Aldersgate Advocate
Beside the Alabaster Jar
Dear friends,
My travels this
summer have given me a new appreciation for this wondrous creation and world
that God has entrusted to our care. And
what a beautiful world we are graced to live in! I had the pleasure of visiting another part
of this world in July and August as I traveled to
The
Just north of
Following our week
in
A significant visit
from our first day was to a church designed by Michelangelo just a few blocks
from our hotel. This renaissance
basilica was built utilizing the ruins of the public baths of Diocletian, one
of the Roman emperors who persecuted Christians in the early church. Michelangelo and the others who built this
sanctuary redeemed, made new, the site of these baths, whose construction
resulted in the death of many Christians.
A contemporary
addition to
Rather than analyze
the image, please allow me to just offer it and let it speak for itself.
Grace and peace,
Sharon Jones
We
Worship Together…
Worship
News
By Rev. Sharon Jones
During the summer
months, I’ve been thinking about worship and its central role in the community
of Christ. Worship is the defining
experience of the Christian community.
Once a week we gather to praise God, to strengthen relationships with
each other, and to learn and grow together.
It is through worship that we build community and strengthen our
relationship with God.
In the very busy
lives that we lead it is sometimes hard to find time for relationship building
with God and with each other. Yet, as
our lives run their course, careers ebbing and flowing, children growing and
maturing, parents needing more care and eventually passing, it is those
relationships which provide meaning and purpose.
Many of you through
your involvement at Aldersgate have built those kinds of relationships. We have come to know the value of being part
of a faith community. During our “Share
the Vision” emphasis, beginning on Sept. 30th and culminating on
Nov. 4th, it is my hope that we will reach out to others, perhaps a
neighbor, a friend, a relative, an acquaintance, or even a stranger to invite
them to worship and into this community of faith. Let’s share the vision.
Fall is a time of
harvest and a reminder of the bounty of the gift of life that God has given to
all people. Many in our community do not
name life as a gift from God. On September
2nd, we will explore the community we share in Christ as we consider
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16. On September 9th,
we have Rally Day inviting everyone to worship and study together. On Sept. 16th, we will focus on
Luke 15:1-7, the parable of the Lost Sheep,
and I will share more about my visit to the home of St. Francis of
On Sept. 30th,
we kick-off “Share the Vision,” a worship emphasis for the fall season. Look for special opportunities during this
time, including music, drama, and fellowship activities. I look froward to worshiping with you this fall.
Scripture
September 2 September 9 September 16
Psalm
81:1, 10-16 Psalm
139:1-6, 13-18 Psalm 14
Jeremiah
2:4-16 Jeremiah
18:1-11 Jeremiah 4:11-12,
22-28
Hebrews 13:1-8,
15-16 Philemon 1-21 1 Timothy
Luke 14:1, 7-14 Luke 14:25-33 Luke 15:1-10
September
23 September
30 October 7
Psalm 79:1-9 or
Psalm 4 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16 Psalm 137
Jeremiah
1 Timothy 2:1-7 1 Timothy 6:6-19 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Luke 16:1-13 Luke 16:19-31 Luke
17:5-10
October 14 October 21 October
28
Psalm 66:1-12 Psalm
119:97-104/Psalm 19 Psalm 65
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Joel 2:23-32
2
Timothy 2:8-15 2
Timothy
Luke 17:11-19 Luke 18:1-8 Luke 18:9-14
We
Pray for One Another…
Please
continue to pray for Pat, Walt, Sarah, Dave, Cindy, for all our young people
beginning or returning to schools and colleges – and pray that we may continue
to be a beacon of light and hope to our church family, our communities, and the
world.
Our
Prayer Gathering will meet on Tuesday evenings at
Aldersgate Happenings
This is our
Vision:
A beacon of
God’s love radiating faith, hope, and joy….everywhere!
We ask you to “share the vision” as we
focus on a different aspect of
sharing our vision throughout the fall
during our worship services.
