GrapeVine for the Week of December 18-24, 2011

A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF F IRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GREENVILLE , SC

Volume 8, No. 51 December 18–24, 2011

Ministry News

Calendar for the Week

The Academy, Michael EverhartACADEMY OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 10

You are invited to The Academy Preschool and Elementary Open House on Tuesday, January 10, 9:00–11:00am and 5:00–7:00pm. In the 2012-2013 school year, The Academy will serve children ages 2 through 5th grade. For details, contact The Academy at 235.0122.

Activities Ministry, Lindsay GrahamHOLIDAY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

No Basketball games or practices will be held Tuesday, December 20, through Sunday, January 1. Practices and games will resume on Monday, January 2.

Children’s MinistryFIFTH GRADE ROUTE 56 REGRESSIVE DINNER

All 5th graders are invited to the annual Route 56 Regressive Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 18, 5:00–8:30pm. For more informa-tion and to RSVP, contact Karen King at kking@firstpresgreenville.org or 884.9824.

College Ministry, Phil HargroveCOLLEGE-AGE HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Mark your calendars for these opportunities to reconnect with friends and make some new ones! For details, contact Phil Hargrove (423.3455, phargrove@firstpresgreenville.org) or Katie Graham (672.1757, kgraham@firstpresgreenville.org).•Sunday School: 11:00am on December 18

and January 8 in Room 357 (Youth floor), with Chuck and Beth Simmons teaching.

•Sunday Lunch and Fellowship: 12:15pm on December 18, with lunch provided in Memorial Dining Room after Sunday School

•Christmas Party: 7:00pm on Wednesday, December 21, at the home of Chuck and Beth Simmons (11 W. Hillcrest Drive, 29609). Dinner is provided; bring a White Elephant gift ($5 or less) for gift exchange. Contact Chuck or Beth at 232.4510 or simmonsfam@charter.net.

•Passion2012: January 2-5 in the Georgia Dome, Atlanta. Visit 268generation.com for details.

Educational Ministries, Tim LeslieCONFIRMATION CLASS FOR GRADES 6–8

Beginning January 4 during Wednesday Advantage (5:30–6:15pm), students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to attend Confirmation Class in order to confirm their baptism. This class helps the student to consider the claims of Christ Jesus and the Christian Church, the truths of the gospel, and the call to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The class will conclude on March 21 and students may come before the Session as early as Sunday, March 25, to join as active members of FPC. Please register with Charlotte Joye, cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.0309.

Evangelism and Missions, Brian StewartTHANK YOU FOR YOUR MINISTRY!

Our hearts are filled with thankfulness for the overwhelming response of our congregation to the needs at Hollis Academy this Christmas season! Thanks to your generous hearts, each of the 540 students received a book to take home over the holidays. Over 50 children will wake up on Christmas morning with presents of toys and clothing that they would not have had without your help. And each student has also received warm hats and gloves as a gift from their friends at First Pres. Your faithfulness and love have helped to show the love of Christ this holiday season to a community in need!

CONSIDERING MEMBERSHIP AT FIRST PRES?The next First Look new member class series for those interested in membership at FPC will be held Sundays, January 15, 22, and 29, 9:40–10:50am in the Parlor. Contact Chuck Emory, New Member Coordinator, for more details (cemory@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.1753). Register with Beverley Alberson (balberson@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.1754) by Friday, January 6.

