Weekly Update for November 20, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As we approach Thanksgiving in this topsy-turvy year, it is more important than ever for all of us to consider all those people and things for which we can be thankful, and out of that gratitude, to give to others in need. Last Saturday, we got to do that by distributing nearly 800 new coats to children from around Spartanburg County as part of our annual Winter Warmth Project. You can be a part of that ongoing project by donating $35 to buy a new coat for a child in need. See fpcspartanburg.org/winter-warmth for more information.

The TOTAL Ministries Food Drive this Sunday is another way you can give out of your gratitude. See below for more information. This Thanksgiving let’s give others something for which they can give thanks!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY
8:30am TOTAL Ministries Food Drive (More Information)
8:45am MorningSong in Fogartie Hall
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am 4th & 5th Grade Sunday School (Under the tent in the FLC parking lot)
11:00am Outdoor Nursery for children 5 years and younger (Playground beside the Columbarium)
11:00am Sanctuary Service
5:00pm Sunday Night Youth Group

We stream our Sanctuary and MorningSong services live each Sunday. Stream on:

FPCSpartanburg.org/LIVE 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 or
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 Drive (8:30am-12:30pm)
As Thanksgiving approaches, the need to support food banks grows as more people seek food to feed their families over the holidays. This Sunday, there is an opportunity to donate goods on from 8:30am-12:30pm. Please bring your non-perishable food and paper products to drop in the bins that will be both placed inside the Sanctuary and Family Life Center, as well as a bin outside the Family Life Center if you prefer to not come inside. You can contact Pastor Leslie if you have any questions!

10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Ansley leads our combined Adult Sunday School class!

10:00 a.m. Elementary Sunday School
The Children’s Ministry will have 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday School under the tent in the FLC parking lot.

11:00 a.m. Outdoor Nursery
Join Mrs. Holly and friends during the 11:00am worship hour for children 5 years and under (must be able to walk). Parents must check their child in between 10:45 and 11:00 on the playground beside the Columbarium. Children are not required to wear masks outdoors, but all adults and nursery workers will be wearing face masks. Please change all diapers before drop off (we will have a portable changing pad for emergencies).

5:00 p.m. Sunday Night Youth Group
The Youth will meet this week per their regular schedule. Check Robert’s Weekly Email for details!

2020 FPC Assessment Survey – Extended deadline is THIS SUNDAY, November 22
First Presbyterian Church has engaged the consulting firm Holy Cow! to conduct an assessment of our members. The results of the survey will help the Pastoral Nominating Committee to call a new pastor for First Pres. We need your participation! Fill out your survey by November 15^th. We would like to hear from 100% of our congregation. If you did not receive a survey, please contact Craig Long at scraiglong@gmail.com.

NEXT WEEK
Virtual Community Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30p.m.
Facebook Live and YouTube
The Annual Spartanburg Community Thanksgiving Service, presented by the Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance and The Spartanburg County Foundation, will be virtual this year! The service will take place Tuesday, November 24, 2020, by host-church Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Leslie will be delivering the message and Christi Brown will be recognized for her service as co-chair of the Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance.

The service will be streamed LIVE at 6:30 p.m. on Macedonia's Facebook page and YouTube channel. This year's grant recipient is Angels Charge Ministries. Watch the informational video about the service and donate to the grant recipient through this link!

White Gifts – Begins November 29 (Gifts for Thornwell)
White Gifts will look a little differently this year, but First Pres will continue to bless several organizations with gifts wrapped in white for those they serve. Each Sunday in Advent, we will collect gifts for an identified organization. You may also give a monetary donation here. For the wish lists of each organization, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/whitegifts.

Walking in the Family Life Center (For Members Age 65 and Older) (Register Now)
Members who are 65 or older in age can reserve a spot to walk inside on the gym floor during select times Monday through Friday. Appointments must be made in advance and no more than four people will be in the gym during the half hour block. Appointments are first come, first served. Please register each individual in your walking party.

Weekly Zoom Times for Everyone!
See the full list online at: https://fpcspartanburg.org/events/weekly-zoom

Prayer Gathering with Joanne – Tuesdays at Noon (Join in)
Men’s Bible Study – Wednesdays at Noon (Join in)
Thursday Book Study – Thursdays at Noon (Join in)
Adult Sunday School – Sundays at 10am (Join in)

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.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Spartanburg Academic Movement – Start Smart Coach
Each summer, several students who expressed intent on going into college, but for some reason - don't end up attending - "summer melt." The Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) piloted "Start Smart" coaches to help students with completing their enrollment process if they had started an application this past summer. With COVID-19, we've experienced an additional COVID-melt unfortunately. SAM Is in the process of contacting recent high school grads who intended to enroll but didn't to determine if any of them would like coaching support. It's all text based, and the time commitment is training (tbd) + texting your student once or week or as needed. If you are interested in being a Coach, the registration link is here.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Shelter: A New Contemporary Worship Experience – Sunday, December 6
5pm in Fogartie Hall
This service is for all who may hear God speak clearest through melody or seek the feeling of his presence in the beating of a drum.

Soaring lyrics and pulsing rhythms will guide us in a conversation with Christ through a unique interweaving of music and scripture, designed as a meditation, celebration and spiritual release as we enter the new advent season.

Basketball Registration is Open!
We are excited to announce that we will have church basketball starting in January 2021 at FPC! Our focus this year will be on skill development, fellowship among church members, and fun! The season will look a little different. For more information and to register, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/basketball.

FPC Church Office Staff Onsite Partial Days
While the church office remains “closed” for now, all office staff are onsite half days, continuing to work remotely the other half day. We have put necessary protocols in place to ensure everyone’s health and safety. Some of our schedules are staggered, however the main church phone line (864-583-4531) will be answered Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm. Outside those hours, feel free to leave a voice mail and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. As always, contact information for each staff member can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/staff.

Pastoral Counseling with Dr. Kirk H. Neely
Pastoral Counseling with Dr. Kirk Neely is available by appointment. Currently all counseling is being done by telephone or by Zoom. Personal Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Spiritual Direction are available by appointment only. This is not emergency counseling. To make an appointment, please contact Didi Terry at dterry@fpcspartanburg.org or you may contact Dr. Neely directly by email at kirkhneely@fpcspartanburg.org.

“The Time Has Come” Campaign Pledges Due December 31
Capital campaign pledge balance: $166,273
As a congregation, we are so close to being debt-free for the first time in two decades! Thank you! If you have pledged to the capital campaign, the deadline has been extended to the end of 2020. Please help us bring this train into the station!

LOOKING AHEAD
November 24 – Virtual Community Thanksgiving Service (Watch Here)
November 29 – First Sunday of Advent | Family Advent Worship (RSVP Now)
December 6 – Second Sunday of Advent | Communion
December 6 – Shelter Service (More Information)
December 13 – Third Sunday of Advent | Special Music in the Sanctuary
December 20 – Fourth Sunday of Advent | Lessons and Carols
August 13-15, 2021 – Women’s Connection at Montreat

More activities and events can be found in First News.