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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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Associate Pastor
Church Office
Children, Youth, Family
Preschool Director
Core Leaders
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Dec 3
Wreaths & Treats
Dec 5
YAHs Potluck
Worship Team
Dec 9
Christmas Bash
Dec 10
UMW Bake Sale
Christmas Pageant
Christmas Cantata
Club 345
Dec 13
Preschool Program
Cluster Charge Conf. at St. Peters UMC
Dec 14
Preschool Program
Last Day of Preschool
Dec 17
Blue Christmas Service
Youth Christmas Party
Dec 21
Christmas Story Time
Dec 24
Christmas Eve Services
Dec 25-Jan 1
Church Office Closed
Dec 31
One Service @ 10am
New Year's Eve Party
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Jan 1
Church Office Closed
Jan 2
Preschool Resumes
Jan 7
Bible Sunday
Jan 12-15
Young Adult Retreat
Jan 14
CRC Classes Begin
Jan 15
MLKJ Day of Caring
Church Office Closed
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Church Leadership
Click these links to read the minutes of the Core Leadership Team and the monthly minutes of the Ministry Teams.
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Scripture Lesson:
John 5:1-9
Sermon :
"The Gift of Christmas Healing
"
This Sunday
Happy New Year! As odd as it may sound, it is a new year for us in the Christian church. Advent is the onset of a new liturgical year. It makes sense if you think about it. We
're entering a time of waiting; waiting for the coming of the child who has the potential to change the world; a child who will potentially bring light into darkness, potentially bring hope for the hopeless; and, if any would choose to follow, direction for something new.
This year we will continue in our study of the Gospel of John. Each Advent Sunday will focus on gifts. The Advent candles will represent each of these gifts. This Sunday we focus on
"The Gift of Christmas Healing." The preparation for the coming of the Christ child brought the potential for a different understanding of healing; healing that was not based on a punishing God, but a God who sought to love. This new understanding of God sought to heal the whole person; the heart, mind, soul and body. This new understanding of God sought to heal the whole earth, to complete, or, at the very least, continue the "and it was good" as a balanced and orderly creation. This Sunday we'll examine both. What does this time of anticipation mean for our own healing? What does this time of expectation have the potential to do in the world? As we light the first candle of Advent, we'll hear examples of both. To prepare please read John 5:1-18.
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Christmas Poinsettias
If you would like to provide a poinsettia to decorate the church for the holiday season, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form and include your dedication which will appear in the church bulletin in December. A small poinsettia costs $10 and a large one costs $25.
Please make your chec
k out to AUMC with "Poinsettia" in the memo field.
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Time to Deck Our Halls!
December 1 & 2
The Banner Committee would love a bit of help to get our church ready for the holiday season. We will be decorating Friday, December 1 beginning at 4:00pm for a few hours and Saturday, December 2, beginning at 9:00am. Until we are finished. Can you help? If so, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or contact
Norma Line
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Worship Team Meeting
December 5
There is a Worship Team meeting on
December 5 at 7:00pm.
The combined worship teams from both services will gather
. All are welcome to come and help to look ahead at the season after Christmas.
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Cookies Needed for Preschool
by December 10
Aldersgate Christian Preschool will gladly take donations of cookies for our annual Christmas Program. Donations will be accepted beginning Sunday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 10th. Please consider buying cookies at the UMW Bake Sale on December 10th to then donate to ACP helping both UMW and ACP. Thank you! Contact is Dorothy Beeman.
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Cluster Charge Conference
December 13
On December 13 at 7:00pm at St. Peter's UMC the Bellevue area United Methodist churches will meet together with our District Superintendent Rich Lang to get to know each other and celebrate the ministry that is happening in our city next month. It will be a shared time of fellowship, business, and visioning for the future together. It is vital that those who are in leadership at Aldersgate attend, but all who wish are welcome to participate. It should be a fun evening that is also enlightening and festive.
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Blue Christmas Service
December 17
Seasons of joy and
happiness can also contain feelings of loss and loneliness. If you are in need of comfort this season, we welcome you to a service of healing and support on December 17 at 2:00pm. All are welcome.
