| |
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 Preaching
December 4:
"If Not Now, When?"
Psalm 118:24
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Make A Joyful Noise"
David Crowder
9:45/11:00 Services
"Gloria In Excelsis Deo"
Pummill
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.
December 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
First Light Acolytes
(8:30) Alley Howell,
Madeline Murphey,
Caroline Block
(9:45) Will Cunningham,
Raleigh Lumpkin,
Seth Taylor
(11:00) SaraCatherine Pennell, Reagan Grace,
Jacob Hudson
|
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
|
|
|
Look Who's Calling Your Name
In one of his books, Dennis Covington recalls the experience of being called home as a child. He describes it this way, "It's late afternoon at the lake. The turtles are moving closer to shore. The surface of the water is undisturbed. Most of the children in my neighborhood are called home by their mothers. They open the back doors of their homes, wipe their hands on their aprons and yell 'Willie!' or 'Joe!' or 'Ray!' Either that or they use a bell, bolted to the door frame and loud enough to start the dogs barking in backyards all along the street." "But," says Covington, "I was always called home by my father, and he didn't do it in the customary way. He walked down the alley all the way to the lake. If I was close, I could hear his shoes on the gravel before he came in sight. If I was far, I would see him across the surface of the water, emerging out of the shadows and into the gray light. He would stand with his hands in the pockets of his windbreaker while he looked for me. This is how he got me to come home. He always came to the place where I was before he called my name." Isn't that a beautiful picture? "He always came to the place where I was before he called my name." Christmas reminds us that Emmanuel came, that Jesus entered this world and called us by name. The one who came still comes. The one who spoke still speaks. Look closely and listen carefully in this season of Advent for the one who knows you and calls you by name. Chuck REMINDER: Lessons and Carols this Sunday, December 5, at 5:00 p.m. (New Time) |
|
MEMBER NEWS
| |
Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Mayree Tarkenton and family in the loss of her mother, Wilmer Ree Massey, on November 15.
Baptisms Hudson McClure Turff received the Sacrament of Baptism on November 27 in our sanctuary. He is the son of Andrew and Virginia Turff.
Luke Miller Florence received the Sacrament of Baptism on November 27 in our sanctuary. He is the son of Rachel and Kevin Florence.
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Becky Dewald
Wookjae Heo and Jeong Hyun Choi
William and Meg Parker
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar on December 4 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Middleton Barnett Wingfield and Mrs. Blanche Quillian Wilkes by Mr. and Mrs. Terrell Wingfield.
The wreaths in the sanctuary windows on December 4 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of E.H. Culpepper and Kathryn and J.D. Bolton by the Culpepper and Dukes families.
|
|
FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
| |
Home For the Holidays
The Congregational Care folks have a special invitation for all persons who are homebound! Please come "home [to church] for the holidays" and be our special guest at the Senior Fun Christmas luncheon on December 8 at 12:30 in Hancock Hall. You will have a delicious meal and there will be Christmas music for the program. There is no cost for you since you are our special guest! If you need transportation, please let us know. Call the church office to make your reservation by Monday, December 5 at noon, 706-543-1442.
December Senior Fun Anyone 55 and over is invited to our December Senior Fun Luncheon on Thursday, December 8, at 12:30 p.m. in Hancock Hall. A delicious lunch will be served, and Stephen Mitchell is coordinating a musical program. Make reservations by noon on Monday, December 5, to the church office. The cost is $6.
Pictorial Directories Are InThe pictorial directories are in! If you had your picture taken, please pick up your copy from the church office Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Poinsettia Orders Poinsettias, in honor or memory of a loved one, are available for purchase through the church office (706-543-1442). The price is $11 per plant. The poinsettias will be placed in the sanctuary by the Altar Guild, and may be picked up on Sunday, December 18, after the 11:00 worship service. Orders with payment should be made at the church office or by mail by December 5. A listing of those participating will be in the church bulletin on Sunday, December 18. Christmas Day & New Year's Day Worship Join us for worship in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day. UMW Luncheon The UMW Christmas Luncheon will be on Monday, December 5 from 11:30-1:00 in Hancock Hall. Julie Caldwell will lead us in singing Christmas carols. Everyone, please bring a salad or dessert to share. We are also asking for gently used or new scarves to donate to Our Daily Bread.
|
|
DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS
| |
Time of Prayer and Reflection All are invited to come Sunday, December 18, at 5:00 p.m. in the chapel for a special time of prayer and reflection. The holidays are not always easy. Many persons struggle with loss, have need of healing, are discouraged, or simply feel empty. Prayer is a blessed way to encounter the living God and to refresh our hearts. Let us pray together for one another and to prepare well for the celebration of Christmas. Come and lay your burdens down. Seek the Lord in prayer and light a candle of hope.
