December 20

Volume 12, No. 51 ˜ December 20–26, 2015
Ministry News
Activities Ministry, Lindsay Graham
HOLIDAY BASKETBALL PRACTICE SCHEDULE
December 22–January 2, there will be no church
basketball practices. The regular Youth Basketball
practice schedule will resume Sunday, January 3.
College Ministry, Tim Leslie
COLLEGE AGE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Greg Smith is leading a Sunday School class for
college-age young adults during Christmas break on
Sundays, December 20 and 27. Join us in Room
261, 9:45–10:30am! Questions? Contact Charlotte
Joye (672.0309, cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org).
Congregational Care Ministry, Stan Johnson
ANGEL WREATH FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Thank you to all who have taken an ornament from
the Angel Wreath to help a child of an active FPC
member or staff member in need. Gifts should be
turned in by Sunday, December 20. Questions?
Contact Tammy Burkhalter at 672.0327. Thank you
for making a difference in a child’s life!
Educational Ministries, Tim Leslie
ADVENTURERS CLASS DROP-IN DECEMBER 20
The Adventurers Sunday School Class invites you
to a Christmas Open House Drop-in on Sunday,
December 20, at 9:15am in Room 307. We will
be serving Christmas goodies to all visitors, former
members, and teachers of the Adventurers Class.
Come and celebrate the Christmas season with us!
Evangelism, Brian Stewart
BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
The Alpha Course will meet Wednesdays
beginning January 13, 6:15–7:45pm in Room
308, with facilitators Angie Orfanedes and Bayne
Brown. Alpha gives you an opportunity to explore
the meaning of life from a Christian perspective in
a relaxed, friendly setting. Each week begins with
a short talk that looks at a different aspect of the
Christian faith, followed by a time of discussion.
Questions are frequently raised about the existence
of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of
Jesus, and more. Everyone is welcome! To register,
contact Autumn Clark (aclark@firstpresgreenville.
org or 672.0370).
ABORTION RECOVERY ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Confidential. Loving. Supportive. Piedmont Women’s
Center’s spring post-abortion Bible study support
groups will begin the week of February 22, 2016.
Groups are forming now for both women and men.
To learn more, please contact Piedmont Women’s
Center (244.1434, ara@piedmontwomenscenter.org).
Men may also contact ara4men@gmail.com.
First Presbyterian Academy, Tom Roe
MIDDLE SCHOOL “BRING A FRIEND” DAY
On Tuesday, January 12, all current 5th, 6th, and 7th
grade Academy students are invited to bring a friend
to school—someone who will be in 6th, 7th, or 8th
grade next year and may be interested in attending
the Academy. If your student is interested but does
not have a friend currently attending the Academy,
let us know, and we will find a friend match for
the day. Please email Aimee Waite (awaite@
firstpresgreenville.org) with contact information.
IGNITE Worship Ministry, Frances Reid
IGNITE WORSHIP TEAM AND CREW AUDITIONS
Do you play an instrument or sing? Can you run
lights or lyrics? On Sunday afternoon, January 10,
the Ignite Worship Ministry will hold auditions for
those who’d like to get involved serving with the
Ignite worship team, the media crew, and the lights
crew. To sign up to audition, go to firstpresgreenville.
org (click on the worship auditions banner) and
fill out the form. Contact Frances Reid (freid@
firstpresgreenville.org, 672.7034) with questions.
Prayer Ministry, Stan Johnson
TUESDAY EVENING PRAYER SERVICE
Experience God’s presence and receive His love,
peace, hope, and healing through prayer. The
Tuesday Evening Prayer Service, offered every
Tuesday at 7:00pm in Harper Prayer Chapel,
includes praise and worship, ministry by the Prayer
Team, and expanded opportunities for prayer.
Student Ministries, Charlie Buchanan
YOUTH CONFIRMATION CLASS FOR GRADES 6-8
A Confirmation Class led by Rev. Charlie Buchanan
for youth in grades 6-8 will begin Wednesday,
January 13, 5:30–6:00pm in Room 316. In order
to confirm their baptism, students are encouraged
to attend Confirmation Class, which helps them
consider the claims of Jesus and the Christian
Church, the truths of the gospel, and the call to
faith in Christ. Register at FirstPresGreenville.
org (click EVENTS tab) or contact Charlotte Joye
(672.0309), cjoye@FirstPresGreenville.org.
ROOTS SENIOR HIGH WINTER RETREAT
At the Sanctuary ROOTS Winter Retreat the
weekend of February 5-7, Senior High students
can escape the business and noise of daily
life in the mountains of Asheville, NC. We will
focus on prayer, worship, community, and
resting in God’s presence as we study His
Word together. Join us Friday, February 5, at
4:30pm through Sunday, February 7, at 1:00pm.
Register at FirstPresGreenville.org (click EVENTS)
or contact Charlotte Joye (672.0309, cjoye@
firstpresgreenville.org).
