Announcements 4/28/2024

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

The Flowers on the Altar are given by Dawn and David Jones in celebration of Jillian’s 21st Birthday

Welcome everyone

Good morning to all. If you are visiting today we would love to have you fill out the Welcome Card in the pew so that we can get to know you. For everyone, there is a Red Friendship pad on the aisle end of the pew. Please sign it and pass it down the row and back.

Welcome Veejay to the Pulpit on May 5th

We are excited to welcome Veejay Strama, our intern to the pulpit next week. He will give his message and lead both services. Pastor Bob will serve communion at both services.

SPRC

Cheryl is retiring after 25 years of ministry as Aldersgate’s Director of Christian Education. The Staff Parish Relations Committee is starting the search process for a new Director. If you are interested, see Dan Ward or Pastor Bob for details about the process, timeline, and position.

Confirmation Class

Confirmation Sunday will be on May 19th. We will have one service at 9:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon for all. This is also Pentecost Sunday and our Bishop Peggy Johnson will be preaching. We hope you can join us for this very special service when we confirm and welcome Sara, Kate, Gabriel, and Finn as official members of our church family! Please continue to keep the following students and their mentors in your prayers during their confirmation journey: Sara A. – David Driscoll, Kate C. – Betsey Driscoll, Finn H. –Dan Ward, Gabriel R. – Lee Pender.

Aldersgate 2024 Rummage Sale Friday May 3 from 3 - 8 PM & Saturday May 4 form 9 AM - Noon

Sign-up Sheets are in the foyer, we can use your help. 😉

You can drop items for donation beginning Sunday April 28th in Fellowship Hall. Please no electronics, exercise equipment or large heavy furniture.

Proceeds this year will support our youth’s summer mission trip and our feeding ministries both St Paul’s and Thanksgiving Baskets. As food prices have increased both of these missions are more stressed for donations. Our annual St Paul’s budget has not increased in over 5 years and our Thanksgiving Basket program is entirely funded by the Aldersgate family donations.

So whether you donate, set up, price items, staff the rummage sale, shop or most importantly help clean and breakdown on Saturday May 4th from noon to 2. Outreach is grateful for the Aldersgate continued support of this annual event. GO RUMMAGE SALE.

Blessings, Outreach Committee

From Bishop Peggy Johnson

The United Methodist Church will be holding its quadrennial General Conference from April 23 to May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. General Conference is the body that makes decisions on behalf of the denomination and updates the Book of Discipline.

You are invited to join our Conference prayer vigil for the General Conference. We need folks to sign up for ½ hour slots from 8 am to 6 pm each day from Tuesday, April 23, through Friday, May 3, 2024. Your prayers are appreciated any time, even if that slot is not available. You can go to https://www.neumc.org and sign up for prayer times.

Children and Youth Singing and Chime Time Schedule

This spring, we will be meeting on the following days:

Tuesdays, May 7^th & 14^th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. We will have supper together and then practice chimes.

“One – Unity in a Divided World”

YOU are invited to our ALL Church Study of One – Unity in a Divided World by Deidre Riggs beginning this month! There are several small group opportunities to participate, including:

Sunday at 9:45 am in the Concord Room and via Zoom, led by members of the Adult Ed committee. No need to sign up. Come one, come all! Today we will cover the third lesson (Chapters 5&6).

Early Bird on Tuesdays at 10:00 am via Zoom, led by Charles McCrea. Zoom link in Friday email or contact Charles. This Tuesday, April 30, we will continue to reflect on chapter one. Early Bird continues the exploration of chapter one. Please read the chapter questions on page 192 for inclusion in our discussion.

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm led by Kim and Dan Ward and Dawn and David Jones at the Jones’. Sign up in the lobby or contact the hosts. We will discuss lesson one (Chapters 1&2) on April 3

Thursdays at 10:00 am in the Concord Room and via Zoom, led by Pastor Bob. No need to sign up. Come one, come all! The third lesson (Chapters 4&5) is April 25.

Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the Concord Room and via Zoom, led by Peter Smyton. Sign up in the lobby or contact Peter. This Thursday’s class, April 25, will cover the third lesson (Chapters 5&6).

Even if the group with your preferred time has already started, it is not too late. You are always welcome! And you can switch between groups over time to better fit your schedule. For more information, please refer to the flyer in the welcome area and the April Advocate. Books are available online or in the lobby for a suggested donation of $10. It’s not too late to lead a group. To volunteer or if you have questions, contact Kim (mikdraw@aol.com).

Drivers Wanted!

We are compiling a list of people willing to drive people to church services that are unable to get to Aldersgate otherwise. If you are willing to be on such a list, please let Betsy in the office know. We will match you with people who are “on your way.” If we have enough volunteers, it would not be an “every week” commitment. Won’t you help us bring the unchurched into the fold?

Christmas Faire Jewelry

It’s not too early to start thinking about the Christmas Faire. While you’re sorting through your belongings for the fabulous Aldersgate Rummage Sale, take a look through your jewelry too. When the jewelry team has more time to evaluate our merchandise, we can sort and price more carefully. Marcia Dana and her crew will happily accept your donations of beautiful jewelry throughout the month of May. We’re trying to upgrade our inventory so please consider those items that are quite nice but you never wear. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.

HELP US BLESS OUR SOLDIERS!

A beloved Grandson’s deployment has been extended to 12+ months. You can help support him and his colleagues while they are away from home by purchasing any of the items below and mailing them directly (address by request) or leave them in the box and Kim and Dan Ward will ship them. This box will remain in the lobby or hallway until the Lieutenant has returned home! Check the list regularly as it will change based on current needs. Thanks for your help and remember to pray for the safety of these men and women far from home.

Items requested:

Protein bars (#1 most requested item) and Electrolyte Powder

Dried fruit: mango strips and blueberries are some favorites

Fruit cups

Goldfish crackers and similar

Microwave popcorn, Kettle corn flavor especially

Powdered Coffee creamer

Gummy worms and similar

Oatmeal packets and disposable coffee cups to prepare it in

Flavored coffee- Caribou Coffee, New England French Vanilla, Dunkin Donuts

Travel-size toiletries are also very helpful (bar soap, deodorant, floss, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene supplies)

Cards, notes, drawings, or other encouraging surprises are also welcome and help bring a bright spot to very repetitive days. It’s Spring- why not make some flowers, butterflies, or birds to cheer up their bunks?