FPC connects

The ChimesN e w s l e t t e r o f F i r s t P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h o f A t l a n t a

nline

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Sunday, May 15DAY OF PENTECOST

• Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall

• Communion Worship Service 8:30 am, Winship Chapel

• The Mustard Seed Bookstore Open 9:00 am - 12:15 pm

• Sunday School for All Ages 9:30 am

• Worship Service 10:45 am, Sanctuary

• Fellowship Hour 11:45 am

• Q2, Twenties & Thirties’ group, 12:15 pm, Room 322

Sunday, May 22TRINITY SUNDAY

• Prayer breakfast - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall

• Communion Worship Service 8:30 am, Winship Chapel

• The Mustard Seed Bookstore Open 9:00 am - 12:15 pm

• Sunday School for All Ages 9:30 am

• Worship Service 10:45 am, Sanctuary

• Fellowship Hour 11:45 am

• Q2, Twenties & Thirties’ group, 12:15 pm, Room 322

May 15 & 22, 2016Christ at the Center

MAY 22, “The Illogical Antecedent of Hope” Psalm 8 and Romans 5:1-5

Dear Friends,

As Presbyterians, we affirm many things about the form and function of worship in the church. First and foremost, we believe that worship is the central act of our community’s faith and life together. In worship we encounter God and are sent—individually and corporately—into the world to participate in God’s mission. We also affirm that there are many ways to worship God. Starting September 11, 2016, our congregation will have one more option, as the Session voted at its April meeting to add a casual-dress morning worship service to our regular worship schedule. The new worship schedule will be:

Childcare will be available from 7:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. each Sunday and there will be a Children’s Worship service for children in Pre-K through 3rd grade at both the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services. The Worship Council is very excited about what this new schedule will bring to our worship life. This is quite a significant change, so I want to share some of the reasoning that led to it.

Tony Sundermeier

MAY 15, “The cost of Pentecost: Following God’s call”Genesis 11:1-9 and Acts 2:1-21

Greg Allen-Pickett

continued on page 3

N E W W O R S H I P S C H E D U L E

8:00-8:45 a.m. – Worship in the Chapel with Communion

9:00-9:45 a.m. – Worship in Fifield Hall

9:45-10:45 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages

11:00-12:00 p.m. – Worship in the SanctuaryBegins in September

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M a y 1 5 & 2 22

PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE

Ensign Karim Abu-Akel Captain Alexandria Miller-Anderson

Major Charles AyersPVT Forrest “Woody” Bass

Lt. JG Benjamin S. BondurantMaj. Jamison Bowman,

Chaplain ABE3 Gregory Bridges

AM3 Glenn Thomas Johnson HA Robert Louis Johnson

Staff Sgt. Kevin LeeLt. Wilson Mansfield McManus

Captain John Warren Robey Captain Gabriel Rulewicz

Brig. General Russell Sanborn

Lt. David B. SibleyCommander Ryan Tewell

Col. Roderick G. Turner III PFC Branton Wandera

PFC Kevin Wandera

Pastoral Care Report(As of May 2, 2016)

BIRTHS : Congratulations to Keri and Andy Jones on the birth of Anderson O’Callaghan Jones, Jr., born on April 14th.

CONTINUING CARE: Kathy Bess

HOSPITAL: Jerry Lynn-Wesley Woods

DEATHS: Our thoughts and prayers are with Mimi Bondurant Hardie and her friends and family on the death of her sister, Catherine Courtney Bondurant, who died on April 19th.

Our prayers are with Tom and Laura Calk on the death of Tom’s mother, Ann Elizabeth “Libby” Jones Calk, who died on April 23rd.

We offer our condolences to the family and friends of Tim and Karen Dick on the death of Tim’s father who died on April 23rd.

We offer our prayers to Sara Deiters and her friends and family on the death of Sara’s husband, Richard (Dick), who died on April 29th.

RECUPERATING: Alan Harris, Bill McManus, Cary Lide, Carolyn Smith, Deborah Ann McCoy, Jim Bynum, Lynn Thompson, Lynne Jenkins, Mary Ginden, NeeNee Fortson, Randy Bryan, Rebecca Owens

On RampAre you thinking about becoming

a member of First Pres? On Ramp is a three - week class about

the meaning of and steps required for church membership taught by

Tony Sundermeier.

