The Good News - This Week

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.

Ollie's Offerings

This week I was privileged to hear and see how the church changes lives. Mothers from the Drake House joined us for our congregational dinner on Wednesday night and shared their stories. A lot of tears were shed as heart-felt appreciation was expressed to APC for all of the ways we support that life-changing outreach. APC is the top financial supporter of the Drake House among Alpharetta congregations! Women have moved from homelessness and hopelessness to confidence and independence, as they said, "with God's help and your support."

Today our multi-purpose room is filled with bikes and toys, sweaters and boots for our annual Angel Tree program. Thirty-five families are being blessed with gifts from 225 of you! Thank you for taking time to be generous and share God's love in this way with neighbors in need. Last week sixty APC college students received care packages from the Deacons and Youth and nearly as many care packages of books, crafts and toys were shared from you with sick children at Atlanta's children's hospitals. The Dayschool's clothing drive for children's hospital filled five carloads!

Love does that...it changes lives for the good. God's love is given for our good-to be received, celebrated and shared. Open yourself to that message of grace and good news this season. Count your blessings. Name and notice them. Let gratitude and joy so fill you that it can't be contained, but spills out to touch lives all around you.

Last weekend as Jamie shared the Christmas story and a guitar led our singing in the sanctuary, I was blessed to worship in the pews of APC with about fifty parents and their children, many of whom have development disabilities. Following that Saturday afternoon worship service we enjoyed Christmas crafts and cookies in Fellowship Hall. Friends were made, burdens shared and laughter abounded. When shut-ins and the hospitalized are visited, newcomers are welcomed, generosity abounds, Lor friends gather in fellowship and faith...love abounds as it should. I wish for each of you the blessings of this life-changing Advent Season.

Second Sunday of Advent

As you enter the sanctuary for worship this Advent, be sure to take a look at the evolving installations in each of the niches outside the sanctuary. Do you notice what has been added this week? On the left, a scroll shows the angel's words to Mary as he announced that she would bear the Christ Child. On the right, Mary's response of humble acceptance.

Friends & Fellowship

Friends & Fellowship Reception is this Sunday. Visitors and members, please join us in Fellowship Hall immediately after the 11:00 service for a reception hosted by the deacons. Light refreshments will be served. It's a great time to meet new people and catch up with old friends.

Angel Tree Update

Angel Tree Thank You - Once again APC has exceeded our expectations! Bikes galore, clothes for all, and gift cards to meet every need. You have helped families in North Fulton and Forsyth Counties as well as women and children at The Drake House and Family Haven and boys at Thornwell Home for Children. Thank you so much, Michelle Olsen and Eva Wardrup, coordinators.

Christmas Music Program

Next Sunday we will enjoy our Christmas music service presented by our Music Ministry. The 8:30 and 11:00 services will be filled with beautiful, joyous music of our Lord's coming birth. A reception will follow the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall.

Children's Pageant

Children's Christmas Pageant - December 23, 2012- 9:50 AM

The Children's Christmas Pageant is one of the longest-running and most unique traditions at APC. It is a little chaotic, a little messy. It never goes exactly as planned. It is exactly as it should be. YOU are invited to participate!

Our Christmas Pageant is open to all. EVERY child is invited to participate. There will be no try-outs, no rehearsals. This is not as much a performance as an experience.

Our pageant, this year, will be at 9:50 AM on December 23. Children of ALL AGES are invited to dress up as a participant in the Nativity story. We need Marys, Josephs, Shepherds, Animals, Wise Ones, and Angels.

Costume creation, simple or elaborate, is up to each child's parents. (Marys - don't forget a baby doll!) Don't have a costume? Come anyway! We'll have extra.
Please arrive by 9:30 on the morning of December 23 and gather with the other participants in designated rooms. (Angels will gather in the Choir Room. All others will gather in classrooms set-up in Fellowship Hall on the sanctuary side.)

We will need youth to "corral" each group and to help them with their entrances and exits. To volunteer, please contact Lisa McKemey 678-462-5597; lmckemey@comcast.net.

If you've attended the Children's Christmas Pageant before, you know how special it is. If you haven't, make this the year. Consider yourself personally invited to be a part of this heartwarming APC family tradition.

Family Promise Needs Furniture!

The Family Promise Day Center is in need of furniture and fixtures to make the environment comfortable for the guests. The Day Center will be located at St. Luke's Presbyterian in Dunwoody. Click here to see a list of needed items.

Cancer Care Group

The APC Cancer Care Group gift bag project was a magnificent success! We received donations to create more than 35 bags for delivery to caregivers of cancer patients at Winship Cancer Center. Thank you for everyone who donated to this joyful project. Those who are coping with the stress and hardships of dealing with cancer will be forever grateful for your kindness.

Poinsettias

This is the last Sunday to purchase a poinsettia, in memory or in honor of a loved one, to be placed in the sanctuary for Advent and Christmas worship services. You may take your poinsettia home after Christmas services are completed. The cost per poinsettia is $11.00. In lieu of flowers (or in addition to flowers), loved ones may be honored and remembered by making a monetary gift to APC's Pastor's Emergency Fund that sponsors members and friends of the church going through financial emergencies. Your donation will be listed as a gift in the Christmas Eve bulletin. See the table in the hallway to complete a form and make a payment by the December 9 deadline.

Weather Watch

In the event of inclement weather, please check the APC website for cancellations. The church office and APC Dayschool follow Fulton County Schools cancellations/delays.

