Weekly Update for July 2, 2021

Hello Friends!
Fireworks, patriotic cookouts, family reunions, a three-day weekend, road trips, day trips, or no trip at all; the Fourth of July has it all – including a Sunday to give thanks to God for our freedom and our beautiful country. We will have one worship service at 10:30am in the Sanctuary on July 4. I hope you will find time in your holiday to worship God and celebrate God’s blessings to us! Have a glorious Fourth of July!

Blessings to you and yours,

Joanne Hull
Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Deacons

THIS SUNDAY – JULY 4
8:00am TOTAL Ministries Drop Off (Tower Room and Narthex)
10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)

If you are worshipping online, stream on:

• FPCSpartanburg.org/worship 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.

TOTAL Ministries Food Drop Off
Please bring your non-perishable food and paper product donations for TOTAL Ministries Sunday, July 4. Drop items in the bins in the Tower Room and Narthex either before or after Worship. For a list of current needs, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/total-ministries.

NEXT WEEK
Church Office Closed on Monday, July 5
This year, since July 4 falls on a Sunday, the church office will be closed on Monday, July 5. We hope that everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day as we celebrate our independence as a nation, and as people of faith, we remember our call to pray for those in authority and the freedom offered to us in Christ.

Summer Hangouts with Mrs. Holly – Begins Wednesday, July 7
FPC Kids, join Mrs. Holly for Summer Hangouts on Wednesday nights in July! Starting Wednesday, July 7, we will have a FOCUS devotion and play Minute-to-win-It games!

• 5:30-6:20pm – Completed 3K, 4K, and Kindergarten
• 6:30-7:20pm – Completed 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th

Youth Day Trip: Wet n’ Wild Emerald Point Water Park – Wednesday, July 7 (Register Here)
Join the Youth for our next summer day trip to Wet 'n' Wild Emerald Pointe water park in Greensboro, NC! Wednesday, July 7, 8 am - 7 pm. Drop off and pick up from the Family Life Center. Cost per person is $45. Additional money will need to be sent the day of for lunch, snacks, and souvenirs. Click here to register and pay today! Friends welcome and CHAPERONES NEEDED! Let Robert or Carrie know if you would like to go with us.

Recommendations for Church Officers Needed by Friday, July 9
Your Congregational Nominating Committee needs the help of our members in nominating members of the church to serve as Elders and Deacons. Please submit this form with your suggestion of one name. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of First Presbyterian Church, including yourself. The deadline for submittal is Friday, July 9. For a list of current church officers, please click HERE.

Young Adult Social: Spartanburgers Game – Sunday, July 11 at 5pm (Order Tickets – use code 1PRES21)
The young adults are heading to Duncan Park to watch the Spartanburgers play on Sunday, July 11th starting at 5pm. Kids are welcome! Purchase tickets for General Admission (Section 100) by clicking here and using the discount code 1PRES21 for $7 tickets (code only good for this game until the first pitch). Buy as many tickets as you’d like, and we will all sit together in the GA area by 1st Base. Contact Leslie Lang if you have questions.

Weekday Bible Studies and Other Groups

• Summer Women’s Bible Study with Ansley Page: Mondays at 7pm in the Arthur Center
• Wednesday Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at noon, in person and on Zoom (Join in)
• Young Adult Women’s Summer Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6pm at the home of Donna Pulliam (Contact Leslie Lang)
• 6:30am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Small Private Dining Room
• 7:00am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Arthur Center
• In person and Zoom Group Workouts – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
• Thursdays at 12 noon – Yoga in the Activity Room with Leslie Lehmann

Having Zoom 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
Session Minute Typists Wanted!
Have you ever wanted to know what those weird little abbreviations from the 19th century mean? Do you want to be in on the creation of more accessible historical documents for the church? Do you ever wonder what really goes on in Session Meetings?

