Sunday, January 4, 2026

10:00 a.m.

Second Sunday of Christmas

Join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as Dr. Ryan Baer will preach a sermon entitled Come and See. The scripture lessons for this week are Psalm 66:1-5 and John 1:35-51.


The Chancel Choir will sing A New Year Carol by Benjamin Britten

for the offertory anthem.


You can follow the livestream of the services 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.

Wed@First Dinner

January 7

Wed@First Dinner January 7


Wed@First provides an opportunity to experience Christian fellowship and growth in a relaxed atmosphere. It includes Shakespeare and Friends Aeneid class (4:30 p.m.), dinner (5:30 p.m.), and choir rehearsal (6:30 p.m.). This winter, you are invited to join us for our LIFT (Living in Faith Together) program which will be during the dinner time. 


LIFT - Living in Faith Together

Participants of all ages will gather at tables to play together, break bread together, study God’s word together, and pray together. The program coincides with the meal, and we will close in time for choir members to attend rehearsal. This is a great way for us to get to know people outside our regular circles and grow together as followers of Christ. All are invited to participate!

 

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 $12/person and a $45/family max (complimentary for children 5 and under).


Shakespeare with Friends Class

Join the Shakespeare with Friends class!

This season Ron Bogue will lead a class through the reading and discussion of Virgil’s Aeneid on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. starting January 7. For more information please contact Ron Bogue at rbogue@uga.edu.

Food Sunday

January 11

You may bring donations of white rice (1-2 lb bags), single-serving snack foods (chips, cereal bars, dried fruits/nuts, etc.), and dry pinto beans/black eyed peas to church on Sunday, January 11. You may also bring items to the church office until Friday, January 9. Our neighbors in need are very grateful for your donations!

First Pres Weekday School registration for Fall 2025 begins for in-house students on Tuesday, January 13. On Friday, January 16 at noon, community registration begins. Our Weekday School is a half day church preschool serving 3 months through 5 years. Questions? Call our director, Elaine Johnson, at (706) 206-8180 or email: elaine@firstpresathens.org.


What a great way to start off 2026 by joining other members of First Presbyterian and the Athens Community by honoring Martin Luther King and helping to make Athens a more beautiful and welcoming place to live! You can see more information about volunteering opportunities and register at tinyurl.com/FPCMLKDay.


After registering for a spot, please e-mail Whitney at whitney@firstpresathens.org so she can connect you with other FPC members volunteering with the same project.


The Athens MLK Day of Service is an annual celebration in support of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday and commitment to service. In 1994, Congress made the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday an official day of service. Athens, Georgia is one of the thousands of cities across the United States that decided to make this “A Day On and Not a Day Off.”


Join us for our next FirstThings gathering on Sunday, January 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be a time to get better acquainted, meet the church staff, and talk about what makes First Presbyterian Church of Athens unique. 


On Sunday, February 1, new members will meet with the Session (our governing board) at 10:00 a.m. to be received into membership and will be introduced to the congregation at the 11 :00 a.m. service. To RSVP, please call the church office (706-543-4338) or e-mail Paulo Santos at paulo@firstpresathens.org by Tuesday, January 20. 


Click here to read Season of Wonder@First.

January 1

Nathan Delinsky

Dean Shepherd

Lynn Thomas


January 3

Donna Gerhardt

Chris Middendorf

Julianne Welch

Colin Welch


January 4

Carol Bachman

Steven Havick

Dominik Lee


January 5

Anne Dantzler

Keith Guest, Sr.


January 6

Larry Baer

Judy Scanlon


January 7

Hailey Campbell

Vasu Nair

Margaret Norris

Kevin Welch


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

Looking Ahead


January 4

Communion Sunday

One Service at 10:00 a.m.


Worship Service, 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Ryan Baer Preaching


January 5

Men's Small Group Meeting (8:30 a.m.)


Circle Two (2:00 p.m.)


January 6

Weekday School Classes Resume


Circle 3/4 (2:00 p.m.)


Circle 6 (7:00 p.m.)


January 7

Shakespeare with Friends Class

(4:30 p.m.)


Wed@First Dinner (5:30 p.m.)


Chancel Choir Rehearsal (6:30 p.m.)


January 8

Administration Commission Meeting (5:30 p.m.)


January 11

Worship Service, 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.


Sunday School (9:45 a.m.)



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