January 4, 2024 | Issue 386

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Dear Britt,

Happy New Year! 2023 was an amazing year that we will always remember fondly. God began a new chapter in the story of our family as we joined you in Spartanburg. We are so grateful for God’s faithfulness in our church as we have gone through this season of pastoral transition. I was particularly proud of our church as we baptized 101 people this year. Those are 101 stories of life change and eternal transformation. They are stories of our friends, spouses, and children who have publicly identified with Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God is so good! I love being your pastor!

This Sunday we are kicking off a new series in the book of Exodus called “The X Commandments according to Jesus.” Most of us are generally familiar with the 10 commandments. We can list most of them. But what if I told you that there is much more to the 10 commandments than meets the eye? What if the 10 commandments are not a list of rules but instead a guide to a relationship with God and each other? What if the 10 commandments are a love letter instead of a list of laws? What if God is teaching us about himself through the 10 commandments in deep and transformative ways? What many people don’t know about the 10 commandments is that Jesus taught on each commandment and interpreted them for us. He gives us a roadmap to a deeper relationship with the Father through 10 Commandments and as we study what Jesus teaches us about the 10 commandments we will learn that there is far more than meets the eye.

See you Sunday,

Happy New Year! 

As we reflect back on the last year, we are very grateful for the faithful generosity so many of you have shown to the ministries of First Baptist Spartanburg. As we go through this next year, we want to encourage you to make a renewed commitment to be a faithful steward in every area of your life – time, talents, treasure and testimony. Here are a couple of the many options you can consider as you think about your financial stewardship: 

-On Sunday morning, you continue to have an opportunity to give your tithes and offerings during the service or you can use one of the drop boxes around the church. 

-Have you used our online giving (one-time or recurring) platform through Realm at www.fbs.org/give or on the FBS app? It is available 24/7 and helps you stay up to date on your tithes even if you are unable to make it to church on any given Sunday.  

January Prayer Focus

As we start off our New Year let us pray with a focus on our own City. Pray especially for The Bridge and BridgeWay Village and those behind the scene to bring together the reality of a tiny village for women in a season of homelessness to provide them a place of safety and surround them with the love of Jesus.  Pray for Deandra Comer as she directs and coordinates all the work, and begins the task of preparing not only the ladies who will live in BridgeWay Village, but advocates to come along side of them in their walk to become self-sustaining.  Pray for an outpouring of support for the work to continue and for more volunteers to come alongside of them to complete this amazing work that the Lord has laid before us.   Pray that the love of Jesus will be felt first within our own city and then spread beyond and around the world.

The Bridge is a great place to serve! 

Visit our website at www.thebridgeatgreenstreet.org and look for the Orientation video to learn how you can join The Bridge Volunteer Team.

Watch and Share!

GENESIS LIVE STREAM

Invite a friend to watch the Genesis Service online, or live in theHangar this Sunday



As you head into your weekend, click the photo below for an encouraging word from Pastor Mike.

Stay informed via Text

For general TKD reminders text @tkdupdates to 81010 

For Wednesday night reminders text @tkdnight to 81010



TEACH A DEAF CHILD THE LOVE OF GOD!

Do you know American Sign Language? Do you love serving in the Woodlands? We have a deaf student and we need more people to serve on Sunday mornings to interpret at 9:00 a.m. and/or 10:30 a.m.

This is a beautiful opportunity to serve and share the gospel in another language! According to Mosaic there are an estimated 250 million deaf people in the world. Only 2 % are Jesus followers! Who will this little girl grow up to be, and how will she impact the world for Christ?

You can make a difference!

If you are interested in serving once or twice a month, please contact Kay Edwards at [email protected] or 864-699-4314.

Praising God for Salvations!

Already this year over 38,600 people have called, texted or emailed for prayer and 1266 people have given their lives to Jesus through the outreach of The Encouraging Word!

Join us in praying for more to accept Jesus as Savior!

Stay Connected with TEW:

www.TEWonline.org

CLICK HERE to request a FREE copy of The Daily Encouraging Word quarterly devotional, or to request a copy by phone, call 864-699-1750 and for prayer 24/7 call1-877-443-CARE (2273) Also, you can listen to a daily recorded reading Monday through Friday by dialing 864-764-1462.

