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The Chimes nline
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
June, 2017
• Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall
Dear Friends,
• The Mustard Seed Bookstore closed beginning June 18
Giving is strong and an obvious priority for the members and friends of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta. Your financial contributions expand our sphere of ministry and encourage our witness in the city and throughout the world. As we think about our financial health and opportunities to give, here are some items to be aware of.
• Worship Service 9:00 am, Fifield Hall • Sunday School for All Ages 10:00 am • Worship Service 11:00 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour 12:00 pm
EVENTS June (various dates) Camp Friendship 2017 9am-1pm. FPC Preschool Six one-week camps, June and July amandamoore117@gmail.com June (various dates) Music Lessons Summer Semester 10am-7pm. School of Fine Arts, Second Floor Flexible schedule for private lessons kpatterson@firstpresatl.org June (various dates) Parents’ Morning Out 9am-1pm, FPC 1 or 2 days a week per child skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org June 5-9 Vacation Bible School 9am-12pm. Fifield Hall, Preschool Halls, B111 Summer camp for children ages 3 - rising 5th grade skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org June 11 Lunch and Learn: Images and Iconoclasm in the Reformation 12:15pm. Fifield Hall Speaker: Ryan Bonfiglio mgodbee@firstpresatl.org June 4, 11,18, 25 Great Figures of the Old Testament 9:55-10:45am. Fifield Hall rbonfiglio@firstpresatl.org
Annual Giving As we hit the halfway mark of 2017, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have financially contributed to the ministry and mission of FPC Atlanta in this calendar year. Our budget stands at $5.3 million with 70% of those funds coming directly from the annual giving of members and friends of the church. 527 of our 1,052 households have made a gift to FPC this year. If you haven’t given, you can make a contribution today by following this link: www.firstpresatl.org/give. Organ Renewal Campaign We are well into our Organ Renewal Campaign that set a goal of $1.3 million for repairs and renewal and $400,000 to establish a maintenance reserve. We have received $1.2 million thus far which means we have another $500,000 to go to complete the renovations and to establish the maintenance fund. If you have not yet contributed to this campaign I would encourage you to do so. You may contact Peggy McCurdy, pmccurdy@firstpresatl.org, to make a pledge or give a gift. Legacy Giving Legacy gifts provide support for First Presbyterian Church for generations to come. They are placed into the church’s endowment (current value, $17 million), a professionally managed portfolio that provides annual support for the church’s annual operating budget. Legacy gifts may be made as outright gifts or bequests or by naming the church as a beneficiary to a 401(k) or IRA, a life insurance policy, or a charitable trust. There is no minimum amount for a legacy gift. All legacy gifts provide benefits to the giver and support the ministry and mission of First Presbyterian Church. Contact Rebekah LeMon for more information, rlemon@firstpresatl.org Thank you for all you do to support FPC and our ministry together!
Blessings,
Tony Sundermeier Senior Pastor
The Chimes
PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE Lt. Karim Abu-Akel Captain Alexandria Miller-Anderson Lt. Col. Charles Ayers PVT Forrest “Woody” Bass Lt. JG 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
Pastoral Care Report (As of May 22, 2017)
DEATHS: We offer our condolences to Todd, Heather, Riley, Finn and Kellen Lakes on the death of Todd’s father, David Lakes, who died on April 26th. Our prayers are with Bruce, Deborah, Jane, Virginia and Elizabeth Miller on the death of Bruce’s father, Thomas Dalton Miller, who died on April 28th. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Martha Griffin. Martha died on April 30th in Easley, SC. We offer our condolences to Sally Cobb Cannon and family on the death of Sally’s mother, Marion Weltner Cannon, who died on April 30th. Darsey Butler’s mother, Betty Butler, died in Savannah on May 2nd. Prayers are with Darsey and her family. RECUPERATING: Barbara Cox, Bill McManus, Deborah Ann McCoy, Iris Dodge, Iris Eskew, Jim Bynum, Lillian Law, Mary Lou Oppenheimer, Monique Byrne, Steve Fifield If you have any pastoral concerns, please contact Pam Parrish at 404-228-7737 or pparrish@firstpresatl.org.
Pastoral Coverage for the Summer As Rev. Kevin Knab sets out on his summer Sabbatical (May 21 – Aug 26), each of the other pastors will be part of a rotation (Mon through Sun) as ‘on call.’ That person will take the primary role for more urgent pastoral needs. Pam Parrish in the Care office will be available at (404) 228-7737 for other questions about Care. May 22-28 May 29-June 4 June 5-11 June 12-18 June 19-25 June 26-July 9 July 10-12 July 13-20 July 21-30 July 31-Aug 6 Aug 14-20 Aug 21-26
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June
Rev. Connie Lee (404) 228-7741 Rev. Katie Sundermeier (404) 228-7721 Rev. Tony Sundermeier (404) 228-7715 Rev. Rebekah LeMon (404) 228-7714 Rev. Lee Rev. Ann-Henley Saunders (404) 228-7709 Rev. T. Sundermeier Rev. LeMon Rev. K. Sundermeier Rev. Saunders Rev. K. Sundermeier Rev. T. Sundermeier
COME-ON-ALONG JUNE 15!
