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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 18:
"Unable To Be Declared"
2 Corinthians 9:15
Anthem:
8:30 Service
"Breath of Heaven"
Amy Grant
9:45/11:00 Services
"Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow""
Nathaniel Garris
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) Virginia Beth Butler, Madeline Jackson,
Matthew Ward
(9:45) Matt Moseley, Larsen Block, Abby Woodard
(11:00) Campbell Cona,
Robert Keene, Parissa Shedd
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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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THIS SUNDAY
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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. 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.
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Merry Christmas from the Staff!
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MEMBER NEWS
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Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Bill Douglas and family in the loss of his father, Joseph William Douglas, on December 9 in Columbia, South Carolina.
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
David Moore
New Arrival
Congratulations to:
Tiffany and Shane Walls on the birth of their daugther, Elizabeth Lyn, on November 29. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of Bonnie Hannah.
Gena & Davis Knox on the birth of their daughter, Genevieve Austin, on November 30.
Altar Flowers
The poinsettias that have been ordered in memory or honor of loved ones will be on the altar this Sunday and may be picked up by donors after the 11:00 service. A list of poinsettia recipients will be available.
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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. These services will be available live on our website, www. athensfirstumc.org. 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. The service will be available live on our website, www.athensfirstumc.org at 10:00 a.m. The radio broadcas will be available at 11:00 a.m. Fitness Classes
Ready to get those New Year's resolutions off to a great start? Join us for the Burn, Firm, and Learn fitness class Tuesday's from 9:00-10:00 a.m. And Pilates on Wednesday's from 5:15-6:00 p.m. Please contact Rusty, rusty@athensfirstumc.org, or Katy Brodrick for additional information. Women's Ministry: Renee Swope, A Confident Heart
Proverb 31 Ministries guest speaker, Renee Swope, has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 28, in Hancock Hall. Mark your calendar and save the date! More information to follow. Contact Julie Caldwell, jpowell@negia.net with questions. Join us on Facebook: Athens First United Methodist Women's Ministry. |
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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.
Save the Date!
Great Day of Service will focus locally on Saturday, April 21. Mark your calendar for this great opportunity! Contact Jon Mills,jon@mills.net. 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.
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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Sunday, December 18, 2011
9:30 a.m. First Word
3:30 p.m. Agape
4:30 p.m. Combined Choir
5:30 p.m. Combined Christmas Crossties Party!!
Invite your friends and graduated youth!!
Pick up between 8 and 9 p.m.
This week... December 19-24, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
12:00 p.m. Bible Study Gift Exchange at Epps Bridge Barberrito's
Upcoming... December 24 - Christmas Eve Services at 4:00p.m., 6:00p.m., 11:00p.m.
December 25 - Christmas Morning Service at 10:00 a.m.
No First Word
Eric's Insights More
The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss - Proverbs 21:5.
First, I have a disclaimer: I'm a sinner, and I stand, every second of my life, in need of God's grace. Ok, here goes... This is a tough spiritual concept: less is more. We usually equate abundance with more, right? Not less. More. More moolah. More toys. More in our schedules. More newer (just go with it). More, more, more. Just plain more. It's a quality thing, not a quantity thing. We usually observe the people moving the fastest and doing the most having more, well, more than "us" anyway. Hmmm? So why is it that the Bible hammers away at this truth: real abundance comes in simplicity and patience? Easy for me to say, right? I'm chubby hubby and happy, arent' I? Am I? Really? I don't want because I have more. I'm starting to really discover - like in a deep spiritual way - that sometimes, well usually, the faster stuff comes the less meaning it holds. I remember back to when I was a kid and how long it seemed to take Christmas day to get here... and how awesome it was when it finally arrived. Bad example! It works more like sleep or fasting or Sabbath even. Like Advent and Christmas. Abundance, real abundance, the kind of abundance Jesus had and we so desperately need and want, comes from less, not more; from simple, not complex; from patience, not hurry. From under a star, not a tree. More God, less us. From a baby. From a stable. From a virgin mom. From a silent night. My heart longs for more.
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NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
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December 18, 2011
Crawlers/Walkers: Carla and Jared York
Walkers/Toddlers: Ashley and Olin Smith
Early 2's: HELP NEEDED
2-Year-Olds: Mandy and Ryan Langton
3-Year-Olds: Suzanna and Mitch Rutledge
4-Year-Olds: Missy and Travis Jackson
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 18: Mark 1:1-8
Monday, December 19: Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11
Tuesday, December 20: Psalm 126
Wednesday, December 21: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Thursday, December 22: Judges 2:6-15
Friday, December 23: Judges 2:16-23
Saturday, December 24: Judges 5:1-12
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ATTENDANCE
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December 11 Sunday School: 507
8:30 a.m.: 179 9:45 a.m.: 376 11:00 a.m.: 737 Total Worship Services: 1292 |
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FINANCIAL REPORT
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Budget for 2011: $2,339,129
Giving goal through November 2011: $1,931,916
Amount received through November: $2,043,083
Giving Goal for December: $407,213
Amount given after 1 Sunday: $78,257
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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