Ignite Worship, Graydon TomlinsonTHERESPONSE CD MAKES A GREAT GIFT

THE RESPONSE album features songs written and recorded by the Ignite Worship Team, along with several familiar songs used regularly in worship.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, DECEMBER 18PastoroftheDay:BrianStewart(423.2660) 7:50am•ChoirRehearsal(ChoirRoom) 8:15am•WorshipService(Sanctuary) 9:20am•ContinentalBreakfast(MemorialHall) 9:40am•IgniteWorship(FellowshipHall) •SundaySchoolA 11:00am•WorshipService(Sanctuary) •SundaySchoolB •StephenMinistryContinuingEd(Room210) 12:15pm•CollegeLuncheon(MemorialDiningRoom) 3:00pm•Children’sChristianEdSubcommittee(Rm308) 3:30pm•ChristianEducationCommittee(Room308) 4:00pm•DenominationalConcernsCommittee(Rm261) 5:30pm•Route56RegressiveDinner(Offcampus) 6:00pm•YouthHouseGroups(Offcampus) •11thGradeBoysSmallGroup(Youth352) 6:30pm•12thGradeBoysSmallGroup(Youth354)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19PastoroftheDay:StanJohnson(423.2067) 5:30pm•Finance&StewardshipCommittee(Room261) 6:30pm•Life.Community(OldCentreStage) 7:00pm•TruthProject(Room308)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20PastoroftheDay:BobJones(313.5869) 11:30am•Children’sPartyatRollingGreen(Offcampus) 6:30pm•WorshipTeamRehearsal(FellowshipHall) 7:00pm•HealingPrayer(HarperChapel) •BoyScoutTroop11(ScoutHut)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21PastoroftheDay:PamCole(423.0677) 7:00am•LifeMen’sBibleStudy(Offcampus) 9:30am•PrayerCommittee(Room310) 1:30pm•StephenMinistryPeerSupervision(Room212) 5:30pm•StephenMinistryPeerSupervision(Room309) •StephenMinistryTraining(Room305) 6:00pm•ChristmasEveRehearsalGrades1-12(ChoirRm) 6:15pm•CherubChoir–age4-5(Room321) 6:45pm•NativityPageantRehearsal(Sanctuary) 7:00pm•CollegeChristmasParty(Offcampus) 7:00pm•LifeFemale20-somethingsBibleStudy (Off campus) •CarolChoir–grades1-2(Room321) 7:45pm•YoungAdultsPick-upBasketball(Gym)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22PastoroftheDay:PamCole(423.0677) 7:00am•Men’sPrayerBreakfast(MemorialDiningRoom) 8:00am•Women’sPrayerGroup(Room212) 6:00pm•NAMISupportGroup(Room254)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23PastoroftheDay:PhilHargrove(423.3455) 10:00am•BulletinStuffing(Room212)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24PastoroftheDay:StanJohnson(423.2067) 5:00pm•Children’sService(Sanctuary) 7:00pm•FamilyService(Sanctuary) 11:00pm•CandlelightService(Sanctuary)

Purchase your copy for $15 in the Vineyard bookstore. BUY AN ALBUM, FEED A CHILD. Each album sold will provide a backpack of weekend food for a Hollis Academy student living in poverty.

Partner with us to share the love of Christ through giving. Visit Facebook.com/ignitetheresponse to hear exclusive sneak peeks, view behind-the-song videos, and learn more about our partnership with Hollis Academy School.

Marriage & Family and Men’s Ministries, Bob JonesMEN’S IMPACT WEEKEND MARCH 2-3, 2012

Save the date! The Men’s Impact Weekend,March 2-3 at the Cove in Asheville, NC, will offer fun, fellowship, wor-ship, and adventure. For more details, visit FirstPresGreenville.org/mensimpactweekend.html. This makes a great Christmas gift! Gift certificates are avail-ableintheVineyard.

CSI:GREENVILLE SINGLES EVENTSAll singles are invited to Road Warriors Hockey on Friday, December 16. Meet at the Bi-Lo Center box office at 6:30pm to buy tickets. Questions? Jennifer Paramore at jparamore1991@att.net.

Prayer MinistryABIDING PRAYER EVERY TUESDAY EVENING

The Abiding Prayer service will be held every Tuesday in December in Harper Chapel at 7:00pm. You are cordially invited to come aside for this quiet time of prayer.

Women’s MinistryWINTER BIBLE STUDIES FOR WOMEN

New Women’s Bible studies will begin the firstweek of January 2012. Pick up a list of classes from the literature racks or visit FirstPresGreenville.org/womensministries.html.

AnnouncementsSTEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Thank you! to all who have turned in their commitment cards for 2012. Through Sunday, December 11, we have received 498 commit-ments for a total of $2,669,472, which rep-resents 58 percent of our total budget. If you have not turned in a commitment card for 2012, please do so soon.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONSTo submit recommendations for Class of 2015 Elders and Deacons, visit FirstPresGreenville.org and click on the home page banner; email Lynn Johnson at ljohnson@firstpresgreenville.org; or fill out and turn in the form found in your Sunday bulletin. Recommendations are due January 29.

FPC REMEMBRANCE GARDEN Our new Remembrance Garden, located in the courtyard outside the Loggia, provides a place of beauty and tranquility for memorials on our church campus. Landscaping features plants indigenous to the Holy Land, and benches provide seating to pray, meditate, read, and enjoy God’s creation. Engraved plates may bepurchased for $350 to memorialize deceased members, immediate family members, pastors, and employees of FPC. For details, pick up a brochure from the literature racks or contact Barbara Seibel (235.0496).

NEW FIRST PRES WELCOME VIDEOTo see the new First Pres Welcome video, go to FirstPresGreenville.org and click on banner #3. This is a great way to introduce our church to friends and neighbors!

Honors & MemorialsCHURCH MEMORIAL FUNDIn loving memory of:Lynn M. Gray by Mr. and Mrs. J. Hamilton Stewart III. Rex O’Steen by Mr. and Mrs. John Dullea.PLAYGROUND FUNDIn loving memory of:Sherry Thackston by Stuart and Amy Reynolds.TURNER MEMORIAL FUNDIn honor of:Peggy Abercrombie by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bozeman.RuthCope by Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Wood.

Member NewsCONGRATULATIONSThe Pastors and Congregation extend blessings to:Mr.andMrs.LucasMarchant(Jessica) on the birth

of a daughter, Katherine Reames Marchant, on December 5.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHYThe Pastors and Congregation extend sympathy to:Mr.andMrs.MikeFarry(Betsy) in the death of his

brother, Joseph M. Farry, Jr., of Spartanburg, SC, on December 8.

Rev.andMrs.Engrum Johnson (Lynn) in the death of her mother, Virginia Ruth McKinney Putman of Fountain Inn, SC, on December 9. Lynn is our SeniorPastor’sAssistantatFPC.

Looking AheadChristmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, 2011

5:00pmChildren’sService(Sanctuary) 7:00pm Family Service (Sanctuary)11:00pm Candlelight Service (Sanctuary)

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 201111:00am Worship (Sanctuary)

No other services or Sunday SchoolNewYear’sDay,Sunday,January1,2012

9:40am Ignite Worship (Fellowship Hall)11:00am Worship (Sanctuary)

No 8:15am service or Sunday School

Men’s Impact Weekendmarch 2012

Men’s Impact Weekendmarch 2012

Sunday Worship Assignments for December 18th Prayer ListDECEMBER 18, 2011

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

8:15amand11:00amWorship 9:40amIgniteWorship

“FROM FEAR TO FAVOR” “ASilentNight”–Part4

Luke 2 Rev.PhilHargrove

9:20am – Continental Breakfast (Memorial Hall)

9:40 and 11:00am – Sunday School

Wednesday MealsWednesday studies and meals

will resume on January 4.

8:00FirstWelcomeTeam: Jonathan Philipsen (DC); Carol Loyless (P); Jim Williams (RW); Mary Jane Meyers (RSMH) (Winter); Alan Austin, John Baldwin, Wells Black, Hunter Garrett, Scott Melzer, Jerry Murdock, Michael Pace, Jeff Paxton, Jonathan Philipsen, Mack Ward, Billy White (Ushers).

9:20FirstWelcomeTeam: Glenn Batson (DC); Rich Maris (FH); Marshall and Liza Barron (GE); Darst Guest (P) Patti Martin (CY); Lauren Thomas (WCFH); Will Sykes (CR); John Stelling (WCN); Tony Greene (WSL); Glenn Batson, Pat McNamara (Ushers).

