Church calendar: Current events

Athens Christian Women's Connection: The Athens Christian Women's Connection will have brunch at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Girasoles, 24 Greensboro Highway, Watkinsville. Heidi Fingar, an exercise and nutrition "guru" from Bluffton, S.C., will share five steps that helped her with her addictive relationship with food and offered her healing and hope. Free child care available for small children. Tickets are $15.50. Reservations required by Monday. (706) 769-6909 or email information@athenschristian.org.

Bethlehem First UMC: 709 Christmas Ave., Bethlehem. Communion service at 8:30 a.m. and contemporary celebration at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Traditional and alternative worship services at 11 a.m. Sunday. Chapel service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the campground outdoor amphitheater at Fort Yargo in Winder. A service will be held at Fort Yargo each Sunday through Labor Day weekend. All campground guests are invited. Heart Healthy Seniors from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Fun With Crocheting from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Meal and ministry at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday with dinner. (770) 867-3727 or www.bigwhitechurch.com.
Black's Creek Baptist Church: 3754 Black's Creek Church Road, Commerce. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and a homecoming service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The service will include a building dedication for the new family life center. Fellowship will follow the service in the new building. Revival kickoff at 7 p.m. with singing by Clarke Kesler and Friends and at 7 p.m. Monday-Through Wednesday. Pastor David Shivar will provide the message. (706) 247-4416.
Briarwood Baptist Church: 1900 Robinhood Road, Watkinsville: The following discipleship classes will begin in the fall: Kay Arthur's "Keeping Your Focus When Your Dreams Are Shattered: A Study of Joseph" begins Wednesday. Workbook is $12. Stormie Ormartian's "The Power of A Praying Wife" begins Wednesday. Workbook is $16. Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $18. Gary Smalley's "Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships" begins Sept. 11. No cost. Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $10. Kay Arthur's Precept Study "Daniel - Part 1" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $24. "Pearls in the Parables," a study of various parables in the Bible, begins Sept. 11. No Cost. Child care is provided for all studies. (706) 769-7660 or www.briarwoodbaptist.net.
Central Baptist Church: 720 Danilesville Road. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. Former pastor Ben Glosson will be the guest speaker. Wednesday evening service at 7 p.m. (706) 353-7400.
Clifford Grove Baptist Church: 2741 Callaway Road, Rayle, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. Dr. Jonathon Carter will be the guest revivalist. (706) 274-3742.
Crafters Wanted: The Currahee Arts and Craft Fest will be held from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Christ Fellowship Church, off Highway 17, Toccoa. Local area artists and crafters are needed. Handmade crafts only, no re-sale items. Booth spaces are 10x10 and are $35 for the day. Singers, bands and dance groups also are needed to entertain shoppers. All groups are welcome including square dance groups, folk music, country or bluegrass music groups and others. For more information, email curraheecraftfest@gmail.com or call (407) 539-4440.
Crooked Creek Baptist Church: 6202 Jefferson River Road. Homecoming at 10 a.m. Sunday. Revival and missions conference at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Evangelist Darrell Hayes will be the guest speaker, with highlights from visiting missionaries from around the globe. (706) 548-4233.
Danielsville Gospel Barn: 444 Rogers Mill Road, will have a singing at 7 p.m. Saturday featuring Kyle Barber and Voices One. (706) 788-3477.
Fairfield Baptist Church: Highway 29 N., Danielsville. Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Homecoming on Sunday. Pastor Stanley Bolden will deliver the message. Dinner will follow the service. (706)795-3574.
Fair Play Baptist Church: 1375 Fair Play Church Road, Hull, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. Pastor Rodney A. Lackey will be the guest revivalist. (706) 369-3420.
Flatwoods Pentecostal Holiness Church: 2353 Dr. George Ward Road, Elberton. The Bledsoes from Dobson, N.C., will minister in song and word during the service at 10:10 a.m. Sunday. Lunch will follow. Open to the public. (706) 283-8988.
Food Ministry: There's Hope for the Hungary will distribute boxes of food to anyone in need from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday at Hull Baptist Church, off Highway 72 at 73 Charlie Bolton Road, Hull. (706) 548-1196.
Friendship Baptist Church: 275 Friendship Church Road, Danielsville. Vacation Bible school reunion from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday. All who attended VBS this year are invited to go back to the Big Apple for fun and prizes. Awana club members, youth and children interested in attending Awana and youth groups at the church are invited to get more information. Awana clubs and youth will begin regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31. (706) 795-3043.
