worship Information for Sunday, August 30, 2026
Scripture Lessons: Romans 12:9-21 (New Living Translation)
Sermon Title: “You Are a Wonder!”
Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers Preaching

Welcome to Summer in the City worship! During the summer months we take a less formal approach to worship, and look for the spiritual lessons we can learn from fun movies and tv-shows that the whole family can enjoy together.

What changes when we learn to see every person as a bearer of God’s image? In the latter half of August, you are invited to join us for Wonder – Seeing the Extraordinary. This three-week series, inspired by the film Wonder and grounded in Genesis, Isaiah, and Romans, explores sacred worth, courage in the face of fear, and genuine love as a way of life. Each week offers worship, practical tools for households and groups, and one concrete way to practice belonging in Atlanta. You do not need to have seen the film. Be sure to download the Wonder Devotional Guide Book!

“You Are a Wonder!” – Genuine love is more than friendliness. It honors, welcomes, tells the truth, shares joy and sorrow, rejects revenge, and overcomes evil with good. Come imagine beloved community as a practiced way of life.

worship begins at 10:00 a.m., in-person at Atlanta First UMC and online via Facebook and YouTube.

Worship Guide pdf’s:

Download this week’s Worship Guide

Download this week’s Children Handout

Friends at the Front Door is a ministry to serve our homeless and hungry friends who live in the vicinity of Atlanta First. We provide a bag lunch, clothing, toiletry supplies, and share a time of fellowship and prayer with those we serve.

Participating is easy: all you have to do is show up! Just by being present, handing out food and water and by sharing in a time of fellowship with our Friends, you are being the hands and feet of Christ. You can also support the ministry remotely by making monetary donations to purchase the supplies and food. Please visit our Giving Page to make a monetary donation, or our Amazon mission wishlist to directly purchase supplies.

Our next opportunity to serve is this coming Tuesday, September 1^st at 11 a.m., at the front door of the church.

Tuesday Evening grow Group
Job In Exile
Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Begins September 8

Join the Tuesday grow Group this fall as we undertake a brand new study based on Job in Exile: A Guide for Spiritual Refugees by David P. Gushee.

The book of Job is one of the most unsettling texts in the Bible. It confronts readers and faith communities with questions about faithfulness, suffering, and justice. For many today, especially those who feel alienated or marginalized by religious communities, the story of Job feels newly urgent.

In Job in Exile, internationally known Christian ethicist David P. Gushee offers a new interpretation that brings clarity and relevance to this ancient book. Gushee argues that Job’s story is not only about suffering; it is also about spiritual exile. Written especially for post-evangelical pastors, churches, artists, and other spiritual seekers and refugees, Job in Exile invites readers to engage scripture with unflinching honesty and courage. It offers guidance and hope for anyone seeking faith, integrity, and community.

The Tuesday grow Group meets at 7 p.m., online via ZOOM. Lead Pastor Rev. Jasmine R. Smothers is the class facilitator. Please register to receive the ZOOM link and study materials.

Thursday Morning grow Group
Fall Study: Romans
Begins September 3

This fall, the Thursday Morning grow Group will begin a new study based on Genesis to Revelation – Romans. This is a comprehensive, verse-by-verse, thirteen week in-depth study of the Book of Romans. It begins with an introduction to the Apostle Paul and following through his life and his call. Some of the major idea explored are: his purpose and situation, righteousness and wrath, being set free from sin, new life in the Spirit, and a tolerant ethic. We will incorporate videos from the Bible Project.

The Thursday grow Group meets in-person at the church and online via ZOOM at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday mornings. The class is led by Rev. Dr. Jacqui Rose-Tucker. You may register HERE to receive the study materials and ZOOM link. All are welcome to join in, so let’s grow in discipleship with God together!

Dragon Con Parade & worship
Saturday September 5 & Sunday, September 6

During Labor Day Weekend we will once again welcome Dragon Con to Downtown Atlanta! On Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT we will engage with the participants and spectators of the annual Dragon Con Parade on the front steps of the church. We’ll offer radical hospitality by letting visitors in to rest in the Sanctuary, handing out water bottles, soft drinks, and snacks! Then, on Sunday morning, all are invited to wear their favorite fantasy, sci-fi and superhero costumes to 10 a.m. worship!

We are in need of folks who can help staff the church during the Dragon Con parade – to distribute food and to extend hospitality to guests who visit the church sanctuary. We need donations of fruit snacks and granola-type energy bars, chips, sodas and bottled water to share with parade-goers and guests. We are also in need of coolers, either loaned or donated, for us to keep the drinks chilled in ice during the parade. Please bring coolers to the church by Sunday, August 30.

MONDAY NOON PRAYER

When: Mondays at 12 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Online via ZOOM.

You are invited to join us weekly on Mondays at 12 p.m. Eastern for a 15 to 20 minute time of devotional prayer together during the lunch hour. This group is led by participants who take turns leading. You may Click HERE to register and receive email reminders for when we will meet.

ZOOM Link: Click HERE to join the ZOOM.

INTENTIONAL TIME OF PRAYER

When: Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Online via ZOOM.

You are invited to join us weekly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Eastern for a time of intentional prayer together. A church that prays together is a strong, fortified, and faithful congregation that can endure anything! You may call or login via ZOOM on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you have any prayer concerns or praises, or if you have questions about how to connect to the ZOOM, you may send them to prayer@atlantafirstumc.org.

ZOOM Link: Click HERE to join the ZOOM.