10:40FirstWelcomeTeam: Bryan Garrison (DC); Heather Tapp, (P); Suzanne Rivet (CR); Beth Wallace (RW); Gary Wallace (RSMH); Charlotte Watson (MH); Barbara Franklin (WCN); Andy Anderson, Ted Blackston, Jamie Daniel, David Dykes, Bryan Garrison, Bobby Hoffman, Don Kiser, Bob Knight (Sub.), Jennifer Paramore, Jim Privette, Richard Rabb, Jim Rivet, Doug Stokes, Sara Morris (Ushers).

NurseryWorkers:(8:00)Angela Brown; (9:25)Grace Abrams, Mary Lang Edwards, Kim Day, April Garrison, Hannah Taylor, Laura Vaughn, Hope and Curtis Taylor; (10:45) Mary Dean, Susan Batson, Rita Brigham, Betsy Bloodworth, John and Jean Baldwin, Gaynelle Rabb, Lisa Hall

TojointheFirstWelcomeTeam: Contact Chuck Emory at cemory@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.1753.

To join the Nursery Team: Contact Evelyn Penkert at epenkert@firstpresgreenville.org or 672.1843.

200 West Washington StreetGreenville, SC 29601

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

phone 864.235.0496fax 864.235.0698

web FirstPresGreenville.org

Broadcasts:RADIO

FirstandForemost Radio Programon Shine 96.7 FM

Sundays at 10:30am

TELEVISIONFirstandForemost Television Program

on WHNS-TV FOX Carolina Sundays at 10:30am

December 18–24, 2011

WHAT’SINSIDE:

Wednesday Advantage begins January 4

Insert: Wednesday Advantage brochure

“The Response” Ignite Worship CD

College-Age Holiday Happenings

Confirmation Class for Grades 6-8

Men’s Impact Weekend March 2-3: Gift Certificates available

For more information about the ministry of FPC, visit FirstPresGreenville.org

Bold = New Italics = In Hospital

Andy Anderson IIIJulia Moore Bailey

EddieBellenger,Bill CaldwellSara Collins, Robbie EdwardsLinda Ellison, Louise GilstrapWalt Gilstrap, EvelynGoadCarterHenry,RayHollinsMike Johnson, John Kabas

Mary Ellen KeathleyBetty Landreth, BillMcLellan

Lena G. Perrin, Neill PerrinArthur Phillips, Tatti Samuelson

Gene Rishel, Cate SimkinsMary Simkins, Bertha Mae SimsFrank Spencer, Paul StoddardRuth Stoddard, Nan Whisman

Beverly Witt, Barbara Woodward

PRAYER REqUEST LINESPrayer Requests: 672.1838

Prayer Appointments: 672.1848Congregational Care Assistant Tammy Burkhalter: 672.0327

For more inFormation: Charlotte Joye at 672.0309 or cjoye@firstpresgreenville.org

2011-2012 academic Year Second Semester begins January 4, 2012

Luncheon Bible StudyJanuary 4–may 19

(no class April 4)

Fellowship HallLunch: 11:30am–12:30pmTeaching: 12:30pm–1:00pm

Studying 1 Samuel

evening Bible StudyJanuary 4–march 28

Supper: 5:15–6:30pmFellowship Hall

Teaching: 6:30–7:30pm various locations

Choose from many interesting studies, including 1 Samuel.

1 Samuel with Dr. Richard Gibbons, Senior Pastor

Journey back with us to some of the earliest days in the history of ancient Israel. Watch while Samuel fulfills the eternal purposes of God by being recognized as the voice of God for his generation. Samuel showed remarkable courage, outstanding faith, and unprecedented skill in his prophetic role. The lessons for us are monumental. Join us as we encounter afresh the hand of God on his most unlikely servant.

Wednesday Advantage