Fundraiser for Athens Homeless Shelter: Bigger Vision Community Shelter will host a silent and live auction fundraising event for the Athens Homeless Shelter from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St. There will be multiple items to bid on, as well as the construction materials needed to complete the renovations at Athens Homeless Shelter. Refreshments. Free admission. For more information, visit www.BiggerVisionAthens.org or call (706) 207-3003.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church: 800 West Lake Drive. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Sunday, informal blended worship at 8:45 a.m. and traditional worship at 11 a.m. Sunday. (706) 548-3329.
Ila Men's Fellowship: Ila Men's Fellowship will meet at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Ila restaurant in Ila for breakfast and fellowship. Clayton Bryant will be the guest speaker. A non-denominational group that meets the third Sunday of the month. All men in the community are invited.
Moon's Grove Baptist Church: 1985 Moon's Grove Church Road, Colbert. Revival at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Dr. J. Robert White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, will be the guest speaker. Nursery provided. (706) 795-2063.
Neal's Grove Baptist Church: 900 Sims Bridge Road, Commerce. Homecoming service at 11 a.m. Sunday. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Deacon's celebration at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Mass choir anniversary at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Email nealsgrove@yahoo.com or (706) 335-2106.
New Hope AME Church: 2512 Highway 53, Hoschton. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. Dinner will follow the service. The church's recently appointed pastor, the Rev. Karen Bennett, will be the speaker at the homecoming service. Revival at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Gospel singing with One Accord Gospel with Joe Swinney of Athens will perform Monday, the Revive Gospel Singers will perform Tuesday and the Male Chorus of Bush Chapel in Winder will perform Wednesday. The Rev. Charles Dickey will be the guest speaker Monday, the Rev. Julia Demory will be the guest speaker Tuesday, and the Rev. Lynn Hill will be the guest speaker Wednesday. (706) 654-2324.
Piney Grove Baptist Church: 241 Piney Grove Road, Comer. Homecoming and family and friends day at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Dinner will follow the service. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Aug. 26. Pastor Theodes Johnson and the Springfield Corner Baptist Church family will be the guests Wednesday, Pastor Jeffrey Marion and the St. Paul and New Jerusalem Church families will be the guests Thursday, and Pastor H.L. Dotson and the Fork Creek Baptist Church family will be the guests Aug. 26. (706) 783-2075.
Poplar Spring Baptist Church: 4214 Athens Highway, Jefferson. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Kenneth Sims will deliver the message. Dinner will follow the service. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The Rev. R.E. Cooper will be the guest speaker. Music provided by a visiting choir each night. Open to the public. (770) 725-5751.
Shiloh Baptist Church: 100 Buddy Christian Way, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. The Rev. Nathan Durham will be the speaker at the revival. Open to the public. (706) 549-9166.
Royston Grove Baptist Church: 137 Baker St., Royston, will conclude its revival at 7 tonight. The Rev. Roy L. Thomas will be the guest speaker. (706) 245-7132 or (706) 245-9425.
St. James UMC: 111 West Lake Drive. Worship at 8:30, 9:40 and 10:50 a.m. Sunday. Spiritual Gifts Discovery class at 6 p.m. Wednesday. (706) 548-1680 or www.sjumc.org.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens: 780 Timothy Road. Allen Jones will discuss "The Science of Happiness" during the forum at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Children's religious education classes and nursery during the 11 a.m. service. Worship at 11 a.m. titled "Have Mercy." www.uuathensga.org or (706) 546-7914.
Unity Center for Spiritual Growth: 1435 Oglethorpe Ave. The adult study group will meet at 9:30 a.m. to discuss Emile Cady's "How I Found Truth." The 11 a.m. worship service is titled "Celebrate Yourself." Atlanta-based New Thought singer and songwriter Nancy McGimsey will perform. Nursery, Sunday school and youth programs during the service. A Course in Miracles class is held from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday. Donations appreciated. (706) 613-8050 or (404) 899-8486 or www.UnityAthens.com.
Waggoners Grove Baptist Church: 535 Waggoner Grove Road, Colbert. Homecoming at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. David Sims and Colbert Grove Church will be the guests. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Aug 26. The Rev. John Pinckney will be the guest speaker at the revival. (706) 788-2833.
World Changers Satellite Church Meet-n-Greet Picnic: World Changers Satellite Church will host its 2011 Athens meet-n-greet picnic from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 27 at Memorial Park, 293 Gran Ellen Drive. Food, fun and fellowship. Free. RSVP by Wednesday by calling (770) 210-5777 or email communitygroups@worldchangers.org.

