February/March 2020

The Cross Through Peter’s Eyes A Note from Doug Mize

Hello Church,

The Apostle Paul wrote this to the church in Philippi: “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6. This is also my prayer for all of us at Greer First Baptist Church for Year 2020. I anticipate that our Gracious God will carry out His work for each of us, and in each of us for His Glory alone.

Our 2020 Vision Team has been working for over a year and we anticipate that very soon we will have an encouraging update from them with recommendations concerning the needs of our facilities. I appreciate the work of this team and I am confident they have each sought the Lord and the best interests of the mission and ministry of Greer First Baptist Church. It should get very exciting around here as they begin to share!

Recently, I have been reading about our Greer First Baptist Church history in a book called “A Strong Tower.” It is incredibly interesting to learn about the first 100 years of this great church. I am especially encouraged by the faith of the people who went before us as they sacrificed much to provide a Christ-centered church in the middle of Downtown Greer.

It occurred to me that we are still benefiting greatly from the faith and sacrifice of these dear people from long ago. Our beautiful Sanctuary stands as a testimony of their great love of the Lord and their desire to provide for us. Now, we in turn can have a similar impact on those who come behind us.

Downtown Greer is newly renovated, drawing thousands of people to our great city. We have the chance for them to hear and be changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Last month I led our staff in a three-hour planning session for all of the ministry we hope to do in the year 2020 in the name of Christ. We are very excited as we plan for more mission trips, give away more in mission dollars and plan outreach for this wonderful community. You will find in the days to come that ministry to children, teenagers, and more discipleship groups for adults are also a priority in 2020.

I am also very pleased with the warm reception you have given our new part-time Church Administrator, Larry Bateman. Larry and his wife BJ. are enjoying their time with us. I look forward to all of you getting to know them both better in the days ahead. Larry is assisting our church in our day-to-day operation, and also assisting us with the implantation of our 2020 Vision.

There is much ahead of us! Let us enjoy the journey. In Christ,

New Sermon Series Begins February 9 Peter is the most famous of the 12 Disciples. He was also head spokesman for the group and certainly in close relationship with Jesus Himself. Peter did not fully understand that His Master would have to go to the cross. With argumentation and even a sword, Peter tried to keep Jesus away from His Cross. But Jesus was resolute to go to the cross and He taught Peter through many events what the cross really meant.

You and I can learn much from Peter’s “Journey to the Cross” as we, too, must come to grips with what it means to fulfill the words of Jesus when He said, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

It’s going to be a great lead in to Easter. I look forward to taking this journey with you. -- Doug Hey Church Family!

I hope your new year has gotten off to a great start! I am excited about what God is doing at Greer First Baptist Church and I want you to celebrate with me how He is working and moving in our worship ministry!

As we take a look back, I cannot be more excited about how we experienced God’s presence through the Christmas events of 2019. Our “We Need A Miracle” theme/focus was both exciting and challenging. We estimate over 450 people heard the Gospel presentation through various art forms in our “Miraculum” worship events. This production, which was seamless in presentation, was a team effort, and could not have happened without the diligent practice of over sixty contributors. If you see someone who participates in our worship ministry, please thank them for their hard work! God was glorified because of their efforts.

In January we kicked off the winter/spring season with regular choir and band rehearsals. At the first 2020 choir rehearsal, we held “Bring a Friend Night.” The room was full and it sounded great! If you attended and enjoyed yourself, I encourage you to keep coming! This year we will focus on increasing our choir voices, so if you have a desire to be a part of Greer First Baptist Worship, contact me and I will get you plugged in. I believe the Lord raises up worship leaders from within the church, for the church. There are many people whom God blessed with the gift of singing, playing an instrument, and/or operating technology, who can be used in our church for HIS glory. If He blessed you with that gift, He wants you to use it, and I promise, you won’t regret it. Let’s see together where you can use your gifts in our wonderful worship ministry!

Soli Deo Gloria,

Joshua C. Morton Minister of Worship and Church Development

Join us for a great meal, games for all ages, and a good time around the table with family and friends. Register in Realm or on Sunday’s Bulletin Insert.

