April 18, 2023
Tomorrow evening, April 19, will be a CONGREGATIONAL midweek at 7:00 PM!
Please make plans to come together in person at the church building.
The theme is “Formulating a Vision.”
Don’t forget: This Sunday, April 23, is the Children’s Ministry Volunteer Appreciation/Training Luncheon. Everyone who is signed up to work in the Children’s Ministry in 2023 is encouraged to attend (including those who plan to be a substitute). We want to show our appreciation for your service to the children and also go over some very important information regarding the children’s ministry. The luncheon will take place after church in the courtyard.
 Giving Opportunities
Please consider supporting our own Bryce Carman’s hope drive to raise funds for Lydia’s Place. Lydia’s Place is a not-for -profit organization based in Athens whose mission is to help students who have aged out of the foster care system or face homelessness in their path to independence. Recurring donations go directly toward supporting the housing costs and basic living needs of these kids (age 17-24). The money raised will also support the training and mentorship that these students need to connect to long-term job opportunities, develop healthy skills, habits, and coping mechanisms so they can be successful independent adults who raise healthy families. For more information about Lydia’s Place, you can visit lydias-place.com. To make a donation, go to https://vqr.vc/7ZBYpCgXE.
 Dear Church Family,
Thank you for your prayers and donation to my school project in Liberia, West Africa. The school is 90% complete. By God’s grace, we will open in September 2023. Funds are still needed. Presently, I am looking for tablets for student use. If you or someone you know has devices to donate, it would be deeply appreciated. I will setup an area at church for collection or you can contact me.
Sincerely yours,
Marva Cheapoo
(706) 338-3595
The Swamp Camp is being held for two weeks in May near Chennai, India. HOPE operates an orphanage in southern India for girls with AIDS. The Indian government is tightening up restrictions on all Christian organizations. Permission for some girls to go to camp this year has been given. Please help with financial donations for camp fees, transportation costs to camp, and canteen money for these girls. The highlight of their year is going to camp. The orphanage operates on a survival budget and can’t pay for camp fees.
Please help these girls go to camp.
Checks made out to Swamp Camp and are tax deductible.
I will have a table in the back of the sanctuary to collect.
Many thanks,
Mollie Mostert
 Would you like to win a free tour of Israel (value $2350)?
Hello Athens church!
Our two (back-to-back) Israel Biblical Study Tours are slated for February 2024. New website subscribers have the chance to be entered into a draw for a free tour. There are two ways win: (1) Become a new website member (see below) or (2) Ask a friend to sign up. Then email confirmation of the subscription(s) to dj@douglasjacoby.com. There’s no limit to the number of entries. (Sign up 5 friends, be entered 5 times.) The winner will be announced on June 14th. All you or your friend has to do is click on this link, fill out the short form, and then drop me an email. Good luck – and thank you!
Douglas Jacoby
Special Events
 Come and cheer on the team!
The ACOC softball team is playing at Herman C. Michael Park tonight, April 18, at 6:30 PM. Address is 1051 Elder Road, Bishop. (Remaining games for the regular season are April 25 and May 2.)
Meetings of the Church
Note the change: Wednesday, April 19 – Congregational Midweek: “Formulating a Vision”
Sunday, April 23 – Congregational Worship & Children’s Ministry Volunteer Appreciation/Training Luncheon after church
Wednesday, April 26 – Congregational Midweek “Formulating a Vision”
Sunday, April 30 – Meet in House Churches
(Wednesdays in May will be men/women’s midweeks that will meet every other week-see below)
Wednesday, May 3 – Women’s Midweek
Sunday, May 7 – Congregational Worship
Wednesday, May 10 – Men’s Midweek
Sunday, May 14 – Mother’s Day; Congregational Worship (Teen Sunday)
Wednesday, May 17 – Women’s Midweek
Sunday, May 21 – “Spring Bring a Friend Day”- Outdoor worship and cookout on the church lawn
Wednesday, May 24 – Men’s Midweek
Sunday, May 28 – Meet in House Churches
Sunday, June 4 – Generosity Sunday (More information to come on this in the coming weeks)
 Summer Events
 HOPE Opportunity
There is an Ethiopia HOPE Worldwide Volunteer Corps trip planned for June 18-July 2. The deadline for this trip is in May. Addis Ababa is the church that our congregation supports! Click the link for more information: https://www.hopeww.org/ethiopiahvc2023
 Youth & Family Summer Camps
Family Camp I (May 31-June3) & Family Camp II (July 26-29)
Summer Camp Weeks 1-6 (June 4-17 & June 25-July 22)
Shining Stars Camp (June 18-24)
Registration is OPEN for all Summer Camps (including Family Camp)! This also includes applications for paid full-time counselors and volunteers (counselors, kitchen workers, teen workers, and nurses). Please see the website for more information/details:
https://www.campswamp.com/youthcamp/registration/summercamp/
If you have any questions regarding these events, please contact Steve Gibson at 706-351-3092 or steve@campswamp.com. We can’t wait to see you at Camp!
Campus Ministry: ICMC July 6 – 9 Norman, OK
This conference is an annual highlight for college students across North America to come together to be unified, trained, and inspired. We are anticipating over 1500 college students and campus ministers to gather for a life-changing time. To register, click on the picture:
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