"How Can I Keep from Singing?"

As I write this, I am listening to Gloria in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi. It is beautiful and reminds me of the power of art to move our souls. Music possesses the power to lift my heart, stir my spirit and creativity, and capture my mood. We often choose the music we will listen to based on how our hearts are feeling. Maybe we are feeling down and want something to lift us up or we want music that simply meets us there, in our sadness. Sometimes we just want music in the background as we eat or socialize. Oftentimes, I turn on jazz while I am cooking or while my family and I sit down to eat dinner. I love music and cannot imagine a world without it.

Besides the pleasure of listening to good music, it is also proof for me of God’s love for us. Nature is full of music. All we have to do is step outside and listen to the birds singing. Why do birds sing? There is the scientific reason that singing is a means of attracting a mate, but the question “why?” remains. Why is beautiful sound the method. Do the birds sing only for a mate or do they sing for beauty’s sake? I believe it is both. I believe Jesus references God’s care for the birds of the air to emphasize both how much more God must love us and to point out the beautiful soundtrack they provide the world. For beauty’s sake, God provides the birds their food and for all creation, God provides the songs they sing so that all creation might rejoice with them.

One of my favorite hymns, which is based on Isaiah 55:12, is “Light Dawns on a Weary World.” The refrain is “The trees shall clap their hands; the dry lands, gush with springs; the hills and mountains shall break forth with singing! We shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace, as all the world in wonder echoes shalom.” This is one of the most powerful images in all of Isaiah’s writings and, in my heart, I believe this is one of the things that the birds are singing about. In their song is the reminder that redemption is coming and is, indeed, already here. That the day is coming when even the trees will clap their hands and the mountains will break forth with singing, as we go out in joy and are led forth into God’s peace.

I certainly recognize that in times of deep sadness, we might not find comfort in the song of the birds. And in times of profound stress, it might even annoy us. We might find ourselves wondering, what is there to sing about? But the birds will not stop, they cannot stop. It is as if they are saying, “how can I keep from singing?” It might be hard for us to make peace with the idea that the birds of the air understand God more deeply than we do, but I believe this is true. They know their creator without having to wonder and because they do, they know there is always a reason to sing. They sing for beauty’s sake because God’s love for us and for all creation is beautiful. May we all remember this when we hear the birds singing, that they are singing to us and all creation, that we are God’s beloved and that all will be well. 

Grace and peace,

Will

Organ Fundraising Campaign Update

Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge or contribution to the Organ Fund! As of April 27th, we have received $286,515.00 in pledges and gifts towards our goal of $400,000.00. If you have not already done so, we invite you to prayerfully consider a donation either as a pledge or a one-time gift. Pledge cards are available in the pew racks and at various locations around the church. Every contribution will make a lasting impact on this congregation's legacy of inspiring people to faith and service.

Click HERE to go to the organ information page where you can make a pledge or a one-time gift.

In the coming month we will be launching Realm! 

This means you'll see some changes to the way we connect as a congregation. More information will be sent out in mid May, but in the meantime click on the image below to visit our Realm webpage to learn more and update your information.

FPC Greer Financial Summary

Year to Date Actual Income

as of 03/31/2024 = $281,377.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 03/31/2024 = $222,506.00

Variance = +$58,872.00



Thank you for your generous support of the

mission and ministry of FPC Greer!

Let's celebrate another year

of ringing!



Handbell Social for All Ringers

May 8th at 6:00 p.m.

Cartwright Food Hall

215 Trade Street

Downtown Greer

A Word from Ally

"Deep Gratitude"

At the beginning of April, I had the honor of spending a week at the Kittye Susan Trent Symposium for Newly Ordained Ministers. This program, co-sponsored by Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA and Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, is a congregation-based continuing education opportunity aimed at bridging the gap between seminary and congregational ministry. A small group of us newly ordained ministers got to spend time learning from one another, as well as from many seasoned pastors and lay leaders. To say it was a wonderful week would be an understatement!

