Announcements 10/8/2023
Today’s altar flowers are given by Peter and Holly Fipphen in celebration of our daughters birthdays-Becca today and Lizzie on the 17th.
Stewardship Campaign 2024 Kicks Off Today! “Building Tomorrow, Together” Commitment Sunday is in two weeks, October 22nd
Today kicks off our Stewardship Campaign for the 2024 calendar year. Each year during October we turn our thoughts toward reflecting upon God’s goodness in our lives. It is a time to look honestly at how we say “thank you” for our many blessings. This year as we eagerly embark in an effort to BUILD an engaged and inclusive community, we are called to focus on “Building Tomorrow, Together”. Let us not be content in the ways of the past, but look ahead to new ways of doing things that engage more people in the love that we all share. Over the next three weeks members will share what Aldersgate means to them, how their faith has grown and what our commitment can do to insure continued growth in our faith community. Today we will hear from Lee Williams about her faith filled journey with Aldersgate. As a long time member, serving as Sunday School teacher, mission worker and on several committees, including her dedication to the Aldersgate garden, Lee has so much to share to help spark our imagination as we are “Building Tomorrow, Together” in our own faith journey. Tools are provided for guidance as you prayerfully consider what your pledge and commitment will be for the coming year. We will be offering our pledge cards for the 2024 calendar year in Worship on Sunday, October 22nd. Please pray for our church as we lead up to this important day.
Memorial for Linda Wesinger
The memorial for Linda Wesinger will take place on October 13th, with a visiting time from 10-11, Service in the Sanctuary from 11-12 and a burial in Concord at 12:30. There will be a collation afterward in Fellowship Hall. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers.
Ministry Fair Next Sunday, October 15!
Have you ever wondered what the various committees and small groups that you read and hear about do here at Aldersgate? The Church Council is sponsoring a Ministry Fair next Sunday, October 15, from 9:30 to 10:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. Each of the church committees and small groups will have a table with information about their purpose and activities, and you can learn about the structure and the ministries of the church in a fun and informal setting, during Coffee Hour. Come and find out what your fellow congregants are up to! If you are thinking about plugging in for a single event or something a bit longer term and are not sure how or where, or just curious about what goes on here the rest of the week, this is a chance to learn more. You may learn of an opportunity you will find rewarding! If you have questions, please ask Pastor Bob or Peter Smyton, Church Council chairperson. See you at the Fair!
Request for All Saints Names
On Sunday, November 5th, we will celebrate All Saints Sunday. Our Worship will include the reading of names of those who have died in the past year, who have gone on to join the “Saints Triumphant”.
If you would like the name of a loved one read on that day, please fill out a form on the welcome desk or email the church office or call (978-256-9400) and leave a message on the office phone, by October 31st Please include as a subject “All Saints” on your email. And also include your name and the loved one’s name as well as spell it if by phone.
Fall Adult Study Continues
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).
Sermon Series on Loneliness Continues (Oct 8)
Pastor Bob invites you to join him as he concludes his sermon series on loneliness with #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.
Early Bird Bible Application
Early Bird Bible Application will meet on Tuesday at ten o’clock via Zoom. We will continue the multi-week series on Fundamentals of the Faith with module two of The Church: Fellowship and Worship.’ Last week was a look at the universal church (the body of all believers) and the beginning exploration of the early local church (the smaller group of believers). The understanding of the early local church’s structure, priorities, roles, etc., will be this week’s discussion. 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.
Inclusivity Discussions to Continue
The Aldersgate Church Council will be offering opportunities for 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 missed any of the info sessions held in September, the Zoom sessions held on Wednesday, Sept 20, was recorded and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/8NaiqBm7br4. 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 UMC
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.
Please email Cheryl at aumc-education@verizon.net if they plan on attending the supper so we have enough pizza for everyone.
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.
Please email Cheryl at aumc-education@verizon.net if they plan on attending the supper so we have enough pizza for everyone.
Bell Choir
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
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. Please email Cheryl at aumc-education@verizon.net if they plan on attending the supper so we have enough pizza for everyone.
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!
Single Ladies Dining Out
Single Ladies Dining Out will have dinner together on Oct 14th at 4:00 pm at Bahama Breeze, 413 Middlesex Rd, Tyngsboro, MA 01879. Please RSVP by Thursday Oct 12th to Betsy Campbell 978-256-9400 or by email to aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net so that she can reserve a table large enough.
If you are a single lady and would enjoy a dinner out and lots of fun conversation, we would love to have you join us.
October is National Clergy Month
A truly great pastor is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget. Aldersgate is blessed with two of the best.
In infinite wisdom, the Lord surely knew that we would need a pastor as faithful as Pastor Bob and Rev Maylis, a love of God’s word, and a heart for their flock. Pastor Bob and Rev Maylis have given of themselves and they stand on the rock.
To show our appreciation for them, we need to invite their “friends” to post on Facebook or drop cards off for Pastor Bob and Rev Maylis to tell them why we appreciate them as our pastors. Our church has some awesome pastors.
OctoBook Club for October rescheduled to November 7th due to Halloween on the 31st in the Concord Room
Nov 7th is “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick, (Judy’s pick)
Hope you all can join us! Blessings, Deb
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