December 11

---

Athens First United Methodist Church Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 2016 8:30, 9:45, & 11:00 a.m.

Welcome

We are glad you are here! Thank you for joining us for worship this Sunday. Members of this congregation have been gathering here to worship since 1804. 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.”

Table of Contents

Attendance

Martha Aenchbacher Minister of Congregational Care [email protected] | 678-230-9708

Please let us know of your attendance this morning by completing the pew pad.

Newcomer Orientation

We invite you to learn about the life of our church, ways you can get involved, and how to become a member by attending Newcomer Orientation, which is held the second Sunday of the month at 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School

We offer Sunday school for children age 2 through adult each Sunday from 9:45–10:45 a.m.

Children

At Athens First United Methodist Church, we invite families to worship together. Children’s Church is held for children in kindergarten through grade 2 most Sundays during the 11:00 a.m. service.

Financial Report

Budget for 2016 | $2,789,339 Amount Given YTD | $2,901,146 Goal for November | $214,733

1 4 7 12

8:30 a.m. Order of Worship 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Order of Worship The Steeple Calendar

Ministers and Directors

Chuck Hodges Senior Minister [email protected] | 706-206-5529

Beth Dickinson Minister of Discipleship [email protected] Betsy Butler Minister of Missions [email protected] Bob Winstead Executive Director of Administration [email protected] Stephen Mitchell Director of Music [email protected] Janis Maxwell Director of Youth Music & Organist [email protected] Sarah Lawing Director of Children’s Music Ministry & 8:30 a.m. Worship Leader [email protected] Robin Stewart Director of Children’s Ministry [email protected] April Allen Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry [email protected] Leslie Rogers Director of Route 56 [email protected]

Amount after 4 Sundays | $231,982

Linsey Jarrett Director of Weekday Preschool [email protected]

Attendance on December 4

Josh Miles Director of Student Ministries [email protected]

Total Worship | 1508 8:30 a.m. | 170 9:45 a.m. | 509 11:00 a.m. | 699 Online | 130 Sunday School | 357

Contact Us

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Facebook: @Athens First United Methodist Church athensfirstumc.org | 706-543-1442

8:30 a.m. Flowers

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 Worship of God PRELUDE “Awake My Soul, Awake My Tongue” | Benjamin Keach & Latifah Phillips CALL TO WORSHIP

Betsy Butler Psalm 146:1, 5-10 | p. 549 old testament Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! *H Y MN OF PR AISE



203 “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” | ELLACOMBE

*AFFIR M ATION OF FAITH | The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*Please stand as you are able. | The congregation speaks or sings the text in bold type.

1

8:30 a.m. service

*GLORY OF GOD | 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.

*PASSING OF THE PE ACE LIGHTING OF THE A DV EN T W R E ATH

Camille and Cole Whalen Isaiah 35:1-10 | p. 623 old testament CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE



211 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” | VENI EMMANUEL O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. CHILDR EN’S MESSAGE

Linsey Jarrett Anthem Lyrics

Herald in the wilderness breaking up the road, sinking mountains, raising plains for the path of God. Prophet to the multitudes calling to repent in the way of righteousness, unto Israel sent. A voice in the wilderness, a voice calling out a song of a child, a King, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Messenger, God’s chosen one foremost to proclaim, proffered titles passing by, pointing to the Lamb. Captive, for the word of truth, boldly witnessing; then in Herod’s dungeon cave, faint and languishing. Martyr, sacrificed to sin at that feast of shame; as his life foreshowed the Lord, in his death the same. Holy Jesus, when he heard went apart to pray; thus may we our lesson take from this Saint today.

2

PR AY ERS OF THE PEOPLE A ND THE LOR D’S PR AY ER

Bob Winstead 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. OFFERING A ND OFFERTORY A NTHEM



“Herald, in the Wilderness” | Ben Grace & Nicholas Zork based on the hymn by Henry Alford *DOXOLOGY | The Old 100th

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

SCRIP TURE RE A DING

Matthew 11:2-11 | p. 10 new testament

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

8:30 a.m. service

SER MON

Rev. Dr. Dee Shelnutt

We welcome Dr. Shelnutt this morning. The Rev. Dr. D.B. “Dee” Shelnutt Jr. is a retired elder in the North Georgia Conference. Dee last served as the Senior Minister at Johns Creek United Methodist Church.

