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Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Church-wide Fellowship & Ministry Fair
9:30 a.m. (Hancock Hall)
Sunday School
9:45 a.m.
Chuck Hodges
August 14:
"The Worst Trade in History"
Genesis 25: 29-34
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Find Us Faithful"
by Steve Green
9:45/11:00 Services
"The Majesty and Glory
of Your Name"
by Fettke
Online web streaming now available for our 11 a.m. Sunday service. Visit our website for details. www.athensfirstumc.org
Our 11 a.m. Sunday Service is broadcast on WRFC 960 AM each Sunday and online at www.960theref.com.
August Ushers
(8:30) Jim Belger, Ann Brown, Paul Brown, Don Crews, Larry Deal, Hugh Larkey, 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) Al Hawley, Charles Grimes, Henry Folsom, Tom Henson, Fred Blake, Henry Garrard, Matt Hawley, Nat Belger
Offering Stewards
Bob Booth & Charlie Grimes (co-chairs); Nat Belger, Charles Braucher, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III
WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMMING WILL RESUME AUGUST 17
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OUR CLERGY
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Chuck Hodges
Senior Minister
Martha Aenchbacher
Minister of Program
John Page
Minister of Discipleship
Eric Fessler
Minister of Families with Youth
Visit our website:
www.athensfirstumc.org
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MEMBER NEWS
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New Arrival
Congratulations to: Natalie and Gus Sams on the birth of their son, Brooks Whitaker, on July 21. Sally and Bo Griffith on the birth of their daughter, Ann Lanier, on August 3. Ann Lanier is the granddaughter of Lewis Scruggs and Jerry Epting. Carrie and Ryan Eaves on the birth of their son, Noah David, on August 7. Noah is the grandson of Martha and Rick Parker. Baptism Abbott Elizabeth Seagraves (Abby), received the Sacrament of Baptism on August 7 in our Sanctuary. She is the daughter of Beau and Hillary Seagraves. Wedding Bells Congratulations to: Cassie Mitchell and Ward Mills who were married in our Sanctuary on August 6. New Members We welcome to the First United Methodist Family: Cameron and Sam McElreath, Matthew Everhart, Martha Collins Penn, Andrew Grace, and Blaine Bostelman Altar Flowers The flowers on the Altar on August 14 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Branch Howe by his wife, Anne, and family. The flowers in the Narthex on August 14 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Chester Witherington by Nancy Witherington and family. |
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Church-wide BBQ! We encourage members and guests to join us on Sunday, August 28, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Sandy Creek Park for our annual Church-wide BBQ. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish and share in the fun and fellowship! Let us know how much barbecue to prepare by signing up at one of the tables located at the entrances (Lumpkin St., Sanctuary, and Washington St./Galleria entrance), in your Sunday School class, or online. Be a part of this great opportunity to celebrate our church and its programs!
Thank you! Many thanks to all the small army of generous volunteers who helped make the Fellowship time in Hancock Hall throughout the month of July such a wonderful success! Thank you all for your helping hands and giving spirit. Cub Scout Pack 1 Sign-ups will take place at 11:00 and noon in the Hull Dining Room. Come meet the leaders and get the schedule for your son's den. Boys in grades 1-5 are encouraged to participate! Contact Jim Hilliard, jim@hilliards.org with questions, or if you are unable to attend sign-ups. August Senior Fun Please join us at the next Senior Fun Luncheon on August 25 at 12:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. to the church office by Monday, August 22, 706-543-1442.
