Connect@First Newsletter

Feature 


Connect-at-First-11-21-24-2.jpg

Sunday Worship

8:30am - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

10:45am - Ignite Worship in the Worship & Arts Center

11:00am - Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary

WATCH LIVE

Sermon

8:30am & 11:00am in the Sanctuary
10:45am Ignite in the Worship & Arts Center

Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons
Sermon Series: “Therefore”
Scripture: Romans 8:28-39


Sunday Education

8:30am Nursery
9:30am Children’s Sunday School
9:45am Student Life Groups
9:45am Adult Life Groups
10:30am Kids Church


Sunday Life Groups

Member News

BAPTISM • November 17, 2024

Price Alan Howle, Hutson Miller Howle, Laine Frances Howle, children of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Howle (Jenna)


CONGRATULATIONS • The pastors and congregation extend blessings to

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Steifle (Laura Katherine) on the birth of a son, Joseph McCallum “Mac” Steifle, on November 7.

Dr. and Mrs. Mike Thomason (Holly) on the birth of a grandson, Jacob Matthew Dawson, on November 13. Parents are Mr. and Mrs. Mark Dawson (Brooke) of Byron, GA.


SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

Mrs. Susan Hyde in the death of her son, Michael Christopher Hyde, on October 29.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Ware (Heather) in the death of her father, Herbert “Sonny” Edward Mercer, on November 11.

Mr. David Happe in the death of his wife, Joanne Howell Happe, on November 13.


MEMORIALS & HONORS

TRANSFORMING THE HEART OF THE CITY FUND
In memory of Rebecca Hutton Graybeal by the R.N. Ward Class


PRAYER LIST

Bill Anthony, Nancy Adams, Dick Brennecke, Pat Browning, Susan Cable, Lin Cundiff, Katherine Davis, Peggy Denny, John Dominick, Bud Fant, Michael Faw, Susan Findley, Liz Fuqua, Tasha Garrison, Betsy Guffey, Don Hartz, Mary Haselden, Meredith Holliday, Gretchen Horwath Wood, Amy Hunter, Charlie Hutton, Dennis Hutton, Ginny Johnson, Tom Lide, Francis Littlejohn, Pat Loft, Anne Lybrand, Jenny McCorkle, Paul McGahee, Raoul Glenn, Mozelle Moore, Jim Nance, Chloris Norman, Alex Olyarchuk, Myra Phillips, Becky Powell, Joanne Quantz, Ken Rhoden, Louise Robinson, Bill Rogers, Lee Shelton, Barbara Seibel, Carrie Stringer, Claire Taylor, Frank Vickers, John Volpe, Robin Walton, Carey Williamson, Jan Zimmerman


PRAYER RESOURCES

Congregational Care: For emergencies, upcoming surgeries, or hospital information, call Don Feuerbach, 864.565.0928.

Prayer Appointments: To schedule a confidential appointment with our Healing Prayer Team Members, call 864.565.0960.

Prayer Requests: For general prayer requests, call 864.565.0970.

Healing Prayer Services: Every Tuesday at 6:30pm in Harper Chapel



Announcements

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS

Help decorate our church for Christmas by ordering poinsettias in honor or memory of loved ones. Order online at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events, or fill out a form from the literature racks. Cost is $20 each; orders are due by Monday, December 9.


COMMITMENTS FOR 2025

Thank you to those who have turned in commitment cards so far. We are grateful for your generosity and your willingness to invest in the work God is doing here. If you haven’t yet made your 2025 commitment, there are many ways to give. Commitment cards are in the pews and literature racks around the church. Online giving from a bank account or by a credit/debit card is available at FirstPresGreenville.org/Give. You can also make gifts of appreciated stock and Required Minimum Distributions from Retirement Accounts. For more information, please contact Kristy Service in the church finance office at 864.565.0929 or Bobby Hoffman, Stewardship Director, at 864.565.0962.


YEAR-END GIVING

The last quarter of the year is the time to complete your charitable giving for 2024. You can contribute to FPC with a gift of appreciated stock, a Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA, or a gift from a Donor Advised Fund. Some gifts take time to process, so please plan ahead to allow sufficient time for processing in 2024. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Kristy Service at 864.565.0929 or Bobby Hoffman at 864.565.0962.


