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| The Good News - This Week |
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This Sunday
Fellowship Breakfast
8:00-10:30 AM
8:30 & 11:00 AM
Preaching this week:
Rev. Jamie Butcher
Youth Group,
grades 6-12, meets from 5:30-8:15PM, bowling offsite
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The Good News Email Information
The Good News - This Week is a publication of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church for its members
and friends.
Send your comments and suggestions to connections
@alpharettapres.com.
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Ollie's Offerings
"For the creation waits with eager longing...in the hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now." -Romans 8:20-22
There is little else on the minds of people these days than the tragedy and devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. Whether updates on death tolls, aftershocks, dangerously high radiation levels or shortages of food and other supplies, little of the news has been good. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is responding already with One Great Hour of Sharing funds and through direct gifts being made. If you would like to be a part of that response through a financial gift, make your check payable to "APC" and write "PDA-Japan response" in the memo line. You can mail that to the office (attention: Susan Schiltz), place it in the offering plate or drop it off in the Finance Office. Those gifts will be directed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to aid Japan.
Of course, it is also important that we stay informed, follow PDA updates on www.pcusa.org and pray. I share this prayer from our denomination's website:
O God, the magnitude of this tragedy is difficult to grasp. Yet, our faith leads us to affirm that in even greater measure you are present in the midst of the devastation. We pray for those affected by these events - the victims and their families, those who wait for word from loved ones, those offering aid and comfort now and in the days and weeks to come, civic and national leaders, and faith communities in Japan that offer hope in a seemingly hopeless time. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us all with the hope of your new creation; through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.
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Japan Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has set up a direct response account to help all areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
PDA is a member of ACT Alliance, an international coalition of churches working for humanitarian aid and development. Individuals can donate by making their check payable to APC and marking PDA (Japan) on the memo line. All donations will be forwarded directly to PDA.
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Nominations
The Nominating Committee requests names of members for consideration to serve on the Crisis Inquiry Committee. The Crisis Inquiry Committee will review incidents that allegedly violate the Child and Youth Safety Policy within our buildings, on our property or at an event sponsored by Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. The committee will be made up of three people, one of whom is a legal professional, one a professional educator and one a licensed counselor. Members will serve a three-year term which may be renewable. An elder currently serving on Session cannot serve on this committee. Please submit names to the church office by April 10. |
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Blessing of Bikes
This Sunday, March 20 at 10:00AM APC will hold it's first Blessing of the Bikes. We welcome all motorcyclists and bicyclists to join in this blessing. The Motocycle Safety Crews of the Komen 3 Day for the Cure and the Atlanta 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer have also been invited. Both Moto Crews combine motorcycles and bicycles to ensure the safety of walkers in both events. Komen 3 Day for the Cure has invested more than $1.9 Billiion, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. In just its first seven years, Atlanta's 2-Day Walk for Georgia's Breast Cancer Community has raised over $7.5 million and has awarded over 146 grants to Georgia breast cancer organizations. |
Global Village
Trip to the Global Village: Children, parents, interested APC members and friends, be immersed in the life of a developing country without traveling too far. Join us Saturday, April 16 as we journey to the Calvin Center's Global Village in Hampton, GA. We will leave at 9:30am and return at 8:00pm unless you would like to stay overnight under the stars in the village. We will make adobe bricks, cook our own food, work in the field, make a slum house and simply learn a lot about life. Contact volunteer@alpharettapres.com if you want to go or learn more. The cost is $15 per person. All ages welcome. |
Senior Follies
The STARS will be attending the Senior Follies at the Cumming Playhouse and are inviting any age members and friends to join them. The performance will be Sunday, April 17 at 3:00pm and will carpool from APC's back parking lot at 2:15pm. Tickets are $25 each and the firm deadline to signup and pay is this Sunday, March 20. The signup sheet is on the STARS bulletin board outside the church office. Make your checks payable to Sue Blaine and leave them in the church office. Questions? Contact Kathleen Wien at 770-521-6738. |
Dayschool Enrollment
The APC Dayschool is currently enrolling for the 2011 - 2012 school year. If you are looking for 4 hours of uninterrupted fun and learning for your children ages 2 to 5, please call the Dayschool office at 770-751-3862. |
Youth Thanks You!
