Athens First United Methodist Church E-Steeple
 
February 28, 2010
 
Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Chuck Hodges Preaching
"Initiative: you won't leave home without it"
Numbers 13:17-33


 
Anthem: "Take My Life and Let It Be" Sedio
 
"Celebrating 100 Years"
 
    

The Tuck Sunday School Class will be celebrating our 100th Anniversary on Sunday February 28, 2010 in Hancock Hall. The program will recognize our rich history and heritage of the class and of the church over the last 100 years.

One hundred years ago, a new Sunday School Class was created in our church. Judge Henry C. Tuck entered the University of Georgia at the age of fourteen and graduated first in his class in 1881. When he was only twenty-seven years old, he was mayor of Athens. He was never defeated for political office and was an attorney for more than fifty years. Phi Beta Kappa was unknown at that time in his early life, but his record earned him an invitation to membership in later life.

Judge Henry C. Tuck's Sunday School Class has had members who were, and are still, college professors, carpenters, doctors, entrepreneurs, railroad men, lawyers, butchers, congressmen, undertakers, real estate men, insurance men, theater managers, tailors, bakers, truckers, musicians, old men, young men, poor men, wealthy men, Methodists and many other men of different religions.

From its earliest days, the reputation of the Tuck Sunday School Class has grown because of its dedicated members, teachers, pianists and overall church leaders. We are all proud to be a part of this enduring legacy.

 

Class President

 

Edd Lowe

 
Member News
 
New Arrival
Congratulations to:
Matthew and Annie Wilkes on the birth of their son, Maddox Laurens Wilkes, on February 18. He is the grandson of David and Barbara McConnell.
 
Baptism
John Reynolds McCoy received the Sacrament of Baptism on February 21 in our Sanctuary. Jack is the son of Cliff and Molly McCoy.

Robert Burke Seagraves, III received the Sacrament of Baptism on February 21 in our Sanctuary. Burke is the son of Beau and Hilary Seagraves.
 
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Donnie and Nicki Goodwin, 733 Weeping Willow Drive, Athens, Georgia 30605. 706-850-6615.

Adam Kirby and Emily Blum, 1055 Baxter Street, Apt. 201, Athens, Georgia 30606.
Carol Norstedt, 1351 Lake Wellbrook Drive, Athens, Georgia 30606. 706-705-1336. Children, Erik and Karl, join as baptized members.

Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar, February 28, are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Melba Joy Parker by Olin Parker, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
  
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
 
Easter Morning Nurseries and Preschool Rooms
Come be the loving hands and hearts of Jesus

In anticipation of Easter morning, we are looking for volunteers to serve in the nursery and preschool rooms. This is a wonderful mission to show God's love to the children and families. Volunteers are needed to work along with nursery workers and Sunday school teachers at the 9:45 or 11:00 o'clock Sunday school and worship hours in each nursery and preschool room. Each family will have the opportunity to share Easter with children and worship in a service. If you are able to serve, please contact Jennifer Chambers at (706) 714-3562 or at jbchambers211@bellsouth.net. Thank you.
 
Discipleship & Missions

Appalachia Mission Trip
June 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.

Featured Section

 

A Message for YOU...TH!

YOUTH SCHEDULE
 
February 28, 2010
9:45 a.m.   FIRST WORD
9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Confirmation Sunday
12:15 p.m. Youth Council Meeting
1:30 p.m.   Philippines Mission Team Meeting
4:30 p.m.   Parents of Youth advisory group meeting
4:30 p.m.   Confirmation Party!
4:30 p.m.   Combined Cross Ties "Mission in Culture Night"
Grades: be prepared to share a little something about the country your grade chose to research and represent.
5:30 p.m.   WYC helping with Tuck Class Anniversary Dinner
6:30 p.m.   Combined WYC rehearsal

This Week...March 1-March 6, 2010
Tuesday, March 2
7:15 a.m.   Youth Breakfast @ Watkinsville Waffle House
7:00 p.m.   Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, March 3
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

UPCOMING. . .
March 19-21 Spiritual Life Retreat - Register online now!
www.athensfirstumc.org
March 26 Murder Mystery Dinner - Yay! for more time to purchase your tickets!!!