C H R N G L I S T T H E K I CA R A T H O L I C C AT H E D
COME-ON-ALONG TO CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL Date: Thursday, June 15, 2017, 9:30 AM Place: Meet at 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church Parking Lot. Cost: No charge for tour. Self-pay lunch at Sophie’s Uptown. Tour the stunningly beautiful and serene Cathedral and learn the developments since the Reformation and Pope Francis. Don’t miss this special event. Call Bruce Gregory for more info or reservations at 404-228-2263 or e-mail him at bruce.m.gregory@gmail.com.
The Chimes
Welcome new members
m THE m
Our church family continues to grow! CONNECTIONS
Anna Bramwell is a p e d ia t r i cia n wi t h Piedmont Pediatrics. She and her husband, Jeremy, have three sons, Matthew, Benjamin, and William. We look forward to the Bramwells becoming active in our Children’s and Family Ministry. Chris and Danielle Chattin come to First Pres from our friends at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian. Chris is a consultant with IBM and Danielle is an attorney at King & Spalding. They are looking forward to finding a Sunday school class as well as being active in our Family Ministry with children Graham and Grace. Courtney Sutherland Gray discovered FPC through her cousins Ben and Mary Catherine Sutherland and has been attending regularly for about three years. She works as a case manager with the FDIC. Courtney is looking forward to getting more involved at FPC with her two sons, William and Finn. Amos and Kala Green are transplants from Kentucky and are excited about making FPC their church home. Kala is a dentist, and Amos works for QGenda, Inc. We look forward to their getting involved in our 20s/30’s Couples’ Group as well as volunteering in Global Mission.
Pat Huddleston and his wife, Leigh Ann Whitley, have been visiting FPC for about two years. Leigh Ann is an Analyst with the Federal Home Loan Bank and Pat is Counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pat is interested in Bible study and volunteer opportunities, and Leigh Ann is interested in working with our homeless guests via Community Ministries. Cassandra Leverette is a lifelong Baptist and is transferring from Co m m u n i t y B a p t i s t in Decatur where she has been a very active member, particpating in choir, children’s minsitries and teaching Sunday school. Cassandra is a Legal Nurse Consultant with Hawkins, Parnell, Thackston & Young. She enjoys listening to books on tape and proofing written work. Cassandra was drawn to FPC by the warmth of our community. Lee Strasberger is an attorney with Morris Manning & Martin. He and his wife, Mathavi, have been attending First Pres for about 8 months. Lee is interested in finding out about Sunday school and is also interested in our Music ministry. Lee is transferring from First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg.
F L O W E R MINISTRY A HOLISTIC PICTURE The Flower Ministry at First Presbyterian Church is a multi-faceted operation of love and dedication by so many of our members. Here’s what happens: 1. Requests are made to honor or memorialize loved ones with Sanctuary flowers. Beth Edwards receives those requests at (404) 790-7726. 2. The flowers are purchased and arranged by the Flower Guild on Saturday to go into the sanctuary urns as an integral part of our worship experience. 3. After worship, the flowers are broken down by the Guild and arranged in vases to be delivered to the homebound. You may contact Pam Covington pamcovington1929@gmail. com if you are interested in this endeavor. 4. Deliverers from different church groups take a Sunday and participate in delivering 3-4 vases. Notes are placed with the vases with personalized greetings and the fact the flowers had been in the sanctuary that morning. The third week of each month is an open week led by Care Council members and anyone in the whole church who would like to deliver. Please contact Dorothy White-Williams at dorothywhitewilliams@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of that group. You are welcome to this vital ministry in all the above ways as well two others:
On Ramp Express is a one-day class about the meaning of and steps required for church membership, taught by Tony Sundermeier.
*Emailing pparrish@firstpresatl.org if you know of people who might be in need of a flower visit. Sometimes we need a heads up!
To register, call Stephanie Lane at 404-228-7757 or email her at slane@firstpresatl.org
*Donating vases that are 6 to 8 inches to be used for the arrangements.
