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

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Kelly's Korner

As the summer is quickly ending, I sit in my office reflecting on the great "God Moments" our youth and adults have been able to experience this summer. From seeing God on the mountain tops of Appalachian Service Project in Boone, North Carolina to the city streets of Charlotte, North Carolina to the faces of Campers at Camp Hope in Eatonton, Georgia it is evident that our students at APC are Disciples of Christ.

Reflecting on this past week at Triennium 2013, I am aware that many of you know that it is a youth conference of Presbyterians from around the globe, but what I learned was so much more. Triennium is a time for students to spend discerning what the invitations from the Presbyterian Church (USA) are centered around. We are centered on the worship of and trust in God, as lived and taught by Jesus Christ, and carried on by the power of the Holy Spirit. This includes the daily invitation to all of us to pray, serve and "Go into the world!"

Through the presentations, studies, recreational events and mission experiences, Triennium strived to connect youth and adults with experiences that inspire them to be alert and active to seek ways to connect their lives with their growing faith. Triennium was the perfect place to generate substantial energy and action on behalf of Jesus Christ. It was an amazing opportunity for youth to explore their faith and their practices alongside those of the past and present faith communities.

If you would like to hear more I invite you to speak to McClain Baxley, Lindsey Burton, Tyler Curl, Grace Edwards, Julia Jagmin or Amy Neal. Thank you to Jamie Butcher for attending this trip with me along with the student disciples from APC and a HUGE THANK YOU to the congregation for their support.

Kelly Edwards

Director of Youth Ministry

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.

Foster Care Support

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, July 30. 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, contact Marianna Raffensperger at 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.com.

Disciple Bible Study

Would you like to participate in a Disciple Bible Study Class this fall? Disciple is a high-commitment, weekly, small group study. Our pastors teach Disciple I classes which are offered Sunday night from 6:30-8:30 and Monday morning from 9:30-11:30. Contact the church office if you would like to signup or learn more.

Summer Preaching Series

Our summer preaching series, "The Furniture of Faith" continues this week with "The Organ and Hymnal." Drew Bowers will speak to us about the important role of music in worship. Next week: "The Font and Table."

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

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.

Summer Adult CE Series

Final lecture of our summer adult education series titled, "The Spiritual Challenges of Mental Illness." The class will be held from 9:00am-10:00am in the APC theater. The series will be facilitated by counselors and physicians as follows:
July 28 Personality Disorders (borderline personality, narcissism) Dr. Deborah Silver

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 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.

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 - Come join us for Fun in the Sun at Cumming Aquatic Center on Sunday, August 4. We will meet at APC at 12:15pm. Cost is $4 for youth, $5 for adults. There is a snack bar so if you would like to purchase food, please bring extra money. We will supply sodas, water and pizza. We will need adults to drive and chaperone, if interested contact Kelly Edwards at kelly@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033. We welcome all rising 6th graders through graduating seniors. Parents please pick up your youth at 5:00pm at the Aquatic Center at 201 Aquatic Circle, Cumming, 30040.

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

Celebration - To Jeremy and Rachel McKay at the birth of their son, Foster, on Monday, July 22.

Celebration - To the Doll family as they celebrate Ryan's graduation from Air Force ROTC field training at Maxwell AFB.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 9:00 & Joyce Komala at 10:30

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Richard Boston, Kelly Vandever, Marian Cunningham, John McPherson at 9:00 & Stu and Kyle Laubenstein, Dave and Zach Berry, Nancy Hill, Mary Rogovin, Peggy Asher at 10:30

Promise Class Volunteer this Sunday: Mary Culp 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).