Ministry Guide - Summer 2022

THE CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES

MINISTRY GUIDE Summer 2022

Belong to Jesus.

Belong Together.

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WELCOME Dear Friend, elcome to The Church of The Apostles! We are honored that you have visited us today, and it is our prayer that you have been blessed by uniting with us in worship. As you may have already sensed, this church is unique in its devotion to true, biblical worship. Back in 1985 when the Lord began to burden my heart for the birthing of a new congregation in this area, three things from the Word of God were clearly revealed to me in regard to worship:

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1 Unhurried praise and adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, Lord, and the Head of this church.

This includes a regular time for breaking of bread at the Lord’s Table.

2 Prayer and intercession as an expression of our utter dependence on our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ in all things.

3 Bold proclamation that is relevant and instructive. Because we believe that the Bible is God’s self-revelation and therefore contains all the answers to all of man’s problems and needs, we preach it with all of its authority.

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OUR FOUNDING RECTOR ichael A. Youssef was born in Egypt in 1948. Dr. Youssef surrendered his life to the lordship of Jesus Christ at the age of 16. He was one of eight children with a family heritage rooted in the ancient New Testament church founded by the Apostle Mark.

n the pages that follow, you can learn more about specific ministries of our church, but most importantly, remember this: you are loved, and you belong at Apostles.

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Again, on behalf of the leadership and members of this church, welcome to Apostles.

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Dr. Youssef immigrated to Australia as a young man where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a minister, and married his wife, Elizabeth. He then earned a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in California and a doctorate in social anthropology from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He became an American citizen in 1984.

Dr. Youssef teaches with a fresh perspective as a result of his background and innate comprehension of biblical culture. He has a rich understanding of the Bible, its original languages, and biblical lands. Because of this, his messages are sprinkled with descriptive explanations of many of Scripture’s subtleties and nuances.

Table of Contents 04

Ten-Year Vision

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Who We Are

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Our Mission

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Worship Midweek Gathering Wednesday Night Dinner

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Children’s Ministry

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Student to Student (STS)

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College Fellowship

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20s & 30s Ministry

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Small Groups

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Women’s Ministry

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Singles Life

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Men’s Ministry

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Evangelism

21

Adult Bible Classes

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Congregational Care

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Our Ten Year Vision At the beginning of 2021, Dr. Youssef shared a Ten-Year Vision to pass on the whole truth to the next generation. We encourage you to prayerfully join us during this new season of ministry.

For more information about how you can get connected, please visit apostles.org.

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Ten Ways You Can Support The TenYear Vision

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Pray Join our Midweek Prayer Gathering and pray for the next generation.

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For more information about how you can get connected, please visit apostles.org.

Volunteer Volunteer in the Children’s Ministry or Student Ministry.

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It is the goal of Family Ministries to unite the agebased ministries at The Church of The Apostles to strengthen our families and assist us with growing in grace.

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Mentor

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Mentor or be a mentee in the Young Families Community on Sunday.

Small Groups

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Join a small group in your area.

Encourage Encourage your children to be involved in our age-based ministries.

Through faith-nurturing programs and ministries here at Apostles, we seek to walk alongside parents as they train children.

Develop cross-generational relationships through Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry.

Give Continue to resource the church through giving faithfully.

Everything in heaven and on earth is the Lord’s, and He invites us to participate in His work by being faithful stewards of our resources. One way that we can do this is by contributing financially to the work of the church.

Our Small Groups are a great environment to develop authentic, caring relationships while discussing how God’s truth intersects life.

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Develop

God did not intend for you to address life’s problems by yourself; the wisdom offered by mature believers from other generations can help further your own faith journey.

By studying God’s Word in a sharing and participatory environment, individuals lay a faith-based foundation for developing and strengthening families.

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Worship together regularly at the 9:00 or 10:30 a.m. service.

As our founding Rector has already explained in his welcome note, Sunday morning worship at Apostles is an empowering time of praise, prayer, and proclamation of God’s Word.

As biblical Christians, we realize that prayer is an essential part of the spiritual life of the church and of individuals.

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Worship

Invite Invite individuals and families to worship or join our church events.

We are actively committed to reaching out to those who do not know Christ. Members at Apostles have seen friends and family come to Christ through annual outreach events.

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Discipleship Pursue discipleship through Adult Bible Classes or Bible Studies.

The goal of our discipleship ministries is to bring people together under the Word of God so that they can grow in their Christian faith and carry the Gospel to others.

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WHO WE ARE Our deeply held beliefs and highest priorities are the fundamental forces that drive our actions. he Church of The Apostles has never been just another church. God has guided and sustained this church through a vision that was made clear to the Rector even before the church began.

