The Good News - This Week

We're heading into spring, which is significant in more ways than setting our clocks ahead to "spring forward" for daylight saving time this coming Sunday.

Spring also represents a time of growth, and we are surely seeing this in the increased numbers of children attending our Sunday School classes. We're glad to share the good news and fun activities with both familiar and new friends. During this Lenten season, we are remembering to appreciate the gifts God has given to us, especially the gift of Jesus. We are also focusing on ways to serve and give to others. This can take many forms, and one way we're doing this will be through the ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING. Children may bring back what they've collected in their fish banks or envelopes for this special offering on Palm Sunday.

Another way our children and families are invited to serve is to join in "gussying up" the Labyrinth garden on Saturday morning, March 17. What a perfect day for a green thumb activity! Our resident gardener, Ms. Maggie Mulch, is leading this effort.

Our Children's Ministry committee wants to honor those who've given of their most precious resource, their time, to our program. We're holding a volunteer appreciation luncheon following the congregational meeting, at 12:30 on Sunday March 18. If you've helped in our children's program, please join us as we serve up homemade soups, salad and breads.

And finally, we celebrate this season with FUN as well! We hope many of you will join with your children for our Easter Egg Hunt at 6:15pm on March 21, following the Fun Wednesday dinner. Bunny rabbits from Phil Busman's farm will be on hand as special "guests." We're looking forward to a hopping good time!

Friends & Fellowship

Second Sunday Reception is this Sunday! Visitors and members, please join the deacons following 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.

Congregational Meeting

It is very important that we have a quorum of 225 members present because of the Personnel Committee recommendation. Please make a special effort to attend this meeting.

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, March 18 at 12:00pm in the sanctuary for the following purposes:

1) Meet as a Corporation prior to the congregational meeting

2) Receive the 2011 Annual Report

3) Receive a 2011 expense report

4) Receive the 2012 Operating Budget

5) Vote on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to install the Rev. Jamie Gail Butcher as Associate Pastor and approve her Terms of Call (pending Presbytery approval )

6) Vote on changes to the Pastor's Terms of Call

Scout Sunday

APC will celebrate "Scout Sunday" on March 11. All Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Daisy Scouts and Girl Scouts who are members of the APC or who attend APC-hosted troops are invited to come in uniform for worship.

Easter Flowers

Would you like to help decorate the sanctuary and church for Easter? Honor or remember a loved one by contributing $25 for Easter flowers. Order forms can be found on the table near the church office. Cash or check (make payable to APC with "Easter flowers" on the memo line). The order deadline is Sunday, April 1. Any flowers not taken home after the 11:00 Easter service will be donated to companion care seekers.

Lent and Easter Schedule

"The fast I choose: justice, kindness, humility"

Lenten Worship 6:30-7pm, February 29, March. 7, 14, 21

"Unwind: Song, Scripture and Prayer"

Children's Easter Egg Hunt 6:15pm, Wednesday, March 21

Taize Worship Service 6:30pm, Wednesday, March 28

Palm Sunday Worship Services* 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00am, Sunday, April 1

Maundy Thursday Service* 7:30pm, Thursday, April 5 (Holy Communion)

Good Friday Service* 7:30pm, Friday, April 6

Mission Day of Service 9am-12pm, Sat., April 7, APC volunteers in the community

Easter Sunrise Communion 6:00am, Sunday, April 8 (outdoor chapel)

Service

Easter Worship Services* 8:30, 9:45 and 11:00am, Sunday, April 8 (sanctuary)

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*Nursery care provided for children ages 0-5.

Safety Policies

As required by the Presbyterian Book of Order, the Session has recently adopted a Sexual Misconduct Policy for APC. Please take some time to review that policy which you can locate in the document library on the APC website. This policy "binds all clergy, church officers, church staff, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders, and other volunteers, both members and non-members, who are engaged in any activity organized, sponsored, or conducted by this church."

The Session also completed its annual update of our Child and Youth Safety Policy. You can find this revised policy in our document library as well. The goal of this policy is "to provide a safe and caring environment for our children and youth; protect children and youth from sexual, physical, verbal and emotional abuse and establish standards for volunteers and staff who lead youth and children."

