Weekly Update for November 6, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

It was great seeing people in person for worship in both Fogartie Hall and the Sanctuary on Sunday! Join us again this Sunday. No reservations are necessary!

For the most part, everyone is doing great about wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. Thank you! One of the bigger challenges has been at the end of the Sanctuary worship services. In the Sanctuary, please wait for an usher to dismiss your row, and please do not bunch up in the aisles so that people can get by. We would love for you to visit and catch up with friends outside so that the aisles stay clear for those wishing to exit the Sanctuary.

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY
8:00am Blood Drive in the FLC Parking Lot
8:45am MorningSong in Fogartie Hall
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am 4th & 5th Grade Sunday School (Outside between Clark and Main Buildings)
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.

8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Blood Drive in the FLC Parking Lot
First Pres will receive a $20 donation for every person who registers and participates. Please contact Beth Cecil at bcecil@fpcspartnburg.org for more information.

10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
Join us this Sunday as Pastor Craig 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 in Bob’s Meditation Garden.

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!

NEXT WEEK
Women’s Ministry Gathering – Monday, November 9 at 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Sanctuary and Livestream
Join us Monday, November 9th at 2:00pm in the Sanctuary for a Women’s Gathering! Pastor Craig will be continuing the Women’s Circle study of the Ten Commandments.

This event will also be livestreamed for those who are unable to come or do not feel comfortable coming in person. Click this link for more information!

Please note that someone will greet you at the Tower Room doors between 1:45 and 2:00 p.m. Because the church is not consistently staffed in the afternoons, we will not be able to buzz people in after the event begins at 2pm.

Winter Warmth – Volunteers Needed November 13 and 14
Although the Winter Warmth process will be different this year, we will still be serving families through this important mission. We invite you to participate this year! Adults may join us on Friday, November 13 for set up and on the morning of Saturday, November 14 as we distribute over 1,000 coats to children. Sign up to volunteer here!

You may also drop off new or knitted hats, scarves, and gloves for the toddlers of Winter Warmth families in the marked bins during Wednesdays at First and on Sunday morning. Finally, you can ensure that one child receives a brand-new, in-style coat to wear during the cold winter months for a donation of $35. Donations in honor of individuals make perfect Christmas gifts both on the individual and corporate level. Click here to make a donation.

ECHOES on Zoom – Thursday, November 12 at 12:00 noon (Join) or 7:00p.m. (Join)
Caring for a loved one who is aging or sick is a special ministry. If you are engaged in this and would appreciate Christian encouragement, please join Rev. Ansley Page, Rev. Joanne Hull, and Parish Nurse Beth Cecil on Thursday at either 12:00 noon or 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. From the comfort of your home, you can enjoy this time of devotion, prayer, and sharing with folks in similar circumstance. Let your church family help you in this sacred work. Please register with Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org.

2020 FPC Assessment Survey – Deadline November 15
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 have set a very high goal and would like to hear from 80% of our congregation. If you did not receive a survey, please contact Craig Long at scraiglong@gmail.com.

Order your Food for Wednesdays at First (Order Food)
Tailgate Begins at 5:00 p.m. / Programs Begin at 6:00 p.m.
Thank you to all who have been attending our mid-week activities! We now invite everyone on Wednesdays through November 18. We hope you will join us each week for dinner and programs for all ages. You will only need to register if you would like dinner. Please order your food for WAF by Monday, November 9 at noon. Forget to order food? No problem! Drive through your favorite restaurant and tailgate with us anyway!

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
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. For the wish lists of each organization, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/whitegifts.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Family Advent Workshop – Sunday, November 29 (RSVP by November 13)
To kick-off Advent, we are having our Advent workshop on Sunday, November 29th (the First Sunday of Advent). The workshop will take place in the gym after our 11AM worship service. For more information and to register, visit: https://fpcspartanburg.org/events/advent-workshop .

Recommendations for Pastor Nominating Committee
The Congregational Nominating Committee needs your help recommending members of the church to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee. Please submit THIS FORM with your suggestion of one name. You may submit as many names as you would like, suggesting any member of First Presbyterian Church, including yourself. Deadline for submittal is Sunday, November 15.

BBC with Kirk Neely – Tuesday, November 17 at 10:30a.m. (Register Now)
First Presbyterian Church offers a book club with Dr. Kirk Neely each month. Currently, the book club is meeting via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. The book for November is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. All are invited to attend. You do not have to be a member of FPC to participate. To receive the Zoom link, please contact Didi Terry via email at dterry@fpcspartanburg.org.

Young Adult Virtual Game Night – Wednesday, November 18
There will be another opportunity for some Jackbox games and laughs from the comfort of your own homes on Wednesday, November 18th at 8pm. You will either need two devices (computer, tablet, phone), or have a computer where you can have two windows open. Leslie will send out a Zoom link when it gets closer to time. Hope you'll join us!

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.

“These Days” Daily Devotional
The October-December edition of “These Days” daily devotional is available. Click on this link to fill out a form and we will mail you a copy.

“The Time Has Come” Campaign Pledges Due December 31
Capital campaign pledge balance: $156,965
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!

FPC Church Office Staff Onsite Partial Days
Since March, your church office staff has been working remotely during the work week, ensuring the safety of our employees, members, and visitors.

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.

We miss seeing your smiling faces and look forward to the day when our church doors are open for you to visit. When this happens, we will shout it from the rooftops. Please bear with us as we navigate this transition; we cherish your continued prayers.

LOOKING AHEAD
November 8 – Blood Drive (Register Now)
November 11 – Wednesdays at First
November 14 – Winter Warmth (Volunteer)
November 17 – ECHOES on Zoom
November 18 – Young Adult Game Night via Zoom
November 24 – Virtual Community Thanksgiving Service
November 29 – First Sunday of Advent | Family Advent Worship (RSVP Now)
December 6 – Second Sunday of Advent | Communion
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.