Connect@First Newsletter

Feature 


Connect-at-First-12-04-25-2.png

Sunday Worship

December 7, 2025
Second Sunday of Advent

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

WATCH LIVE

Sermon 

Advent Series:
“The Wonderous Gift is Given”
Luke 1:8-20
Rev. 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

SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

Dr. Thomas Tiller in the death of his wife, Mrs. Lucy Tiller, on November 24; and to Ms. Katherine Muller in the death of her mother.
Mrs. Susan Marie Hyde in the death of her husband, Mr. John R. Volpe, on November 26.
Mrs. Evelyn Smith in the death of her husband, Mr. Jim Smith, on November 29.


IN MEMORIAM

Lucy Scales Muller TillerJanuary 19, 1939 – November 24, 2025
John Rodgers VolpeAugust 11, 1947 – November 26, 2025
James Oliver Smith Jr.November 9, 1937 – November 29, 2025


MEMORIALS & HONORS

CHURCH MEMORIAL FUND
In memory of Thomas W. Edwards Jr. by the Gospel Partners Life Group In memory of Rebecca H. Powell by the Gospel Partners Life Group

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION
In honor of Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Event by anonymous donor
In memory of Jack and Dorothy Whitesides by Brian and Karen Burrell
In memory of Charles Nickles by Carlton and Belinda Manley

TRANSFORMING THE HEART OF THE CITY FUND
In memory of Laddie Stover by Carlton and Belinda Manley


PRAYER LIST • Bold = New Italics = In Hospital

Nancy Adams, Andy and June Anderson, McFall Anderson, Bill Anthony, Sandra Banks, Betty Bennett, Harry Bolick, David and LeAnne Browning, Keren Clay, 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, Linda Huntington, Charlie Hutton, Stan Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, John and Mary Kylin, Phyllis Laney, Tom Lide, Anne Lybrand, Jenny McCorkle, Paul McGahee, Deryl McKinney, Lee Miller, Rachel Mullinax, Jim and Martha Nance, Chloris Norman, Bane Ouzts, Carolyn Rice, Thom Robelot, Louise Robinson, Bill Rogers, Tom Seay, Clifford Selby, Lewis Tollison, Jocelyn Williams, 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: Every Tuesday at 6:30pm in Harper Chapel
For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.

Announcements

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS

Help decorate our church for Christmas by ordering poinsettias in honor or memory of loved ones. Order online at FirstPresGreenville.org/Events, or fill out a form from the literature racks. Cost is $25 each; orders are due by Wednesday, December 10. Dedications will be online December 18 and a brochure will be available in the literature racks on December 19.


OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD THANK YOU

A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Operation Christmas Child this year! As a designated drop-off location for our area, we received 1,991 shoeboxes—nearly double last year’s total. We pray for every child who will receive these gifts of love and the life-changing message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A special thank you to Teresa Hannon for faithfully organizing and overseeing this incredible ministry.


WORSHIP TIME CHANGE DECEMBER 14

Because the Sanctuary will be set up for the Christmas@First concert on December 14, we will have two identical worship services at 8:30am and 10:45am in the Worship & Arts Center that Sunday. Please mark your calendar and share this change with your friends and family.


CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24

11:00am Children's Service | Worship & Arts Center
2:00pm Afternoon Service | Sanctuary
4:00pm Children's Service | Sanctuary
7:00pm Candlelight Service | Worship & Arts Center
11:00pm Watchnight Service | Sanctuary
Visit www.FirstPresChristmas.com for more details.


YEAR-END GIVING­—STEWARDSHIP

As we enter the final month of the year, please consider completing your 2025 charitable giving. First Presbyterian Church offers several ways to give to the Ministry Budget or the Capital Campaign. Please note these important year-end deadlines:
  • Cash or checks must be received in the church office by noon on Wednesday, December 31.
  • Mailed gifts must be postmarked by 12/31/25.
  • Online gifts made on December 31 will be counted for 2025.
  • Stock gifts, QCDs, or Donor Advised Fund distributions should be initiated by December 12 to ensure processing by year-end.
Please notify Kristy Service (864.565.0929) or Bobby Hoffman (864.565.0962) of any stock gifts so they can be properly credited. They are also available to answer questions.