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December 24 Services
On Sunday, December 24 we invite you and your family, friends, and neighbors to worship with us in the morning and the evening:
- 9:00am & 11:00am - Regular morning worship services celebrating the fourth Sunday of Advent
- 5:00pm - A child-oriented family friendly candlelight service. Christmas carols will be sung and the children will be involved in the retelling of the Christmas story. It will be a shorter service, meaningful and a lot of fun
- 7:00pm - A more contemporary candlelight service centered on music by the worship band. It will include the most beloved scriptures surrounded by the singing of some of the more modern Christmas carols..
- 9:00pm - A joyful traditional candlelight service with carols, scripture readings, handbells, and communion.
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New Church Directory
A new church directory is accessible online at http://aldersgate-church.org/directory/, (scroll to the bottom of the webpage) and it is password protected (beloved). In addition, you can sync the church directory directly to your Apple, Android or Kindle device with a free app and using your email address as it is listed in the church directory. Also, paper copies of the directory are now available in the narthex. The online directory is updated throughout the year and you can update your contact information and family photo at any time by contacting Wendi the church office.
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Christmas Eve Refreshments
Do you enjoy sharing some cocoa and cookies with family and friends after Christmas Eve services? We are looking for a couple of people for each service to setup and replenish the Cookies, Coffee and Cocoa for the 5:00pm, 7:00pm, and 9:00pm services on Christmas Eve. Also if you have some holiday cookies to share that would be great.
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AmazonSmile is a program by Amazon.com that will donate 0.5% of your purchase price of eligible products to Aldersgate United Methodist Church. You can sign up for AmazonSmile by going to your Amazon account or you can go to
smile.amazon.com/ch/91-0831002
which will take you directly to Amazon and direct your giving to Aldersgate.
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Considering Becoming a Reconciling Congregation
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Update on Process to Consider Reconciling Congregations (CRC)
The committee that has formed to design a process for our church to use as we consider whether to become a Reconciling Congregation would like to invite you to participate in some upcoming events in 2018. The committee felt strongly that this process should not detract from our celebration of the holy seasons of Advent and Lent, so we will not schedule events during those seasons.
In January, 2018, the pastors will offer a series of Bible studies for anyone interested in participating. For each of three weeks, a series of five or six studies per week will engage with Scripture passages that have traditionally been interpreted to mean that homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching and Scripture passages that have been interpreted in the opposite way. There is no need to attend more than one session per week as all six sessions will address the same passages. The dates of the Bible study are listed below.
After Easter, the current plan is to hold two evening panel discussions or speaker events. One would be to hear the stories of other churches who have considered becoming Reconciling and decided either way. The other would be an opportunity to hear from parents and families of children who identify as LGBTQIA+ in Christian churches.
In addition to these events, the committee has been collecting your questions and researching to find answers to them.
The first set of answers to questions posed to us by congregation members is attached here. Please read it and keep the questions coming. The committee will continue researching and finding answers as long as there are more questions.
Bible Study Dates (all sessions will last approximately 90 minutes):
- Sunday January 14, 21, and 28 at 12:30pm, child care available, both Pastor Brad and Pastor Laura co-lead, bring a bag lunch and lunch for your children who are staying for child care.
- Sunday January 21 and 28 at 5:00pm Pastor Brad and Pastor Laura will co-lead these sessions, intended to include youth and families of youth
- Wednesday January 17, 24, 31 at 10:00am Pastor Brad will lead.
- Wednesday January 17, 24, 31 at 7:00pm, Pastor Brad will lead.
- Thursday January 18, 25, and Feb. 1 at 7:00am with pancakes prepared by Dave Carver, Pastor Laura will lead.
- Thursday January 18, 25, and Feb. 1 at 4:00pm - these sessions are family friendly for families who have children they wish to include in the conversation. Pastor Laura will lead.
