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| The Good News - This Week |
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This Sunday
Fellowship Breakfast
8:00-10:00 AM
8:30, 9:45 & 11:00 AM
Preaching this week:
Dr. Oliver Wagner
Youth Group,
grades 6-12, meets at 5:30 PM at APC |
The Good News Email Information
The Good News - This Week is a publication of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church for its members
and friends.
Send your comments and suggestions to connections
@alpharettapres.com.
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Ollie's Offerings
There are no "normal" or "quiet" weeks at APC! This vibrant, engaged, and large congregation seems always to have lots going on. Indeed, this week is no different. Members of our confirmation class are on retreat at the Calvin Center this weekend working on their faith statements and bringing closure to the important process of becoming church members. Please pray for those youth, their teachers and families at this foundational time of their lives. My own son is among the eighth graders in the process of confirming faith on retreat! After meeting with Session in April they will join the church on Sunday, April 29.
This Sunday at our 12:00pm congregational meeting in the sanctuary you will be asked to confirm the Spirit's work in our midst by extending a call to the Rev. Jamie Gail Butcher to serve us as APC's Associate Pastor. This recommendation comes to you from our Personnel Committee. Jamie is currently hired by the Session under an annual contract. Sunday is your opportunity for confirmation of her call to serve the congregation. In order to do so we need one-fourth of our membership to be present at the meeting to have a quorum. So please, do all you can to attend! Jamie's ministry in our midst these past two years has been a great blessing to us. It is a great privilege for me to work with her at APC and I trust you will confirm that with your presence and vote.
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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) 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) 3) Vote on changes to the Pastor's Terms of Call 4) Receive the 2011 Annual Report 5) Receive a 2011 expense report 6) Receive the 2012 Operating Budget |
Are You Game?
Sports-N-Faith Camp for K-3rd graders is scheduled for the mornings of June 6-8. We are looking for YOUTH and ADULT VOLUNTEERS to introduce their favorite game or activities to our young campers. Plans for VBS are well underway; this will run the mornings of July 10-13. Join in the fun!!! Please contact Kathy at kathy@alpharettapres.com. |
Cancer Care Group
APC's Cancer Care Group will meet Sunday, March 25 at 9:45am in the Alpha Building, Classroom 1, and the 4th Sunday of each month. Whether you have been the patient or the caregiver to a loved one, you know that cancer takes a toll on everyone. Please join us as we talk about programs and projects that we can share with members of our APC family who may be at some point in this journey of healing and need our support. If you have questions, please contact Hope Williams at shwalpha@aol.com. |
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 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) _______________________________________ *Nursery care provided for children ages 0-5. |
| Join Us for a Big, Fat Italian Feast!
Youth Mission Fundraiser, Fellowship Dinner & Talent Show on Saturday, March 24. Make your reservations this Sunday. Cost is $5 per person, $15 per family. Please click here for more details about this fun family event.
Youth Silent & Service Auction ~ Bidding is open through March 24!
Lots of great bargains are available for bidding! New items have been added! 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 |
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! |
Labyrinth Workday
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 welcomed. Any questions, call Maggie Mulch at 770-639-3492. |
First Aid/CPR
First Aid/CPR Training was recently completed by additional members of our congregation. We were fortunate to have this valuable training provided through First Response. |
STARS News
The STARS outing to Gibbs Gardens has been postponed due to the tram not currently working. The trip will be rescheduled at a later date. The original trip to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens is now back on for May 9. The next monthly potluck luncheon and meeting will be Wednesday, April 11 at noon in Room 206/207. |
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Concert at APC
The Michael O'Neal Chamber Singers, an acclaimed ensemble of 24 voices, will present "Double Exposure", at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church next Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 pm. The ensemble is known for its choral variety and polished presentations. In this concert they will perform identical texts which have been set by two composers, sometimes centuries apart. As Alice said to Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass, "The question is whether you CAN make the words mean so many different things." This concert answers that question. $10 general admission. |
| Mission Day of Service
APC's Annual Mission Day of Service will be April 7. It is an APC tradition to end the Lenten season with a day of service in praise of God. Each year, church members join together in mission work on the APC campus and throughout the community. This year will be no different! The Mission Committee has been hard at work putting together a project list that includes mission work for everyone (even the little ones!). Please plan to join us on April 7. Sign ups will be available in the lobby on Sunday mornings through April 1.
