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

www.Aldersgate-Church.org                                                                  January 28, 2016
Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA  98006
(425) 746-9800
News Links
Email Links
Lead Pastor

Church Office

Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care & Counseling
Rev. Laura Wall

Children & Family Ministry

Youth Ministry

Preschool Director

Music Director, 1st Service

Music Director, 2nd Service

Core Leaders, Chair
Calendar
Calendar
 
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Feb 2
Young at Heart Potluck
Feb 4
Easter Planning Meeting
Feb 6
Preschool Open House
Feb 8
Common Table
Feb 10
Ash Wednesday Service
Feb 15
Presidents' Day
Office Closed
Feb 17
Lenten Study
Feb 19-21
Youth CONVO
Feb 22
March Calendar Due
Feb 24
Lenten Study
Feb 26
Family Fun Night
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Mar 2
Lenten Study
Mar 9
Lenten Study
Mar 13
Daylight Savings Time 
Mar 16
Lenten Study
Mar 18-20
Youth SUMYT Retreat
Mar 21
April Calendar Due
Mar 24
Maundy Thurs Service
Mar 25
Good Friday Service
Preschool Closed
Mar 26
Easter Egg-stravaganza
Flashlight Egg Hunt
Mar 27
Easter Sunday
Egg Hunt
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)

Staff Relations (Jan)

Finance (Jan)

Trustees (Dec)

Lay Leadership (Nov)

Preschool (Nov)

Worship (Oct)

Outreach (Oct)

  

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

 

For an explanation of the Core Leadership Team and a description of the Aldersgate Common Table, CLICK HERE.

Feed Your Soul
See today's devotional from the Upper Room.   CLICK HERE

To the Aldersgate community:

I have never felt so lifted in prayer and surrounded by the love embodied in Christ as I felt during the recent weeks I spent "heads-down" preparing my materials for the Provisional retreat. Your prayers for me were palpable and grace-filled and so loving and encouraging. I am deeply grateful and wanted you all to know that. Thank you! And know, of course, that I pray for you as well. It's one of our best things, here at Aldersgate. 

Love,   Laura 
 
Art from the Preschool Children



Series
"Jesus Throughout History"
 
Sermon
"Jesus, the Children, 
and Us"

Scripture
 Mark 10:13-16






This Sunday
This Sunday we celebrate our preschool and the 153 children who attend.  We celebrate their families.  We celebrate the teachers and staff.   This week we take a few moments to celebrate and recognize the largest ministry offered by this church, Aldersgate Christian Preschool.   Just a quick reminder that the Aldersgate Christian Preschool is a part of the Christian Education program of the church.  It is a part of the outreach ministry we offer to the greater community.  I can't even begin to share how often in my travels around the community I hear that someone has attended our preschool, taken their children to the preschool, worked at the preschool or, at the very least, certainly knows about it.  For a long time I kept saying that we needed to build bridges between the church and the preschool, between the upstairs and the downstairs.  That was incorrect.  There is no gap other than two stairways.  And those are not gaps.  They are entry ways.  What lays between us is simply the need to get to know each other, and build relationships throughout the church.  The children of the preschool are no less our responsibility than the children in Sunday School.  What an amazing opportunity it is for all of us to meet, greet, and get together to grow in faith, love, health and service.  So come this Sunday, and let's welcome another part of the Aldersgate family.  To prepare please bring a child-like heart and read Mark 10: 13 - 16
Pastor's Blog
Rev. Brad P. Beeman. 

It is with sadness that I let everyone know that Nick Lassanen will be leaving us as Youth Director and First Service Worship Leader.  I want to encourage you to CLICK HERE to read his letter to the Staff Parish Relations Committee.   It is beautifully written and filled with love and appreciation. 

The overall purpose of his departure has everything to do with wanting to worship with Manny.  They are now married and feel a deep longing to worship together as husband and wife. 

 I also wanted to let you know that there is not only a plan in place for each of his roles, but some shifts in leadership have already begun.  Roger Ingalls is taking on the role of 1st Service Worship leader and it's a joy to have him serving now in a part time staff position.  In addition, I'm stepping into a significant and primary part of the youth program with some help from Jen Hoerber.  

We met with Nick yesterday and walked through key pieces with him   I believe this to now be among the highest priorities in the church.  As I've often stated we need a continuum of programs beginning at birth and moving through every age.  With Nick's departure, the youth ministry piece needs attention.  I've shared my hopes with Staff Parish and with the Core Leadership Team and have support, as long as I'm willing to give up a few other things.  I did professional youth ministry for eleven years and am excited about continuing to build a program for those youth who are here, and those yet to find us.  My hope is to build a solid foundation that can be turned over to a new youth person by fall 2016. Our dream is to have three groups and maybe four; a 4th-5th grade group that meets at least once a month, a middle school group, and a high school group that meet weekly.  There is also talk about the development of a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group here.  

