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Advent Theme for 2023

Christ was born into a weary world. King Herod ruled the land with a legacy of ruthlessness. The Romans treated the people of Israel with contempt, imposing harsh taxes and land seizures that forced many into subsistence farming. Poverty and destitution were pervasive. And yet, Christ was born, bringing good news of great joy for all people.

As Advent comes again to a weary world, we ask, “How does a weary world rejoice?” This year, we will follow the stories in the opening chapters of Luke’s Gospel. As we hold space for our weariness and our joy, we will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. This Advent, may we find many ways to rejoice.

Graphic Design by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman | Background painting and photography by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

Christmas Poinsettias

If you would like to help decorate the Sanctuary during Advent and Christmas, make a donation to honor or memorialize a loved one. To do so, fill out the form and attach a check made out to FPC and place it in the offering plate or drop it off at the church office. Please put “poinsettias” in the memo space on your check or envelope.  

Donations made online should be given under the dropdown fund option “Flowers-all.” Please email catherine@fpccov.org with your “in memory” and “in honor” details if you use give online.

The order deadline is Tuesday, December 6th and a minimum donation of $12 is suggested.

Whatever donations we collect over the cost of the flowers will be donated to Thornwell Homes.

Thank you!

Due to forecasted rain and low temperatures, we will NOT be giving out doughnuts for the Lions Club Christmas Parade on Saturday!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help! Stay warm this weekend!

Come help decorate the church!

We'll be decorating for Advent and Christmas on Saturday, December 2nd starting at 1:00pm!

Contact Pat Harper with any questions!

We have Advent devotionals and calendars in the Narthex! Grab yours for the Advent season!

A digital version of the Sanctified Art devotional (that goes with our worship series) is also available on our website's Advent page!

Christmas Charity and Angel Trees are in the Narthex!

Pick out an angel to get gifts for this year! Be sure to write down your name with the angel’s number on the clipboard next to the tree so we can keep track of the angels!

Bring gifts to the Narthex no later than noon on Sunday, December 17 so it can reach your angel in time for Christmas.

Childcare is provided weekly for FPC's Music Ministry.

Music Ministry will continue without interruption while we search for our new Director of Music and Worship Arts. We will have interim leaders for both the children's choirs and the adult choirs. Contact Neeley with questions about Children's Choir, or contact Krista Firkus with questions about Carillon Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir.

Our WiredWORD class meets in the Gathering Room which is on the upper floor, through the Fireplace Room and near the restrooms. This room is sometimes referred to as "the old choir room" or "the old sanctuary" by long-time members. This class explores current events and discusses how our faith intersects and informs our response. 

Our Foundations Sunday School meets in the Adult Classroom which is on lower floor classroom wing at the end of the hall way on the left. This class explores the lectionary scriptures each week, taught by a rotation of teachers. 

Youth Sunday School meets in the Youth Classroom which is on the lower floor classroom wing. It is the first classroom on the left, past the restrooms. The class explores the lectionary scriptures each week, often as they relate to the weekly sermon.

Children's Sunday School meets in the Children's Classroom which is the second door on the right of the lower floor classroom wing. Children learn about God's love through the bible, play, and song.

Please keep the following people and their families in your prayers this week:

Illness and Strife

• Angelic Bellinger - health concerns
• Ken Fullerton, father of Scott Fullerton - settling into life at Westbury McDonough
• Patsy Freeman, sister of Judy Davis
• Grant Moss & Chris Mattice, family of Louly Fowler Hay - cancer and care
• Joyce, sister of Faye Kitchens
• Shelvie Belser, grandmother of Neeley Rentz Lane
• Carolyn Watson
• Bernice Bailey - cancer treatment
• Bob and Beverly Beasley, friends of Jean Elder - health concerns and care
• Brenda Buckelew, mother of Jennifer Buckelew
• Patrick Carmichael
• Larry Cox, brother-in-law of Randy Layton - cancer
• Bob Darby, friend of Jeff Mackenzie - leg amputated, kidney problems
• Karla Ensminger, sister of Perri Walden
• Randy Jones, nephew of Faye Kitchens - lung cancer
• Karen Lein Kaasa, sister-in-law of Julie MacKenzie - home health care
• Marcia McGowan-Thurman, mother of Alicia Taylor - inoperable brain tumor
• Rosalia Meadors, friend of Tom Crews - three year old with bone marrow failure
• Meredith Nash, friend of Barbara Martin - four year old with stage IV kidney cancer
• Donald Vining, brother of Danny Vining - vision loss
• Joyce Williams, sister of Danny Vining - Alzheimer’s

Independent and Assisted Living

• Penny Blakeney - The Oaks Assisted Living
• Homer Borders - Presbyterian Village Athens
• Jean Elder - Florida with her daughter
• Dot Fincher - Merryvale
• Louly Hay - Presbyterian Village Athens
• Travis Moss - Westbury, Conyers
• Louise White - Merryvale

Military Service

• Billy Scarborough - Marines
• Koen Ardis - Navy
• Clint Williams - Army
• Daryl Williams - Army

Please click HERE to update your prayer requests or send new prayer requests.

You will be sent a check-in after three weeks.

In your email please indicate if you would like your request to be confidential or added to our prayer list.