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Wreaths & Treats
December 3
Join us for Wreaths & Treats on December 3 from 10:00-11:00am between services. This is a festive way to start the advent season. Besides a yummy spread of treats, there will be greens, candles, etc. to create an advent wreath for your home as well as a fun activity. You can help the church prepare for the season as well by assembly visitor mugs and signing cards for our college students. If you'd like to participate and/or support this event, please sign up on the attendance sheet or contact Jen Hoerber.
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Deborah Circle
December 4
DEBORAH CIRCLE will have their December meeting and Christmas party on
Monday, December 4
, starting with an appetizer potluck dinner at
6:30pm
at the Goodleaf home. The potluck will be followed by a brief meeting and social time and games. Women of the church are invited to join us! For more information, contact Clarine Goodleaf at
[email protected]
or 425-643-9339.
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Young at Heart Porluck
Tuesday, December 5
Calling all retired folks, empty nesters, and wannabees! Join us Tuesday,
December 5
at 6:00pm in Friendship Hall for a tasty potluck dinner (ham & dessert provided) and a performance by the Dickens Carolers. Think about a personal Christmas experience that you might volunteer to share with the group. The cost is $3 per person to help pay the food and entertainment expenses. First timers please sign up on the attendance form and someone will call you about the food. For more information, contact Wendi in the church office.
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Christmas Bash
Saturday, December 9
Come celebrate the Christmas Season at Aldersgate United Methodist Church at our 2nd annual Christmas Bash on Saturday December 9 from 10:00am-noon! There will be Family friendly crafts and games for all age plus a Christmas Carol Sing-Along at 11:30am. Enjoy the Bake and Craft Sale (all proceeds benefit missions.) And get a Festive Christmas Photos $25 for 5x7 plus digital copy (all proceeds benefit the youth mission trip.) Contact is Jen Hoerber.
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Emerald City Ringers Concert
December 9
Come and hear Christmas music on handbells on
December 9 at 4pm
at St. Matthews Lutheran Church at
1700 Edmonds Ave NE
in Renton. You'll recognize at least one of the ringers from Aldersgate!
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Club 345 (3rd~4th~5th Grade)
December 10
Kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades meet once a month on Sunday evening for food and a fun activity.
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Youth Group (6th-12th Grade)
Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm. All youth in 6th-12th grade are welcome. If you have questions about the youth program, contact
Jen Hoerber. Here are some upcoming events:
*Dec. 3 - Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Dec. 9 - Santa Photo Youth Fundraiser at Christmas Bash, 9:30am - noon.
*Dec. 10 - Christmas Pageant at the 1st service, 9:00am.
Dinner, 5:00pm, Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*Dec. 17 - Youth Christmas Party, PJ Style, 6:00-8:00pm
*Dec. 24 - No Youth Group. Come with your family to a candlelight service
at 5:00pm, 7:00pm or 9:00pm
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New Year's Eve Party
Save the Date! On Sunday, December 31 we will have an Aldersgate Family New Year's Eve party from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Details to follow.
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"Doughnations" from Panera
We are now in our 3rd month of picking up "Dough-nations" from the Factoria Panera. Experience is showing us that we normally have enough breads and some pastries to give to 5 locations every week (Sophia Way, Griffon Home, Congregations for the Homeless Day Center, Union Gospel Mission, and Tent City 4). We need more help with deliveries on Thursday mornings so that people only service every other week. Also we'd like to train 1-2 people to help with pickup and sorting in case we need a substitute. Pick up and sorting is Wednesday nights from 8:45-10:30pm. If you can help, please contact Ruth Carver ([email protected]) or Kelly Carver ([email protected]). Thank you for your help.
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Holiday Bake & Craft Sale
December 9 & 10
Looking for a sweet way to contribute to missions?
Aldersgate United Methodist Women invite you to donate baked goods or handmade crafts to our annual bake and craft sale. This year, UMW will be selling both
Saturday, December 9
at the Christmas Bash and between services on Sunday, December 10. Please have your items at the church by
9:30am
for the
Saturday
sale, or before first service for the
Sunday
sale. All proceeds go to support missions locally and around the world. Contact Clarine Goodleaf, 425-643-9339.