Devotional Booklets

Advent Devotional Booklets are now available on the lobby table and the large cabinet in the narthex. Additional APC Advent and Christmas schedule are also available.

Church Directory

Time is flying by and our church directory is progressing beautifully! We need all members participating to be sure the directory is complete! The directory will include full-color family portraits and will work with ACS to provide congregant information. Portraits begin on January 4, 2013. Each family will receive a free 8x10. You will find sign-up posters on Sunday in the lobby and during the week in the church office. SIGN UP TODAY! SLOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST!

If you should need to reschedule your Web Appointment please do so by calling The Portrait Cafe at 1-877-896-9667 extension 325.

Grief Suppport Group

There will be a meeting on Wednesday, December 19 at 2:00pm in the library to discuss the formation of a grief support group at APC. We would like your ideas and look forward to seeing you. Please RSVP to the church office.

Office Angels

Calling All Office Angels! Volunteers are needed to help collate the Christmas bulletins on Friday, December 21 at 10:00am in Fellowship Hall. Please contact Carol in the church office if you are able to help.

Ladies Event

Ladies' Night Out - Dinner and Ornament Exchange. Enjoy dinner catered by Panera Bread and an Ornament Exchange on Friday, December 14 at 6:30 PM. We will meet at APC in Room 206/207. the price of $7.00 per person includes salad, drinks, and dessert! Bring a wrapped ornament or Christmas decoration. Friends welcome! RSVP by December 9 to pamheydinger@comcast.net or 770-664-8354.

A Christmas Carol

"Bah! Humbug!" The refrain follows us every Christmas...into parking lots and out of long lines. Gather the family together and take a break from the go-go Christmas Season. Meet our classic characters: Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and of course, Ebenezer Scrooge and his three "spirited" friends. We'll weave our tale with a ribbon of all your favorite Christmas carols. Bring the spirit back to your Christmas Holiday at ACT1.

Shows are every Friday and Saturday night from November 23 - December 16 at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 2, December 9 and December 16 at 2:00pm.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for children 12 and under and seniors 60 and over.

You can get tickets by calling our box office at 770-663-8989 or finding us online at www.act1theater.com.

Special Pricing for APC Members! Use Coupon Code APCCC when checking out.

ACT1 Theater is located inside Alpharetta Presbyterian Church at 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Living Nativity: ACT1 is calling any gentlemen that can sit, stand or kneel for a while and will be available Christmas Eve from 3 - 5pm. We are helping to build a beautiful living nativity tableau on the front lawn for Christmas Eve. NO LINES TO LEARN! If interested, please contact Lisa Matchen.

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program - Recently, the unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta decreased to 8.2% as a result of 19,500 jobs that were added in October. If you would like employment assistance, please contact Elder Bill Harris at w.m.harris@att.net. If you are employed in a decision making level position, please contact Bill with opportunities in your own organization, as well as positions that might be open in other Metro Atlanta organizations.

Youth Ministry News

Did you know that on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings students from APC meet to share their "Pows" and "Wows" with each other and commit to pray for one another? We invite any youth to participate.

West Side Prayer Breakfast - 9th - 12th graders meets weekly on Wednesday mornings, 7:00am, at Crabapple Starbuck's. (Adult Leaders are David & Michelle Burton, Sally Caudle and Creighton Cunningham)

East Side Prayer Breakfast - Middle and High School students meets monthly on Tuesday mornings, 7:00am, at Bronx Bagels, next meeting will be December 11. (Adult Leaders are Peggy Messawer, David Neal and Creighton Cunningham).

December 9 - Youth Caroling 5:00-8:00pm

December 16 - Youth Christmas Party

5:30pm-7:30pm

The Burton Home

750 Briars Bend

Alpharetta GA 30004

Please bring a gift card. This year will be donated to The Place of Forsyth.

*Please bring a food item to share: Using the First letter of your last name.

A-F Warm Appetizer

G-K Veggie or Fruit

L-P Drinks (2 liter bottles, water, lemonade, ice tea)

Q-S Chips and Dip

T-Z Dessert

All other items provided.

December 23 - No Youth

December 30 - No Youth

January 2, 2013 Wednesday, 10am-2pm Important Student Leadership Meeting at church Room 206&207.

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

Children's Ministry Dates:

December 23 - Children's Christmas Pageant at 9:50

December 30 - No Sunday school

Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 8:15- 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 - rising 2nd graders) is offered at the 8:30 and 11:00 service. Preschool classes will meet in Room 101 and Kindergarten and rising second graders in Room 102.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sympathy - To Nick Schiltz and Howard Park and their family, at the death of their aunt and sister-in-law, Louise Morris, on Tuesday, December 4. Services were held at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. She was 97 years old.

Sympathy - To the family and friends of Mike Scott, Milton football coach, who died Sunday, December 2.

Celebration - To Tim and Pat Hudson at the birth of their first grandchild, Emily Mae Hudson, who was born Tuesday, November 20 in Birmingham, AL.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Robin and Edy Borden at 8:30 & Sam Moen and Allyson Curl at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 8:30 & Jack HIttle and Nell DeVore at 11:00

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

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 Nancy Hill-Personnell/Nominating Charles Moriarty-Property/CE Adult

Jessie Prigge-Youth Ministry Jan Hughey-LRP/Finance Sarah Provow-Open Arms/Commitment

Amy Rogers-Communications Kylie Vacko-Open Arms Ferrell White-Worship/Fellowship

Jean Williams-Nominating/Membership

Deacon Care Teams

Hospitality - John Hicks, 678-513-4570, john.c.hicks@gmail.com

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).