August, 2013 VOLUME 8:8

FROM DAVID'S PEN . . . August 2013

Dear Friends –

I recently preached on a passage from the Book of Amos that challenged me as a preacher. The text had to do with God coming to His wit's end with His chosen people and saying to them that He would no longer be their God. He did so because His people no longer saw themselves as accountable to God. So God sent His prophet Amos to deliver this judgment to the Israelites, and in doing so, Amos reiterated the fact that to be a people of faith means to be dependent upon (and tethered to) the righteous judgments of God.

According to William Willimon, a theologian and a bishop in the United Methodist Church, we Americans would be wise to heed Amos' words in our lives as well. Willimon writes,

We in the United States have just had our celebration of Independence Day. July Fourth is the day when we celebrate the gift of our country's freedom and our national independence. When we celebrate our nation, we tend toward self-congratulation. We think of ourselves as good, free, and righteous, but God's judgments may be different from our judgments. We in the United States have just enjoyed a couple of decades of prosperity, but it has not been a prosperity that has been enjoyed by all.

Willimon followed these words by posing the question, “What would Amos have to say to us?” He answers his own question with a quote from one of his fellow theologians who teaches theology at Oxford University.

[My friend] opens his theology class by asking the students, “With what is theology concerned?” The students typically answer, “God,” or “religion,” or “spiritual things.” The professor corrects his students' misapprehension by saying, “No, Christian theology is concerned with everything.” There are presumably religions that are concerned exclusively with personal, private happiness, with individual morality, but neither Judaism nor Christianity is one of those religions. In Judaism and Christianity, God not only creates the world but continues to interact with it and to take care of everything in it. This God makes no distinction between “religious” concerns and “secular or nonreligious concerns.” This God [our God] is concerned with everything.

This text from Amos gives preachers like myself a grand pastoral opportunity to remind us all that God does not want just our “heart” or our “soul.” Our God wants all of us!

Willimon closes his commentary on this text from Amos by stating, “One way you can tell the difference between a true and living God versus a false and dead god is that a false god will never tell you anything that will make you angry and uncomfortable!” If we continue to follow the same self-congratulating dependence as the Israelites did, then we, too, will find ourselves telling one another exactly what we want to hear. However, if we heed Amos' prophetic words, we will realize that God loves us and demands us to be accountable to him. In so doing, we, too, can be a “light to the nations” and once again show the world what a people can do when they are owned by, accountable to, and called by a true and living God.

Grace and peace –

David

Stated Supply Pastor

Children ages 4 years through 5th Grade meet e v e r y W e d n e s d a y Night in the Kids’ Korner Class at 6:00 p.m. during the school year. They en joy learning about o u r chu r ch t h r o u g h stories, crafts, songs , and guest speakers.

Kid’s Korner classes have ended for the summer. Classes will start back Wednesday night - September 11, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.!! Look forward to seeing everyone!

Children’s Church resumes Sunday morning, September 15, 2013.

Youth & Kids: NEWS & HAPPENINGSYouth & Kids: NEWS & HAPPENINGSYouth & Kids: NEWS & HAPPENINGSYouth & Kids: NEWS & HAPPENINGS

YOUTH:

Wednesday Night Youth Schedule coming soon.

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BACK TO SCHOOL POOL PARTY - Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 3-5:00 p.m. at the Athens City Pool. All youth & kids are invited (Moms & Dads also!!)

LUKE 13:13-21

Hope Academy is the school at the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega. The children and parents of our church are collecting school supplies for the residents at the home and the children at the school. For the next two Sundays (July 28 & August 4), bring any of these items to church and we will package it all and send it to Talladega. There will be a collection box in the Rogers Center and outside the front and back doors of the sanctuary. If you want one of the parents to do your shopping for you, we will gladly do that. See Carrie Powless or Emily Clem. Grades 7-12 ½” loose-leaf three-ring binders with inside, front pocket flaps, (Please note: We cannot use binders larger than ½” because the students have to fit multiple binders in a backpack). Mechanical pencils Black Ball point pens #2 pencils Hope Academy Elementary School Supplies: Pencils (personal preference - Ticonderoga - sharpen better, last longer) Pencil erasers Pencil grips Pencil box School glue Crayons Water colors and water color paper Wish list for general use Markers Regular and thin colored pencils Wide rule (lower elementary) notebook paper College rule (upper elementary) notebook paper Three prong pocket folders 1 in. three ring notebook (black) Protractor and compass Heavy card stock paper (white and colored) Primary colors copy paper