H Y MN OF PREPAR ATION



219 “What Child is This?” | GREENSLEEVES Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary. SACR A MENT OF HOLY COMMU NION

Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29

Prayer of Preparation Loving God, as we come to your holy table, we open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen. Receiving of the Elements of Communion

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 center station in the front of the sanctuary.

Song Lyrics

The lyrics can be found on page 89 of the hymnal.

Music During Communion “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” | arr. Chris Llewellyn and Gareth Gilkeson Prayer After Receiving Communion *CLOSING H Y MN

230 “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 today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

*BLESSING *POSTLUDE

“Variation on ‘Gloria’ ” | Giamanco 3

9:45 & 11:00 a.m. Flowers

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 Worship of God

Gathering

THE PRELUDE “Angels We Have Heard on High” | arr. Lloyd Larson Rung by the Carillon Ringers

THE CALL TO WORSHIP “Stay Awake, the Day is Coming” | adapt. Trapp Sung by the Sanctuary Choir

Praise & Thanksgiving *THE PROCESSIONAL H Y MN

203 “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” | ELLACOMBE THE LIGHTING OF THE A DV ENT CA NDLES

9:45 a.m. The Dasher Family 11:00 a.m. Priscilla and Archie Carroll

Surely God is our salvation; we will trust and will not be afraid. With joyous expectation we watch for signs of God’s coming. God is our strength and our might. With joy we will draw water from the wells of salvation. With joyous expectation we watch for signs of God’s coming. Give thanks to God, call on God’s name; make known God’s deeds among the nations. With joyous expectation we watch for signs of God’s coming. Shout aloud and sing for joy, for great in our midst is the Holy One. With joyous expectation we watch for signs of God’s coming.

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.

4

*Please stand as you are able. | The congregation speaks or sings the text in bold type.

9:45 & 11:00 a.m. services

*THE AFFIR M ATION OF FAITH FOR A DV ENT

Betsy Butler 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 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 GLORI A 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 PE ACE THE RECOGNITION OF BABIES BORN IN 2016 | 11:00 a.m.

Martha Aenchbacher

THE CHILDR EN’S MESSAGE | 11:00 a.m.

Linsey Jarrett

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 PR AY ERS OF THE PEOPLE A ND THE LOR D’S PR AY ER

Bob Winstead 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.

5

9:45 & 11:00 a.m. services

Proclamation of the Word Anthem Lyrics Translation

Today is Christ born; today the Savior has appeared. Today the angels sing, the archangels rejoice. Today the righteous rejoice, saying: "Glory to God in the highest. Alleluia!"

THE OFFERING A ND THE OFFERTORY A NTHEM

“Hodie, Alleluia” | Mark Sirett

Sung by the women’s voices of the Sanctuary Choir; Josh Luke, djembe

*THE DOXOLOGY | V ENI EMM A NUEL

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above, ye heavenly host. Praise, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

THE SCRIP TURE RE A DING

Matthew 11:2-11 | p. 10 new testament

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

THE SER MON

Rev. Dr. Dee Shelnutt

We welcome Dr. Shelnutt this morning. The Rev. Dr. D.B. “Dee” Shelnutt Jr. is a retired elder in the North Georgia Conference. Dee last served as the Senior Minister at Johns Creek United Methodist Church.

Sending Forth *THE H Y MN

218 “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” | CAROL

*THE BLESSING A ND CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE

“O Little Town of Bethlehem” O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. * THE POSTLUDE

“Variation on ‘Gloria’ ” | Giamanco

6

The Steeple

Join us for Christmas Eve Service Times: 4:00 p.m.

Candlelight service led by the Children’s Music Ministry

7:00 p.m.

Candlelight service with music from the Route 56 Octane Choir and the Wesleyan Youth Choir and a Christmas message from Rev. Dr. Dee Shelnutt

11:00 p.m.

