The Good News - This Week

In his book, Pastoral Care: The Essential Guide, John Patton uses Psalm 23's image of a divine shepherd as the model for his practice of pastoral care. In fact, the Latin word for pastor means shepherd or herdsmen, and comes from the Latin pascere, meaning to feed. There are a number of groups at APC whose work is to "feed the flock" by providing congregational care.

For example, did you know prayer never ceases at APC? Once someone rolls off the bulletin prayer list, the Living Prayer Group continues to pray for him or her for years! Living Prayer is a small group of about eight women who are committed to praying weekly for the individuals on the extended prayer concerns list. We are grateful for the powerful ministry of this group.

For your information, there are several ways to submit a prayer request at APC. You may call the church office at 770-751-0033, email Rev. Jamie Butcher, jamie@alpharettapres.com, or offer a written request in the prayer box in the hallway outside the church office. Please note if you would like your prayer request published in the bulletin, giving to the Living Prayer group, or kept confidential to the pastors.

Finally, the Deacons are set apart for ministries of care and compassion for the APC flock. This includes visits to those in hospital or recovering, companionship to those in need, hospitality receptions for the entire church, outreach to new visitors, guidance for funeral receptions, and connection through note cards of sympathy or celebration. From the Friends and Fellowship receptions where they literally feed newcomers, to the hospital visits where the soul is satisfied, these ministries truly feed the flock of APC.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-they comfort me.

Foster Care Support

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, July 31. 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.

Sunday Breakfast

Sunday Morning Breakfast - For the remainder of the church's summer schedule, breakfast will be continental style. Continental breakfast: cereal, fruit, yogurt with toppings and pastries plus beverage for $3 per person. Super continental breakfast: will be the above plus one special hot dish for $4 per person.

School Supplies Drive

APC School Supplies Drive July 29 - August 12 to benefit APC Whiz Kids Tutoring Program, North Fulton Community Charities, Foster Care Support Foundation, and The Place of Forsyth.

Please consider donating any of the following supplies:

Backpacks - no wheels

3-ring binders 1" and 2"

College and wide- ruled paper

Colored pencils

Crayons - 24 piece regular

Index cards -3x5

Paper napkins

Paper cups - 5 oz

Dividers for binders

Erasers - Pink Pearl and pencil top

Folders (2 pocket) with or without prongs

Glue sticks

Hand-held calculators

Highlighters

Markers - washable

Notebooks - wide-ruled spiral

Pens - all colors

Pencils

Pencil boxes

Rulers

Scissors

Snack size ziplock bags

Plastic school supply pouches

The collection bin will be in the lobby next to the School Supply Drive display. If you prefer to make a cash donation, please show "school supplies drive" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your support. Questions-call Sue White at 770-772-4667 or email whitesbassets@bellsouth.net.

Presbyterian Women

Ladies, please make plans to join Presbyterian Women for a complimentary luncheon to kick-off our 2012-2013 year. Representatives from each circle will be available to give you information on circle meeting times and dates. We will talk a bit about our Bible Study for this year and we'll also recognize and install officers.

Our Bible study this year promises to be insightful and fulfilling. The six books of the New Testament explored in this study-1 and 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude-teach us what it means to live in community, what it means to belong to the household of God. A subset of New Testament letters, known as the General Epistles, were written to be shared and read aloud in early Christian communities. During the time in which the authors of these letters lived, believers regarded one another as members of God's family. Thus, a guiding and powerful metaphor in these epistles is the understanding of family-what it means in the world of the Roman Empire as contrasted with the more expansive idea of being a member of God's household through the Holy Spirit.

You are cordially invited to join PW at a Kick-off Luncheon on Sunday, August 19 after the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall. A complimentary lunch will be provided. Please watch The Good News for details on how to RSVP. You do not have to be a member of a circle to attend. All women are invited and welcome. We do hope you will consider becoming a part of PW!

ACT1 Production

Tickets are now available for The Wind in the Willows by Douglas Post; produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

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 is great for kids of all ages!

Show Dates: Every Friday and Saturday night now through August 5 at 7:30pm.