Recreation Ministry Adult Fall Programming
Join the Recreation Ministry for Adult Fall programming beginning in August! Adult softball will begin on August 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m and will continue through October. Adult Fitness with Katy Brodrick will begin August 17, and runs through December! More information on our web page! Women's Day Event - Register Today! Renee Swope of Proverbs 31 Ministries will be leading a day of fellowship and spiritual renewal at Matt Dixon's farm in Oconee County on Saturday, September 17. Register for $15 by September 1. You can sign-up online or at the church. For more information, please contact Julie Caldwell, jpowell@negia.net . Prayer Shawl Ministry You are invited to join a group of expert and novice knitters and crocheters to create prayer shawls. The group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings beginning on August 17 in the parlor between 5:00 and 5:45 p.m. Come join us or work at home as you prefer. For more information contact Dianne Morrison at dianne.morrison@gmail.com or call 706-207-5538.
Set Sail On Adventure! Start planning now for an exciting fellowship opportunity on a Baltic Sea cruise next year, from September 6-16, 2012. Guest lecturer is Bishop William Willimon. Contact tour host, John Page, johnp@athensfirstumc.org.
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BIBLE STUDY AND LEARNING OPTIONS
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NEW Fall Bible Studies-Classes Begin Soon! Early Book Group meets from 4:45-5:45 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning on September 7. The first book this group is reading is The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle. All are welcome! Contact Cindy Kuhlman, gckuhlman@charter.net, by August 21 to order a book. The Truth Project Study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective vs. a worldview perspective. This is a DVD-based small group curriculum comprised of 13 one-hour lessons taught by Dr. Del Tackett. This study begins September 14 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Sign up online! Cost is $5. Contact Bruce Powers for more information, bpowers@armc.org. A new men's study, Basic Training For A Few Good Men, which presents scriptural principles to empower men to "stand in the gap" and be "watchmen on the wall" before the Lord for their families, begins Wednesday, August 17, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $8. Register online! Contact Keith Wilson for more information, kwilson99@charter.net. Learn how to get out of debt, start saving, and give generously at Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class. Class will be on Mondays from 6-8:00 p.m. and the cost is $100 which covers all materials and tools. Preview days on August 14 at 5:00 p.m. and August 15 at 6:00 p.m. Register online! Deadline to register is August 16. "To Live Is Christ," Women's Bible Study by Beth Moore, will be offered on Wednesdays, August 24-November 2 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. or from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Contact Janet Strickland to sign up, jstrickland@bellsouth.net, 678-910-0039. Join an ongoing Bible Study Group on Mondays from 1:15-2:15 p.m. in the John Wesley Parlor. This group is reading from the Revised Common Lectionary. For more information contact Dianne Morrison, dianne.morrison@gmail.com or 706-207-5538. |
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DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS
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International Student Ministry Friendship Partner
In August new international students from around the world will be in need of friendship partners from our church! Please visit www.athensfirstumc.org/ism.html to download an application form or pick one up at the reception desk. A training session will be offered on August 21 and September 11. For additional information, please contact ISM Director,
Lynn Bryant, Athens1stism@aol.com or 706-202-9017.
Bike Race to Support Interfaith Hospitality
On Saturday, September 19, support Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens on the first "Teardrop Metric Century Bike Ride." There are options of 62, 30, and 15 miles. Sign up online at www.athensgabicycling.com/node/66. To volunteer, contact Ken Sherman, shermankathens@gmail.com or 706-224-2526. IHN provides emergency housing and other important services for homeless families in Athens.
Mission Trips Coming!
In March 2012 two mission trips are planned.
Costa Rica, (during UGA and Clarke County spring breaks)
Contact: Kelly Channell, kellychannell@gmail.com
Tijuana, Mexico (March 10-17), the team will work with children and construct a home.
Contact: John Page, johnp@athensfirstumc.org
"In Their Shoes" Volunteer Opportunity
On October 15, the Athens Regional Foundation is sponsoring the sixth annual "In Their Shoes," 13.1 mile Cancer Awareness Walk, benefiting the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support. To learn more or to register to walk or volunteer, go to www.intheirshoesathens.org.
