This Sunday's Worship

Join us this Sunday, May 11 at 10:00 AM

"The Whole Message"

Psalm 66

Acts 5:17-32

In person: Sanctuary

Digitally: YouTube, Facebook, or John Knox App

Click here to access the Worship Bulletin.

Liturgist: Jeanne Peak

Audio Visual: Rob Wright

Ushers: Bette Britt, Cannon Bixler, Keith Littrell, Carter Schaaf and

Tommy Dowling (Head Usher)

At the congregational meeting on May 4, John Knox voted unanimously to call Carter Rief to serve as Associate Pastor. Carter has served as our Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for two years. He will retain these program functions while adding to the worship leadership and pastoral care of the church.

Carter’s new phase of ministry begins May 18, pending his successful examination on the floor of Foothill Presbytery, which meets the preceding day. A Service of Ordination and Installation will be scheduled in the near future.

We thank the dedicated members of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, who worked thoroughly and efficiently to discern this nomination. Those members are Annalynn Barnett (Moderator), Randy Thompson (Clerk), Campbell Ballard, Lincoln Evans, Carol Kendall, Jamie Luccia, and Miller McClintock.

We are thrilled that God has called Carter and his wife, Grace, to a deeper service with us, and we pray the fullness of God’s blessing on them and on John Knox.

Happy 100^th Birthday, George Reiter!

We are happy to join the host of family, friends, and loved ones who are celebrating the gift of George Reiter’s life among us. George was born 100 years ago today—May 8, 2025—in Bellefonte, PA. After serving two years in the US Navy during World War II, he pursued a career as an engineer that continued into his early 90’s. 

We are grateful that George and Jan have been part of our John Knox family since 2019. We celebrate with them and pray for God’s grace and blessing on the years ahead.

We need volunteers for our annual Habitat Faith Build! This year John Knox will be doing new construction on a home located at 121 Zora Drive in Greenville, SC. We anticipate that we will be doing framing. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you would like to volunteer, please click on the link below or contact the church office or Bill Mathews. Thanks for your continuing support of this important mission of the church.

Hear ye! Hear ye! On the Eighteenth of May in the Year of Our Lord 2025, John Knox Presbyterian Church shall once again host The Field Day Games! On this most noble and gleeful occasions, the entire congregation is welcomed to enjoy a scrumptious lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, and picnic accoutrements. And what’s more, those who wish to participate may enjoy a series of rigorous (and not-so-rigorous) games that are sure to bring out the most gracious type of competitive spirit which we harbor in the very marrow of our bones. All ages—whether wee tot or retiree—are encouraged to take part. No congregant left behind…or left out! For those in our midst who wish to merely spectate, please do! The more merriment, the better of course. For participants and spectators alike, the Royal Council of Comfort recommends bringing your own foldable lawn chair or picnic blanket on which to rest your tush.

If thou wishest to participate in this year’s games, Sandy Garrett, The High Queen of Fun and Lord Protectorate of Joviality, requests your dutiful and hasty completion of the form below! Doing so allows your faithful servants of fun, the Fellowship Committee, to divide thee up evenly between squadrons! Fear not: if thou shalt forget, mercy shall be shown unremittingly and we shalt most hastily place you on a team.

Finally, t-shirts shall be available for thee to purchase on Sunday, May 11 and Sunday, May 18 in the Narthex. The cost is $10/shirt. Acceptable payments include cash, check, or payment on the app. We encourage all patrons and participants to dress casually for this fine occasion. Thou shalt not fret: if thou choosest to wear a t-shirt to worship, no judgement shall be cast upon you!

Jaden sat by the window, as he unpacked the food bag from school. Inside were crackers, applesauce, soup, and a tiny box of cereal—enough to stretch for a few days. His stomach growled, but he ate the applesauce slowly, trying to make it last. His mom said more food would come with her next paycheck. At the bottom of the bag was a note from his school: “We’re proud of you. Stay strong.” Jaden smiled and folded it into his pocket.

