Fall Ministry Guide 2014

WELCOME ack in 1985 when the Lord began to burden my heart for the birthing of a new congre-

gation in this area, three things from the Word of God were clearly revealed to me in re-

gard to worship:

1 2 3

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.

Prayer and intercession as an expression of our utter dependence on our heavenly Father

through Jesus Christ in all things.

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.

MICHAEL YOUSSEF, PH.D.

Founding Rector The Church of The Apostles

TABLE OF CONTENTS MINISTRIES AND BIBLE STUDIES

08 10 12 13 14 15 16 20 26

Children’s Ministry Student to Student College-Age Ministry Impact/Young Adults Small Groups Men’s Ministry Women’s Ministry Adult Bible Communities Congregational Care

FEATURES

04

You Can Pray for God’s Help In Times of Pressure

By Dr. Michael Youssef

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To The Ends of the Earth

By Leading The Way

09

A Look Back At VBS

By Children’s Ministry

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Guatemala: Answered Prayers

By Student to Student

19

The Privilege and Provision of Prayer

By Women’s Ministry Prayer Team

24

An Apostles Testimony

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WHO WE ARE

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he Church of The Apostles has never been just another church. God has guided and sus-

tained 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 according to a God-given core ideology. So as you at-

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

OUR VISION Reaching the lost and equipping the saints for the work of ministry.

CORE VALUES • 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. This ministry is not about us.

• 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.

• 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.

• Apostles is a church that is busy with Holy Spirit directed ministry activity that is executed with excellence. We firmly believe that excellence

is Heaven’s first law and if we cannot do ministry with excellence to the glory of God, we simply don’t do it.

• 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.

SUNDAYS At Apostles, we have the “Gathering of the Communities” (Sunday School) from 9:00-10:15 on Sunday mornings. This is a time when our children, youth, and adult communities meet for grounding, learning, connecting, and training in the wisdom and ways of the Lord. These com-

munities gather together around Jesus, the living Word of God, and the Scripture, the written Word of God. There is also an early worship service in the chapel during this hour.

At 10:30, we have the “Gathering of the Body” in our main sanctuary from 10:30-12:00 on Sunday mornings. 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. The sacrament of Baptism is practiced on the second Sunday of the month and the sacrament of Communion is practiced on

the first, third, and fifth Sundays of the month.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS On Wednesday evenings at 6:15 we offer pro-

grams for everyone in your family. The Hour of

Power is our midweek service that includes a

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 6:15 P.M.

time of worship and an extended time of prayer. Come early at 5:00 for a family dinner

(no reservations are needed) and then stay for the Hour of Power and for our great programs for children and students!

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am always amazed when people make prayer their last resort in time of great difficulty. God’s desire is that prayer be our first resort any time we are facing a challenging question or problem.

Choose to cry out to God immediately!

Choose to get God’s help quickly!

Choose to trust God to act on your behalf sooner rather than later!

When Daniel heard that a death sentence had been decreed for all the wise men in Babylon—including himself and his friends— what did he do? He immediately called his friends to urgent prayer.

When Daniel heard that Darius had issued a decree that those who prayed to any other god or person for thirty days would be thrown in a den of lions, what did he do? He immediately prayed.

When Daniel was troubled in his spirit by a disturbing dream, what did he do? He immediately asked the Lord to give him the meaning of the dream. In other words, he prayed, even in his sleep.

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OUR HESITATION IN PRAYING

Why is it that we hesitate in asking for the Lord’s help or wisdom immediately? There seem to be at least three reasons: 1. We think we can solve the problem in our own strength.

2. We think we can resolve the riddle in our own intellect.

3. We think we can change another person’s opinion or attitude.

Furthermore, we think God expects us to solve our own prob-

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lems, come up with our own solutions, and have enough persuasive charm to get others to agree with us. We think incorrectly!

In truth, you can’t do anything in your own strength. It is God who gives you life, moment by moment and breath by breath. It is God who gives you creative ideas and innovative insights. It is God who melts the heart of an obstinate, mean, or calloused person to hear what you have to say and receive it as wisdom. It is God who pricks the heart of an unyielding person to be receptive to the work He desires to do in his or her life.

In truth, God does not expect you to act independently of Him. He not only wants you to rely upon Him fully for strength, wisdom, and godly attitudes and behavior, He commands you to trust in Him. Daniel understood very clearly that God was his source of strength and wisdom. Read again what he said in praise to the God of heaven: “Wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness.”

(Daniel 2:20-22) God has made it very clear throughout His Word that He wants us to turn to Him and receive His counsel and strength. He wants

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us to rely upon Him for help. Any power of one that you may have flows from total dependency on the Lord. Just read some of what He has commanded: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” (Psalm 50:15) “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

(Psalm 91:15-16) “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:11-14) “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) When Solomon was crowned king, he offered a thousand burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar at Gibeon and asked, “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). The Bible tells us that the Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies, but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.” (1 Kings 3:11-13) When Esther was facing the biggest challenge of her young life and the lives of all her people hung in the balance, she called upon Mordecai to lead people in fasting and praying on her behalf. She and her maids also fasted and prayed. Esther was seeking God’s favor, wisdom, and courage. She got what she was seeking (Esther 4:15-16).

Solomon and Esther were both people of tremendous influence by reason of their positions—one a king, the other a queen. Yet even they turned to prayer and voiced their reliance upon the Lord before acting on their power-of-one desires.

When Jesus, our ultimate model for the power of one, was facing the greatest hours of agony in His life, He went to a garden called Gethsemane and He prayed. Jesus was seeking God’s will, and His prayer said it all: “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).

Jesus received the strength to endure the cross that was before Him. After Peter and John had healed a blind man and exalted Jesus as Savior, then were arrested and called before the Sanhedrin to explain their actions, they were released with a stern warning that they were to cease and desist from all ministry efforts.

What did they do? They immediately went to their fellow believers in Jerusalem and reported what had happened. And then, the Bible tells us, “they raised their voices together in prayer to God” (Acts 4:24).

What did they pray? They prayed for greater boldness in ministry!

They said, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” The Bible tells us that after they prayed, the place where they were meetings was “shaken.” They were filled with the Holy Spirit and “spoke the word of God boldly” (Acts 4:29-31).

Are you praying today for God to give you clear discernment about right and wrong, and about the decisions you should make or the actions you should take?

Are you praying today for God’s wisdom and favor as you seek to go to those who have the authority to bring about the justice or solutions you seek?

Are you praying today for God’s will to be accomplished in you and through you?

Are you praying today for God’s boldness—and for God to use you in any way He desires to establish His plans and purposes on this earth?

Follow the examples of these Bible role models in praying for power-of-one wisdom, discernment, courage, and effectiveness.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

-2 Chronicles 7:14

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TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH A look at Leading The Way’s global impact

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ince 1988, Leading The Way has grown from a small local radio ministry in Atlanta to an international multimedia ministry broadcasting Dr. Youssef's messages in over 190 countries. Through the simple, uncompromising Truth of Christ, God is transforming lives—from a single mom in New York, to an inmate in a Sydney jail, to a university student in Turkey. Their stories are all reminders that the Gospel has the power to transform broken hearts, overcome impossible odds, and cross cultural boundaries.

As you read through these testimonies and ministry highlights from 2014, we hope they will guide your prayers for Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way.

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ackie is a single mom in New York who heard the Gospel when she needed it most. “I was flipping through the channels when I heard Dr. Michael on the radio. When he came on, the first thing I heard him say was, ‘Are you lost? Are you alone?

