Called Congregational Meeting

November 12, after 11:00 a.m. service

The Session has called a Congregational meeting for November 12 to act on a recommendation from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. The meeting will be in the Sanctuary following the 11:00 a.m. worship service. A brochure with information about the Associate Pastor candidate to be presented by the APNC will be distributed at the beginning of the meeting.

Stewardship Sunday

November 12

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”  -- Proverbs 16:3

As we dream together about what God will do in and through First Presbyterian Church of Athens in years to come, the elders of the church need your help. When you submit an estimate of your annual giving to the FPC General Fund, you practice the spiritual discipline of committed generosity, and church leaders are better able to plan for the fulfillment of our church’s mission. 

Please fill out this form to make your estimate of annual giving to the General Fund, as, in response to God’s grace, we create community where people seek the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, rejoice in worship, and go forth sharing the love of Christ with Athens and the world!

Ways to Serve

Please take a moment to fill out the Ways to Serve form. This will give the church staff and session an updated list on how your time and talents can be shared with the congregation, Athens, and the world. If you prefer to fill out a paper form, you can find a copy in the Atrium.

Thanksgiving Food Bag Sunday

November 12

Can you provide a bag of food that can be used by an Athens family of four to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner? Please bring the items on the list attached in a reusable bag to church on November 12 or drop them off at the church during normal business hours by Friday, November 10. Alternatively, you can send a check for $50 to the church or donate at FirstPresAthens.org/giving (please select General Fund and add “Thanksgiving bags” in the memo box).

Matthew 25 Movie and Conversation, Postponed to next Sunday

The final installment of the Matthew 25 faith and film discussion has been changed to Sunday, November 19, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. We will not meet this Sunday, November 12. You are still welcome to join us, regardless of how many previous discussions you may have missed. The documentary and discussion guide are offered by the PC(USA), and various members of the Matthew 25 Commission will facilitate our conversations on racial and environmental justice.

Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/FPCM25Movie. Light snacks will be provided.

For more information, please contact Dan Nadenicek at dnadeni@uga.edu.

Wed@First

Dear Friends,

Please make plans to join us on Wednesday, November 15, for our last Wed@First of Fall 2023. 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 by noon on Monday, November 13.

Thornwell Offering

November 19

Your gift will help prevent child abuse and neglect, build up and reunite families, and support healthy communities in the name of Jesus Christ. Begun as an orphanage in Clinton, SC, Thornwell now has multi-faceted programs to help children including foster care, residential care, family services, and child development services. Please make your check to FPC with “Thornwell” noted on the bottom, or go to firstpresathens.org/giving (please select “Thornwell” under “Select a Fund”). Thanks to the generosity of a friend of Thornwell, this year, whatever is given to Thornwell will be matched dollar for dollar! Please give generously!

Project Safe Work Day

November 19, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Help tidy the Project Safe Thrift Store in Bells Shopping Center, 995 Hawthorne Ave. #7. The store will be closed to shoppers during our work time. Project Safe works to end domestic violence. Please contact Kitty Donnan at kittydavedonnan@gmail.com to volunteer.

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 $1,000. Volunteers meet at the 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 Kitty Donnan at kittydavedonnan@gmail.com. Since this is a popular family event, please be sure to sign up early. Donations can be made by writing a check to First Presbyterian (noted “MOW”) or give online at firstpresathens.org/giving and select “Meals on Wheels.” under “Select a fund.”

Advent: Season of Wonder Intergenerational Celebration

Sunday, December 3, 9:45-10:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall

Join us for this intergenerational Sunday school opportunity that will start our congregational celebration of Advent 2023. We will seat the generations of the church in concentric circles in Fellowship Hall, gathering everyone to hear the Godly Play Advent story. After that, we will do “wonder work” together, making Advent wreaths to adorn our homes and making prayer ornaments for our Atrium Christmas tree.

Please RSVP by November 19 at tinyurl.com/FPCAdv2023 to let us know that you will be joining us for this special celebration with our church family. For more information and questions, please reach out to Natalie Bishop at natalie@firstpresathens.org or Leigh Bonner at lbonner@firstpresathens.org.

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Will you be someone’s angel this year? Please consider purchasing Christmas gifts for one or more of the 75 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 3, or to the church office by Friday, December 1.

News from Family Promise of Athens

We are running low on supplies at our static site and day center! Please go to 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).

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Family Promise Benefit Concert

Sunday, November 12, 4:00 p.m.

Milledge Avenue Baptist Church is hosting a Benefit Concert for Family Promise of Athens featuring Ken Medema this Sunday, November 12.  Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 and can be bought in advance here, or at the door via cash, check or card. Everyone is welcome to attend regardless of their ability to donate. All proceeds will benefit Family Promise of Athens.

Click here to read Fall@First.