Daynes's Devo

"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." ~ Phil. 1:6 (The Message)
 
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is that of Joseph. Talk about a rough life! Here is a man betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, and put in jail for a crime he didn't commit. I think that if I was in his shoes I would probably have a difficult time trusting others and I may even question my faith in God. Joseph, however, remained faithful throughout his ordeal, trusting that God had a plan for his life. When he meets his brothers again, his faith shines through as he tells them, "Come close to me...I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!...do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves...because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you" (Gen. 45:4-5).
How often I wish I had that kind of trust and faith in my own life! I am so easily discouraged when things don't work out according to my own plan that I forget that God has a plan too...and his is probably even better. The truth is that the same God who used an Israelite slave to save Egypt, and a rebellious fisherman to start the Church, and a teenage girl to give birth to the savior of the world...that same God holds me...and you...in the palm of His hand. What a wonderful assurance to know that, even when we are facing hard times and it seems like nothing is going right, God is at work in our lives preparing the way for Christ's return.
 

Calendar

Sunday, February 28
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
12:15 p.m. Youth Council meeting
1:30 p.m.  Youth Philippines missions meeting
4:30 p.m.  Alleluia Ringers
                Combined Cross Ties
                6th grade confirmation
5:30 p.m.  Carillon Ringers
                WYC serving at Tuck anniversary  
                event
                Ladies First!
6:30 p.m.  WYC Combined
7:00 p.m.  College Age Bible Study

Monday, March 1
Jeremiah 11:1-17
9:30 a.m.  UMW Exec. board meeting
1:15 p.m.  Monday Bible Study Group

Tuesday, March 2
Ezekiel 17:1-10
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.  CASA training
7:00 p.m.  Boy Scouts
7:30 p.m.  Volleyball
Wednesday, March 3
Luke 13:18-21
7:15 a.m.  Youth Breakfast (Beechwood
                Chick-fil-a)
9:30 a.m.  Wed. morning study group
                Believing God Bible study
 
(Cont'd)
 
(Wednesday Cont'd)
12:30 p.m. Believing God Bible study
3:00 p.m.   Fun gym
4:30 p.m.   Prayer Shawl Ministry
                 Lyric Choir
                 Celebrate Chimes
4:45 p.m.   Book Group
5:00 p.m.   Lent Bible Study
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
8:00 p.m.   Co-ed Volleyball
Thursday, March 4
Isaiah 55:1-9
9:00 a.m.   Community Bible Study
                 Altar Guild meeting
12:30 p.m. Senior Fun Luncheon
1:00 p.m.   Home School
7:30 p.m.   Volleyball
Friday, March 5
Psalm 63:1-8
 

Saturday, March 6
1 Corinthians 10:1-13



 
 
 

 
 

Wednesday Fellowship Dinner 

March 3
Baked Chicken
Wild Rice
Five Way Mixed Vegetables
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.


Financial Report
Budget for 2010                            $2,257,132
Giving Goal through January          $220,915
Amount Received through January  $248,432
Giving Goal for February                $158,012
Amount given after 2 Sundays       $90,280
Debt Reduction Goal for 2010        $100,000
Debt Reduction Year-to-date          $2,271
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt           $2,000,000

 
Attendance - February 21 
Sunday School               309
8:30 a.m. Worship           128
9:45 a.m.                       269
11:00 a.m.                     610
Total Worship Services    1,018
 
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.
 
First Light Acolytes - Feb 28
(8:30) Anna Buchanan, Mason Jones, Allie Petersen
(9:45) Lauren Griffith, Garrett Walker
(11:00) Curry Cross, Graham, Lawrence, Savannah Smith



Acolyte Managers: Richard Golden, Emily Harvel

 
Nursery Parent Helpers - Feb 28
Babies: Sara & Matthew Williams
Beginning Walker: Jeff & Briana Huffman
Toddlers: Angel & Stan Jackson
2-Year-Olds: Jay & Katherine Drudge
3-Year-Olds: Travis & Stacey Richardson
4-Year-Olds: Claire & Palmer Bush