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

Long ago the Psalmist wrote, "make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth." This Sunday at the 8:30 and 11:00am worship services we will prominently feature the music of Advent and Christmas. As it was last year, I expect this musical worship will be one of the most beautiful and celebrated services of the entire year. Be sure to come early at 11:00am to get a good seat! I expect a full house. The chancel, women's, handbell, children's, and youth choirs will all have a part in leading, and of course, the congregation will join in singing some of the music of this season. You won't want to miss it!

One of the reasons we have been able to make such a joyful noise as a congregation in recent years has been the gifted, dedicated service of Joel Lillethun our Director of Music. This will be Joel's last Christmas season with us. At the end of the year he will be retiring with his wife Pam in the mountains of western North Carolina. Joel has served us faithfully, joyfully and well for five years and we wish him every success and happiness in his next chapter of life. The congregation will have the opportunity to thank Joel at a noon reception in Fellowship Hall following the 11:00am service. I hope you will join in extending to Joel your gratitude and prayers. It has certainly been a wonderful privilege for me to work with him here and enjoy the music he has brought to us.

The third Sunday of Advent is upon us! Let us join with the praise of the heavenly host singing, "Glory to God in highest heaven and on earth peace and goodwill among all people."

Family Promise 40 in 40 - Please Give

Family Promise is well on its way to launch, which is anticipated in February. Soon after that, APC will welcome its first guests to our campus, providing hospitality, fellowship and a warm bed for families who are experiencing homelessness.

The APC Mission Committee urges you to consider a small financial gift to Family Promise before the end of 2012. The organization is currently holding a "40 in 40" campaign to raise the final $40,000 in operating capital in a 40 day period. This will complete the first year's fundraising goal and help us launch in a financially stable state.

APC is fortunate to have a donor who has offered a matching gift of up to $5000 for any contributions made this month by our congregation. This means that every dollar you give can become two dollars for Family Promise. Please help us to maximize our donation by sharing your blessings with Family Promise. Checks can be made payable to Family Promise, with "FP 40 in 40" in the memo line.

Third Sunday of Advent

Have you noticed how the Advent installation in the niches outside the sanctuary has changed this week? The scene is set. On the left, shepherds wait with their flocks at night, while on the right, Joseph leads Mary, riding a donkey, to Bethlehem to be registered for the census.

Sunday Breakfast

December 16 and 23 there will be a continental breakfast of pastries and drinks (milk, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate) available in Fellowship Hall.

Alternative Gifts

During this holiday shopping season, many people think about ways to give gifts that are different, simpler and more meaningful. The answer is found in alternative gifts -- gifts that support charities in honor of friends and loved ones. By giving an alternative gift this holiday season, gift givers can support shares from Heifer International and La Gonâve Haiti Partnership projects while honoring their friends and family members. Come by the Alternative Gift Table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday and Sunday December 23 between 8:30am and noon.

Christmas Schedule

Our Christmas Eve schedule is as follows:

3:00pm Live nativity scene on the front lawn

3:30pm Service for Families with Young Children (followed by a birthday cake for Jesus) (no nursery)

5:00pm Candlelight Service of Lesson and Carols (nursery care and Promise Class available)

7:00pm Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols (No nursery or Promise Class)

11:00pm Candlelight Service with communion (No nursery or Promise Class)

Sunday, December 30-8:30 and 11:00am service only (nursery care provided for ages 0-2; no Promise Class) and no Sunday School.

Christmas Music Program

This 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.

Giving Updates

End of year contribution deadline-In order for contributions to be included in your 2012 contribution statement, please have all gifts in the church office by noon on Monday, December 31.

If you have not completed and returned a "2013 Estimate of Giving" card please do so today. You will find a card in the pew rack or on the APC website.

Joy Offering

Tidings of Great Joy! Next Sunday, December 23, you have the opportunity to continue a 70-year old tradition of the Presbyterian Church. Your gift to the Christmas Joy Offeringwill support two important PCUSA ministries. Half of the proceeds from this offering are distributed to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs that provide support to retired and active church workers and their families. The other half is designated to support Racial-Ethnic Schools and Colleges. These colleges help young people of all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds discover their gifts and discern how God is calling them to make a difference in this world.

Sunday Flowers

The 2013 Flower Donation Chart is now up! APC members and friends are invited to donate flowers to beautify our sanctuary on Sunday mornings. The flowers may be placed in memory or honor of loved ones, or to mark a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday or baptism. As many as three donors may participate on any given Sunday. The cost for each donor is $65. Members of the diaconate take the flowers to homebound members after the service. The Flower Donation Chart is located outside the church office. Please complete a yellow form when you sign up and return it with your check to the church office.

Supper Six Christmas Party
Out of the box solution - Richard Gibson wins the hat design and story contest at our annual Supper Six Christmas Party. Thirty-three church members attended the December 1st party at the Orchards of Windward Clubhouse.

Church Office Hours

The church office will close at noon on Monday, December 24 and be closed December 25-28. The church office will close at noon on Monday, December 31 and all day on Tuesday, January 1. For a pastoral emergency, please contact Dr. Wagner at 770-330-2575. Merry Christmas and God's blessings for 2013!

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.

Congregational Dinners

January 2 No First Wednesday Dinner

January 9 Second Wednesday Dinner: adult program will be presented by Scott Doll, new director of the Alpharetta YMCA, speaking on "What is happening at the Alpharetta "Y"; children's activities and nursery provided

Dinner Menu: Beef and vegetable soup

Creamy chicken and corn soup

Breads and cornbread

Jell-O dessert

Drinks

February 6 First Wednesday Dinner with the adult program on Family Promise; children's activities and nursery provided.

February 13 Second Wednesday Dinner with Ash Wednesday Service following dinner; nursery

provided.

Church Directory

Our new Church Directory is progressing very successfully. A large number of members are eagerly participating in our directory program and their participation is greatly appreciated. However, a number of members have not yet signed up! In order for our directory to be complete and accurate, all families are needed. Please contact the church office to ASAP to signup for your free, full color portrait. Time is quickly running out!

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.

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.

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.

Last weekend for shows Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm and Sunday 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.

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

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 - Gay Moring and her family at the death of her sister, June Hunter, on Friday, December 7. Services were held Friday, December 14 at St. David's Episcopal Church in Roswell, GA.

Celebration - Tyler Adolph and Lacy Gibson who were married Saturday, December 15 at APC. Tyler is the son of Todd and Ellen Adolph.

Celebration - To Steve and Mary Culp grandparents, and Emily Culp aunt, of Owen William Ka Sing Chow, born Wednesday, December 5 in Singapore.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Daniel Redder and Isobel Still at 8:30 & Tyler Heydinger and Ellie Agler at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Sybille Johnstone, Alan Crowell, June Fortson at 8:30 & Ed and Pat Rea, Jeff Stewart, Ralph Pollifrone 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).