Athens First United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 Athens First United Methodist Church The Third Sunday of Advent December 13, :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 all of our 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, children age 2 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. Because of this, we offer many programs and ministries. It can be overwhelming trying to decide where to get involved. If you would like someone to guide you along this process, please contact Martha Aenchbacher. 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 on 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 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Col. Jack A. Turner by Mrs. Muriel Turner and her daughters Jackie, Mary, Chandelle, and Sandi. THE PRELUDE 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Glory to God in the Highest Bish THE CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending Rutter Sung by the Sanctuary Choir THE WELCOME AND THE PASSING OF THE PEACE Beth Dickinson *THE PROCESSIONAL HYMN 196 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES 8:30 a.m. Adriane Hanson 9:45 a.m. The Winter Family 11:00 a.m. Jenny Coleman and David Shipley Sung: A candle is burning, a candle of joy, a candle to welcome brave Mary s new boy. Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow, as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow. Praise & Thanksgiving *THE AFFIRMATION OF FAITH FOR ADVENT We believe in God robed in splendor, veiled in mystery, ruler alike of darkness and light. We encounter God in Jesus Christ, whose touch brings a blaze of color to a dull, drab world: reviving the weary, healing the wounded, dazzling the satisfied; who was put to death, but whose radiance could not be quenched. We walk with God guided by the light of God s loving Spirit, who enters the shadowed places of our hearts WORSHIP BULLETIN 1

4 and leads us into truth and life. We wait for God and for the fulfillment of God s promise, when the darkness will hold no fear, and the light will no longer blind, but creation will be made whole once more and God s peace will reign forever. 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 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER Betsy Butler 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. THE WELCOMING OF NEW MEMBERS 11:00 a.m. THE RECOGNITION OF BABIES 11:00 a.m. THE CHILDREN S MESSAGE 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sarah Lawing, Director of Children s Music Ministry At the 11:00 a.m. service, children in kindergarten through grade 2 will go to Children s Church on the third floor where they may be picked up at the end of the service. THE OFFERING THE OFFERTORY ANTHEM 8:30 a.m. What Child Is This Traditional Played by the Worship Team 9:45 a.m. Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne arr. Page Rung by the Carillon Ringers 11:00 a.m. In Dulci Jubilo arr. Helman Rung by the Alleluia Ringers *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! WORSHIP BULLETIN 2

5 Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! THE ANTHEM 9:45 a.m. Christmas Meditation arr. Helman Rung by the Carillon Ringers 11:00 a.m. Shepherds Jubilee arr. Helman Rung by the Alleluia Ringers Proclamation of the Word THE SCRIPTURE READING Philippians 2:5-11 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. THE SERMON Christmas of Another Kind Chuck Hodges Response to the Word THE ANTHEM 8:30 a.m. A Strange Way To Save the World Clark, Harris, and Koch Played by Worship Team; Steven Jones, tenor; Julie Caldwell, alto I m sure he must have been surprised at where this road had taken him because never in a million lives would he have dreamed of Bethlehem. And standing at the manger he saw with his own eyes the message from the angel come to life. Joseph said, Why me? I m just a simple man of trade. Why Him with all the rulers of the world? Why here, inside this stable filled with hay? Why her? She s just an ordinary girl? Now I m not one to second guess what angels have to say, but this is such a strange way to save the world. To think of how it could have been if Jesus had come as He deserved, there would have been no Bethlehem, no lowly shepherds at His birth. But Joseph knew the reason love had to reach so far, and as he held the Savior in his arms he must have thought, Why me? I m just a simple man of trade. Why Him with all the rulers of the world? Why here, inside this stable filled with hay? Why her? She s just an ordinary girl? Now I m not one to second guess what angels have to say, but this is such a strange way to save the world. WORSHIP BULLETIN 3

