www.firstpresathens.org

February 8, 2016

First Sunday in Lent — Sunday, February 14The first Sunday in Lent coincides this year with Valentine’s Day. There is almost something wrong with the cal-endar when these two occasions meet. On Valentine’s Day, we are reminded of love, relationships, and maybe how you fell in love with someone special. However, you may have memories of presenting a box of chocolates to the person of your dreams only to be told “No.” She said, “If I accept this from you it assumes something that is not true, so ‘No.’”

This edges us a little closer to the penitential season of Lent. It is a time to be remorseful of things we have done which we ought not to have done. It is a time to contemplate what you believe, to challenge what you believe or to learn to believe again. For Prot-estants, it is often a time to do something extra in matters of faith as opposed to giving up something, a traditionally Catholic Lenten practice. (It is okay to give up something during Lent as a representation of your faith commitment as a non-Catholic.)

I will be preaching a sermon series on “Getting Close to Jesus This Lent,” starting with When Life Presses in on You on this first Sunday of Lent. I will present texts from the gospel where either Jesus was tempted as in this Sunday, Luke 4:1-13 or where Jesus is challenging us in what we believe about temptation and faith.

February Prime Time Presbyterians Event

February 16th at 10:30 a.m

This February, the PTP’s will tour the Athens Clarke County Recycling Center. We will meet at the center, located at 725 Hancock Industrial Way near the Athens Main Post Office on Olympic Drive and close to the Carrier Transicold facility. After the tour we will have a lunch at Little City Diner in Winterville. Please contact Judy Howell to RSVP, jhowell@uga.edu or (706) 549-2888.

Sunday Night Dinner Cooks Wanted

Would you enjoy cooking for an appreciative crowd? Volunteer by yourself or assemble some friends to help you provide a dinner to the college students at the Pres-byterian Student Center. Each Sunday night members of area PC(USA) churches take turns feeding the 25-30 students who come. All you bring is the food; everything else is provided. Please contact Sydney Jackson if you can lend a hand.

Second Sunday in Lent — Sunday, February 21Our Lenten sermon series continues with the second sermon, When We Need to Repent. The scripture for this Sunday is Luke 13:1-9. Jesus is teaching and someone in the group asks him about an incident where Pilate had killed some Galileans. The result was that their blood mingled with that of their sacrifice. Jesus responds by asking them, “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans?”

The incident described in Luke 13 is about repentance. The crowd was trying to make this incident and another mentioned in the text to be about “fairness” and suffering. But Jesus is clear. It is about repentance. What must a person do in order to be right with God? He closes out the lesson by telling them the parable of the fig tree. A very interesting text and parable. See you in church this Sunday!

Glenn Doak, Senior Pastor

Children’s Ministry Update

The season of Lent has begun! The children will receive a 2016 Lenten Calendar at the Chil-dren’s Ash Wednesday Ser vice on Februar y 10th. For many children, the season of Lent can be a bit confusing. Use this calendar as a guide to help you talk with your children about this special time of prayer, reflection, and fellowship. The calendar includes simple prayers and family activities that will help remind children of the importance of the season. If you were unable to join us on Ash Wednesday, be sure to pick up a calendar in the Children’s Ministry Suite.

Natalie Bishop, Director of Children’s Ministries

Youth Ministry UpdateFirst Presbyterian Youth take home the cup! On Sunday, January 31st, we hosted the second annual Frozen Chosen Cup, a friendly competition between local Presbyterian youth groups. With nearly 100 youth and adults in Fellowship Hall, the energy was high as we competed in 20 events inspired by the tv game show Minute To Win It. In addition to classic games like Stack Attack and Defying Gravity, we

added four Bible related games. From singing the Doxology backwards to playing charades with well-known Bible stories, our youth did a great job of showing off their religious education (and drawing skills!). In the end, it came down to just two points separating First Presbyterian from Oconee, with Covenant and Madison coming in 3rd and 4th. The Cup will proudly be on display in the PIT until we meet again in 2017.

