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 Kepler telescope aided astronomers from Berkley and Hawaii in claiming "we are not alone." There are likely 40 billion "earth-like" planets in our Milky Way galaxy, they now believe. While the nearest of those is twelve light years away, don't plan a trip just yet because that is roughly 72 trillion miles. Of course, the traffic isn't as bad as Atlanta's. Such planets, they say, may have a "habitable zone" where life could develop. As one astronomer put it, "this means there are forty billion chances for life to get started and evolve." For more on this discovery, see the online version of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published earlier this week.

Scripture and experiences of the Spirit aided the church from the Mediterranean region to claim "we are not alone." While many witness claim God is a great distance away, others claim the Almighty is near and present with us on the earth. While the distance of God's absence or presence remains in dispute, the church does claim that God inhabits this zone where life exists. As one witness put it, "this means there are more than seven billion chances for new life to begin and mature on our planet." For more on this discovery of faith, see the printed version of the Gospel of John published in the late first century B.C.E.

For the reader's convenience, several excerpts from that text appear below:

"What has come into being in him was life and the life was the light of all people. The Word became flesh and lived among us." 1:4, 14

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." 10:25

"These signs are written down so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." 20:31

Friends and Fellowship

Friends and Fellowship Reception is this Sunday, November 10! Visitors and members, please join us in Fellowship Hall immediately after the 11:00 service for a reception hosted by the Deacons. Light refreshments will be served. It is a great time to meet new people and catch up with old friends!

STARS News

The STARS will have their monthly meeting and potluck luncheon this Wednesday, November 13 at noon in Room 206/207. The guest speaker will be Alpharetta Mayor, David Belle Isle. All are welcome!

20's and 30's Gathering

Young Adult 20's & 30's Gathering - All young adults of APC are invited to lunch at Corner Deli (10 Roswell St #210) in downtown Alpharetta on Sunday November 17. Meet at 12:30 pm after the 11:00 am worship. Join us as we eat, discuss scripture and get to know one another better! For information contact Caitlin Phillips caitlin@alpharettapres.com.

Family Promise Host Week November 10 - 17

Donate~Volunteer~Serve

This month marks the 25th anniversary of Family Promise. APC is blessed to participate in this amazing mission effort that directly impacts the lives of families experiencing homelessness. Our next host week is right around the corner and we need lots of volunteers! Can't come to church? Consider preparing a dish and dropping it off for dinner one night. Please click the links below to find out how you can help, or e-mail or call Alli Neal, 770-317-9628.

FAMILY PROMISE DONATIONS NEEDED FAMILY PROMISE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Thanksgiving Service

Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving Worship Service - 7:00 pm, Sunday, November 17. Plan to join us at St. Thomas Catholic Church (535 Rucker Road, Alpharetta) for the fifth annual Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving Worship Service which will have inspirational music and feature "Thanksgiving Reflections" given by local youth including several from APC. Come and support them! Clergy will share in worship leadership and an offering will be taken in support of North Fulton Community Charities. A time of refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. All are welcome to attend!

Photographers Needed

Photographers needed! If you have a camera and a bit of time, we need your talent. Contact Patricia Chiroux, patricia@alpharettapres.com, and become a member of our new Photographers Pool.

Harvest Food Drive

Harvest Food Drive! November 3 - 17. Donate to our annual Harvest Food Drive this month. Grocery bags and donation request lists will be in the lobby this Sunday, November 10. Return your donation to APC by Sunday, November 17. Donations may be left in Fellowship Hall. Food will be delivered to North Fulton Community Charities and The Place of Forsyth. Questions? Contact Kelly Vandever, kelly.vandever@speakingpractically.com.

Be an Angel!

The Angel Tree will be in the lobby Sunday mornings, November 17 and 24 and December 1. Plan to stop by to pick up an angel. Share the joy with a child in need this Christmas. You can also make a gift card donation. Contact Judy Donnahoo, 404-906-3419 or Eva Wardrup, 7770-354-1226 with questions.

Home for Christmas

ACT1 Theater - Tickets now on sale. Spend some quality time with your family by coming to see Home For Christmas. Originally published in 1935, this delightful short story describes how the Clayton family, having been scattered to every part of the country, return for a yuletide reunion. Some of them have been successful while some have difficult problems; their mother isn't well and this may be her last Christmas. In the midst of the laughter and witty dialog, they discover something you will surely want to discover with them.

Tickets are available for sale online (use coupon code APCCC for special pricing for APC members!), or look for the sales table in the upstairs lobby on Sundays. The production runs November 29 -December 22. For any other questions, please call Director Lisa Matchen, 678-371-3079, or email to lkmatchen@gmail.com.

Adult Education

Check out these opportunities for Adult Sunday School:

Faith & Families - New Sunday School series! Join us each Sunday through November 24 for "Married People: 4 Core Habits of a Great Marriage." We'll explore and discuss various aspects of what makes a marriage great. Discussion leaders are Mike and Marcia Wasson, Tyler and Lee Jones, and Hudy and Augustine Mulia. 9:45 am in the Rainbow Room.

