The Good News - This Week

The Church year is off to a great start and I'm pleased to announce the hiring of Kathy Ailts as our new Director of Children's Ministry! Kathy began her work with us yesterday and is already on email kathy@alpharettapres.com. I know she'd love to hear from you. I hope you'll add your warm welcome and prayers as she joins our staff and works with our children and their families.

Kathy has a Master of Education degree from the University of Wisconsin and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Luther College. She has worked professionally as a teacher in Pre-k and elementary schools and at her own church has been a superintendant and teacher in Sunday School. In addition to her education and experience, she brings to us great enthusiasm for children's ministry. Kathy and her husband, Scott, have two young adult children whom we also welcome into our church family.

We will be holding a luncheon for all families with children (newborns through 5^th grade) to meet Kathy following worship on Sunday, September 18 in Fellowship Hall. Those of you who have children in those age ranges will receive an invitation through the mail. For now, whether you have young ones at home or not, we have much for which to give thanks as we anticipate what God will accomplish in the lives of our children.

A word of thanks to our DCM search committee: Dianne Berry (chairperson), Richard Boston, Amy Erickson, Kristin Hicks and Nancy Hill.

Family Retreat

Join us for Koinonia at APC's family retreat in Montreat, NC, October 14-16. Koinonia, is the Greek word for community, and we will explore and deepen our connections to each other. This year, the retreat committee has added additional adult programming led by Rev. Jamie Butcher. We will continue to offer fun activities for children and youth. Registration and more information is now available in the lobby and online at www.alpharettapres.com/montreat. We hope to see you there! Registration deadline is September 11 and space is limited!

Bluegrass Sunday

This Sunday, September 7, the bluegrass band Hicks with Picks, based at Rock Springs Presbyterian Church in Atlanta will lead the music worship at our 11:00 service. We will be led in some of the classics including "I'll Fly Away" and "Circle Be Unbroken". Come early because they will lead us in some sing-along selections prior to the start of the service as well. For more info CLICK HERE.

Church Library News

Multiple copies of the old red Presbyterian Hymnal are available free for the taking! They are located in the APC church library on the shelves to the right as you enter. Also, a reminder to Disciple students, circle members and Sunday School students, the church library has lots of reference and other materials to support your studies. Stop by and take a look! The library is across from the theater on the second floor of the original building.

APC Book Club

The APC Book Club will meet Tuesday, September 13 at 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. We will be discussing The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. We meet the second Tuesday of every month. Next month's selection is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. We would love to have you join us!

Supper Six Is Back!

Do you recognize people you have seen before at APC, but don't know who they are? Here is your chance to get to know more members!

Supper Six at APC is a dinner program where 3 couples meet in a casual environment, usually in the Host's home, for dinner on a monthly basis. A rotating schedule is designed so that you meet with new people each month. Great for new members and long time members as well. Dinners begin in October. Register now through September 11.

There are 4 ways to join:

Full Year: October thru April

Session (A) October, November, January

Session (B): February, March, April

Or put your name on as a Substitute

December 3rd is the all participant Christmas Dinner Party.

Acolyte Training

Calling all ten year olds for new Acolyte training! Come learn to serve in our worship service as an acolyte by attending either of two training sessions to be held on Sunday, September 11. Training will take place in the sanctuary immediately following the services at 9:30 (for those interested in serving at the 8:30 service) and at 12:00 (for those interested in serving at the 11:00 service). Acolytes are generally ten years old or older; however, nine year olds are welcome to attend the 9:30 training and serve at the early worship service. A parent is welcome to attend as well. Any questions, please contact Cindy Laubenstein at 678-366-0345 or cindylaub05@yahoo.com. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this important ministry in their lives and in the life of APC!

Presbyterian Women

Our Presbyterian Women's Circles are starting up for the 2011-2012 year and we would love to have you join us! Please visit our table in the lobby this Sunday or contact a circle leader below for more information.

