www.firstpresathens.org

January 11, 2016

Going Home for the Weekend - Sunday, January 24Isn’t it great to go home for the weekend? Maybe you have been away at college for a few weeks, and you need a quiet place to do laundry — or have it done, depending on your relationship with your parents! Maybe you are living in your first home. Your young family is settled in, but then you have a burning desire to go home to see your family. It’s usually great to go home, at least for a while, but often before the weekend is over, you get a little antsy to head back to your new home whether it is a dorm room or starter house.

Jesus knew about that same experience. In Luke 4, Jesus and some of his disciples went to his hometown of Nazareth. We don’t know why he decided to go home at the beginning of his ministry, but he did. It went well at first. Then Jesus went to the synagogue on Friday night, because Luke says, “That was his custom.” Jesus was a regular church-goer. But like many people who go home, Jesus wore out his welcome pretty quickly.

The folks back home thought Jesus was a little too haughty in the way he acted in the synagogue, and they were ready to drive him out of town. Jesus would say later that he “shook the dust off his sandals,” turned his back on his home town acquaintances and never came back.

Glenn Doak, Senior Pastor

Martin Luther King Weekend — Sunday, January 17This Sunday, we will look at Psalm 118 which declares: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” The Psalm is often read on Easter describing what God has done for all of us in the death and resurrection event of Jesus Christ. Psalm 118 also played an important role during the civil rights movement in rallying people around the notion that “today” is the day to do something about racial equality.

The Psalmist writes, “This is the day, the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it.” It is the day the Lord has made for all of his children everywhere. It is God’s day, given to all God’s children to use to the best of their ability. Some will make good use of this day; others will squander it away as though they have a thousand more coming just like it. Dr. King, whose memory we honor this week, spent his life calling us to honor and serve each other through thick and thin. He understood that God has created each day for God’s children and that all of us have a finite number of these days.God leaves it to us to decide what to do with them. What will you do with today?

Martin Luther KingDay of Service

Join us on Monday, January 18th, for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a fun-filled, family-friendly day of service in Athens! Project sites this year will include the Project Safe Thrift Store, West Broad Market Garden, and Brooklyn Cemetery. Please contact ElizabethWilkes at efwilkes@uga.edu or (770) 862-1851 to volunteer.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert

FeaturingThe Athens Voices of Truth

Sunday, January 17, 4:00 p.m.In the Sanctuary

Under the direction of James R. Smith, each performance of the Athens Voices of Truth Choir includes anthems, traditional hymns, and contemporary gospel. For more than 35 years, this choir has contributed to musical excellence and education in the Athens area. This is an event you will not want to miss.

Jan. 16 John 2:13-22Jan. 17 Genesis 7:1-10, 17-23Jan. 18 Hebrews 4:14-5:6Jan. 19 John 3:16-21Jan. 20 Genesis 9:18-29Jan. 21 Hebrews 6:13-20Jan. 22 John 4:16-26Jan. 23 Genesis 12:9-13:1Jan. 24 Galatians 2:1-10Jan. 25 John 4:43-54Jan. 26 Genesis 15:1-11, 17-21Jan. 27 Hebrews 9:15-28Jan. 28 John 5:30-47Jan. 29 Genesis 17:15-27Jan. 30 Hebrews 10:26-39Jan. 31 Mark 8:22-30

Bible ReadingsWomen’s Retreat Registration

The second annual Women’s Retreat at Fellowship Camp and Conference Center on Lake Greenwood will be held April 15-17, 2016. This retreat is framed by Glennon Doyle Melton’s book Carry on Warrior: The Power of Embracing your Messy, Beautiful Life and combines inspirational writing with Scripture to encourage us all to love more thoughtfully and intentionally. Please email Emma Holman, holman.emma@gmail.com, if you are interested in more information. Deadline to register is March 1st, and spaces are limited. The cost is $165.

To learn more about what you can expect this year, Karen Phillips shared her reflections on the 2015 retreat: “The Women’s Retreat was a wonderful way to take a break from my normal, every day life and reconnect to my inner voice, the one that is constantly being drowned out by a never-ending list of to-dos and family commitments. There were interesting group discussions, prayer, art activities, walks with friends, delicious meals, a movie night, and a worship service. Women of all ages attended the retreat, and it was fun to get to know some of the other women I had never met before in our church. I came away from the weekend relaxed and refreshed, but more importantly I made friendships with other women that I still have to this day. Going on the retreat made me feel like I was part of the bigger picture of our church and that I can play an important role in it.”

