Announcements 9/24/2023
Today’s altar flowers are given by Peter Smyton in celebration of Debbie’s birthday on Monday
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 begins today 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.
Fall Adult Study Starts Soon
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 starts chapter one today at 9:45 am. The Thursday class will meet at 10:00 am and discuss chapter two on the 28th. 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 not meet this Tuesday 26 September, but will resume on Tuesday 3 October.
Sermon Series on Loneliness Continues (Sep 24 - Oct 9)
Pastor Bob invites you to join him as he continues his sermon series on loneliness starting from today. Sep 24 #3 Death and Loneliness (Rev. Maylis preaching); 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!! SUNDAY, 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!
Book Club in the Concord Room and on Zoom
On September 26th is True Biz by Sara Novic, (Betsey’s pick)
Let Deb know if you want to join by Zoom.
On October 31 is The Measure by Nikki Erlick, (Judy’s pick)
Hope you all can join us! Blessings, Deb
Holiday Cards 4 Military
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.
Susan Lewis and Dawn Jones
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!
Scouting News
All are invited to attend the Troop 81 Halloween party.
Parents need to stay with their children.
Come and have fun.
October 25th from 7-8 Back parking lot.
Inclusivity Info Session on Monday, 9/25
Some people have been confused about or are unfamiliar with the United Methodist Church’s (UMC’s) stance on the LGBTQI+ community, how our New England Conference is addressing this stance, and what that means for Aldersgate. The Church Council is holding information sessions on this topic this month, led by Pastors Bob and Maylis, as our clergy, Bonnie Marden, our delegate to the UMC General Conference, where these topics are discussed, and Peter Smyton, our Church Council chairperson. The sessions provide an overview of the denomination’s stance and the impact on local churches. No decisions or votes are occurring at these sessions, they are so everyone has the same understanding of the issue and status before we take the next step in discussing how Aldersgate wants to be viewed by the community on this topic. Thank you for everyone who attended our three first three sessions! There is one more session, held via Zoom this Monday, 9/25 at 7:00 pm. The Zoom link info is in the weekly worship email or can be obtained by contacting the church office (aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net or 978-256-9400).
The Council plans to offer other opportunities after these sessions 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 welcome your feedback on how you would like these discussions to be conducted.
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.
Lobby Window book display
The books in the lobby windows are available for you to borrow and return at your leisure. You will find books on prayer, books that discuss Christian LGBTQ+ folks and books on creating deeper community. We welcome you to spend some time this summer expanding your faith and understanding of God’s church.
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