July, 2013 VOLUME 8:7

FROM DAVID'S PEN . . .

July 2013

Dear Friends –

Last month, the family and I traveled to Montreat Conference Center for Robin to attend a continuing education event entitled “Imagine.” Its focus tackled the on-going question of “What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ and be the church today?” This question led to other questions, like:

• What are the biggest issues facing people of faith today?

• Why are so many people turned off by institutional religion?

• How has the church changed over the years?

And is this change a good thing or a fearful thing?

To me, one of the most interesting questions posed to the conferees was for them to imagine what their responses would have been to the following questions had they been asked them when they were around twelve years old or so:

• What is the gospel – or in other words, the good news?

• What is the heart of the Christian message (i.e. the gospel of Jesus)?

And why should anyone be a Christian?

Marcus Borg, a speaker at the conference and an internationally known writer who is respected as one of the most forward thinking theologians today, said his combined answer to all three questions would have been the following: “I believe in Jesus because he died to pay for my sins so that I can be forgiven and go to heaven.” Borg’s pre-teen response centers on the word “believe,” but just because you believe in something, Borg noted, doesn’t necessarily mean you will be transformed by it (i.e. you can believe in all of the right doctrines and teachings of Christ yet still be “mean-spirited”).

What Borg was trying to help the conferees (and their congregations) think critically about was his premise that “centering” oneself in God is more Christ-like than simply “believing” in God. Borg reminded everyone that Jesus didn’t simply “believe” in God, he “knew” God, for God was the central reality of Christ’s life. “Centering,” Borg said, means grounding your life in God. It means “beloving” God (the pre-modern meaning of “believing”), paying attention to your relationship with God, spending time in God, and being present to God. This “centering,” therefore, not only acknowledges our belief that Christ is our Savior, it becomes the catalyst for transforming us (and our congregations) to make God the central reality of our lives as well.

When I was twelve, I was the center of my universe. I believed in God, but I did so mainly for my own benefit (i.e. my salvation). Now that I am older, I have come to understand that God is to be the center of my universe, and it is out of that process of “centering” that I have come to see the good news of the gospel as being transformative.

And so I pass the question onto you, “What is the gospel and why should anyone be a Christian?” How would you have answered it when you were twelve and how would you answer it today? May we all be transformed by making God the center of our lives, and may our congregation and community be transformed in the process of doing so!

Yours in Christ,

─ David

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. T h e y e n j o y learning about o u r c h u r c h through stories, crafts, songs, a n d g u e s t 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 r e s u m e s S u n d a y morning, September 15, 2013.

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

YOUTH: MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Montreat Youth Conference 2013, July 6-13, 2013.

Please see Jaina for more information.

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CORRECTION TO THE JUNE GRAPEVINE!! Jessica Kiep graduated from Athens High School in May.

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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!!)

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

I want to thank everyone at First Presbyterian for the prayers, calls, cards and “lots” of warm wishes during my recent unexpected absence for the mild heart attack and stent placement. I am feeling much better and gaining energy every day. I needed and felt all the prayers sent out for me. Thank you so very much!!

I work in the best place ever!!

Sandra MitchellSandra MitchellSandra MitchellSandra Mitchell

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Sunday, July 7, 2013 - GUEST SPEAKER: Reverend Judy Mitchell Rich will be sharing God’s message with the FPC Family in the absence of pastors David Palmer and Jaina Anderson. Emily Clem will be serving as Liturgist this morning. This will also be Communion Sunday, Men’s Breakfast Sunday (8:00 a.m.). Pastors Anderson and Palmer will be on their way to Montreat for the 2013 Youth Conference.

Please turn in your information for the August Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter by Tues-Please turn in your information for the August Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter by Tues-Please turn in your information for the August Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter by Tues-Please turn in your information for the August Calendar and Grapevine Newsletter by Tues-day, July16, 2013. You can bring with you or call the church office (256day, July16, 2013. You can bring with you or call the church office (256day, July16, 2013. You can bring with you or call the church office (256day, July16, 2013. You can bring with you or call the church office (256----232232232232----0122), or email to: 0122), or email to: 0122), or email to: 0122), or email to: fpcathens@fpcathens.org.fpcathens@fpcathens.org.fpcathens@fpcathens.org.fpcathens@fpcathens.org.

