Join with the Union family as we process with palm branches and remember the triumphal entry of Jesus the King.
Maundy Thursday Service—Thursday, April 17
Local Disciples congregations will worship together at Union on Maundy Thursday at 6:30 PM.
Easter Sunrise Service—Sunday, April 20
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at 7:00 AM. We will worship together on the church grounds. After the service, we will enjoy a biscuit breakfast with sides. Chicken and sausage biscuits will be provided; you can sign up in the Gathering Space to bring a side.
Easter Worship Service—Sunday, April 20
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Make plans to join Union for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, at 10:00 AM. Invite a friend to join us for games, snacks, an egg hunt, and a visit by the Easter Bunny!
On the Thursday of Holy Week, April 17, Union will hold a community Maundy Thursday service. Maundy Thursday remembers the day Jesus celebrated his final Passover with his disciples. We hope that you will invite friends and neighbors to come worship with Union and other local Clarke and Oconee County Disciples on Maundy Thursday. We will hold our service in the Union Sanctuary at 6:30 PM.
Lenten Soup and Study
Union family, we are in the midst of the Lenten Season. As has been our custom, we are gathering as a church family on the Wednesdays of the season. We still have two meetings left in our study, and we invite you to join us. We will meet on Wednesday April 2 and April 9. Supper begins at 5:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, and our study begins shortly after 6:00 PM. The theme for our study this Lenten season is “Words from the Cross.” We do not have a book for this study.
Wednesday, April 2, 5:30 PM
Soup Supper followed by our Lenten Study Sign up to help provide the soup supper in the Gathering Space.
Wednesday, April 9, 5:30 PM
Pizza Supper followed by our Lenten Study
The Prayerful Pause
By Pastor Heather Webb
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
I am sure you have noticed that two of our sanctuary windows have been missing lately as they are undergoing restoration. This week, the window restoration company removed more windows from the long hallway as they continue working on this important project. The windows will be taken to their shop in Jackson, Georgia, where they will do this careful and loving work. I am thankful for the leadership of the Building Committee and their chairperson, Earl Elsner, for overseeing the details of this restoration project.
Careful restoration work has also been going on in our church cemetery this year. The specialized work has focused on the unattended graves, which have been worn down over time. It's an example of careful and loving work that honors previous generations buried in Union's cemetery who no longer have family members attending their gravesites. I am thankful for the leadership of the Cemetery Committee and their chairperson, Ken Clark, in coordinating all aspects of this restoration project.
Indeed, restoration takes time. It requires close attention to detail, skill, patience, and care. It’s a labor of love through which things that are worn down are brought back to life Restoration is a powerful metaphor for what God does in us.
Each of us carries cracks and wear from life’s harsh winds grief, failure, regret, exhaustion. And yet, in the hands of our gracious God, no brokenness is beyond repair. He is the Master Restorer. He doesn’t discard us. He reclaims us. He brings beauty out of damage, light out of what has faded, and strength out of what has weakened.
Like our sanctuary windows, we are being restored daily not back to what we once were, but into something that reflects his glory more fully.
As you see the visible signs of restoration in our church building and the cemetery, may they remind you of God's invisible, yet powerful work in your life as he is restoring you. Piece by piece, he is renewing your spirit. And just like those windows will shine with renewed brilliance, so will your life reflect the light of Christ in fresh and beautiful ways.
Prayer:
Restoring God, thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for seeing beauty even in our brokenness and for working patiently to restore us. As we witness the renewal of our sanctuary windows and work in the church cemetery, may we also sense the renewal you are working within our hearts, minds, and souls. Make us strong, firm, and steadfast in you and your love. Amen.
Easter Food Box
Distribution
Union is continuing our Easter Food Box ministry in 2024! Our Easter distribution is very similar to our Thanksgiving distribution. Below you will find a list of shopping items. Please prepare for a family of 5-6 people. If there are larger families, the church will add items to the box. Union will supply the ham or protein for each box. Please have your box at the church by Sunday, April 6.
