Aldersgate United Methodist Church
A vibrant and inclusive Christian community 
growing in faith, love, health and service

www.Aldersgate-Church.org                                                                       July 19, 2018
Aldersgate UMC
14230 SE Newport Way
Bellevue, WA  98006
(425) 746-9800
Email Links
Lead Pastor

Associate Pastor
Church Office

Children, Youth, Family

Preschool Director

Core Leaders
Calendar
Calendar
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July 21
Candidate Forum
July 22
VBS Decorating
July 23
August Calendar Deadline
July 23-26
Vacation Bible School
July 29
One Service at 10am
Church Picnic
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August 5-11
Youth Mission Trip
August 20
September Calendar Deadline
August 25
School Service Day
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September 2
One Service at 11am
September 3
Labor Day Holiday
Office Closed
September 5
ACP First Aid Class
Handbell Choir Practice
Chancel Choir Practice
September 6
ACP Parent Orientation
September 9
Mariner's Game
September 10-11
ACP Meet the Teacher
September 12
Preschool Begins
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 (June)
Preschool (July)
Common Table (June)
Finance  (June)
  Outreach  (May)
Trustees (May)
Green Team (April)
Worship (Feb)


Scripture
Luke 22:14-20

Sermon
"Preparing for Guests - Cooking Something Up"

This Sunday
This Sunday we examine the fourth of the Vacation Bible School scriptures.  It's about sharing a meal.  On many river rafting trips, particularly on some of the longer rafting trips, that the group stops and the guides prepare a meal.  So I thought I'd do that today...on this river rafting trip that we are taking together, I'll prepare a meal for you, one in each service.  My favorite meal to prepare is chili.   So I thought, why not chili, and maybe a little salad, and maybe some corn bread to go with it.  I will have already done some of the work, particularly sautéing the vegetables, but the rest I'll do during worship, all while preaching.  What you may notice that morning is that the cans of ingredients will have different names, and I'll talk about those as I add them to the pot.  It's the combination of ingredients that make the meal, and then those who partake that make a meal into a memory.  I believe it was the same for Jesus.  So, this Sunday will be all about preparing and sharing.  And remember, this is the Sunday where we complete preparations for VBS, a day when over 110 children will enter the doors of this church. 

Pastor Brad
MINISTRY NEWS
Sunday July 29
One Service @ 10:00am
It is Vacation Bible School Sunday on July 29.  There will be only one worship service starting at 10:00am followed by the church picnic. .  We will be inviting all of the VBS families to join us for worship.  

Church Picnic
The All Church Picnic is July 29 at approximately 11:30am following the 10:00am service. The church will provide sandwiches and lemonade and ask that everyone bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share. If your last name begins with:
      A-H bring a salad (fruit salad, green salad, pasta salad, etc.)
      I-R bring a side dish (baked beans, deviled eggs, etc.)
      S-Z bring a dessert. 
Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.   We need help with organizing the food, games, set up and clean up.  If you can help with the picnic, please contact Jen at  CFM@aldersgate-church.org or sign up on the attendance form.
Vacation Bible School Update

1.   VBS Set up will start after the 9:00am worship service on July 22 and go till we have completely transformed the church. Lots of hands make the work go swiftly. Plus it's a lot more fun with friends!  Lunch will be provided at 12:30pm for all workers!  Please signup on Sunday's attendnace form.

2.  VBS Starts Monday, July 23 and children should arrive at 8:45am to get checked in, then arrive at 8:55am on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Volunteers should arrive a half hour earlier.  Parents pickup at noon.

2.  VBS Clean-Up will occur Thursday after VBS and Sunday after the Church Picnic.  Please lend a hand and help.

3.   Volunteers are needed .  We have 110 kids registered for Vacation Bible School and  we are in need of a few  more volunteers . Please sign up on Sunday's attendance form.

4.  Can we borrow?  We are looking for artificial trees to borrow for the week of VBS.
August Sermon Series
In August, we will begin a new sermon series looking at questions and perspectives that we face when we are honest about our mortality. The series is called Life 'til Death because one of the things Iearned from people who have a terminal diagnosis is that there is joy in living when we know that we can make our own decisions and trust our loved ones to follow them. The goal of the series is not to be morbid. It's also not to talk much about finances or legal documents or medical treatments, although resources will be available in the library for those interested in those topics. Instead, our focus will be on the spiritual side of the end of life, whether that life be our own, a spouse or parent or child or friend, or the life of someone or something in our community that has been treasured. We'll talk about grief and loss, about letting go, about finding peace, and about what outlives our current reality. The mood of the services will be different from the VBS services of July, but it won't be depressing or geared only for one age group. We are all moving in the same direction on this journey and we can face these topics together.


