April 15, 2021 | Issue 230 | View as Webpage
Greetings!

I love you all very much indeed. Thank you again and again for your faithfulness to the Lord and for your faithfulness to your church and the ministries God has given us to do. The Lord has not only sustained us through this pandemic, but He has continued to bless us in more ways than we could possibly deserve. First Baptist is growing and is filled with anticipation and excitement as we all grow in the Lord.
 
This past Wednesday the Long Range Planning team, chaired by Kyle Shuler, met for over two hours. These men and women are so wonderful. We all realize the incredible Master Plan our deacons had approved last year, was on the verge of being presented to our church family when everything was put on hold due to the Covid shut-down. It seems the level of excitement concerning the many things we believe need to be done remains at the highest level. It was really obvious that the Lord continues to speak to this group of leaders, and we have every confidence the Lord will enable us all to know exactly what it is He wants us to do and in what order of priority.
 
Remember, we have a Church Conference the evening of May 5, at 6:00 PM in the Chapel. Our Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra and students will also be joining us. You may want to be a part of this time, as we share a number of great items that are evidence the hand of God is on our church family.
 
On another note, I am personally blessed this week by the release of my book, SATURDAYS WITH BILLY, across the nation. What is truly amazing is not only the privilege I had of being able to become such a close friend of Dr. Graham’s, but the fact he became a member of our church. My book is not a biography. It is the story of a friendship that really highlights this amazing servant of the Lord Jesus from a personal point of view. We are hearing from so many around the country and I am asking my church family and Dr. Billy Graham’s church family, to pray this book will be another instrument by which many people would come to see what it really means to live a life that honors the Lord Jesus in every way. Dr. Graham was the same with Presidents and Prime ministers as he was with ordinary people. He was just so humble and so determined to “know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” SATURDAYS WITH BILLY is beautifully bound, and there are pictures throughout that serve to illustrate each chapter as I share many of the personal experiences I had with Billy Graham.
 
My favorite statement of his will always be, “Only God gets the glory, boys. Only God gets the glory!” When I marched his casket into the Rotunda of the Capitol of the United States of America, I thought how shocked he would be with all the attention he was getting!!
 
Millions of people are in Heaven today because this one man said “yes” to the call of God.
 
May the Lord give us all the ability to serve Him with all our hearts, while being singularly focused on sharing Jesus with our lost and dying world. And with such humility.

Your friend and pastor,
KEEP THE CONVERSATION ALIVE!
If you didn't get your wristband on Easter Sunday,
pick one up this weekend at Guest Services.
REVIVE 2021 is a church-wide prayer focus centered around 3 circles in our lives. Join with us as we seek to deepen our personal spiritual growth, our prayer for and relationships with our neighbors, and our dedicated prayer towards specific ministry areas right here at FBS.

Daily Bible Study and Prayer STRENGTHENS us!
Today's passage is Deuteronomy 12-13. Our God is a righteous God and these challenges from the Word of God drive home the seriousness of 'having no other god's before me!" We guard our hearts and minds from false religion that we may be focused on the one true God! A powerful challenge from the Bible today. Don't miss out on time in God's word everyday! You can get a copy of our daily SOAP scriptures HERE
 “If you have not yet joined an Adult Discipleship group do so HERE. These are weekly accountability groups centered around our daily SOAP reading.”

Praying for our neighbors CHANGES us and our neighborhoods!
More and more are signing up to join in praying for our neighbors for a total of 199 families. See the graphic below showing how many have prayed, cared and shared!
If you haven’t had a chance to sign up yet you can do so HERE

Praying for our Church MULTIPLIES the fruit of Ministry!!
You will see more online this week about how to pray for the Young Adult Ministry, our ministry emphasis this month. This week we are praying that our families would grow deeper with God and each other. You can see other prayer areas HERE

Much more than a program… the intentional discipline that comes in the PLAN of REVIVE 2021 can be a great tool of God to help us stay focused and unified as we grow!
Watch this month's Revive 2021 video HERE
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO WORSHIP 
In this unique season remember we have ONLINE opportunities to Worship in addition to our worship centers!
1- Watch WSPA TV-7 or YouTube 
(No interaction just watching)
2- Watch and Interact via chat - FaceBook or Livestream  
(watching and interaction via chat and comments)
FACEBOOK FEEDS
Watch, Like and Share last week's 
Services on Facebook
LAST SUNDAY'S CELEBRATION LIVE STREAM
For the friends you want to invite to Worship, share last week's video and invite them to church this week!
LAST SUNDAY'S GENESIS LIVE STREAM
Invite a friend to watch the Genesis Service on line, or live in the Hangar this Sunday!

LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S
FBS-STUDENT LIVE STREAM
Give your friends a taste of Wednesday Night! Share last week's video and bring them this week!
LAST WEEK'S ENCOURAGING WORD STREAM
Share our pastor's Bible based teaching with your friends and spread the Encouragement!!
FROM OUR CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR 
Thank you for your continued faithful generosity to the ministries of First Baptist Spartanburg. As we go through 2021, we want to encourage you to remain committed to being a faithful steward in every area of your life – time, talent, treasures and testimony. Here are some of the many options you can consider as you think about your financial stewardship:

1.  We will continue to collect tithes and offerings at the end of each service or you can use one of the drop boxes around the church.
2.  Online giving (one-time or recurring) through our Realm giving platform at  www.fbs.org/give is available 24/7. Currently over 40% of all gifts are given online.
3.  Vision 2020 – consider making an extra gift above your tithe to prepare for the relaunch of Vision 2020.
4. If you would like to give stock, please call our Business Office at 864-699-4225 and they can tell you how to have it transferred directly to the church.
5. If you are over 70 ½ and have to take a Required Distribution from your IRA, talk to your tax advisor about how you can send that directly to the church and save on taxes.
6. If you prefer to mail in your gift please send it to 250 East Main St. Spartanburg, SC 29306.
7. This may also be a good time to review your will and considered how you can bless First Baptist by establishing a legacy gift through your estate. Visit www.fbs.org/legacy to learn more about how our partner, Philanthrocorp, can confidentially help you plan through this process at no cost to you.
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 from Dr. Don 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
April Prayer Focus
Focusing this month on SCBC Disaster Relief
 
The SCBC Disaster Relief strives to train leaders, develop new teams, and lead in Christian discipleship and evangelism in the area of Disaster Relief as SC Baptists bring help, healing, and hope during local, state, national, and international disasters. Disaster Relief (DR) Volunteers are trained and serve in the areas of Chaplaincy, Sheltering, Children’s Response, Shower/Laundry, Communications, Fire Recovery, Incident Management, Assessment, International, Chainsaw, Mass Feeding, Flood Recovery, and Rebuild. Please pray for those impacted by natural disasters, as well as for the Disaster Relief volunteers who assist them following those disasters.
 
Training dates for 2021: State DR Training - Upstate Region: April 17, 2021 at Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Easley
Remember the High Place at The Bridge
is open for Prayer
Monday through Thursday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Join with our dynamic Singles as we fellowship and have dinner together at Lake Bowen Fish Camp, located on Highway 9 just over the bridge on Friday, April 30, 2021 beginning at 5:30 pm. Contact Sherry Smith at [email protected] for more information and sign-up. 
“How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Ephesians 3:18

This month, our preschoolers learn about the GREAT love of Christ. We will learn that Jesus wants to be our friend forever and that He wants us to share His love with others, too!

Download the PARENT CUE app here on your phone to watch Bible story videos and follow along at home each week.
The Woodlands Preschool
"from little seeds grow mighty trees"
CHILDCARE PROVIDED FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
Be an Encourager...Join the team where Christ makes the difference in the lives of His children every day! 
FROM MR. GREG
TKD Families we want to stay connected with you. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thekiddepot. Also join the remind text by texting @tkdupdates to 81010. God built us for community no matter where or how we can come together. Thanks for allowing us to partner with you on this parenting journey!
Life Groups are back meeting on campus each and every Sunday. The hallways are bustling, smiles and laughter are heard throughout, and our Life Group teachers are back to faithfully teaching the Word of God. We have rooms that allow for social distancing and are making every effort to sanitize the room before your arrival. If you are looking for a Life Group to attend or need to verify its location, click HERE!
We are super excited to be Back to Life and hope to see you very soon!
Titus: Developing character and integrity in the Midst of Society Which has Lost Respect for God.
This is a Precept Upon Precept Inductive Study by Kay Arthur. How do you live with integrity in a nation without morals? Can the church effectively engage and change this destructive condition in our society? How does your life reflect your faith? You can change the culture into which God has called you. This study, led by Shelly Mabry, begins via Zoom on Tuesday, May 11 from 6:30-8:15 PM. For more information and registration, contact Shelly at [email protected]. 
 
