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September 27, 2015 8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 a.m.
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 us @athensfirstumc on Facebook and @athens_firstumc 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 706-543-1442.
The Worship of God
*Please stand as you are able. The congregation speaks or sings the text in bold type.
The flowers
on the altar today are given to the
glory of God and in
loving memory of Richard H. Long
by Mrs. Richard H.
Long and family.
Gathering
THE PRELUDE
“Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling” | Manz THE CALL TO WORSHIP
8:30 a.m. “We are Standing on Holy Ground” Sung by members of the Youth Praise Team
9:45 & 11:00 a.m. “Uyai Mose/Come, All You People” Sung by the Wesleyan Youth Choir
THE W ELCOME A ND THE PASSING OF THE PE ACE
Betsy Butler
Praise & Thanksgiving *THE PROCESSIONAL H Y MN 400
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” | NETTLETON *THE AFFIR M ATION OF FAITH
“We Belong to God” by Steve Garnass-Holmes
We belong to God, creator of all that is and all that is to come, abundant provider of the gifts in this life and the gifts in our own hearts. It is God alone who gives life, who is generous beyond measure with grace and blessing. We follow Christ, whom God sent to teach and heal, to show us a new way of living, with love and trust and courage, with joy and generosity. In this faith Jesus gave of himself, even his very life. He was crucified and buried; yet God raised him from death, and he lives among us, and grants his spirit to us. WORSHIP BULLETIN |1
We live by that Holy Spirit, and entrust ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment. As members of the church, the Body of Christ, we devote ourselves to lives of love, rejoicing in the power of forgiveness, the reality of resurrection, and the mystery of eternal life. 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.
Daughter of
Lauren and
Wesley Belcher
THE SACR A MENT OF BAP TISM
11:00 a.m. | Abigayle Mae Belcher Abigayle, Abigayle, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too. We this day do all agree a child of God you’ll always be. Abigayle, Abigayle, God claims you, God helps you, protects you, and loves you too. THE W ELCOMING OF NEW MEMBERS | 8:30 & 11:00 a . m . THE PR AY ERS OF THE PEOPLE A ND THE LOR D’S PR AY ER
Beth Dickinson 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 CHILDREN’S MESSAGE | 8:30 & 11:00 a . m .
Leslie Rogers, Director of Route 56
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 “BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING” MOMENT
Sarah Lawing, Director of Children’s Music
THE H Y MN 389
“Freely, Freely” | FREELY, FREELY WORSHIP BULLETIN |2
Proclamation of the Word THE SCRIP TURE RE A DING
Malachi 3:7-10 Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?” Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings! You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me—the whole nation of you! Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and thus put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.
THE SER MON
“Putting God to the Test” | Chuck Hodges THE OFFERING THE OFFERTORY A NTHEM
8:30 a.m. “You Are My Vision”
Sung by members of the Youth Praise Team
9:45 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. “Psalm 139” | Pote Sung by the Wesleyan Youth Choir
*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 PR AY ER OF CONSECR ATION
All things come from you, O God. With gratitude we return to you what is yours. You gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. All that we are and all that we have is a trust from you. In gratitude for all of your blessings, we offer you ourselves and our gifts. Amen.
WORSHIP BULLETIN | 3
Sending Forth * THE BLESSING
* THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
“We Receive Your Blessing”
* THE POSTLUDE
“Come Thou Fount” | Page
Sermon Notes
WORSHIP BULLETIN | 4
SE P T E M BER USH ER S
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. Lee Brinson, Nathan King, Ryan Brinson, Claude Felton, Steve Greer, Mack Furlow, John Bateman, Jim Lyons OF F ER I NG S T E WA R D S
Bob Booth, Jim Lyons, Nat Carmack, Henry Garrard, Nathan King, Al Hawley, Sean Rogers, Charlie Upchurch III GR EE T ER S
Diane and Olan Moore, Sonya and Al Pileggi, Jack Miller, Hugh Larkey, Paula and Scott Graffin, Annie Miller, Lucy Frierson, Ben Griffith AT T EN DA NCE ON SE P T E M BER 2 0
Total Worship | 1205 Sunday School | 515 8:30 a.m. | 167 9:45 a.m. | 269 11:00 a.m. | 658 Online | 111
F I NA NC I A L R E P OR T
Budget for 2015 | $2,641,842 Amount Given YTD | $2,074,839 Goal for September| $170,793 Amount after 2 Sundays | $92,256
OUR MINISTERS AND
MINISTRY DIRECTORS Chuck Hodges Senior Minister athensfirstumc.org
[email protected] | 706-206-5529 Martha Aenchbacher Minister of Congregational Care athensfirstumc.org/congregationalcare
[email protected] | 678-230-9708 Beth Dickinson Minister of Discipleship athensfirstumc.org/smallgroupsbiblestudies
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Betsy Butler Minister of Missions athensfirstumc.org/missions
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Josh Miles Director of Student Ministries athensfirstumc.org/youth
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Robin Stewart Director of Children’s Ministry athensfirstumc.org/elementary
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Sarah Lawing Director of Children’s Music Ministry athensfirstumc.org/childrensmusicministry
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Stephen Mitchell Director of Music athensfirstumc.org/adultmusic
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Janis Maxwell Director of Youth Music & Organist athensfirstumc.org/wesleyanyouthchoir
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Lynn Bryant Director of REACH International athensfirstumc.org/reachinternational
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Rusty Wood Director of Recreation Ministries athensfirstumc.org/recreation
[email protected] | 706-206-8193 Linsey Jarrett Director of Weekday Preschool athensfirstumc.org/weekdaypreschool
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Julie Caldwell 8:30 a.m. Worship Leader
[email protected] | 706-540-0042 WORSHIP BULLETIN
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The Steeple
“...put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts; see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you an overflowing blessing.” Malachi 3:10
THE STEEPLE | 7
In Memoriam
Maybelle “Smitty” Griffith September 21, 2015
New Arrivals
available online, so stop by the library today to sign up if you haven’t scheduled your photo session yet. If you need assistance signing up or rescheduling your appointment, please contact the church office. Church Office | 706-543-1442
Congratulations to Stuart and Samantha Kimbell in the birth of their daughter Hadley Tate on September 13.
