Aldersgate United Methodist Church
A vibrant and inclusive Christian community 
growing in faith, love, health and service

www.Aldersgate-Church.org                                                                 February 2, 2017
Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA  98006
(425) 746-9800
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Lead Pastor

Church Office

Children, Youth, Family

Preschool Director

Band Director 

Choir Director

Handbells Director

Core Leaders
Calendar
Calendar
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Feb 11
Preschool Open House
Spiritual Gifts Workshop
Feb 12
Dinner & Club 345
Dinner & Youth Group
Feb 20
Holiday - Office Closed
Feb 21
March Calendar Due
Feb 25
Family Bingo Fun
Feb 26
Camp Sunday
One Service at 10:00am
Taco Bar
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March 1
Ash Wednesday Service
March 11
Time Changes Tonight
March 12
Dinner & Club 345
Dinner & Youth Group
March 17-19
Youth SUMYT Retreat
March 20
April Calendar Deadline
March 21-30
Holy Land Trip
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April 4
Young at Heart Potluck
April 9
Palm Sunday
Dinner & Club 345
Dinner & Youth Group
April 13
Maundy Thursday
April 14
Good Friday
April 15
Egg-Stravaganza
Flashlight Egg Hunt
April 16
Easter Sunday
Egg Hunt
April 23
Mission Sunday
One Service 10:00am
April 24
UMW Salad Supper
April 30
Mission Sunday Revisited
One Service 10:00am
Coffee
Church Leadership
Click these links to read the minutes of the Core Leadership Team and the monthly minutes of the Ministry Teams.
Core Leaders (Jan)
Trustees (Jan)
Finance (Jan)
Staff Relations  (Dec)
Preschool  (Sept)
Lay Leadership (Sept)
Outreach (Sept)
Worship  (April)

To bring a project, program or fundraiser idea to the Aldersgate Common Table for consideration, please fill out the  ACT PROPOSAL FORM   
 

Sermon
"Better Together"

Sermon
"Making Real Connections
in a Virtual World"

Scripture 
John 9:1-12


We 're all blind to things..all of us.  But Jesus utilizes those kinds of things to teach us life lessons.  In the story in John's gospel, Jesus notices a blind man.  The disciples notice that Jesus notices the blind man.  Wanting to sound intelligent they ask what they believe to be an obvious question.  Who sinned to cause the blindness?   But like he did so often before Jesus basically says, "You've heard it said... but now I tell you."  No one sinned.  This man was simply born blind.  And as we'll find out in a few minutes, the story goes on to point out again, that many of us are blind; blinded by attitudes, by experiences, by believing we're right and therefore others are wrong.  Sometimes we believe we're all powerful, or all knowing, or...and the list goes on. There are many kinds of things that blind us, and so it was in the days of Jesus.  But blindness, according to Jesus, can be overcome, at least some types. It takes the actions of this savior to help us understand what it takes to be helped, and maybe even healed.   To prepare please read from John's gospel, chapter 9 and verses 1 - 12.  
Ministry News
  
2016 Contribution Statements
Year-end contribution statements for 2016 were sent out on January 25 via e-mail for those of you who have their e-mail address in our church database.  When you check your e-mail account, look for the sender LogosCMS.  If we do not have your e-mail address in our database, then your contribution statement was sent out by USPS mail on January 30.  If you have questions about your statement, please contact Linda Reichenbach.

Preschool Open House
Saturday, February 11
Aldersgate Christian Preschool is having its annual Open House on Saturday, February 11 from 9:30-11:30am.  This is an opportunity for parents and children to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and ask questions.  There will be activities for children and refreshments will be served.  This event is for anyone interested in enrolling their child (2 - 5 years of age) in preschool for the 2017-2018 school year which begins in September.  

Connections Counseling Update
The Connections Counseling Board of Directors met on February 2, 2017. Click here to see the meeting minutes. An eNewsletter from Connections Counseling will be sent out soon.

