September 7, 2012

Usher Training/Service Opportunity - Immediately following the congregational meeting on Sunday, September 9, a brief usher training session will be held in the choir room. All usher team members are asked to attend, as well as anyone who feels that this vital service is something they might consider. Ushers/greeters ordinarily serve once monthly, as part of a team, and the all-aspect training led by the service captains is expected to take no longer than 30-45 minutes. If you are on a team now it is important that you attend, and if you simply are curious you are encouraged to participate as well.

Eldercare News

APC Eldercare News - Join us Sunday, at 12:30pm to hear Eldercare specialist, Thom Corrigan.  Thom, an expert with many years experience in the eldercare field, will meet with us for a program and question and answer period.  We will meet in Room 206/207.  We hope to see you then.  For further information or questions, please contact Ellen Adolph at hbunnies@gmail.com or 678-637-2928.

ACT1 is looking for a few good men for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by Lynn Stevens.

You'll meet all the great characters: Christmases Past, Present, and Future, Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, and, of course, Ebenezer Scrooge!  This is an inspiring play that captures the essence of the great tale, and the meaning of Christmas.

Please call Lisa Matchen 678-371-3079 or email contact@act1theater.com if you would like to be a part of this great tradition.  We need 6 men or older teens to fill the last few parts in our production. 

What are the roles available?  

Men:

*Bob Cratchit -30's - 40's

*Fred -Late teens- mid 30's

*Young Man Scrooge - late teens -early 30's

*Dick - late teens -early 30's

*Topper -late teens- mid 30's

*Ghost of Christmas Future - Tall man or woman

Who Will Be Working on This Show?

Carolyn Erling will Direct this show.

Paul Komorner will be Stage Manager.

Lisa Matchen will be Choreographer.

What about Rehearsals?

Our schedule calls for 3 rehearsals a week (Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm and on Sunday at 2:00pm), for 13 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of performances. Our first rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, August 26. Please note that we WILL be having rehearsals during some school holidays. These rehearsals are not optional!

Currently, there are plans for 11 performances of this show - November 23 - December 16.

Seven years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf of Mexico, destroying homes, devastating the economy, and claiming the lives of many. Because of your generous gifts to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and One Great Hour of Sharing, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has truly been able to help these communities heal and rebuild from that disaster, as well as from the Gulf oil spill in 2010.

Now communities like Plaquemines Parish, profoundly impacted by both Katrina and the oil spill, are in great need once again as a result of Hurricane Isaac. We respond in faith and affirmation that God's might is greater than any storm.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) stands ready to immediately respond to needs identified by mid councils in the affected areas. Trained National Response Team members are being deployed to provide a ministry of presence and help with assessments and other identified needs. Cleanup buckets and Gift of the Heart kits are being assembled for the cleanup and recovery process. Your generosity will make a big difference in the effectiveness of our response.

You can help by making a check payable to "Alpharetta Presbyterian Church" with "Hurricane Isaac - DR000148" in the memo line. Or, you can give $10 now by texting PDA to 20222.

Please pray for those who have already been impacted by the storm and those who will face coastal and inland flooding. Pray for affected families and those who will help with emergency, relief, and recovery efforts. Pray that the hope of Christ will be evident in our response. 

Supper Six is back! Do you recognize people you have seen before at APC, but don't know who they are?  Here is your chance to really get to know more members!

Supper Six at APC is a dinner program where 3 couples meet in a casual environment, usually in the Host's home, for dinner on a monthly basis.  A rotating schedule is designed so that you meet with new people each month. Great for new members and long-time members as well. Dinners begin in October. Register now through September 16.

There are 4 ways to join: 

Full Year: October thru April

Session (A) October, November, January

Session (B): February, March, April

Or put your name on as a Substitute

 December 1st is the all participant Dinner Party.

Register by contacting Lynn and Art Adams at lynnandartadams@gmail.com or by phone at 678-319-0984.

Financial Peace University - This highly recognized program will again be offered at APC beginning in September. Dave Ramsey and his Organization have updated the curriculum with more focus on the actions needed to bring about financial peace. The new curriculum is now nine weeks of 1½ hour classes. Class begins Sunday, September 16 at 5:30pm in the Alpha building. The cost is $89 if purchased through APC.

EntreLeadership Simulcast - Leadership training for everyone! The simulcast will be Friday, September 21 from 8:45am to 5:00pm at APC in Room 206/207. At EntreLeadership learn how to: 

 The cost is $30 if purchased through APC. 

For more information and to signup for both of these classes, contact Ted Lynam at tedlynam3895@comcast.net or 678-763-0973. 

My name is Kyle Plunkett and I'm with Troop 429. I'm currently working on my Eagle which is the highest rank in Boy Scouts. For my Eagle Project I am hosting a blood drive on September 15 at APC from 8am to 4pm. I already have a good amount of people signed up. If you would like to sign up please email donateblood4lifesouth99@gmail.com to get a time assigned to you. Please spread the word about the blood drive. You must be at least 16 years old to donate. If you have any questions you may contact me at 678-533-8990 or email me at kyle.plunkett55@gmail.com 

Hannah's Prayer Group for women longing to be mothers will meet Monday, September 17 from 7:00-8:30pm in Room 246 at Roswell Presbyterian Church.   Women currently experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss, and/or exploring adoption are invited. Women wanting to support these women are also invited. Open to the public. Email  hannahsprayergroup@roswellpres.org with questions.

Please join us on September 16 for Acolyte Training!  If you have an interest in serving as an acolyte at worship services, please join us immediately following the 11:00 service on Sunday, September 16, in the sanctuary.  All youth ten years old and older are invited to attend.  However, nine year olds who wish to get an early start and are willing to serve at the 8:30 service are encouraged to attend also.  Acolytes usually serve once a month.  Any questions, please contact Cindy Laubenstein at cindylaub05@yahoo.com 

How the Bible Came to Be: A User's Guide

Time: Sunday mornings, 9:45-10:45am, 9/9 and 9/16

Place: Alpharetta Presbyterian Church (theater)

Instructor: Ryan P. Bonfiglio 

It probably comes as no surprise that the Bible did not float down from heaven and land directly in our church pews or on our bookshelves at home. Nor would have the apostle Paul - let alone the prophets or Jesus himself - been familiar with the language or format of contemporary English editions of Scripture.

So, how exactly did the Bible as we know come to be?

This four-week, Christian Education series aims to explore key aspects of the development of the Christian Scriptures through its nearly 3,000-year history. Along the way, this series will address a variety of issues, (week 3) the history of ancient and modern translations and how various English versions such as the KJV, NIV, and NRSV differ from one another; and (week 4) how the marketing and publication of Bible editions during the past century has drastically changed the way in which Christians see and use Scripture today (week 4). While these questions often go unasked by many Christians, having a better sense of how the Bible came to be has important implications for our faith today. 

This is the first week of the Sunday evening C.S. Lewis lecture series.  Jim Motter, an APC member and C.S. Lewis scholar, will lead a 10-week Sunday evening lecture and discussion series on C.S. Lewis' masterwork, Mere Christianity.  The lectures will be held in the theater September 9-November 11, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The public is invited.

This series is a follow-on to Jim's summer 2011 overview on the life and works of C.S. Lewis. The series will be suited to both long-time fans who have read this book several times and to those who are reading the book for the first time.  High school students are especially encouraged to participate.

Those new to C.S. Lewis will come to know why this book has often been voted the single most influential book for Christians other than the four Gospels.  Don't miss this special series and invite your friends and neighbors to come with you.

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 

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!