Weekly Update for October 23, 2020

Dear Siblings in Christ,

This Sunday is our annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans service. This year will have to look a little different, but will be all the more memorable because of that!

At 8:45am, we will have our first Kirkin’ service for the day in the Sanctuary. There is still room in the Sanctuary for this service! So even if you didn’t register, “Hie thee to th’ kirk” for this very special service! We’ll try to make room for everyone (while maintaining physical distancing) in the Sanctuary. We also have video overflow in the Chapel and Fogartie Hall, if needed. Though there will not be a precession there will still be tartans, a bagpiper, and drummer who will join our vocal quartet in the familiar music that makes this service special!

Then at 11am, when it is a little warmer, we will have an outdoor Kirkin’ service in the Family Life Center parking lot. This service will also feature tartans, a bagpiper, a drummer, as well as brass ensemble to lead us all in singing during this unique service. No registration is needed, and we should have plenty of room for all! We do request that all who are able bring their own chairs, but we will still have a rack of chairs available for those who need them. At this point, the weather is a little iffy for Sunday, but we will let everyone know by Saturday if there is any change of plans for that service.

Also note that starting next week, Tuesdays at First and Wednesdays at First are merging back into a single event on Wednesdays, and everyone is invited! Registration is still requested so that we can be sure to have enough food, but the deadline is now later: Mondays at noon. Join us for what is (in my humble opinion) the best weekly tailgate party and programming for all ages in town!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY – KIRKIN’ O’ THE TARTANS
8:45am Sanctuary Worship Service
10:00am Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
10:00am 4th & 5th Grade Sunday School (Outside between Clark and Main Buildings)
11:00am Outdoor Worship in the FLC Parking Lot
5:00pm Youth Halloween Party at the Coleman’s

All services are livestreamed at www.fpcspartanburg.org/live and on our Facebook page. Bulletins, scripture readings, manuscripts, and video archives can also be found our website. Our Sanctuary service is also streamed on YouTube. However you join us, please sign the online guestbook and consider making your regular contributions online. Having trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

Check in to Worship!
We are delighted to see so many faces in Worship! As you have noticed, we are not passing a Fellowship Pad, but would love to have a record of your attendance. We have electronic solutions!

If you are a church member, on your phone, please download the “ShelbyNext | Membership App” (iPhone or Android). After you download and launch the app, enter "firstpres.shelbynextchms.com" for the domain and your username and password. Click here for instructions on how to get your username and password. On Sunday morning, open your ShelbyNext App and click “Check In” (yes, please allow it to know your location). Then click on “who” you are checking in, choose the worship service you are attending, then “Done”. With this app you get access to an always up-to-date church directory, calendar, and giving!

If you would prefer not to download this app, or are worshipping online, or you are one of our precious visitors, please check in at fpcspartanburg.org/guestbook.

10:00 a.m. Combined Adult Sunday School (Join on Zoom)
Join us this Sunday as John Lefebvre discusses The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis.

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.

5:00 p.m. Youth Halloween Party
All Youth are invited to our Halloween Party this Sunday at the home of Mark and Carrie Coleman. Middle Schoolers will meet from 5-5:45 pm, High Schoolers will meet from 6-6:45 pm. We’ll have a costume contest with PRIZES, so be sure to come dressed in your Halloween best! Check out Robert’s Weekly Email for more information.

NEXT WEEK
Register for Wednesdays at First (Register for Dinner Only)
Picnic 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. The dinner drive through begins at 5p.m. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds in your car, tailgate, or set up chairs or a blanket in the grass (physically distanced from other households, of course). Beginning at 6pm, our pastors and staff have planned a variety of fellowship and learning opportunities. No registration is required to attend the programs. Please sign up for dinner by Monday, October 26 at noon.

Tickled Pink (No Registration Required!)
Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Outdoors Near the Family Life Center
Ladies join Ansley and Susan for Real Hope for Here and Now: O Happy Day each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.! The fall focus will be Biblical figures in a tight spot, facing challenges, or living the adventure of faith and how God helped them. "Pink Ladies" will meet outdoors near the Family Life Center, so bring a chair, mask, and Bible. No Registration required!

Pulling Back the Curtain: The Technology Used in Worship (Join on Zoom)
Thursdays through November 5 (5:30-6:30pm) on Zoom
Have you ever wondered about the technology that enables our worship services, both online and inside the worship spaces? In The Wizard of Oz, Toto pulled back the curtain and let everyone see what made the “Great and Powerful Oz” happen, and we want to do the same for you! This Thursday will be Environmental Projection.

Walking in the Family Life Center (For Members Age 65 and Older) (Register Now)
Members who are 65 or older in age can now 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
SPIHN
November 1-8 was originally scheduled as one of our weeks to host SPIHN guests, but due to the continued issues with Covid, those families will not be coming to us and are being housed elsewhere. The SPIHN program, however, is now the umbrella for three separate programs: The Family Promise Shelter, Housing Programs, and the Spartanburg Opportunity Center (which has expanded its operation at the city’s request). If you are interested in helping to support SPIHN in lieu of our hosting responsibilities, here are three options: monetary donations (their website is http://www.spihn.squarespace.com), grocery store gift cards (the office address is 899 S. Pine St., Spartanburg), or volunteering at the Spartanburg Opportunity Center.