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts
A UMC Lay Servant Ministries Workshop
Saturday, February 11, 9:00am-5:00pm
What is God's will and purpose for my life?  How can I serve God most effectively through the ministries of my congregation?   Join us in supportive community to discover your unique spiritual gifts and how they may be used to further God's plan for your life in the church and beyond.
WHEN:  Saturday, February 11, 9:00am-5:00pm
WHERE:  Aldersgate United Methodist Church
COST:  $30.00 which includes the class, book, lunch, snacks
DEADLINE:   Register TODAY (Thursday) by emailing Joan Holms at [email protected] or calling 206-498-3689.

Office Closed February 20
Due to the Presidents' Day holiday, the church office will be closed on February 20.

Nominations for Special Mission Award
The United Methodist Women (UMW) of Aldersgate are requesting nominations for the Special Mission Award.  Any person in the church is eligible for this award based on service to the church and the community, but special attention is given to those who participate in or support UMW and their mission projects.  If you would like to nominate someone, please complete a nomination form.  Forms are located on the big desk in the narthex or on the UMW bulletin board (by the restrooms).  Completed nomination forms need to be returned to Kathy Maybee's church mailbox by February 28th.

Ash Wednesday Service  
March 1 @ 7:00pm
Please join us for the Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, March 1 at 7:00pm.  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent.  Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter with a period of inward reflection, and some of the monastic spiritual disciplines such as fasting, repentance, moderation and silent meditation.  During the Ash Wednesday service, the pastor will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers.  The ash cross on the forehead is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins, and a plea to God for mercy and compassion, pardon and forgiveness.

Easter Celebration Committee
Volunteers are needed to help plan and implement our Easter activities.  We will again have 3 Easter Egg Hunts at Aldersgate.  Our two community events will be held on April 15th. The Egg-stravaganza will be held in the morning and will be geared for young families (preschool - younger elementary) and our Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will be geared towards our older elementary students and youth and held in the evening.  On Easter Sunday we will have a special Easter Kids' Club during the 9:00am service with a egg hunt starting at 10:15am.  If you are interested in helping with any of these activities, please sign up to serve on our Easter Celebration Committee.  A meeting will be scheduled to plan these events in early March.   
 
VBS Volunteers Needed
Have you marked your calendars for Vacation Bible School yet?  Aldersgate VBS is set for July 24th - 27th.  If you are interested in volunteering to be a Station Lead/helper, or a Crew lead/helper,  or to be on the Decorating Committee, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or contact Jen Hoerber as soon as possible.  We will have our first official VBS Planning Meeting in March and it would be great to have all of our key volunteers in place!   

Book Discussion Class
This class has started a new book: "Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love," by William H. Willimon. The class meets Sunday at 10:00am between services in room 22. Everyone is welcome.  Contact  Rich Detering  for more information.

Life Discussion Class
The Life Discussion class meets every Sunday morning at 10:15am between services in room 21.  Each week we discuss a different subject.  Join us and add your opinions, as we use conversation to explore a wide variety of topics, to include current events, moral issues, and theological beliefs. This is a drop in class, so if you are interested, come on in.  Questions can be directed to  Rick Wilson or  Tom Breske.   Upcoming Topics:
Sunday, Feb. 12 - "The Women's March-Why/Why Not"
Sunday, Feb. 19 - "Theological-Rick Wilson leads"
Fun Events
  
Family Fun Bingo Night
Saturday, February 25
Bingo Night will be held on Saturday February 25 from 6:30 - 8:00pm.  Get ready to yell BINGO! at this fun family night at Aldersgate.  There will be several games of Bingo with 'prizes' and some entertainment too.  Everyone will be given two bingo cards at the door.  Please bring a snack to share!    If you would like to donate a prize or two, please drop it in the basket in the narthex before  Feb 23rd .  Sign up on Sunday's attendance form or contact Jen Hoerber if you can help with setup at 5:00pm on Saturday.   We look forward to seeing everyone at this fun event.

