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Aldersgate United Methodist Church
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A vibrant and inclusive Christian community
growing in faith, love, health and service
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Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 746-9800
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Email Links
Lead Pastor
Church Office
Associate Pastor, Pastoral Care & Counseling
Rev. Laura Wall
Children & Family Ministry
Preschool Director
Music Director, 1st Service
Music Director, 2nd Service
Core Leaders, Chair
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Calendar
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Mar 31
Confirm. Info. Meeting
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Apr 3
Confirm. Info. Meeting
Apr 5
Young at Heart Potluck
Apr 6
Lenten Study
Apr 9
Visual Journaling
Apr 10
Confirmation Begins
Apr 17
Camp Sunday
Taco Bar
Methodism 101 Class
Apr 18
May Calendar Events Due
Apr 20
Jesus Study Resumes
Apr 24
Methodism 101 Class
Apr 26
UMW Spring Salad Supper
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May 1
Methodism 101 Class
May 7
Visual Journaling
May 8
Mother's Day
Pancake Breakfast
May 9
Church Dinner
Common Table
May 14
Visual Journaling
May 15
Pentecost Sunday
May 21
Visual Journaling
May 23
June Calendar Events Due
May 27-29
Lazy F Mission Trip
May 30
Memorial Day
Office Closed
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Feed Your Soul
See today's devotional from the Upper Room.
CLICK HERE
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Sermon
"Did You Hear the One About...God?"
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Wasn't Easter Sunday amazing! I'm still recalling how full and joyous the sanctuary felt, ringing with both children's voices and the choir's beautiful rendition of Vivaldi! And where did all those Easter eggs go? There must have been a thousand, all scooped up by happy laughing children. What a wonderful church we are a part of!
After all that activity-and all the preparations leading up to it it!-this Sunday we'll be taking it easy and relaxing-with cartoons! Many comic strip artists have taken their shot at theology, and I thought it would be fun to go through some of those. Of course we all know Charles Schulz and his Peanuts characters; you may even remember the book "The Gospel According to Peanuts"! But what about Calvin and Hobbes? The Far Side? Even ... Popeye? Yes - they all have their say this Sunday ... well, ok, I may have something to say as well.
So come share a laugh, and if you have a favorite comic strip, please feel free to send it to me!
Cheers,
Laura
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Pastor's Blog
Rev. Brad P. Beeman
I just want to take a moment in this blog to thank everyone for an incredible and powerful Holy Week. Palm
Sunday
, Maundy
Thursday
, and Good
Friday
were each powerful in their own rite. Thank you to all of those involved, a lot of hands made lighter work. Sometimes, what folks don't realize is that trying to make things look simple yet profound takes more work. All of those involved did a great job of making it appear simple, and yet each of the services were profound in their presentations. What you did worked. The comments helped me know that lives were positively effected and moved in powerful ways. Well done, team. The readers, the way Joe wrote the scripts, the music, the aesthetics, each played a role. Thanks, everyone. Then came Easter
Sunday
. The Easter services were among the most powerful I've ever experienced. The two services were almost opposite in their approach, and both were done with exceptional integrity. From the wonderful colors, flowers, banners, and other aesthetics; to the overwhelming quality of the music, to the flowers on the Easter Cross, intertwining the message with music at first service, and the beauty of the Vivaldi pieces weaving their way through second service combined to make this past Easter
Sunday
some of the best ever. All of that to say: THANK YOU to all who made it happen. It is such a privilege to be a part of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in this part of our shared history.
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Ministry News
Confirmation Information Meeting
Thursday, March 31 @ 7:00pm OR
Sunday, April 3 @ 10:00am
For all youth planning on attending confirmation classes this spring, there is an informational meeting for youth and their parents on EITHER Thursday, March 31 at 7:00pm in room 21 OR Sunday, April 3 at 10:00am downstairs in Smith Hall. Confirmation classes will be Sunday evenings starting April 10 and run through June 12, which is Confirmation Sunday. If you are unable to attend either of these meeting, but are interested in Confirmation, please contact Jen Hoerber.