Courageous Conversations - Ever wonder about what "social righteousness" means in the context of your life and the church? The Courageous Conversations Sunday School Class will be delving into those issues during "Seeking Social Justice," at 9:45 am through December 1. Join us in the Noah's Ark Room as we look at the Biblical basis for social justice.

FAITH 101: Christian Questions & Answers' last session is this Sunday, November 10. Join APC's newest pastor, Rev. Caitlin Phillips, as we consider perennial questions, essential answers and the basic beliefs of Christian faith. This class is for new members, inquiring visitors and congregational members looking to explore the foundations of our faith. 9:45 am in the theater.

Mark Your Calendars

Mark your calendars and begin making plans! Youth summer 2014 mission and fun opportunities:

Middle School mission trip to Charlotte, NC, June 1-6
High School youth service camp "Mission Atlanta" with the Metro Atlanta YMCA, June 1-6
High School mission trip with ROW (Rivers of the World) Dominican Republic, June 28-July 5
Middle and High School "Destination Unknown" fellowship trip, July 27-27

Youth Ministry News

Youth Group will meet Sunday, November 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm for small group discussions on the subjects of "Expressing Compassion" and "Spiritual Gifts." Please bring $4 for dinner.

Small Groups - As the church moves toward creating more areas for members to connect on a more familiar level, the youth group has started engaging in more small group activities as well. Once per month, we have FISH (Fellowship in Someone's Home) night for the high school students and Unplugged night for the middle school students. These nights of smaller group fellowship are leading to greater sharing and understanding of one another. We also have small group study sessions, defined by grade level, two times per month. These Sundays allow the youth to interact and share their faith with a group of less than ten peers on a closer level. We always welcome new friends to join in as we get to know one another in a smaller community of faith!

Youth Ministry needs YOU!!! Every Sunday night at youth group, volunteers serve dinner to the youth. This is a time for students to relax, fellowship and share a meal together. It is a crucial part of the ministry that needs your help by serving dinner. Chef Doug does all the prep work and leaves instructions for preparing the meal, so it is super easy and fun. It is also a great way to meet the students at APC! If you are a part of a ministry that is not involved with youth, this is be a great way for your team, Sunday School Class or small group to serve. Parents can sign up as well. Please contact Wendy Curl at wmcurl@comcast.net. Thank you so much!

If you are not a part of the APC Youth Group Facebook page, please friend request. We will be using Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and email to communicate about youth events and activities. Parents, please check Access ACS to be sure your email is current.

For questions or more information, please contact Lisa Gould, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, at youth@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033 ext. 221.

Children's Ministry News

Between now and December 15, our preschool through 5th grade children will be collecting canned fruit for the moms and their families at the Drake House. Suggested items: 8 oz. and 15 oz. canned peaches, pears, pineapple and mixed fruit. Bring donations to your classroom.

Club 45, 4th and 5th graders, will meet next Sunday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Please bring $4 for dinner in the Fellowship Hall followed by our small groups meeting in the Solid Rock Theatre.

Just a reminder that Sunday School will meet on November 24, but will not meet on December 1 due to the Thanksgiving break.

VBS planning Meeting! It's that time already. Planning is beginning for next summer's VBS to be held July 14-18. All those interested in helping to plan VBS for Summer 2014 mark your calendars to meet Sunday, January 26 at 12:15 pm. All are invited!

Did you know that APC Children's Ministry has its own Facebook page and Twitter for parents? Each week we post information about the current week's curriculum that you will find useful at home with your family. We hope you will check it out and like us! You can find us at www.facebook.com/alpharettapreschildren and on twitter - @apcchildren.

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 11:00 am Sunday worship service.

For questions or more information about Children's Mininstry, please contact Kristin Hicks, Director of Children's Ministry at kristin@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sympathy - Esther Rudge at the death of her brother, Robert Johnson, on Sunday, November 3 in Iowa.

Sympathy - Sybille Johnstone at the death of her father-in-law, Don Johnstone, on Sunday, November 3.

Sympathy - Camille Clements at the death of her niece, Barbara Broach, on Sunday, November 3. Services were held Saturday, November 9 in Mobile, AL.

Celebration - John and Esther Rudge at the marriage of their son, Brian, to Amanda Krisiewicz on Saturday, November 9 in Columbus, OH.

Celebration - APC's former associate pastor, Michael York and his wife, Erin, at the birth of their daughter, Hattie Elizabeth, on Sunday, November 3, in South Carolina. Hattie weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and all are doing well.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Sybille Johnstone at 8:30 and Jack Hittle at 11:00.

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Edy and Robin B. at 8:30 and Maddie and Michael P. at 11:00.

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Dick and Sharon Bean, Tom Hyatt, Beau and David Armistead at 8:30 and Steve Ludlow, Dale Carter, Duane Lofdahl, Lee Jones at 11:00

Opens and Closes this week: Dick Bean

Promise Class Volunteer: Trish Kent 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/Strategic Planning Dave McKemey-Youth Ministry

Jan Hughey-Finance/SPC 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 www.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 (Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm and Friday, 8:00 am-1:00 pm).