Connect@First Newsletter

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Sunday Worship

May 3, 2026

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

WATCH LIVE

Sermon Series

"Empowered and Enabled”
Nehemiah 4:6–15
Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons preaching



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 • April 19, 2026 correction

Russell Walker Howard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Reid Howard (Ashlynn)
Bennett Clark Thomason, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Thomason (Sarah) )


BAPTISMS • April 26, 2026

Grace Girardeau Kittredge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zay Kittredge (Jennifer)


NEW MEMBERS • The pastors and congregation welcome new members

April 26: Taylor and Reid Bearden, Debbie Levato, Tyler Levato, Carli and David Moore, Farah and Mike Randolph, Erin Saville, Debbie and Paul Smith, Sherri and Mike White


SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

(correction) Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Short, Sr. (Suzanne) in the death of her father, Dr. Hal H. Crosswell, Jr., MD, of Columbia, SC, on April 17, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barreto (Sullivan), Dr. and Mrs. Will Payne (Sarah Katherine), and Laughton Short on the death of their grandfather, and to Libby and Kit Barreto on the death of their great-grandfather.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hastings (Kathy) in the death of his brother, John Rutledge Hastings Jr., on April 19.
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Morrison (Marilyn) in the death of her brother, Lyle Kenneth Blair of Jamestown, TN, on Apri 24..


MEMORIALS & HONORS

CHURCH MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Betty Farr by Louis T. Runge Jr.; Sandra and Robert Delapp III; Katherine P. Joyner
In memory of Lambert “Whit” Jordan by Jane and Harold Hope; Don and Darleene Martin; Mr. and Mrs. David H. Stowe; Jill and Tom Coker; Blanche Stewart
In memory of Elwyn Ernest “Buster” Kennedy Jr. by Sherri Kennedy
In memory of Elizabeth Robison by Sandra Freeman

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION
In memory of Lambert “Whit” Jordan by Alta Vista Garden Club, Tom and Beth Baumgarten, Becky Boland, Brenda Busby, Jack and Erin Cay, Four Bees Foundation, Arthur and Jennifer Fuller, Melissa Harrill, R. Bates and Sarah Kennedy, Jack and Lucy Kuhne, Louisa’s YPO Forum Ladies, T. Wayne and Evelyn McDonald, Stacy Sanders, Vicki Sowinski, Charles and Cheryl West, Sallie White
In honor of John Campbell by Dean and Tina Livingston
In honor of Shelton Sanford by Dean and Tina Livingston

MUSIC MINISTRY FUND
In memory of Le Anna Browning by James and Toni Childers; Jim and Laurie Warren

TRANSFORMING THE HEART OF THE CITY FUND
In memory of Elizabeth Robison

TURNER MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Bill Lusk by Kathleen Sebek


PRAYER LIST • Bold = New Italics = In Hospital

Nancy Adams, Bill Anthony, Sandra Banks, Betty Bennett, Harry Bolick, Dan Boling, Dick Brennecke, Brantley Daniel, Peggy Denny, Richard & Danette Hanks, Harry Hightower, Don Hobbs, Charlie Hutton, Anne Lide, Jenny McCorkle, Lisa Merck, Rachel Mullinax, Chloris Norman, Kathi Paramore, Carolyn Rice, Thom Robelot, Louise Robinson, Bill Sykes, Lewis Tollison, Beryl Wickliffe, Jetty Wickliffe


PRAYER RESOURCES

Congregational Care: To pass on information regarding a medical emergency, upcoming surgery, or admittance to the hospital, 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.

Announcements

ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER DEADLINE IS MAY 10

Don’t forget to return your envelopes to the church with your donations to the Senior High Dominican Republic mission trip by Sunday, May 10. Don’t have an envelope? Click here to donate. Please contact Courtney Rockness at crockness@firstpresgreenville.org if you have questions. Thank you for supporting Youth Missions!


MOTHER’S DAY OFFERING MAY 10

Mother’s Day is a time we set aside to remember and thank the mothers who have given so much to us. Associated with Mother’s Day, South Carolina Presbyterians have a long tradition of generously supporting the PCSC Mother’s Day Offering. This offering has been a special way of remembering and caring for older adults since 1954. The monies received from the Mother’s Day Offering are used exclusively for those residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources and need assistance to remain in Presbyterian Communities. Please use the designated offering envelope on Sunday, May 10, to make a donation or click here to donate.


2026 GRADUATES TO BE ANNOUNCED IN JUNE

FPC members and family members who are 2026 (or August/December 2025) graduates of High School, College, Graduate School, and Seminary will be announced in early June. To be included, complete the form online at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events or contact Austin Clay (aclark@firstpresgreenville.org) by Sunday, May 31.


WORTHY MENTOR PROGRAM

The Worthy Mentor Program is a ministry that offers spiritual support to women who have experienced an unexpected pregnancy. Some of these women may be walking through pregnancy and considering their options, while others may be healing from abortion. If you are interested in being paired with a Worthy mentor, or feel called to serve as a Worthy mentor, please contact Amy Murray at hello2amymurray@gmail.com.