We will meet on Sunday, June 5, from 12:00- 2:30.

To register, please call Stephanie Lane at 404-228-7757or email her

at slane@firstpresatl.org

EXPRESS

ONE DAY!

C O M E - O N - A L O N G M AY 1 9 T H !

COME-ON-ALONG TOUR OF ANTEBELLUM

HOMES OF MADISON, GA DATE: Thursday, May 19, 2016

TIME: Meet Bus behind 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church at 9:30 AMCOST: $11 for Docent Bus Tour, discounted $5 for Heritage Hall Tour,

and self-pay lunch at Big Kev’s Barbecue

Join us for a tour of beautiful, historic Madison, GA, spared by Gen. Sherman on his March to the Sea, at its peak springtime azalea beauty,

filled with some of the most beautiful homes still standing from the early 19th century. After lunch at Big Kev’s Barbecue, we’ll tour the splendid 1811 Greek Revival Heritage Hall in the center of town.

Call Bruce Gregory for reservations at 404-228-2263, or e-mail him at bruce.m.gregory@gmail.com. Reserve yours now. Only 14 seats.

M A D I S O N , G A

H E R I T A G E H A L L

The Chimes

M a y 1 5 & 2 23

What was the impetus for the change?

The need for room to grow at the 8:30 service.

Since fall 2014, worship attendance at our chapel service has more than doubled, leaving us at capacity—a wonderful challenge to face! The Worship Council and Session determined that starting the chapel service 30 minutes earlier and introducing a 9:00 a.m. service will create more room, both for folks who already come to the chapel service and for those who might want to attend an early morning service but feel as if it is too crowded.

The opportunity for a service in a more casual setting. Since the Kairos church worshiped in First Presbyterian Church space, through the time when an average of 40 people per week came to the evening 5@First service, Worship Council has observed and noted the interest that many folks have had for worship in a more casual setting with different liturgical and musical content. This 9:00 a.m. offering will provide an opportunity to connect with individuals/households that resonate with this type of service, while integrating it into the full life of the church during the Sunday morning hours.

The effect of eliminating a mid-morning option for worship. The benefit of moving from two sanctuary services (at 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.) to one (at 10:45 a.m.) has been clearly realized: the sanctuary is often full. And there is a wonderful energy that comes with a full sanctuary. However, since our worship schedule was changed to include only the 8:30 and 10:45 services, total attendance has declined an average of 24 people per week (or about 4%). There is a rule of thumb in worship schedule development and planning: if you add a service you can expect to see your overall participant numbers increase. If you eliminate a service, you will see participant numbers go down. Statistically speaking, there could be a 15% swing in either direction. It was inevitable that we were going to see an overall decline when we eliminated two services from our schedule. The good news is that our overall attendance has only declined by 4%. Of course, the rationale for eliminating the 9:00 a.m. service made sense: a less than half-full service in the sanctuary doesn’t feel very good. The Worship Council and Session’s hope is that adding a service will lead to increased overall attendance and participation. More options means more chances to participate. Diverse platforms of worship mean people with diverse worship preferences have the chance to connect in a regular way.

What will the 8:00, 9:00, and 11:00 services look like?

Nothing will change about the content of the Chapel Communion and Sanctuary services. The only changes related to those services will be that their start times move from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and from 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The 9:00 a.m. service will be in Fifield Hall. It will be led and preached by the preacher for the morning,

and Jens Korndoerfer will lead our music. You can expect songs/hymns on piano and other acoustic instruments, prayer, and the same message from the same preacher as at the 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. This worship experience will be perfect for folks who prefer casual dress and a casual setting and will be about 40 minutes long. You will also be able to bring your coffee in with you! Childcare for infants and toddlers will be offered in our nursery. There will also be a Children’s Worship option for children in Pre-K through 3rd-grade. Children in that age group will be in worship until a dismissal moment when they will go to Children’s Worship.

What are the concerns related to this new schedule?

We will dilute worship attendance and go back to having a less-than-full sanctuary. This is a valid concern. However, the Worship Council hopes that the addition of the 9:00 service will lead to an increase in overall attendance of 10-15%, leaving us with a sanctuary that will regularly be over 60% full.

With three worship services I won’t see my friends and the congregation will be divided.

