| |
|
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
:
A vibrant and inclusive Christian community
growing in faith, love, health and service
|
|
Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA 98006
(425) 746-9800
|
Associate Pastor
Church Office
Children, Youth, Family
Preschool Director
Core Leaders
|
April 8
Confirmation Begins
Stewardship Begins
April 9
Staff Liaisons Gathering
April 15
Dinner &
Club 345
Dinner &
Youth Group
April 16
Free WSU Concert
April 21
Young Adult Game Night
April 22
Mission Sunday
Service Projects
Lunch
April 23
May Calendar Deadline
April 28
Church Work Party
Conference Table Talk
April 29
Revisit Mission Sunday
Church Potluck Lunch
April 30
UMW Salad Supper
<><><>
May 5
Preschool Bike-a-thon
May 13
Mother's Day
Pancake Breakfast
May 20
Pentecost
Memoriial Service
Dinner & Club 345
Dinner & Youth Group
May 21
June Calendar Deadline
May 25-27
Lazy F Mission Trip
Confirmation Retreat
May 27
On Worship Service
@ 10:00am
May 28
Memorial Day - Office Closed
|
Church Leadership
Click these links to read the minutes of the Core Leadership Team and the monthly minutes of the Ministry Teams.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Sermon:
"Not Broken Just Bent
"
Scripture Lesson: Matthew 7:1-5,12-14 and John 21:15-17
This Sunday
The time after the crucifixion and resurrection was one of the most uncertain and most hazardous in the history of the church. The disciples were fearful, doubting and sometimes divided. They did not know if they might be next, if there was any possibility of a future for the movement on which they had staked their lives. The last two chapters in John's gospel tell us of this time.
John 21:15-17
is commonly known as the reinstatement, restoration or re-commissioning of Peter. But out of context, what is going on is not completely clear.
To prepare for the message this Sunday, I suggest reading the entirety of John 21 to put these verses in context. I find the New Living Translation to bring added clarity to the passage. Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night he was taken and felt himself a broken man, questioning himself and his fitness to do God's work. Peter and some of the others went back to what they knew best, fishing, when Jesus came to them the last time. Jesus challenges Peter asking him if he loves him more than these, the fish, asking him which future he will choose. He asks him three times, a number we see over and over in the Bible for spiritual events and matching the number of Peter's denials. Each time Peter responds in the affirmative and Jesus responds to Peter's affirmation by charging Peter to carry on his work. And thereby turned the fate of the church. Each of us is imperfect, but it should not prevent us from carrying out God's work.
~Vince Fratello, Lay Leader
|
|
Rise Up Easter Season Worship Series
Beginning on Easter
Sunday and continuing through the middle of May, we will hear stories of the Risen Christ at work among us. Our worship will be centered around ways that we may also be called to Rise Up to work with Christ in the world. We will be hosting several guest preachers (listed below). Mission
Sunday on
April 22 and 29 will be coordinated by Green Team. This season will also be the time of our annual stewardship campaign, led by the Finance Team. Please take part in this adventure with the Risen One among us!
- April 8 - Vince Fratello, preaching
- April 15 - Rev Rich Lang (Seattle District Superintendent), preaching
- April 22 - Mission Sunday led by Green Team, one service at 9:00am
- April 29 - Mission Sunday revisited, one service at 10:00am
- May 6 - Vince Fratello, preaching
- May 13 - Mother's Day, honoring gifts of women
|
Staff Change
With sadness we announce the departure of John Valentine from the Aldersgate staff. John has served faithfully over these past three or four years as our custodian. We've appreciated his work, his work ethic, his integrity and passion for this, his church. Please pray for him in this time of transition
.
New Custodian
OpenWorks is now providing Aldersgate with janitorial services. You may run into Aseel working in the building in the afternoons.
|
Confirmation Corner
Confirmation starts Sunday. We have six youth who will be participating this year. Their prayer quilts are hanging in the narthex and will remain there until Confirmation Sunday on June 10th. Please say a prayer for these young people during this spiritual journey and tie a knot in their quilt. You are invited to follow along in this journey with them by reading the Confirmation Corner in the weekly newsletter. Contact is Jen Hoerber.
|
Church Work Party
Please join us on Saturday, April 28 from 9:00am-12:00pm as we work outside on the church landscaping. It takes many helping hands to make the church look beautiful and welcoming. If you can rake, prune and pull weeds, we could use your help. Please bring you favorite gardening tools and garden gloves. Dress for the weather. Come when you can; leave when you must. All are welcome! Contact is
Dave Carver.