WORSHIP TIME CHANGE DECEMBER 15

Because the Sanctuary will be set up for the Christmas@First concert on December 15, we will have two identical worship services at 8:30am and 10:45am in the Worship & Arts Center that Sunday. Please mark your calendar and share this change with your friends and family.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES: SAVE THE DATE

Christmas Eve services will be on Tuesday, December 24, at 11:00am and 7:00pm in the Worship & Arts Center; and 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 11:00pm in the Sanctuary. Mark your calendar and visit www.FirstPresChristmas.com for more information.


LOST AND FOUND TABLE

On Sunday, December 1 and December 8, there will be a lost and found table by the elevators in the Building D main hallway. Please take a look for any missing items; anything remaining after December 15 will be donated to Miracle Hill.


Discipleship

DISCOVER FIRST: NEW MEMBER WEEKEND

Are you interested in making First Presbyterian your church home? Discover more about the vision, discipleship, and outreach of FPC! New Member Weekend will be Friday−Saturday, January 31-February 1. Childcare is available for children age 5 and under. For details, contact Linda Sholtis (lsholtis@firstpresgreenville.org). Register at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events.

Events


FALL IN EUROPE TRIP 2025

One of the many ways we experience God’s blessings is by traveling with friends and family. Dr. Gibbons is hosting two trips in 2025. The June trip to Scotland is full, but 12 spaces are left for Fall in Europe, September 16–26. We will visit Prague, Wittenberg, Eisenach, Munich, Zurich, and conclude in Geneva. Please contact Lindsay Graham at lgtravel@firstpresgreenville.org for further information. Register at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events.


DIVORCE CARE BEGINS JANUARY 8

DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that will help you heal from the pain of divorce. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Look for registration coming soon at DivorceCare.org; enter “Greenville, SC” in “Find a Group Near You”; then click on the First Presbyterian Church listing. Once you register online, you’ll need to order your participant’s manual through this registration portal. The cost is $20. Childcare is provided.


SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE DECEMBER 10

All are invited to the beautiful candlelight service on Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30pm, in Harper Chapel to honor and remember loved ones who will be especially missed during the Christmas season. The service will include Scripture readings with a time of reflection and meditation, the observance of Holy Communion, special seasonal music, and commemorative candle lighting. A nursery is available; please contact Evelyn Penkert for nursery reservations (864.565.0963 or epenkert@firstpresgreenville.org).


FAMILY ADVENT FESTIVAL

Join us for the annual Family Advent Festival on Wednesday, December 4, 5:30–7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. It’s a great way to kick off the Advent season with your whole family by making a fun craft and enjoying Christmas cookies together! Register by clicking here for a family ticket that includes one nativity craft, cookies, and beverages. Pizza and additional crafts are available as add-ons when purchasing a ticket.


OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX DROP-OFF

Please return your shoebox to the Washington Street entrance at FPC during these times next week:
11/21: 12:00pm–2:00pm
11/22: 11:00am–1:00pm
11/23: 10:00am–12:00pm
11/24: 10:00am–12:00pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Hannon at twhannon@aol.com.


CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR A CAUSE

Join us for Christmas Concert for a Cause, featuring Graydon Tomlinson and special guests, on Sunday, December 1. The pre-concert Christmas Market will begin at 3:30pm, followed by the concert at 5:00pm in the Worship & Arts Center. Tickets ($10) are available at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events or the First Pres box office (main reception area) during normal business hours or on Sundays. All proceeds support the Isaiah 117 House.


CHRISTMAS@FIRST CONCERTS: LOVE'S PURE LIGHT

Join us in the beautiful FPC Sanctuary for this year’s Christmas@First concert, “Love’s Pure Light,” on Saturday, December 14, at 2:00pm or 6:00pm, or Sunday, December 15, at 3:00pm. You’ll hear Christmas favorites by our 100-voice choir, full orchestra, and the FPC handbell choir as we celebrate our Savior’s birth through songs of the season, both sacred and secular. Tickets are available at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events and at the First Pres box office (main reception area) on weekdays during normal business hours or on Sundays, November 24 and December 8. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (12 and under).


Opportunities To Serve


HOLLIS ACADEMY ANGEL TREES

A few Hollis Angels are left to grab around the church.Please choose an angel and return gifts by November 27. Gifts will be placed in our annual Christmas Store, where parents of Hollis students will shop for their children’s Christmas gifts. Online angels are available at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events under the Hollis Academy Angel Tree icon. Questions? Contact Christy Glenn (christywglenn@hotmail.com). To volunteer, contact Cara Morris (cnmorris915@gmail.com).


Pastor of the Day

For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.