Click here for a monthly Google Calendar of all of our upcoming events!
It's that time of year again! ERBC is hosting the third annual BEAUTIFUL FEET 5K RUN & 1 MILE WALK at Furman University on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m. Make plans for your family to come out and walk and/or run to support the missions efforts of ERBC. This is an outreach event, so invite family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to STEP OUT with you for the cause of the Gospel! Registration brochures are available around the church as well as for downloading in PDF format, and please note that t-shirt deadlines have passed. You can still register for the race for $15 (the day of the race cost is $20).
This race has been well received for the last two years, and as a result WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! The needs are:
• A team to collect donations for door prizes
• One person to handle t-shirt orders
• A team to help load the race packets at ERBC several days before the race
• Race Day Volunteers: Set-up/Take Down, Course volunteers, Registration helpers, Food/Water tables
If you would like to be a part of the BEAUTIFUL FEET team, please contact Dana Swartzel at 420-2462 or by email.
Sunday, May 20 we will be recognizing our students in the 10:30 a.m. Worship Service. A special insert of all of our graduates will be in the bulletin.
Sunday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. we're going to enjoy a musical by our Children's Choirs called Jonah's Druthers, and immediately following there will be a Chili Cookoff in the Family Life Center! Sign up in BFGs to bring chili, cornbread or homemade desserts. Be sure to wear your best Western getups while we whoop it up!
Wednesday night, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. we will observe the Lord's Supper in the Sanctuary.
The Worship Choir and Orchestra will practice Wednesday night, May 23 immediately following the Lord's Supper Service in the Music Suite and Sanctuary.
ERBC scholarship applications are now available at the Receptionist's desk. Completed applications need to be turned in to Nora Nix no later than 2:00 p.m. this Friday, May 25. If you have any questions, please contact Nora at 244-2975, ext. 113 or by email.
We are participating in a Baby Bottle Fundraising Event for Piedmont Women's Center. Please pick up a baby bottle and fill it with change, currency or a check made out to PWC. Remember to pray for the work of PWC during the two weeks that you keep the bottle. On Sunday, May 27 return the bottle with your gift. Your generous giving through this event will confirm to the women of the Upstate of SC your belief in the sanctity of human life.
Please join us in our Caregivers of Aging Parents Support Group Meeting on May 30 in Room A-106 (next to the Library). We will meet from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., and you are welcome to bring in your supper. Barbara Jardno, a Family Caregiver Advocate from Appalachian Council of Government, will be speaking about their Caregivers Support Program. She is an excellent resource, so you won't want to miss her! If you have any questions, please contact Elaine Ott at 963-4422.
It's time to sign up to help with VBS! We are looking forward to Sunday, June 24 through Thursday, June 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. each evening, and WE NEED YOU! Please sign up to help as Tribe Leaders (Teachers), Shop Keepers, and other helpers! We have a board up in the Main Hallway where you can see the needs and sign up for them. Anyone 6th grade or older can serve! Middle and High School students can serve as assistants. Thank you in advance for helping!
There will be a VERY IMPORTANT meeting of all VBS volunteers (Tribe Leaders and Shop Keepers) on Wednesday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. PLEASE make every effort to be there and to be on time!
You can sign up your children for VBS online now on this page!
The Torchbearers Senior Adults plan theseupcoming trips: Callaway Gardens and FDR's Little White House Overnight Trip June 7-8 (signup and give Pat Billings your $110/person double fee by May 11); and the BMW Plant Tour is planned for July 24. For information and signups, please call Pat Billings at 244-2975, ext. 125.
For ladies interested in mentoring or having a mentor: please contact Kathy Oliver at 968-0580 or by email or Sandy Cary at 288-3463 or by email for more information on how you can learn from the life experiences of a Godly woman.
This year work hard to read your Bible at least 10 minutes a day, pray at least 10 minutes a day, and tell others and reach 10 people for Christ! The One Year Bible Online Plan can help you read through the Bible this year.
While we are still tweaking a few things with the Overflow Service in the Student Center, we are rotating Bible Fellowship Groups in order to provide Worship Center space. Below you will find the rotation schedule for the next few weeks. Each BFG will rotate about every 7 weeks, and we will mix up the BFGs in order to facilitate fellowship and connection.
May 20: Sorrells & Allen BFGs
May 27: Pressley & Smith/Tyler BFGs
You can sign up your children for VBS online now on this page!
THANK YOU to everyone who helped with the Good News Club Teacher Appreciation Meal this past Monday! It was a HUGE success, and all the faculty and staff were so appreciative. The kids were very excited that we were there, too. Thank you for helping us show the love to Jesus to Lake Forest Elementary!
Sunday, May 27 will be the last Sunday for Children's Church. Beginning Sunday, June 3, all children K5 and older will attend morning Worship Service with their parents. We will not resume Children's Church in the fall. Thank you to all those who have volunteered in Children's Church over the past few years!
It is not too early to be thinking about serving in our Family Ministries area next year. Teachers and leaders are needed for Superstars and AWANA! If you are interested please contact Pastor Travis as soon as possible at 244-2975, ext. 121 or by email.
AWANA Announcements:
CONGRATULATIONS to our AWANA club! Overall, the boys and girls brought in 6,202 POUNDS of donations for Miracle Hill. Way to go, AWANA! These donations resulted in a huge amount of gift cards that we are able to give out to people who come to our church with needs. We can give them the gift cards and they can shop at any of the Miracle Hill stores. Thank you to everyone who helped support this mission project!
AWANA schedule for the remainder of the year: May 30 – AWANA Awards Night! The entire church is invited to Awards Night.
If you need to say verses to finish your book you can come by the church and say verses to Pastor Travis.
