| Athens First United Methodist Church E-Steeple
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February 21, 2010
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Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Chuck Hodges Preaching
"A Tale of Two Brothers"
Matthew 21:28-32
Anthem: "My Eternal King" Marshall | |
Dr. Harry Heimlich was a lung specialist. He knew that even a choking person probably has a little bit of air still in the lungs. He tried to think of a way to push the air out of the lungs quickly so that it might force out whatever was caught in the windpipe, and he experimented until he found a way that worked well. Perhaps you have heard of the "Heimlich maneuver" and know how it has saved many people.
Consider how this might apply to the spiritual condition of your life. Are you choking on something? Maybe it "tastes like" bad choices, a backlog of responsibilities, too fat a schedule, or poisonous situations? Cars stop running if they get choked up. Sinks stop up too. Our spiritual lives are just as susceptible. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Dr. Heimlich had a quick maneuver that could help us catch our breath in spiritual ways too!?
The good news is that we begin one of the most important seasons of the Christian year this week. The Lenten season is a time to get spiritually unclogged! It is a time of repentance, self-denial and an acknowledgement that only God can save us. Our Ash Wednesday service took place in the Sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. on February 17. The palms from our Palm Sunday service of 2009 will have been burned to provide the ashes we use. And in that service, we were given a chance to come to the altar and start fresh. We paused in our busy, time-crunched week to worship a God who is never too busy and is ever timeless. The challenges we face in life can sometimes knock the wind out of us. Here is our moment to stop hyper-ventilating and learn how to breathe again. Sins can be forgiven and old habits can die a well deserved death so that new life-giving habits can be formed.
It isn't likely that any of us would or could hold our breath for very long. Why then do we put off the things that nourish our souls? During Lent, Christians remember what Jesus chose to do on our behalf. We take time to get closer to Jesus and to choose actions that will help us grow in holiness. You can choose to find out more about Lent. You can choose to pray, fast, repent of sins, and make changes and sacrifices that will make Christ's presence real in your life. You can also choose not to do a thing. There is no obligation to do anything in Lent. There won't be any signups or registration or fees to pay to observe Lent. Each heart must choose what to do, if anything, during this season. It's better that way. No one else can do your breathing for you. What we can do is encourage each other to take this opportunity seriously. Everyone needs a breath of fresh air!
Blessings,
Martha Aenchbacher
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Member News
AFUMC Sunday Radio Broadcast
Due to some scheduling conflicts with WRFC 960AM we will not be broadcasting on the radio Sunday, February 21.
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar, February 21, are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Fred Bradley Saunders by Mary Saunders and family.
Youth Ministry Philippines Mission Fundraiser
Murder Mystery Theater (Rescheduled)
Friday, March 26, 2010 in Hancock Hall
Tickets $15 Single / $25 Couple
6:30 p.m. Hors'doeuvres Served
7:00 p.m. The Mystery Unfolds
Tickets may be purchsed at the church office.
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Bible Study and Learning Options
Lenten Bible Study
Pastor John will lead a Bible study Wednesdays, February 24 through March 31, from 5-6 p.m. If choir parents need to leave a bit early to pick up children, that will not be a problem. Register online at www.athensfirstumc.org.
World Day of Prayer 2010
As part of our continued support of the downtown churches in Athens, our church has been invited by Central Presbyterian Church to participate in:
World Day of Prayer 2010
Theme: Let everything that has breath praise God.
9:30 a.m. Friday, March 5, 2010
Central Presbyterian Church
380 Alps Road
Athens, GA 30606
Fellowship Announcements
ISM Valentines Dinner
The International Student Ministry invites members of our church family and the Wesley Foundation to join us on Friday evening, February 19, at 6:30 p.m. in Hancock Hall for a Valentine's dinner and hip-hop dance! Volunteers from Wesley's dance team will be with us that evening to teach us how to hip-hop! Please email Lynn Bryant at Athens1stism@aol.com by noon on Wednesday, February 17, if you plan to attend.
February Senior Fun Luncheon
The next Senior Fun luncheon will be on Thursday, February 25 at 12:30 p.m. in Hancock Hall. Dr. Michael Adams, UGA President, will be the speaker. Cost is $6 per person. Make your reservation by calling Cookie at the front desk no later than Monday, February 21.
706-543-1442.
