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The Chimes nline
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
March, 2017
Community. Love. Transformation. Servant Leadership.
• Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall
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• Communion Worship Service 8:00 am, Winship Chapel
journey
HOME
• Sunday School for All Ages 9:45 am • Worship Service 11:00 am, Sanctuary
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• Fellowship Hour 12:00 pm
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his Lent, we invite you to embark on a journey that traces the steps of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt to liberation in the promised land. Each week, we will look at the people’s “stops along the way” and draw parallels to the Christian life and the season of Lent until we reach Easter Sunday. Tony Sundermeier will preach throughout Lent and invite us to follow as the Spirit leads us home in the grace, sovereignty, and peace of God. S E R MON
March 6 20s/30s Lenten Small Group 6pm. TBD ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org March 8 Wednesday Noontime Services 12pm. Chapel klaw@firstpresatl.org March 8 Taize Worship Service 7pm. Chapel acochran@firstpresatl.org March 15, 22, 29 Living in a Virtual World 7pm. Fifield Hall jyork@firstpresatl.org
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March 5 Lenten Study/Photo Exhibit Opening Reception and Talk with Participants Reflections of Holy Week: Syria Lebanon Photo Exhibit 12pm-1pm. Reception Room chcandler@gmail.com
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EVENTS March 1 Ash Wednesday 12pm. Chapel 7pm. Sanctuary klaw@firstpresatl.org
JOURNEY
The long
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• The Mustard Seed Bookstore Open 9:00 am - 12:15 pm
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• Worship Service 9:00 am, Fifield Hall
a lenten sermon series 2017
S E R IE S
S C H E D U L E
Lent 1 – March 5 “Living in Rameses” Exodus 1:8-14; Romans 3:9-18 Tony Sundermeier preaching
Lent 3 – March 19 “From Succoth to Etham” Exodus 13:17-22; Matthew 4:1-11 Tony Sundermeier preaching
Lent 5 – April 2 “From Pi-Hahiruth to The Red Sea” Exodus 14:13-22; Matthew 8:5-13 Tony Sundermeier preaching
Lent 2 – March 12 “From Rameses to Succoth” Exodus 12:33-42; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 Tony Sundermeier preaching
Lent 4- March 26 “From Etham to Pi-Hahirtuh” Exodus 14:1-9; Mark 4:35-41 Tony Sundermeier preaching
Lent 6 – April 9 “From The Red Sea to the Wilderness” Exodus 15:1-18; Matthew 21:1-11 Tony Sundermeier preaching
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 Captain John Warren Robey Captain Gabriel Rulewicz Maj. General Russell Sanborn Captain Ryan Tewell Col. Roderick G. Turner III Specialist Branton Wandera Specialist Kevin Wandera
MAUNDY THURSDAY DINNER & WORSHIP
Pastoral Care Report (As of February 20, 2017)
BIRTHS: Congratulations to Ged and Karen Avery on the birth of their son, Austin Avery, who was born on December 14th. Big sister is Jane and big brother is Graham. Congratulations to Mary Catherine and Ben Sutherland on the birth of James Benjamin Sutherland Jr. who was born on February 5th. Big sisters are Charlotte and Catherine. DEATHS: Henry Grady, passed away on Wednesday, February 1st. Our prayers of compassion reach out to his wife Carol, as well as his son Henry, his daughter-in-law, Kim and his three granddaughters, Hanna, Sarah, and Julia. We offer our condolences to Larry and Lena Galindo on the death of Lena’s 94 year old mother on February 5th, Vehanoush Peltekian, in California. Virginia Dewberry died on February 14th. We pray for her husband Dale, her sons Darin and David, and their families. We also offer condolences to Jack and Cary Sibley on the death of Cary’s father, Thomas Jefferson Pendergrast, who died on February 17th. RECUPERATING: Barbara Cox, Bill Barber, Deborah Ann McCoy, Iris Eskew, Jim Bynum, Jack Monday, Lisa Watson, Mary Lou Oppenheimer, NeeNee Fortson, Peyton Robinson, Sr., Randy Jones, Rosemary Smith, Ruth Ann Little, Steve Fifield.
COME-ON-ALONG MARCH 16!
April 13 7:00 – 9:00 PM (Times may vary in some locations.)