We conclude from this that God has something unique in mind for this church body, and we operate our ministry accordingly.

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So as you attend Apostles, what can you expect to experience in the life and ministry of this church?

There are at least five realities which drive the ministry of Apostles: 1 Lifting up Jesus at all times in everything we do.

We are here to lift up Jesus at all times in everything we do.

The Bible says that Jesus came to the earth that He might have preeminence in all things and that includes The Church of The Apostles.

2 Searching for opportunities & ways to make the Gospel clear to every person.

We are constantly searching for opportunities and ways to make God’s awesome message of salvation clear to as many people as possible. We want to ensure that people have the chance to hear the message and see the heart of Jesus in a true light that is compelling and clear.

3 Striving to present every person complete in Christ.

We also strive to present every person complete in Christ.

The highest purpose of life on earth is to make joyful progress in our spiritual formation, which is becoming like Jesus.

Therefore, all of our ministry activity here at The Church of The Apostles converges on this focal point.

4 Conducting all ministry with excellence to the glory of God. Apostles is a church that is busy with Holy Spirit-directed ministry activity that is executed with excellence. We firmly believe that if we cannot do ministry with excellence to the glory of God, we simply don’t do it.

5 Speaking the truth in love without compromise.

Finally, we speak the truth in love without compromise. Through the Bible, God reveals Himself as the fountain of truth and love. We declare His truth in love without compromise or apology.

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OUR MISSION ur mission is accomplished by unconditionally surrendering to and seeking the leadership of God the Father, through Jesus, His only begotten Son, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. We know that the greatest impact we as a church can make is to reach out to others. God has called us as a church to act as a lighthouse for those truly seeking the truth of the Gospel, not only in the city of Atlanta, but also throughout the nation and to the farthest corners of the world. Our members reach out to others locally and around the world through continued involvement in and support of missions and ministries.

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REACHING THE L ST AND EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY.

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SUNDAYS J

oin us in person or online at 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. for our worship services. We also offer Adult Bible Classes and other opportunities on Sundays.

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In-Person or Online Opportunities

In-Person or Online Opportunities

Join our Adult Bible Classes online or in person. For more information on our offerings, visit apostles.org.

Join us online at apostles.org/live or in person. For more information on our offerings, visit apostles.org.

During this hour, we have Bible Classes (Sunday School), and we also have an early worship service in the Chapel. The Bible classes are for grounding, learning, connecting, and training in the wisdom and ways of the Lord. These classes center around Jesus, the living Word of God, and the Scripture, the written Word of God.

During this hour, we have our worship service in the main Sanctuary. This is a time for celebration and communion, praise and prayer, evangelism and proclamation. Our heart’s desire is to lift up the resurrected Jesus in all of His saving power and glory.

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WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

Wednesday Night Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Midweek Gathering 6:15 p.m.

We offer a family dinner at 5:00 p.m. Please RSVP at apostles.org to join us for dinner. Beginning at 6:15 p.m., we gather for a time of worship and an extended time of prayer.

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Children’s Ministry Sunday morning classes begin for the summer on June 5. ur mission in Children’s Ministry is to intentionally reach out to children with the whole counsel of God – that they might know Him and love Him. Although children do not have the vocabulary to express it, they have hungry souls that yearn after God. So we desire that every experience a child has in our church includes God-centered programs and activities. We want to nurture faith in each child and believe that spiritual foundations can be laid even in the youngest child in our nursery.

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Sunday morning classes begin for the summer on June 5. First-grade through fourth-grade children will have programs during the 9:00 a.m. hour and attend 10:30 a.m. worship with their families. Childcare and Bible stories are available for infant – kindergarten children during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.

Children will be promoted to their 2022-2023 school year classes on September 11, 2022.

Sunday Mornings @ 9:00 a.m.

Class + Check-In

Description

Infants - Young Toddlers

Loving nursery care.

Check-in at Kiosk Twos and Threes Check-in at Kiosk

Preschool Fours Kindergarteners Check-in at Kiosk

For more detailed information about our ministry, classes, and past virtual teachings, please visit our website at apostles.org/children.

First - Fourth Graders Check-in on the 4th floor

Classroom assignments for teaching and activities from The Big Picture Story Bible and Leading Little Ones to God. These children will have a large-group lesson in the Preschool Chapel using Kid’s Quest Catechism Club, followed by activities in a smaller group.

Check-in on the fourth floor for The Greatest Journey discipleship program, which is happening in over 100 countries worldwide.

It is the follow-up Bible study for children who receive a Samaritan’s Purse shoebox. Millions of kids will be memorizing the same verses and completing the same re-tell challenges that our kids will be completing.

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Sunday Mornings @ 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Class + Check-In

Description

Infants - Young Toddlers

Loving nursery care.