LOOKING AHEAD

DECEMBER
9: Service of Remembrance
13 & 14: Christmas@First Concerts
14: Worship at 8:30am & 10:45am in the Worship & Arts Center

24: CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
11:00am Children's Service
2:00pm Afternoon Service
4:00pm Children's Service
7:00pm Candlelight Service
11:00pm Watchnight Service

28: Worship at 10:45am & 11:00am
31: Deadline for Year-end Giving

JANUARY
7: Family Night Supper
7: Divorce Care Begins
14: Grow@First Begins
14: Ministry Development Course Orientation
23–24: New Member Weekend

For more events and details click here.


Discipleship

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.


Missional 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 for the orientation, click here. For more information on the MDC, contact Mark Hutton at mhutton@firstpresgreenville.org.


Care Ministry, Don Feuerbach
DIVORCE CARE BEGINS JANUARY 7

DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that will help you heal from the pain of divorce. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Register here. Questions? Contact Sarah Emore at semore@firstpresgreenville.org.

Events

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
ACTIVATE: AN INVITATION TO MAKING
FEBRUARY 26–28, 2026

Conferences and the arts can sometimes feel lofty, academic, or distant from everyday life. ACTIVATE is designed to push against that. Together, we will explore the deep intellectual and theological foundations of making—and then help you put those ideas into practice in ways that enrich your life, your church, and your community. With keynote speakers Esther Lightcap Meek and Andy Squyres, ACTIVATE invites you to step more fully into your own creative calling, because your community needs the art you bring. This gathering offers extended time in smaller groups with local artist-presenters, giving you space to apply what you learn, experiment together, and imagine what God might be calling you to create next! Registration is open now at FirstPresGreenville.org/events. Join us!


Worship & Music, Susan Messer
CHRISTMAS@FIRST CONCERTS: THE WONDROUS GIFT IS GIVEN

Join us for this year’s Christmas@First concerts on Saturday, December 13, at 2:00pm or 6:00pm, and *Sunday, December 14, at 3:00pm. You’ll hear Christmas favorites by our 100-voice choir, full orchestra, and handbell choir as we celebrate our Savior’s birth through songs of the season, both sacred and secular. Purchase tickets at FirstPresGreenville.org/events or at the First Pres box office (main reception area) during normal business hours Monday–Friday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children (12 and under). *Please note: The December 14 concert is sold out.


Opportunities To Serve

CARING FOR OUR SENIORS

We have recently acquired a golf cart to assist senior members who park in the Main Church Parking Lot off Richardson Street, helping them transition easily and comfortably from their cars to the church entrance on Sunday mornings. We are seeking volunteers, age 25 or older, to drive the cart during Sunday morning service times. If you are willing to serve in this helpful ministry, please contact Mike Templeton at mtempleton@firstpresgreenville.org.
Volunteer shift times are:
• 8:00–9:30am
• 9:30–11:00am
• 11:00am–12:30pm
Thank you for considering this meaningful way to serve our church family!


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.


HELP WELCOME OUR GUESTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve is right around the corner, and we need your help to provide a welcoming environment for the many guests visiting our church on Wednesday, December 24. We need volunteers to serve as Greeters and Ushers. The only requirement is a welcoming smile. If you can help, please sign up at FirstPresGreenville.org/events. Questions? Contact Linda Sholtis at lsholtis@firstpresgreenville.org.

FAMILY MISSION TRIP–REGISTER NOW

Join with other families from First Pres June 21–28, 2026, 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.orgor 864.565.0936.


Pastor of the Day

For Pastoral emergencies, please call 864.235.0496.