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

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Ollie's Offerings

The summer must be about over because we have made it to "the cross." The last piece of "furniture" in our summer preaching series, the cross is typically placed in a central and visible location in a sanctuary. The Apostle Paul once summarized the missionary message of the early church as it spread westward across the Roman Empire: "we preach Christ crucified." Certainly in the gospels, the death of Jesus on a cross is a major emphasis. One commentator calls the gospels passion narratives with extended introductions. "If you would be my disciple," the Savior said, "you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me."

This Sunday Rev. Jamie Butcher will preach on "the cross." As Jamie and I conceived of our summer preaching series we put the cross last...both for emphasis and because we knew this Sunday would be our last Sunday worshiping in "the upper room." Next Sunday on August 18 we will return to our renovated sanctuary for a service of rededication. That promises to be a big day with the opening of Sunday School for all ages at 9:45am and the resumption of our three worship service format (8:30am, 9:50am and 11:00am.)

A cross was built and installed in our sanctuary as part of the renovation. It is nine feet tall, six feet across, and made of walnut. APC members designed it and Charles Moriarty and David Semones made it in their workshops. How appropriate for a Christ-centered family to have such a sizable, beautiful and visible reminder of what God has done for us! Perhaps the hymn declares it best, "when I survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride."

As always, I look forward to gathering with you on Sunday to worship God!

Reverse Exodus

Have you heard of a "Reverse Exodus?" That's what will occur this Sunday, August 11, when we move from the upper room back into our beautiful refurbished sanctuary. To accomplish this for worship the following Sunday, however, we very much need your help. Immediately after the 10:30 AM service, if you possibly can do so and are able, please plan to stay a few minutes to help with loading chairs into waiting trailers, just as we did before, and then unloading them downstairs. It will be far simpler this time, but we do need help. Thanks so very much.

Breakfast Cooking Crews

All APC Sunday Morning Breakfast Cooking Crews will get together for breakfast on Sunday, August 11 from 8:00-8:45am in Fellowship Hall. If you are currently on one of the four crews, we look forward to seeing you! If you are interested in joining one of the cooking crews, please come and join us. The Breakfast Coordinator is Ted Lynam. You may contact him at tedlynam3895@comcast.net.

Next Sunday

Next Sunday, we return to our regular worship schedule 8:30, 9:50 and 11:00am in our newly renovated sanctuary. Please join us for our rededication service.

Nominations Requested

Just what is an Elder? Our Book of Order says Elders should be "persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit."

And what is a Deacon? Our Book of Order defines the ministry of deacons as "...one of compassion, witness and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ..."

The nominating committee is requesting nominations for our slate of officers for the upcoming year. Now that you know the qualities we are looking for, we hope that you will share with us the names of those members who you believe have these qualities or let us know if you are interested in serving. We know our congregation has many such people. You may send in your nominations through our website at www.alpharettapres.com/nomination; by email at nomination@alpharettapres.com or by putting the names in the nominating box in the narthex or give the name to the church office. Nominations should be submitted by August 25.

Adult CE Series

Roadside Religion: Forming Our Faith within Popular Christian Culture

August 18 - September 8, 9:45-10:45a, theater

What does it mean to be a Christian in the world today? Here in the Bible Belt, a myriad of bumper stickers, billboards, and Christian radio stations promise quick answers to this complex question. However, the version of Christianity that we find in these examples of "roadside religion" does not often mesh with what the church has proclaimed throughout the centuries. What can we learn from popular Christian culture and how can we begin to formulate our own faith perspective within this context? This four-week adult education series will explore these and other issues, including how the Reformed tradition might respond to common (mis)conceptions about the message of the Gospel, the theology of Scripture, the function of the church, and the nature of faith. All are welcome to join us!

� Week 1 (8/18) - The "Four Laws" of Faith: The Better News of a Complex Gospel

� Week 2 (8/25) - The Bumper Sticker Bible: Reclaiming a Theology of Scriptural Truth

� Week 3 (9/1) - The Drive-Through Church: Rediscovering an Embodied Spirituality

� Week 4 (9/8) - Marketing the Messiah: When Evangelism meets Madison Avenue

Ministry Fair

APC Ministry Fair-August 25 is Mission Sunday at APC. In addition to learning about recent experiences APC members have had in various mission works this year, you'll also have an opportunity to learn how you can become more involved. In conjunction with Mission Sunday, the Membership Committee is again sponsoring a "Ministry Fair" from 9:15am-12:30pm in Fellowship Hall. Most of the various ministries and activity groups at APC will have information tables where you can ask questions and find out more about what each group does and how you can get involved. If you have been wanting to get involved but weren't quite sure what opportunities were available, or if you are already involved and may be looking for something new, don't miss this great opportunity to find out what our church has to offer.

For more information, contact either Mike Wasson m3wasson@yahoo.com, Sherry Krnasky skrnasky@yahoo.com, or John Bullock 770-754-447 or jobullock@bellsouth.net.

Party Planners Needed!

