The Good News - This Week

There is an old practice in Scotland regarding New Year's Eve. Neighbors take some peet and venture out to see their friends. All doors are open and homes filled with laughter, food and a warm fire. Visitors leave enough peet to keep the fire going and venture on to the next home. "Hogmanay" (Happy New Year) they say as they journey from home to home.

Keep in mind that the earliest Protestant Reformers in Scotland dropped even "Christ's Mass" from the church calendar. They considered that holiday too Roman for their tastes. In its place, the New Year's holiday took on far greater importance. Christmas has survived that early purging, but many a Scot today still elevate the New Year's holiday as a time for deep reflection, remembance and anticipation. After our year in Glasgow twenty years ago, Heather and I still get phone calls from Scottish friends at New Year's.

Now is a good time to put some things in your past that you might live into the future God is preparing. Alfred Lord Tennyson's 1850 poem,

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.

As the new year begins, remember the words of the great Apostle who wrote,

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:11-12

Happy New Year. Hogmanay! May it hold countless blessings for you and yours.

Epiphany Event

Come one, come all to spread the "Joy to the World" as we celebrate all together on Sunday, January 9. Hear the Three Kings read their decree, and enjoy artifacts, art, games and food from 5 continents of our world. Join us during the Sunday School hour from 9:45 - 10:45 am in the Fellowship Hall for our intergenerational event that will take place instead of regular Sunday school. If you have a special interest in a country or are from another country we need your help. Contact Augustine Mulia, Sabine Genet, or Heather Wagner. Be a part of something world-wide. Join us!

Congregational Meeting

A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, January 9, immediately after the 11:00 service in the sanctuary for the purpose of meeting as a corporation, approving the pastor emeriti titles for Dr. Walter Jones and Rev. Helen Skillern, approving changes in terms of call for the senior pastor, and sharing the annual report.

APC Book Club

The APC Book Club will meet Tuesday, January 11 at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall. We will talk about either our "book swap" selections or another book you read over the holidays. Also be thinking about book choices for 2011. Feel free to bring any used books you would like to give to other members. All are welcome!

Adult Sunday School

Don't miss the Adult Sunday School Mini-Series that starts January 16! Some stories in the Bible get more "air-time" than others: we drew pictures about them as kids, we sang songs about them in Sunday School classes, and we heard sermons on them throughout our lives. So familiar are these stories that we no longer wonder what they are about or how they relate to our lives of faith. In this 4-part mini-series, we will revisit some of the most well-known stories of the Bible with the hope of bringing to light some fresh perspectives on these familiar stories. The series will be led by Ryan Bonfiglio (the Rev. Jamie Butcher's husband) who is now completing his Ph.D. in Old Testament and Hebrew studies at Emory Theological Seminary. The classes will meet in the theater beginning at 9:45 AM.

Sunday, January 16      Noah and the Ark (Gen 6:11-9:17)
Sunday, January 23      The Tower of Babel   (Gen 11:1-9)
Sunday, January 30      The Prodigal Son   (Luke 15:1-32)
Sunday, February 6      Jesus Calms the Wind & the Waves (Mark 4:35-41)

Chili Cookoff
It's time again to start practicing your chili recipes for the annual APC Chili Cookoff. This years event will be on Saturday, February 5 in the Fellowship Hall. We need chefs for the chili, judges for the tasting and a nice hungry congregation! There will be fun for both adults and children after dinner. If you are interested in helping with this event, please contact Ashley Guzman at 404-285-5710 or email akguzman@comcast.net. Please sign up for this fun and filling evening by calling or emailing Ashley.

Inclement Weather

During inclement weather, please visit the church website to find out about any event cancellations. APC and the Dayschool follow the Fulton County School cancellations for weekday activities, but for evening and weekend events, view the website at www.alpharettapres.com.

Money Management

St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, (www.staidans.org; 13560 Cogburn Road, Milton, Georgia 30004) is offering a 13-week Dave Ramsey class called, "Financial Peace University". Money & debt management, stewardship of household resources, and financial freedom are the class goals. We will meet on Wednesdays beginning January 26 at 7:00 PM. You are invited to come to an informational meeting and class registration on January 11 or January 12 at 7:00 PM. Plan on coming to discover how you can (with God's help) achieve financial health and freedom.

Karate at APC?

Want to try a new activity that is fun and great exercise for kids and adults of all ages? We are now offering Karate classes at APC three days a week.

Soo Bahk Do (traditional Korean Karate) offers many benefits to both the young and not so young:

· It provides a great family activity that everyone can participate

· It teaches self defense techniques that can be used by members of all ages

· It places an emphasis on avoiding conflict

· It promotes physical fitness, flexibility and endurance

· It develops Self Confidence, and fosters the development of Discipline and Respect

It this sounds like something you or your family may be interested in, please stop by one of our classes to see what it's all about or contact Dave Berry at 678-525-3859 or dbb45601@gmail.com for more information.

We currently meet in the multipurpose room on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00pm as well as Saturday's at 10:00am.

We will also be holding an open house on Saturday, January 15 beginning at 11:15am where our students will perform a brief demonstration, followed by cookies and soft drinks. Come on by!

