Announcements 2/4/2024

The flowers on the altar are given in Celebration of Garth & Elaine Brown's 43rd Anniversary on February 7th and Elaine's birthday on February 4th.

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 Aldersgate UMC. A Zoom link will be sent to your email prior to the service. A recording of the service will be available on the WCUMC website after the service if you cannot watch it live on Zoom. 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 theme is “Giving It Up.” The topics for these Wednesdays include “Giving Up Control,” “Giving Up Expectation” and “Giving Up Superiority.” 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 salad, bread, or dessert for one or more weeks, please contact Betsey Driscoll, (betseylll@yahoo.com).

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

This year we will be sharing reflections on giving it up with fasting, giving up control, prayer expectations, and finally giving it up in death. If you are interested in offering one of the reflections, please contact Pastor Bob.

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

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.

Memorial and Reception Meal for Chuck Piper

We got word from Jean Piper that Chuck passed away at Kennedy Meadows on Saturday morning January 20^th. His memorial will be held on March 16th at 11 am in our Sanctuary, with a reception in the Fellowship Hall at noon. His burial will be sometime this summer in Maine. Please check in with Betsey Driscoll to find out what you can help with.

Please pray for Jean and the rest of the Piper family as they prepare to celebrate Chuck’s life.

Here is the link for Chuck’s Obituary: https://www.rivetfuneralhome.com/obituary/charles-piper-sr?

Request from Jasper: from Ken Bair

Jasper has texted and asked for 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 as well as coffee filters. We have a pretty solid coffee maker and 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. Favorites so far are Dunkin Donuts, Caribou Coffee, New England Coffees French vanilla flavor. s. 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. Kim is also sending Girl Scout cookies. Check with Kim if you would like to help.

Reminder to schedule your appointment for the Blood Drive – February 24 from 9-2

Please sign up if you can help this important cause. There continues to be a national shortage!

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and search under February 24th to schedule an appointment.

For more information call or email Cate Lehan or Robin Dye or the church office.

Blessings, Outreach.

Early Bird Bible Application

This week Early Bird explores the topic ‘The Law and Love: Jesus Prevents a Stoning.’ The Scripture lesson is John 8:1-11, 39-59. Join in the discussion as we examine how ‘love competes, law falls short.’ Early Bird meets Tuesday mornig at ten via Zoom,

Adult Ed Sunday Class

Our study and discussion on the impact Alzheimer’s disease and dementia has on our loved ones and our congregation continues today between the services. 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 join the discussion, led by Debbie Smyton, on Sunday mornings at 9:45 in the Concord Room or via Zoom. See more information in the January Advocate.

Did you know?

Alzheimer’s Statistics

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number could rise as high as 16 million.
More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.
In 2016, caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion hours of care valued at over $230 billion
In 2017, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $259 billion. By 2050, those costs could rise as high as $1.1 trillion.
Thirty five percent of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities, compared to 19% of caregivers for older people without dementia.
One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
It’s the 6th leading cause of death and it kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined. • Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
Since 2000, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 14 percent while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89 percent.

Alzheimer’s Association; https://www.alz.org/facts/overview.asp?type=alzchptfooter

Thursday Morning Bible Study – Last session Feb 8th

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.

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 in the Advocate!

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 continue taking orders on Sunday

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!

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.

Church Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-12pm. Betsy will be in the office on those days and available by phone at other times.

Change for Change

Change for Change continues to contribute to others. In the fall, our youth selected the Alzheimer’s Association as a candidate. $400 has been collected by change and will be donated. Our Adult ED team has selected the Alternative House in Lowell as our next candidate. Change matters. God is Good.

From Kim – Chair of Adult Ed