Athens First United Methodist Church ESteeple

Athens First United Methodist Church e-Steeple

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

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.

John Page

October 9:

"Only One Place for Peace"

John 16:33

Anthem:

8:30 Service

"Blessings"

by Laura Story

9:45/11:00 Services

"For the Beauty of the Earth"

by John Rutter

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.

October 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) Bob Green, Nat Carmack, Peter Shedd, Marty Webb, Joe Crosland, Ben Ayers, Ken Daniel, Spence Johnson

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) Curry Cross, Jack Chambers, John Mobley Cross
(9:45) Eliza Peterson, John Cunningham, Allie Peterson
(11:00) Kait Walker, Erin McCollum, Garrett Walker

OUR CLERGY

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

October 9, 2011

Where Do You See God?

The Bible tells us that God is great and mighty and does big things. Have you ever considered where you see God? That is, where do you encounter the Almighty, or witness the fingerprint of the Creator, where do you see evidence of God?

I think it would be fascinating to discover how other people view God. Maybe it's in the giggles of a baby, or the smile of a stranger in the store. Perhaps it's in the majesty of natural wonders or in a caring act by someone you know. Where do you see God?

God is indeed great and mighty. All of our thoughts couldn't contain all that God is to us. God is so multifaceted that we each see God from a unique perspective. Wouldn't it be great to share that perspective?

We can.

You are invited to share your answer to the question: Where do you see God? The easiest way is to go to the website, www.wheredoyouseegod.com and write your response there. If you are uncomfortable with using a website, then simply email me at johnp@athensfirstumc.org Or you can write your response down on piece of paper and give it to me or mail it to me at the church. All answers are welcome. All perspectives are encouraged and welcome. There is no wrong answer to this question, so there's no need to fear in responding.

You may surprise yourself at what you choose. Where do you see God?

It's an important question because we want to be looking for God throughout our day, in the midst of our circumstances, immersed in our situations. Since God promised to be with us and never leave us, then God is always with us-do we see God each day?

Where do you see God? Your answer can transform your day. Your answer can transform your life.

Blessings,

John

MEMBER NEWS

In Sympathy

Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extened to:

James Mongtomery and family in the loss of his father, Tom Montgomery on September 24.

New Members

We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:

Jeff and Missy Hill

Clover Weller

Altar Flowers

The flowers on the altar on October 9 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Beulah and Hilliard Thompson, Jr. by their family.

FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.

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. Mulligans will be
available for $5 each (limit of 2). Your mulligan ticket will be your entry into a drawing for prizes to be held at the post-tournament awards ceremony. You can build your own team of four or be placed on a team. For more information, contact Joe Neighbors, 706-543-3387, jbneighb@bellsouth.net or Tom Rodgers, 706-224-0034, rodgers@fcs.uga.edu. IHN serves and empowers homeless families in crisis here in our community.

Children's Worship Bags
For parents of children using worship bags in the sanctuary, would you please check to see if any bags have mistakenly been taken to your car or home and, if so, return them to the baskets provided. Thank you!

Come Join Us and Get In Shape!
The recreation ministry has the following classes offered in the youth area weekly: Cardio Circuit Fitness Class, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Pilates Class, Wednesday nights at 5:15 p.m.
Contact Katy Brodrick, katybrodrick77@yahoo.com.

BIBLE STUDY AND LEARNING OPTIONS

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.

DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS

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.

A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!

Sunday, October 9, 2011
9:30 a.m.   First Word
12:15 p.m.    First Light Acolyte Appreciation Lunch
3:30 p.m.    Agapé Rehearsal
4:30 p.m.      Combined WYC Rehearsal
5:45 p.m. F.I.S.H. Night

6th Grade: Hodgson-Dodd Park

7th Grade: Sam Blasingame's House

8th Grade: FUSION @ NOHS

9th Grade: Caroline Colley's House

10th Grade: FUSION @ NOHS

11th/12th Grade: Downtown Transmetropolitan

This week... October 10 - October 15, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)

Wednesday, October 12, 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 16 - Youth Led Worship - Talk to Eric if you're interested in helping!!!

Eric's Insights

Deutoronomy 6:5-9 is probably my favorite youth ministry passage in the Bible. God-via-Moses gives us not only the shema ("Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength" v. 5), but also some great instructions on being faithful families: "These are the words I am commanding you today must always be on your minds. Recite them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up. Tie them on your hand as a sign. They should be on your forehead as a symbol. Write them on your house's doorframes and on your city's gates" vv. 6-9.

Now, I'm NOT suggesting that you literally write Scripture all over yourselves, as much fun as that might sound. It is okay to talk about things other than God from time to time, like football or how the greatest TV show of all-time is Survivor. After all, isn't that the point of Christianity - through Jesus Christ we discover and do real life because we're actually following in the footsteps called the way and the truth and the life?! And, that by doing so, God is redeeming all creation?!?! The core of our faith is real transformation. As Methodists, we believe that real transformation takes discipline. It takes grace.

So how are you "living" Christianity as a family? Are you talking to Jesus all the time? Are you talking to your family about Holy Spirit? Are you reading God's word to your kids? Having late night talks after the lights are out and your eyes are still adjusting to the dark? When you're out and about? Is it constantly before you as if it were tied on your hand or written on your head?

Good Things are Happening at AFUMC!

Thank you from the International Student Ministry!
For the first time in our International Student Ministry's (ISM) ten-year history, the International Friendship Program now has several more American volunteers than we have international students requesting friends! We wish to express our sincere appreciation to everyone in the congregation who has stepped forward to offer the gift of friendship to an international student! We ask that members of our church family continue to volunteer because students will continue to apply! For additional information about the program, please contact Lynn Bryant, our ISM director, at athens1stism@aol.com.

Beginning this fall semester, our ISM moved our weekly Bible study from Sunday mornings to Friday nights. This was necessary due to transportation issues for the students. Since the new schedule began this fall, class participation has doubled! Students from Asia and the Middle East regularly attend to learn more about the Christian faith. We are routinely sharing the Gospel with people who are reading the Bible or attending church for the very first time! It's thrilling to see how God's love and truth are impacting lives! Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of this vital outreach ministry of our church!

Hundreds Becoming Learners

Whether it is in a book study group, a lectionary group, a men's Bible study, or through a Sunday school class, Disciple group, Beth Moore study, or a short-term class, there are more than 400 people learning and growing in Christ as disciples. We praise God for the many opportunities to learn more about Him.

Generosity Matters

Because of your generous and faithful giving, this church is able to feed hundreds each month through the Mobile Food Pantry, reach hundreds of international students with hospitality, send teams near and far to minister in missions, and reach our local community with help and hope. Thank you!

CALENDAR

Click here to view the online calendar!

Lectionary Calendar