Are you not sure where you should go?’ In my struggle with an eating disorder, that’s exactly how I felt,” she says. “God used Dr. Youssef’s broadcast to bring me to Him. I’m still going through the storm, still struggling—but I have hope I can get through it in God’s strength. I have joy in my heart that only comes from Him.” Seru is an inmate in a Sydney jail who watches Leading The Way every Sunday in his cell. He writes, “I always thank God for all the ways Leading The Way has blessed me. I’m in serious trouble and I’ve really messed things up for my life. I’ve come to the end of myself and accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior while in jail.”

Seru asked us to pray for him: “Pray for God’s will, purpose, dream, and vision for my life, and pray that at the proper time Almighty God has decided, my family will forgive me. Thank you again for your words of wisdom and encouragement.”

Berna is a university student in Turkey who comes from a very conservative Muslim family. Berna heard a Leading The Way program while riding in a cab. “I was so surprised by your program that I forgot to get out of the cab,” she says. “After a few days, I remembered your program and searched the radio to find the station again.”

After finding the station, Berna became a regular listener and started to study the Bible. “After three months, I decided to give my life to Christ,” Berna says. “I read the Bible in secret. I’m afraid that my family will find out that I have changed my beliefs. Please pray for me.”

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2014 AT A GLANCE

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his year has been an incredible year of opportunity for Leading The Way. In 2014, we seized new opportunities to expand our Gospel work in Boston, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Iraq, and Syrian refugee communities.

Here’s a glimpse into the daily work of the ministry and the global impact we have seen in 2014. *Some names changed to protect their security.

NEW NAVIGATOR PARTNERSHIPS Middle East This year, Leading The Way distributed over 5,000 Navigator solar-powered audio players with the New Testament and Dr. Youssef’s messages. The Navigator is the perfect outreach tool for Leading The Way partners Canon Andrew White and Pastor Yaseen, church leaders who serve in war-torn Iraq and Syrian refugee communities.

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HELPING THE PERSECUTED

ON-THE-GROUND FOLLOW-UP

North Africa

Jordan

Jirjis was a member of a radical terrorist group. When he came to Christ, he was tortured for his faith. Through Leading The Way’s Help The Persecuted ministry, we were able to provide rent and living expenses for Jirjis while he finds a new job and a new place to live. In the last year, we have handled 127 cases through Help The Persecuted—over six times the previous year’s cases.

Leading The Way has follow-up coordinators strategically positioned around the globe to follow up with viewers and listeners worldwide. This year, we were able to meet with people like Majd, a Syrian refugee in Jordan who wants to learn more about the Christian faith after watching a program on Leading The Way’s satellite channel.

Leading The Way is passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth, revolutionizing lives in Christ through the use of modern technology and creative media. Thank you for your ongoing support of this ministry through The Church of The Apostles.

NEW BROADCASTING OPPORTUNITIES USA • Sri Lanka • Indonesia Did you know that Dr. Youssef's messages are available in 23 languages? This year, we launched new Arabic dual-language broadcasting in Boston, reaching people like Fotna, who finds strength listening to the Word of God in her own language, and her husband, who came to Christ after listening to Dr. Youssef’s message on the Lord’s Prayer. In 2014, we expanded our reach with new broadcasts to Sri Lanka and Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation.

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If you would like more information, or if you desire to partner directly with us, please contact us: LEADING THE WAY PO Box 20100 | Atlanta, GA 30325

www.leadingtheway.org | Phone: 404-841-0100 Email: giving@leadingtheway.org

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ur vision for the children’s ministry at Apostles is to reach children for Christ and to equip them to do the work of the ministry at a young age.

Mark Your Calendar!

Sunday 10:30 to Noon

Special Stones

Promotion Sunday

Infant – Age 3

Special Needs Children

September 7 All children are promoted to their classes for the 2014-2015 school year.

Room 309 1st Grade

Toddler and preschool teachings include mission moments, puppets, drama (“Wee Worship”), and lesson themes that amplify what has been taught during the 9:00 a.m. hour.

December 14

The ABC’s of God: A Study for Children on the Greatness and Worth of God

4:00 p.m.

4th Floor

Communicant’s Class

2nd Grade

January 11, 18, 25, and February 1, 2015

Faithful to All His Promises

*Please note that this class has moved from October to January this year.

5th Floor

Teaching and a worship service for fours and kindergarteners (“Kingdom Kids”) that includes music, large group Bible teaching, mission moments, and small group activities.

3rd Grade

Kid’s Connection

In the Beginning . . . Jesus: A Chronological Study of Redemptive History

Room 423

Children’s Christmas Program

Applications with detailed information available December 1 at Children’s kiosk.

VBS 2015 June 8-12

5th Floor

Sunday 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

4th Grade

Infant – Age 2 3rd Floor | Visitor Check-in at Kiosk

To Be Like Jesus: A Study for Children on Following Jesus

Loving Nursery Care and Bible Stories

5th Floor | Visitor Check-in at Kiosk

Age 2 – 3

Apostlelot (2nd – 4th Grade)

3rd Floor | Visitor Check-in at Kiosk

Children gather together at the end of Sunday morning classes for Assembly where they visit the land of “Apostlelot.” Kingdom characters (and the kids!) learn how to work through real life dilemmas. The drama presentation focuses on the lives of faithful men and women throughout history and the godly character evident in their lives.

Church members also visit Apostlelot and share their testimonies of God’s faithfulness in their lives.

The children will hear stories of God’s faithfulness through the Old and New Testaments.

Age 4 – 5 3rd Floor | Visitor Check-in at Kiosk The children will discover the wonder of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit by studying His attributes in the Old and New Testaments.

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Age 4 – 5

First through fourth graders are encouraged and discipled in their faith through worship, teaching, outreach opportunities, and a “journey” to experience missions moments and heroes of the faith.

Kid’s Connection will not meet on November 23, December 21 & 28 due to the holidays.

Wednesday Night Infant – Fours 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | 3rd Floor Check-in Running Church Kindergarten – 4th Grade 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. | 4th Floor Check-in Both preschoolers and elementary children enjoy this midweek time of Bible teaching and fun activities on the playground, in the gym, and on “the green.” Come for family night supper, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

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tomping feet, high spirits, and the truth of God’s Word were the building blocks of opening day for VBS, as children, teenagers, and adults chanted “Stand Firm” together in the first assembly of the week in the STS Gym. For the children and volunteers alike, the words of 1 Thessalonians 3:8 came to life and marked the theme for the week: “For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” Every song, game, and skit magnified the truth that Jesus Christ is the only unshakable and unchanging One, and we can put our trust wholly in Him for the future of our nation and world.

Throughout the week, each VBS team collected donations to purchase stuffed animals that hold an MP3 player loaded with the gospel of Luke in Arabic. These toys, loaded with the gospel, will be shipped through Leading The Way to the displaced Syrian refugee children. At the end of the week, the children had raised over $6,183.00 total for this amazing project, providing for over 600 children!

VBS 2015 is right around the corner!

Mark your calendars for June 8-12, 2015, and join us in making a difference in the lives of future generations.

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ur passion is to equip students to live the Gospel in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods and to share the love of Christ wherever they go. STS is an exciting place for students to grow in their relationships with God and with each other, develop a lifestyle of passionate worship of the Lord, and discover a life of ministry to others. We have a variety of weekly activities, from small groups to large-group worship services, and from in-depth equipping classes to service projects.

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Sunday @ 8:45 – 10:20 a.m.