|
Table Talks to Discuss a Way Forward for the UMC
Saturday, April 28
Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky is inviting
United Methodists in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho and Pacific Northwest Conferences to
participate in Table Talk conversations on human sexuality
, the upcoming report of the
Commission on a Way Forward
and special called session of the
General Conference
in February 2019. The conversations will be held in various settings across the Greater Northwest Area. The closest one to Aldersgate will be at Edmonds United Methodist Church on April 28 from 1:00-4:00pm. Members of United Methodist churches from around the area will to come together to listen to each other and our perspectives on sexuality. Registration is required, but free. Please consider attending. Click here for more information and to hear Bishop Stanovsky's recorded message about the Table Talks.
|
|
|
|
|
Rock Chinese Church Departure
On Easter
Sunday
, Rock Chinese Church will celebrate its last service in our sanctuary. Rock has accepted Bellevue First Presbyterian Church's invitation to consolidate all of their services (worship,
Sunday
School, and ESL classes) onto one campus. Reverend Jacob Zhang and his church extends their deepest gratitude to Aldersgate for it's hospitality - providing a church home in their time of need.
|
|
FREE WSU Concert
Monday April 16
The Washington State University Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers will be performing a concert on Monday
April 16
at 7:00pm in the sanctuary. These ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Lori Wiest have performed internationally, most recently to South Korea, and are sure to provide a beautiful evening of music. Please join us for this
free
concert.
|
UMW Spring Salad Supper
Monday April 30
Ladies! You are invited to the annual SPRING SALAD SUPPER on Monday,
April 30
, at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall! Storyteller Debbie Dimitrie will tell us the story of Eleanor Roosevelt, a woman who was truly ahead of her time. Bring a salad to share, bring a friend, and come prepared for an enjoyable evening! Please RSVP on Sunday's attendance form.
|
Time for Yoga!
Vince Fratello started teaching a new 10-week series of yoga classes from
April 7 to June 16
. Class time will be 9:00-10:15am. There is still time to join! The class will start at the most basic beginner level and it will be organized to accommodate all body types and physical abilities. Students should bring a sticky yoga mat and Vince will supply the rest of the props. The cost will be $50 per student for the entire series. You can try out the first class with no financial commitment. Scholarships are available if needed.
. If you have questions you can contact Vince
. We hope to see you there!
|
Club 345 (3rd~4th~5th Grade)
Kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades meet once a month on Sunday evening for food and a fun activity.
The next meeting will be April 15 from 5:00pm - 7:30pm.
Contact is Jen Hoerber, [email protected].
|
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:
*April 8 - Confirmation, 11:00am,
Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*April 15 - Confirmation, 11:00am,
Dinner, 5:00pm, Youth Group, 6:00-7:30pm
*April 22 - It's Mission Sunday! There is a brief worship service at 9:00am followed by service
projects. Sign up now for your service project. Lunch is at 12:30pm. Confirmation is at 1:00pm. Youth Group is 6:00-8:00pm.
*April 29 - Mission Sunday Recap! There is only one worship service at 10:00am followed by
a Potluck lunch. Confirmation, 11:00am, Youth Group 6:00-8:00pm
|
Vacation Bible School
July 23-26, 2018
Aldersgate VBS 2018 will be held
July 23-26
this year. Our theme is Rolling River Rampage where we will learn to find Adventure, Acceptance, Joy, Rest, and Peace on the river of life. Registration will begin at the end of this month. All types of volunteers are needed and welcome! If you would like to volunteer, please sign up on Sunday's attendance form or talk to Jen Hoerber.
|
|
Mission Sunday Sign-ups
This year, Mission
Sunday
will be
April 22
, which is Earth Day and all our projects will have an Earth Day theme. Aldersgate's Green Team is helping to organize the event and is opening it up to the community as well. Rather than just helping others, this year Mission
Sunday
will be an opportunity to be in mission with our neighbors for the benefit of God's Creation. The following week, on
April 29
, we will get to hear from all of the teams about how their projects went.
On April 22nd, we will gather at 9:00am for a brief worship service then be working in our teams by
9:45pm.