SANCTUARY FLOWER DATES OPEN

You are invited to place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor or in memory of loved ones. The following Sundays in 2026 are currently available: August 2; September 20; October 25; and November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. To reserve a date and provide your dedication for the bulletin, please contact Linda Slash at lslash@firstpresgreenville.org.


LOOKING AHEAD

MAY
3: Senior Sunday
6: Children’s Choirs’ Showcase
7–9: Mary Poppins Jr. Musical
10: Mother’s Day
15: Eighteen Mile Bluegrass
21: FPA Graduation Ceremony
24: Memorial Day: Church Campus Closed

JUNE
7: Communion Sunday
8–11: VBS and Day Missions
12: In the Land of Wooden Shoes Exhibit Opening/Reception


For more events and details click here.


Discipleship

Discipleship Ministry, Claire Ripley
PASTORS’ BIBLE STUDY

The Pastors’ Luncheon Bible Study will continue at 12:30pm in Fellowship Hall through June. Lunch is available at 11:45am for $10. Click here for the menu.


Missional Ministry, Eric Swofford
CATCH UP HOUR WITH OUR NEIGHBORS!

Join us on Monday, May 4, 5:30–7:00pm in Room D305 to hear an update from Front Porch Housing, an organization in Greenville supported by First Pres whose mission is to provide a three-year supportive housing program to individuals and families in crisis. For more details, call Autumn Clark at 864.565.0947. Two more “Catch Up Hours with Our Neighbors” will be held this fall in September and November.


Women’s Ministry, Tiffany Boggs
SAVE THE DATES: WOMEN’S SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

Watch for registration coming soon for the First Pres Women’s Summer Bible Study: Now and Not Yet by bestselling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons. The study will be offered on Tuesdays, June 16–July 28 (morning and evening), and Wednesdays, June 17–July 29 in the mornings (with childcare).


Events

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
EIGHTEEN MILE BLUEGRASS BAND

Join us on Friday, May 15, at 6:30pm for an unforgettable evening of bluegrass music with Eighteen Mile. This dynamic group of five young musicians blends deep roots in traditional bluegrass and gospel with fresh, original songwriting. Their passion for crafting a classic sound—while telling their own stories—creates a performance that resonates with every audience. Named after Eighteenmile Creek in the Upstate of South Carolina, the band brings a genuine small-town charm and authenticity that is both engaging and inspiring. Don’t miss this special night of music that’s sure to capture hearts.


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS’ SHOWCASE

Join us for a joyful evening as our Cherub, Carol, and Covenant Choirs present their final program of the year on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:15pm in the Sanctuary. Children from K4 through Grade 5 will share the music they’ve been learning and growing in all year long. Come celebrate and support these young voices as they glorify God through song!


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
THE COOLEST WEEK OF THE SUMMER!

Looking for something fun, creative, and meaningful for your kids this summer? Music Camp, June 8–11, is the perfect place to explore music, imagination, and play! Kids can enjoy VBS (9:00am–12:00noon) in the morning and stay for Music Camp in the afternoon (12:00–4:00pm). From ukulele and world percussion to piano, organ, and drama, campers will experience a wide range of hands-on musical activities with a highly qualified staff of teachers. This year, we’re bringing the North Pole to the South with a festive “Christmas in the Summer” theme, complete with carols, holiday-themed music games, and plenty of cool surprises along the way. The week concludes with a special double feature: a live finale concert for family and friends, followed by a celebratory trip to Discovery Island Waterpark—a perfect way to end an unforgettable week with a splash! Cost: $100 per child. Click here to register.


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
PROCLAIM LIBERTY CONCERT TICKETS

This July 1, experience an inspiring evening of worship and patriotic celebration at Proclaim Liberty—a concert honoring our nation’s 250th birthday. Featuring a full choir and orchestra, this special event is designed for the whole family. Tickets are on sale now—Adults: $15, Children: $10. Click here to purchase. Join us as we celebrate 250 years of freedom, lift our voices in worship, and proclaim liberty together on Wednesday, July 1, from 6:00–7:30pm in the Sanctuary.


Opportunities To Serve

Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
JOIN THE CAST: VBS DRAMA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Want to help bring Bible stories of Paul and the underground church to life? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to fill 10 roles in our Vacation Bible School dramas. Some roles span all four days, while others are one-day parts—there’s something for everyone! Interested? Contact Tina Jones at tjones@firstpresgreenville.org.

Day Missions, Karen King
DAY MISSIONS COLLECTION

Children’s Ministry is collecting essential items to support neighbors living in low-income housing in our community. Each summer, Day Missions prepares and distributes 500 bags filled with basic necessities, helping families meet everyday needs. See a complete list of needed items, click here. Prefer to shop online? Click here to shop. You can have items shipped directly to the church, Attn: Karen King. Donations may be dropped off on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings at the Children’s Ministry Check-In Desk next to the Nursery.

Pastor of the Day

For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.