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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
January 8:
"Not a Fan"
Anthem:
9:45/11:00 Services
"Consecrated, Lord, to Thee"
Larson
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.
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
First Light Acolytes
(8:30) Walt Chapeau,
Joe Jordan, Loran Posey
(9:45) Samantha Harvel,
Anna Alyssa McKoy,
Rob Hardell
(11:00) Savannah Smith, Sarah Whatley, Hayley Whitmore
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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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Turning Pages When you read an exciting book, you may describe it to others as a "real page turner." The plot beckons you forward, the words flow by and you can't wait to discover what happens next. As my youngest daughter makes her way through my favorite book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, I think about how I stayed up for two days reading with astonishment and apprehension as the story unfolded. With each turning page, the characters seemed to come to life and I found myself immersed in a story that was so compelling that it changed the way I looked at the world.
As we make our way into a new year, this kind of enthusiasm for "turning pages" could apply to our life in faith. The truth is we don't mind turning pages on a good book, but turning a page in our own life is literally a different story. There are parts of our story we simply don't want to let go of. In life, some of our most pleasant and our most unpleasant memories can tempt us to linger in the past and not move forward. We let regret or fear hold us back from the new life that God promises us.
A little girl who was just starting kindergarten ran to her mother with tears in her eyes and a trembling lip. She said she was so scared. Her mother asked her what was the matter and she said, "I don't know how to do homework!"
New things like "homework" can make you not want to turn the page. The beauty of the gospel story is that it is a lamp for our feet, a light for our path. Place the past in God's capable hands and invite God's presence into what you are doing right this very minute. Pray with faith that the God who delivered Abraham & Sarah, Ruth & Naomi, Isaac & Jacob, Mary & Joseph has delivered you. The proclamation of Christmas is "Emmanuel" "God with us." That is a fact that will never change no matter what the year brings. Jesus said, "I am with you always." Let the light of Christ shine on your resolutions, your hopes and your concerns for the new year.
Happy New Year Blessings! Martha
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MEMBER NEWS
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In Memoriam
Austin Kesler
Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to:
Mike Beckum and his family in the loss of his father, William Arnold Beckum, on December 22 in Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. Carolyn W. Morris in the loss of her brother, Warner L. Willis, in Richmond, Virginia.
New Arrival
Congratulations to:
Jake and Beth Olson on the birth of their sons, Asher and Maclain, on December 30.
Altar Flowers
The flowers on the altar on January 8 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mrs. Lucile Bridges by her grandchildren, Roger and Renee Alexander, Ivan Renka, and David and Elisabetta Renka.
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FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS
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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. 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, January 28
Don't miss Renee Swope of Proverbs 31 Ministries who will be the featured speaker for the 2012 AFUMC Women's Ministry Kick-Off event on January 28. The day will be filled with Renee's teaching from her new book, A Confident Heart, as well as worship, topical breakout sessions, lunch, and fellowship. The event will be held in Hancock Hall, 8:30 - 3:00, and the cost is $10 (includes lunch and materials). Register today online, www.athensfirstumc.org, or by phone, 706-543-1442. Contact Julie Caldwell, jpowell@negia.net with questions. Join us on Facebook: Athens First United Methodist Women's Ministry. 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. 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. |
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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.
Where Do You See God?
God is present everywhere. Please give your response to this question at
All answers welcome.
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 Wednesday night six-week study is $8. For more information contact Keith Wilson, 706.549.2199, kwilson99@charter.net. Register online.
New Women's Beth Moore Bible Study: James A new Beth Moore Bible study, James, will begin on Thursday, January 19. Topics in this 8-week study include: joy, hardship, faith, reversal of fortunes for rich and poor, wisdom, gifts from above, single-mindedness, the dangers of the tongue, humility, and prayer. Cost is $20. Contact Lisa Huggins to sign-up, huggins3036@bellsouth.net.
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A MESSAGE FOR YOU...TH!
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Sunday, January 8, 2012
Confirmation Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services
No Choir
FREE Warmth in the Winter Dinner & Concert,
5:30-7:30 p.m.
This week... January 9-14
Tuesday, January 10
7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 (Saye Scout Hut)
Wednesday, January 11
7:30 a.m. Breakfast @ Beechwood Chick-fil-a
4:30 p.m. Youth Area Open
5:30 p.m. Dinner Downtown
6:30 p.m. Mid/Sr. High Bible Study
Upcoming... January 22 - Full Youth Staff Meeting
Eric's Insights "Giving Up"
"These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ" - Philippians 3:7.
I recently read about what youth were willing to give up to keep their phones. According to a recent survey (MediaPost), youth ages 15 to 17 were willing to give up quite a bit. 16% would give up their cars. 46% would give up their refrigerators. 70% would give up their microwaves. 72% would give up their videogame systems. Makes sense - less than half of smartphone users actually call people with their gadgets (Time). My hunch is that youth help skew this figure! This time of year, most of us spend a little more time than usual thinking about what to give up. We make resolutions - what we're resolved to do because we added 1 to the year. Giving up usually involves sacrifice - like what you're willing to sacrifice in order to keep your phone. It's funny (or not) how we usually think that keeping means, well, keeping - hanging onto our stuff. We don't think about how powerful sacrifice is to keeping. As Christians, this idea should be in our DNA, pumping in our blood. We believe in a God who gave up the throne in heaven to come to Earth. We follow a Christ who gave up his life to become our King and Savior. Our story is one that is gain in loss. It doesn't make sense, but then again, it does. Now, I'm not suggesting that our youth give up their cell phones. I am challenging us all including myself to think about how our "giving up" is gain, and not just for ourselves, but others, too.
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NURSERY PARENT HELPERS
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January 8, 2012
Crawlers/Walkers: Andrea Jolliffe
Walkers/Toddlers: Kevin and Katy Brodrick
Early 2's: Joel and Melissa Adair
2-Year-Olds: Leigh and Brian Garrett
3-Year-Olds: Mary and Jeff Deloach
4-Year-Olds: Claire and Palmer Bush
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CALENDAR
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Click here to view the online calendar!
Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, January 8: Genesis 1:1-5
Monday, January 9: Psalm 29
Tuesday, January 10: Acts 19:1-7
Wednesday, January 11: Mark 1:4-11
Thursday, January 12: 1 Samuel 3:1-9
Friday, January 13: 1 Samuel 3:10-4:1a
Saturday, January 14: 1 Samuel 7:3-17
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ATTENDANCE
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December 24 4:00 p.m.: 800
6:00 p.m.: 1,000
11:00 p.m.: 400 Total Worship Services: 2,200 December 25 10:00 a.m.: 298 |
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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: $200,540
Debt reduction goal for 2011: $100,000
Trustee debt reduction year-to-date: $245,137
Current Bank Loan(s) Debt: $1,630,296
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