first glance fall 2014 / winter 2015
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First Presbyterian Church / Greenville, SC
Inside this Issue:
From Richard Gibbons inside cover
Denominational News page 1
Foundation Board page 2
Executive & Finance Ministries
page 3
Music & the Arts page 4
Ignite Worship page 5
Evangelism & Missions pages 6-10
The Academy page 11
Educational Ministries pages 12-13
Young Adults & College pages 14-17
Congregational Care pages 18-23
Children’s Ministries pages 24-27
Student Ministries pages 28–29
Women’s Ministry pages 30–33
Men’s Ministry pages 34-35
Scouting pages 36-37
Activities Ministry pages 38-40
Summary Calendar page 41
Marriage & Family back page
vol. 11 ISSUE 1
GlanceA look at the life of First Pres Fall 14/Winter 15
First Presbyterian ChurCh200 West Washington StreetGreenville, SC 29601864.235.0496fax 864.235.0698FirstPresGreenville.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 443Greenville, SC
Contact Us200 West Washington Street
Greenville, SC 29601
phone 864.235.0496fax 864.235.0698
website FirstPresGreenville.orgemail [email protected]
facebook.com/firstpresgreenvilletwitter.com/fpcgreenville
Television BroadcastFirst and Foremost
WHNS-TV FOX Carolina Sundays at 10:30am
On the CoverFPC Member Jamie Daniel (left) assists at the medical clinic during
a mission trip to LaRomana, Dominican Republic.
Photo by Michael Gibbons (MichaelGibbonsMedia.com)
Family First offers informative programs for adults from the Marriage and Family Ministry several times a year during the Sunday School hour. Classes for the fall of 2014 include:
October 5—“Effective and Creative Biblical Discipline.” Panel discussion with leaders Mick and Helen Yoder, Will and Melody Reid, and Adam and LeGette Shirley
November 2—Roger Rhoades, “Is There Such thing as a ‘Perfect’ Family?”
Watch the First Pres webpage, our hallway monitors, and weekly GrapeVine newsletter for information on programs offered.
WednesdayAdvantage6:15–7:15pm, Parlor
Balanced & Blessed will be offered during Wednesday Advantage this fall. Facilitated by Caroline Mullen, it offers six inspiring sessions for couples. Join us Wednesday evenings starting September 3 in the Parlor.
For complete details, visit FirstPresGreenville.org or pick up a Wednesday Advantage brochure in the literature racks.
Family FirstSunday, 9:40-10:30, Haper Chapel
Marriage & FamilySunday and Wednesday Classes
All are welcome!
From Richard Summary Calendar 41
I do hope you have had a good summer and it has been a time of blessing for you and your family. Here at the Gibbons residence, Miss Ruth has been very active
keeping our garden in shape, and has even prepared and stained the deck. She looked a vision of loveliness in her coveralls and John Deere hat. In between sips of ice-laden root beer, I have been cheering her from the sidelines while watching recordings of the US PGA golf championship.
Upcoming Ministry PrioritiesDuring the days of August, I was able to focus on a number of ministry priorities as we transition from the summer to the fall and on into Christmas and the New Year. Several of our ministry staff and elders traveled to Dallas August 18-20 for our denomination’s national gathering. I had been asked to co-chair the Theological Task Force of the ECO/Fellowship, and I was able to give a significant report on a number of new initiatives, as well as supervise the seminars the Task Force is responsible for. In terms of a brief update for the denomination as a whole, you may be interested to know that when we joined ECO in September 2012, we were the 33rd church to join. The ECO now has 147 congregations. This is excellent news.
Earlier this year when I asked members of the congregation what subjects they would like the pastors to address on Sunday mornings, their responses comprised a broad and diverse range of subjects. Requests included the Book of Revelation, prayer, the parables, the Holy Spirit, engaging a secular culture, the sanctity of life, marriage and sexual ethics, the busyness of life, the importance of a Sabbath, the Christian view of death and hell, and a multiplicity of other subjects. During September and October, in response to your thoughts, I hope to explore the tough questions that Christians are often asked by those who are either skeptical of our faith or genuinely seeking answers. This sermon series will be entitled “Unbelievable—Tough Questions,” and I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare for what should be a helpful study. In November, we will spend several Sundays looking at what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit and asking what role He plays in the life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit is often considered the quiet member of the Trinity, and I look forward to exploring this series with you. For those of you who want to know where we will be going on Sunday mornings in January, I am glad to say we will return to looking at the Book of Romans, which will take us to Easter and the early weeks of spring.
As you know, for the last eight months we have been actively involved in developing a new Strategic Plan. This has been a valuable exercise as we have sought to elicit the thoughts of the congregation, staff, officers, and several focus groups. As we move into September and October, we will be able to further clarify our Strategic Plan, build upon the ministries we are currently involved in, and examine our priorities for the months to come. Please be in prayer for our Strategic Planning Leadership Team as we respond to where God is calling us over the next few years and follow the vision which He lays before us.
I continue to be grateful to God for the day-to-day servant’s heart of our staff, the insightful and prayerful leadership so evident in our officers, and the warm and consistent encouragement the congregation brings to the ministries of First Pres. Thank you for who you are. I look forward with great anticipation to all that the Lord has in store for us over the next few months.
Meanwhile, I remain yours in Him.
Events are subject to change. Please watch the weekly GrapeVine
newsletter, website, and other published information for specific details as events draw closer and
for ongoing weekly events such as youth group, circle meetings,
Bible studies, etc.
FirstPresGreenville.org
Upcoming
ConcertsFor KING & COUNTRY
November 6 7:00pm • Sanctuary
St. Olaf Choir January 24
7:30pm • Sanctuary
Tickets available from the Vineyard
Mark your calendars and watch for more information about participating in this exciting
churchwide missional outreach.
August 24 .........Activities Trip: Somebody’s House, Hodges, SC
August 25 .........Academy Elementary beginsAugust 25 .........Community Bible Study beginsSeptember 1 ......Labor Day holidaySeptember 2 ......Academy Preschool beginsSeptember 2 ......MMO beginsSeptember 2 ......Wit & WisdomSeptember 3 ......Wednesday Advantage KickoffSeptember 3 ......Alpha Course KickoffSeptember 4 ......Shoe Drive for Missions endsSeptember 5 ......Southern Hospitality BanquetSeptember 7 ......The Journey Sunday Community
resumesSeptember 10 ....Radiance Fall KickoffSeptember 11 ....Women’s Ministry Fall Kickoff
Luncheon and DinnerSeptember 14 ....Missions ConferenceSeptember 16 ....Activities Trip:
Upcountry History MuseumSeptember 21 ....First Look Class beginsSeptember 21 ....Blood DriveSemtember 21 ...RMDK Vision LunchSeptember 22 ....Youth Basketball Sign-up endsSeptember 22 ....Academy Book Fair beginsSeptember 28 ....Communion October 3-5 ......Youth Fall RetreatOctober 4-11 ....Mission Trip to Dominican RepublicOctober 5 ..........Stewardship Sunday October 5 ..........Family First ProgramOctober 5 ..........TAG Visioning Phase Wrap-upOctober 7 .........Wit & WisdomOctober 12 ........Commitment Sunday October 12 ........Operation Christmas Child beginsOctober 14 ........mom.2.mom ProgramOctober 15 ........Stephen Ministry Training beginsOctober 16 ........Activities Trip:
Lunney House MuseumOctober 24 ........Academy Fall FestivalOctober 26 ........Family Fall Event
November 2 ......Family First: “A Perfect Family?”November 4 .....Wit & WisdomNovember 6 ......For King & Country ConcertNovember 9 ......Congregational Meeting
Fall & Winter 2014-2015 Summary Calendar
November 10 ....Academy Elementary Open HouseNovember 19 ....Wednesday Advantage Evening
endsNovember 21 ....East Central Presbytery MeetingDecember 2 ......Wit & WisdomDecember 3.......Family Advent FestivalDecember 7.......Händel’s Messiah!December 7.......First Look Class beginsDecember 9.......Service of RemembranceDecember 10 ....Wednesday Bible Study and
Lunch endsDecember 12 ....Journey Christmas PartyDecember 14 ....Christmas FestivalDecember 14 ....Route 56 Regressive Christmas
DinnerDecember 14 ....Radiance Christmas PartyDecember 15 ....Activities Trip: The Cove Senior
Salt Program & LunchDecember 19 ....Academy Chrsitmas ProgramDecember 24 ....Christmas Eve ServicesDecember 25 ....Christmas holidayJanuary 1 ...........New Year’s holidayJanuary 4 ...........Communion January 5 ...........Perspectives Class beginsJanuary 6 ..........Wit & WisdomJanuary 7 ...........Wednesday Advantage Second
Semester beginsJanuary 13 .........Academy Open HouseJanuary 24 .........St. Olaf Choir ConcertJanuary 24-31 ...Mission Trip to Dominican
RepublicJanuary 25 .........First Look Class beginsFebruary 3 .......Wit & WisdomFebruary 7-8 .....Marriage SeminarFebruary 22 ......Jim Johnson Basketball BanquetMarch 3 ...........Wit & WisdomMarch 6-7 .........Men’s RetreatMarch 15 ..........Music & the Arts Dinner TheaterMarch 15 ..........Stephen Ministry CommissioningMarch 22 ..........CommunionMarch 24 ..........mom.2.mom ProgramMarch 27 ..........Academy Spring ProgramMarch 29 ..........Palm SundayApril 2 ...............Maundy Thursday CommunionApril 5 ...............Easter Sunday
REV. DR. RICHARD GIBBONSSenior Pastor
LookingAhead
Sermon Series
September–October Unbelievable—Tough Questions
November The Holy Spirit
December Advent
January–March Romans Part 2
Save the Date! April 24-25
Chicken.Veggies.Soy.Rice
Denominational News 1
Update on ECO:A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
Have you ever been in a situation where someone asked you to describe the main points of the new denomination we are now a part of? One easy way to think
and communicate about the ECO’s direction is to focus on the three major emphases our denomination is built around.
1. Theological Integrity The ECO believes that the Church in North America is at a point where it must
set out its main beliefs in a clear and concise way for believers and seekers to see and affirm. We have set out these main beliefs in our “Essential Tenets.” All officers in the ECO must adhere to and be bound by these. Failure to do so is grounds for removal as an officer. These essentials teach the historic, evangelical Christian and Reformed faith, and lift up such things as the sanctity of all human life and traditional marriage.
2. Missional Focus Western culture has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. North America
itself has become the third largest mission field in the world. As believers of the Gospel in the West, we must learn to be missionaries to our culture instead of relying upon cultural institutions to remain friendly or even neutral to our presence. The ECO has said from day one that if we only create another denomination, we will have utterly failed in our task. America does not need another denomination—it needs a movement of the Holy Spirit where we are propelled to reach our culture with the Gospel. To this end, the ECO seeks to be an “ECO-system” of churches that learn from one another and support one another for God’s purpose in the world. Our focus is to aggressively develop disciples, nurture leaders, and birth new churches.
3. Covenantal Accountability To be effective, a movement such as that described above needs a level of
accountability that has heretofore been unusual. The ECO has at least two levels of internal accountability that are new to us.
First, all pastors are required to be in “Peer Review & Accountability Groups.” Here, pastors meet regularly with a group of three or four other pastors for encouragement, challenge, and accountability. Everything from the pastor’s physical health to his or her devotional life is discussed.
Accountability and support for elders and congregations occur in “Missional Affinity Groups.” These groups call for elders from three to five churches to meet and review one another’s challenges and best ministry practices. This discussion is led by each session’s answers to “The Narrative on the Health of Mission & Ministry for Congregations.” This set of 10 questions asks the session to consider such things as what evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work can be detected in the life of the congregation and how impactful it has been in the local community.
For more information on the ECO, go to eco-pres.org. You can also see an outstanding 13-minute presentation by our Synod Executive, Dana Allin, by typing his name on YouTube.
East Central Presbytery Meeting
November 21-22, 2014 Saxe Gotha PC Lexington, SC
BRIAN STEWARTModerator, East Central [email protected]
2 Foundation Board
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
ISAIAH 54:2
These are exciting times for our church’s Foundation Board. We are making meaningful grants, receiving new contributions, investing carefully, and planning
for a bright future. Through God’s grace and your generosity, we are holding nothing back in building a foundation from which First Presbyterian Church can proclaim the Gospel to future generations.
With this entry into the First Glance magazine, we hope to both inspire you and invite you to participate in the excitement and joy of all God is doing through the FPC Foundation.
The FPC Foundation exists to support the missions and ministries of First Presbyterian Church. Income generated by endowed funds in the Foundation help pay for programs, activities, equipment, and other needs that are vital to “Growing Faithful Christians,” but are not funded in the church’s regular operating budget. Outside ministries that are supported and approved by the FPC Missions and Outreach Committee are also eligible to receive grants from the FPC Foundation.
Our Foundation and its donors are instrumental in supporting the Youth Ministry, Ignite Worship Service, Neighborhood Focus, Turner Prayer Breakfast, Miracle Hill Ministries, Cross-Cultural Network, Glory Ridge, Campus Crusade, Russell Community Church, and many others. This year the Foundation also made a significant grant to help cover the cost of our strategic planning work with TAG, “enlarging our tent and lengthening our chords” each step of the way.
“How is this possible?” you ask. The answer is YOU, and families like yours, who support the Foundation financially with planned gifts, bequests, and memorial or honorary contributions.
A number of families in our church have established “named” Endowed Funds within the Foundation in honor or memory of a loved one. Today these “named funds” account for the bulk of endowed funds in the Foundation.
Other families have chosen to take advantage of a unique opportunity called a “Donor Advised Fund” (DAF). Families who establish DAFs make periodic contributions into their funds and advise where they wish for all or part of that money to be given. Regardless of whether grants from our Foundation come from
Endowed Funds or from DAFs, all grants must be consistent with FPC giving standards and comply with FPC Missions and Outreach eligibility guidelines.
Supporting our Foundation is an exciting and lasting way to help make sure that First Presbyterian Church keeps expanding, and that its stakes remain strong as we seek to proclaim the Gospel in the future.
Please contact any member of our board personally if you would like to learn more, or check out the FPC Foundation page on the church’s website!
