Weekly Update for March 12, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

It is exciting to begin to see people back at the church! Wednesdays at First resumes this Wednesday. So be sure to reserve your meals by Monday, and join us for the best weekly tailgate party in town, followed by programs for children, youth, and adults! See below for more information and sign-up links.

Keep reading for more information about upcoming in-person worship opportunities, and other in-person activities that are resuming in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, there is still plenty happening on Zoom and livestream.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Worship Opportunities and Reopening Update
As we approach Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, we will have more opportunities to gather together, both in-person and virtually, to celebrate our faith. See the full schedule here.

Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 14
Set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night!

THIS SUNDAY – FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
8:45am MorningSong (Online Only)
10:00am Fourth Presbyterian Lecture Series (Sign Up)
10:00am Children’s Sunday School Rotation (Contact Holly Bannan)
11:00am Sanctuary Service (Online Only)
5:00pm Confirmation

5:00pm Middle School Youth Group
6:00pm High School Youth Group

We stream our Sanctuary and MorningSong services live each Sunday. 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.

From Lament of Love, The Journey of Pain Seeking Understanding in the Bible
with Dr. William P. Brown
Sundays, beginning February 21, 10:00am on Zoom (Registration Required)
This year, Fourth Presbyterian of Greenville, SC has moved their annual lecture series to Zoom, and we are invited! This year’s guest lecturer is Dr. William P. Brown. Many of you will remember Bill as our 2011 Theology Weekend speaker, when he spoke about “The Ecology of Wonder in the Bible.” Registration is required on the Fourth Presbyterian website. From February 21 – March 28, this will take the place of our usual Zoom Combined Adult Sunday School Class. Find out more and watch recordings of past sessions at: https://www.fourthpres.com/pellett-wearn-lectures

10:00 a.m. Children’s Sunday School Rotation
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 more information and the Zoom link.

5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Youth Group – Family Life Center
This Sunday, all Youth are invited to join Pastor Robert for spiritual growth, connection, and FUN! Masks and social distancing required. Middle Schoolers will meet from 5:00-6:00 p.m.; High Schoolers from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Check your Weekly Email and Remind texts for more information! Email Carrie Coleman if you need to be added to either of these distribution lists.

5:00 p.m. Confirmation
Confirmation will meet this Sunday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Don’t forget your mask and your Bible!

NEXT WEEK
Wednesdays at First Returns March 17
Pre-Order Dinner by Monday at noon
Wednesdays at First (WAF) returns on St. Patrick’s Day! Drive through the porte-cochere at the Family Life Center beginning at 5pm to pick up an Irish-inspired meal and tailgate in the parking lot. Pano and the WAF Committee have planned for live music, games, balloons, and more during the dinner hour…and remember to wear green. Programs for children, youth, and adults will begin at 6pm. Dr. Lewis Galloway will begin a seven-week series on Galatians entitled “What Does it Mean to be Free?” in Fogartie Hall. For a full list of activities and to register/pre-pay for dinner, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/waf.

Meet the Pastor via Zoom (Sign Up)
Mondays at 7pm and Wednesdays at 3pm
We are very happy to welcome Dr. Lewis Galloway to First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg. Dr. Galloway is looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you! While we continue to worship online, he has arranged to meet you via Zoom each Monday at 7pm or Wednesday at 3pm beginning February 22. He will hold each Zoom meeting with up to 10 households. You may choose a day/time at fpcspartanburg.org/events/meet-the-pastor to join in these conversations.

Lenten Study Series: Handel’s Messiah
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom (Join in)
Join Holt Andrews on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm during Lent for a theological/musical look at Parts II and III of this classic work. Our resource book will be “Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah.” Contact Holt Andrews to secure a copy of the resource book. While the resource book is very helpful, it is not essential, and anyone may join for any of the six sessions.

Mom Moment with Ansley Page (Join in)
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon
Moms of teens and tweens, let’s get together for a Mom Moment – a 30-minute break to check in with yourself and others, listen to a 2-minute word of Scripture and encouragement, and share sightings of God’s grace and love. We will meet Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30pm, February 10-March24 via Zoom (for now). Bring your lunch if that works and join in for a respite and a faith connection. Email Ansley Page for more information or if you are interested in an evening group.

Congregational Meeting, Next Sunday, March 21

The First Presbyterian Church Session has called a Congregational Meeting and a meeting of the members of the Corporation (First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg, SC) to be held on Sunday, March 21, 2021, at the conclusion of the 11:00am worship to elect at-large members to the 2021 Congregational Nominating Committee and to elect the class of 2023 elders and the chair of the Diaconate to the Board of Trustees of the Corporation. Additionally, the Personnel Committee requests that the congregation consider changes to the Terms of Call for the installed pastors. This meeting will be held over Zoom and will also be livestreamed.

