July 13, 2023 | Issue 349

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Dear Britt,

Along with the Ministry Team, Church Council and Deacons, I am so grateful for how God has chosen to pour out His blessings on the sweet church family of First Baptist Spartanburg. We are a blessed people and a graced people! He is faithful!

What another incredible Lord’s Day at First Baptist Spartanburg this past Sunday! I sure hope you are not missing these incredible Lord’s Days we are experiencing. I know various events take place in our lives and we must miss a Sunday occasionally, but please get in on the precious spirit that we are enjoying as often as possible. I pray that you will have a time of vacation this summer and that it will be very special for you and your family. Jimmie and I are certainly looking forward to our vacation.

As a Ministry Team, we are looking forward with great anticipation on the arrival of our Senior Pastor, Dr. Mike Harder, his wife, Dr. Tabitha Harder, and their precious children, Abigail, Violet, Georgia and Josiah. What a wonderful family we have coming to lead us into the amazing future God has planned for First Baptist Spartanburg. Be sure you have your calendar marked for Sunday, August 6, which will be his first day preaching. It is going to be so exciting! Do not miss it!

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 OUR SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE CHANGES. Thank each one of you for making the necessary sacrifice to make this schedule effective. Our Pastor will be able to preach LIVE to the entire church every Sunday Morning. What a blessing this will be. He is faithful!

Beginning Sunday, August 6, 2023, our Fall Sunday Schedule will be as follows:

9:00 a.m. Celebration Worship & Life Groups for all ages

        10:30 a.m. Genesis Worship & Life Groups for all ages

NOTE FROM DR. HARDER

Church family,

As we get closer to my first Sunday preaching this fall, I wanted to give you a sneak peek about where we are headed in our Sunday morning sermon series starting August 6th. As a pastor, I often get asked, “How can I hear God’s voice?” Many people want to please God but don’t know how to hear from God. They feel that only the super spiritually mature person can hear God’s voice. What if I told you that everyone can hear God’s voice if they will choose to listen to what God is saying? The good news of the gospel is that everyone has access to God.

The Scriptures give us a path forward to be people who have an authentic relationship with Jesus. The first sermon series I am preaching at First Baptist is a study in the book of Jonah. We will learn skills and spiritual disciplines that will open our hearts to hear and respond to God. My hope through this series is that we grow in our love for Jesus Christ.

We are getting so much closer to joining you in Spartanburg. This week, Tabitha and I are closing on our house in Spartanburg and selling our house in Nashville. We will be in town for a couple of days for some key meetings before going on our annual vacation. When we get back we will be in Spartanburg full time and moving into our new home. We will be praying for you as we move to town! See you August 6th.

Pastor Mike

Preaching this Sunday in Celebration Worship will be our very own, Rev. Seth Phipps, Minister to Students. Since joining First Baptist Spartanburg Ministry Team, Seth, Ericka, and their daughter, Eden, have endeared themselves to our church family, especially our students, parents, and Student Ministry Leadership. We are blessed to have Seth & Ericka leading our Student Ministry. Please be praying for Seth as he prepares and preaches on Sunday.

Preaching in Genesis Worship, both hours, will be Dr. Tony Wolfe, the new Executive Director, for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. What a powerful word he had for us in Celebration last Sunday! Dr. Wolfe, his wife, Vanessa, and son, Aaron, have recently moved to South Carolina from Texas. A second son, Ethan, recently married, and is a Student Minister in Oklahoma. Dr. Wolfe, a Louisiana native, comes to South Carolina from serving as the Associate Director of the Southern Baptists of Texas since 2017. Dr. Wolfe, holds degrees from Lamar University, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and soon will receive his Ph.D. in evangelism & missions from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, who has been with us many times during this transition, retired in April, and Dr. Wolfe has succeeded Dr. Hollingsworth as the Executive Director, for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. I am very excited about the leadership of Dr. Wolfe among our 2,125 South Carolina Baptist Churches.

