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Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
10:00 a.m.
Chuck Hodges Preaching
December 24 and 25
Christmas Meditation
John Page Preaching
January 1"Say What You Believe, Live What You Say" Hebrews 10:16
Anthem:
December 24
6:00 p.m. Service
"If This Child Were Born Today"
arr. Poorman
11:00 p.m. Service
"The First Noel"
arr. Forrest
January 1
"Pour Me Out"
Julie Caldwell
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 January 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, Jim Lyons 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 |
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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Holiday Schedule
CHRISTMAS EVEAll services will be available live on our website, www.athensfirstumc.org.
4:00 p.m.: Candlelight service with music from the Children's Choirs. Additional seating will be available in Hancock Hall.
6:00 p.m.: Candlelight service with music from the Wesleyan Youth Choir. Additional seating will be available in Hancock Hall.
11:00 p.m.: Candlelight service with music from the Sanctuary Choir.
Pre-service music begins at 10:30 p.m. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S DAY
Worship with us at 10:00 a.m. both Sundays.
The services will be available live on our website, www.athensfirstumc.org, at 10:00 a.m. and will be broadcast on the radio (WRFC 960 AM or online at www.960theref.com) at 11:00 a.m.
OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS
The church office will be closed beginning at noon on December 23, through December 27, and again at noon on December 30 through January 2. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Our regular worship schedule (8:30, 9:45 & 11:00) begins again on Sunday, January 8, with confirmation and renewal of
our Baptismal Covenant.
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MEMBER NEWS
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Baptisms
Laney Elizabeth Chesnutt received the Sacrament of Baptism on December 18 in our Sanctuary. She is the daugther of Bobby and Allison Chesnutt.
Charleston (Charlie) Lanier Crisler, received the Sacrament of Baptism on December 18 in our Sanctuary. She is the daughter of Geoffrey and Ansley Crisler.
Austin Keith Douce received the Sacrament of Baptism on December 18 in our Sanctuary. He is the son of Travis and Casey Douce.
New Members
We welcome to the First United Methodist Family:
Travis and Casey Douce
Charlie and Kayla Smith
New Arrival
Congratulations to:
Dax and Valerie Langley on the birth of their son Knox Bryant Langley, on October 18. Knox is the grandson of Chuck and Patsy Vickery.
Leland and Jill Barrow on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Harper, on December 11..
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar on December 24 and 25 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Drucye and Frank Casey and Gene C. Miller and in honor of Julia E. Miller by their families.
The flowers on the altar on January 1 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. R.P. Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. Howell Erwin, Jr. and Mr. Howell Erwin III by Chad Erwin, Lucy and Buddy Allen and their children, and Steve and Debbie Erwin and their children.
The flowers in the narthex on January 1 are given in celebration of George and Cindy Kuhlman's 50th wedding anniversary by their daughters and their families.
A special thank you to Mr. C. L. Morehead for coming to our church on Saturday, December 17, and arranging poinsettias for Christmas.
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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.
Christmas Eve ServiceWorship 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. A Special Gift for Babies Born in 2011
On Sunday, December 11, babies born in 2011 were recognized at the 9:45 and 11:00 worship services. Each child was presented with a Precious Promises CD by the Children's Music Ministry. If you were unable to attend, you may pick up a CD for your child at the front desk of the church office. Contact Carol Reeves at 706-543-1442, ext. 213 or creeves@athenfirstumc.org. Preschool Registration Has Started!
We would love to have your child(ren) be part of our preschool family. The deadlines for registration are January 20 (currently enrolled), January 23 (church enrollment), and January 24 (community enrollment). Registration forms can be downloaded at www.athensfirstumc.org/afumcpreschool.html. If you have any questions or would like a tour, please contact Linsey Jarrett, Director, linsey@athensfirstumc.org or Kasay Rabon, Assistant Director, kasay@athensfirstumc.org, or 706-543-2427. Men's Retreat
Join us in Toccoa for a great weekend, February 17-19. Our featured speaker will be Joe Gibbs (NFL, NASCAR) via video, as well as other high profile men. The cost is $150. Register online today at www.athensfirstumc.org. Contact Mason McWhorter, masonmc@bellsouth.net, or Ryan Brinson, ryanbrinson@hotmail.com for more information. |
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DISCIPLESHIP AND MISSIONS
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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.