Children’s Ministry Update

The children enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Season at First Presbyterian. We began the season by decorating our very own Christmas tree in the Children’s Ministry Suite. The children were reminded of the true reason for the season by decorating the tree with ornaments symbolizing Jesus’ birth.

We continued celebrating the Christmas season with the Live Nativity. With nearly 700 people visiting the Live Nativity this year, we had the opportunity to welcome many guests to our church for the first time. The children enjoyed making Christmas ornaments, listening to live Christmas music throughout the Children’s Ministry Suite and Weekday School, and seeing Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Shepherds and Wise Men. And as always, the friendly sheep, camel and pot belly pig were a big hit with all!

In addition, many of our children participated in the annual Christmas pageant, and as always the children did a wonderful job acting out the Christmas story. Lastly, the children enjoyed a lively Christmas Eve service, filled with Christmas carols and the glow of candlelight.

We are looking forward to a fun filled 2016!

Natalie Bishop, Director of Children’s Ministries

New Wednesday@First Class —1-2-3 Magic: ParentingLed by Carol Strickland and Lynne West, this class is designed for parents of children ages two to twelve. It will feature video clips, group discussion and peer support.

Members Honored by the University of Georgia

Law SchoolFirst Presbyterian Church members, Verner and Ethel Chaff in, were honored for more than 75 years of association, service and generosity to the School of Law at the school’s holiday luncheon on December 11, 2015. Several specialized awards, a professorship, and prizes bear the name of Professor Verner Chaffin, 1942 alumnus and Callaway Chair of Law Emeritus, paying tribute to his academic excellence in the field of Property and Future Interests - Trusts and Estates. Visible behind the Chaff in family is his faculty portrait, commissioned upon his retirement in 1993.

Our Church FamilyHome from the Hospital:Steve BachmanSympathy:To Margaret Johansen on the

death of her cousin, Wilda Hosch, on December 22, 2015.

Congratulations:To Jay and Lauren Cook on

the birth of their son, William Henley Cook, on December 22, 2015.

To Jason and Andrea Doornbos on the birth of their daughter, Mary Dodson “Dottie” Doornbos, on December 28, 2015.

Baptism: Keith Hayward Guest III received

the sacrament of baptism on December 27, 2015. Hayward is the son of Laura Beth and Keith Guest, Jr., and the grandson of DeDe and Keith Guest, Sr.

January 16 Jim McDonald, John Stone IIIJanuary 17 Whitney GoodstoneJanuary 18 Debbie Gaskill, Madison

SmithJanuary 19 Randy Dudley, Lois Hasty,

Forrest Johnson, Tenny Ness, Caryl Woosley

January 20 Ruby Hodgson, Cash Morris, Dianne Wilson

January 21 Kathy Compton, J. C. Mullis, Sue Ellen Patterson, Beth Shackleford

January 22 Andrea Doornbos, Beau Hodgson IV, Sue Marion

January 23 Ashley Dunn, Mary Frances Fitch, Jerry Rogers, Jim Wilfong, Sr.

January 24 Mark McCormack, Paige OelkeJanuary 25 Jimmy Wilfong, Jr., Katie

Sue Martin-WilliamsJanuary 26 River BowenJanuary 27 John Boatwright, David

Bradford III, Jim PrestegardJanuary 28 Beau Calvo, Shirley

Chambliss, Marianne Rogers, Cullen Brown

January 30 Ellen Corry, Nancy Denson, Kemp Gaskill, Mary Alice Hannon, Christy Jordan, Beverly Phares

January 31 Roy Bell, Joshua Porras Allen

Music Notes by John CobleHappy New Year to all of you! This is a time of new beginnings and for a fresh start to activities we’re already involved in. After a break following a very busy time for our choirs, we are making a fresh start as we prepare for the Sundays and seasons to come in the church year.