It is so encouraging to see the new generation of leadership at First Baptist Spartanburg and within the South Carolina Baptist Convention, as well as, across the United States. “He is faithful!” I am so pleased to present Dr. Tony Wolfe to the First Baptist Family. I am also excited to connect Dr. Wolfe with our Senior Pastor, Dr. Mike Harder in the near future. Please be praying for Dr. Wolfe as he comes to preach for us.

Recently, with your contribution statement you received a wonderful letter from Chad McAllister, Church Administrator. He shared some wonderful news about our financial status. To God be the glory, great things He has done. I hope you will read this with a heart filled with gratitude to God for all He has done. Thank you for being obedient. He is faithful!

YES, HE IS FAITHFUL, COME SEE!!!….

Sam Davis

Associate Pastor

July Prayer Focus

Please pray for Connie Maxwell Children’s Home that provides hope for children & families in crisis in South Carolina. Their mission is to care for children while developing and strengthening positive relationships in a Christian environment.  Pray for the children, their families, and for the staff at Connie Maxwell that operates their main facility in Greenwood. Pray for the staff and children who come into their crisis care program. Pray for Connie Maxwell to be a place of unity, and that the staff and students will encourage each other and be a light to the community.  Pray for children in our State’s foster care system. Pray that more Christian families will be willing to open their homes and hearts to children in foster care by providing a safe, stable, and godly environment.

GENESIS LIVE STREAM

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



VOYAGER HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

THIS WEEK'S MVMT MESSAGE

This eweek's message from Wednesday night MVMT.

VBS HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Highlights and testimony from an exciting week of Life Change at Camp Voyager!

PINECOVE CAMP IN THE CITY HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

AN ENCOURAGING WORD FROM PASTOR MIKE

Watch stories of life change from your church family below from our monthly focuses.



VBS 2023 was awesome!

Watch the VBS video highlights, and continue to pray for decisions and relationships that were made last week. Don't forget about Pine Cove camp coming up MONDAY JULY 3!

God is doing

something amazing!

Already this year over 30,000 people have called, texted or emailed for prayer and 1075 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 1-866-899-WORD (9673) Also, you can listen to a daily recorded reading Monday through Friday by dialing 864-764-1462.

PRAYING IN UNITY

Thousands of neighbors are being prayed for by members of our church through Bless This Home!

NOW OVER 107,000 prayers for our neighbors

Don't miss the blessing, sign up by clicking HERE

Take a moment to pray for these church members

Members in the Hospital

NHC—Healthcare—Greenville

Rachel Thompson

MUSC

Lula Armstrong - Surgery 7/13

MEMBERS IN REHAB

Teresa Harvey - Pacifica/Skylyn

Members in Hospice Care

Mannie Horton—At Home

David Newlin—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.)

