| |
|
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
|
March 24
Church Work Party
Core Leaders Retreat
March 25
Palm Sunday
March 28
Stuff Easter Eggs
March 29
Maundy Thursday Service
March 30
Good Friday Service
March 31
Egg-Stravaganza
Flashlight Egg Hunt
<><><>
April 1
Easter Services
Egg Hunt
April 3
Young At Heart Potluck
April 8
Confirmation Begins
Stewardship Begins
April 15
Dinner &
Club 345
Dinner &
Youth Group
April 16
WSU Concert Choir
April 21
Young Adult Game Night
April 22
Mission Sunday
Mission Projects
Lunch
April 23
May Calendar Deadline
April 28
Conference Table Talk
April 29
Revisit Mission Sunday
Church Potluck Lunch
April 30
UMW Salad Supper
<><><>
|
Church Leadership
Click these links to read the minutes of the Core Leadership Team and the monthly minutes of the Ministry Teams.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Sermon:
"The Great Procession of Life
"
Scripture Lesson: John 12:12-19
This Sunday
This Sunday is Palm Sunday and it marks the beginning of Holy Week. Our worship on Sunday will move from joyful Hosanna to painful condemnation. As the feel of worship changes and the awareness of the evil in our world and our complicity in systemic evil grows, our knowledge that God is still be with us never falters. It will be a service with lots of music and also lots of opportunities to be challenged and transformed by the Holy Spirit as we move together into an experience of the events that led up to Jesus' crucifixion.
The message will center around the idea of what the great procession into Jerusalem meant and also our place in the great procession of life that started before Jesus and will continue even after we have moved from this Earthly life into eternal life with God. We'll take a look at the events leading up to Jesus' procession into Jerusalem and why that procession provoked the authorities. Then we'll look at events in our world that might cause us, in good faith, to act in ways that could provoke some today.
We'll begin in the Narthex and process into the sanctuary together waving palms at the start of each service.
~ Pastor Laura
|
|
Holy Week and Easter Services
Palm Sunday service -
March 25, 9:00am & 11:00am
We will commemorate the Messiah's entry into Jerusalem with palms and alleluias.
 Maundy Thursday service - March 29, 7:00pm
We will remember Jesus' last night with his disciples and receive communion.
Good Friday service - March 30, - TWO services!
We will meditate on the last events of Jesus' life before his resurrection. There is a service at First UMC of Bellevue at noon and a service at Aldersgate at 7:00pm.
 Easter Sunday services - April 1 - THREE services!
We will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a sunrise service at Wilburton Park at 6:30am and Easter services at Aldersgate at
9:00am
and 1
1:00am.
|
Church Work Party
Saturday, March 24
Please join us on Saturday, March 24 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 gloves. Dress for the weather. Come when you can; leave when you must. All are welcome!
|
Leadership Retreat
Saturday, March 24
The Core Leaders Team is inviting all leaders in the congregation to attend the 2018 Leadership Retreat at Aldersgate Church on
March 24 from 1:00-5:00pm. It will include our annual time of setting priorities for the congregation but also a time of engaging in spiritual practices for leadership and finding ways to deepen our ability to listen and follow where the Spirit is leading. Pastor Laura will facilitate. To prepare, see Laura for the homework.
|
Help with Easter Activities
We will have the annual Easter Egg-Stavaganza and Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt along with another Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. These events are joy-filled times for our children, and families from the surrounding community come and join in on the fun. Your help is needed to make these events a big success so please sign up on the attendance form to volunteer or email Jen Hoerber.
- Volunteer at the Egg-stravaganza on Saturday, March 31 from 10:30am - Noon by staffing a craft or activity table, helping with refreshments, or leading a story.
- Volunteer at the Flashlight Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31 at 7:00pm by helping with the Ice Cream Sundae Bar.
- Volunteer to stuff Easter Eggs on Wednesday, March 28 at 11:30am.
- Donations of small wrapped candy and toys are being accepted now through March 28. Look for a collection box in the narthex.
|
|
|
|
|
Flowers for Easter Cross
On Easter morning, we will have a cross in the sanctuary to decorate with flowers from our gardens. Please plan to bring cut stems or branches from your garden or a local grocer or florist for the members of your family and, if possible, a few extras for visitors to add to the cross. These flowers represent the hope of resurrection from the cold of winter, and from the cold tomb on Easter morning.
|
Sound Help Wanted
Sound operators are needed for both the 9:00am and the 11:00am. Training will be provided. For more information, please email Tom Blakney or call him at 206-310-6296.
|
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.
|
Altar Flowers
Please sign up to provide Altar flowers especially in April and May. They are a lovely way to commemorate a special person or a special event with your dedication appearing in the Sunday bulletin. The Flower Committee will provide a flower arrangement for $35 or you may provide your own arrangement. The flower calendar is posted on the bulletin board near the office.
|
Way of Discernment Group
Sunday
Evenings from
6:00-8:00pm
A new small group is forming around the idea of discernment. We began with this prayer.
