Connect@First Newsletter

Feature 


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Sunday Worship

June 29, 2025
Patriotic Service

8:30am in the Sanctuary

10:45am in the Worship & Arts Center

11:00am in the Sanctuary

WATCH LIVE

Sermon 

Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons
Sermon: Series“ What Do We Believe?”
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-10

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

BAPTISMS • June 22, 2025

Melanie Rumfelt Blackwell
Wesley River March and Archie Banks March, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael March (Jaclyn)
Grady Mills Swenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Blakley Swenson (Riley)


CONGRATULATIONS • The pastors and congregation extend blessings to

Rev. Charlie and Dr. Carrie Buchanan on the birth of a son, Charles William Buchanan, on June 17, 2025.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Gilchrist (Storey) on the birth of a daughter, Catherine Blythe Gilchrist, on June 18, 2025.


SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

The family of Ellen Andrews. Mrs. Andrews died on March 14, 2025.


IN MEMORIAM

Ellen Forbes Andrews January 24, 1930 – March 14, 2025


MEMORIALS & HONORS

CHURCH MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Fred Gilmer Jr. by Sara Karns; Mary Ellen and Don Kiser; Anne Peeler; Phil Gregory; John Cooter; Craig Marchant; Mary Jane Quattlebaum
In memory of Herbert Lindsay Jr. by Ron and Kay Sporrer

WORSHIP & MUSIC MINISTRY FUND
In memory of Jerry Chapman by Sara Karns


PRAYER LIST

Bill Anthony, Nancy Adams, Diana August, Sandra Banks, Kathy Beck and family, Keren Clay, Peggy Denny, Bud Fant, Liz Fuqua, Tasha Garrison, Darst Guest, Betsy Guffey, Hand family, Danette Hanks, Richard Hanks, Anna Hewitt, Tina Hicks, Harry Hightower, Wanda Hightower, Don Hobbs, Amy Hunter, Charlie Hutton, Stephanie Johnson, Frances Kowalski, John Kylin, Mary Kylin, Tom Lide, Tom Logan, Anne Lybrand, Jenny McCorkle, Paul McGahee, Mozelle Moore, Rachel Mullinax, Jim Nance, Martha Nance, Chloris Norman, Becky Powell, Louise Robinson, Bill Rogers, Clifford Selby, Rhody Taber, Claire Taylor, Lewis Tollison, John Volpe, John M. Walker, Jocelyn Williams, Jennifer Winter, Beryl Wickcliffe, Jan Zimmerman


PRAYER RESOURCES

Congregational Care: For emergencies, upcoming surgeries, or hospital information, call Don Feuerbach, 864.565.0928.
Prayer Appointments: To schedule a confidential appointment with our Healing Prayer Team Members, call 864.565.0960.
Prayer Requests: For general prayer requests, call 864.565.0970.
Healing Prayer Services: Every Tuesday at 6:30pm in Harper Chapel
For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.


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Announcements

STAFF NEWS

Belinda_Owusu.pngPlease join us in welcoming Belinda Owusu to the Facilities team. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Belinda made Greenville her home in 2018. She’s come to appreciate the area’s peaceful atmosphere and beautiful weather. In her free time, Belinda enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants, and biking around her neighborhood. We’re excited to have her on board as a new sexton.


JUNE 30 IS THE END OF FPC’S FISCAL YEAR

June is the last month of First Presbyterian’s fiscal year and we want to thank you for the good year we have had in terms of our tithes and offerings, but we need your help to finish strong. Summer is here, which means vacations with fewer attending worship in person. Ways to make a gift include the offering during worship, online, mail, gifts of appreciated stock, and Required Minimum Distributions from IRA’s. Thank you for your continued generosity. Contact Kristy Service (kservice@firstpresgreenville.org) with any questions.


UPCOMING CLOSINGS TO NOTE

The following events will not take place the week of July 4.

  • Tuesday–Wednesday, July 1–2: No Healing Prayer Service; No “Finding I AM” Women’s Study
  • Thursday, July 3: No Men's Breakfast or Luncheon Bible Study
  • Friday, July 4: Church Office Closed; No Art & Faith Lunch; First Fridays Gallery Crawl moved to July 11
  • Sunday, July 6: No Sunday School for children


STUDENT MINISTRY JOB OPENING

FPC has a strong student ministry program with a large number of students who are active during our weekly programs. We are looking for someone to work well with our already-existing two-person team to help shepherd our students. For more information about this position, click here.


SANCTUARY FLOWER OPENINGS

Several Sundays are available in August, September, October, and November, if you would like to purchase flowers for the Sanctuary and dedicate them in honor or memory of loved ones. Please contact Linda Slash at 864.235.0496 to reserve an available date.