Candlelight service with Communion, music from the Sanctuary Choir, and a Christmas message from Beth Dickinson

7

Sympathy

Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Wendie Britt and her family in the loss of her brother, Jim Ham, on December 2.

Come Together for Prayer | Today

You are invited to join in a brief time of prayer for healing today at 12:15 p.m. in the sanctuary. Rev. Dee Shelnutt will lead us as we pray for Chuck and for all who are in need of healing. If you are unable to attend, you can pray wherever you are, whenever you can! If you would like to write a prayer in advance for Chuck, please bring it with you in a Christmas card. You are also welcome to mail a Christmas card with a prayer to Chuck's home. Chuck & Penny Hodges | 640 St. Ives Dr. Athens, Ga 30606

Bach's Magnificat | Tonight

You are invited to hear the Sanctuary Choir's performance of Bach's Magnificat tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. In addition, the Chamber Ensemble will sing Gerald Finzi’s In Terra Pax.

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

8

Youth Christmas Lock-In | Register Today Today is the LAST day to register for the Christmas Lockin for students in grades 7-12 on December 16-17. The activities at the lock-in will include Christmas caroling, dinner, fellowship, games, Chapel time, 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 tonight at 11:55 p.m. Register | athensfirstumc.org/christmaslockin Josh Miles | [email protected] | 706-543-1442

Join Our Church Staff

We are now accepting applications for a full-time Administrative Assistant position that will begin in January 2017. Work hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. A basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word, and experience with database and registration software and Adobe InDesign is preferred. Excellent written communication skills are required. Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/employment

Give the gift of blood this Christmas! Thursday, December 22 1:00-6:00 p.m. Hancock Hall Join us Thursday, December 22, to give the gift of life by giving blood! The holidays are a time when blood is most needed, and we are happy to host a blood drive to help those in need! Many in our church family have recently been beneficiaries of blood transfusions and platelets including our Senior Minister, Chuck Hodges. Chuck has shared how appreciative he is to have received the gift of blood donations during his most recent chemotherapy treatments. The Red Cross will be in Hancock Hall from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. Contact Mary Claire to schedule a time, but walk-ins are always welcome! Mary Claire Wills [email protected] | 706-543-1442

9

Wednesday Night Meals

The meal on Wednesday, December 14, is Barberitos. Join us for a soft shell turkey tacos and chips. 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. You and your family, friends, and/or small group are invited and encouraged to eat and spend time together in Hancock Hall. For more information, contact Beth. If you have trouble ordering online, church staff can help you order your meal. Volunteers eat free. Register to volunteer online. Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/wednesdaynightmeals Beth Dickinson | [email protected] | 706-543-1442

Volunteer with The Salvation Army

more information or to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, contact Betsy or Mary Claire. Betsy Butler| [email protected] | 706-543-1442 Mary Claire Wills | [email protected] 706-543-1442

Serving This Holiday Season

Christmas Community Meal | Thursday, December 15 Mobile Food Pantry | Saturday, December 17 Red Cross Blood Drive | Thursday, December 22

The Salvation Army needs our help! Now through December 15, every weekday the Salvation Army will need volunteers at the old Goodwill on Atlanta Hwy in shifts from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 12:00-2:00 p.m., and 2:004:00 p.m. This Christmas, they hope to provide Christmas for 1600 children and our help is needed with sorting and bagging Angel Tree gifts in the warehouse! Contact Louise Brockinton if you would like to serve. Louise Brockinton | [email protected] | 706-395-6199

Benevolence Gift Cards | Anytime Help with the unexpected benevolence requests by giving gift cards to Walmart or Target (any amount would be much appreciated). Learn More | athensfirstumc.org/missions Betsy Butler| [email protected] | 706-543-1442 Mary Claire Wills | [email protected] 706-543-1442

Christmas Community Meal

Christmas Eve | Service Times

Please consider serving at this special Christmas meal on Thursday, December 15, in Hancock Hall. Donations of cooked hams are needed. If you are unable to attend and would like to donate hats and gloves to be distributed to our community guests on that evening, we will gladly receive them. This is truly a time for our church body to come together in love to serve our community, and we hope you will come and be a part! Please contact Betsy or Mary Claire for more information. Register | athensfirstumc.org/christmascommunitymeal Betsy Butler | [email protected] | 706-543-1442 Mary Claire Wills | [email protected] 706-543-1442