This is the perfect time to join (or rejoin) one or more of our choirs. If you’ve sung in a choir before but haven’t done it for a while, it may be time to rediscover what a joyful and rewarding experience singing in a choir can be. We welcome “prodigal choristers” with no questions asked. If you are interested but have not sung before, this may be the time to try something new. You can certainly ask questions, and it is my job to “demystify” music and singing. Also, our Handbell Choir currently has openings for two ringers. For more information, please contact John Coble at jcoble@firstpresathens.org or by calling the church office. Participating in a choir is a form a stewardship, so consider making a musical offering to God.

Flower Dedications The following dates are available to dedicate flowers for Sunday morning worship: January 17 and 24. The cost for two arrangements is $100. Please contact Lucy Bell at lbell@firstpresathens.org to schedule a date.

Wednesday Night — Thin Places and Sacred SpacesBeginning on Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 p.m., Dr. Doak and Dr. Daniel Nadenicek will teach a class together exploring the relationship between sacred places and God speaking to us through nature. Are there sacred places where God speaks clearly to us or where we humans gather a sense of God’s presence? Jesus used many metaphors and parables about nature and landscape when he was teaching that the “Kingdom of God was like a sower going out to sow, a woman who lost a coin in the house, or like a fig tree.”

Dr. Daniel Nadenicek is a member of First Presbyterian Church along with his wife Jeanne who sings in the choir. He serves as Dean of the College of Environment and Design at UGA where he also holds the Draper Chair of Landscape Architecture.

Please join us for this nine week course as we view evocative images and engage in compelling discussions about the world around us.

Offering Envelopes Now Available

Offering envelopes for 2016 are avail-able in Fellowship Hall. If you do not see a box for your family and would like to receive one, please contact Roger Burbage, (706) 543-4338 or rburbage@firstpresathens.org.

In Memoriam

William “Bill” Edward Hopkins, Jr.1921-2015

In Memoriam

Katherine Blackshear Boardman1929-2015

185 East Hancock Avenue • Athens, GA 30601706-543-4338

Non Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDAthens, GAPermit 262

Sunday, January 17Do Something About It Today

Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak

Sunday, January 24Jesus and the

Hometown FolksRev. Dr. Glenn Doak

Worship Services:8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.

Children’s Church Children, ages 4 through Grade 2, may leave the 11:00 a.m. service for

activities in the Children’s Ministry Suite.

Sundays at First Presbyterian

Return Service RequestedSunday, January 17 4:00 p.m. Voices of Truth Concert, Sanctuary 5:45 p.m. Youth Fellowship and Dinner, The PIT

Monday, January 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 8:30 a.m. MLK Day Volunteer Sites, Various Locations Church Offices Closed for the Holiday.

Tuesday, January 1912:15 p.m. Book Small Group, Room 124 1:30 p.m. Knitting Purls, Bride’s Room 5:30 p.m. Renovation Team Meeting, Staff Conference Room

Wednesday, January 20 - Wednesday@First Programs10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting, Staff Conference Room Tai Chi Group, Room 310 3:00 p.m. Wednesday@First Programs 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Room 202

Thursday, January 21 10:00 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study, Home of Josephine Paine, 640 Riverview Road

Friday, January 22 7:00 p.m. Session Retreat, Moses Waddel Room

Saturday, January 23 9:00 a.m. Session Retreat, Moses Waddel Room

Sunday, January 2412:05 p.m. New Member Reception, Fellowship Hall 4:00 p.m. Cherub Choir, Room 203 St. Andrews Choir, Room 202 5:30 p.m. Congregational Meeting and Dinner, Fellowship Hall

Monday, January 25 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting, Staff Conference Room 5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Room 205

Tuesday, January 26 8:30 a.m. Weekday School Donuts with Dad, Fellowship Hall 1:30 p.m. Knitting Purls, Bride’s Room 6:00 p.m. First Friends, Girasoles, 24 Greensboro Hwy, Watkinsville

Wednesday, January 27 - Wednesday@First Programs 8:30 a.m. Weekday School Donuts with Dad, Fellowship Hall10:00 a.m. Tai Chi Group, Room 310 3:00 p.m. Wednesday@First Programs 5:45 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner, Fellowship Hall 6:30 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal, Room 202