I can’t tell you the number of people I met at both of the Christmas concerts who were personally invited by someone in our church, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of that. Personal invitation is the most effective means of someone coming to church. Over 80% of people who receive a personal invitation will say “yes.” It’s crazy to imagine a simple direct message on social media, text message, phone call or conversation at work could literally end up changing a person’s eternal destination. So, with that in mind, who will you ask to worship with you at the Traveler’s Service or a Christmas Eve Service? There are 7 opportunities for people to hear the Good News of great joy for all people, which means there are 7 opportunities for a person’s life to be changed forever, for-the-better. | |
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David Walters
Senior Pastor
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René Watson to Retire at End of Year | |
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Dear Church Family,
As many of you know, Rick and I made the decision 3 years ago to sell our house in Alpharetta and build in Blairsville. This was always our long-term dream, but the timing to build sooner was predicated on the very favorable Alpharetta real estate market and Rick’s opportunity to sell his practice to a doctor he had been mentoring. Since that time, Rick has been retired and I’ve commuted so I could continue to work full time at Alpharetta Methodist.
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After months of prayer, I’ve come to the decision that I will retire at the end of December. I am absolutely confident that the Lord has confirmed my decision, but that won’t make it any easier to say goodbye. I absolutely love my work, I love our church, and I am privileged to work with the best staff and for the most capable leader, David Walters, that I have ever experienced. I have loved serving Alpharetta Methodist for 12 years, the absolute best of my 34 years in ministry. Alpharetta Methodist is a very special church filled with incredible people. I’ve never worked with a more loving, generous, and spiritually healthy congregation. We’ve made lifelong friends here, and I have grown spiritually through the patient guidance of many of you.
I want to be clear that Rick and I are both in agreement with Alpharetta Methodist’s decision to become an independent church. I believe this is the best decision for our church and will provide the best path for fulfilling our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. I am so encouraged that David Walters has agreed to lead as Senior Pastor and that both Brad and Terri will serve as associates. We have a faithful, committed staff that is simply the best, and I’m already praying for the person that God will call to join the team with my departure.
Thank you for your trust, generosity, and support which have made my work more enjoyable and my retirement bittersweet. I love you all.
Grace and Peace,
René Watson
Executive Pastor
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Chris Day Will Serve as Executive Pastor
While we are sad to see René Watson retire, are incredibly grateful for her ministry at Alpharetta Methodist and know that she is irreplaceable, we are excited to announce that Chris Day will join our staff as Executive Pastor effective Jan. 2, 2024. Chris has served the church faithfully in many capacities over his 22 years at Alpharetta Methodist, but most recently as the church’s Lay Leader. He brings great experience from his years in the corporate world that will be invaluable to his role. However, his greatest contribution will come from his calling and character in Christ, and his excitement for this role.
Chris had this to say about joining the staff: "I’ve felt God’s call to further serve His Kingdom, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity to do so at the church I love.”
Please pray for Chris and his family as he begins this new role.
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Sunday Morning Schedule: Dec. 17
9 a.m.
Contemporary Worship* (Vinebranch Chapel)
Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
Pre-K through 3rd Grade Kids' Worship, Nursery
10 a.m.
Sunday School (all ages), Nursery
11 a.m.
Contemporary Worship (Vinebranch Chapel)
Traditional Worship* (Sanctuary)
Pre-K through 3rd Grade Kids' Worship, Nursery
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To celebrate a special date or to honor or remember a loved one by dedicating flowers on the Sanctuary altar, please contact Sarah Humber. | |
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Women’s Ministry Retreat: Today’s the Last Day to Sign Up!
Jan. 26-28
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge
Hiawasee, Ga.
You’re invited! Join other women of the church for a time to reconnect with one another and refocus on what matters in the new year.
The Women’s Ministry Retreat speaker will be Brandi Calhoun Diamond, a renowned speaker, writer, teacher, leader and coach. During our sessions she will help us find clarity, balance, time for what matters most, a break from chaos and a community of friends. Brandi’s theme for the weekend will be SALT, a refreshingly practical message filled with tips on how to SEEK, ACT, LOVE, TRANSFORM through the love of Christ. Through 4 sessions, Brandi will remind us how small changes can make a big difference.
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Many of you have generously donated to Alpharetta Methodist this year, and we are so grateful! Your donations of time and financial support have allowed us to respond to the needs in our community and beyond. In addition, we never had a concern of how we would pay the disaffiliation costs, unlike so many churches. We satisfied that requirement last month.
I find the last quarter of the year feels the busiest at the church, especially within the Finance Office, but it is even more so this year. With the disaffiliation, we have until Dec. 30 to transition to operating as Alpharetta First Methodist Church, Inc. Besides a new legal name, we have a new EIN which forces us to update a lot of software. We are doing everything we can to make things appear seamless for you, but we may run into a bump or two. Please be patient as we maneuver down this road together. As we make changes behind the scenes, you will need to make some changes/updates too.
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Most of our donations are processed online. As you may know, a one-time or recurring gift can be scheduled online. Automating your tithe gives the church steadier income, so we can plan to do more, and eliminates something to remember each week, month or quarter for you. Online donations can be processed via website link (amchurch.com/givenow) or mobile device using the QR code at the right. If you wish for your gift to be split between a couple of funds, it is best to process the transactions separately.
