ACP This Week - 15 January 2025

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ACP This Week

Hello ACP Family,

Please view this video message from Pastor Elizabeth reminding us of what's happening at ACP in the coming week (details below):

BYOB: Bring Your Own Bible study - this evening
Conversation on ACP’s Mission in Tanzania - tomorrow evening
Memorial Service for Tom Johnson - Saturday
Prayer Workshop with Jörg Kaldewey - next week
Children's and Youth Choirs, new Sunday rehearsals

This evening

BYOB: Bring Your Own Bible (Study): starts this evening. Wednesdays through 19 February 19h-20h30 in Pastor Paul Rock’s office and on Zoom. Gatherings in Pastor Paul’s office begin at 19h with 30 minutes for conversation. The study, in-person and on Zoom, starts at 19h30 and ends at 20h30. Pastor Paul will lead this class on Christian basics and Biblical literacy, by reading through the Gospel of John. This class is open to all, but particularly for those new to the Christian faith and those who've always wanted to read and study the Bible - but just haven't. Register to attend any or all of the sessions at acparis.org/byob.

Tomorrow evening

Conversation on ACP’s Mission in Tanzania: 16 January 19h30-21h (fellowship and snacks at 19h) in the 2nd floor Library and on Zoom. Pastor Elizabeth Murray and Mala Moktar, Chair of Mission Engagement Committee will share about their recent mission trip to Tanzania and how we can help make a difference in the lives of the young girls there. A freewill offering will be collected for this mission. Register at acparis.org/hope-girls-women.

Memorial Service - Saturday afternoon

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime ACP member, Mr. Tom Johnson. You are invited to join us as we celebrate his life in a service on Saturday 18 January at 14h. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Johnson's wishes were that donations be given to the 100NOW refugee shelter ministry. Please send your gifts to: acparis.org/tomjohnson.

This Sunday

Scripture Readings
- Matthew 6:19-24
- Psalm 1
Atelier Nouveau Concert: 17h30: At the Movies with tenor, Pablo Veguilla and pianist, Soraya Verdier. Free entry with donation.

Dr. Tony Leach
We mourn the loss of Dr. Tony Leach along with the Penn State community in the United States. Dr. Leach was our Artist in residence in the summer of 2023 and blessed us so generously with his outstanding musicianship and unique humor, and hospitality. If you would like to honor Dr. Leach, please consider contributing to the:

Anthony T. Leach and Neal S. Holter Endowment for Essence of Joy and the African American Music Festival in the School of Music. You can give online or mail a check, payable to “Penn State- Leach Endowment,” to Donor and Member Services, 329 Innovation Blvd, Suite 311, State College, PA 16803. Include “In memory of Tony Leach” in the memo line.

More about Tony here.

Council Member suggestions
Are you being called, or do you know people who could serve on Council at ACP? The ACP Council comprises leaders from our church family who work and pray together, in conjunction with the Pastors, to share information and make decisions on the direction and activities of the church. The ACP Nominating Committee prayerfully discerns and nominates these leaders, to be voted on by the congregation, to ensure the smooth running of the church. We would love to hear your suggestions concerning someone from our congregation who could be a great fit for the Council. Please send your suggestions to nominating@acparis.org or complete the forms found at the Welcome Table in the Theater during coffee hour after services.

Children's and Youth Choirs, new Sunday rehearsals
The Children's Choir will be having rehearsals on Sundays in January and February, in addition to its current Wednesday rehearsals. All kids 3-12 and youth are welcome. If you would like your child or youth to participate in these new choir opportunities, please contact Sara Barton, Youth Music Director, at ymusic@acparis.org.

Please Support the ACP

Mark Your Calendar

Prayer Workshop: Thursday 23 January 19h30-21h in the Thurber Room, light meal at 19h. Jörg Kaldewey will be leading this interactive session on contemplative prayer. All are welcome. Please register at acparis.org/prayer-workshops. Suggested freewill offering [€5] at the door is welcome! A repeat of this workshop will be held on Sunday 26 January 12h15 in the Senior Pastor's Office.

