Athens First United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Athens First United Methodist Church All Saints Sunday November 2, :30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.

2 Welcome We re glad you re here! Thank you for joining us today. Members of this congregation have been gathering here to worship since 1804, when our church was formed to minister to the Native American and European settlers in Athens. Over the past two centuries our congregation has changed, but our mission remains the same: to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We are inspired by the words of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who encouraged believers to do all the good you can, in all the ways you can. At Athens First United Methodist, there are many ways to get involved, grow in your faith, and do good in our community. If you are unable to attend worship in person, each Sunday our 11:00 a.m. service is broadcast on WRFC 960 AM, and our 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. services are live-streamed on our website at athensfirstumc.org/webcast. Nursery Our nursery is available for infants through four-year-olds on Sundays from 8:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. The nursery area is located on the first floor of the building, off the Washington Street entrance. Children Worship activity bags (age appropriate for all preschool and elementary children) are available every Sunday in the narthex and by the south entrance of the sanctuary. Children s Church is held for children in kindergarten through second grade and follows the Children s Message during 11:00 a.m. worship all Sundays except for Communion Sundays. Sunday School We offer Sunday School for all ages, kindergarten through adult, each Sunday from 9:45 10:45 a.m. For a list of adult Sunday School classes and locations, visit athensfirstumc.org/ adultsundayschool. Connect We are blessed to have a large congregation and because of this we offer many programs and ministries. It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to get involved. If you would like a buddy to guide you along this process please notify a Helper. Helpers serve as part of our Welcome Ministry team. Look for them in the narthex or near the altar. You can also contact a Helper through our website athensfirstumc.org/helper. Another great way to learn about the life of our church is through attending a Newcomer Orientation held every second Sunday of the month at 9:45 and 11 a.m. We also encourage you to visit our website, athensfirstumc.org, for information about our ministries, to register for events, and to listen to sermons from our sermon archive. Visit athensfirstumc.org/thesteeple to sign up for our weekly newsletter, the esteeple. You can also connect with us via social media. Find on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Our church office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. If you need assistance, please call

3 The Worship of God *Please stand as you are able. The congregation speaks or sings the text in bold type. Gathering The flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Bob) E. Poss, Jr. by their family. THE PRELUDE When We Are in Utmost Need Kerr WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER Betsy Butler THE CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. Julie Caldwell In paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem. May the angels escort you into paradise; at your coming, may the martyrs receive you and bring you into the holy city, Jerusalem. May the chorus of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, once a poor man, may you have eternal rest. In paradisum (English: Into paradise ) is an antiphon from the traditional Latin liturgy of the Western Church Requiem Mass. It is sung by the choir as the body is being taken out of the church. * THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 711 For All the Saints SINE NOMINE Praise & Thanksgiving * THE LITANY FOR ALL SAINTS God of the ages, we praise you for all your servants, who have done justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly with their God. For apostles and martyrs and saints of every time and place, who in life and death have witnessed to your truth, We praise you, O God. For all your followers who have faithfully served you, WORSHIP BULLETIN 1

4 witnessed bravely, and died in faith, who are still shining lights in the world, We praise you, O God. For those we have known and loved, for teachers and colleagues and friends, for children, parents and grandparents, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, for all who by their faithful obedience and steadfast hope have shown the same mind that was in Christ Jesus, We praise you, O God. We thank you for the truth they learned and passed on to us: that it is by giving that we shall receive; it is by becoming weak that we shall be strong; it is by loving others that we shall be loved; it is by offering ourselves that the kingdom will unfold; it is by dying that we shall inherit life everlasting. Keep us grateful for their witness, and, like them, eager to follow in the way of Christ. Then at last, bring us together to share in the inheritance of the saints in light, through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen. * THE GLORIA PATRI Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. * THE PASSING OF THE PEACE THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER Martha Aenchbacher Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. WORSHIP BULLETIN 2