Check-in at Kiosk

Twos and Threes Check-in at Kiosk

Preschool Fours Kindergarteners Check-in at Kiosk

First Graders - Fourth Graders Check-in at Kiosk

Classroom assignments for teaching and activities from The Big Picture Story Bible and Leading Little Ones to God. Preschool 4s will have a large-group lesson and activities from Kid’s Quest Catechism Club.

Attend worship with their families.

Resources are available in the foyer for notetaking and learning to worship.

Wednesdays @ 6:00 p.m.

Class + Check-In

Description

Infants - Young Toddlers

Loving nursery care.

Check-in at Preschool Nursery Desk

Twos - Kindergarteners

Our ministry is driven by the hope and vision that our children will have one pure and holy passion to know and follow hard after God.

Stories and games.

Check-in at Preschool Nursery Desk

First Graders - Fourth Graders

Running Church and fun lessons that stretch our faith.

Check-in on the 4th floor and pickup in the STS Gym Atrium.

Website: apostles.org/children Phone: 404-842-0200 Facebook: The Church of The Apostles Children’s Ministry Instagram: @apostleschildrens

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STUDENT TO STUDENT MINISTRY STS or Student to Student is the ministry for 5th - 12th grade students at Apostles. We are passionate about middle and high school students loving God with their whole heart, reaching others with their whole lives, and making disciples with the whole gospel. Our desire is to min­ister to the hearts of students and see them transformed by Christ. We long to see them equipped to live as followers of Christ, as lights in the darkness, and to reach their own gener­ation with the life-giving truth of the Gospel.

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Sunday Mornings 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Our vision for STS Sunday mornings is to be a place where students develop and mature in their faith. We desire to see students know Jesus and make Him known and to be equipped to live for Him at home, on campus, and in everyday life. On Sunday mornings, this is typically accomplished through small group discussions.

Midweek Gathering Wednesdays, 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

Through our Midweek Bible studies, our hope is that students will be equipped to love God more. Every week, during Midweek Gathering, large group and small group Bible studies are offered for every grade level.

Special Events and Trips For information on upcoming gatherings (movie nights, grill-outs, etc.) and trips (retreats, conferences, mission and service opportunities, etc.), check out stsatlanta.org/events.

Want to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Student Ministry?

Visit our website at stsatlanta.org or call us at 404-591-2470. You can follow us on Instagram (STSAtlanta) and Youtube (STSAtlanta). You can also sign up to receive text message updates: text “STS” to 24587.

COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP We desire to be a place for college students to find encouragement, joy, rest, and strength in Jesus. postles’ College Fellowship is a ministry for college and college-aged students. We believe that the deepest possible joy and satisfaction in life can be found exclusively in knowing, loving, and trusting Jesus Christ. We desire to be a place for college students to find encouragement, joy, rest, and strength in Jesus. Therefore, we want to find creative ways to embrace the full counsel of Scripture, as well as to be a community that provides an opportunity for discipleship. We meet on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. for Bible study and dinner in the STS Den.

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For more information and scheduling changes, please contact Mark Johnston at mjohnston@apostles.org or Leah Colvin at lcolvin@apostles.org.

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2Os & 3Os MINISTRY he 20s and 30s Ministry at Apostles exists to encourage young adults to intentionally connect with one another each week and to explore the things in life that really matter. Within the ministry, there are lots of opportunities to gather with peers, develop meaningful relationships, and grow spiritually.

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Thursday Evenings 7:00 p.m. | STS Den In-Person or Online Our primary, weekly gatherings are on Thursday nights at The Church of The Apostles. It is a relaxed time of fellowship, worship, and a message from God’s Word. There are also a variety of social activities that take place throughout the week, as well as yearly retreats.

Our goal is that the gospel of Jesus Christ will transform our people for the glory of God and the good of those around us.

For more information, please visit apostles.org/20s30s or contact us at 20s30s@apostles.org.

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SMALL GROUPS ur Small Groups are a great environment to develop authentic relationships while discussing how God’s truth intersects life. They help us in our journey of becoming more like Christ… together.

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Groups feature lively, interactive discussions about God’s Word and practical ways to live it out. In a Small Group, you’ll share life’s challenges and joys. You’ll pray for one another and receive encouragement. Your Small Group will help you live out your faith while impacting others…together.

Groups Mixed Groups Men’s Women’s Young Families

Locations Alpharetta Atlanta Brookhaven Buckhead Cherokee County College Park Cumming Dallas Douglas County East Cobb Grant Park Gwinnett County Henry County Johns Creek Kennesaw Lilburn

Lithonia Mableton Marietta Milton Paulding County Peachtree Corners Powder Springs Roswell Sandy Springs Smyrna Stockbridge Tucker Villa Rica Vinings West Cobb Woodstock

COME FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN CONNECT WITH GOD AND OTHERS IN DEEPER WAYS. For more information, visit apostles.org/ smallgroups or contact T.J. Diamond at tjdiamond@apostles.org.