A stock donation provides a tax deduction for the stock’s value at the time of donation and eliminates capital gains tax (if held for 12 months). We are currently opening a new brokerage account, but until that is finalized, we will continue to use our account with the foundation, but not after Dec. 30. If you would like to donate stock, please use the securities transfer form and forward it to [email protected]. This form has the necessary information for your broker, and once we receive it, we can claim the stock from the foundation. Without us notifying our broker of the donor, stock and number of shares, the gift sits unclaimed. I will update you through the Friday E-News when the new brokerage account opens.
A QCD from your IRA is a great way to donate if you are 70½ or older. You can transfer up to $100,000 tax-free each year. If you are 72 or older, it would satisfy the required minimum distribution (RMD) and not be included in your taxable income. If you currently donate from your IRA, you will need to update the name and EIN to Alpharetta First Methodist Church, Inc., EIN 93-4292814.
Whether sending a check from your bank, or writing it yourself, please note our name is no longer AFUMC or Alpharetta First UMC. We are now Alpharetta First Methodist Church or Alpharetta Methodist.
However you may choose, on behalf of Alpharetta Methodist, I thank you for your prayers, your service, your gifts and your witness to Christ!
In His Service,
Helen Cork
Director of Finance and HR
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Prayer Vigil to Usher in the New Year
There are many ways to welcome a new year, but the BEST WAY is in prayer. Will you join us as we give praise, lament losses and simply ask for the Lord’s guidance in 2024?
Sign up for a 30-minute prayer period between 6 a.m. New Year's Eve and 6 a.m. New Year's Day.
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Outreach Opportunities
Volunteers Will Lay Wreaths at
Rest Haven Tomorrow
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Join the Abiding in the Vine Sunday School class to support Wreaths Across America. Class members will lay wreaths on headstones at Rest Haven Cemetery tomorrow, Dec. 16. Wreaths Across America ensures that wreaths are placed at gravesites in military cemeteries, like Rest Haven, for major holidays to "remember the fallen...honor those who serve...[and] teach our children the value of freedom.” To participate with the Abiding in the Vine class, please sign up here. (Click the “Volunteer” button on the Wreaths Across America page.) Volunteers will meet at the cemetery, located at 90 Milton Avenue in Alpharetta, at 11:30 a.m. A ceremony will be held at 11:45 a.m., followed by the laying of the wreaths.
If you’d like to purchase a wreath for a gravestone, please click here and select the “Sponsor Wreaths” button. Wreaths cost $17 each.
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Please join us as we partner with Habitat for Humanity to help provide housing for a family in need. We're looking for volunteers over age 16. Construction will begin in January. Build days will be on Saturdays. If you're interested in being a part of this build, click the button below to sign up for Jan. 6 or 13, Feb. 10 or 24, or March 23. Please contact Jack Spicer at [email protected], if you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the logistics surrounding the build. | |
Support the Special Needs Ministry on Sundays: Our Kids’ Ministry is seeking volunteers to help care for children with special needs during Sunday School (10-11 a.m.) and Sunday Kids’ Worship (11 a.m.-12 p.m.). If you'd like to bless a child by serving in this way, please contact Kids' Ministry Director Ellen Sanders for more information. | |
Donate to Save a Life! Alpharetta Methodist will host a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, Jan. 4, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. in Trinity Hall. Please make an appointment at redcrossblood.org. (Enter “30009” in the search box.) | |
Family Promise Hosting: Our congregation will host Family Promise from Jan. 14 to 21. Three families who are experiencing situational homelessness will stay in our Student Center that week. We need your help. Please click on the button below and sign up to serve these families. | |
Backpacks of Love helps provide food for children who might otherwise not have access to it at home. Please join us in supporting Backpacks of Love by dropping off much needed items in the red bins under the portico at our Cumming St. entrance on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Learn more about Backpacks of Love. | |
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New GriefShare Group Begins in January
Mondays, Jan. 22-April 22
6:30-8:30 p.m.
If you’ve lost someone close to you, years ago or just recently, you can find support with GriefShare, a weekly group for people who are grieving. GriefShare provides a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. You’ll get valuable information to help you through this difficult time, and you’ll connect with others who understand and care. $20 for materials.
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MEMORIALS
Gifts have been made in memory of:
- Harold Johnson by Brian and Gail Stout for the Music Ministry
- Dr. Joe Bowen by Rex and Olivia Grizzle and for Debt Reduction by Ralph and Marion Allen
IN CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY
Joe Bowen passed away Nov. 28. Please keep his family in your prayers. A Celebration of Life will be held today (Dec. 15) at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
David and Meredith Agler, Terry Combs, Claudia Curtin, Barbara Danner, Angel DeLeon, Marilyn Fivaz, Connie Jordan, Jody Lail, Janet Land, Ed McRae, Joanne Miller, Jane Fadgen Mitchell, Carol Mittenmeyer, Leah Newman, John Pavek (Laura Malek’s dad), David Shadeed
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Dec. 10:
$140,471
For additional information about church finances, email Director of Finance and HR Helen Cork.
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Alpharetta Methodist Church | amchurch.com | 770.475.5576
OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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