Connect@First Newsletter

Feature 


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Sunday Worship

January 11, 2026
Communion Meditation

8:30am | Sanctuary
10:45am | Worship & Arts Center
11:00am | Sanctuary

WATCH LIVE

Sermon 

John 21:15–19
Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons


Sunday Education

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

Sunday Life Groups

Member News

CONGRATULATIONS • The pastors and congregation extend blessings to

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ruyack (Kelsey) on the birth of a son, Weston Robert Ruyack, on December 16, 2025.


SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

Mr. and Mrs. David Dixon (Bonnie) in the death of her parents, Mr. George Bennett on December 13 and Mrs. Nancy Bennett on December 19, 2025; to Bennett Dixon (Hannah), Brooks Dixon (Alyson), Augusta Pomazal (Ivey), and Cameron Dixon in the death of their grandparents; and to Mosey, Harvey, Georgia, Tuck, and Amos Dixon in the death of their great-grandparents.
Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hall Jr. (Erin) in the death of his father, Jason Hall Sr., on December 24, 2025.
Mr. and Mrs. James Austin III (Betty Lynn) in the death of her mother, Mrs. Anne Lybrand, on December 25, 2025.
Mrs. Martha Nance in the death of her husband, Mr. Jim Nance, on December 25, 2025.
Mr. and Mrs. Dean Livingston Jr. (Tina) in the death of his mother, Ms. Grace Dukes Livingston, on December 29, 2025; and to Jenna Livingston in the death of her grandmother.
Mrs. Rebecca Carter in the death of her husband, Mr. Bob Carter, on January 6, 2026; to Mr. and Mrs. Mike Carter (Debbie) in the death of his father; and to Matthew Carter and Mary Margaret Robertson, in the death of their grandfather.


IN MEMORIAM •

Anne Estes LybrandMarch 19, 1927 – December 25, 2025
James Glen NanceJuly 8, 1937 – December 25, 2025
Robert L. Carter July 2, 1935 – January 6, 2026


MEMORIALS & HONORS

CHURCH HONOR FUND
In honor of Albert L. Johnson III by Fran Goodale
In honor of Dot Rollins by Sara and Matt Rieser

CHURCH MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Jim Smith Jr. by Mr. and Mrs. William Sykes; Luther and Sally Boliek; Anne Piercy; Carolyn Wilson
In memory of Laddie Stover by Mr. and Mrs. William Sykes
In memory of Lucy Tiller by Elizabeth and Arthur Mazyck; Philip Betette; Mr. and Mrs. William Sykes; Mrs. Clarence B. Bauknight
In memory of John Volpe by Sandra Freeman

MUSIC MINISTRY FUND
In memory of Anne Lybrandby the Agape-Fellowship Life Group

TRANSFORMING THE HEART OF THE CITY FUND
In memory of Lucy Tiller by Agnes and Allen Bruce

PRAYER LIST • Bold = New Italics = In Hospital

Nancy Adams, Andy and June Anderson, McFall Anderson, Bill Anthony, Sandra Banks, Betty Bennett, Harry Bolick, Le Anna Browning, John Cooter, Brantley Daniel, Debbie Davidson, Peggy Denny, Bud Fant, Liz Fuqua, Martha Gallivan, Larry Goodwin, Richard and Danette Hanks, Anna Hewitt, Tina Hicks, Harry Hightower, Don Hobbs, Amy Hunter, Charlie Hutton, Tom Lide, Don McAlister, Paul McGahee, Deryl McKinney, Lee Miller, Rachel Mullinax, Martha Nance, Chloris Norman, Carolyn Rice, Thom Robelot, Louise Robinson, Bill Rogers, Patricia Rush, Joan Snowden, Lewis Tollison, Beryl Wickliffe


PRAYER RESOURCES

Congregational Care: For emergencies, upcoming surgeries, or hospital information, call Don Feuerbach, 864.565.0928.
Prayer Appointments: To schedule a confidential appointment with our Healing Prayer Team Members, call 864.565.0960.
Prayer Requests: For general prayer requests, call 864.565.0970.
Healing Prayer Services: No services on December 23 or December 30.
For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.

Announcements

STAFF NEWS

Taylor_Stenhouse.jpgJoin us in welcoming Taylor Stenhouse to the Event Operations Team as Video and Media Specialist. Originally from Greenville, Taylor is a videographer with a decade of experience in video and production work. He has spent the past several years working in the corporate sector and is excited to be returning to work at a church. Taylor is a passionate storyteller with a love for multimedia projects and working with volunteers. Outside of work, he enjoys watching movies, reading, traveling, and biking the Swamp Rabbit trail.


CARDS FOR REV. STAN JOHNSON

Rev. Stan Johnson will retire on January 25 after 22 years of faithful ministry. We invite you to share words of gratitude and blessing by mailing or bringing a card to the church, Attn: Rev. Dr. Mark Hutton. Stan will be honored during worship services on Sunday, January 25. The cards will be presented to him that day.



SANCTUARY FLOWER DATES FOR 2026

You are invited to place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor or in memory of loved ones. The following Sundays in early 2026 are currently available: January 18 and February 8. To reserve a date and provide your dedication for the bulletin, please contact Linda Slash at lslash@firstpresgreenville.org.


LOOKING AHEAD

JANUARY
11: God & Money Workshop
14: Grow@First Begins
14: Ministry Development Course Orientation
15: Perspectives Class Begins
18: Sanctity of Life Sunday
18: God & Money Workshop
23: Buddy Break
23–24: New Member Weekend
25: God & Money Workshop
30: Jess Ray Concert

FEBRUARY
13–16: Sanctuary Retreat
26–28: ACTIVATE Arts Conference

For more events and details click here.


