The Good News - This Week

The parent of a five year-old said his son has been thinking long and hard about death lately. The child has been having a hard time sleeping and asks a lot of questions that reveal to his parents how occupied he is with the subject. Perhaps the topic is on my mind, too, with the death this week of 56 year-old Steve Jobs, the brilliant and innovative co-founder of Apple computers whose impact on technology has changed all of our lives.

No matter how different our life experiences, death will be one that we all share. Even five years-olds know this. The boy's parent asked me for a scripture passage that might be of some comfort or aid to the child. A few came to mind, but rather quickly I gravitated to the sturdy and beloved words of the Apostle Paul in the eighth chapter of his Letter to the Romans,

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life...nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (8:38-39)

That passage doesn't answer a lot of our questions but it does hold out a truth deeper than our lack of understanding. Namely, the love of God given to us in Jesus Christ can never be taken away from us. That love is sufficient for all of our needs. No matter how hard the situation, how devastating the loss or pain, how untimely the death; no matter how fearful the enemy or unfair the verdict, we are promised never to be without the blessing of God's love.

When all else seems to fail, look to the cross of Christ. Behold his sacrifice of love for the sins of the world. And with the women at the empty tomb, rejoice at the startling news that death could not hold him. "Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it," the Old Testament says of love's incredible power. I can think of no more comforting words for the children of God to hear, no matter what our age.

Peace be with you!

Ollie Wagner,

Pastor

Friends & Fellowship

Second Sunday Reception is this Sunday! Visitors and members, please join the deacons after the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall for a time of fellowship. Light refreshments will be served. It's a great time to meet new people and catch-up with friends.

Cancer Prayer Vigil

APC's Living Prayer group will hold a Cancer Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, October 19 at 4:15pm in the Prayer Labyrinth at the far north end of the church parking lot. All members and friends of APC are welcome to join us in the labyrinth for this informal time of prayer and reflection led by Rev. Jamie Butcher. Afterwards, all are invited to attend the Fun Wednesday dinner served at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall, as well as the after-dinner program "Treatment of Any Cancer" given by Dr. Cantauria. Please contact Gail Bullock at 770-754-4427 or gbull205@bellsouth.net for more information.

APC Survey

Please take a moment to complete the APC Long Range Planning survey at http://www.alpharettapres.com/survey. It only takes about 15 minutes and will be very helpful to church leadership as we strive to discern and follow God's call as a congregation.

For those who prefer to complete the survey by hand, copies will be available in the church office (Monday through Friday) and they will be available in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday. You may also request that Carol in the office mail you a copy (770-751-0033). If you complete the survey by hand, please "deposit" it in the secured mail drop slip along the church office wall under the "Church News" bulletin board. In addition, we plan to have a laptop available in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday for folks who would like to complete it at that time.

STARS News

The STARS held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 14 with approximately 12-14 in attendance. Nancy Snyder led the meeting. We had 19 STARS attend the APC Dinner Theater on Saturday evening, October 1. It was a wonderful performance and fabulous dinner by our Chef Doug.

We will be going on Wednesday, November 2 to the Etowah Indian Mounds. We will travel on the Alpharetta Senior Center bus. The cost is $8 and lunch is on your own at the Appalachian Grill. Information and signup sheet in on the STARS bulletin board with a deadline of October 12. Join us for a great outing. You do not have to be a STARS member to attend.

The STARS will attend "A Very Merry Holiday Pops" at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, December 17 at 2:00pm. The cost is $22 and there are 20 tickets available. The bus will leave from the Alpharetta Senior Center at 12:30pm. Watch for the signup sheet in the very near future.

The STARS Christmas Party is scheduled for Friday, December 2 at 6:00pm. Watch for details coming soon.

Kathleen Wien

Thanksgiving Service

Mark your calendars! The Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00pm at St. James United Methodist Church (3000 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta). This third annual community Thanksgiving celebration will include beautiful choral music and a St. James dance troupe. APC's Ollie Wagner will preach the sermon and several area clergy will share in worship leadership for this ecumenical event. An offering will be taken in support of North Fulton Community Charities.

Choir Notes

Advent & Christmas Choir - We invite all to come join the Chancel Choir during the months of October, November and December (Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas). You will have a chance to sing the great music of this time of year and add your voice to the joy of the season. And it is just a 3 month commitment on your part. We will be singing for the Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving Service on November 22, the special Christmas Program on Sunday, December 11, as well as all the Sundays that make up this festive time. We rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 in the choir room. Contact Joel Lillethun at joel@alpharettapres.com.

Adult Sunday School

The 2011 - 2012 Adult Sunday School Offerings are:

The Present Word-a curriculum-based weekly Bible study taught by Tom Denham in the Alpha Building classroom #2.

Young Adult Lectionary Bible Study for those between the ages of 19 and 29; taught by Mary Anne Mahone in the Alpha Building classroom #4.

Crossroads-a continuing class currently studying "Presbyterian History" facilitated by class members in Room 210.

Faith and Values-led by Ted Lynam in the multipurpose room, the class is beginning a review of stewardship and family finances to parallel the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University series that will begin Sunday evenings on October 9 and run through mid-January.

You are cordially invited

to attend the

Worship Service at 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, October 30, 2011 as

Dr. Walter Manly Jones, Jr.