6 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION 8:30 a.m. Please turn to page 9 in our hymnal. At Athens First United Methodist Church, all are invited to commune at Christ s table. If you need to be served in your pew, please call this to the attention of an usher. Glutenfree communion elements are available at the stations in the front of the sanctuary. Sending Forth *THE HYMN 238 Angels We Have Heard on High GLORIA * THE BLESSING Rejoice in God always, and again I say, rejoice for God has created you with the capacity for joy. We will find what makes us joyful, and make that our gift to the world. Trust in God s good will for all of creation and open yourself to God s gentle, transforming love. We will welcome new possibilities in our lives. We will offer ourselves to God s goodness. We will go forth in hope, and peace, and joy. * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE O Little Town of Bethlehem ST. LOUIS O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us to-day. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. * THE POSTLUDE Angels from the Realms of Glory Varner WORSHIP BULLETIN 4

7 DECEMBER 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. Al Hawley, Henry Folsom, Tom Henson, Henry Garrard, Jim Lyons, Jake Riley, Frank Thornburg, Mike Scott, Tom Dean OFFERING STEWARDS Bob Booth, Jim Lyons, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III GREETERS Jack and Janet Damhorst, Alice and Gene Deal, Jerry Guyer, Marilyn and Richard Cary, Tia and Brett Chandler, Millican Jarrett, Tommy Warner, Walt Chapeau FIRST LIGHT ACOLYTES 8:30 a.m. Kate Williams, John Knight, Charlotte Knight 9:45 a.m. Emma and Maggie Allen, Walker Johnson 11:00 a.m. Annabelle Woodard, Anna Hollis ATTENDANCE ON DECEMBER 6 Total Worship 1587 Sunday School 470 8:30 a.m :45 a.m :00 a.m. 817 Online 128 FINANCIAL REPORT Budget for 2015 $2,641,842 Amount Given YTD $2,722,768 Goal for November $203,187 Amount after 5 Sundays $262,147 OUR MINISTERS AND MINISTRY DIRECTORS Chuck Hodges Senior Minister athensfirstumc.org chuck@athensfirstumc.org Martha Aenchbacher Minister of Congregational Care athensfirstumc.org/congregationalcare martha@athensfirstumc.org Beth Dickinson Minister of Discipleship athensfirstumc.org/smallgroupsbiblestudies beth@athensfirstumc.org Betsy Butler Minister of Missions athensfirstumc.org/missions betsy@athensfirstumc.org Josh Miles Director of Student Ministries athensfirstumc.org/youth josh@athensfirstumc.org Robin Stewart Director of Children s Ministry athensfirstumc.org/elementary robinafumc@bellsouth.net Sarah Lawing Director of Children s Music Ministry athensfirstumc.org/childrensmusicministry sarah@athensfirstumc.org Stephen Mitchell Director of Music athensfirstumc.org/adultmusic stephen@athensfirstumc.org Janis Maxwell Director of Youth Music & Organist athensfirstumc.org/wesleyanyouthchoir janis@athensfirstumc.org Lynn Bryant Director of 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 athensfirstumc.org/weekdaypreschool linsey@athensfirstumc.org Julie Caldwell 8:30 a.m. Worship Leader julie@athensfirstumc.org WORSHIP BULLETIN 5

8 The Steeple The Advent Wreath Joy The advent wreath is a tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent. The wreath is a circle of various evergreens, signifying continuous life, the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life found in Christ. The four colored candles represent hope, peace, joy, and love, and the center candle represents the birth of Christ. Today we light the candles for hope and peace, and add the third candle for Joy. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35:10 This Week: Sunday, December 13 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Snow Angel sung by the Sanctuary Choir Saturday, December :00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. Youth Area Youth Christmas Lock-in Sunday, December 20 8:30, 9:45, 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Poinsettia Sunday THE STEEPLE 6