Join Us for a Big, Fat Italian Feast!

Youth Mission Fundraiser, Fellowship Dinner & Talent Show on Saturday, March 24. Tickets will be on sale in the lobby Sunday mornings March 4 - 18, for our upcoming Fellowship dinner and Youth Mission Fundraiser. Cost is $5 per person, $15 per family. Please click here for more details about this fun family event.

STARS News

The STARS will meet this Wednesday, March 14 at noon in Room 206/207 for their monthly potluck luncheon and meeting. Please bring a dish to share and hear Gail Stephens of Senior Education Seminars speak about identity theft, a growing concern in today's world. All are welcome!

Eldercare Support

March Eldercare Support: As a caretaker for a loved one who is aging, how can we encourage independence and assure safety? Geriatric care specialist Dara MacMillan will be able to answer these questions and more at our next Eldercare support meeting, Thursday evening, March 15 at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall. We hope to see you then. Please contact Ellen Adolph at hbunnies@gmail.com with any questions or suggestions.

Prayer Labyrinth

Green Thumb wannabes and Labyrinth supporters: On Saturday, March 17, between 9:30 - 11:30 AM, join Mary House and Maggie Mulch at the Labyrinth for weeding and tidying up. No experience required. If you have garden gloves, bring them, if you don't have any, we will have a few extra pairs. Children with parents welcome. Any questions, call Maggie Mulch at 770-639-3492.

Ladies Night Out

St. Patty's Bowling - Wear green and join us for a fun evening of bowling on Friday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. We will meet at Brunswick Zone located at 785 Old Roswell Rd., Roswell, GA. Please click on the link below to register or sign up on the PW bulletin board. Contact pamheydinger@comcast.net if you have any questions. Hope you can join us!

Click Here for Online Sign Up

Drake Walk

Homelessness is a growing problem in the North Fulton area, with 10% of households living below the poverty line. With today's economic and housing downturn, the problem has never been greater. Located in Roswell, The Drake House offers emergency residential housing and support services to homeless single mothers and their children, with the goal of returning these families to self-sufficiency.

SAVE THE DATE - On Saturday, May 5 we will hold the Third Annual DrakeWalk in historic downtown Roswell. The DrakeWalk is a family event with 1 mile, 5K and 10K walks; plus a Finish Line Party that includes plenty of food, entertainment and children's activities. All proceeds directly support The Drake House programs.

For more information go to www.thedrakehouse.org or call 770-587-4712.

Summer Camps

Registration is now open at our Presbyterian Summer Camp! Summer Camp 2012 registration is now officially open with Horse Camps, Day Camps, Fun and Fellowship Camps, and three completely new camps just for 2012! Calvin Center Summer Camp offers a wonderful place for campers to live and play in a Christian setting while growing in their faith. Under the care of college aged counselors and staff who provide a caring Christian role model during the summer months. For more information, visit www.calvincenter.org/camps.

Faith & Families Class

The Faith and Families class has an upcoming series on The Seven Deadly Sins and Corresponding Virtues. The material is from the TheThoughtfulChristian.com. Below is the summary of the study.

The seven deadly sins have long been a source of inspiration for writers and artists, from morality tales of the Middle Ages to modern movies and video games. They have also been a large part of our religious and spiritual stories. In this seven-session study for adults, participants will explore all seven deadly sins and their corresponding virtues. These include:

3/11: Sloth and Caring, by Martin E. Marty
3/18: Wrath and Patience, by Wendy Farley
3/25: Envy and Love, by Sharon L. Baker
4/1: Pride and Humility, by David Rensberger

Liturgical Art

The new art in the niches just outside the sanctuary marks the start of a new project by the Liturgical Art Team to exhibit a selection of art on spiritual themes. We would like to showcase new art three or four times a year. Members and friends of the congregation who make art or fine craft are invited to contact Molly Elkind mpelkind@comcast.net or Sheryl Wentworth sherylwentworth@comcast.net about displaying their work in the niches. Let's use our God-given gifts to glorify God!