We will be forming a search committee soon to examine next steps. If you are interested in being a part of that please let me know.  In the mean time please pray for Nick and Manny, for the youth already involved and for the future of youth ministry at Aldersgate.    

Thank You!  Brad

Ministry News
 
Common Table 
February 8 
The next Aldersgate Common Table will be held on Monday, Feb. 8. at 6:30pm in room 24.  This is the place to raise new ideas for the church and to hear what is happening on the ministry teams.  If you have an idea for a project, program, event or fundraising activity to be presented and discussed at the Common Table, complete this ACT Proposal form and turn it into the church office by Feb 1.  Due to the kitchen renovation, NO dinner will be provided.  Childcare is available if you sign up for it on Sunday's attendance form.

Safety Officer Needed
Lay Leadership is seeking a volunteer to fill the position of Safety Officer for our church.  The main responsibility is to assure that all children and other vulnerable persons are protected.  This includes maintaining background checks on all people working with children in any capacity and being a resource for any concerns regarding a safe church.  If you are interested or require more information, please contact Rick Wilson.

Activity Display for Children and Youth
Parents!  What are your kid's up to?  Will they be in a school play? Is a big game coming up?  Are they having a music recital?  Did they earn an award?  We would like to highlight their activities and achievements in a new display.  It will only be displayed at church (not online) and dates and places will not be shared unless given permission.  If you have a flyer or picture you want to share, even better.  Send you child's information to Jen Hoerber via email or put it in her church mailbox.
Preschool Sunday
January 31
We are celebrating the preschool as an extension of the Christian education program here at Aldersgate during both worship services on January 31.  We have invited all of the preschool staff and current preschool families to join us on this special celebration Sunday.  We will recognize the preschool teachers, staff, and board of directors, honor current and alumni families, have a special Children's Time with Pastor Brad, and the preschool Sunday school class will have a fun art project.  If you are a church member who attended or had children who attended preschool at ACP, please send Jen Hoerber the names and dates, if possible, as we are trying to compile a list.

Preschool Open House
February 6
Preschool Registration has begun for the 2016-2017 school year.  There will be a  preschool open house on February 6th from 9:30-11:30am where families can visit the school and see what Aldersgate Christian Preschool is all about.  If you know of anyone who is looking for a preschool, please invite them.  Contact  Dorothy Beeman if you would like additional information. 

New Church Directory
The 2016 church directory is complete.  Go paperless and access it from the church website by going to http://www.aldersgate-church.org/about , clicking on the church directory link, and using the password beloved .  For those without computer access, paper copies can be found on the desk in the narthex.  Please take a minute to check your entry in the directory and make sure the contact information is correct.  The church directory is updated all year long so, if your contact information changes or you'd like to include a new picture, please contact the church office.  Also, as long as your email address is listed in the church directory, you can view the directory from your iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle Fire by downloading the free Instant Church Directory Members App.  Use the link: http://www.instantchurchdirectory.com/app

Resource Library
Click here to see which books the library has available from the Jesus Bible Study class' bibliography.  In addition, a recent inventory revealed that a dozen books are missing from the library.  Have you seen any of them?   Click here for the missing book list.  If found, place them in the basket located above the library laptop computer.   When you borrow an item from the library, please remember to fill out its checkout card and place it in the black mesh box located on the mobile cart.

UMW Special Mission Award  
Consider nominating someone for the United Methodist Women 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 the United Methodist Women and their mission projects. Nomination forms are found on the desk in the narthex.   If you would like to nominate someone please complete the form and return to Jean Harris in her church mailbox by  February 7, 2016.
Fun Events

Young at Heart Potluck
Tuesday, February 2
The dinner must go on, and it will --- down in Smith Hall!  The next YAHs potluck is Tuesday, February 2 at 6:00pm.  We welcome all retired folks or "wannabees."  The food is delicious, the company is fun and welcoming, and the program will be provided by Renee Kroese as she shares about her life during World War II.  Please sign up if you have never attended before and someone will contact you about the food.  For more information contact Mary Atkins.

Family Fun Night
Save the date!  FAMILY FUN NIGHT is coming on February 26th.  
Friends, Games, Music, and Food = FUN!

Easter Egg Activities
I see an Easter Egg or two,  or hundreds in Aldersgate future!  On Saturday, March 26, we will have an Egg-stravaganza Community Easter Event in the morning and a Tween Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt in the evening.  On Easter Sunday, March 27, there is an Easter Kid's Club followed with an Easter Egg Hunt. Please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or email Jean Hoerber, if you can help with any of these activities. We need volunteers to help plan the activities, volunteers to assist at the activities, donations of plastic eggs and wrapped candy or small toys, and help filling the eggs. Please come to the planning meeting on Thursday, February 4 at 7:00pm. 

