FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Blessed Abundance

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1 1 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH 268 W. Dougherty St. Athens, GA November 2018 Blessed Abundance Abundance is a word we hear a lot in church, particularly around this time of year. We celebrate the abundance of the harvest, and the abundance of love shared among family and friends, the abundance of food that will grace our tables in just a couple of short weeks. But what does abundance really mean for us as Christians? To have abundance means we have more than enough; an excess of something. For us as followers of Jesus we have an abundance of grace, love, wisdom, and compassion given to us from God. But we also have an abundance of other things: material goods, financial resources, time, energy- to name a few. As people of abundance, we are called to give in faithful response to the ways we have been blessed. As we enter into the holiday season, that abundance could lead us to giving more to those in need through our Christmas projects at the church. It could mean welcoming in family and friends who need a place to feel welcomed. It could mean reaching out in forgiveness to someone who has hurt us, or that perhaps we have hurt. The traditional symbol of abundance this time of year is the cornucopia, the horn overflowing with emblems of the harvest. Imagine a cornucopia overflowing with love for one another, with unity among those of us who disagree politically, or even running over with grace freely given and passed along to others. This November I want to encourage you to keep a mindset of abundance with you at all times. As we move from election day, to Thanksgiving day, and then to the rush of the Christmas season all in just four short weeks, keeping focused on our abundance given to us through Jesus Christ, can help keep us grounded, at peace, and sane. This is such a magical and wonderful time of the year. My prayer for you this month is that you are able to live in the moment, that you will hold your loved ones close, and that you will see and feel the presence of God in your lives and will respond with abundance. Justin

2 2 Welcome Rev. Stacy Pardue I am so delighted to be joining First Christian Church as Co-Minister! I look forward to getting to know everyone and joining with you in ministry. I have lived in Athens 2 1/2 years, and have worked with the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens that supports homeless families. We moved to Athens from Raleigh, NC where I served several churches and was the Chaplain at Meredith College. My husband Sam is the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UGA, and we have two grown children--caitlin is a health care attorney in Atlanta and Taylor is in finance in San Francisco. To Hold in Prayer Allene Drewry (Assisted Living) Connie Carstensen Alex Swann John Wilson Annie Jean Smith (Quiet Oaks) Grace Bittick (Marguerite Burch s friend) Louise Maxwell (Philip Maxwell s Mother) Benjamin Kimmel Tommy Polluck (Philip Maxwell s Friend) Doris Dawson (Morningside of Athens) Betty Robertson Elaine Rowell (Michale Hiott s sister) Faye Partain (Helga Pruitt s friend) Susan Howard and Mary Ann Lundy (Friends of Betty Robertson) Mary Chapman Ann Rutherford Craig Christian (Angie Townsend s brother) Olivia Evans (Janice Mace s friend) Natalie Schneider (Betty Robertson s friend) Polly Allgood (Thrive) Ronnie Berryman (Betty Robertson s cousin) Haley Hines (Jeana Allgood s friend) Michael Barnes (friend of the Myrick s) Russell Sloan (Angie Townsend s son) Eunice Robertson (Rainbow Retirement) Betty Simmons Betty Todd (Hazel Pittard s sister) Mary Kennedy (Nancy Leffel s sister) Terry Terranova (Nancy Leffel s daughter) Judy Helm & Merle Coursey (Friends of Marguerite Burch) Jay Mudd (Stacy Kimmel s friend) Cody Hicks Christopher Dellaria (Friend of Tom and Alma Noell) Paul Miles (Friend of Betty Robertson) Laura Shelton (Friend of Angie Townsend) Family of Toni Hubert Dawn Howard (Knee replacement) Family of Robin Pate Gaye Todd (Dawn Howard s Friend) Bob and Maria Rathbun Angel Arnold (Friend of the Kimmel )

3 3 Upcoming Events Sunday November 4, 2018 All Saints Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Don t forget the time change: Fall Back Tuesday November 6, 2018 Election Day Sunday November 11, 2018 Worship: 11:00 am YA Lunch: Noon Board Meeting: 5pm Fellowship Hall By Way of Report Date Tithes and Offerings October 7, 2018 $8,314 Wednesday November 14, 2018 DMF/DWF meeting: 6pm IHOP Epps Bridge Sunday November 18, 2018 Worship: 11:00 am Tuesday November 20, 2018 Concert feat. Elena Lyalina (Pianist) Sanctuary: 4pm Thursday November 22, 2018 Thanksgiving Day Sunday November 25, 2018 Worship: 11:00 am October 14, 2018 $1, October 21, 2018 $4,992 October 28, 2018 $1,502 The Disciple s Women s Fellowship and Disciple s Men s fellowship will host their monthly combined meeting on November 14th at 6 pm at the IHOP on Epps Bridge Parkway. All are welcome to come and share in a meal and conversation. Total: $ 16, Disciples Women & Disciples Men Special Date

4 4 Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Service 3rd Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Sunday November 18, :30pm Sponsored by: Interfaith Clergy Partnership Of Greater Athens ICPGAthens.org ICPGAthens Location: Donations Support: Piedmont College, Meeting House Interfaith Hospitality Network 595 Prince Ave., Athens, GA Athens The 3rd annual Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens Thanksgiving service will be on Sunday, November 18th. This years event will be at 4:30 at the Piedmont College Meeting house. (Formerly Prince Avenue Baptist Church) This annual event comes to us at a time when we crave the opportunity to be in community, connected to one another and to the world so that we can proclaim the voice of love, positivity, and unity. This years service will include performances, songs, readings, and reflections from several members of our Partnership and their communities of faith. Everyone is welcome. The community is strongest when we have more voices present. We recognize this is a divisive, scary time for us as people of faith. We also know the best way to respond is in love and unity. Please join us for this powerful service of worship.

5 5 Servant Leaders November, 2018 Tom Noell Bob Nix Elders: Servers: Janice Mace, Mary Myrick, Catie Floyd, Mallory Reiter, Matthew Reiter, John Howard Communion Preparation: Mary Myrick Counters: Mary Garrison Mary Ann Maxwell Betty Simmons Fay Harrison Greeters: Church Office Hours Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday: 9:00 am to noon Church Staff Minister: Rev. Justin Floyd Minister: Rev. Stacy Pardue Secretary: Angie Townsend Organist: Twila Willis Child Care Attendants: Cassie Kitchen & Shellie Mull News in Brief We collected $ for our JJ Harris Elementary School fund at our family dinner in October. This money will go to help us do ministry in partnership with the school. Thank you for your abundant giving! We collected $250 for Week of Compassions response and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Michael. This money will go directly toward their work along the gulf coast and in south Georgia. Collections of canned goods and paper bags for the Emergency Food Bank are always welcomed, but particularly this month. Peanut Butter, canned tomatoes, and beans are requested. Look for information about decorating the church for Advent in the Mid-Month update. Veteran s Day Several of our folk will be heading to JJ Harris Elementary School on Monday, November 12th to talk with the students about veterans day, share stories and experiences, and be with the kids as they learn about our service men and women. We are excited to continue to be in relationship with the students, faculty, and staff of JJ Harris. Contact Mary Garrison if you wish to come along! Thanksgiving Special Offering The Thanksgiving special offering will be accepted on November 18th and 25th. This offering goes to support the colleges and seminaries of the Christian Church through the work of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM). The Disciples have 17 partner institutions, with another in consideration. These funds provide staffing and scholarships for students. Thank you for your gifts.

6 6 First Christian Church 268 W. Dougherty Street Athens, GA, 30601