Nursery and Preschool Parent Service
Parents: You have the opportunity to sign up for a morning of nursery service in your child's room. Signing up allows you to find a date which fits your family's schedule. You may either email Jennifer Chambers a date that you would like to serve or sign up at church on Sunday. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer, 706-714-3562 or jbchambers211@bellsouth.net. Thank you for all of your help and care for our children!
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A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
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9:30 a.m. FIRST Word
4:30 p.m. Mid High Cross Ties/Sr. High WYC
5:30 p.m. Snack Supper
6:00 p.m. Sr. High Cross Ties/Mid High WYC
This week... August 15-20, 2011 Tuesday, August 16, 2011
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
7:30 a.m. Breakfast @ Chick-fil-A Beechwood
4:30 p.m. Youth Area Open
5:30 p.m. Downtown Dinner
6:30 p.m. Sr. High/Mid High Bible Study
Saturday, August 20, 2011
5:00 p.m. WYC Recruitment Event @ Stone Mountain!
Upcoming... August 21 - Parents of Youth Meeting (5:30 p.m. in Hancock Hall)
August 28 - Church Picnic (5-7 p.m. @ Sandy Creek Park)
September 18 - Registration Deadline for Fall Retreat! (October 21-23)
Jason's Jots We recently traveled down to Saint Simons Island for our annual Mid-High Mission Trip. I have to be honest; this is one of my favorite trips of the year. Every year I get a chance to see these students in middle school serve the Lord in such amazing ways. The ministry that provides all of our work sites is a called Mountain 2 Sea Ministries. This is a non-profit organization that completely survives off support. I was speaking with Chad, the director, and he was telling me about their financial situation. I was so amazed to hear him say that money wasn't necessarily coming in, but the Lord provided any tools or equipment they needed.
In Philippians 4:4 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice." When I was talking with Chad he was living in a place of rejoicing in the Lord. He did not dwell on his financial situation, he simply understood the goodness of the Lord and rejoiced in that truth. I pray that is the way we would live our lives. We have great seasons and seasons that can be very difficult. Regardless of the season, remember the goodness of the Lord. Remember that He delights in you and He will never leave you or forsake you. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, Rejoice."
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Good Things are Happening at AFUMC!
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Athens First UMC Welcomes the World! At the end of July, your church welcomed 50+ students from China here to America, specifically UGA. Your church provided them with transportation from the Atlanta airport, a place to sleep and breakfast, and a hospitable "Glad you're here!" All of this was done through the efforts of the International Student Ministry of Athens First United Methodist Church. Athens First UMC Feeds the World! During student orientation, more than 180 students from all over the planet were fed lunch by your International Student Ministry. This Christian hospitality was enjoyed by young men and women from Uganda, Brazil, England, Serbia, Thailand, India, Togo, and a host of other nations. You Can Make a Difference in the World! Can you enjoy coffee and conversation? Are you able to "do lunch?" Is it pretty easy for you to have someone over for dinner and fellowship? If you said yes to any of these questions, then you have all the experience you need to be a friendship partner with an international student while they are here at the university. More than 70% of international students never get invited into an American home. Contact Athens First UMC Director of International Student Ministry, Lynn Bryant, at athens1stism@aol.com to discover how you can change the world through the life of one student. |
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, August 14: Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
Monday, August 15: Exodus 1:8-2:10
Tuesday, August 16: Psalm 124
Wednesday, August 17: Romans 12:1-8
Thursday, August 18: Exodus 3:1-6
Friday, August 19: Deuteronomy 32:1-10
Saturday, August 20: Isaiah 2:1-4
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ATTENDANCE
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Attendance August 7
Sunday School: 310
8:30 a.m.: 173
9:45 a.m.: 272
11:00 a.m.: 731
Total Worship Services: 1,176
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FINANCIAL REPORT
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Financial Report
Budget for 2011: $2,339,129
Giving goal through July 2011: $1,246,225
Amount received through July: $1,396,834
Giving Goal for August: $172,686
Amount given after 1 Sunday: $6,075
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $101,137
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,772,644
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