Sunday @ 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Special Events & Trips

Regular STS format will resume Sunday, September 7th. For our summer format, donuts are served in the STS Café at 9:00 am. After breakfast, 5th-6th grade students go to “The Den” for large group teaching and trivia and 7th-12th grade students go to “The Loft” for worship, teaching, and trivia.

We will have activities the first and third Sundays of each month. High school guys’ basketball will take place periodically throughout the month. Check our online calendar regularly for specific dates and updates: stsatlanta.org/calendar.

For more information on STS events and for online registration go to www.stsatlanta.org.

During the school year, STS Sunday morning activities start at 8:45 a.m. Every Sunday morning a pancake breakfast will be served in the STS Café for all 5th-12th grade students.

Please note: There will be no STS Sunday evening activities scheduled for December 22, 29, or January 5, 12, 19.

After breakfast and worship, 5th & 6th grade students meet in their classrooms (below) for Bible Study and Small Groups.

Each class is led by STS adult volunteers.

5th Grade Girls – Room 240 5th Grade Boys – Room 230 B

9:00 a.m.

The Loft Church-wide Kickball Tournament

5th – 8th Grade “Rush Hour”

Sunday, October 5

STS

“The Den”

September 7

Wednesday Evening 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

5th – 6th Grades:

STS Fall Kickoff Service

Join Mark, Anna, and our adult volunteers for recreation, worship, teaching, and group discussion with adult leaders.

9th – 12th Grade Guys’ Bible Study

Brinkley Park / Smyrna Little League 7th-12th Grade Fall Retreat October 10 – 12 Ocoee Retreat Center, Ocoee, TN

More information and registration available at www.stsatlanta.org.

6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

6th Grade Girls – Room 230 A 6th Grade Boys – Room 231

The Den

5th-6th Grade Radiate Weekend

Join Brian for Bible study and prayer.

November 7 – 8

7th – 12th Grades:

9th – 12th Grade Girls’ Bible Study

“The Loft”

6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

After breakfast, worship, and teaching, middle and high school students meet in their discussion groups led by STS staff and adult volunteers.

STS Join Kristin, Jenny, and adult volunteers for Bible study and prayer.

Please note: There will be NO STS Wednesday night activities November 26th, December 24th, or December 31st due to the Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve holidays.

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More information and registration available at www.stsatlanta.org.

5th-12th Grade Mother-Daughter Christmas Saturday, December 6th All 5th-12th grade ladies and your moms are invited to join the STS Staff ladies for a fun day of Christmas celebration.

Online registration will be available in September.

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GUATEMALA: ANSWERED PRAYERS F

or the third year in a row, STS took a group to Guatemala to periencing feeding and education programs, as well as providing many work with an organization called Impacto, a ministry that works other services for the poor and lost of Guatemala.

throughout Central and South America, carrying out their mis-

The Wednesday before the group departed, during Hour of Power,

sion: “to bring salvation, hope, healing, and peace of Christ to the the team was specifically prayed over, that everyone would have good Spanish-speaking world.” Early Saturday morning, June 21st, a health, safe travels, and a unified spirit as they worked together. The

group of STS students, staff, parents, and volunteers gathered at the Lord truly answered those prayers: the whole team stayed healthy, there

Atlanta airport to embark on their weeklong trip. The group had the were no travel complications, and everyone worked well together and

opportunity to participate in multiple projects: constructing a home enjoyed each other’s company. We are truly grateful for how God

for a widow with two children, hosting Vacation Bible Schools, ex- worked in and through our team.

Sara Jammal STS Intern This was my second trip to Guatemala with STS. One day we did a VBS at a local church.

While we were there we saw the children of the family whose house we built last year. It was so wonderful to see them again.

We hadn’t gotten to see the finished product last summer, so they took us to see their house. They were so grateful and joyful to even have a home. It was so special to see their faces and have them remember us from last year. This was the highlight of the trip for me.

Elijah Johnston 10th Grade Student

The thing that struck me the most about the people of Guatemala was how deeply rooted their culture was in God. It was more obvious out in the villages, but even in the cities, there were tuc-tucs driving around with ‘Jesus is Alive!’ written in Spanish across the front or murals depicting Bible stories. Even when murals weren’t about the Bible, they were about helping each other and being nice to one another.

Psalm 16:8-11 really meant a lot to me in light of my discovery about their culture.

David is explaining how when you live a lifestyle that is informed and shaped by what God wants you to do, even if your life is difficult, you will really be given a peace about things.

Something else David said in 2 Samuel 6:22 really stuck out to me this week. When David is explaining why he dances and makes a fool of himself, it’s pretty simple: because he felt the joy of the Lord. Justin and I, on his birthday, had a similar experience when he danced for the kids, and I beat-boxed into a mic. It was a little weird. It looked pretty odd.

In a normal situation, I probably wouldn’t have done it. But sometimes when you’re feeling really happy just to be alive because the Lord gave you another day, sometimes strange things have to happen.

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ommunity. It’s a word that many talk about but is so hard to find. That is especially true for those who are 18-25 years old. With the network of friends that high school provided gone, students find themselves lost in a big world. So we long for community. For Christian students, community isn’t just important—it is essential. More than any other time in our lives, we need the Church body, but finding how to connect is often difficult. Evensong at The Church of The Apostles is a Gospel-centered community, and if you are in the area, we would welcome you to join us Sunday evenings for our Evensong study.

For more information about Evensong, Midpoint, or the college ministry, please contact Zack Carden at zcarden@apostles.org.

EVENSONG Sunday Nights 6:45 p.m.

STS Loft The evening begins with a gathering time of fellowship. At 7:00 p.m. we enter a season of praise followed by Bible study and prayer time.. At the end of the study (around 8:30 p.m.) we typically have some time for optional activities in the gym or just hang out talking. At 9:00 p.m. many in the group will head to a local restaurant for an extended time of fellowship.

MIDPOINT SMALL GROUP 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Room 237 Wednesday nights during the Hour of Power, you are invited to join us for our Midpoint discipleship group. Facilitated by Zack Carden, this is a time of community around the Word where we discuss topics that are important to our growth in grace.

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Young Professionals – Mid 20s – 30s iving and working in greater Atlanta as a young professional can be fun, but it can also be hectic and nerve-racking. It’s all too easy in today’s crazy-busy culture to feel disconnected and alone. Impact Atlanta exists to help post-college young adults age 25 through 30s purposely connect each week to explore the things in life that really matter. At Impact, virtually every week of the year, there are opportunities to gather with your peers to develop meaningful relationships and grow spiritually.

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Please contact us for more information on weekly small groups, monthly social activities, and service projects.

Contact Dave Hubbard at dhubbard@apostles.org or Rachel Felker at rfelker@apostles.org for more information.

Deeper Impact Sunday Morning Gathering

Impact Atlanta Sunday Evening Gathering

Labor Day Retreat

9:00 – 10:15 a.m.

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Join us for a weekend retreat to Greyton Beach, FL on August 29 – September 1!

Room 623

Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Register at apostles.org/impact.

Room 623

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ome find a place where you can connect with God and others in deeper ways. Our Small Groups are a great environment to develop authentic, caring 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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Small Groups usually meet in homes every week or every other week, featuring lively, interactive discussions on God’s Word and how we live it out. Small Group members share life with all of its joys and challenges. You’ll pray for one another and receive encouragement. Together, your Small Group will help you live out your faith while impacting others.

