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Office Phone: 404-633-4505
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Sunday, February 24, 2013
LECTIONARY READINGS
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
WORSHIP NOTES
Texts: Philippians 3:17-4:1, Luke 13:31-35
The Rev. Dr. Lou Kavar, preaching
8:30 Service of Word and Table
11:00 Service of Word with Sanctuary Choir
One of the major themes of the Judeo-Christian scriptures is to present hearers of the text with a choice: life versus death; blessing versus curse; the way of the world versus the way of God. This theme echoes through the lections for today. We are left to wonder: how does the way we live conform to a social trend that pulls humanity into a downward spiral? How do we find strength to go against the tide to live authentically from a place of hope and life?
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Sunday School:
Children & Youth
Children's Sunday School (Room 201-202)
There is childcare for 2 year olds and younger.
The pre-school children (Room 205) will play, build community together and learn Bible stories.
The Kindergarten to 3rd Grades (Room 207) will use the curriculum, Godly Play. There are stories of the Bible and liturgical stories such as Communion and Baptism. This Sunday they will hear the "Parable of the Mustard Seed".
Following the 9:30 AM singing, the 4th to 6th Grade class (Room 208) This Sunday they will the story of the prophet Ezekiel.
Youth Sunday School (Room 102, 103)
The 7th to 12th Grades will meeting for Youth Worship and Gathering. |
Ongoing Sunday Education: Adults
Practical Theology: A Just Peace Covenant Community Class (Room 204) Practical Theology explores current issues, the Bible, Books written by biblical scholars, and material from the National UCC Office are utilized. Over the next five weeks, we will study the following topics: 2/24 Gun Control/Culture of Violence; 3/03 Restorative Justice; 3/10 Football: The Moral Hazard; 3/17 Flea Market Capitalism: China in Africa; 3/24 India's Original Christians Questions? Contact George and Jackie. Sacred Journeys (Fellowship Hall, Library) You are invited to join in wide ranging conversations around beliefs, prayer, and spiritual growth. The class will do a series of conversations around the topic of "Inspiration" for the next several months. Questions? Contact Gary Carson. |
Special Sunday Education Classes for Adults
LUKE BIBLE STUDY (Window Room 2) January 27 to April 28, 9:30 to 10:30 AM Dr. Ron Joyner will teach a Bible study class for 12 weeks, beginning January 27. This class will focus on the Gospel of Luke. Luke's gospel presents the life of Jesus as the opening of an historical process toward a universal faith, progressing toward Paul's missionary efforts with Jews and gentiles (in the sequel known as Acts). Luke's message includes a more clear focus on women and the poor than other gospels. Luke's parables are particularly focused on reversing normal social order. There are special characters introduced only in Luke (the angel Gabriel, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Simeon, Anna, Zacchaeus, etc). Want to know more? We'll find drama, history, geography, theology, and, as always, lots of humor. Newcomers always welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Ron Joyner. GREAT DECISIONS January 27 to March 24, 9:30 to 10:30 AM (Room 206, Education Wing) This eight-week course is designed to help citizens be better informed about major world and national issues. It is sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association. Newcomers always welcome. Questions, contact Mary Ellen. |
Tuesday Eve Spiritual Practices
COMPASSION MEDITATION: An On-Going Practice (Fellowship Hall, Window Room 2)
Tuesdays in February 12, 19, 26, 6:30 to 7:30 PM Beginning in March, Meditation continues weekly from 6:30 to 7:00 PM
Do you already have a practice of meditation? Or are you a beginner? Whatever your experience may be, you're welcome to join the compassion meditation sitting and discussion from 6:30 to 7:30. Rev. Lou will answer questions about different approaches to meditation and provide practical suggestions to help you further incorporate this practice in your life.
YOGA: A four week series on Tuesdays in March from 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Vinyasa Flow class for all levels.
Hatha yoga is a specific type of yoga that creates balance between the feminine and masculine aspects within all of us. It is designed to open many channels of the body especially the spine so that energy can flow freely. It promotes flexibility and strength while relaxing the mind. The style is vinyasa, which means to build your practice with smooth transitions of various yoga postures. Instructor: Molly Grubb
Cost: $10 per class
Molly began the path of yoga 12 years ago when she lived in Europe. She met with a seasoned yogi at a beginner's workshop. Molly was amazed and overwhelmed at how yoga made her feel. "My body felt alive and my mind clear. While I continue to be a student, I am a certified teacher and promote the ongoing practice of yoga."
For more information, contact Rev. Lou Kavar, lou@central-ucc.org
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Wednesday Suppers
"WIFI AT CENTRAL"!
Make Supper Reservations for "WIFI at Central" this Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Just sign up at the welcome desk today or send an email by midnight on Tuesday to: wifi@central-ucc.org. Say Yes! And how many are coming for supper.
WIFI means "Wednesday Intergenerational Families and Individuals," having supper and fun at Central. No cooking; just make a reservation and show up, by yourself or with all or part of your household.
- Arrive between 5:30 and 6:15 for supper. This week's menu is barbecue.
- Stay for a planned activity or just to visit. You can even do homework; there really is WIFI. We have a hard stop at 7:30. The activity is games night.
WIFI happens every Wednesday for six weeks, February 20 through March 27. Reservations are strongly encouraged so we can have enough food.