Youth Silent & Service Auction - The Youth would like to thank the entire congregation for you wonderful support this past Saturday evening. We raised over $8,000 towards our mission efforts. |
College of Elders
Calling All Ordained Elders (PCUSA)!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 27 at 12:30PM for a luncheon in the APC Fellowship Hall.
The lunch is open to all Presbyterian Elders, whether you are currently seated on The Session or have (in your mind) retired from active duty...AND whether you previously served at APC or in another Presbyterian congregation.
It is an opportunity to provide Fellowship for our church officers, learn about ways you can be of service to APC, and receive updates on changes facing the denomination.
Please bring a dessert that serves 5-6 to share. We will have a sweet sweets contest!
After the lunch, the APC Worship Committee will present a brief Liturgist Training Opportunity for all Elders who answer the call to serve as a worship leader. Our church's motto in 2011 is "Excellence in Worship" and to be excellent, we can all stand to be informed (and reformed!).
Please click on this link to RSVP www.alpharettapres.com/coe. All Elders are encouraged to reply (whether planning to attend the lunch or not), in order to update the APC College of Elder database. Your prompt response will help us plan appropriately for the luncheon.
Any questions may be directed to Mike Marcin @ marcinmikeapc@gmail.com. |
Promise Class Request
Donations are needed to enrich our wonderful Promise Class students. If you would like to contribute, please bring items to the Bread of Life Café at APC by March 20. Thank you! Promise Class Supplies Wish List: (Our special needs ministry) Large plastic wagon, musical toys, CDs (Christian music w/ a beat), toy organ/piano that has an automatic beat, See & Say toys, stickers for art projects |
Senior Recognition
Senior Recognition - Sunday, May 15. We are now accepting three to five pictures of your graduating high school student for our slide show presentation. Lisa Gould or Ryan Gould are collecting pictures during the month of March to scan or download as necessary. The contact email is tlrsc@hotmail.com. Please include name, school and future plans with your submissions (to be returned). All other post-secondary graduates can submit their name and school for recognition in the bulletin at the same time! |
 ACT1 Theater
ACT1 Theater Presents: Barbecuing Hamlet by Pat Cook. Wouldn't it be great fun to direct William Shakespeare's "Hamlet"? That was what Margo Daley always thought...until she is hired to do just that by a renovated funeral home. They DO have a couple of conditions, however. Margo has to make the play a melodrama, so the audience will know when to throw the popcorn. And they can't be too loud because the lady who lives under the theater bangs her cane on the stage. Oh, and by the way, it has to take place in the Old West. Eccentric characters come out of the woodwork in this riotous farce as Margo and her troupe of misguided actors find out what it's like when they begin "Barbecuing Hamlet."
Now through March 27 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm with Sunday Matinees on March 20 & 27 at 2:00pm). Special Pricing For APC Members!
Adults: $10; Children under 12 and Seniors over 60: $8 Tickets available in the lobby, by phone at 770-751-0033 ext 225 or online at www.act1theater.com Enter Coupon Code "APCCC" for Discount |
 Photographers Attention photographers - Your photographs from last fall's exhibit are available for pickup in the lobby on Sunday mornings or in the church office during the week. |
 "The Marriage Journey"
The "Faith and Families" Adult Sunday School class is hosting a 4-week series called "The Marriage Journey: a journey towards mutual love, respect and understanding" in the multipurpose room from 9:45-10:45am every Sunday in March. This class is for those who have been on the marriage journey for a brief time or a long sojourn. The class is also designed for those who are contemplating making this journey at some point in their future. Over the four weeks we will cover: Mapping the way ahead. Taking the road less traveled or the one that's familiar?