December Agape
We are collecting scarves and reusable grocery bags during the month of December. If you would like to help, please bring donations of these items to the basket near the reception area by December 15.
Christmas Community Meal If you would like to help with the Christmas Community Meal on December 15 please contact Matt Dixon, mdixon3@bellsouth.net.
|
|
A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
| | Sunday, December 4, 2011
8:30 a.m. Confirmation Make-Up Session
9:30 a.m. Combined First Word
4:30 p.m. WYC Report to music suite
5:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols
*NO CROSSTIES*
This week... December 5-10, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
7:30 a.m. Breakfast at 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...
December 18 - Full Youth Staff Meeting
A Note From Janis advent∙ure - n., an undertaking involving risk and unexpected excitement. I like this definition! Maybe because I like adventures - and I love surprises! I also like the way this word reminds me of what is so awesome about the Advent season. At AFUMC, we will be celebrating Advent each Sunday up until Christmas Eve. We do this with familiar hymns, the lighting of the Advent wreath, special anthems, and beautiful decorations in our sanctuary. But how can this Advent season be a real adventure for us? After all, we know the story by heart! Well, okay, we know the story....but do we believe it? I mean really believe it? The Savior of the world is coming! The Son of God, who will ultimately lay down His life for you, is about to be born! But....what are you going to do about it? Exchange a few gifts? Eat a lot of turkey? Decorate a tree? Really? Here is what I hope Advent will be for you:
(1) a time to take some risks. Tell someone about Christ. You can do this in a small way or a big way! Invite someone to church or youth group or choir (where we are always having an adventure for real J). Reach out to someone who is in obvious need. Be nice to someone that no one else is nice to. I don't mean someone in Costa Rica or Mississippi - I mean someone in your homeroom or someone you work with. Ouch.
(2) a time of unexpected excitement. Like when you find out that it feels really good to take a risk and reach out. When you realize that you can make a positive difference in someone's life. When you turn your face to the stars in the sky and realize: Christ was born, Christ has died, Christ will come again! May this Advent season lead you into a year of great adventure and excitement for Christ!
|
|
Recreation News
|
Please join us for our Winter Basketball League beginning in November. Places are filling up quickly so be sure to head to the church website to register before it is too late!
Is it time for a birthday party?? We offer activities ranging from basketball, soccer, and gymnastics to moonwalk and climbing wall rentals. Contact Rusty Wood at rusty@athensfirstumc.org or Emily Kirby at emily@athensfirstumc.org to reserve the gym for your birthday party!
If you are interested in volunteering with the recreation ministry at Athens First United Methodist please contact Rusty Wood at rusty@athensfirstumc.org.
|
|
CALENDAR
| | |
Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 4: Luke 17:11-19
Monday, December 5: Isaiah 64:1-9
Tuesday, December 6: Psalm 80:1-7,17-19
Wednesday, December 7: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Thursday, December 8: Joshua 1:1-11
Friday, December 9: Joshua 2:1-14
Saturday, December 10: Joshua 2:15-24
|
|
NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
| |
December 4 Crawlers/Walkers: Joy Chastain and John Simpson Walkers/Toddlers: Katy and Kevin Brodrick Early 2's: HELP NEEDED 2-Year-Olds: Leigh and Brian Garrett 3-Year-Olds: Heather and Mike Rutherford 4-Year-Olds: Ashley and Matt Gottschalk |
|
ATTENDANCE
| | |
November 27
Sunday School: 456
8:30 a.m.: 137
9:45 a.m.: 263
11:00 a.m.: 462
Total Worship Services: 862
|
|
FINANCIAL REPORT
| | |
Budget for 2011: $2,339,129
Giving goal through October 2011: $1,763,734
Amount received through October: $1,856,335
Giving Goal for November: $168,182
Amount given after 3 Sundays: $161,699
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $177,511
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,696,270
|
|
|
|
|