For more information about joining a Small Group, visit apostles.org/smallgroups or contact T.J. Diamond at tjdiamond@apostles.org.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS Atlanta

Brookhaven Buckhead Canton

Chamblee

College Park Decatur

East Cobb

Henry County Johns Creek Kennesaw Mableton Marietta

Midtown

Powder Springs Sandy Springs Smyrna Tucker

Vinings

Villa Rica

West Cobb

Woodstock

GROUPS Mixed Groups Men’s

Women’s

Young Families THE CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES

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e have several opportunities for men to connect for growing spiritually, becoming accountable, and building friendships. In Men’s Fraternity, we meet in a large group for a challenging lesson and then break up into small groups for discussion.

Small groups are a place where you can join others to grow, share, and reach out. You will grow through the discussion and application of God’s Word. You will share life with all of its joys and challenges. You will reach out to others using your spiritual gifts. Come and find your place to belong.

We also offer men’s mentoring called The Path. This is one-on-one mentoring tailored to each individual.

Men’s Small Group Weekday Mornings Marriage, children, work, home, faith—the challenges abound. In today’s world it’s tough to be who God has called us to be. How do we follow Him and lead others? How do we balance the demands at work with the responsibilities at home? How do we love our wives like Christ loved the Church?

God did not intend for you to discover the answer to these and all the other important life questions by yourself. You were created to live in community with other men who are wrestling with the same issues, and who desire to live godly lives that count for God, but have not yet “put it all together.”

Come join other men who meet here at the church on a weekday morning to study Scripture and apply it to real life. Share your life with other men who will help you see God’s truth more clearly and who will help you sharpen your focus on Christ.

For more information: Rhonda Saduddin at rsaduddin@apostles.org or 404-564-3152.

Men’s Fraternity Men’s Fraternity is a program designed to equip men to live and to lead as God intended, training men to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

The church, the nation, and the world are suffering mightily from a lack of godly, masculine leadership. As traditional masculine virtues are assaulted and undermined in our modern culture, too many men either capitulate or seek satisfaction from counterfeits that are often selfish, juvenile, and destructive. We men are called to something higher, nobler, and truer. We know this, and we crave this, but too often flounder because we lack training and the fellowship of like-minded brothers.

We invite all men of Apostles and our larger community to answer this call by joining us in the STS Gym on Friday mornings at 5:55 a.m. We meet for coffee and a light breakfast, followed by a presentation and small group discussion. We will endeavor to conclude no later than 7:40 a.m., but you are welcome to leave earlier if you need to.

For more information: Brenda Williams at bwilliam@apostles.org or 404-591-1965.

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The Path: Men’s Mentoring The Path is a lay ministry at The Church of The Apostles that seeks to facilitate mentoring partnerships between men who desire to have accountability for their lives. The Bible is our primary source of guidance. We strive hard not to create our own “program” but instead to let the Holy Spirit guide in this effort. As a reference for our mentors, we use a book called The Heart of Mentoring by David A. Stoddard. Dave has worked closely with our core team, helping us fully grasp the Ten Powerful Principles of Effective Mentoring laid out in his book. The overriding theme is that mentoring is a process facilitated by a relationship. Each partnership is unique and tailored to the needs of the younger partner. Mentors are willing to open their lives, letting the partner see how the mentor succeeded or failed, and above all, learned from his experiences. Mentors are good listeners. They don’t have an agenda or want to change their mentoring partners. They want to help their mentoring partners navigate the narrow path of a Christian life.

For more information: Rhonda Saduddin at rsaduddin@apostles.org or 404-5643152.

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he heart of Women’s Ministry at Apostles is for women to understand God’s high calling for them and to be equipped to reach others for Christ through God’s Word.

Ongoing Bible Studies A variety of Bible studies are offered for women weekly (daytime and evening) to encourage women to study God’s Word and develop community with other women. Fall classes will start the week of September 7.

For more information, please contact Amber Wilson at awilson@apostles.org or visit our website at http://apostles.org/women.

QFC – Quilting For Christ

Single Hearts for Christ

Julee James, Lay Leader

Jan Blakeslee, Lay Leader

Quilting for Christ meets the first three Thursdays of each month.

No experience is necessary, as the experienced are blessed to teach others. Quilts are sewn for Cobb Pregnancy Services, Atlanta Union Mission, Feed My Lambs, Bridge Ministry, and orphanages.

Single Hearts for Christ is a fellowship for single, divorced, and widowed women 40 and beyond, which brings single Christian women together to enjoy, enrich, and support one another.

Jan Blakeslee: jblakeslee@apostles.org.

Julee James: juleejames@earthlink.net.

Mom-to-Mom Widow’s Network Marion Sharp, Lay Leader The Widow’s Network has helped many find solace in times of grief, as well as brought a sense of connection to other women.

On six Sundays a year and at Christmas, special luncheons are held to honor the widows. The group plans other activities and service projects as well.

Marion Sharp: memum@bellsouth.net.

Mom-to-Mom is an intergenerational discipling ministry intended to come alongside mothers desiring to grow in (1) their knowledge of God’s Word, (2) their ability to apply God’s Word to their lives, and (3) their ability to apply God’s Word in their parenting. Each session will include testimony, teaching, and small-group interaction with mentor-moms and fellow-moms that will encourage, challenge, and build lifelong relationships.

Connie Musselman: cmusselm@apostles.org.

Fall Bible Studies Tuesdays @ 6:45 – 7:30 a.m.

The Book Of James September 16 – November 4 (8 weeks) The clear message of Scripture is that trials are a tool in the loving hands of the Lord. They test the strength of our faith, they humble us, they wean us from our dependence on earthly things, they call us to eternal and heavenly hope, they reveal what we really love, they teach us to value God’s blessings, they develop enduring strength for greater usefulness, they help us better encourage others who are in times of trial.”

The book of James clearly puts its emphasis on all of the above. It has two significant texts which challenge the reader: what is the relationship between faith and works, and does James’ emphasis on works contradict Paul’s focus on faith? This study will highlight the questions above with the insight given to us by the Apostle Paul and interpreted by James, the brother of Jesus Christ.

Leader: Carolyn Caswell & Lori Harris Room: 246 Fee: $20.00 Childcare NOT available

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Following Hard After God Through The Psalms September 9 – November 11 (10 weeks)

Tuesdays @ 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Hebrews: Precept by Precept September 9 – November 11 (10 weeks) When doubts assail you, when trials encompass you, and you are weary of running the race, there is only one answer! It is found in drawing near to the throne of grace, to Jesus your High Priest who can be touched with the feelings of your infirmities. This study will reveal to us that Jesus Christ is superior to and preeminent over everyone and everything. We will discover the clear distinction between the Gospel, the New Covenant in Christ, and the forms, ceremonies, and patterns of the Old Covenant, which foretold the ministry of the Messiah. Hebrews will give us a great confidence in the One whom we have believed, and will inspire us to live our lives to His glory. The study will be taught in three parts: 1) Fall 2013, 2) Winter/Spring 2014, 3) Fall 2014.

Leader: Anne Hayes | Room: 201-203 Fee: $30.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS. The Amazing Collection: The Prophets September 9 – November 25 (12 weeks)

The Book of Psalms is the hymnal of the Bible, and, in calling us to worship God, Psalms were meant to be memorized, to be communicated by singing, and to spread the good news of God from person to person. We don’t sing the Psalms much today, and they are most often read and used in devotions and prayer. In ten lessons, we will take each of the seven types of Psalms (i.e. thanksgiving, praise, lamentation, etc.) and study how they lead us to see Christ, to discover how God Himself is revealed to us, to hear the Word of God, to see how the Psalms amplify all the ways God works in our lives, to choose and learn one Psalm each week together, to pray through that Psalm during the week, and to sing others.

