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 Old Testament prophets chastised their nation for the sins of idolatry and injustice. Israel had failed to love God with heart, soul and might and so was punished with exile. They had "more gods than they did towns" according to Jeremiah. In so doing, they had broken the first commandment which said "you shall have no other gods before me." The nation also failed in the doing of justice. They did not care for the poor, welcome the alien, or provide for the orphan. Amos 5:21-24 speaks of God's anger, "I despise your worship ceremonies and the noise of your songs...but let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

In many ways, Jesus summarized these same prophetic concerns when he said, "you shall love the Lord your God with all (you are)...and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus' summary of the law calls us to radical monotheism and compassion toward others.

In this season of Thanksgiving and feasting, our national leaders are discussing major reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Surely there is a more just way to balance the national budget than withholding food from the hungry! Let us pray for and encourage our state and national leaders to work for justice. The children in our state who are orphaned or abused need voices to speak up on their behalf so that they might receive better services. So too, must we hear the prophet's voices and learn to treat with fairness and respect those from other nations who live, work and study in our midst.

Scripture is rather clear on these matters: "Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before God." For this high calling as God's people we are truly thankful!

Hanging of the Greens

Join us this Sunday, November 24 following the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall to enjoy fellowship and a light lunch while decorating the church in preparation for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Poinsettias

Purchase a poinsettia in honor or memory of a loved one. It will be used to help decorate our sanctuary during the Advent and Christmas seasons, and you may take your plant home after the Christmas services are completed. The cost is $12 per poinsettia. And/or make a monetary gift to APC's Pastoral Emergency Fund to assists members and friends of the church in financial emergencies. 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.

Stewardship Update

We celebrate the outstanding response from the congregation on Dedication Sunday last week. If you were away or have not completed and returned your pledge card, please do so today by using the "2014 Estimate of Giving Cards" in the pew racks or by contacting Susan Schiltz in the finance office, susan@alpharettapres.com. Thanks be to God for each one committed to "live a giving life!"

Good News Schedule

Due to the holidays, The Good News will not be sent out on Friday, November 29 and Friday, December 27. Please keep these dates in mind when scheduling your announcements. Thank you.

Wednesday Dinner

First Wednesday Dinner - December 4. Join us for dinner at 6:00 pm followed by a holiday celebration. We'll dive into the season with caroling and crafts designed for all generations. Dinner menu: Chicken Cordon Bleu, vegetables, potatoes, salad and dessert. Reservations are required by Sunday, December 1. Make them by 1) going to www.alpharettapres.com/upcoming-events; 2) signing on the green sheet in Fellowship Hall; 3) completing a card on the lobby table.

Food Drive Thanks
Thanks to your generosity, APC donated over 150 bags of food to North Fulton Community Charities and The Place at Forsyth through the Harvest Food Drive. Well done!

STARS Party

STARS (Seniors, Travel, Art, Recreation) Annual Christmas Party will be held Friday, December 6 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Come join in the fun with caroling, white elephant gift exchange, and Chef Doug's delicious Christmas feast. Sign up on the STARS bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. Deadline: December 2.

Be an Angel!

The Angel Tree is in the Narthex through December 1. Pick up an angel and be a blessing to a child in need. Return your gifts or gift card or monetary donation to the Church no later than noon, December 1. 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. If you would like to help, please go online to www.alpharettapres/upcoming-events.

Sanctuary Flowers

The 2014 Flower Chart is now up in the hallway. This is a wonderful way to honor or remember a family member or friend by contributing to the flowers in the sanctuary each Sunday. Cost is $65 per donation. Please complete a form when you sign on the chart and include your payment, made out to APC with "Sunday flowers" on the memo line.

Class Schedule

The Courageous Conversations class will not meet Sunday, November 24. The final two classes on the topic of Social Justice will be held December 1 and 8.

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.

Haiti Update

Our Haitian mission partner prays for God's continued blessings on APC.

Recently, I spent a week at Holy Innocents, Ticolette, our sister congregation in the beautiful mountains of La Gonave, Haiti. During classroom visits, I helped distribute the children's first textbooks, and I observed math, science and grammar lessons taught in French. My hygiene lessons included dental care, water bucket chlorination and proper hand washing. I had fun making fabric dolls with the women.

During worship, lay leader and school principal, Luckner Dorsavil, joined the congregants in expressing his deep appreciation for APC's support. They offered prayers for God's continued favor on us. I would to thank all who donated dental and sewing supplies for this trip.

Another trip is planned for May 10-16, 2014. The focus will depend on the participants' interest. Suggestions include medical/dental, construction/painting, sewing/gardening, or music/drama. If you are interested, please contact me, Sydney Schneider, 770-664-0942, sydschneider@comcast.net

Home for Christmas

ACT1 invites you "Home for Christmas" - November 29 thru December 22; Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday matinees. Enjoy this classic tale of a family coming together for the holidays. For details or to reserve tickets, go online to www.alpharettapres.com/fellowship. Use "APCCC" for special pricing.

Career Transition

APC Career Transition Program -The unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta dipped to 8% in August as a result of the number of jobs increasing and fewer new layoffs. The number of new jobs in Metro Atlanta increased by 6,400 to 2,369,000. The fourth quarter is the best time of the year to be in career transition. If you would like employment assistance, contact Elder Bill Harris, w.m.harris@att.net. If you are employed in a decision making level position, contact Bill with opportunities in your organization, as well as open positions in other Metro Atlanta organizations.

Youth Ministry News

Youth Group will not meet Sunday, November 24 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Youth Mission Night - December 1. Youth will have an off-site mission night from 5:30-7:30 pm. 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. Bring $4 for dinner and $5 for the mission project. To sign up, go online to www.alpharettapres.com/youth-events.

Youth Mission Opportunities- We have many wonderful opportunities for youth to serve God in various communities next summer. 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

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

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 at First Wednesday Dinner on December 4 at 6:00 pm. 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.

Children's Christmas Pageant - Sunday, December 22 at the 9:50 worship service. Come as you are for our nativity play, including characters in costume and a part for everyone to play. Children, join in by choosing a costume provided for the event. For more information, go online to www.alpharettapres.com/upcoming-events.

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: Joyce Komala at 11:00.

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Aidan and Liam D. at 8:30 and Mike A. and Mary Margaret B. at 11:00.

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Richard Boston, Kelly Vandever, Marian Cunningham, John McPherson at 8:30 and Stu and Lyle Laubenstein, Dave and Zach Berry, Nancy Hill, Mary Rogovin, Peggy Asher at 11:00

Opens and Closes this week: Ted Lynam

Promise Class Volunteer: Volunteer needed

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

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).