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WOMEN’S MINISTRY After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

REVELATION 7:9-10

EVERY HEART CHANGED BY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST For more information, visit apostles.org/women or contact Elise Wilkes at ewilkes@apostles.org.

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EQUIPPING THROUGH COMMUNITY

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ll women are invited to join us for several unique offerings as we link arms with one another to explore the Word of God.

Summer 2022 Bible Studies Sunday Women’s Community

Class

Info

Leader(s)

Description

Like Seed on Good Soil: A Study on Spiritual Growth

Sundays

Tonja Brice

June 5 – August 28

Laurie Graffo

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

Sherrie Rodriguez

God desires us to live a fruitful life that glorifies Him. But what does that mean, and how do we get there? Using the Parable of the Sower as our launching pad, this study will allow us to closely examine Scripture to discover insights and treasures that reveal God’s desire for us to grow in our faith. Like seed on good soil, may we produce a lasting spiritual crop.

Room 607 - 610 In-Person or Online

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

Weekday Community Classes Class

Info

Leader(s)

Description

Seasons of the Heart

Tuesdays

Muriel Cash

God sees you in every season of life. Accept the invitation to be nourished and nurtured through Biblical teaching, sweet fellowship, creative handiworks, and meditative worship. Rest in relationships with your sisters as you lean deeper into the trustworthy arms of the Lord.

June 7 & 21 July 12 & 26 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Room 620 - 623 Cost: $40 includes dinner and materials.

Kingdom Builders 2022: For Such A Time As This

Thursdays May 19 June 9 June 23 July 21 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.

The Commons Cost: $20 includes lunch and materials.

Georgia Tanner

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17: 7-8 Come join us this summer as we follow God’s heart to rest more fully in Him and participate in the work we see Him doing in our midst. From womb to tomb, all life is sacred and ordained by God. Building a spiritual foundation rooted and established in God’s infallible Word, we hope to impact and influence our family, community, society, nation, and the world through this unique series. When our personal temples are in order, we can build structures for the well-being of society based on what comes out of that temple. We believe communities can be transformed for God’s glory and our good as a result of this heavenly order. This summer, our unique format will allow you to enjoy a time of worship, teaching, and a shared testimony.

In addition, a special feature will include community building through table discussion and fellowship over lunch.

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:7

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Weekday Community Classes...continued Class

Info

Leader(s)

Description

Lovely: A Night of Contentment A Girl’s Night Out

Thursday

Hosted by Mom2Mom

The Apostle Paul was content in seasons when he had much and when he had little. So why do women still struggle with comparison, covetousness, and complaining? How do we cultivate contentment in our lives?

August 25 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m

God’s love for His people is unchanging, and He is using every detail of our lives to shape and fashion us into the image of Jesus Christ. As we look back to the cross of Christ and look forward to the hope of heaven, we will discover that ultimate contentment is found in Him.

The Commons

Join us for an evening of refreshment, encouragement, and dinner.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

Fresh Start

Sunday

Join us for the Women’s Ministry Fall Launch 2022! Registration is required so please let us know if you will attend by registering online.

August 7 12:00 p.m.

The Commons

GROW

SERVE

SHARE

Community Groups are around the Atlanta area, designed to build authentic community.

Women’s Ministry provides numerous opportunities to serve our church, our community, and those beyond the walls of our city.

Visit apostles.org/women for more information on upcoming events and gatherings.

Woman to Woman mentoring from older women can provide younger women encouragement, guidance, and support.

Single Hearts for Christ is a community for single women.

Widow’s Network provides encouragement for Apostles widows through monthly luncheons.

Visit apostles.org/women for details.

Facebook: @apostleswomensministry Instagram & Twitter: @apostleswomen For more information, contact Apostles Women at 404-842-0200 or bcooper@apostles.org.

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SINGLES LIFE t is the desire of The Church of The Apostles Singles Ministry to provide an authentic place within the larger church for single adults to build supportive friendships and grow in the gospel of grace. We strive to see those within our Singles community connect, grow, and serve together in the body of Christ.

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Half the population of Atlanta is single, and The Church of the Apostles has been called to reach this community with the gospel. Often the church can feel like a place only for those who are married or building their families, but the church is diverse with so many in different stages of life.

Whether you’re divorced, widowed, never been married, a single parent, or busy with your career, we have a place for you to grow spiritually within an authentic, grace-centered community. We hope that every Single person at Apostles will have their need for community met through our Singles ministry.