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 Tuesdays and 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.

Support St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic
October 18th is known as Saint Luke’s Feast Day, the patron saint of physicians. In honor of this day, St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic is having a special giving week. Donate or sign up to become a fundraiser today at https://slfmc.networkforgood.com/projects/112162-st-luke-s-giving-week. With your help, St. Luke’s hopes to reach their campaign goal and can ensure quality medical care is provided to uninsured patients throughout the pandemic and beyond. Thank you!

Help the Cleveland Academy Students with Book Character Costumes!
The Cleveland Academy of Leadership is planning a fun day of learning while celebrating Halloween with their students. On Friday, October 30th, students will come to school in costume dressed as their favorite book character and will participate in Halloween-themed, hands-on academic opportunities throughout the day. There will be some students who are unable to get materials for a costume at home. We need your help! If you are interested in being paired with a student to help provide a book character costume for that day, please contact Mary Elizabeth Evans at meevans@spart7.org or at 864-357-6330.

Volunteer and Donate to the Spartanburg Opportunity Center
The Spartanburg Opportunity Center needs volunteers and donations! They continue to serve people on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. There is a big need for men’s underwear, socks for all ages, warm clothing, and boy’s clothing. For more information, visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/spop.

Spartanburg Soup Kitchen
The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen needs donations of the following: aluminum foil, baked beans, barbecue sauce, bottled water, breakfast and brown gravy mixes, canned goods, carry out plates, and more. For a complete list, please visit www.fpcspartanburg.org/soupkitchen.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
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.

Interim Pastor Nominating Committee Appointed
The Session has appointed an Interim Pastor Nominating Committee (IPNC) to begin the search for an Interim Pastor, a process projected to take three months. Elders representing committees and ministries of the Session comprise the IPNC: Sloan Evans, Chair (Personnel), Ali Beeson (Worship), David Berry (Education and Discipleship), Muffet Chapman (Missions), Lewis White (Finance), and Lee Close (Clerk of Session).

Recommendation 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 3 at 10:30a.m. (Register Now)
First Presbyterian Church offers a book club with Dr. Kirk Neely on the first Tuesday of each month. Currently, the book club is meeting via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. The book for November 3 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.

Family Advent Workshop – Sunday, November 29 (RSVP Now)
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.

This year’s theme is called “God With Us.” Using Katie Pawlak’s family devotional book and ornaments, we will spend our Advent season focusing on the Jesse Tree – following stories in the Bible from Creation all the way to the birth of Jesus. Each day in December, you will have an ornament, a short scripture, devotion, prayer, as well as other family activities you can do if you wish.

During the Advent workshop, you will ‘make’ the ornaments for your Jesse Tree (make = place the sticker on the wood ornament and thread the twine to make a hanger). Our Children’s E&D Committee loved the entire gift set (ornaments + book) so much that we decided to purchase the gift sets rather than color and create our own ornaments. The hope is that this can be a lasting tradition that you can enjoy with our family for years to come.

The gift sets are $45. We are asking each family to pay $20 for the book + ornaments, and the rest will be covered by E&D.

The deadline to RSVP and purchase your kit is Friday, November 13th.

Please note: We will also have a drive through option for any family that cannot attend but would like to make their ornaments at home.

Blood Drive – Sunday, November 8
8am – 1pm 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.

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
All First Presbyterian members are reminded that our commitments to the “The Time Has Come” Campaign (2017-20) are due; the campaign period officially ends as of August 31, but in the current circumstances, payments through December 31, 2020 are considered “on time.” Thanks to everyone who has participated; we received $3,400,228 in commitments, with just $170,409 outstanding to date! All of the church’s prior debt has already been paid off but for $132,000, which will be paid off shortly after the payment period ends. Clearing these commitments will also enable the church to purchase a badly needed new HVAC chiller for $100,000.

Thanks to the generosity of our members in this campaign, magnificent renovations were made to our historic sanctuary space; the courtyard was significantly enhanced and outstanding new reception/gathering space was created; the MorningSong stage was completely replaced; and major sound, lighting and technical improvements were added throughout our worship spaces, making possible the meaningful worship opportunities we are enjoying online today (and probably never anticipated).

We hope to report an outstanding campaign commitment balance of “$0” soon!
Cathy Bagwell and David Beacham, The Time Has Come Campaign co-chairs

LOOKING AHEAD
October 25 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans
October 27 – Tickled Pink
October 28 – Wednesdays at First
November 3 – BBC with Kirk Neely
November 8 – Blood Drive (Register Now)
November 14 – Winter Warmth (Volunteer)
November 19 – 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.

Unsubscribing
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