Paying Attention

Advent is my favorite season of the church year. I love the scriptures, the Chrismons, the poinsettias, the music that encourages us to wait patiently, urging us to connect with our deep longing for a world redeemed, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” I even love John the Baptist, who we always talk about for two Sundays.

How could you not love the fact that the person God calls to announce Jesus’ coming, to prepare the way for the Lord, comes to us out of the wilderness, clothed in camel hair, eating bugs, and preaching fire and brimstone?! For me, this crazed man from the desert makes the whole birth narrative more believable. If God were announced by a prim and proper church leader, it would feel like more of the same. John was anything but more of the same and people took notice. John put them on notice.

John puts us on notice as well. Do not look in the expected places. Or, at the very least, do not only look in the expected places. God sent a bug-eating, flamethrowing, judgment-passing, wilderness-wandering street preacher to announce Jesus’ coming. John’s temple, his church, was by the river baptizing in the name of the one who was to come and who, he claimed, would baptize with fire.

If John the Baptist is not enough to make this a crazy, unexpected story, God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the creator of the universe, came to us as a baby born in a barn. A baby who quickly became a refugee in Egypt because of the violent intentions of a tyrannical leader named Herod. Who would ever think to look for him in a manger? Only the non-Jewish wisemen and the lowly shepherds who knew to pay attention to the unexpected and who looked up from their day-to-day toil so they could see.

Advent puts us on notice. We should pay attention. Pay attention to the unexpected all around us. Pay attention to the things that we ignore. As people whose souls are far too often distracted and anxious, we need this reminder to slow down and pay attention to something other than what is immediately in front of us or the next tragic thing in our news feed. We need to pay attention to the God who goes before us, walks behind us, who is all around us. The God who knit us together and calls us by name. As we join together in worship, fellowship, and service this Advent season, may we help one another to stop, look around, and pay attention to the presence of Emmanuel, God with us. 

Grace and peace,

Will

We still have a few open slots for the blood drive on November 24th. Click on the graphic to sign up.

Questions? Contact our blood drive coordinator, Bonnie Guerrero at 864-616-4398 or email at bonnieguerrero@aol.com.

Stewardship Dedication Sunday 2024

What a joy it was to have the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, president of Columbia Theological Seminary, leading us in worship on Dedication Sunday, November 10th. As part of the service, Dr. Aloyo presented a gift to the congregation and offered a prayer for Reverends Shelburne and Pexa.

Thank you to everyone who has submitted a 2025 pledge. It is not too late to turn yours in. You can email your pledge amount to our financial administrator, Christi Yenser, or mail your pledge card to the church office. 

Celebrating Advent at FPC Greer

Advent is just around the corner! We have gathered resources that are great for celebrating the Advent season at home.

Look for our Advent Resource table across from the church office near the Door B entrance.

The season of Advent is upon us—a season that invites us into the tension of ‘already’ and ‘not yet,’ where we hold the fragile hope that everything broken will be made whole, that every sorrow will be met with joy, and that every deep longing will be filled with love. It’s about finding a way to sit with the messiness of life while still holding on to the promise of what’s to come.

This year, we invite you to embrace the Advent and Christmas season as it is - imperfect, beautiful, and real. Join in this journey with Kate Bowler's 2024 Advent Devotional, "The Weary World Rejoices".

Beginning December 1st, the church office will email a daily link that includes a scripture and devotion as well as resources for those who want to dive a little deeper into musical selections, video clips, and supplemental articles and commentaries.

If you prefer a printed devotional, you'll find copies on the Advent resource table near the Door B entrance.

Advent Studies

Sojourners: Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation by Will Willimon

JS Robinson: Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine

Explorers: Prepare the Way of the Lord by Adam Hamilton

Conversations: Bible Study

Sisterhood: Each Sunday will begin with an Advent devotional followed by a variety of seasonal discussions and projects. 

Daily Bread Ministries is seeking board members to begin serving in January 2025. The board meets on the second Monday of each month. The Greer Soup Kitchen is also looking for someone to join the board and take on the role of treasurer. Please contact Sandy Thomason at 864-907-2031 for more information.

Click HERE to View the Registry for

Angus and Sarah Claire

Click HERE to View the Registry for

Douglas and Stephanie

Upcoming Youth Events

November 24: Friendsgiving at 5:30 p.m.

Bring a favorite dish to share!

December 8: Christmas Party at 12:15 p.m.

in the Gathering Area

The Organ Installation

Is Complete!

Our new Cornel Zimmer Pipe Organ is ready to play! Join us in worship on December 1st to hear the organ for the first time. Both services will be in the sanctuary.

All are invited to a benefit concert supporting victims of Hurricane Helene on November 24 at 4:00 p.m. at Tryon Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 430 Harmon Field Road in Tryon and our music staff members, Lisa Dillard, Maria Kithcart, and Pam Turnage are participating.

The concert is free, but offerings will be accepted. All proceeds will go to Thermal Belt Outreach, which leads the Hurricane Helene response in Polk County.

A magnificent lineup of artists from across North and South Carolina will share their gifts including organists, pianists, soloists, flutists, ensembles, and a mass choir! 

Look for the Christmas Card Box near the Door A entrance starting December 1st. You may use this to distribute Christmas Cards to members of the First Presbyterian Family. 

Jackie Atkins

Luanne Baker

Bill Koehler

Dave Macer

Grayson Marpes

Dottie Metropol

Bill Moseley

Jenny Munro

Stephen Smith

Joan White

End of Year Giving - Items of Note

If you plan to make a contribution before the end of the year, you have several options:

1. You can place your donation in the offering plate any Sunday during the month of December.

2. You can drop your check off at the church office any time during office hours between now and 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st.

3. You can mail your check to FPC; however, it must be postmarked by Tuesday, December 31st for the donation to show on your 2024 giving statement.

4. You can contribute online through your Realm account or by going to www.fpcgreer.org and clicking on the "Give" button at the top of the page.

If you have any questions about your contribution, please contact Christi Yenser at christiy@fpcgreer.org. 

FPC Greer October Financial Summary 

Year to Date Actual Income

as of 10/31/2024 = $948,086.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 10/31/2024 = $725,280.00

Variance = +$222,806.00

Thank you for your generous support of

the mission and ministry of FPC Greer!

Cafe Justo coffee is the perfect Christmas gift for family and friends! Your purchase 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 have 1 lb. bags for $10.00 in the coffee cabinet.

Beginning December 1st, look for the display table in the Gathering Area where you will find 1/2 pound bags available for $5.00.

The next issue of First News is December 17. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, December 16.