Other Announcements:
Our annual Girls' Getaway for all girls who are currently in 1st – 4th grade (and their moms) will be held at the church on Friday, July 27 and Saturday, July 28. Cost is $30 for a mom and one daughter or $40 for a mom and two daughters.
ATTENTION ALL CURRENT 5TH GRADE BOYS & GIRLS! Our 2nd annual 5th Grade Boot Camp will take place on Monday, July 30! We will meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. for a day of fun and preparing you for middle school and the church youth group. We will play games at the church, go out to eat at a restaurant, and go to Awanita Camp for a challenge/adventure course! We will end some time late that afternoon. Cost is only $20 per child!
You can register for the Girls' Getaway or the 5th Grade Boot Camp by contacting Ginger Hall at 244-2975, ext. 121 or by email.
Total fees for Children's Camp and Camp McCall must be paid no later than Tuesday, May 22. Please pick up your camp paperwork from Pastor Travis!
If you would be interested in providing a scholarship for a child to go to Children's Camp please contact Pastor Travis at 244-2975, ext. 121 or by email. Thank you!
Non-returnable donations of plastic or silk greenery and flowers are needed for the upcoming Babylon VBS June 24 - 28. These items can be left in the front office to the attention of Amy Sweeney.
PICTURES: You may notice in the Worship Guide each week and occasionally in the newsletter we run pictures of our ERBC families who are part of Family Ministries. If you would like your family picture to be used in the rotation or if you would like to submit an updated picture, we would love to have it! Simply email it to Pastor Travis.
Fit for Him Fitness Classes continue with the following schedule:
PILATES: Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. in FLC-110
Harry King has agreed to lead a group in learning how to kayak! The class will take place on beautiful Lake Robinson in Greer, and kayaks will be provided if you don't have your own. If you are interested, contact Harry at 244-7380 or by email.
The WMU (Women's Missionary Union) has a new Women On Mission group on the second Wednesday of each month during the Wednesday Night Dinner hour. Bring your tray of food and meet in FLC-110 from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. If you can't be there by 5:15 p.m., come when you can. All women are welcome! Call Pat Ward at 834-8777 or Sarah Allen at 244-0845 for more information.
Child Evangelism Fellowship is promoting their 8th Annual Golf Classic to be held May 7 and June 5. There are lots of sponsorship opportunities, and you can also enter to play at either the Keowee Vineyards or Walnut Cove courses. More information is available at the Ministry Information Center in the main hallway or on the Child Evangelism Fellowship website.
Contact Ed Chandler at 244-9153 for more details on how you can be involved in bringing the Gospel to the inmates of the KAIROS Prison Ministry.
Be sure to Like the Women's Ministry on Facebook!
You can pick up a pictorial directory anytime during normal business hours (Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.) in the main office.
You can find out more about Weekday school year registration at the ERBC Preschool website.
If you are going through primary or secondary infertility, please join Journey to Peace for a time of encouragement and Bible study. Each session is led by women who have experienced infertility but know a great God Who is even greater than our circumstances. Led by Becky Herlong and Carri Medcalf. Please contact Ginger at Edwards Road Baptist Church at 244-2975 or by email for more details.
A Bible Fellowship Group for men of all ages is available Sunday mornings in Room FLC-109 at 9:00 a.m. Mark Hopper is teaching and facilitating this class that reaches out to men of any age group who may be looking for a new venue. Come with ideas to share, and look forward to a group that will create new opportunities to encourage and help you grow spiritually!
The SingleMinded 30+ Bible Fellowship Group ladies now have the opportunity to attend the Heath/Martin Women's class that meets in the Library at 9:00 a.m. The men are encouraged to attend the BFG (also at 9:00 a.m.) for men of all ages in Room FLC-109 with Mark Hopper.
You can now check the new ERBC Singles page for more information, and join our Facebook group. Be sure to join us for The Fear Factor, the new Sunday Night L.I.F.E. Bible study at 6:00 p.m.!
Miracle Hill Ministries is recruiting Christian foster parents to care for foster children of all ages on a full-time basis as well as respite basis. Any adult (single or married) who has a heart for working with needy children is welcome to apply. Miracle Hill works with DSS to place children from the Upstate in foster homes throughout the community. Background checks, training classes, paperwork and a home study are required. You may contact Brenda Mansel or Sharon Betts at 878-9987 to begin the licensing process or for additional information.
Greenville Literacy Association needs many volunteers to help other adults improve their reading, writing and math skills, prepare for the GED or learn to speak English. No prior teaching experience or second language skills are required. Greenville Literacy provides training, and their next training workshop is scheduled for June 23. For more information, please call 467-3456 or visit www.greenvilleliteracy.org.
What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approve ours. Helga Bergold Gross
It is ERBC’s vision to provide a house – shelter – for families to transition into permanent housing. Several years ago God blessed ERBC with 60 acres on the corner of Devenger and Hudson Roads. Not only did He provide land for the future ministry expansion; He provided 3 existing houses on the same property. The Devenger House at 205 Devenger Road (near the ERBC soccer fields) has been under renovation for over a year. The goal is to allow local ministries (GAIHN) to use the Devenger House to transition families without a home into permanent housing. Thanks to many ERBC members who have donated their time, talent and treasure to prepare this house. Pray to see how God would use you!
Mom’s Day Out for babies through 2 year olds and K-3 through K-5 is open to the public. Please call 292-0194 for more information, and you can also visit our new website.
The South Carolina Heart Gallery is a photo exhibit displayed in the main hallway that features adoptable children from the SC foster care system. Local photographers donate their time and services to photograph the waiting children. The Heart Gallery basically puts a face on the need by letting people see these children’s faces in the photos. The goal is to raise awareness of the need for adoptive families and to hopefully find homes for these kids by letting their personalities shine through the pictures.