Kim Ness, Director of Youth MinistriesTreat Yourself to the

Women’s RetreatThe second annual women’s retreat at Fellowship Camp and Confer-ence Center on Lake Greenwood will be held April 15-17. It will be led by the Rev. Jill Tolbert and based on Glennon Doyle Melton’s book Carry on Warrior: The Power of Embracing Your Messy, Beautiful Life. Melton is the creator of the popular Momastery blog. Online registration is now available at the church website. Deadline to register is March 1st, and spaces are limited. The cost is $165.

Red Cross Blood DriveSunday, February 28th, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Our annual blood drive has become an important and integral part of First Presbyterian’s Outreach Program. This year, our goal is to donate 32 usable units of blood. The Red Cross office in Athens tells us they are experiencing great demand for blood and its supplies are at a very low level.

Snacks and refreshments will be available to donors.You can reserve an appointment time online atredcrossblood.org, by signing up in the Atrium on Sunday, by calling the church office, or by emailing Caitlin White at caitlin@firstpresathens.org. Please join us for this important event!

IHN La Table LuncheonTuesday, February 23

10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Athens IHN will host its annual La Table luncheon at the Athens Country Club. Georgia State Rep-resentative Spencer Frye will be our honored speaker at this fundraiser to benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens. Attendees are asked to make a contribution of $50 to IHNA. The funds raised through this event will support IHNA in its mission to mobilize our community to help homeless families in crisis situations achieve sustainable inde-pendence by providing emergency housing, meals and comprehensive support services. Please contact Wanda Culpepper, (706) 202-4862 or wbculpepper@hotmail.com, to RSVP.

Weekday School NewsWeekday School Registration is now open to the community. We have a few spots left in some classes. Please recommend us to your neighbors and friends! Call Elaine Johnson, (706) 206-8180, for a tour.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be at the school February 8-12, and the book fair will be open on Wednesday evening during church activities if you’d like to come by for some of the best in children’s literature.

Our Church FamilyHome from the Hospital:Bob Cobb Joyce Coble

Congratulations:To Greg and Paula-Frances Price

on the birth of their daughter Harper Elizabeth Price, born on January 21, 2016.

To Sally and Hervé Celia on the birth of their son, James Vincent Celia, on January 29, 2016. James is the grandson of Jim and Robyn McDonald.

February 16 Allison Flaishans, Sara Johnson, Sheila Marshall, Lee Padgett, Winki Winburn

February 17 Jack PalmerFebruary 18 Keith OelkeFebruary 19 Janet Borders, Maryann

Brunjes, William Carey, Mindy Sawyer, Jim Spencer

February 20 Buck Adams, Joseph StunziFebruary 21 Ashton Fix-Brinson, Karen

Cobb, Loch Johnson, Tere Lewis, Tom McCormack, Suzanne Sugiuchi

February 22 John Barrett, Sally SamsFebruary 23 Allison Hays, Jane

McGown, Becky Padgett, Laura Seward, Patsy Tripp

February 24 Melanie Powers, Muriel Pritchett, Pam Prokasy, Meg Spencer, James Williams

February 25 Hayes Adams, Beth Barton, Keith Guest, Jr., Lois Neighbors, Elaine Weeks

February 26 Diane Adams, Suzanne Hill, Jeff Hopper, Hilary Shuford, Mary Ben Woolbright

February 27 Jody Corry, Dan HortonFebruary 28 Celeste Arrington, Kathy

Bangle, Dwayne Campbell, Steven DeSimone, Leo Jensen, Faye Marshall

February 29 Holly MacMillan

Feb. 16 Genesis 37:12-24Feb. 17 1 Corinthians 2:1-13Feb. 18 Mark 2:1-12Feb. 19 Genesis 40:1-23Feb. 20 1 Corinthians 4:1-7Feb. 21 John 5:19-24Feb. 22 Genesis 41:46-57Feb. 23 1 Corinthians 5:1-8Feb. 24 Mark 4:1-20Feb. 25 Genesis 42:29-38Feb. 26 1 Corinthians 7:1-9Feb. 27 Mark 5:1-20Feb. 28 Genesis 44:1-17Feb. 29 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

