Greetings!
I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate each one of you. I appreciate you for the way you have honored the Lord during this time of transition—your prayers, your support to the Ministry Team, your presence in Life group as well in Worship Services, giving faithfully, and inviting others to share in the joy during these days.
Dr. Harder, on his first Sunday with us, his message title was “Open Hands, Open Doors.” As I visited with one of our businessmen that is facing a challenge, I asked how he was doing. His reply was, “As our pastor said on Sunday, Open Hands, my hands are open for God to do as He desires in my life and circumstances. My hands are open.” Let us keep our hands open to God for whatever He desires to do in our wonderful First Baptist Spartanburg Family. I believe more today than ever, God has something very special for our community, let us be found with open hands to surrender and to receive.
Just as intently as we prayed for God to send him to us, let us be found faithful praying for our new pastor as he prepares to move and get started in Spartanburg. Like you, I am so excited for our new pastor and his family to arrive. I’m praying that God will prepare his heart, his mind, his family, and his new home. Please pray for the sale of their home in Nashville, PRAY!
Here is a note from Dr. Harder:
Church family,
We continue to be overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from our new friends and family at First Baptist. Our family is going through the process of finishing well in Nashville and preparing to move to Spartanburg. We are expecting to move to Spartanburg at the end of June. July will be very busy as we finish out some prior ministry commitments and prepare for the fall.
My first Sunday morning in the pulpit will be August 6th and I will begin our fall sermon series. I can't wait to share the vision for this series with you. I hope it will be a key moment in our journey together. Please pray for us as we get our house sold in Nashville and finalize the purchase of our new home in Spartanburg. Moving is a taxing process and we cannot wait to be in Spartanburg full-time.
I am praying for you,
Pastor Mike
Our Spring Emphasis is Encouragement to Be Obedient in Stewardship. To our Life Groups Teachers, thank you for not only teaching stewardship during this emphasis, but for being an example through your life. For living a life of stewardship, being obedient in the area of stewardship. I am hearing so many sweet testimonies of how God is speaking into lives. All I can say is, Praise the Lord, great things He has done and is doing! I am with you, “Learning to Give”.
Malachi 3:10e: “…if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” I challenge you to study this phrase. It is one of my favorite in the Bible. I love the thought of testing God, to open “the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing until it overflows.” God leaves the choice to me, if I want His overflow of blessing. Will you join me under the windows of Heaven?
Preaching this Lord’s Day in Celebration Service will be Dr. Benny Littlejohn. Dr. Littlejohn grew up at First Baptist Spartanburg under Dr. Alastair Walker. He has pastored several churches; Southside Baptist Church, Spartanburg SC, First Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama, but most recently retiring from pulpit ministry at Eastlan Baptist Church, Greenville SC. As a former pastor he understands where we are as a church in transition. We welcome Dr. Littlejohn back to First Baptist Spartanburg.
Preaching in both Genesis Service will be Dr. Gary Hollingsworth, recently retired and former Executive Director Treasurer, for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. During our transition, Dr. Hollingsworth has been with us several times. He understands where we are and has been a real source of assistance, advice and encouragement. Dr. Hollingsworth has been a real blessing to me personally during this transition and to First Baptist Spartanburg. We welcome Dr. Hollingsworth back to First Baptist Spartanburg.
Looking forward to another great Lord’s Day at First Baptist Spartanburg!
I will see you under the windows,
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Sam Davis
Associate Pastor
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Come spend an hour every Tuesday from noon to one in our Sanctuary to pray or be prayed for. You are welcome to stop in when you like and leave when you like.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
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June Prayer Focus
Pray for our workers and ministry initiatives in South Africa. Pray for Patrick and Kellee Cogdill and their family serving in Cape Town with Wycliffe Bible Translators as Patrick serves as Director of SIL Southern Africa. Pray for Jonathan and Ashley Holliday and their family serving with the company in Johannesburg to connect with the unengaged and unreached in their area. Pray for J.B. and Liz Bundrick and their family serving in Johannesburg, covering logistics for all of the company’s units serving in South Africa and other Sub-Saharan African countries. Pray for our FBS South Africa Orphan Sponsorship ministry that provides support to the children residing in group orphan homes that we helped to build in the Xhosa townships around East London, and overseen by Pastor Hoppy Pohlmann through Amalinda Baptist Church in East London
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The Bridge is a great place to volunteer!
Visit our website at www.thebridgeatgreenstreet.org and look for the Orientation video to learn how you can join The Bridge Volunteer Team.
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Watch, Like and Share last week's Services on Socials |
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CELEBRATION LIVE STREAM
For the friends you want to invite to Worship, share last week's video and invite them to church this Sunday!
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GENESIS LIVE STREAM
Invite a friend to watch the Genesis Christmas Eve Service online, or live in theHangar this Sunday
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MVMT - STUDENT WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
See what God is doing in the Student Ministry on Wednesday Nights!