9 New Arrival Congratulations to Sam and Cameron McElreath on the birth of their daughter, Mary Byrne, on November 30. Wedding Bells Congratulations to Harris Haley and Jamie Bell who were married in Savannah, Georgia, October 17, Harris is the son of Carlyn Haley. Sympathy Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Steve Berry and family in the loss of his father, Joseph Berry, on December 4. Newcomer Orientation Today Everyone is invited to attend Newcomer Orientation today at 9:45 or 11:00 a.m. in the Hospitality Room (on the Adult Sunday School hallway). 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 Last Chance Submit a Photo We want everyone in our church family to be included in our new church directory. Photo sessions with Lifetouch are over, but it s not too late to be included. This Tuesday, December 15, will be the last day to submit a photo for the church directory. You may submit a high quality, vertically oriented, 5x7 or smaller print. Please place photos in the designated basket at the reception desk after hours. In addition, high quality digital files may be submitted. For more details please contact the church office. Church office EA Whorton edithann@athensfirstumc.org Wednesday Night Meal The meal on Wednesday, December 16, is Dawg Gone Good BBQ. Join us for BBQ pork sandwich, mac and cheese, and an additional side. Meals are $6 each. Advance dinner orders are required. Order your meal online or by calling the church office by Tuesday at noon. Take-out boxes will be available if you have to eat and run, or run and then eat! You and your family, friends, and/or small group are invited and encouraged to eat and spend time together in Hancock Hall. Volunteers are needed to help serve the meal, and volunteers eat free! EA Whorton edithann@athensfirstumc.org Learn more athensfirstumc.org/wednesdaynightmeals Youth Christmas Lock-in ONE Student Ministries is hosting a Christmas Lock-in for students in grades 7-12 December The activities at the lock-in will include dinner together, Christmas caroling, fellowship, games, time for prayer, and movies. We hope that this lock-in will be a great time for our youth to strengthen their relationships with one another through Christian fellowship and fun! Please visit our webpage for more information and to register. Registration will close on Sunday, December 13. Register athensfirstumc.org/youthchristmaslockin Josh Miles josh@athensfirstumc.org The Manger Project Join the Children s Music Ministry on Christmas Eve at the 4:00 p.m. service for the next part of the Manger Project. The Kids Music and Arts choirs and dance class will perform and tell the Christmas story. Everyone is invited. Sarah Lawing sarah@athensfirstumc.org Christmas Eve Service Times We will offer three Christmas Eve services this year. Our 4:00 p.m. service will be led by the Children s Music Ministry. Our 7:00 p.m. service will be led by the Wesleyan Youth Choir. Our 11:00 p.m. service will include Communion and music from the Sanctuary Choir. All three services will include candlelight. We hope you and your family will make plans to worship with us on Christmas Eve and celebrate the birth of our Savior. December 27 Only One Service On Sunday, December 27, we will offer one worship service at 11:00 a.m. We hope you ll make plans to join us for our annual Wesley Renewal Covenant Service. THE STEEPLE 7

10 Join us tonight for 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary You are invited to hear the premier performance in Georgia of Sarah Quartel s Snow Angel tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. In addition, the Sanctuary Choir and Chamber Ensemble will sing Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten and Gloria by Randol Bass. THE STEEPLE 89