Strengthening our Stake in the Future
Alex McNair, ChairmanDean Livingston, Vice Chairman
Phil Patrick, TreasurerOlive McCord, Secretary
Jane Anne BruchAndy DouglasBernie EllisScott Melzer
Bill Sykes
Recent Foundation grants to the FPC Youth Ministry have provided lighting and sound equipment, new furnishings (pictured), assistance with retreat scholarships, and a much needed computer.
“I am so pleased to establish a new Endowed Fund at the FPC Foundation in honor of my husband, Mr. Forrest A. Abbott. We shared a love of First Presbyterian Church for many, many years—especially the Youth and International Ministries. Establishing a fund in Forrest’s memory is a wonderful way to honor his legacy, and to help ensure that our church’s work in these important areas continues for generations to come.”
–Maryann Abbott
Executive & Finance Ministries 3
These are exciting times at First Pres! The Strategic Plan is at its midpoint as we set the direction for our ministries over the next five plus years. The process is likely
to result in strategies to grow current ministries and possibly to expand into other ministries. In the end, glorifying God to the fullest is the aim.
The Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), chaired by David Dixon, was established by Session to lead us through the development of a new Strategic Plan. TAG Consulting has proven to be an excellent partner in guiding us through the phase of determining “who we are.” Having completed the Discovery Phase of the process, TAG has issued the Assessment Report for First Pres. In addition to the survey, in which a whopping 739 of you participated, the report incorporates a demographic study of the local area, background information and statistics of the church, input from Focus Groups, and a workshop to assess the strengths of staff leadership. I hope you have had a chance to visit our website to view the report.
Now we are in the process of determining “who we want to be”—the Visioning Phase. In this part of the process, we develop the strategies for the future, capitalizing on our ministries that have successfully served so many and pointing us to ministries that can strengthen our service to God’s kingdom. The months of August and September will concentrate on this work. Please mark your calendars for the afternoon of October 5, when Kevin Ford will be here to present the new Strategic Plan to the congregation, the culmination of over nine months of input by so many of you. For that, we extend a big thank you for your interest in the future of First Presbyterian Church.
Let’s turn our attention to the financial support that allows the church to carry out the ministries we value so much. Dean Livingston, who has graciously agreed to chair the Stewardship Committee, has assembled a great team to plan our stewardship season this fall. As you begin prayerfully considering your pledge for 2015, take a look at how the distribution of last year’s giving by amount is split among our 1,607 households.
Number of Givers Amount of Annual Gift Percentage of Total Giving 331 $0 0.00% 495 $0.01 – $1,000 3.32% 503 $1,000.01 – $5,000 25.91% 156 $5,000.01 – $10,000 22.37% 85 $10,000.01 – $20,000 24.45% 20 $20,000.01 – $30,000 10.00% 17 Above $30,000 13.96%
God does not call us to give beyond our ability, but He does call us to give at a level that He has enabled us to give. Ask yourself:
Am I honoring God as a good steward of what He has given me?
Strategy for the Future
HARRY USSERYExecutive [email protected]
MIKE TEMPLETONOperations & Finance [email protected]
Every $100 that you give to the church
goes to the following:
Missions and Outreach $ 18.84Administration Ministry $ 18.16Facilities and Maintenance $ 16.42Radio, Television & Print Outreach $ 7.77Children’s Ministry $ 5.29Student Ministry $ 4.80Christian Education $ 4.76Congregational Care $ 4.60Music and Worship $ 4.09Other Ministries $ 3.36Activities Ministry $ 3.10Women’s, Men’s & Family Ministry $ 2.89Evangelism & Membership $ 2.38Visitation Ministry $ 1.83Contemporary Service $ 1.71
$100.00
When you update your will, please remember First Presbyterian Church. Including the church in your will, either directly or through the First Presbyterian Church Foundation, enables you to continue your legacy of faithful giving.
Great Music in the Cathedral
Members of Resonate! and Resonate! Prime were among more than 200 young singers from around the country who participated in the Nation’s Capital Festival of Youth Choirs in June. Presented by YouthCUE, a non-denominational organization supporting choral music in the church, the choirs rehearsed daily and sang a fantastic concert on June 27 in the National Cathedral. Our Sanctuary Choir plans to participate in a similar event in Washington next Labor Day weekend (2015).
JOHN GENTRYDirector of Music & the Arts
4
Fall &Winter EVENTS
Music & the Arts
Christmas Festival Sunday, December 14, 4:00pm
All of our fantastic choirs—K4 through Adults—will join to present a festive service of Lessons and Carols, culminating with a Children’s Nativity Pageant.
Hymn-Writing Competition!
If you’ve ever thought of writing a hymn or worship song, now’s the time to let your light shine! First Presbyterian will kick off a six-month Hymn-Writing Competition this fall which will culminate in awards and recognitions in the spring. Categories will include text only, text and original music, and text to an existing melody. Watch for details coming in September.
Händel’s Messiah! Sunday, December 7, 8:30 and 11:00am
The beloved strains of Händel’s classic oratorio will be heard here as our Sanctuary Choir, soloists, and chamber orchestra present Part I of Messiah at both traditional services. You won’t want to miss this inspiring musical treat!
5
JOHN REDGRAVEContemporary Worship [email protected]
Ignite Worship
Ushering
Hospitality team member greeting guests at the First
Pres Connect table.
Production Team
IgniteFPC
@IgniteFPC@IgniteFPC
Pastor Phil Hargrove
Over the past six months, I have been blessed to be a part of the ministry that is taking place on a weekly basis here at First Pres. It has been especially moving
to witness the amount of congregational worship participation. We expect God to increase growth, both spiritually and in numbers, as we continue to honor and glorify his name.
As you may have heard in our latest First Pres Connect announcements, we are asking Igniters to join us in a commitment to serve our community and congregation. One of the things that I learned from my time as a church planter is that people visiting a church will decide in the first five minutes, beginning when they pull into the church parking lot, whether they will return to that church. It is our hope that our guests and members feel welcomed and invited upon their arrival on our church grounds.
What are some ways you can help? Areas where you can serve right now include:
Production Team: In the past six months, we have made several advancements in equipment, specifically lighting. We plan to continue to expand in this area, but in order to do so, we need more help. Currently we have six volunteers who rotate weeks. We are grateful for them, but know that they deserve to attend worship more often with their families.
Hospitality Team: This area involves greeting first-time guests at the First Pres Connect table. At this position, the team members inform and direct any questions about the church that a guest may have. They also provide a bag of items and information about the church to families on their first visit to Ignite.
Greeter Team: We also need greeters to assist our deacons so that we have people at every entrance to open doors and welcome folks as they arrive for worship.
There are many areas for you to join us in leading our church family to the next level. To find your place in our ministry, please email me at [email protected].
I’d like to leave you with one thought: If every member in the church volunteered to serve in some way, what would our community look like? God is at work in many ways throughout the church. I am excited to be a part of it and can’t wait to see what is coming next!
Blessed to be your Ignite Worship Director on this journey with you,
Fall ConcertNovember 6
7:00pm
Tickets $22 available in the Vineyard bookstore or First Pres Connect table after service.
6
BRIAN STEWARTEvangelism and Missions Pastor
Evangelism & Missions
P erspectives is the preeminent preparatory course in North America on how to do cross-cultural missions. Several years ago, FPC hosted the Perspectives Course
for churches in the upstate of South Carolina. Last year the course was offered at First Baptist Church, Taylors. Beginning in January 2015, the course will be offered again here in Greenville at the Downtown Presbyterian Church (435 West Washington Street). This multi-week, in-depth course of study helps believers from all walks of life see how they can become threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself. From Genesis to the prophets, Jesus Christ to the early church, and Constantine to today, participants see how God has been moving, how the global Church has responded, and what the greatest needs in world evangelization remain today.
The course curriculum is based upon an extensive collection of the best articles by a wide variety of biblical scholars, historians, missiologists, and practitioners. A Study Guide helps students navigate through the Reader and ushers students through the study of God’s mission and character through the Bible, Christian history, culture, and the task remaining in world evangelization.
One unique aspect of the course is the diversity and quality of its instructors. Every class schedules a lineup of biblical scholars, missionaries, pastors, and professors who bring a wealth of experience and passion to each lesson. Some are flown in from around the country and some are local, but their presentations are always a highlight of the class.
About 25 members here at FPC have taken this course. For more information go to Perspectives.org, click on “classes,” then go to South Carolina on the map. If you have any questions about this unique opportunity and what it requires, please give me a call. Scholarships are available to FPC members.
Perspectives Class
MONDAY NIGHTS
January 5 through April 27, 2015
with a break for Easter
Visit Perspectives.org for more details.
7 Evangelism & Missions
For many years and in a variety of ways, First Presbyterian Church has been involved with the spectacular growth of the Church in Africa. For instance,
through a scholarship program administered by the Outreach Foundation, FPC several years ago “adopted” George Jankens and his family as they attended the Justo Mwale Theological College in Lusaka, Zambia.
In May of this year, George finished his theological training. His thesis is entitled “Challenges of Rural Evangelism and Christian Nurture: A Case Study of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) – Blantyre Synod.” In his paper, he notes how the rapid growth of the church poses challenges in the areas of evangelism and discipleship, especially in the rural village areas, and he outlines 13 recommendations for their Synod to consider. These recommendations will form a guide to rural evangelism in that part of Africa.
George is now serving five congregations (Chithawe, Chingazi, Ngongoti, Makoko, and Mapesi) located in southern Malawi. He is also working as the youth director of Chiradzulu Presbytery, and was recently ordained and installed in the churches he serves.
FPC will be assigned another student at Justo Mwale for “adoption” later this year. For more information about Justo Mwale Theological College, go to JustoMwale.net and TheOutreachFoundation.org.
Southern Hospitality
BanquetLed by
Cross Culture Network on the evening of
September 5, 2014 in the FPC Fellowship Hall
Volunteer to meet with international college students
from all over the world in order to build relationships and introduce them to American Christians.
Contact Florin Palaghia, [email protected]
JoshuasWay.org/ what_we_do/cross_culture
Partnering with the Presbyterian Church in Africa
Chingazi CCAP church building
Graduation!
Amy and Florin Palaghia
8
Mission of Hope & Healing in the Dominican Republic
Have you ever looked into the eyes of someone you’ve known for less than a minute and asked them, “Do you know Jesus? Do you follow Him?” In addition to
the hope and healing touch of Jesus Christ that Americans bring to the Dominican Republic, mission trips there offer an incredible array of opportunities to stretch and employ OUR faith in service to our Lord. Mission trips also help us to see what is truly important in life, apart from the comfort, relative opulence, and consumerism that generally surround us.
During the week of June 15-22, a team of 26 missionaries from FPC and the Presbyterian Fellowship in Fountain Inn traveled to an off-the-beaten-path barrio outside the city of LaRomana to continue the work our churches started in the Dominican Republic some three years ago. Working alongside the residents of Brizas del Mar (“Breezes by the Sea”) and a wonderful group of young translators from the city, we conducted a medical and eye clinic and, for the first time, offered small surgical procedures as well. Our evangelism team prayed for and gave out Spanish Bibles to the hundreds of patients who were seen, and our Vacation Bible School attracted some 200 children by the end of the week.
All of these services were performed in and through the newly completed multi-purpose community center that FPC has constructed in the Brizas del Mar “Hope Mission” compound. Even before the building’s tile flooring, bathrooms with running water, and security bars and doors were completed, training classes through Rivers
Evangelism & Missions
June 2014 participants:
Steve BrackbillAfton Britt
Carolina BrownleeTerry BrunerDoris BurnsBen Crider
Murray CriderJamie DanielJeni Erickson Laurie HavisAnna Hewett
Jill HutchinsonRosemary Jackson
Rachel JohnsonPaul NestbergAlex Patrick
Laura Paige PenkertRip PenkertShan Pouliot
Brian A. StewartBrian D. Stewart
Clark SturgisJoy Sturgis
Rick SturgisBaxter Williams
Candace Williamson
9 Evangelism & Missions
of the World were held for area pastors. While we were there, a generator provided electricity for lights and overhead fans, and a blue tarpaulin offered privacy for those undergoing surgery. In the future, this community center will be used for job training, micro-finance classes, and health education seminars as well.
Will you plan to be with us on one of our future trips?October 4-11, 2014 contact Judi Dickey ([email protected])
January 24-31, 2015 contact Suszanne Williams ([email protected])June 20-27, 2015 contact Joy Sturgis ([email protected])
For general information about these trips, visit RestorationLaRomana.org or contact Brian Stewart ([email protected]). For trip scholarships also see Brian. Bulletin announcements will also appear before each team begins to form. All teams prepare themselves for their trip with a series of three Sunday afternoon training sessions. People of all ages (12 and older) and backgrounds are encouraged to participate, and no previous experience is required. Dental professionals, however, are especially needed.
Missions Conference
Sunday, September 14 8:30am, 10:45am,
11:00am
Missions Speaker BEN MATHES
Dr. Ben Mathes, an ordained Presbyterian minister, is the
founder and president of Rivers of the World (www.ROW.org),
an international exploration and development agency that targets remote river basins for missions work. His work has focused on a large number of remote areas in several nations, including Zaire, Haiti, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. FPC has partnered with Rivers of the World in our work in the
Dominican Republic.
5:00pm Fellowship HallYouth and Adult
Mission Trip Reports on the
Dominican RepublicJoin us for an Informational Meeting
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall
Come to learn more, ask questions, and hear from some folks who are already involved. Childcare is available.
For more details, contact Chuck Emory, 672.1753 or [email protected].
10 Evangelism & Missions
First LOOKAre you interested in
membership or just want to learn more about First Pres?
Join us for our FIRST LOOK Series
Classes offered 9:40-10:50am in the Formal Dining Room on the following Sundays:
September 21, 28, October 5December 7, 14, 21
January 25, February 1, 8
Session 1: What does it mean to be a Christian?
Session 2: What does it mean to be an ECO Presbyterian?
Session 3: How do I become meaningfully involved at First Pres?
For more information or to register, contact New Member Coordinator
Chuck Emory, 672.1753 or [email protected].
CHUCK EMORYNew Member Coordinator
What is Alpha? The Alpha course gives everyone an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. It meets once a week for 12 weeks, including a one-day weekend get-together. Each week begins with a short talk that looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith. This is followed by a time of discussion, where everyone is welcome to contribute.