Confirmand Mentors Needed
Support our Confirmands! Aldersgate UMC is blessed to have a great group of youth starting Confirmation in April. As part of this special time in their lives and the life of the church, we are looking for individuals to be mentors to each of our confirmands. There are also other ways you can help support the confirmation class of 2016 as well. If you are interested in being a confirmation mentor or supporting them in another way, please let Pastor Brad or Jen know by April 3rd. Mentors should be available to their assigned youth and offer support by meeting with them once or twice, checking in with them throughtout confirmation, and praying for them. Mentors are not expected to be at meetings or complete a workbook with them.
Help with Meals
Lauren Steele is recovering from neck surgery and would appreciate meal support. Please use the site at
www.CaringBridge.org to sign up.
Log in to
www.CaringBridge.org
and search for Lauren Steele. (You may need to set up an account, which only takes a minute.) Then under Planner, you will see what days are covered. Click the date for a day you can provide meals, and click "Accept this task." (Or you can coordinate with Laura Wall, who will sign you up.) Thank you so much!!! The Steele family appreciate all the help they have received.
Staff Vacations
The pastoral and program staff will be on vacation the first week of April. Pastor Brad can be reached in an emergency. For less urgent issues, please call Wendi in the church office for a pastoral referral.
Help with Andrews Glen
We need a couple volunteers who can help with the Andrew's Glen dinner on April 11. Please contact Colleen Olleman if you can help, 425-746-1696.
Widow/Widowers Group
Some interest has been expressed for a monthly social support group for widows and widowers. If you are interested, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form.
Methodism 101 Class
Offered between services for three Sundays starting April 17, this class is for those who want to learn more about the Methodist church and for those who are considering becoming church members. Everyone is welcome. New members will be welcomed May 15.
Egg-stravagant Thanks!
A HUGE THANK YOU to all who helped out with our Easter Events!
A few fun facts about our Easter Egg Events this past weekend.
- Aldersgate held 3 Easter Egg Hunts within 24 hours.
- All of the Easter Egg Hunts were able to be held outside!
- The congregation donated, filled, and hid somewhere between 2600 - 3000 Easter eggs!
- The Eggstravaganza, which was geared towards preschool and early elementary kiddos, had over 60 kids and about 40 adults attend. There were a few church families but was mostly attended by our preschool families.
- The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, which was geared for ages 10 through jr high, had over 30 tweens attend. These were church families mostly, but several brought friends and a few neighborhood kids attended as well.
- Easter morning we hunted again for eggs and we had over 40 children participate.
- FUN was had by all! Click here for more pictures.
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Kitchen Renovation Status
There is visible progress evident throughout and the kitchen is looking good. Crown molding has been installed around ceiling. The heat pump interior & exterior units are in place and expected to be operational this week. The on-demand (tankless) water heater is on-site with installation planned for later this week. The cabinetry installation is complete except for one cabinet that is being rebuilt. Kitchen doors are available, casings are installed and trim pieces are on hand. Electrical work continues this week and plumbing expected soon. The kitchen completion schedule still looks like the week of April 18th; the equipment delivery from Bargreen remains the pacing issue - earliest delivery expected week of April 11-15th.
Next Sunday School Lesson
A new Sunday School lesson starts on April 3. The lesson is from John 5:1-14; Jesus feeds the 5000. We will explore how everyone can be fed and loved by Jesus.
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Fun Events
Yoga Class
Begins April 2
Be a part of Aldersgate's yoga ministry! Vince Fratello will be teaching a Spring series of yoga classes which start at the most basic beginner level and are organized to accommodate all body types and physical abilities. The series will tentatively be ten Saturdays from April 2 to June 4, from
9:00-10:15am. Students should bring a sticky
yoga mat (ask if you are unsure) and Vince will supply the rest of the props. The cost is $50 per student for the entire series - you can try out the first class with no financial commitment and scholarships are available if needed. If you have questions, contact Vince
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Vacation Bible School
VBS will be the week of July 25. The theme is "Cave Quest - Following Jesus the Light of the World." If you would like to sign up or at least discuss the possibility of being a station leader or a group leader, please contact Jen. Hoerber.
Registration will start in April.
Young at Heart Potluck
Tuesday, April 5
Calling all retirees, empty nesters and wannabees!
Join us Tuesday, April 5th, at 6pm in Friendship Hall, for an enjoyable evening of good food and fellowship.
