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Weekly Update for May 8, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This weekend we give thanks to those who have been the mother figures in our lives, even as many of us have to remain physically distant from them. We pray for all those who are living in isolation right now, and we give thanks for all of those who are seeking to help in these trying times. Let us all do our parts as we continue to avoid unnecessary outings, wear our masks whenever we go out, maintain proper distances, clean common surfaces, and, of course, wash hands. I know we are all growing weary of all of this, but this is how we care for those most vulnerable right now. Thanks be to God for those who have cared for us throughout our lives, and may we learn from their good examples!

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)
5:00pm High School Youth Group (Zoom)

All services will be livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found on that page. Our worship livestreams also appear on Facebook and YouTube. Please sign the online guestbook when you join us for worship online and consider making your regular contributions online. Have you been having trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

Mother’s Day Offering
This Sunday is a day when we honor mothers all around the world - mothers who nourish and nurture, who teach love by example, and who kiss away tears. We are thankful for all moms - the women who mother their own children or the children of others; for adopted moms; birth moms; grandmoms; moms-to-be; mom-in-laws; stepmoms; for the moms we had; and the moms we want to be. Happy Mother’s Day!

And each Mother’s Day our church, together with Presbyterian congregations throughout our state, collect an offering to support the work of Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina. Presbyterian Communities provide quality care for seniors, even when their lives extend beyond their financial resources, and this annual offering helps to keep that work going. To give to this offering, please click here: www.shelbygiving.com/App/Giving/fpcs and choose “Mother’s Day – Presbyterian Communities” from the Fund Drop Down Box.

10:00am Sunday School (Join in)
This Sunday in the combined Adult Class via Zoom, the Rev. Ansley Page will lead us in exploring John 21.

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)
Morning Coffee & Sermon Discussion – Mondays at 10am (Join in)
Calling All Parents of Children and Youth! – Mondays at 4pm (Join in)
Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
Share and Prayer with Ansley – Wednesdays at 10am (Join in)
Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark with Tom – Wednesdays at 6pm (Join in)
· Evening Devotions – Thursdays at 8:30pm on Zoom (Join in)
Cleveland Academy Food Bags

Share and Prayer Philippians with Ansley – Wednesdays in May
10am each Wednesday in May on Zoom (Join in)
Join Ansley for a faith connection and a Bible Study on Paul's letter about joy in difficult circumstances. There will be time to chat and share prayer concerns, too.
Meeting ID: 828 0903 6239
Password: 5834531

Hangouts with Holly – Monday & Thursday
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 3K, 4K, and 5K
1:30pm 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Grade
2:00pm 4^th and 5^th Grade

Youth Group on Zoom
All youth are invited to join Robert, Carrie, and your friends on Zoom throughout the week. More information and links have been sent to youth families. Please contact Robert or Carrie if you have any questions
Tuesdays at 4pm – 9^th and 10^th Graders
Wednesdays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Thursdays at 4pm – 11^th and 12^th Graders
Sundays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Sundays at 5pm – High Schoolers

Hardship Survey – Deadline May 14
As part of Tom Evans’s continuing research on how we experience God, a special committee of the Diaconate was formed to explore how people experience God in times of hardship, not just during this unusual time, but throughout your life. Please take time to participate in this study by May 14^th. Visit https://survey.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3JcQXb3yXn4Az5z.

Children’s Ministry Virtual Variety Show – Submissions by May 15
Does your child play an instrument and can't have a Spring recital? Maybe a dance routine? Horseback riding? We want our children to share their hobbies and talents. Parents, record your child performing and send it back to Mrs. Holly by Friday, May 15. She's going to create a video with all the videos sent in! For more information, please contact Holly at hbannan@fpcspartanburg.org.

Young Adult Trivia – Sunday, May 17 at 8:30pm
Landon Hammett has agreed to host a trivia night for the young adults on May 17^th at 8:30pm via Zoom. You will need two devices: a screen to view the questions, and another device like a phone or tablet to submit your answers. There will be PRIZES!

If you are interested in joining, please email Leslie Lang (llang@fpcspartanburg.org) to register and get additional details.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Cleveland Academy
The families of Cleveland Academy have an increased need for food right now. They are asking again for large zip lock bags with non-perishable food items, specifically boxed meals like hamburger helper, hearty soups, pastas, canned meats, mac and cheese, oatmeal/grits packets, granola bars, and cereal. These items can be dropped off at 1060 Partridge Road. The bags can be pre-assembled, or any donations will be great. The principal and staff at Cleveland are directing families in need there. For more information, see the page for this opportunity in Ministry Finder.

Donate to Support Those in Crisis Locally
If you would like to help local families deal with the effects of COVID-19, consider giving to the United for All Fund. This fund is managed by United Way of the Piedmont to directly assist local community members affected in times of disaster or crisis. United Way has convened community partners in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties to ensure families get the help they need. Funds will directly support families who have been financially affected by the pandemic with expenses like food, shelter, utility assistance, and healthcare.

Recent Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
COVID-19 Responses and Resources
Stay up to date on First Presbyterian Church’s response to COVID-19 and learn how to protect yourself and those around you. Visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/covid-19.

Zoom Security and Privacy
We are closely monitoring the news reports about Zoom, but still believe that it is the right tool for the job. But we are using more of Zoom’s built-in privacy and security features. All newly-created events will now have a password. This password will be embedded in the link in this weekly email and in any other email invitation you get from the church. So still all you have to do is click the link to connect. However, any links shared publicly on the church website will not include the embedded password, and you will be prompted to enter a password of you click a link on the church website. For now, the password for all events is 583 4531 (the church phone number without area code or dashes). See www.fpcspartanburg.org/zoom for more information and tips on using Zoom.

Unsubscribing
If you wish to be removed from the mailing list for this weekly email, please simply email Caroline Goodman (cgoodman@fpcspartanburg.org) to make that request. The link below will unsubscribe you from ALL group emails from the church, including many occasional emails you might want to receive!