Weekly Update for March 13, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Grace and peace to all of you! I know there is a lot of concern globally about the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, you all received yesterday’s email about the steps our church is taking. You can find it on the church website here.

We are moving though the season of Lent, exploring together the intersections of worship and life through sermonsand daily devotions. Whether you are with us in person on Sunday or via the livestream, I hope that you join us for worship on Sunday as Joanne delves into the story of the Samaritan woman in MorningSong and Tom explores the Proclamation of the Word in the Chapel and Sanctuary.

Peace,
Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY
8:45am MorningSong* and Chapel Worship Services
9:45am Sunday School for All Ages
11:00am Sanctuary* Worship Service
2:00pm Sunday Youth Group

(* Services with asterisks will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found on that page.)

Rise Against Hunger – POSTPONED
In light of the recent developments regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and out of the desire to keep our congregation as well as those who might receive the meals we pack as healthy as possible, we have made the decision to postpone the Rise Against Hunger project originally scheduled for this Sunday. The new date will be Sunday, October 11, from 2 – 4 pm. We hope you will mark your calendars and make plans to join us then. The Youth Group will still meet from 2-4pm on Sunday, however.

NEXT WEEK
Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance Lenten Worship and Luncheon Series
Noon each Wednesday in Lent
Register HERE for a free lunch
Experience the tradition of the Lenten Season! The Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance will host six worship and lunch sessions beginning at noon where attendees have the chance to fellowship and learn more about the Lenten tradition.

Wed. 3/18 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (121 Quail Dr.)
Wed. 3/25 at Glenn Springs Calvary Episcopal Church (3685 Glenn Springs Rd.)
Wed. 4/1 hosted by The Palmetto Moravian Fellowship at Central United Methodist Church (233 N. Church St.)

WAF Dinner – Wednesday, March 18
5:00-6:15pm in Fogartie Hall
Menu: Salad bar, baked spaghetti, bread, dessert (no children’s menu)
No reservations are necessary, and most forms of payment are accepted at the door. Meal costs are: $8 for adults and youth (12 and older), $7 for seniors (55 and over), and $5 for children, with a limit of $25 per family.

The FPC Children’s Choirs present…
Singing to Servanthood – Wednesday, March 18
6:30pm in the Sanctuary
Our talented Children’s Choirs (ages 5K-Grade 5) will present their spring concert, entitled, “Singing to Servanthood.” The concert will include lots of music the children have worked on over this school year, including anthems you have never heard before! Please join us for this special evening and support our young singers. Feel free to invite extended family and friends! The event will conclude with an ice cream party for singers and their families in Fogartie Hall!

JOY Fellowship Trip to Spartanburg Downtown Airport – Thursday, March 19
Meet at 10:45am at the church
Join your JOY Fellowship friends for a trip to the historic Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport. We will have a tour and learn some of the history of Spartanburg’s largest asset. Meet at the Family Life Center at 10:45am to take the church bus to the airport, and enjoy lunch at Fuddruckers after the tour. Contact Joanie Shackleton (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2132) to reserve your spot on the bus.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Find all sorts of ways that you can serve in the Ministry Finder section of the website (under the “Serve” menu). There you can search for service opportunities that match your interests and schedule, and with one tap, make contact with someone who can tell you more and/or help you to get involved.

Service Opportunities for Children, Families, and Everyone Else Too!
There are several opportunities for you and your children to get involved in preparing our church for the season of Lent and Easter. Please sign up online or contact Alexa Pack (alexapack@gmail.com) or Mary Lorick Thompson (marylorick.thompson@salem.edu) for more information, visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449aaa623a3fa7-lent and

OTHER NEWS
Security Change: Interior Doors to the Clark Building
The interior doors between the Clark Building and the Main Building will be unlocked and will no longer require an access card on Wednesdays from 4pm-7pm and Sundays from 8am-1pm. Entry from the outside of the building will still require an access card.

2^nd Annual Poverty Summit – Thursday, April 16
5-8pm in the Sanctuary and Fogartie Hall
Cost: $10/person (includes dinner)
Join us for a special worship service and an update on the Faith Initiative to End Child Poverty. Also hear the powerful story of special speaker Rev. Darrell Armstrong, an alumnus of foster care, Chief Administrative Officer to the United Nations - Baptist World Alliance, and former board member of Prevent Child Abuse America. The cost is $10 per person, which includes a plated dinner. Register today at www.fpcspartanburg.org/povertysummit. Please contact Caroline Goodman (cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org / 864-208-2139) if you have any questions.

LOOKING AHEAD
March 19 – JOY Fellowship Trip to Spartanburg Airport
April 1 – Palm Cross Workshop
April 5 – Palm Sunday
April 5 – Chamber Singers Concert
April 9 – Maundy Thursday
April 10 – Good Friday
April 12 – Easter Sunday
April 16 – 2^nd Annual Poverty Summit
May 3 – Confirmation Sunday
May 7 – Chamber Singers Concert
May 17 – Baccalaureate Sunday
May 31 – Pentecost (one service at 10:30)
June 15-18 – Vacation Bible School
August 14-16 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

Find out more in First News: www.fpcspartanburg.org/firstnews