Well… THIS is your chance! We are beginning to type handwritten documents from the FPC Session into digital files, which will electronically preserve these documents and enable keyword searching. We are looking for folks that are willing to take home 10-20 pages at a time; completing the typing in about 2 weeks. All typing must be done within WORD. You will be given basic instructions that will include font and layout parameters. Afterwards, just email the documents and, if you would like, pick up additional pages for more typing. Interested? Contact Winnie Walsh at 864-579-1002 (landline) or winwalsh@charter.net.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

• Cleveland Academy of Leadership
• Hand in Hand
• TOTAL Ministries
• SPIHN
• Mobile Meals

OTHER NEWS
Thank you to Tate Metal Works!
We would like to thank Brian Tate and Tate Metal Works for providing the stainless metal and services for repairs to the fountain in the Columbarium. This fixture brings a lot of peace and joy to a great deal of people, and we could not have gotten it back up and running so quickly without your assistance. Thank you!!

ECHOES Caregiver Group – Thursday, July 15 at 1:00 pm in the High School Room
Calling all those caring for a loved one either close at hand or from a long distance – you are invited to find spiritual encouragement with others serving God as caregivers. Come for respite and renewal! If you have questions, please contact Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org.

Shelter: A Contemporary Worship Experience – Sunday, July 18 at 6pm
Have you been to a Shelter Worship Service? Join us on Sunday, July 18 at 6:00pm for a meditative time of worship through contemporary music, prayer, and scripture in a transformed Fogartie Hall.

Order Tartan Banner by July 23! (Order Here)
First Presbyterian Church will hold its annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans Worship Service on Sunday, October 31, 2021. 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. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland, so we need your order and payment by Friday, July 23, 2021. The cost of a banner is $135. For more information, visit fpcspartanburg.org/tartan. If you have any questions, please contact Lynise Clarke.

Summer Book Discussion – July 29
Join Leslie Lang in the Small Private Dining Room on Thursday, July 29th at 12pm to discuss the book, I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown. This book has been on the NY Times bestseller list and was referenced in a recent sermon by Rev Lang. It gives a firsthand account of a black woman growing up in the United States, and how she has experienced racism in her own life. All are welcome. Invite a friend and bring your lunch if you'd like.

Update from the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
In the past couple of months, members of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) have listened to and watched hundreds of sermons online and are now working to create a relatively short list of viable candidates with whom they can engage in conversation more seriously. The list of potential candidates is not complete, and they welcome suggestions of names of pastors with whom you may be familiar. Please visit fpcspartanburg.org/pnc for the full update and to contact the PNC with your suggestions.

Next Blood Drive – October 10
Our next blood drive is scheduled for Sunday, October 10. If you gave blood during our last drive Sunday, May 16, you will be eligible to donate again beginning July 12. If you would like to donate at the next blood drive at First Presbyterian Church, please refrain from donating after August 15.

ShelbyNext App Now Operating Properly
The ShelbyNext Mobile App is now operating properly!! The Directory with fellow church members’ addresses is available, along with the Church Calendar, Check-In, and Giving. If you have any questions on how to sign in or get the App, visit fpcspartanburg.org/discover/member-login.

These Days Devotionals (July-September) Now Available
Strengthen your faith with These Days, an inspiring and uplifting daily devotional! Stop by the church office to pick up your copy, or if you would like us to mail you a booklet, please fill out this form. Limited copies are available, and they are first-come, first-serve.

FPC Health Guidelines
First Presbyterian Church is observing CDC Health Guidelines. As Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Thank you for your understanding.

Questions about your Church Membership?
If you have any questions or comments about your church membership, please email Lynise Clarke. You may also use contact Lynise to update any changes to your information (addresses, phone numbers, etc). Thank you.

LOOKING AHEAD
July 11 – Young Adult Social at Spartanburgers Game
July 18 – Shelter Service
August 13-15 – Women’s Connection at Montreat
August 20 – Young Adult Fellowship at the Criterium
August 29 – Rally Day
September 25 – Young Adult Event: Northside 5k

More activities and events can be found in First News.