Take a moment to pray for these church members

Members in the Hospital

Mary Black Mem. Hospital

Don Moss (Kathy)

Sptbg. Regional Med. Ctr.

Rodney Dais

John Hall (Marie Lipscomb’s Brother)

Robert Johnson (Elaine) (Surgery, Thursday)

University Hospital, Augusta, GA

Carolyn Livingston

Medical West Hospital, Bessemer, AL

Edward (Jeff) Wise (Steve Wise’s Brother)

Members in Hospice Care

Mannie Horton—At Home

Peggy Biggerstaff—Eden Terrace

Kay Herd—Landrum Hospice House

Jenny Johnson—Wellmore of Daniel Island

Barry Jennings-At Home

Special Prayer Requests:

(Due to the many requests for prayer, we try to leave names on this list for 30 days. Please feel free to request a name to be listed again)

Beverly Johnson, Jeremy Vangsnes (Kathy Vangsnes’s son), Danny Powell (David Powell’s Son), Will Thompson (Amanda), Ronald Cottrell, VA (Sue Wilson’s Friend), Cassie Dorsey, Kasey Redfern, Linda Crum Smith, Mary Pearman, Fran Greene, Elizabeth Mimms (Nate), Trish Vander Meulen (Dick), Diann Payne, Josey Thompson (Jamey & Christy’s Daughter), Janice Newlin, Sandy Caulder, John Delcalzo (Frances), Payton Williams (Son of Jeff Williams), Dalton Lambert, Tammy Shreve, Elaine Bond, Caren Marett, Billy Campbell, Cathie Cheatham, Wayne Grigg, Peter Fenn, Anna Nichols, Charlee Rae Gribble, Ann Taylor, Shirley Willis (Jane Willis’s Mother), Frank Walters (Stan Walter’s Brother), Payton Williams (Jeff Williams’s Son), Rachel Jones, Jennifer Dorris (Bill and Diane Eason’s Daughter), Larry Gowan, Mike Epperly (Claudia Barone’s Brother-in-law), Margaret Reason, Becky Morris (Tim), Corbin Johnson, Joyce Laws (Keith), Kristen Madliak (Brian Redding’s Friend), Jim and Elaine Mann, Bea Dillard, Phil Vander Ploeg (Corrie), Diny Rooke, Family of Hugh Campbell (Billy Campbell’s Cousin), Joan and Woodrow Blackwell (Sandra Nelson’s Parents), David Moon (Patti Barrett’s Father), Brad Nelson (Sandra), Ric Adams, Joe Sill (Betsy), Bob Webber (Elda Webber’s Father), Lucy McRoberts (Davin and Christina McRoberts’s Daughter), Larry Irvin (Deborah), Tommy Hitt (Joyce), Don Patterson, Bill Eason (Diane), Lauren, Zach, and Rylee Blair (Barbara Vess’s Granddaughter’s Family), Nancianne Allen (Diny Rooke’s Mother), Christine Nichols, Debra Copeland (Elex), Steve Gage (Elizabeth)

Christian Sympathy is Extended to:

Family of Joseph Serra (Carol McBride’s Father) who passed away 10/24

Family of Wilma Thomas (Michael Thomas’s Mother and Ashley Williams’s

Grandmother) who passed away 10/24

Family of Bell (Chyleen) Fowler (Linda McClure’s Aunt) who passed away 10/26

Family of Edith Vehorn (John Lankford’s Mother) who passed away 10/31

Family of Grady Cotton (Susan) who passed away 11/16

Family of Richard Smith who passed away 11/18

Family of Joy Hall (Andrea and Chris Hall, Jaylin and Raelyn Jerome’s Mother) who passed away 11/18

Family of Jack Mullinax (Brenda) who passed away 11/23

Family of Howard Candler (Terry Candler’s Father) who passed away 11/23

Family of Don Miller (Marion Miller’s Brother) who passed away 12/3

Family of Sarah Dunn (Lisa Graham’s Mother) who passed away 12/2

Family of Scott Young (Jeff Young’s Father and Ray Young’s Brother) who passed away 12/4