Class

Info

Description

S.A.L.T. Single Adults Living In Truth (40+)

Mike Glass

Whether you’re new to Apostles or just looking to connect with our Singles community, this gathering is for you. Join with other mid-singles ages 40+ to build friendships and grow in grace. We begin the morning with round table interaction along with some practical biblical teaching to help everyone understand how to live out the Gospel in our work, family, and friendships.

THRIVE A Mid-Singles Community (35+)

Brad Ost

Single Hearts for Christ Single, divorced, and widowed women

Jan Blakeslee

Sundays 9:00 a.m.

In-Person Only

Sundays 9:00 a.m.

THRIVE is a mid-singles class working through the Bible and sharing our lives. We would love to have you come along with us as we seek to grow toward the Lord and each other in a warm and welcoming setting. Come and “thrive” in our community.

In-Person or Online

For up-to-date information, please contact Jan Blakeslee at jblakeslee@apostles.org.

Visit apostles.org/women for upcoming events and offerings.

Single Hearts for Christ is a women’s fellowship that brings single Christian women together to enjoy, enrich, and support one another. What better place to be than with a group where people know you, pray for you, and encourage you in your faith.

As we see it, every single, divorced, and widowed woman has different needs, worries, hopes, and dreams; each one certainly offers a plethora of experiences, perspectives, challenges, and gifts. In Christ, we have all that we need for life and ministry. If you are looking to connect with other Christian women, we have an open invitation for you. Our goal is to provide a secure place for you to grow in Christ and establish friendships with other single women at Apostles.

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MEN’S MINISTRY For online and in-person class offerings, please visit our website at apostles.org/men.

“God did not intend for you to discover the answer to important life questions by yourself. You were created to live in community with other men who are wrestling with the same issues.”

Class

Info

Description

The Hub

3rd Tuesday each month

As men, we all want to make a difference at home, at work, and in all areas of our life. The Hub is designed for men of all ages to be equipped, encouraged, and empowered for real change. Join us for challenging teaching followed by interactive discussion around the tables. You’ll leave different than when you came.

7:00 – 8:00 a.m.

(6:45 a.m. Breakfast) The Commons

Men’s Small Groups

Weekday Mornings

In today’s world, it’s tough to be who God has called us to be. How do we balance the demands at work with responsibilities at home?

How do we love our wives like Christ loves the Church?

God did not intend for you to discover these answers by yourself but to journey with other men who wrestle with the same issues.

Our men’s small groups dive into Scripture, apply it to real life, and sharpen our focus on Christ.

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EVANGELISM

EVANGELISM TRAINING: HOW TO LIGHT A CANDLE IN A DARK WORLD Sundays | 9:00 a.m. | Room 201-203

Led by Dr. James Saxon Our world’s current state of affairs presents endless opportunities to share the good news of God’s embracing love in many creative and proactive ways. Every true believer in Jesus, who has experienced His grace, forgiveness, and empowerment to live the abundant life He promised, has a heart for those who are still outside of the Gospel and distant from God. Come learn how to unlock your God-given evangelistic potential in this course in simple, practical ways.

SUMMER EVANGELISM TRAINING SEMINAR: EVANGELISM EXPLOSION Saturday, June 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | The Commons

Led by Dr. James Saxon Come learn basic Biblical language that will help you persuasively articulate your faith to those in your life. Learn a Biblically based, memorable method of sharing your faith that will energize your heart for the lost. This particular gospel approach will serve as a foundation that you can build upon to grow and develop multiple ways to share your faith.

Learning these basics is the foundational starting point for effectively sharing your faith with others.

SUMMER GOSPEL BLITZ July 13-17 Led by Dr. James Saxon Over the course of five days, we will send out evangelical teams of people to various locations throughout the Metro Atlanta area to share the gospel. We call the teams “salt and light teams” because we go into corrupt areas that need salt and dark areas that need light. Some of the places and people we will share the Gospel with include women at shelters who have been abused, homeless people, innercity kids, local parks, local businesses, neighborhoods, and offices.

The weekend begins on Wednesday, July 13, and ends on Sunday, July 17, at a local restaurant, where all the teams will share about how the Lord worked. Evangelism is continuous and occurs everywhere we share the Name of Jesus, so as an outreach to the restaurant, we will tip the servers generously in Jesus’ Name and invite them to our church.

We hope this is a launching point for you to continue to share the truth and love of the Gospel everywhere you go.

For more information, contact Dr. James Saxon at jsaxon@ apostles.org or 404-591-1981.

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ADULT BIBLE CLASSES Starts June 5 (unless indicated otherwise) | 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED for the in-person or online class.

If you would like to get connected in fellowship with other believers to study the Word of God and pray, please register for a class. For more information, please contact Rhonda Saduddin at rsaduddin@apostles.org.

