The Good News - This Week

This Sunday we begin the Advent season. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ. Be reminded that the one who came long ago in Bethlehem as a humble infant will come again "in the clouds" with power and glory as judge. As theologian Shirley Guthrie was fond of saying, "our judge is also our redeemer."

I invite you this Advent season to gaze back toward Bethlehem with thanksgiving and alleluias, but also to gaze heavenward with anticipation and into your heart for the hard work of repentance to which we are called in this season. Your church family looks forward to walking through Advent with you! Beginning this Sunday we offer worship at three times: 8:30am, 9:45am and 11:00am. Sunday school for all ages is offered at 9:45am and a delicious breakfast spans the morning.

May God bless your work of celebration and preparation as we light the candles of our Advent wreath symbolizing: hope, love, joy, peace and Christ. Prepare the way of the Lord!

Holiday Hours

The church office will be closed Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving from all the APC staff!

APC Christmas CD

COMING SOON! Christmas CD by Open Arms and Music Ministries of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. On Sunday, December 4, APC presents an album of Christmas carols and songs by the talented musicians of the church. From pianists to handbells to children's choirs, this CD is not to be missed! Purchase one for yourself and a few more for gifts. CDs are available for $15 at the table in the lobby and for online download at www.alpharettapres.com/openarmscd. All proceeds go to disabilities accommodations at APC.

Angel Tree

Angel Tree - Last chance to adopt an angel! The tree is still in the lobby and we have a few angels in need of Christmas cheer. Please stop by today to see how you can help. Reminder: Angel gifts MUST be delivered to APC no earlier than Monday, November 28 and no later than Sunday, December 4 at noon. If you have questions, contact Michelle Olsen, 770/777-0549 or Eva Wardrup, 770/354-1226.

Supper Six

Supper Six Reminder - don't forget to make your reservation for our Christmas party on December 3rd at 6:30 PM. Nancy and Duane Lofdahl will be hosting us in their home. Please email or call Lynn and Art Adams by November 28 lynnandartadams@gmail.com or 678-319-0984.

Commitment Sunday

If you were not able to attend "Commitment Sunday" last week, please take a moment to complete and return the two pledge cards which you will find in the pew racks. The cards may be placed in the offiering plate or dropped off in the finance offfice's mail slot.

As you complete and turn in your pledge cards regarding your 2012 giving to APC, please be sure to pick up your gift from the church: A beautiful APC car magnet of our stained glass rose window. The magnets may be picked up from the table in the lobby.

Oliver! Performances

Tickets are now available for Oliver! (By Lionel Bart, based on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, by permission of Tams Witmark) by ACT1 Theater.

The musical adaptation tells Dickens' classic story of an orphaned boy forced to join a band of homeless lads trained to pick pockets on the mean streets of old London. Singing favorites such as "Food, Glorious Food", "Consider Yourself (One of Us)" and "Oom-Pah-Pah", ACT1 brings the pain, laughter and redemption of this timeless tale to life on stage.

Show Dates: Every Friday and Saturday night from November 25 - December 15 at 7:30pm. Sunday Matinees on December 4, 11 and 18 at 2:00pm

Special Pricing Available for APC Members!

Use coupon code "APCCC" to get these discounted prices:

Adults: $12 each / Children under 12 and Seniors over 60: $10 each

Check out our website at www.act1theater.com, pick up tickets in the church lobby on Sundays or call the box office at 770-663-8989.

9:45 AM Service Added

9:45am worship time added at APC!

To better serve the needs and interests of young families, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church,

180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA will be adding a 9:45am worship time

to its Sunday morning schedule starting Sunday, November 27.

All are welcome to attend...tell your neighbors...bring a friend!

APC's new Sunday morning schedule will be as follows:

8:00am - 10:15am Full, Hot Breakfast Buffet ($5 adults/$3 children)

8:30am Public Worship (child care provided for ages 0-6)

9:45am Public Worship (nursery provided for ages 0-2)

9:45am Sunday School for all ages

11:00am Public Worship (child care provided for ages 0-6)

www.alpharettapres.com

Poinsettias for Christmas

You may purchase a poinsettia, in memory or honor of a loved one, to be placed in the sanctuary for our Advent and Christmas worship services. You may take your poinsettia home after the Christmas services. The cost is $11.00 per flower. In lieu of flowers (or in addition to flowers), loved ones may be honored or remembered by making a monetary gift to APC's Pastor's Emergency Fund that supports members and friends of the church going through financial emergencies. This fund will be used to help support those in need during the holiday season and into the new year. Deadline to purchase/make a donation is Tueday, December 13. Please see the table in the lobby in front of the church office to complete a form and leave your payment in the box provided.

