Announcements 1/21/2024

Our Vision—A beacon of God’s love radiating faith, hope, and joy… Everywhere!

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The flowers on the altar are given by Aldo and Maylis in joyful and grateful remembrance of Sofia, Samuel, and Gabriel’s Baptism six years ago today, and in thankfulness for this church family who is supporting them in their faith journey.

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Flower Chart available

The Flower Chart for 2024 is now available on the board in the hallway.  Please sign up for the dates you would like for 2024.  The cost remains $40.  We have January 28^th, February 11, 18 and 25 yet to fill in for the two months.

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It is not too late to donate to our Advent Mission Project.

This year we are supporting Greater Lowell Community Foundation Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Fund, which supports the efforts of Greater Lowell organizations to help ensure those in need are welcomed and connected with housing, employment, transportation, food, acculturation, and other related support. 

Checks should be made payable to AUMC with “GLCF” in the memo.

You can mail to the church or place your donation in the offering plate over the next several weeks.  Thank you to all who already donated.

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Memorial and Collation for Audrey Wetterwald

We got word today from Ed Wetterwald that Audrey passed away at Lowell General on Tuesday Morning January 16^th.  Her memorial will be held on February 3^rd at 11 am in our Sanctuary, with her burial at Pine Ridge Cemetery at noon.  After all return to the church, there will be a collation served in the Fellowship Hall.  Please check in with Betsey Driscoll and let her know what you would like to bring for that. 

Please pray for Ed and the rest of the family as they prepare to celebrate Audrey’s life.

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Upper Room Devotionals January/February

The January/February Upper Room Devotionals are available on the Welcome Desk.

Our Lenten Journey Begins on Wednesday, February 14th

The Ash Wednesday service is February 14th at 7:30, and is being hosted by West Chelmsford UMC as a hybrid event, with the in-person service in their sanctuary and viewable remotely via Zoom.  Pastor Geisa will give the message and co-officiate with Pastor Bob of AUMC. A Zoom link will be sent to your email prior to the service.  If you are participating via Zoom and wish to use ashes during the service, ashes are available in the brown bin outside the front hall entrance to the church. 

Wednesday evening in-person soup suppers and worship led by one of our church family members will return this year, beginning on Feb 21st.  The suppers will be held at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall, followed by the ~ 30 minute service in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm.  If you want to help provide soup for one or more weeks, please contact Betsey Driscoll (betseylll@yahoo.com).  This year we will be sharing reflections on……TBD…………..  If you are interested in offering one of the reflections, please contact Pastor Bob.

We will also live-stream the service so people can watch it in real-time at home.

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Confirmation Class 2024 Today

We have four youth that will participate in Confirmation Class this year! They will also each have a mentor to work with them during class time. There will be 8 classes and 1 retreat in May. We will have a confirmation orientation meeting on Sunday, January 21st at noon in the Library.  Please reach out to Pastor Bob or Cheryl if you have any questions.  

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One Call Tell all and All Church email list

Hello Aldersgate Family

Since we used both One Call Tell All for phone calls to everyone and the All Church email list last week for the storm, I wanted to check with everyone that they got both messages. If you didn’t and would like to, please let Betsy know in the church office or email so she can make the two lists up to date. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________Annual Giving Statements

Kelly has prepared your annual giving statements.  They are in the welcome area.  Please pick them up so you will be ready for your tax preparation.

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Hand warmers for the homeless

Helping all stay warm this winter, we will be collecting hand warmers. The hand warmers will be distributed to the homeless needing assistance to stay warm this winter. There is a donation basket in the lobby. Thank you as always for your extraordinary generosity.  God is good, all the time.

2024 Budget Approved

Thanks to everyone who attended the Charge Conference on 12/31where the 2024 church budget was approved.  The budget includes estimated income of $351,904 and budgeted expenses of $389,803, for a deficit of about $37,900.  The pledges, which are our major source of income, increased by about $27,000 for 2023 to 2024 for a total of $310,500.  There are 74 pledges, including 7 new pledges!  Thank you for your generous giving to Aldersgate’s ministries!  The Finance committee is looking for ways to reduce the budget deficit.  If you have suggestions, please contact the Finance chair, Wendy Baker (wbaker15@comcast.net).

