First News
December 23, 2019
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Update on the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
At the congregational meeting held on December 15th the following members were elected to the PNC:
Jessica Bruce
Christy Driggers
Heather Gordon
Bob Greene
Will James
Travis Olmert
Rudy Painter
Harriett Williams
This group has had their first meeting and elected Rudy Painter as the Chair of the committee and Harriett Williams as the Secretary. We ask that you keep this committee in your prayers as they pursue this important work.
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The church-wide Christmas card mailbox is located in the hallway outside the Gathering Area. Please feel free to place Christmas cards to church members in the alphabetized boxes. Please be sure to check the box for cards to you and your family.
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Giving and Growing Older
It happened before I imagined. But I am now in my seventies. If you are with me in age there is a way to give to sustain the ministry and mission of the church that is not available to everyone. It is something Margaret and I do.
For those of us who are 70 1/2 years old and older and have Individual Retirement Accounts, there is something called a “Required Minimum Distribution,” an amount of money we are required to withdraw from our IRAs each year. Whatever that amount is it must be counted as taxable income. However, you may donate to a tax exempt charity as much as $100,000 directly from your IRAs in lieu of a distribution -- avoiding the tax on that money. You have to direct your financial manager to prepare a check from your account for the amount you wish to donate to avoid taxes on the donation. That is easy to do.
I realize, few of you have $100,000 each year you are required to receive from your IRAs. But any portion of what you are required to receive, if you give it to First Presbyterian Church of Greer, the ministry of these congregation would be greatly enhanced and you would avoid taxes on the amount of the gift.
It is important that you seek your own tax advice. But I urge you to do so. It is an easy way for us older folk to give to the church we love.
Pete Peery
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If you have not been able to turn in your 2020 pledge card you may place it in the offering plate or contact
Lynn Bennett
in the church office. Thank you for your faithful and generous giving.
Please pick up your 2020 contribution envelopes that are located in the Gathering Area Hallway.
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All 2019 contributions must be in the Church Office by 1:00 on Tuesday December 31st, or postmarked on or before December 31st. All contributions received postmarked after that time will be posted to 2020, regardless of the date on the check. Electronic contributions must be dated to be received by the Church no later than December 31st.
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Many Thanks from UKirk Furman
What a wonderful year 2019 has been for UKirk Furman! After a joy filled spring semester, and the numerous fun events of orientation week, UKirk Furman has sent-off our outstanding students from the class of 2019 and welcomed many freshmen and new students during this fall semester. Our moderator, Van Herring, a senior religion and communication studies major, says that “It is sad to think that this is my last year, but I am grateful for the ways in which I have had the opportunity to grow and discern during my tenure in UKirk while at Furman. It is exciting to think of all that our younger members have ahead of them through this ministry program”. Van is currently applying to and discerning a call for seminary.
Throughout this year we have visited several congregations for worship, met weekly to share in fellowship, study, and prayer, and participated in and with mission opportunities through Greenville County. We are currently counting down the days for Montreat College Conference in January before the start of the spring semester. I am happy to share that we will be taking a group of 7 students to this weeklong conference as we learn and practice the conference theme of Remembering Sabbath.
I have been privileged over the years to witness the growth of many college students, the growth of our ministry, and the growth of the Kingdom of God. Senior Victoria Melin of Johns Creek Presbyterian in Georgia, says that “UKirk Furman is a group of unwavering, kind, inclusive, ready, and keen students who want to be apart of something bigger than themselves. For me, being in this campus ministry has truly strengthened my faith in ways I didn’t know possible while I was beginning a new season of life, and I am so overjoyed to share my highs and lows of the day with my friends in Christ.” Many of you know Victoria through her work in First Greer’s nursery, as a summer intern, and now as the Faith Formation Coordinator. Victoria’s path during her time at Furman and in UKirk is a testament to the need, importance, and benefits of congregational partnership and support of campus ministry.
I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the Campus Minister to UKirk Furman and to work with our many partners throughout this presbytery. We appreciate your continued prayers, donations of snacks, financial commitments, and for sharing members of your congregation to serve on our support team! Thank you for your care, passion, and support of campus ministry. Together we are loving, equipping, and growing the Church.
Rev. Erin Farry
UKirk Campus Minister
FPCG has been helping to support the Campus Ministry at Furman University for a number of years. We support this ministry financially, but also have a member, Val Hendrickson, serving on the UKirk Support Team and we provide snacks for UKirk Gatherings a couple of months out of the year.