3 Doris Welch 4 Carol Quillen 5 Laura Black 7 Jonathan Dunwoody Mary Steele 9 Jac Catlett John Emberton 10 Diann Copeland Kelly Ford 12 Danny Gregg 14 Clara Swanson 16 Doc Thompson 18 Jaina Anderson 19 Sarah Chadwell 20 Sue Vice 22 Hiott Luten 23 Brad Greene

27 Josh Andrews 29 Jonathan Powless 31 Mary Patterson

July 2013

7 Sara Aday Joseph Davis 14 Calyn Campbell James Clem 21 Ella Romine Emily Gossett 28 Dustin McGlothin Sean Miller 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)

JULY COMMUNION: July 7, 2013 Communion Preparation: Diane Payne Communion Servers: Diane Payne; Carrie Powless; Ted Smith; Hazel White; David Whitten, Adam Lauderdale, Keith Davis

July 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 David Vacation 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne’s

2 David Vacation 2p Happy PM Circle(RC) 6:30 p Bible/Book Study @ Emily Clem’s

3 David Vacation

4 David vacation

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED - JULY 4 - HOLIDAY!

5 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

6 7 a Gideons(RC)

2-8:00 p.m. “Cruise-In” around the Square

7 David Out Jaina Out

COMMUNION 8:00 a Men’s Breakfast

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

8 David Out Jaina Out 9:30 a - 2p Friendship Quilter’s (RC) 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

9 David Out Jaina Out

10 David Out Jaina Out

11 David Out Jaina Out 12 Noon VIP Luncheon

12 David Out Jaina Out CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

13 David Out Jaina Out 7:00 a Gideons & Ladies Auxiliary(RC)

14 9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11 a Worship: Montreat/Youth Sunday

15 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

16 Newsletter Info For August Due Today

-NAP Meeting-

6p Historical Society (RC)

17 Jaina Out

18 Jaina Out 10a 4th Day @ Copeland

19 Jaina Out CHURCH OFFICE

CLOSED

20 7:00 a Gideons (RC) 12 p - 2 p Rodgers Center Reserved

21 Jaina Vacation 9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11 a Worship

22 Jaina Vacation 6:30 p 4th Day meets @ Payne's

25 Jaina Vacation 26 Jaina Vacation

27 Jaina Vacation

28 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Jaina Vacation

29 Jaina Vacation 7:00 a Gideons (RC)

28 Jaina Vacation

9:30 a Sunday School 10:30 a Fellowship 11 a Worship & Infant Baptism - Elijah Stanley Hand Presbyterian Men’s Summer Quarter Meeting at Camp Maranatha

29 Jaina Vacation

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

30 Jaina Vacation 31 Jaina Vacation

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:

7 __________________ 14 __John & Diane Lynn_ 21 __________________ 28 __________________

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Noteworthy News Noteworthy News Noteworthy News Noteworthy News SESSION WILL NOT MEET IN JULY.

PRESBYTERIAN MEN’S BREAKFAST is Sunday, July 7, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. in the Rodgers Center.

OUR GRIDDLE HAS BEEN FOUND! . . . one of the large electric griddles used by the Presbyterian Men for their monthly breakfasts was missing but it has been found. Thank you for returning it!!

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

THE ALABAMA/MISSISSIPPI WOMEN’S CONFERENCE is July 17-19, 2013. If you are interested in attending, please see Jaina Anderson or Carol Copeland.

REVEREND DAVID PALMER will be on vacation - June 27 -July 4.

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED Thursday, July 4 for the United States of America Independence Day Holiday! Enjoy this day of celebration with your family.

FPC YOUTH, CHAPERONES, REVEREND DAVID PALMER AND REVEREND JAINA ANDERSON will be at MONTREAT - July 7-13, Sunday, July 14 will be MONTREAT SUNDAY. The youth will be in charge of the 11:00 a.m. worship service and will share their Montreat experiences with the FPC Family.

THE NORTH ALABAMA PRESBYTERY will hold their Summer Meeting on Tuesday, July 16.

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

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: Thank You!

July Communion

July Acolytes

August Newsletter Deadline

July Birthdays

Guest Speaker - July 7, 2013

Page 4: Noteworthy News

Contact Information

Insert: July Calendar