The Good News - This Week

Last Sunday the congregation joyfully affirmed the ministry of Jamie Butcher by voting to install her as APC's Associate Pastor. With the affirmation of The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta in early May, a service of installation will be held in late spring. A date and time will be announced in the very near future.

Jamie is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary. I am a product of Union Theological in Richmond and Columbia Theological in Decatur. Seminaries prepare church members for service and leadership in the church and the world. In doing so, seminaries profoundly shape those students, and in time, the congregations they serve. Theological education is vital to the ministry of the church and has always been a cornerstone of Presbyterian faith. From the hiring of faculty to the admissions process to graduation requirements, reading lists and internships, seminaries have significantly formed and informed all your clergy (past, present and future). As complex and challenging as life and ministry are in today's world, the task of educating church leadership is critically important to the future of the church.

This Sunday we will have the privilege of welcoming to the pulpit Dr. Steven Hayner. A former professor of mine, Steve is now the President of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur. His distinguished career has included work in academics, campus ministry and world mission. He is a gifted speaker, an inspired leader and a joyful man of deep faith. I encourage you to hear him preach this Sunday at 8:30 or 11:00 and spend some time with him between services learning about the challenges, opportunities and mission of our seminary in Decatur.

Guest Preacher - Stephen A. Hayner

We welcome to the pulpit this Sunday guest preacher, Dr. Stephen A. Hayner. Dr. Hayner is the ninth president of Columbia Theological Seminary. He joined the seminary's faculty in 2003 as Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth after a long history of experience in ministry to the church and to university students.

After graduating from Whitman College, Dr. Hayner went to Harvard University and completed the M.T.S. degree in Semitic languages and literature. He received a Th.M. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1973, and was ordained and installed as "university pastor" at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle where he was involved with students and faculty for 11 years.

In 1984, Dr. Hayner completed his Ph.D. in Old Testament from University of St. Andrews, in Scotland, and was called to be vice president for student life at Seattle Pacific University. In 1988, he became president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IFES). He led InterVarsity for 13 years before leaving to re-engage parish ministry, serving from 2001-2003 as associate pastor in two ethnically and theologically diverse congregations.

Dr. Hayner has served on a number of national and international boards, including World Vision, International Justice Mission, ScholarLeaders International, The Navigators, and Presbyterian Global Fellowship.

He and his wife, Sharol, have three children and four grandchildren.

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.

One Great Hour of Sharing

Next week on Palm Sunday, we will join millions of Christians around the world to give hope to those in need through the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Your gift will support ministries of hunger, disaster response, refugee assistance and community development in areas of need throughout the world. Children are asked to bring their coin banks to church on Palm Sunday and make their offering during the Children's Moment.

Lent and Easter Schedule

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

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.

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.

Property Work Day

Property Work Day, April 7 - We will be working on the grounds from around 8:00am until... All are welcome to come and help any way they can. We will be working to make our church grounds beautiful for Easter. There are several other projects in and around the church needing attention. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Watson in the Church office at 770-751-0033.

Foster Care

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, March 27. We carpool from APC at 9:30 in the morning, help sort clothing, and fill mail orders for children in foster care. We then enjoy lunch and fellowship at a nearby restaurant before returning to the church by 2:00 PM.

For information, please contact Marianna Raffensperger 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.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 4^th 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.

APC Summer Camps

Sports-n-Faith Camp and Vacation Bible School are on the horizon! Children's Ministry is seeking additional youth and adult volunteers to join in the fun!! Come help our children learn the FUNdamentals of your favorite game during Sports-n-Faith Camp, which is scheduled for the mornings of June 6-8 for K-3^rd graders. You need not be present for all three mornings. We are excited about our theme of SKY, for VBS, which runs the mornings of July 10-13. We'll be creating everything from mega-bubbles to flying gizmos! Registration will be online in April. Please contact Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com if you can help us with either of these summer programs.

NFCC News
Easter Baskets

Help us bring the blessings of Easter and the surprises of Spring to a local family in need by providing Easter baskets for children 12 and under. North Fulton Community Charities (NFFC) will provide Easter baskets to over 800 children this Easter. We need completed Easter baskets and/or basket contents by March 29th. Volunteers are needed to fill, wrap, sort and prepare baskets for distribution during the last week of March. Volunteers are also needed to distribute baskets at NFCC during the first week of April. Donations can be made during regular business hours at the food pantry side of our building. For more information contact Eden Purdy, Program Director, (770) 640-0399 ext. 208 or visit our website at http://nfcchelp.org/easter.

Education Program is Growing

We would like to thank the volunteer job coaches and instructors who have helped us make the education program an integral part of our mission. During 2011 we have assisted over 760 individuals living in North Fulton improve their lives, find jobs, and learn new life skills. We have settled into our new Education Center and have increased the number of classes we schedule by 50%. The Family Enrichment Program offers classes in English, Spanish, Computer skills, Money matters, Adult Literacy, Job coaching, and GED tutoring. We continue to look for qualified job coaches and volunteer instructors to add to our team. Visit our website at www.nfcchelp.org for more information about available classes or to volunteer.

Join Us for a Big, Fat, Italian Feast!

The Fellowship and Youth Mission Committees are excited to present a Big, Fat, Italian Feast, tomorrow evenig, March 24, from 5:30 - 7:30pm.

This event is a fundraiser for our youth mission trips that will take place in June & July. Members of the youth mission groups will be serving, cleaning up, performing and auctioning personal goods and services to raise money. All money raised will go directly to fund these trips.

Tips and donations are much appreciated!!!

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 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. If you are unable to attend but would like to place your highest bid on an item, please contact Michelle Burton.

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.

Concert at APC

The Michael O'Neal Chamber Singers, an acclaimed ensemble of 24 voices, will present "Double Exposure", at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church this 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.

Save the Date!

Sunday, April 22 is APC's 25^th 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!

ACT1 Theater 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 1 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.

Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm with Sunday Matinee 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.

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:

3/25: Envy and Love, by Sharon L. Baker
4/1: Pride and Humility, by David Rensberger

Adult Mission Trip

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.

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 28: Boneless chicken bites, French fries, vegetable, salad & dessert

Adult Program - Taize Worship Service at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary

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 Group meets this Sunday from 5:30 - 7:30pm. We will NOT meet on April 1st or 8th, Happy Easter!

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 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 Bob Rudesill and his family, at the death of his mother, Oveta Borders, on Thursday, March 15 in Knoxville, TN. Services will be held in Florence, AL. Oveta was 94 years old.

Sympathy - To Dave Carter and his family, at the death of his mother, Betty Carter, on Thursday, March 22 in Savannah, GA. Service details to be announced at a later date.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Jack Shevlin and Isobel Still at 8:30 & Sarah Gould and Emma Mynatt at 11:00

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

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Beau and David Armistead, Kelly Vandever, Donny Matchen, Marian Cunningham at 8:30 & Stu & Kyle Laubenstein, Dave and Zach Berry, Drew Rhoades, Mary Rogovin at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Christine Sager & Heather Scott

Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Kate McChesney 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).