Young Adult Connection Coffeehouse is Thurs., 2/21, 7-9pm at the Odyssey Coffeehouse in the TFC Student Center. Enjoy games, music and light refreshments. Come and bring someone with you to meet others and build relationships. Questions: 440-344-7543. (Small charge for hot beverages.)
This year's annual Family Festival of Nations is February 24 - March 3, 2019. It's a full week of celebrating what God is doing around the world, hearing how God is using the skills of people just like you and me to awaken peoples to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and discovering ways we can be part of the Great Commission.
Have you awoken to what it means to live in His Kingdom now so that this Kingdom will come in fullness when He returns? It means that we wake up to the reality of the kingdom of God and the tension that exists between the now and not yet. The Kingdom that Jesus promised (that we read about in the Scriptures) is a Kingdom that is eternal, but hasn’t fully happened yet. Jesus is at work in these days and wants us to join him. This idea is rooted in Matthew 24:14 and is what first “awakened” the movement known as the Christian & Missionary Alliance.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
It means we wake up to kingdom living which, based off of Matthew 24 and 25, means a call to always be ready by living in love with and anticipating the Coming King (Matthew 24:42-25, 25:1-13), always be investing what He has put into your hands into those things that will be eternal (Matthew 24:45-47, 25:14-29), and always be serving because the Kingdom is love and people are precious (Matthew 24:48-51, 25:31-46).
“My Kingdom has come here on earth, and it’s going to spread to all peoples. Amid challenges and opposition, those transformed by the good news of this Kingdom will spread it to all people. Please wake up to this reality! I want it to be good for you when I return because you’ll be found living out My Kingdom ways and welcoming the day of My coming.”
You're invited to be part of this year's Family Festival of Nations. There's lots of ways to participate. Check it out below, and we hope you will choose to live purposefully for the sake of Jesus.
This year's special project is raising money to purchase supplies for Adventure Camps in Uruguay, South America.
Outdoor Adventure Camp is dedicated to providing outdoor adventure experiences in English for youth ages 12 to 18 years old and give them the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Uruguay. The students get diverse, creative and practical opportunities to learn and practice the English language through activities that teach youth to grow in the following areas: Leadership Development, Problem Solving Skills, Healthy Self-Esteem and Team Dynamics. Each of these skills are valuable assets to become a better well rounded successful citizens.
Each camp lasts about a week and can include activities such as kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing or a bouldering gym, hiking, group dynamic games, backpacking, and overnight camping. Most students do not have access to the resources necessary to do these types of activities .
Resources that these funds will go toward include tents, sleeping pads, camping/cooking supplies, and rock climbing equipment (harnesses, helmets, ropes, carabiners, and other necessary equipment).
Be part of this project by placing coins, dollars, or checks in a collection can. They're available in the front foyer. Bring your cans back on Sunday, March 3 at 9am where we will collect them as part of the Closing Celebration of Family Festival of Nations week.