11 Epiphany Party All children and their families are invited to join the party to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World, at our Epiphany Party Wednesday, January 6, at 4:30 p.m. Dress up like nativity characters, meet the wise men, follow the light through a forest maze, and play games in the gym. We will also participate in a group mission project during the party. All children must attend with a parent or designated guardian. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers. This event concludes The Manger Project and kicks off the spring semester of Kids Music and Arts, our Wednesday night program for children. Sarah Lawing sarah@athensfirstumc.org Serve a Meal in the New Year! session. Chuck Hodges will explain the significance of Holy Communion and what it means to provide this holy sacrament to our congregation. This is also an opportunity for the Communion Guild leaders to introduce themselves and show how to prepare and serve the elements at our church. At the conclusion of the training, we invite you to sign up to serve and/or prepare communion at any of the three worship services throughout the year. We will meet at the front of the sanctuary immediately following the 11:00 service on January 10 for 30 minutes. If you have any questions, please contact Katherine Hodges. Katherine Hodges katherine@athensfirstumc.org PARENTING WITH PURPOSE Finding Balance in an Unbalanced World Parenting with Purpose There are several opportunities for you to serve a meal to the hungry in our community in 2016: Souper Supper on Thursday evenings, Sack Lunch Ministry on Sunday mornings, and Our Daily Bread on various dates for lunch during the week. Learn more and register on the church website, or contact Betsy or Mary Claire for more information. Souper Suppers athensfirstumc.org/soupersupper Sack Lunch Ministry athensfirstumc.org/sacklunchministry Our Daily Bread athensfirstumc.org/odb Betsy Butler betsy@athensfirstumc.org Mary Claire Wills maryclaire@athensfirstumc.org This January, the Children s Ministry invites moms to a refreshing, humorous, and Godly series inspired by the words of Jen Hatmaker. Through this small-group discussion, busy moms will discover practical solutions for setting priorities for our families, helpful strategies for allocating our limited resources, and spiritual discernment for what matters most. We will offer various times and locations to meet all schedules. Please see the webpage for more details and to register. This small group will read selections from Jen Hatmaker s book, For the Love. Participants are encouraged to purchase the book before the class begins. Register athensfirstumc.org/parentingwithpurpose Robin Stewart robin@athensfirstumc.org Communion Guild Training Monday Disciplines Bible Study Members of our church are invited to join us on Sunday, January 10, for the annual Communion Guild training This is an ongoing Bible study group that is open to everyone. This group reads scripture passages from the Old THE STEEPLE 9

12 Testament, New Testament, and Psalms, as well as from a devotional. This group will begin meeting on January 4 from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. in the John Wesley Parlor. Register and purchase class materials online. Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org A Woman s Heart: God s Dwelling Place We have a new study beginning in January. A Woman s Heart: God s Dwelling Place, a study by Beth Moore, will meet on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00-3:00 p.m. beginning January 13. Explore the fascinating account of the building of the Old Testament tabernacle, its pivotal role in God s eternal plan, the grand fulfillment of its purpose by Jesus Christ, and its variety of meanings for your walk with God today. This study will be led by Therese Wilson. The cost is $16 for the participant workbook; please register online so we may order the correct number. Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org study by Beth Moore, on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 a.m. beginning January 13. This study is a very personal examination of the Old Testament story of Esther, peeling back the layers of history and showing how very contemporary and applicable the story is to our lives today. If you ve ever felt inadequate, threatened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpowering, we hope you will join us. This study will be led by Susie Thrasher. The cost is $16 for the participant workbook; please register online so we may order the correct number. Beth Dickinson beth@athensfirstumc.org Stop Hunger Now January 23 Stop Hunger Now s meal packaging program is a hands-on international mission project that is fun for all ages! This is an annual churchwide mission project and a wonderful opportunity to impact people across the globe without leaving Athens. There are several ways to be involved: 1. Pray: for all those who will receive the meals and those who will serve at this event. 2. Contribute: 29 cents makes a meal. 3. Serve: Serve at one of the two shifts on January 23 (8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.). Register online to sign up to serve, or contact Betsy or Mary Claire for more details. Register athensfirstumc.org/stophungernow Betsy Butler betsy@athensfirstumc.org Mary Claire Wills maryclaire@athensfirstumc.org Weekday Preschool Registration It s almost time for Preschool Registration. Our preschool program serves families of children age 9 months through Pre-K from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please keep the following deadlines in mind as we approach the new year: Currently enrolled deadline: January 15, 2016 Church member deadline: January 20, 2016 Community deadline: January 22, 2016 Register athensfirstumc.org/weekdaypreschool Linsey Jarrett linsey@athensfirstumc.org Youth Spiritual Life Retreat Save the Dates: February Our youth will be traveling to Camp Glisson February for a Spiritual Life Retreat weekend hosted by the North Georgia conference. The retreat will include worship, small group discussions, and enriching opportunities for spiritual growth. Registration for the retreat will begin January 4, We hope that our youth and parents will be in prayer about this opportunity! Josh Miles josh@athensfirstumc.org Esther: It s Tough Being a Woman We will be offering Esther: It s Tough Being a Woman, a THE STEEPLE 109