One of the unexpected delights was that I met many people who had a connection to the FPC Greer community, all of whom had many beautiful memories of this congregation. I especially enjoyed meeting Reverend Dr. Kyle Allen and Reverend Dr. Ed McLeod, both former senior pastors at FPC Greer.

I left the week with a heart overflowing with gratitude: gratitude for my peers who laughed with and challenged me, gratitude for the mentors from the week who sought to answer our many questions, and gratitude for all of you here at FPC Greer. I am grateful that you afforded me the opportunity to take this week of continuing education, but also deeply grateful that this congregation strives to be a place of love and welcome. What a joy and privilege it is to serve alongside you all!

Gratefully,

Ally

And that’s a wrap on the 2023-24 Youth Group Year!

It was a great year full of thoughtful conversations, fun, and fellowship.

The Youth Summer Schedule will be published later this week. If you do not currently receive the Youth Ministry Updates and would like to, please email Ally. 

If you are interested in participating in either of these groups, please email Loralea Wright. Please indicate which group(s) you'd like to be a part of and your share your name and contact information.

Sojourners Sunday School Class 

On May 5th, the Sojourners Sunday School class will begin a study of Adam Hamilton’s book “Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White—Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics.” Hamilton advocates for a “middle way,” believing that “any issue about which thinking Christians disagree likely has important truth on each side of the debate.” Come join us for what promises to be an interesting and timely study. The class meets on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in Room 104 under the sanctuary.

Registration for the 2024 Border Mission Trip ends May 1st!

Email Ally if you are interested in going.

There will be a pre-trip meeting in the Agape Room on May 19th after the congregational potluck lunch. Participants will go over important information. This meeting will be no longer than 30 minutes. 

Christmas in Action - Volunteer Opportunity



Christmas In Action is a non-profit organization serving Spartanburg County that rehabilitates the houses of elderly, disabled, and otherwise disadvantaged homeowners to provide for their continued safety and independence.

We have the opportunity to assist in rehabbing a home near the site of the Habitat houses this congregation helped build some years ago. The home needs new flooring which will involve removing old plywood and installing new plywood with vinyl covering. The work will be done mostly on Saturdays and three volunteers are needed for each work session. Please contact Cal Cannon at 864-384-5225 if you would like to help with this project.

With our support, Christmas in Action will continue to work on strengthening our community one home at a time. FPC Greer member, Deb Kladivko, has been the executive director of Christmas in Action since December 2022.

Prayer Concerns

Louise & Roger Ables

Luanne Baker

Judy Brown

Jim Caldwell

Larry Caldwell

Sarah Cannon

Traci Cartee

Rick Danner

Jo Earnest

Bill Greene

Barry & Diane Groce

Carlyn Henson

Bonnie Holmes

Jack & Beverly House

Bill Koehler

Abbie McWilliams

Dave Macer

Cindy Moore

Linda Nicholson

Bill Moseley

Judy Pearson

Betsy Porter

Linda Sandusky

Lib Ann Smith

Stephen Smith

Susan Tompkins

Kathy & Ron Vanderhoff 

Patty White

Hi FPC Greer! 

First, thank you, thank you, for the prayers, letters, and love you have sent my way over the last three years! Every single letter reminded me of my beloved church family in Greer and always arrived in my mailbox at crucial times in my seminary journey.

As I prepare for graduation on May 18th, I’m reminded of the memories and conversations I had with you that ultimately led me to Columbia Seminary. FPC Greer is truly a special congregation and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

Second, I wanted to let you know that, while I am not yet “certified ready to receive a call”, I have good prospects on the horizon and look forward to sharing news of my next journey with you all. 

Thank you, again, for playing such a vital role in my call to ministry. I think about and pray for you all often. 

Much love,

Victoria Robinson

Click HERE to view the latest photos of FPC Greer events!

The next issue of First News is May 29. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, May 27.