Sunday, February 24
Worship Service -- 9AM / Sanctuary
Evening Service and Children's Program -- 6PM
Monday, February 25
Meal and Fellowship -- 6:15-6:45PM / Family Life Center
Family Fun Night -- 7:00PM / FLC
Tuesday, February 26
Meal and Fellowship -- 6:15-6:45PM / FLC
Adults/Youth -- 7:00PM / Sanctuary
Children -- 7:00PM / GC Kidz Club
Wednesday, February 27
Youth-Sponsored Fundraiser Dinner for Missions -- 6:00PM / FLC
Adult/Youth -- 7:00PM / Sanctuary
Children -- 7:00PM / GC Kidz Club
Thursday, Februrary 28
Meal and Fellowship -- 6:15-6:45PM / FLC
Adult/Youth -- 7:00PM / Sanctuary
Children -- 7:00PM / GC Kidz Club
Friday, March 1
Meal and Fellowship -- 6:15-6:45PM / FLC
Adults -- 7:00PM / FLC (Prayer for the World Focus)
Children -- 7:00PM / GC Kidz Club
Pie Night -- 8:15PM / FLC
Saturday, March 2
Men’s Breakfast -- 9AM / TFC Dining Hall ($6.75/person)
Women’s Brunch -- 9AM / Fellowship Hall
Sunday, March 3
Closing Celebration Service - 9AM / Sanctuary
Festival of Praise Potluck -- 11AM / FLC
NO Sunday School Communities or Evening Activities
To help you participate, each evening (Monday through Friday) there will be a meal served from 6:15-6:45pm in the Family Life Center on a voluntary donation basis to help defray the cost. The proposed menu for the week is:
Monday (2/25): Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday (2/26): Chili and Soup
Wednesday (2/27): Chicken Curry (Youth Sponsored Fundraiser Meal)
Thursday (2/28): Pancake & Bacon Supper
Friday (3/1): BBQ Sandwich
Please use the form below to make reservations so we can be adequately prepared. There will be peanut butter and jelly available each evening for the "picky" eaters among us.
On Saturday there will be a Men's Breakfast at Toccoa Falls College Dining Hall at 9am ($6.75/person inclusive) and a Women's Brunch at 9am in the Fellowship Hall at First Alliance. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to both of these events. Babysitting will be provided for the Women's Brunch for infants and toddlers. Please use the form below to sign up for the Women's Brunch.
The Family Festival of Nations will conclude with a Festival of Praise Potluck Meal on Sunday, March 4 following the morning service. Please bring the following based on your last name:
Last Name A - H: Main dish* & salad
Last Name I - P: Main dish* & vegetable
Last Name Q - Z: Main dish* & dessert
*If possible, bring international fare!
The 13th annual All About Grace community event for women is Saturday, March 9, from 9am-1pm. This year’s theme is “Home Matters”, and the speaker is Bible teacher and former missionary Carolyn Eckman Ballard. Music will be lead by Anita Moore (Ebenezer Baptist) and Mae Brown-Orr (Friendship Baptist). It’s at Toccoa First United Methodist Church Cheek Hall (333 E. Tugalo). Doors open the day of the event at 8:30am. There is no admission fee, refreshments will be served, and this is a love offering event. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration by March 4 is appreciated. For questions or registration, contact:
Tracy Key (email or 706-779-7656)
Jayne Snell (706-886-9234)
on Facebook: All About Grace Women’s Conference
The 2019 Spring Women’s Retreat is March 22 (4pm) through March 24 (noon) at Ridgecrest Conference Center outside of Asheville, North Carolina. This weekend is an opportunity to get away and reconnect with the Lord. Join with women from all over the South Atlantic District to experience more grace, beauty, and growth. Check out the details below, and then visit the Bulletin Board near the water fountain to sign up. A registration deposit of $50 is due by March 1 to secure your spot.
Retreat is for two nights with five meals. (Rates below.) You may attend without an overnight; there is a minimum charge.
We suggest that you signup with your church. Please make sure you have your name and preferred roommate(s) clearly written using the Room Signup Sheet provided.
There is a non-refundable deposit of $50.00.
If you make your own reservation, please call (800-588-7222).
Heather Smith writes: Using the “only” Psalm as a springboard (you will have to wait until the retreat to find out which one it is) and some Old Testament characters as examples, this retreat is going to be extremely practical. Through Biblical teaching and interaction we will examine how biblical rest and refreshment may be different than we imagine, bring God into our pressures and prayers, and discover how we can live a powerful life of worship in the day to day. I can’t wait to be with you! You won’t want to miss this year’s messages!
Sessions 1,2,3,4
Keynote Speaker: Heather Smith ~ Pastor’s wife, mother, & conference speaker
International Worker Speakers
Special message from one of our own
All Pastors’ Wives & all Local Leaders of Women’s Ministries will be hosted on Saturday noon for LUNCH. (Please RSVP writing how many will attend on the Room Signup Sheet.)
