The Good News - This Week

It is said that there are over 100 names and titles for Jesus in the Bible. And this is not surprising in that a name both identifies a person and is descriptive of that person. No one name can embody all that Christ is. From the Old Testament prophets through the writers in the New Testament, the myriad of names help us in our understanding of Christ. Rich descriptive names such as "Good Shepherd", "Bread of Life", "Light of the World" reveal who Jesus is and why he came into this world

The APC Music Ministry will provide special music at the 8:30 and 11:00 services this Sunday, December 11, entitled "What Shall We Call this Child?" Through music, Scripture and prayer, we will explore some of the Biblical names of the coming Christ: Alpha and Omega, Lamb of God, Emmanuel, Bridegroom, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, King of Kings.

A reception will follow after the 11:00 service.

Advent Wreath

Why do we have a Pink Candle in our Advent Wreath?

While the candles in our Advent Wreath have no significant historical meaning other than to mark a "countdown" of Sunday's leading to Christmas, we Christians tend to like symbolic meanings. We assign them to everything, and each has an importance of its own. But perhaps in Advent, the meanings take on more than just symbolic representation...

In Advent, we're counting down the weeks, and days, until our Savior joins us, until he comes to SAVE us - from ourselves!

The pink candle has a strange origin...

Long ago, one of the Catholic Popes had a custom of walking through the streets of Rome and handing someone a rose on the fourth Sunday in Lent. This led the Roman Catholic clergy to wear rose-colored vestments on that Sunday. Originally, Advent was a solemn fast in preparation for Christmas, so the custom was extended to the third Sunday in Advent to liven the fasting period up a little bit. Somewhere in there, the third candle of the Advent wreath turned pink.

Fast forward to the present - Advent is no longer solemn, and the Pope no longer hands out roses (nor does he walk among the crowds in the street). It's kind of odd to think that a Presbyterian would put a pink candle in an originally Lutheran Advent Wreath, because a Catholic pope used to have a custom of handing out roses - but it's important to realize that as Christians, we're really more ecumenical than we realize...

The Birth of Christ is celebrated by all Christians - bar the polity.

APC Christmas CD

APC CHRISTMAS CD RELEASE! All are welcome to join us in celebrating the Open Arms Christmas CD at the reception following the 11:00 service this Sunday, December 11. Drop by the table to purchase and preview the CD featuring talented musicians of APC. Learn more about APC's Open Arms and Music ministries. CDs are available for $15 at the table in the lobby and for on-line download at www.alpharettapres.com/openarmscd All proceeds go to disabilities accommodations at APC.

Fun Wednesday Event

Fun Wednesday Christmas Event: Our last Fun Wednesday of the season will be next Wednesday, December 14. The children will provide special Christmas entertainment throughout the meal. This will include piano music, a Christmas carol sing-a-long and the presentation of "Aaron, the Allergic Shepherd" by the children's choir and the drama "Reason for the Season" by APC's 5:16 players. Be sure to make your reservations at www.alpharettapres.com/dinner.

Alternative Gift Giving

Honor your friends and family members with alternative gifts that are different, simpler and more meaningful. You can find gifts that offer hope and a new life to people facing crises at the Alternative Gift Table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday between 8:30am and noon. Choices include shares from Heifer International and La Gonâve Haiti Partnership projects. These gifts are multiply peace and justice and never the wrong size or color!

See Dave Ramsey Live!

We have about 50 people taking the 13-week Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University and learning how to change their lives through good financial management strategies. If you wanted to take the class but were unable, you have an opportunity to attend a 5-hour seminar hosted by Dave Ramsey himself at Gwinnett Arena on Saturday, January 21.

This seminar will be a condensed version of the 13-week course and past attendees have said that it's life changing. APC members and friends can attend the class for a discounted rate of $25 (and no extra fees) using the coupon code "APC" when ordering online. Tickets are also available by contacting Ted Lynam, tedlynam3895@comcast.net. This event will sell out, and it will be two years before Dave is back in Atlanta, so get your seats early, and tell your friends about it, they can use the discount code, too!