Please find paper sign-up sheets in the Narthex for Mission Sunday or click here to signup online. Mission Sunday Projects this year include:
- Days for Girls: sewing and cutting in Friendship Hall to create reusable maxi-pads for girls in communities where otherwise girls would not attend school during menstruation
- Birthday Bags: gathering and packing bags in the youth room for children whose families visit the Food Pantry with all the supplies necessary for a birthday party
- Stream restoration and grounds at AUMC: remove invasive plants and plant native plants to improve stream health and habitat for fish and birds
- Drain labeling: walk nearby neighborhoods and apply decals supplied by the City of Bellevue to storm drains identifying them as the inlets to our streams and lakes (requires waiver of liability from City, not for children under 5)
- Park clean-up: Litter removal at Robinswood or Enatai Beach Parks
- Home Visits: yard work and outreach to church members who need a hand at home
- Lunch: prepare, serve, and clean-up from lunch for all volunteers. Lunch will be served in Smith Hall at 12:30 for all teams.
On April 29th, we will gather for one blended worship service at 10:00am to hear how the mission projects went. After worship, we will feast together at a
local foods potluck lunch. Please plan to bring a dish to share made from ingredients grown or raised within 100 miles of Bellevue. A guest speaker will share news of other Mission Projects in coming months in our area.
|
Birthday Party Kits
Birthday Party Kits are back for Mission Sunday because EVERY child deserves to have a birthday party! As part of Aldersgate's annual Mission Sunday on April 22, we will put together birthday party kits to be donated to the Issaquah Food Bank to help local families in need. We are asking for donations of the following items which should be in original packaging and should be earth friendly.
Cake Mix Frosting Candles
Party Favors
Napkins
Cups Paper Plates
Small Treats (lollipops)
Party Decorations (signs, balloons)
Birthday Gift Bags Small Gift (book, stuffed animal)
Donations can be placed in marked bins located in the narthex, outside preschool office, or in Smith Hall by Friday, April 20!
|
Mission Trip to Lazy F
Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27
Save the date! The Church Family Mission Trip to Lazy F Camp will be on Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 25 through Sunday, May 27. There will be projects for all ages and abilities, including activities for kids 2-12.
Interested? Please sign up to attend on Sunday's attendance form. Also, we need a group of people to help support the activities of the mission trip. Please see Sunday's attendance form to see the opportunities and sign up if you can help. These are short term commitments but vital to the success of the weekend. Contact is
Melissa Pearce
.
|
Connections Counseling Annual Report
Aldersgate UMC was part of the story of genesis for Connections Counseling, a network of pastorally-trained therapists and counselors organized by Laura Wall. Though Connections Counseling no longer serves clients at our facility, it remains an important resource for many in our community. Please read the
Annual Report for Connections Counseling which includes ways to contribute to the services they provide around the Puget Sound area.
|
"Speaking of Dying" Film Screening
April 14 from 4:30-7:30, Heartworks, NW is sponsoring a film screening and discussion about End of Life Planning at Seattle First Baptist Church. Beyond the 30 minute screening of the movie, the evening will include resource displays, a chance to meet those who made the movie, a raffle, and snacks. Seattle First Baptist is at 1111 Harvard Ave. in Seattle. See Pastor Laura if you would like to carpool.
Informative and yet intimate, "Speaking of Dying" captures the importance of individuals and groups speaking openly about all aspects of the dying process. Viewing this film will inspire and encourage you to talk to your friends, family, health care agents and medical providers about your own end of life planning, choices and wishes.
|
Seattle District UMW Spiritual Day Apart
All women are invited to participate in the Seattle District UMW Spiritual Day Apart on April 28 at Fairwood UMC. The keynote speaker will be Conference officer, Kristina Gonzalez who will be speaking on promoting diversity and inclusion in our congregations. She will also be offering a workshop on specific steps to accomplish this. There will also be a workshop on Praying in Color. Everyone will have the opportunity to attend both workshops. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Please see Clarine Goodleaf, Kathy Maybee, or Jean Harris for more information.
Click here for the registration form.
|
|
|
|
Roelker Memorial Service April 23
Jim Roelker's wife Doris passed away on Monday and we will celebrate her life on Monday, April 23 at 2:00pm. Jim and Doris became members of Aldersgate in 1963. Please remember the family in your prayers. If you can help with the reception after the service (setup, kitchen prep, serving, cleanup, food, usher), please contact Lee Fox.
Allott Memorial Service May 20
Church member Al Allott passed away last month and we will celebrate his life on Sunday, May 20 at 2:00pm. Al and his wife Beverly became members of Aldersgate in 1964 .Please remember the family in your prayers. If you can help with the reception after the service (setup, kitchen prep, serving, cleanup, food, usher), please contact
Lee Fox
.
People Who Mourn
*Dave and Heidi James' daughter Wendy passed away unexpectedly Sunday. Please pray for their family during this difficult time.
People with Health Concerns
*Jen Hoerber's friend Kenneth
*Ferrel Fox
*Butch & Sue Black
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2012. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
