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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
October 2:
"The Problem with Melody"
1 Corinthians 12:1-6
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Pour Me Out"
by Julie Caldwell
9:45/11:00 Services
"Sanctus and Benedictus"
from St. Cecilia Mass (Gounod)
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) Lauren Covington, Sarah Whatley, Anna Schramski
(9:45) Lauren Griffith, Madeline Jackson, Ben Butler
(11:00) Jennifer Golden, Larsen Block, Annabelle 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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No Need for a Ticket
Every society has some way of measuring status. Back in the days when the stagecoach was a primary means of transportation, one sign was the class of ticket purchased.
It was common for a stagecoach to break down, or get stuck on a rocky or muddy path. Passengers with a third-class ticket were required to get the stagecoach going again. They removed the rocks or tree limbs that blocked the path, cleared mud from the wagon wheels, and unloaded heavier items. If the stagecoach load was still too heavy for the horses to pull it up a hill, second-class passengers had to disembark and walk. First-class passengers were not expected to do any work or make any sacrifices. No matter how messy the situation, a passenger with a first-class ticket was under no obligation to help on the journey. He or she simply benefited from the work of others.
Friends, forget such distinctions in the Body of Christ. Each one of us is a child of God, and God plays no favorites. That is a very good thing. You need others to become all that God wants you to become, and we need you to become the church God is growing in Athens. Whether you have served seventy years or seven minutes, every second counts for eternity.
God designed us to be in fellowship and service together. Examples in nature abound and survival often depends on how well we come together.
Athens First United Methodist Church is the place where everybody is somebody. It is the place where everybody is different. And it is the place where everybody accomplishes more together. That is affirmation, acceptance, and cooperation. That is us!
Together in Christ,
Chuck
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MEMBER NEWS
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Baptistms Jose Christopher Melendez received the Sacrament of Baptism on September 25 in our Sanctuary. He is the son of Jose and Amelia Melendez, and the grandson of Leigh and Chris Holland.
Connor Gael Williams received the Sacrament of Baptism on September 25 in our Sanctuary. He is the son of Keith and Jenna Williams.
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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BBQ Chicken Lunches to Support Boy Scout Troop 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.
New Parking Available!
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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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. NEW Men's Bible Study This study uses the Becoming a Contagious Christian resource to show ordinary believers how they can share the gospel in natural and effective ways while being the person God made them to be. This 7-week men's study will be held Wednesday evenings beginning October 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The cost of the workbook is $8. Register online. Contact Keith Wilson with questions, 706-549-2199, kwilson99@charter.net. |
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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.
Volunteers Needed at Snack & Chat!
Our International Student Ministry (ISM) is seeking Sunday school classes and UMW circles to assist with serving meals during upcoming "Snack & Chat" dinners, which are once a month on Friday evenings in Hancock Hall. We still have openings for December through March. If your group would be interested in serving a meal to international students/scholars and enjoying fellowship and cultural activities with them around the tables afterwards, please contact Lynn Bryant, ISM Director, at athens1stism@aol.com.
Save The Date A blood drive is coming on Thursday, November 10, 1-6 p.m. Plan on giving life on that day.
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, October 2, 2011
9:30 a.m. First Word
3:30 p.m. Agapé Rehearsal
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... October 3 - October 8, 2011 Tuesday, October 4, 2011 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, October 5, 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!!! Janis's Notes "You are my strength when I am weak."
Last Sunday the men of the youth choir sang this line while rehearsing "You Are My All in All." God is surely our greatest strength - but as we talked about this text we realized that there are people who hold us up as well. Parents, teachers, coaches, peers - we benefit from a community of believers who strengthen us in our weakest moments.
What is this week like for you? Do you need someone to strengthen you, or do you need to be someone's strength?
Are you being lifted up by someone? Or, are you holding up a friend who is caught up in a moment (or more!) of weakness?
If you need strength, receive it! We all are in need of the grace of God. Just don't forget that you can BE a strength as well! Look around - someone may need just what you have to offer. Now that is something to sing about!
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MUSIC MINISTRY
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 CHILDREN'S CHOIRS WILL BE SINGING ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: October 23Joy (Kindergarten), Lyric (Grades 1-2), and Celebrate Choirs (Grades 3-5) sing at the11:00 service November 13Lyric (Grades 1-2), and Celebrate Choirs (Grades 3-5) sing at BOTH the 9:45 and 11:00 services Joy Choir (Kindergarten)-11:00 Worship Only December 4Lyric and Celebrate Choirs sing at the Lesson and Carols Service at 5:00. Please be at the church by 4:15 December 24 - Christmas Eve 4:00At 4:00 on Christmas Eve, all the Children's Choirs at Athens First United Methodist Church will lead the congregation in a Candlelight Service. Come experience the wonder of the Christmas season through the eyes of the children!  It's not too late for your child to join a choir and to be a part of our special children's Christmas Eve Service! We are just starting our Christmas music and we would love for you to be a part of this special tradition at AFUMC. For more information about the Children's Music Ministry contact Carol Reeves at 706-543-1442, ext. 213 or creeves@athensfirstumc.org |
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, October 2: Matthew 21:33-46
Monday, October 3: Exodus 32:1-14
Tuesday, October 4: Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Wednesday, October 5: Phillippians 4:1-9
Thursday, October 6: Exodus 2:23-24
Friday, October 7: Exodus 3:16-25
Saturday, October 8: Exodus 4:1-9
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NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
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October 2 Crawlers/Walkers: Elizabeth and Clay Taylor Walkers/Toddlers: Lori and Sam Drake Early 2's: Cameron and Patrick Garrard 2-Year-Olds: Gina and Bill Mayne 3-Year-Olds: Sarah and Dave Hajjar 4-Year-Olds: Michelle and Mike Beckum |
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ATTENDANCE
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September 25
Sunday School: 340
8:30 a.m.: 129
9:45 a.m.: 344
11:00 a.m.: 583
Total Worship Services: 1,056
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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 3 Sundays: $111,292
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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