Bible Readings

Music Notes by John Coble“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” — Isaiah 35:10

A new abbot was appointed to a Benedictine monastery in the south of France. He soon made significant changes, including discontinuing the singing or chanting that the monks had been doing in multiple services throughout the day. Before long, the monks began to struggle with depression and a lack of energy. Physicians were unable to find any problems. Diets were changed, schedules altered, but nothing seemed to help. Finally, one physi-cian who had researched the connection between hearing and health made suggestion: start singing again. Within six months, the monks were back to normal. Singing has not only a psychological effect but also a physical one. Music has healing power. Listen and be healed. Better yet, whether in a choir or from you pew, sing!

Flower Dedications The following dates are available to dedicate flowers for Sunday worship: February 28, March 6 and March 13. The cost for two arrangements is $100. Please contact Lucy Bell at lbell@firstpresathens.org to schedule a date.

Honduas Mission Trip Stock OfferingOur church is sending a mission team to Honduras on March 5th and we need your prayers and support. An intergenerational team of 15 volunteers is returning to the area where a First Presbyterian team worked in 2014 to help improve the quality of life of a local village. Our volunteers work along the side of the local residents on various projects including the installation of latrines and concrete floors.

You can help financially support the work of our volunteers and the mission work of First Presbyterian by investing in the trip. The mission team will be selling stock in $25 increments in the atrium following our services on February 14, 21 and 28. Mission volunteers will be available to answer questions and tell you more about the work of our team.

The fruits of your investment will be shared at a stockholder’s meeting & dinner on Sunday, April 17th at 5:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Tommy Jackson, Honduras Mission Trip Coordinator

In MemoriamWayne F. Middendorf

1948-2016

In MemoriamBessie C. Hopkins

1921-2016

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

Non Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDAthens, GAPermit 262

Sunday, February 14When Life Presses in on You

Rev. Dr. Glenn Doak

Sunday, February 21When We Need to Repent

Rev. 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, February 14 1:15 p.m. AYS Rehearsal, Fellowship Hall 5:30 p.m. Youth Fellowship and Dinner, The PIT

Monday, February 15 Church Offices Closed for President’s Day 6:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Salem, Tuckston UMC, 4175 Lexington Rd. 7:00 p.m. Right Brain Small Group, Children’s Ministry Suite

Tuesday, February 1610:30 a.m. Prime Time Presbyterians, ACC Recycling Center 1:30 p.m. Knitting Purls, Bride’s Room 5:30 p.m. Renovation Team Meeting, Staff Conference Room

Wednesday, February 17 - 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, February 1810:00 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study, Home of Josephine Paine, 640 Riverview Road 2:00 p.m. The Mellows, Bountiful Hills Senior Living

Sunday, February 2112:30 p.m. Honduras Mission Trip Meeting, Moses Waddel Room 1:15 p.m. AYS Rehearsal, Fellowship Hall 4:00 p.m. Cherub Choir, Room 203 St. Andrews Choir, Room 202 5:00 p.m. Celebration Singers, Room 202 5:45 p.m. Youth Fellowship and Dinner, The PIT

Monday, February 22 1:30 p.m. Staff Meeting, Staff Conference Room 5:30 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal, Room 205 6:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Big Chunkies, Tuckston UMC, 4175 Lexington Rd.

Tuesday, February 2311:00 a.m. IHN La Table Event 1:30 p.m. Knitting Purls, Bride’s Room 6:00 p.m. First Friends, Buffalo’s Café, 196 Alps Rd

Wednesday, February 24 - Wednesday@First Programs10:00 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