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

My how the world has changed! Martin Luther King, Jr. day each year is one of the times I pause and think about how far we have come as a society with civil rights...and how far we still have to go. From hate crimes committed against persons because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or disability to simply respecting diversity as a God-given gift, there is much to be done. Still, we have come along way since the days when women were denied ordination in the church because of their gender or "colored" water fountains were the norm in southern states.

I know you to be a community of faith that is engaged with contemporary issues and committed to working and praying for justice and peace for all of God's children--red and yellow, black and white, young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, male and female, citizen and alien. For this reason some of you have mentioned your interest in learning more about efforts to stop the child sex trafficking that is going on close to home (Atlanta is thought to be one of the world's biggest centers for this horrific business.) Some of you have begun working to improve services for families with children who have developmental disabilities. Others have given many volunteer hours providing health care to the poor or asked about how APC can better engage in the pursuit of social justice.

One of the historic "great ends of the church" is "the promotion of social righteousness." Dr. King powerfully quoted the prophet Amos who called for "justice to roll down like mighty waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." One of my favorite Atlanta locations is the MLK, Jr. National Park. If you have not yet been there, I encourage you to do so. In the church, at your work and business dealings, as in the world...let us pursue what is just because as the spiritual says, "All God's people got a place in the choir."

More Photo Dates!

More directory photo dates have been added! Please call the office during the week to schedule an appointment. Also, if you had your photo done the first session January 4 & 5, your free 8X10 and any additional items you ordered are available for pick up in the office.

Communion Preparation

Communion Preparation - Opportunity for Service. We need more help with this vital ministry. As you are aware, communion is served on the first Sunday of every month and on several special occasions throughout the church year. The preparation of the elements is an opportunity for members to be involved in this special ministry. It requires about an hour of advance preparation on Saturday or early Sunday morning (may be done at home); setup at church prior to each service; and then clean up following the 11:00 service. Friends or family may form teams to share this task.

If you would be able to help three or four times a year, please contact Mary Dantzler for more information at 404-754-1763 or jdantzler@bellsouth.net.

Foster Care Support

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, January 29. We carpool from APC at 9:30 in the morning, help sort clothing, and fill mail orders for children in foster care. We then enjoy lunch and fellowship at a nearby restaurant before returning to the church by 2:00 PM. For more information, please contact Marianna Raffensperger at 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.com

First Wednesday Dinner

February 6 - First Wednesday - Family Promise 101. Come and enjoy dinner while learning about APC's newest mission partner - Family Promise.

Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM. Reservations required. Evening programs begin at 6:35 PM. As a partner in Family Promise, APC will host homeless families on our church campus for four weeks each year. Join the APC Mission Committee for an informative evening that will answer all of your questions. What is Family Promise? What is APC's Role? Who is involved? How can you help? These topics and many more will be presented; and our new Executive Director, Bill Hardison will be in attendance.

Dinner fees are: $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 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.

Family Promise

Our Family Promise Guests will arrive in just six weeks! Beginning on March 3, APC will host up to four homeless families in one of the few programs that keeps families intact and offers a loving, caring environment for people experiencing homelessness. As we prepare, our need for donations and volunteers is immense. The APC website Family Promise page has the most up to date information about volunteer and donation needs, please check it regularly.

In addition, two congregational events are coming up in two weeks: First Wednesday, "Family Promise 101," on February 6, where you can learn all about the Family Promise organization and meet our new Executive Director, Bill Hardison, and Island Night on Saturday, February 9, a special event that will not only be fun but will raise funds necessary to keep Family Promise going throughout the year at APC.

Island Night

Join us on Saturday evening, February 9 from 6:00-8:00pm as we escape to a warm, sunny island to enjoy a tropical meal, entertainment and games. Please bring a tropical dessert to share and feel free to wear that tropical shirt! A suggested donation of $5 per person to support APC's Family Promise mission will be accepted at the door. Reservations can be made at the table by the entry door or at www.alpharettapres.com/acs.

