Today is the second day of the NCAA tourney, which means March Madness is in full swing. I try to cram as much basketball viewing into these two weeks as possible because I don’t want to miss the inevitable “can’t miss” moments that will occur throughout the tournament. Well, this Sunday begins the church’s version of March Madness. On Sunday we’ll celebrate Palm to Passion Sunday, with confirmation included. Sunday afternoon will be Easter Jam at 3:00. Tuesday we’ll have prayer time at noon in the Sanctuary. Wednesday night will be the children’s choir spring show. Thursday we'll have Maundy Thursday service at 7:00. We’ll celebrate Good Friday with a service at 7:00. Then, we kick-off Easter Sunday with a Bluegrass worship service at 7:00 a.m. and normal service times at 9:00 and 11:00. I encourage you to cram as much into this week as possible so that you don’t miss a moment. Remember to invite someone too! | |
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David Walters
Senior Pastor
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For the best viewing experience on a smart TV, watch at youtube.com/alpharetta1st.
Missed a sermon or a series? Click here.
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Schedule: March 24
Confirmation Sunday
9 a.m.
Contemporary Worship*
(Vinebranch Chapel)
Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)
Pre-K – 3rd Grade Kids' Worship
Nursery
10 a.m.
Sunday School (all ages)
Nursery
11 a.m.
Contemporary Worship
(Vinebranch Chapel)
Traditional Worship* (Sanctuary, Confirmation Service)
Pre-K – 3rd Grade Kids' Worship
Nursery
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The altar flowers in the Sanctuary this Sunday are given by the Crawford family to the glory of God and in honor and celebration of Greg Crawford's 60th birthday. | |
To celebrate a special date or to honor or remember a loved one by dedicating flowers, please contact Sarah Humber. | | |
Egg Hunt Times:
3:15: Toddlers
3:30: Pre-K 3s and 4s
3:45: Kindergarten and 1st grade
4:00: 2nd and 3rd grades
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Easter JAM! Postponed to Sunday
NEW DATE & TIME!
Sunday, March 24
3 p.m.
at the church
Heavy rain is forecasted for Saturday, but our Kids' Ministry won't let that stop Easter JAM! or the annual Easter egg hunts. The festivities have been moved to Sunday afternoon. Families with young children are invited for egg hunts by age group, face painting, balloon twisters, treats and visits with the Easter Bunny.
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Schedule Notice: Fridays are usually work-at-home days for Alpharetta Methodist administrative staff. However, Good Friday is an observed holiday for the church, so staff will have the day off. If you need to contact a staff member this week, please email or call the church before 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. | |
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Bring fresh flowers to place on the flowering cross on Easter morning!
Look for the cross in the Prayer Garden near our main entrance in the Cumming St. parking lot. The flowering cross always provides a great backdrop for Easter family photos. Be sure to share your photos online and tag the church (@alpharetta.methodist).
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NOTE: This will be a mental, physical and tactile journey for all those who choose to attend and wish to participate fully. However, you are welcome to simply hike, listen and observe. Participants must be able to hike 4-5 miles. | |
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Experience Good Friday by Retracing the Last Steps of Jesus
Friday, March 29,
5-7 a.m.
Begins and ends in the Student Center parking lot
Ruck (walk with a weighted backpack) 4 miles to various stops around Alpharetta. At each stop, you’ll be led in a Scripture reading and a time to remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. Participants will carry crosses through the journey.
Organized by members of F3 Alpha and guided by F3 Crikey, Steve Browning of Alpharetta First Baptist Church.
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Men Plan Workday for Church Campus Projects
Saturday, April 27
8 a.m.-noon
The Alpharetta Methodist Men (AMen) have scheduled an April 27 workday to help with some needed projects around the church property. All men are welcome to participate. 16 volunteer spots are available. Please sign up below.
Note: In case of rain, the workday will move to May 4.
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Next Men’s Minstry Breakfast is April 9
The Alpharetta Methodist Men (AMen) gather for Breakfast and Bible Study on the second Tuesday of each month. The next breakfast will be April 9 from 7 to 8 a.m. in the Connection Café. Enjoy a free Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwich, coffee and conversation with other men of the church. Please register.
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AMen Offers New Discipleship Study
Mondays, April 8-29
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (at the church)
or 7:30-9 p.m. (via Zoom)
“No Man Left Behind,” by Patrick Morley, provides guidelines for creating, capturing and sustaining our ministry to men at Alpharetta Methodist. The Men’s Ministry will offer the class to all interested men on Mondays, April 8, 15, 22 and 29. Both in-person and online (via Zoom) options available. Register below. Contact Jim Tinsley or Joe Renta for more information.