Join us for a special
IGNITE
CHRISTMAS SERVICE
Sunday, December 20,
during the regular 10:45am worship hour
in Fellowship Hall!
We will be singing Christmas songs,
lighting the candle of peace, and
celebrating our Savior’s birth.
We hope to see you there!
Announcements
2016 COMMITMENTS
If you have not had the opportunity to turn in
your annual financial commitment to FPC, we
encourage you to do so at FirstPresGreenville.
org or by filling out a Commitment Card from the
literature or pew racks.
November and
December Giving
Needed to and December
YEAR-END
GIVING:
November
Reach Budget
Giving
Needed to Reach Budget
November and December are
Actual
the two largest giving months
received
ACTUAL
of the church’s year. Our
Budgeted
RECEIVED
amount
budget for these two months,
BUDGETED
as it has been in previous
AMOUNT
years, is slightly more than
$1.5 million dollars. Thus far for November and
December, we have received about $694,000.
Please consider the church as you plan your yearend giving. Every gift helps, no matter the size.
If you have any questions, please call Dr. Shelton
Sanford, Executive Director, 672.0323.
SPECIAL BROADCASTS FEATURING FIRST PRES
Two broadcasts featuring First Pres will air soon.
On Saturday, December 19, listen to WGTK-FM
(94.5) at 12:00noon as Joey Hudson interviews
Dr. Richard Gibbons on Week N Pulse. And on
Thursday, December 24, tune in to WHNS-TV
(Fox Carolina) at 10:00pm to watch our church’s
Christmas Eve special.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE DECEMBER 27
On Sunday, December 27, there will be no
8:30am service or 10:45am Ignite service. Please
join us for worship at 11:00am that morning.
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
If you would like to provide Sanctuary flowers
in memory or honor of a loved one for Sunday,
January 3, 10, 24, or 31, please call Karen Franzen
at 235.0496.
NEW FIRST PRES CAR STICKERS
A newly redesigned First Pres car sticker is available
to members. Pick one up from the Vineyard
bookstore, the Connect table in Fellowship Hall,
or the church literature racks.
Member News
CONGRATULATIONS
The Pastors and Congregation extend blessings to:
Mr. and Mrs. Nick Prosise (Courtney) on the birth of a
son, Townes Gault Prosise, on December 8.
Honors & Memorials
HOLLIS ACADEMY
In honor of: Mrs. Diana Orders by Radiance Group 1.
VISITATION MINISTRY
In honor of: All the Ministers at First Presbyterian Church by Mrs.
Ann Ballenger.
In loving memory of: Dr. Ottis M. Ballenger by Mrs. Ann Ballenger. Bill Caldwell by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Pat Daugherty by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Don Davidson by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Dr. Henry Faris by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Russell Powell by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Betty Spencer by Mrs. Ann Ballenger.
Calendar for the Week
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 20
Pastor of the Day: Phil Hargrove (423.3455)
8:30am•Worship Service: (Sanctuary)
9:15am•Adventurers Class Drop-in (Room307)
9:30am•Continental Breakfast (Memorial Hall)
9:40am•First Look Class (Formal Dining Room)
9:45am•Sunday School
10:45am•Ignite Worship: Special Music (Fellowship Hall)
11:00am•Worship Service (Sanctuary)
12:30pm•New Members Luncheon (Fellowship Hall)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21
Pastor of the Day: Stan Johnson (423.2067)
Academy and MMO closed – Christmas break
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Pastor of the Day: Charlie Buchanan (561.6346)
7:00pm•Tuesday Evening Prayer Service (Harper Chapel)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23
Pastor of the Day: Brian Stewart (423.2660)
6:00pm•Christmas Eve Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
6:45pm•Christmas Eve Nativity Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
CHRISTMAS EVE, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24
Pastor of the Day: Tim Leslie (423.2063)
10:00am•Bulletin Stuffing (Room 254)
2:00pm•Afternoon Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
5:00pm•Children’s Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
7:00pm•Family Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)
11:00pm•Watchnight Christmas Eve Service (Sanctuary)
CHRISTMAS DAY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
Pastor of the Day: Stan Johnson (423.2067)
Church Office closed – Christmas Day
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26
Pastor of the Day: Stan Johnson (423.2067)
Luke’s Christmas Story
This new Christmas story centers on a bedtime
story told by a dad to his children—an account
from a shepherd boy’s viewpoint of the events
surrounding that amazing first Christmas.
Written by Dr. Richard Gibbons and illustrated
by Janet Grant, the softcover children’s book
includes an audio link to the story read by Dr.
Gibbons, with the hymn
“Silent Night” performed
by the First Presbyterian
Covenant Choir. The
books are $10 each in the
Vineyard bookstore. Last
year’s hardcover book, A
Child Remembers, is also
in the Vineyard ($15).
Proceeds will go to First
Presbyterian Academy.
