January 8, 2017 Church Staff Senior Minister Dr. Brian Miller [email protected]Minister of Discipleship Rev. Michael Cobb [email protected]Minister of Worship Rev. Steve Badskey [email protected]Director of Youth Discipleship Paul Horton [email protected]Director of Children’s Ministries Katie Blair [email protected]Co-Director of Weekday Children’s Ministry Lana Ward [email protected]Contemporary Worship Leader Sara Cobb [email protected]Church Administrator/ Building Superintendent Bill Haigler [email protected]Executive Assistant Linda Anderson [email protected]Financial Secretary Dory Hector [email protected]Bookkeeper Bettie Miller [email protected]Program Assistant Allison Frost [email protected]Music & Youth Ministry Intern Eliza Richardson [email protected]Hospitality Coordinator Jimmy Dennis [email protected]After Hours Minister On Call: 334/544-0168 “To Know Jesus And To Make Him Known” Over the past several semesters of our Wednesday night discipleship, we have cov- ered a variety of topics aimed at helping us grow in our faith and our Christ -likeness. This past fall semester, we spent me focusing on each area of our SEED discipleship pathway (Seek, Engage, Equip, Deploy). As we enter 2017, we wanted to take oppor- tunity to re-center on the Word of God and offer studies that were strictly Biblical. These studies are all produced by Seedbed, a publishing company centered on bring discipleship back into focus from a Wesleyan perspecve. These four studies that we will highlight this semester are a part of Seedbed’s “OneBook” series. This series is taught by seminary professors who have the spiritual giſt of teaching. Each teacher has the giſt of communicang the most difficult and profound parts of scripture in ways that make sense even for the newest Chrisans. Likewise, their material is not academic alone but is heavily devoonal. These complementary qualies of teaching enable our growth in discipleship of both mind and soul. At the same me, there is a thread in them all that beacons us to make tangible our faith in the world with our bodies. These studies are, therefore, aimed at the development of our whole person. The four OneBook Studies are as follows: The Epic of Eden is a study that shows the history of God’s redeeming grace, weaving together a story that runs from the Eden of the Garden to the garden of the New Jerusalem. The Epic of Eden: Isaiah takes parcipants back to the eighth century BCE and helps us to apply the message of this great champion of the faith to our lives today. The Psalms: Part 1 in this study, we will be introduced to Book 1 of the Psalms (Psalm 1-41) and ancipate finding fresh astonishment and sustenance in these God-inspired prayers. The Leer to the Romans This poignant study will guide students toward holy love, revealing more of Christ through deeper understanding. Our Schedule for the semester is as follows: January 11 th : Study Introducons and Mission Projects January 18 th : Studies officially begin March 1 st : Ash Wednesday (OneBook studies will be halted through Lent) March 8 th : Lenten Video Study (All Together) April 19 th : OneBook Studies resume May 24 th : Last Wednesday night Discipleship study of the Semester Please join us in growing together in discipleship in the semester ahead. Grace and Peace, The D Hearts 2017 Spring Discipleship Preview
Over the past several semesters of our Wednesday night discipleship, we have cov-ered a variety of topics aimed at helping us grow in our faith and our Christ-likeness. This past fall semester, we spent time focusing on each area of our SEED discipleship pathway (Seek, Engage, Equip, Deploy). As we enter 2017, we wanted to take oppor-tunity to re-center on the Word of God and offer studies that were strictly Biblical.
These studies are all produced by Seedbed, a publishing company centered on bring discipleship back into focus from a Wesleyan perspective. These four studies that we will highlight this semester are a part of Seedbed’s “OneBook” series. This series is taught by seminary professors who have the spiritual gift of teaching. Each teacher has the gift of communicating the most difficult and profound parts of scripture in ways that make sense even for the newest Christians. Likewise, their material is not academic alone but is heavily devotional. These complementary qualities of teaching enable our growth in discipleship of both mind and soul. At the same time, there is a thread in them all that beacons us to make tangible our faith in the world with our bodies. These studies are, therefore, aimed at the development of our whole person.
The four OneBook Studies are as follows: The Epic of Eden is a study that shows the history of God’s redeeming grace,
weaving together a story that runs from the Eden of the Garden to the garden of the New Jerusalem.
The Epic of Eden: Isaiah takes participants back to the eighth century BCE and helps us to apply the message of this great champion of the faith to our lives today.
The Psalms: Part 1 in this study, we will be introduced to Book 1 of the Psalms (Psalm 1-41) and anticipate finding fresh astonishment and sustenance in these God-inspired prayers.
The Letter to the Romans This poignant study will guide students toward holy love, revealing more of Christ through deeper understanding.
Our Schedule for the semester is as follows:
January 11th: Study Introductions and Mission Projects January 18th: Studies officially begin March 1st: Ash Wednesday (OneBook studies will be halted through Lent) March 8th: Lenten Video Study (All Together) April 19th: OneBook Studies resume May 24th: Last Wednesday night Discipleship study of the Semester
Please join us in growing together in discipleship in the semester ahead.
Grace and Peace,
The D Hearts 2017 Spring Discipleship Preview
Last week we looked back at some of our 2016 mission activi-ties here at Aldersgate. Some of our missionary partners have been sharing their year-end summaries. Below are some im-pressive statistics from Mark Wittig of what God has been do-ing through the Christian Union Sports Club in Medellin, Co-lombia.
