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Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
8:30 a.m.
9:45 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Church-wide Fellowship
9:30 a.m. (Hancock Hall)
Sunday School
9:45 a.m.
Chuck Hodges
September 11:
"Pumping Joy Into Dry Wells"
Selected verses from Luke 21
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Watch Over Me"
by Martha Aenchbacher
9:45/11:00 Services
"Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace"
by Allen Pote
"Requiem"
arr. Craig Hella Johnson
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.
September 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) Lee Brinson, Ryan Brinson, Nathan King, John Bateman, Claude Felton, Steve Greer, Mack Furlow, Josh Brooks
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
First Light Acolytes
(8:30) Walt Chapeau, Joe Jordan, Loran Posey
(9:45) Samantha Harvel, Anna Alyssa McKoy, Caroline Block
(11:00) Savannah Smith, Sarah Whatley, Hayley Whitmore
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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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Stay in the Whitewater
Recently, a colleague of mine took a trip to the Western edge of Zimbabwe to raft the Zambezi River. He boarded a raft with his brothers at the base of Victoria Falls. Massive amounts of water spilled over the top of the giant falls. The roar was deafening. Mist from the spray filled the air like fog. The locals call it, "the Smoke that Thunders." The Zambezi's whitewater rapids are some of the most powerful on earth.
He sat on the edge of the eight-person raft, all suited up in a tight, overstuffed safety jacket and a thick crash helmet. Palmer said, "I felt like an overcautious tourist about to mount an overpowered motor-scooter in Honolulu or rent roller-blades on Huntington Beach. The Zambezi can't be that dangerous, can it?" But then the guide said, "When the raft flips..." He did not say, "If the raft flips," or "On the off chance we get flipped." He said, "When the raft flips..." Then he added, "stay in the rough water. You will be tempted to swim toward stagnant water at the edge of the banks. Don't do it. It is in the stagnant water that the crocs wait for you; they are large and hungry. When the raft flips, stay in the rough water."
It seems foolish to stay in the rough water. Why not take the path of least resistance? Surely, that is the road to success, or is it? Stagnancy will kill our spirit. The church of tomorrow must resist swimming to the still waters. God needs us out there in the whitewater pouring out our lives in faithful service. Though we may be encouraged to shun hardship, we would do well to remember that God uses it, "...for our good, that we may share in God's holiness." (Hebrews 12:10)
It is good to be in the whitewater with you,
Chuck
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MEMBER NEWS
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In Memoriam
Jack Semler
September 1, 2011
In Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Shirley Semler on the loss of her husband, Jack, on September 1 in Athens, Georgia.
New Arrival
Congratulations to:
Stephanie and Jonathan Limbert on the birth of their son, Lucas Charles (Luke), on September 1.
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Jack and Carole Chalmers Altar Flowers The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in gratitude for the life of Dr. Lonnie D. Harvel on the occasion of his birthday by his family. |
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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September Senior Fun Anyone 55 and older is welcome to join our Senior Fun group! The next Senior Fun luncheon will be on Thursday, September 22, at 12:30 p.m. in Hancock Hall. Mark Waters, eminent historian and former professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, will be sharing with the group. Please R.S.V.P. to the church office by Monday, September 19, at noon. Eighth Annual IHN Golf Tournament The Annual IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) Golf Tournament will be held on October 10 at Jennings Mill Country Club at 11:00 a.m. An individual entry fee of $100 covers 18 holes of golf and all expenses. You can build your own team or be placed on a team. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Joe Neighbors, 706-543-3387, jbneighb@bellsouth.net. IHN serves and empowers homeless families in crisis here in our community. |
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BIBLE STUDY AND LEARNING OPTIONS
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NEW Fall Bible Studies-Classes Begin Soon! 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. The Later Book Group will begin meeting on September 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays in room 261. This group reads through a variety of books for discussion. The first book this year will be The Heart of Christianity, Rediscovering a Life of Faith by Marcus Borg. All are welcome! For additional information, contact April Webb at 706-546-6274 or martin_webb@bellsouth.net. Living as United Methodist Christians: Our Story, Our Beliefs, Our Lives, a six-week study for exploring the belief and practices of United Methodists and ways to live as a United Methodist Christian, is for both newcomers and longtime United Methodists who long to deepen their faith and grow in love and service of God and neighbor. An introduction is on Wednesday, September 28 at 6:30 pm in the John Wesley Parlor Room 253 meeting from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. through November 9. Register online or by calling the church office. The book is $7.00. For more information contact, Dianne Morrison, dianne.morrison@gmail.com, 706-207-5538. |
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DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS
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Men's Retreat 2012
Men, this is your 6-month notice for the Men's Retreat. The weekend of February 17, the men will head up to Toccoa for a weekend retreat. February 17 is the date you want to mark down now!
YOU Can Be a Friendship Partner!
Many international students are in need of friendship partners! YOU can make a difference in these student's lives! There will be a brief training on September 11 at 6:30 p.m. to find out more. Contact Lynn Bryant for more information, athens1stism@aol.com, 706-202-9017.
