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

With the help of our property manager and the members of our Property Committee, we will very soon have some security improvements made at APC. Two exterior doors that are currently open will soon be locked (Academy Street and the entrance into the Dayschool lobby) and one interior door (the doors which lead from the Fellowship Hall to the nursery) will be locked in the mornings. Primarily, this will benefit the Dayschool during its weekday hours of operation. In addition, the Session has authorized the creation of a Safety and Security Task Force to look at the overall security situation of the church and present recommendations for improvement.

While we have not had any recent problems or concerns, many parents have asked us "what are you doing at APC to make sure our children are safe?" Certainly, that is a question we can all appreciate and understand. So, should you encounter a locked door that once was open, I hope you will pardon the inconvenience and understand that it is in service to a greater good.

To limit any inconvenience to those who need to have access to "the education building/theater" we will have signage and volunteers or staff nearby to help. A few more things I ask: if you have safety or security concerns or ideas to improve matters, please contact our property manager.

Be sure to lock your car in the parking lot, keep valuables with you while in the building, turn off the lights and lock the doors when you leave and pray for safety of all of God's children.

Souper Bowl of Caring

The Souper Bowl of Caring collection will be this Sunday, February 3 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 for charities in their communities. Help us grow this movement and tackle hunger in America!

The funds that APC raises this year will go to Family Promise, our newest mission partner, so please give generously!

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.

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.

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. Feel free to wear that tropical shirt! THe dinner menu is: Jerk chicken with exotic fruit glaze, grilled hoisin ginger marinated pork loin with Caribbean salsa, tropical fruit salad, black beans & jasmine rice, rolls, assorted desserts. 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.

Congregational Dinner

Ash Wednesday Congregational Dinner February 13 - Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent in the Christian Church. Our dinner will follow the very old Ash Wednesday tradition of a simple meal without meat and lavish desserts. Dinner starts at 6:00 PM. Menu: Pinto beans, roasted potatoes, cornbread and drinks. Dinner fee - Adult $6.00 and $4.00 for Children 8 years and under. The Ash Wednesday Service begins at 6:30 PM. Nursery is provided. Dinner reservations required. Make reservations one of three ways: (1) going on-line at http://www.alpharettapres.com/acs; (2) by filling out a card on the table in the lobby, or (3) by entering info on the bright lime green sheet posted by the APC kitchen door.

Family Promise Host Week ~ March 3 - 10

Volunteers & Donations are needed!
Our Guests are coming! We need your help to prepare for our guests, and to provide them with love and support during their weeklong stay with us. The APC website Family Promise page has the most up to date information, please check it regularly. We are using SignUp Genius for donations of food and new or gently used household items, links can be found on the Family Promise page.

Want to learn more about Family Promise? Join us this Wednesday, February 6, for Family Promise 101 from 6pm - 7:30pm. Make your reservations online or fill out a card at church on Sunday.

Want to support Family Promise and have fun doing it? Join us for Island Night on Saturday, February 9, a FUN-draiser for our new mission. We'll eat yummy tropical food and play lots of fun games....all ages are welcome for this entertaining evening! Reserve online today!

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.

ACT1 Production

Tickets on sale now! "Every Little Crook and Nanny," by Pat Cook. Lillie Scones is a sweet retired nanny who runs a boarding house with one resident and "a cat the size of the Louisiana Purchase." Then Stuart, an old charge of hers, rents a room. Lillie is tickled to have him around again, not knowing he is planning on robbing the bank on the corner! In the spirit of Frank Capra, this tale of a bank heist and nannies has all the classic comedy twists and surprises fit for any audiences. Performances on Fridays, Saturdays and matinees Sundays, March 1 - 15. Special pricing for APC members! Adults, $10, seniors and kids under 12, $8. Tickets available in the lobby on Sunday or call Lisa Matchen at 678-371-3079.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Be sure to check the youth mission website page for mission trip sign ups and dates of upcoming activities and events.

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

Meeting for all parents of 5th graders: Sunday, February 10 at 9:45am. Come and learn all about Alpharetta Presbyterian's Youth Program including: Sunday School Classes, Youth Group and this summer's Destination Unknown Trip from APC's Director of Youth Ministries Kelly Edwards.

Sunday, February 17 All children preschool through 5th grade will meet in Solid Rock Theater for fun, singing and fellowship together instead of regular Sunday school.

Club 45:

Saturday, February 2 - All 4th and 5th graders are invited to Club 45 Movie night at the Hays Home this Saturday night from 6:30-9:00pm. We will be watching the movie Soul Surfer, eating pizza and ice cream and having lots of fun. Please bring $4.00 per person and a friend. It isn't too late to RSVP to Kristin Hicks at Kristin@alpharettapres.com

March 10 - 5:30-7:30 Dinner $4.00 Club 45 Tween Group

April 13-14 - Club 45 Retreat to Camp Calvin at the Calvin Center in Hampton, GA $30.00 per person.

Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 8:15am-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 Mary House and her family at the death of her sister, Evelyn Purinton, on Saturday, January 26 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Isobel Still at 8:30 & Ethan and Jessica Berry at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Larry and Mim Prohl at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Dick and Sharon Bean, Tom Hyatt, David & Beau Armistead at 8:30 & Steve Ludlow, Dale Carter, Duane Lofdahl, Lee Jones 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).