Celebrate Generosity

November 16

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it -- the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

“Stewardship is an act of joyful worship.” This has been the theme of our ongoing conversation about the faithful and financial practice of stewardship in support of our mission at First Presbyterian Church of Athens. Psalm 24 is clear in its declaration that all that we have is indeed a gift from God; the parable of the talents in the 25th chapter of Matthew tells us that we are to use those gifts to advance the kingdom on earth. The worship is in the giving, not the gift. On Generosity Sunday, we will present our estimates of giving as an act of faith and finance. We commit to making monetary gifts and we commit our lives as living gifts to God. Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity as an act of worship to support the life and mission of First Presbyterian Church.

On the morning of Sunday, November 16, we'll dedicate our Thanksgiving Food Bags for the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. If you haven't yet picked up your reusable bag, you may pick up a bag from the Atrium or the church office or bring your own. The shopping list will be included with the reusable bag and printed in the bulletin. 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 2026. Commitment cards were mailed out, but if you haven't received one before the 16th, you can fill one out online 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 are welcome). In hopes of covering our tables with a nice variety of dishes, we ask that you bring something in the category that corresponds with the first letter of your last name:

A-G: vegetable sides     

H-M: salads     

N-R: desserts     

S-Z: starchy sides (pasta, potatoes, etc…)

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

Recommendations for Elders

Recommendations for Elders

*Nominations must be submitted by November 20*

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 Ethelyn Simpson, Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, at simpsonen@bellsouth.net. You can also fill out the form online.

Thornwell Offering

November 23

Thornwell Offering

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 online (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!

Thanksgiving Books for Children

Thanksgiving books (both fiction and nonfiction) for children and their parents to share are displayed in our church library. When you have a few minutes, please stop by to "check them out."

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.

We are still looking for a few volunteer delivery drivers for Thanksgiving day. 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

Please consider purchasing Christmas gifts for one or more of the 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 7, or to the church office by Friday, December 5.

Family Promise Grocery Gift Cards Needed

Family Promise Grocery Gift Cards Needed

As our community prepares for cuts to SNAP, Family Promise has seen an increase in the number of families in need of assistance and food. Last month, we had 42 families come in during walk-in hours seeking assistance. We already partner with the Food Bank to help with SNAP access and direct food emergencies, however we are working to find new ways to provide relief.

We are collecting $25 grocery (Kroger/Walmart) gift cards to provide in cases of urgent food needs. Gift cards can be dropped off at our Resource Center or mailed to PO Box 581, Athens, GA 30603. Or you can donate online at www.familypromiseathens.org/donate-now. Be sure to write "food gift card" in the comments box.

Join a Choir

First Presbyterian Church enjoys a long and outstanding tradition of great music. Opportunities are available for all ages. Click here for more information or email Dr. John Coble at jcoble@firstpresathens.org.

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