Summer Schedule

May 18 was our last Sunday with two services. Over the Memorial Day weekend, May 25, we will go to our summer schedule of one service at 10:00 a.m. Regular Sunday School classes will not meet over the summer. In June, you are invited to join us for a new session of “Everybody Hurts (Sometimes).” You can find more information about it in the box below.

"Everybody Hurts (Sometimes)"

For three Sundays in June, the Congregational Care Commission will be offering a 3-week series called “Everybody Hurts (Sometimes)”. This series is back-by-popular-demand and will focus on three unique areas of human experience that are painful and challenging – we will hear personal stories, professional perspectives, and offer resources for continued healing.

The topics this year are: Suicide Prevention (June 15), Caregiving (June 22), and Aging (June 29). We will meet in the Moses Waddel Room from 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. each of those weeks, and light breakfast items will be available. Please reach out to Whitney with any questions (whitney@firstpresathens.org) -- we hope you will plan to join us for these important conversations.

Nursery and Children’s + Youth Sunday school will be offered during that time.

Summer Choir

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to the sing in the choir, but have never done so, this may be a chance to give choir a “test drive.” If you would like to sing but can’t make the commitment to Wednesday night rehearsals during the regular season, this is the time to join the choir. Beginning Sunday, May 25, through August 17, we will meet in the choir room at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays to rehearse music for that morning’s service. Singers may join for any single Sunday or for as many as they wish, even for the whole summer. There is no obligation, but we do hope some will decide they enjoy singing in the choir enough to continue in the fall. Although this choir is made up mostly of adults, youth and children are also welcome. For more information, contact John Coble at jcoble@firstpresathens.org.

Come to the Well: Exploring God’s Love Through Stories of Water

Save the date for our intergenerational VBS! All ages are welcome - there will be activities for kids, youth, and adults! Dates are July 13-16, 5:00-7:30 p.m. Dinner is provided. The cost is $25 per person to help provide materials and resources for our mission projects throughout the week. Payment can be made via our website (firstpresathens.org/giving, please select “VBS Fund” under “select a fund”) or mailed to the church office. You are invited to come to the well - all are welcome!

Please register at tinyurl.com/2025cometothewell. Questions? Contact Hannah Knight, Director of Children and Youth Ministries, at hannah@firstpresathens.org.

Books for Keeps Book Drive

Help make sure no child in our community goes a summer without great books to read. Please bring your used books to the bins in the Atrium or church office between Sunday, April 27, and Sunday, May 25. Books for Keeps can accept books of all kinds except textbooks and encyclopedias. To learn more about the organization, please go to booksforkeeps.org. Thank you!

Summer Fellowship Outings

Summer is here! We hope you’ll plan to join us for some (or all!) of these fun fellowship outings. Each of these is open to anyone who would like to attend – all ages and stages of our church family! Please RSVP to Whitney (whitney@firstpresathens.org) so we can keep a headcount and feel free to reach out with questions.

Friday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m., Movie in the Park@Wire Park (1725 Electric Ave, Watkinsville)

Come watch “Finding Nemo” on the big screen. BYO chairs/blankets and enjoy food/drink from the many surrounding eateries.

Tuesday, June 10 at 5:30 p.m. Downtown Dinner, Ted’s Most Best (254 W. Washington St.)

Bring the whole family and head downtown for food, drink, and fun!

Saturday June 21 at 9:00 a.m. Kayaking on the Broad River 

$35 per person. Please e-mail Whitney to sign up by June 16. 

Saturday, June 28 at 8:30 a.m. Biking on the Greenway

Bikers (all ages and abilities welcome!) can meet at the Sandy Creek Nature Center parking lot (205 Old Commerce Road). Bring your own bike, helmet, and water bottle. Please contact Karen Phillips if you plan to join at shutterstitch@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 19 at 6:05 p.m. Gwinnett Stripers v. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A baseball), Coolray Field (Lawrenceville, GA)

Please e-mail Whitney by July 1 to claim your spot!

Thursday, July 24 at 5:30 p.m. Downtown Dinner, Creature Comforts Brewing Company (271 W. Hancock Ave)

Food truck, beverages (including n/a), and fun for everyone!

TBD: Morning walk at Botanical Garden and Trivia at Mellow Mushroom. 

More information about these two events will be published soon.

Food Sunday

June 1

You may bring donations of Cold Breakfast Cereal, Hamburger or Tuna Helper, and White Rice in 1-2 lb bags to church next Sunday, June 1. You may also bring food to church office until Friday, May 30. Thanks for your donations in May- our neighbors in need are grateful!

Click here to read the Spring Newsletter, Spring@First.