July 22, 2021 | Issue 245 | View as Webpage
Greetings!

Just thinking of you all here in the middle of July! Trust all is well with you and those you love. I find myself saying, “God is on His throne,” to quite a few people these days. He certainly is, and has not moved one inch, either! Is that not the greatest to think about! He is always there for you and me..
 
Just the other day, in a meeting, a really close friend quoted Coach Lou Holtz: “If you want to be happy for an hour - eat a steak! If you want to be happy for a week - go on a cruise! If you want to be happy for a lifetime - trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord!” I am sure many have heard this, but it is so worth repeating.
 
Aren’t you glad you have given your life to Christ? Best friend. Best counselor. Best consultant. Best forgiver. Best guarantor. Best change-maker. Best life! I join with you in celebrating Jesus Christ.
 
He is all over our church and church family.  The Long Range Planning Team has met again and finalized their input on the Master Plan they spent all these months working on before Covid arrived and put everything on hold. The Steering Team is meeting now and the Church Council continues to meet.
 
There is a growing excitement and anticipation in our church for all the possibilities the Lord is putting at our feet. What we ask, more than any other, is that you pray and seek God’s face. We are so determined to share God’s truth with our searching world. You can feel the Holy Spirit move in our worship services and you can see Him at work as scores of our people roll up their sleeves and serve the Lord in so many ways.
 
I listened to an incredible podcast featuring Hal Foster this week. It blessed me so much. On it, he said something like this: “I am a Christian man who just happens to be an auto dealer!” I thought, “that’s it, Hal!” I am a Christian man who just happens to be a pastor! What we do in life is such a privilege and is so great. We can be very grateful for every opportunity and provision. Every business and every occupation can be used so mightily to bless many others when Jesus sits in His rightful seat.
 
For two weeks, I preached messages that began, “A Christian response….” Perhaps this is what Paul was saying to us, "be in the world but not of the world!”
 
We are called to be salt and light. Thank you for striving to be just this. The Holy Spirit is there to help us in our tough world.
 
I can’t wait to see you Sunday with your Bibles in hand.

Your friend and pastor,
Discover your place in Ministry this Summer
Detailed info at www.fbs.org/summer
Discover the joy of serving beyond Summer
There are many opportunities:
Greeting, Recreation, Children's, Preschool, Music, Missions and Media all have places where giving your time and talent can make an eternal difference!
CLICK HERE to discover more at www.fbs.org/serve!
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO WORSHIP 
In person is best... but 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 MESSAGE
Share our pastor's Bible based teaching with your friends and spread the Encouragement!!
Camp Voyager Highlights
A life changing week at camp for kids and adults! Take a look and plan to go with us next year!
Kentucky Missions Highlights
See how God worked through the lives of our students in the hills of Kentucky.
If you missed Dr. Wilton's powerful message 4th of July Sunday you can listen and share it by clicking HERE
A record number of 30,000+ views on YouTube alone -
Don't miss this message!
FROM OUR CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR 
We continue to be so blessed by your faithful generosity to First Baptist Spartanburg. As we move into the summer months, it is often easy to let our giving slide when we are out of town. With our online giving, it is easy to keep current on your tithes by setting up an auto recurring gift or making a one-time gift while you are away. Thank you for your commitment to maintain your faithful stewardship in every area of your life – time, talent, treasures and testimony. As a reminder, 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 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.
July Prayer Focus
Focusing this month on IMB/NAMB SEND Relief. Pray for SEND Relief to make a difference in areas where compassion is desperately needed in communities across America and around the world. Pray as they send workers as a response ministry to natural disasters, caring for refugees and displaced families, fighting human trafficking, supporting adoption and foster care efforts, and strengthening communities facing economic and physical crisis. Pray that through compassion doors will be opened to sharing the Gospel.  Pray that hope of the Gospel will make an impact to those hurting and needing the love of Jesus. Pray for the multitude of NAMB’s GenSend teams made up of college students that are serving this summer, including Lydia B. in Puerto Rico, and Ellie F. serving with another compassionate ministry in New Orleans helping trafficked and homeless women.
REVIVE 2021 is our church-wide prayer focus. Join with us as we continually seek to deepen our personal spiritual growth, our prayer for and relationships with our neighbors..

Daily Bible Study and Prayer STRENGTHENS us!
Today's passage is Revelation chapter 11. Consider joining us as we SOAP together. You can get a copy of our daily SOAP scriptures HERE. And if you have not yet joined an Adult Discipleship group discover more 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 205 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.

Let REVIVE 2021 be a tool of God to help us stay focused and unified as we grow!
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

This Summer, our preschoolers will be learning all about how they can trust God no matter what! We can have confidence in God’s love and the things He tells us. We can PRESS PLAY and follow God without fear!