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THIS WEEK'S ENCOURAGING WORD MESSAGE
Spread the Encouragement by sharing this link with friends and family!
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STORIES OF LIFE CHANGE FROM OUR CHURCH FAMILY! |
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FIRST LOOK
What's happening this week at First Spartanburg!
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Discover the power of Daily Bible Reading
Join us in the same passages together - Week 21
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Proverbs 3:9-10 (ESV) says, “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” God’s word teaches us that when we honor Him first with our resources, He will bless us. This blessing is not just to provide for our needs and even better it allows us to give more back to His Kingdom.
Your tithes and offerings to First Baptist allows the many ministries to keep going strong in order to reach more people for Christ. Thank you for your generous stewardship by faithfully giving of your firstfruits so we can see lives changed for eternity in Spartanburg and around the world.
As you think about your financial stewardship, here are a couple of the many options you can consider:
· You can always give online, but if you are unable to attend on Sunday morning and don’t wish to give online, you can mail your gift to 250 East Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29306.
· You can also stop by the church during office hours throughout the week and securely leave your gift in the drop box at the welcome center?
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Dear Church Family,
God is good! These days at First Baptist Spartanburg are so exciting! Personally, as a believer, my greatest joy is when I know I am being obedient to God’s Word. Only God and I know if I am being obedient in every area of my life. The second area that gives me joy is when someone accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Since January 1, 2023, each month your First Baptist Spartanburg Ministry Team has led us in a monthly emphasis. Based on Scripture, your Ministry Team believes our job is, “Encouraging complete and courageous living in Christ!” These emphases are the four strategies each of us need in our lives—Worship, Prepare, Serve and Engage. Over these last months, we challenged our church family to incorporate these in a fresh way. Each one had a call to action—being connected in a Life Group, finding a place to serve, sharing your life story with the purpose to bring someone to Christ, and worship, both corporate and private.
I’m happy to share with you that our May and June emphasis is stewardship. Biblical stewardship is about our obedience to God, not about an amount of money. Biblical stewardship has its roots all the way back in Genesis when God gave Adam the responsibility to take care of his creation and to be fruitful and multiply. As we look at biblical stewardship today, our responsibility is to be obedient with our time, talents, and treasure. Within this framework of biblical stewardship, we want to focus on our treasure.
Here are two Old Testament Scriptures to consider regarding stewardship:
10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV)
Here is a New Testament Scripture to consider:
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
For our Stewardship call to action, please consider the following:
· On or before June 18, 2023, which is also Father’s Day, our call to action challenge is a special “over and above offering.” We are asking you, as a member of FBS, to give what is equal to a “one-week tithe.”
· I have enclosed a special card for your personal use only to help you discover this amount. Do not return this card. This is requested to be an “over and above offering” of your normal giving.
· If you give online, there is a drop-down box “Special Offering” for you to give this offering. If you prefer the traditional method, I have enclosed a “Special Offering” envelope.
· We will announce and celebrate this “Special Offering” on Sunday, June 25, 2023. This “Special Offering” will be placed into our regular operating budget. We are in the midst of our busiest ministry expenditure time of the year with several camps, VBS, mission trips, and much more.
If a “one-week tithe” is not possible, would you pray and ask the Lord what amount would be pleasing to Him for you to give. Whatever amount you give, I sincerely believe God will bless you, according to His Word. Teach and challenge your children with this principle. In Scripture, you are invited to test God and give to Him first. I challenge you to participate so we can celebrate all God does in our church, and in our lives personally.
SPECIAL NOTE- MATCHING GIFT: As I was finalizing this letter on Saturday afternoon, I received a call from a very dear friend whom I had told about this Special Offering. He has promised to give a matching gift up to $100,000. Wow! Praise the Lord for this man’s obedience.
Are you ready to be a blessing and to receive a blessing by knowing you are being obedient to God’s Word? I deeply appreciate you as a member of the First Baptist Spartanburg Family.
It is a joy for Jimmie and me to serve you during this time…
Sam
Associate Pastor
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The last Sunday of each month, Kindergartners can experience the wonder, fun, and excitement of "climbing higher" in their love and knowledge of Jesus through exploration, creativity, games, and a WHOLE lot of Treehouse fun! |
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Stay informed via Text
For general TKD reminders text @tkdupdates to 81010
For MPACT Kids reminders text @tkdnight to 81010
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We Are Senior Adult Ministry |
Jesus is here for us all.
We are here for you all.
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Because we love you, our ministry team is committed to walk with you through this challenging time. We are here to:
- Listen
- Pray
- Share Jesus
- Talk
- Encourage
Feel free to call us anytime at 864-583-7245. You may also connect with live prayer lines at 1-877-443-2273 or visit our website at www.fbs.org
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UPCOMING AT YOUNG AT HEART
Monday, Jun 12
6:00pm/Hot Buffet/Dining Hall/Cost $9
Featuring: Jack Roper
Reservations: 864-699-4236 by Wed., June 7
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God is doing something amazing!