This concern speaks to our desire to stay connected to each other and was a motivating factor in maintaining a dedicated Sunday School hour (which will be from 9:45-10:45 a.m.). Members, visitors, and friends can connect during that time and at times of fellowship during the morning. Our hope is to have as many people participate as possible every Sunday. By offering early, mid-, and late-morning options in three different settings, we will be able to worship God in diverse ways and stay unified as a community.

We have tried services like this before. The last time we offered this type of service it was disconnected from the moring schedule. We believe this was part of the reason it was not sustained. The new 9:00 service will be connected with Sunday School, fellowship, and the overall life of our community.

I personally could not be more enthusiastic and excited about this new schedule! We will soon be able to engage people with a different type of worship service while maintaining the integrity of our current worship offerings. Please pray for the Session, staff, and Worship Council as we continue to plan for this new schedule. And pray that because of this work more people engage God in worship for the sake of the Gospel and the sake of the world!

Blessings,

Tony Sundermeier

Continued from front cover

The Chimes

M a y 1 5 & 2 24

Register Online for the School of Fine

Arts Summer Camp!

Join us July 5-July 8 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.

Monday-Friday 9:00am- 1:00pmJuly 5-July 8 “Creative Minds,

Active Bodies” From painting to music to tumbling, this week has it all!

kpatterson@firstpresatl.org

a strFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ATLANTA

T H E S C H O O L O F F I N E

Georgia State University, facilitate these conversations with us. Jay knows Leigh from his previous church in her work at their coun-seling center. She’s got a great bio, look her up if you’re interested! The middle school and high school students will split into small groups and have conversations with pastors and members of First Presbyterian Church around these topics as well. It is such a precious gift to be able to talk about life’s hard-est places and biggest challenges within the family of faith. As we invest in what is most important to us, may we encourage and support one another in the process. May we share our hope and our joy, our doubts and our fears and be strengthened, by the grace of God, within the Body of Christ. Pastoral Care, Emerging Genera-tions, and the Samaritan Counsel-ing Center are joining together to offer fellowship and conversations such as these. If you have questions or would like to be involved, please let us know! – Katie Sundermeier & Jay York ksundermeier@firstpresatl.org and jyork@firstpresatl.org PS – Friends are welcome!

Can we talk? Join us for our first Youth and Parents Lunch and Conversations

KATIE SUNDERMEIER & JAY YORK

Dear Parents and Youth of FPC, you are invited to join us for

our first Youth and Parents Lunch and Conversations following wor-ship on June 12th, 12-2pm! Following worship, we will have lunch together where we can enjoy each other’s company – an oppor-tunity to connect with and invest in relationships within our family of faith. Then, we have planned several ways we can nurture meaningful conversations around important topics. As youth and as parents, so much is going on in our own lives and all around us. We want to provide a space for these life issues to be able to be explored within our church. Our conversa-tion points for our first gathering will be centered around mental health, depression, and suicide. For the parents, we will have Leigh Harris, Bachelor of Science: Georgia Tech and Master of Sci-ence in Professional Counseling:

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDYWhat: Drop In Bible Study using the Wired Word weekly lesson

When: Wednesdays - 10:00am June 8, 15, 22, 29

(we will NOT meet June 1)

Where: B111

Who: Anyone who would like to drop in for a lesson - no preparation required.

The Chimes

M a y 1 5 & 2 25

L U N C H T I M E C O N C E R T S

M U S I C A S AC R A A T L A N T A

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 - 12:00 pmOrgan Spectacular

Jens Korndoerfer - Organ

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 - 12:00 pmGut Feeling

Evan Few - Violin

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 - 12:00 pmAmerican Folk Songs

Alan Higgs - Bass

Wednesday, May 25, 2016 - 12:00 pmThe Trumpet Shall Sound

Clayton Chastain & Jonathan Swygert - Trumpets

Free admission to all concerts

Please contact Katharine Hamer for more information

or to be added to our mailing list:404-228-7732 or khamer@firstpresatl.org

WEDNESDAYS IN MAY 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

artsparkIgnit ing Faith through Creative ExpressionJu

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Art

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ArtSpark returns this summer with a large variety of workshops, concerts, lectures and tours.Contact Katharine Hamer for more information or to register.khamer@firstpresatl.org - 404-228-7732

SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH & 12TH12:00 – 12:30 pm: Highlights from Les Misérables Chorus Rehearsal

THURSDAY, JUNE 16TH 7:00 – 8:30 pm: Highlights from Les Misérables Opening Concert

FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH 6:00 – 7:15 pm: Orchestra Rehearsal7:00 – 9:00 pm: When Less is More - Writing Workshop Creating with Clay The Art & Craft of Photography7:30 – 9:00 pm: Choir Rehearsal

SATURDAY, JUNE 18TH 10:00 – 6:00 pm: KidSpark10:00 – 11:00 am: Orchestra Rehearsal Yoga for Beginners10:00 – 12:00 pm: Flower Arranging11:00 – 12:00 pm: Choir Rehearsal Yoga for All Levels12:00 – 1:15 pm: Art, Images, and the Matter of Faith -Lecture/Lunch1:30 – 2:30 pm: Bell Choir Rehearsal1:30 – 2:45 pm: Stained Glass Window Tour1:30 – 4:00 pm: Mixed Media Inspirations2:30 – 3:30 pm: Orchestra Rehearsal3:00 – 4:00 pm: Stained Glass Demonstration Create Your Own Cards3:30 – 5:00 pm: Choir Rehearsal4:00 – 6:00 pm: Edible Art Journaling with a Purpose

SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH 8:30 & 10:45 am: Worship 2:00 – 3:00 pm: Closing Concert with ArtSpark Ensembles3:00 – 4:00 pm: Reception

The Chimes

M a y 1 5 & 2 26

TWENTIES & THIRTIESNURSERY/PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY

Whether it’s a small group, a Bible study, a social event, or a service opportunity, there are ample ways to connect with our community.

Q2, DISCUSSION & FELLOWSHIP GROUP Q2 meets on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.in Room 322 for Bible studies and thoughtful discussions. It’s a great way to meet new people and check-in with old friends. We’d love to see you there!

SUNDAY BRUNCH BUNCH After our 10:45 a.m. worship service, we often head to brunch nearby. Meet us in Fifield around 12:15 p.m., and let’s break bread together.

JAMAICA MISSION TRIP July 14th-18th or July 14th-23rd Registration continues for our Jamaica mission trip with members from Hillside Presbyterian Church, a predominantly African-American church with whom we’ve partnered for years. Questions? Email Greg Allen-Pickett, our Director of Global Mission, at gallenpickett@firstpresatl.org. We’d love for you to join us!

END-OF-YEAR BBQ Mark your calendars for a picnic in Piedmont Park on May 22nd. Cost is $10, and we’ll walk from FPC to the Park together. We can’t wait to celebrate an incredible year with you — and reveal our plans for the summer!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Did you know FPC has a women’s shelter? Or that FPC makes breakfast for hundreds of homeless guests every Sunday? Or that we recently settled two refugee families in Atlanta? Or that we’re planning events with Hillside Presbyterian Church re: racial reconciliation? Well, all of that is true, and we could use your help. Within our 20s/30s community, we have a team of folks dedicated to serving God and neighbor who’d love to hear from you. Email Ann-Henley and she’ll connect you.

COUPLES’ GROUP On the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7 p.m., we gather at folks’ homes, we play TopGolf, we visit breweries, and we cheer for the Braves. If you’re engaged or married without kids, email Ann-Henley to learn where we’re headed next!

Not receiving our e-newsletters or have any questions about the above? Email Ann-Henley at

ahsaunders@firstpresatl.org.

JOIN US IN THE SURF SHACK THIS SUMMER! June 6-10 9:00am to 12 noon

We will sing, dance, craft, snack, and learn our way through 5 fun Bible stories! Children ages 3 (and potty trained) through rising 6th grade.

NEW THIS YEAR - VBS AFTERCARE CAMP! 12 noon to 4 pm, every day. Registration goes live on February 14th! Youth and parent volunteers needed as well! See you there!

NOW ENROLLING FOR SUMMER AND FALL FPC Parents’ Morning Out for babies and toddlers – 8 weeks to 2 years. Please contact Emily Miller for more information at pmo@firstpresatl.org or call 404-228-7712.

