The Good News - This Week

The classic dilemma of faith is posed this way: if God is all-powerful and all-loving why is there so much suffering in the world? The discipline of theology that considers this question is named "Theodicy." In the current issue of The Christian Century a college religion professor with a recent diagnosis of stage IV cancer shares that her cancer rendered her unable to attend Ash Wednesday services because she could not bear to hear the words, "you are dust and to dust you shall return."

With her students she sounded out the options regarding God's relationship to suffering. They discussed the commonly held belief that "God allows suffering to build character and make us stronger." "Personally" she writes, "I don't buy it. I have a hard time believing in a God who sends people cancer or other terminal illness in order to teach them a lesson. My students jumped in suggesting that a God whose love knows no bounds seems at serious odds with a God who wills cancer, AIDS, earthquakes and other sources of death and destruction."

In the aftermath of major earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan and violence across the North Africa and the Middle East, tragedy and suffering are on all of our minds. Several personal situations also confound and concern us.

In his book Faith Seeking Understanding Daniel Migliore invites readers to focus on God's journey to the depths of human suffering, pain and alienation in the death of Jesus. In Christ, God takes suffering into the very being of God but refuses to let death have the last word. Out of Jesus' death God brings new life-not as a lesson about suffering or a means of avoiding it, but-in order to overcome sin and suffering. Migliore writes, "faith involves a relationship with a God who suffers with us and refuses to leave it--or us--unredeemed."

Professor Deanna Thompson said she left that class discussion on "Theodicy" and Migliore's book and headed back to her office, "realizing that I had started to embrace the season of Lent, a season that offers not just the ashes but also the hope that Easter will come soon."

Foster Care Support

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, March 29. We carpool from APC at 9:30 in the morning, help sort clothing, and fill mail orders for children in foster care. We then enjoy lunch and fellowship at a nearby restaurant before returning to the church by 2:00 PM.

For information, please contact Marianna Raffensperger 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.com.

Easter Flowers

Would you like to help decorate the sanctuary and church for Easter? Honor or remember a loved one by contributing $20 for Easter Flowers. Order forms can be found on the table in the lobby. Cash or checks (made out to APC with "Easter Flowers" on the memo line). The order deadline is Sunday, April 10. Any flowers not taken home after the 11:00 service will taken to shut-ins.

Save the Dates

Save the dates of Sunday, June 5, and Sunday, October 30 on your calendar. On June 5 Alpharetta Presbyterian Church will be celebrating with Helen Skillern her Emerita Award, and October 30 we will be celebrating with Walter Jones his Emeritus Award.

Calling All Gardeners!

It's Spring! Our Garden Workdays are starting up again and we would love to have you join us. Meet us at the Cottage Garden either Saturdays from 9:30 - 10:30am or Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:15pm.

Also, our Prayer Labyrinth is looking for volunteers to help maintain it's beautiful, peaceful space. If you have not seen the labyrinth, it is located at the end of the back parking lot. If you are able to help, please contact Mary House at 770-887-9174 or Lucille Gelpke 770-663-7899.

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.

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.

Pakistan Presentation

This Sunday, March 27 at 12:15pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Haynes Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, Cheryl Burke, Dean of Students at Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan will share the story of the college as well as a very unique look at the world inside Pakistan. She will share differences in culture, religious convictions, and the Good News of what God is doing in Pakistan. You can find more information about Forman Christian College at http://www.fccollege.edu.pk/ .

Coffee Orders

If you are ordering coffee through the PCUSA program, you can get your coffee faster and save money if you order by the case (6 bags). In order to get free shipping, we need to order at least 4 cases at a time. Order information is in the hall next to the church office. For more information, please call Tom Cunningham, 770-442-1708.

Dayschool Enrollment

The APC Dayschool is exploring the option of offering a 3-day 2 year old class and a transitional Kindergarten class for this fall. If you are interested in either of these options, please call the Dayschool office at 770-751-3862.

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.

College of Elders

Calling All Ordained Elders (PCUSA)!
Mark your calendars for this Sunday, March 27 at 12:30PM for a luncheon in the APC Fellowship Hall.

Please bring a dessert that serves 5-6 to share. We will have a sweet sweets contest!

Please click on this link TODAY to RSVP www.alpharettapres.com/coe. All Elders are encouraged to reply (whether planning to attend the lunch or not). Your prompt response will help us plan appropriately for the luncheon.

Any questions may be directed to Mike Marcin @ marcinmikeapc@gmail.com.

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

Last weekend for 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."

March 25 and 26 at 7:30pm and Sunday matinee on March 27 at 2:00pm. Special Pricing For APC Members!

Adults: $10; Children under 12 and Seniors over 60: $8

Tickets available by phone at 770-751-0033 ext 225 or online at www.act1theater.com .

Enter Coupon Code "APCCC" for Discount.

FW Plate

Fun Wednesday Schedule

APC Fun Wednesdays Winter/Spring, 2011

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

March 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

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.

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

Cross Mission Trip, Charlotte, NC, June 5-10 (current 6^th-8^th 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 8-12^th 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 3^rd 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.

Thank You

We would like to thank our church family for all your prayers, well wishes and generous helping hands. We don't know how we would have made it through the past month without you. We are eternally grateful for the meals, transportation, cards, phone calls and the prayers that reached to Jim during his extended stay with his Mom in Indiana.

Blessings to all, Jim, Kathy, Blair and Brandon Cash

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sympathy - To Shannon Pickerel and her family, at the death of her grandfather on Wednesday, March 16. Services were held in North Carolina.

Sympathy - To Pat Chisolm and Mary Dantzler and their family, at the death of their sister, Sara Chisolm Cooper, who died Wednesday, March 23 in Hayneville, AL. Sara was 87 years old. Arrangements are pending.

Sympathy - To Rob Wood, priest at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church and his wife Linda, at the death of her daughter, Jessica Foshee, 20 years old, who died Saturday, March 19 at Auburn University. Services were held on Friday, March 25 at St. David's Episcopal Church in Roswell, GA.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Haley J. and Jack S. at 8:30 & William J., Julia J. and Kyle L. at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Jane Agnew and Joyce Komala at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: David and Beau Armistead, Kelly Vandever and Donny Matchen at 8:30 & Stu Laubenstein, Tom Kettering and Drew Rhoades at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Heather Brinson and Renae Force

11:00 Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Kate McChesney and Fran Mosher

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.