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The Chimes nline
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY SCHEDULE • Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall
ADVENT
2017
• Communion Worship Service 8:00 am, Winship Chapel • Worship Service 9:00 am, Fifield Hall • The Mustard Seed Bookstore Open 9:00 am - 12:15 pm • Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 am • Worship Service 11:00 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour 12:00 pm
EVENTS December 1 Moms Seeking More 10:30-11:30am. B111 jbutcher@firstpresatl.org December 2 CHOA Christmas Parade 10am-12pm. FPC skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org December 3 Hanging of the Greens 4-6:30pm. Fifield Hall skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org December 5 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert 11:45am. Sanctuary jkorndoerfer@firstpresatl.org December 8 20s/30s Christmas Party 8pm-12am. Ladybird ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org December 10 Children’s Christmas Pageant 11am-12pm. Sanctuary skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org
SUNDAY WORSHIP Dec. 3, Advent I 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m. Ann-Henley Saunders, Preaching
Dec. 24, Advent IV 9:00 a.m. Tony Sundermeier, Preaching
Dec. 10, Advent II 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Tony Sundermeier, Preaching
Dec. 31, First Sunday of Christmas 11:00 a.m. Kevin Knab, Preaching
Dec. 17, Advent III 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 a.m. Rebekah LeMon, Preaching
ADVENT SPECIAL EVENTS Dec. 3, Hanging of the Greens 4:00 p.m., Fifield Hall
Dec. 10, Children’s Christmas Pageant 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary
Dec. 10, Christmas Concert Lecture Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noel 9:45 a.m., Fifield Hall Ryan Bonfiglio and Jens Korndörfer
Dec. 17, Christmas Concert 9:45 a.m., Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noel Dan Bara, Director Jens Korndörfer, Organist
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP, DECEMBER 24 11:00 a.m., Sanctuary Younger Children & Family Service Carols, 5th Grade Liturgists, & Candlelight Ann-Henley Saunders and Sarah Kate Bumgarner, Extended Children’s Message 3:30 p.m., Sanctuary Traditional Service Carols, Brass Ensemble, Candlelight Tony Sundermeier, Preaching
5:30 p.m., Sanctuary Traditional Service with Communion Carols, Choir, Orchestra, Communion, & Candlelight Tony Sundermeier, Preaching 11:00 p.m., Sanctuary Lessons and Carols Service Carols, Choir, & Candlelight No Sermon
CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP, DECEMBER 25 10:00 a.m., Chapel Tony Sundermeier, Preaching
HOLIDAYS?
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Pastoral Care Report First Presbyterian Preschool will be hosting a Positive Discipline Parenting class beginning in January. The facilitators will be JoAnn Regruto, FPP Director, and Catherine Babcock, M.Ed. Both facilitators are Positive Discipline Under construction Certified Parent Educators. In this fun, interactive class we will explore different parenting styles, discuss parenting challenges, and learn some tools to help overcome those challenges and encourage responsibility, connection, communication and joy in our families. The class is scheduled for 6 Wednesday evenings beginning Jan. 17 through Feb. 28 (no class on Feb. 21) from 7 - 9 p.m. There will be a fee for registration, and the class is limited to 20 parents. For more information about Positive Discipline, the class details and registration, please contact the preschool office at 404-228-7740.
PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE Lt. Karim Abu-Akel Captain Alexandria Miller-Anderson Lt. Col. Charles Ayers PVT Forrest “Woody” Bass Lt. Benjamin S. Bondurant Maj. Jamison Bowman, Chaplain ABE3 Gregory Bridges AM3 Glenn Thomas Johnson HA Robert Louis Johnson Staff Sgt. Kevin Lee Lt. Wilson Mansfield McManus Major John Warren Robey Captain Gabriel Rulewicz Maj. General Russell Sanborn Captain Ryan Tewell Col. Roderick G. Turner III Specialist Branton Wandera Specialist Kevin Wandera
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(As of November 15, 2017)
BIRTHS: Best wishes for Russ and Connie Jobson on the birth of their granddaughter, Olivia Reece Allegretti, born on October 24th in NYC.-Correction Michael and Kate Monk welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth Bradley Monk, on November 6th. Big sister is Mary Kate and big brother is John. DEATHS: Our prayers are with Tanya Allen and family on the death of Tanya’s husband, Reginald Sanders, who died in September. We offer condolences to the family of Louise Hawkins who died on Oct. 26, 2017. We offer our condolences to Doug and Jane Lybrook and family on the death of Jane’s mother, Margaret Williams Brooks, who died on October 31st in Greensboro, NC. HOSPITALIZED: Patrick Kirwan, Dom Wyant CONTINUING CARE: Deborah Ann McCoy, Helen Taratus O’Connor, Jerry Arnold, Ned Case, Tim English RECUPERATING: Barbara Cox, Bob Duggan, Chip Harrell, Doug Lybrook, Jim Bynum, Liza Bryan, Nancy Ayres, Nancy Culp, Steve Fifield, Joe Wesley.
