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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 25:
"Running To Win"
Philippians 2:14-16
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Be Thou My Vision"
arr. Daniel Burton
9:45/11:00 Services
"Be Thou My Vision"
by Dan Forrest
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) Campbell Cona, Graham Lawrence, Parissa Shedd
(9:45) Virginia Beth Butler, Jack McLanahan, Matthew Ward
(11:00) Matt Moseley, Morgan Maxwell, Abby Woodard
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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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New Parking Available!
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We have all been anticipating the opening of the new mixed use parking deck across Washington Street from our church. We are glad to announce that parking is now available at that facility, and there will be no charge to park on Sunday mornings. We are hopeful that this will help to alleviate some of the hardship of parking downtown for worship. Be sure to check it out this Sunday! |
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Confirmation
The word confirmation literally means "with firmness." I like to say that it's a time of intensification when youth prepare for officially assuming a personal responsibility for their faith and the covenantal responsibilities that go along with it. Students are given the opportunity to claim their Christian identities and cement their relationship in and among the body of Christ, the church. We as a church follow through on the promise made to each of them in baptism. What an awesome time!
With start of school came another new season of confirmation, and one which we're very excited about. We've begun a new curriculum called "Reform." It's a video-based curriculum that forms each lesson as an answer to questions that sound a lot like the ones kids ask. Kids will encounter answers to questions like:
· Who wrote the Bible, God or humans?
· Does God still create stuff today?
· Why do we say we believe in the holy catholic church, if
we're not Catholic?
Sure, we'll go deep into our Methodist roots, but there'll also be time for the relational elements crucial to our success, too. On Friday, approximately 70 students and youth workers will be headed to Camp Awanita for a retreat focused on growing friendships, learning more about God, worshipping together, and getting to play in a massive mud pit! I know it sounds like the perfect weekend getaway for many of you!
For those of us involved in confirmation, we feel blessed. It's my hope that those of you not directly involved feel a deep sense of thanks and hope for our church today and tomorrow. Athens First United Methodist Church has a long, storied history of raising up young disciples who passionately love Jesus Christ. Please join us in prayer and support for our confirmands.
Blessings,
Eric
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MEMBER NEWS
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In Memoriam
Betty Simpson
September 15, 2011
In Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Bill Simpson on the loss of his wife, Betty, on September 15 in Athens, Georgia.
David Martin and family in the death of his father, Dan Martin, on September 10.
Baptistms
Brady Oliver Baldwin received the Sacrament of Baptism on September 18 in our Sanctuary. He is the son of Suzanne and Tony Baldwin.
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Tony and Suzanne Baldwin Altar Flowers The flowers on the altar on September 25 are from the wedding of Emily Wilson and Tyler Bessinger who were married in our sanctuary on September 24. They are given to the glory of God in honor of Emily and Tyler's marriage by Rev. Chip and Pam Wilson. |
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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BBQ Chicken Lunches to Support Boy Scout Troup 1 Boy Scout Troop 1 is selling BBQ chicken box lunches for $7 per plate for pickup on Sunday, October 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lunches include a BBQ chicken half, freshly cooked that morning, plus coleslaw, applesauce, and bread. Tickets will be sold from 9-10:00 a.m. in the reception area and at noon outside the sanctuary on September 25 and October 2, or can be purchased from any Troop 1 member. Lunches will be available in the kitchen for carry out or you may dine in Hancock Hall. Limited walk-up lunches will be available, so buy a ticket to be sure you get one! Thank you for supporting Troop 1 as they raise funds for trips and equipment for our growing and active Scout troop.
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BIBLE STUDY AND LEARNING OPTIONS
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NEW Women's Bible Study: SEED Study Priscilla Shirer's SEED Study is a 6-week study that focuses on spending time reading short passages of scripture and learning to hear God speaking to you personally through them. This study is open to women. Please register directly with one of the leaders by Wednesday, September 28. The cost is $9. Three opportunities: Sundays, 5:00 - 6:00, October 2 -November 6, led by Stacey Page, staceypagedesigns@hotmail.com (childcare provided). Meets at AFUMC. Mondays, 10:00 - 11:00, October 3 - November 7, led by Therese Wilson, therese_wilson@hotmail.com (childcare provided). Meets at AFUMC. Mondays, 12:30 - 2:00, October 3 - November 7, led by Tracie Hedges (therese_wilson@hotmail.com, 706-818-4779) and Jennifer Chambers (jbchambers211@bellsouth.net, 706-714-3562). Meets at Tracie Hedges' home in Oconee County, 4526 Heather Lane, Bogart, 30622. 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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Children's Ministry Leadership Gathering
All who serve with children are encouraged to attend the Children's Ministry Leadership Gathering on October 2 at 9:30 a.m. in Hancock Hall. Important and interesting topics will be covered, and a light breakfast will be served.
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 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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Sunday, September 25, 2011
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... September 26 - October 1, 2011 Tuesday, September 27, 2011 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, September 28, 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... October 9 - First Light Acolyte appreciation lunch - register online at www.athensfirstumc.org October 16 - Youth Led Worship - Talk to Eric if you're interested in helping!!! Daynes's Devo Yogi Berra once said, "The future ain't what it used to be." Isn't that the truth?! I for one could not be more thankful. Now, don't get me wrong. I think the past's future has done an exceptional job with the present, but as someone who gets to work with the present future every day, I'm excited to see what the future holds. Whew! Let me explain: Y'all have raised an awesome bunch of kids.
This weekend, a new batch of confirmands will be on the annual confirmation retreat learning about the church and what it means to be a United Methodist. This, along with a semester-long curriculum, is designed to prepare them for membership in our church. Let me tell you, these kids are creative, energetic, fun, and just all around awesome! They hold so much promise and potential as the future leaders, not just of Athens First, but of the Body of Christ.
I can't tell you how exciting it is to me to watch them learn, grow, and explore their faith, but it's also kind of a lot of pressure. As the present of this church, we have a responsibility to the future. Not just in giving them a place to hang out and have a good time (which is awesome, btw!), but in showing them what it is to lead the church and challenging them to lead it better. Our youth are smart and vital and innovative and ON FIRE, and they are going to amazing things for The Kingdom!
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RECREATION NEWS
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AFUMC Recreation MinistryYouth Basketball Registration Begins October 1, 2011 Basketball Leagues for Boys and Girls ages pre-K to 12 years old Adult Softball Continues Tuesday evenings at Bishop Park Next Softball Games: September 20 vs. St. Marys; September 27 vs. Fed Ex.; October 4 vs. Southern Surgical  |
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 25: Matthew 21:23-32
Monday, September 26: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Tuesday, September 27: Psalm 19
Wednesday, September 28: Phillippians 3:4b-14
Thursday, September 29: Genesis 49:1-33
Friday, September 30: Genesis 49:29-50:14
Saturday, October 1: Genesis 50:15-26
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NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
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September 25 Crawlers/Walkers: HELP NEEDED Walkers/Toddlers: Sarah and Chan Freeman Early 2's: Rebecca and Kevin Lang 2-Year-Olds: Kelli and Wayne Dean 3-Year-Olds: Jill and Geofferey Walton 4-Year-Olds: Kim and Nat Carmack |
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ATTENDANCE
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September 18
Sunday School: 546
8:30 a.m.: 158
9:45 a.m.: 284
11:00 a.m.: 808
Total Worship Services: 1,250
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FINANCIAL REPORT
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Budget for 2011: $2,339,129
Giving goal through August 2011: $1,418,911
Amount received through August: $1,538,850
Giving Goal for September: $146,811
Amount given after 1 Sunday: $70,846
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $139,564
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,734,217
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