Friday Flash

Dear Friends,

With the summer break behind us, the fall-winter season starts with our KICK-OFF-CELEBRATION this coming Sunday.  Today’s Friday Flash brings you news about the various APC programs, which start anew this month.

1.  KICK-OFF SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 5^th, & RETURN TO OUR TWO SUNDAY SERVICES SCHEDULE.   We return to our schedule of two services every Sunday - 9:30 AM Traditional Service / 11:15 AM Contemporary Service.  The purpose of “Kick-Off” is to inform everyone in the congregation about the upcoming events and possibilities to share time and talents.  All our LIGHT Teams will be represented – Fellowship, Outreach, Worship, Missions, Teaching, Stewardship, Youth, Music and Choirs.  Information tables will be set up and refreshments will be served.  Donations of cookies and cakes and volunteers for the general setup and, of course, cleanup, are very much needed and welcome.  Plan to join us either at 10:30 or at 12:30 (or both!)  Please visit the various tables to learn how you can get involved in the areas that interest you.  If you are new in our community, this is also a way to get to know people and be informed about ways you can support the APC-Church-Family. 

2.   INTERNATIONAL / CROSS-CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN RHEINAUE PARK – TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 4^th, 12 NOON – 9 PM.   APC is once again participating in this annual event!  Volunteers to represent our church at this international festival would be greatly welcome.  Please give some time to our tent at the festival.  Come join us as we greet people who investigate our church.  We also need some goodies like baked goods – cookies and muffins – to share with visitors.  Please take a look at the attachment concerning this event.

3.  UPDATE ON APC FINANCES.   At the beginning of the year, the council developed and the congregation decided on a balanced budget for 2010.  Each year this is a leap of faith as savings are slim and every Euro we spend has to be given by you, our members and friends. 

As we now kick-off new activities after summer break, it is also time to check on the financial health of APC:  at the end of July our expenses of 136,600 Euros (slightly above budget) exceeded by about 3,100 Euros (by 2%) your giving (offering plate and Foerderverein) and other intake (in total 133,500 Euros).

However, this almost balanced situation is mainly owed to one windfall tax refund, special giving to the Youth mission trip that this year exceeded expenses (and is, thus, earmarked for Youth mission) and delaying giving to missions.

Therefore, I ask you to prayerfully review your giving and consider one time or increased giving to APC so APC can continue its work in His name.

I will be glad to explain and discuss any details during Kick-Off or contact me at Juergen.koenemann.home@t-online.de.  Thank you for your continued generosity!

/s/ Juergen, Treasurer APC.

4.  YOUTH NEWS.   Thanks to all parents and kids who made the Youth Kick Off evenings a success.  The Youth program is off and running, and if you are 11-18, come along and join us.  Monday nights from 19.00-21.00 for ages 14-18, grades 9-12 and Tuesday nights from 18.30-20.30 for ages 11-14, grades 6-8.  We are looking forward to a year of fun, fellowship and growth.

Please continue praying that our youth would fight the good fight of faith by striving to obey God and his word in everyday life. (1 Timothy 6.11-16)

5.  INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP (IWCF).  The group will meet next Tuesday, September 7^th, downstairs in the church’s Fellowship Hall, from 9:30 AM – 12 noon.   The topic will be: “Old Testament Survey: Genesis – 2 Kings”.   Newcomers are always welcome!   If you have any questions, please contact Susan Bamberg at 0261–962–9617.

6.   MEN'S BREAKFAST:   Awake, oh men.   It's time for the next men's breakfast!  The event will take place on Saturday, September 11th, at 8:00 AM at the church.  Enjoy a great meal and the opportunity to network with other men.  Our topic will be "Overcoming Self-Centeredness".  If you have any questions, please send an eMail to Rudi.Demmler@t-online.de.

