April 17, 2014 
e-Note
 
This Sunday, Easter Sunday, 8:00 and 10:00 am
 
This Sunday we gather for two special services as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! In a world where death, evil, sin, and despair seem to have the last word, what does it mean to live in light of the resurrection?  We'll explore a dialogue between Jesus and Thomas following Jesus' resurrection found here as we continue our Questions Jesus Asked sermon series with
Have You Believed Because You Have Seen Me?  
 
The Children's Ministry Team has a wonderful Easter Celebration with Easter Egg Hunt starting in the downstairs fellowship hall at 9:00 am.  We'll also gather for Sip & Chat at 9:00 am.  
 
You'll also have the opportunity to support this year's Easter Offering to benefit our missionary Clara Biswas, AIM, and Stop Hunger Now.  Find out more here or see below.
 
Be sure and make time to attend tonight's Maundy Thursday Service at 7:00 pm with Holy Communion, A Choral Tenebrae Meditation on the Passion by the Chancel Choir, and the stripping of the altar. 

And don't forget tomorrow night's Good Friday Service at 7:00 pm, a dramatic journey to the cross with prayer walk leading to the sanctuary, visuals, readings, and times of reflection led by our Praise Band. 

These next four days are deeply meaningful for us as followers of Christ.  May the peace of Christ be with you as we make this journey together. 

Scott
 
Rev. Scott Davis, Lead Pastor

Holy Week and Easter at Aldersgate 


Maundy Thursday - April 17, 7:00 pm 
Questions Jesus Asked:  "Why Are You Sleeping?
"A Service of Shadows" with Choral Choir and organ,
Holy Communion, the stripping of the Altar
 
Good Friday, April 18, 7:00 pm
An interactive journey to the cross led by the  Praise Band
 
Easter Sunday, April 20, 8:00 am 
Questions Jesus Asked:  "Have You Believed Because You Have Seen?"
Holy Communion, music by the Praise Band, handbells, piano, and saxophone
 
9:00 am  
Children's Easter Celebration 
games, lessons, and an Easter Egg Hunt!

9:00 am Sip & Chat 
Join your Aldersgate friends and guests at this reception between services 

Easter Sunday, April 20, 10:00 am 
Questions Jesus Asked:  "Have You Believed Because You Have Seen?"
Holy Communion, music by Chancel Choir and Instrumental Ensemble

Nursery at both services but no Children's Church 

Easter Offering 
 
This year's Easter Offering will help support the following mission projects:
 
Clara Biswas, a missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries of

the United Methodist Church, serves as Team Leader of Street Children
Ministries in Cambodia. She works to improve the lives of impoverished
children who live on the streets of Phnom Penh, HIV/AIDS patients and the sick through Methodist Ministry of Cambodia. Aldersgate has supported Clara for the last seven years and $2,500 of our Easter offering will be sent to aid her in continuing her valuable work in Cambodia.  Any offerings above $2,500 that are received will be divided equally between: 

Stop Hunger Now: Stop Hunger Now is a national and international organization that has been committed to ending hunger for more than 15 years. The organization has coordinated the distribution of food and other lifesaving aid to children and families in countries all over the world. 
 
Alliance for Interfaith Ministries (AIM): AIM is a local ecumenical
partnership that provides emergency assistance to families facing
economic crisis. Donations to AIM will help local residents to keep 
up with their basic bills, such as rent, electricity, groceries, and medicines. 
Over 800 households received assistance in 2013. 
 
You may make your check payable to AUMC with "Easter Offering" in the memo section and place it in the offering plate at church. Thanks and you can find out more here!
Meet Jonathan Peterson 
Describe an ideal day: Getting up early and doing my daily quiet time. Then surfing at dawn followed by good Mexican food for brunch. Liz and I would enjoy a nice top-down drive in my 1966 Mustang convertible and finish the day grilling out with my family.
 
How did you find your way to Aldersgate? My family and I weren't really connected with a congregation.  Our son, Sam, came to Boy Scouts and loved it.  We decided to try Aldersgate and felt warmly welcomed. 

What are you most excited about here at Aldersgate?  The Saturday morning men's group (A-Men), the congregation as a whole as it grows and evolves, the new members who are getting involved and making contributions, the youth group as it moves into a new era

How have you experienced God's grace lately?  The district youth retreat in February.  It was a great group of youth and leaders and God's Spirit was at work among us. 
 
What Bible verses are most meaningful to you?  Proverbs 3:5-6 and  Galatians 2:20

Jonathan married his high school sweetheart, Liz, and this year celebrate 28 years of marriage.  They are the parents of 24-year old twins and Sam who is 14.  Jonathan also serves as co-lay leader and you can reach him here!
 
VBS Registration Is Now Online! 
Vacation Bible School, a joint effort of Aldersgate, First, Hinton Avenue, and Wesley UMC's will be held at Aldersgate Monday - Thursday, June 16-19.  Check out the info and register here!  

Calling All Carpenters and Helpers . . .
Do you enjoy working with your hands?  Would you like to serve by helping to provide affordable housing for low income families in need?  If so, I'm forming a mission team to work with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is starting a number of new projects this year and needs more volunteers.  All skill levels are needed.  If you're interested and would like to know more, please contact Tom Blalock at 434.975.9982 or tblalock@crutchfield.com . 
One Minute Prayer! 
 
The Spiritual Growth Team is asking the congregation to pray each day at noon for one minute.  This week                                                                 please pray for the following: 
 
 "Prayers for each member of the body of Christ to grow closer to God in their daily walk."
Relay for Life - Saturday, May 3
Join Ashley Oliver and Aldersgate friends at this special event to raise funds Find out more here! To join the team, click "sign up" and under "new participants" on the right side, click "join a team." Our team name is "Alright Aldersgate!" (it's on the list when you click under "name of team you'd like to join") Then just fill out the contact information and you should be good to go! For more information contact here! 
Contact Us
Aldersgate United Methodist Church 
1500 Rio Road East
Charlottesville, VA  22901
434.973.5806