February 8, 2024 | Issue 391

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Dear Britt,

God is moving in our church. I am deeply encouraged by the many stories I am hearing from your gospel conversations. We are seeing so many people make professions of faith already this year. The official tally of Gospel conversations is at 402 this morning. Please keep telling us about your stories and encounters. Every single gospel conversation is a story that matters to God. Thank you for partnering with us in accomplishing our vision of Saturating Spartanburg with the gospel.

This week we have an exciting Sunday morning waiting for you. We are studying the fourth commandment that focuses on honoring our parents. Providentially, we are also dedicating 10 children and their families to the Lord this week which is a beautiful example of families that put God first. Cade Thompson is leading worship alongside our team in the Genesis service, and Steve Skinner has an incredible worship moment prepared for us in Celebration. I can’t wait for Sunday. It is the best day of the week, and I am so blessed to be your pastor.

Christ is all,

This year is off to a great start and we are very grateful for the faithful generosity so many of you continue to show to the ministries of First Baptist Spartanburg. As we go through this next year, we want to encourage you to continue in your 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: 

·  Our online giving (one-time or recurring) platform through Realm at www.fbs.org/give or on the FBS app continues to be one of the most popular ways many of you give. 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. If you are concerned about the processing charges that the church incurs, there is an option that allows you to help offset these costs.

·   While many of you bring your tithes to church on Sunday, many others still send their personal or bank checks through the mail. If you use this method, please send it to the First Baptist Business Office at 250 East Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29306. 

Investigation Update

We are encouraged by a positive development in the investigation of our former church administrator. We’ve been involved with the investigation over the past year and were aware that papers would be filed by the Assistant US Attorney in federal court this week. This is a positive step as this case moves through the legal process. Because the legal process continues, it is not yet appropriate to make further comment. We expect to have an opportunity to comment in greater detail as the legal process comes to resolution in the coming weeks.

Chad McAllister

Church Administrator

Kyle Shuler

Deacon Chairman

Al Clark

Church Council Chairman

February Prayer Focus

Please pray for Paul and Stephanie and their family, serving in Central Asia. Pray as they approach the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquakes that hit their region. Pray for continued opportunities to minister to surrounding peoples and places. Pray for peace in the hearts of all who were affected. Pray for preparations for an upcoming outreach among their people group and for logistics surrounding the outreach and for unbelieving hearts to be softened and open to hear the truth. Pray that Paul, Stephanie, and their family dwell deeply in the Lord during a busy season of welcoming new teammates, children’s school schedules, outreach events, and travel. 

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



EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND

If you are pursuing a degree in ministry and need financial assistance, our church has an educational grant program that could help you along the way. CLICK here to apply!

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 kedwards@fbs.org or 864-699-4314.

Praising God for Salvations!

Already this year over 900 people have called, texted or emailed for prayer and 29 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

Cathie Cheatham

Howard Miller (Annette)

Sptbg. Regional Med. Ctr.

Rodney Dais

Michael Hamrick (Karen)

Diane Skinner (Ablation, Feb. 19)

Janet Lynne Smith (Surgery, Feb. 9)

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Hospice Home

Margaret Campbell

St. Francis Hospital Downtown

Eddie Robertson (Gina)

Rehab

Lake Emory Post Acute Care

Mary Pearman

Physical Rehabilitation and Wellness Center of Spartanburg

Linda Lewis (Harry) 

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

Harold Moore - At Home

Betty Gillespie - Eden Terrace

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)

Ann Gray, Ted Humphries (Bailey Humphries’s Father), John Lankford, John Hall (Marie Lipscomb’s Brother), Billy Campbell, Lula Armstrong (Johnny McCraw’s Granddaughter), Charlee Rae Gribble, Randy Hammett (Chris Hammett’s Father), Lasheeba McCollum Foster, Rita Smith (Roberta Fair’s Lister), Jennifer Dorris (Bill and Diane Eason’s Daughter), Larry Gowan, Mike Epperly (Claudia Barone’s Brother-in-law), Martha Painter, Jerry Painter (Judy Humphries’ Nephew), Becky Morris (Tim), Michael Horne (Joanne Carter’s Great-Nephew), Robert Johnson (Elaine), Amy Guinn (Nick) and newborn (Madeline), Kristen Madliak (Brian Redding’s Friend), Darrell Sudduth (Chris), Andrea McMinn (Annette Miller’s Sister), Marge Haas (Ray), Laura Ruthier (Kathy Hurry’s Daughter-in-Law), Ginger Ivey, Terry Gibson (Anne Dover’s Nephew), Lynn Lowery and Charlie Lowery (Jean Lowery’s Son and Daughter), Lucy McRoberts (Davin and Christina McRoberts’ Daughter), Madison Biggerstaff (Byan) and Newborn, Don Patterson, Bill Eason (Diane), Lauren, Zach, and Rylee Blair (Barbara Vess’ Granddaughter’s Family), Harold Culberson (Kathy), Sandy Caulder (Diane Eason’s Sister), Joseph Suits (Grandson of Brett Allison Suits), Anthony Winstead, Frances Delcalzo (John), Lydia Jewell (Debra Key’s Cousin), Vicki Talton (Terry), Tommy Hitt (Joyce), Tammy Humphries (Bailey), Chrissy Lancaster (Michael), (Barbara) Jean Ruff (Horace Cheeks’ Sister-in-Law), Rosa Longshore (Jim), Corbin Johnson, Family of Keira Godbold (Friends of the Reddings), Shirley Willis (Jane Willis’s Mother)

Christian Sympathy is Extended to:

Family of Rita Gardner (Jennifer Jacob's Mother) who passed 01/19

Family of Caren Marett (George) who passed away 01/23

Family of Ruby McDowell who passed away 01/25

Family of George Koepsell (Marilou) who passed away 02/01

Family of Jackie Graham (Rich Graham’s Mother) who passed away 2/4

Family of Charlotte Ann Hope (Ann Marie and Steve Hope’s Daughter) who passed away 2/4

Family of Sally Roland, Christian Rice’s Grandmother, who passed away 2-7

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

Met Schrieffer

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

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

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

Woodruff Manor

Peggy Gilliland

Pray for our missionaries who have birthdays or anniversaries in February

Cole (CA) - Feb 7

Liz (SSA) - Feb 8

Paul (CA) - Feb 21

Ransom - Feb 21

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

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

Cameron Dorsey - Camp Lejeune

To add an active duty service lady or gentleman please contact kedwards@fbs.org

Our Bless This Home

Prayer Ministry is growing!

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!