Discipleship

Children's Ministry, Tina Jones
KIDS CHURCH DURING SELECT WORSHIP SERVICES

On January 18 and 25 and February 1, the sermon topics in worship may not be age-appropriate for our elementary-aged children. To support families during these weeks, we have planned special Kids Church programming for 1st–5th graders. Instead of attending worship with their families on these dates, 1st–5th graders are invited to Kids Church for a fun movie and popcorn on January 18 and 25, and an exciting Gospel jump rope presentation by Learnin’ the Ropes on February 1. Simply check your 1st–5th graders in at any children’s check-in desk before worship on those Sundays. Preschoolers may attend Kids Church as usual.


Discipleship Ministry, Claire Ripley
GROW@FIRST AND PASTOR'S BIBLE STUDY

Weekly discipleship classes, the Pastor’s Bible Study, and Wednesday meals for the winter and spring season begin January 14. Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons will lead a study of the book of Romans, exploring themes of grace, faith, salvation, and the transformative power of the gospel. For details on class offerings and schedules, see the Grow@First brochure at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.


Discipleship Ministry, Claire Ripley
DISCOVER FIRST: NEW MEMBER WEEKEND

Are you interested in making First Presbyterian your church home? Discover more about the vision, discipleship, and outreach of FPC! The next New Member Weekend will be Friday−Saturday, January 23–24. Childcare is available for children age 5 and under. For details, contact Charlotte Joye (cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org). Register at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events.


Executive Ministry, Mark Hutton
MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT COURSE

The MDC course, open to all covenant partners, is a great preparation for any church leadership role and a prerequisite for officer nomination. You are invited to attend an orientation on Wednesday, January 14, 6:00–7:30pm in Room D305. To register, click here. For more information on the MDC, contact Mark Hutton at mhutton@firstpresgreenville.org.


Roots Student Ministry, Courtney Rockness
SANCTUARY SENIOR HIGH WINTER RETREAT

Senior High Students are invited to Sanctuary 2026! Our annual winter retreat will take place this year from February 13–16 in Gatlinburg, TN. Students will get to spend time relaxing with friends at the cabin, exploring the area, and growing deeper in faith through worship and diving into God’s Word together. Registration opens January 8 at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.


Events

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
JESS RAY'S MIDWINTER MINI-TOUR

You’re invited to Jess Ray’s Midwinter Mini-Tour, with Taylor Armstrong and John Van Deusen, in Harper Chapel on Friday, January 30, at 7:00pm. A singer-songwriter, producer, and creative supernova based in her beloved home state of North Carolina, Jess Ray is a modern Joan of Arc crafting a new wave of music for those seeking God. Jess blends fresh sonic style with timeless truths, delicately weaving it all together with the realities of the human experience. There is a place for everyone in Jess’s camp of friendly folk music. We can’t wait to see you there! For tickets go to FirstPresGreenville.org/events.


Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
ACTIVATE: AN INVITATION TO MAKING

ACTIVATE is a creative conference designed to connect deep theology with hands-on practice. Featuring keynote speakers Esther Lightcap Meek and Andy Squyres, this gathering invites you to explore your creative calling and imagine how God might use your work to bless the church and community. With extended small-group time led by local artists, you’ll learn, experiment, and create together. Dates are February 26–28. Register now at FirstPresGreenville.org/events. Join us!


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
MUSIC CAMP 2026

Music Camp 2026 is coming! Mark your calendars for June 8–11 as we celebrate Christmas in the Summer. Open to rising 2nd–6th graders, campers will explore music in fun, hands-on ways throughout the week! Registration is open at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.


Opportunities To Serve

THE SANCTUARY GUILD NEEDS YOUR HELP

The Sanctuary Guild is looking for a few volunteers willing to give just 60–90 minutes once a month to help tidy and organize the pew racks in the Sanctuary. If you’re interested in serving in this simple and quiet ministry, please contact Avery Moser at almmoser@aol.com.

Family Missions, Karen King
REGISTER NOW FOR FAMILY MISSION TRIP

Join with other families from First Pres June 21–28, for a week of ministry and service at the Christian Arabic Church in Richmond, Virginia. Our team will lead a Vacation Bible School for young children (five evenings), conduct a Sports Camp for youth (three mornings), and assist with church improvement projects (two mornings). Children age 11 and older are welcome to participate with their families. For more information, contact Karen King at kking@firstpresgreenville.org or 864.565.0936. Register online at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.

Vacation Bible School and Day Missions, Karen King
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR VBS AND DAY MISSIONS

Join us June 8–11 for one of the most exciting weeks of the year in Children’s Ministry at First Pres! We will welcome hundreds of children and students for Vacation Bible School and Day Missions—and we need your help. The more volunteers who sign up, the more children we can serve. All VBS volunteers are guaranteed a spot for their own children. To learn more and register:
• VBS: https://vbspro.events/p/954709
• Day Missions: https://vbspro.events/p/6c5edb
Thank you for helping to make this meaningful week possible for children in our church and community!

Missional Minsitry, Eric Swofford
YELLOW BAGS FOR MIRACLE HILL

Did you know that a small yellow bag can make a big difference in the lives of people in our community? As you clean out closets and drawers in the new year, please set aside gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories for our Miracle Hill Ministries Yellow Bag Project. Bags will be available Sunday, February 8, and can be returned on Sunday, February 22.

Pastor of the Day

For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.