Latest News
The Branch—May 26, 2020
Click to Access PDF
Beautiful Messes: Hearing
Sharing stories written by our Youth Family of the beautiful messes in their lives. We all go through beautiful messes in our lives. Sometimes the storms we go through are very chaotic and we don’t realize there is beauty in it. I want to share how God has used my...
Bear One Another’s Burdens
Galatians 6:1-5 (The Voice translation) “My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don’t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. Shoulder each...
Thank You, Music and Missions Leaders!
Even though our year was cut short, and we missed our annual Children’s Music and Missions Showcase, we enjoyed a fun fall and winter of children’s music and missions. Our children’s choirs did a wonderful job of leading in worship on several occasions and sharing...
Roadrunners Fall Bus Trip
Due to the suspension of church gatherings, many events have been canceled. That being said, the fall bus trip with the Roadrunners is currently STILL ON! September 21-28 (Monday-Monday), a group from First Baptist will travel to the Dutch Country area of Pennsylvania...
Rustlings (May 26, 2020)
As we look forward to the celebration of Pentecost (Sunday, May 31) and the month of June, the voice of David Bowie is echoing in my head, ‘Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes…’ Some things will not change as we enter the month of June. We will not regather in our Sanctuary for...
The Branch—May 18, 2020
Click to Access PDF
Deacon Nominating Committee Election
FBG members are requested to submit nominations for the 2020 Deacon Nominating Committee: Charles McDonald will serve as the 2020 Deacon Nominating Committee Chair. In the fall, Deacon Nominating Committee members will contact deacon nominees equal to the number of...
More Tips for Worshiping from the Couch
Staying home has forced us to learn to worship in new ways and in new spaces—from the couch, on the porch, in front of an empty sanctuary... A few weeks ago, I offered some tips for things you can do BEFORE the service to help you get your hearts and minds ready to...
May Update for Youth Ministry
The youth staff has been in close and thoughtful communication throughout the ever-changing progression of this pandemic. We were hopeful that this virus would slowly fade away and allow us to safely gather for our beloved summer trips and events; unfortunately, there...
Rustlings (May 18, 2020)
Three years ago, our church evaluated its seminary/pastoral internship program. We discovered the model used through the prior decades did not adequately integrate with current seminary models or the needs of current seminary graduates. After much study and prayer, we...
Beautiful Messes: Wrestling
Our Youth Family wrote stories of the beautiful messes in their lives to share on Youth Sunday. In the next weeks, we will share some of them here. On November 23, I found a new sport that I love. On this day, it was my first ever wrestling tournament. It was at...
Devotion: Eternal Wisdom and Truth
I surely do miss our weekly Sanctuary Choir rehearsals! We have not been rehearsing during this pandemic, and I miss their singing, I miss seeing them face to face instead of on a Zoom screen, I even miss their jokes! (They are a pretty hilarious group of people at...
Port City Project
Mission is not so much an action as it is a Christian lifestyle. We often think of mission as going to an exciting location and partnering with local organizations to build wheelchair ramps and stock food pantries; however, mission is so much more than that. Jesus...
Congratulations, College and Grad School Graduates!
On Sunday, May 17, the graduates of 2020 will be celebrated during morning worship. Pictured here are those college and grad school graduates who contributed photos. —Mary Carol, Will R. and Sarah College Graduate School
The Branch—May 11, 2020
Click to Access PDF
Rustlings (May 11, 2020)
I enjoy watching children step onto elevators. If I’ve already boarded the steel box, I resist pushing any buttons. Inevitably, the child wants to push the buttons. The attending parent almost always allows the child to push ‘their floor,’ and then I politely speak...
Devotion: Seen and Cherished
A couple of weeks ago, Todd and I had the joy of keeping our 2½-year-old grandson, Josiah, at our house while his new baby brother was born. We also had the joy of re-learning what it’s like to sleep with a preschooler. (Picture him between us, the cross bar of the...
AYMC Pulse
Have you seen them yet—the fitness challenges? Caleb Avery and I want to keep you moving. Each weekday on Facebook (AYMC, First Baptist Greenville, SC) and Instagram (@aymc_fbc), one or both of us is challenging you and three others to do a specific activity. It may...
Beautiful Messes: Cancer, Friendships
Our Youth Family wrote stories of the beautiful messes in their lives to share on Youth Sunday. In the next weeks, we will share some of them here. Beautiful messes are found all throughout life, but an impactful beautiful mess in my life began in 2016, when my mom...
Congratulations, High School Graduates!
On Sunday, May 17, the graduates of 2020 will be celebrated during morning worship. Pictured here are those high school graduates who contributed pictures. Next week, college and graduate school pictures will be shared. —Mary Carol, Will R. and Sarah
Rustlings (May 4, 2020)
(Warning: this article contains generational references which may be meaningless to those under the age of 50. Please read with caution.) A long, long time ago in a cultural milieu far, far away, we spent our summers watching re-runs on television. At 7:00pm, we would...
The Branch—May 4, 2020
Click to Access PDF
Beautiful Messes: A New Horse
Stories written by our Youth Family of the beautiful messes in their lives. A New Horse: For most of my childhood I’ve ridden horses. I began as a small child just riding horses around on my grandfather’s farm to more recently competing in hunter jumper shows. I’ve...
Tech Tips
Hello! For those who don’t know me, my name is Will Dodson. I am the Director of Media and Technology, AKA the guy behind the scenes. Since we are relying on technology to keep us together, I thought I would offer some tips and tricks to make it easier and keep us...
Newsletter PDF
Access issues of the newsletter