2012 Mexico Mission Trip Informational Meeting
We'll have a brief meeting on Sunday, September 18, at 12:15 p.m. in Hull Dining Room. You'll want to come and find out more about this mission. (March 10-17, 2012) Contact John Page, johnp@athensfirstumc.org.
Support for Special Needs
A ministry team is forming to support children and families who have special needs. If you are interested in serving with this ministry team please contact Robin Stewart (706-296-0606) or Jennifer Chambers (706-714-3562) for more information. You may serve as a prayer partner, an advocate, or a care shepherd for Sunday mornings. John Page, johnp@athensfirstumc.org.
Children's Summer Reading Program
Many books from our church library have been enjoyed by children and parents this summer. The following children have read ten or more books and will have new books placed in the church library in their honor: Oliver Carrigan, Layne Dyer, Allison Guild, David Guild, Kaitlyn Guild, Zoe Justice, Jackson Lord, Taylor Lord, Kasana Page, Marissa Page, Brooks Parrish, and Lindsey Parrish. Congratulations to these children.
Support Our Weekday Preschool
Athens First United Methodist Church has a wonderful outreach ministry through our Preschool Department. You can help the AFUMC Weekday Preschool by supporting our "Back-To-School" fundraiser. We are selling both short and long-sleeve Weekday Preschool T-shirts. This fundraiser is not only a great advertisement opportunity for our preschool, but glorifies our Lord. Order forms are available at the main church office and at our preschool front desk.
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A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
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9:30 a.m. Combined First Word
3:30 p.m. Acolyte Training
4:30 p.m. Combined WYC Rehearsal
5:45 p.m. F.I.S.H. Night!
6th Grade: Lake Welbrook Pool 7th Grade: Annabelle & Abby Woodard's House 8th Grade: Sam & Sarah Slocum's House 9th Grade: Mystery location! Pick up/drop off at church 10th Grade: Anna Schramski's House 11th/12th Grade: Abby & Annabelle Woodard's House This week... September 12 - September 17, 2011 Tuesday, September 13, 2011
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, September 14, 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
Upcoming... September 18 - Registration Deadline for Fall Retreat! (October 21-23)
October 16 - Youth Led Worship - Talk to Eric if you're interested in helping!!! Jason's Jots We were having a prayer meeting the other morning and we all began to pray for individuals in our lives that we have been praying for to come to know the Lord. We all have many in our lives that we desire to see fall in love with the Lord, but sometimes we get to a place where we forget to lift them up to the Lord as much as we had in the past. We pray for so long and then never see fruit in the prayer and then we become discouraged. We still care about them knowing the Lord; it's just difficult to continue to persist in prayer when we fail to see results.
When I think of this kind of prayer, I think of a laborer. In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Jesus is calling us to be laborers. He is calling us to be a people who labor for the salvation of those who don't have a relationship with the Lord. The goodness of the Lord is for everyone and the Lord is looking for laborers. Let us all be laborers wherever we are. The harvest is in our schools, at work, our neighbors, and anywhere else the Lord takes us. Our prayers are powerful and our relationship with the Lord will impact those around us. Let us labor together for the advancement of the Kingdom. Amen!
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Good Things are Happening at AFUMC
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Requests for American friendship partners continue to come in! Has your family volunteered to befriend an international student yet? They are eager to meet you! Contact Lynn Bryant, ISM director, at Athens1stism@aol.com for more information. Thank You!On Friday, August 26, over 100 college students attended our International Student Ministry's "Snack & Chat: Welcome Back" dinner in Hancock Hall. The students were from Belgium, China, Germany, India, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, and the U.S.! This was our largest turnout for a "Snack & Chat" event to-date! Special thanks go to Don & Susan Crews and to Dave & Madonna Roberts of the Cornerstone Class for helping us serve the pizza! We would also like the thank the Wesley Foundation team who provided the entertainment. Thank You!Because of your prayers and financial support, AFUMC sent teams to the Appalachia region of Kentucky, Brunswick/Epworth area, and into our local community this past summer. Praise God! Good News with SeniorsUnder the inspired leadership of Dan and Lynette Maxey, the Senior Fun group has enjoyed increased attendance this summer, while enjoying delicious food, informative speakers, and great fellowship. If you're over 55, come and enjoy the next luncheon, Thursday, September 22.
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 4: Matthew 18:21-35
Monday, September 5: Exodus 16:2-15
Tuesday, September 6: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Wednesday, September 7: Phillippians 1:21-30
Thursday, September 8: Genesis 35:22b-29
Friday, September 9: Genesis 36:1-8
Saturday, September 10: Genesis 37:5-11
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ATTENDANCE
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Attendance September 4
Sunday School: 318
8:30 a.m.: 117
9:45 a.m.: 188
11:00 a.m.: 396
Total Worship Services: 701
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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 4 Sundays: $137,959
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $105,543
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,768,238
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