Vacation Bible School
Mark Your Calendars!!!  Aldersgate VBS 2016 will be held the week of July 25th!  Lots  mor e information to come and opportunities to volunteer will be popping up soon!

Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)
All youth from 6th-12th grade are welcome.  If you have any questions about the youth ministry, contact Pastor Brad.  Here are some upcoming events:

Compassion Event  January 31,  2:30pm  ~  7:00pm  
Most of you have heard about the Syrian Refugee kits that our church has been putting together. To answer the question of "why put these kits together,"  Compassion International, a child sponsor program, is putting on an event in Snohomish, where you get to experience a story of someone who lives in another country, in conditions harsher than our own. It'll help us understand why it is important we put together things like the Syrian Refugee Kits. We'll carpool up Sunday  afternoon, do the exhibit, then go to dinner all together and discuss what we experienced in the exhibit. If you are interested in going, please contact Nick Laasanen.

Youth - Let's go to SUMYT  March 18-20
This is  a very popular and wonderful retreat and we would like to see a group from Aldersgate attend.  We already have a couple kids signed up.  The church is going to cover 1/2 of the registration fee, so when registering please select pay at the door and turn your check for $60 or $70 (if ordering a T-Shirt) into  Jen Hoerber   and the church will write one check for all of our students. CLICK HERE to register.  We are looking for chaperones as well.  If interested, please see Jen ASAP.  Patty Ferguson is on the planning committee for this retreat and would be happy to answer questions as well.  
 
The SUMYT theme this year is "Not All Who Wander Are Lost." Have you ever felt like you were on the outside looking in?  Ever felt like everyone around you knows where they're going and you can't even find a map to get started?  You're not alone.  Faith is a journey full of twists turns and adventures.  Come and gather with youth from around the conference for a weekend of exploring the benefits of wandering and continuing on your faith journey.  Kristen "Moonie" Moon will be our guide as we explore what it means to walk in faith on our own and as part of a community
Outreach & Missions World
 
Souper Bowl Sunday
So the Seahawks did not make it to the Super Bowl but we can still make it a Super Souper Bowl Sunday!   Bring cans of soup to church this Sunday and on February 7th.  A collection table will be set up in the Narthex.  All soup donated will be given to the food bank at Hopelink. 

Crossroads Dinner Update
On January 26 we fed 56 people at the temporary Salvation Army location at the Overlake Park Presbyterian church. This the most people at the new location.  We tend to feed more people than usual because we serve an excellent meal.  We served all the food we brought with us to the hungry crowd.  
Thank.all who donated food and helped serve.  Know it was very appreciated by those we served.
 
Lazy F  Family Mission Trip
Save the dates May 27-29 for the Aldersgate Family Mission Trip to Lazy F.  The weekend will include tasks for children and adults of all ages.  Last year Aldersgate remodeled two cabins, weeded, planted flowers, built covered firewood storage and a GaGa Ball court, and served at the clothing bank at the Ellensburg United Methodist Church.  Lazy F is excited to have us return.  Lazy F Is a United Methodist Camp that provides camping and retreat experiences for all ages as well as being the location of Operation Purple, a camp where military kids get to go to camp for free and learn that it "rocks" to be a military kid!  Last year we had preschoolers through retirees all working together.  The evening events include a campfire with s'mores, board games and a chance to relax in a beautiful location.   Save the date and plan to have a wonderful weekend of work and fellowship.  Registration details will posted soon.
Pray
Prayer List   

People Who Mourn
*Steve Schultz's father, Richard, died in a bike accident. Please pray for Steve,
      Adrienne, their sons Garrett & Kiefer, and the rest of their family.
*Kathy Maybee's sister-in-law Hannelore passed away.  Please pray for her  
     brother Dave   and his family.
*Former member Martie Hoadley's sister Meg passed away.  Please pray for Martie
     and the rest of Meg's family

People with Health Concerns
*Robert Brawn
*Kathy Maybee's daughter Jennifer's friend Kim and her family
*Dan Flahiff's father
*Marvin & Norma Bush's son-in-law Greg
*Carol Cubilie's son Tim
*Cindy Wheeler
*Betty Fredeen

Additional Prayers 
*Missionary Katherine Parker
*Nita & Zane Daniel
*Jeff & Cindy Wheeler
*Karin Halley's children Kari and Aaron
   
Submit prayer requests to Dorothy Bennett, the Prayer Chain Coordinator, or fill out a pew prayer card or contact the church office.  Prayer requests will  stay on the Prayer Chain for about 3 weeks.  Please contact Dorothy or the church office with an update if you want the request to be prayed for longer.  
All prayer requests will appear in the church newsletters unless you specifically request otherwise.