During the discussion, no question is considered out of place or too simple. Questions might include: “Is there a God?” “Why am I here?” “Why is Jesus so important?” “How and why should I pray?” “Who is the Holy Spirit?” The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a welcoming and informal environment.
Who is Alpha for? Alpha is for anyone, and people attend from all backgrounds and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus, and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes life. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the course.
Many guests have never been to church; others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome.
Alpha: Inquiry into the Christian Faith September 3 – November 19
Room 316, 6:15–7:45pmFacilitators: Sara Morris and Chuck Emory
FIRSTWelcome“First Welcome” is the greeting ministry of First Pres. And yes, it is a ministry. Check out the definition of “welcome”—whether a noun, verb, adjective, or interjection, it involves kind greetings and glad reception. The goal of First Welcome is to demonstrate the love of Christ to guests and members alike through warm hospitality and helpful service. We want everyone who attends to know that he or she is important to God and to us.
First Welcome is a great place to serve for new members and veterans alike. All it takes is some time and a smile. Please consider serving on the First Welcome team.
DROP OF A HATThe phrase “at the drop of a hat” means immediately or without hesitation—“at a moment’s notice.” As you may know, First Pres has a group of volunteers who are ready to serve at the drop of a hat. They are members of the Drop of a Hat List, an email distribution that works like this: When a ministry of the church has an urgent or extraordinary need, an email is sent to the folks on the Drop of a Hat List. If someone on the list is in a position to help, he or she responds directly to the email; folks who cannot help at that particular time do not have to do anything except wait for the next opportunity. It’s simple, but it works. List members have sharpened pencils for student testing, baked pumpkin bread for teachers, and even donated mattresses to displaced families. The Drop of a Hat List is an easy and effective way to encounter opportunities to serve others.If you would like to participate or for more information, contact Chuck Emory.
The Alpha Course:
11 The Academy
Summer is coming to an end with the sound of the ringing school bell. Moms and dads are dragging their children to the mall to buy new shoes and new clothes for the
new school year. Stores are already stocked with pencils, paper, notebooks, crayons, and backpacks. Soon carpools will begin in the early morning hours, and the school doors will open to excited children. With the ringing of the bell, school activities begin.
Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
August 25 ................................................Elementary grades start schoolAugust 28 ...................... “Meet the Teacher” for families of preschoolersSeptember 2 ...................................................Preschoolers start schoolSeptember 29–October 3 ...............................................School PicturesOctober 16-17 ........................................................................ Fall BreakNovember 26-28 ..................................................... Thanksgiving BreakDecember 19 ............................................................Christmas ProgramDecember 22–January 2 .............................................. Christmas BreakJanuary 5 ........................................................................Classes ResumeMarch 27 ....................................................................... Spring Program
BOOK FAIRSeptember 22-26, 8:00am–3:00pm
Mary Ellen Chase said it best when she stated, “There is no substitute for books in a child’s life.”
Speaking as one who should own a personal parking space at Barnes & Noble, I wholeheartedly agree. My fondest school memories include the annual book fair. In keeping with this tradition, the Academy Book Fair is opening its doors to children and the church family on Monday, September 22. The range of selections is preschool to adult. The fair will also be open on the evening of Wednesday, September 24, for church members who would like to purchase books.
FALL FESTIVAL October 24, 5:00–8:00pm
Mark your calendar for the annual Academy Fall Festival on Friday, October 24. The PTO
leadership team started planning for this event last year, and student anticipation is growing. The First Presbyterian Church family is invited to join us for food, fellowship, and fun. The festivities include games, rides, silent auction, food (Henry’s Barbecue Food Truck), casserole/ bake sale, Kona Ice, bouncy houses, and much, much more. The North Greenville University Bluegrass Band will perform. Don’t miss out on this high point of the school year!
TOM ROEThe Academy Head of [email protected]
SHARON SMITHAssistant Head of [email protected]
News fromthe Academy
Clifford at the
Book Fair!
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REV. TIM LESLIEEducational Ministries Pastor
SEPTEMBER 2014 & BEYOND
First Presbyterian Church is committed to Jesus’ instruction to teach His disciples all that He has commanded. This is our part of the vision of our Church, “Growing
Faithful Christians.” We want to equip people with the tools to build up their ability to reflect the glory of God through the knowledge of the truth. Francis Schaeffer said,
True Christian education is not a negative thing; it is not a matter of isolating the student from the full scope of knowledge. Isolating the student from large sections of human knowledge is not the basis of a Christian education. Rather it is giving him or her the framework for total truth, rooted in the Creator’s existence and in the Bible’s teaching, so that in each step of the formal learning process the student will understand what is true and what is false and why it is true or false. It is not isolating students from human knowledge. It is giving the tools in the opening the doors to all human knowledge, in the Christian framework so they will know what is truth and what is untruth, so they can keep learning as long as they live, and they can enjoy, they can really enjoy, the whole wrestling through field after field of knowledge. That is what an educated person is.
The most important source for our Christian lives is God’s Word. The Apostle Paul instructed one of his sons in the faith, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV). We have God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible, and the one who knows how to handle it correctly will have the wisdom and knowledge for living before the face of God. Our desire for each member of First Presbyterian Church is to be assisting him to “handle” God’s Word correctly. The Education Ministry is here to help to equip disciples of the Lord Jesus so they will be able to glorify God in everything they do and to enjoy Him in all of life. We all are called to “do our best” for the glory of God, who has given us eternal life. Join us in learning from God’s Word so that we all might be “approved workmen and workwomen.”
Exploring the Hidden Depths of PSALM 139
Teacher: Dr. Richard Gibbons, Senior Pastor Wednesday Luncheon Study: Fellowship Hall, 12:30–1:00pm
Wednesday Evening Study: Fellowship Hall, 6:30–7:15pmBegins September 3
The intimacy contained within Psalm 139 has a great deal to teach us about the nature and character of God. If you are serious about growing in your faith and are ready to prayerfully ask some searching questions about your relationship with God, come and explore the depths of teaching contained in this Psalm. You may discover the refining and shaping hand of God at work in your life and begin to think of Him in an entirely new way. Passages from this Psalm will bring a new significance to your life as you discover a greater understanding of Him and a longing to be more Christ-like in your daily living.
“…Christ we proclaim, we train everyone
and teach everyone the full scope of this knowledge in order
to set everyone before God
mature in Christ.”
(Colossians 1:28, Moffat)
Educational Ministries
Adult Sunday School
Adult Sunday School is the best way to find community in FPC. Twenty different Adult
Sunday School classes meet each Sunday morning, offering time in God’s Word, fellowship with
other disciples, and mission together in the name of Christ. For a description of each class, pick up a brochure from the
church information racks or visit FirstPresGreenville.org.
WednesdayAdvantage Kickoff
The Wednesday Advantage Kickoff on September 3 will
feature Rev. Dr. Daniel Ma, who was born in Huai’an, China, and has worked for the Billy Graham Association for the past ten years.
He is currently the Ministry Representative for China
Affairs, and served churches and seminaries in China from
1994 through 2009. Mark your calendar now and plan to join us
September 3 at 6:30pm.
Community Bible Study on Monday nights
Beginning August 25 7:00–8:30pm
“Revelation and Christian
Living”Men and Women will be
embarking on a new 30-week study of Revelation, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude beginning
August 25. This is an in-depth study requiring homework and
promising deep insights into God’s Word. Make plans to
spend quality time with God in His Word on Monday nights
here at FPC.Visit communitybiblestudy.org
for more details.
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Our Wednesday Advantage fall semester will begin on September 3. See the list of studies offered below. For the complete description of classes, including Youth and Children’s Advantage, Music Ministry offerings, lunch and supper details, Vineyard Bookstore, and Library information, pick up a Wednesday Advantage brochure from the literature racks or visit FirstPresGreenville.org.
WEDNESDAY
Advantage FALL SEMESTER
Educational Ministries
BIBLE STUDY Exploring the Hidden Depths of Psalm 139
Teaching: Dr. Richard Gibbons, Senior Pastor
APOLOGETICS Science & the Christian Faith
Facilitator: Dr. Noel Brownlee Books: Abortion: A Rational Look at An Emotional Issue, by R.C. Sproul and Greg
Bailey (November 1, 2010); Abortion and the Sanctity of Human Life (Studies for small groups) paperback, by Francis
Beckwith (April 4, 2000)
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE America’s Christian Heritage
Facilitators: Gill Robison & Steve Finch
Book: Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, & Religion,
by David Barton
CULTURE, HISTORY, & ARCHEOLOGY A Look at Islam
with the Bible in Mind Teaching: Bob MacCallum
Book: The Truth about Islam, by Anees Zaka
INQUIRY INTO FAITH ALPHA: Inquiry into the
Christian Faith Facilitators: Sara Morris &
Chuck Emory
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Balanced & Blessed—
Experiencing Marriage the Way It’s Meant to Be
Facilitator: Caroline Mullen Workbook available from the facilitator.
MEN’S MINISTRY 33: The Series
Facilitators: Kevin Combs, Rich Maris, Jonathan Miles
Books will be available for purchase in the classroom.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Cast of Characters: Common
People in the Hands of an Uncommon God
Facilitator: Edith ParksBook: Cast of Characters: Common People
in the Hands of an Uncommon God, by Max Lucado
Radiance: Bible Study for Young Women (20s and early 30s)
John: 13 Lessons to Deepen Our Faith in Jesus,
The Son of God Facilitators: Diana Orders, Susan
Batson, Pam Knight, Susan Douglas
THEOLOGY: WORLD & LIFE VIEW The Family Project Facilitator: Tim Leslie
Workbook available from Christian Book Distributors or Focus on the Family.
Unveiling the Kingdom of God Facilitator: Barbara Hanner
Workbooks available through the facilitator.
PRAYER MINISTRY (Thursdays)
Level 2 Christian Healing Ministry Prayer Training Facilitators: First Presbyterian
Church Prayer Team An accompanying manual
will be available.
Visit the Vineyard Bookstore to purchase books.
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PHIL HARGROVE Pastor of Marriage and Family,
Men’s, and Young Adult Ministries
672.1847 [email protected]
Looking for community, First Presbyterian became home for newly married Ben and Stella Ramsey
through the Journey Sunday School class
“So what church do you want to try this Sunday?”
The question is one that Ben Ramsey asked his wife Stella often during the spring of 2013. The
two met at Clemson University where Ben played football. Stella grew up at First Presbyterian, and they were married here in 2011.
After moving back to Greenville from Charlotte, the Ramseys were looking for a church home. Even with family ties to First Presbyterian, the couple wanted to find a church that was their own—one that felt like home, where they could grow spiritually together.
Over a period of months visiting area churches, they had a hard time deciding where they best belonged. The churches had great teaching, but lacked a strong sense of community. Ben and Stella decided to attend First Presbyterian for a period of time in order to get a feel for the church and its ministry on a week-in, week-out basis.
As they attended, they heard about a new Sunday School class called Journey forming for young adults that was going to start after Labor Day. They decided to check it out. “When we first started attending Journey, we did so not necessarily intending to make it our permanent home,” Ben remembers. “But after a few weeks passed, we recognized that we had found a strong sense of community that we had been seeking. The Journey class allowed us to begin a ‘journey’ with others that shared not only similar circumstances, but also a similar faith. We’ve also found that while we share many things in common with others in the class, there are also different life experiences among us that add tremendous value.”
Stella agreed: “The Journey class has made us feel at home at First Pres. We have found that we benefit far more from the opportunity to live our lives out together in community than we could as individuals. Doing life with others in our season of life has enriched our Christian walks immensely.”
Young Adult Ministry
The End
of a JourneyJourney Details
Who: Post-college Young Adults in their 20s and early 30s (single, engaged, married… some are starting to have babies!)
What: A Sunday School class as well as social gatherings throughout the year (class breaks for the summer)
When: Sundays at 9:45am in the Parlor (Room 200)
Christmas Party: Friday, December 12, at home of Hunter and Anna Louise Hicklin (210 Michaux Drive, Greenville 29605)
Ben & Stella Ramsey
“The Journey class has made us feel at home at First Pres. We have found that we benefit far more from the opportunity to live our lives out together in community than we could as individuals.”
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The Sunday School Gap for Young AdultsFor twenty-somethings like the Ramseys, finding a Sunday School class was not easy. The youngest adult class was Foundations, with couples in their early 30s and a child or two in diapers. Although the age difference was not that many years, a couple of years out of college versus a couple of children was a big difference. The class conversation reflected where most of the class members were in life. So Ben and Stella, along with Kent and Lauren Barber and other young adults, looked around and saw a core group of people like themselves. The desire to start a new class gained momentum. Lauren comments, “In the past year, our relationships have grown much stronger with so many couples in the class. A lot of couples our age were looking for a church home and have settled on First Pres since joining the Journey class.”
By the summer of 2013, Edward and Stella Stall had a house full of interested young adults over for dinner, Lauren Barber was busy sending emails organizing the class, Kent Barber put together a Facebook group, Hunter and Anna Louise Hicklin were hosting a “Meat and Greet” Kickoff Dinner in their downtown bungalow, and Jay and Sarah-Lauren Orders were standing in front of 50 young adults welcoming them on the first day of class on September 8.
The Journey has benefited from excellent teaching from FPC members such as David Martin, Art and Sally Seaver, Milt Lowder, Sydney Sykes, Eddie Terrell, Gill Robison, Will and Melody Reid, Don Nickell, Edward Stall, David Wells, and Mark Wells. The teaching has ranged from Apologetics and Christian worldview to work, money, marriage, and relationships.
The Continuing Journey for Ben and StellaThe next season of life for the Ramseys has Ben starting at the new Greenville Hospital System Medical School. Stella is no stranger to GHS, as she works as a nurse in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit. While Ben’s school keeps him in Greenville for the foreseeable future, the Journey community holds promise for continued encouragement, friendship, and a place to belong.
Young Adults Pastor Phil Hargrove envisions a community that, as they root themselves in Greenville, will become leaders at First Presbyterian Church and the Greenville community. “It’s exciting to see these young singles and married couples wanting to grow closer to each other and to God. I see the Journey like the Flock class that started similarly 30 years ago at First Pres—young adults settling down and wanting to form deep friendships.”
