E-Newsletter: October 2, 2026
SUNDAY SERMON
What does it mean to be part of Greenville First? What kind of church are we, and what matters most to us?
Continuing this Sunday, October 4, This Is Us explores the four Core Values that help define who Greenville First is and the church God has called us to be:
Encounter with God — We believe everything begins in his presence.
Equip the Believer — We want all believers serving and successful.
Embrace the Family — We believe church is more than a place to attend; it is a family to belong to.
Engage the Community — We are called to take the love and message of Jesus beyond the walls of the church.
This Sunday at 10:45 AM Worship Service: This Is Us: Embrace. Come expecting “More Than an Experience”.
HELP FILL OUR SHOEBOXES!
Greenville First’s Operation Christmas Child collection is underway, and now is the time to help us gather the gifts that will fill this year’s shoeboxes!
For the past few months, we have been collecting toys, school supplies, personal care items, and other gifts that will eventually be packed into shoeboxes and sent to children around the world. There are two easy ways to help: purchase items from the Amazon Wishlist or give directly to the church for Operation Christmas Child supplies using the links below.
Then, on Sunday October 25 from 4 PM – 6 PM, the entire church family will have an opportunity to bring everything together at our church-wide Shoebox Packing Party!
Every item purchased and every dollar given helps fill another box with gifts—and gives us another opportunity to share the hope and love of Jesus with a child.
Let’s fill some shoeboxes!
TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER
First Things First, a weekly early morning prayer gathering, is designed to help believers seek God before the demands of the day begin. Meeting each Tuesday at 7 AM in the Worship Center, this guided time of prayer follows the pattern Jesus gave in the Lord’s Prayer and leads participants through seven focused moments of prayer and reflection.
Each week includes intentional times of Praise, Priority, Provision, Pardon, Power, and Presence, ending once again in Praise as hearts and minds are centered on God’s greatness, his kingdom, his provision, his forgiveness, his strength, and his voice.
SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON
Join Young at Heart Director Rita Dixon and our senior adults on Tuesday, October 6, at 11:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall for a special time!
The theme for the day comes from Psalm 121:1: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. We’ll enjoy a beautiful mountain atmosphere as we gather around the table, share a delicious covered-dish meal, play games, enjoy some great music, and hear testimonies from those who have experienced God’s help in their lives.
There will be plenty of laughter, prizes, fellowship around the piano, and even a beautiful mountain backdrop for photos!
Come ready for a wonderful afternoon together. If you know someone in our Y@H family who may need a ride, consider reaching out and offering to bring them with you.
Tuesday, October 6 | 11:30 AM
Fellowship Hall
40 STORIES: ONE CHURCH. ONE STORY.
A new year of FCU Night School begins with 40 Stories, a Bible study for the entire church family!
Each Wednesday night, 252 Kids, 252 Students, and adults will journey through the same great stories of the Bible. While each group will learn and discuss the story in an age-appropriate setting, everyone from children to adults will be discovering the same people, events, and truths from God’s Word.
That means the conversation doesn’t have to end when everyone leaves church. Parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, and families of every kind can continue talking about what they learned together throughout the week.
The Bible is filled with stories of faith and failure, courage and calling, promise and redemption. 40 Stories will help every generation see how those individual stories fit together as part of God’s greater story.
FCU Night School meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, and 40 Stories begins this Wednesday, October 7. There’s a place for every age, so bring the whole family and grow in God’s Word together.
PARKING LOT EXPANSION: $100k GOAL REACHED!
We have more great news to share: Greenville First Church has reached our expanded $100,000 giving goal for the Parking Lot Expansion Project!
When the project was approved in August, the original congregational goal was $50,000 for 2026. We quickly reached that goal and made $75,000 the target. After that goal was reached months ahead of schedule, we expanded it to $100,000. Once again, the Greenville First family responded.
Thank you!
Because of your generosity, we have now raised the full $100,000 we hoped to receive this year. Combined with the church’s $50,000 investment, that means approximately $150,000 of this $200,000 project is already funded.
So what happens with anything given from here? Every dollar given now reduces what we will have to borrow.
We are not setting another fundraising goal or moving the finish line. The $100,000 goal has been met. But with three months remaining in 2026, we have an opportunity to make an even greater impact by reducing the approximate $50,000 we currently anticipate financing.
And here is one way to picture what your giving accomplishes: $3,000 = ONE PARKING SPACE
The expansion will add 66 new parking spaces, increasing our capacity from 99 to 165 spaces. With a total project cost of approximately $200,000, each new space represents roughly $3,000 of investment.
No, you don’t get your name painted on your own parking spot! But an individual, family, Sunday School class, ministry, or group could decide, “Let’s provide a parking space.” Every $3,000 given essentially pays for one of those 66 new spaces, and every space funded now is money we don’t have to borrow later.