Habitat for Humanity

On Thursday, December 8, a check presentation ceremony will be held signifying the partnership with Habitat for

10

Briscoe Family Foundation Fund in Memory of Charles Briscoe to renovate two units on Magnolia Terrace. Initially, projects will include demolition work. Reconstruction will begin once all demo work has been completed. Beginning Tuesday, December 13, individuals or groups can sign up to volunteer with our Habitat for Humanity project. For

Humanity, Athens First United Methodist Church, and The

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 Route 56 Octane Choir and the Wesleyan Youth Choir. Our 11:00 p.m. service will include Communion and music f rom 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.

Holiday Service Times

On Sunday, December 25, and Sunday, January 1, we will offer one service time at 11:00 a.m. Sunday school classes will not meet on either of these days. We hope you'll join us Christmas morning to celebrate the birth of our longawaited Savior and again on New Years Day as we celebrate the renewal of our covenant with God at our Wesley Covenant Renewal service.

No Sunday School

On Sunday, December 25, and Sunday, January 1, there will be no Sunday school. The church will open at 10:00 a.m. and childcare will be available beginning at 10:30 a.m. prior to the 11:00 a.m. service.

Pickleball

Join us every Tuesday afternoon in our gym from 1:303:00 p.m. to play pickleball, a great sport consisting of ping pong, tennis, and badminton all in one! We enjoy fellowship while getting exercise; this is a great game for active adults. Contact Rusty for more information or just come try it out! Rusty Wood | [email protected] | 706-543-1442

Connect & Grow Groups

Connect & Grow Groups are small groups of people who meet weekly at church or in homes for fellowship and prayer and to share about what God is doing in their lives. These groups are open to all and will be restarting in January. Registration will be coming soon. Beth Dickinson | [email protected] | 706-543-1442

Small Group Opportunities | 2017

New small group Bible studies are coming this January. Look for registration soon. New studies will include: • Financial Peace • Disciple Fast-Track Old Testament • Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life • Women's Study | Beth Moore's Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy • Women's Study | Israel's Mission by Ray Vander Laan • Men's Study | Restoring an Attitude of Worship • What We Need is Here • Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived it • Making Sense of the Bible

baby Jesus to benefit Athens foster care. All children must attend with a parent or designated guardian. Childcare is available for infants and toddlers. This event kicks off the spring semester of Kids Music and Arts, our Wednesday night program for children. Sarah Lawing | [email protected] | 706-543-1442

Souper Suppers

We invite you to come serve those who are hungry in our community this winter! We host Souper Suppers every Thursday evening beginning January 12 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 are welcome to serve in several different ways: • Prepare a meal • Work with children in the gym, set up the Souper Supper Store, or greet guests at 3:30 p.m. • Greet, help in the Souper Supper Store, or serve as a dining room host at 4:30 p.m. • Clean up from 5:30-6:15 p.m. Please contact Mary Claire or Betsy to get involved! Learn More | athensfirstumc.org/soupersuppers Betsy Butler| [email protected] | 706-543-1442 Mary Claire Wills | [email protected] 706-543-1442

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Cub Scouts Pack 1 will be conducting a flag retirement ceremony in early January. If you have worn or tattered flags in need of retirement, please bring them to the church’s front desk. The Cub Scouts will collect them and retire them during the ceremony. Nat Carmack |[email protected]

Epiphany Party | January 4

All children and their families are invited to join the party to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World on Wednesday,

January 4! Dress up like nativity characters, meet the wise men, follow the light through a forest maze, and play games in the gym. We will present our Christmas offering to the

11

This Week 8:30 a.m.

5:45 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Children's Basketball GYM GriefShare | Monday Group ROOM 100 Community Bible Study, Athens Evening Class

5:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

Fashion Fitness ROOM 120 Prayer Shawl PANERA BREAD Pickleball GYM Children's Basketball GYM Fashion Fitness ROOM 120 Boy Scouts Troop 1 SCOUT HUT

9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m.