LOOKING AHEAD

July 6: Annual Hollis Back-to School Drive Begins
July 16: Lemonade & Learning
July 18: A Night of Good News with Illusionists The Laflins
July 25: Buddy Break
August 13: Christmas@First Music Preview
August 17: Re|engage Marriage Class Kickoff


Discipleship

Discipleship, Claire Ripley
DISCOVER FIRST: NEW MEMBER WEEKEND

Would you like to discover more about the vision, discipleship, and outreach of FPC? Our next New Member Weekend will be Friday−Saturday, July 11-12. Childcare is available for children age 5 and under. For details, contact Charlotte Joye at cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org. Registration is open at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events.


Discipleship, Claire Ripley
MONTHLY WOMEN’S SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

Lemonade and Learning: The Lord’s Prayer
Join us for Bible study and light refreshments on Wednesdays at 10:00am in Fellowship Hall: July 16 and August 13. (No registration required.)


Discipleship, Claire Ripley
REGISTER IN JULY FOR RE|ENGAGE MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT COURSE

Re|engage, a 14-week marriage enrichment ministry designed to equip and disciple couples in their walk with Christ, teaches couples how to apply biblical principles to their marriage. This summer and fall, Re|engage will be offered on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. The joint kick-off will be held Sunday, August 17, at 9:30am in Fellowship Hall. The cost is $55 per couple. Children’s programming (birth–K5) is available on Wednesday evenings only. Register online at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events. Contact Charlotte Joye at cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org for more details.


Events

Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
LAFLIN ILLUSIONISTS—JULY 18 TICKETS AVAILABLE

Child Evangelism Fellowship has partnered with the Laflins and FPC to bring you a fun night for the whole family on Friday, July 18, at 6:00pm in the Worship & Arts Center. Doors open at 4:00pm with food, inflatables, and kid-friendly activities. Witness the impossible at A Night of Good News as the Laflins create a dazzling spectacle that’s perfect for families and audiences of all ages. Tickets are available at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events. This event was originally scheduled in September 2024 but was postponed due to Hurricane Helene.


Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
BUDDY BREAK IS JULY 25

Do you know of a family raising a child with special needs? Once a quarter we hold Buddy Break to give these parents a respite. Our next Buddy Break is Friday, July 25, from 5:30–8:00pm. Please share this information and consider serving as a “Buddy.” Training is provided. Contact Tina Jones with questions or to register at tjones@firstpresgreenville.org.


Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
SUMMER HOURS—THE GALLERIES AT FIRST PRES

Come see Sacred Geometry: works by Matthew Baumgardner in the Lenz Gallery Monday through Friday, between 10:00am and 2:00pm. And Looking Up features the plein air and other figurative work of George Stone, Joe Craighead, and Mark Baral, in our public community galleries open Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 4:00pm and Fridays, 8:00am to 3:00pm. Walk-ins are always welcome!


Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
SIGN UP FOR THE FINE ARTS MINISTRY NEWSLETTER

Want to stay informed about all things related to the Fine Arts Ministry? Subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter by contacting Fine Arts Ministry Director Chelsea Fraser at cfraser@firstpresgreenville.org.


Missions, Eric Swofford
INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR NURSES

We invite all nurses to come hear about the work that is happening with our Egyptian partners and learn about potential opportunities for you to be involved in this work both here in South Carolina and in Egypt. Please join us in room B402 on Sunday, June 29, at 9:45am. Questions? Email Autumn at aclark@firstpresgreenville.org.


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

It may only be the beginning of summer, but our Worship & Music Team is already preparing for this year’s Christmas@First concerts to be held December 13–14. Are you interested in participating this year? Mark your calendar for a special preview night on Wednesday, August 13 from 6:15–7:30pm in the Choir Room. You’ll get an introduction to this year’s music and theme and learn how to get involved. Everyone is welcome—whether you’re a seasoned choir member or simply love to sing. Rehearsals will begin in September, and more details will be shared at the preview. Come be part of this joyful Christmas event!


Opportunities To Serve


Missions, Eric Swofford
HOLLIS ACADEMY BACK-TO-SCHOOL DRIVE

Help support the students and teachers at Hollis Academy as they prepare for a new school year! Beginning July 6, you may pick up a paper apple from displays located in the Loggia, Abbott Gathering, Sturgis Gathering, and the Worship & Arts reception area. Each apple lists needed snacks for children or gift card options for teachers. You can also click here for a wish list of items. All donations are due back to the church by Wednesday, July 23. Thank you for helping us bless Hollis Academy with a strong start to the school year!

Missions, Eric Swofford
EGYPT MEDICAL MISSIONS SEEKING OB/GYN

To help complete the Egypt medical mission team this November, the Missions Committee is seeking a licensed family practice or OB/GYN doctor to aid in outpatient care. This physician must be female. If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Andy Gunter at gunteraw@att.net.

Pastor of the Day

For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.