The Good News - This Week

The Good News - This Week is a publication of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church for its members and friends.

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@alpharettapres.com.

Ollie's Offerings

Last night I took the kids for a drive through several neighborhoods. We may have passed your home, I'm not sure. We tuned in to some Christmas music on the radio, filled our mugs with hot cocoa and went in search of Christmas lights at about 10 MPH. What a beautiful and encouraging sight to see trees, bushes, yards and homes decorated with lights and colors. We saw front doors prepared as wrapped presents, manger scenes inviting us to reflect on the mystery of the "Immanuel", candles and wreaths in widows and lots of reindeer and sleighs in yards.

John's gospel assumes the presence of sin, death and darkness in the world. The presence of "darkness" isn't explained and we aren't told "why." It simply is there. Life is frail and darkness is a part of living. What the gospel dares to say is incredibly bold: that God's light shines into the darkness and will not be overcome by it. At times, as has been the case this past week in Connecticut, it appears that the darkness will win. At times the darkness seems to have the upper hand and we cry out with the Psalms: "where are you, God?" "How long must I bear pain in my soul?" and "why have you forsaken me?"

The celebration of Advent and Christmas remind us of two contrasting realities: The peaceable, heavenly kingdom is coming but not yet fully here. That is what Advent teaches. Christmas declares this: God has acted in history to save us and is "Emmanuel," with us always.

Jesus, the gospel declares, is the light of the world. We are called to bear his light into the darkness and know that when God's saving work on earth is completed (in the words of Revelation's vision), "there will be no need of sun or moon to shine on the city for the glory of God will be its light and its lamp will be the Lamb." Darkness and sin shall be vanquished. Until they are, I invite you and your loved ones to draw close to the light of Christ and continue to courageously bear his light and let it shine into a broken, hurting and sinful world. In many ways, that is the proclamation we enact every time we light a candle in the sanctuary and worship the risen one whose kingdom is without end.

Fourth Sunday of Advent

The scene in the niches outside the sanctuary reflects the coming birth of Christ. A star has appeared in the night sky to lead the shepherds-lead us-to him.

Watch for the installation in the niches to change on Christmas Eve. The niches reflect the joyful news: the long-awaited birth of Christ is here! He is a baby in a manger--and the Lord of Lords.

The Good News

The Good News will not be published next Friday, December 28. We will be back in the New Year, January 4, 2013. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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; Promise Class-regular schedule) and no Sunday School.

Session Digest

The following is a brief summary of the December 13, 2012 Stated Meeting of the Session.

The meeting opened with a devotion led by Elder Amy Rogers and closed with a time of prayer for the church and world.

Dr. Wagner and Rev. Butcher thanked the Elder class of 2012 for their service to the church. They also shared their upcoming vacation and continuing education plans.

The Deacons reported that holiday visits are being made to all companion care recipients and the 2013 Diaconate leadership and care teams are in place. Steve Culp is the incoming Diaconate Moderator.

The Session approved the following action items:

· The current membership is 908 (this number does not include children)

· The January 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2013 Adult Ed Sunday School Series being led by Ryan Bonfiglio entitled, "The Early History of Faith" (from 9:45-10:45 a.m. in the theater.) Ryan is an APC member and Ph.D. student in Hebrew Scriptures at Emory.

· The after-school "Gymboree on the Go" program as an extended day option for APC Dayschool students.

· A Saturday, February 9, 2013 "Island Night" fellowship dinner was approved as a fundraiser for Family Promise along with APC's participation in a Family Promise fundraising effort.

· A search committee to find a part-time Director of Music to replace Joel Lillethun who will retire January 3, 2013.

· Mary Busman will serve as the Temporary Director of Music until a permanent director is employed.

· A new position of part-time Director of Youth and Children's choirs and the creation of a search committee to fill the position were approved.

· On January 20, 2013, Ryan Bonfiglio will preach at the 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. services; APC member and seminarian Emily Culp will preach at the 9:50 a.m. service.

· The Commitment and Finance Committees shared very favorable reports.

· Open Arms Ministry held a successful worship service for families on Saturday, December 1, 2012 and hope to make this a quarterly event.

· The "Blue Classroom" will become the permanent home of the Promise Class for Sunday mornings.

The next Stated meeting of the Session will be January 24, 3013.

Sunday Breakfast

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

There will be no breakfast on Sunday, December 30 (coffee will be available). Our regular Sunday breakfast schedule will resume on January 6!

Florist Wanted

Jay Thomason, our longtime florist, has announced plans to retire in early 2013. If you are a florist, or can recommend one, who would like to prepare the arrangements that grace our sanctuary each Sunday, please contact Bev Williams at 770-442-5070.

Joy Offering

Tidings of Great Joy! This 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. You will find an envelope in the pew rack for cash or a check made out to APC with "Joy Offering" on the memo line.

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.

Adult CE Winter Term

Ryan Bonfiglio will teach a 4-week series called "The Early History of Faith". Ryan's series will focus on the really early history of the faith traditions that the church inherited - i.e., ancient Israelite religion, language, history, etc. The series will address historically-oriented questions about the OT, early Judaism, etc. that often surface in Disciple and other similar studies. The series consists of the following 4 topics:

Week 1: The Early History of the People of God - The Origins of Israel and the Promised Land

Week 2: The Early History of Israelite Religion - The Development of Monotheism

Week 3: The Early History of Biblical Hebrew - "The Language of God" and its On-Going Legacy

Week 4: The Early History of the Jewish Faith - The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Birth of the New Testament

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.

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.

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.

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

Make your reservations by noon Sunday, January 6 by (1) going online at http://www.alpharettapres.com/acs ; (2) by filling out a card on the table in the hallway, or (3) by entering info on the bright lime green sheet posted by the APC kitchen door. Nursery is provided.

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!

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

Youth Ministry had their annual Christmas Party on Sunday evening. Youth enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. Thank you to The Burton family for hosting the event and a huge thank you to the youth for donating over $600 in gift cards for youth in need in Forsyth County. The outpouring of love is an amazing gift.

Look for a New High School Bible Study starting on January 13, 2013 at 3:30pm More details to follow.

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

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Robin and Edy Borden at 8:30 & Ashleigh Hays and William Jones at 11:00

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

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Richard Boston, Kelly Vandever, Marian Cunningham, John McPherson at 8:30 & Stu and Kyle Laubenstein, Dave and Zach Berry, Nancy Hill, Mary Rogovin, Peggy Asher 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).