Children's Pageant

Children's Christmas Pageant - December 18, 2011 - 9:45 AM

The Children's Christmas Pageant is one of the longest-running and most unique traditions at APC. It is a little chaotic, a little messy. It never goes exactly as planned. It is exactly as it should be. YOU are invited to participate!

Our Christmas Pageant is open to all. EVERY child is invited to participate. There will be no try-outs, no rehearsals. This is not as much a performance as an experience.

Our pageant, this year, will be at 9:45 AM on December 18. Children of ALL AGES are invited to dress up as a participant in the Nativity story. We need Marys, Josephs, Shepherds, Animals, Wise Ones, and Angels.

Costume creation, simple or elaborate, is up to each child's parents. (Marys - don't forget a baby doll!) Don't have a costume? Come anyway! We'll have extra.
Please arrive by 9:30 on the morning of December 18 and gather with the other participants in designated rooms. (Angels will gather in the Choir Room. All others will gather in classrooms set-up in Fellowship Hall on the sanctuary side.)

We will need youth to "corral" each group and to help them with their entrances and exits. To volunteer, please contact Lisa McKemey 678-462-5597; lmckemey@comcast.net.

If you've attended the Children's Christmas Pageant before, you know how special it is. If you haven't, make this the year. Consider yourself personally invited to be a part of this heartwarming APC family tradition.

Eldercare Support

APC Eldercare shares two important events:

APC Open Arms Eldercare is excited to publish our blog, APC Open Arms Reaching Out. Use our blog to find out important information about our Open Arms Eldercare program, numerous Eldercare articles and many online resources. We have chosen a blog format so that you may follow along and read articles of interest as well as pose questions you may have. You may access the blog via the church webpage www.alpharettapres.com and also via the link posted below:

http://apcopenarmsreachingout.wordpress.com

We hope you will bookmark our blogsite and check back often for updated information.

Please also mark your calendar for our next event on December 15. Rev. Jamie Butcher will lead our service entitled "Service for the Season: Strength for the Journey." This is a service of worship for caregivers and members of the eldercare community. Join us in prayer and song offering Christian hope during what can be a difficult season.

The Drake Closet

Volunteers, Donations and Shoppers NEEDED !!!

We would love to have your help at our new venture - The Drake Closet. It is a women's resale boutique and volunteers are needed to sort, hang, stock and sell!!

Help is needed on all shifts, on the sales floor and on the lower level accepting donations and readying them for the floor.

Volunteers needed for two hour shifts:

· 10 AM to noon

· Noon to 2 PM

· 2 PM to 4 PM

· 4 PM to 6 PM

Volunteer applications are available at the store or at www.thedrakehouse.org. Students under 16 are welcome with parent and do not need an application.

Donations can be made:

· Tues - Fri - 11AM to 3 PM

· Sat - 10 AM to noon (or by appointment)

General information:

825 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell GA 30075

678-682-3551

kjackson@thedrakehouse.org

www.thedrakecloset@thedrakehouse.org (general mailbox)

Store Hours: Tues - Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM

Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM

Epiphany Event

Children's Ministry is currently organizing an International Event for Epiphany Sunday, January 8.

This will be held at 9:45am in Fellowship Hall. If you are interested in setting up a small display to share about the culture, customs or foods from a specific country, please contact Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com.

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 now through December 17 at 7:30pm. Sunday Matinees on December 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.

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.

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 18 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.

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 December 14: Quesadilla bar, side dishes, salad and dessert

Program is from 6:15-7:15pm: Christmas music and drama presentation!

Youth Ministry News

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

Click here for your invitation to the Youth Christmas Party on Sunday, December 11.

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

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

Sympathy - To Donna Molnar and her family, at the death of her stepfather, Dean Summers, who died Tueaday, November 26. Services were held in Maryville, TN.

Sunday Volunteers

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

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 8:30

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: Nina Prol & Christine Sager

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 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).