APC is excited to host the Family Promise NFD Comfort Food Cookoff on November 2. This cookoff will be a team effort by the "north" host congregations (Roswell Pres, Northminster Pres, Roswell UMC, APC and Temple Beth Tikvah). Each congregation has been asked to provide one or two event planning volunteers. If you're a good party planner, please e-mail Alli Neal nealshop@comcast.net.

Family Promise Updates

Save the date: Next Family Promise Host Week will be September 15 - 22. Mark your calendar and watch for details in coming weeks.

Comfort Food Fundraiser August 24: Join us for an affiliate-wide fundraising event to benefit Family Promise North Fulton DeKalb. Comfort Food South will give you a chance to sample foods from our Sandy Springs and Dunwoody host congregations and vote for your favorites. Event will be held Saturday evening, August 24 at Temple Sinai. Event Details can be found here.

Click here to reserve tickets. Questions? Contact Family Promise 404-252-3073.

Presbyterian Women

Ladies: Be sure to visit the Presbyterian Women's table at the Ministry Fair on August 25! Among other things, there will be an "interested" signup sheet for the different circles, information on the Prayer Shawl Ministry and details about the brunch on Saturday, September 14. You will also find information and signup sheets for the Whiz Kids tutoring program.

ACT1 Production

LAST WEEKEND for ACT1's "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 upstairs lobby on Sunday mornings. The production runs through August 11.

Summer Preaching Series

Our summer preaching series, "The Furniture of Faith" concludes this week with "The Cross."

Worship Events

Please mark your calendars for some exciting upcoming events in worship: August 18-Sanctuary Rededication; August 25-Mission Sunday and Ministry Fair; September 22-Open Arms Sunday; October 6-World Communion Sunday and October 20-Joining Sunday for new members.

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 5:30-7:30 and Monday morning from 9:30-11:30. Look for an information table this Sunday in the upstairs lobby or contact the church office if you would like to signup or learn more. If you have already completed Disciple I and would like to participate in an upper-level Disciple Class, please contact the church office.

Search Committees

Please continue to pray for our three search committees as we seek to bring to APC's staff: a ministry associate, a director of communications and an administrative assistant for youth and children.

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.

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

Middle School and High School Sunday School Kick-off is August 18 at 9:45am.

Come and experience our new "LIVE" Curriculum!!! Capture the energy and potential of this year's Sunday School Curriculum.

High School "LIVE"- This four-year strategy is built around a 36-week ministry calendar year, with each year's content connecting to topics and themes covered in previous years. The high school years represent a transformative season in the life of a teenager. These are years for students to develop greater boldness in their faith, respond to challenges from peers and adults, prepare for post-high school life, make significant choices that will shape the rest of their lives, and explore what it means to be a follower of Christ in the 21st century. This curriculum designed to help teenagers own their faith and follow the journey of a Jesus-centered life.

Middle School "LIVE"- This two-year plan follows a 36-week ministry calendar year. Lessons flow from one topic to the next, and the second year builds on the themes and truths introduced in the first year.All lessons reflect solid biblical foundations and a commitment to hands-on, interactive learning styles. The lessons feature topics, illustrations, activities, and application truths that are appropriate and tailor-made for a middle school audience. Each lessons is packed with questions that will get students discussing, debating, examining, and thinking for themselves-essential skills in helping them own their faith.

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)

Blessing of the Backpacks-School children are invited to bring backpacks to either of our services (9:00 or 10:30am) on August 11. We will be having a special time to bless students, teachers and administrators of all ages during worship. We will also be collecting school supplies for our mission partners. If you would like to contribute, please bring any of the supplies listed on the website and place them in the bins located at the entrance to church.

KinderWorship-Come and join us for our last three weeks of summer KinderWorship during the 10:30am service. We will be having a celebration of Gods Magnificent Creation! We will explore Things that Go Twinkle in the night, Creation that is Wet, Wild and Waving and Creation that has Fins Fur and Feathers. You won't want to miss the fun.

Sunday School Teacher Training-Training for all Children's Ministry Sunday School Volunteers will be held on August 11 from 2:00-4:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Information about our new curriculum, "252 Basics" will be shared. You will also meet with your team and signup for your days to volunteer. Contact kristin@alpharettapres.comwith any questions.

Sunday School Kick-Off is August 18 at 9:45am - Parents don't miss this year's Rally day as we Kick- offa new year. We will be registering children for the new year, introducing our new curriculum, "252 Basics", with skits and a multimedia presentation to children and parents, and meeting our new teachers. There will also be a presentation for parents only about how to use our newest curriculum at home with easy to find App's and online media so you can participate in your child's faith journey. You won't want to miss the laughter and fun.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 9:00 & Jack Hittle at 10:30

Serving as ushers this Sunday: George and Susie Myers, Carolyn Dillon, Wilson Borden at 9:00 & Ken Bogle, Larry Prohl, Dale Carter, Dot Van Dyke at 10:30

Promise Class Volunteer this Sunday: Sydney Schneider 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).