SUBMIT YOUR CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY by October 11

Our Strategic Plan’s Mission, Vision, and Values prioritize discipleship as a major focus in the life of the congregation. To assess our effectiveness and guide our planning, we are asking each covenant partner to complete a Congregational Survey. It will take less than 15 minutes. To access the survey, please copy this link to your website browser: https://bit.ly/fpc_survey2026. Please complete the survey before Sunday, October 11.

FRESH START COFFEEWORKS IS NOW OPEN AT THE INTERSECTION CAFÉ

We are excited to welcome Fresh Start CoffeeWorks to the Intersection Café! A workforce development program of Miracle Hill Ministries, Fresh Start equips women facing life challenges with job training, hands-on work experience, and opportunities to build confidence, stability, and a brighter future. Stop by for a fresh cup of coffee, enjoy something delicious, and help us give the Fresh Start team a warm First Pres welcome!
    Hours of Operation:
    Monday–Friday | 7:00am–3:00pm
    Saturday | 8:00am–3:00pm

YEAR-END GIVING

As you prayerfully consider your 2026 year-end giving, we are grateful for your faithful generosity and support of the ministries of First Presbyterian Church. There are several ways to make a year-end gift, including cash or check, online giving, appreciated stock, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an IRA, and gifts through a foundation or Donor Advised Fund (DAF). If you plan to make a gift of appreciated stock, please contact Kristy Service or Bobby Hoffman for stock transfer instructions and to let us know how you would like your gift designated. Thank you for your faithful stewardship and for generously using the blessings God has entrusted to you to support the mission and ministry of First Presbyterian Church.
   Kristy Service, Contributions Administrator
    kservice@firstpresgreenville.org | 864.565.0929
   Bobby Hoffman, Stewardship & Development Director
    bhoffman@firstpresgreenville.org | 864.565.0962

SANCTUARY FLOWERS

If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor or memory of a loved one on one of the following Sundays, please contact Linda Slash (lslash@firstpresgreenville.org or 864.565.0901): November 22, or 29; December 6

LOOKING AHEAD

OCTOBER
11: Congregational Survey Due
12: Pickup OCC Shoeboxes
15: Fourth Quarter Lecture/Lunch
23: Eliza Lynn Concert
28: Will Graham at Unity Park

NOVEMBER
8: Congregational Meeting
16-23: OCC Shoebox Dropoff
19: Fourth Quarter Lecture/Lunch
29: Christmas for a Cause Concert

For more events and details click here.

CHRISTIAN MEN’S FELLOWSHIP

Looking for a place to connect with other men, enjoy a good meal, and grow in your faith? Christian Men’s Fellowship (CMF) meets each Thursday from 12:00–1:30pm in the Formal Dining Room near Fellowship Hall. Each week begins with lunch prepared by our church kitchen staff ($10), followed by a time of encouragement and spiritual growth. Programs include guest speakers who share personal faith stories and life experiences, Bible teaching videos, and other opportunities to learn and grow together. The group recently completed a teaching series by Dr. David Jeremiah. Men of all ages and stages of life are welcome—whether you’re retired, still working, or somewhere in between. Come join us any Thursday at noon! For more information, contact Melissa Ragsdale at mragsdale@firstpresgreenville.org or 864.565.0956.

GOSPEL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITY

On Wednesday, October 28, Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will be speaking at Unity Park here in Greenville at noon. This visit, part of a 13-state tour, will include live music from Josh Havens and a message of hope from Will Graham (https://billygraham.org/events/declaration-of-dependence). Counselors trained in sharing the gospel are needed for this event. Training will be provided for our congregation in Fellowship Hall on Thursday, October 8, at 7:00pm. As FPC is a host church for the Christian Life and Witness course, our men’s ministry will assist in organizing this event. We look forward to seeing you for the training class!

FOURTH QUARTER: A LECTURE SERIES FOR SENIOR ADULTS WITH YVONNE ULMER

Fourth Quarter is a lecture series from our Congregational Care ministry designed to encourage, inspire, and equip senior adults to embrace this season of life with purpose and faith. Next week, Life Coach and Covenant Partner Yvonne Ulmer will speak on the topics of Identity, Transitions, and Well-being. Come enjoy a delicious lunch, meaningful conversation, and an encouraging message as we continue this new series together!
   Thursday, October 15
   Lunch: Noon, Fellowship Hall | $10
   Presentation: 12:30–1:30pm
Registration is open at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS AT FIRST PRES

November 29—“Christmas for a Cause”
Kick off the Christmas season with “Christmas for a Cause” on Sunday, November 29, at First Presbyterian Church! Enjoy an afternoon and evening filled with festive shopping, great music, and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community. The celebration begins at 3:00pm with a Christmas Market in the Sturgis Gathering Area, featuring tasty treats and unique gifts from local vendors. Admission to the market is free, so bring your family and friends and get a head start on your Christmas shopping! Then at 5:00pm, head to the Worship & Arts Center for a concert featuring Graydon Tomlinson and some of the Upstate’s finest musicians. The concert will include original Christmas songs along with favorite music of the season. Best of all, the evening supports Isaiah 117 House, an organization that serves children, families, and workers in the foster care system. The Christmas Market is free and open to the public. Concert tickets are $15. Tickets go on sale this Sunday, October 11, and may be purchased online or through the First Presbyterian Box Office. Celebrate the season, support a meaningful cause, and help bring hope to children and families this Christmas.