5 THE ANTHEM 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Neither Angels, Nor Demons, Nor Powers Timothy Takach Sung by the Chamber Ensemble And I believe. So I believe. I will lift up my eyes to the hills. There, does thou will believe, no storm should come to mar the stillness of that angel-home; there should thy slumbers be weighed down with honey-dew, serenely blessed. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angels, nor demons, nor powers, neither things present nor things to come, neither height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God. I do believe. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. THE OFFERING THE OFFERTORY ANTHEM 8:30 a.m. Revelation Song J. Riddle Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, holy, holy is He. Sing a new song to Him who sits on Heaven s mercy seat. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty who was and is and is to come. With all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings. You are my everything and I will adore You. Clothed in rainbows of living color, flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder, blessing and honor, strength, and glory and power be to You the only wise King. Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of Your name Jesus. Your name is power, breath and living water, such a marvelous mystery. Congregation sings as directed. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be. 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Psalm 23 Paul Basler Sung by the Sanctuary Choir, Peter Riggs, horn The text for this anthem can be found on page 754 of the hymnal * THE DOXOLOGY Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below! Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! THE SCRIPTURE READING II Samuel 24:24 But the king said to Araunah, No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. WORSHIP BULLETIN 3

6 THE MESSAGE Something for Nothing Chuck Hodges THE REMEMBERING OF THE SAINTS Clifton Baile Ralph Beaird Joseph Broadhurst Louie Brown Allen Crenshaw Marguerite Crenshaw Amber Dickerson Betty Doyle Joe Echols, Jr. Durward Entrekin Jean Freshley Response to the Word Hokey Jackson Jeanne LaGrone Jackie Maddox Marian Martin Louise Plant Bill Ruff Shirley Semler Dallas Tarkenton Evelyn Tate Miriam Trousdale THE PRAYER Almighty God, your people of all the ages live and praise you without ceasing. In our communion with you, we have communion with generations past and generations yet unborn. Before your throne we are one with a great multitude which no one could number, and in praising you we join with people from every nation. Grant to your church on earth that, as we celebrate the triumph of your saints in glory, we may profit by their example and enter with them into the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE ANTHEM Do Not Stand at My Grave Howard Goodall Sung by the Sanctuary Choir; Kevin Rowland, soloist Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle show rs of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush, I am in the graceful rush of far off birds in circling flight, I am the starshine of the night. Lacrymosa dies illa (O how tearful that day). I am in every flower that blooms, I am in still and empty rooms. I am the child that yearns to sing: I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die. WORSHIP BULLETIN 4

7 Sending Forth * THE BLESSING * THE RESPONSE Sing With All the Saints in Glory HYMN TO JOY Sing with all the saints in glory, sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth s dark story, to the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking, soon the storms of time shall cease; in God s likeness we, awaking, know the everlasting peace. * THE POSTLUDE Look, Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious Mahnke Sermon Notes WORSHIP BULLETIN 5

8 GREETERS Brad Bowling, Donna Bowdoin, Sally Anne Cauthen, Kim Griffith, Jason Miller, Tina Powers, Diane and Olan Moore, Hayden Hudson, Kerrigan Pruett, Parissa Shedd NOVEMBER USHERS 8:30 a.m. Jim Belger, Ann and Paul Brown, Larry Deal, Hugh Larkey, Mack Lowrey, Jim Lyons, Candler Meadors, Olan Moore, Bob Noble, Grace Rabek, Ken Reece, Keith Wilson, Michael and Sharon Broun 9:45 a.m. Chris Bostdorff, Tom Cooper, David and Jane Disney, Mark Ellison, Mark Firth, Tom Hedges, Dan Lasseter, Jim Lyons, Sharon Milton, Tom Milton, Al Rogers, Bill Trigleth, Michelle and Reeves McNeill 11:00 a.m. Mark Graham, Mike McCord, Charlie Upchurch III, Allan Hixon, Mason McWhorter, Gene Deal, Jim Lyons OFFERING STEWARDS Bob Booth, Charlie Grimes, Jim Lyons, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III FIRST LIGHT ACOLYTES 8:30 a.m. Campbell Cona, Charlotte Knight 9:45 a.m. Brent Chandler, Charles Clarke, Joseph Frierson 11:00 a.m. Matt Moseley, John Knight, Greer Moseley ATTENDANCE ON OCTOBER 26 Total Worship 1210 Sunday School 430 8:30 a.m :45 a.m :00 a.m. 528 Online 81 FINANCIAL REPORT Budget for 2014 $2,431,008 Amount Given YTD $2,217,649 Goal for October $182,453 Amount after 3 Sundays $181,064 OUR MINISTERS AND PROGRAM DIRECTORS Chuck Hodges Senior Minister athensfirstumc.org chuck@athensfirstumc.org Martha Aenchbacher Minister of Congregational Care athensfirstumc.org/caregroups martha@athensfirstumc.org Beth Dickinson Minister of Discipleship athensfirstumc.org/studies beth@athensfirstumc.org Betsy Butler Minister of Missions athensfirstumc.org/missions betsy@athensfirstumc.org Josh Miles Director of Student Ministries athensfirstumc.org/youth/students josh@athensfirstumc.org Robin Stewart Director of Children s Ministry athensfirstumc.org/sundaymorning robinafumc@bellsouth.net Sarah Lawing Director of Children s Music Ministry athensfirstumc.org/childrensmusic sarah@athensfirstumc.org Stephen Mitchell Director of Music athensfirstumc.org/adultmusicministry stephen@athensfirstumc.org Janis Maxwell Director of Youth Music & Organist athensfirstumc.org/wyc janis@athensfirstumc.org Lynn Bryant Director REACH International athensfirstumc.org/reachinternational lynn@athensfirstumc.org Rusty Wood Director of Recreation Ministries athensfirstumc.org/recreation rusty@athensfirstumc.org Linsey Jarrett Director of Weekday Preschool linsey@athensfirstumc.org WORSHIP BULLETIN 6