Potluck Dinner & Communion Service in FPC Members’ Homes around Atlanta. Children & Youth welcome. Sign-up: Sundays, March 19th thru April 9th outside Fifield Hall or online through the First Pres website. For more information contact Jennifer Pendergast at pendergast@thefbcg.com.
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March
AT L A N TA H U M T Y A N E S O C I E
COME-ON-ALONG TO ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY Date: Thursday, March 16, 2017, 9:30 AM Place: Meet at 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church Parking Lot Cost: Free docent tour of 144-year-old Atlanta Humane Society’s outstanding Companion Animal Rescue and Adoption programs, followed by delicious self-pay Luncheon Special at Buckhead’s authentic Thai food restaurant, Bangkok Station. A double treat. Call Bruce Gregory for more info or reservations at 404-228-2263 or e-mail him at bruce.m.gregory@gmail.com.
The Chimes
LENTEN 2 0 1 7
C A L E N D A R
ASH WEDNESDAY
LABYRINTH
March 1 12:00 p.m. Chapel • 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Communion and Imposition of Ashes Genesis 15:12-16; John 8:31-38
A prayer labyrinth will be set up in B-111 on Sunday mornings from 8am to 2pm during Lent.
Ann-Henley Saunders preaching
ONLINE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL 40 Words, 40 Days Sign up at https://firstpresatl.org/40words/
SUNDAY MORNING LENTEN SERMON SERIES: The Long Journey Home Tony Sundermeier preaching all Sundays in Lent 8:00 a.m. Chapel, 9:00 a.m. Fifield Hall 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Lent 1 – March 5 “Living in Rameses” Exodus 1:8-14; Romans 3:9-18 Lent 2 – March 12 “From Rameses to Succoth” Exodus 12:33-42; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 Lent 3 – March 19 “From Succoth to Etham” Exodus 13:17-22; Matthew 4:1-11 Lent 4- March 26 “From Etham to Pi-Hahirtuh” Exodus 14:1-9; Mark 4:35-41 Lent 5 – April 2 “From Pi-Hahiruth to The Red Sea” Exodus 14:13-22; Matthew 8:5-13 Lent 6 – April 9 “From The Red Sea to the Wilderness” Exodus 15:1-18; Matthew 21:1-11
WEDNESDAY NOONTIME SERVICES 12:00 p.m. Chapel March 8, Ryan Bonfiglio preaching March 15, Connie Lee preaching March 22, Rebekah LeMon preaching March 29, Ann-Henley Saunders preaching April 5, Kevin Knab preaching
TAIZE WORSHIP Wednesday, March 8, 7:00 p.m. Chapel Wednesday, April 5, 7:00 p.m. Chapel
Kevin Knab leading
HOLY WEEK NOONTIME SERVICES 12:00 p.m., Chapel Monday, April 10 • Ann-Henley Saunders preaching Tuesday, April 11 • Kevin Knab preaching Wednesday, April 12 • Katie Sundermeier preaching Thursday, April 13 • Rebekah LeMon preaching
MAUNDY THURSDAY, DINNER & COMMUNION IN HOMES April 13 7:00 p.m. various locations
GOOD FRIDAY April 14 12:00 p.m. Sanctuary • 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Connie Lee preaching Featuring the Choirs of FPC Atlanta, Morningside Presbyterian Church, and Central Presbyterian Church
EASTER SUNDAY April 16 8:00 a.m. Chapel • 9:00 a.m. Sanctuary • 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary The Long Journey Home: From the Wilderness to Home
Tony Sundermeier preaching Joshua 3:15-17; Mark 16:1-8
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The Chimes
The Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta is offering Group Spiritual Direction for Lent! Join a small group of 4-10 participants for six weeks led by one of the Spiritual Directors at SCCA. This is a beautiful way to embark on a meaningful Lenten Discipline this season. We will be offering a daytime group and an evening group. $10/session, which includes your book. For more information, questions, and to sign up, contact Dr. Julie Johnson at holycreek@aol.com
S U N D AY, A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 1 7 , 1 2 : 1 5 P. M .
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1 REPEAT REPEAT
Our Urban Setting: Evolution from Planned Residential Community To Vibrant Midtown
GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSIT Y SINGERS
An architectural walking tour with Ward Seymour, AIA, and Helen Hatch, FAIA
THURSDAY, MARCH 30•7PM
(Free admission, lunch available for purchase)
EA S TER M EM O R IAL FL OWE RS The Easter Memorial Fund is your opportunity to share in the Easter Memorial Flowers. The name of the person(s) you wish to list will appear in our Easter Worship Bulletin. Complete and return the form with your check by April 3. Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church and mail to: Easter Memorials / First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta 1328 Peachtree St NE Atlanta GA 30309-3902 or register online http://www.firstpresatl.org/eastermemorialflowers/ Please print plainly. The names will be printed exactly as you print them.