December 3­—“The Music of Christmas”
Tour Join Steven Curtis Chapman for an unforgettable night filled with beloved Christmas classics, favorite songs from his celebrated Christmas collection, and timeless hits from his remarkable career—all brought to life with the beauty of strings and choir. Come sing along, make memories with family and friends, and celebrate the birth of our Savior with Steven Curtis Chapman and “The Music of Christmas” Tour on Thursday, December 3, in the Worship & Arts Center. Purchase tickets online at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.

December 12 & 13­— Christmas@First Concerts: “Behold Our God”
Christmas@First is a joyful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, bringing together the beauty of Christmas music and the hope of the gospel in a truly unforgettable holiday experience. Experience the Christmas story through an inspiring mix of sacred and secular favorites, presented by a 100-voice choir, full orchestra, world-class vocalists, handbells, organ, and children’s voices. The program will include beloved works such as “Behold Our God,” “Still, Still, Still,” John Rutter’s “Star Carol,” Variations on “Jingle Bells,” selections from The Grinch, “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” and more. The audience will have opportunities to join in singing favorite Christmas carols. Concerts will be:
    Saturday, December 12 — 2:00pm & 6:00pm
    Sunday, December 13 — 3:00pm
Tickets go on sale online Sunday, October 25: $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under. Student, family, and group tickets are also available. You may also purchase tickets at the Box Office Monday–Friday. For more information, contact Susan Messer at smesser@firstpresgreenville.org.

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
FOLK CONCERT WITH ELIZA LYNN

Join us for an unforgettable evening of folk, blues, and gospel music with Greenville singer-songwriter Eliza Lynn and instrumentalist Mike Alexander. Featuring original gospel songs written during Eliza’s years of graduate theological study, the concert will blend soulful storytelling, familiar sing-alongs, and the rich sounds of acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass, and dobro. Eliza is known for her big, room-filling voice and a musical style rooted in blues, old-time country folk, and soul. Her music has taken her from Nashville and Asheville to London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios and the Belfast–Nashville Songwriting Festival. Fine Arts Director Chelsea Fraser, a songwriter and poet, will join Eliza and Mike as a featured guest. Come enjoy an evening of heartfelt music, meaningful lyrics, and the unmistakable warmth of live acoustic performance.
 Friday, October 23 | 6:30pm
 Tickets: $15 | FirstPresGreenville.org/events

PICK UP YOUR OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES THIS SUNDAY

Be a part of changing children’s lives all over the world in Jesus’ Name through a simple gift!
   • Starting this Sunday, October 11, pick up a shoebox with an instruction/label pamphlet from the nursery check-in or the Worship & Arts Center, or use a regular shoebox.
   • Fill your shoebox with requested items
   • Return: November 16–23 to FPC Dropoff area More information at FirstPresGreenville.org/events.

Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
GIVE THE GIFT OF WORSHIP

Corporate worship is vital to every believer’s spiritual growth. Would you consider serving in our Nursery or Preschool one Sunday a month—or even one Sunday each quarter? By taking a turn caring for our youngest children, you’ll make it possible for another parent or volunteer to participate in worship. Your willingness to serve will be a tremendous blessing to others, and you’ll have the joy of spending time with some of our church’s youngest members.

Events Ministry, Caleb Miller
SERVE WITH EVENT OPERATIONS

First Presbyterian hosts more than 2,000 events each year—from Bible studies and worship services to receptions and concerts. The Event Operations Ministry helps create a welcoming, professional experience while showing God’s love to everyone who comes through our doors. We need volunteers of all ages and stages of life to serve on our Event Services and Production Services teams. Please prayerfully consider joining this ministry and helping make our many events possible. To learn more or express your interest, email events@firstpresgreenville.org or click here.

Worship & Music Ministry, Susan Messer
JOIN THE SANCTUARY GUILD

The Sanctuary Guild is seeking a few volunteers willing to give just 60–90 minutes each month to help tidy and organize the pew racks in the Sanctuary. This simple, quiet ministry helps keep our worship space welcoming and prepared each week. If you’re interested in serving in this meaningful way, please contact Avery Moser at almmoser@aol.com.