Can't make it on the 7th? You can still help out by donating supplies. Sign up to donate on Sunday morning at church or visit our online supplies list to select your donation. Questions? Contact Allison Neal. |
Save the Date!
Sunday, April 22 is APC's 25th year anniversary celebration which includes guest minister Rev. Katie Dillon Crowe, who grew up at APC, preaching at 8:30 and 11:00. A picnic and other activities will follow beginning at noon. Mark your calendar and spread the word to any former members! |
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 ACT1 Play
The New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook
Produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Co.
March 16 - 25
Do you have your tickets yet for the hilarious, fast-paced comedy New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook at ACT1? Only 2 weekends left, so get your tickets today!
An (almost) all-senior cast tells the story of Carl, Lloyd and Parker, three older gentlemen who share a large home and need to rent out their fourth bedroom to help with bills. Their problem seems answered when Will shows up... and brings a whole host of hysterically funny new problems. Why do Carl and Will fight like siblings? Who's planting rumors about them? 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.
Show Dates: Every Friday and Saturday night from March 16 - 25 at 7:30pm with Sunday Matinees at 2:00pm
Get tickets at www.act1theater.com (APC members use coupon code APCCC at check out for special rates) or call our box office at 770-663-8989.
Mark your calendars! Auditions for our summer musical The Wind in the Willows are coming up fast so we want to be sure to get a spot on your calendar!
You can join us on either of two audition dates: Tuesday, April 10 6:30pm or Thursday, April 12 at 6:30pm
Produced at over 200 theaters across the country, this musical tells the story of the friendship of the good-hearted Water Rat, the shy and curious Mole, and the sensible Badger. What tests that friendship are the antics of Mr. Toad, a wily and impulsive animal given to sudden crazes such as stealing motor cars and driving them recklessly around the countryside. Their task is to save Toad from himself and then rescue the magnificent Toad Hall from the devious weasels, ferrets and stoats.
This show requires adults, teens and children age 7 and over. Most of the cast will play multiple roles. There are several small parts which will be assigned to various cast members who will also be in all the large chorus numbers. Most of the roles can be either male or female and a teen or an adult.
You can find more information on what roles will be available, what auditions will be like and what the rehearsal and performance schedules are by picking up a booklet in the church office (where you can also find preview scripts) or on our website at www.act1theater.com. |
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." |
| 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:
- 3/18: Wrath and Patience, by Wendy Farley
- 3/25: Envy and Love, by Sharon L. Baker
- 4/1: Pride and Humility, by David Rensberger
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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. |
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 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 21: Taco salad, quesadillas & 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. |
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Youth Ministry News
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
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. |
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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. |
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Sympathy & Celebrations
Sympathy - Gail Bullock and her family, at the death of her father, Henry Mager, on Tuesday, March 13. Services were held on Saturday, March 17 in Nebraska.
Celebration - To Patrick and Allison Liu an big brother Nathan, at the birth of twins, Katherine and Garrett Liu, on Monday, February 27. Congratulations also to grandparents and APC members, Tom and Sara Bostick.
Celebration - To Steven and Kea Chrimes, son of Yvonne Chrimes, at the birth of their daughter, Raya Carina Chrimes, on Wednesday, March 14. |
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Sunday Volunteers
Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Chip Neal and Daniel Redder at 8:30 & Zoe and Thea Genet 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: Shannon Pickerel & Nina Prol Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Trish Kent 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
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 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). |
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