9 The Steeple All Saints Sunday honoring every child of God THE STEEPLE 7

10 A F U M C S E R V I C E DAY Thank you for a great AFUMC Service Day A big thank-you to all who volunteered at the October 25 Service Day. Many of you served throughout our community. We had folks working with mission partners, cleaning and organizing our church, and serving at the North Georgia Annual Conference. This is truly an example of the Body of Christ at work! THE STEEPLE 8

11 Baptisms Caroline Reid Fortson received the Sacrament of Baptism on October 26 in our sanctuary. Caroline is the daughter of Valerie and Jason Fortson, and the granddaughter of Lynn Norman. William Calder Gooch received the Sacrament of Baptism on October 26 in our sanctuary. Calder is the son of Cecily and Micah Gooch. New Arrival Congratulations to Kate and John Weatherford on the birth of their daughter, Ann Caroline, on October 22. Children s Basketball Registration Open The Athens First United Methodist Church Recreation Committee is very excited about the Children s Basketball season. Along with learning the game of basketball and building athletic skills, we look forward to families, teams, and coaches growing together in their knowledge of Christ. Registration is now open. Register online athensfirstumc.org/childrensbasketball Rusty Wood rusty@athensfirstumc.org Erika Bates erika@athensfirstumc.org This week read week two. Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org Shiny Gods Stewardship Study Using Mike Slaughter s book Shiny Gods and the First devotional, Chuck Hodges, Martha Aenchbacher, and Beth Dickinson will look at finding freedom from the things that distract us while putting God first in all aspects of our lives. Two different sessions of this study will be offered. The Wednesday night sessions will meet on November 5, 12, and 19 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in room 222. The Sunday night sessions will meet November 9, 16, and 23 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in room 224. There is no cost to participate, all materials are provided, and childcare is available by registration. Please register online so we may order materials. Register online athensfirstumc.org/registration Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org International Missions Interest Meeting November 5 & 9 First Stewardship Devotional Everyone at Athens First United Methodist Church is invited to pick up a copy of First, a devotional by Mike Slaughter that encourages readers to put God first in living and giving. Copies are available to pick up in the library. If you are interested in participating in an international mission trip in 2015, visit room 103 Wednesday November 5 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. or Sunday November 9 from noon to 12:30 p.m. for a drop-in informational meeting. You can talk with our minister of mission Betsy Butler and learn more about dates and costs of international mission trips in Betsy Butler betsy@athensfirstumc.org THE STEEPLE 9