If you are interested in learning more about this ministry or would like to help provide snacks during the month of January please reach out to
Val Hendrickson
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Your purchase and gift of Cafe Justo is not only the gift of delicious coffee, but also the gift of hope and support of coffee farming families. Cafe Justo is a co-operative of coffee farmers who produce fair trade, organic, family grown coffee. We will have 1 lb. bags for $10 and ½ lb. bags for $5 available for purchase throughout December.
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The Women's Circle is collecting socks for homeless veterans. They will be distributed in the upstate by Upstate Warriors Solution. Please look for a box in the hallway of the church for donations.
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Our January Fabulous Friday we will be learning about Patience as we continue our year long exploration of the Fruits of the Spirit. Children Birth to 5th grade are invited to join us on January 10th from 6-8 pm for dinner and Faith Formation activities.
RSVP here
or to the church office by Monday January 6th.
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For the new year the Faith Formation committee has decided to combine the infant and K2/K3 nurseries. This decision is based off roster sizes and a desire to have good stewardship of resources. The combined nursery will be located in room 101 and will be covered by 3 staff or volunteers for each service. As time goes along we will continue to evaluate the needs of our nurseries and adjust accordingly.
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We are also excited to welcome a new Furman Student to our nursery this semester. Logan Britt is originally from Greenville, SC and grew up a member at John Knox Presbyterian Church. She is a student at Furman University and is an Educational Studies major with a focus in Children and Youth Ministries. In the summer, she spends her time on the Summer Staff at Montreat Conference Center and loves to explore the mountains. Logan is excited to meet everyone, so come say hi!
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Volunteers Needed
The Evangelism Committee is looking for individuals to help out on Sunday Mornings. If you are interested in representing our congregation by greeting visitors and answering their questions as well as collecting the ritual of friendship forms after worship please reach out to
Maggie Wentzky
. A schedule will be made for all of 2020 and it will be sent out by January.
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We hope you'll join us on Sunday January 12th for the Ordination and Installation of our new officers at the 11:00 worship service.
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Click on the picture above to see FPCG's recent photos from the children's nativity play, Fabulous Friday, youth events & more.
If you have pictures that you have taken of FPCG events that you'd like to share please send them to
Maggie Wentzky
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Joys & Concerns of FPC Family
Dawn Allen
Dick Baldwin
Bob Brown
Barbara Greene
Linda McDaniel
Jim Stringer
Dear First Pres. family,
What a delight to be back in this congregation! Renewing friendships and meeting new folks has brought back many memories of bible studies, girls basketball, convos with colleagues, and the life-giving support of the Sisterhood Class.
Appreciate the Christmas cards and all the support of the past six months. As I complete my covenant relationship with the good people at Piedmont Pres. in Piedmont this year, I look forward to being in worship more often in 2020 and continuing to work with Pete, Maggie, Lynn, both Lisas, Whitney, Pam, Wendi-great staff!
May the Spirit of the living cosmic Christ continue to open our hearts as we make room in our lives for our Savior and Friend Jesus.
Merry Christmas!
Al Masters
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Calendar of Events
December 23
December 24
5:00 Live Nativity Worship
8:00 Candlelight & Communion Worship
December 25
Office Closed
December 26
Office Closed
December 27
December 28
December 29
No Sunday School
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary
December 30
December 31
January 1
Office Closed
January 2
January 3
January 4
9:00 1st & 2nd Grade Boys Basketball Game @ Fairview Baptist Church
10:00 3rd-5th Grade Girls Basketball Game @ Fairview Baptist Church
11:00 3rd-5th Grade Girls Basketball Game @ El Bethel Baptist Church
12:00 K4/K5 Co-Ed Basketball Game
12:00 3rd-5th Grade Boys Basketball Game @ Abner Creek Baptist Church
1:00 6th-8th Grade Girls Basketball Game @El Bethel Baptist Church
January 5
8:55 Worship in Fellowship Hall
10:00 Sunday School Resumes
11:00 Worship in Sanctuary
3:00 Basketball Practice
January 6
6:30 9th-12th Grade Boys Basketball Game @ El Bethel Baptist Church
January 7
January 8
Adult Day Trip to Biltmore
January 9
January 10
6;00 Fabulous Friday
January 11
9:00 1st & 2nd Grade Boys Basketball Game
10:00 3rd-5th Grade Girls Basketball Game
10:00 K4/K5 Co-Ed Basketball Game@ Fairview Baptist Church
11:00 6th-8th Grade Boys Basketball Game
1:00 3rd - 5th Grade Boys Basketball Game
January 12
8:55 Worship in Fellowship Hall
10:00 Sunday School
11:00 Worship in the Sanctuary
11:00 Ordination & Installation of Officers
4:00 Session Meeting
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