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Saturday, March 2, 7:00 PM: Fellowship of the Grape
Please join us on Saturday, March 2 as Paul and Dianne Hiltman and host Central's Fellowship of the Grape (FOG), our wine tasting group. This month's theme is "All things Celtic" (renaming us "Fellowship of the Grain" for March!) Bring Irish mead, cider, beer or whisky or any beverage of a convivial nature from the Emerald Isle, gracious sufficient quantity to share with thirsty Protestants. We will provide corned beef and cabbage; add in your favorite appetizers, breads, sides or desserts! For those not familiar with FOG, attending is of the best ways to meet Central's members and visitors of all ages and stages of life in a casual setting. The tastings are not formal, just informative. You don't have to be a church member to attend and all are welcome! Event Details: Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 7:00pm. At the home of Paul and Dianne Hiltman, 1158 Mason Woods Drive, Atlanta, 30329. RSVP directly to Paul & Dianne Hiltman. We look forward to seeing you at FOG! |
Wednesday, March 6, 11:00 AM: Women's Fellowship
Women's Fellowship's March meeting will have Business: 11:00 am. Lunch: Noon, Program "Heidi McIntyre: An Arthritis Survivor": 1 pm.. Join us and hear Heidi tell her story of living with early-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis. You will be inspired! All are invited.
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Bridge Players Wanted!
The women's bridge would like to invite bridge players to join them on the second Monday and last Wednesday of each month. We play from 10:30 - 3 pm and encourage players of all levels to join us. For more information contact Martene Stansbery
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Regional Youth Fellowship
March 9 and April 20
Our next regional youth fellowship is Saturday March 9. We will meet at the church at 6 PM and travel to Pilgrimage UCC in Marietta. We will decide on our mission trip t-shirt designs that evening so please have a design to offer for the Central UCC part of the t-shirt. As always, we need a second chaperone / bus driver. Rev. Ginnie will be the other chaperone that evening.
On April 20, we will have the opportunity to go to Six Flags for the day (9AM to 9PM). Rev. Ginnie will not be in town. We will need a bus driver and one other chaperone to be with the youth or this event will not happen. Please contact Rev. Ginnie if you are interested.
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Youth Mission Experience Appalachian South Folklore Center
The youth will be going to West Virginia from June 2 to 8 to the Appalachian South Folklore Center (ASFC). The AFSC describes itself as "a progressive, nonprofit, education organization dedicated to a mountain heritage of freedom and self-reliance; a peaceful place where people of all ages, races, faiths and origins can share community work and creativity... Volunteers participate in community development projects including helping residents with home maintenance and repairs. Cultural programs and recreational opportunities are included in our week long program that can be tailored to fit groups needs." Applications for rising 8th graders through high school are available now. Applications are due March 1 with a non-refundable $25 deposit that will go toward the total fee. The fee per person for the six-day program is $205 which includes housing, worksite supervisors, materials and 2 evening cultural programs. Food and transportation for the week will be paid for by the Youth Missions Fund. Scholarships available on request. Contact Rev. Ginnie for more information.
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Children's Peace Camp June 10 to 14, 9AM to Noon: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Peace Camp is a progressive Christian day camp with the mission to provide a fun, educational environment in which children can learn the
messages and practice of nonviolence and peacemaking through growing awareness of hunger and poverty needs around the world. It will be held June 10 to 14, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Four years to rising 3rd graders will have Camp at Central. Rising 4th to rising 7th graders will have a week of morning service projects and fun. We need volunteers. If you can drive the bus one morning, make a snack, lead games, teach art, or want to hang out with some wonderful children, please be in touch with Rev. Ginnie.
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Extended Care
Volunteers Needed
Every Sunday some wonderful adults volunteer to spend an hour enjoying the 3 to 6 year olds. The Extended Care program is a time for the younger children of the church to play, have snack and maybe hear a story. It happens during the 11:00 AM worship. Would you like to spend a Sunday morning hour once a month with some delightful children. If you are interested, please be in touch with Rev. Ginnie.
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Sunday, March 10, 12:15 PM: Church Luncheon
Following 11:00 AM worship, the youth will sponsor a luncheon. More details to follow. Please support this fundraiser for the Youth trip to West Virginia.
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Lenten Daily Nourishment
If you are looking for daily nourishment and reflection during Lent, you have several options:
- The United Church of Christ publishes an online daily devotional (not just during Lent); you can sign-up to have them emailed to you (a link is on the sidebar of every E-News).
- Rev. Ginnie has a few copies still available of the Stillspeaking Writers group daily devotional booklet; please see her for a copy. Cost is $3.
- Lenten Prayers for Hunger People is a foldout found in the pews or on the guest desk. It is written by Bread for the World. (http://www.bread.org)
- On request, a Dominican Lenten Booklet with a justice focus is available for free. See Rev. Ginnie or Charlotte.
- Rev. Michael will be posting daily thoughts, quotations, reflections, prayers and articles on his Facebook page (Shannon Michael Pater); he will also cross-post them on his blog: www.whereheartandmindmeet.com.
- You can join 10,000+ Twitter followers in flocking to Rev. Lou's daily tweets (@LouKavar).
- You can follow Central Lent events and read postings on Central's Facebook page (Central Congregational United Church of Christ). This is also a great place to post your own thoughts and reflections during the season.
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Spiritual Direction
with Rev. Lou Kavar,
Minister-in-Covenant
Are you looking to explore the role spirituality plays in your life? Do you find that beliefs you once held no longer work for you? In the midst of transitions, do you wonder how your values and beliefs come into play? Working with a spiritual director may be helpful for you.
Spiritual direction is a process through which an individual explores, develops, and deepens the spiritual dimension of life with the aid and guidance of a director or coach. It is a process whose focus is to better integrate the spiritual dimension of life with other life dimensions, including relationships, work, and leisure interests.
The Rev. Lou Kavar is available to you as a spiritual director. For more information, contact Rev. Lou (Click here).
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