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 7
Young at Heart Potluck
Parenting Forum
Feb 11
Preschool Open House
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   
With Appreciation...
Thank you, thank you to all the ladies that have knitted prayer shawls and also many thanks to those people who have donated the yarn so that we could make the shawls.  Your generosity, skill, and willingness to care for others in need are a great contribution to the Prayer Shawl ministry.  
~With Gratitude - Renee
Vacation Bible School
July 24-27
Save the date!  VBS will be held the week of July 24th.  This is for kids age 3 through 5th grade. Everyone older please consider volunteering to help make VBS a big success!  Stay tuned for more information.
 

Sermon
"Better Together"

Sermon
"Making Real Connections
in a Virtual World"

Scripture 
John 9:1-12

---I can still feel the calloused palm of the hand of a man with whom I marched for Civil Rights all the way back in 1964.  I was nine.  

---I can still smell the lavender perfume being worn by a women with whom I was sitting at a rally. 

---I can still hear the deep sobs of a Latino mom as she sat in the front row of her daughter's memorial service. 

---I can still hear the rants of hate and bigotry at a City Council meeting, and sensed the fear of others in the room. 

---I can still smell the odors of human waste when I dropped off Christmas presents to the four families who were living in a chicken coop.  

---I can still hear the overwhelming laughter of our preschool children as we sang "God is So Good" together.  

It's one thing to watch things like these in the comfort of a living room or family room.  There is a natural ability to become separate when it's on a video screen, and I mean any sized screen.  There is something that happens to us, deep within us, when we physically engage in things that change lives things like Habitat for Humanity, Crossroads Dinners, and The Sophia Way.  There is a depth that is added when what we're taking on involves the systemic things that cause harm. 

At the same time, there is work to be done that precedes those actions; inner work, spirit work, Jesus work.  It is the important "feeling" work that helps us make decisions about those places we choose to be both emotionally and physically involved.  It is that work that moves us toward Godly action.  We'll be exploring that on Sunday.  To prepare please read John 9: 1 - 12.  It's a wonderful story that, like so many others, has multiple meanings.  
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.

Parenting Forum : Bubble Wrap Not Required
February 7th from 7pm - 8:30pm
Every parent wants their child to grow, to  experience and to live life fully, but every parent also wants their child to be safe.  During, Bubble Wrap Not Required, Sara Fenstermacher, RN, MSN, CPN, and Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Emergency Department at Seattle Children's, will show parents how to promote growth AND prevent injury.  Fenstermacher will share several strategies to help keep your children safe from babyhood through the teen years.

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.  

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?  If you have ever asked yourself one or both of these questions, this workshop is for you.  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 by Thursday, February 9 at 9:00am by emailing Joan Holms at joanholms25@msn.com or calling 206-498-3689.

Please Host Club 345
This could be the month to volunteer!  Club 345 is just around the corner and set for February 12th.  Club 345 (and youth group) will work through stations to bake cookies, package them and make valentines for the college students. Patty Ferguson will be helping us but we still need a host for Club 345.  If you have been nervous about hosting, this could be a great month to volunteer since the program is already set.  Contact Jen Hoerber asap if you can host.

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.

Book Discussion Class
This class will be starting 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. 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. 5 - "Immigration/travel policy". 
Sunday, Feb. 12 - "The Women's March-why/why not"
Sunday, Feb. 19 - "Theological-Rick Wilson leads"

Lost & Found
Have you lost something? The Lost and Found items are displayed on the table in the narthex.  Please check out the table and claim your stuff.  Unclaimed items will be donated to Goodwill in February.

Helpers Wanted
Aldersgate's long-time group of quilters (sometimes referred to as the Merry Quilters) have announced that they may have to pack away their sewing machines and give up!  T his group of dedicated ladies have dwindled to only 2 or 3, not enough to keep making all those beautiful handmade items that are sold to fund charitable organizations at the annual bake sale or given on special occasions like baby baptisms. C an you help with the sewing or ironing?    Contact Lea Fox or stop by the church on a Friday   morning and talk with them. But hurry!  They're already looking for packing boxes! 
Fun Events
  
Young at Heart Potluck
Tuesday, February 7
It's time for chili on a chilly night!  Join us February 7, 6:00pm, in Friendship Hall for dinner, fun activities and PRIZES.  All retirees and "wannabees" will be warmly welcomed. A committee member will call to confirm your attendance and your choice to bring either a salad or dessert.  If you have never attended before, please sign up on Sunday's   attendance form or contact Beth Sanford.

Family Fun Bingo Night
Saturday, February 25
Please save the date!  On Saturday, February 25th from 6:30-8:00pm come join us for Aldersgate's Bingo Night!  This will be a fun night for the whole family.  Each person will get 2 Bingo cards and we will play several games.  Bring a snack to share.  Please donate new or gently used items as prizes for children and adults and leave them in the basket in the narthex through February 23rd.
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. 5 - Super Bowl Sunday so NO Youth Group tonight.
*Feb. 12 - Dinner, 5:00pm and Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Feb. 19 -  Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm (If enough youth are in town on this holiday weekend)
*Feb. 25 - Family Fun Bingo Night
*Feb. 26 - Camp Sunday and Taco Bar Lunch.  Youth Group from 6:00-8:00pm

Youth SUMYT Retreat
March 17-19
It is time to CLICK HERE for more information and to register for the SUMYT retreat.  The SUMYT retreat, one of the most popular events of the year, is for youth in grades 6-12 and is hosted at Camp Indianola, March 17-19.  The theme this year is CATCHING FIRE.  By the way, four of our own serve on the planning team - youth Bryce, Jacob and Oliver, and Patty Ferguson as an adult leader. 
PLEASE do not pay by credit card but instead choose the PAY BY CHECK option.  Aldersgate will be paying $50 of everyone's registration fee, so to make this easier the church will be writing one check for all registration fees.  Checks for your portion of the registration ($70/youth) can be written to Aldersgate with SUMYT in the memo line.

Meaningful Movies on the Eastside
March 21, 6:30pm @ St. Margaret's Episcopal
Save the Date!  St. Margaret's Episcopal Church (4228 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue) is hosting the film "Bowling for Columbine" and there will be an opportunity to discuss gun control and gun violence in America. Come be a part of the conversation.  More details will be coming out shortly.
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
*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.