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Weekly Update for September 3, 2021

Dear Friends,

This weekend, in many ways, is the quiet before the storm here at the church. We hope that you all enjoy in safety the break that this long weekend offers! This Sunday we will have one service in the Sanctuary at 10:30am and no Sunday School. But be ready! The fall schedule begins on September 12, with WAF, Children’s Choirs, JustFaith, and so much more right on its heels!

Craig Foster
Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Communications

THIS SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 5
All Morning TOTAL Ministries Food Drive
10:30am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)

The 10:30am Sanctuary Worship Service will be streamed on the church website, Facebook, and YouTube. Trouble with the livestreams? Check out this information on the church website.

However you join us, please check in through the ShelbyNext app or sign the online guestbook to let us know you worshipped with us. Consider giving online or through the ShelbyNext app as a regular act of worship.

10:30am Worship as One in the Sanctuary
We will have worship together as a Church Family at 10:30am in the Sanctuary. All other services and classes will not meet.

TOTAL Ministries Food Drive (Before or After Worship)
There will be an opportunity to donate goods before or after Worship in the Sanctuary. Please bring your non-perishable food and paper products to drop in the bins in the Tower Room and the Narthex. Contact Pastor Leslie if you have any questions!

NEXT WEEK
Church Facilities Closed – Monday, September 6
All church offices and facilities will be closed Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day. We hope you have a fun and safe holiday!

NEW Family Life Center Gym Hours – Beginning September 7
Come enjoy the gym facilities Monday through Thursday from 7am-8pm and Friday from 7am-2pm!

The Dr. Leland G. Close Faith Build Habitat Home will raise walls on Tues, Sept 7th!
Habitat would love some First Presbyterian Church volunteers to come out for a Wall Raising Ceremony on September 7 at 8:30am for the Faith Build located at 106 Ponce de Leon Avenue in honor Dr. Lee Close. If you would like to volunteer to help build this home, please visit Habitat's Volunteer Calendar Here and search "Faith Build."

BBC Returns with De Calvert and Lewis Johnson – Tuesday, September 7 at 10:30am and 7:00pm in the Arthur Center
Join De Calvert and Lewis Johnson for BBC this fall! On September 7, join us in the Arthur Center at 10:30am or 7:00pm to discuss Bells For Eli, a book by Susan Beckham Zurenda. The author will also be with us to discuss this book! All are invited to attend. You do not have to be a member of FPC to participate. Please contact receptionist@fpcspartanburg.org if you have any questions.

Christians in the Making Women’s Bible Study Resumes September 8!
Wednesdays at 10am in the Purnell Room
Join the great group of faithful women as they take “A Hop, Skip, and a Jump” through the grand story of the Bible.

ECHOES – Thursday, September 9 at 1pm in the High School Room
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 come to ECHOES at 1:00pm in the High School Classroom in the Family Life Center. Enjoy a time of devotion, prayer, and sharing with folks in similar circumstance. Let your church family help you in this sacred work. If you have questions, please contact Joanie Shackleton at jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org.

Children’s Choir and First Steps Resume on September 15! (Registration OPEN)
Children’s Choir resumes September 15 for ages 4K-5^th grade at 5pm. Register at fpcspartanburg.org/childrenschoir. Additionally, First Steps for parents and children birth through age 3 will begin mid-September. Class size is limited! Register at fpcspartanburg.org/firststeps. For more information, please contact Marcia Andrews at mandrews@fpcspartanburg.org.

Weekday Bible Studies and Other Groups

Wednesday Men’s Bible Study: Wednesdays at noon, in person and on Zoom (Join in)
Bootcamp – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. (Email Colleen)
6:30am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Small Private Dining Room
7:00am Men’s Bible Study: Fridays in the Arthur Center

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Ushers Needed for September
We are seeking additional ushers willing to help pass out bulletins and assist seating during the 8:45am Chapel Service. Our immediate need is for September, but there are openings for other months as well. Please contact Joanie in the church office and let her know when you are available to help (jshackleton@fpcspartanburg.org; 864-208-2132).