WANTED: Voices

WANTED: Eager voices to join the APC Chancel Choir. Prior experience fabulous but not required. Rehearsals Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm. Priority seating provided on Sundays! To inquire speak with your local choir member or email Mary Busman mary@alpharettapres.com.

Handbell Help

The APC Handbells are in need of a ringer to join our group on a regular basis. If you have rung before or if you can read music and are interested in learning to play handbells, we would love to have you come to one of our rehearsals. We meet on Wednesdays in the Alpha Building from 6:30-7:25pm. Our group plays in church about once a month. In addition, we are always in need of a few substitute ringers whom we can call when one of our regular ringers is unavailable. Please contact Mary Busman for additional information.

Finance News

The Finance Committee is pleased to share the wonderful news that for the first time in recent years APC finished its budget year "in the black!" 2012 pledges and offerings exceeded our expectations by more than $20,000. Combined with the good news that 2012 expenses came in under budget, we finished the budget year $19,125 to the positive (with no transfer of funds from savings to off-set our operating expenses!) Thanks be to God for your generous and faithful stewardship and to our church leadership for their excellent oversight of church finances.

The Commitment Committee continues to make final contacts in order to get a complete picture of your intended giving for 2013. If you have not yet completed and returned an "Estimate of Giving" card, please do so today. They are located in the pew racks. Cards may be folded and placed in the offering plates, dropped into the Finance Office's mail box or mailed to the church (attention: Susan Schiltz). You may also communicate your 2013 pledge by contacting Susan in the office 770-751-0033 or susan@alpharettapres.com. To date, we have received 251 pledges totaling $886,178 (a significant increase over the 2012 total!) Every gift makes a difference in strengthening our ministry in Christ's name.

Offering envelopes - If you prefer to use weekly offering envelopes, yearly boxed sets are available on the table in the lobby. You may find individual envelopes in the pews on Sunday morning.

Job Posting

APC is seeking a part-time Director of Music to provide overall leadership for its music programs. Responsibilities include leading music for Sunday worship, scheduling and conducting choir rehearsals on Wednesday nights for the chancel choir and handbell choirs, and supervising all music staff and guest musicians.

See the full job description at www.alpharettapres.com/dm.

Please email resume, letter of interest and three references to search@alpharettapres.com. Interviews/auditions will be held February 16-28, with expected hire date by the end of March, 2013.

Haiti Update

Thank you! Thanks to a number of generous APC donors during Christmas we have funds to proceed with our partnering efforts for the rural community of Ticotelette on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. The Haiti mission group reported to the congregation in November that the cistern needed repair in order to channel and hold rain water. You have responded generously. We have sent this money and expect the repairs will be made in time for the spring rains. We are so grateful for your continued interest and funding support of salaries for health workers, school teachers and the purchase of a goat in our agriculture program. In addition, another donor has committed to the purchase of a motor cycle for the principal who currently walks 8 hours round trip each day. You are each a blessing to this work!

Vote for Drake House

Help The Drake House win an office technology makeover from Milner, Inc. valued at $20,000! Have you volunteered at The Drake House? Then you know we need new printers and office equipment. How can you help? By voting for us - January 15-31! You can vote once per day per IP address. The more votes, the better chance we have to win.

Go to www.milner.com/jumpstart and vote for The Drake House. And please ask your friends, family, and colleagues to vote for us too. Happy voting and thanks for your support!

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.

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.

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.

Adult CE Winter Term

Ryan Bonfiglio's last class is this Sunday! 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. Topic is:

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

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.

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.

Youth Ministry News

January 27 - Youth Group - 5:30-7:30pm. Please bring $4 for dinner.

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 - New 12 week Bible Study for High School Students, 3:30-4:30pm Room 210. 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 - To Ken Bogle and his family at the death of his father, Ken Bogle, Sr., on Tuesday, January 22.

Celebration - To David and Jessica Wardrup at the birth of their son, Steven Paul Wardrup, on Tuesday, January 22.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Robin and Edy Borden at 8:30 & Ethan and Jessica Berry at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Joyce Komala and Richard Gibson 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 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).