Meaningful Movies of the Eastside
Gather with your neighbors for a movie, discussion, and refreshments! St Margaret's Episcopal Church (4228 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue) is hosting monthly films on the 3rd Tuesday of the month starting at 6:30pm.  All are welcome! A $5/person donation is suggested, but no one is turned away. Coffee/tea and snacks are included.  To help plan for refreshments, RSVP to Janet Farness, 425-417-5217.  Upcoming films are:
  •  February 21 - "Celebrate What's Right With the World" - This film shares how looking at the world through a more positive lens has guided one National Geographic photographer in his life and asks us to consider these ideas for our own lives.
  •  March 21 -"Gun Violence in America" - UMC pastor Rev. Dr. Sandy Brown leads a conversation about gun violence using excerpts from the film "Bowling with Columbine," which explores America's culture of fear, bigotry and violence in a nation with widespread gun ownership.
Camp Sunday & Taco Bar Lunch
February 26 
On Camp Sunday, February 26th, there there will be  only one worship service at  10:00am.   We will celebrate the camping ministry and representatives from all four of the United Methodist PNW Camps will be here to share about how this ministry transforms lives.  This will be a very fun festive and meaningful worship service.  

Following the service a 11:30am,  there will be a Taco Bar Luncheon.  Besides an amazing taco lunch and your favorite camp desserts, you will have the opportunity to hear from Aldersgate's campers about their camp experience and learn more about the four camps.  A free will offering will be taken and all funds will be given to the district campership fund so all children and youth have the opportunity to go to camp.   If you will join us for lunch and if you can help prep food Saturday, serving food Sunday or help clean up after lunch, then please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or via the church Facebook page.

Club 345 (3rd, 4th, 5th Grade)
February 12
This fellowship group for kids in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade meets once a month, usually on the second Sunday.  It starts with dinner at 5:00pm, followed by games, crafts, and other fun activities from 6:00-7:30pm.  The next Club 345 is February 12.

Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)
Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm.  All youth from 6th-12th grade are welcome.  If you have questions about the youth program, contact  Jen Hoerber.  Here are some upcoming events:
*Feb. 12 - Dinner, 5:00pm and Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Feb. 19 - No Youth Group
*Feb. 25 - Family Fun Bingo Night
*Feb. 26 - Camp Sunday and Taco Bar Lunch.  Youth Group from 6:00-8:00pm
Mission & Outreach
    
2017 Aldersgate All Church Family Mission Trip to Lazy F
Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28
Save the Date! The Aldersgate All Church Family Mission Trip will be on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26-28 at Lazy F Camp and Retreat Center near Ellensburg, WA. There will be projects for all ages and all abilities. If you are new to the Aldersgate Community or you have been here for 20 years, it is a wonderful way to get to know each other as we work, play and fellowship together. Put the Family Mission Trip on your calendar now to be a part of this special weekend.  If you are interested, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form.  Contact is Colleen Olleman.

Gleaning Volunteers Needed
The Starbucks gleaning project needs a volunteer for the third  Friday  of the month and also for the fifth  Friday  and  Monday of the month , which only comes occasionally. Sign up on Sunday's attendance form. For more information contact Jan Durham.

Crossroads Feeding Program
Please check your schedule to see when you would be able to help serve at the Crossroads dinner on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:00pm or when you can provide food for the dinner  Then sign up to help on Sunday's attendance form or click here to sign-up on-line.  Groups, families, youth - all are welcome to volunteer to serve dinner (7 servers per dinner).  We ask that servers be at least 10 years of age but younger kids can still help.  2017 Dates: February 28, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 22, September 26, October 24, December 26.  Please contact Melinda Lilley if you have any questions. The Crossroads Dinner has returned to the Salvation Army  in a brand new building in the same location as before: 911-164th Avenue NE, Bellevu e.
Prayer Requests Prayer Requests
 
People Who Mourn
*Dave and Kathy Maybee's friend Al passed away

People with Health Concerns
*Cindy Soderberg
*Londa Narmita's co-worker Irina and her sons
*Ruth Carver 
*Neverlyn Lingerfelt's son Joshua, his wife Rachael, and their children
*Betty Fredeen's sister Sue
*Jay, Bill and Patty Ferguson
*Ginny Truscott's sister Mary
*Dick and Myrna Allyn
*Doris Prestwood
*Anne Bennett
*Dave & Kathy Maybee's friend Sharon
*Gwen Pazan's mother Marjorie

Additional Prayers
*Missionary Katherine Parker

To submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain, email Dorothy Bennet t, the Prayer Chain Coordinator.  You can also fill out a pew prayer card on Sunday and put it in the offering plate, or you can contact the church office with your prayer request.   All prayer requests will appear in the church newsletters unless you request otherwise.