Surprise court hearing for "West Memphis 3" spurs hopes

(Reuters) - A judge has called a surprise hearing for Friday concerning three men - known as the West Memphis Three - convicted of "satanic" killings in 1993 of three 8-year-old Cub Scouts in Arkansas.

The announcement on Thursday fueled speculation among supporters that the hearing could mean good news - including a new trial and possible release from prison - for those who believe the men were wrongly convicted.
The Craighead County Circuit court in Jonesboro, Arkansas, will "take up certain matters pertaining to the cases" of convicted murderers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr., according to a statement issued by Craighead County Circuit Judge David N. Laser.
Last month, a status report on new DNA evidence was filed in Craighead County court. It failed to link the crimes to the men convicted in the murders, advocates said at the time.
Laser on Friday will hold one private session in chambers followed by a public session with victim families, family members of the defendants, and media.
Echols is now awaiting execution on Death Row for the murders. Baldwin and Misskelley are serving life sentences. All three have now served about 18 years in jail.
The murders of the Cub Scouts -- Steven Branch, Christopher Byers and James Michael Moore -- rocked the community of West Memphis. Police called the murders "satanic" in nature because the children's naked bodies had been bound and mutilated.
The West Memphis Three, who were teenagers at the time of the murders, have always maintained their innocence in the deaths of the boys in the Arkansas-Tennessee border town.
Prison officials confirmed that the three men were turned over to Craighead County officials from the Arkansas Department of Corrections on Thursday.
"Craighead County officials picked them up around midday from ADC with all of their possessions," Shea Wilson, a prison spokesman, told Reuters.
This led to speculation on the internet among West Memphis Three advocates that a release for two, or all three, could be announced as part of a deal to include a new trial.
The judge issued a gag order for both sides in the case several months ago. So attorneys for the West Memphis Three and the Arkansas Attorney General would not comment on Thursday.
The killings received international attention in 1993. Two HBO documentaries have been produced about the murders, and a third is planned for later this year.
The case continues to attract celebrity activists. Last summer, singer Patti Smith, actor Johnny Depp and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder appeared at a benefit for the West Memphis Three in Little Rock.
An evidentiary hearing ordered by the Arkansas Supreme Court last November is already scheduled for December 5. It is unclear if this will be affected by Friday's hearing.
Death penalty opponents are hoping for exoneration on Friday for all three prisoners.
"If it is exoneration, then Arkansas has just joined the other states that showed the dishonor of sentencing an innocent person to death," said Christian Ruud, executive director for Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
(Edited by Karen Brooks and Peter Bohan)

TV Tonight: 'The Hour,' 'Conan,' 'The Daily Show'

View full sizeBBC AmericaTonight is "The Hour."

It's the calm before the fall season storm of new shows these days, as summer series wind up their seasons, procedurals air reruns and plenty of us bury our noses in good -- or even not-so-good books.

"The Hour": BBC America debuts this promising Brit series, which is influenced by both "Broadcast News," and a bit of "Mad Men." Set in 1956, it follows three broadcasters (one of whom is played by Dominic West, aka McNulty, from "The Wire") as they set about creating a new news show. Beyond their romantic triangle, however lurks some espionage doings. (Troy Patterson of Slate has an entertaining review.) The cast also features Ben Whishaw and Romola Garai. 7 p.m., BBC America

"Conan": The redhead's guests tonight include the ever-lovable Paul Rudd, and Jessica Chastain ("Tree of Life"). 11 p.m., TBS

"The Daily Show": Jon Stewart welcomes Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, and now a political analyst for MSNBC. They should have plenty to chat about. 11 p.m., Comedy Central

CB Ike Taylor breaks left thumb in 1st quarter of Steelers’ loss to Redskins US

LANDOVER, Md. — Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor broke his left thumb in the first quarter of the 16-7 exhibition loss to the Washington Redskins on Friday night.
“He could be out for a couple of weeks or so,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Whether or not he’ll require surgery remains to be seen.”