We will celebrate April and Income Tax Time! You can wear old and tattered clothes to help us sympathize with your tax problems
.
Richard (Tom Blakney's brother) and Betty Blakney will share about their missionary years in Borneo helping to found Christ Hospital. Please don't forget tableware and serving spoons, etc. If you have never attended YAHS, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form, or phone Mary Atkins (253 858-6270) or Beth Sanford (425 392-7223), and someone will contact you about the food.
Blakney Borneo Odyssey Program
To say good morning, in Chinese they say "Have you eaten yet?" but in the former head-hunter Iban tribal language they say "Have you bathed yet?" This reflects the practical priority when the Iban tribal people awaken in the morning and go down to the river below their longhouse for an early bath to start the day. In the hinterland of Borneo living for the Ibans always concerns their relation to the river below their longhouses and life on that hilly jungle Southeast Asian island. Into this context Richard and Betty Blakney went to Sarawak to join a team for the Methodist Church's Board of Missions to undertake the founding of Christ Hospital, 135 miles inland from the South China Sea. Thus began their adventure in 1956 when Richard had just graduated in pharmacy and Betty in nursing. Come to the April 5 Young at Heart potluck where they will speak and show slides.
Intro to Visual Journaling
Saturday April 9, 1-3 pm at Aldersgate UMC
Come and express yourself! No artistic experience or talent required. In this 2-hour workshop you will experience how art can give shape to your own story more powerfully than words. Cost is $45; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to subsidize counseling for persons with limited ability to pay. Sign up on Sunday's attendance form.
Camp Sunday
Sunday, April 17
On Camp sunday we will hear all about the United Methodist summer camps available to our children and youth. The message will be about the "Camp Experience" and the Children's Moment will be offered by a few Aldersgate campers. Immediately following the 2nd service will be the Taco Bar lunch - a campers favorite. Donations will be gladly accepted to provide camp scholarships for children and youth. Sign up if you will join us for lunch and if you can help prep food, setup or take down tables/chairs, or help with cleanup. For more information about the camps available this summer go to
www.pnwcamps.org/our-camps/.
Women's Spring Salad Supper
Tuesday, April 26
All ladies are invited to attend the
Spring Salad Supper on Tuesday, April 26 in Friendship Hall. The Salad Potluck starts at 6pm and the program starts at 7pm.
Debbie Mallory of the Splendid Swine Antiques Appraisal and Estate Sales will estimate the value of our small antiques and collectibles (please, no gems). Bring your treasures and a salad to share for an evening of good food and fellowship. The evening offering will be donated to Hopelink.
Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)
All youth from 6th-12th grade are welcome. If you have any questions about the youth program, contact Pastor Brad. Here are some upcoming events:
- April 3 - NO Youth Group due to Spring Break
- April 10 - Confirmation at 5:00pm, dinner and Youth Group at 6:30pm
- April 17 - Camp Sunday with Taco Bar at 12:00pm,
- Confirmation at 5:00pm, dinner and Youth Group at 6:30pm
- April 24 - Confirmation at 5:00pm, dinner and Youth Group at 6:30p
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Outreach & Missions
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 and planted flowers, built covered firewood storage and a GaGa Ball court, and served at the clothing bank at the Ellensburg United Methodist Church. The evening events included a campfire with s'mores, board games and a chance to relax in a beautiful location.
Sign up ion Sunday's attendance form if you think you might attend - this is not a commitment, we are just trying to gauge interest.
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Prayer List
People Who Mourn
*Lea Fox's cousin Randy and wife Kami died. Please pray for the family.
People with Health Concerns
*Gwen Pazan's mother Marjorie Krueger
*Jeff Norman
*Dave Maybee's brother-in-law Ran
*Shelia Cameron
*Michelle Salene's friend Kyle
*Armand Leslie's uncle Leonardo
*Cindy Soderberg's friends John and Brittney
*Lauren Steele
*Bill Ferguson
*Robert Brawn
*Cindy Wheeler
Additional Prayers
*Missionary Katherine Parker
*Danny, Nita & Zane Daniel
*Jeff & Cindy Wheeler
*Students and community in Begi, Ethiopia
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.
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Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
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