TIME WITH ABBA – music & meditation on Saturday afternoon & 24-hour Prayer Room – for personal use and/or to request prayer
SPECIAL OFFERINGS: Outfit Fund, Paradise Mountain Ministries, Mercy Fund, and National Project ~ one offering per session
SILENT AUCTION is for the Outfit Fund. We ask for your lovely handcrafted items, paintings, antiques, gift baskets, handmade greeting cards, handmade clothing items, etc.
FREE TIME Saturday afternoon FOR ALL TO ENJOY – time alone, time with friends, time in nature, at the Cloud Coffee Shop (on campus) and/or shopping in local nearby stores.
ADULT RATES for 5 meals & 2 nights:
1-person room - $273.00
2-person room - $174.00 per person
3-person room - $147.67 per person
4-person room - $134.50 per person
Mothers with babies are welcome. Teens are welcome and have special rates when under the age of 18. The following information may be of help: Youth under 18 have free lodging & a meal plan. (5 & under with mother – free); (ages 6-11 $35.00 for 5 meals); (ages 12-17 $52.00 for 5 meals)
Further clarification: a mother with 2 children will be charged $273.00 for her room, but if another mother or adult is in the room with them, each adult in the room will be charged $174.00. Youth under 18 have no room charge.
To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:3
Risk Management Training will be offered on 2/17 at 10:45am in the Conference Room (located off the Sanctuary). Anyone interested in serving as part of a children or youth ministry team needs to attend. This training ensures safe environments for disciple-making at FACT. Please mark C on a Next Steps Card or contact the church office to let us know you’ll be attending.
Singspiration! Service is Sunday, Feb, 10, at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall. It will include special music as well as congregational signing of some old-time hymns. All are welcome to join in this service of musical worship and praise.
Pray Together as Ladies on Tuesday, 2/5 at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will pray for our church, community, & world then share light refreshments as Great Commission Women.
First Steps @ FACT is Feb. 1 from 6-9pm and Feb. 2 from 9am-12pm. Take a next step to learn more about First Alliance Church Toccoa and get involved. During the weekend, you’ll discover what the C&MA is all about, how things work at FACT, and what it means to be “all in.” Childcare available upon request and meals (dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday) provided.
RSVP via a Next Steps Card on Sunday, or click here and complete the interest form..
GriefShare is for those who need hope and encouragement after losing a loved one. The next 13-week group begins Tuesday, 1/22 at 6:30pm in the Library. Find support through video, group discussion, and a personal workbook, or encourage someone you know to participate. Click here to learn more and to register.
“Story Telling” is a ministry that International Worker Marilyn has been involved with in West Africa. Women, come hear her share about it and the exciting results that are being seen on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7pm in the Fellowship Hall. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by GC Women.
The Pastoral Candidate and his wife will be at First Alliance the weekend of 1/6. In addition to various meetings, congregational opportunities for interaction will include:
preach in the 9am service on Jan. 6.
meet with the youth during Sunday School
share his personal testimony and answer questions at 6pm.
After that, the congregation will have the opportunity to participate in a non-binding straw poll. Please be seeking the Lord between now and then for His direction for both FACT and the candidate. As a reminder, please do not post about the candidate on social media or contact him directly. If you need additional information about the candidate, information sheets are available from the church office. If you have questions, please speak directly with a member of the Search Committee.
This New Year’s Eve take a few moments to pray for one another and our community as 2018 ends and 2019 begins. Whether you already have plans or choose to invite some people over, take a few moments to pray about what’s happened over the past year and what you’re looking ahead to. Pray for the people of FACT, our community, and the world to know, love, and follow Jesus fully in 2019.
End of Year Giving Deadline is 12/31. All offerings, whether physical or digital, must be given or dropped off before the end of the day to count toward 2018 giving. Thank you for your consistent generosity and stewardship.