‘Beloved’ by ACP Creatives Album Release Party: Friday 24 January 19h30. Come hear and celebrate our new recording written by and for our ACP community and produced by Jonathan Seale! We’ll worship together in the sanctuary with a reception to follow in the Theater.

Parent Support Group Meeting: Sunday 26 January 12h15 in classroom G5; childcare available in classroom G7. Pastor Allison Wheeler will be leading a conversation on faith and family. Come and connect with other parents in a safe space. Light snacks and childcare provided. Join the Parent Support Group.

Adult Choir Open House: Saturday, 1 February 9h30-14h. Come explore singing with our adult choir! Beginning with coffee and pastries and ending with lunch together, we’ll work on lots of music for the coming season! RSVP by 30 January at acparis.org/openhouse.

Special Guest Choir: 2 February at the 11h service. You won’t want to miss ARISE (African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble) choir from Whichita, Kansas, USA! They will bring the gift of African American spirituals to ACP worship as we begin U.S. Black History Month.

Exploring Membership: 9 February 12h30 in the Senior Pastor’s office. Interested in learning more about ACP: who we are and what we believe? We would love for you to join our membership inquiry class! Register at: acparis.org/signups.

Atelier Nouveau Concerts: Free entry with donation.

Sunday 16 February, 17h30 Pianist Oliver Hak, 14 year old winner of the Concours Internationale du Piano d’Ile de France.

2024 Tax Receipt information
Did you give to ACP in 2024 via credit or bank card on our electronic devices during worship? To receive a tax receipt for these donations, please send a list of the donations and the last 4 digits of your card to the accounting department at acctg@acparis.org.

Were you a new ACP donor in 2024 and gave by wire transfer? To receive a tax receipt for these donations, please send an email to the accounting department at acctg@acparis.org and complete your giving file by providing your name and mailing address.

Previous Weeks' Sermons

In case you missed it, Sermon - 12 January 2025 - Local Gardening. Sermons are available at acparis.org/sermons. Other previous worship livestreams are available on YouTube.

ACP's services are available with subtitles in English and other languages, beginning on Tuesdays, on ACP’s YouTube channel youtube.com/c/TheAmericanChurchinParis. Click the CC button on the video to enable closed-captioning and translations.

Announcements & Opportunities to Serve

In need of prayer? If you are in need of prayer, a lay caregiver is available in the chapel on Sundays to pray with you. If you would like members of the lay care ministry team, members of the prayer chain, and the pastoral team to uphold you in prayer, you may contact us at acparis.org/prayers.

Nursery Volunteers: We need many new volunteers to welcome children (ages 0-2) in our nursery at both the 11h and 14h services! Without volunteers, we don’t have a nursery. If you would like to serve, contact Oshi Peiris at nursery@acparis.org.

Sandwich Ministry: You can be a part of this team at ACP, which usually gathers on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month (every Thursday beginning in February 2025), 17h-18h to help make over one hundred sandwiches for Serve the City. All materials are provided. Join at acparis.org/sandwich.

Food Box: In order to best serve our neighbors who seek help from our church, you are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to place in the box (located in reception). The box is open to anyone who is in need of food and additional supplies go to Serve the City-Paris.

Ushers and Greeters needed: It takes a team of volunteers to welcome our Sunday attendees with love, and help them feel connected and ready to worship together. Join the team at acparis.org/welcome-ushering.

Join the Adult Choir! All voices are welcome as we lead music every Sunday at 11h with traditional anthems, spirituals, gospel, world music, and more! Regular rehearsals are on Wednesdays 19h30-20h45h in the Theater and Sundays 9h45-10h30. Contact Natalie McConnell at cmusic@acparis.org.

Join the Bell Choir! Rehearsals are on Thursdays 19h-20h30 in the Theater. Director: Mathilde Duriez; Contact Natalie McConnell at cmusic@acparis.org.

Audio Visual Ministry: If you’d like to be a part of our worship tech and A/V team for both Sunday services, we welcome your help. Contact: cmusic@acparis.org.