He continues, “In the Journey, couples are getting married and having babies. In the Flock, they are now sending their children to college, walking them down the aisle at weddings, and becoming grandparents. Between those bookends, there’s a lot of life lived and shared that First Pres has nested. The Journey has the potential to have that same script.”
For Ben and Stella Ramsey, the journey is just starting. They are thankful they have fellow travelers with them along the road.
COLLEGE Ministry
Where are you?I have some good news and bad news: The good news is you will receive a goodie box from First Presbyterian Church when exams roll around in December. It’s our way of saying in Tom Bodett style, “We’re leaving the light on for you.” The bad news is I cannot text these packages. We’re going to need something called an actual physical mailing address.
So don’t be that guy or girl without a “little happy” as my grandmother used to say. Send current mailing address, email address, and cell phone number to [email protected]. We will not sell your information to marketers—we will hook you up with a sweet and salty smorgasbord.
Christmas Party Driving through Roper Mountain
Science Center to look at the Christmas lights.
Fighting traffic on Woodruff to get into Green Ridge Shopping Center.
Wandering through the Festival of Lights at the Hyatt on North Main.
Going to the College Christmas Party at the Simmons’ Home.
Some Greenville traditions can’t be missed! Join us for our annual Christmas Party at the home of Chuck and Beth Simmons, Friday, December 19, at 7:00pm (11 West Hillcrest Drive, Greenville 29609).
Young Adult Ministry
Anna Louise Hicklin, Sara Cobb, Julia Lawson, and Taylor Johnson at the Kickoff Dinner
16 Young Adult Ministry
From an initial group of 15 to now nearly 200, Diana Orders couldn’t have planned how God has moved in the lives of young adult females
For Diana Orders, the third time was the charm. After declining to lead a Bible study twice because of other teaching commitments, the third time she agreed.
One reason was to provide a place for young adult females like her daughter-in-law Sarah-Lauren to grow closer to God and to others.
A Radiant Beginning Diana wanted another female leader, a little younger, to help as she got started. As she was leaving the Ignite worship service one Sunday in the spring of 2010, she tapped Susan Batson on the shoulder. Susan responded, “Yes! I have been praying about something like this. I’d love to.”
That first year, Diana and Susan were thrilled to have 15 young women. They met in Diana’s home for a light dinner, moving into her living room for Bible study. Diana and Susan’s relational ministry to young women in their 20s saw the group grow to nearly 200 involved.
Diana’s living room fast became too small as word-of-mouth invitations made the group mushroom. Other adult leaders—including Pam Knight, Kim Hassold, Susan Douglas, Stella Stall, Elaine Martin, and Sally Seaver—were invited to share in the ministry of hospitality, community, and biblical teaching.
A Radiant Name The group is called Radiance after Psalm 34:5: “Those who look to God are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Diana explains that a big reason for the growth is that God is at work drawing the women to Himself. As He does their lives are changing. “The radiance of Christ is in them, Christ is shining through them, they are excited about their faith, and that’s contagious. It’s really not a formula. God’s doing it all.”
Diana and Susan found a desire in younger women who hungered to know God better and to connect with other females in community—and not just ones in their same season of life. Many of the young adults are in Greenville working after college and are away from their own families. The group provides a connection point with those in their same season of life as well as mentoring from older women like Diana and Susan.
“It’s not just the social part,” Diana reflects. “They come because they want to be changed. They’ve made deep friendships and life-changing decisions. I’ve seen over time how God is wooing these women. It’s so much fun to be with them and watch.”
Not Diana’s OrdersRADIANCE
Enjoying the Christmas Party
Christmas Party fun!
A daring ride on a zip line
17 Young Adult Ministry
Second-year Radiance participant Samantha Lunsford comments, “I’ve had deeper conversations with my small group Bible study than I’ve had with my lifelong friends. It’s because we’re talking about the Lord and things that matter.”
Britney Rogers had to move to Houston due to her husband’s job transfer. Part of her struggle in moving was leaving Radiance. She comments, “We pray for each other and keep up with each other. I’ve developed lifelong friends from the group.”
A Radiant Scope The group is not simply two hours on a Wednesday evening. Indeed, a lot goes on outside of the meeting times. The adult leaders often find themselves meeting for lunch or for walks to further shepherd individual Radiance participants. Text, email, and Facebook messages are a daily communication routine.
Community leadership, however, is not dependent on adults like Diana. When the group broke for the summer, four groups met on their own.
A Radiating Ripple Effect As the women gathered in homes on Wednesday evenings, many new husbands, fiancés, and boyfriends got tired of watching ESPN Sports Center alone. They started meeting at places like Blockhouse on Augusta Road. Their time together has evolved into small groups that meet throughout the week, where they have conversations about life and faith.
As Radiance reached out into the community to young women who were looking for a church, many at Diana’s urging have come to First Presbyterian and found a home. The First Look new member classes often have a contingent of young adults who were introduced to First Presbyterian through Radiance.
Radiance members provided the leadership for a new Sunday School community called Journey. Now in its second year, the class provides further opportunity for community and Bible study for singles and couples.
There have also been practical group benefits. Young women who met through Radiance are now roommates and network with each other for jobs.
A Radiant Future Diana doesn’t try to predict specifically what the future will look like for Radiance. She’s learned to be light on her feet and even entrepreneurial. “I see it growing, but we don’t know exactly what shape it will take. We’ll just try to continue to join God in what He’s doing. We aren’t making anything happen by ourselves, but are just adjusting as God goes before us. We do our part by following up and trying our best to follow his leading.”
Radiance Details
Who: Females ages 22 to early 30s
What: Weekly dinner and Bible study during the school year
;other social events and retreats throughout the year
When: Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm beginning
September 10
Where: Groups meet in four homes across the
downtown area
How: Contact Diana Orders to learn more ([email protected])
Save these DATES
September 10 Fall Kickoff
Nancy and Mike Smith 101 Chamberlain Court 29605
Poolside Dinner, RSVP
January 14–April 29 Winter/Spring Session dates
April 17–19 Spring Retreat
Carolina Point, Brevard, NC
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A Taste of the KINGDOM
Jesus did not send his followers out to start governments—or even churches as we know them today. What he began was nothing less than what Dallas Willard
calls a “perpetual world revolution.” It was a revolution of the human heart and spirit. Human-contrived revolutions proceed by means of external social institutions and laws designed to impose a good order of life for those under their influence. By contrast, the revolution that Jesus seeks is a revolution of character—calling us to be changed from the inside through an ongoing personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
This revolution is furthermore to be all-embracing. It is one that changes our ideas, our beliefs, our habits, our choices, our social relations, and our family commitments. In other words, it is to penetrate to the deepest level of our souls and transform us from the inside out. This is why Scriptures often call us to pay attention to matters of the heart. We are called to be “God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved” (Colossians 3:12). Jesus corrected the disciples who showed so much concern for the Jewish rituals of eating with washed hands by telling them in Matthew 15:11: “Hear and understand. It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
The power of this revolution is unimaginable. It is now true as the angels proclaimed to the prophet Isaiah, “The whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). But the day is yet to come when the earth “will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). This is the gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus came to preach. It will revolutionize the entire universe so that even creation itself, which groans now under the curse as we do, shall be liberated.
In light of the painful stories that dominate the national and international scene, could we ask for better news? We as believers have a taste of this kingdom as we live, serve, and love one another. We are to begin by being “blameless and harmless, children of God, faultless in the midst of a twisted and misguided generation, from within which we shine as lights in a world, lifting up a word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).
Let’s be a people of encouragement to those in distress. Let’s remind them of our destiny in Christ and the promise that “eye hath not seen neither has ear heard nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him” (I Corinthians 2:9).
STAN JOHNSONCongregational Care Pastor
Congregational Care
“The whole earth is
full of his glory.”ISAIAH 6:3
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Military life is difficult at best, even during times of peace. The Military Ministry was formed to help our members integrate their faith and witness into their professional
military life. With the congregation’s prayers and support, we have served our members well beyond our initial expectations.
In addition, the Ministry has supported several of the Chaplains who served with members’ units. Over the years, we have become familiar with many of the issues facing today’s military Chaplains.
MILITARY CHAPLAINS: FAITH UNDER FIREIn 1775, Gen. George Washington authorized Chaplains in the Continental Army. “Purity of Morals” (…the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behavior), he wrote three years later, provided the “only sure foundation of ‘publick’ happiness in any Country” and thus was “highly conducive to order, subordination and success in an Army.”
From that time forward, Chaplains have become an integral part of each unit they were assigned to. It was hard to separate Chaplains from Marines in the units I was assigned to during my Marine Corps career. Chaplains were known as men of valor and faith who served the spiritual needs of all believers in Christ by nurturing the living, caring for the wounded, and honoring the dead. A better example cannot be found than Lt.(CH) Vincent R. Capodanno, USN, who died in combat on September 4, 1967, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for service in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps. Some 240 military Chaplains have died in the line of duty.
Today, however, Christianity itself is in the line of fire, and our Chaplains find themselves in a vastly different situation. “Purity of Morals” might have provided unity during the American Revolution, but Chaplains face more divisive issues today as our government attempts to limit the expression of religious beliefs by members of the Armed Forces. Since our members of the military have volunteered to defend the United States and its constitution, it’s only right that our nation give them the freedom our constitution promised. Like all Americans, service members should be free to live out their faith.
No American, especially one serving in our Armed Forces, should be forced to abandon his or her religious beliefs. What we at First Pres take for granted—attending church, participating in Bible study, or having a discussion about our faith—is being made very difficult for those currently serving. Chaplains are being forced to implement government policies (for example, eliminating “in Jesus Name” from all prayers) that are in conflict with their faith. Even though Chaplains cannot be forced to do something in opposition to their faith, they risk being marginalized and even punished for being faithful to their religious beliefs.
The First Pres Military Ministry requests that the entire congregation include military Chaplains in your daily prayers, asking that God allow them to honor their religious vows in the performance of their duties.
MILITARY MINISTRY
Contact the Military Ministry Team
for more information:
Bob Browning [email protected]
Tammy Burkhalter 672.0327 or [email protected]
FirstPresGreenville.org/militaryministry.htm
Congregational Care
MemberUpdateTwo members of our Ministry are currently serving in combat: SSGT Patrick Simpson, USA, in Kosovo, and CPT Thomas Lide, USAF, in Afghanistan. Please pray for them and their safe return to their loved ones.
—Bob Browning
Baptism in combat
Prayer for the wounded in combat
Laying on of hands
Infantry platoon in prayer
20 Congregational Care
For many years, 18-year-old Madeline Chandler (Summer Intern for Pastoral
Visitation Ministry) has felt the call on her heart to go into retirement communities and homes to get to know senior saints who have much to teach and share about the living of these days. The day Madeline visited Chuck Samuelson at the Veterans Home, he told her to remember what his father had said long ago when Chuck was considering going into the Navy for a career: “Pray about everything and take one day at a time.” Madeline responded, “That is what my Dad tells me all the time.” Chuck responded, “Then your Daddy is wise.”
One of the great benefits of the Pastoral Visitation Ministry (PVM) at First Presbyterian is that the PVMs receive the blessing of life-tested wisdom from those who have lived the faith for many years. PVMs get to go out of the church and visit people who have lived rich lives following our Lord Jesus Christ, in good times and in bad. PVMs get to visit people who have endured tragedy and great sorrow, but have
Madeline with Lib
Landford holding her
book of poetry
Life Hurts.God Heals.Support Groups at First Pres
First Presbyterian Church offers Support Group Ministries that provide help and promote healing. Open to both our congregation and our community, these ministries are a huge blessing to those dealing with serious life experiences. The Support Group Ministries, under the direction of Congregational Care Pastor Stan Johnson, give compassion and spiritual comfort to those who are hurting.
Our GriefShare ministry is for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. Do you have questions about death, dying, your own mortality, and eternal life? If you have experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or friend, we know it hurts. We want to help by providing you with the understanding, support, and
encouragement you need during your grieving process.
Our Divorce Care ministry is for anyone going through a divorce or already divorced who is seeking answers to difficult questions. Do you wonder if anyone really understands just how lonely you are? We can help you discover hope and experience healing through the awesome power of Jesus Christ.
Our Boundaries ministry is for anyone searching for practical ways to help set healthy boundaries with parents, spouses, children, friends, coworkers, and even yourself, by drawing from God’s wisdom. Being a loving and unselfish Christian does not mean never telling anyone “No.” Multiply your love for others
and minimize the problems you face by setting healthy boundaries.
GriefShare, Divorce Care, and Boundaries Ministries begin Sunday, September 7, and meet each Sunday evening 5:00–7:00pm. There is no charge to attend. Workbooks are $10. Advance registration is required. To register or for further information, contact Tammy Burkhalter at 672.0327 or [email protected]
Pastoral Visitation Ministry
A Canvas ofLOVE
learned how to lean on Jesus in the midst of it all. PVMs get to visit people who have learned how to be prayer warriors day and night for the hurting world, even when their own lives are falling apart. Some think being a PVM is a great act of service, but as Madeline sees it, being a PVM is the best privilege in the world! There are so many people to love!
Becoming a PVM at First Presbyterian is simple. We meet as a group in the Parlor the first Monday night of each month starting in October, to learn about listening, prayer, visitation, presence, depression, dementia, and other such topics that help us in our visitation ministry. We fellowship with one another, listen to one another, love one another, and then take that love out of the church to spread it around, like throwing huge jars of paint on a canvas. We like to leave marks of love and kindness wherever we go.
We welcome you. You will be overwhelmed with the love of it all. Together we will paint a beautiful canvas.
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A Church of Prayer
Here at First Presbyterian Church, we believe in the power of prayer. We offer several opportunities to get involved in the Prayer Ministry, as well as multiple
ways to make your prayer requests known. We encourage you to attend a Healing Prayer Service, take time to pray in the Prayer Room, fill out a prayer request form (found in the pews and literature racks), complete the prayer card you receive in the mail and return it, email us your requests, or simply spend time praying in Harper Prayer Chapel.
First Presbyterian provides a Healing Prayer Service in Harper Prayer Chapel every Tuesday evening at 7:00pm. Beginning October 1, there will also be a daytime Healing Prayer Service at 1:15pm on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The Healing Prayer Team is available for private prayer sessions, and the Prayer Center (the Narthex of Harper Prayer Chapel) is open during normal church hours for a time of quite prayer.
Each person on the Prayer Room Team spends one hour each week in the Prayer Room, located in Room 310. They pray confidentially over requests of the congregation and community, as well as for those who request to be on the published prayer list, which is posted in the Sunday bulletins and in our weekly GrapeVine newsletter.
The Prayer Card Team prays over the prayer cards that are sent out to all the church members throughout the year.
The College Prayer Card Team prays for our college students and sends cards to them during the school year.
Is God calling you to serve in the Prayer Ministry? If so, please call Tammy Burkhalter of Congregational Care at 672.0327 or email [email protected].
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
PSALM 46:10
Prayer Requests 672.1838
Prayer Appointments 672.1848
Congregational Care Assistant
Tammy Burkhalter: 672.0327 [email protected]
Request Lines
November Month of Prayer
November will be set aside as a Month of Prayer with an emphasis on
Prayer in Sunday School and a Sermon Series on
the Holy Spirit.
Congregational Care
NEW October 1
Daytime Healing Prayer Service at 1:15pm First and Third
Wednesdays Harper Prayer Chapel
22
A SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY
Congregational Care
Get Ready for Some
Enjoying the program Lay Leader Anna Teasley serving at the picnic
It’s time to have some Wit & Wisdom fun! Our season begins September 2, at 11:30am in Fellowship Hall. The program is free and lunch ($7) will be served at
12:30pm. First Presbyterian members and friends ages 55 and up are encouraged to join us on the first Tuesday of every month September through May.
As usual, lay leader Anna Teasley has been working hard over the summer to arrange fun and exciting speakers for Wit & Wisdom. You do not want to miss out on the laughter with good friends, the joy of beautiful music, the taste of delicious food, the stories of inspiration, and the words of encouragement as we gather, surrounded by the love of Christ.
Entertaining Lineup for Wit & WisdomWit & Wisdom has another great lineup of speakers this season!
At our season kickoff on September 2, we’ll welcome the granddaughter of Billy Graham, Jerushah Armfield, author of Thank You, Billy Graham: A Tribute to the Life and Ministry of Billy Graham. Other speakers during the year will include:
• Marge Snyder of “Women On Fire,” bringing inspiration and encouragement
• Shirley Gallamore and her daughters, sharing the gospel through music
• A local Master Gardener, teaching useful gardening tips
• Author Ray Blackston, son of members Phoebe and Charles Blackston
• Author Martha Stewart Hoover, sister of member Barbara Hanner
These great talents and others will entertain and inform you with inspirational stories, interesting topics, and amusing anecdotes. Space is limited, so call Anna Teasley (367.8504) each month to make your reservation.
See you at Wit & Wisdom!
Jerushah Armfield
Marge Snyder
Shirley Gallamore
Ray Blackston
Stephen Ministry is a system of training lay people to do caring ministry. Those who become involved in Stephen Ministry learn skills
and develop their talents for bringing Christ’s healing love to people who are grieving, depressed, or experiencing other stresses in life. Stephen Ministers are also trained to recognize when a care receiver’s needs go beyond the care of a Stephen Minister, as well as where and how to refer the care receiver for additional assistance.
Stephen Ministry, a ministry filled with compassion, provides compassionate Christians with a place where they can use those gifts in ministry. If you feel called to help others who are going through a crisis, join our active Stephen Ministers at First Presbyterian Church in providing one-to-one care to individuals experiencing difficulties in life.
Stephen Ministry training combines sound theological principles with contemporary psychology. The skills our Stephen Ministers learn and practice prepare them to provide a very high level of Christian caregiving. The training is intense because it explores some serious life issues, but it is also a growth-producing and enjoyable experience.
The 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training include these topics and many others: Feelings: Yours, Mine, and Ours; The Art of Listening; Distinctively Christian; Assertiveness: Relating Gently and Firmly; Maintaining Boundaries in Caregiving; Confidentiality; Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief; Caring for People Before, During, and After Hospitalization; and Prayer.
Training begins Wednesday, October 15
meets each Wednesday at 6:00pm
Commissioning will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2015, with a banquet to follow. To register, please contact Tammy Burkhalter of Congregational Care at 235.0698 or [email protected].
23 Congregational Care
Honors For Caring Members
First Presbyterian member Dick Hayward was the winner of the
Caregiver Award for 2014 in the family care category, sponsored by All About Seniors.
Anyone who has seen Dick bring Jeannette to church has to marvel at his diligence and perseverance. At 84 years of age, most of us have a difficult time getting ourselves to church, much less performing every service for someone who is essentially physically and mentally helpless. He definitely is at the top of our admiration list.
Two other First Pres members previously were honored with this award: Claire Brittain cared for his wife Gerri, who had Alzheimers, for over 13 years in their home; Dottie Cole cared for her husband, Datis, and their daughter, Kathy Thasher, for many years in their home.
We sincerely say “Thank you!” to all the caregivers who so graciously, faithfully, and lovingly care for others. May God bless you with strength and courage each new day.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like
eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
ISAIAH 40:29–31
Stephen Ministry If you are going through a crisis and would
like a Stephen Minister, please call Tammy Burkhalter of Congregational Care
at 672.0327 for more information.
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KAREN KINGDirector of Elementary Education
and Family Missions (1st–5th Grades)
Work! Work! Work! And all for what? For one of the
biggest blessings of the year: VBS!
This year we had an amazing VBS week, as First Pres was filled with hundreds of children, students, and adults participating in WEIRD ANIMALS VBS.
Children learned how God created each of us in a unique and different way, and that’s what makes us so special. Some may see us as a little weird, but God sees us as one-of-a-kind!
These sweet comments blessed our hearts, and we hope will bless yours, too! • “I’ve been praying that VBS
could last for 40 days, but God didn’t answer my prayers!”
• “I wish VBS could last FOREVER!”
• “I LOVE the VBS songs and sing them all the time!” (Mother confirmed: “all the time” means all day, every day.)
• “VBS is almost as fun as Disney World!”
WOW! To be compared to Disney World, we must have done something right! The truth is that it wasn’t we who did something right. It was God’s mighty hand at work that made the week successful.
We praise God for sending us wonderful servants with willing hearts to help in every area of VBS, amazing and beautiful children to fill the church halls with joy, and patient church staff to support VBS through work, love, and prayer.
Yes, VBS is always a lot of work, but to see God’s hand moving through our beautiful children makes it all worthwhile. Together in Christ we serve,
VBS 2014 by the numbers
• 320 Traditional VBS and Preschool VBS participants: 250 children; 70 volunteers, including youth helpers
• 161 Day Mission participants: 119 in grades 4-12; 5 college student chaperones; 37 adult chaperones
Save the Date for VBS 2015 June 15–18
Children’s Ministries
Dates to Remember Mother’s Morning Out
begins September 2
Operation Christmas Child Collection Begins
begins October 12
Family Fall Event at Eden Farms
October 26
Family Advent Festival December 3
Route 56 Regressive Christmas Dinner
December 14
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox collection begins October 12. Watch for shoeboxes and packing information in the Children’s Ministry Department this fall. For more details about Operation Christmas Child, visit SamaritansPurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.
25
EVELYN PENKERTDirector of Early Childhood and Preschool Education (Birth–K5)[email protected]
Have you ever experienced God’s Flip Flop blessings? In case you aren’t aware, Flip Flop blessings are when your intentions are to be a blessing to others, but
then God flip flops the blessing around so YOU are the one who is blessed!
Every day during our VBS Day Missions, participants were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and serve the Lord. Once groups started accepting this challenge and asking God to help and lead them, the Flip Flop blessings came pouring in. We literally had students waiting in the Children’s Ministry department eager to share their Flip Flop stories. Here are a few:
• “You wouldn’t believe our day! Despite the fact that most of our group wanted to work with inner-city children, we were assigned to work with the elderly residents at Garden Apartments. It was obvious that this was out of most of our group’s comfort zone. Instead of complaining, we accepted our challenge for the week and moved forward to make the best of our assignment. Once we were there, it was AWESOME! We invited several of the residents to come to the fellowship room and play Bingo. Wow, what a blessing they were to us! We experienced the Flip Flop blessings firsthand. We were laughing, having conversations, playing Bingo, and praying with the residents. We received such a blessing that some of the students were asking to go back another time during the year!”
• “Today our group had a home visit with an elderly lady named Sarah Hill, but she told us to call her ‘Granny Hill.’ She was so sweet and funny. We would like to visit her again in the future. She LOVES animals, so we told her we would come back and take her to the zoo one day. She was a true blessing to us!”
• “Our group went to work with the inner-city children today, and they were hanging all over me! We had a BLAST and I didn’t want to leave. I felt so loved by the children. I want to work with children one day!”
Crystal Capps, with Compassion Connection, who organizes our Day Mission locations every year, shared these messages she received from some of the residents we visited:
• “Crystal, this is the best group I have ever had. There were two adults and eight children. Oh, now Crystal, this was wonderful, awesome in every way! I told them I was Granny Hill and a black grandma! Two of them want me to go to the zoo with them. They brought me a flowering plant. They are just wonderful! I am on cloud nine. They are the sweetest children in the world!”
• “Crystal, this is Addie Forbes. I am calling to thank you again for letting the young people visit me and paint for me. It was a wonderful experience! We talked about what they wanted to be when they grew up. You send me beautiful young people. I wish I had grandchildren, but I don’t. Thank you so very much. Thank you so very much. This is Addie. Thank you so very much!”
This list goes on and on—God’s blessings never end! When we open our eyes and seek His will, it’s amazing how abundant His blessings are to each of us.
Here’s hoping that you, too, will experience God’s Flip Flop blessings today!
God’sFLIP FLOP
Blessings!
Children’s Ministries
Touching Lives and Changing Hearts
The Children’s Ministry has just finished another summer of recruiting volunteers. Our goal is to provide the best possible care, guidance, and instruction in the Word of God for our children. We value our children at First Pres and we want them to know how important they are to us! To do this, we need volunteers to be examples to the children we serve. Children’s Ministry is growing and we still need more people to be the “Big Steps” that lead the “Little Feet.” Our parental role is to raise our children in the way of Christ; our supportive role is to volunteer and serve through the various ministries within our church.
Our focus is nurturing children, serving parents, and training leaders.
Where would YOU like to serve and have the privilege of touching the lives of our little ones? Contact anyone in Children’s Ministry to sign up or to get more information.
For His Children, Evelyn, Karen, and Austin
“BIG STEPS LITTLE FEET”
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SpiritualJewels in Children’s Ministry
Children’s Ministries
“Can you just imagine how exciting it is to walk in the younger children’s Sunday School class and be greeted with so many smiles and hugs?”
This is a quote from one of our many Children’s Ministry “Spiritual Jewels” who love the Lord and desire to share Jesus’ love with the children at First Presbyterian
Church. Words cannot express our gratitude for the many hours volunteers have devoted to seeking ways to creatively bring God’s Word to life for our children. The biggest blessing to them, and to us, is seeing the children run to their parents excited about retelling the lesson and showing them a craft that helps them remember and share their Bible story. If it blesses our hearts, we can only imagine the joy it brings to the Lord!
Knowing that all of our volunteers are gifts from God, we would like to spotlight a few of our members who have been faithful in teaching our children for many years. Although they do not have children of their own in the Children’s Ministry, they choose to serve because they love Jesus and want children to love Him too.
We praise the Lord for Betty Farr, Beverly Bell, and Dick Burke, who truly feel blessed to share Jesus with our children! When asked why they chose to serve in Children’s Ministry, here’s what they said:
Can you just imagine how exciting it is to walk in the younger children’s Sunday School class and be greeted with so many smiles and hugs? Well, it is the highlight of my life! I look forward each Sunday to sharing the stories of Jesus and, of course, acting them out—that’s just what I love to do! I make sure the children know that all my stories come from the Bible. It warms my heart for the children to volunteer to pray in front of the class. How special is that? I’m reminded in Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.’”Now you can see why I get so much pleasure from teaching. Betty Farr, serving for over 30 years
I love being with the children. I love the looks on their faces as we talk about the stories of the Bible, how much God loves them, and how they can always count on Him. The neat thing is that as I go through the process of preparing to teach the lesson, I learn too! As I teach the children, it reinforces what I believe. The reaction I get from the children encourages me to be better and makes me know how important it is to live what I believe. My associations with the other teachers and the Children’s Ministry Department have also been a blessing. Their dedication encourages me to be more involved. To the parents, I say “thank you” for the honor of allowing me the opportunity to be with and teach your children in Sunday School. Beverly Bell, serving from 1992 to present
I enjoy teaching the children because of being able to watch them begin to blossom from shy introverted humans to children who are more aware of their surroundings. My own grandchildren live outside of South Carolina and I rarely see them. Teaching the children gives me an opportunity to build relationships with younger children and help teach them to trust and love the Lord. Dick Burke, serving from 2008 to present
If you’re considering serving during the 2014-2015 school year and want to know if it’s worthwhile, just ask Betty, Beverly, or Dick!
Contact Evelyn Penkert ([email protected] or call 672.1843) to serve in nursery–K5 classes.
Contact Karen King ([email protected] or call 672.1840) to serve in 1st–5th grades.
Betty Farr performing for
the children
Beverly Bell teaching
Dick Burke reading a favorite story
27
TINA JONESDirector of Mother’s Morning [email protected]
Three times a year, moms
of all ages enjoy special times of fellowship and have the opportunity to hear testimonies from other women. Be a part of putting Titus 2:3-5 into practice. Our next event is Tuesday, October 14. Watch the weekly GrapeVine newsletter for more details.
Summer Summer Summertime!
enjoyed our 2014 MMO Summer Bible Camp!We sang • We danced • We enjoyed silly snacks and games
Best of all, we learned about God’s Word!Watch for next year’s registration in February!
Children’s Ministries
Mother’s Morning Out
The Mother’s Morning Out School-Year Ministry exists to support parents of infants and toddlers. We operate Monday–Thursday, 9:00am–2:00pm. Early
and late stay options are also available. Our loving staff nurtures the children while also providing educational instruction—singing, reading, and developing fine and gross motor skills through play activities.
Contact Tina Jones at [email protected] for more information.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to
be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will
malign the word of God.