13 Returning in January We invite you to come prepare and serve a meal for those who are hungry in our community. We will host Souper Suppers every Thursday evening beginning January 7 in Hancock Hall. At this weekly event, we invite our neighbors into our church home for a warm meal and fellowship. Individuals, Sunday school classes, families, or any small group of people are welcome to sign up to serve. Please register online or feel free to contact Mary Claire Wills, AmyLou Reynolds, or Suzanne Carter with questions. Mary Claire Wills maryclaire@athensfirstumc.org AmyLou Reynolds scottandamylou@charter.net Suzanne Carter suzannecarter52@hotmail.com athensfirstumc/soupersuppers THE STEEPLE 11

14 8:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. This Week SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Luke 3:10-18 Worship Service SANCTUARY Preschool Nursery & Sunday School FIRST FLOOR Fun Gym GYM Worship Service SANCTUARY Adult Sunday School SECOND FLOOR AND SAYE BUILDING Elementary Sunday School THIRD FLOOR Grade 5 & 6 Sunday School: Fuel FIRST FLOOR Youth Sunday School: First Word FIRST FLOOR Young Professionals Sunday School Class HULL CONFERENCE ROOM Newcomer Orientation HOSPITALITY ROOM Sack Lunch Ministry HULL STREET ENTRANCE New Baby Recognition Reception HANCOCK HALL Worship Service SANCTUARY Newcomer Orientation HOSPITALITY ROOM Student-Adult Leadership Team Meeting ROOM 124 Cub Scout Pack 1 HANCOCK HALL Agape Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Wesleyan Youth Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Route 56: Open Road ROOM 120 MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 Micah 5:2-5a Children s Basketball GYM Community Bible Study, Athens Evening Class SANCTUARY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Luke 1:39-45 Fashion Fitness GYM Community Bible Study Leaders Council Children s Basketball GYM Fashion Fitness ROOM 119 Boy Scout Troop 1 SCOUT HUT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Isaiah 12:2-6 New Testament Letters ROOM 222 Fun Gym GYM Kids Music and Arts: Dance Class ROOM 145 Kids Music and Arts: Lyric Choir Grades 1-2 ROOM 151 Kids Music and Arts: Grades 3-4 Worship Arts ROOM 314 Prayer Shawl Ministry ROOM 200 Route 56: GPS ROOM 120 Wednesday Night Dinner HANCOCK HALL THE STEEPLE 12

15 5:10 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:20 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Kids Music and Arts: Celebrate Choir Grades 3-4 ROOM 151 Kids Music and Arts: Cherub Choir Age 3 ROOM 321 Kids Music and Arts: Sonshine Choir Age 4 ROOM 325 Kids Music and Arts: Joy Choir Kindergarten ROOM 320 Kids Music and Arts: Grades 1-2 Worship Arts ROOM 314 Men s Prayer Group ROOM 226 Connect Group (Young Married Couples) ROOM 307 Disciple 3 ROOM 229 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 For Men Only ROOM 240 Under Wraps Advent Study ROOM 222 Later Book Group ROOM 247 Chamber Ensemble Rehearsal ROOM 148 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Luke 1:46-55 Fashion Fitness GYM Parenting with Purpose Planning Meeting HULL CONFERENCE ROOM Children s Basketball GYM Fashion Fitness ROOM 119 Connect Group (Young Adult) ROOM 222 Classic City Smockers ROOM 226 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 Hebrews 10:5-10 Youth Christmas Lock-in YOUTH AREA REACH International Bible Study & Dinner ROOM 226 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Philippians 4:4-7 Youth Christmas Lock-in (pick-up) YOUTH AREA Mobile Food Pantry NARTHEX 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. 73 Postmaster Send address changes to: AFUMC P.O. Box 1109 Athens, GA