Souper Suppers
Souper Suppers are kicking into gear on January 5! Souper Suppers are a hot meal that is served every Thursday to folks in our community. Your family, class or group can volunteer to cook and serve the meal, interact and talk with our guests, and clean up. Souper Suppers are on Thursdays in January through April in Hancock Hall, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Contact Glenda Greenhaw, ggreenha@yahoo.com, for more information or to volunteer.
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BIBLE STUDY AND LEARNING OPTIONS
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Later Book Group
The Later Book Group will meet next Wednesday, January 11, at 6:30 p.m. The group will resume regular meetings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. All are welcome! We will be reading and discussing Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong. Contact April Webb, martin_webb@bellsouth.net. or 706-546-6274.New Men's Study
Based on the engaging approach of Kyle Idleman, this one-of-a-kind small group study-Not a Fan-examines what it means to deny oneself and truly follow Jesus. The cost for the workbook for this six-week study is $8. For more information contact Keith Wilson, 706.549.2199, kwilson99@charter.net. Register online.
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A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
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Sunday, December 25
10:00 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary
This week... December 26-31
Tuesday, December 27
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, December 28
No Youth Activities
Upcoming... January 4 - Confirmation Banquet and
Confirmation Sunday Rehearsal
January 6 - WYC National Anthem
Meet at Coliseum at 6:30 p.m.
January 7 - WYC Winter Workshop
9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. **Bring $3 for Lunch!
January 8 - Confirmation Sunday
Daynes's Devo This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snuggly and lying in a manger. ~ Luke 2:12
Each advent of my childhood was spent primarily focused on one thing: convincing my parents that I deserved...no, needed...a horse. It was my Official Red Ryder carbine-action two hundred shot range model air rifle. And like poor Ralphie, I was advised that it would not be in my best interest. I held onto hope year after year, however, and each Christmas morning I would descend the stairs in anticipation, ready to greet my steed, and hoping that I would not be met yet again with a pitiful, plastic Breyer pony that they found to be such an amusing substitute. The truth is that my parents knew best (don't tell them I said that) and they were right. I did not need a horse; in fact, I was much better off without one.
The Israelites waited in anticipation, too, not for a lowly baby born to a poor, unwed teen mother, but for a kingly savior robed in splendor (which I am sure does not look like hay-covered swaddling clothes), sword at the ready to deliver them to Glory just as God had promised. Jesus was not what they expected and many did not recognize what a precious gift He truly was. He is exactly the gift the world needed and still needs: not a magnificent deliverer taking us from Earth to Heaven, but a perfect sacrifice teaching us how to bring Heaven to Earth. The deliverer will come, but for now we get to tell the world about the most precious Christmas gift of all: The gift we were least expecting but needing the most. Merry Christmas!
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NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
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December 25, 2011NO PARENT HELPERS
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 25: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Monday, December 26: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Tuesday, December 27: Luke 1:47-55
Wednesday, December 28: Romans 16:25-27
Thursday, December 29: 2 Samuel 7:1-17
Friday, December 30: 2 Samuel 7:18-22
Saturday, December 31: 2 Samuel 7:23-29
Sunday, January 1: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Monday, January 2: Psalm 8
Tuesday, January 3: Revelation 21:1-6a
Wednesday, January 4: Isaiah 60:1-6
Thursday, January 5: Proverbs 8:22-31
Friday, January 6: Isaiah 49:13-23
Saturday, January 7: Jeremiah 31:15-22
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ATTENDANCE
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December 18 Sunday School: 458
8:30 a.m.: 187 9:45 a.m.: 412 11:00 a.m.: 837 Sanctuary Choir Program: 260 Total Worship Services: 1436 December 4 Lessons and Carols: 530 |
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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 2 Sundays: $137,270
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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