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The Chimes
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p r es b u s m i n i st ry
Each Sunday, our faithful bus driver Julia Brooke makes the rounds to bring people to church and back. To be picked up for Sunday School the schedule is Calvin Court – 9 am and Lenbrook and Canterbury around 9:15 am. For 11 am worship: Calvin Court – 10 am and Lenbrook and Canterbury at 10:15 am. Julia can be reached at (404) 438-7344 to let her know you would like a ride.
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June
Defacing Art:
Images and Iconoclasm in the Reformation Dr. Ryan Bonfiglio Fifield Hall Sunday, June 11 • 12:15-1:30 pm Registration is free Optional lunch $10 Register by Monday, June 5 https://firstpresatl.org/arts/musica-sacra-atlanta/ Contact Melissa Godbee (404-228-7732) for more information
The Chimes
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FPC Women’s Retreat Weekend At Montreat We’d love to have you join us! FLORIDA HUFF
“To laugh like a brook when it twists and falls over stones on its way. To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to play. I go to the hills….”
E
very time I hear these words from the classic Sound of Music title song, I think of the bubbling brook that runs through the grounds of the Montreat Conference Center. Flat Creek, cold with mountain spring water, full of large smooth rocks, dances and sings and glistens its way through this valley in the mountains. The creek, the lake, and the mountains are a perfect setting for a retreat, an opportunity to distance ourselves from our everyday routine, to reflect and recharge and remember who we are and Whose we are. This August 11-13, a group of women
ISSION TRIP
Live and share your faith
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July 13-18, 2017 Family Mission Trip to
Jamaica
(ages 6 and up)
from FPC will journey together up this mountain to participate in one of Montreat’s summer conferences. Women of all ages, from all over, will gather there for fun and fellowship, stimulating lectures and workshops, time with other women and time alone. Our FPC group will stay together and dine together, and then join the larger community for the scheduled programs. Says First Pres member Sarah Balsley: “If you have the chance to getaway to this magical valley, DO it. This peaceful retreat provides an opportunity to restore, relax and renew. And the Women’s retreat inspired me so much last year, I found myself applying to grad school when I returned! ” Keynote speaker Rachel Held Evans, bestselling author of Searching for Sunday, will lead this year’s women’s conference entitled “The Fullness of Life.” Participants may choose two workshops from among a broad range of options, from yoga or art to caregiving or spiritual disciplines. Registration runs through June 30th, with increased pricing and more difficulty securing housing after that date. More information and registration can be found at firstpresatl.org/learn/womensministries.
For more information Contact: Paul Dimmick 404-228-7723 pdimmick@firstpresatl.org
A SECOND CHAPTER: A DIVORCE RECOVERY PROGRAM Sponsored by the Care Ministry & Samaritan Counseling Center Of Atlanta
We will offer a women’s group and a men’s group. For anyone who has gone through divorce, recently or in the past. This is a time to learn from one another as we cope and grow together. Contact Kevin Knab (kknab@firstpresatl.org) or Katie Sundermeier (ksundermeier@firstpresatl.org) Runs for six weeks, each Thursday beginning this Fall
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The Chimes CHILDREN & TWEENS
TWENTIES & THIRTIES
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Volunteers for Vacation Bible School are needed! Free childcare will be available for children of volunteers who are younger than 3. If you are interested, please contact Sarah Kate Bumgarner, or register online, www.cokesburyvbs.com/fpcatl. SUMMER SCHEDULE This summer, elementary Sunday School will be a combined class, from 10-10:45am, for rising 2nd-6th graders in Room 121. Childcare and Sunday School will be available for children rising 1st grade and younger during 9am and 11am worship as well as the Sunday School hour. Infants-23 months in Room 187 2’s and 3’s in Room 180 4’s, 5’s, & 6’s in Room 178 FUN FOR KIDS Stay tuned for info about fun events throughout the summer!
Our twenties and thirties’ community is fun, smart, active, and ever-growing. Whether you’re single, engaged, or married, you are welcome; we’d love to get to know you!