Class

Leader + Room

Description

The Church, Crisis, and Culture

Jeff Falkowski

To say orthodox Christianity is facing a crisis in the midst of current cultural trends is an understatement. As a result, many faithful Christians are confused and angry. In this summer offering, we will investigate what lies are being told, what Biblical truths are being challenged, and how we should respond. We hope this class equips you to recognize the lies in culture and respond in love with the corresponding truth from the Bible.

Drew Johnson Rand Eberhard Dorian Shockey Mike Slaughter Zack Carden Alex Paquette Room 620 - 623 In-Person Only

First Look Class

Mike Slaughter

August 14 The Commons In-Person Only

Our First Look class is designed to help you better understand the mission of The Church of The Apostles. We want you to know who we are, why we are here and where we are going in the years ahead. For those who are considering membership or simply want to learn more about our church, we want you to know what it means to belong to our family.

Our leadership team looks forward to meeting you and sharing how the Lord is using the ministry to make a difference throughout Atlanta and beyond.

Please see the website for details on upcoming classes. For information, contact Holly Copeland at hcopeland@apostles.org or 404-564-6688.

A Word is Worth a Thousand Pictures

Brian Maxwell

June Only Room 229 ABC

The Word of God is filled with the words of God, and many of them excite the imagination. During the month of June, we will contemplate the marvelous ways of God as revealed in the original words of Scripture. Bring your Bibles and your enthusiasm!

In-Person Only

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Class

Leader + Room

Description

Evangelism Training Class: How to Light a Candle in a Dark World

Dr. James Saxon

Our world’s current state of affairs presents endless opportunities to share the good news of God’s embracing love in many creative and proactive ways. Every true believer in Jesus, who has experienced His grace, forgiveness, and empowerment to live the abundant life He promised, has a heart for those who are still outside of the Gospel and distant from God. Come learn how to unlock your God-given evangelistic potential in this course in simple, practical ways.

“In the beginning” – Genesis 1:1: Faith, Science, and Technology

Tom Taylor

June – July Rooms 201 - 203 In-Person Only

Room 244 In-Person or Online

Led by Tom Taylor, a lifelong Bible teacher and former high school science teacher with a BS and MS in Physics. Using the Book of Genesis as a springboard for discussions, we will explore what the Bible says about creation and how to better interact with our non-Christian friends.

We will look at historical and modern views of science to better understand the assumptions behind many scientific theories, including the creation of the Earth, the “Big Bang” theory, scientific assumptions, and Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection versus the Evolutionary Theory. This class will also look at technology’s place in the Scriptures and in our modern world. Not only will we explore these topics and more, but we will also learn ways to talk about these subjects intelligently to those around us.

Hope and Healing in the Body of Christ Summer Series

Rand Eberhard Tom and Elise Wilkes Randy Eberhard Slate Fluker

June 5 – July 24 8 Weeks Room 237 In-Person Only

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40 How do we see the person in front of us and listen with our whole hearts? If we are willing to lay down our lives to create space for whomever the Lord has invited us to host, even for a quick conversation, God gives access for heart-to-heart ministry to occur. So how do we show up in others’ lives and serve out of the overflow of what God is doing?

“Treat everyone with great kindness because everyone is faced with a great battle.”

Men’s Group – Man’s Identity in God

Bruce Cerbone

June 5 – August 28 Room 242 In-Person Only

Our biggest challenge as men is understanding who we are and our purpose. When we understand that our identity and purpose are directly tied to God, we are free to be who He has designed us to be. Daniel is a great example of living in purpose, especially in difficult times. Daniel, and his friends, lived in and changed a culture that was against who they knew they were.

Join us as we study the book of Daniel through Dr. Youssef’s book, Leading The Way Through Daniel. We will explore how Daniel, and men of today, can: • Experience freedom from fear in the face of opposition • Be an influence of godliness in a dark world • Find peace in the certainty that God controls the future

Psalms: From The Top Down

Lee Holston Room 243

In this class, we will look at the Father’s character and His ways as revealed through the Psalms.

In-Person or Online

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Class

Leader + Room

Description

S.A.L.T. (Single Adults Living in Truth) 40 and above

Mike Glass

Whether you’re new to Apostles or just looking to connect with our singles community, this gathering is for you. Join other mid-singles, ages 40 and above, to build friendships and grow in grace. It can be hard to find and build a meaningful community as a single adult.

Servant Leadership Lessons in Experiential Discipleship

June Only Room 617 In-Person Only

Lawrence Shaw Room 616 In-Person or Online

Each week we seek to build up our community of singles as we look at key passages in the Bible to help us practically live out our faith together. We have practical, Biblical teaching and round table interactions to help everyone understand how to live out the Gospel.