Save the Date!

Sunday, April 22 is APC's 25^th year anniversary celebration which includes a guest minister who grew up at APC preaching at 8:30 and 11:00, followed by a picnic and other activities at noon. Mark your calendar and spread the word to any former members!

Adult Mission Trips

The Adult Mission Trip to Kenya - June 1-11 and the deadline to signup is March 19. Anyone interested should contact Dr. Ollie Wagner as soon as possible.

Adult Mission Trip to La Gonave, Haiti - Haiti was once called the Gem of the Caribbean and was more valuable to France than all of the 13 colonies were to England. Is it possible that Haiti is as bad as all of the stereotypes? Can there still be beauty in spite of deforestation? Is it possible that God has abandoned Haiti? Come join us on the Adult Mission Trip to Haiti this fall to see why I think God is so very present there! Come meet fellow Christians who see God at work and joyfully sing his praises. We'll travel to the beautiful Is. of La Gonave to visit the site of APC's mission work for the past 12 years.

During the October visit (Oct. 6-10, 2012, pending final confirmation of dates) we will visit the comprehensive ministry of healthcare, education, economic development and water/sanitation projects undertaken jointly with the Haitians. Youth age14 and older accompanied by a parent are invited. Trip cost will be around $1,200 to $1,300. APC member Sydney Schneider and partnershipmember Deb Griffin will co-lead the trip. For questions or sign-up, contact Sydney Schneider at 770-664-0942 or sydschneider@comcast.net. Link for first time impressions and other trip reports.

Stay tuned for the first introductory meeting in March when you can learn more so that you can decide if God is calling you to this place at this time.

ACT1 Theater ACT1 Play

The New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook

Produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Co.
March 2 - 25

Carl, Lloyd and Parker, three older gentlemen who share a large home, need to rent out their fourth bedroom to help with bills. Their problem seems answered when Will shows up...except Will turns out to be a lady... and brings a whole host of hysterically funny new problems. Why do Carl and Will fight like brother and sister? Who's planting rumors that they are sweethearts? Why is Lloyd in fatigues and running night maneuvers through suburbia? Why is Parker sneaking around the neighborhood with his walkie-talkie? Who is the mysterious Woman in Black? This comedy has more turns than your uncle's map to grandma's house. And you'll finally find out just who really is The New Kid on the Block.

http://www.act1theater.com/schedule.html APC members use coupon code APCCC at check out for special rates. Box Office 770-663-8989

FW Plate Fun Wednesday

We hope to see you at Fun Wednesday Dinners. Reservations are no longer required for dinner. Please sign in when you pay for your meal. Dinner for March 14: Irish pub meatloaf, colcannon, vegetable, bread, Irish salad & dessert

Program - "UNWIND on Wednesday." A brief and informal time of Scripture, song and prayer beginning at 6:30pm in Fellowship Hall

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program - Recently the unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta dropped from 10.2% to 9.9 %. When individuals are no longer job hunting, as well as those who seek full-time jobs are counted, the real rate of unemployment is a conservative figure of 15%. Since 2007, Georgia has lost 360,000 positions, so the state now has approximately the same number of jobs that existed in 1999. Elder Bill Harris leads efforts at APC to address the employment concerns and needs your help. We are trying to get a handle on how many of our members are unemployed and underemployed and whether or not they participate in the Career Transition Group at APC. If you would like employment assistance, please email Bill at w.m.harris@att.net.

If you work for or lead an organization, we would appreciate any information on positions that might represent opportunities that become available or contact names that would ensure a more effective outreach. We need our employed professionals and executives to reach out and make information available that will give a competitive edge to members of our congregation who are endeavoring to gain a sense of the real jobs and hidden market versus Internet postings. In the Lobby, the Career Transition Bulletin Board is now up and running. Please email Bill with any assistance you can offer as we renew our commitment to serve our members, veterans and the community in this challenging and prolonged Recession.

Youth Ministry News

Click here to view this week's youth newsletter.