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PRESBYTERIAN HOME FOR CHILDREN MISSION TRIP August 8, 2013

On August 8, we are going to do a one day work trip to PHFC (Presbyterian Home for Children) in Talladega. We are hoping to involve some of the Montreat kids as well as anyone else who wants to go. We will leave at 7:30 a.m. and return before dark. We will quit work about 4:00 p.m. before their day crew leaves. We will eat lunch at the home (which is always a treat!). If you plan to go, please let Doug Harbin (256-874-1079) know by August 1 (he will be calling in a head count for lunch). If you realize after August 1 that you are able to go, talk to Doug anyway. Below is information about collecting school supplies for these children. If you can’t make the work trip, you can still be involved by helping with this project.

Thanks,

Emily Clem

THANK YOU . . .THANK YOU . . .THANK YOU . . .THANK YOU . . .

Dear All, Wanted to let you know how very much Mike and I appreciated your thoughts and prayers. He had a rough time having to go through two operations so close together, but he is doing much better now. Thank you again and please continue praying that he will have a full recovery.

In Christ,

Frances Miller ForehandFrances Miller ForehandFrances Miller ForehandFrances Miller Forehand �

FPC Family, I want to thank everyone for all the delicious salads and the wonderful homemade ice cream brought for the “Summer Salad and Ice Cream Fellowship” that followed the morning worship service on June 23.

Hazel WhiteHazel WhiteHazel WhiteHazel White

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Please turn in your information for the Please turn in your information for the Please turn in your information for the Please turn in your information for the September Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter September Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter September Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter September Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter by Tuesday, August 20, 2013. You can bring by Tuesday, August 20, 2013. You can bring by Tuesday, August 20, 2013. You can bring by Tuesday, August 20, 2013. You can bring with you or call the church office (256with you or call the church office (256with you or call the church office (256with you or call the church office (256----232232232232----0122), or email to: fpcathens@fpcathens.org.0122), or email to: fpcathens@fpcathens.org.0122), or email to: fpcathens@fpcathens.org.0122), or email to: fpcathens@fpcathens.org.

1 Betty Roberts 2 Suzanne Paysinger

3 Deb Kohlhase 4 Clint Baugher Rene Brown 5 Ella Romine 8 Bailey Witt 10 Pat Bacon 11 Kristina Andrews 13 Tom Clem 14 Phil Chadwell 15 Boyd Jackson Cindy Witt 17 Alan Boyd Jonathan Quillen 18 Dennis Black 19 Mary Redding Witt 20 Simon Gregg Doyle Weeks

21 Dot French 22 Herby Greenhaw Robbie Lauderdale 23 Wilson Blair Scott Clem 24 Lynn Brewer 25 Raymus Andrews Shari Duke 29 Diane Payne Suzanne Weeks 30 Elena Averitt Jerry Duke

August 2013

4 Kate Aday Sara Aday 11 Harley Baugher Emily Gossett 18 Reid Lauderdale Ella Romine 25 James Clem Avery Paysinger If you CANNOT fulfill your

responsibility on your assigned date. PLEASE find a replacement! If you are unable to get a replacement please contact Lori Aday (256-233-2369) or (westlosa@yahoo.com)

August COMMUNION: August 4, 2013 Communion Preparation: Carrie Powless Communion Servers: Carrie Powless; Ted Smith; Hazel White; David Whitten, Adam Lauderdale, Keith Davis, Shari Duke

Treasurer’s Report for July 2013

Summary and Highlights

• Giving is short by 12% ($22,000)

• In July of last year, giving was ahead over 2%

• Expenditures are following projections except for Properties $20,000 has been transferred from FPC’s Cash Management Account to cover those expenses which have not yet been returned. I may be able to return half of this amount this month.