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Christmas Giving Opportunities
Please consider giving to the following worthwhile organizations. If you have any questions contact
Dorothy Bennett, 425-641-0971.
- Vision House This wonderful organization gives transitional housing to homeless families and provides support services and childcare as the family becomes self-sufficient. To help the process, gift cards for groceries, clothing, gasoline, and personal items, etc. are invaluable and provided year round. Your purchase of a gift card during the Christmas season is so appreciated and will brighten the lives of children who have been homeless. A gift card tree is in the narthex for your choice of a gift card from $10 to $50. Please return the gift cards to the church by Sunday December 17.
- Hopelink The Christmsa gift store at Hopelink provides gifts for children from infant to 18 years old. Each client family can apply for a voucher to choose one gift for each child from the store. . Aldersgate focuses on teenagers because gifts for them are often in short supply at the gift store. Suggestions are - sweatshirt, sweat pants, jacket,sweater, gift card to stores, warm scarves, dressy scarves, makeup, sports equipment, movie gift cards, hair care products etc.And of course, gifts for any age are happily accepted. Starting November 26, drop off your donation in the donation box located in the narthex near the drinking fountains. Please return donated gifts to the church by December 17.
- Sophia Way Do you have someone you would like to remember with a Christmas gift but they have everything? Give a gift to Sophia Way in their name. Jean Harris has cards she is selling that you can give as an acknowledgment of the donation. Contact Jean at 425-747-0727 or [email protected].
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Outreach & Mission Team News
Did you know that the Outreach/Mission team meets quarterly solely to disburse
cell tower lease funds designated for outreach and mission?
Decisions are made b
ased on past support, knowledge of community needs and requests from various non-profits and individuals largely addressing needs on the Eastside or requested by the Methodist conference.
The team met on Tuesday, November 14 and disbursed funds as follows:
Crossroads Thanksgiving Dinner
Pastor's Discretionary Fund
Emergency Feeding Program
Women's Winter Shelter Blanket Fund
Griffin Home Holiday gift
Hopelink Gift Store earmarked for teenage gifts
Necissitus Fund
The Outreach/Mission team will consider funding projects others may have if the team feels it fits into the Outreach/Mission category. For example, we fund the Crossroads dinner every month. In the past the team also support various projects on Aldersgate's Mission Sunday, the gaga pit and the Thailand boarding house. In addition, the Outreach/Mission team gives funds to help support Katherine Parker, a UMW missionary in Nepal and also the Jama Letu orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
We also pay the membership fee to Eastside Interfaith Social Concerns and will be paying membership to Faith Action Network now that we have joined officially.
For more information, contact Jean Harris.
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Pillowcase Dresses & Shorts
Jo Fritze and the Grinning Grannies are expanding their mission, from not only sewing feminine hygiene kits, to also sewing pillowcase dresses for girls and shorts for boys. Jo and the Grannies need donations of pillow cases and help making the dresses and shorts. The patterns are simple to make so they can teach the ladies in Malawi to make them in their villages. A return trip to Malawi is planned for June 2018. If you would like to help, contact Jo Fritze at 425-777-5892. You can donate pillowcase, sew dresses and shorts at home, or join with the Grinning Grannies on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00-4:00pm.
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Sustainable Energy Solutions Information
The Green Team at Aldersgate invites you to start becoming informed about an upcoming issue that is moving toward ballots in WA by November, 2018. The Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy has proposed a new carbon tax to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions in Washington State and address some of the root causes of climate change. The Alliance includes members of faith communities, as well as union representatives working for a just transition of jobs for those who have been employed in the fossil fuel industry as we move to more sustainable energy sources, tribal leaders, communities of color most affected by climate change, and business leaders. Read more about the policy proposed by the Alliance at
http://fanwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Alliance-Policy_summary.pdf
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People with Health Concerns
*Sue Black
*Bev Allott
*Flo Monkman
*Stormie Cruz's sister Brandi
*David and Heidi James' neighbor Mary
*Garnet Ormsby
*Charlie Stansell
*Cindy Wheeler
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.
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Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
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