- Signs to watch for: Slow down, Curves Ahead; Bump; Yield; Watch out for Children; Road Work Ahead; etc.
- When it's time to stop for refreshment or to ask for directions!
- How to know when you've arrived.
This March Sunday School series will be led by Dr. Deborah Silver who is an Episcopal Priest and an AAPC Certified Clinical Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Deborah is a seasoned therapist with over 25 years of counseling experience in individual, marriage and family therapy, and systems theory. She has been on her own marriage journey for over 20 years. |
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Fun Wednesday Schedule
APC Fun Wednesdays Winter/Spring, 2011
5:30 - 6:15pm Dinner 6:15 - 7:15pm Adult Program
March 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
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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. When those who have given up are no longer job hunting, as well as those who want full-time jobs, but still work part-time, the real total unemployment rate leaps to 16.7%.
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. |
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Youth Ministry News
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 - Surprise!!!, Sunday, March 20, Bowling Night at Brunswick Zone Roswell from 5:30-8:15pm, The cost will be $10 per person which includes two hours of bowling, shoes, 2 slices of pizza and a soft drink. If you want to play arcade games bring a few extra dollars. Please plan on meeting at the church for 5:30pm departure. We will return shortly after 8:00pm for pick-up. If you need to be picked up directly from the bowling alley, Kelly will need to know which parent will be doing so. Youth are not allowed to drive directly to the event nor leave on their own. They must be driven by adults. Please RSVP for an accurate count and let Kelly Edwards know if you (you-parent) can provide seat belts and how many.
Cross Mission Trip, Charlotte, NC, June 5-10 (rising 6th-8th grades) payment of $175.00 is due March 30. Please make checks payable to APC. Please make sure to fill out the medical release form found on the youth web page under forms.
APC Youth 8-12th grade. If you are interested in serving at Camp Hope, please fill out the online registration form and return to Kelly Edwards with $100 deposit by March 15. Checks should be made payable to APC. Counselor positions fill up fast so we want to make sure that you have an opportunity to serve. If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Edwards.
Fun Wednesday Planning Nights - Youth in grades 6 to 12, are you interested in planning the Sunday evening youth group events? Then come on Wednesday evenings - dinner begins at 5:30 ($6) and planning sessions run from 6:15 - 7:15pm during the Fun Wednesday program time. It's not all work, we tend to hang-out and get to know one another, help occasionally with the children's activities or even attend an adult function. Help us make Youth Ministries a continued success!
Please invite a friend to APC!
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
Parents: Looking ahead to spring and summer already?
NEW Faith 'N Sports Camp is set for June 1- 3. This new camp is for APC children that are rising Kindergarteners through rising 3rd graders. APC Adults and Youth will lead the camp Wednesday - Friday from 9am -12 noon. Many different sports will be enjoyed as they focus on faith, exercise, and being good sports. Registration will begin on-line April 1 for church members.
Faith 'N Art Camp for APC's rising 4th - 6th graders will be June 13-17. Registration begins April 1. We are now looking for volunteer art teachers.
Vacation Bible School is July 11-14. For church members registration starts April 1 and for friends/community registration starts April 15 and runs through May 15.
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Sympathy & Celebrations Sympathy - To Robyn Guy and her family at the death of her grandmother, Virginia Buchanan, in Valdese, NC. Services were held this past week. |
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Sunday Volunteers
Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Chip N. and Anne Elise S. at 8:30 & Nick H. and Ellie A. at 11:00
Serving as greeters this Sunday: Nancy Chisolm at 8:30 & Sally and Anna Caudle at 11:00
Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Sybille Johnstone and Alan Crowell at 8:30 & Ed and Pat Rea, Jeff Stewart and Ralph Pollifrone at 11:00 11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Nell DeVore & Jodie Barger 11:00 Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Jeanne Goodwell |
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.
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