Walking in the Family Life Center
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, we will open the walking track for members 50 years and older. There is no registration required, but we will limit the number of people walking to four at a time. Masks are required at all times in the building.

Workout with Colleen Darrall via Zoom! (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.

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

• Zoom Group Workouts – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
• Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
• Book Study with Nan and Tom McDaniel – Tuesdays/Thursdays at Noon (Join in)
• Mom Moment with Ansley Page – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
• Men’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
• Lenten Study of Handel’s Messiah (Join in)
• 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)
• Fourth Presbyterian Lecture Series – Sundays at 10:00am (Registration Required)

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.

LENT 2021 AT FPC
What is connecting you to God right now? (link) (email sign-up)
Don’t miss this daily video series featuring different members of our FPC family, as we answer the question, “What is connecting you to God right now?” and read through the Gospel of Mark! A new video is released every Weekday and Saturday morning. Sign up here to receive these videos in your email inbox each morning (Sign Up) and find current and past devotionals in the Devotional Readings channel of the church website.

Would you like to contribute to this project? Please contact Craig Foster (cfoster@fpcspartanburg.org).

Resources for Study and Devotion this Lent
A broad list of other resources for devotion and study can be found in the Devotional Readings channel of the church website and can be accessed directly here.

Worship Opportunities and Reopening Update
As we approach Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter, we will have more opportunities to gather together, both in-person and virtually, to celebrate our faith. See the full schedule here.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Cards for Hospital Workers
As many of you know, healthcare workers are emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted during this pandemic. The volunteer manager at SRHS has requested notes and cards to remind them that they are loved and appreciated. There will be a drop-off box for cards left outside the Tower Room doors at the church beginning March 4. You can bring cards at any time that is convenient for you. When WAF resumes, we will also plan to have hands-on opportunities to make/write cards onsite (Watch for more information). There are over 11,000 employees, and a note of encouragement could really brighten their day! This is a great project for all ages, so get the entire family involved!

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to Help Winter Storm Victims
If you feel led to help those in the path of the recent winter storms in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, you may give financially through First Pres. Contributions will be directed to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Fund and will be used specifically to help aid in the aftermath of these winter storms. Give online at fpcspartanburg.org/give.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

• Spartanburg Opportunity Center
• Hope Center
• Hand in Hand
• TOTAL Ministries
• SPIHN
• Mobile Meals

OTHER NEWS
Witness Season– Thank You for Helping Us Raise $38,277 (and still growing)!
Thank you to the many members of our congregation who gave money and supplies to Ministry of Hope Lesotho and pushed us beyond our stated monetary goal, all the way to $38,277 (and still growing). These funds will improve the grounds and the building of Ministry of Hope Lesotho and make the home shared by the vulnerable children and the staff that care for them more comfortable and functional. In a year of disconnectedness and separation, First Pres united together, and in a very real way, sent light out into the darkness.

Reply All Ministry
Looking for a simple and meaningful way to stay connected with your church family even though we are apart? Reply All is a brand-new small group ministry that will help us keep in touch, learn about what is going on at the church, and build community among members. Reply All Hosts (RAH RAH Leaders) will be getting in touch with you in the coming weeks! Please email Cathy Bagwell for more information about this exciting new ministry.

Covid-19 Vaccination Information
If you are 65 years of age and older and interested in getting the Covid-19 vaccination, contact Spartanburg Regional Vaccine Registration Customer Service at 864-577-4091, or sign up at SpartanburgRegional.com/Vaccine. If you register online, each registrant must have their own individual email address. Contact Beth Cecil (208-2136 or bcecil@fpcspartanburg.org) if you need assistance.

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.

Giving to First Presbyterian Church – Dropbox available outside of the Tower Room
Thank you for your faithful giving to First Presbyterian Church. For your convenience, we have placed a securely locked drop box outside of the Tower Room. We also receive and check mail daily at the church. Your contributions are safely getting to our financial office. Please continue to drop contributions off at the church in the outdoor drop box or mail to Attn: Lynise Clarke 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

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 send an email or get a phone number. 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
March 14 – Online Worship Services – Fourth Sunday of Lent (fpcspartanburg.org/worship)
March 17 – WAF Resumes
March 21 – In-Person Outdoor MorningSong Resumes (FLC Parking Lot)
March 21 – Congregational Meeting
March 28 – Palm Sunday
April 1 – Maundy Thursday Communion in the Chapel (8am-6:30pm)
April 1 – Maundy Thursday Worship Service (online) (7:30pm)
April 2 – Good Friday Worship Service (online) (noon)
April 4 – Easter Sunday (In-Person Outdoor Sunrise, MorningSong, and Traditional Services)
May 2 – Confirmation Sunday
May 16 – Baccalaureate Sunday
May 23 – Pentecost
August 13-15, 2021 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

More activities and events can be found in First News.