Esther Circle meets at APC the first Tuesday of each month from 7-9 pm

Esther leader: Pat Hudson, pathudson@bellsouth.net, 678-566-1938

Martha Circle meets in member homes the first Thursday of each month from 7-9 pm

Martha leader: Amy Ordahl, aordahl@bellsouth.net 770-205-6229

Ruth Circle meets at APC the second Tuesday of each month from 11-1

Ruth leader: JanBernhardt, with7gran@gmail.com 770-844-4412

Lydia Circle meets at APC the first Thursday of each month from 9:30-11:30 am

Lydia leader: Jennifer Owens, owens123home@aol.com, 770-475-8781

FW Plate FW Dinner Reservations

You can now make your Fun Wednesday Dinner reservations on-line. Go to www.alpharettapres.com/dinner and follow the directions to make your dinner reservations. Please make your reservations in advance as stated in the example on the website. If you are not making your reservations on-line, you may fill out the reservation cards on the table in the church lobby. Contact person: Sheryl Wentworth sherylwentworth@comcast.net.

Dinner for September 7: Fried catfish, hushpuppies, coleslaw, salad & dessert

Adult Program for September 7: Bible Study on "Koinania" (church community)

Seeing and Savoring the Psalms

Ryan Bonfiglio will lead a four-week study of the Psalms through September 18 at 9:45am in the theater. Please bring your Bibles!

Few books in the Bible are more cherished than the Psalms. Its evocative metaphors and penetrating imagery are so thoroughly ingrained in our Christian faith that Luther once called the book of Psalms the "little Bible."

Though ancient in origins, the psalms also provide an ever-relevant window to our most authentic praise and our most honest doubts. As such, the Psalter provides believers, both past and present, with a rich vocabulary of faith. Yet, while the psalms are dearly loved, they are not always deeply understood.

What sort of book is the Psalter and how should it be read? What types of prayers does it contain and where do they show up in our worship and liturgy? How can both psalms of praise and psalms of lament function as a vital resource in our lives of faith? By beginning to answer these and other questions, this four-week series is designed to enrich your understanding of and love for the book of Psalms. All are welcome to join us.

College Students

Have a college student, new or returning to school? As a part of our ministry and outreach efforts to serve our college students with our encouragement, well wishes and care packages, we need to update our database. Please forward your student's updated contact information (address, email and phone) to Kelly Edwards, APC Youth Ministry Director, at kelly@alpharettapres.com.

Whiz Kids Needs Tutors

Since 1998, APC has conducted an after-school tutoring program called Whiz Kids. Tutoring is held each Monday afternoon that Fulton County Schools are in session. We meet in Fellowship Hall from 3:15 - 4:15pm followed by 15 minutes of songs and Bible stories in the sanctuary. We work "one-on-one" with each tutor helping the same child throughout the year, creating a special bond of trust and caring. This is an opportunity to make a real difference in a child's life - you will be able to see the progress as you work with your child and your pride and enthusiasm about their achievements will encourage hard work and concentration. School supplies and learning materials are provided. There will be a sign-up table at both services on September 4. Tutors will be available to answer questions and tell you about their own experience with the program. For more information contact Sue White at 770-772-4667 or at whitesbassets@bellsouth.net.

Dinner Theater

Want to enjoy dinner while watching a funny play performed by ACT1? Make reservations for Saturday evening, October 1, 6:30-9:00 PM for dinner and the play. Or, maybe you would rather just have dessert and watch a funny play. Make reservations for Sunday afternoon, October 2:30-5:00 PM. Stop by the display table in the church hallway to learn more and to reserve the table and seat(s) that you would like. This event benefits the Youth Ministry Mission Trips. Contact person: Sheryl Wentworth 770-777-1229 or sherylwentworth@comcast.net.

Open Arms Sunday

Open Arms Ministry would like to invite everyone to attend Open Arms Sunday on September 11, at the 8:30 and 11:00 services. We will enjoy the participation of our Promise Class members, special speakers and a performance by the Angel Kisses dance troupe of St. James United Methodist Church. Come help celebrate the welcome we are called to give to all members of God's family.