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! 
KEEP INFORMED VIA TEXT!
Receive text reminders by texting @tkdupdates to 81010 and keep up with our events.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION ALIVE!
If you don't have a wristband yet they are available by emailing [email protected] or at all Guest Services stations on Sunday.
Life Groups are 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!
 
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
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

 Jesus is here for Us All!
We are here for You All!
So far in 2021, 9998 people have called/texted or emailed for prayer and 156 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                                                                       
Diane Eason                                                                            
Ola Adams (Ric Adams’ mother)    

Spartanburg Regional Hospital - Mary Black Campus
Mitch Byers (Susi Smith’s father)                                                              
 
Prisma Health - Patewood
Shirley Lyda (surg 7/26)
 

MEMBERS IN REHAB
(All Residents are on the "At Home Neighborhoods" list)

SRI—Northgrove
Bob Poteat
Bob Pall
BOB Neely                                                  
White Oak - Northgrove
Bryan Hines (Dale Hines’ brother)
Merle Parnell
Physical Rehab & Wellness Center of Spartanburg
Stanley Humphries (Judy Humphries’ brother)
Lake Emory Post Acute Care - Inman
Tom Boyter
Rosecrest
Mildred Graves (Darlene Williams’ mother)


MEMBERS IN HOSPICE CARE   

Mannie Horton - Agape Hospice House in Landrum
CR Rhinehart - Hospice Care at Home
Bill & Betty Woodard - Hospice Care at Home
Allen Hazel - Hospice Care at Home
Christine Woodsby - Windsor House, Greenville


CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:
  
Family of Elma Boniface (Julie Lancaster’s mother) who passed away 6/22
Family of Stanley Clark (Jo Templeton’s brother) who passed away 6/22
Family of Paul Lancaster (Jerry Lancaster’s father) who passed away 6/23
Family of Felix Bulsa (Derrick Bulsa’s father) who passed away 6/26
Family of Charles “Buddy” Vanderford (Vince Vanderford’s father) 6/26
Family of Mary Knipfer who passed away 6/26
Family of Betty Cooksey (Ann Barone’s mother) who passed away 7/6
Family of Eddie Payne who passed away 7/7
Family of Lula Bell Clark (Katherine Good’s sister) who passed away 7/13
Family of Doris Turner (Julie Turner’s mother) who passed away 7/15
Family of Marguerite Compton who passed away 7/21



SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
Adrianne Mack (Elda Webber’s grandson), Audrey Hampton, Jim and Elaine Mann, Pennie Wood (Dianne Smith’s sister) Marge Woodruff, Miriam Vickery, Maple Shaw, Roberta Fogg, Arlene Beal, Jean Lowery, Roy Lee Parker, Lisa Byrd, Suzanne Minor, Allen Smith (Morgan Smith Dennis’ father), Elaine Bond, Family of Jerry Casey (Rick Jones’ Friend), Betsy Whisnant, Drew Magaha (Jimmy Smith’s friend), Ola Adams (Ric Adams’ mother), Karmen Foster (Marilyn Dawkins’ great-granddaughter), Danielle Whitaker, Kaylee Hayes (Ron & Wilma Hayes’ granddaughter), Sandy Mason (Jon Mason’s mother), Madlyn Berkland, Robert Moore, Sr., Lorine Burnett, Emma Elliott (Luanne Bridges cousin), Allen Langford, Alexa Newman, Beth Johnson, Carrie Ketterman (Judy Humphries’ niece), Kathy Ratliff, Kim Messer, Larry & Rhonda Gable (Anna Nicholls’ cousins), Irene Long (Anna Nicholls’ mother), Brian Spears (Diana Latzka’s brother-in-law), Linda McClure, Cassie Dorsey (Ron & Joyce Dorsey’s daughter-in-law), Joel Springs (Sue Wilson’s friend)

 
MPACT Partners with birthdays and
anniversaries in July
Kellee (SIL) 7/16
Lindsay (SeE) 7/19
Ben (EA) 7/20


PRAY FOR OUR LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN SERVING IN OUR MILITARY

Lt. Caleb Robinson, US Navy - Guam
PFC Luke Redding, US Army - Fort Bragg, NC
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.
Betty Gillespie
*Easley Nursing Home
Carolyn Crowe
The Gardens at Eastside – Greenville
Margaret Kirby
Lakewood Senior Living - Boiling Springs
Betty Heatherly 
Madge York
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. 
Diane Butts
Summit Hills Asst Living
Rachel McMillan
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
Louise Keesler 
White Oak Manor- East Pearl St.
Sara Duncan
Winsor House - Greenville
Christine Woodsby
Woodbridge Senior Living of Spartanburg
Donna Garrison     
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