The Way of the Magi

Today is Epiphany, when we remember the magi who followed a star’s light to find Jesus. The magi are impossible to forget and are my favorite Christmas characters, besides Jesus, of course! In Matthew’s gospel their story ends with these words: “And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” I am confident that the all-time most popular title for Epiphany sermons is “Another Road.” Because these mysterious characters who followed a star for hundreds of miles to bring expensive gifts and kneel before Jesus, go home by another road. This always reminds me of Robert Frost’s famous poem, “The Road Not Taken.”

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

The magi were faced with a choice. One road led back to Herod; the unpredictable, insecure king who used violence and force to intimidate, shame, and kill those who opposed him. The other road, the one they chose, was the one less traveled by. And their choice made all the difference.

The choice the magi made was not forced by God but was instead inspired by a dream. It was a dream that led them by another road. This is an incredible thing to consider, skeptical as we are of dreams and dreamers. But in Matthew’s gospel, the nativity of Jesus is directed by dreams. Joseph dreams that he should not quietly divorce Mary, but marry her instead. The wisemen dream of a different way. And following that, Joseph has a dream warning him to flee to Egypt. And when Herod dies, Joseph has yet another dream telling him it is safe to go home. The life of the son of God depends on faithful response to dreams. But the road less traveled by is a risky road, because it is the way of dreams. The beaten path is easy, all you have to do is settle…for violence, for greed, for hatred, for immoral leadership, for injustice, for a broken world. For a world where dreams are quickly killed.

The less traveled road is much harder. Those who journey on it refuse to settle for a world without dreams. For a world of violence and hatred. As I said on Sunday, the magi show us the road we are to travel. But, like them, we have to choose. Choose the road less traveled by. Like the road God traveled to be born in a manger. But what is this road, this way? Howard Thurman reminds us, it is the way of the Son, who never settled, who always dreamed of the kingdom and always followed his dream. The son who came to show us the way, the work of faith, and the true meaning of Christmas.

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost, To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among brothers,

To make music in the heart.

May this be our road in the year to come. May we never settle for the beaten path. May we listen to our dreams and to the dreams of others. May we do the work of Christmas!

Grace and Peace,

Will

Session Report

to the Congregation

July - December, 2025

To keep the congregation informed about the work of the Session, here are some highlights from the second half of 2025. We are grateful for your faithful support of and participation in the many ministries of this congregation, as we share God’s love with our community and the world.

❖   In August, the congregation approved the slate of new officers as presented by the Officer Nominating Committee. Those candidates attended officer training in the following months, ending with examination and sharing of faith journeys on October 19. Seven deacons and seven elders, including one youth elder, were approved as qualified and will be ordained and/or installed during worship on January 11.

❖   A project to replace the roof of the entire church building was led by the Property Committee, chaired by Elder Jim Caldwell. The work began in mid-summer, and the roof was mostly completed by the end of October. We give thanks to God that no debt was incurred to fund this project.

❖   Toward the goal of updating church membership rosters, the Session contacted a number of individuals and families during the late summer to determine their preferred status regarding membership at FPCG.

❖   In September, the Session expressed gratitude to God for the ministry of Reverend Ally Pexa. In follow up to her departure, the Session approved a list of supply pastors who will preach once each month from October to January.

❖   In September and October, annual reviews for each of the church staff members were conducted by the Personnel Committee, chaired by Elder Ed Driggers.

❖   The Evangelism and Faith Formation Committees partnered to plan and facilitate the Fall Festival, held on October 26. A hot dog and chili supper, along with many activities, were offered to the church and wider Greer community. Thanks to many volunteers, the event was well-attended and provided a fun and festive evening.

❖   The Stewardship Committee, chaired by Elder Travis Olmert, planned and facilitated a campaign that included special speakers during worship services, mailings, and a luncheon held on November 9. We are grateful to God that many families and individuals have submitted financial pledges to support the 2026 budget. Receipt of pledges is currently still ongoing.

❖   The November 18th stated meeting of Foothills Presbytery was held at Nazareth Presbyterian Church. Elders Becky McKay and Ann Lelo served as the commissioners from the Session.

❖   Nine new members were joyfully welcomed into the congregation during the month of November.

❖   At its November stated meeting, the Session approved a motion tasking the 2025 Officer Nominating Committee (ONC) with compiling a slate of nominees to serve as the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC). The congregation was given an opportunity to submit suggestions for consideration. The ONC has begun its work and, once the slate of nominees is complete, a congregational meeting will be called for the purpose of electing the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee.

❖   The Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by Elder Rudy Painter, submitted a proposed 2026 church budget to the Session. The Session will discuss and vote on approval of the budget its stated meeting on January 18, 2026.

With Gratitude on behalf of the Session,

Val Hendrickson, Clerk  

Children & Youth News

Joyful Noise Ringers will rehearse February 1st & 8th from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. We will play during worship on February 15th. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome! Please RSVP to Lisa Dillard by January 25th. 

Chancel Choir & Resounding Joy Handbell Choir will resume rehearsals on January 21st. 

FPC Greer Financial Summary

Year to Date Actual Income

as of 11/30/2025 = $779,350.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 11/30/2025 = $810,543.00

Variance = (-$31,192.00)

Thank you for supporting the

mission and ministry of FPC Greer!

Mission and Outreach News

Thank you for all of the ways this congregation supports the Backpack Buddies Pantry. As students return from the Christmas break and food costs continue to rise, the need is ever greater and this important ministry of our congregation would not be possible without your help. 

We are currently providing weekend food for 71 students at Dunbar Child Development Center and Greer Middle. This adds up to 852 items each week going out of the pantry. We invite you to set up recurring donations through our Amazon wishlist that are shipped directly to the church.

Click HERE to shop the pantry wishlist.

You can also shop for items at the grocery store and bring them to the church. Needed items include applesauce and pudding cups, juice boxes, soups, small cans of vegetables and pasta entrees, and individual snacks.

Upcoming Fellowship Opportunities

Chris Castello

Sarah Cannon

Karen Greene

Bob Harrison

Tommy Williams

We extend our love and sympathy to Faye Jenkins and family at the death of her mother, Doris Elliott Lovelace, November 20th in Lynchburg, Virginia following a long period of declining health. A service was held on November 29th.

Our love and sympathy to Becci Stedry whose mother, Shirley Moore, passed away November 24th after a period of declining health. A service was held in Kansas on December 1st.

We offer our love and sympathy to Barbara Casto and family. Barbara's sister, Winona, passed away on November 25th after battling pancreatic cancer. A service was held in West Virginia on November 30th. 

Dear church family,

Thank you for all the cards, flowers, visits, prayers, and food shared over the past several months following my stroke. All of these things have helped me tremendously during my recovery. I still have a long road ahead, but your love and generosity have sustained me this far. I am so blessed to be a part of such a caring congregation. 



Sincerely,

Arnette Johnson

Dear Friends,



Thank you, church family for the support in prayer, cards, and many phone calls during the illness and passing of my mother, Shirley Moore. It was so comforting to know that my church family cared for me during the time of caring for my wonderful mother. 

God bless you all,

Becci Stedry

Click HERE to View the Latest Church Photos!

The next issue of First News is February 3. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, February 2.