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

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Ollie's Offerings

This morning's cool rain is fitting for November. How fitting because this Sunday could easily be Thanksgiving Day! We at APC have so much for which to be thankful. The sanctuary renovation project has been successfully completed and this Sunday we will reenter that space to rededicate it, and our very lives, to the glory and service of God. Worship will be held at 8:30am, 9:50am and 11:00am. Let the trumpets sound!

Sunday school for all ages "kicks-off" this Sunday, too! Our Christian education hour runs from 9:45am - 10:45am. An "all church" adult four week series will be held in the theater. Youth classes will meet in their upstairs classrooms by grade. Children will gather with their parents in the multipurpose room to begin the year.

A large and dedicated team of men will be back in the kitchen this week to prepare Sunday morning breakfast which will be served from 8:00 - 10:15am. They do it early and faithfully because they enjoy the time with one another, but mostly, so that the congregation might enjoy a delicious meal and time for fellowship. I invite you to take time Sunday mornings to come into fellowship hall to slow yourself down, enjoy breakfast, get refreshed, meet new friends and catch up with old ones.

As I consider the many people and hours of service rendered to provide worship, education and fellowship opportunities for this Christ-centered family of faith, I am truly grateful. "Come, ye thankful people come!"

See you Sunday! Bring a thankful heart.

This Sunday

This 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.

Sunday Breakfast

Sunday Morning Breakfast is back as of August 18!! The summer is coming to a close and APC is back to its regular schedule of worship, Sunday School classes, and activities. Each Sunday morning a Breakfast Crew will be cooking breakfast. Come join us for good food and good fellowship on Sunday Mornings. The breakfast buffet food is ready at 8:00am. The last food preparation is completed around 9:30am and placed on the buffet table. The buffet closes at 10:15am. Breakfast fees are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children 8 years and younger.

Acolyte Training

Calling all ten year olds for new Acolyte training! Come learn to serve in our worship service as an acolyte by attending a training session on Sunday, September 8. Training will take place in the sanctuary immediately following the 11:00 service. Acolytes are generally ten years old or older; however, nine year olds are welcome to attend the training and serve at the early service. A parent is encouraged to attend as well. Any questions, please contact Cindy Laubenstein at 678-366-0345 or cindylaub05@yahoo.com. Thank you for your willingness to serve in this important ministry in their lives and in the life of APC! Please spread the word!

Drake Closet - Alpharetta - Coming Soon!

We are very excited to be preparing our Alpharetta location at 26 Old Roswell Street in Historic Downtown. Help us build our opening inventory by dropping off your new or gently used ladies clothing or accessories next week, Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM or on Saturday, August 17 from 4 PM - 6 PM. Volunteers will be on hand to assist and receipts will be available for your donations. Watch for details on the store opening in early September!

For more information, email thedrakecloset@thedrakehouse.org or call 678-682-3551

Interested in volunteering or need more information? Please visit our website at www.thedrakehouse.org.

First Wednesday

First Wednesday Dinners are starting!! Wednesday, September 4! The adult program will be highlights of APC's "Summer Youth Trips" presented by Kelly Edwards, Director of Youth Ministry and some of our APC Youth.

Time: Dinner 6:00-6:45 PM in Fellowship Hall Reservations Required for dinner

Adult Program 6:45-7:30 PM

Children's Activities 6:45-7:30 PM

Dinner Menu will be: Salad bar with grilled chicken and flank steak, assorted rolls, drinks, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Reservations can be made in three ways: Make your reservations by Sunday noon of September 1: (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.

Contact person is Sheryl Wentworth at 770-777-1229 or sherylwentworth@comcast.net

ACT1 Auditions

Auditions next week for ACT1's 2013 holiday production "Home For Christmas." The Clayton family has scattered to every part of the country. Their mother isn't well and this may be her last Christmas. One of the daughters, determined that the family recaptures something they seem to have lost, forces them all to come home for Christmas. She insists on turning back the clock and they all dress up as teenagers-much to the amusement of some of the actual teenagers. In the midst of the laughter, they discover something the audience will want to discover with them. Adult and child actors needed. Auditions will be held in the theater Tuesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 22 at 6:30 PM. The production will run November 29 - December 22 - make plans to add this to your holiday schedule even if you don't audition!

Conference on Justice Issues

A Presbytery Conference on Justice Issues in Israel/Palestine will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 from 9:00am-4:00pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. The conference is being organized by "Joining Hands for Justice in Palestine/Israel." The registration fee is $30 per person and includes a light lunch.

To register or learn more, please contact: Rev. Fahed Abuakel, 404-441-2702 or email fabuakel@gmail.com.

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. 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 officeby 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.

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.

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

Children's Sunday School Kick-Off is this Sunday at 9:45am in the multipurpose room. Parents, don't miss this Sunday as we kick-off a new year. We will be registering children for the new year, introducing our new curriculum, "252 Basics", and meeting our new teachers.

Club 45 (a fellowship group for 4th and 5th graders) meets this Sunday at 5:30pm in the Solid Rock Theater. Join us for the fun!

Nursery care for ages 0-36 months in the nursery.

Preschool Sunday School for ages 3-5 years PCUSA Wee Believe curriculum.

Sunday School for ages K - 5th grade based on the Orange Curriculum 252 Basics.

KinderWORSHIP- Children's worship education following the Children's sermon during the 11:00am Sunday worship service.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Jennifer Autian at 11:00

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Aidan and Liam Distler at 8:30 & Sam Moen and Tyler Heydinger at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Alan Crowell, June Fortson at 8:30 & Richard Bostorn, Kelly Vandever, Marian Cunningham, John McPherson at 11:00

Promise Class Volunteer this Sunday: Emily Elkind at 9:45 and Heather Wagner 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).