September 30 God Richly Provides
October 7 Rekindle the Gift of God’s Faith (World Communion
Sunday)
October 14 Festival of Faith-Harvest (Welcome Home Sunday)
October 21 Persistence in Prayer and Practice (Laity Sunday)
October 28 Visions of the Saints
November 4 Faith Growing
Abundantly
Beginning
on Sunday, September 30 and continuing through November 4, please prayerfully
consider making a personal commitment to attend worship for all six
Sundays. Debbie
We Study Together…
Once a Month – at
Ginny Sargent’s home, the Women’s
Ministry is offering a new Bible study experience and you are invited. The book is “Having a Mary Spirit”, by Joanna
Weaver who also wrote “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.” This is a new group and they will meet the
last Thursday of each month for dinner at 6:30 PM and the study will begin at
7:30 PM Come and be introduced to this
study that is fun and spiritual. Please
contact Ginny if you are able to participate!
The Aldersgate Book Club is meeting on September 4 beginning
with dinner at Luigi’s at
The Thursday Morning Bible Study will begin meeting on Thursday,
September 13 at
The Sunday Morning Adult Study Groups will meet at
The School of Christian Mission will be held at
Early
Bird Bible Study
If you have been
thinking of participating in Early Bird Bible Study, let this be the year that
you set your alarm to go off a little earlier on Tuesday mornings. Start your
day on September 18th with
fellowship, prayer, Bible application and just a closer walk with God. If not
now, then when? If not you, then who?
Early Bird Bible
Study is held on Tuesday mornings in the Concord Room,
The first several
months will be devoted to exploring two themes. The first comes from Psalm 37,
a wisdom psalm. We will examine that passage of Scripture as we seek to answer
the question, “What Does It Profit a Person to Follow God?”
The question is not
new as it bothered the ancient Hebrews as well. So let’s delve into God’s Word
and seek an answer to this question.
When we have
sufficiently exhausted ourselves in answering that question, the group will
then focus on God’s care for us. We will look at this through “The Personal
Concern of Jesus for Individuals.”
Jesus continually showed
interest for particular individuals while living among us on earth. We will
read for understanding and life application lessons, the encounters Jesus had
with:
o
The Sinful
Woman of
o
The
o
The Wild Man
of Gardara – Mark 5:1-20
o
The
Aldulteress – John 8:1-11
o
A Man Born
Blind – John 9:1-41
o
An Inquiring
Lawyer – Luke 10:25-37
o
The Rich
Young Ruler – Mark
o
Bartimaeus –
Mark 10:46-52
So make this the
year you become part of the Early Bird Bible Study. Grab your coffee or tea.
Stop by on the way to work or just get up and start your Tuesday reading the
Scripture with friends and understanding its life application. If you cannot make it, pray for those who do
as we are praying for you.
Be blessed. Charles
At Rolling Ridge
There
are many opportunities at Rolling Ridge
this fall…You can go online at www.rollingridge.org
to see the varied programs and speakers at the Ridge. On
September 25, Rev. Dr. Wanda Shahl will be presenting Nurturing Spirituality in a 24/7 World. The program will begin at
We have fun together…
The Mighty Men of Aldersgate will continue to meet for their
monthly breakfast the first Saturday of the month (most months). The breakfast
is a time of fellowship, devotion, and planning. All men of the church
(eighteen and older) are invited to be a part of this fellowship.
It has been nearly a
year since the men have been meeting for breakfast. During that year they have
undertaken several projects around the church such as the painting of the
church offices; the resealing and striping of the parking lot; softball with
the youth; serving a meal at Elliott church; and more.
In the coming months
the men will again render service at church and in the community. Some
activities already on planned or being considered included serving a meal
(October) and sorting can good at the Boston Food Bank.
Come out and be a
part of the men’s fellowship. It is a fun way to begin a Saturday morning. It
is also a way to develop your culinary skills for those so inclined. The
breakfast meeting is normally the first Sunday of the month at the church from
Pie Festival on
Oct. 14th
As part of our “Share
the Vision” emphasis this fall, we are holding a Pie Festival on Welcome Home
Harvest
Is there anyone out
there who would be willing to make two pies for your church, one for the judging
and a second at a later date for the auction?
If you are willing to bake and/or you have a prize winning pie flavor,
please speak to Pat or Sharon to let them know.
Also, if you are willing to help with set-up or clean-up, or if you want
to be a judge, please get in touch as well.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry will now meet on Wednesday
afternoons from
We
Celebrate Together… Jonathan
Sanborn celebrated his first birthday on August 1! We missed his special day; if we have missed
yours, please let us know. Happy Birthday
to our September and October birthday Aldersgate family members!
