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Rustlings (October 19, 2020)
I rarely repeat sermons. I have ‘conference/retreat’ sessions that I’ve repeated numerous times, but rarely do complete sermons garner a second chance in the pulpit. Having said that, I often find myself repeating stories told in sermons, poems recited in sermons,...
Finding Stillness
I find it on the labyrinth—that round stone paver pathway beside our Columbarium and Remembrance Garden on the church grounds. When the world around me and the world within me just won’t quiet down, that’s where I go to find it. As I start walking that maze inward, I...
Meet Our Staff: Facilities
Keeping the 240,000 square feet of First Baptist Greenville maintained, cleaned and set up for ministry is quite a job. During these days of COVID-19, it must also be kept sanitized and safe. We have a wonderful team of facilities personnel (often unseen) who...
First Baptist 101: Virtual
This series is for guests, visitors and newer members who want a broad overview of the life of the church, as well as a way to get answers to more specific questions. In addition, this is a great way to meet other newcomers, as there will be plenty of opportunity for...
New Online Worship Platform Coming Soon!
Hello everyone! Your friendly Media and Technology Coordinator, Will Dodson, here with some exciting news. I’ll cut right to the chase. Starting on November 1, First Baptist will be using vimeo.com to host our livestreams and other video content. This next step is a...
The Branch—October 19, 2020
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Protecting Our Children
In 1998, First Baptist Church took proactive steps to create a program called Protecting Our Children. This was a preventive measure to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse occurring in our church. When our program began, volunteers were asked to sign a covenant that...
A Small Box of Our Love and Prayers
College Care Package Ministry Sometimes, there’s nothing like receiving some good ol’ snail mail, particularly when you are away at college. Students always enjoy receiving care packages from home as a little reminder that they are remembered by those who love them....
Hosting in a Pandemic
It’s a dilemma: how do we provide hospitality at our church for families experiencing homelessness during a pandemic? One of the ways our church is involved in our community during “normal times” is to participate with the United Ministries IHN program in providing...
Rustlings (October 12, 2020)
As we step into the last quarter of 2020, I’m keenly aware of what and who we have lost this year. Weekly, your ministers counsel with members of the church and community who are grieving the loss of events, milestones and even worse, souls that have been close to us...
The Branch—October 12, 2020
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The Branch—October 5, 2020
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Sunday Drive
Enjoy these photos from our Sunday Drive service! Thank you, Sarah Farrar, Beth Holder, Todd Ramsey and Cherington Shucker for sharing them with us! —Becky
Membership and Participation from a Distance
These days, instead of enjoying community in our physical small group spaces, greeting each other as we find our pews, and gathering to volunteer or meet on church grounds, we are logging in, zooming in, and chatting in virtual hallways—and not just us locals either....
Trunk or Treat Changes for 2020
For the last several years, First Baptist has provided a Trunk or Treat experience for the neighborhood children of Nicholtown. We were the host for the first two years, and all the children came to the parking lot of First Baptist. Although the event was very...
Meet the Staff
For the past several weeks you have had the opportunity to meet our church staff in the pages of The Branch. This week, we meet our administrative staff. Each of these individuals give oversight to a particular area of our church’s ministry and mission.Jim Dant...
Rustlings (October 5, 2020)
This past weekend, I traveled for the first time since January. I took all appropriate COVID-19 measures: sanitized before and after fueling my car, was privileged to have two nights lodging in a safe and beautiful home, and was masked during any contact with other...
AYMC Pulse
These smiling eyes don’t lie. Caleb and I are excited to announce that the AYMC hours have been extended. Starting September 28, in addition to Monday-Friday, 8am-12noon, we will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5-7pm. With the days growing shorter and...
Fall Gathering—Alliance of Baptists
In the spring of 2017, a group of First Baptist Greenville members and staff participated in the annual Alliance of Baptists Gathering in Raleigh. This was one of the more memorable Alliance gatherings I have attended over the years, largely because of the keynote...
Meet the Staff—Spiritual Development
This week, please take time to get to know these members of our staff who provide pathways of spiritual development for the varied members of our church. Individually, they primarily address particular age-groups within the congregation. Collectively, however, they...
Rustlings (September 28, 2020)
I guess it is time for a confession…and the accompanying challenge… The confession… I sat down at the piano last week for the first time in twenty-three years. I adjusted the stool, placed my fingers above the keys in middle C position, and attempted to play a scale....
The Branch—September 28, 2020
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A Different Kind of Beginning
First Baptist Day School has gotten off to a good start! We have put many health and safety guidelines in place to ensure that we provide as safe and healthy of an environment as we can during this COVID-19 time. Teachers, children and parents seem to be quite happy...
Party at the Drive Through
Enjoy these photos from our recent Drive Through Party given by the Preschool and Children’s Ministries. Even a dragon and a hippo showed up for the fun! —Juli and Becky
Sign Up Now: Grief Support Group Led by Kendra
SIX MONDAYS, October 5-November 9, 4–5 PM, VIA ZOOM It’s always hard to lose a loved one, but with the restrictive reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has been an extraordinarily hard time to say our good-byes. From restrictions on hospital and nursing home...
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