TAKE NOTE: Kids are Welcome in Worship
At AFUMC we welcome families in worship. You may notice a kid's note pad that we have added in our pews. These were made by recycling old stationary and other paper which is no longer of use. We hope kids will have fun "note taking" while worshipping in the sanctuary with their families. As you leave, please take your notes, and leave the pad for next week.
Discipleship & Missions
Appalachia Mission TripJune 6-12, space is limited to ten people. The cost will be $245. If you can hold a hammer, you are qualified. Sign up soon. Please direct questions to John Page, johnp@athensfirstumc.org.
February Agape
We will be collecting toothbrushes, toothpaste and sugar-free gum for our Mission Team to take with them to Costa Rica on March 6. Please drop these items in the basket in front of Tracy Trigleth's office behind reception
Autodebit or Drafting of Regular Scheduled Contributions
Athens FUMC now has a new feature offered by our local bank. We have the ability to automatically draft or debit your personal bank account for your monthly, bi-monthly, or weekly tithe or offering. This is a plan to simplify and eliminate check writing for those of you who contribute a select amount on a regularly scheduled basis. If you have interest or questions about this new feature, please contact David Walton at 706-543-1442. You will be required to sign an authorization form and present a voided check from the bank account from which we will draft or debit the contribution. Therefore, if this would assist you with your regular contribution, please give Dave a call. We are not able to do online payments for activities or tithing just yet, but this is great step towards making life a little easier for our members.
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YOUTH SCHEDULE
February 21, 2010
9:45 a.m. FIRST WORD 4:30 p.m. Sr. High WYC/8th grade Cross Ties/Confirmation 4:30 p.m. 7th Grade FISH (Lewis Clarke's house; bring $3) 5:30 p.m. Snack Supper 6:00 p.m. Mid High WYC/Sr. High Cross Ties
This Week...February 21-February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23
7:15 a.m. Youth Breakfast @ Watkinsville Waffle House 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut) Wednesday, February 24
7:15 a.m. Youth Breakfast @ Beechwood Chick-fil-A 4:30 p.m. Youth Area Open 6:30 p.m. Sr./Mid-high Bible Study Thursday, February 25
6:00 p.m. Confirmation banquet - Hancock Hall Friday, February 26 7:30 p.m. WYC singing National Anthem at Gym Dawgs meet vs. LSU
UPCOMING. . .
February 28 Confirmation Sunday
YOUTH COUNCIL (12:15-1:30)
Philippines Mission Trip Meeting (1:30-2:30)
Parents of Youth advisory group meeting (4:30-5:30)
March 19-21 Spiritual Life Retreat - Register online now!
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Amy's Ponderings - Luke 4:1-13
I wish I wasn't so weak! I started off the New Year planning on getting in shape and exercising every day. I planned on eating healthy and helping my family eat healthy, too. I planned on giving up fried foods because we have heart-disease in my family history and I planned on doing better for myself. Not even a month into the new year, I was tempted. Tempted to sleep in and skip exercise. I was tempted to pick up fast food, rather than prepare a healthy meal, I was tempted to eat yummy chips and salsa and fried chicken wings, because that was the easiest thing to do and next thing you know, my good intentions turned back into old habits that are hard to break. How did Jesus do it?
Jesus was motivated by faith. Not just faith in himself, but faith in God the Creator, the one outside of himself, but yet within himself. Jesus, even though hungry, could resist hunger, knowing that by doing this he showed faithfulness to God and not the temptations of the world. It's funny how when I give up something at Lent, it's easier to stay faithful because I am motivated by something outside of myself. I know that if I don't follow through, I let down God and not just myself. I don't think twice about letting myself down, but when it comes to letting others down, I'm much more motivated to succeed. Maybe that's how we need to see all of life. If we were motivated by God through everything we did and who we are, maybe it would be easier to stay faithful. With God's help, I'll give up something, so I can pick up faithfulness in Christ. How about you? Are you motivated by faith in Jesus?
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Sunday, February 21
Luke 4:1-13
8:30 a.m. Worship Service
8:30 a.m. Preschool Nursery
& Sunday School
8:50 a.m. Partners Too Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School
9:45 a.m. Worship Service
9:45 a.m. First Word
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
4:30 p.m. Alleluia Ringers
WYC Sr. High Choir
Mid-High Cross Ties
5:30 p.m. Carillon Ringers
Youth Snack Supper
Ladies First!