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

Sunday, September 4 - Youth Group, grades 6 - 12, will NOT meet tonight due to the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Watch the bulletin, Good News, Facebook and email announcements for more details as specific events near.

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

We ask all parents to register their children NOW for Disciples' Village Sunday School, preschool through 5th grade, and other programs like children's choirs and Fun Wednesday. Forms can be found on the lobby table and the table downstairs in the Children's Ministry area. Forms may be turned in to the church office.

NEW Sunday Schedule for Children at APC for 2011 - 2012

Parents make the commitment and see your child's faith and your joy increase.

9:30am - 10:00am (NEW TIME) Children's Choirs Practice for ages K - 5^th grade: 10:00 to 10:15 AM for Preschool ages (beginning of Preschool Sunday School)

10:00am - 10:45am Preschool Sunday School Lessons and Elementary Workshops

Sunday school for children at APC is not only an educational tool for faith development but it is a fun time to spend with friends. Children and adult volunteers really enjoy the workshop rotation model that we use in Disciples' Village (Sunday school for children). The elementary children every five weeks learn a new Bible story and how to apply it to their lives. Children go with their age group each week to one of five workshops where they learn the Bible story in creative ways. This year our theme is "Hello God, Are You Calling Me?" We will explore call stories from both the Old and New Testaments.

Adults that would like to help with Sunday school for children can contact Dianne Berry, Children's Ministry Elder at dianneberry6767@gmail.com You can volunteer to assistant teach in the preschool classroom, shepherd a group of elementary children, or teach elementary children in the art, game, mission/science, storytelling, or cooking workshop. We welcome new volunteers. You do not have to be a parent of preschool or elementary children to volunteer. It is fun and heart-warming. Ask Pat Hudson, Kathy Davis, Sheryl Wentworth, or Sue White.

Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 8:15am - 12:15pm for ages 0-3 in the nursery and red room. (all year long)

Children's Choirs will begin their new practice time on Sunday, August 28 from 9:30am - 10:00am. The elementary children (K-Gr 5) will practice in room 109 from 9:30am - 10:00am and will then be escorted to their age group's workshop. The preschoolers will have music in their Sunday school room at 10am. Sunday school ends at 10:45am. Parents will pick up their children from designated rooms and workshops. Maps are available in the children's ministry hallway.

Note that music will also be offered as part of the Fun Wednesday program for children.

Promise Class is provided on Sundays from 9:30 am - 12:30pm for our special needs students in the Rainbow and Noah's Ark Room. (all year long)

Kinderkirk (Children's Worship Education for children ages 3 - First Grade) meets in room 108 for the 8:30am service and room 105 (Preschool) and 108 Kindergarten & First) during the 11:00am service. Children are escorted back to Kinderkirk by their Kinderkirk teachers. Parents pick up children from the designated rooms after worship.

Fun Wednesdays plans are in the making for a new enrichment program for children that involves drama, music, art, Bible study, and games. Dinner will start at 5:30pm followed by new and exciting activities for children from 6:15pm - 7:15pm. Stay tuned for more details.

Sympathy & Celebrations
Celebration - Congratulations to Yvonne Chrimes and her son and daughter-in-law, William and Jennifer Chrimes, at the birth of their twin sons, Rylan William and Trenton Robert, who were born Friday, August 26 in Alpharetta.

Sympathy - To Gay Moring and her family, at the death of her brother, Hal Council, who died Monday, August 29. Services will be held in Florida.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Chip Neal and Haley Jones at 8:30 & Ethan Berry and Ellie Agler at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Larry and Mim Prohl at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Dick and Sharon Bean, Rick Caudle, Tom Hyatt, Richard Boston at 8:30 & Steve Ludlow, Dale Carter, Duane Lofdahl, Lee Jones at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Christine Sager

11:00 Promise Class volunteer this Sunday: Laurie Peebles

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.