TITUS 2:3-5
193 different children
friends
gamesfun
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Student Ministries
Student Ministries
JuniorHighRootsROOTS Student Ministry is passionate about middle-school students! From our
over-the-top games to our specially catered lessons, we constantly strive to provide a place where junior high students can come and experience God in new and exciting ways as they grow deeper in their relationship with Him. It’s no surprise that youth ministry is a vital time for spiritual development in the lives of our students. It is a time when students have legitimate and complex questions about life, who they are, and even their own faith. It is also a time of trying to find their own identity in society, figuring out how they fit in, and sorting out their beliefs. Some students truly thrive at this age, while others hold on for dear life. Here at ROOTS Student Ministry, our objective is to show our students Christ and to teach them that through Him, we can find our identity, our calling, and we can share that message with others. We constantly strive to provide a safe and loving environment for our students to come and experience gospel-centered fellowship, genuine biblical teaching, and tons of fun!
Our ministry exists to help grow faithful Christians. Over the summer, we do that through a myriad of activities and fellowship opportunities. Not only did the Junior High ministry square off with and defeat the Senior High ministry in a day of paintball, we celebrated that victory with a charter bus full of students at Carowinds, riding roller coasters and having a blast! Between all of the student lunches, baseball games, and even girls’ nights (which I did not attend), we had little time to sit down.
But our summer wasn’t all fun and games. Over 30 of our seventh and eighth graders traveled to Panther, WV, to participate in construction projects and various other mission activities in the hope of sharing the gospel message with the community, forming lasting relationships with one another, and growing in their relationship with Jesus. Our local sixth grade mission trip was overwhelming to say the least. Because this is our largest class to date, we accomplished a massive amount of work in two days from sheer manpower alone. Suffice it to say, this summer was amazing!
If this sounds like something that your student wants to be a part of, or if you would like to volunteer to help, I invite you to come and join us at any time!
If you would like to become a leader and pour into the lives of these students, we can certainly use you! Please contact me to get involved.
CHARLIE BUCHANANJunior High [email protected]
Weekly ProgramsROOTS Wednesday is our biggest weekly event. From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, we gather together en masse to share a meal, build relationships, play crazy games, and hear solid biblical teaching. On Wednesdays, we investigate how the Scriptures apply to our daily lives in the various situations we encounter during our middle school years. This is by far our craziest weekly event and includes plenty of loud music, loads of fun, and great memories. Food is available for purchase at $3 per meal.
Sunday School is reserved for a more in-depth study of the Scriptures beginning at 9:45am every Sunday. During this more relaxed time, we tend to follow the reformed tradition of lectio continua (continuous reading), wherein we teach straight through a book of the Bible and investigate the life lessons Jesus has in store for us.
Small groups are a huge part of ROOTS. Typically, we have six small groups for ROOTS Junior High ministry, divided by grade and gender. This year, we actually have eight due to their popularity and growth in the ministry. Small group time enables students to build deeper relationships with their peers and form an accountability group. These groups meet at various homes on Sunday evenings. For information about your student’s small group, please contact me any time.
29 Student Ministries
SEAN GAJDASenior High [email protected]
SeniorHighRootsWhat a whirlwind adventure we have had in ROOTS Senior High Ministry the last
few months! From summer activities to our incredible Mission Trip to sending Afton on to her next season of life, these last few months have been an amazing testimony to the goodness of the Lord and finding peace in His sovereign plan.
Our summer was absolutely slammed! In addition to our ROOTS programming, we took some great side trips, including our first-ever retreat (for guys only) to focus on biblical manhood, called the ManVenture. We ate steak, watched baseball, and hung out together—it was an absolute blast. ROOTS also hosted an all-female event, Crafts and Hors d’oeuvres. The girls painted, enjoyed delicious food, and had a great time of fellowship—all without us crazy boys around. Both events were a ton of fun!
Without a doubt, the big news of the year was our international Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic. We took a team of 43 students and leaders to LaRomana, where we were able to continue the work that First Presbyterian Church has been a part of in that city. Those unbelievable eight days in August I am sure we will never forget. I want to take this opportunity to thank you as a church for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to be a part of this incredible trip. Not only were our students’ lives changed forever, but I believe we saw several students feel a draw toward lifelong missions as their eyes and hearts opened to the whole world around them. We spent time painting, building walls, hanging out in an orphanage, teaching VBS, and sharing other moments of relationship with the incredible Dominican people. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making this opportunity available. Without you this trip just does not happen, and I could not be more thankful.
Remember that we have great things in store for the fall and winter this year, including our Fall Retreat, always a hit with the students. Watch for announcements coming soon. I look forward to getting back on schedule once school is in full swing again, excited to see a fruitful year of growth within our Student Ministry. Please continue to pray for our ministry and our students, as we seek to honor the Lord and glorify Him together.
Grace,
MAJOR UPCOMING EVENTS
Fall Retreat October 3-5
Look Up Lodge
featuring special guest speaker Justin Davis and the Ignite
Worship Band
Watch for online registration details in your email and the weekly GrapeVine newsletter.
Winter Retreat in February
(details to be announced)
Hard at work in the Dominican Republic Having fun with some of
the local childrenPastor Martin preaching in the church
30 Women’s Ministry
To Know Him and To Make Him Known
This fall I begin my second year of leading Women’s Ministry at First
Pres. The first year was wonderful—filled with Bible studies, Circles, special events, making new friends, growing together, and seeing God work in the women’s lives.
Throughout this year I have been asking God to break Women’s Ministry out of the box and make it what He wants it to be. We do so many things well, yet I believe that God has more in store for us. This year we will spend time seeking God’s direction for Women’s Ministry through prayer and by looking at other Women’s Ministries for ideas.
The graduate school I attended has as its motto To Know Him and To Make Him Known. For me, these words sum up our walk with the Lord.
Knowing Him is two-fold: understanding and accepting Jesus’ work on our behalf on the cross, and then growing in our faith. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Once we understand what Jesus’ death on the cross accomplished and accept Him as Lord and Savior, then we begin to grow—learning the truths of the Bible and discovering how He wants us to live and serve Him. Paul puts it this way in Ephesians 4:15 when he writes, “We are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” As we grow in our faith, we can ask as the psalmist did in Psalm 119:18 (NLT) for God to “open (our) eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.”
The more we know about God, the more we love Him and the more we want to share Him with others—To Make Him Known. Jesus tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). What a joy to know that we do not do this on our own but rather with Jesus, in His name, and through the leading and power of the Holy Spirit! Colossians 3:17 reminds us, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Acts 1:8 tells us, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” I am so thankful that God goes with me as I make Him known.
I invite you to join us this year in Women’s Ministry as We Know Him and Make Him Known. And, if you are interested in being a part of the discovery group to seek God’s leading for Women’s Ministry, please call me. It will be exciting to learn what He has planned for Women’s Ministry at First Pres.
Blessings,
You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.
DEUTERONOMY 13:4
MissionThe mission of the Women’s
Ministry is to glorify God as we grow faithful Christians through Bible study, prayer, discipleship, mission, service, and fellowship.
Women’s Ministry Leadership Team
2014-2015Chair
Edith Parks
Circle Coordinator Becky Carter
Circle Study Coordinator Janet Grant
Circle Treasurer Brenda Evans
Missions Coordinator Carrie Dickert
Special Events Coordinator Position Available
Bible Study Coordinator Position Available
We would love to hear from you!
Women’s Ministry Web Page: FirstPresGreenville.org/ womensministries.htm
Women’s Ministry Chair: Edith Parks, womensministry@
firstpresgreenville.org or 263.7989
CirclesOur ten Circles meet at a variety
of times, days, and locations each month, and always welcome
newcomers to their groups.
If you’re interested in joining a Circle, contact Circle Coordinator Becky Carter (350.5532 or [email protected]) to find one that fits you!
31 Women’s Ministry
These Are The Days of Elijah: How God Uses Ordinary People
to Do Extraordinary ThingsBy R. T. Kendall
Our Circle study for the next two years will be on the life of Elijah, using the book These Are The Days of Elijah: How God Uses Ordinary People to Do Extraordinary
Things. The author, Dr. R. T. Kendall, reveals many hidden truths that lie behind the scenes of the public and private life of Elijah, the renowned prophet of God, but also a very ordinary man who believed God would use him. Throughout this study of Elijah, we will learn about God and His ways.
Elijah’s God is our God—the living God. He not only exists, but is alive and active today. His word is reliable and is as relevant to our lives as it was to Elijah’s. Elijah gave his life in service to the sovereign God of Israel. We have given our life to Him as well, in the person of Jesus Christ. As with Elijah, we are instruments of God in a dark world. We live with fears, doubts, and times of loneliness, as he did. He needed God’s continual preparation for each step in his life of faith, as do we.
R. T. Kendall makes this connection, and writes: “God has a plan for your life. He will withhold no good thing from you when you seek to do His will above all else. You may or may not be another Elijah, but God will go to the same pains in preparing you for what He has in mind for you as He did for Elijah.”
Through the chapters of his book, Kendall will teach us about God’s ways, His provisions, His providences, and His far-reaching love. He will discuss living in solitude, walking in obedience, and how to know the next step forward when change comes to us and when we find we are outside our comfort zones and when God seems unfair. He also addresses the stigma of being God’s servant in dark times.
Our prayer is that God will reward each of us as we search for His wisdom and truth in the life of His servant Elijah.
2014-2016 Monthly Circle Study
Service Opportunities
Sanctuary Flower Committee: This committee is responsible for breaking down the Sunday Sanctuary flower arrangement for the Pastoral Visitation Ministers to take to church members.
Prayer Team: This team meets each Thursday morning to pray for our church, our staff, and the ECO.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: This group fellowships and prays as they knit and crochet prayer shawls and prayer cloths to be given to those experiencing times of crisis.
Cup of Caring Tea Ministry: Using the gifts of service, hospitality, and mercy, this ministry gives teas for cancer survivors, caregivers, teachers, international students, and other groups.
Special Events: This team plans the decorations, sets up, and serves for our Fall Luncheon and Dinner and our Spring Dessert Social.
Christmas and Easter Decorating Committee: This committee is responsible for decorating the church for our Christmas and Easter celebrations.
Bible Study Teachers and Facilitators
Circle Moderators
Circle Bible Moderators
Whatever challenges and joys life holds, God’s goodness and grace will always surprise and sustain us. His providential care and sovereign plans for us will carry
us through even the things we dared not face. And at the end of the day, His loving-kindness will provide us with more than we can dream or even imagine and fill us with a joy the harshest circumstances of this life cannot dim.
Tracie’s 48 years have been marked by challenges that filled her with terror, but God’s faithfulness has sustained her through it all—seminary and surgeries; babies, boys, and young men; marriage, moves, and motherhood—and God has granted her the greatest desires of her heart. Tracie will share a little of God’s sense of humor with you as in His mercy He has molded a spoiled southern girl into a minister, wife, and mother!
Cost is $7 for Lunch/Dinner. RSVP to Charlotte Joye by Monday, September 8 (672.0309 or [email protected]).
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Kickoff Luncheon & Dinner
Thursday, September 11 12:00noon and 6:30pm • Fellowship Hall
“Whatever”with Reverend Tracie Mayes Stewart
Whatever…Rejoice…The Lord is near…The God of Peace Will Be with
You… Philippians 4:4-9
32 Women’s Ministry
TUESDAYS
Prophets and Kings by Ray Vander Laan
Tuesdays, September 16–November 25 8:30–10:00am in Room 308
Prophets and Kings explores the turbulent history of Israel’s prophets and kings, drawing lessons from their stories that can help build our devotion to and trust in
God today. By weaving together the Bible’s fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen
insights into Scripture’s significance for modern believers as he challenges long-held Western assumptions about even the most well-known Scripture passages. Lessons include “Innocent Blood,” “Who Is God?” “The Wages of Sin,” “The Lord Is My
Shepherd,” and “God with Us.” Books are available in the Vineyard bookstore.
Contact: Nina Williams, 288.2526 or 630.3307
WEDNESDAYS
John: 13 Lessons to Deepen Our Faith in Jesus, The Son of God Radiance Bible Study: For Young Women, early 20s to early 30s
(meets off campus) Wednesdays beginning September 10
6:45–8:00pm in Leaders’ HomesJoin us as we build relationships and enjoy amazing fellowship, share a light dinner and divide into small groups to study the book of John. Leaders are Diana Orders,
Susan Batson, Susan Douglas, Kim Hassold, Pam Knight, Elaine Martin, Sally Seaver, and Stella Stall.
Contact: Diana Orders, [email protected] or 630.1525
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
Wednesdays, September 17–November 19 9:30–11:00am in Room 212
God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator
of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to
church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not, we all know something’s wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to
break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling
you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts—it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the
same. Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. Books are available in the Vineyard bookstore.
Contact: Cema Powell, [email protected] or 255.5136
2014-2015 Women’s Weekl
33 Women’s Ministry
y Bible StudiesCast of Characters: Common People in the
Hands of an Uncommon God Wednesdays, September 3–November 19
6:00–7:15pm in Room 307Common people... Story after story marked by scandal,
stumble, and intrigue. Who are these people? They’re the people of the Bible. And they’re us. We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs: in the hands of an uncommon God. In the midst of them all...
hovering over them all... is the hero of it all: God. Maker. Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts. God. Passing out high
callings, second chances, and moral compasses to all comers and takers. In this gathering of inspiring stories from his
numerous best-selling books, master storyteller Max Lucado revisits some of his favorite biblical characters—all of whom
were very human and imperfect, just like us. If God can find a place for them, He might just have a place for us too.
Books are available in the Vineyard bookstore.Contact: Edith Parks, [email protected]
or 263.7989
THURSDAYS beginning Thursday, September 11
The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
a Beth Moore Study Thursdays, September 11*–November 13
12noon–1:15pm in Room 316 Optional Discussion at 11:00am in Room 309 beginning
September 18*First meeting on September 11 will be at 11:00am.
In this study of Genesis 12-50, discover God’s pursuit of a relationship with man and the unfolding of His earthly plan:
that through one nation—and ultimately, one Man—all people on earth will be blessed. Full of twists and turns, ruin
and redemption, revelation and mystery, this Bible study keeps participants captivated by the God who stars in it!