Name of Contributor: Phone: Name(s) to be listed:
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March
MUSICA
SACRA
ATL ANTA
DEANNA JOSEPH - DIRECTOR Performing D. Argento, V. Miskinis, J.G. Rheinberger & Folksongs and other popular tunes
S’ ENRICHMEN E L P U CO R E T R E A T ! T AN INVESTMENT WORTH MAKING
April 28-29, 2017 at FPC
Amt of contribution enclosed: $
SAVE THE DATE
The Chimes
TUESDAY DREAM GROUP DREAM GROUP FOR SPIRITUAL DIALOGUE
Living in the virtual world Join us for a three-part series as we explore new technology and how it affects our youth.
Beginning March 21, we will offer a six-week dream group to explore our nightly dreams as a spiritual path. Learn the symbolic, metaphoric language of dreams. Discover wisdom and guidance. Share in a process of transformation, reconciliation, and Mystery. The group will meet from 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm on Tuesdays in B320.
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ur children today live in a very different media and technology landscape than just a decade or two ago. Smartphones, high speed internet, modern video games, and social media have all risen in this short period of time. These technologies allow us to communicate with loved ones face to face (at least virtually) anywhere on the globe, to listen to and learn from perspectives all over, and to share our viewpoints and creative works with ease and scope that is nothing short of amazing. And at the same time, there are various concerns parents, educators, spiritual leaders and psychologists have about the impact of these technologies on the development of children growing up with them. Various studies hint at the impact of modern media on attention disorders, anxiety/ social Anxiety, impulsivity and addictive behaviors. This is a very new and emerging field; the problems they are studying are just decades old, if that. These talks will explore the latest neuroscience and psychology research relating to these issues and help educate parents on how to recognize signs of internet and gaming technology abuse. They will additionally explore how parents can help children navigate these technological landscapes in ways that align with their childrens’ goals, aspirations, and developing values. The talks will be a three part series in March that runs on Wednesdays, March 15th, March 22nd and 29th.
For more information please visit https://firstpresatl.org/virtualworld/ or contact Jay York at 404-228-7751
The group will be limited, so if you are interested, please call Tootie Lyons at 770-805-9017.
Samaritan Counseling Center of Atlanta is offering a 6 week opportunity
Group Therapy: Parents of Children Navigating Anxiety MEETS WED NIGHTS
The group sessions will be discussion focused, led by Leslie Hall. Each week will include a topic related to families, anxiety, and parenting and include pscyhoeducation and also a chance for individuals and/or the group to process how the subject or concern relates personally. Therapist Leslie Hall and Rev. Katie Sundermeier will lead this group on Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm, beginning April 19th. The cost is $125 per person. Financial Aid is available. Contact Katie or Leslie with any questions or to sign up. The group is limited to 12. ksundermeier@samaritanatlanta. org and lhall@samaritanatlanta.org
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The Chimes CHILDREN & TWEENS
TWENTIES & THIRTIES
CRADLE CARE MINISTRY The Cradle Care Ministry exists to support expectant and adopting parents of FPC before and after a child’s arrival. The goal of Cradle Care is to minister to families through prayer, service, and connection. We have a board on the nursery hall that displays upcoming due dates and new birth dates so the congregation can be praying for these families. We ask the Caring Parishes to contribute to offering meals to the family after the arrival of a child, and a yard sign placed at the family’s home celebrates and announnces a new FPC baby! If you or someone you know is expecting or adopting and would like to be a part of this ministry, contact Sarah Kate Bumgarner. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Signup for VBS! Hero Central is June 5-9, 9am-12pm and we need lots of SUPER volunteers! Adults and youth, rising 6th grade and older, can register to volunteer online. Children 3 years old and potty-trained through rising 5th graders are invited to join the fun. Free childcare available for children of volunteers younger than 3. Register online at www.cokesburyvbs.com/fpcatl FPP Auction All are invitied to the First Presbyterian Preschool auction on Saturday, March 25 at Piedmont Driving Club. Help the preschool advance their mission and vision by supporting the school in this way!