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Kids’ Ministry Offers Program on Communion | |
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Elementary children and their parents are invited to “Welcoming Children to the Table” on Wednesday, April 10, 5:15-6:30 p.m. Enjoy a Chick-fil-A dinner followed by activities and a special program about the Sacrament of Communion. Our 3 pastors will lead families through the meaning of Communion and the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. The evening will conclude with a Communion service in the Sanctuary. $5/per person for dinner (nuggets for kids, chicken sandwiches for adults). Please RSVP by April 7.
5:15-5:45 p.m. – Dinner in Trinity Hall
5:45-6 p.m. – Activities in the Resource Center
6-6:30 p.m. – Program and Communion service in the Sanctuary
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We'll Honor High School Seniors May 5
We’ll celebrate graduating high school seniors on Sunday, May 5, during the 11 a.m. traditional service. It will be a church-wide celebration for any senior student who attends or has attended Alpharetta Methodist. If you'd like your student to be included, please email Deedee Muehlbauer for the details.
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Caring for Caregivers Announces a Series of Workshops
The Caring for Caregivers Ministry strives to support those who care for loved ones who are suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Earlier this month, the ministry hosted a semi-annual Caring for Caregivers Conference, a free event that brought in experts to provide caregivers with advice and resources. In April, the ministry will hold the first of a series of 1-hour workshops. All caregivers are invited.
Walking in Their Footsteps
Tuesday, April 9
2, 3, 6 and 7 p.m.
This workshop is in-depth experience designed to give participants a greater understanding of what their loved ones go through with dementia. Sign up for a one-hour time slot.
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The Caring for Caregivers Ministry is also planning 2 more workshops in 2024.
“Diving Deep,” Aug. 13, 7-8 p.m.
“Smile, It’s Not Picture Perfect,” Nov. 12, 7-8 p.m.
Visit amchurch.com/caregivers for workshop descriptions and to register.
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VBS Rock!
A Summer Vacation Bible School
Registration is open for VBS Rock! Vacation Bible School will be a fun rock-concert themed event where Jesus takes center stage. Rising kindergarten through 5th grade students are invited. They’ll spend the week learning about rock stories from the Bible, making fun crafts, having snacks in the VBS Rock Café, playing games and outside recreation, learning music, and more!
Volunteer: Join our VBS Rock! team and serve on-site during VBS week or a minimum of 12 hours (including setup/breakdown) on our Decorating Team this spring.
More than 20 adult crew leaders are needed for small groups of children's activities each day (crafts, storytelling, recreation, and snack/small-group time). Crew Leaders are needed for all grade levels, kindergarten through 5th grade.
VBS for children of volunteers: A nursery will be provided for infants and toddlers of on-site volunteers. Children ages 3 and 4 will enjoy a special VBS experience.
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VBS Rock!
9 a.m. to noon
June 3-6
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Outreach Opportunities
We’ll Host Family Promise Again in May
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Can you imagine having children and no safe place to take them tonight? Family Promise helps families who are experiencing housing insecurity to find temporary shelter and then to, hopefully, have permanent housing. Our church will host 5 weeks of Family Promise in 2024. Our next week to host is May 12-19, and we need your help. Up to 3 families will stay in our Student Center during the week. With your help, we can show them the love of Jesus Christ. Please click below to read about the tangible ways you can help during our hosting week. Each volunteer role helps demonstrate to these families that we at Alpharetta Methodist care about them. | |
Family Mission trip to Nicaragua: June 15-22. This trip is open to families within the church. (Children must be at least 5 years old.) We’ll work with Amigos for Christ. The trip will include a good bit of manual labor, and housing will be in dorm-like setting with a communal bathroom. Each family will be responsible for booking their own flights with guidance from our Missions team. $350 plus airfare. Limited to 20 participants. If you feel led to participate in this trip, please contact Outreach Director Maggie Brannon. | |
Mission Trip to the United Kingdom: Late September or early October. This trip will focus on supporting a refugee worker in England (and his family) who develops relationships with refugees, helps them connect to the local community, teaches them English, and helps them establish a relationship with Christ. Due to the nature of the work we will be doing, participants must be mature in their faith and at least 18 years old. The trip will be physically demanding with lots of walking. Limited to 8 people. $1,500-$2,000. If you feel led to participate in this trip, please contact Outreach Director Maggie Brannon. | |
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REMEMBER IN PRAYER
David Agler, Taylor Beck, Gariel Burchett, Terry Combs, Claudia Curtin, Barbara Danner, Bill and Marilyn Fivaz, Carl Gilbert, Russ Johnson (Brandon Johnson’s dad), Connie Jordan, Jody Lail, Janet Land, Max McBrayer, Ed McRae, Joanne Miller, Jane Fadgen Mitchell, Carol Mittenmeyer, Leah Newman, John Pavek (Laura Malek’s dad), David Shadeed, Jim Toler
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FINANCIAL REPORT
March 17:
$70,688
For additional information about church finances, email Director of Finance and HR Helen Cork.
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