First Presbyterian Church : Athens, TX

Church News
Click on any of the bold items below for the corresponding regular monthly announcements.

CHURCH CALENDAR | BIRTHDAYS | MEMORIALS
MONTHLY WORSHIP ASSISTANTS | SESSION UPDATE

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

News and Notes

Senior High Youth Connection

Dr. Brandon Allen and John Mark Solomon are the adult sponsors for our youth attending the Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC) in Sherman, Texas on the Austin College campus. This year the youth attending are Nick Grant, Stephen Grant, Cade McCown, Stephen Morman, Hunter Rogers and Luke Solomon. The event is held annually for youth in Grace Presbytery and there are usually more than 800 participants. Please pray for our participants as they travel and spend the weekend getting to know others and learning about the work of God in their lives. The event starts on Friday, February 1st and ends on Sunday, February 3rd.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

Confirmation Classes have started for youth in the 5th, 6th and 7th grades. The classes present the students with information about our church, our denomination and specifics to assist them in exploring their faith journey. At the conclusion of the classes, the youth will make personal decisions about their next step in baptism or in joining the church. Please pray for these students at this critical time in their Christian education.

Did You Know?

Please save your undamaged postage stamps from your incoming mail. PW will use them to Stamp Out Hunger, a mission opportunity through “Together in Service”. Where to put your used postage stamps?
In the Friendship Classroom in a box marked “Canceled Stamps”. We appreciate your help!

Here are some helpful hints for saving used postage stamps:
Please tear off the stamp or stamps leaving an inch or so of the envelope.
Multiple stamps should not be cut apart, please leave them together.
Please don’t save stamps that are ripped, torn, cut, scraped or damaged in any way. Taped or glued stamps do not soak off the envelopes, and stapled stamps leave holes. Peeling stamps from the envelope leaves thin spots in the stamp. Stamps that are attached to red or green envelopes leave dye from the envelope on the stamp, discoloring the stamp.

MO-RANCH
Upcoming Events
And Conferences

Reflective Retreat with Dr. John Ahn
February 15-17

Easter at Mo-Ranch
March 21-23

Digital Photography
April 4-6

Men’s Conference
May 2-4

College Connection
May 19-23

Women’s Conference I
May 27-29

Women’s Conference II
May 30-June 1

MO-TLC - The Leadership Conference
June 8-13

Worship and Music Conference
June 15-20

Youth Celebration
June 22-27

Junior High Jubilee
June 29-July 3

For more information go to www.moranch.com

“Feed The Flock”
A Collection of Recipes by
First Presbyterian Church Women
Athens, Texas
This wonderful cookbook is available for purchase in the church office. Here is a sample of one of the recipes:

Caudillo (Mexican Stew)
Joan King

3 pounds cubed beef 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 cups diced onion 2 tsp. salt
bacon fat 2 tsp. pepper
3 cups tomatoes, diced 2 tsp. garlic salt
1 1/2 cups green chili strips 2 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup beef stock 2 pounds potatoes, cubed

Sauté beef and onions in bacon fat. Add tomatoes, chili strips, stocks, and seasonings. Cook over low heat until meat is tender. Add cubed potatoes during last 30 minutes. This can be prepared the day before serving, but do not add potatoes until prepared to serve. This traditional Mexican stew is wonderful served with warm tortillas. Yields one gallon.

Sally Soup
Ministry

Soup recipes used for the Sally Soup Ministry have been printed to be included in the “Feed the Flock” Presbyterian Women’s Cookbook. These wonderful recipes are available in the church office. Donations or contributions given will help with supplies for the Ministry to continue.

“Above all, love each other deeply...offer hospitality to one another...each one should use whatever gift s/he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace…”
I Peter 4:8-11

Support For Our Military
Members and Families

Web addresses for sites that provide encouragement to Military Personnel include www.pccmp.org, the site for the Presbyterian Council for Chaplains and Military Personnel and www.americasupportsyou.mil, a Department of Defense project that gives voice to citizens' support.

Updating records
We are updating e-mail addresses in the church records. If your address has recently changed, please let us know. You can e-mail fpcathens_sec@suddenlinkmail.com, drop us a note or give Susannah a call at 903/675-3530.

Memorials
Honorariums

Mrs. Nick (Ditty) Woodward

Mr. & Mrs. Leo Lee
Mr. & Mrs. John Cain
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Stark
Mrs. Carol Barton
Mr. & Mrs. Milton Chandler

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you: He will never allow the
righteous to be shaken.

Psalm 55:22 NAS

ALL children are WELCOME in "Big Church." We encourage you to worship together as a family. There are activity folders available for readers and non-readers in the atrium leading to the sanctuary. There is also a brochure available for parents to help you explain the worship service to your child.

We Need Your Help

It's great to be so busy in our Church! We are asking for your help. When you want to schedule a meeting for your group (PW Circle, Committee, etc.), please call or come by the church office so we may have the event approved, identify the location, and then schedule the event on the "master calendar". This will prevent double booking the available spaces. Thank you for your help as we strive to serve our church family