Respectfully submitted,

Duane Counter, Treasurer

August 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Jaina Vacation 10a 4th Day @ Copeland

2 Jaina Vacation CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

3 Jaina Vacation 7 a Gideons (RC) 2-8:00 p.m. “Cruise-In” around the Square

4 COMMUNION 9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11:00 a Worship (David leaves for vacation)

5 (David Vacation) 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne’s

6 (David Vacation) 2p Happy PM Circle(RC) 6:30 p Committees, YAK

7 (David Vacation) 7:00 p Choir

8 7:30 a Children’s Home Mission Trip

9 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

MAIN EVENT BEGINS IN

BIRMINGHAM!

10 7 a Gideons (RC) & Ladies Auxiliary

MAIN EVENT

11 8:00 a Men’s Breakfast

9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11:00 a Worship

12 9:30 a - 2p Friendship Quilter’s Guild & Workshop (RC) 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

13 6:30 p Session Meets

14 7:00 p Choir

15 10a 4th Day @ Copeland

16 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

RODGERS

CENTER CLOSED TODAY!

(Set -up for Saturday

Private Party)

17 7a Gideons (RC) RODGERS CENTER

RESERVED 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Private Party

18 9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11 a Worship

19 Schools Resume Today! - Drive Carefully 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

20 Newsletter Info For September Due Today

21 7:00 p Choir

22 8:30 a “Step-Up” (RC)

23 CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

24 7:00 a Gideons (RC)

25 9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11 a Worship 12 p Churchwide Fellowship Meal Steve Wyatt - “Trusts & Advance Directives” 3-5 p Back to School Swim Party @ Athens City Pool: Youth & Kids

26 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

27 3:30 p ADK Teacher’s Sorority (RC)

28 7:00 p Choir

29

30 CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

31 7:00 a Gideons (RC)

Just a note from the Worship Committee: When you provide floral arrangements for a Sunday service. Please remember to remove them following the service. If you wish to leave the flowers, please call the Church Office (232-0122) the following Monday, so we can have the Sexton remove them. Thank You!

ALTAR FLOWERS:

4 __Carol Copeland _ 11 __ _ 18 David & Martha Easter 25 __________________

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Sunday, August 25, 2013 - GUEST SPEAKER: Steve Wyatt - Estate Planning will be sharing information with the FPC Family. There will be a church-wide fellowship meal following morning worship. After the meal Mr. Wyatt will be doing a session on Trusts and Advance Directives.

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Estate Planning Seminar

Do you have a living will? Advance directives? A plan for how your estate will be settled?

Have you ever thought about making a gift of stocks, bonds, or property to the church as part of your overall offering plan?

Do you have questions regarding what tax laws will affect you and your family once you pass away?

If so, please make plans to attend a luncheon sponsored by the Stewardship Team on Sunday, August 18, from noon until 1:30 p.m. in the Rodger’s Center. A light lunch will be served followed by a presentation from Steve Wyatt – a long-time friend of Reverend David Palmer. Mr. Wyatt is a CPA, tax attorney, and an estate planner with Jones, Wyatt & Davis, P.C. of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Steve has graciously offered his time and expertise to talk with us about all of the above issues and more. Steve will present a short Power Point presentation and then take your questions from the floor. This luncheon will be a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to benefit from Steve’s many years in the estate planning profession. Plus, you will leave with both peace of mind and an array of questions to discuss with your family and your accountant. For more information (and to register for this event) please contact the church office at 256-232-0122. W. David Palmer, M.Div.