The intent of this class is to present discipleship through the lens of servant leadership and encourage Christ-followers to grow in faith, knowing that continued growth ultimately leads to a place of surrender. Knowing God intimately, and who we are in Him, gives us confidence and humility to be servant leaders.

Just as Jesus used parables to teach, this course will feature film clips to bring lessons to life.

Thrive: A MidSingles Community 35 and above

Brad Ost

Women’s Group – Like Seed on Good Soil: A Study on Spiritual Growth

Tonja Brice

Room 615 In-Person or Online

Laurie Graffo Sherrie Rodriguez Room 607 - 610 In-Person or Online

Thrive is a mid-singles class working through the Bible and sharing our lives in community. We would love to have you come along with us as we seek to grow toward the Lord and each other in a warm and welcoming setting. Come and thrive in our community.

God desires us to live a fruitful life that glorifies Him. But what does that mean, and how do we get there? Using the Parable of the Sower as our launching pad, this study will allow us to closely examine Scripture to discover insights and treasures that reveal God’s desire for us to grow in our faith. Like seed on good soil, may we produce a lasting spiritual crop.

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:8

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CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY We respond pastorally to needs as they arise in the church and community through foundational principles made clear in the gospel. In hopes of moving people along a strategic pathway to peace, we support the church with resources and classes designed to facilitate hope and healing.

As the Lord sends people battling with the complexities of the human struggle, we meet them at their point of need and walk with them in hopes that they, through the healing process, become workers of the gospel. This is the meaning of our theme: “Hope, Healing, and Harvest.” Being restored to the Father’s will for our lives is when we step into our calling and co-labor for His kingdom with humble hearts, giving God the glory in all things.

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Classes | Opportunity for spritual growth and development • Register online at www.apostles.org/care.

Class

Info

Description

CrossCurrent: Beyond Brokenness

Tuesdays

A safe, confidential, Christ-centered, no judgement zone, for those seeking truth and grace in their relationship struggles, sexual integrity issues, or past hurts. Each evening includes worship, teaching, testimony, and same-gender small groups.

Come and experience the hope and joy of overcoming strongholds and addictions, healing relationships, and renewing intimacy with God. The registration fee of $10 includes the course book.

8 Weeks

6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

August 2 – September 20 Cost: $10

Women’s Class: Ending The War with Myself

Sundays 12:15 – 2:00 p.m.

June 5 – August 7 Room 244

Women’s Class: Boundaries

Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

June 7 – July 26

Take an upper journey with the Lord and discover all that He has done for you.

Take an outward journey to discover how to have healthier relationships with others. Take an inner journey to discover the healing love and grace of Christ.

This class will inform us of the unknown places in our lives where we are out of alignment with God and missing His will. Next, it will graciously show us how to align those places with Him so that we can enjoy His easy yoke, have more intimacy with Him, and do more of His will in our lives. Ashley D Wille facilitates this class.

Micky Land’s book, Ending the War with Myself, is included with the $15 registration fee. Bring a lunch and join us!

Come discover how boundaries can help you create space for healthy relationships with God, self, and others. Boundaries define who we are and who we are not. They impact all areas of our lives - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Boundaries help us discover God’s will for our lives. Ashley D. Wille, AACC, facilitates this study.

The class cost is $15 and includes the book.

Room 244

Women’s Support Group: Open Hearts

Thursdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

June 9 – July 28

If you want inspiring, practical teaching and the support of your sisters in Christ to grow into spiritual maturity, please join us in this safe and confidential group.

Together, we will grow in authenticity with God, ourselves, and others. Ashley D. Wille, AACC, leads this group.

Room 244

Men’s Class: Man’s Identity in God

Sundays 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

June 5 – August 28 Room 242

Our biggest challenge as men is understanding who we are and our purpose.

When we understand that our identity and purpose are directly tied to God, we are free to be who He has designed us to be. Daniel is a great example of living in purpose, especially in difficult times. Daniel, and his friends, lived in and changed a culture that was against who they knew they were. Join us as we study the book of Daniel through Dr. Youssef’s book, Leading The Way Through Daniel. We will explore how Daniel, and men of today, can:

Experience freedom from fear in the face of opposition.

Be an influence of Godliness in a dark world.

Find peace in the certainty that God controls the future.

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If life has become unmanageable and you feel alone or overwhelmed, let me invite you to consider engaging the heart of the Father in the context of His church. We tend to struggle and suffer alone, but the Lord desires that we be in relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. We would like to help you grow spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and then offer support and teaching specific to Hope and Healing with the end goal of connecting you deeper into the life of the church as a “worker” of the gospel of peace. Our church mission is to Reach, Equip, and Work. We welcome you to join us in the process as we all attempt to live into the fullness of God’s plan for our lives.

