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

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Ollie's Offerings

"We grieve," the Apostle wrote, "yet not without hope."

This week three APC members died. Beginning tomorrow, the first of three memorial services will be held as we remember their lives and give witness to the resurrection. I invite you to pray for the families and friends who now grieve, and support them in any way you can. So often, APC members tell me they are encouraged and upheld by the prayers, cards, notes, calls, meals and visits offered by their friends in the congregation. Thank you! Today, I am especially grateful for your compassion, faith and service in times of loss.

Trusting in the Lord "who was dead and now is alive forever," let us use wisely and well the time God gives to each of us. In the words of theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "time is the most irrevocable of gifts." Aware of our mortality, let us cling to our faith in Christ whose death and resurrection defeated the power of sin and death. Let us give thanks for the caring ministry of our deacons, the beautiful facility and memorial garden we have which allow to gather for worship and fellowship, the dedicated staff and members who provide their service and gifts in ways seen and unseen, and the strong music ministry which stirs our hearts.

Let us also be reminded that every Sunday worship service is held on the Lord's day - a day in which we are reminded, "death could not hold him. He has risen as he said." And by God's everlasting grace, "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. In life and in death, we belong to him." As you come to worship this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30am, be reminded that this is the day when the women found the tomb to be empty.

In the name of the One who makes all things new, God's strength and peace to you.

Ollie

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Prayer Shawl Ministry July Meeting - The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets this Tuesday, July 23 at 1:30pm. We'll gather in the upstairs lobby for an hour or two of prayer, fellowship and needlecraft. All are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Rogovin msrogovin@gmail.com or 404-386-5591.

School Supply Drive

APC School Supplies Drive, July 21-August 8, to benefit APC Whiz Kids Tutoring Program, North Fulton Community Charities, Foster Care Support Foundation and The Place of Forsyth. Please consider donating any of the supplies shown on the display near the door to the multipurpose room. There are lists to take with you in the envelope on the display. Please leave items in the blue Mission bin next to the display. If you prefer to make a cash donation, please note "school supplies drive" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your support. Questions, contact Sue White at 770-772-4667 or whitesbassets@bellsouth.net.

Suicide Prevention

Parents,

As you may be aware, suicide is an issue that has significantly impacted Milton and the surrounding Alpharetta and Johns Creek communities over that past several months. In order to provide important information to parents on this topic, I would like to invite you to attend a special parent night at Milton High School on July 31 from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Dr. Scott Poland, an internationally recognized expert on school crisis, youth violence, suicide intervention and school safety will provide an engaging presentation on some of the challenges facing youth today as well as how to build resiliency in youth to combat suicide and other dangerous student outcomes. Just a few of the topics that will be covered are:

Warning signs of youth suicide and precipitating events
Increasing positive connections between youth and adults
Resiliency and protective factors that reduce youth suicide

Dr. Poland is widely considered a pioneer in suicide prevention having authored one of the most respected works on the subject. He has also appeared on almost all major television network news programs and has served on the President's Roundtable on Youth Violence.

I hope you can make arrangements to attend on July 31 from 6:30-8:30pm at Milton High School.

Thank you

Kelly Edwards

Director of Youth Ministry

Youth Triennium

Some of our APC Youth joining other youth from around the country at Presbyterian Triennium at Purdue University in Indiana this week.

Summer Preaching Series

Our summer preaching series continues this week, "The Furniture of Faith." This week, we consider why sanctuaries have a pulpit. Next week, Drew Bowers will speak to us about the important role of music in worship. Our time away from our sanctuary due to the renovation provides us a good time to consider the vital elements of our worship space.

Drake House Volunteer Opportunity

The 9^th Annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin' is scheduled for August 25, on the Square in Roswell. This is the major annual fund raising event for The Drake House, one of our APC Mission Partners. Participation from APC has waned over the past couple of years and we are looking for a coordinator for this year's event. If you are interested in organizing APC's participation in the event, please contact Gerard Ballard, gerardballard@comcast.net.

The Drake House

The Drake House needs Kroger and Walmart gift cards in amounts of $15 or $25. If you have any questions, please contact Sheryl Wentworth 404-357-9984.

ACT1 Auditions

It's Audition Time! ACT1 Theater will be performing a series of skits for their fall production that prove that whatever the intentions, things are always more complicated than you think! There are multiple roles for all ages in these two comedies and one drama... information is on posters located in the church or on the ACT1 website, www.act1theater.com. Auditions for "Simply Complicated" will be held Monday and Tuesday July 22 and 23 at 6:30 PM - the production runs October 4 - 6. Call Lisa Matchen at 678-371-3079 with questions.

ACT1 Production

Now playing ACT1's Theater "Give My Regards to Broadway!" Combine the greatest show tunes of George M. Cohan with a sparkling story and you have the most entertaining, charming, toe-tapping musical of the season. Tickets are available online or look for the ACT1 table in the lobby the next two Sundays and thereafter in the upstairs lobby on Sunday mornings. The production runs from July 19 - August 11.

Summer Adult CE Series

APC will be offering a summer adult education series titled, "The Spiritual Challenges of Mental Illness." We will be learning about the symptoms, prominence and treatments of several disorders, discussing their impact on health, families and friends, asking questions about faith and forgiveness, and considering implications for the church's ministry and response. The classes will be held from 9:00am-10:00am in the APC theater. The series will be facilitated by counselors and physicians as follows:
July 21 Substance Dependence (alcohol and drugs) Mr. Kevin Moore

July 28 Personality Disorders (borderline personality, narcissism) Dr. Deborah Silver

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program - In May, the unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta increased from 7.6% in April to 8.2%. After years of job losses, the Construction Industry added 1,200 jobs in May. 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 Group meets this Sunday, July 21 at noon for a lake outing.

Youth group will follow the Youth Summer Calendar: August 4 from 6:00pm-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 8:45am-11:45pm for ages 0-2 in the nursery. (Summer)

Promise Class is provided on Sundays from 10:00-12:00pm for our special needs students in the Blue Room. (Summer)

KinderWORSHIP (Children's Worship Education for children ages 3 - rising 3rd graders) - We do have summer KinderWORSHIP at the 10:30am worship service. Come join us as we learn about "Rough Waves - Jesus Saves." It will be held in the Solid Rock Theater during the summer.

As we plan for this fall we want to invite you to experience all the fun. Come and join us as we engage the hearts of the next generation here at APC. We need volunteers to help teach, to help tell stories, to help in the audiovisual piece and to help create the sets each month. You don't have to be a parent, you don't need to be wise, you just have to come as you are! Contact kristin@alpharettapres.com.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sympathy - To the family of APC member Jeff Peterson who died Friday, June 12 in Cumming, GA.

A memorial service will be held at APC on Saturday, June 20 at 1:00pm.

Sympathy - To Jane Guttery and her family at the death of her husband, Darryl Guttery, on Thursday, July 18 in Alpharetta, GA. A memorial service will be held at APC on Sunday, July 21 at 4:00pm.

Sympathy - To Nancy Chisolm and her family at the death of her husband, Pat Chisolm, on Thursday, July 18 in Lawrenceville, GA. A memorial service will be held at APC on Saturday, July 27 at 1:00pm.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Steve Culp at 9:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Sybille Johnstone, Alan Crowell, June Fortson at 9:00 & Ken Bogle, Ed and Pat Rea at 10:30

Promise Class Volunteers this Sunday: Fran Mosher at 10:00

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).