Of course, the parking spaces themselves aren’t the mission. They make room for the mission. They make room for another family to pull onto our campus, another guest to walk through our doors, and another person to hear the gospel and experience what God is doing at the Greenville First Church.
2026 GIVING GOAL: $100,000 — REACHED!
Current Anticipated Financing: Approximately $50,000
Every Additional Dollar Given = Less We Have to Borrow
Thank you, Greenville First, for giving so generously. We’ve reached the goal. Now let’s see how much of the remaining $50,000 we can eliminate before the year ends.
Parking spaces don’t grow churches, but they can make room for the people God sends.
Click the button below to give to the Parking Lot Fund. From the drop-down menu, select PARKING LOT EXPANSION.
WOMEN’S MINISTRY SPECIAL EVENT
Greenville First Church Women’s Ministry invites all ladies to a special Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch on Saturday, October 10, at 10:30 AM.
Please note the change of date and day. Rather than the regularly scheduled second-Monday gatherings, the October meeting will be held on Saturday morning as a special joint meeting. Brunch will be served, and everyone is encouraged to wear pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This gathering will also provide an opportunity to remember three special women from the Greenville First family who have recently passed: Brandy Duke, Anna leRoux, and Gwen Duncan. A memorial tree will be part of the morning, with donations received in their memory and divided between the SECU Family House in Chapel Hill and Hope Lodge in Greenville, two ministries that provide support and lodging for patients and families facing serious medical treatment.
Winnie White will be the guest speaker for this special morning of fellowship, remembrance, encouragement, and hope.
Mark the date, wear your pink, and join the ladies of Greenville First on Saturday, October 10, at 10:30 AM.
EMMANUEL SINGERS IN CONCERT
We’re excited to welcome the Emmanuel Singers to Greenville First Church on Sunday, October 11, at 10:45 AM!
The Emmanuel Singers are a ministry of Emmanuel University, our denominational university and a place with deep connections to our church. Many from Greenville First Church have attended Emmanuel over the years, including Pastor Jim and Joanna.
Through powerful music and worship, the Emmanuel Singers minister both on the Emmanuel campus and in churches across the country. We’re honored to have them leading us in worship and ministry during our Sunday morning service.
HOST HOMES NEEDED!
As we prepare to welcome the Emmanuel Singers, we need families who can host students in their homes on Saturday night, October 10. If you are able to provide overnight accommodations for two or more students, please contact Joanna Gray at 843-409-8530.
Sunday, October 11 | 10:45 AM
Greenville First Church
Come ready for a powerful morning of worship!
PASTOR APPRECIATION SUNDAY
Join us on Sunday, October 18, at 10:45 AM as we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sunday at Greenville First Church!
This special Sunday is an opportunity for the church family to express our love and appreciation for our entire pastoral staff and to thank them for the many ways they serve, lead, pray, teach, care, and minister throughout the year.
We are also honored to welcome Rev. W.A. Mills, IPHC National Men’s Ministry Director and part of the Greenville First family, who will be bringing the message that morning.
During the service, we will take special time to recognize and honor our pastors and their families. We hope you’ll join us as we say thank you to those who faithfully serve our church family.
Sunday, October 18 | 10:45 AM
If you would like to participate financially in honoring our pastoral staff, click the button below to give toward Pastor Appreciation.
NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY
Our Neighborhood Block Party is coming Sunday, November 1, and for our kids, the fun begins as soon as church starts!
During the 10:45 AM Worship Service, the kids will enjoy a special morning of fun activities along with their regularly scheduled Kids Church service. While the adults are in worship, the kids will already be getting the Block Party started!
Then, when the morning service concludes, the party moves outside for everyone! We’ll have free hot dogs for lunch, along with an Animal Show, inflatables and games, Trunk or Treat, and plenty of fun for the whole family.
This is more than an event for Greenville First. It’s a Neighborhood Block Party, so invite your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to join us. Come for worship at 10:45, stay for lunch, and enjoy an afternoon together!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Kids Activities Begin at 10:45 AM
Block Party continues following the Worship Service until 2 PM
EVERYTHING IS FREE — AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
WAYS TO GIVE
The faithful and sacrificial giving of the family and friends of the church ensure the Gospel is preached and the Kingdom of God advances onward!
Sunday in-person giving can be done by placing checks/cash/tithing envelopes in the dropboxes located at each Sanctuary entrance. To give in person during the week, see Yvette Lewis in the church office or place your offering in the dropbox located by the office door.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer changes things—and you don’t have to carry your burdens alone. The Greenville First prayer team would be honored to stand with you in prayer. Whether big or small, your request matters to God.
Submit your prayer request today, and let your church family join you in bringing it before the Lord.
Email: prayer@greenvillefirst.org
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