We will distribute boxes on Sunday, April 13, from 3-5 PM. All ages are welcome and encouraged to help with distribution.
Corn or Carrots (3 Cans)
Green Beans (3 Cans)
Sweet Potatoes (3 Cans)
White Potatoes (Instant) (1 Box)
Mac & Cheese (3 Boxes)
Mini Marshmallows (1 Large Bag)
Jello (Same Flavor) (2-3 Boxes)
Canned Fruit (For Jello) (1-2 Cans)
Dessert (Pie crust with chocolate pudding filling) (serving for at least 6 people)
Bread/Biscuit (2-3 Mixes)
Something that adds a personal touch to your box (optional)
Bible Books of the Month: Genesis
Overview of Genesis 1-11: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-1-11/
Overview of Genesis 12-50: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-12-50/
Disciples Men
Men, join us for the April breakfast meeting of the Disciples Men at Strickland's (4723 Atlanta Highway, Athens) on Saturday, April 5, at 8:00 AM. We have a wonderful time, and we would love to have you come and fellowship with us.
General Assembly
The Disciples General Assembly will be in Memphis, Tennessee, from July 12-15. Find out more information or register online at https:// disciples.org/2025-general-assemblyworkshops/.
Courageous Youth & Cool Kids
Our Cool Kids and Courageous Youth enjoyed a fun collaboration with our craft ladies on Do Good Day! We helped make pillows for the NICU at St. Mary’s Hospital. Thank you to our ladies for sharing in this service project with our children and youth!
We look forward to another service project on April 13. We will help distribute Easter Boxes from 3 Also, join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, at 10 AM. It’s going to be a great time of fun and fellowship!
Union’s 2025 VBS will be here before you know it. We are going to take a Road Trip on June 9-12. Mark your calendar now. Our website and sign up links will be live by the end of this month. Go ahead and invite friends and neighbors.
Summer Camp
June 9-13 CHI RHO CAMP
June 16-20 JUNIOR CAMP
June 16-18, 16-20 CHRYSALIS CAMP
June 20-22 GENESIS CAMP
June 23-28 CYF CONFERENCE
July 14-18 OASIS Directors
Find out more information or register online: www.gadisciples.org/summer-camp-2025
2025 Summer Camp Workdays
This year, we have a week of workdays, May 31 June 7. You can attend one or all workdays. Please bring lunch and snacks. If you need more information, contact Camp Christian at campoffice@gadisciples.org.
Elders’ Meeting
Union’s Elders will meet on Sunday, April 6, at 9:00 AM.
Church Council
The Church Council will meet on Thursday, April 10, at 7:00 PM.
Do you know a graduate?
Union will honor our high school graduates on Sunday, May 11, but we would like to recognize all of our graduates in our publications. If you or someone you know will be graduating, contact Nickie in the church office.
April Serving Calendar
April 6
Worship Leader
Elder
April 13
Annette Saul Ken Clark
Annette Saul Ken Clark
Deacon Mary Brookshire, Larry Allen, Ruth Cook, Lynn Chapman TBA, Lindy Lively, Ann Thomas, Michael Nerroth
Children’s Church
April 20
April 27
Jonathan Byrd Alan Hickerson
Jonathan Byrd Alan Hickerson
Kay Smith, Lynn Chapman, Ruth Cook, Larry Allen
Ryan Sledge, Ann Thomas, Michael Nerroth, Lindy Lively
Patti Clark David & Jyoti Webb Holly Green Angie Eades
Sanctuary Prep Larry Allen Ken Clark Jonathan Byrd
Safety Volunteer Eric Sherrer Phillip Maxey Ken Clark Ken Clark
Children’s Chat Angie Eades Patti Clark Heather Webb Jonathan Byrd
Family Promise of Athens
Drum roll please! The final fundraising total from La Table is $72,000! Thanks, Union, for your efforts toward this endeavor. You made a difference.
