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

The Presbyterian Outlook is an independent journal that covers the Presbyterian Church (USA). For those of you who enjoying keeping up with the news of our denomination, I commend The Outlook as well as Presbyterians Today. As you consider what journals and subscriptions you will take into the new year, either of those would be great additions to your reading list! Receiving updates from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance would also be a great way to keep up with, and in prayer about, the church's response to tragedies and crises around the world. You can sign up for that information service through www.pcusa.org.

The Outlook recently printed its recap of "2012's top stories in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)." Grateful for the connectional nature of the body of Christ and APC's active part in The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and our denomination, I share a portion of that list with you:

The General Assembly voted 333-331 against divestment from companies (Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola) involved with non-peaceful pursuits in Israel.
In another close vote the G.A. decided not to change the definition of marriage from being between "a man and a woman" to being between "two people." Study materials on marriage and same-gender relationships are being developed to facilitate discussion on the subject. This issue will certainly come up again at the 2014 assembly.
With 96 conservative congregations choosing to leave our denomination for the newly-formed Evangelical Presbyterian Church, PC(USA) membership has now dropped below 2 million.
A new denomination calling itself "Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians" was launched in January of 2012 and is still setting up infrastructure, clergy benefits and clarifying its faith.
Hoping to ignite a culture of creativity and church-planting our General Assembly voted to create 1,001 new worshipping communities over the next decade.
A Permanent Judicial Commission of the General Assembly (our church's highest court) instructed Presbyterian ministers not to perform same-gender weddings and rebuked a minister who performed such a ceremony.
Ordination exams for those desiring to be teaching elders are now begin conducted online

We live in interesting and challenging times! At the last church I served the sanctuary displayed a banner over the exit doors that read, "Engage your mind, Inspire your heart, Answer your call." Indeed! May it be so for each of us.

New Officers

Please welcome our newest officers being ordained and/or installed this Sunday at the 8:30 and 11:00 services. Elders: Gerard Ballard, Zach Berry, John Bullock, Julie Jagmin, Tyler Jones, Mike Marcin, Dave McKemey, Steve Wardrup, Beverly Williams. Deacons: Art Adams, Duncan Alatar, David Armistead, Ray Appen, Walt Baxley, Richard Gibson, Elizabeth Hughey, Joyce Komala, Mary Anne Langman, Barbara McFann, George Myers, Becky Peterson, Mary Rogovin and Peggy Turner. Lois White will be ordained on January 27.

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 greet our new officers, meet new people and catch up with old friends.

Eldercare News

Many of us associate hospice care with only end-of-life assistance at a designated facility but hospice services entail much, much more. This Sunday, January 13, Carol Mullen from Evercare Hospice will be at the Eldercare Information Table in the church lobby from 9:30am-12:15pm. She will share information and answer any questions you may have regarding hospice services. We hope you will stop by!

New Disciple Bible Study

New Short Term Bible Studies:

There are two new opportunities for short-term Bible studies beginning this week:

Beginning Sunday evening, 1/13/13, 5:30- 7:30pm in Room 201 - Invitation to Genesis

Beginning Monday morning, 1/14/13, 10:00-11:30am in Room 206 - Journey through Revelation

For more information call Mary Dantlzer at 404-751-1763.

New Member Class

Interested in membership at APC? We have the class for you! APC's next New Member Class will be held three consecutive Sundays from 9:45-10:45am in the theater beginning February 3. Come hear more about the faith and life of the Church, as well as the history of and opportunities for involvement at APC. We look forward to welcoming you! Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact Ollie or Jamie or call the church office at 770-751-0033.

Family Promise

Family Promise Moves Forward: Events are transpiring quickly with APC's involvement in Family Promise, the organization which has provided shelter to homeless families for 25 years and is now coming to North Fulton/Dekalb. Thanks to all for helping APC reach an amazing goal in December: we raised $10,000 to help with start up costs (specifically to help fund an executive director position); along with our anonymous donor who matched $5,000, we are able to gift a whopping $15,000 to Family Promise! In other news, APC's first host week has been set for March 3-10. That means there are many opportunities for everyone at APC to be involved in the next 8 weeks since it takes 60-75 volunteers during the week our guests are here and a host of prep work leading up to that week! Contact Allison Neal at 770-317-9628 to see how your gifts can help our soon-to-be guests. Learn more by visiting: www.alpharettapres.com/familypromise

Guests are coming March 3-10: Our Family Promise host week has been set for March 3-10 which means we'll need all hands on deck during the next 8 weeks as we prepare to shelter up to four homeless families at APC. There are supplies to buy, areas of the Alpha and Omega trailers to prepare, and lots of organizational tasks to complete. Contact Allison Neal at 770-317-9628 to see how your gifts can help our soon-to-be guests. Also, mark your calendars for First Wednesday, February 6 and take a deep dive into all that is Family Promise and learn why it takes 60-75 volunteers to host our guests for a week.