The Community Candlelight Christmas Eve Service is Dec. 24 at 6pm for all ages. Celebrate Christ’s birth through music, scripture, and candlelight as a family. Come and remember what Christmas is all about. The good news of Jesus is that God is with us always.
Schedules Changes for the Holidays:
No Sunday School or Evening Activities on Sunday, 12/23
Church Offices Close at Noon on 12/24 and are Closed on 12/25 and 1/1.
No Wednesday Night & FACT on 12/26
No Sunday School or Evening Activities on Sunday, 12/30
Church Offices Closed on Tuesday, 1/1
No Wednesday Night @ FACT on 1/2
Be sure to check the calendar for other ministry cancellations from 12/23 - 1/2
Awana Store Night is Wed. 12/19 to bless & encourage hard-working Clubbers. You can help by donating small & big items like puzzles, games, balls, books, crayons, toys, etc. or even a bike. Items can be dropped at the Awana Office on Wednesdays in the FLC or left at the main office during the week. Thanks for your generosity!
Caroling and Chili Cook-off is Sunday, 12/16. Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5pm with your entry because we’re looking for the best chili, the best soup, and the best overall for the Golden Ladle award. Bring some crackers/bread/veggies to share if chili/soup isn’t your thing. Everyone bring a favorite Christmas treat to share. We’ll sing carols for our community and pass out candy first and then enjoy soup and chili back in the Fellowship Hall. For the whole family.
In Preparation for the Pastoral Candidate coming Jan. 5-7, there will be a meeting on 12/16 at 10:45am in the Sanctuary in lieu of Sunday School. Hear from the Search Committee about why they believe this is the candidate God has for FACT, how he aligns with the profile that was developed over the summer, and spend time in prayer together. All are encouraged to come. Children up to 5th grade will be cared for.
Friends Fellowship Christmas Lunch for ladies is Friday, December 14 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Meat will be provided. Please bring a vegetable, salad, bread, or dessert. Also, bring a $5.00 present for the gift exchange. Come join us for fun, food, and fellowship.
FACTKIds Christmas Musical & Family Christmas Potluck is Sunday, 12/9. The musical begins at 5pm in the Sanctuary with the dinner to follow in the Family Life Center. Mark your calendars for an evening of music, great food, and fellowship. Please bring: A-H Main Dish & Salad; I-P Main Dish & Veggie; Q-Z Main Dish & Dessert
After the meal, you’re invite to stay and help prepare candy bags to be handed out as part of caroling on Dec. 16.
A Special Year End Offering will be received on Sunday, 12/9 to help send 60 new Alliance workers to parts of the world where God has opened doors for the Gospel. They are ready to go engage the world, many to places that have never had a viable gospel presence, yet the funds are not available because there are more than planned for and GCF giving is below expectations.
John Stumbo, in his video blog this month, says this, “The God of this universe cares about the people of this planet, raises up people to be His spokespersons, and some of us have been called to be the senders. Let’s rise to that at this moment.” Take 12 minutes to watch as John shares about the challenge and opportunity and pray about how the Lord will have you get involved beyond your regular giving.
Will you give a special above & beyond sacrificial gift in honor of Christ’s birthday and be part of completing the Great Commission?
Ladies, Daughters, and Mothers! Come celebrate a "Legendary Christmas" 12/4 at 6:30pm (a time change) in the Fellowship Hall as we welcome the Christmas season with "living legends" with Christmas carols and a special time for the children. Please bring a gift card to bless International Worker's and a treat to share! Babysitting provided for ages 4 and under.
Toccoa Symphony Christmas Concert is Sunday, 12/2 at 4pm at Georgia Baptist Conference Center with the Toccoa Community Choir featuring holiday music and a sing-along. An art sale will happen from 2-4pm beforehand. Tickets are available from the Church Office during normal hours: $7/adults and $3/students in advance. Make checks out to Toccoa Symphony. Tickets are also available online and at the Toccoa Chamber of Commerce.