For more information, visit apostles.org/care or contact the Director of Congregational Care, Rand Eberhard, at 404-591-2475 | reberhard@apostles.org.

Class

Info

Description

GriefShare

Tuesdays

Grieving the loss of a loved one, whether recently or in the past, is one of the most emotionally wrenching experiences one can go through. If one tries to deal with the varying waves of emotion on their own, the grief experience becomes even more distressing. GriefShare is a video and small group discussion course designed to assist, comfort and support individuals as they go through this most difficult time. The cost is $20.

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

August 16 – November 15 Room 201 Cost: $20

DivorceCare

Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

August 16 – November 15 Room 231 Cost: $20

Hope and Healing in the Body of Christ Summer Series

Sundays 9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

June 5 – July 24 8 Weeks Room 237 In-Person Only -Led by Rand Eberhard, Tom and Elise Wilkes, Randy Eberhard and Slate Fluker

Most people will tell you that separation and divorce are the most painful and stressful experiences they’ve ever faced. It’s a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you’ve never faced before. DivorceCare is a 13-week course designed to assist, comfort and support individuals as they go through this most difficult time. Class will meet on Tuesday evenings with video, teaching, and small group discussion. The cost is $20.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 How do we see the person in front of us and listen with our whole hearts? If we are willing to lay down our lives to create space for whomever the Lord has invited us to host, even for a quick conversation, God gives access for heart-to-heart ministry to occur. So how do we show up in others’ lives and serve out of the overflow of what God is doing?

“Treat everyone with great kindness because everyone is faced with a great battle.”

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Ministries

The Congregational Care ministry offers areas of support for the person searching for hope and healing. Together, we invest in the sowing and harvesting of good seeds through Biblical teaching and works of compassion. We hope that you will find your place to humbly co-labor with us in service to Jesus Christ, His church, and the community in which we live.

Ministry

Learn More

Description

Stephen Ministry

apostles.org/stephenministry

Stephen Ministry is a unique, one-to-one, Christ-centered caring ministry.

Trained lay ministers in our congregation are available to meet, pray, and walk alongside those experiencing struggles, hurts, or overwhelming circumstances within a supportive, caring relationship. Stephen Ministers have completed training to best support people and meet regularly with individuals to provide confidential, personalized care. This ministry is designed to journey with you as you begin to experience hope and healing in Christ.

Senior Ministry: OASIS

Robin Loebach

OASIS - Older Adults Sharing in Service - is a ministry platform where faith and love grow together as we build community and cultivate hearts for Christ. With an emphasis on Dr. Youssef’s Ten-Year Vision “to reach the next generation with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ,” we desire to create spaces for fellowship, local service work, missions, discipleship, worship, and resources to foster intergenerational worship and life together.

Congregational Care and Database Coordinator 404-564-3149 | rloebach@apostles.org

Christian Guidance

Individual Guidance Appointments for Men, Women, and Couples Learn more about our counselors at

If you are in a place where your life has become unmanageable, consider speaking with one of our pastoral counselors. We offer Christian guidance, premarital and marital counseling, as well as skillful advice as you search out your calling. Personal appointments are available upon request by contacting our office.

apostles.org/counseling.

Volunteer Ministry GraceTouch Meals

As a part of OASIS, share the grace and love of our Lord by providing a meal and a personal contact to those in our midst in need of refreshment, care, and encouragement. As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to help cook meals to be taken to families who have a need or help deliver meals to families.

Prayer Ministry

Involves the expansion of God’s Kingdom through intercession for others. Prayer Intercessors may come to the church during the week and pray for requests that have been received or they may receive requests via email at home.

For more information on becoming an intercessor, please contact prayer@apostles.org.

Submit Prayer Requests at apostles.org/care/intake or 404-591-2480.

Ushers

If you are a member of the church, we invite you to serve! Volunteers are needed once a month during the 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service. This includes passing out the bulletin, helping people get seated, assisting with communion, and helping with the offering. For more information, please contact James Saxon at jsaxon@apostles.org.

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HOW TO CONTACT US The Church of The Apostles 3585 Northside Parkway Atlanta, GA 30327 P: 404.842.0200 E: apostles@apostles.org W: apostles.org

WORSHIP SUNDAY The Gathering of the Body: 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Midweek Dinner: 5:00 p.m.

Midweek Prayer: 6:15 p.m.

DISCIPLESHIP Sunday: 9:00 a.m.

LEADING THE WAY with Dr. Michael Youssef PO Box 20100 | Atlanta, GA 30325 P: 404.841.0100 Order: 1.800.337.5323 W: LTW.org

Belong to Jesus. Belong Together.

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