RUN (or walk) FOR CLEVELAND! (Register Here)
The Cleveland Academy of Leadership and The Franklin School (both mission partners of First Pres) will host their annual 5K Race and Fun Run Saturday, September 25, 2021. All proceeds from the race will benefit The Cleveland Opportunity Foundation, a 501c3 that provides access to academic and extra-curricular opportunities that empower the students towards overall success at Cleveland Academy. Both race participants and volunteers are needed (ex: set-up, check-in, handing out water, tear-down)! For more information, contact Leslie Lang.

Support Earthquake Relief in Haiti through HOM (Donate Online)
Our mission partner organization, Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM) is now accepting financial contributions for earthquake relief in Haiti. They are working to provide food and medical supplies, and they are exploring the possibility of rebuilding homes and drilling a well to provide clean drinking water to the community. All this is possible through the relationship our Terre Noire church has with the church community located in Cavaillon, near the earthquake's epicenter. We will be working through that relationship to aid. Financial contributions will help us to meet needs in the earthquake ravaged area as transportation and safety considerations allow. Make an online donation, or checks may be mailed to HOM, P.O. Box 71042, Durham, NC 27722. Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Haiti.

Other Opportunities in Ministry Finder

OTHER NEWS
Wednesdays at First Resumes September 15!
Wednesdays at First, or WAF, returns September 15! Join us for dinner beginning at 5pm and programming for all ages beginning at 6:30pm. Register for dinner on the 15^th or register for the month of September! For details regarding programming for children, youth, and adults, please visit fpcspartanburg.org/waf.

The Best Yes, A Women’s Bible Study – Wednesdays beginning September 15 at 6:30pm (Order Book)
“Saying yes all the time won’t make me Wonder Woman. It will make me a worn-out woman.” Join Ashley Millinor and Martha Waters as they dive into Lysa TerKeurst‘s The Best Yes. Order a copy of the book here and come to the library on September 15 to discuss chapters 1-3. “Lysa TerKeurst is learning that there is a big difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God. In The Best Yes she will help you:

Cure the disease to please with a biblical understanding of the command to love.
Escape the guilt of disappointing others by learning the secret of the small no.
Overcome the agony of hard choices by embracing a wisdom based decision-making process.
Rise above the rush of endless demands and discover your best yes today.”

Don’t feel guilty when you don’t have enough time to read. Make the time to come and be around other women who can relate to feelings of being overwhelmed, feelings of not measuring up, and feelings of guilt for not being able to get it all done! You never know when you will be blessed or hear just what God is trying to tell you! Please email Martha Waters if you have any questions.

JUSTFAITH: Faith and Racial Equity
First Presbyterian Church is offering another JustFaith class in the fall! The group will meet at the church on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm starting on September 16th through November 11th. If you are interested in engaging with how faith and racism intersect, this is a wonderful opportunity! Please contact Leslie Lang if you are interested or would like more details.

Welcome Class Sessions This Fall
We will be holding two Welcome Class sessions this fall. Classes will be held during the Sunday School hour (10:00-10:45am) in Room 2200. These sessions are a wonderful way to get acquainted with the Presbyterian church, the opportunities available at First Presbyterian, and to meet the staff. There is no pressure to join. We welcome non-members, members, and anyone seeking a church family to join us for a fun time of fellowship and learning together.

Session 1: September 19, September 26, October 3, and October 10 (joining date)
Session 2: October 24, October 31, November 7, and November 14 (joining date)

Please contact Molly Colbath, Welcome Class Committee, for more details.

LOOKING AHEAD
September 6 – Labor Day (Church facilities closed)
September 12 – Return to Fall Worship Schedule
September 15 – WAF Resumes/Children’s Choir Resumes (See Schedule)
September 25 – Young Adult Event: Northside 5k to benefit Cleveland Academy
September 26 – Youth Sunday
October 3 – World Communion Sunday
October 10 – Blood Drive
October 17 – Stewardship Commitment Sunday
October 31 – Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans

More activities and events can be found in First News.

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!