Announcements 10/1/2023
Today’s altar flowers are given by Ken Bair in memory of Charlotte Bair
Fall Schedule at Aldersgate
Worship services are offered at 8:30 and 10:45 on Sunday mornings. The 10:45 service is live-streamed and recorded for posting on the church web site shortly thereafter. Coffee Hour is offered in the Fellowship Hall between the services. Church School classes are offered in-person, downstairs between the services, from 9:30 to 10:30, for pre-K through senior high. Childcare for children ages 5 and younger is available throughout Sunday morning in our nursery. Adult Education is at 9:45 am in the Concord Room with a hybrid Zoom option for those who wish to attend from home. Early Bird occurs via Zoom each Tuesday at 10:00 am. The Thursday Morning Bible study is hybrid – Concord Room in-person and remotely via Zoom – each Thursday at 10:00 am. We hope you can join us whenever you are able!
Fall Adult Study Starts Today
Fall Adult Study Today Between the Services! And Again on Thursday!
Both the Sunday morning Adult Ed class and the Thursday morning Bible Study class will be using The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News by Amy-Jill Levine for our fall programs. Walk through the Bible’s earliest source for the life of Jesus to examine John the Baptizer, the Little Apocalypse, the Transfiguration, and several of Jesus’s most notable stories and parables, as we see Jesus as divine and human, powerful and weak, approachable yet mysterious. The Sunday class meets today at 9:45 am; Thursday class at 10:00 am. Both the Sunday and Thursday classes will meet in the Concord Room and via Zoom. Look for the Zoom link in the weekly worship email or you can obtain it through the church office (aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net or 978-256-9400).
Early Bird Bible Application
Early Bird Bible Application will meet on Tuesday at ten o’clock via Zoom. We will begin a multi-week series on ‘The Church: Fellowship and Worship.’ The series will explore topics such as the universal church, the local church, fellowship, worship and ordinances of the church. The foundational Scripture for the series is Hebrews 10:24-25. Plan to participate in these sessions as we explore and examine our commitment to Christ and His church. See the new link in the worship email.
Church Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-12pm. Betsy will be in the office on those days and available by phone at other times.
Holiday Cards 4 Military Tuesday
October 2 – 7PM Workshop in Fellowship Hall to make cards to be sent all over the world to our soldiers. We will provide everything needed and guidelines for writing a personal message inside the card.
If anyone cannot make the workshop Monday night but would still like to participate in writing to the soldiers, they can pick up some kits.
Susan Lewis and Dawn Jones
Sermon Series on Loneliness Continues (Oct 1 - Oct 8)
Pastor Bob invites you to join him as he continues his sermon series on loneliness starting from today. Oct 1 #4 Social Media and Loneliness; #5 Misfit and Loneliness We are grateful for the wisdom and stories from our sermon team: Melinda, Dan, Kim, Betsey, Dave, Maylis, Janice, Suzanne, and Christine.
PIZZA AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL!! TODAY, OCTOBER 1ST NOON – 1:00 P.M.
All children and youth ages 4 years old – 12th grade along with their parents, are invited to join us in learning about some exciting music opportunities this fall.
We will have pizza and ice cream together and then parents will gather in the Concord Room to learn about the various music programs and the children and youth will play some fun games in the Fellowship Hall.
If you have any questions, please see Pastor Maylis or Cheryl. We hope you can join us for pizza and ice cream!
Music Notes
Welcome to our new Season of Music at Aldersgate!
If you have been thinking about joining one of our choirs or would like to offer your musical gifts to the glory of God and for the enrichment of our church family, we invite you to be a part of our wonderful music ministry. New members are always welcome!
Our choir rehearses on Tuesdays at 7:30pm in the sanctuary choir loft.
Our handbell choirs will begin in a few weeks. If you would like to try handbell ringing, we would love to have you join!
Previous musical experience is always helpful, but not necessary. We’ll teach you to read music!
For questions and more information about any of our groups or opportunities to participate in our program, please contact Maylis at mdelafer@yahoo.com
We are looking forward to having you join us in worship for some wonderful music-making!
Join Us for Dinner and a Pop-up Adult Bible Study
On six Tuesdays starting October 10, we’ll join the children and youth for supper and follow the meal with a Bible study in conjunction with the teaching of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The supper will be at 5 p.m. followed by the study at 5:30 p.m.
We will use Share the Dream, a six-session audio Bible study based on the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It looks at six biblical principles that shaped Dr. King’s life and motivated him to speak on behalf of African Americans in the Civil Rights Movement: love, conscience, freedom, justice, perseverance, and hope. There will be a video and discussion each week.
Parents and non-parents are welcome. Please let Suzanne know by email (shevelone@gmail.com) so we need to know how many people to plan to feed, but come even if you don’t!
Inclusivity Discussions to Continue
Thank you to everyone who attended our Inclusivity Info Sessions, where we described the United Methodist Church’s (UMC’s) doctrinal restrictions involving pastors and the LGBTQI+ community, how our New England Conference is addressing these restrictions, and what that means for Aldersgate. The Church Council will offer opportunities for further dialog and sharing of stories and perspectives as we seek to discern how we as a church family can be inclusive to all regardless of age, race, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexuality, ability, and physical appearance. We seek your feedback on how you would like these discussions to be conducted. If you are willing to share, in a small group setting, how you or a friend or loved one has been impacted by being marginalized, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Peter Smyton, Council chair, at thesmytonfamily@comcast.net.
A Statement of Inclusivity, consistent with the beliefs of our denomination and its Book of Discipline, created by the Council and posted on the church web site in the Who We Are page, is below.
All Are Welcome at Aldersgate
As a United Methodist congregation, we affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. We affirm that we are an open, welcoming, fully accepting congregation supportive of all, regardless of age, race, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexuality, ability, and physical appearance. In agreement with our New England Conference Open Spirit Task Force, we are committed to safeguarding the sacred worth and dignity of all persons in our churches and communities, including those who identify as LGBTQI+ persons.
We are a church that supports every individual’s full participation in the life, ministry, sacraments, membership, and leadership of the church at any level. We celebrate the blessings of gender and cultural diversity in our pastors and leadership team.
Join us for a FUN, family Halloween Party!
Sunday, October 29th
3:00 pm -4:00 pm
Aldersgate U.M.C.
Games, Crafts, Snacks
and Trick or Treating
Bring your friends and neighbors!
Children and Youth Supper & Singing Time
This music opportunity is for children and youth ages 4 years old – 12th grade.
We will meet on the following dates this fall:
Tuesdays, October 10th & 17th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, November 7th & 14th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Mondays, December 11th & 18th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
We will have supper from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. and music singing time from 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Children and Youth Chime Time
This music opportunity is for children and youth in 3rd – 8th grade. They will learn how to play the chimes. We will meet on the following dates this fall:
Sundays, December 10th & 17th from noon – 1:00 p.m. We will have lunch from noon – 12:30 p.m. and practice chimes from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
Mondays, December 11th & 18th from 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
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