Family of Poppy Willis (Barbara Gilbert’s sister) who passed away 12/5

Family of Glenn Stribling (Kathy) who passed away 12/6

Family of Bates Scoggins, Jr. (Stephen Scoggins’s Father) who passed away 12/10

Family of Donna Horne (Jerry) (Rev. Cecil Yount’s Sister) who passed away 12/15

Family of Marilyn Conley (Norman Band’s Sister) who passed away 12/20

Family of Timothy Hallyburton who passed away December 24

Family of Frances Bailey who passed away 12/27

Family of John Mark Adams (Dan Adams’s Brother) who passed away last week

Family of Tina Turner (Joyce Hitt’s Sister) who passed away Thursday

Family of David Poteat (Dean Poteat’s Son) who passed away Sunday

Family of Jim Arrington (Candy) who passed away January 3

At Home Neighborhoods

Care-Pray-Visit 

Ashlan Village

Miriam Vickery

Betty McMillan

Howard Miller

Brushy Creek Cottages—Greer

Martha Turner

Chandler Creek Village

Norma Jean Lagerholm

Eden Terrace

Peggy Biggerstaff

Betty Gillespie

Jim & Elaine Mann

Barbara Shepherd

Suzanne (Suzi) Smith      

Grady Stewart

Billy Campbell

Easley Nursing Home

Carolyn Crowe

Fairhaven—Forest City

Carolyn Morgan

Lakewood Senior Living—Assisted Living

Betty Heatherly

Lakewood Senior Living—Independent Living

Betty Medford

Magnolia Manor—Inman

Samuel Lee Perry

Pacifica

Donna Garrison

Physical Rehabilitation & Wellness (PRW)

Rhonda Fisher

Rolling Greene—Greenville

Sally Hutcheson

Rosecrest

Ruby McDowell

Betty Toney

Rosecrest—Independent Living

Loretta Cassell

Summit Hills—Independent Living   

Linda Arnold

Henry H. Hamilton

Peggy Wakefield

Summit Hills—Memory Care

Martha Hines

Peggy Gilliland

Terra Bella

Mary Alice Wingo

The Waterford—Columbia

Jane Littlejohn

The Blake @ Hollingsworth Park

Len Carroll—Assisted Living

Kay Carroll—Skilled Nursing 

Wesley Court Assisted Living—Boiling Springs, SC

Helen Young

Bobby Martin

White Oak Asst. Living—Webber Rd

Jo Ann Adams

White Oak—Skilled Nursing

Shirley Allen

Helen Mayson

White Oak—Independent Living

Harriet Baughman

Sara Hall

Jim Miller

Pat Tate

Lou Ann Walker

Eula Williams

Vivian Funk

Sue Anthony

White Oak—North Grove

Mirth Bolton

Elaine Dunger

Ann Taylor

Pray for our missionaries who have birthdays or anniversaries in December

Kelly (CA)  - Jan 8

Nora (SA) - Jan 9

Eliza Joy (SSA) - Jan 12  

Holley - Jan 24  

Park Anniv - Jan 28

Pray for our ladies and gentlemen serving in our military

Lt. Caleb Robinson, US Navy - Guam

Brandon Easler, US Navy - Jacksonville, FL

Brandon Duke, US Air Force - Reserves USA

PFC Joshua Ruff, US Marines - Camp Lejeune, NC

Captain Timothy E. Edge, U.S. Army—Ft Drum, NY

Dakota Biggerstaff, Air Force Academy - CO

Harrison Roberts, US Marines - Camp Lejeune, NC

Matthew Smith -US Military Academy at West Point

To add an active duty service lady or gentleman please contact [email protected]

Over 2200 prayers over Christmas for our Neighbors as a part of our Bless This Home Prayer Ministry!

Join us in this easy and unique way to pray for our neighbors.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life."

The Lord planted our church where we are to help our neighbors discover the light of life. So, as we continue in our 90 days of prayer, consider joining hundreds of FBS members in this prayer outreach by becoming a Light to your neighbors and living intentional pray-care-share lifestyles.

Becoming a Light is free and confidential. You'll receive a map and list of your closest neighbors, along with emails at the frequency of your choice to pray for your next five neighbors that day. When you get a chance, walk or drive by those homes as you pray for them.

To learn more about this opportunity visit VISIT THIS LINK to sign up on the website!

May God bless you as you bless your neighbors!