May God bless us with a deeper understanding of Himself as we are drenched in His songs.

Leader: Vicki Gillespie | Room: 237 Fee: $20.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS. Mom to Mom: Teaching Them Young September 9 – November 11 (10 weeks) In parenting, time is of the essence! Parents are not the only ones seeking to influence the hearts and minds of our children. From your child’s earliest years in your home, the “information bombardment” begins. Young children are watching and listening more than we may think and they are beginning to gather rudimentary puzzle pieces that will form their worldview, and, more importantly, their “God view.”

The Amazing Collection is a video Bible study for women taught sequentially, book by book. Each 45-minute DVD gives an overview of one book of the Bible. The main characters and theme of each book come alive with dynamic teachings, original music videos, and personal testimonies. Each set contains a companion workbook to enhance the teaching and to encourage further study. Your spiritual walk and biblical knowledge will be greatly enriched by investing in the Amazing Collections as we study the Major Prophets, Isaiah through Daniel, and the Early Minor Prophets, Hosea through Micah.

Teaching Them Young is a challenging, yet rewarding journey through the first nine chapters of Proverbs, with the goal of extracting and applying these core values God wants your children to learn. Parenting principles and practical teaching moments designed to help moms develop a parenting strategy that will equip their children to walk by faith in an uncertain world will be taught and discussed in this ten-week series.

Leader: Sandra Dixon | Room: 229B Fee: $20.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family

Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS.

Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS.

Mom to Mom registration and child care information are available online at apostles.org/momtomom.

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Leader: Connie Musselman | Room: 620-623 Fee: $20.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family

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Wednesday @ 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Living A Life Of Worship: A Study In The Psalms September 10 & 24, October 8 & 22, November 12 (5 classes) Reading the Psalms is like reading David’s journal, and they allow us to peer into the heart of a man who lived a life of worship even in the midst of his battles, struggles, doubts, times of blessings, and times of depression. Even in the midst of everything David went through, he never failed to be confident in the fact that God loves and cares and protects His own, and that He always keeps His promises.

As women, we all live lives that are full of struggles, burdens, joys, and blessings. As Christian women, how do we live lives of worship and purpose that glorify God in the midst of the everyday burdens and blessings? We have much to learn from David through the Psalms about how to worship the God who loves us and cares for us. He desires for us to offer our lives to Him as a fragrant offering that draws our friends, our husbands, our children, our co-workers and our neighbors to Him. Leader: Rebecca Peet | Room: 4th Floor Landing | Fee: $20.00 | Childcare NOT available

Thursdays @ 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

A Study of Jonah: Where Else Would We Go?

A Wife After God’s Own Heart

September 11 – October 23 (7 Weeks)

September 25 – November 20 (9 weeks)

Psalm 16:11 tells us that in God’s presence is fullness of joy. Why would we want to be anywhere else? But Jonah, who experienced the wonder of knowing God, found himself running from God’s presence instead of headlong into it. Why did he? Why would we?

We will enjoy the wonder of God’s life-giving Word verse by verse through the book of Jonah, as we focus on God’s presence. Our focus verse is John 6:68: “But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” It will help us focus on the wonder of Jesus our Savior who helps us to better understand the book of Jonah through His teachings. I can’t wait to dive in!

What is “A Wife After God’s Own Heart”? It is a marriage-focused Bible study designed to align our hearts and wills with God’s Word through prayer, study, and authentic community.

Leader: Charlotte Travis | Room: 201-203 Fee: $20.00 | Child care Available, $50 per family Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS. Sacred Rhythms: Spiritual practices that nourish your soul and transform your life Begins September 11 (Varied dates for 8 weeks) Find a personal rhythm of intimacy with God that feeds the soul and keeps us available to God’s surprising initiative in our lives. The study will include: 1) Desire: longing for more in the spiritual life; 2) Solitude and Silence: creating space for God in life; 3) Encountering God in Scripture: Lectio Divina; 4) Discernment: recognizing and responding to God’s will; 5) Bringing Our Whole Self to God: The Examen, and 6) Honoring the Body: flesh and blood spirituality.

Is “A Wife After God’s Own Heart” for me? Yes, if the following statements describe your heart: 1) The Lord has been stirring, inspiring, or convicting you in the area of marriage. You desire to study His Word in order to grow in grace and truth in this are of your life; 2) You are hungry for godly friendships and are willing to be a friend to other women on this journey of faith. You are willing to be authentic and transparent so that God might be honored in your marriage; 3) You are willing to be an agent of transformation in your marriage; and, 4) You can attend most classes in the designated time period (1 absence permitted) and are prepared to do weekly homework and participate in group discussions.

How is “A Wife After God’s Own Heart” presented? We will begin our time together in a variety of different ways (worship, testimony, video, etc.) and then will have a large group teaching. We will break into small groups after the large group teaching time. There will be homework every week that includes praying for your husband, keeping a “thankful” list, studying God’s Word, and answering application questions that are heart-probing and action-oriented.

Leader: Toria Peterson | Room: 246 Fee: $20.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS.

Leader: Jeanine Dungan | Room: 237 Fee: $20.00 | Childcare Available, $50 per family Children MUST be pre-registered for child care by August 27.

NO WALK-INS.

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ne of the most amazing demonstrations of God’s love and mercy can be seen in how He has answered prayers

through the Women’s Ministry Prayer Team. Women in this group have seen the promise from Matthew 18:20, which says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,” fulfilled over and over again.

He has certainly been with this group and has shown His power and His willingness to respond to any prayer and, in this case, corporate prayer. Below are just a few of the ways God has answered prayers lifted up on behalf of the women and the Women’s Ministry at The Church of The Apostles: Each week, the Prayer Team chooses the name of a different staff member to pray for. Every time we contact staff members, they tell us they are amazed at the timing because they are facing something that they need intense prayer for during that particular week. Though the drawing of the names is completely random (out of a hatbox, no less!), God chooses each person’s name very strategically. For the three weeks leading up to and including VBS, we drew the name of a Children’s Ministry staff member every week! We are certain God guided those seemingly random choices.

As further testament of the power of prayer, particularly for VBS, Connie Musselman, the Director of Children’s Ministry, shared with us that they did not need to use even one Band-Aid this year!

We have prayed for so many people with cancer and serious illness. God’s provision of just the right doctor, a favorable provision through insurance coverage, or healing has happened so often after a session of prayer. We know these breakthroughs are not coincidence. We have prayed with some women through a series of surgeries

from double knee replacements to back surgeries. After one very successful back surgery, a young woman went on to have two babies, and she has not experienced any further back issues.

Sadly, we are increasingly being asked to pray for children who are being affected by the courts and DFACs. The way God has protected these children and has shown us how specifically our prayers have been answered to give a good result is encouraging in the midst of heartbreaking circumstances. Often the parents and grandparents who requested prayer have said they were up against powerful attorneys and unfair circumstances, but God triumphed anyway!

Many of our prayer requests come from the Christmas Tea or other events. We furnish prayer cards at all Women’s Ministry events because we want every woman to know that The Church of The Apostles is a church that prays, and that our team is dedicated to praying for women who visit only once or attend regularly. One year, when Jackie Kendall was the guest speaker at the Christmas Tea, a Prayer Team member was praying with a young woman who was struggling with long-term effects of abuse and an inability to forgive. After the event was over, Jackie stayed late to pray with the young woman. As it turned out, their life stories were incredibly similar, and the hurting young woman was greatly encouraged. The parallels were amazing! Offering

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a woman the opportunity to be prayed with often leads to other connections within the church that bless the women and, as we see over and over, change their lives.

