The Good News - This Week

The first text message was sent in 1992. Today, the total number of messages sent and received every day exceeds the population of the planet (over 6.9 billion).

The average American teenager sends over 2,200 text messages each month. Americans have access to: 1 trillion web pages, 65,000 iPhone apps, 10,500 radio stations, 5,500 magazines and over200 cable tv networks. Every minute 24 hours of video is uploaded to YouTube.

There are currently over 800 million facebook users. If facebook were a country, it'd be the world's 3rd largest by population.

This incredible information was shared with me by the leaders of our newest Adult Education Sunday School class which will be meeting Sundays from 9:45-10:45am in the multi-purpose room. Feel free to join in on the conversation and learning as we try to consider how to live faithfully in the midst of the information revolution-as parents, as disciples, as a congregation.

And speaking of information....we want to hear your ideas, hopes and feedback about APC and its future. Take the survey! http://www.alpharettapres.com/survey

Grace and Peace,

Ollie

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Warm Coat Drive

A WARM COAT DRIVE in support of the good work at North Fulton Community Charities, The Place of Forsyth and the Open Door Community in Atlanta. The beautiful, cool mornings of October remind us that the harsh chill of winter is rapidly approaching. Please support your Mission Committee's efforts by bringing gently used (or new) warm coats and/or jackets (men's, women's and children's - all sizes). Please place them in the yellow bin outside of Fellowship Hall no later than Sunday, October 30.

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.

Eldercare Support
APC's Eldercare Support "There is no grief like the grief that does not speak." --Henry Wordsworth Longfellow
The next Eldercare Support Group will take place on Thursday, October 20 at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall, where we will meet to share and support one another. Facilitated by Rev. Jamie Butcher, the topic will be "Dealing with Grief: Myths and Realities." We hope you will join us. For questions or other information, please contact Ellen Adolph, hbunnies@gmail.com, or 678-637-2928.

Teen Theater

92 roles, 66 books, 30 minutes, 11 kids... can they do it?? Join ACT1 Teen Theater as they attempt to cover the ENTIRE Bible in 30 minutes... or less! This fast paced romp through the Testaments will crack you up and maybe even teach you something. Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm in the theater. TICKETS ARE FREE, so bring all your family and friends!! Because seats fill up fast, we recommend you reserve (free) seats at www.act1theater.com.

Food Drive

Next Sunday, October 23, we will begin our Harvest Food Drive to benefit area food pantries that serve the needy. Grocery bags with instructions will be distributed by the Mission Committee at the end of the worship service. We ask that your donations of non-perishable food items be returned in those bags over the next three Sundays. They will be delivered to North Fulton Community Charities and The Place of Forsyth the week of November 14. Thank you for your generous response to this mission effort!

Faith & Families Sunday School Class

Faith and Families - Parenting and Technology series

Did you know that the average American teenager sends over 2,200 text messages each month? Were you aware that Facebook currently has over 800 million users? Instant messaging, chatting, Tweeting, and Facebooking are rapidly becoming the preferred means of communication for today's young people.

What forms of communication technology are available today, and what risks do they pose for children and teens? What are some basic methods parents can use to protect their children? What resources are available to parents of young children and teens?

To learn more, please join the Faith and Families class at 9:45am in the multipurpose room. The class will identify trends in digital media communication, and outline the potential benefits and risks for parents looking for information on how best to support and protect their children. Upcoming topics include:

October 16 - Smartphone etiquette

October 23 - What's My Child Doing on the Internet? Part I (email, texting, blogging)

October 30 - What's My Child Doing on the Internet? Part II (social media, cyber-bulling)

For questions, please contact John or Kristin Hicks 678-428-3937.

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.

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.

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 Families-in the multipurpose room, the class will identify trends in digital media communication, and outline the potential benefits and risks for parents looking for information on how best to support and protect their children.

Pastor Emeritus

You are cordially invited to attend the worship services on October 30 as Dr. Walter Manly Jones, Jr. is honored with the title of Pastor Emeritus of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. A luncheon will follow in Fellowship Hall. This is your last chance to make a required reservation to Susan Schiltz at susan@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of the luncheon and 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.

Kitchen Talk at APC

Welcome to Kitchen Talk! In this section you will find news or information related to the activities of the APC Kitchen. There will also be links provided that will get you to reservation pages for events such as Fun Wednesday Dinners at APC Fun Wednesday Dinner reservations. If you would like to comment on something related to the APC Kitchen and/or the meals provided, please feel free to click on this link http://www.alpharettapres.com/dinner

APC Drinks a lot of Coffee

We at APC like coffee!! Please consider making a donation if you are just getting a cup of coffee, hot tea, or hot chocolate. Donation boxes are out each Sunday and Wednesday both in the kitchen and upstairs in the Educational Building.

Care of Creation through use of paper products

As we continue to work to be better stewards in the care of God's earthly creation, the APC kitchen continues to use more and more paper products rather than Styrofoam products. We also continue to use the silverware, plates, plastic glasses, and white coffee cups that require washing. Recently, we began using the special paper cups for hot drinks like hot chocolate and coffee for those individuals who wish to take their hot drinks outside of the Fellowship Hall. Please do not double cup your hot drinks. Use a paper napkin to wrap around your cup if you need.

Oktoberfest Fun Wednesday Dinner on October 19

Chef Doug will be preparing a special dinner in celebration of October on Wednesday, October 19. We will have:

German Beef Roulades

German-style creamed spinach

Baked sauerkraut and apples

German spaetzle dumplings

Assorted dinner rolls

Apple Strudel

German Chocolate Pie

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.

Dinner for October 19: Oktoberfest! German beef roulades, sauerkraut & apples, dumplings, creamed spinach, rolls, salad, apple strudel & German chocolate pie

Adult Program is from 6:15-7:15pm and topics include guest mission speakers, Bible study, faith discussions and music programs. This week's topic is "Treatment of Any Cancer" with local MD Dr. Canturia

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 16, Youth Group, grades 6-12, 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.

Harvest Party and Costume Parade on October 26 following Fun Wednesday dinner. Parade will start by 6:15pm in Fellowship Hall, followed by activities in the multipurpose room. Please keep costumes non-violent (no weapons as props) and not too frightening, as very young children will be present. Parents, bring your cameras if you'd like to take pictures! We will end at our usual time of 7:15.

For more information, contact Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Celebration - Congratulations to Ted Smith and Jill Norton, Ethan and Brady, at the addition of Violet Selam Smith to their family. Violet arrived from Ethiopia on September 22.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Chip Neal and Daniel Redder at 8:30 & Sarah Gould and Julia Jagmin at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Sybille Johnstone, Alan Crowell at 8:30 & Ed and Pat Rea, Jeff Stewart, Ralph Pollifrone at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Erika de Greef & Nell DeVore

11:00 Promise Class volunteer this Sunday: Trish Kent

APC Church Officers

The Session

Class of 2011 Class of 2012 Class of 2013