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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
December 11:
"What's Worth Saving?"
John 3:16-17
Anthem:
8:30 Service
Brian Smith, guitar
Natalie Smith, flute
9:45/11:00 Services
"What Is This Lovely Fragrance?"
John Ferguson
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) Elijah Bullock,
Jack McLanahan,
Morgan Grace
(9:45) Chandler English,
Morgan Maxwell,
Harrison Hedges
(11:00) Joanne Timberlake,
Joe Jordan, Lili Hollis
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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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Opportunity Knocks
What a privilege it is to serve as Chairman of the Trustees for such a wonderful church! In this role, I am continually exposed to the generosity of our membership. Most of you are aware that the existing debt our church carries is related to the expansion and then major renovations of the church facilities. The Trustees work diligently to retire the debt so that those funds may be used for ministries.
Many of you track our progress in the Steeple. From our peak debt level of $2.7 million at the end of 2007, we have reduced the debt by $1 million to its current level of $1.7 million. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the generosity and love of this church by our congregation. This much progress in a period of significant economic turmoil is truly amazing!
I was ready to pat us on the back for a job well done this year, and then another remarkably generous offer was presented. One of our members has offered a pledge of $50,000 for debt reduction if the gift is matched. This generous offer is a wonderful opportunity for the rest of us to participate in further debt reduction by providing the matching portion. Your participation at any level to help meet the matching requirement is encouraged and welcomed. Based on what I've seen of this congregation, it will not surprise me if we "oversubscribe" the matching amount and exceed $100,000 in debt reduction. Simply mark your donation as "debt match," and your gift will be included. Then watch the Steeple to see how much further the debt is reduced this year.
God Bless,
Mason
Mason McWhorter, Chairman, Trustees |
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MEMBER NEWS
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In Memoriam
Carlton James
December 5, 2011
Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Claire James and family in the loss of her husband, Carlton James, on December 5 in Athens, Georgia.
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar on December 11 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Col. Jack A. Turner by Mrs. Muriel Turner and her daughters Jackie, Mary, Chandelle, and Sandi.
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Church Office Holiday Hours
The church office will be closed beginning at noon on Friday, December 23, and will open again on Wednesday, December 28. The church office will also be closed beginning at noon on Friday, December 30, and will open again on Tuesday, January 3. Poems and Carols for Christmas
Come on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00 p.m. to enjoy poetry and traditional carols sung by the Sanctuary Choir and Chamber Ensemble with full orchestra. Christmas Eve Service
Worship with us at any of these three services on Saturday, December 24: 4:00 p.m., Candlelight Service with music from the Children's Choirs. Additional seating will be provided in Hancock Hall. 6:00 p.m., Candlelight Communion with music from the Wesleyan Youth Choir. Additional seating will be provided in Hancock Hall. 11:00 p.m., Candlelight Communion with music from the Sanctuary Choir. Christmas Day and 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. |
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DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS
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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
Your help is needed at the Christmas Community Meal on Thursday, December 15! Help is needed providing food (hams, pound cakes), being table hosts, helping set-up or clean-up, and more. Sign up with Matt Dixon, mdixon3@bellsouth.net.
Poinsettia Orders
The poinsettias that have been ordered in memory or in honor of loved ones will be on the altar Sunday, December 18, and may be picked up by donors after the 11:00 service that day, or they may be picked up on Monday, December 19, in the sanctuary.
Where Do You See God?
God is present everywhere. Please give your response to this question at
All answers welcome.
Men's Retreat
This year's Men's Retreat is February 17-19, and registration opens soon. Our featured speaker will be Joe Gibbs (NFL, NASCAR) via video, as well as other high profile men. Join us in Toccoa for a great weekend. Contact Mason McWhorter, masonmc@bellsouth.net, or Ryan Brinson, |
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A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
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9:30 a.m. Combined First Word
3:30 p.m. Agape
4:30 p.m. Mid-High Crossties/Sr. High WYC
5:30 p.m. Snack Supper
6:00 p.m. Sr. High Crossties/Mid High Choir
This week... December 12-17, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, December 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
Friday, December 16, 2011 6:00 p.m. WYC Caroling and Christmas Party Upcoming... December 18 - Full Youth Staff Meeting
Jason's Jots Every year, during Christmas, I always think of one of the best gifts I ever received. I was in the 4th-grade and had the typical Christmas list that any 4th grade boy would have. It was loaded with sports equipment, toys, games, and pretty much anything else I saw commercials promoting on the television. When Christmas morning arrived I can remember seeing the best gift ever. At the moment I didn't really know it, but later on I would realize the impact this gift would have on my life. This gift was a kid-sized shovel. I know this sounds extremely boring, and that is exactly what I thought. However, my dad worked in the yard all the time, and I would later see this gave me the opportunity to spend more time with my dad outside of practicing baseball or basketball. This was quality time, and I will forever treasure this time with my father. I could have received the newest Nerf gun and played war with my friends, but that would not have been as impactful as that little shovel.
That shovel reminds me of the gift the Lord has given us, His Word. When you look at the Bible, it is just a book. However, when you open it, you see it is just God's way of spending time with us. It is His way to teach us, to encourage us, and to love us. When God gave us His Word, He knew what He was doing. He just wanted to spend some time with us.
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Nursery Parent Helpers
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December 11, 2011
Crawlers/Walkers: Ashley and Matt King
Walkers/Toddlers: Maggie and Dallas Cowne
Early 2's: HELP NEEDED
2-Year-Olds: Ashley and Matt Gottschalk
3-Year-Olds: Katie and Todd Roath
4-Year-Olds: Leslie and John Dorris
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 11: Mark 13:24-37
Monday, December 12: Isaiah 40:1-11
Tuesday, December 13: Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13
Wednesday, December 14: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Thursday, December 15: Joshua 5:10-12
Friday, December 16: Joshua 8:30-35
Saturday, December 17: Joshua 20:1-9
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ATTENDANCE
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Attendance December 4
Sunday School: 459
8:30 a.m.: 165
9:45 a.m.: 261
11:00 a.m.: 417
Total Worship Services: 843
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FINANCIAL REPORT
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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 4 Sundays: $179,871
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $177,511
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,696,270
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