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Weekly Update for June 19, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of you fathers out there! We give thanks to those who have been father-figures in our lives. We give thanks for the ways, despite whatever flaws they may have had, they point us to the love of our Heavenly Father. We pray for those for whom the image of God as Father is painful or difficult, and we pray that the rich tapestry of images for God in the Bible draws them close to God in other ways. We pray for those who are separated from their fathers by distance, broken relationships, and/or death. (Let me personally express my thanks to those who have extended notes of kindness and condolences on the death of my own father last month!) We pray for fathers who are separated from their children, by distance, broken relationships, and/or death. We pray God’s comfort and peace on all people this weekend as we continue through these difficult times of pandemic and unrest, and as we seek to put an end to the injustice and inequity of racism.

This evening, the bi-annual General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) begins. Our own Leslie Lang will be a commissioner in this first virtual GA. More information, including streaming links, visit https://ga-pcusa.org/. Please be in prayer for our denominational leaders and commissioners as they do the work of the national church over the next week.

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

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong ONLINE
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Zoom)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School
11:00am Sanctuary Worship Service ONLINE
4:00pm Middle School Youth Group (Zoom)

All services will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live and on our Facebook page. We encourage you to join us on Facebook, comment during the live worship service, and help build community. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found our website. Our worship livestreams also appear on YouTube. 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)
This Sunday in the combined Adult Class via Zoom, Dr. Tom McDaniel will lead us is looking at the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. 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.

NEXT WEEK
Weekly Community Zoom Times for Everyone!

Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (Join in)
Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark with Tom – Wednesdays at 6pm (Join in)
College Students with Robert and Carrie – Wednesdays at 8pm (Join in)

Virtual Week of Caring Presented by United Way of the Piedmont – June 22-27
Although the pandemic has led to social distancing and many activities to be canceled, United Way of the Piedmont has come up with some ways that you can show the community that you care! This year, United Way has created a virtual Week of Caring in place of their usual service day. See https://uwpiedmont.galaxydigital.com/week-of-action/ for more information on what you can do each day next week, and feel free to share this with anyone you think would like to participate!

Summer Hangouts with Holly – New Schedule!
Thursdays starting at 1pm on Zoom (Email Holly for specific times and a link)
All children are invited to join Holly Bannan online for a time of fellowship and learning together.
1:00pm Rising 3K, 4K, 5K, and 1^st Graders
1:30pm Rising 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Graders

Youth Group and College Students on Zoom
All youth and college students are invited to join Robert, Carrie, and your friends on Zoom throughout the week. More information, new schedule, and links have been sent to youth families. Please contact Robert or Carrie if you have any questions

Sundays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Wednesdays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Wednesdays at 8pm – College Students (Join in)
Thursdays at 4pm – High Schoolers

WORKING TO END RACISM
21 Day Racial Equity Challenge
The Local Missions Committee has voted and agreed to commit to a racial equity challenge, and we invite you to join us. As a predominantly white congregation, we invite you to join in this 21 Day Racial Equity Challenge to learn more about issues of race, discrimination, and injustice, and to hear voices different from our own. By making this commitment, we agree each day to engage one of these resources that will expand my understanding about racial issues, to reflect, to share, and to pray. For more resources, a tracking chart, and learning opportunities, visit Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.’s website.

As part of the Sunday School option on June 28th at 10am, there will be a time of discussion and conversation about what you’ve been learning through the Racial Equity Challenge.

“Just Mercy” Movie Discussion
In addition to the resources listed, Just Mercy is being offered for free by many streaming services during the month of June. We offer the suggestion to watch this movie, which explores systemic racism and injustice, at some point in June and to join us for a group conversation via Zoom. There will be two options for these discussions (more details coming soon):

Tuesday, June 30^th: 5:30-6:30pm

Wednesday, July 1^st: 12-1pm

If you have questions or would just like to have more conversation, please feel free to reach out to Leslie Lang at llang@fpcspartanburg.org.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Hand in Hand – New Initiative!
Melissa France has recently begun a ministry called Hand in Hand, which is a food and supply resource for families in need. When she visited the Clifton community and saw the extreme poverty that was in an area just next door to her neighborhood, it shook her. She knew that she wanted to do everything in her power to help and started collecting food. Melissa connected with a District 3 social worker who also had a passion for helping families in Clifton and knew how to get it into the hands of those who needed it. She has expanded from Clifton, and now also serves specific areas in District 7 (Northridge, Crescent Hill, Mary H. Wright, Northside, Cleveland, and Drayton Mills). A list of items to donate and drop off locations can be found in Ministry Finder.

Complete the 2020 Census
Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding are distributed each year. It is vital to our area that we all complete the 2020 Census in order for Spartanburg to report accurate data that could greatly benefit our community. Fill out the Census online, by paper, or by phone. If you, or someone you know, needs assistance filling out the Census, please contact the Spartanburg County Public Libraries.

Recent Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Church Closure Update
As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, your officers have decided that we will not meet for in-person worship during the month of June. However, we will begin approving small gatherings of 10 or fewer people to be held under proper distancing and safe conditions (generally outdoor) as requests are made and the need is reasonable. Your staff is coming up with great ideas for these gatherings, and we will be sharing with you as the plans are finalized. We look forward to the day when we can once again meet for worship!

Recommendations for Church Officers Needed by Friday, July 3
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. Deadline for submittal is Friday, July 3, 2020.

Kirkin' Tartan Orders Due Friday, July 24
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. The tartan fabrics are ordered from Scotland; we need your payment no later than Friday, July 24. Some clans have multiple patterns available. If you want a particular pattern, please indicate on the order form. Otherwise, we will order the most common pattern for that clan. You will receive an acknowledgment of your order and payment. After the 11:00am service on October 25, the tartan banners will be given to you for storage or display until the next Kirkin’. Only the staffs and banner stands will remain at the church.

To purchase a tartan, please complete the ONLINE FORM OR send your name, address, phone, email, Clan Tartan Name and Pattern, along with $135 to the church office, Attention: Lynise Clarke. Checks payable to "First Presbyterian Church".

If you have any questions or wish to confirm which tartans have already been purchased, contact Lynise Clarke.

Young Adult Book Discussion
The Young Adults will be doing a book discussion on Tattoos on the Heart, by Gregory Boyle, in July! 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 will meet Sunday and Monday evenings (alternating weeks) at 8:30pm via Zoom. If you would like to join, please email Leslie at llang@fpcspartanburg.org for more information and access to the Zoom link.