Explore concepts such as blessing, covenant, and promise, and the bearing each has on a New Testament believer’s life today, as well as the Hebrew names of God introduced on the early pages of Scripture. Workbooks are available in the
Vineyard bookstore and in class.Contact: Claire Rice, 271.1825, or Martha Nance, 271.1659
The Word of God: Seeing Jesus in the Prophets by Nancy Guthrie
Thursdays, September 18–November 20 9:30–11:15pm in Room 321
In the Old Testament, God spoke to his people through prophets—men specially called to speak God’s Word to his
people. The New Testament makes it clear that such prophets, whether chastising or comforting, testified to Israel’s final
redemption and ultimate hope: Jesus the Messiah. In this Bible study, we will gain a fresh perspective on the message of the
Old Testament prophets, a broader understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture, and much more as we venture
on this incredible journey of seeing Jesus in the Old Testament. Books are available in the Vineyard bookstore.
Contact: Jean Nickell, [email protected] or 297.9355
James: Mercy Triumphs a Beth Moore Study
Thursdays, September 18–November 20 9:30–11:00am in Room 308
James, Jesus’ own brother, started out as a skeptic. See how one glimpse of the resurrected Savior turned an unbeliever into
a disciple with Beth Moore’s study James: Mercy Triumphs. Once you get to know both the man and the book of James, you’ll never be the same again. Bible scholars compare James
to the prophet Amos. In other ways, James more closely resembles the book of Proverbs than any New Testament book. James is a book with many topics: social justice, joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility,
and prayer. Books are available in the Vineyard bookstore.Contact: Tina Jones, [email protected] or 672.0347
Genesis: The Book of Beginnings by Nancy Caudel
Thursdays, September 18 9:30–11:45am in Room 301
Starting with God the Creator, Genesis introduces the origins of life and the meaning of all things. God’s good and orderly
creation, climaxing in the creation of man as God’s blessed and highest creation, is followed by the disintegration and pollution brought about by sin and God’s judgment in the Flood and the Tower of Babel. Genesis clearly points to man’s desperate need
of salvation and the beginnings of God’s plan of redemption through Abraham and his descendants. The book of Genesis
is foundational for understanding God’s purpose in history and the introduction of the following basic origins: life, mankind, marriage, evil, language, government, culture, and religion, as
well as God’s “chosen people” through whom the Savior of the world would come. Rather than following a study book, lessons
for the Genesis study will be emailed weekly to participants.Contact: Nancy Caudel, 286.1101
34 Men’s Ministry
Raising a Modern Day MOVEMENT
Through Raising a Modern Day Knight, Ken Carter envisions a new generation of strategic fathers
Ken Carter sat in Room 317 of First Presbyterian Church’s red brick building on a fall Wednesday night in 2010. He was drawn to the
Wednesday Advantage offering Raising a Modern Day Knight (RMDK), led by Lee Shelton, because he simply wanted the tools to become a better dad.
Carter explains, “I was active with my son, but wanted to go deeper. I wanted to move to being strategic. I wanted to equip Gray to walk out of high school and make responsible, God-honoring decisions for the rest of his life.”
Missing FathersKen’s passion for improving father-son relationships is fueled by a burden for a society where families are becoming more fatherless.
One-third of American children are growing up without their biological fathers. In the past 50 years, the percentage of children who live with two married parents has dropped 22 points. During that same time, the number of babies born to unwed mothers jumped from 5 percent to 40 percent.
However, simply having a male presence in the home wasn’t enough—Carter wanted more focus and intentionality with Gray. RMDK provided the structure to Ken’s goal of releasing a son whose life is Christ-like. The study is for dads who want a clear vision and practical ways to unleash a father’s influence with his son.
Ken’s influence with Gray has been substantial as a result of completing the six sessions, engaging in weekly activities, and concluding with a closing ceremony on FPC member John Bearden’s farm back in 2010.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Carter recounts. “We now talk about everything—sensitive topics that scared me before are open and out there. Gray recognizes that I have a sincere interest in his life, not just whether he does right or wrong. He’s more open to conversation.”
Gray Carter, 14, agrees. “Me and my dad have always found it easy to talk about things, but this has helped us go deeper than before. It was special for me to hear him tell me that he trusted me, believed in me, and wanted me to grow closer to God.”
Ken and Gray’s relationship is just that—a relationship. RMDK is not about a top-down approach to fathering where communication and learning is one-sided. Ken explains, “We have more of a partnership, an understanding of how we both grow together. I’m learning from him as much as he’s learning from me.”
Robert Lewis, founder of RMDK, talks about the importance of being purposeful with our sons: “Every son wants his dad to show the way to God, to life, to authentic masculinity. Every son wants to connect with his dad’s heart, hear his praise, and build lifelong memories. And every man wants to succeed with his son. The process
Carter and Ken Gray
Mark Clary with sons at a closing ceremony
35 Men’s Ministry
behind launching a son like that can be as mysterious as it is intimidating. But no process is more important or personally fulfilling.”
RMDK’s aim is to help fathers with the nuts and bolts on how to do this.
Carter’s 20/20 Vision for 2020Ken pops in a new pair of contact lenses each Monday morning before he hits the road on sales calls as CEO of KC Chemicals, Inc. But his vision for what RMDK could be at First Presbyterian Church and beyond is clear: By 2020, unleashing a wave of focused, strategic dads who are effectively leading their sons into biblical masculinity.
As a goal, he wants 600 dads in six years to have completed RMDK. As a result of the process, these dads will have a lasting impact with their sons. The impact of such a vision and the resulting good is hard to imagine.
Missional Ministry MindsetThe other piece of the vision is to push beyond FPC’s walls.
The course has always been offered only on the church campus. Ken’s hope is to see RMDK groups as an outreach to unchurched fathers, where men gather in homes, office conference rooms, or neighborhood pool clubhouses. “The material is accessible and introduces the gospel. It is a non-threatening way to begin a conversation about faith with men who might not show up at church on Sunday morning.”
Then and NowAfter Ken did the initial RMDK work in 2010, he felt God calling him to do more in this area. He first step was to lead a group of his friends from the community and his Crossroads Sunday School class. A bond was formed among the fathers and sons that continues today. He has led other groups since then and is encouraged by the results.
With Ken Carter providing leadership to Raising a Modern Day Knight, the bar will be raised for father-son relationships at First Presbyterian and the Greenville community.
Rev. Phil Hargrove, Associate Pastor for Men’s Ministry
Who? Fathers with sons ages 5-15
What? Raising a Modern Day Knight Vision Lunch
When? Sunday, September 21, 12:30pm
Where? FPC’s Formal Dining Room (near Fellowship Hall)
2015 Retreat: Big Trip to NowhereOn March 14 and 15 we will converge on 200 West Washington Street to go…nowhere. Actually, inside. We will be done by 10:00pm on Friday night and by 10:00am Saturday morning.
Save the date and watch for more details!
Retired Men’s LuncheonsJoin us as we gather with other men every other Thursday in the Formal Dining Room at the church to share a noon meal, discuss events in our community and our country that effect our lives, recommend interesting books that we’ve read, and offer support to each other in dealing with everyday issues. Call Carl Evans (770.5647) for details and schedule.
Men’ Small GroupsWant a deeper walk in your faith? A number of men’s Small Groups meet on and off campus for Bible Study on a weekly basis. Contact Phil Hargrove (423.3455) to join a small group that fits your schedule.
Men’s Weekly Prayer Breakfast meets every Thursday morning at 7:00am in the Formal Dining Room. You can join them for breakfast and Bible study and still leave in time for work.
Men’s Fraternity33: The SeriesWednesday eveningsSeptember 3–October 15
6:15–7:15pm in Room 301/302 This DVD series explores the basic foundation of authentic manhood and God’s clear design for men. Facilitators: Kevin Combs, Rich Maris, Johnathan Miles.
36 Scouting at First Pres
Scouting Continues to Grow at First Presbyterian Church
SSince 1911, boys have learned Duty to God and Country, leadership, and outdoor skills in the Scouting programs at First Presbyterian, as noted in excerpts
from a recent article in the Greenville News.
Greenville’s early Boy Scout troops blazed the trail The Boy Scouts of America came to Greenville in the spring of 1910. Officially it was a new organization, chartered by Congress in February 1910. Unofficially, however, the movement had begun at the turn of the century out of concern that city boys had no contact with nature, were physically weak, and needed guidance from upright and moral men...
Hundreds of troops had already formed. Scouting was hot. Two Greenvillians, Arthur Gower and Pete Hollis, made it a local reality, one in the city, the other at Monaghan Mill.
The city troop started in 1910 because 11-year-old James Sloan, son of T. W. Sloan, the minister of First Presbyterian Church, pleaded with Gower to organize a troop. He was the logical choice because he was an athletically inclined Presbyterian deacon and a stalwart supporter of the YMCA, which encouraged the movement. After some hesitation, he agreed to be scoutmaster.
The boys met in the Presbyterian Church basement and drilled (there was a certain paramilitary aspect to the early days) on the playground of Central School on Westfield Street.
On weekends, they hiked and explored the roads around Greenville. Those first Greenville scouts, in addition to Sloan and Gower’s son, Arthur, included Harry and Knox Haynsworth, Bill and Bob Hellams, John and Belton O’Neal, Wirt and Dakyns Stover, John and Horace Woodside, A. D. and Reuben Asbury, Charles Speights, Alvin Going, Thom Arnold, Cozby Byrd, Clint Jones, Goode Bryan, Walter Barr, David Plowden, Priestly Conyers and Hugh Baker.
In the spring of 1911, Gower applied to the organization’s New York office for a charter. Troop No. 1, City of Greenville, number 3850 nationally, was chartered on June 14, 1911. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of active troops had not yet sought official sanction.
That summer, Gower invited the troop to camp out at his family’s retreat at Cedar Mountain. About 20 boys participated. They climbed mountains, visited waterfalls, made a trip to Caesars Head and went swimming daily. The high point was an eight-mile hike to Brevard to see Mrs. Stonewall Jackson, then in her 80s, review Confederate veterans. When they got to Brevard, the boys, in khaki uniforms buttoned to the neck, long pants tucked into boots, and broadbrimmed hats, marched in disciplined order down the Main Street. Mrs. Jackson noticed and invited them to her home. Impressed with them and with Gower’s description of boy scouting, she assured the boys that the general would have approved. It was a memorable moment...
While Boy Scouts—2.6 million in the U.S. today—have changed over the years, they continue to camp, to explore and to serve—and so do the adults who give their time to help boys flourish.
(With thanks to scouting supporters Bill Mulligan, Mac McLean, and Joe Barron.) Contact Judy Bainbridge at [email protected].
Will ThomasonPack 11 Cubmaster
NEW SCOUTMASTER
Troop 11 announces a shift in leadership. Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Wilder will step into the position of Scoutmaster. Mike has served as Cubmaster of Pack 11 and Assistant Scoutmaster.
Current Scoutmaster Bart Robeson will step into the position of Assistant Scoutmaster. We would like to thank Bart for a number of years of service as a Cub leader, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster.
Additional Assistant Scoutmasters include Mark Elliott and Trey Harris.
Mike WilderTroop 11 Scoutmaster
37 Scouting at First Pres
The First Pres Scouting program currently has three facets: • Cub Scout Pack 11, led by Cubmaster Will Thomason, for boys of
elementary school age. • Boy Scout Troop 11, headed by Scoutmaster Mike Wilder, for young men
in middle and high school. • Sea Scouting Ship 11, the “best-kept secret” in Scouting—for young
men and women in high school who have a yearning for the lakes and seas, led by Skipper Joe Barron.
Cub Scouts Greetings from Pack 11! I am Will Thomason, Cubmaster here at First Presbyterian. We have had an exciting year in our pack, with a lot of awards, rank advancements, campouts, hiking trips, and other outdoor adventures. For our participation in the annual Greenville Christmas Parade, the boys built, painted, and hung lights on their own float. On our visit to an engineering office, we learned how to design a building on the computer. The boys even constructed a rope bridge for the Webelos crossing over into Boy Scouts. Ten boys in our pack earned their “God and Me” and “God and Family” awards.
Our pack has plenty of room for boys in the 1st–5th grades, and we are always happy to welcome new scouts. If you are interested in joining, please contact me at [email protected] or 504.7124.
Boy Scouts Troop 11 has camped and hiked South Carolina from the mountains to the sea this past year, and looks forward to monthly outdoor trips this fall. As Scouts progress toward knowledge of leadership and outdoor skills, the most dedicated earn the Eagle badge, which includes progress through the ranks from Tenderfoot, 21 Merit Badges, progressive leadership and service, and a final personal service project. The past year’s Troop 11 Eagles pictured at right are Edward (EJ) Holcombe, Carson Smart, and Douglas Stokes. Douglas is the third generation of Eagle Scout in his family.
New Troop 11 Eagle: Bart Robeson IV was awarded his Eagle rank on June 29. His project—building new primitive camping sites at Paris Mountain State Park—was dedicated to the memory of Scout Xavier Bonaparte, a troop member who died last September of cancer. Xavier persevered in Scouting throughout his treatments when he could, and all the Scouts and leaders miss him.
Sea Scouts Ahoy! This year Ship 11 completed the mechanical restoration of a 30-foot cabin cruiser, which now cruises the Lake Hartwell with Dodge V-8 power. The Ship also has a fleet of three cabin sailboats ranging from 21 to 30 feet in length. All are docked at Portman Shoals Marina to sail Lake Hartwell, “the Carolina Caribbean.” The Sea Scouts provide sailing weekends for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and church groups around the area.
Sea Scout Ship 11 continues to grow! We have sailing and boating adventures planned for this fall. Young men and women of high school age are welcome to visit or join at any time. Contact Skipper Joe Barron at [email protected].
Cub Scout on rope bridge
Sea Scouts on the water
CONGRATULATIONS Edward (EJ) Holcombe, Carson
Smart, and Douglas Stokes
New Eagle Scouts
Xavier Bonaparte was part of Troop 11. Bart Robeson IV placed this plaque at the camping area
to honor Xavier.
