Announcements 5/5/2024

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

The Flowers on the Altar are given by Ed Wetterwald in memory of Audrey Wetterwald

The Flowers on the Altar are given by Marcia Dana in celebration of John Robert's 78th 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 today May 5th

We are excited to welcome Veejay Strama, our intern to the pulpit today. 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.

Last Day of Church School - May 12th!

Our last day of church school is May 12^th this year because we will only have one service on Sunday, May 19^th at 9:30 a.m. The church school classes will participate in worship on May 19^th when we celebrate Pentecost and confirming Sara, Gabriel, Finn and Kate.

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.

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST SUNDAY, MAY 12TH 9:00 – 10:30 A.M.

MENU:

MINI EGG FRITTATA’S

SAUSAGE

PANCAKES WITH ASSORTED TOPPINGS

FRUIT CUPS

VEGAN & GLUTEN FREE SELECTION TOO!

Church School Families – please attend breakfast before 9:30 a.m. so you can attend the last Sunday of Church School.

All donations will go towards our youth mission trip at Camp Wanakee in N.H. Thank you for your support!

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?

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.

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.

Aldersgate Holy Strollers

The days are warming. The birds are singing. The flowers and trees are blooming. Come hike with Aldersgate’s Holy Strollers hiking group and enjoy God’s beautiful nature. The group hikes once a week on local conservation land and trails in Bedford, Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Lowell and Westford. The hikes are usually 2.5 to 3 miles or about 1 to 1.5 hours on wooded trails which often have rocks and roots. We occasionally hike on paved paths, too. The group usually hikes on Thursday at 9:30 am when the weather is hot or 1:00 pm when the weather is cold. If the Thursday weather forecast is rain or snow, the hike will shift to another weekday. On Sunday night or Monday morning an email is sent out to the group indicating the day, time and location of the hike. The email also includes a Google map link to the trailhead and a link to the trail map. A person from the group will meet at the church for anyone who wishes to carpool to the trailhead. You don’t need to commit to every week. Hike when you can. If you wish to join us and be included on the email notification for the hike or want more information contact Rick Newcomb, email: rnewcomb@comcast.net or Peter Smyton, email: thesmytonfamily@comcast.net.

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 fourth lesson (Chapters 7&8).

Early Bird on Tuesdays at 10:00 am via Zoom, led by Charles McCrea. Zoom link in Friday email or contact Charles. This Tuesday, May 7^th, Early Bird continues to explore and examine the thoughts, feelings and individual experiences evoked in ONE. This week begins chapter two ‘Integrated Experiences.’ Join in the discussion on Tuesday morning at ten o’clock via Zoom.

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. Tuesday night group will discuss chapters 3 and 4 on May 7 at The Ward’s place.
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! We will discuss Chapters 8&9 on May 9.

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, May 9, will cover Chapters 6&7.

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).

ONE

Aldersgate is focusing on our commitment to being a united community of diverse people connected by ONE Lord, ONE Faith, ONE God and Father of all. We are many parts of ONE body. Together, we are reading and discussing ONE- Unity in a Divided World and exploring how we can love ONE another well, even in a time of rampant disagreement on all manner of things. We are working to join our hearts and minds, through time and conversation together, to spur ONE another to love our neighbors and love God better.

As we deepen our church family’s connections with ONE another, together we are building a tree in the lobby to create ONE piece of art. When the trunk and branches appear on the lobby wall, we invite you to choose a leaf decal and place it on a branch. Parents help your child choose and place their leaf on the tree OR they can design and create their very own leaf to add to a branch. If you can’t make it into the church over the next six weeks, contact Betsy in the office or Kim Ward (mikdraw@aol.com) and we will add your piece.

Watch the beauty of many becoming ONE over the coming weeks!

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.

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.

Jasper’s updated needs list.
Boxes of liquid creamer packs instead of powder. Tooth flossers but have over stock on other toiletries. No more gummy worms. Cutting back on sweets. Need disposable utensil packs – mostly spoons and forks. Paper towels. Peanut butter crackers. No more oatmeal. Now overstocked. Pre-cooked bacon that can be shipped without refrigeration. Kodiak microwaveable waffles or pancakes in a cup.