12 offered, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. You can learn more about Athens First United Methodist including ways to get involved and how to become a member. Martha Aenchbacher martha@athensfirstumc.org Volunteers Needed at International Student Life Thanksgiving Dinner November 17 Senior Fun Thanksgiving Feast and Prayer Service November 11 There is a special Thanksgiving feast and prayer service on Tuesday, November 11 (Veteran s Day). We will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a true Thanksgiving feast in Hancock Hall. Following lunch we will have a special service of prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for peace led by veterans. A message will be given by West Point graduate and retired pilot, Bill Gordon; a prayer will be led by Dr. Olin Parker, WWII and Korean War Veteran; and scripture will be read by another veteran, Charlie Burch. Athens First United Methodist Church music director Stephen Mitchell is organizing music for this special service. The cost of lunch is $6. Please make your reservations by Friday, November 7 by calling the church office. Dan Maxey Volunteers of every talent are needed to help serve the nations at the REACH International/International Student Life (ISL) Thanksgiving Dinner on November 17 in Hancock Hall. From decorating, to helping with children, to hosting and serving, you and your talents are needed! Please visit online to learn more about different volunteer roles and to sign up. Please sign up by November 10. Sign up athensfirstumc.org/reachvolunteer Lynn Bryant lynn@athensfirstumc.org Men s Dinner November 6 All men are invited to the United Methodist Men s Dinner on Thursday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. in Hancock Hall. A delicious meal will be served before an engaging and relevant program by Bob Beckwith, Director of the UGA Wesley Foundation. The cost is only $5, so please bring a friend. Register online, or by calling the church office by November 3. Guests are welcome! Register online athensfirstumc.org/registration Chris Caldwell caldwellchrism@yahoo.com Newcomer Orientation November 9 Everyone is invited to attend Newcomer Orientation on Sunday, November 9 in Hancock Hall. Two sessions are Thanks from REACH International Thanks to everyone who contributed chili and cakes for Snack and Chat: Pumpkin Carving and Cake Walk on October 17. The event was a huge success with enough chili provided for everyone and more than 100 cakes donated for the cake walk! We had 190 guests from 15 different nations attend, with 50 students being first-time visitors to our church. Thank you for allowing God to express His love to the world through your donations. Learn more athensfirstumc.org/reach Lynn Bryant lynn@athensfirstumc.org THE STEEPLE 10

13 Christmas Poinsettias Poinsettias in honor or memory of a loved one are available for purchase through the church office. The flowers will be placed in the sanctuary by the Altar Guild and a booklet listing all of those participating will be available in the narthex Sunday, December 21. The flowers may be picked up after the 11:00 a.m. worship service the same day. Orders with payment may be made at the church office or by mail no later than December 1. The price is $11 per plant. Cookie Daniel cookied@athensfirstumc.org College Care Packages The youth are collecting supplies for college care packages from now until Sunday morning, November 16. You can begin dropping off shopping list items and empty shoe boxes in marked collection bins in the youth hallway beginning today. Please stick to bringing in these items on the shopping list: cookies, candy, granola bars, pop-tarts, bags of ground coffee, boxes of tea, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils, sticky notes, tissue and a thoughtful note or card. If you would like your college student to receive a care package, please the name and school address of your student to Laney Hunter by Sunday morning, November 16. Be sure to include if your student has any special dietary needs and/or allergies. Laney Hunter laney@athensfirstumc.org Calling All Military Families The Congregational Care Ministry would like to extend its appreciation to military families in our church. Even though combat missions have eased, America s commitment to our troops must continue whether they are at home or abroad. It is our joy to support military families within our church family. We have identified 19 military families and have displayed photos in the library hallway and remember these families in prayer. Is someone in your family serving in the military? We would like to add you to the rolls of our Military Family Hall of Fame. We want to show our patriotism and appreciation for all of our military families who sacrifice so much to protect us. Let us know who you are and who in your family is serving our country so that we can show our gratitude for your sacrifice. Carole Langley carolelangley@charter.net Dine-out for Our Daily Bread November 13 Enjoy a meal at any of the following participating restaurants and, for one night only, 10 percent of the gross sales from that establishment will be donated to Our Daily Bread. With your support, Our Daily Bread provides meals seven days a week to people in Athens who are homeless and/or working poor. RESTAURANTS: Agua Linda -Prince Avenue, Barberito s- Five Points, Epps Bridge and downtown, Big City Bread Café, Buffalo s Café, Casa Mia, Farm 255, Five Star Day Café, Graze Burgers and Salads, Heirloom Café, Hendershot s, Ike and Jane, Keba Spitfire Grill Eastside, Lumpkin Café, Mama s Boy, Marti s at Midday, Menchie s Beechwood, Mirko Pasta- Baxter St. and Eastside, Raising Cane s Chicken Fingers, Siri Thai Cuisine, Stevi B s Pizza, Taqueria La Parrilla, Ted s Most Best, The Grit, The Last Resort, The National, Two Story Coffeehouse, Willy s Mexicana Grill, Yoguri Betsy Butler betsy@athensfirstumc.org Family Advent Breakfast & Worship Service November 30 While We Wait...We Gather, While We Wait...We Hope, While We Wait...We Worship The Family Advent Breakfast and Worship Service is a very special way for families to begin the advent season. Our theme is While We Wait, an exploration of how we can love and serve others as we anticipate the birth of our Savior. We will start the morning with a pancake breakfast in Hancock Hall served by Mama s Boy from 8:30-9:30 a.m., followed with an interactive family worship service at 9:45 a.m. designed to prepare the hearts of little ones as well as parents. Registration will open on November 3. Kasey Dillard kaseydillard@yahoo.com THE STEEPLE 11