APC on Facebook

Find us on Facebook! That's right Alpharetta Presbyterian Church has a facebook page! You can "like" APC at http://facebook.com/alpharettapres. Look for the latest information about activities and missions of the church!

APC Book Club

Love to read? All are welcome to join the APC Book Club for a holiday party at the home of Lisa McKemey on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00pm. Bring your most festive dessert or appetizer and enjoy good fellowship and a discussion of Lorna Landvik's Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons. For more information, contact Katie VanBrackle at 770-777-1931.

Faith & Families

The 2011 adult Advent study, "From Longing to Receiving," is now available! Writer Patricia Tull leads participants through the Old Testament and the Gospel lectionary texts for four weeks, tracing important Advent themes of longing for God's help, anticipating God's presence among us, recognizing God's work among us, and receiving God's new gifts to us.

Each week's handout is filled with important information about the texts, yet written for personal devotional use for group discussion.

November 27 - No class

December 4 - From Longing to Receiving (Advent)

December 11 - From Longing to Receiving (Advent)

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, "From Longing to Receiving" (Advent)

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program - This week the unemployment rate in Georgia rose to 10.3%. 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%. Elder Bill Harris leads efforts at APC to address the employment concerns of our congregation and needs your help. We are trying to get a handle on the reality of how many of our members are unemployed and underemployed - whether or not you currently attend the Career Transition Group at APC, if you fit either category please email Bill at w.m.harris@att.net. In addition, the job market is tight and the impersonal internet has made it difficult to get recognized among the many. If you work for or own a company, we would appreciate any information on positions to come available or contact names that would ensure a more effective outreach. We need our employed professionals to reach out and make information available that will give a fighting chance to members of our congregation who are struggling to get a sense of the real jobs versus automatic postings, and to get noticed! Please email Bill with any help you can give as we renew our commitment to serve our members in this difficult and ongoing recession.

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

There will be NO Fun Wednesday on November 23. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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. No Fun Wednesday this week November 23!

Dinner for November 30: Spaghetti & meatballs, vegetable, garlic bread, salad and dessert

Multi-generational program is from 6:15-7:15pm: Advent wreath making

Youth Ministry News

Youth Summer Mission Trip information and sign ups are available outside Kelly's office and in the Youth Ministry newsletter.

No Youth Group on Sunday, November 27. Happy Thanksgiving!

For questions or more information, please contact Kelly Edwards, Director of Youth Ministries at kelly@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033.

Children's Ministry News

Fun Wednesday, November 30, from 6:15-7:15pm is a multi-generational event. All are welcome to join with the children during ths time to create Advent Wreaths for companion care seekers. Additional supplies will be on hand to create wreaths to take home. Please contact Kathy Ailts, Director of Children's Ministry, if you plan to come contact kathy@alpharettapres.com.

December 1, 9:30am in Room 201, Join us as we get together for coffee and to select from "finalists" for our VBS curriculum. All are welcome; we'll make this fun!

Sunday School for preschool and elementary age children is from 9:45 - 10:45am.

Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 8:15am - 12:15pm for ages 0-2 in the nursery.

Children's Choirs practice is on Sundays at 9:30am; children will join the rest of their classes following this time.

Promise Class is provided on Sundays from 9:30 am - 12:30pm for our special needs students in the Rainbow Room.

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 Room 108 (Kindergarten & First) during the 11:00am service.

Fun Wednesdays' enrichment program for children meets from 6:15pm - 7:15pm following Fun Wednesday dinner. Activities include music, art, Bible stories, drama and games.

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

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Jack Shevlin and Daniel Redder at 8:30 & Nick and Tyler Heydinger at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Joyce Komala at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Beau & David Armistead, Kelly Vandever, Donny Matchen, Marian Cunningham at 8:30 & Stu Laubenstein, Dale Carter, Drew Rhoades, Dot Van Dyke at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Amy Ordahl & Holly Palmer

11:00 Promise Class volunteer this Sunday: Kate McChesney

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 Jodie 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).