Lib Jennings (Sam Davis’ Sister), Alan Roberts, Frank Titz, Chris Stewart, Lynn Morrow (Sedalia Hunt’s Niece), Keren Wilmont (Miriam Vickery’s Niece), Scottie Sybounheaung, John Hall (Marie Lipscomb’s Brother), Andrea McMinn (Annette Miller’s Sister), Sandra Mahaffey, Paul Weaver, Rhonda Babb, Jean Allison, Fred McCray, Jack Gibson, Sherrie Whitten, Jane Warren, Turner Hammett, Kay Carroll, Ann Rogers, Julia Young (Julie Finley & Cole Young’s Mother), Pat Moore, Elizabeth Gage, Charlie Lowery, Lynn Lowery, Katie Buckman, Al Phillips Family, Nancy Osborne, Dani Belk (Jimmy & Susi Smith’s Daughter), Bobbie Wilson, Sandy Cornwell, Jenny Johnson, Minnie Hughes (Jerry & Roberta Fogg’s Relative), Lee & Nancy Marion, Jeanette Kirby, Ronnie Fore (Steven & Darlene Williams’ Friend), Glenda Turner, Jill Wright, Elaine Bond, Audrey Hampton, Leonard Gallman, Elizabeth Massey, James Whitt (Jenny Wright’s Brother), Jeff Dean, Tom Robertson (Bobby & Anne Dover’s Nephew), Ken Billets (Bobby Dover’s Brother in law), Zella Kennemore (Bobby Dover’s Aunt), Jim & Elaine Mann, John Humphries, Jim Alverson, Mr. Edwards (Jenny Johnson’s Friend), Charles & Flora Davis (Diane Payne’s Friends), John Coleman, Vicky Morgan (Ed Williams’ Sister), Farrell Campbell (Audrey Hampton’s Cousin), Joe (Ricky Smith’s Friend), Rachel McMillian, Joyce Parris, Gerald Broome, Dennis Ryals (Steve Wise’s Cousin), Ken Wise (Steve Wise’s Brother), Family of Jody Caldwell (April Stewart’s Father-In-Law, Mickey Baines, Mary Alverson, June Davis, Marsha Goodwin, Wayne Grigg, Sylvia Moore

Christian Sympathy is Extended to:

Family of Joe Longstreet who passed away on 5/31 (Ramona Eubanks & Renee Nelson’s Father)

Family of Carl Wright (Lounell Rodd’s Brother) who passed away on 5/31

Family of Marsha Cobb who passed away on 6/3

Family of Martha Gribble (Russ Gribble’s Mother) who passed away on 6/6

Family of Peggy May (Brian Redding’s Grandmother) who passed away 6/8

Family of James Golden (Rick & Karen Jones’ Nephew) who passed away on 6/12

Family of Bob Brisken who passed away on 6/12

Family of Margaret “Marie” Willingham (Randy Willingham’s Mother) who passed away on 6/14

Family of Patsy Odom Lee who passed away 6/14

Family of Billie Gribble (Russ Gribble’s Grandmother) who passed away on 6/16

Family of Bill Osteen who passed away on 6/17

Family of Betty Webb (Jennifer Chason’s Mother) who passed away on 6/19

Family of Geraldine Ivey (Sonya Melton & Mike Ivey’s Mother & Shae Wall’s

Grandmother) 6/22

Family of Lydia Kaplan who passed away on 6/24

Family of Augusta Cash High (Sophia Garland’s Mother) who passed away on 6/30

Family of Jesse Washburn (Amy Washburn Wildeman’s Father) who passed away on 7/2

Family of Quida Ryals (Steve Wise’s Aunt) who passed away on 7/3

Family of David Horne (Phil & Lib Bailey’s Son-in-law) who passed away on 7/10

At Home Neighborhoods

Care-Pray-Visit 

Ashland Village

Miriam Vickery

Betty McMillan

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

Richard Smith

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—Assisted Living

Rachel McMillan

Summit Hills—Independent Living   

Linda Arnold

Henry H. Hamilton

Summit Hills—Memory Care

Martha Hines

Peggy Gilliland

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

White Oak Asst. Living—Webber Rd

Jo Ann Adams

Helen Mayson

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

White Oak—North Grove

Mirth Bolton

Elaine Dunger

Pray for our missionaries who have birthdays or anniversaries in July

Ashley (SA)                 July 3

Bolton (PGH)             July 9

Kellee (SIL)                  July 16

Mack (PGH)                July 27

Birk (PGH)                  July 27 

Pray for our ladies and gentlemen serving in our military

Lt. Caleb Robinson, US Navy - Guam

SGT. Luke Redding, US Army - Ft. Bragg, NC

Brandon Duke, US Air Force -

PFC Joshua Ruff, US Marines - Camp Lejeune, NC

Brandon Easler, US Navy, Jacksonville, FL

Luke Johnson-US Marines - Camp Geiger, Jacksonville, NC

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