YOUTH GROUP – SUNDAY MORNINGS Join us for Youth Group in March. Each Sunday morning, we’ll gather in B-111 for doughnuts, singing, and fellowship before breaking out into small groups.

REGISTER NOW FOR YOUTH MISSION TRIPS We’re excited to announce that we have two opportunities for our youth to partner with DOOR in the Summer of 2016 in Chicago as part of their urban mission experience. Registration is open and space is limited!

Middle School Mission Trip – June 19-24

High School Mission Trip – June 26-July 1

MONTREAT We’re headed back! After a nearly twenty-year hiatus, we’re headed back to the annual Montreat Youth Conference. Dates are June 5-11 and limited space is available for all youth currently in grades 8 through 12.

YOUTH

The Chimes

M a y 1 5 & 2 27

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP

Glory to God: Music and Scripture in HarmonySunday, May 22 9:30 am Fifield Hall

Please join us in Fifield Hall for a combined Sunday School Class, as Ryan Bonfiglio and Jens Korndörfer lead us in a Hymn Sing and lecture.

No RSVP needed. Every-one welcome. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Sunday School OfferingsJune 5-August 28

G R E AT F I G U R E S O F T H E N E W T E S TA M E N TEach week of this lecture-based series explores the story of a prominent figure in the New Testament. Emphasis will be placed on the historical and theological background of these figures as well as the role they play in Christian thought.

Reception Room June and July • Taught by Ryan Bonfiglio

W H O I S J E S U S T H E C H R I S T ?This series is designed for individuals who want to dig deeper into theologies surrounding the person and work of Christ. Through presentation and dialogue, participants will grow in their knowledge of Christology and be encouraged to apply these concepts to their everyday lives.

Fifield Hall June • Taught by Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier

S P I R I T U A L P R A C T I C E S F O R T O D AYThrough lecture and discussion, this series will explore various spiritual practices, how they can nurture our faith formation, and how they can be incorporated into life beyond the walls of FPC.

Fifield Hall July • Led by Allison Cochran

C H R I S T I A N I T Y I N T H E M I D D L E E A S TThis series will look at Christianity in the Middle East from the 19th century until the present day. It will explore the history of Protestant mission movements in the Middle East as well as current issues and challenges facing Christians in this region.

Reception Room August • Taught by Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett

M O D E R N ( C H R I S T I A N ) F A M I LYThrough panel discussions and guided conversations, this series focuses on a number of issues related to parenting, faith, and the modern Christian family. Each week will offer multiple sessions organized around age-specific topics.

Fifield Hall August • Led by FPC Staff and Congregants

s u m me

r

New book discussion begins May 10th

(meets every Tuesday)11:45 until 12:45 pm, Room 156

Questions? Contact Allison Cochranacochran@firstpresatl.org

404-228-7718

New Read: Toxic Charity

by Bob Lupton

WORKING WOMEN’S

BOOK CLUB

The ChimesBi-weekly Newsletter of

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of ATLANTA

1328 Peachtree Street, NEAtlanta, GA 30309-3209

HOW TO CONTACT USPhone/404-892-8461

Fax/404-228-7760E-mail: youbelong@firstpresatl.org

Web: www.firstpresatl.org

WORSHIP Sunday Communion Service - 8:30 aM

Sunday School 9:30 aM

Sunday Worship Service - 10:45 aM

WEEKLY BROADCASTSSundays live at 10:45 aM

On demand anytime www.firstpresatl.org/servicesonline

AIB Cable Network (Smyrna Channel 22, Comcast 295)

Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDAtlanta, GA

Permit No. 1521

WEDNESDAYS 9-1:00, SUNDAYS 9-12:15 PM

(404) 201-6442themustardseed@firstpresatl.org

The Mustard Seed

Stop by and

say hi!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Gathering

2nd Thursday of the month12:15-2:00pm

(or as long as you are able to stay)

In the Bridal RoomPlease contact Katie Sundermeier or Iris Dodge with any questions!

Join us!

May brings graduations and end of school celebrations. Stop in to see our wide selection of gifts.

Join the Summer Choir!

Would you like to sing with the Chancel Choir this summer? We would love to have you join us. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings at 10 am in the 2nd floor Chancel Choir Rehearsal Room. Please contact Katharine Hamer khamer@firstpresatl.org • 404-228-7732.