Sympathy
Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Darrel Begnaud and family in the loss of his mother, Marie Begnaud, on September 11. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Glenda Burnette and family in the loss of her mother, Mary Elizabeth Camp Spell, on September 15. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Susan Cooper and family in the loss of her father, James Eure, on September 19. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to Bonnie Turner and family in the loss of her father, Robert T. Bowen, Jr., on September 19. Heartfelt Christian sympathy is extended to the family of Maybelle “Smitty” Griffith who passed away on September 21.
Wednesday Night Meal
The meal on Wednesday, September 30, will be a potluck meal for Mission Harvest. Please register online to facilitate the ordering of food. Side dishes and desserts are welcomed (but not required). If you would like to register for the standard Wednesday Night Meal, you can do so online each week or a month at a time. Please contact Rachel if you have any questions about Wednesday Night Meals. Rachel Skinner |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/wednesdaynightmeals
October 23-24 Sessions available
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Join us for Consecration Sunday October 4
Sign up in the library
Due to the excellent response to the new photo directory, we have set up two new dates. You may sign up for the October 23 and 24 dates in the library. These dates are not
Consecration Sunday | Next Sunday
Consecration Sunday is a sacred time when our pledge cards are placed on the altar, and those who are able to be present come forward to celebrate holy communion. This THE STEEPLE | 8
Potluck Dinner
September 30 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Hancock Hall Join us for dinner and help us harvest donations for future mission opportunites. Please consider bringing the following: • paper goods (4-pack toilet paper rolls, 2-pack paper towel rolls) • toiletry products (soap, deodorant) • household cleaning products (24-ounce or large bottles of dish soap) • holiday gifts collection (gift cards in any denomination to Walmart, Kroger, and Target) • cash donations for General Missions projects
Register today! athensfirstumc.org/missionharvest2015
THE STEEPLE | 9
year Consecration Sunday will be next Sunday, October 4. This is a special opportunity to express our gratitude for God’s many blessings. Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/blessed
Mission Harvest | September 30
Mission Harvest is this Wednesday! Join us at 6:00 p.m. in Hancock Hall for fellowship and dinner. During the evening we will share about how God is working in and through us as we love our neighbor through Missions at Athens First United Methodist Church. This will be a great night to celebrate with our church family. Please register online. Even though there is no cost to attend this event, we need to know you’ll be there so we can make sure we have enough chicken strips for you! We are looking forward to this funfilled evening of celebration. Register | athensfirstumc.org/missionharvest2015 Betsy Butler |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442
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 takes place September 28-October 30. Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/childrensbasketball Rusty Wood |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442
Kids Music and Arts Parent Night
Kids Music and Arts will host their Fall Parent Night on Wednesday, October 7. Come check out what your kids have been up to on Wednesday nights! Classes will maintain their normal schedule. We invite friends and family to get a special glimpse into Kids Music and Arts by attending their child’s classes at the times and locations listed below. Please join us for a great evening!
Free 8x10 Directory Photo
Photos are streaming in! If you ordered photographs at your Lifetouch photo session, your free 8x10 photo will be mailed to your home along with the other photos you ordered. However, if you did not order any photos, Lifetouch will automatically mail your free photo to the church approximately three weeks after your photo session. Photos will be kept at the reception desk. Pick yours up today! Church Office | 706-543-1442
Children’s Basketball | Register
Our Children’s Basketball league runs from November through early March and is open to children ages 4-10.