Sunday Matinees on July 29 and August 5 at 2:00pm

Special Pricing for APC Members! Adults: $12 each, Children under 12 and Seniors over 60: $10 each. Group Discounts ARE available - just call our box office!

Get Your Tickets Today! Check out our website at www.act1theater.com or call the box office at 770-663-8989. Use coupon code APCCC for APC Members Discount!

See you there!

Disciple Bible Study

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY - IT'S TIME TO SIGN UP!

Don't miss this exciting opportunity for spiritual growth and fellowship through Disciple Bible Study in the coming year! Materials are being ordered and it is important to know how many will be joining in this special experience.

The following long-term studies will be offered and will begin the middle of August:

Disciple I, Becoming Disciples through Bible Study - Sunday morning, 8:30-10:30;

Monday morning, 9:30-11:30; and Sunday evening, 5:00-7:00. This class is the ideal

place to beginand is the prerequisite for all other long-term studies. It is a 34-week

overview of the Bible.

Jesus in the Gospels - Sunday evening, 5:00-7:00. This is a 32-week in-depth

comparison study of the four gospels.

Christian Believer - Thursday morning, 9:30-11:30. This is a 30-week study of

Christian doctrine.

Several short-term studies will begin after Labor Day:

Invitation to Psalms - Monday morning

Invitation to John - Monday morning

Invitation to Genesis - Sunday evening

To register please stop by the information table in the lobby at your earliest convenience or contact Mary Dantzler 404-754-1763, email jdantzler@bellsouth.net.

Haiti Mission Trip

An APC mission team will be traveling to Haiti to work October 6-10, 2012. If you are interested in participating or learning more, please contact Dr. Ollie Wagner in the church office, ollie@alpharettapres.com.

Divorce Care Group

New Beginnings, is a new divorce care group that is forming here at APC. If you are going through a divorce or have been through a divorce, this group is looking for you. It will be focused on understanding the effects of divorce - physical, emotional, spiritual - as well as fellowship and support of each other and preparing for what's next. If you are interested, please contact Greg Jones at gjones38@yahoo.com or 678-620-8879.

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

Youth Group will not meet this Sunday, July 29.

Youth Group Braves Outing on Sunday, August 5. The APC Youth Group will be heading to the Braves vs the Houston Astros game, game time 1:35pm. We will carpool from APC immediately after the 11:00 service. Tickets are $10 per person if we have at least 20 participants. Family and friends are welcome to join us! Signup is available outside Kelly's office or you can access an online signup on the Youth website.

Important dates to note for the balance of the summer:

August 19 - Rally Day for the Sunday School Year

August 19 - Youth Group meets onsite - 6:00pm to 7:30pm (no dinner)

August 24 & 25 - Student Leadership Retreat

August 26 - Mission Sunday at worship services - submit mission trip pictures to Kelly Edwards or Michelle Burton

September 9 - Youth Group kick-off for the school year (dinner with parents and tons of fun!)

During the summer, we will not send a weekly newsletter via e-mail, rather, we will send periodic information about summer activities and mission trips as needed. Please continue to refer to the Good News and the Youth Website for information.

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 2012: Believe it or not we are already gearing up for fall and are looking for more Workshop Leaders and Grade Level Teachers for elementary Sunday School. We also need several more helpers for our youngest in the preschool Sunday School. Please contact Kristin Hicks at kristin@alpharettapres.comfor more information.

Kinderkirk: We are in need of several toys to add to our Kinderkirk rooms. Please look through your things and consider donating any unwanted or unused toys. Specific items wanted: doll babies, and cars. Any toys we are unable to use will be donated to North Fulton Charities. Donations should be labeled and placed in the Bread of Life Cafe.

Disciples' Village will not meet during the summer. We will welcome everyone back on Rally Day, August 19.

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

Promise Class is provided on Sundays during the 11:00 worship service for our special needs students in the Blue Room.

Kinderkirk (Children's Worship Education for children ages 3 - First Grade) will be during the 11:00 service only during the summer. Preschool classes will meet in Room 105 and Kindergarten and first grade in Room 108.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Volunteer needed

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).