St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Sunday, March 17, 12:00 p.m.

Join us for St. Patrick’s Day lunch this Sunday following the 11:00 a.m. service in Fellowship Hall. This will be a time for all to break bread together and enjoy a time of fun fellowship. In addition to lunch, children will get to decorate shamrock cookies! Thanks to a generous donation by fellow church member Lee Epting and Epting Events, there will be no cost to the congregation. All are welcome AND don’t forget to wear your green!

Wed@First

Dear Friends,

Please make plans to join us next Wednesday, March 20, for our next Wed@First of Spring 2024. Each week, there will be opportunities for all ages for fellowship, food, learning, and spiritual growth. Please see the full schedule of activities below, and don’t forget to RSVP for dinner by Monday at 12 noon.

Easter Lily Dedication

If you wish to give a contribution in honor or memory of a loved one, please place your order by Monday, March 25. Each dedication is $10. You may place your completed form and check in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, order online at tinyurl.com/FPCLily2024, or contact the church at 706-543-4338 or frontdesk@firstpresathens.org with your dedications. Each dedication will be listed in the March 31 worship service bulletin.

Holy Week Services & Activities

Palm/Passion Sunday, March 24

Everyone is invited to the upper parking lot to follow the donkey in the palm procession at 10:40 a.m.

Holy Week Activities:

-Labyrinth-walking in Fellowship Hall through Tuesday, March 26

-Prayer Stations in The Pit, March 25-31

Maundy Thursday, March 28, Dinner at 5:30 p.m., Service at 6:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall

We will recall the night of Jesus’ arrest and celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion. Please RSVP for dinner using the Wed@First form.

Good Friday Service, March 29, Oconee Presbyterian Church, 7:00 p.m.

Our siblings from Athens area Presbyterian churches and campus ministry will gather for the annual Good Friday service, hosted this year by Oconee Presbyterian Church.

Easter Eve Egg Hunt and Picnic Dinner, Saturday, March 30, 5:00 p.m., The Hill

All are invited to our Egg Hunt and Picnic Dinner at The Hill (5:00-7:00 p.m.). The church family is asked to bring a side dish to share and your own picnic blanket and/or chairs. Lee Epting will provide a meat and the perfect grass for egg hiding. The church will provide drinks and Easter treats.

Easter, March 31:

Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m., gates will open at 6:15 a.m.

Oconee Hill Cemetery invites everyone to the Wingfield Chapel within the cemetery grounds for an Easter Sunrise Service. Please dress comfortably and consider bringing a flashlight and folding chair.

Easter Worship Services: 8:45 & 11:00 a.m., One Great Hour of Sharing Offering

Join us for the celebration of the risen Christ. We will receive an offering for the One Great Hour of Sharing, which will be used to help Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self Development of People through the Presbyterian Church USA.

Biscuit Brunch, 9:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Between services, instead of Sunday School, we will all gather as a church family for fellowship.

Family Promise Host Weeks, March 24 - April 7

Starting January 2024, Family Promise of Athens updated its service delivery model to offer more stability to participating families while they work to transition out of the program into a permanent home. The new model does not require the same number of volunteers as needed over the past several years, however, each volunteer role is an opportunity to directly impact and assist the families. Click here for more information about FPA’s new service model and an updated volunteer manual.

Thank you to all who volunteered to help during the Host Weeks. If you have questions or would like to get involved with Family Promise, please contact Susan Boatwright at boatwright.susan@gmail.com or Jean Bock at jbock@bellsouth.net. Thank you!

Week of Wonder (VBS) 2024

Week of Wonder (VBS) 2024 Registration is now open! Children going into Pre-Kindergarten through 6th Grade are invited to join us for this super fun week at First Presbyterian Church of Athens Sunday, July 14 – Wednesday, July 17. This summer’s Week of Wonder is all about God’s Gift of Food! Stay tuned for more exciting details.

Registration Link: tinyurl.com/FPCWoW2024. Please register by Friday, May 10, to guarantee a spot. If you have any questions, please contact Natalie Bishop, Director of Children’s Ministry, at natalie@firstpresathens.org.

Resources for Lent 2024 at FPC

This Lent, we have several opportunities and resources that you may use to guide your 40 days. We come to Christ’s table hungry for many different things and there is always a seat for us there. However you choose to observe this season—in community or in solitude, with reflection or action - we pray that it is a time of intentionality and attentiveness to yourself and to your relationship with God.

Click here to read the Resources for Lent 2024 at FPC.

Click here to read Holy Days@First.