The Good News - This Week
Alpharetta Presbyterian Church

      November 15, 2013

In This Issue
Ollie's Offerings
Be an Angel
Poinsettias
Laundry Angels
Hanging of the Greens
Thanksgiving Service
Harvest Food Drive
Sunday Breakfast
Home for Christmas
Disaster Assistance
Youth Ministry Position
Kid's Kitchen Needed
Adult Education
Youth Ministry News
Children's Ministry
Sympathy & Celebrations
Sunday Volunteers
Church Officers
APC on Facebook
Ministry Quicklinks
This Sunday
Breakfast
8:00 - 10:00 am
 
Worship Services:
8:30, 9:50 & 11:00 am 
 
Preaching this week: Dr. Oliver Wagner
 
The Good News Email Information

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

Send your comments and suggestions to connections
@alpharettapres.com.
Ollie's Offerings    

Have you ever had the experience of fighting over the restaurant bill? I sure have. It happens all the time. "I'm paying" one friend says, "No you're not" says the other, "This one's on me." And so it goes...both sides insisting on enjoying the privilege of generosity. So many times that restaurant tug-of-war ends up with this peace treaty: "Well thank you, but next time it's on me." It feels good to say "Please, let me treat." It feels good to know that your gift has provided not only good food but an important time of fellowship. I'm one of those who has a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve, not in anticipation of a gift I might receive but because I am so excited to give my gifts to loved ones.

The Commitment Committee chose a wonderful theme for this year's stewardship campaign, "Life a Giving Life." It is both a heavenly calling and a deep joy to pursue such a life. I encourage you to be in prayer about how God is inviting you to more generously offer your gifts and talents to bless the lives of others. Listen for the voice of the Spirit to guide you, then act with faith, commitment and generosity.

This Sunday is Dedication Sunday at APC. As a family of faith we will present our pledge cards as an act of worship. This is our opportunity to prayerfully and intentionally dedicate ourselves to generous and faithful living. May you find it hard to sleep Saturday night out of your excitement to bless the lives of others with your gifts!

Be an Angel!

The Angel Tree is up this Sunday through December 1. Pick up an angel and be a blessing to a child in need. Return your gifts or gift card donation to the Church no later than noon, December 8. Contact Judy Donnahoo, 404-906-3419 or Eva Wardrup, 770-354-1226 with questions. On December 12 we will be sorting and organizing the gifts received. To volunteer to help sort, go online to www.alpharettapres.com/upcoming-events. 

Poinsettias 

You may purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one to be placed in the sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season. You may take your poinsettia home after  Christmas services are completed. The cost is $12 per poinsettia. Or you may make a monetary gift to APC's Pastoral Emergency Fund that assists members and friends of the church in financial emergencies in lieu of purchasing a poinsettia. Your purchase or donation will be listed as a gift in the Christmas Eve bulletin. Complete a form at the table in the hallway and make payment by the December 8 deadline.

Laundry Angels
Our Family Promise guests will depart Sunday morning, and we need some "Laundry Angels" to help us get the linens washed and ready for our next guests in January. If you can help, just grab a bag or two from the bin in Fellowship Hall, wash the load and return it to APC.   

Hanging of the Greens

The Hanging of the Greens is Sunday, November 24 following the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall. Come one, come all, and enjoy fellowship while decorating the church in preparation for the Advent and Christmas seasons. 

 

Thanksgiving Service

Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving Worship Service - 7:00 pm, Sunday, November 17. Join us at St. Thomas Catholic Church (535 Rucker Road, Alpharetta) for the annual worship service which will have inspirational music and feature "Thanksgiving Reflections."  Clergy will share in worship leadership and an offering will be taken in support of North Fulton Community Charities. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the service. Please tell your friends and neighbors and let us give thanks as one! 

  
Harvest Food Drive

Harvest Food Drive ends this Sunday.  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.

Sunday Breakfast

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, breakfast on November 24 and December 1 will be slightly smaller, but we'd still love to see you! Come enjoy a hot dish with us.

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, returns for a yuletide reunion.  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 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.
  