Supper Six
Any one interested in signing up for the spring Supper Six group should contact Lynn and Art Adams by January 13, 678- 319-0984 or lynnandartadams@gmail.com. Supper Six is group of 6 or 8 that meets for dinner once a month in a rotating host home. Each couple will be asked to host once in the three month period.The host provides the main dish and asks guests to fill in with side dishes. Singles may pair with another person. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow church members in a casual setting. The spring session meets for dinner in February, March and April.

Financial Peace University

APC will again offer Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Course beginning Sunday, January 27. The nine week course will end on March 24. Class time will start at 6:00pm and run to 7:30pm. Ted Lynam and Richard Boston will serve as co-coordinators.

Many have already benefitted from this course in getting control of their finances and attaining some degree of "Financial Peace". This class will also be available to anyone in our community. The cost of the course materials is $89.00.

Please contact Ted Lynam at 770-754-0445 or tedlynam3895@comcast.net if you are interested in the class or would like additional information. You may also want to go to the Dave Ramsey website: www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home.

Guitar Lessons

All children ages 7 and older are welcome to join Ollie Wagner for group guitar lessons which are held on Mondays from 4-5:00pm in the Choir Room. The lessons are free and guitars are provided. Parents are welcome to join their child in learning! To confirm your participation please email ollie@alpharettapres.com.

Next Sunday

Next Sunday we welcome to the pulpit APC member Ryan Bonfiglio who will be preaching at the 8:30 and 11:00am services; and APC member Emily Culp who will be preaching at the 9:50am service. Ryan is a PhD. student in Hebrew Scriptures at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the husband of Rev. Jamie Butcher. Emily is a second year seminary student at Candler who is pursuing ordination as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Emily is the daughter of APC members Steve and Mary Culp.

Dayschool Registration

Come join the FUN! Registration for the 2013-2014 Dayschool classes to begin in August is taking place in January. If you are interested in four hours of uninterrupted fun and learning for your child, please call the Dayschool office 770-751-3862 for details.

Sanctuary Heat

Sanctuary heat problems-We have recently had to make some expensive repairs to our sanctuary heating system. Four cracked heat exchangers had to be replaced for a total cost of $12,000. This repair will rectify recent problems we have had with the faint smell of natural gas and cool air in the sanctuary.

First Wednesday Dinner

Come and enjoy dinner while learning about APC's newest mission partnership - Family Promise.

Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM. Reservations required. Evening programs begin at 6:35 PM. The adult program will be on provided by Allison Neal on Family Promise. As a partner in Family Promise, APC will host homeless families on our church campus for four weeks each year. During these host weeks, we will welcome up to 14 guests and we will provide them shelter, warm meals, hospitality and fellowship. The new executive director of Family Promise North Fulton/DeKalb will also be visiting with us during the evening of February 6.

Dinner feesare: $4.00 for children 8 years and younger; $6.00 for adults/youth. Reservations are required for dinner. Make your reservations by noon on Sunday February 3: (1) going on-line 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.

Dinner Menu will be: Pot Roast, vegetables, green salad, breads, drinks. Desserts will be King Cake and Chocolate in honor of Mardi Gras on February 12 and in honor of Valentine's Day on February 14.

Children's Ministry will provide activities for the children from 6:30-7:15 PM and nursery will be available.

Open Arms Event

Open Arms Parents Night Out - Saturday, January 12 from 5:00-8:00 PM at APC. Please share with anyone who would benefit from dropping off their special child and siblings for 3 hours of fun and festivities!!! RSVP to Sarah Provow at shprovow@bellsouth.net.

If you are interested in volunteering for the entire time or for just part of the time we would love to have you!! We would ask that you arrive 1/2 an hour early and that your background check has already been completed!

If you are unable to help but would like to contribute a snack for the children or the volunteers we would really appreciate that also. Please just email me if you are able to help in either way! We are so grateful for each of you.