Is honored with the title of

Pastor Emeritus of

Alpharetta Presbyterian Church

Luncheon to follow

Fellowship Hall

RESERVATIONS are required for the luncheon RSVP to: Susan Schiltz

susan@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033

before October 14, 2011

Donations appreciated to offset the cost

of the Luncheon and the Gift

Ladies Night Out

Brighten up a room in your home with a painting you have created yourself! The artist will lead you step-by-step through painting a beautiful vase of flowers in the colors you choose. Please join us Thursday, November 10 at Creatively Yours located in Johns Creek Walk - 11030 Medlock Bridge Rd. Suite 260, Johns Creek, GA 300097. Social 7:00pm, painting begins at 7:30pm Bring an appetizer or beverage to share. Cost $25. Sign up at www.creativelyyoursinc.com and enter APC in the notes. Also, email pamheydinger@comcast.net or sign-up on the bulletin board.

Property Work Day

Property Work Day, October 8 - We will be working on the grounds from around 8:00 am until... All are welcome to come and help. We will be working to beautify the Memorial Garden, spreading mulch and any other projects around the grounds we can find time for. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Watson in the Church office at 770-751-0033.

Haiti Update

La Gonâve Haiti Partnership Update - You know how it is, if you're in the right place at the right time, opportunities may open to you. But what if you were attending one of the remote schools supported by the La Gonâve Haiti Partnership? Depending on where you live on the island of La Gonâve the distance to the high school in the port town of Ansé-a-Galets could be as short as an hour's walk or as long as a 9 hour walk through rough terrain...one way. Plus, you'd need to have high school tuition money, shoes and a place to stay. It won't happen, or will it?

We know that education is the key to Haiti's future, but what options are open to smart minds in rural areas? Our partnership is growing a program to find sponsors for the top two students from each of our supported schools to attend St. Francis of Assisi High School. The cost is $300/year. If you as an individual, family, class or circle would like to sponsor a student and know you're making a difference, please contact Sydney Schneider 770-664-0942 or Sydschneider@comcast.net.

Financial Peace

APC will host two sessions of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University beginning October 9. Session 1 will take place during the Sunday School hour, 9:45am - 10:45am and Session 2 will take place on Sundays from 5:30pm-7:30pm. All interested participants must register. Please contact Ted Lynam lynama@bellsouth.net or 770-754-0445 to register.

Financial Financial Peace University(FPU) consists of a 13-week video curriculum-taught by financial expert Dave Ramsey that incorporates small-group discussions to encourage accountability and discipleship. Financial Peace University is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages. The class requires a commitment in terms of time and money.

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 October 12: Spaghetti & meatballs, Italian style vegetables, garlic toast, salad & dessert

Adult Program is from 6:15-7:15pm and topics include guest mission speakers, Bible study, faith discussions and music progreams

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

Connecting at Youth Group - APC Youth Group is in full swing, meeting on Sunday nights from 5:30 - 7:30 for fellowship and faith. Youth Group is a time for our middle and high school students to come together in a non-worship setting, share a meal and grow in their relationship with Christ and with each other. We encourage all middle and high school students to join us for Youth Group on Sunday nights.

Sunday, October 9, Youth Group, HIGH SCHOOL only, meets tonight from 5:30-7:30 PM at APC. Bring $4 for dinner in Fellowship Hall.

For more information or to RSVP contact Kelly Edwards at kelly@alpharettapres.com.

Children's Ministry News

Sunday Schedule for Children at APC for 2011 - 2012

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

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

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 practice on Sundays from 9:30am - 10:00am. The elementary children (K-Gr 5) practice in room 109 from 9:30am - 10:00am and are then escorted to their age group's workshop. The preschoolers have music in their Sunday school room at 10:00am. Sunday school ends at 10:45am. Parents pick up their children from designated rooms and workshops.

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 are underway with a new enrichment program for children that involves drama, music, art, Bible study, and games. Dinner starts at 5:15pm followed by new and exciting activities for children from 6:15pm - 7:15pm.

Child Safety Training Sunday, October 9 at 12:15pm in Room 206/207 for all who will be volunteering with our children or youth and have not yet attended a training session.

Harvest Party and Children's Costume Parade at 6:00pm after Fun Wednesday dinner on October 26. For more information, contact Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Haley Jones and Isobel Still at 8:30 & Zoe Genet and Emma Mynatt at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Serving as ushers this Sunday: George and Sue Myers, Carolyn Dillon, Wilson Borden at 8:30 & Ken Bogle, Larry Prohl, Dale Carter, Dot Van Dyke at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Ann Cooley

11:00 Promise Class volunteer this Sunday: Fran Mosher

APC Church Officers

The Session

Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Class of 2013

Pat Chisolm-CE/Worship Dianne Berry-Children's Ministry George Bancroft-Property

Anne Dantzler-Worship/Dayschool Michelle Burton-Youth Ministry Jody Barger-Children's Ministry

Mike Marcin-Personnel Morris Estes-Finance Patrick Dennis-Property/Youth

Nancy Lofdahl-Fellowship Jim Gray-Clerk of Session/CE Stacy Guy-Membership/Commitment

Ross Mynatt-Long Range Planning John Shevlin-Mission Nancy Hill-Commitment/Personnel

Elizabeth Shevlin-Children's Ministry Jessie Prigge-Youth Ministry

Kelly Vandever-Comm./Nominating Amy Rogers-Communications

Sue White-Mission Jean Williams-Membership/Nominating

Deacon Care Teams

Hospitality - Scott Doll, 678-984-3389, scottd@ymcaatlanta.org

Companion Care - Wendy Cory, 770-663-4141, coryswa@yahoo.com

Hospital & Recovery - Tyler Jones, 404-625-5324, tyler@mac.com

Sympathy & Celebrations, Ken Bogle, 770-355-5360, lyons26@aol.com

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 (Mon-Thurs, 8:00am-4:00pm and Friday, 8:00am-1:00pm).