Welcome to First Presbyterian Church Athens, TX

WELCOME TO
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ATHENS, TX

A family of disciples, touched by God’s grace, called to share Christ
through worship, ministry and outreach.

Sunday Morning Schedule
8:30 a.m. Service in the Fellowship Hall
9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages
11:00 a.m. Service in the Sanctuary.

Maundy Thursday: 7 p.m.
Good Friday Tenebrae: 7 p.m.
Easter Sunday: 8:30 & 11 a.m.

CHURCH PROGRAMS
Brunches On Easter Sunday morning and on Rally Sunday (when our church school year starts, usually mid-August) we have brunch between the 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. We welcome good cooks who want to prepare breakfast items to share.	Family Night Suppers Our church family has fellowship dinners that meet at 6:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday evenings every month, except in June, when we meet on the Friday at the end of Vacation Bible School for a Hamburger and hotdog cookout. The dinners are usually “pot luck” meals with everyone bringing a dish to share. If you have a talent to share for a program, if you like to be in the kitchen, or if you just want to share your gift of hospitality, volunteer by contacting Judith Austin, the chair of the Congregational Concerns Committee.
Fifth Sunday Lunch This year, in March and August, we will have a luncheon following the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. The meals are usually catered, and the cost per meal is reasonable. This is another opportunity to get to know one another better.	Golf Tournaments We usually have a church wide golf tournament in the spring or fall. Anyone is welcome to play, and there are always interesting prizes for the winners. After a hamburger lunch, a fun afternoon of playing, laughing and (a little) serious competing is accomplished.
Helping Hands Jim Shatzsall is the contact person for this group of people who can help out with tasks that can be difficult for those who live alone. They can do odd jobs, or assist with referrals to trustworthy workmen in our community. They can be very helpful in turning off the water until a plumber can come make repairs! If you have a job that requires climbing a ladder, we suggest calling one of the Helping hands Volunteers. If you want to offer a helping hand, give Jim a call and be added to the volunteer list.	Honey Bees Bobbie LeBlanc organizes luncheon and afternoon activities for those who want to get out together and have a little fun. There are usually activities each season. If you learn of a new tea room, or restaurant, or have an idea for a celebration let Bobbie know, and it will soon happen! Volunteers are needed to transport the church members who want to attend.
Office Volunteers Julie Funkhouser can find a job for you if office skills and receptionist duties are your gift. You can come as often as weekly, for a few hours, or for a few hours at the end of the month when it is time to fold and prepare the newsletter for mailing.	Parent’s Night Out Two times each semester a Parent’s Night Out is offered to the parents in our church and the parents whose children attend our Mother’s Day Out program. The Youth group assists with the older children, leading them in games and watching movies. The younger children are care for by our professional child care staff. This gives parents a chance to plan something, knowing that their child is receiving loving child care at a very reduced rate.
Pastoral Care Ministry Our Pastoral Care Ministry Team is a function of the Congregational Concerns Committee. Volunteers visit with church members when they are ill, in the hospital, or bereaved. They also visit with our members who are not able to attend church due to illness or mobility issues. This ministry is a great way to serve the church family. Many friendships are formed through this program.	Prayer Chains Telephone and E-mail Prayer Chains are the ways we communicate prayer requests for church members and their families. They usually relate to a specific health situation, i.e. surgery, ongoing medical needs, etc. We also maintain a prayer list for our church members to pick up on Sunday mornings. If you want to be added to either chain, so you can receive the prayer requests in a timely manner, just call the church office. If you have a person you want to add, call the church office, Phyllis Kidwell or Reverend Joe Warren.
Presbyterian Men The Presbyterian Men have a time of fellowship and cook barbecue in the spring and fall of each year. They learn a lot about each other and have a lot of fun!	Presbyterian Women The Presbyterian Women meet monthly from September through June both in Circles and as a large group in the Gatherings. The Circles are small groups of women that meet for Bible study and fellowship. The Bible study is written and produced by the PC (USA). The Gatherings are both times of fellowship meals and programs with the community and gatherings of our church members with specific programs provided. Circles also gather to provide bereavement meals for our member’s families.
Sally Soup Ministry This ministry cooks soup and desserts to be delivered to those in our church membership and in the community when they are sick, coming home from the hospital, and coming home from having a baby. One group of volunteers makes soup, desserts and casseroles and another delivers the meals when needed. This ministry was created to honor a church member, Sally Sparkman, who used to deliver similar meals to those in need.	Senior Trips Throughout the year we plan activities for our senior citizen groups. Sometimes we go to a museum, sometimes we go to a musical program out of town, and sometimes we just get together and share a play and a meal. If you have an idea for a trip, please contact Phyllis Kidwell. Volunteers are needed to drive us to and from these activities.
Table Talk Church members sign up to host dinners for fellow church members. The host and hostesses provide the entreé and drinks, the guests bring the other items for the meal at the request of the host or hostess. It is a good time to get to know people better and learn more about them. The dinners are held three tims each calendar year.	Vacation Bible School (VBS) At First Presbyterian Church, VBS is held on the third full week in June, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. If members volunteer who have children to young to participate, free child care is provided. Volunteer opportunities range from preparing snacks to playing games with each group. Each age group has an adult leader that assists with keeping everyone in the right place at the right time. Each of the activity areas has a leader as well. The activities include music, science, arts and crafts, games, and the opening and closing programs.
The Children’s Program and the Youth Program Volunteers are needed to supervise children’s and youth activities. The children from kindergarten through 5th grades meet on the first Wednesday evening of the month from September through May. They share a meal, complete a craft project, hear a story and complete a mission project. This group can use volunteers to provide the meals, supervise the children, gather supplies for the mission activities, or tell a Bible story to the group. There is a weekend activity called Kid Quake when the students go to camp for a weekend of adventure, learning and being outdoors. Volunteers are needed to supervise these weekends as well.	The Youth have activities for students in grades 6 through 12. They have two groups that meet on Sunday evenings. They frequently share snacks, play games and learn more about each other through Bible study and other educational activities. If these activities appeal to you, contact James McClellan and volunteer to assist. In addition, there are summer Mission trips and camps that utilize volunteers for supervision.

Events:

WELCOME TO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ATHENS, TX

WELCOME TO
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ATHENS, TX