Grandparent’s
Joy
New grandchildren – The Newills’ are celebrating the birth
of Fisher Thomas, who arrived on July 26th. Fisher weighed 8 lbs and 2 oz and 20 inches
long. Congratulations to the Curt and
Sherry and to the rest of the family. Congratulations
to Betsy who welcomed Christopher
Arnold – Betsy’s first grandson! Christopher was born on July 14, weighing 7
lbs and 11 oz. Christopher has a big sister and his mom and dad to welcome him!
May God’s love surround you with peace and
joy on your special day and throughout the years ahead!
We
Share Together…..
…..is a Way of Life!
John Wesley, the
founder of Methodism, summarized his stewardship guidance with this poem.
Earn all you can,
Save all you can,
Give all you can.
Aldersgate UMC
launches an exciting new adventure in the spiritual practices of personal and
congregational stewardship this fall. We invite you to join us as we transform
our fall pledge campaign into a dialogue about personal and congregational
stewardship as we manage our resources, celebrate and grow our ministries and
praise God for all our blessings!
Well done, thou good and
faithful servants!
Aldersgate UMC is
richly blessed with financial support enabling us to sustain our ministry, to
meet our obligations and to continue improvements such as the front sign and
parking lot upgrades and a new organ. Your generosity and commitments are
vitally important and made it possible to pay off the church mortgage and
repair the floor tiles this year! (Still
have $130,000 to go on the parsonage mortgage!)
Most importantly, ongoing mission giving, such as the weekly Change for
Change offering continues to strengthen our service to others (over $300 to
date in 2007!).
Change
is good!
Building on the past
success of our small group experiences, and with your commitment to continue
supporting the church at current levels, the 2008 budget will be created
without the traditional fall stewardship campaign! Instead, we invite you to be part of an
exciting small group experience to deepen our relationships with God and each
other through the ministries of AUMC as we continue to grow together. More information will follow about the small
groups and opportunities to explore how stewardship is not just about money but
rather a way of life that puts us in partnership with God and creation.
STEP ONE
On
STEP TWO
Ministry areas will draft budget
proposals with two categories, one for continuing current ministry and a second
that identifies new projects or ministries.
With sufficient input and confidence in continued giving levels, this “continuation”
level of ministry can expect to be funded.
The second category will represent visions and growth strategies for
ministry areas.
STEP THREE
During the coming year, small group
dialogues and stewardship exploration deepens our understanding of personal and
congregational stewardship. Small groups
will learn together, witness and support each other and celebrate the spiritual
journey of fellowship, membership and commitment. Please join in when your invitation arrives!
Continue to Save your stamps for our
stamp lady! Please continue to save your stamps –
the box is on the table outside the church office. This is a continuing project – everyone can
help participate! Please be sure to
leave at least an inch around the stamp. Thank you,
Needed – AUMC Food Pantry Items
Our
We Share Our Joy!
Plans for Aldersgate’s Holiday Faire
and Festival on November 30 and
In these delightful end of summer days,
winter festivities seem months away, but it is time to share ideas, create
offerings of crafts and holiday gifts or to recruit a friend to work an area
with you during the Faire!
Highlights of the Faire include Glad Tiding Greens (Carmen Umana
667-3419 and Deb Benson 663-8001), Kringle’s
Kitchen (Deana Peterson 256-3788), Country
Store and Bakery (Pastor
Our wreaths usually sell out and
volunteers are needed to make picks and bows in preparation for the wreath and
greens creations on November 25-27.
Greens are collected from homes (pruning by AUMC elves!) on November
23-24th. Ho Ho Ho! Contact Bonnie through the church office for
additional information. Thanks!
Our Building is where we gather…
You should be aware
that the church was broken into Sunday night. Fortunately not much except some
gift checks, stamps, and a little change was taken. The police have stated that
they think it is someone on a bike or walking since they don't take anything
they can't put in their pockets. They hit St Mary's collection boxes a
couple of days ago.
They apparently got
in through the double doors in the back. I had repaired them on Thursday
night because Henry had called me to say the left one wouldn't lock. The
top pin is missing but I got the bottom pin to work properly and it was secure
on Thursday evening. Unfortunately someone must have opened it after that and
didn't get the pin in the hole because when the policeman checked this morning
they both swung open.
The thieves then
broke into the Church Office,
CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS
