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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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Youth Mission Trip
August 20
September Calendar Deadline
August 25
School Service Day
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September 2
One Service at 10am
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
September 16
Sunday School Begins
Youth Group Kickoff
September 17
October Calendar Deadline
September 19
Pastor's Class Begins
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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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Numbers 27:8-11
Sermon
"What Will You Leave Behind?"
This Sunday
This will be the first week in our August sermon series, Life Until Death. We will consider together how we are changed by the knowledge that we are engaged in a process of living and dying and moving into new life. This process is just as inevitable for us personally and for our loved ones, as it is for our institutions. We will begin on August 5 with a celebration of Holy Communion. Through the breaking of bread and the drinking of juice, we will enter again into the story of life, death, and resurrection that Jesus makes possible. As pastors, Brad and I will not pretend to be experts in estate planning, legal or financial preparations, or medical decision-making. What we hope to do, instead of provide instructions for end-of-life planning, is to create a space where it's ok to talk about our fears and our grief and our hopes for what is to come. Sabrina has been working for months collecting resources in the church library that may be helpful for those who want to learn from those who are experts in end-of-life planning. The resources are there for your use.
As we prepare for this first Sunday of the series, I invite you to engage in a prayer of gratitude for those who have passed into death and new life ahead of us. If you have pictures of your ancestors, family members, mentors, friends, or role models who have died please consider bringing them to worship and displaying them on a table in the Narthex where small or large groups may gather to share memories and lessons learned. I will bring a few of my own and I hope the table will be a focal point for good stories throughout the month.
~ Pastor Laura
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Pastor's Blog
Rev. Laura Baumbartner
Towards a Balanced Budget
This past spring, our stewardship campaign held some surprises for us. We had some new pledging units and a sense of hopefulness about how resources would meet the need in our mission field. However, the total overall amount pledged still turned out to be less than the projected expenses. Therefore, the Core Leadership Team (CLT) has been working hard to try to reduce expenses to bring them in line with pledged income. It's a difficult process and one that requires much prayer, much careful discernment, and much deliberation. We are starting to be able to identify some of the changes that will be made as a result of balancing the budget, although some are still not final yet so this won't be the last you will hear about them.
My purpose in writing to you about the budget is to explain how it will affect my time at Aldersgate. I offered to reduce my time from a 1/2-time appointment to a 1/4-time appointment to provide some cost savings. Staff is almost always the most expensive part of a church budget so staff is always part of balancing the budget
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Child, Youth & Family Ministry
Jen Hoerber, Directory
Idaho Mission Project
As I clean up after a week of Vacation Bible School, I am changing directions a bit. Nine of our youth along with Griffey and I are getting ready to head out Sunday to the Idaho Mission Project through Camp Twinlow. In preparation for the mission trip, I have been reflecting on my youth mission trips, planning our local church time, and praying for each of our youth, our trip and those who we will serve. A song keeps popping into my head and filling my heart, and it's brought comfort, strength and peace. The song is Whom Shall I Send and it has always been one of my favorites, though I haven't thought or heard it in a long time.
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Budget Update
The Core Leaders Team (CLT) approved a balanced budget of $463,613.21 for the July 1, 2018 -
June 30, 2019 fiscal year. The details are still being finalized. In order to balance the budget, the CLT was forced to cut some maintenance and other needed services. We hope these cuts will be temporary and, through your stewardship, can be restored this fiscal year. Please prayerfully consider your past and future giving. Check your giving records - send in your pledges. We ask that everyone consider giving a "13th month" - designate it as such and allow us to significantly shorten the temporary cutback in services. Thank You for your faithfulness!
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Temporary Housing
A Christian family in Ridgecrest, California called the church this week seeking help to find temporary housing for their 18 year old son for 3.5 months while he takes a computer training class in Bellevue. They discovered that rents are exorbitant in this area and they are reluctant to answer a Craig's List ad. They decided to appeal to churches in the area. They are looking for a room to rent or a spot to park an RV. If you think this might be something you could help with, please contact the church office for a phone number to talk to the boy's parents.
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September 2 Worship @ 10:00am
On Labor Day Weekend, weather permitting, we will worship together at
10:00am in the open air courtyard on the lower level of the church. As we move from the August sermon series into fall programming, we'll gather as one body around the theme of Opening to the Spirit's Movement. We'll celebrate communion together in combined worship with elements from both first service and second service. We'll have some chairs but seating will be flexible if you prefer to use a camp chair or blanket. This will also be the day we offer back to school blessings for students, teachers, and backpacks. Then after worship, we will have the opportunity to stay and have lunch together. Plan to join us for this all church event!
What to bring:
- your school bag if you have one
- a camp chair or picnic blanket if you have one
- food to share, based on your last name, or feel free to bring what you do well, regardless of your name:
- Last name starts with A-D bring desserts or drinks
- Last name starts with E-L bring salads
- Last name starts with M-R bring bread, fruit, or other side dishes
- Last name starts with S-Z bring protein
Staff Vacations - Office Closed
Due to staff vacations there will be times when only volunteers man the church office or the office is closed this summer. It is a good idea to call ahead to see if the church is open before you come. The church office will be closed on Monday,
September 3
due to the Labor Day holiday.
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VBS a Success!
Vacation Bible School 2018 was a success. We welcomed 113 rafters into our church last week for our Rolling River Rampage VBS where we experience God's love through singing, dancing, crafts, science and of course bible stories. A BIG Thank You to all volunteers who helped make this week possible. We had over 50 volunteers help throughout the week. For a full update click here for the VBS Newsletter.
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Parenting Forum on
October 20th
We are joining forces with Bellevue First UMC to host a day long Parenting Forum. Faith leaders, experts in education, and organizations passionate about helping families will come together to offer perspectives on relevant topics for parents of children and youth of all ages. There will be two key note speakers;
Dr. Ivan Duran,
Superintendent Bellevue School District and
Jamal Rahman,
Muslim Sufi Interfaith Minister along with several break out sessions focusing on healthy habits, positive discipline, addiction, and anxiety plus several more. The Parenting Forum will be held at Bellevue First UMC from 9:30am-3:30pm Registration will be opening soon.
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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 [email protected].
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
*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
*August 21 - Craft Time with Courtney, 4:00-5:30pm, please bring $2 for supplies.
*August 26 - Youth Group Movie Night
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Club 345 (3rd~4th~5th Grade)
Starting October 7, kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades meet for dinner and a fun activity once a month, on the 1st Sunday of the month, from 5:00-7:30pm.
Contact is Jen Hoerber.
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Katherine Parker - Missionary in Nepal
Katherine Parker sends her thanks to Aldersgate for its financial support and prayers. For many years Aldersgate has helped support Katherine Parker, a United Methodist Church Global Ministries missionary. She is serving on the Health Team in Nepal. Her area of expertise is sanitation and hygiene and currently she is working with youth concerning reproductive health, and menstrual health and hygiene. You can learn more about Katherine's work in Nepal
HERE.
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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
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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.
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People Who Mourn
People with Health Concerns
*Nancy Phillips
*Pam Johnson's father Dennis
*Lea Fox's brother's children
Additional Concerns
*Missionary Katherine Parker, Our youth who are at summer camp, Our youth on the mission trip
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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