Youth Laser Tag Outing this Sunday! Everyone who would like to attend should sign up here so that we have enough drivers and chaperones. We will leave APC at 4:15pm and return by 8pm. $10 per participant includes dinner.

Youth Silent & Service Auction

Lots of great bargains are available for bidding! The auction will continue on Sunday mornings through March 18; and will be closed on Saturday, March 24 at our Big, Fat Italian Feast fundraiser dinner. All auction proceeds will go toward funding our summer youth mission trips.

Talent Show ~ Saturday March 24

We need some talented young people to participate in our show! We are accepting acts from children of all ages, you don't have to be in middle or high school to perform. Sign up online or by e-mailing Allison Neal.

We are seeking volunteers and donations for the Big, Fat Italian Feast fundraiser on March 24. More details can be found in the youth newsletter or contact Michelle Burton at michelle.b.burton@comcast.net.

Sunday, March 18 Parents and Youth are invited to hear guest speaker, Jo Abney of Professional Recovery Counseling. What about alcohol and drugs? Most teens don't want to talk about it and some parents prefer to believe that their kids aren't really affected by it. We are here to give some real information about drug and alcohol abuse. We want to answer your questions and facilitate meaningful conversation about an often difficult issue. Parents and students will meet together for the first part of the evening and then break off into Parent Group and Teen Group for questions. Ms. Abney has asked two special people to join her for this presentation; a parent who has lost a child to drug abuse and a young woman who was able to rise above her very serious addiction.

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, March 18 at 12:30pm following the congregational meeting, we will be holding our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Members of the Children's Ministry committee will be providing a variety of home-made soups, along with breads and salad. If you have served as a volunteer for our children's program, we hope you will join us! Please RSVP to Jodie Barger at j_barger@bellsouth.net or Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com.

Wednesday, March 21 at 6:15pm following the Fun Wednesday dinner, please join your children in the fun at our EGG HUNT! Remember to bring your cameras! Donations of wrapped, non-chocolate and peanut-free Easter candy welcomed! Please bring to church this Sunday if possible.

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 Choir 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 Myrl Akerman and her family, at the death of husband and father, Richard Akerman, on Saturday, March 3 in Alpharetta, GA. Services were held at APC on Thursday, March 8. He was 90 years old.

Sympathy - To Ken Bogle and his family, at the death of his mother, Ayliffe Jacobs Bogle, on Monday, March 5 in Marietta, GA. Services were held Saturday, March 10 in Easley, SC and a memorial service will be held locally on Sunday, March 18 at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA. She was 82 years old.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Jack Shevlin and Haley Jones at 8:30 & Caroline and Kate Tweedy at 11:00

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

Serving as ushers this Sunday: George and Susie 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: Volunteers needed

Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Fran Mosher at 11:00

APC Church Officers

The Session

Class of 2012 Class of 2013 Class of 2014

Dianne Berry-Children's Ministry George Bancroft-Property Scott Doll-Membership/Youth Ministry

Michelle Burton-Youth Ministry Jodie Barger-Children's Ministry Molly Elkind-Worship

Morris Estes-Finance Lynn Danson-Fellowship/Mission Stu Laubenstein-Personnel

Jim Gray-Clerk of Session/CE Pat Dennis-Open Arms Anne Mahone-Dayschool/LRP

John Shevlin-Mission Stacy Guy-Commitment/Commun. Charles Moriarty-Property/CE

Jessie Prigge-Youth Ministry Nancy Hill-Personnel/Nominating Sarah Provow-Open Arms/Commitment

Amy Rogers-Communications Jan Hughey-LRP/Finance Ferrell White-Worship/Fellowship

Jean Williams-Nominating/Membership Kylie Vacko-Open Arms

Deacon Care Teams

Hospitality - John Hicks, 678-513-4570, hicksjc@bellsouth.net

Companion Care - Carolyn Dillon, 770-751-3799, csdillon@bellsouth.net

Hospital & Recovery - Paul McChesney, 678-234-8471, paulsmcchesney@gmail.com

Sympathy & Celebrations, Steve Ludlow, 770-722-5473, ludlowst@comcast.net

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!

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).