Regular activities resume February 26. Friendly Neighbors & More

February / March Activities MISSION

Bible Study Victoria Arms Blood Pressure Checks & Fellowship Tuesdays, February 4 & March 3 | 10 am, Parlor Wednesdays, February 19 & March 19, 2 pm Meetings 11 am, Parlor | Catered Meal, $6 Ashlan Village Saturdays, February 15 & March 21, 10 am Tuesday, February 11 Devotion, Music and Fellowship The theme is LOVE and our program will be led by Moses and Donna Aleman. Manning Place Devotional & Fellowship

Thursdays, February 6, 13, 20 & March 5, 12, 19 at 11 am Tuesday, March 10 Volunteers, please contact Dottie at 877-4253 or 230-6327. Join us as we welcome members of the City of Greer If you play an instrument or enjoy sharing Bible truths, Fire Department who will speak to us about safety and please join us. give us a tour of a fire truck.

Game Day February Tuesday, February 25, March 31 | 2-4 pm, Room 401 Share the love of Jesus with someone.

March Hand out light bulbs with a card saying Love Is: “Jesus will light up your life.” Writing a letter of appreciation to someone. Taking flowers, food or other needed items to shut-ins or the sick. Expressing sympathy to those in sorrow. Ongoing Project Making the way easier for Christians who are trying to live right. Pray for Greer and Pelham-Batesville Fire Departments. Offering to bring someone to Sunday School and church. Pray for them every day and when you hear sirens; In short, love is Christian care and compassion in action. pray especially for their safety and protection.

May 2-8 (Tentative) Upcoming Events College Ministry Trip The Spice of Life | March 14, 11 am August 1-7 (Tentative) Service Trip A variety show presented by Anderson Senior Follies Block parties, VBS, and serving the at Anderson University. Reserved Tickets: $18 Puerto Rican community.

November 7-13 (Tentative) Construction Trip Questions? [email protected]

Myrtle Beach, SC, April 27-29 $189 per person/double room See Schedule at www.jubileeconferences.com NYC, July 19–25, 2020 Attendees select one of three ministry tracks during registration. You can

minister throughout the city to adults

and children (Streets & Parks) or

at basketball or soccer camps for children and teens. Register at www.spreadtruth.com. October 19-22 Questions? Please email LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge, TN. [email protected] Per/person: $269 double; $389 single. 15 spaces available Wednesday Night Fellowship

Wednesday Night Menus

Dinner: 5:15 - 6:15 pm in the Gym Adults: $6 | Ages 18 & under: Free Make reservations in Realm or Sunday’s Bulletin. Alternative menu is available for children. Feb 5: Meat Loaf, Green Beans, ELEPHANT ROOM: EASTER EDITION Mashed Potatoes, Salad Bar, Roll & Dessert 6:45 pm | Sanctuary | Led by Doug Mize Feb 12: Chicken Casserole, Green Beans, Begins February 26 Rice, Salad Bar, Roll & Dessert

Feb 19: Baked Spaghetti, Salad Bar In the Elephant Room we tackle the TOUGH questions French Bread & Dessert surrounding Passion Week and the Resurrection. Pastor Doug’s teaching will address the following questions and more. Feb 26: Chicken & Beef Fajitas, Rice, Vegetarian Refried Beans, Salad Bar, Chips & Salsa & Dessert • Where is Judas now and how did he die? • How many days was Jesus really in the grave? March 4: Ham, Broccoli Casserole, Mac & Cheese, Salad Bar, Roll & Dessert • Did Jesus “descend into hell” before His Resurrection?

March 11: Baked Potato Bar, Soups, • Are there any other theories about the Resurrection of Jesus? Salad Bar, Cornbread & Dessert • What is a resurrected body and where can I get one?