Housing Update: The Habitat for Humanity sponsored building of the 2 new one bedroom units on Magnolia Terrace, beside the current shelter units, should be complete by late summer. The new units will become the shelter units. The current shelter units will become 2 transitional (longer term) housing units once the Habitat build is complete. Thanks to a $30,000 grant that Emmanuel Episcopal Church facilitated, fundraising is complete on the 3 bedroom manufactured home in the Stonehenge Subdivision off of Atlanta Highway. The house has been ordered! That project should be complete in the fall of 2025. The 3 bedroom unit will also be transitional housing. Our commitment for host week meals will remain with the 2 families housed in the 2 one bedroom units on Magnolia Terrace.
Everyone is invited to the Ribbon Cutting of the Family Promise of Athens Family Resource Center on April 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM. This is a wonderful time to see the new Day Center at 205 Bray Street, Building 100. The staff has done an incredible job setting up the facility, including a new playground with new mulch for the younger kids. If you have questions or would like to carpool, contact Kelly or Patti.
For those interested in what the FPA Service Director, Teneja English's, job entails, check it out at www.unionchristianchurch.net/fpa.
Our next host dates are May 11-18.
Proud to be partners in this ministry with you all, Kelly Hansford and Patti Clark
GriefShare is a support group for those grieving a death or other loss. We are in the midst of our spring GriefShare group, but you can join at any time. We meet in the Fellowship Hall from 1:30 3:00 PM each Thursday from now until May 22. To join our group, register online at Union’s website: ww.unionchristianchurch.net. You can also call the church office if you have questions or need help.
Financial Report, February 2025
By Earl Elsner, Treasurer
22,185
18,254
Total 2024-2025 Budget $214,312
Cemetery
Cemetery Permanent Fund Balance: $349,509
Congregation Permanent Fund
Congregation Permanent Fund Balance: $484,448
Christian Women’s Fellowship
The April meeting of the Christian Women’s Fellowship will be Thursday, April 10, at 9:30 AM, in the Fellowship Hall. All of the ladies in the church are invited to attend.
Thank you to everyone for helping with our ACTS collection in March. During April, the CWF will have a card shower and help with the Union family’s Easter Box ministry.
Our special person for April is Sue Truluck . Her address is 1050 Bouldercrest Circle; Watkinsville, GA 30677-1912.
Coming Up at Union
Craft Group
Tuesdays at 9:30 AM
Lenten Soup and Study
April 2, 5:30 PM
GriefShare
Thursdays at 1:30 PM Through May 22
Disciples Men’s Breakfast
April 5, 8:00 AM
Final Lenten Soup and Study
April 9, 5:30 PM
Christian Women’s Fellowship
April 10, 9:30 AM
Palm Sunday Worship
April 13, 11:00 AM
Easter Box Distribution
April 13, 3:00 5:00 PM
Disciples Maundy Thursday Service
April 17, 6:30 PM
Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 19, 10:00 AM
Easter Sunrise Service
April 20, 7:00 AM
Easter Worship Service
April 20, 11:00 AM
Union at ACTS
April 25, 9 AM 1 PM
Young Adult Hangout
April 26, 6:30 PM
Spring Bible Studies Begin
Women Monday, April 28, 6:00 PM
Women Wed., April 30, 9:30 AM
Men Wednesday, April 30, 5:00 PM
Disciples Men’s Breakfast May 3, 8:00 AM
Dog Day at Union Saturday, May 3, 10:00 AM
Christian Women’s Fellowship May 8, 9:30 AM
Family Promise Host Week May 11-18
Graduate Recognition Sunday Sunday, May 11, 11:00 AM
Vacation Bible School
June 9-12, 5:30 8:30 PM
April Meetings
Finance Committee Meeting
April 3, 4:00 PM
Permanent Fund Committee Meeting
April 3, 6:00 PM
Elders’ Meeting April 6, 9:00 AM
Church Council Meeting April 10, 7:00 PM
Staff Meeting April 14, 10:30 AM
Building Committee Meeting
April 14, 6:00 PM
Deacons’ Meeting
April 27, 9:00 AM
April 2025
Global Prayer:
Prayers of the People
Those impacted by the recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand.