O God, in your presence there is indeed fullness of joy! Through Christ you reveal the path to your own heart and will. Through the Spirit you are willing to show us the way. Thank you for your faithful guidance. Open us to what you have in store through these coming weeks, in Jesus name, Amen.
We welcome newcomers to learn more about the process and experience the power of asking questions and seeking God's help to answer them together. Even if you can't join us, we invite you into a time of praying with us for guidance and wisdom from our God. We meet in Room 22.
|
Resource Library Book Review
Are you looking for looking for a meaningful book to read? There are many gems in Aldersgate's Resource Library including
The Book of Joy
by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
Click here and read Jean Harris' review of this instant
New York Times bestseller.
In addition, Bob Olson's latest poems have been added to Aldersgate Poems, which is displayed on the library mobile cart.
|
|
Easter Egg Activities
 Egg-stravaganza - March 31, 10:30am-noon
This community Easter event is geared for young children. Come join us from 10:30-11:30am for fun activities, games and crafts. The egg hunt begins at 11:30am. Bring your Easter basket!
Flashlight Egg Hunt - March 31, 7:00-8:00pm
This community Easter event is geared for tweens and teens. Come join us at 7:00pm for ice cream sundaes. The egg hunt begins at 7:30pm. Bring a flashlight, your Easter basket, and a friend!
Easter Sunday - April 1
We will host a special Easter Kid's Club during the 9:00am service with an Egg hunt between services at 10:15am.
|
Young at Heart Potluck
Tuesday, April 3
SAVE THE DATE!!! Calling all retired folks, empty-nesters and wannabees! Join us Tuesday, April 3 at 6:00pm in Friendship Hall for a tasty potluck and an update on Grace Boarding House in Thailand which Aldersgate helps to support. In December Wally and Audra Bennett visited Thailand and spent time with Ponchai, the overseer of Grace Boarding House. Wally will share how Ponchai came to take on the adventure of building a desperately needed boarding house and how Ponchai oversees the operations there today. Share fellowship and a potluck dinner with old friends and new. Cost is $2 per person. Please sign up on Sunday's attendance form and someone will call you about what to bring to the potluck.
|
Time for Yoga!
Starts Saturday, April 7
Everyone says they should be going to a yoga class. Let this be the day you actually do. Be a part of Aldersgate's yoga ministry! Vince Fratello will teach a Spring series at the most basic beginner level and it will be organized to accommodate all body types and physical abilities. Class 1 always starts at the beginning so don't worry. If you have any concerns, ask someone who has already come! The series will tentatively be ten or eleven Saturdays from
April 7 to June 16
.
Class time will be
9:00-10:15am.
Students should bring a sticky
yoga mat (ask if you are unsure) and Vince will supply the rest of the props. The cost will be $50 per student for the entire series to cover Vince's expenses-you can try out the first class with no financial commitment and 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)
April 15
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:
*March 25 -
Youth Group, 6:00-8:00pm
*March 31 - Flashlight Egg Hunt, 7:00-8:00pm
*April 1 - NO Youth Group; it's Easter!
*April 8 - Confirmation Begins, 12:00pm
NO Youth Group; it's Spring Break!
*April 15 - Confirmation, 12:00pm
Dinner, 5:00pm, Youth Group, 6:00-7:30pm
|
|
|
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 watch for an online sign-up coming soon. 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.
|
|
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
.
|
"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.
|
|
|
People Who Mourn
*Sadly we announce that Al Allott passed away on Saturday.
Al and his wife Bev have
been members at Aldersgate since
September 1964. Please pray for Bev and their family. There
will be a memorial service at a later date.
*Church member Kim Brewer's father passed away Thursday.
Please pray for Kim, Brad and Gwen Brewer and their family.
*Church Conference staff member Bruce Galvin wife Robin
passed away unexpectedly. Please pray for Bruce and his family.
People with Health Concerns
*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.
|
|
|
|