YOUTH YOUTH WALK TO END HUNGER We hope you will join our FPC youth team for the 2017 Hunger Walk supporting the Atlanta Community Food Bank and our own food pantry. The walk is Ssunday, March 5 and costs just $25. We will walk together with youth from all over the Presbytery, have energizers, eat at food trucks, and have a great time. Join our team today. YOUTH LENTEN CLASS DINNERS We are looking for youth families to host a class dinner and conversation in their homes sometime between March 1 and April 15. Please let Jay know is this is something you might be interested in. LIVING IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD With smartphones, high speed internet, modern video games, and social media, our children live in an ever-expanding technological world. These advances allow us to communicate with loved ones face to face (at least virtually) anywhere around the globe, and to listen to and learn from perspectives all over. We hope you’ll join us for these important discussions Wednesdays in March. SIGNUP FOR SOMETHING We still have lots of ways that you can give of your time and resources this year to help our youth group thrive. We hope you and your youth will find meaningful ways to give back and get involved in the coming year! Check the website for a complete list of offerings. 6
March
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! Together, we connect, learn, and serve, and here are some upcoming opportunities to join us: Ash Wednesday Service: March 1st at 7 p.m. Syrian Refugee Dinner: March 5th at 6 p.m. Theology on Tap: March 16th at 7 p.m. Couples’ Group: March 9th and March 23rd at 7 p.m. Wrestling with the Word (Ryan’s “Praying the Psalms” series): every Sunday in March from 9:4510:45 a.m. Homeless Prayer Breakfast: April 23rd at 6 a.m. Spring Retreat: May 5th-7th Jamaica Mission Trip: July 15th-20th 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
FIRST
IN P R A Y I N G
T H E
P S A L M S
FOCUS
Over the period of six weeks, participants gather for interactive lectures (weeks 1 and 6) and small group discussions (weeks 2-5) in their Sunday School classes.
March 5 Psalms and the Life of Faith: Introduction | Lecture in Fifield Hall March 12 Like a Tree Transplanted: Psalms of Orientation | Indiviual SS classrooms March 19 Out of the Depths: Psalms of Disorientation | Indiviual SS classrooms March 26 By the Rivers of Babylon: Psalms of Imprecation | Indiviual SS classrooms April 2
Sing to the LORD a New Song: Psalms of Reorientation | Indiviual SS classrooms
April 9
Psalms and the Passion of Christ: The Language of Lent | Lecture in Fifield Hall
The Reformation 500 Years Later Reflecting on Luther’s Legacy in 2017 RYAN BONFIGLIO
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n October 31, 1517 Martin Luther, then a Catholic priest and professor of theology, wrote an impassioned letter to his bishop, Albert of Mainz, protesting the Pope’s decision to sell indulgences in order to raise money for the renovation of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Utilizing the “social media” of his day, Luther nailed the letter, which came to be known as his Ninety-Five Theses, to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. While originally intended only to reform the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses initiated a wave of theological dissent and revolution that today we call the Protestant Reformation. In celebration of the 500th anniversary of this occasion, FPC will be offering a number of events and educational opportunities throughout 2017 that reflect on Luther’s legacy and our Reformed heritage more broadly. These offerings include two Theology Matters courses, Lunch and Learn Lectures, a series of interfaith dialogues with the Temple, a Musica Sacra concert, and a sermon series. Come join us as we celebrate the Reformation in 2017!
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
Bi-weekly 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.
Reflections of Holy Week Join us for an exhibit of recent photographs of Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, taken by FPC members and PC(USA) mission co-workers, offering contemporary reflections on the meaning of nine key events in the last week of the life of Christ. In the Berean Room. Ash Wednesday (March 1) through Easter Sunday (April 16).
On Ramp EXPRESS
Are you thinking about becoming a member of First Pres?
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10 YEAR S AN
WEDNESDAYS 9-1:00, SUNDAYS 9-12:15 PM (404) 201-6442 themustardseed@firstpresatl.org
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The Mustard Seed
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We’ve filled The Mustard Seed with lovely gift items, cards, jewelry and a broad selection of books.
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On Ramp Express is a one-day class about the meaning of and steps required for church membership taught by Tony Sundermeier. We will meet on Sunday, April 2, from 12:00 - 3:00. To register, please call Stephanie Lane at 404-228-7757 or email her at slane@firstpresatl.org