Beginning Sunday, 12/2, we are temporarily adjusting our Sunday morning schedule. In consideration of the value of being together, the Elders believe this schedule to be best for the health of First Alliance in this season of transition: 1 Worship Service at 9am with Nursery, Toddlers, and Children’s Church. Coffee & Connection at 10:15am. Sunday School Communities at 10:45am. Evening ministries as scheduled. Learn more about the decision here.
Aaron Shust Unto Us Christmas Concert is Thursday, 11/29 at TFC Grace Chapel at 7pm with the TFC Choir. This event is now free to all who desire to come thanks to a generous donor. If you already purchased tickets, you will receive preferred seating.
Thanksgiving Meal for Developmentally Disabled Adults is Tuesday, Nov. 20 at FACT. Sign-ups to provide specific food items (or cash donations are now posted on the bulletin board by the water fountain. If you want to help the day of, mark D on a Next Steps Card, even if you’ve helped in previous years so we know you’re available this year. Help bless those who are developmentally disabled in our community and their caregivers.
Please Note the Schedule Changes for Thanksgiving week:
The church campus will be closed on Wed. & Thur., 11/21-22 for Thanksgiving holiday.
The Church Office will be open on Fri., 11/23.
There will be no Wednesday Night @ FACT ministries on 11/21.
There will be no FACTKids Choir or Youth Discipling Communities on Sunday, 11/25.
Give thanks with a grateful heart as you celebrate Thanksgiving! In the event of an emergency, feel free to contact a Pastor or Elder.
A Call to Prayer is extended to FACT for Sunday, Nov. 11 at 6pm in the Sanctuary. All are invited to come for a time of prayer, worship, and listening before the Lord focused on what’s next, the search for pastoral staff, and our own alignment with Christ, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and unity with one another.
Surviving the Holidays is a brunch on Sat., Nov 10 at 9:30am for those facing the upcoming holiday season while grieving the loss of a loved one. It can be hard to know how to handle the emotions, traditions, and social situations in the midst of uncertainty, sadness, and loneliness. Surviving the Holidays will help you to navigate this season. Come yourself or pass the word to someone you know. Click to learn more and register.
The Opportunity to express our appreciation to Pastor Scott and Carol for their 8+ years of ministry with FACT is Sunday, November 4 at 6pm. Come as we celebrate, pray, and release them to the next ministry that God has called Scott to as District Superintendent of the Southwest District (effective January 1, 2019). Please bring light refreshments/finger foods to share. There will also be a basket for you to place personal notes of appreciation and encouragement. A special love offering will be taken during the services on October 28 to be presented to them at the Farewell Celebration to bless them for their years of ministry with First Alliance.
Public Service Announcement: Daylight Saving Time Ends November 3/4. Turn your clocks back one hour (if it doesn’t happen automatically) when you go to bed on Saturday, otherwise you’ll be really early on Sunday.
Fall Game Night for all ages is Friday, November 2 from 6:30-8:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come hang out, build relationships with others, and have fun as it starts getting darker earlier. Bring your favorite board games and a finger food to share. We need to know one another in order to grow with others.
South Atlantic Men’s Retreat is November 2-4 at Ridgecrest NC for men of all ages from Georgia and the Carolinas. A $50 non-refundable deposit payable to First Alliance can be submitted through October 28. See the bulletin board to sign up & for details. Todd Adams will be the featured speaker.
The Wednesday, Oct. 31 Schedule for Wednesday Nights @ FACT will be limited. There will be no Nursery, Awana, Prayer for Healing, or Choir/Music Rehearsals. On-Deck Youth will be part of a community engagement effort at the Gambill’s. Prayer Meeting will meet in a home (check with Ray H.). Discipling Communities should check with your group facilitator.