Newest Circle (JWR)
6:00 p.m. Sr. High Cross Ties
WYC Mid High Choir
7:00 p.m. College Age Bible Study
Monday, February 22
1 John 2:1-6
9:00 a.m. Children's Council Meeting
11:00 a.m. Circle 5 (Rm 119)
1:15 p.m. Monday Bible Study Group
5:00 p.m. Youth Basketball
5:30 p.m. Finance Committee Meeting
7:30 p.m. Volleyball
Tuesday, February 23
2 Peter 2:4-21
7:15 a.m. Youth Breakfast (Watkinsville
Waffle House)
1:00 p.m. Home School
4:30 p.m. Youth Basketball
5:30 p.m. Circle 4 (HDR)
6:00 p.m. Karate
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts
7:30 p.m. Volleyball
Wednesday, February 24
Luke 13:31-35
7:15 a.m. Youth Breakfast (Beechwood
Chick-fil-a)
9:30 a.m. Wed. morning study group
Believing God Bible study
12:30 p.m. Believing God Bible study
(Cont'd)
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(Wednesday Cont'd)
3:00 p.m. Fun gym
4:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry
Lyric Choir
Celebrate Chimes
4:45 p.m. Book Group
5:15 p.m. Cherub, Celebrate,
Lyric Chimes, Sonshine & Joy
Children's Choir
Express Bible Study
5:30 p.m. Chamber Ensemble
Wednesday Fellowship Meal
6:00 p.m. Knowing God's Covenant
Oconee Co. Youth Bible Study
6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal
Classes: Mid-High Bible Study
Sr. High Bible Study
Disciple II, III
Companions in Christ
7:30 p.m. Circle 2 (Jennifer Jones home)
8:00 p.m. Co-ed Volleyball
Thursday, February 25
Philippians 3:17-4:1
9:00 a.m. Community Bible Study
12:30 p.m. Senior Fun Luncheon
1:00 p.m. Home School
4:30 p.m. Youth Basketball
5:00 p.m. Souper Supper
5:30 p.m. CASA training
6:00 p.m. Confirmation Banquet
Friday, February 26
Psalm 27
3:30 p.m. Women's Retreat
5:00 p.m. Youth Basketball
Saturday, February 27
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
(Women's Retreat)
8:30 a.m. Youth Basketball
9:00 a.m. Mobile Food Pantry
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Wednesday Fellowship Dinner
February 24
Pork Medallions
Scalloped Potatoes
Green Beans
Rolls, Dessert, and Soups
Tea, Lemonade, and Coffee
Reservations required by noon on Tuesday (706-543-1442)
Cost is $6 for regular plate; $2 for pizza; $20 family max
Pizza available only by reservation;
please specify cheese or pepperoni.
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Financial Report
Budget for 2009 $2,217,633
Giving Goal through Jamuary $220,195
Amount Received through Jan. $248,432
Giving Goal for Febraury $158,012
Amount given after 1 Sunday $58.674
Budget for 2010 $2,256,872
Debt Reduction (this period)
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt $2,000,000
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Attendance - February 14
Sunday School 309
8:30 a.m. Worship 107
9:45 a.m. 193
11:00 a.m. 523
Total Worship Services 823
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February Ushers
(8:30) Jim Belger, Ann Brown, Paul Brown, Don Crews, Larry Deal, Jim Lyons, Candler Meadors, Olan Moore, Bob Noble, Grace Rabek, Ken Reece, Keith Wilson
(9:45) Chris Bostdorff, David and Jane Disney, Mark Ellison, Tom Milton, Sharon Milton, Marvin Reynolds, Al Rogers, Bill Trigleth, Dave Matthews
(11:00) Bob Green, Nat Carmack, Peter Shedd, Marty Webb, Joe Crosland, Ben Ayers, Ken Daniel, Cliff McCoy |
Offering Stewards
Bob Booth & Charlie Grimes, co-chairman; Nat Belger, Charles Braucher, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III.
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First Light Acolytes - Feb 21
(8:30) Anna Buchanan, Caroline Block
(9:45) Jennifer Golden, Erin McCollum, Kait Walker
(11:00) Lauren Covington, Jackson Keene, Parissa Shedd
Acolyte Managers: Richard Golden, Emily Harvel
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Nursery Parent Helpers - Feb 21
Babies: Jo'elle and Paul Yarbrough
Beginning Walker: Jason & Katie Lawson
Toddlers: Daphne & Collen Powell
2-Year-Olds: Dannielle & Gregory Hannah
3-Year-Olds: Merci & Dewey Johnson
4-Year-Olds: HELP NEEDED
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