The Prayer Team is always on duty at Women’s Ministry retreats. A young woman we prayed for at our last retreat submitted a request through her small group leader.

She was dealing with painful relationship issues that had caused her suffering since childhood. Although the prayer was the greatest life-changer, the small group leader also recommended the woman sign up for Living Waters, an in-depth program for those struggling with their identity in Christ. Today, the young woman tells everyone what an impact Living Waters has had in helping her deal with the pain in her life.

The list of wondrous things God has done could go on endlessly, but you can see why the women of the Women’s Ministry Prayer Team will say that they have seen 1 John 5:14 come alive at The Church of The Apostles: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

Do you have a prayer request? We would love to pray for you. Please email any prayer requests to Amber Wilson at awilson@apostles.org or drop a prayer request card in the Women’s Ministry box at the Visitor’s Center at the entrance. All prayer requests are completely confidential.

2014 FALL MINISTRY GUIDE

e have the “Gathering of the Communities” from 9:00-10:15 on Sunday mornings. This is a time when our children, youth, and adult communities meet for grounding, learning, connecting, and training in the wisdom and ways of the Lord. These communities gather together around Jesus, the living Word of God, and the Scripture, the written Word of God. In order to assist you in your search for a class that is the highest and best fit for you and your family, we have grouped the classes as follows:

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Grounding – Entry Level classes for those who are new to the faith or new to Apostles

Connecting – Community or Life Stage classes which promote relational connection with others of similar age and stage of life Learning – Study Classes with a learning emphasis or maturing your knowledge of the Bible

Training Classes – Developing Life Skills which enable us to be wise and discerning in practical matters of life Contact Rhonda Saduddin with any inquiries at rsaduddin@apostles.org or 404-564-3152.

FIRST CLASS NOTICE: On Sunday, September 7, we will have a Joint Session in the Sanctuary from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m., introducing Adult Bible Communities, and then will dismiss to classes.

Grounding: Entry Level Classes Membership Class

Starting Point: Walking with Christ

John Horton and Greg Smith

Timothy Wilson and Tim Holt

Room 201-203

Room 239

This is a class designed to orient newcomers to the life and ministry of The Church of The Apostles. The class covers an overview of the history, mission, vision, ministries, and facilities of our church. This class is a requirement for church membership. Please contact Melanie Poole at 404-564-6673 or mpoole@apostles.org if you have any questions. The next start dates are September 7, October 5, and November 2.

A conversational small group environment where you can explore and grow in your experience of the Christian faith in a safe and nurturing community. If you desire to learn more about the basics of your spiritual foundation, come and join us on Sunday mornings this fall for Starting Point. This is a class for new Christians or for Christians who have never studied the Bible. This class is specifically for the recent graduates of the Christianity Examined course.

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Connecting: Community or Life Stage Classes Breakthrough Living: The Book of Galatians

Parents of Teenagers

Craig Lemasters

Tim Geary and Jed Sorensen

Room 237ABCD

Room 621

Please join us for a wonderful time of prayer, fellowship, and discussion as we study the book of Galatians. We will reference Dr. Michael Youssef’s commentary entitled, “Leading the Way through Galatians...Discover the TRUE FREEDOM that is yours in Christ.”

This class is designed for parents of teenagers in the student ministry. The class utilizes topical Bible teaching, mutual encouragement, prayer, and discussion for those who seek to walk together in shepherding the hearts of their children through adolescence and into the college years.

Journey Steve Peterson, Jordan Broggi and T.J. Diamond

Young Families - A Larger Story

Room 616

Anthony Burnett

We’re on a journey . . . a journey toward Christlikeness, a journey that takes us through the gap. This gap is the differential between where we want to be in our walk with God and where we really are.

True life-change happens on this journey. This new Sunday morning community will combine solid biblical teaching with authentic table discussions about how we live out God’s truth. We’ll explore Paul’s epistles and other books of the Bible, with time for honest, application-oriented conversation about the challenges and joys of the journey.

Room 617 Many Christians are very unclear about their calling and their place in the unfolding story God is telling. We’ll begin our journey in the book of Acts and watch as the church takes form. As we walk forward into other New Testament writings, our desire is to help you find your place in the Kingdom God is building. Breakfast for the whole family will be served in Room 620-623 at 8:45 a.m., and then teaching will start at 9:10 a.m. in Room 617.

Young Families Community Class

Young Adults (Impact 25-30s)

Jim and Melissa Harper

Dave Hubbard

Room 620 & 623

Room 622

Come and enjoy a time of community around a variety of Scripture topics. Jim Harper, who currently leads Men’s Fraternity, will be the presenter. Breakfast for the whole family will be served at 8:45 a.m., and then teaching will start at 9:10 a.m.

Come and enjoy a time of Bible study and community with application-oriented teaching for young adults, as we study the life of Daniel.

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Learning: Study Classes with a Learning Emphasis Ephesians: The Richness of Our Position in Christ and Its Practical Implications

The NT Book of Hebrews

Jimmy Goolsby

Room 229 BC

Room 612-613

It has been said that Hebrews could be thought of as a great portrait of Christ with the Old Testament as its canvas. Hebrews is important to the entire Bible as a road map to the history of redemption. There is no letter in the New Testament that tells us more about Christ and His work, revealing Christ as the key to understanding the Old Testament. We will examine the significance of Moses, Aaron, the prophets, priests, and angels in the completed work of Christ. We will be encouraged as we look at the faithful men and women in Hebrews 11 and how they lived before the “founder and perfecter of our faith” came to earth.

This Ephesians study will explore the depth of our inheritance in Christ and its practical impact in being victorious in the evil days in which we live. We will learn how our new life in Christ impacts our speech, morality, and relationships. Paul also gives us the keys to Spirit-controlled living and being an overcomer of the spiritual forces of darkness by putting on the armor of God. If you are looking for insight on these issues then Ephesians is the book for you.

J.C. Poole

First Things: Genesis and Exodus Lee Holston

The NT Book of Romans

Room 246

Baker Smith

Besides looking at Genesis and part of Exodus chapter by chapter, we will spend time pointing out and discussing first things - like the first mention of God’s names, the first occurrence of a sacrifice, the first mention of a plan of redemption, etc. First occurrences often help us understand later occurrences in Scripture. Also, come prepared to re-experience your first love and holy fear of our Father, as he begins to reveal Himself to the Patriarchs and the Children of Israel.

Room 248

The Gospel of John (Starting Chapter 14:1) Monte Johnson Room 611 An in depth, verse-by-verse study, with application for today!

Where did the Reformation begin? Long before Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Cathedral door in Wittenberg, the Reformation began in his heart. What prompted the change in Luther’s heart? Through Paul’s letter to the Romans, God gave Luther and millions of others a new heart at peace with Him. How did Luther find assurance of salvation? In Romans he discovered the “very pure Gospel” including the doctrine of justification by grace through faith in Christ alone without works. In this question-and-answer epistle, Paul methodically reveals to us God’s plan of salvation through Christ’s work on the cross. Drawing upon other Scriptures, this interactive study will encourage you and strengthen you in your faith.