We Are Senior Adult Ministry
Because we love you, our ministry team is committed to walk with you through this challenging time.  We are here to:
  1. Listen 
  2. Pray
  3. Share Jesus
  4. Talk
  5. Encourage
Be assured, we will be reaching out to you. Though the church meetings are not taking place on campus you can reach out to us any day by calling 864-583-7245. After hours, also connect with live prayer lines at 1-877-443-2273 or visit our website at www.fbs.org

 Jesus is here for Us All!
We are here for You All!
So far in 2021, 5518 people have called/texted or emailed for prayer and 110 people have made decisions to accept Jesus through the broadcasts of 
The Encouraging Word!
Join us in praying for more to accept Jesus as Lord
STAY CONNECTED WITH TEW!
Receive the Daily Encouraging Word, catch us on Social Media, or Request Prayer! 

Keep up to date with our broadcasts:

For Daily Bible Study 
Dr Wilton's Encouraging Word daily devotional is available free of charge in a number of ways! Each morning via email at www.TEWonline.org. It is also recorded Monday through Friday and can be listened to at 864.764.1462 . Or if you would like a copy of the quarterly magazine, call 1-866-899-WORD (9673).

CALL 864-699-1750 TO ORDER YOUR COPY
All proceeds go to The Encouraging Word.
MEMBERS WHO NEED YOUR PRAYER

Spartanburg Regional Hospital                                                                                                                           
Charles “Chip” Gravelle (Troy Stokes son-in-law)
Bill McKeown (proc 4/19)

Greenville Memorial Hospital (Prisma Health)
Gina Powers (surg 4/13)                                                          
 
Greer Memorial Hospital
David Richardson (Jeannette Kirby’s nephew)
                                                                                                 
Asheville VA Hospital
Jim Hicks

Hospital in Charlotte
Nancy Cauthen (John King’s sister)
 
            
MEMBERS IN REHAB
(All Residents are on the "At Home Neighborhoods" list)
 
White Oak - Northgrove
Bryan Hines (Dale Hines’ brother)

Valley Falls Terrace
Donna Garrison

Lake Emory Post Acute Care - Inman
Tom Boyter


MEMBERS IN HOSPICE CARE   
 
Jean Ivey - Hospice Care at White Oak North Grove
Lula Bell Clark (Katherine Good’s sister) - Hospice Care at Home
Mannie Horton - Hospice Care at Home
CR Rhinehart - Hospice Care at Home
Jerry Neal - Hospice Care at Home
Glenn Greer - Hospice Care at Home
Bill & Betty Woodard - Hospice Care at Home
Allen Hazel - Hospice Care at Home


CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:
  

Family of Teresa Duncan (Sara Duncan’s daughter, Gail Berry & Sherri Duncan-Smith’s sister) who passed away 3/18
Family of Bobby Quinn (Mary-Margaret Quinn’s husband) who passed 3/25
Family of Myles E. Brock (Elaine Mann’s brother-in-law) who passed away 3/27
Family of William Graham (Rich Graham’s father) who passed away 3/28
Family of Rosa Tejada (Rosa Longshore’s mother) who passed away 3/29
Family of John Oliver Moore (Janet Barone’s grandfather) who passed 3/29
Family of Lawrence Ferguson, Sr. (Chip Ferguson’s father) who passed away 4/2
Family of Gerald Forrester (Michael Forrester’s father) who passed away 4/7
Family of Robert “Bob” McGraw who passed away 4/7
Family of Jane Ashley Powers (Kevin Powers’ sister) who passed away 4/13
Family of Harold Farmer (Susan Burdine & Kelly Banks’ uncle) 4/12 in Tn.




SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST  

Madlyn Berkland, Jimmie Hicks, Jerry Meeks, Robert & Carol Pall, Family of Millie Stirzaker, Jenny Johnson, Steve & Elizabeth Gage, Scot Height, Robby DuBois (Ross & Margaret Tyser’s grandson), Brian & Ann Marie Purkheiser, Norman High (Sophia Garland’s brother), Shirley Willis (Jane Willis’ mother), Alan Maness, Frank Walters (Stan Walters’ brother), Sandra Anders, Jason White, Audrey Hampton, Lanier Wise, Jim and Elaine Mann, Pennie Wood (Dianne Smith’s sister), Debbie & Roy Smith, Jr., Marge Woodruff, Miriam Vickery, Tim Wilson, Rebecca Jones, Everette Reese Reynolds (Jim & Anita Branum’s granddaughter), Janice (Jim Branum’s sister), Jerry Riggins, Donna Bate, Faye Johnson, Charles Head (Don & Joanne Carter’s family), Jean Hamner, Roger Britt, Broadus Hall (Dianne Easler’s friend), Maple Shaw, Hellen Reeves (Joanne Carter’s sister), Joyce Pierce, Marian Heatherly


 
MPACT Partners with birthdays and
anniversaries in April
Jeanne (SeA) 4/1                   
Ethan (SIL) 4/1                     
Drew (CA) 4/9                      
Ron (CA) 4/17
Jessica (EA) 4/19                  
Kathryn (SeA) 4/21   
       
  
PRAY FOR OUR LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN SERVING IN OUR MILITARY
Lt. Caleb Robinson, US Navy - Guam
PFC Luke Redding, US Army - Fort Bragg, NC
Matthew Dorfman, US Army - S. Korea
Brandon Duke - US Air Force - Jordan 
Joshua Ruff, US Marines - Camp Lejeune, NC  
Minister on Call:  For assistance, call 864.583.7245 -option 6 
At Home Neighborhoods / Care-Pray-Visit
 
Members in Asst. Living /Nursing Facilities as Residents
Ashlan Village
Miriam Vickery
Peggy Gilliland
Peggy McIntyre
Mildred Robertson
Brushy Creek Cottages in Greer
Martha Turner 
Cascades Verdae - Independent Living
Len & Kay Carroll 
Chandler Creek Village
Norma Jean Lagerholm
Eden Terrace
James Ballew
Jim & Elaine Mann  
Suzanne (Suzi) Smith 
Grady Stewart 
Jack Tyner 
Joyce Ward  
Mildred Fridy
Bill & Ruby Jeffords Sr.
*Easley Nursing Home
Carolyn Crowe
Lakewood Senior Living - Boiling Springs
Betty Heatherly  
Magnolia Manor Inman
Samuel Lee Perry
Rolling Greene - Greenville
Sally Hutcheson
Rosecrest 
Ruby McDowell  
Betty Toney
Rosecrest - Independent Living
 Loretta Cassell  
Skylyn/Pacifica
Steve Satterfield, Sr. 
Madge York 
Summit Hills Asst Living
Elaine Bond
Lib Woolbright 
Summit Hills - Independent Living   
Linda Arnold
Henry H. Hampton
The Terrace at Lakewood - Independent Living
Betty Medford  
The Waterford at Columbia
Jane Littlejohn    
Valley Falls Terrace
Juanita Byers
Wesley Court Asst. Living, Boiling Springs
Helen Young
White Oak Asst. Living Webber Rd
Jo Ann Adams
White Oak - Independent Living
Harriet Baughman
Sara Hall
Jim Miller
Bill Osteen
Jean Phillips
Pat Tate
Lou Ann Walker
Eula Williams
Marge Woodruff
White Oak, Northgrove
Mirth Bolton
Jean Ivey  *Hospice Care at White Oak Northgrove  
Louise Keesler 
White Oak Manor- East Pearl St.
Sara Duncan
Winsor House - Greenville
Christine Woodsby       
Woodruff Manor
Dee Bolton 
 
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.
Encouraging Complete and Courageous Living in Christ

First Baptist Spartanburg
(864) 583-7245