12

S U N DAY, DE C E M BE R 11 | Isa i ah 35:1-10

Worship Service SANCTUARY Preschool Nursery FIRST FLOOR Fun Gym GYM Worship Service SANCTUARY Adult Sunday School SECOND FLOOR AND SAYE BUILDING Preschool Nursery & Sunday School FIRST FLOOR Youth Sunday School: First Word YOUTH AREA Elementary Sunday School: Holy Ground CHAPEL Kindergarten Sunday School: City on a Hill ROOM 311 & 313 Newcomer Orientation HOSPITALITY ROOM Sack Lunch Ministry HULL STREET ENTRANCE New Baby Recognition Reception HANCOCK HALL Worship Service SANCTUARY Preschool Nursery FIRST FLOOR Newcomer Orientation HOSPITALITY ROOM Children's Basketball GYM Cub Scout Pack 1 ROOM 100 Agapé Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Wesleyan Youth Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Route 56 Open Road + Octane ROOM 120 Connect & Grow Group CHAPEL Awaiting the Already ROOM 222 Youth Christmas Party ROOM 119 Connect & Grow Group ROOM 222 Sanctuary Choir Christmas Program SANCTUARY

MON DAY, DE C E M BE R 1 2 | M at thew 1:18-20

T U E SDAY, DE C E M BE R 13 | Isa i ah 7:10-16

W E DN E SDAY, DE C E M BE R 14 | Psa lm 80:1-3

3:00 p.m. GriefShare | Wednesday Group ROOM 100 4:30 p.m. Fun Gym GYM Celebrate Worship Arts | Grades 3-4 SANCTUARY Lyric Choir | Grades 1-2 ROOM 151 Hospitality Room Hangout HOSPITALITY ROOM 4:45 p.m. Prayer Shawl ROOM 200 5:00 p.m. Early Book Group ROOM 247 Route 56: GPS ROOM 120 5:10 p.m. Wednesday Night Meal HANCOCK HALL 5:15 p.m. Celebrate Choir | Grades 3 & 4 ROOM 151 Cherub Choir | Age 3 ROOM 314 &324 (TIME EXTENDED UNTIL 6:00 P.M.) Sonshine Choir | Age 4 ROOM 325 5:20 p.m. Joy Choir | Kindergarten ROOM 320 5:30 p.m. Lyric Worship Arts | Grades 1 & 2 SANCTUARY 6:00 p.m. 66 Love Letters HULL CONFERENCE ROOM Connect Group (Young Married) ROOM 229 6:30 p.m. Awaiting the Already ROOM 222 Connect & Grow Group ROOM 224 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal SANCTUARY 6:45 p.m. Later Book Group ROOM 247 7:30 p.m. Sacred Space JOHN WESLEY PARLOR 8:00 p.m. Children's Basketball GYM Chamber Ensemble Rehearsal ROOM 148

T H U R SDAY, DE C E M BE R 1 5 | Psa lm 80:4-7

5:30 a.m. Fashion Fitness ROOM 120 5:00 p.m. Christmas Community Meal HANCOCK HALL Children's Basketball GYM 5:30 p.m. Fashion Fitness ROOM 120 7:00 p.m. Connect Group (Young Adult) ROOM 222

F R I DAY, DE C E M BE R 16 | Psa lm 80:17-19

12:30 p.m. Connect & Grow Group ROOM 224 6:00 p.m. Youth Christmas Lock-in YOUTH AREA 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Choir Christmas Party HOME OF DIANNE WALL

S AT U R DAY, DE C E M BE R 17 | Rom ans 1:1-7

Youth Christmas Lock-in 8:00 a.m. Children's Basketball GYM Mobile Food Pantry SANCTUARY

13

Worship Bulletin (614-280) Published weekly

Athens First United Methodist Church 327 N. Lumpkin Street

Athens, GA 30601-2743 Telephone | 706-543-1442 Fax | 706-546-4797 Website | athensfirstumc.org

Postmaster

Send address changes to: AFUMC P.O. Box 1109 Athens, GA 30603-1109

14

Periodicals Postage Paid at Athens, GA

Vol. LIX No. 50