Connect@First Newsletter

Feature 


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Sunday Worship

June 8, 2025
Communion Sunday

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 3:13-22


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. Colin Rogers (Grace Bergmann) who were married on May 24, 2025.


SYMPATHY • The pastors and congregation extend sympathy to

Mr. and Mrs. Blake Applewhite (Paula) in the death of his mother, Mrs. Patricia Applewhite of Anderson, SC, on May 29. Paula is the Accounts Payable Administrator for First Pres.
Mrs. Barry Gilmer and family in the death of her husband, Mr. Fred Gilmer, on May 31, 2025. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 6, at 11:00am in Harper Chapel. Visitation will begin at 10:00am in Memorial Hall.


IN MEMORIAM

Frederick “Fred” Gilmer Jr. February 10, 1936 – May 31, 2025


MEMORIALS & HONORS

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION
In memory of Larry Freeman by Lynne Read
In memory of Jack Plating by Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Melone


PRAYER LIST

Bill Anthony, Nancy Adams, Diana August, Sandra Banks, Kathy Beck and family, Miriam Brice, Keren Clay, Peggy Denny, Bud Fant, Liz Fuqua, Tasha Garrison, Darst Guest, Betsy Guffey, Danette Hanks, Richard Hanks, Anna Hewitt, Tina Hicks, Harry Hightower, Wanda Hightower, Don Hobbs, Amy Hunter, Charlie Hutton, 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, Ken Rhoden, Carolyn Rice, Thom Robelot, Louise Robinson, Bill Rogers, Clifford Selby, Claire Taylor, Lewis Tollison, John Volpe, John M. Walker, Jocelyn Williams, Jennifer Winter, Beryl Wickcliffe, Jan Zimmerman


PRAYER FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Connect-at-First-06-05-25_PRINT-2.jpgPlease join us in praying for the hundreds of children, volunteers, and leaders taking part in Vacation Bible School, local mission projects, and Music Camp from June 9–12. Ask God to work powerfully through these ministries as they help transform lives and bring hope to the heart of our city!




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

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.


2025 GRADUATES TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK

FPC members and family members who are 2025 (or August/December 2024) graduates of High School, College, Graduate School, and Seminary will be announced next week. Watch for the Graduates brochure link on the Events page of the website or pick up a brochure from the literature racks around the church.


SUMMER HOURS FOR LOWER CHILDREN’S LOBBY

The lower children’s lobby near the parking lot entrance to the A Building will operate from 10:30am to 12:00noon during the summer months. Questions? Contact Tina Jones at tjones@firstpresgreenville.org.


SANCTUARY FLOWER OPENINGS

Several Sundays are available in August and September 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.


NEW TIME FOR FIRST AND FOREMOST ON FOX CAROLINA—Now Airing Sundays at 10:00am

Our weekly First and Foremost broadcast on Fox Carolina has moved to a new time—10:00am, right after the Sunday morning news (previously 10:30am). This 30-minute program features highlights from our worship service and reaches viewers across the Upstate and western North Carolina. Please help us spread the word! If you know someone who watches regularly, be sure to let them know about the updated time.


JUNE STEWARDSHIP GIVING

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.


FINANCIAL UPDATE

Finance Committee Chair Lee Dixon gave a recent financial update on Sunday, June 1. To view the presentation, click here.

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LOOKING AHEAD

June 12: Music Camp Showcase
June 15: Father's Day
June 17 & 18: Women’s Summer Bible Studies Begin
June 19: Eleventh Hour Theater Open Mic
June 29: Patriotic Services
July 1: Registration Opens for Re|engage Marriage Class
July 6: Annual Hollis Back-to School Drive Begins
July 18: A Night of Good News with Illusionists The Laflins
July 26: Men’s Breakfast
August 13: Introduction of Christmas@First Music


Discipleship

Discipleship, Claire Ripley
BIBLE STUDIES AND MEALS CANCELED DURING VBS WEEK JUNE 9-12

Please note that due to Vacation Bible School June 9–12, Wednesday Lunch and Bible Study, Thursday Morning Men’s Bible Study, and the Christian Men’s Fellowship are canceled. All regular activities resume the following week.


Discipleship, Claire Ripley
WOMEN’S 6-WEEK SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

Finding I AM; How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart by Lysa TerKeurst
In John’s Gospel, Jesus reveals His divine identity through a series of profound declarations known as the “I AM” statements. These statements are more than poetic metaphors; they are personal revelations from Jesus about who He is and what He came to do. This same study will be offered at three different times each week starting Tuesday, June 17, at 9:30am and 6:00pm, and Wednesday, June 18, at 9:30am. Register now by clicking here and purchase your book in the church bookstore. Please contact Charlotte Joye (cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org) or Tiffany Boggs (tiffanyboggs3@gmail.com) with questions.


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: June 18, July 16, and August 13. (No registration required.) Our study will be led by Rev. Dr. Claire Ripley, Rev. Don Feuerbach, and Fine Arts Director Chelsea Fraser.


Events

Care Ministry, Stan Johnson
BRUNCH BUNCH ON SUNDAYS

All singles and families are invited to gather Sunday afternoon for brunch in downtown Greenville. Please meet at 12:15pm in the Abbott Gathering area. No sign-ups, just show up and enjoy a meal together. Questions? Contact Stan Johnson at sjohnson@firstpresgreenville.org.


Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
NEXT ART & FAITH LUNCH JUNE 6

FPC Arts’ Art & Faith Lunch welcomes all creative souls to come and fellowship at Bridge City at the Intersection Café. Our next Art & Faith Lunch will feature YOU! Bring some of your work to share with others, and we look forward to having a creative share time together. All are welcome to this free event on Friday, June 6, at 12:00noon.


Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
ELEVENTH HOUR THEATER OPEN MIC

We hope you will join us for our June Open Mic Night on Thursday, June 19! Actors, writers, and audience members are all welcome. Writers, remember that original pieces (play scenes, poetry, prose, music, etc.) that are five minutes or less may be submitted. If you’d like to submit a piece or jump in as an actor, please come during the submission time, 7:00-7:25 in the Youth Ministry Room. The show begins at 7:30pm. Questions? Contact Chelsea Fraser at cfraser@firstpresgreenville.org or 864.565.0907.


Sports Ministry, Caleb McKisic
SUMMER ADULT PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE

Join us for the Summer Pickleball Challenge League, July 7–August 31. Play unlimited challenge matches and schedule your matches anywhere, anytime. The top six teams in each division will qualify to opt in to our postseason tournament to be held August 18–31. Cost is $25 for your first division. Registration includes an indoor open play membership at the Graham Gym. Register today at FirstPresSports.com.


Opportunities To Serve


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.