SENIOR COME-ON-ALONG DECEMBER 21!
A S S E N I O R C H R I S T M C E L E B R AT I O N
COME-ON-ALONG CHRISTMAS CAROLS AND FESTIVE LUNCHEON (AT FIRST PRES)
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2017, 9:30 AM Place: Meet at 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church parking lot Cost: No cost - Merry Christmas! Bring your personal Christmas stories and memories to share and join in a time of singing Christmas carols, with Mary Archer at the piano, and reading the Christmas stories, followed by a catered Christmas feast. A time to rejoice! Call Bruce Gregory for reservations at 404-228-2263 or e-mail him at bruce.m.gregory@gmail.com
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL
F P C
P R E S C H O O L
T O U R S
Welcome new members Our church family continues to grow! CONNECTIONS
First Presbyterian Preschool TOURS First Presbyterian Preschool new parent tours are beginning. Tours will be conducted on December 13, January 17 and February 8. Registration begins November 9. Please visit the preschool website at www.firstprespreschoolatl.org for information. To reserve your place on a tour call 404-228-7722.
Erin and Paul Hogg are another First Pres Preschool Connection; Erin was a teacher there from 2010-2012. Paul is the CEO of Inteleca LLC. They both enjoy exercise and spending time with family and friends. Erin and Paul are looking forward to having their 6-month-old daughter baptized and getting involved in a Sunday school class. Patricia Thompson-Reid is a Public Health Advisor with the CDC. She enjoys knitting, reading, and dancing. Patricia is interested in the areas of mission, community outreach, and justice. Patricia is transferring from Hillside Presbyterian Church where she was active as a volunteer and teacher. She also works with the Boy Scouts at Ebenezer Baptist. Suzanne and Alvin Townley have been visiting FPC for about a year. They are excited about getting more involved in Sunday school and community outreach as well as family activities with their daughter. Suzanne is a teacher with Global Village Project and Alvin is the Director of Corporate Philanthropy for the Woodruff Arts Center.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5TH 11:45AM
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert Please join us for the 20th annual Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert. This one-hour lunchtime concert and sing-along is a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit with music performed by world class musicians! Tickets are not required (but space is limited).
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CHRISTMAS
CONCERT
CONCERTS @ FIRST
firstpresatl.org/learn/womensministries
LOVE TO BAKE? Looking for a fun family project for the days leading up to Christmas? On the Sunday before Christmas, we plan to give each guest at the Sunday Morning Prayer Breakfast a special treat: a small bag of homemade cookies. Please consider baking some
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December
extra to share while you are making your holiday cookies. Bring your delicious goodies to the kitchen at the church Dec. 22 or 23 no later than 4pm. Contact Adele Shepherd at adele@bellsouth.net or 404-218-3053 to sign up or for more information.
SUNDAY, DEC. 17 • 9:45AM Messe de minuit pour NoÍl Marc-Antoine Charpentier FPC Choir & Orchestra Daniel Bara, Conductor
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PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN is pleased to invite all women of FPC to attend their
WINTER GATHERING as they welcome
Rev. Katie Sundermeier and Rev. Jamie Butcher as they speak to small group faith formation.
Saturday January 6, 4:00 to 6:00pm Hosted by the Sundermeiers in their Home
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL FLOWERS he Christmas Memorial Fund is your opportunity to share in the Christmas Memorial Flowers. The name of the person or persons you wish to memorialize will be placed on a special list in our Worship Bulletin. Attach the names to be included or return the form below to the Church with your check. Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and mail to 1328 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta 30309-3902. Please print plainly. The names will be printed in the bulletin exactly as you print them. Visit: www.firstpresatl.org/ChristmasMemorialFlowers
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PW is a vibrant and active group of women that hosts a number of weekday small groups (i.e., “circles�) as well as occasional inspirational speakers and fellowship events. RSVP and/or questions to celesta.buchanan@gmail.com or jbutcher@firstpresatl.org
Name of Contributor: Name(s) to be listed: Amount of contribution enclosed: $
Due Dec. 11 December
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The Chimes CHILDREN & TWEENS
TWENTIES & THIRTIES
Advent Calendars Advent is the season in which we wait and anticipate the birth of Christ. Counting down helps us prepare, so each family received an Advent calendar in the mail. We encourage your family to commit to preparing your hearts for Christ with these daily tasks. If your family didn’t receive one, let Sarah Kate know. Hanging of the Greens Sunday, December 3, 4-6:30pm. This FPC Advent tradition is a fun event for all. We’ll have crafts for the children to create ornaments for the tree, dinner, carols and fellowship for everyone! All ages welcome for this festive evening, and reservations are requested, www.firstpresatl.org/hotg Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsals are happening each week during Sunday School. Mandatory rehearsals will occur: December 3, 9:45-10:45am - for 3’s through Kindergarten and 5th Graders December 9, 9:30-11:30am – for 1st-5th Graders December 10, 11am – Children’s Christmas Pageant Questions? Contact Pageant Chair, Erin Demo, erinmdemo@gmail.com Tween Christmas Party Sunday, December 19, 4-6pm. 4th and 5th Graders are invited for a festive evening as we celebrate Christmas! RSVP to Sarah Kate.