March 18: Chili Beans, Chips & Salsa, Salad Bar & Dessert The ability to answer these questions is critical to the believer as a witness to anyone who is not March 25: BBQ, Green Beans, Bake Beans a Christ-follower, including family members and co-workers. Cole Slaw, Roll & Dessert

Get to Know G1 Student Ministry We have an exciting winter/spring semester ahead of us in G1 Student Ministry! Along with our weekly discipleship, over the next few months we will be preparing for two BIG ministry opportunities:

First is PUSH WKND - a discipleship weekend for grades 6-12. Last year, our wonderful church family served and assisted, and we look forward to partnering with you all again this year. A member of the ministry team will soon contact classes about specific needs if you or your Sunday School class would like to serve. In the meantime, your prayer support is our greatest need. It is my hope that PUSH WKND will serve as a catalyst to “PUSH” our students closer to Christ and His mission.

PUSH WKND // April 3-5 Register in Realm Now. $65 until 3/1, $75 after 3/1; $50 for additional students

The second big ministry opportunity is our Boston Mission Trip - We have six adults committed to this trip, and I’m hoping a few more. We would love to take 8-10 adults and 14-16 students on this trip. We will serve alongside our mission partner, Encounter Church in Westwood, Massachusetts. Ministers, Chris Causey and Jason Hodges are dear friends of our Greer First staff and we couldn’t be more excited about partnering with them this summer! Visit http://encounterchurch.com/ to learn more about their ministry.

BOSTON // June 20-27 Deposit of $55 is due 3/18. Total cost $700 due 5/24 (includes all travel and accommodations/does not include meals)

If you are not familiar with G1 Student Ministry, I invite you to come up to The Loft any Sunday or Wednesday and check out what God is doing through our ministry! Micah Greene ~ Minister to Students Calendar of Events

February March Every Week SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 SUNDAY, MARCH 1 Japanese Worship, 3 pm, Parlor Lord’s Supper, 10:30 am Last Day for PUSH WKND Discount SUNDAY Japanese Worship, 3 pm, Parlor 9:15 am: Sunday School 10:30 am: Worship MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 TUESDAY, MARCH 3 Weekday Registration - Church Members Friendly Neighbors Bible Study, 10 am MONDAY 10:00 am: English Conversation TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 SATURDAY, MARCH 7 Classes, Library Friendly Neighbors Bible Study, 10 am International Dinner, 6 pm, Gym Weekday Registration - Current Students TUESDAY SUNDAY, MARCH 8 - TIME CHANGE 6:00 pm: Japanese Conversation WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Spring Forward One Hour Classes, 402 Weekday Registration Open to Public Israel Interest Meeting, 7:45 pm, Library TUESDAY, MARCH 10 WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP Friendly Neighbors, 11 am, Parlor 5:15 pm Doors Open for Dinner SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9 New Sermon Series Begins FRIDAY, MARCH 13 6:15 pm Prayer in the Parlor PNO, HIS Kids area, 6-9 pm 6:15 pm HIS Kids Check-in Opens; FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Half-hour Recreation Begins Valentine’s Day SUNDAY, MARCH 15 6:15 pm G1 Student Ministry PNO, HIS Kids area, 6-9 pm Japanese Worship, 3 pm, Parlor Café Opens Prayer Ministry, 4 pm, Room 402 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Japanese Worship, 3 pm, Parlor MONDAY, MARCH 16 6:30 pm Sunday School Leader Prayer Ministry, 4 pm, Room 402 Training Eveline Miller WMU Meeting, 2 pm

6:45 pm HIS Kids Mission Friends & TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Bible Study Begins TUESDAY, MARCH 17 Polly Lineberger & Eveline Miller Polly Lineberger WMU Meeting, 2 pm 6:45 pm G1 Student Ministry Bible WMU Meeting, 2 pm, Parlor Study Begins WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 6:45 pm Adult Discipleship, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 NYC & Boston Deposit Deadline The Elephant Room, Love One Another, 6 pm, Gym Sanctuary TUESDAY, MARCH 24

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Peach Patcher’s Quilt Guild, 6 pm THURSDAY Senior Adult Game Day, 2 pm, 6:30 pm: Band/Orchestra Rehearsal Peach Patcher’s Quilt Guild, 6 pm WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Deacon’s Meeting, 7:45 pm WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Elephant Room Begins, 6:45 pm Spring Work Day, 8:30 am Deacon’s Meeting, 7:45 pm TUESDAY, MARCH 31 Senior Adult Game Day, 2 pm

