John Coble Organ Recital

Sunday, November 10, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Join us on November 10, 4:00 p.m. as Dr. John Coble will perform a recital in memory of Dr. Raymond Martin. The program will include music by J.S. Bach, Dan Locklair, Felix Mendelssohn, and Louis Vierne. A reception in the Atrium will follow. The recital is presented as part of the Wayne F. Middendorf Memorial Concert Series and is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Martin was the father of Jean Martin-Williams. He was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Union Theological Seminary, and was a distinguished organist and church musician, serving on the faculty of Agnes Scott College for 37 years. He also served as organist/choirmaster at Peachtree Presbyterian Church and The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atlanta.

Wed@First

Wed@First provides an opportunity to experience Christian fellowship and growth in a relaxed atmosphere. It includes Shakespeare and Friends Iliad class (4:30 p.m.), dinner (5:30 p.m.), and choir rehearsal. Next week, join us for LIFT (Living in Faith Together) at 5:30 p.m., where participants of all ages will gather at tables to play together, break bread together, study God’s word together, and pray together.

 

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).

Celebrate Generosity

November 17

In Scripture, we read “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). Come celebrate God’s grace and share in God’s generosity with us next Sunday, November 17.

On that Sunday morning, we’ll dedicate our Thanksgiving Food Bags for the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. If you haven’t yet picked up your reusable bag, the shopping list is here, and you may pick up a bag from the church office or bring your own. Alternatively, you may make a gift to the church of $50 and mark it “Thanksgiving Food Bags.”

In worship that morning, we’ll dedicate our commitments of time, talent, and treasure to the work of the Lord at FPC for the year 2025. If you haven’t yet received your 2025 commitment card in the mail, you can download one here.

On that Sunday at 12 noon, we’ll celebrate God’s generosity with an all-church potluck in the Fellowship Hall. The church will provide baked ham and beverages – please bring a dish to share (crockpots welcome).

Come celebrate God’s abundant love and generosity with us at FPC!

Casa de Amistad Christmas Gift Cards

Help aid low income Latino and Hispanic families through Casa de Amistad. Donations will be used to provide $50 gift cards to families for holiday gifts, food, etc. Please make your check to First Presbyterian Church and note “Casa Christmas” in memo line - or give online at FirstPresAthens.org/giving (please select “General Fund” under “Select a Fund,” and in the optional memo write “Casa Christmas”). Please send gifts by Sunday, November 24. Thank you for your generosity!

Holiday Meals on Wheels

Every Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day volunteers from First Presbyterian Church deliver nutritional meals to homebound seniors. FPC also pays for the meals on these three days. The cost is generally around $1,500. Volunteers meet at the Athens Community Council on Aging at 135 Hoyt St. at 10:00 a.m. The routes take 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

If you are interested in delivering meals, please contact John Turner at johnlovickturner@yahoo.com. Since this is a popular family event, please be sure to sign up early. Donations can be made by writing a check to FPC (noted “MOW”) or give online at FirstPresAthens.org/giving and select “Meals on Wheels” under “Select a fund.”

Salvation Army Angel Tree and Bell Ringing

Will you be someone’s angel this year? Please consider purchasing Christmas gifts for one or more of the 100 Salvation Army “angels” (infants –12-year-old children) posted in Fellowship Hall. Detailed instructions are available when you select your “angel.” Please bring your gifts to church by Sunday, December 8, or to the church office by Friday, December 6.

If you would like to volunteer to ring the bell at Walmart on Epps Bridge on Saturday, December 14, please sign up at the table in Fellowship Hall.

Recommendations for Elders

The Nominations and Elections Committee encourages your participation in the process for nominating Elders. Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian Gospel, both within the church and in the world at large.

Please e-mail your suggestions to Chuck Toney, Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, at chuckgt63@gmail.com. You can also fill out the form online.

Volunteer Opportunities

Please see below a list of opportunities to volunteer and get involved in different ministries and programs here at FPC (click on the links for more more detailed information):

- Children and Youth Ministries: help with Children’s Church, Sunday School, or Youth Dinner

- Fellowship Host: help setting up Atrium Fellowship on Sundays after 11:00 a.m. services

- Resource Pantry: donate items or volunteer for a 2-hour shift

Advent Devotionals

As we approach the season of Advent, we hope you will consider writing a devotional for our congregational Advent resource. Each day in Advent has a designated passage of scripture or a hymn to be used as a prompt. Devotions should be ~300 words (plus a short prayer) and are due to Whitney by November 15.

This is a beloved tradition in our congregation and we hope you will participate by sharing your words with us!

FPC certificated as a Hunger Action Congregation

FPC recently became a Hunger Action Congregation. Thank you to the Matthew 25 Commission for the hard work it took to receive this certification!

From Our Daily Bread to food Sundays to Bethlehem Ministries, FPC has always worked to alleviate hunger at home and around the world. Because of this commitment, we have been named a certified PC(USA) Hunger Action Congregation by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. We are now part of a network of congregations that can share best practices and have a broader impact on the root causes of hunger and poverty. A map of current HACs is available here.

Hurricane Response

As we continue to grasp the magnitude of damage and suffering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, our hearts ache for our neighbors who have lost so much. We are grateful to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) for organizing relief efforts on the ground in those areas of great need and so we encourage anyone wanting to help to donate to PDA.

Click here to read Fall@First.