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Sunday, March 26, 2023

8:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Join us this Sunday at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. as Dr. Ryan Baer will preach a sermon entitled, Taking it Personally. The scripture lessons for this week are Psalm 98:7-9 and Matthew 25:31-46.

 

At the 11:00 a.m. service, the Chancel Choir will sing New Songs of Celebration Render, by John Ferguson, as the anthem.


You can follow the livestream of the service on Facebook or YouTube. For instructions to follow livestream through Facebook or YouTube, click here. Find the text and audio from previous weeks' sermons, along with a copy of the bulletin, here.

Spiritual Practices in Fellowship Hall

This week is the final Sunday school hour to join Rev. Leigh Bonner in the Fellowship Hall for guided spiritual practices. As with the other Sundays this month, we will have new art and scripture to study together. If you as an individual or if your whole Sunday school class or PW Circle would like to attend this Sunday, please email Leigh by Saturday afternoon to let her know you plan to attend.


Alternatively, you are welcome for a self-guided spiritual practices in Fellowship Hall during lent, Mondays through Thursdays between 1:00-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday@First

Join us on March 29 for the last Wed@First of the Spring

Wed@First provides an opportunity to experience Christian fellowship and growth in a relaxed atmosphere.


  • 4:30 p.m. "Dante's Inferno" led by Ron Bogue, Room 308
  • 4:30 p.m. Connecting Threads (new and experienced needles are welcome), Parlor
  • 5:00 p.m. St. Andrews Choir Rehearsal, Room 203
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner, Fellowship Hall
  • 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Chancel Choir Room
  • 6:30 p.m. "This is Believe: Conversations on the Confession of Belhar" with Dr. Baer, Moses Waddel Room


Please RSVP for dinner in the Atrium, online, or by contacting the church office e-mail frontdesk@firstpresathens.org or call 706-543-4338 by Mondays at 12:00 p.m. Price is $10/person and a $40/household max (complimentary for children 5 and under).

Children’s Ministry Mini Mission Project – Summer Camp Fun!

Dear Church Family, please help us continue to share God’s love by helping our Bethel Buddy neighbors get to go to summer camp. Lay Park Community Center is a camp for kids and does fun things like sports, crafts, and all other kinds of fun stuff! This camp runs for eight weeks, Monday-Friday. It is $100 for all 8 weeks, per child. Thank you so much! Love, The Children of First Presbyterian


You may make an online donation (please select "General fund" under "Select a fund" and write "Summer Camp Fun" in the memo), mail a check, place a check in the offering plate or on the church’s reception desk. Please be sure to note that it is for “Children’s Ministry Mini Mission Project – Summer Camp Fun.” If you have any questions, contact Natalie Bishop, Director of Children’s Ministry at natalie@firstpresathens.org.

Food Sunday

April 2

You may bring donations of canned sweet peas, cold breakfast cereals, and spaghetti (dry pasta) to church Sunday, April 2. You may also bring items to the church office until Friday, March 31. Thanks for your donations in March, it makes a big difference to our neighbors in need.

Easter Lily Dedication

If you wish to give a contribution in honor or memory of a loved one, please place your order by Monday, April 3. Each dedication is $10. You may place your completed form and check in the offering plate, mail it to the church office, order online, or contact the church at 706-543-4338 or frontdesk@firstpresathens.org with your dedications. Each dedication will be listed in the April 9 worship service bulletin.

Holy Week Services & Activities

Palm Sunday, April 2

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


Holy Week, through Wednesday, April 5, 1:00-3:30 p.m. 

Self-guided spiritual practices (lectio divina, visio divina, and labyrinth-walking) in Fellowship Hall.


Maundy Thursday, April 6, Dinner and Service at 6:00 p.m., Fellowship Hall

We will recall the night of Jesus’ arrest and celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion.


Good Friday Service, April 7, Friendship 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 Friendship Presbyterian Church.


Easter, April 9 

Easter Sunrise Service, 6:45 a.m.

Oconee Hill Cemetery invites everyone to the Wingfield Chapel within the cemetery grounds for an Easter Sunrise Service led by Dr. Ryan Baer at 6:45 a.m. Gates will open at 6:15 a.m. 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.


Easter Egg Hunt, 9:15 a.m., Courtyard

Children are invited to hunt for Easter Eggs in the Courtyard before heading to our Biscuit Brunch.


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

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

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Jean F. Martin-Williams, who has been named University Professor by UGA in recognition of her significant impact on the university above and beyond her normal academic responsibilities.


You can read more about this recognition here.

News from Family Promise of Athens

We are running low on supplies at our static site and day center! With the start of school, we have seen an increase in families asking for household supplies because they have had additional expenses this past month. Some of the items that we need include:

  • Rolling clothing racks
  • Clothing hangers
  • Plastic storage boxes with lids

 

You can shop on our Amazon wishlist here, or drop items off at our Day Center (First Baptist: 355 Pulaski Street) or our Static Site (Milledge Avenue Baptist Church: 1690 S Milledge Ave).


La Table 2023 Update

Thank you to everyone who attended or sponsored La Table 2023! 311 guests gathered together to enjoy the amazing table decorations, good food, and fellowship of La Table. This year, we met our goal and raised $52,000!

Click here to read Holy Days@First.

Our Church Family

 

Christian Sympathy to:

 

Claudia and David Cole on the death of their son, Davidson Bryan Cole.

March 23

Jeff Bangle

Daniel Epting

Julie Jagmin

Arlene Shirley


March 24

Debbie Craddock-Bell


March 25

Janet Bishop

Benjamin Crim

Meagan Moore


March 26

Pat Bryan

Petch Bryan

Kenny Kalivoda


March 27

Bryan Owens

Joe Stunzi


March 28

Amy Baer

Robbie Bryan

Tre Burg

Bob Cowsert


March 29

Jennifer Adams

Bo Thurston


March 30

Beth Collins

Hugo Waldrip


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Please see FirstPresAthens.org for more information about the life of the church.

Looking Ahead


March 26

Fifth Sunday in Lent


Worship Service at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m., Dr. Ryan Baer preaching


Sunday School


Godly Play


Atrium Refreshments


St. Andrews Choir Rehearsal


Cherub Choir Rehearsal


Celebration Singers Rehearsal


Youth Group


March 27

Lay Caller Meeting via Zoom


Associate Pastor Nominating Committee Meeting


Handbell Choir Rehearsal


March 28

Knitting Purls


Stephen Ministry Meeting


March 29

Connecting Threads


Shakespeare and Friends: Dante’s Inferno


St. Andrews Choir Rehearsal


Wed@First Dinner


Faithful Conversations with Rev. Bonner


Chancel Choir Rehearsal


March 30

Weekday School Chapel


Mellows@ACC Council for Aging


April 2

Palm/Passion Sunday


Worship Service at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m., The Rev. Leigh Bonner preaching


Sunday School


Palm Processional


Godly Play


Atrium Refreshments

First Presbyterian Church
185 E. Hancock Avenue
Athens, GA 30601
(706) 543-4338
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