Not a part of the Children’s Ministry Facebook page or email updates? To be added email skbumgarner@firstpresatl.org
Here’s a sampling of our summer events in June, and you’re invited:
YOUTH
Couples’ Group: a group of committed/engaged/ married couples that meets every other Thursday at 7 p.m. (June 1st at Claire and Andy’s, June 15th at Victory, and June 29th at someone’s home) Atlanta Moon Ride: an opportunity to bike six miles in the dark for a great cause (Friday, June 9th from 7 p.m.-midnight)
SUMMER CALENDAR We’ve got lots of great activities planned for the youth this summer. Check your emails and head to the website for the latest information, registration links, and calendars. SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL In town this summer? So are we. We’ll still have a combined youth Sunday school class this summer in Room 304 from 9:45-10:45. Come hang out when you’re around. YOUTH BRAVES GAME Join us for our first trip to the new ballpark. Sunday June 25th as the Braves take on the Milwaukee Brewers. RSVP by June 15th to get your ticket. Tickets are $20. YOUTH RAFTING/ZIPLINING HIGH ADVENTURE DAY Join us Friday, July 14 for a day of high adventure. We’ll head down to Columbus, GA for a day of whitewater rafting, zip lining high above the trees, and lunch in downtown. Cost is $100 and includes transportation, rafting, zip lining and lunch. RSVP by July 1. Not getting our Tuesday, Youth News??? Email Jay (jyork@firstpresatl.org) to be added so you won’t miss out. 6
June
Theology on Tap: a group that explores a chosen topic theologically over food and beverage on the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. (June 15th at Front Page News Midtown) Outdoor Theatre Night: a chance to see Horizon Theatre’s Nobody Loves You with new and old friends in Piedmont Park (Saturday, June 17th at 7:30 p.m.) If you’d like to learn more about any of these events or discover how you can get involved, please email Ann-Henley at ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org.
The Chimes ADULT DISCIPLESHIP
Summer 2017 Sunday School Series June 4 - July 30
G R E AT F I G U R E S O F T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T: T H E P E N TAT E U C H
All are welcom e
This lecture-based Sunday School series explores the lives and legacies of some of the most prominent figures in the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Pentateuch. Each week we will review the biblical stories associated with these ancient figures, focusing on the major themes and theologies that surface. We will also explore how these great figures have been interpreted by later readers, including the authors of the New Testament. Each week stands on its own and will be available as an audio podcast for those who cannot attend the live session.
Fifield Hall 10:00 - 10:50 June and July Taught by Ryan Bonfiglio
June 4
Adam & Eve
June 11
Cain, Abel, & the Sons of Noah
June 18 Abraham & Sarah
June 25
Hagar & Ishmael
July 2
Joseph
July 9
July 16
Aaron & the Levites
July 23
The Daughters of Zelophehad
his year, Protestant churches around the world are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Here at First Pres, we are commemorating this pivotal moment in church history by offering a series of educational opportunities that explores the major themes of Reformation theology and their ongoing influence in Christian faith and practice. Our Reformation 2017 series kicks off on Wednesday April 19th with a 3-week Theology Matters course called “The Five Pillars of the Reformation.” Taught by Tony Sundermeier, this course is open to the whole congregation but also serves as the pre-trip curriculum for those who are traveling on our Study Abroad trip to Switzerland, where we will be following in the footsteps of the great Reformation theologian John Calvin. The series also includes a second Theology Matters course (Thursdays, 10/5, 12, 19, 26) co-taught by Ryan Bonfiglio and Jens Korndörfer. Titled “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” this course explores the biblical and musical background of the great hymns of the Reformation, many of which we still sing today. In the fall, we will be offering a 4-week interfaith dialogue in partnership with the Temple. This program, which includes dinner, talks, and guided conversations, will provide an opportunity for members of both congregations to think about what it means to be “Rooted in Tradition, Reformed in Perspective” in our respective theological contexts. Other offerings in the series include two Lunch and Learn Lectures (with Ryan Bonfiglio and Joel LeMon), the launch of our TheoEd Talks program, a 4-week sermon series, and a Musica Sacra Concert. More information can be found in printed brochures around the church or on the web at: https://firstpresatl.org/reformation2017. Whether you are a life-long Calvinist or new to the Presbyterian church, we invite you to take part in these educational opportunities as we explore together the legacy of the Protestant Reformation.
Ryan Bonfiglio
Miriam & the Women of Exodus
& the Women of Deuteronomy
Moses
July 30
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For more information please visit https://firstpresatl.org/reformation2017
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The Chimes
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 Communion Service - 8:00 am Sunday Worship Service - 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 am WEEKLY BROADCASTS Sundays live at 11:00 am On demand anytime www.firstpresatl.org/servicesonline AIB Cable Network (Smyrna Channel 22, Comcast 295) Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.
AIB Broadcast
Register Online for the School of Fine Arts Summer Camp!
Our Sunday Service broadcast on AIB can be found on Comcast Cable channel 295.
Join us July 31st - August 4
Thanks for watching!
for a week of fun with the School of Fine Arts. Let your imagination and your body exercise with art, tumbling music and more! Available to potty trained children ages 3-7.
Summer’s here! We will be closed beginning June 18 and reopen August 20 Have a great summer! C
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10 YEAR S AN
WEDNESDAYS 9-1:00, SUNDAYS 9-12:15 PM (404) 201-6442 themustardseed@firstpresatl.org
SFAfirstpres.com or kpatterson@firstpresatl.org
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The Mustard Seed
Monday-Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm
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ar t s THE SCHOOL OF FINE
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ATLANTA