14 This Week SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Exodus 33: :30 a.m. Worship Service SANCTUARY Preschool Nursery & Sunday School FIRST FLOOR 9:45 a.m. Adult Sunday School SECOND FLOOR AND SAYE BULDING Elementary Sunday School THIRD FLOOR Grade 5 & 6 Sunday School: Fuel FIRST FLOOR Youth Sunday School: First Word FIRST FLOOR Worship Service SANCTUARY The Psalm Tree Connect Group ROOM :00 a.m. Sack Lunch Ministry HULL STREET ENTRANCE 11:00 a.m. Worship Service SANCTUARY Quarter Life Crisis Class ROOM :30 a.m. Children s Church CARAVANS 12:00 p.m. Food For the Soul YOUTH AREA 2:00 p.m. Volleyball Performance GYM Athens Area Walk to Emmaus Board Meeting HULL DINING ROOM 3:00 p.m. Cub Scout Pack 1 SAYE BUILDING 3:30 p.m. Wesleyan Ringers ROOM 150 4:30 p.m. Carillons Ringers ROOM 150 Route 56 Open Road ROOM Wesleyan Youth Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 5:15 p.m. Creating the Covenant C1 ROOM 224 5:30 p.m. Alleluia Ringers ROOM 150 5:45 p.m. Encounter Youth YOUTH AREA 6:30 p.m. Confirmation Sessions ROOM 222 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Psalm 99 9:30 a.m. United Methodist Women Circle Executive Board Meeting 1:15 p.m. Monday Bible Study HULL DINING ROOM 5:30 p.m. Trustees Meeting HULL DINING ROOM 7:00 p.m. Community Bible Study, Athens Evening Class TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 8:00 a.m. Community Bible Study Leaders Council YOUTH AREA 1:00 p.m. REACH International Leadership Meeting ROOM 226 5:00 p.m. Children s Basketball GYM 6:00 p.m. Girls Middle School Volleyball GYM 6:30 p.m. Financial Peace University ROOM 222 Creating the Covenant C1 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop 1 SAYE HUT THE STEEPLE 12

15 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 Matthew 22: :00 a.m. Creating the Covenant C1 ROOM 224 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Morning Bible Study Acts HULL DINING ROOM 3:30 p.m. Fun Gym GYM 4:30 p.m. Prayer Shawl Ministry Gathering ROOM 200 Children's Dance Class ROOM 145 Children s Choir: grades 1-2 ROOM 151 Worship Arts: grades 3 4 AMPHITHEATER 4:45 p.m. Early Book Group ROOM 100 5:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Meal HANCOCK HALL Route 56 GPS ROOMS :15 p.m. Children s Choir: 3 year-olds ROOM 311 Children s Choir: 4 year-olds ROOM 325 Children s Choir: Kindergarten ROOM 320 Children s Choir: grades 3 4 ROOM 151 Worship Arts: grades 1 2 AMPHITHEATER 5:30 p.m. Sams Connect Group Men s Prayer Group ROOM 301 6:00 p.m. Engage Bible Study YOUTH AREA 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 6:30 p.m. Shiny Gods Stewardship Study ROOM 222 First Stewardship Study CHAPEL Allen/Anderson Connect Group ROOM 307 Adult Pick-up Volleyball GYM Listen: Praying in a Noisy World ROOM 229 Men s Study: Follow Me ROOM 240 Men s Study: The Immanuel Project ROOM 114 8:00 p.m. Chamber Ensemble Rehearsal ROOM 148 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Exodus 33:7-11 9:00 a.m. Altar Guild Meeting HULL DINING ROOM 9:30 a.m. Community Bible Study 6:00 p.m. United Methodist Men Dinner HANCOCK HALL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 Matthew 14:1-12 5:00 p.m. Children s Basketball GYM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8 Matthew 22: :00 a.m. Children s Basketball GYM THE STEEPLE 13

16 Worship Bulletin ( ) Published weekly Athens First United Methodist Church 327 N. Lumpkin Street Athens, GA Telephone Fax Website athensfirstumc.org Periodicals Postage Paid at Athens, GA Vol. LVI No. 17 Postmaster Send address changes to: AFUMC P.O. Box 1109 Athens, GA