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Early Bird Bible Application

This week Early Bird will focus on the theme “The Battle Belongs to the Lord…Facing a Crisis.” The Scriptural foundation for the lesson is 2 Chronicles 20:13-17. Join in as we discuss how King Jehoshaphat prayed fervently for the Lord’s help in a time of crisis.
Early Bird meets on Tuesday at ten o’clock via Zoom.

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Adult Ed Sunday Class

Adult Ed will begin a new study today. Many of the ones we love, inside and outside our congregation, are confronting dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Pastor Bob has recommended Ministry with the Forgotten by Kenneth L Carder as a resource. You can get it online or at your favorite bookshop. We invite you to read and discuss it together on Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the Concord Room beginning January 21.  See more information in the January Advocate

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Thursday Morning Bible Study

Looking for fellowship and to know the Bible and yourself better? Come to the Concord Room Thursday mornings at 10:00 am to learn from Pastor Bob, Debbie Smyton and your neighbors as we discuss forgiveness, peace and freeing yourself.  “In his book Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go, Adam Hamilton equates our need to forgive and be forgiven with carrying a backpack filled with rocks. Over time the tiny pebbles and giant boulders weigh us down, distort our sense of purpose, and destroy our relationship with God.”  We will grow deeper in our understanding and love for God and our neighbor as we discuss it all together. Prayer requests, encouragement and laughter are a part of each gathering. We’d love for YOU to join us this week! Grab a copy of the book wherever books are sold. 

 SUPER BOWL SUB SALE &

WEAR YOUR FAVORITE SPORT’S TEAM JERSEY!

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11^th

            TYPES OF SUBS:

Italian, Turkey, Falafel & Vegetarian

Gluten Free rolls are available.

Each sub comes with chips & soda.

The Senior Youth group will be taking orders on the following Sundays:

January 21^st & 28^th, February 4^th

Place your orders in the basket located in the hallway

or e-mail your order to: aumc-education@verizon.net

Pick-up: February 11^th    

(after each service)

DONATIONS WILL GO TOWARDS OUR YOUTH MISSION TRIP THIS SUMMER

Pancake Sunday

Sunday, February 11^th from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to join us for a pancake breakfast in the Fellowship Hall as we prepare for the season of Lent.  There will be pancakes, games and discussion about the season of Lent.  There will be no church school classes downstairs for children and youth this Sunday Feb 11th.  All are welcome! 

Supper, Singing & Pop-up Bible Study

We will kick off the children & youth supper & singing time and in February on Tuesdays, February 6^th & 13^th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Suzanne will also offer a pop-up Bible study from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the library.

Please look for more information next week!

 Church School Valentines

The children’s church school classes are making valentines and will mail them to those who would appreciate a card.  If you know of someone who would like to receive a card, e-mail Cheryl at aumc-education@verizon.net.

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Interested in Learning How to Record Worship?

We are looking to add to our friendly team of volunteers who live-stream and record our worship services.  We take turns so everyone gets an opportunity to participate.  We schedule the two-person crew weekly based on everyone’s availability.  Training is provided.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Peter Smyton (617-893-9669) or Jim Ortolf (978-995-0614)

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Request from Jasper:  from Ken Bair

Here is a consolidation of the texts from Jasper this morning do you think that he might need some coffee and creamer? Hah

They are getting 1,500 NJ National Guards in Syria and Iraq. Sounds like they’re going to Fort Bliss first and then headed over.  “Only things I’d ask for is” coffee creamer (not refrigerated type), and protein bars (it is hard to get enough protein for their workouts), and fruit cups or dried fruit. Microwave popcorn especially the kettle corn kind and the single serving oatmeal cups, or oatmeal packets with a box of paper cups.

And Coffee or energy drinks.  We have a pretty solid coffee maker, maybe more filters too. We have a coffee bean grinder and everything. Between all the crews we drink a ton of coffee we like trying a lot of different specialty types. We got bored with all the normal coffee like Maxwell house etc. so we’ve been trying a new type almost every day. Favorites so far are Dunkin Donuts, Caribou Coffee, New England Coffees French vanilla flavor.

Definitely need more creamer than coffee for the next couple of months.

For those who would like to send items, Kim and Dan Ward can help. 

We do have enough reading material and games.

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Interested in Learning How to Record Worship?

We are looking to add to our friendly team of volunteers who live-stream and record our worship services.  We take turns so everyone gets an opportunity to participate.  We schedule the two-person crew weekly based on everyone’s availability.  Training is provided.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Peter Smyton (617-893-9669) or Jim Ortolf (978-995-0614).