A lot of students depend on school as their primary source of regular meals. Over the summer Lake Forest is aiming to provide at least two food backpacks to students in need. Their current food sponsor is losing funding and can only fulfill until the end of the school year. We are immediately starting a new collection to help them accomplish this summer goal.

Thank you to those that donated to the recent Lake Forest testing snacks collection. We appreciate your continued support as we switch gears to collect for the summer months. Bins are available in the office building and outer Narthex for your donations.

Needed Items:

• Protein items (tuna, chicken, higher protein soups, etc., protein bars)
• Veggies/fruit - canned, individual servings, apple sauce, squeeze packets, etc., 
• Pasta and pasta sauces
• Amazon wish list

Vacation Bible School 2025

June 8 – 11

It’s time to register for Vacation Bible School 2025!

Our Vacation Bible School theme this year is “Road Trip – On the Go with God.” We will kick off the week on Sunday, June 8 from 4:00 – 6:30 with VBS activities for the children, followed by a family dinner at 6:30. We’ll continue through the week, Monday, June 9 through Wednesday, June 11, from 5:00 until 7:30 each of those days. We will be diving into our Bible stories through storytelling, science and crafts, music, recreation, and service. The children will be served dinner Monday through Wednesday.

John Knox VBS is for children who have completed K4 through 5^th grade. If you are volunteering and have a child in K3, we will have a special VBS class for them to attend. If you are volunteering and have a child younger than K3, they are welcome in our nursery each day you are here. Any questions, contact Susan Felton (sfelton@johnknoxpres.org or 244-0453)

Use the link below to get your children registered for this awesome week. Please make sure you fill out a separate registration for each child. Thank you!

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1: 9

Attention Volunteers! It definitely takes a village to make this wonderful event happen. We have many ways in which you can help make this an awesome week for our children. First, put the dates on your calendar so you don’t miss this fun week! Second, be thinking and praying about how you might help out during the week. I’m sure we can find the right place for you to serve. Third, click the link below to volunteer! We’d love to have our extended church family be a part of this amazing week!

Refugee Family Needs

Alhussein Family

Hanan, 17, is looking for a summer job. She has a work permit and speaks English well now. Hanan is willing to care for children and has a winsome personality. She lives not far from John Knox.

Galiz Family

1 floor lamp

1 set of queen sized sheets

1 queen sized comforter or blanket

Please contact Bitsy Cazel if you can help with any of these things.

Clerk’s Report

The Session of John Knox Presbyterian Church met on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall for their monthly Stated Meeting. Dr. Gordon Turnbull served as moderator. 

Following are a few of the items discussed.

Administrative

·  Financial expenses are under budget. Pledges and general revenue are ahead of YTD budget through March.

·  Committee reviewed and agreed with terms of call for Associate Pastor as proposed by Search Committee.   

Christian Education (CE)

·  Women’s gathering will be June 16 at 6:00 PM. Caroline Robinson will speak on community service. This will be covered dish dinner with CE providing dessert and set-ups. 

·  Contributions to “I’m In Campaign” for youth are highest ever –more than $14,000!

Christian Mission and Outreach (CMO)

·  Lake Forest Elementary School: John Knox will do food drive over 4 weeks to collect food for summer months. Collection bins are in Narthex.     

·  Lutheran Refugee Circle of Welcome:  With more family in Greenville, the Galiz family is moving to bigger apartment. Anyone interested in joining John Knox Circle of Welcome can contact Bitsy Cazel. 

·  Greer Relief: Music for Missions organ concert March 16 benefitting Greer Relief raised $1242. 

·  Triune Mercy Center: Planned are hot meal Aug 13 and Oct 27, bag meal Sept 7.

·  Isaiah 117: work on house is progressing. Training is required for volunteers.

