Weekly Update for November 24, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Happy Thanksgiving! Since the church will be closed on Thursday and Friday, we are sending our weekly update a few days early. Don’t forget about the Community Thanksgiving Service this evening. Things will be a little different because of COVID-19, but this time of community unity is more important than ever this year, and Angels Charge is such an important ministry!

After you have had your fill of turkey (or however you celebrate Thanksgiving this year), don’t forget that the season of Advent begins this Sunday. The hope and expectation that is the hallmark of Advent may be just what we need as we wrap up this strange year! Look for an email later in the week with resources on how you can enrich your faith daily this Advent. Part of our celebration of Advent will also be an expansion of our annual White Gifts service to each of our Sunday morning services this Advent. See below to learn how you can join in this season of giving.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

Virtual Community Thanksgiving Service – Tuesday, November 24 at 6:30 p.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! 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 Missionary Baptist Church'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!

THIS SUNDAY – FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
8:45am MorningSong in Fogartie Hall
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom or in-person in the Social Hall)
11:00am Outdoor Nursery for children 5 years and younger (Playground beside the Columbarium)
11:00am Sanctuary Service

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.

White Gifts – Sunday, November 29 (Bring 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.

10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom or in-person in the Social Hall)
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Ansley leads our combined Adult Sunday School class! You may join online or in person in the Social Hall.

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).

NEXT WEEK
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.

Advent Photo-a-Day Challenge
The Advent Season encourages us to prepare for the coming of our Lord. we are inviting you to prepare by hitting the "pause" button...daily. Each day during Advent, we will post a word for reflection on our social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) using a list generated by rethinkchurch.org. Take a moment to pause and reflect on this word, and then share a response to that word through a picture. Post your picture on social media, tag @fpcspartanburg and use #fpcsadvent. Don't worry if you miss a day or two - there is no failing this challenge. We just hope to provide a gift of added meaning to this special season and an additional opportunity to connect with each other.

Walking in the Family Life Center (For Members Age 65 and Older)
Members who are 65 or older in age can walk on the second-floor track during the times of 10am-12noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Pre-registration is no longer required, but there is a 4-person limit at one time. Members should enter through the FLC entrance near Mobile Meals.

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
Virtual Angel Tree (Sponsor a Child)
This holiday season, First Presbyterian Church will participate in Virtual Angel Tree (no contact) to remind 120 local children of prisoners we support each year that they are loved and not forgotten, not only by their incarcerated parents, but also by their Heavenly Father.

Sponsor a child by giving $42 through our online portal, and the sponsored gifts will be sent directly to the Angel Tree kids. Each gift package will include a gift card, a personal message from the parent, an age-appropriate Gospel presentation, and an opportunity to request a Bible.

To sponsor a child, click this link and use the access code: NAYLH. The deadline to sponsor online is December 8. If you prefer to give by check, please read the information on our Angel Tree webpage. If you have further questions, please email Brandt Goodwin.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
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
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.