Interest Meeting, February 5 7:45 pm | Library Please continue to pray as Led by Doug Mize this project moves toward becoming a reality. Travel Dates: December 26, 2020 - January 4, 2021 We have incredible teachers on our HIS Kids Team, and in this issue we want to shine the spotlight on Lisa Arrowood who teaches our fourth and fifth grade class. Her words below reflect her heart for teaching children: MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

“I love teaching Sunday School because it gives me the chance to let a child know that no matter what, God loves you. With so much going on in their little world that we may not know about, during this short time I spend with them, they will feel loved and appreciated and have fun learning about the stories of the Bible. I want them to have something to look back on when tough times come and remember this time in their lives and say, ‘I am loved.’”

6-9 pm | HIS Kids Area “Who am I?” is a question many kids are being challenged to answer. To answer this question, we must first ask “Who does God say I am?” Beginning in Genesis, the Bible tells us we are each made in God’s image, February 14 April 10 (Easter Event)

but that image has become distorted by sin. The only way to restore what was March 13 May 15 broken is through a relationship with Jesus.

You can find details on our Facebook Defined: Who God Says I Am... Page with registration information. Our is an 8-week Bible study guiding kids to find their discipleship focus on these nights will be identity in Christ, based on selected passages from the “Fruits of the Spirit” and will include Defined: Who God Says I Am Ephesians. Through , small service projects. kids will discover who God created them to be and what is true about their identity because of their relationship with Jesus. We will begin this Bible

study at the conclusion of our current study, 13 Most Important Lessons About God. WEEKDAY MINISTRY Fall 2020-21 Registration

CHURCH MEMBERS - February 3 CURRENT STUDENTS - February 4 Family Ministry OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - February 5

We all want to protect our children from harm. The task We will not have summer enrollment this of talking to them about how to protect themselves year in anticipation of renovations. from sexual abuse can be overwhelming. I recommend Make sure you like our the book, God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Greer First Weekday Ministry Children Protect Their Bodies, by Justin Holcomb and Facebook page for updates and details Lindsey Holcomb. This book is appropriate for ages about the registration process. two through eight. Another resource I recommend is Amy Ponder, Director of Weekday Ministry https://www.stopitnow.com, where you will find a tip sheet to guide you toward starting this important and [email protected] ongoing conversation with children and teens.

I am committed to pray for you and your children always in all areas of their lives. I hope you will make your requests known to me and our prayer ministry through the prayer request boxes in the Gym and HIS Kids Area.

Blessings~Gretchen Minister to Children & Families

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Larry & B.J. Bateman

Larry and B.J. want to thank our Greer First family for a warm welcome. As Larry began to serve he had this comment.

“I look forward to serving alongside Pastor Doug, staff and the church as we journey together over the next year. I believe the Lord has something wonderful in store for Greer First, No Registration Required. and we will grow as a body of believers spiritually and closer to one another by sharing the experiences He has for us in the days ahead.” Staff

Doug Mize, Pastor Josh Morton, Minister of Worship & Development Micah Greene, Minister to Students Gretchen Durrell, Minister to Children & Families Larry Bateman, Administrator Dottie Bryson, Minister to Senior Adults Kim Keller, Director of Communications Carole Morris, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor Debbie Teague, Receptionist Rita Johnson, Financial Administrative Assistant Pastor Maciel Marques, Hispanic Pastor [email protected] Pastor Aki Shigemi, Japanese Pastor Taylor Wells, Band & Technical Director Van Brannon, Facilities Manager Bring your gloves and garden tools and join us as we Amy Ponder, Director of Weekday Ministry get our campus ready for warm weather.

Email Us 2020 LEADERSHIP TEAM [email protected] Example: [email protected] Doug Mize, Pastor Brenda Bright Alan Cooper Sheila Garrett Randy Hartsell Phone: 864-877-4253 Steven Hodge Family Line: 864-801-0015 Tim Howell Weekday Ministry: 264-879-3946 Jim Turner www.greerfbc.org