2011 Budget

This is the time of year church leaders are constructing our 2011 budget. If you would like to make a financial commitment to APC for 2011 and have not yet turned in a pledge card, please do so today. Pledge cards may be found in the pew racks and can dropped in the offering plate or placed in the mail slot of the Finance Office. Thank you. May God bless you through your faithful and generous stewardship!

NFCC Needs Help

Get ready to give back! During the New Year resolve to give back to the local community. On Monday, January 17, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, APC has the opportunity to serve as volunteers at North Fulton Community Charities. We will be working in the thrift shop, loading, sorting, and more. There are several 2- 4 hour shifts available. If you are interested in making this day off a "day on" please email Jamie@alpharettapres.com by January 14.

Save the Date

Women of APC - Mark your calendars now for the 2011 Annual Women's Retreat on Saturday, March 19, 2011, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The retreat will be held at Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church (same location as last year). The theme will be "Take a Step Back & Breathe," and our speaker will be our own Jamie Butcher. Don't miss this great opportunity to take time for yourself and spend quality time with other APC women. Registration and more details will be available in late January. If you have questions, feel free to contact Jeanne Kreiser 770-331-8607.

Fun Wednesday Schedule

APC Fun Wednesdays Winter/Spring, 2011

5:30 - 6:15pm Dinner 6:15 - 7:15pm Adult Program

January 12, 19, 26 Constitutional Questions of the PC(USA) Ollie Wagner

February 2 Others First- Adult Mission Moment*

February 9, 16, 23 Spiritual Gifts Jamie Butcher

March 2 Others First- Adult Mission Moment*

March 9 Ash Wednesday service

March 16, 23, 30 Mark Bible Study Ollie Wagner

April 6 No FW Spring Break

April 13 Taize Service Joel Lillethun

April 20 Social/Easter Egg Hunt

April 27 Summer Travels Report Ollie Wagner

May 4 Final Fun Wednesday Concert Joel Lillethun

* Others First, Adult Mission Moment will be selected from congregational mission partners

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program - With Metro Atlanta's unemployment rate still hovering around 10%, many members and friends of APC find themselves unemployed or underemployed. If your organization is seeking candidates to recruit, please contact Elder Bill Harris at w.m.harris@att.net. It's possible that some of our own members could be a good fit for your opportunity. Thank you for keeping our Career Transitions ministry and the lives it touches in your prayers. For more information, or how to be involved with this ministry, please contact Bill Harris.

Evening with the Stars

Save the date for an evening with the stars on Saturday, March 12 from 7:30-9:30pm at APC. The youth would like you to join them for an exciting night of fellowship, entertainment and a silent/service action. We welcome all who would like to help in any capacity make this event a success. This fundraiser will support the financial commitments required for mission trips. Please call or email: Peggy Messawer 678-457-4560 or Laura Dean 770-664-6616 lrdean@bellouth.net

There will be a sign up sheet for volunteers in the lobby.

Youth Ministry News

Happy New Year!!!

Here are some of the amazing events for the youth this month. Please remember it is very important to RSVP to the events that are off site. This will help the youth advisors in planning each event. Thank you

Youth Group Sunday, January 9 5:30-7:30 PM.

Sunday January, 16, 2011 Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Featuring Newsboys,

David Crowder Band, Newsong, Kutless, KJ-52

Guest Speaker Tony Nolan

Philips Arena

Leave APC at 4:00pm, Concert over at 9:30pm. (No School on Monday)

Cost $10

Sign-up Sheet Located on bulletin board outside the youth office.

This will be our youth activity for the day.

Contact : Kelly Edwards or any Youth Advisor for additional information.

If you have any questions, concerning Youth Ministry at APC please contact Kelly Edwards at Kelly@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033

Children's Ministry News

VBS will be taking bids on T-shirt orders starting January 15. To get more details about placing a bid please contact Heather Wagner at heather@alpharettapres.com

Attention Elementary Children, Middle and High School Youth interested in Musical Drama: Do you want to be in a musical on Sunday during worship? On Sunday, March 6 you are invited to participate in the musical "Feeding the Five...Thousand". We will rehearse on Wednesday nights starting January 12 from 6:30 - 7:15pm and Sunday afternoons from 2:00-4:00pm starting in mid-January. For more information contact Joel Lillethun or Jenny Thornett.

Sympathy & Celebrations
Celebration - Congratulations to Bobby Cookson of Boy Scout Troop 429 who will receive his Eagle Scout rank at a Court of Honor ceremony on Sunday, January 16 at 3:30pm in the sanctuary of APC. His Eagle project involved improvements to the disc golf course at Wills Park. Bobby is an APC deacon as well as holding other leadership rolls at Milton High School. The Cookson family thanks APC for sponsoring Troop 429 and those APC members that have served as Scout leaders and other important roles in Bobby's life and personal growth.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Nick and Tyler H. at 8:30 & William J. and Zoe G. at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Sabine Genet & Amy Ordahl

The Good News - This Week

Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
You can visit the church on line at www.alpharettapres.com or contact the office during regular business hours at 770-751-0033.