graduates this Sunday!

Then at 11am, Leslie will explore “Unexpected Joy” through the well-known 100^th Psalm in our Sanctuary Worship Service.

Blessings and Peace,
Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications


THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong Baccalaureate Service ONLINE
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Zoom) – NEW LINK (for July 12 only)!
10:00am Children’s Sunday School
11:00am Sanctuary Worship Service ONLINE

All services will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live, on Facebook, and on YouTube. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found our website. We encourage you to join us on Facebook, comment during the live worship service, and help build community. However you join us, please sign the online guestbook and consider making your regular contributions online. Have you been having trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

10:00am Sunday School (Join in) – NEW LINK (for July 12 only)!
This Sunday the Combined Adult Sunday School and LIFT class will join together for a lesson with Rev. Ansley Page on Zoom. Join Ansley for a dive into Acts 6 & 7 and discover the power of the Holy Spirit and the courage of Stephen. All are welcome!

Children’s Sunday School with Holly – Sundays on YouTube
Holly Bannan will be recording the Sunday School lesson and time of worship for children each week and posting it to the church YouTube page. A link to this video is also being sent out to parents each week.

Young Adult Book Discussion – Continuing July 12
The Young Adults will be doing a book discussion on Tattoos on the Heart, by Gregory Boyle! If you haven’t read the book, you’re still welcome to join! The book is available on Amazon to purchase, and if you would like financial assistance, the church can cover the cost of the book. They are meeting Sunday and Monday evenings (alternating weeks) at 8:00pm via Zoom through July 26. See the church website for more information.

NEXT WEEK
Weekly Community Zoom Times for Everyone!
See the full list online at: https://fpcspartanburg.org/events/weekly-zoom

• Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (Join in)
• Middle School Zoom – Sundays and Wednesdays at 4pm (Email Robert or Carrie for the link)
• Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
• Men’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
• College Students – Wednesdays at 8pm (Join in)
• Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark with Tom – Wednesdays at 6pm (Join in)
• Summer Hangouts with Holly – Thursdays starting at 1pm (Email Holly for links)
  • 1:00pm Rising 3K, 4K, 5K, and 1^st Graders
• 1:30pm Rising 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Graders
• High School Zoom – Thursdays at 4pm (Email Robert or Carrie for the link)

New to Zoom? Having Trouble? Need a Password?
Visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/zoom for tips on how to get the most out of your Zoom gatherings. Please note that if you use any of the links in this email you will not need to input a password. If you use a link on the church website or social media you will need a password. The current password for most church events is “5834531” (which just happens to be the church phone number as well).

United Way School Supply Drive – Deadline July 16
United Way of the Piedmont is collecting school supplies for children in all seven Spartanburg school districts. Volunteers will pack “Ready-to-Learn” backpacks with donated supplies. First Pres has created a virtual team, and you can contribute! If you would like to donate funds to purchase supplies, you may do so until the deadline of July 16^th through this website.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
SPIHN
First Presbyterian is the host church for SPIHN July 26 – August 1. While we are not able to accommodate families in the church, we are able to provide funding for hotel rooms and meals during that week, thanks to your generosity. SPIHN has two families in the shelter program at this time. They are not receiving many calls for shelter due to the increased funding that is helping people stay in their homes during the pandemic.

If you would like to contribute to our SPIHN week, please donate through the FPC website or to SPIHN directly. Grocery gift cards are also welcomed and may dropped off at the SPIHN Day Center (899 S. Pine Street) on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday afternoons.

Free Food Pantry – New Way to Give!
Thank you to all who have helped to fill the Free Food Pantry, located beside The Arthur Center, during this time of uncertainty. Your donations are being used by people who need them. The Free Food Pantry is now accepting monetary donations.

Anyone who would like to donate may do so by making a check payable to Spartanburg Day School. In the memo line please write "Food Pantry."

The address of the business office is:

Spartanburg Day School
Attention: Lori Tolbert, Controller
1701 Skylyn Drive
Spartanburg, SC 29307

Hand in Hand
After recently learning the shocking statistics regarding the homelessness of many school children and their families in areas near to us and witnessing the extreme poverty in which they live, Melissa France has started a ministry called Hand in Hand. This is a food and basic supply resource for families in need. She collects donations of the items listed below and works with Spartanburg County school social workers who identify where the supplies are needed and distribute them. A list of items to donate and drop off locations can be found in Ministry Finder.

Recent Opportunities in Ministry Finder

• Free Food Pantry
• Hand in Hand
• TOTAL Ministries
• Mobile Meals
• Hope Center
• Spartanburg Soup Kitchen
• 2020 Census

The July-September edition of 'These Days' daily devotional is now available. Please note we have a limited amount. Click on this link to fill out a form and we will mail you a copy.

First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans Worship Service on Sunday, October 25. At our Kirkin’ service, we remember ancient times, as well as past and present kith and kin, while asking God’s help and blessings in the future through special music and a procession of bagpipes and tartans. If you would like to purchase a Tartan, the cost of a banner is $135, and we need your payment no later than Friday, July 24. If you have any questions or wish to confirm which tartans have already been purchased, contact Lynise Clarke.