7.  APC CHOIR NEWS.   Our adult choir resumed rehearsals last night and will sing this coming Sunday at the Traditional Service.  It is not too late to join us.  We are always eager to have more voices – sopranos, altos, and of course MEN!  No audition is necessary.  We joyfully welcome newcomers!  For further information, contact Margot in the church office – 0228-374193, or by eMail: APC_Bonn@t-online.de.  Or even better – come to our next rehearsal – Thursday evenings at 8:00 PM in the church sanctuary!

8.  SPERRMUELL!  Monday, September 13^th!  Please note that the next “junk” pick-up on Kennedyallee takes place on the above date.  All church teams could benefit from this opportunity to get rid of those unwanted, unneeded, unnecessary items and to make room for the new!  We must get everything out to the curb no later than Sunday, September 12^th.  Volunteers may be needed to heave heavy items out the door! 

9.  CHILDREN’S CHURCH UPDATE.  With the beginning of school, we are getting ready to kick-off our Children’s Church Program.  With the program, we want to draw alongside of you as you raise your kids to love God, and to grow in Christ-likeness.  Over the course of the next year, the children will go through “God’s Story” from Genesis to Revelation!  Our goal is to have our children come back week after week because they enjoyed their visit so much that they can’t wait to return.  And in that quest, we do need your help!  We can only provide this kind of program if every parent who has kids in children’s church assists once in a while.  We would ask all parents to get in touch with us, and let us know how we can contact you best.  Also, if you can imagine leading a small group, or teaching a large group, get in touch with us.  Your help is urgently needed! You can contact Ulrike Berlemann (ulrike.berlemann@googlemail.com) or Susan Parkin (susan.parkin72@googlemail.com).

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10.   SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOTHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:   Cordes Lindow has a wonderful idea about starting such a group.  It would meet at the church on a weekday morning.  We would like to know if there are members of APC who might be willing to help out with such a group.  It would require perhaps two people to help as co-leaders for the administration, and some others willing to help with coffee, babysitting, etc.  If you are interested in helping with the formation of this much-needed support group, please let Susan Bamberg know by email sbamberg@hotmail.com or phone 0261-962-9617.  There will be a planning session on Wednesday, 29 September, at 9:30 am.  Please pray about this and see if God calls you in this direction.

 

11.  HOMEGROUPS WILL START SOON!  The aim of this program is to build community, facilitate welcome of newcomers, consolidate Bible knowledge, and encourage prayer and care for one another.  Groups meet weekly in homes within close proximity of one another in the Bonn area.  Sign-up sheets will soon be available in the church narthex.  If you have questions, please talk with one of the Homegroup committee members: Graham Parkin, Bernd & Maria Urban, and Marcia Shelton, or call the APC Office.  

12.   INFORMATION CONCERNING PASTOR KELLY’S ORDINATION PROCESS:   Many members asked about this, so if you are interested, you’ll find an insert in our bulletin on Sunday – or simply open our attachment!

13.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE SPECIAL APC EVENTS:

Tomorrow, September 4^th - Participation at the international and cross-cultural festival of culture in the Rheinaue Leisure Park

This Sunday, September 5^th  -  Kick-Off Sunday! – Fall Program begins

Saturday, September 18^th – Benefit Concert for Missions with Soleil and Band

Saturday, September 25^th – SMC Benefit Concert – Fourth Classical Evening with Thomas Bergner, cello, and Margot Nisita, piano

Tuesday, October 12^th -  Bonn English Singers Concert at Stimson Memorial Chapel

Friday, October 22^nd –Sunday, October 24^th - All church retreat in Huebingen

Friday, November 26^th  - Bonner Kirchennacht - Night of Open Churches

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This coming Sunday, September 5^th, we are going back to our 2-service schedule.  As it is the first Sunday in the month, Communion will be served at both services.  Pastor John will be starting a series on “Genesis: God’s Work Begins”, and the title of his sermon is “God Has No Rivals”.  The Scripture Lesson is Genesis 1:1-2.  The music at the 9:30 traditional service will be led by the APC choir with Hans-Peter at the organ, and at the 11:15 contemporary service, the Praise Team will lead us in singing.   We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.   Please invite your neighbors and friends to worship and share Christ’s amazing love and blessings with us!