YOUTH Youth Sunday School Room 304, 9:45-10:45am This world is full of beginnings—a baby’s first cries, the light of sunrise, habits retrained, love singing your name, and hope breaking into our day to day. However, before a new beginning, there is always waiting. Thus, this Advent, we wait for the birth of the Messiah—that unfailing light. Join us in December as we artfully discover what it means to “Let There Be Light.” Table for 4 We’ve got a table set for four and three empty chairs. So grab some friends and join Jay for dinner and conversation. Wednesdays in December at 6:00pm. Dinner is free! Visit the website to sign up. Confirmation Faith in Action Retreat December 2-3, 2017 Examining what we believe and how we act on those beliefs can be both reassuring and unsettling. Every day, in many ways and in more than 80 countries around the world, including the United States, Presbyterians engage in mission. Why? Because we have always been a church in mission, believing that at its core the church exists for mission that flows from the very heart of God. Join us for our next retreat at FPC. Youth Christmas Parties We hope you’ll all join us for our youth Christmas parties this year. Good food, gift exchange game, and a break from exam studying. Middle School – Sunday, December 10 High School – Sunday, December 17
December
Our twenties and thirties’ community is active and ever-growing. Whether you’re single, engaged, or married, you are welcome; we’d love to get to know you! Meanwhile, we hope you’ll join us at these upcoming events: Christmas Party: an opportunity to toast the season and celebrate another great year of ministry together (Friday, December 8th at 8 p.m.) Wrestling with the Word: a weekly opportunity to engage scripture and wrestle with your faith over coffee and bagels (every Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the Bride’s Room on the first floor) Theology on Tap: a monthly opportunity for all 20s/30s to explore a topic theologically over food and beverage (Thursday, December 28th at 7 p.m.) Couples’ Group: a group of committed/ engaged/married couples that meets every other Thursday at 7 p.m. (Thursday, December 14th at 7 p.m.) If you’d like to learn more about any of these ministries or discover how you can get involved, please email Ann-Henley at ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org.
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L E CT U R E ON CHARP ENTIER’S “ M E S S E D E MINUIT P O UR NO EL” ADULT
S U N DAY S C H O O L
SUNDAY, DEC. 10 • 9:45AM RYAN BONFIGLIO AND JENS KORNDÖRFER will lecture in Fifield Hall on Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit de Noel, in preparation for our Annual Christmas Concert.
THEOLOGYMATTERS
Short Courses for the Thoughtful Christian
Our 2017 Advent Devotional Booklet is now available in the pews and around the church.
THE GOSPELS IN COMPARISON Wednesday evenings | January 17, 24, 31; February 7 7:00-8:20pm | Fifield Hall Instructor: Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio Matthew, Mark, and Luke each tell the story of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection. While their broad contours are similar, each Gospel has its own distinctive features. In some cases, the same story is told in all three of these Gospels but in different ways and with different details. In other cases, one Gospel writer includes a story not found in the others. How do we account for these differences? Is it possible to harmonize all three Gospels into one, unified story? How do these three “synoptic” Gospels relate to the Gospel of John? This course will examine the distinctive perspectives of Matthew, Mark, and Luke and will wrestle with the “problem” of their literary and theological relationship. G Y
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Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Atlanta, GA Permit No. 1521
Monthy Newsletter of
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of ATLANTA 1328 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30309-3209 HOW TO CONTACT US Phone/404-892-8461 Fax/404-228-7760 E-mail: youbelong@firstpresatl.org Web: www.firstpresatl.org WORSHIP Sunday Worship Service - 9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 am WEEKLY BROADCASTS Sundays live at 9:00 am and 11:00 am On demand anytime www.firstpresatl.org/servicesonline AIB Cable Network (Smyrna Channel 22, Comcast 295) Wednesdays at 8:00 pm
For information about private music instruction and group music, dance, and art classes, please visit us on the web or call:
ar t s THE SCHOOL OF FINE
Katie Patterson, Director (404) 228-7753 www.firstpresatl.org/sfa
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ATLANTA
Christmas elves have filled the shop with wonderful Christmas gifts, ornaments and books. Hurry in to do your shopping!
The Mustard Seed
WEDNESDAYS 9:00AM-1:00PM SUNDAYS 9:00AM-12:15PM (404) 201-6442 themustardseed@firstpresatl.org
GOD’S GIFT SHOP God’s Gift Shop, an alternative gifting opportunity Featuring short lines, no traffic, unique and memorable gifts. Look for us outside Fifield Hall before services and during fellowship hour or online at: www.firstpresatl.org/GodsGiftShop All proceeds to supplement the FPC annual budget supporting Global and Community Ministries.
Visit us!