Disaster Assistance
In response to the crisis in the Philippines from Super Typhoon Haiyan, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is collaborating with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and other members of ACT Alliance to provide nonfood items, material resources, drinking water, emergency-shelter kits and cash-for-work-programs. To donate to the relief efforts, or to learn more about how you can help, go online to www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/pda/philippines.
  
Youth Ministry Position
We continue to search for a new part-time staff position - Director of Youth Ministry. We appreciate your prayers and support. If you know of a potential candidate or have further questions,  contact Tom Gould, chair of the search committee, thomas.a.gould@accenture.com.
  
Kid's Kitchen Needed

Kid's Kitchen Set needed. Help our Promise class by donating a gently used kitchen play set for our participants. Contact Rev. Jamie Butcher, jamie@alpharettapres.com.   

Adult Education
Adult Sunday School opportunities:
 

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.   
  
Youth Ministry News

Youth Group will meet Sunday, November 17 from 5:30-8:45 pm. We will meet for dinner and fellowship and then depart as a group for the Alpharetta Community Thanksgiving service at St. Thomas Aquinas. Please sign up through our web page, www.alpharettapres.com/youth-events, so that we can plan for drivers. Some of our youth will be participating through music and speaking. Please support them and the community by joining in worship!

 

Youth Mission Opportunities - We have many wonderful opportunities for youth to serve God in various communities next summer. We learned this past Sunday about sharing our spiritual gifts. These mission trips are amazing opportunities for our youth to discover their spiritual gifts. We hope that all rising 7th-12th graders will have an opportunity to unearth their talents by serving. The following is a list of the trips for Summer 2014:

Cross Mission Trip - for rising 7th-rising 9th graders - June 1 - 6, 2014

Mission Atlanta - for High School students - June 1 - 6, 2014

Rivers of the World Mission Trip - High School trip to the Dominican Republic - June 28 - July 5, 2014

Destination Unknown - for rising 6th - through graduating 12th graders - July 24 - 26, 2014 

 

Youth Road Trip! Please join a small group of youth who will be traveling to Presbyterian College for Youth Day on November 23. Enjoy a concert by keynote speaker David Lamotte, as well as a college football game and tour of the campus. This is a full day event leaving at 7:00 am and returning early evening. Please contact Tom Gould at 678-232-0599 if you are interested in attending. 

 

December Youth Mission Night- About once a month, the youth participate in a service or mission project. Jesus said "Feed my lambs," but in this day and age, many children go hungry because their parents can't afford the prices at the grocery store. On December 1, the youth will have an offsite mission night. Join us for an opportunity to walk in the shoes of the working poor and learn what it's like to feed your family on a minimum wage income. Please bring $4 for dinner and $5 for the mission project. Go to our web page, www.alpharettapres.com/youth-events to sign up, Let us know if you plan to attend or your parent can drive. 

 

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!  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, Interim Coordinator of Youth Ministry, at youth@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033 ext. 221. 

 

Children's Ministry News 

Club 45 will meet this Sunday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Please bring $4 for dinner in the Fellowship Hall followed by Geocaching experience outdoors (weather permitting). Club 45 will not meet in December.

  

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

 

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

 

Mark your calendar for a very special Advent program on December 4. The children will be making Advent wreaths for our Companion Care members and ornaments that they will take home. Come and enjoy caroling, and performances from the children's choir and Ollie's guitar class students. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm and program begins at 6:00 pm.  

 

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. 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  

  
Sunday Volunteers

Serving as greeters this Sunday:  Eva Wardrup at 8:30 and Dot Van Dyke at 11:00.

  

Serving as acolytes this Sunday:  Michael and Matthew A. at 8:30 and Grace G. and Elizabeth J. at 11:00.

 

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim and Valerie Fulkerson, Alan Crowell at 8:30 and Ed and Pat Rea, Ken Bogle at 11:00  
  
Opens and Closes this week: David Neal and Hudy Mulia  
  
Promise Class Volunteer: Fran Mosher 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          

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  

Facebook iconAPC 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).