The Gospel of Mark Mike Sessoms Room 244 Fanny Crosby’s desire in her great hymn was very simple: “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word; tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.” Jesus Himself commissioned us to tell that story when He said, “Go…..and report what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had mercy on you.” Join us in this study of Mark as we see Jesus, the Christ, the Lord, the One full of mercy and able to meet our every need.

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Training Classes: Developing Life Skills Compass - Money and Marriage Dave Neale Room 236 Orientation Required - Sunday, August 24 at 12:15 p.m. in Room 229

This is a 10-week small group study which equips people to learn God’s financial principles as contained in the Bible, build a healthier marriage, improve your communication on finances and resolve conflicts, get on the same page about your finances, set financial and marriage goals, build your financial foundation, and prepare for a family or personal financial crisis. Class meets Sunday mornings September 7 - November 9, from 9:00 to 10:15, with a mandatory Student Orientation class at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 24 in Room 229. The cost is $39 for couples or $29 for singles.

What the Bible Really Says Stan Carder Room 243

Knowing and Doing God’s Will

The continuing study of how to know and do God’s will, using Paul and his journeys as a model for us today. This year we’ll use some of the kings of the Old Testament to expand the study, while continuing to search out some of life’s foundational questions related to walking with God, such as: Does God call us today? Are we listening? How do we recognize God’s voice and respond in obedience? Can we really walk with God in the turmoil of America today? How can we make a difference? This study addresses these and many other questions and is all about practical applications in today’s world.

“Spirituality” - as the term pops up in conversations with friends or neighbors, what is our response? What is our belief about “spirituality?” It seems every person has their own interpretation and meaning of the word. How does this term “spirituality” relate to our Christian faith? As believers in Christ, we must be grounded in the truths and concepts of God’s Word in order to be able to assist our friends in coming to the realization that true “spirituality” is found in Jesus Christ who truly is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. This class will clearly present the crucial beliefs and doctrines of our Christian faith, as well as how we are to apply these truths to our everyday living, as we seek to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love & Respect (Marriage Building)

Whose Worldview?

David and Brenda Martin

David Nicholas and Dal Sumrell

Room 238

Room 614-615

When the reality of marriage sinks in to the routines and habits of a bride and groom, they become acutely aware that life together will be quite an adjustment from life apart. Issues such as communication, work schedules, social calendars, and household responsibilities rise to the surface. In the middle of treating those symptoms, though, is the heart of the question that fuels a successful marriage: How am I showing love/respect to my spouse? What does the Bible teach about husbands and wives? How do a husband and wife feed the health of their marriage? We are going to be talking about how husbands and wives perceive love differently and discover what the indispensable aspect of love is for each of them as we walk through the study, Love & Respect.

The lack of a Godly worldview has caused the church, our nation, and the world to suffer extensively. Yet the Bible says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord IS, there is Liberty.” The goal of this course is to rediscover and re-infuse God’s worldview into our personal lives. Join us as we examine the Scriptures, as well as sessions from the Truth Project, and elements of our National Archives to re-establish the foundations for the worldview and life system that God intends to govern every area of our existence. Our purpose is to help equip each of us to more effectively address current worldview issues in a very practical way that starts with our personal morality and works its way out to cultural issues and into the more far reaching implications of the government of our country.

Bobby Mitchell, Sr. Room 229 A

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y name is Joan Friedman. I was born in Washington, D.C. in 1957, two days before Christmas. I’m married

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to Lee Friedman and we have two sons, James and John. Professionally speaking, I used to be a registered nurse but now I’m a homemaker with a small business making jewelry, and I volunteer year round with Op-

eration Christmas Child. I’ve lived in Atlanta for over 30 years and I’ve been at this church for three years.

I grew up in Norman, Oklahoma where my dad was a college professor at O.U. and my mom, who was also a former nurse, kept rather busy raising seven children. I am the youngest. I graduated from Norman High School and attended the University of Texas in Austin and San Antonio. Sandwiched in between high school and college was a year in Brazil as an exchange student.

My family was warm, loud, and fun. Our devout Catholic mother made sure all of us, including my dad, were at mass at least once a week, even while on vacation. I grew up with a fondness for Jesus and I even had a few emotionally meaningful experiences where I thought I was committed to God. But mostly it was a matter of following the rules when I had to, and getting away with what I could. In my early teen years our family was shaken by the conversion of my oldest brother, Ed, who had found a personal relationship with Christ. He enthusiastically shared the Gospel with each of us, but I wasn’t interested, nor was anyone else for that matter. My mom seemed to have such a happy Catholic faith, but I was a worrier. My teen years were marked by distraction, anxiety, and restlessness, all of which are hallmarks of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). That helped propel me onto the path of a part-time wild child who

on weekends sought to be the life of the party. I was looking for thrills and trying my best to numb the alienation and strangeness I often felt with the rest of the world. That was accomplished in the best way I knew how with food and alcohol. My grades suffered, but I managed to keep up appearances as president of my class and involvement in

and over what He wanted me to do with my life. I also started attending Mass often, not just on Sundays. The Brazilian family I lived with, who were not practicing Catholics, thought I was pretty strange and acting much too serious. Then on May 10th 1975, a letter came from my middle brother, Joe, who was finishing his senior year at the

“I understood God’s most urgent message. I knew that I was a sinner just like everyone else, and that sin had separated me from a holy God...” other activities at school. I pretty much fell through the cracks with my teachers and parents, and I was spinning out of control.

Looking for an escape, I sought to leave the country and everything familiar and become an exchange student. My destination was Sao Paulo, Brazil where I landed soon after turning 17, half way through my senior year. I had been racing at 100 miles an hour without a helmet and Brazil was the radical detour I needed. Having to communicate in a new language in this new culture left me with much needed time for reflection and self-evaluation, something that was sorely lacking in my former party lifestyle. God turned my attention to spiritual issues and I started sincerely seeking Him, asking over

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United States Naval Academy. We weren’t close back then, and he had never before bothered to write to his little sister. The candor and warmth of his letter amazed me. Joe spelled out how, while visiting our oldest brother, Ed, he had made a huge change in his own carousing lifestyle to come to faith in Jesus Christ. As he explained the peace he had found, I knew it was real, and immediately I wanted that same relationship with God. I understood God’s most urgent message. I knew that I was a sinner just like everyone else, and that sin had separated me from a holy God, leading to death and eternity without Him. I knew that Jesus came to earth for the express purpose of dying on the cross to pay for that sin, my sin. Some-

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thing came alive in me as never before as I believed and prayed to receive Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Right away I had a sense of the Holy Spirit living in me, and it was truly exciting!

However, there were many people who weren’t at all happy about my conversion, including the Brazilian family I was living with, and they tried very hard to change my mind. Since I didn’t yet know any Christians in Brazil and I didn’t have a Bible to reassure me of who Jesus is, it was very painful and confusing. After a couple of weeks, letters and a Bible arrived in the mail from the States and I felt immense relief to know that I was not, in fact, all alone in trusting Christ.

There were ongoing problems coming from my family back home, who also didn’t like my new idea of faith, but I was still growing as a baby Christian and I eagerly learned all I could about my new life with Christ. It was a natural outflow of my enthusiasm to share what I had experienced, and soon Laura, another exchange student, came to faith in Jesus as well, and we were excitedly growing together and found a church full of warm Brazilian Christians.

Do I have a fairy tale ending? No, not hardly. After I left Brazil I resorted back to my old lifestyle. I turned my back on my Savior. I took for granted the One who loved me so much.

