Dear Members of First Presbyterian Church,

For the safety of all our members and to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we are moving entirely to online worship services until circumstances change. We will continue to livestream MorningSong at 8:45am and the Sanctuary at 11am each Sunday, but only the worship leadership and AV team will be in the worship space. We hope the rest of you will join us online at fpcspartanburg.org/live or on Facebook or YouTube.

When you join us online for worship we encourage you to participate as fully as possible, and not just watch. Sing the songs, pray the prayers, join responsively in liturgy so that you can be fully engaged in worship, even from a distance – even if you are still in your pajamas! For the Sanctuary service, you may want to print the bulletin in advance. Your worship time will be greatly enriched, the more engaged you are. Also, let us know that you are worshiping with us via the online guestbook.

We also hope that you will continue to be faithful in your giving during this unusual time. Information on a variety of ways to give can be found at fpcspartanburg.org/give.

Additionally, we are also working on a number of other ways to connect with each other during this time of social distancing. See below for more information. Know that every member of your church staff is available for any need that may arise during this time – please contact us. The church buildings (including the gym) will remain closed until circumstances change, but your church staff is hard at work to continue the ministry of this church and keep us connected as a community of faith.

And please reach out to family, friends, and neighbors by phone, Facetime, or whatever means possible during this time of social distancing to make sure that those most affected by these circumstances are cared for.

Once again, your pastors are available for any Pastoral Care needs that may emerge. Please feel free to contact us via phone, email, or on the Pastoral Care phone line: 864-208-2142.

Blessings,
Tom

Dr. Thomas E. Evans
Senior Pastor
First Presbyterian Church
864/583-4531
www.fpcspartanburg.org


Other Ways to Be With Your FPC Family


Daily Zoom Community Time
2-3pm Monday-Friday
https://zoom.us/j/226075719
From 2-3pm each weekday, members of the church staff will be hosting a Zoom video gathering for anyone that wants to drop in. This will be an informal time of conversation and connection for all of us. Simply click this link and follow the directions to get connected: https://zoom.us/j/226075719
Having trouble? You can call in at 646-876-9923 and use meeting ID: 226 075 719.

Adult Sunday School
10am on Sundays
https://zoom.us/j/396224968
On Sunday mornings we will have a brief 30-minute interactive video class on Zoom.

Weekly Devotional Video from Tom

Follow the church on YouTube to get a weekly video devotional from Dr. Tom Evans. We will also share these on Social Media and provide links to them in the weekly email.

Weekly Prayer Time with Joanne
Noon on Tuesdays

https://zoom.us/j/913483351
Rev. Joanne Hull will lead a Weekly Prayer and Sharing Time via Zoom.

Weekly Bible Study with Tom – Wednesdays
6pm on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/333935537)
Dr. Tom Evans is leading a “Study of the Book of Mark” via Zoom. We will record it for those that cannot attend.

Weekly Godly Play Video from Holly
Holly Bannan will be recording the Godly Play lesson for children each week and posting it to the church YouTube page. A link to this video is also being sent out to parents each week.

Calling All Parents of Children and Youth! – Mondays
4pm on Zoom (
https://zoom.us/j/503386533)
These days without school and daycare can be trying for parents of children and youth, as you try to juggle e-learning, work, and the added messes and dishes that come with extra time at home with nowhere else to go. Join Robert and Holly Bannan online every Monday to enjoy community time with other parents and find support and inspiration for the week ahead.

Hangouts with Holly
Starting at 1pm on Mondays & Thursdays at Zoom
All children are invited to join Holly Bannan online for a time of fellowship and learning together.
1:00pm 3K, 4K, and 5K
1:30pm 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade
2:00pm 4th and 5th Grace
Information has been sent to parents about how to connect. Please contact Holly Bannan ([email protected]) if you have any questions..

Youth Group on Zoom
All youth are invited to join Robert, Carrie, and your friends on Zoom throughout the week. More information and links have been sent to youth families. Please contact Robert or Carrie if you have any questions.
Tuesdays at 4pm – 9th and 10th Graders
Wednesdays at 4pm – Middle Schoolers
Thursdays at 4pm – 11th and 12th Graders
Sundays at 4pm – ALL Youth (MS & HS)

Monday – Friday at 2pm– Youth are invited to the Daily Community Time for the whole congregation


UKirk on Zoom
7pm on Sundays
College students are also facing the effects of social distancing and cancellations. So UKirk is moving online to Zoom until conditions change. Look for information from your UKirk leadership on how to connect.


Watch for more information as more Bible Studies and other activities get set up online!


What is this Zoom thing?
Zoom is a videoconferencing platform similar to Skype, Google Hangouts, and others that allows participants to have conversations over video in real time. Our church has been using Zoom for meetings for several years now and found the platform easy to set up and use and very reliable. It is available on PCs and Macs as well as in smartphones and tables (Apple and Android). On a computer you will need a webcam, microphone, and speakers. Most laptops and some desktops come with these built-in. Your smartphone or tablet should already have all the hardware you need. You will just need to install the Zoom app. Give it a try! Just click the link maybe 10 minutes before the scheduled time the first time you connect to give yourself time to get things set up and running.