Dance | 4:45-5:05 p.m. Room 145 Lyric and Celebrate Choirs (Grades 1-4) | 5:00-5:15 p.m. Chapel Lyric and Celebrate Worship Arts (Grades 1-4) | 5:20-5:45 p.m. Amphitheater Room 314 Cherub Choir (Age 3) | 5:30-5:45 p.m. Room 313 Sonshine Choir (Age 4) | 5:40-5:55 p.m. Tabernacle Room 325 Joy Choir (K5) | 5:40-6:00 p.m. Temple Room 320 Sarah Lawing |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442
Sack Lunch Ministry
We are grateful for all who responded to serve God through Sack Lunch Ministry. November 29 and December 27 are the only two Sundays for which we currently need volunteers. If you would like to sign up for either of these opportunities, please visit our website. If you have THE STEEPLE | 10
questions, please contact Betsy Butler. Register| athensfirstumc.org/sacklunchministry Betsy Butler |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442 Kelly Channell |
[email protected]
time of respite. The theme of Harvest this year is focused on Mark 4:26-29, and registration is open until Sunday, October 18! Learn more | athensfirstumc.org/harvestretreat Josh Miles |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442
Dare to Dream | October 7
Are your goals too small? Are you living the “just get by” plan? Or is there a greater “God dream” for you that, if lived to the fullest, could permeate and inform every move you make? Dare to Dream: Creating a God-Sized Mission Statement for Your Life by Mike Slaughter is the topic of discussion for this new women’s small group. The group begins Wednesday, October 7 and will go until November 18. They will meet in Hull Conference Room starting at 5:30 until 7:00 p.m. The book costs $10. Beth Dickinson |
[email protected] | 706-543-1442
Harvest Retreat | October 24-25
Harvest is our fall retreat on October 24-25 for students in grades 7-12. There will be time for fellowship, food, fun, and worship as we break away from our busy lives for this
THE STEEPLE | 11
THE STEEPLE | 12
This Week 8:30 a.m.
S U N DAY, SE P T E M BE R 27 | Ja mes 5:13-20
6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
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 Sack Lunch Ministry HULL STREET ENTRANCE Worship Service SANCTUARY Young Professionals/Community Adult Sunday School Class ROOM 224 Middle School Volleyball League GYM Cub Scout Pack 1 SCOUT HUT Youth Worship Team Rehearsal ROOM 119 Wesleyan Youth Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Carillions Ringers ROOM 150 Route 56: Open Road ROOM 120 Trusting the Covenant ROOM 224 Connect Group (Parents) ROOM 229 Alleluia Ringers ROOM 150 Encounter YOUTH AREA Connect Group (Parents) ROOM 222 Confirmation Lesson HANCOCK HALL Acolyte Training SANCTUARY
11:30 a.m. 1:15 p.m 7:00 p.m.
UMW Circle 5 Meeting HULL CONFERENCE ROOM Monday Bible Study ROOM 200 Community Bible Study, Athens Evening Class
5:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.
Fashion Fitness GYM Community Bible Study Leaders Council Fashion Fitness ROOM 119 Middle School Volleyball League GYM Adult Softball BISHOP PARK Financial Peace University ROOM 222 Trusting the Covenant (C3) ROOM 226
9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
4:45 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
MON DAY, SE P T E M BE R 2 8 | Job 1:1, 2:1-3
T U E SDAY, SE P T E M BE R 29 | Job 2:4-10
THE STEEPLE | 13
9:15 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
5:20 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.
5:30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.
W E DN E SDAY, SE P T E M BE R 3 0 | Psa lm 26
Trusting the Covenant ROOM 224 Breath ROOM 229 New Testament Letters ROOM 222 Believing God ROOM 229 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 Early Book Group ROOM 100 Route 56: GPS ROOM 120 Kids Music and Arts: Celebrate Choir Grades 3-4 ROOM 151 Kids Music and Arts: Cherub Choir Age 3 ROOM 311 AND 313 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 Engage Bible Study YOUTH AREA Mission Harvest HANCOCK HALL Comeback Boys of the Bible ROOM 240 Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal ROOM 148 Freeway ROOM 222 Living Fully, Dying Well JOHN WESLEY PARLOR Adult Pick-up Volleyball GYM Youth Worship Team Rehearsal ROOM 119 Chamber Ensemble Rehearsal ROOM 148
T H U R SDAY, O C T OBE R 1 | Hebr ews 1:1-4
Fashion Fitness GYM Community Bible Study Our Daily Bread FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH DOWNTOWN Middle School Volleyball League GYM
F R I DAY, O C T OBE R 2 | Hebr ews 2:5-12
REACH International Sports Time GYM REACH International Bible Study & Dinner YOUTH AREA
S AT U R DAY, O C T OBE R 3 | M ark 10:2-12
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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
Periodicals Postage Paid at Athens, GA
Vol. LVI No. 63