Somebody’s House in Hodges, SC Sunday, August 24 • Depart 12:15pm • Return 3:30pm
Somebody’s House serves traditional Southern fare. The Sunday lunch consists of a long list of mouthwatering country food and desserts that rival a visit to grandma’s house! “You never have been to anybody’s house until you try Somebody’s House.” $12 (Meal and Transportation)
Star Spangled History: 200th Anniversary of Our National Anthem
@ Upcountry History Museum Tuesday, September 16 • Depart 9:30am • Return 2:30pm
This exhibit commemorates the War of 1812 and the siege of Fort McHenry, the site that inspired Francis Scott Key to write what would become “The Star Spangled Banner.” Visitors can delve deeper into the War of 1812, see how Key’s poem became our national anthem, and learn the fascinating history of our country’s famous flag. Lunch will be dutch at The Café @ Williams Hardware in Travelers Rest. $10 (Museum and Transportation)
The Lunney House Museum Thursday, October 16 • Depart 9:30am • Return 3:30pm
The Lunney House is a 1909 American Queen Anne style bungalow which on the National Register of Historic Places. The arts and crafts interior features art glass windows, original chandeliers, longleaf pine woodwork and quarter sawn oak mantel, English fireplace tiles, an 1866 Chickering & Sons “cocked hat” parlor grand piano, and permanent exhibit “Life Journey of the Lunneys.” We will have time for browsing on Seneca’s Main Street and your choice of fine lunch dining on Ram Cat Alley (dutch treat).
$10 (Museum and Transportation)
The Cove: Senior Salt Christmas & Lunch Monday, December 15 • Depart 8:30am • Return 3:30pm
There are indeed many beautiful places on God’s earth, but none quite like The Cove at Christmas! Your morning will include singing carols and hearing uplifting stories. The program is followed by a delicious buffet lunch (included). The trip home will include a “bakery stop” in Hendersonville. $25 (Program, Lunch, and Transportation)
38
Questions? Contact Donna Roper: 672.0372 or [email protected]
LINDSAY GRAHAMActivities Minister
Fall &Winter
ActivitiesTrips
Activities Ministry
38th Annual Turner MemorialPRAYER
BREAKFAST February 2015
Watch for more details soon.
39 Activities Ministry
Including the Cradle of the ReformationHosted by: Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons
& Lindsay Graham
Travel Dates: April 6-16, 2015 This trip will include:
• A visit and overnight stay in Vienna, where we will tour sites including St. Steven’s Cathedral, the Schonobrunn Palace, and the Vienna Forest (Gentlemen, don’t forget to bring your lederhosen.)
• A visit and overnight stay in Salzburg, the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music, with tours of Melk Abbey and the Benedictine Monastary
• A visit to Munich, the capitol of Barvaria, with a tour of the city, old Munich, the Olympic Park, and the world famous Neuschwanstein Castle
• A visit to Berlin with a full day of sightseeing
• A visit to Wittenberg, the main workplace of Martin Luther and the center of the Reformation.
These are just some of the highlights. For the complete brochure, contact Lindsay Graham in the Activities Ministry. Please consider joining us for this outstanding trip.
$4697 per person (includes all taxes and gratuities) Additional departure cities available upon request. Discounts offered for early registrations.
Join us for the
Splendors ofGermany&Austria
Salzburg—the home of Mozart & The Sound of Music
40 Activities Ministry
2014IMPORTANT CHURCH BASKETBALL INFO…
Middle School and High School players “going out for school teams” must still register in case they
decide to play for us. League Rules prevent you from playing on BOTH school and church teams.
Registration Fee is refundable to players making the school team. If players do MAKE the school
team and later QUIT the school team, they will NOT be eligible to play Church League Basketball.
UNIFORMS DISTRIBUTED AND TEAM PHOTOS MADE AT THE SCHEDULED PRACTICES.
AGE DIVISIONS are defined by the Church League Basketball for Youth rules (CLBBY).
Player’s age is as of September 1, 2014.
SENIOR Division not reaching Age 19 before September 1, 2014
Grades 9-12 ($60) First game is November 3.
Monday Nights
JUNIOR Division not reaching Age 14 before September 1, 2014
Grades 6-8 ($60) 8th Graders turning 14 before 9-1-14 move up to the Senior Division.
Saturday First game is November 8.
MIDGET Division not reaching Age 11 before September 1, 2014
Grades 4-5 ($60) 5th Graders turning 11 before 9-1-14 move up to the Junior Division.
Saturday First game is November 8.
MITES Division not reaching Age 9 before September 1, 2014
Grades 2-3 ($60) 3rd Graders turning 9 before 9-1-14 move up to the Midget Division.
Saturday First game is November 8.
MINI-MITES Five-year-olds must be enrolled in K5 class on September 1, 2014.
K5-Grade 1 ($60) Tip-Off Saturday, December 6, in the FPC Gym.
Saturday Afternoon
PLEASE! Mark these IMPORTANT DATES above on your calendar for future reference.
PRACTICES BEGIN IN MID-OCTOBER.
Players will be notified of the date.
Sign up Now! Early Registration ENDS SEPTEMBER 22
BasketBall!
Additional Forms can be
found in the church literature racks.
Send forms
EARLY!
TEAM PLACEMENT
is made according to the
DATE Registration Form
is RECEIVED.
From Richard Summary Calendar 41
I do hope you have had a good summer and it has been a time of blessing for you and your family. Here at the Gibbons residence, Miss Ruth has been very active
keeping our garden in shape, and has even prepared and stained the deck. She looked a vision of loveliness in her coveralls and John Deere hat. In between sips of ice-laden root beer, I have been cheering her from the sidelines while watching recordings of the US PGA golf championship.
Upcoming Ministry PrioritiesDuring the days of August, I was able to focus on a number of ministry priorities as we transition from the summer to the fall and on into Christmas and the New Year. Several of our ministry staff and elders traveled to Dallas August 18-20 for our denomination’s national gathering. I had been asked to co-chair the Theological Task Force of the ECO/Fellowship, and I was able to give a significant report on a number of new initiatives, as well as supervise the seminars the Task Force is responsible for. In terms of a brief update for the denomination as a whole, you may be interested to know that when we joined ECO in September 2012, we were the 33rd church to join. The ECO now has 147 congregations. This is excellent news.
Earlier this year when I asked members of the congregation what subjects they would like the pastors to address on Sunday mornings, their responses comprised a broad and diverse range of subjects. Requests included the Book of Revelation, prayer, the parables, the Holy Spirit, engaging a secular culture, the sanctity of life, marriage and sexual ethics, the busyness of life, the importance of a Sabbath, the Christian view of death and hell, and a multiplicity of other subjects. During September and October, in response to your thoughts, I hope to explore the tough questions that Christians are often asked by those who are either skeptical of our faith or genuinely seeking answers. This sermon series will be entitled “Unbelievable—Tough Questions,” and I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare for what should be a helpful study. In November, we will spend several Sundays looking at what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit and asking what role He plays in the life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit is often considered the quiet member of the Trinity, and I look forward to exploring this series with you. For those of you who want to know where we will be going on Sunday mornings in January, I am glad to say we will return to looking at the Book of Romans, which will take us to Easter and the early weeks of spring.
As you know, for the last eight months we have been actively involved in developing a new Strategic Plan. This has been a valuable exercise as we have sought to elicit the thoughts of the congregation, staff, officers, and several focus groups. As we move into September and October, we will be able to further clarify our Strategic Plan, build upon the ministries we are currently involved in, and examine our priorities for the months to come. Please be in prayer for our Strategic Planning Leadership Team as we respond to where God is calling us over the next few years and follow the vision which He lays before us.
I continue to be grateful to God for the day-to-day servant’s heart of our staff, the insightful and prayerful leadership so evident in our officers, and the warm and consistent encouragement the congregation brings to the ministries of First Pres. Thank you for who you are. I look forward with great anticipation to all that the Lord has in store for us over the next few months.
Meanwhile, I remain yours in Him.
Events are subject to change. Please watch the weekly GrapeVine
newsletter, website, and other published information for specific details as events draw closer and
for ongoing weekly events such as youth group, circle meetings,
Bible studies, etc.
FirstPresGreenville.org
Upcoming
ConcertsFor KING & COUNTRY
November 6 7:00pm • Sanctuary
St. Olaf Choir January 24
7:30pm • Sanctuary
Tickets available from the Vineyard
Mark your calendars and watch for more information about participating in this exciting
churchwide missional outreach.
August 24 .........Activities Trip: Somebody’s House, Hodges, SC
August 25 .........Academy Elementary beginsAugust 25 .........Community Bible Study beginsSeptember 1 ......Labor Day holidaySeptember 2 ......Academy Preschool beginsSeptember 2 ......MMO beginsSeptember 2 ......Wit & WisdomSeptember 3 ......Wednesday Advantage KickoffSeptember 3 ......Alpha Course KickoffSeptember 4 ......Shoe Drive for Missions endsSeptember 5 ......Southern Hospitality BanquetSeptember 7 ......The Journey Sunday Community
resumesSeptember 10 ....Radiance Fall KickoffSeptember 11 ....Women’s Ministry Fall Kickoff
Luncheon and DinnerSeptember 14 ....Missions ConferenceSeptember 16 ....Activities Trip:
Upcountry History MuseumSeptember 21 ....First Look Class beginsSeptember 21 ....Blood DriveSemtember 21 ...RMDK Vision LunchSeptember 22 ....Youth Basketball Sign-up endsSeptember 22 ....Academy Book Fair beginsSeptember 28 ....Communion October 3-5 ......Youth Fall RetreatOctober 4-11 ....Mission Trip to Dominican RepublicOctober 5 ..........Stewardship Sunday October 5 ..........Family First ProgramOctober 5 ..........TAG Visioning Phase Wrap-upOctober 7 .........Wit & WisdomOctober 12 ........Commitment Sunday October 12 ........Operation Christmas Child beginsOctober 14 ........mom.2.mom ProgramOctober 15 ........Stephen Ministry Training beginsOctober 16 ........Activities Trip:
Lunney House MuseumOctober 24 ........Academy Fall FestivalOctober 26 ........Family Fall Event
November 2 ......Family First: “A Perfect Family?”November 4 .....Wit & WisdomNovember 6 ......For King & Country ConcertNovember 9 ......Congregational Meeting
Fall & Winter 2014-2015 Summary Calendar
November 10 ....Academy Elementary Open HouseNovember 19 ....Wednesday Advantage Evening
endsNovember 21 ....East Central Presbytery MeetingDecember 2 ......Wit & WisdomDecember 3.......Family Advent FestivalDecember 7.......Händel’s Messiah!December 7.......First Look Class beginsDecember 9.......Service of RemembranceDecember 10 ....Wednesday Bible Study and
Lunch endsDecember 12 ....Journey Christmas PartyDecember 14 ....Christmas FestivalDecember 14 ....Route 56 Regressive Christmas
DinnerDecember 14 ....Radiance Christmas PartyDecember 15 ....Activities Trip: The Cove Senior
Salt Program & LunchDecember 19 ....Academy Chrsitmas ProgramDecember 24 ....Christmas Eve ServicesDecember 25 ....Christmas holidayJanuary 1 ...........New Year’s holidayJanuary 4 ...........Communion January 5 ...........Perspectives Class beginsJanuary 6 ..........Wit & WisdomJanuary 7 ...........Wednesday Advantage Second
Semester beginsJanuary 13 .........Academy Open HouseJanuary 24 .........St. Olaf Choir ConcertJanuary 24-31 ...Mission Trip to Dominican
RepublicJanuary 25 .........First Look Class beginsFebruary 3 .......Wit & WisdomFebruary 7-8 .....Marriage SeminarFebruary 22 ......Jim Johnson Basketball BanquetMarch 3 ...........Wit & WisdomMarch 6-7 .........Men’s RetreatMarch 15 ..........Music & the Arts Dinner TheaterMarch 15 ..........Stephen Ministry CommissioningMarch 22 ..........CommunionMarch 24 ..........mom.2.mom ProgramMarch 27 ..........Academy Spring ProgramMarch 29 ..........Palm SundayApril 2 ...............Maundy Thursday CommunionApril 5 ...............Easter Sunday
REV. DR. RICHARD GIBBONSSenior Pastor
LookingAhead
Sermon Series
September–October Unbelievable—Tough Questions
November The Holy Spirit
December Advent
January–March Romans Part 2
Save the Date! April 24-25
Chicken.Veggies.Soy.Rice
First Presbyterian Church / Greenville, SC
Inside this Issue:
From Richard Gibbons inside cover
Denominational News page 1
Foundation Board page 2
Executive & Finance Ministries
page 3
Music & the Arts page 4
Ignite Worship page 5
Evangelism & Missions pages 6-10
The Academy page 11
Educational Ministries pages 12-13
Young Adults & College pages 14-17
Congregational Care pages 18-23
Children’s Ministries pages 24-27
Student Ministries pages 28–29
Women’s Ministry pages 30–33
Men’s Ministry pages 34-35
Scouting pages 36-37
Activities Ministry pages 38-40
Summary Calendar page 41
Marriage & Family back page
vol. 11 ISSUE 1
GlanceA look at the life of First Pres Fall 14/Winter 15
First Presbyterian ChurCh200 West Washington StreetGreenville, SC 29601864.235.0496fax 864.235.0698FirstPresGreenville.org
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Contact Us200 West Washington Street
Greenville, SC 29601
phone 864.235.0496fax 864.235.0698
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Television BroadcastFirst and Foremost
WHNS-TV FOX Carolina Sundays at 10:30am
On the CoverFPC Member Jamie Daniel (left) assists at the medical clinic during
a mission trip to LaRomana, Dominican Republic.
Photo by Michael Gibbons (MichaelGibbonsMedia.com)
Family First offers informative programs for adults from the Marriage and Family Ministry several times a year during the Sunday School hour. Classes for the fall of 2014 include:
October 5—“Effective and Creative Biblical Discipline.” Panel discussion with leaders Mick and Helen Yoder, Will and Melody Reid, and Adam and LeGette Shirley
November 2—Roger Rhoades, “Is There Such thing as a ‘Perfect’ Family?”
Watch the First Pres webpage, our hallway monitors, and weekly GrapeVine newsletter for information on programs offered.
WednesdayAdvantage6:15–7:15pm, Parlor
Balanced & Blessed will be offered during Wednesday Advantage this fall. Facilitated by Caroline Mullen, it offers six inspiring sessions for couples. Join us Wednesday evenings starting September 3 in the Parlor.
For complete details, visit FirstPresGreenville.org or pick up a Wednesday Advantage brochure in the literature racks.
Family FirstSunday, 9:40-10:30, Haper Chapel
Marriage & FamilySunday and Wednesday Classes
All are welcome!