Adult CE Winter Term

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

January 13: The Early History of Israelite Religion - The Development of Monotheism

January 20: The Early History of Biblical Hebrew - "The Language of God" and its On-Going Legacy

January 27: The Early History of the Jewish Faith - The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Birth of the New Testament

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. Our deacons 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.

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.

One Voice

APC's youth choir is called "One Voice." One Voice will begin meeting for rehearsals every Sunday after the 11:00 service in the Choir Room beginning this Sunday, January 13. All youth grades 6-12 are welcome to participate and add your voice of faith! Tentative dates for One Voice to sing in worship are: 2/10, 3/10 and 3/23. Other dates will be added. Our youth are also invited to be a part of the 2013 Youth Choir Festival on Saturday, February 9 from 8:30-4:00pm at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. APC member Holly DiClaudio is providing interim leadership for One Voice until a permanent director is hired. Please contact Holly with any questions or if you would like to participate holly@diclaudiostudios.com.

Youth Ministry News

January 13 - Youth 5:30-7:30pm

January 20 - NO YOUTH - School closed on January 21

January 27 - Youth 5:30-7:30pm

February 3 - Souper Bowl of Caring. Collection will be after each service. Souper Bowl of Caring is young people across the nation working together around the time of the Super Bowl football game to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Last year more than 260,000 youth participated in Souper Bowl of Caring, collecting more than $10 million in dollars and food for local hunger-relief charities. This year's goal is to empower 275,000 young people to collect $11 million fro charities in their communities. Help us grow this movement and tackle hunger in America!

February 3 at 3:30-4:30pm - Room 210 - New 12 week Bible Study for High School Students. Spiritual Gifts: Are They for everyone? If you are involved with praise band this would allow you to have time to go to practice after the bible study and for those students that are not participating in praise band we will open a "study hall", so you will have an hour to study before youth group.

February 9 - The Revolve Tour - Meet at APC 7:30am. Return to APC at 5:00pm. Cost $60. Sign up is first to pay basis beginning this Sunday, January 13. Limited number of 12 girls.

Let's face it, being a teen girl is hard, fun, crazy and exciting - all at the same time. Some days seem perfect, and others you're unsure of yourself and your purpose. Your happiness tends to revolve around things and feelings that make you blush or leave you feeling crushed. The good news is that you are never alone. There's a real love to lean on through your ups and downs. That's why Women of Faith is excited to bring you in 2013 The Revolve Tour: this is Love in churches nationwide.

Designed for 6th through 12th grade girls, this unforgettable, high-energy event is packed with cool speakers, authors and award-winning music artists that YOU relate to, who want you to know you are beautiful, unique and loved unconditionally by God, just the way you are.

Whether your relationship with God is strong, weak or even non-existent, it doesn't really matter. Come to this exciting event, have fun, leave your daily dramas behind and experience what real love means- to live a life that revolves around Christ.

February 17 - NO Youth - Winter Break

February 24 - Youth 5:30pm - 7:30pm

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

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 - The Owens family at the death of their friends's son, Zachary McCarthy, following an accident. Services were held at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL last weekend.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Robin and Edy Borden at 8:30 & Tyler and Nick Heydinger at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 8:30 & Jack Hittle and Heidi Alatar 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 2013 Class of 2014 Class of 2015

George Bancroft-Property Zach Berry-Youth Ministry Gerard Ballard-Mission

Jodie Barger-Children's Ministry Scott Doll-Youth Ministry/Membership John Bullock-Membership

Lynn Danson-Fellowship/Mission Molly Elkind-Clerk of Session/Worship Julie Jagmin-Children's Ministry

Pat Dennis-Open Arms Stu Laubenstein-Personnel/Nominating Tyler Jones-Communications

Nancy Hill-Nominating/Personnel Anne Mahone-Dayschool/LRP Dave McKemey-Youth Ministry

Jan Hughey-Finance/LRP Charles Moriarty-CE Adult/Property Steve Wardrup-Finance/Commitment

Mike Marcin-Communications Sarah Provow-Commitment/Open Arms Beverly Williams-CE Adult/Fellowship

Kylie Vacko-Open Arms Ferrell White-Worship

Deacon Care Teams

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

Companion Care - Janice Armistead, janice.armistead@att.net

Hospital & Recovery - Eva Wardrup, zumaland@aol.com

Sympathy & Celebrations - Jennifer Autian, jautian@hotmail.com

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).