·        Seeds of Service: Funding was approved for grades 2 – 5 (12 – 15 max). Participating children are each given $100 for service project performed mid-September until end of October.

Evangelism

·  Options for distribution of Podcast were discussed, including using John Knox app or Spotify.

·  The next new member class, “Finding Your Way at JK,” will be Sunday, September 28, in Kirk Room following the 10:00 AM worship service.

Fellowship

·  Field Day is May 18. Summer social is tentatively scheduled Thursday, July 24, at Furman University. Idea is to bring own food/beverage, have picnic and listen to concert. 

Music & Worship

·  John Knox Minister of Music Dr. Luke Browder and his wife Chelsea Rudisill will present their vocal duet concert “A Million Miles to Go” May 17 at 3:00 PM. Reception will follow. Proceeds will benefit United Ministries.

·  Josh Harrington, our organist/pianist/bell ringer has tendered his resignation from JK. He has accepted teaching position the the Washington, DC, area. His last day is tentatively June 16.

Nurture

·  Committee reported strong ministries of Care Companions and Meal Train. Meal Train link is https://mealtrain.com/230878. 

·  Thanks to Kitty Olson and Betty and Mike Ward, who are retiring from flower delivery! Schedule for July – September will be out soon.

·  Quilters continue to distribute quilts in WNC. Quilts in Fellowship Hall and hallway are for sale by JK quilters. All proceeds go to WNC relief efforts.       

·  Side-By-Side Respite Care wait list is now 14. Jeanne Peak and Lisa Frampton have completed 2 grant applications that would bolster program’s growth. Volunteers are still needed.

·  Serving Saturday April 5 had 17 volunteers who worked at 5 homes. Thanks to all participants! 

Property and Operations

·  March 2025 expenses are 4.5% below budget YTD.

·  Sanctuary exterior painting is complete.

·  Update on repairs from 2023 hail damage: gutters, downspouts complete.

·  Various concrete repairs and other property repairs should be completed 4/19 – 6/13.

·  Thanks to volunteers who spread pine needles on campus work day April 12!

Staff Reports:

Susan Felton reported on first “Meet Me at the Playground” outing after worship April 27. This chance to play/visit will continue after worship the last Sunday of each month. First through fifth graders can join intergenerational Sunday School series June 1 – August 10. Preschoolers can go to Nursery for a lesson. Vacation Bible School is June 8-11; Embark Sunday is August 17; Step-Up Sunday is August 24. 

Rev. Justin Cazel reported M3 men’s group met at 13 Stripes in Taylors and will continue through the summer.  Second quarter men’s fellowship was April 24: the Bogey Classic. Rain forced the outing from the 3’s Greenville to Local Cue. Generosity Team met April 27. 

Dr. Gordon Turnbull is grateful for beautiful Lenten and Holy Week season experienced by our church. Graduate Sunday is May 11. There will be intergenerational Sunday School class this summer with stand-alone lessons. Existing classes can continue to meet if desired.  There will be another 6-week Adult Discipleship series on Wednesdays in the fall, including meal with program to follow.

Carter Rief, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, announced week-long summer conferences: Fun in the Son for High School June 22-27; The Great Escape for Middle School July 27-31. Note: Since his report submitted at CE meeting April 3, it has been announced there are two summer youth interns: Anna Colacioppo and James Robertson. 

Session also received notes on ministry of Tami Wall, Director of John Knox Kindergarten & Parents’ Day Out, which had been presented at Christian Education meeting April 3.                                        

Ann Brumley

Clerk of Session

Thank you for prioritizing the ministry of Jesus Christ in your financial life.

May 4

In Person: 182

Livestream: 22

Weekly Offering Received: $9,451

Weekly Budgeted Offering: $17,857

YTD Offering Received: $445,112

YTD Budgeted Offering: $339,275

Edited by Mandy Scott

John Knox Presbyterian Church

35 Shannon Dr.

Greenville, SC 29615

864.244.0453

www.johnknoxpres.org