Taylor, who re-signed with the Steelers last week, was injured on the game’s second play and left later during the Redskins opening drive.
Tomlin said receiver Wes Lyons (concussion), defensive end Sunny Harris (foot), cornerback Crezdon Butler (quad) and cornerback Keenan Lewis (calf) were also injured during the game.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

news of the us: Camille Grammer Apologizes to Kelsey Over Penis Insult

Camille Grammer has apologized to ex-husband Kelsey Grammer for insulting the size of his penis. Is her apology genuine? She claims it is, and that she regrets having made the rude remark.
According to TMZ, Camille's rude remark was, "Big hands, big feet, big disappointment," indicating that Kelsey Grammer's penis was far too small to be pleasure-inducing. And now she's sorry?
Camille Grammer's official apology was issued via TMZ, and went like this:
"Some joking remarks I made to Kyle Richards got picked up and caused my ex-husband great embarrassment and for that I sincerely apologize. While the media added words and blew it out of proportion, I acknowledge my part in this and regret my remarks."
Camille Grammer continued, however, complaining about the fact that she wanted the custody agreement between the two to be split 50/50, but Kelsey wants all or nothing. She claims she'd like to settle all the differences between them for the sake of the kids.
"Now he will only communicate through lawyers and others and I fear the message we're sending our children," she says.
How does Camille Grammer assume her children felt when hearing their mom call their dad's penis small during an interview? If they didn't actually hear the interview (they probably didn't) word circulates pretty quickly. Between the internet and TV, it's pretty likely the kids heard the whole sordid story—little details (no pun intended, Kelsey!) and all.
How do you think the custody agreement will wind up between Kelsey and Camille Grammer? Do you think she was sincere when she apologized for belittling his manhood?

Cadets Win DCI Semifinals USA

The 2011 DCI World Championship Semifinals results are in and for the second night in a row, The Cadets pulled ahead of the Blue Devils to win the DCI World Championship Semifinals. The Cadets scored a 97.80 while the Blue Devils ended up with a 97.30 – at this point it is still anyone’s to win. Here are the top scores from tonight:

The Cadets	97.800
Blue Devils	97.300
The Cavaliers	96.900
Carolina Crown	95.650
Phantom Regiment	93.950
Santa Clara Vanguard	92.200
Bluecoats	91.600

For a complete recap, check out: http://www.dci.org/scores/#ixzz1UsdUfsmY

Troopers begin DCI quest

Wearing the uniform of the 11th Ohio Cavalry with a few 2011 modifications, the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps from Casper took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Thursday evening with eyes set on the Finals of the Drum Corps International World Championships.
"When you have a drum corps that's ready to throw down, there's nothing like it," said drum major Josh Jensen minutes after the performance in preliminaries. "We'll get up tomorrow and go back at it. It's dedication right there; never giving up."
The Troopers entered the night in 13th place and scored 82.70, dropping to 14th. Places 13 through 15 -- the Glassmen of Toledo, Ohio (82.95), the Troopers, and the Academy of Tempe, Ariz., (82.1) -- were separated by a span of .85 points.
The Spirit of Atlanta entered the night in 14th place, just back of the Troopers, and vaulted to 12th place, scoring 85.5.
The top 12 corps after tonight's round of 25 in the semifinals move on to Saturday's Finals.
The Troopers last made the Finals in 2009, finishing 12th in what was then known as the quarterfinals, 12th in the semifinals and 12th in the Finals. Prior to 2009, it had been 23 years since the Troopers were in the Finals.
Last year, they finished 15th in the quarters and 15th in the semis.
During the performance, DCI blogger Michael Boo explained the Troopers show, "The Road Home," this way: "It's quite lovely and soul searching, tender and reminding us why we want to go home ... And a sunburst in the far right corner with the traditional yellow and white 11th Ohio Cavalry (flags) pouring out of the horns form in a sunburst."
The sunburst was added late in the season, a nod to the Troopers early years under founder Jim Jones.
As the Troopers concluded the performance, Boo wrote, "I don't think the audience would mind seeing them in Finals one bit."
"We had a great run!" said visual staffer Ila Gaponoff immediately after the performance. "The kids brought a lot of energy and emotion and put out a stellar performance."
Troopers executive director Mike Ottoes was hoarse from yelling during the preliminary performance.
"I'm very proud of them," he said. "They did a fantastic job. They did a great job. They had fantastic rehearsals Wednesday night and this morning and it certainly carried over today."
Troopers program staff coordinator William Chumley has described the show's concept as a journey of exploration, discovery, revelation, overcoming and returning.
"The music sounds like the wide-open American spaces and has an adventurous American spirit," he said earlier this season. "We want to push the future of the Troopers forward and also respect the past."
The musical thread for the show is "The Old Church," by Stephen Paulus, which corps director Fred Morris has described as conveying the feeling of sitting alone in the back row of a small country church.


Read more: http://trib.com/news/local/casper/article_d912f669-4e42-5a4a-916f-b594e79f03a2.html#ixzz1UssvPpn0