Already this year over 20,000 people have called, texted or emailed for prayer and 881 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
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.
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Members who need Prayer
Spartanburg Regional Medical Center
Ben Hendrix
Bill Humphries—Surgery June 5
Marsha Cobb
Prisma Health Greenville Memorial
Bob Brisken
NHC—Healthcare—Greenville
Rachel Thompson
Members in Rehab
PRWC—Physical Rehabilitation & Wellness Center
Harry Lewis
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Greenville
Mitzi Bragg
Cottages at Brushy Creek
Larry Gowan
Members in Hospice Care
Mannie Horton—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.)
Ronnie Williams, Caleb Billings, Harrison Wilson, Bill Mangum, Janet Dillard, Lula Armstrong (Johnny McCraw’s Granddaughter), Tammy Hendricks , Tripp Taylor, Carolyn Dillard, Alison Walker, Roy Gossett (Carolyn Dillard’s Brother), Sharon Byers (Susi Smith’s Mother), Martha Gribble (Russ Gribble’s Mother), Eddie Dutton, Alleigh Scott, Margaret Cothran, Mary Patterson, Jim Long, Wilma & Ronnie Hayes, Phil & Barbara Ann Pacelli, Rebecca Jones, Lydia Kaplan (Marie Lipscomb’s Friend), Billy Campbell, Renee Brown (Debra Key’s friend), 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, Jenny Ledford (Darlene Williams’ friend), 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, Lydia Kaplan, 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)
Christian Sympathy is Extended to:
Family of John Dean Hamrick (Michael Hamrick’s Father) who passed away on 4/12
Family of Dick Gibbons (Katherine Davis’ Father) who passed away on 4/14
Family of Hal Murphy (Keith Murphy’s Father) who passed away on 4/15
Family of Jerri Kimbrell (Donna Garrison’s Aunt) who passed away on 4/16
Family of Irene Long (Anna Nicholls’ Mother) who passed away on 4/19
Family of Gail Sims (Bess Johannes Sister) who passed away on 4/26
Family of Eloise Wiley (Douglas Wiley’s Grandmother) who passed away on 4/30
Family of Randy Lowery (Sherry Smiths’ Brother) who passed away on 4/30
Family of Ronnie O’dell (Austin Burnett’s Grandfather) who passed away on 4/30
Family of Edith Rowell (Calla Snow’s Mother) who passed away on 5/1
Family of Wyatt “Mack” McDaniel who passed away on 5/4
Family of Shelby Workman (Jennifer Beck’s Mom) who passed on 5/5
Family of Junior Tant (Nellie Ruth Tweed’s Brother) who passed away on 5/5
Family of Lib Woolbright who passed away on 5/7
Family of BB Bryson who passed away on 5/14
Family of Cora Mae Gulledge (Patrice Faulkenberry’s Mother) who passed on 5/15
Family of Billy Honeycutt (Beverly Bell’s Brother) who passed away on 5/16
Family of Margaret Frady Kirby who passed away on 5/16
Family of Joe Longstreet who passed away on 5/31
Family of Carl Wright (Lounell Rodd’s Brother) who passed away on 5/31
Pray for our missionaries who have birthdays or anniversaries in June
Mingo (APAC) June 8
Sieberhagen—Anniversary(EUR) June 8
Kristopher (Canada) June 19
Holliday—Anniversary(SA) June 22
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
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At Home Neighborhoods
Members in Asst. Living /Nursing Facilities as Residents
Ashland Village
Miriam Vickery
Betty McMillan
Brushy Creek Cottages – Greer
Martha Turner
Cascades Verdae—Skilled Nursing
Kay Carroll
Cascades Verdae—Independent Living
Len Carroll
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
Summit Hills—Skilled Nursing
Peggy Gilliland
The Waterford—Columbia
Jane Littlejohn
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
Bill Osteen
Pat Tate
Lou Ann Walker
Eula Williams
White Oak—North Grove
Mirth Bolton
Elaine Dunger
Our FBS "At Home" Residents enjoy your care through cards, calls & visits. Please contact the church office if you have any updates. 864-583-7245 or by email to [email protected]
This list contains members who are residents in nursing & assisted living neighborhoods. Please let us know when someone is in the hospital or a facility for rehab so they can be added to the "Let Us Pray" list. If someone is living "At Home" independently they will be listed through their Life Groups and Deacons.
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Minister on Call: For assistance, call 864.583.7245 - option 6 |
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ONLINE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We are excited to share inspiration and information every day from FBS both online and on our Social Media. You will find Encouraging Words on Instagram, Facebook and our Website around noon each day!
Details at www.fbs.org with even more opportunities to stay connected!
Follow us and join the conversation all week long! www.fbs.org/social
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Encouraging Complete and Courageous Living in Christ |
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First Baptist Spartanburg
(864) 583-7245
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