Jesus Christ Is Risen!

He is risen indeed! In this season of Easter, which begins with Easter Day and lasts six more Sundays until Pentecost, we focus on celebrating the resurrection. In worship, music will continue to focus on the “Alleluias” of the empty tomb and our scripture lessons will take us through the time that follows this miraculous event. During this season we focus on our greatest hope, that death is defeated and our pain and suffering has been redeemed.

In this glorious season we also focus on light, justice, peace, love, and hope and we often do so in our dualistic mode of thinking. That is, that the resurrection is light, justice, peace, love, hope over and against darkness, injustice, violence, hatred, and despair. In fact, I alluded to this very dynamic in my Easter sermon.

However, this week Franciscan priest, writer, and teacher Richard Rohr reminded me that we Westerners should always be aware of our dualistic thinking and challenge ourselves to avoid “either/or,” “black and white” thinking. One reason for this needed challenge is that it makes it hard for us to accept that all these things exist together. Rohr points out in his incredible book “Falling Upward” that humans are the only creature in the natural world that struggles with accepting that death is a part of living. We are the only ones that struggle to understand that loss and pain are unavoidable and inevitable and that there is nothing we can do to change this fact. Certainly, animals are sentient to varying degrees and many deeply mourn the deaths of offspring, but we are the only ones who live in denial. We struggle mightily to accept that death is a part of life. That death and resurrection are a part of a whole. We need only recall the dying that occurs in fall and winter as, now, we gaze at the beautiful spring flowers. The two, life and death, exist eternally together.

I write this not to downplay our suffering and pain, but instead, to inspire hope in resurrection. The death in Fall does not and cannot extinguish the glorious renewal and resurrection in Spring. Jesus once said, “Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.” Indeed, consider the ravens and God’s provision for them. And the lilies, consider the glory of the lilies, as they spring forth with new life and beauty. Resurrection happens everywhere and far too often it is our denial of and fear of death that keeps us from seeing this truth.

Why is it so hard for us to believe that death is defeated, that the resurrection is true when we are of the same substance of the lilies of the field that burst back to life again and again? If God exists in both the death and resurrection of the lilies, what about us, how much more value are we than the lilies!? 

So much that we do in this life is related to sustaining our living. We work, we toil, we worry, we fret, we run the “rat race,” and so much of this is built around our fear of death, pain, and suffering, none of which we can avoid. But we are God’s cherished people and “God with us,” in a life and death like ours, should prove to us that we are of more value than the lilies and that if they find resurrection, so too will we. Unlike the lilies, it is impossible for us to live without fear, but it is possible for us to see that death is not the final word and that the yearly march of Spring is proof of life’s persistence. So, let us keep the Easter promise close to our hearts, remembering that he is risen and with him, so too are we. Alleluia!

Grace and peace,

Will

Organ Fundraising Campaign Update

Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge or contribution to the Organ Fund! To date, we have received $236,370.00 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. If you would like a pledge card mailed to you, please contact Lisa Johnson in the church office.

Every contribution will make a lasting impact on this congregation's legacy of inspiring people to faith and service. We expect the new Cornel Zimmer organ installation to begin on April 22 and we will say "farewell" to our Etsy organ during worship on April 21.

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

FPC Greer Financial Summary

Year to Date Actual Income

as of 02/29/2024 = $199,232.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 02/29/2024 = $151,418.00

Variance = +$47,814.00



Thank you for your generous support of the

mission and ministry of FPC Greer!

Who wants to try handbells? Joyful Noise Handbell Choir will rehearse April 14, 21, and 28 and will play in worship on May 5. This is a great way to learn the basics of ringing and share your gifts in worship. All ages are welcome! If interested, please let Lisa Dillard know by April 7.

Reverend Pexa is away on study leave in Roanoke, VA at the Trent Symposium for Newly Ordained Ministers. First held in 2008, the symposium is designed to assist pastors in bridging the gap between seminary and parish ministry and is a collaborative effort between Second Presbyterian in Roanoke and Union Presbyterian Seminary. 

Senior High Mission Trip

April 12-14

In Asheville, NC



Keep the Senior High Youth in your prayers!

Join us September 30 - October 5 for the 2024 US/Mexico

Border Mission Delegation!

Participating in this short term immersion trip will help participants gain a deeper understanding of the economic, political, and spiritual connection that we have across the border. During our time, we will have the opportunity to foster new relationships with our siblings in Christ across the border, to gain insight into the work of our partner PCUSA mission co-worker, Mark Adams, and to strengthen our relationship with Frontera de Cristo. Participants should come prepared to learn and to participate in a variety of activities, ranging from learning experiences that will help delegations understand life in the borderlands, to service opportunities, all the way to devotions and biblical reflections. Mark Adams will be working with our group to customize and finalize our itinerary as we get closer to our trip. 

Sound like something you are interested in? Here are some important details that you need to know:

When: September 30th-October 5th

Who: The trip will be open to 15 participants, ages 16 and older. 

Where: Douglas, Arizona & Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico

Travel: We will be flying in and out of the Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport and the Tucson International Airport, with brief layover in the Dallas International Airport. Frontera de Cristo will transport the group to and from the Tucson International Airport. Please note that participants will need a valid passport.

Accommodations and meals: We will be staying in dormitory style rooms at Lily of the Valley (Lirio de los Valles) Presbyterian Church in Agua Prieta. Here, delegations have access to a full kitchen, women’s and men’s bathrooms and showers, and air conditioning. All meals are included and provided by Frontera de Cristo, though participants are welcome to use the church kitchen to prepare snacks and other ad hoc meals. 

Cost: $400 which includes airfare, registration, housing, and meals. Cost does not include meals in the airport, passport related expenses, or personal purchases while on the trip. A $100 deposit is due at registration.



Pre-Trip Meetings: May and September. Dates TBD. 



Registration forms are available in the church office or by emailing Ally. Registration is due by May 1st. 

FRONTERA DE CRISTO AND CAFÉ JUSTO CREATED the "Love Mercy, Do Justice" initiative to provide coffee for migrant shelters across the southern border. Thousands of women and men each week are greeted with a cup of coffee, a meal, and vital medical attention when they are repatriated into Mexico. 2,170 pounds of Café Justo coffee were provided to migrant shelters in these locations through Love Mercy, Do Justice in 2023 and 2024. You can help support this effort through your purchase of Café Justo coffee from the cabinet in the Gathering Area.

Rachel Crescibene from our mission partner, Thornwell, will join us in worship on April 14 to talk the organization's mission and ministry. Rachel says:

"What I love most about working at Thornwell is the people. God has called the most genuine, passionate, and hardworking people to serve at Thornwell. I love the ministry-wide focus on serving children and families and the incredible dedication to the mission."

Prayer Concerns

Louise Ables

Luanne Baker

Jim Caldwell

Larry Caldwell

Sarah Cannon

Jo Earnest

Sam Garrett

Beverly House

Bill Koehler

Cindy Moore

Bill Moseley

Susan Tompkins

We extend Christian sympathy to Jo Earnest and family following Hugh’s death on March 6. Services will be held at a later date. 

We rejoice with Sara and Graham Cobb at the birth of their son, Mills Bultman Cobb. Mills arrived February 29th weighing in at 9 lbs. and 3 oz. Congratulations to Sara, Graham, and big brother, Gee. 

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

The next issue of First News is May 2. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, April 29.