There were continual ups and downs in my faith for a long time. Over the years, I often sought the easy way out. I was more concerned about what other people thought of me rather than what God thought. How foolish it was to seek my selfesteem in the eyes of other people rather than from God who intimately knows me, because He made me.

The party life was still a siren call to me, and that need to be FREE. During college and beyond it interrupted my Christian life on a regular basis. Over the years there were numerous times when I tried to come back to God on my own terms, looking for

churches that taught that I could pretty much do as I pleased and still be a Christian.

I sought books that explained my rebellion against God as normal or healthy. But I never found peace. I knew I was playing games with God. I was trying very hard to push past my guilt in order to be a modern woman with modern ideas about relationships and freedom, ignorant of the prison I’d built for myself as I went back to racing without a helmet. I careened my way through nursing school and relationships with various men, landing in and out of a brief failed marriage. All the while, no one would have suspected that I had ever known the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, I can look back and see how

in life. Of course I still have my struggles, but I am not afraid of tomorrow because I know that Jesus, who transcends time and space, is already there, waiting for me. I know that He is on my side and I am not alone. I am free of the guilt and shame of the many wrongs I have done in my life, because He paid for all of them on the cross.

Even though there are repercussions to our actions, it amazes me how God can take the things that we have messed up in our lives and turn them to a thing of beauty. Where I was inconsistent and unfaithful, He has made me strong and resilient.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible, which speaks to me in my own history of inconsistency and lack of faith, can be found

“There were continual ups and downs in my faith for a long time. Over the years, I often sought the easy way out.

I was more concerned about what other people thought of me rather than what God thought.”

God was patiently, lovingly pursuing me, and even leading, as I entered yet another marriage without consulting Him. It was a gradual process over a number of years, but God got my attention again and lovingly turned my head back around. I finally came to trust Him enough to give Him my life for good. He has richly blessed our family and granted my biggest prayer, and my husband and children have come to know Him as well.

Accepting Jesus as my Savior was much easier for me than following Him as my Lord. Finally submitting all of my life to Him as Lord allowed Him to release His transformational power in me. THIS is true freedom.

In a nutshell, this is what God has done for me - He’s healed my anxiety. He’s met my core restlessness, my insatiable yearning for excitement, for something more in life. He has given me hope instead of depression. And He has given me a joy that I looked for but never found in anything else

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in Mark’s gospel, chapter 9, verse 24. A man has asked Jesus to heal his son, and adds “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us”. Jesus said, “If you can?

Everything is possible for him who believes”. Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I DO believe; HELP ME overcome my unbelief!” And Jesus healed the boy.

What this tells me is the love of Christ is so complete, we can come to Him even with our doubts and our broken down faith. We don’t have to have it all figured out, and we don’t have to come with a perfect track record. We can come with our failures and messed up lives and know that with Him, we can work it out. It certainly has worked out for me.

Where are you in your relationship with God? Are you restless, depressed, empty, trying to keep up appearances?

Be assured: there is a God, He wants a relationship with you, and He will meet you right where you are.

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ongregational Care is continually seeking to provide opportunities that will enable every member to live their lives more effectively.

Therefore, we are privileged to offer the following ministries for this fall. To register and pay online, please go to the church’s website at www.apostles.org for more detailed information; or you may contact the Congregational Care office at 404-564-3159, or email gwiley@apostles.org.

C

Compass: Money and Marriage

DivorceCare

Sunday mornings

Tuesday evenings

September 7 – November 9

August 19 – November 11

9:00 to 10:15 a.m.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

There’s a mandatory Student Orientation class at 12:15 on August 24 in room 229.

Cost: $15

Room 236

Room 614

Cost: $39 for couples or $29 for singles.

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 video and small group discussion course designed to assist, comfort, and support individuals as they go through this most difficult time.

A 10-week small group study which equips people to learn God’s financial principles as contained in the Bible, build a healthier marriage, improve your communication on finances and resolve conflicts, get on the same page about your finances, set financial and marriage goals, build your financial foundation, and prepare for a family or personal financial crisis.

CrossCurrent Tuesday evenings August 19 – September 30 (7-week class) Course book: $10 (optional)

Living Waters: Restoring Relational Integrity Through the Broken Body of Christ

STS Den

Tuesday evenings

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

A safe and confidential place to experience grace and truth and find meaningful answers to questions you may have about your relationships or sexual addictions. No matter how broken or hopeless we may perceive ourselves, God upholds us in hope. In this cross-centered community, God is restoring broken hearts, broken pasts, broken relationships, broken sexuality, and broken identity. Each week includes worship, teaching, testimony, and same-gender small groups. Come and experience hope and taste the joy of overcoming strongholds, healed relationships, and intimacy with God.

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October 7, 2014 – April 28, 2015 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

STS Loft.

Living Waters is an in-depth ministry for any Christian seeking healing in areas of relational and/or sexual brokenness. Each meeting of this 7-month journey, we gather for worship, teaching, testimony, ministry time at the cross, and small groups focused on confession and listening prayer. Living Waters helps Christians resume the call to becoming whole gifts to each other through the body of Christ. The cost of the series is $500. Applications are accepted beginning August 1st. Check out the video testimonies at www.apostles.org/livingwaters.

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GriefShare

Congregational Care Counseling

Tuesday evenings

For those individuals seeking personal or family counseling, our Congregational Care staff is available. If you are in need of this ministry, please contact Gwen Wiley at 404-564-3159 or gwiley@apostles.org to set up an appointment.

August 19 – November 11 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Cost: $15 Room 613 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 13-week video and small group discussion course designed to assist, comfort, and support individuals as they go through this most difficult time.

Volunteer Ministry GraceTouch Meals shares 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. You may:

Marriage: Our Legacy of Love Tuesday evenings September 9 – October 28, and will conclude with a one-day retreat on Saturday, November 8 6:45 to 9:00 p.m.

Cook meals to be taken to families who have a need.

Cook meals to bring to church to be put in the freezer for emergency help.

Deliver meals to the families.

Military Outreach provides opportunities to participate in service projects with various organizations to assist and support military individuals and their families as they faithfully serve our country.

Cost: $110 (Includes all class materials and the Retreat.)

Rooms 201-203 This 8-week class provides a safe and FUN environment for couples implementing God’s grace, truth, and love for marriage.

Couples of all ages and those married for any length of time will benefit from leaning more about each other as well as developing friendships with other couples.

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

PrimeTimers is a service-oriented fellowship for those over 50 serving the Body of Christ in a variety of ways, including visiting the homebound. They also sponsor luncheons focused on vital issues for seniors. If interested, please contact the Congregational Care office.

OnPath By appointment only.

A biblically-based life and work assessment course designed to provoke thinking and foster strategic renewal, personally and professionally. The cost of the course is $70 to cover the purchase of a workbook and required personality profiles.

Stephen Ministers are lay persons in our congregation who are trained to provide confidential care for those who are facing a difficult situation. For information about Stephen Ministry, call our referral coordinators, Sylvia Mosley at 770-987-1929 or Jim Kranzusch at 770-565-1650.

Ushers serve once a month during the 9:00 or 10:30 services. This includes passing out the bulletin, helping people get seated, taking up the offering, etc.

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HOW TO CONTACT US Phone: 404.842.0200 Email: apostles@apostles.org

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

Wednesday Hour of Power 6:15 p.m.

DISCIPLESHIP Sunday: 9:00 a.m.

LEADING THE WAY with Dr. Michael Youssef PO Box 20100 | Atlanta, GA 30318 Phone: 404.841.0100 Order: 1.800.337.5323 Web: www.leadingtheway.org