Youth Mission Trip in August
Jen and Griffey will be taking a group of 10 of our youth to Twinlow Camp to participate in the Idaho Mission Project, a service and adventure based youth program. They will travel to Twinlow on Sunday, August 5 (Imagine the fun of 12 people in a van for 8 hours!) and return on Friday, August 10. Each day while at camp, they will be sent out into the community to participate in several different types of mission projects. Please pray for our youth as they prepare for this mission trip. 
Donation Statements Mailed
The church fiscal year (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018) is complete and your contribution statements for the general budget and the kitchen remodel were mailed to you two weeks ago. We ask that you review your donation statements to see if you have met your pledge commitments and we encourage you "catch up". If you have questions about your statements, please contact Wendi in the church office at aumcfinsec@hotmail.com.
Nursery Coordinator Position Open
Do you know someone who loves children with a welcoming spirit who would be interested in our nursery coordinator position?  This position is for Sunday Mornings from 8:45am - 12:15pm.  The coordinator welcomes families and makes sure our youngest are cared for and nurtured during worship on Sunday mornings.  They also schedule and work with our youth attendants. If you know any qualified applicants, please refer them to Jen Hoerber at cfm@aldersgate-church.org.
Annual Conference Report
The three people from Aldersgate who attended Annual Conference this year in Puyallup, WA the last week of June were Pastor Laura Baumgartner, Jean Harris, and Dorothy Beeman. Below, each of this year's attendees shares a brief summary of their favorite parts. 
     >>>From Laura:
This year, the theme of Annual Conference was "Do This and You Will Live! Do What?" Each worship service and many of the addresses explored various approaches to the story of the Good Samaritan, which Jesus uses as an example to explain what we are to do, in order to live.... Click here to continue
     >>>From Jean: 
The last two Annual Conferences have been very different from previous years but for different reasons.... I came away from this conference spiritually renewed and untroubled about the future of our denomination....Click here to continue
     >>>From Dorothy: 
This was my first time attending Annual Conference as a lay delegate. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience.... Click here to continue

Sunday Refreshments
Do you enjoy coffee and treats on Sunday morning? Then please grab a friend (or Sunday School class, or choir member, or ministry team) and signup to make coffee and serve treats. The signup sheet is on the kitchen counter. There are treats in the freezer or you can bring your own home-made or store-bought treats. And many thanks to the women of Deborah Circle and Mary Martha Circle for providing and serving refreshments six months out of the year.
Resource Library News
Aldersgate Poems  has been updated to include Bob Olson's latest poems entitled "Loneliness," "Profit Over Progress" and "Privileged Inclusion" This volume is displayed on the library mobile cart.  These works are found on pages 165 - 167. 
FUN EVENTS
Let's go out to the ballgame!
Sunday, September 9 @ 1:15pm
Aldersgate UMC will be going to Safeco Field to cheer on the Mariner's on September 9!
  • Mariners vs New York Yankees
  • Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 1:15pm
  • View Seats for $13 each
We have a limited number of seats reserved, so order yours today! Please fill out the form located on the desk in the narthex, enclose the money in the attached envelope, and give the envelop to Wendi in the church office. Deadline to order is August 30. Questions? Contact Jen Hoerber at 425-299-4996.
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:
*July 22 - VBS Decorating (10:00am- 2:00pm) with lunch provided (12:30pm)
*July 23-26 - Vacation Bible School, 9:00am-noon.  Come and volunteer!
*July 29 - Church picnic @ 11:30am.  Bring a side dish to share.  No Youth Group tonight.
*August 1 - Craft Time with Courtney from 4:00-5:30pm, please bring $2 for supplies.
*August 5 - Leave on Mission Trip to Idaho - No Youth Group
*August 10 - Return from Mission Trip
*August 12 - Still recovering from Mission Trip - No Youth Group
*August 19 - Youth Group Hike to Twin Falls.  Meet at the trail head at 12:00pm
Club 345 (3rd~4th~5th Grade)
Resuming in September, kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades meet once a month on Sunday evening for food and a fun activity.     Contact is Jen Hoerber.
CHURCH & SOCIETY
Meet the Candidates
Are you ready to vote on August 7? Attend the candidate forum for the 9th Congressional District  on Saturday, July 21 at 10:00am at Aldersgate hosted by the League of Women Voters. Meet the candidates and bring your questions to better understand their respective positions. Candidate forums are free and open to the public. The LWV is nonpartisan, neither supporting nor opposing candidates or political parties (www.Lwv.org).
School Supply Drive
The mission project for Vacation Bible School is to collect school supplies and You Can Help! Aldersgate is partnering with Congregations for Kids to provide school supplies for low-income families in the Bellevue School District who qualify for the free and reduced price lunch program. In 2017, 17.7% of district students, that's 3,579 students, qualified. Please donate money ( checks made out to AUMC and write "VBS Mission" in the memo field of your check), or donate composition books (wide rule) and pencils (sets of 10-12, Ticonderoga brand only.) A monetary donation is preferred because Congregations for Kids can then buy school supplies in bulk and thus you get "more bang for your buck." The last day to contribute is Sunday, August 5 .
Jubliee Reach Day of Servic e
Aldersgate will again participate in Jubilee School Service Day on August 25 , from 8:00am- Noon. This is a great way for our church to reach out into the community and serve. This year we will work at Eastgate Elementary and help them prepare for students.  There are a variety of tasks such as doing yard work, decorating bulletin boards, compiling back to school packets, cleaning desks, organizing library books, and painting.  This volunteer opportunity is open to kids (with adult present), teens and adults. Register online at www.jubileereach.org/serviceday. You will find the church (Aldersgate UMC) and school (Eastgate Elementary) located on the registration page. Paper registration forms can be found on the desk in the narthex with additional information.  Paper registrations should be turned into Jen Hoerber to ensure proper registration.
Summer 2018 UMW Revivals in the Northwest
This summer, the Innovation and Vitality Team within the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church is holding six events in six cities. They are calling them Ordinary Revivals, drawing on the long tradition of revival meetings where Christians deepened their faith and collaborated regionally with others who responded to the call of Jesus on their lives. These Ordinary Revivals will have some of that flavor but they will also be a time to network and collaborate with other Christians who are ready to figure out where the Spirit is moving within and around the church of the Northwest. The event closest to Aldersgate will be September 21-22 in Seattle. Learn more and register at http://ordinaryrevival.org/
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayer Requests
People Who Mourn 
*Lea Fox's sister-in-law Carolyn passed away.
*Ruth Maloney who's Uncle Ted passed away.
 
People with Health Concerns 
*Pam Johnson's father Dennis
 
Additional Concerns
*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.