A W E E K LY N E W S L E T T E R O F F I R S T P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H , G R E E N V I L L E , S C
Worship
Assignments for December 20th
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
DECEMBER 20, 2015
Connections Greeter Team:
8:30 Service (8:10am): Bob and Jackie Thompson (Portico),
Brenda Evans (Loggia), Bayne Brown (Memorial Hall), Jim Williams
(Washington/Richardson Corner) – 1 greeter needed
Sunday School (9:20am): Bayne Brown (Portico), John Stelling
(Loggia), Darst Guest (Richardson Street), Davey Tucker (Choir
Door) – 4 greeters needed
11:00 Service (10:40am): Heather Tapp, Klara Szekely (Portico),
Susan Montjoy (Loggia), Will Sykes (Memorial Hall), Charlotte Watson
(Sanctuary), Suzanne Rivet (Choir Door)
8:30 and 11:00am Worship
10:45am Ignite Worship
“GLORIA IN EXCELSIS”
Luke 2:8-20
Rev. Dr. Richard Gibbons
9:30am – Continental Breakfast
9:45am – Sunday School
Nursery Team: (9:15) Caroline Mullen, Bentley Mitchell, Amy Willcox,
Megan Blackston, Laura Vaughn, Emily Smith; (10:30) Kate Hellier,
Emilie Simpson, Teresa Dick, Melissa Copeland, Clary Hill, Devon
Pace, Pace child.
This WEDNESDAY
Wednesday Advantage and Meals
will resume on
January 6, 2015.
New volunteers are always welcome!
To join the Connections Greeter Team:
Contact Chad Brown at chad.brown@baldor.abb.com.
Our Winter-Spring 2016
Wednesday Advantage brochure is
available at FirstPresGreenville.org
and in the church literature racks.
William “Billy” Beavers
Eleanor Boroughs, Jennifer Bridges
Ann Broome, Jimmy Broome
Lynn Campbell, Michael Chalmers
Lori Cheves, Valerie Cooke
Ray Denny, Charmaine Dunn
Rachel Edwards, Marilyn Fain
Sarah Fain, Norma Floyd
Jessica Goodwin, Larry Goodwin
Motte Grey, Natalie Hall
Jay Huff, Amy Hunter
Claire “Cee Cee” Kaylor
Bettie Landreth, Jerry Lenz
Stella Lyons, Janet MacCallum
George Makosiej
McCall Meece
Kent New, Debbie Parker
Ann Marie Poe, Jonas Ramirez
Bob Shell, Steve Short
Micah Shultz, Bertha Mae Sims
Pat Spangler, Sandra Spradlin
Mary Lou Vassar
Dot Whitesides
Robert “Jud” Wiley, Jr.
Brandon Yarbrough
To join the Nursery Team:
Contact Evelyn Penkert at epenkert@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.1843.
Bold = New
Italics = In Hospital
PRAYER REQUEST LINES
Prayer Requests: 672.1838
Prayer Appointments: 672.1848
Congregational Care Director
Tammy Burkhalter: 672.0327
December 20–26, 2015
WHAT’S INSIDE
Contact Us
200 West Washington Street
Greenville, SC 29601
Celebrate Christmas Eve at First Pres
December 24
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Ignite Christmas Service
December 20
phone 864.235.0496
fax 864.235.0698
website FirstPresGreenville.org
email contactus@firstpresgreenville.org
facebook.com/firstpresgreenville
Ignite Worship Auditions January 10
Year-end Giving
ROOTS Senior High Winter Retreat
Broadcast
Merry Christmas
to you and your family!
TELEVISION
First and Foremost Program
on WHNS-TV FOX Carolina
Sundays at 10:30am
For more information about
the ministry of FPC, visit
FirstPresGreenville.org
December 20-26, 2015
Celebrate Christmas Eve at First Presbyterian
2:00pm Afternoon Service
7:00pm Family Candlelight Service
5:00pm Children’s Service
11:00pm Watchnight Service
During this traditional service in the Sanctuary, we will
enjoy Scripture readings and carols that celebrate the birth of
Christ. Dr. Richard Gibbons will give a Christmas message.
Bring your little ones and come early for a seat in the
Sanctuary. We’ll sing favorite carols, hear special music by
the Children’s and Youth Choirs, light the Advent candle,
and experience a live nativity. Dr. Richard Gibbons will
give a children’s message and all children in attendance will
receive a special gift. A nursery is available.
Watch our
Your family will enjoy this service of Scripture readings, carols,
and candle lighting, with music by the Ignite Worship Team
in the Sanctuary. Dr. Gibbons will give a Christmas message. A
nursery is available.
Arrive 30 minutes early to enjoy hot cider and Christmas music in
Memorial Hall. The service in the Sanctuary includes traditional
carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir and soloists, and
candle lighting. Dr. Gibbons will give a Christmas message.
Extra parking is available in the Richardson Street Parking Garage
across from the church.
Christmas Eve special on WHNS-TV (Fox Carolina) at 10:00pm.