Stated Supply Pastor

First Presbyterian Church

Athens, Alabama

“Stuff the Bus” 2013 is the United Way of Athens’ effort to encourage our local community to reach out to all the children of our county by donating new and gently used books. By providing school aged children (Pre-K through 12th) with additional books, we are helping them be more successful in their school careers and ultimately we are helping our community to be more successful. Fact: Children need to read so that they may be able to understand the world around them, to succeed in school, to succeed in the workforce and to be effective citizens. Fact: Children are learning to read in the early elementary years: by 4

th grade they are

reading to learn. We are asking First Presbyterian Church for your help and cooperation in being a site where individuals could drop off books for this initiative. United Way will provide receptacles for the books as well as pick up services for all donated books during this six week initiative. We will list your site on all of our promotion and information items. “Stuff the Bus” will begin on August 1, 2013 and will culminate at the Day of Caring celebration on Thursday, September 12th at First Baptist Church, Athens with a luncheon at Noon. We would like to have anyone who has participated with this effort as our guest. Sincerely, Kaye Young McFarlen Executive Director United Way of Athens – Limestone County

“Stuff the Bus” “Stuff the Bus” “Stuff the Bus” “Stuff the Bus” Reading List and Suggested Titles

For ages 4 - 12+

First Presbyterian family members who would like to donate books can see a copy of the “Reading List and Suggested Titles” which will be posted on the wall near the church office. If you would like a printed copy of the list, copies will be available in the church office and on the counter in the Rodgers Center.

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Noteworthy News Noteworthy News Noteworthy News Noteworthy News

REVEREND JAINA ANDERSON will be on vacation July 21 - August 3.

THE PW “HAPPY PM CIRCLE” will meet Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Rodgers Center.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS are scheduled for August 6 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact the chairman of your commit-tee to find out if your committee is meeting.

PRESBYTERIAN MEN’S BREAKFAST is Sunday, August 11, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. in the Rodgers Center.

SESSION WILL MEET Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30 p.m.

CHOIR REHEARSALS RESUME! Choir rehearsal will resume on Wednesday, August 7. Choir rehearses each Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. New members are always welcome!

PRESBYTERIAN CHILDREN’S HOME MISSION TRIP on Thursday, August 8. The bus will leave at 7:30 a.m. and you should be returning before dark. Please contact Doug Harbin by August 1 if you are interested in going. You will eat lunch at the home (which is always a treat). Doug will need to let them know how many are coming so they know how many to feed for lunch. If you find out you can go after the 1st, please don’t hesitate to let Doug know, anyway. This is a great time to see this mission.

CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOLS RESUME on Monday, August 19! Please be aware of the busses and children! Drive carefully!

From the Editor . . .From the Editor . . .From the Editor . . .From the Editor . . . Please let the church office know what information you would like to see in the newsletter Please let the church office know what information you would like to see in the newsletter Please let the church office know what information you would like to see in the newsletter Please let the church office know what information you would like to see in the newsletter

The Grapevine is your newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you!!The Grapevine is your newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you!!The Grapevine is your newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you!!The Grapevine is your newsletter! We look forward to hearing from you!! To receive the email edition, submit information, or to make address

or other corrections please contact the church office by phone

(256-232-0122 or email).

Email: fpcathens@fpcathens.org. Website: www.fpcathens.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday (Office is closed on Friday)

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon ─ 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Information for the newsletter is due by 2:00 p.m. on the

third Tuesday of each month.

CHURCH STAFF:

Rev. David Palmer, Stated Supply Pastor

Rev. Jaina Anderson, Associate Pastor

Niles Patrick Bacon, Music Director Duane Counter, Treasurer

Sandra Mitchell, Administrative Assistant Cynthia Daniel, Sexton

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Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #118 Athens, AL 35611

First Presbyterian Church 112 S. Jefferson Street Athens, AL 35611 www.fpcathens.org

Email: fpcathens@fpcathens.org Pastor Email: williamdavidpalmer@comcast.net

Associate Pastor Email: jainaanderson@fpcathens.org

Vision Statement:

“Worship God, Serve Others and Make Disciples”

Inside this issue . . .Inside this issue . . .Inside this issue . . .Inside this issue . . .

Page 2: Youth & Kid’s Page

Page 3: PHFC Mission Trip & Wish List

Page 4: Treasurer’s Report for July

Thank You!

August Communion

August Acolytes

September Newsletter Deadline

August Birthdays

Page 5: August Calendar

Page 6: Estate Planning Seminar

Page 7: “Stuff the Bus” for United Way

Page 8: Noteworthy News

Contact Information