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Thanksgiving

 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009

T H A N K S G I V I N G --A day to give THANKS to God for his provision for our lives. One day hardly seems adequate. Click here for a PPT presentation (Opens in a new window)to begin your thanksgiving.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving. However, in 1939, after a request from the National Retail Dry Goods Association, President Franklin Roosevelt decreed that the holiday should always be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month (and never the occasional fifth, as occurred in 1939) in order to extend the holiday shopping season by a week. The decision sparked great controversy, and was still unresolved two years later, when the House of Representatives passed a resolution making the last Thursday in November a legal national holiday. The Senate amended the resolution, setting the date as the fourth Thursday, and the House eventually agreed.

 

But, thanksgiving days date back throughout our history all the way to the early pilgrims.  What foods topped the table at the first harvest feast? Historians aren't completely certain about the full bounty, but it's safe to say the pilgrims weren't gobbling up pumpkin pie or playing with their mashed potatoes. Following is a list of the foods that were available to the colonists at the time of the 1621 feast. However, the only two items that historians know for sure were on the menu are venison and wild fowl, which are mentioned in primary sources. The most detailed description of the "First Thanksgiving" comes from Edward Winslow from A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in 1621:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, among other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed upon our governor, and upon the captain, and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

Ray Vander Laan Seminar

We are thrilled to announce that Greenville Nazarene will be hosting renowned historian and Biblical teacher, Ray Vander Laan in a three-day Seminar held Friday through Sunday, February 12-14, 2010! Ray is the founder of That the World May Know Ministries and has dedicated his life to helping others see the Bible in its historical and cultural context. Pre-Registration is Required and can be done through our online Registration Form. Please note: Child Care will not be available and Space is available on a first come, first served basis so please be certain that Group Registrations have entries for each individual!

Here is the Seminar Schedule:
February 12 (Friday) - 7:00PM - 9:00PM
February 13 (Saturday) - 9:00AM - 6:00PM
(1:15 lunch break)

 

For further details, please visit The Seminar Website.

ADVENT 2009

Advent (from Latin, adventus, meaning "coming towards") is a four-week season of preparation for Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent is (November 29.

 

Advent and Christmas focus both on the past--the coming of Jesus as an infant born into poverty in Bethlehem, and the future--the coming of Christ in glory to fulfill God's loving purposes for humanity. This past and future orientation is reflected in the readings selected for each Sunday of Advent.

Advent this year comes at a time of anxiety and hope. Many of us are struggling and are afraid for our future. It's not easy to hope when times are bad. Mary, as she waited for the birth of her child into an uncertain world, knew how to live with hope--to believe the promises of God. So Advent is a time when we wait, with Mary, for the birth of new life into a world living in the shadows of death.

The Year of the Word

This is my Bible, God's Holy Word, His love letter to my heart.
• it speaks of His movement through His-story to save me;
• it speaks of His redemption for all in Christ Jesus;
• it speaks of His concern revealed in the infilling, abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
Today, I hunger and thirst for a relationship with Christ Jesus, and I am open to Him changing my life through it.

Read the entire Bible in one Year, from Genesis to Revelation. Check for the scripture readings each week.

Sunday            •     November     15    :     Acts       7-8
Monday            •     November     16    :     Acts     9-10
Tuesday          •     November     17    :     Acts    11-13
Wednesday    •     November     18    :     Acts    14-15
Thursday         •    November      19    :     Acts    16-17   
Friday               •    November      20    :     Acts    18-20
Saturday          •    November      21    :     Acts    21-23

  

 

WELCOME TO GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA

We are located in the beautiful upstate area of South Carolina. For more information on the area you may click here. (opens in a new window) This site provides news and information about the upstate. We welcome you and are glad you are here!  For driving directions to the church click here.(opens in a new window.

• For more information about the international ministry of the Church of the Nazarene please click here. (opens in a new window)

• For more information about the South Carolina District Church of the Nazarene please click here. (Opens in a new window.
• To locate the church or see a map of the church's location click here.

• A welcome letter from our pastor awaits.

2009 Monthly Emphasis

JANUARY – Sanctity of Life Month  - 1/25/2009 emphasis

FEBRUARY – Celebration of Friendship – 2/15/2009 emphasis – Lenten devotional booklet written by people in the church.

MARCH – Celebration of Missions – 3/7-8/2009 Faith Promise, Emphasis on March 29

APRIL – Celebration of Holiness – Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter 4/12/2009; Emphasis 4/28/2009

MAY – Celebration of Family – Mother’s day 5/10/2009; Pentecost – 5/31/2009

JUNE – International Celebration – VBS – Father’s Day --General Conventions and Assembly –

JULY – Celebrate America July 4-5, 2009  Christmas in July

AUGUST – Back To School Celebration, SLC Anniversary 8/9/09

SEPTEMBER – Celebration of Community; Educators 9/13/09; First Responders 9/27/2009

OCTOBER – Celebration of the Church - the Body of Christ

NOVEMBER – Celebration of Thanksgiving – National Adoption Month – Emphasis  on 11/22/2009

DECEMBER – Celebration of Advent – Emphasis on Sunday 12/19/2009

SPECIAL LINK

SPECIAL LINK is a unique ministry of Greenville First Church of the Nazarene, directed by Carri Uram, that assists the placement of children in loving Christian homes.  Special LInk is a South Carolina approved adoption agency and a not-for-profit work to see children are placed in loving homes.  Special Link deals, primarily, with African American, Biracial and/or special needs infants and children.

 

If you would like to designate SPECIAL LINK to be the recipient of your UNITED WAY funds, you may sign up and use the United Way number 109908 to designate your gifts.

 

A link to their website is available by clicking here.  This will open in a new window. Or you may contact Special Link by phone at 864-233-4872.

MANUAL REQUIRED READING FOR ALL MEMEBERS

The "MANUAL" of the church recommends that every member read the sections on the Constitution of the church and the Covenant of Christian Conduct each year. 

"413.12. To read to the congregation the Constitution of  the Church of the Nazarene and the Covenant of Christian Conduct contained in 1-27, 33-39, both inclusive, within each year (114), or have this section of the Manual printed and distributed annually to the members of the church." - MANUAL 2005-2009

 This section has been printed and is avaiable in the foyer of the church or by request from the church office.  ALL MEMBERS PLEASE READ.

 

TO DOWNLOAD THIS PDF FILE OF THE MANUAL (30+ PAGES), CLICK HERE.