166 soccer teams with 4,000 players, ages 5-20
40 soccer staff members/coaches
90 devotionals given every week at team practices
100’s of lives changed for Christ and saved from involve-ment in illegal drugs and gangs
1 new soccer field at their sports center (our team from Aldersgate worked on this project)
28 employees of the brownie business
$500,000 in brownie sales which supports 50% of the over-all budget of the ministry.
Please continue to remember Mark and the CUSC in your pray-ers in the coming year. They have begun construction of the Acevedo Church and Community Center and are hoping for a fruitful outreach to Muslims through their new ministry in Mai-cao, Colombia.
PEF Committee Meeting There will be a Permanent Endowment Fund (PEF) Committee Meeting, on Thursday, January 12, at 6:00 p.m. in room 26.
River Region Readers Join the book club at 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 8, in room 119 as we discuss Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead. All are welcome! Come even if you haven’t finished the book.
Mark Your Calendars!
Aldersgate’s GIC (Global Impact Celebration)
has been scheduled for March 10-12, 2017.
We are pleased to announce that we will have two keynote speakers this year. Romal Tune will bring our Friday night kick-off celebration message. Romal is a well-known speaker, author, and strategic consultant working to cultivate purpose and pas-sion that equips others to maximize performance and allow God to redeem their stories. Clark Pickett will bring the message for our Sunday morning Faith Promise and Life Commitment ser-vice. Clark is the vice president for mission advancement at The Mission Society. He and his team coordinate the energies of God’s people to fund support ministries for missionaries, field projects, training for international leaders, and local church out-reach. In addition to our excellent speakers, Stephanie Seefeldt will return and bring her gifts and talents for leading us in wor-ship. We worship with her at various times throughout the week-end.
We also look forward to welcoming some of our local, national and international missionary partners. Our international mission-aries will include: Kristin Fisher serving in Myanmar, Szabolcs Kerekes serving in Hungary, Mary Woods serving in Costa Rica and Davis Rhodes serving in Tanzania.
Many more details are to come shortly, but the 2017 GIC will be an exciting and encouraging event that will help us see how God is working through our faithfulness to His global purposes.
5:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 19
Youth Talent Show and Dinner with guest appearance by Youth Choir alumni and Youtube sensation—Caleb Hyles. All proceeds from our Banquet will go toward Youth Missions.
Dinner is $15.00 per person for adults
$5.00 for child plate
Begin the New Year with a song in your heart. Join us for a choir rehearsal soon. Our Chancel Choir will resume rehears-als at 7:00 on Wednesday nights on January 11; our Junior Bells, Carol Choir and Joyful Bells will resume rehearsal on January 8.
Music Opportunities at Aldersgate Listed below is just a glimpse of some of the musical opportuni-ties offered here at Aldersgate:
Aldersgate Orchestra (adults and youth) - Wednesdays and Sundays as needed TBA
Plus all of our ensembles for voices and instruments.
Visitors are always welcome at any of our rehearsals. Come join us!!
Senior Saint Winter Schedule Wednesday, January 11 11:00 Rehearsal
Calendar Items for 2017 Please be sure to contact Linda in the church office ([email protected] ) if you need to schedule rooms for meetings or events in 2017. Please note: meetings to not carry over from year to year, they need to be rescheduled at the be-ginning of each year unless you have made arrangements to put 2017 meetings on the calendar when you listed your 2016 meetings.
Pack your bags! Wednesday night activities return on January 11 at 6:00 pm and elementary students are taking a trip around the globe as we learn about missions! We will get a stamp on our passport in Myanmar, Hungary, Tanzania, and Costa Ri-ca, just to name a few. We will also learn about some national missions as well as local ones right here in Montgomery. This will be a fun time for us as we travel, learn together, and get ready for our upcoming 2017 Global Impact Celebration that will be held March 10-12. We can’t wait! All adventures will depart from room 112 in the CAC.
Coming Up...
Sunday, January 8 at 4:00 pm—Worship Arts practice for the Aldersgate’s Got talent Show/Fundraiser set for February 19..
Winter Retreat, January 13-15—Make sure to get your registration and payment to Paul within the first week of January. It’s gonna be a great time with Tony & Stephanie Jeck at Camp Alamisco!
Small Group Sunday nights starting back January 22.
AUMC Food Pantry
Food of the Month
Cereal, Oatmeal, Grits, Pancake Mix & Syrup
The Food Pantry helps and blesses almost 500 clients a year. It would not be possible without your donations. Remember this ministry as you do your grocery shopping.
Please Join us for a Bridal
Shower!
Hillary Pugh will soon become
Mrs. Cory Eckstein!
Please join us in showering Hillary
with love and best wishes at a bridal
shower in her honor
January 8, 2017
2:00-3:30 PM
Aldersgate UMC parlor
Hosted by Women of Aldersgate
For questions, you may contact Wendy Askew (271-8922 or
[email protected]) Our Sound Tech Multi-Media Team Needs You! We’re seeking new members to fill out our roster. Training is fast and commitment can be as little as one Sunday a month. Contact Steve Badskey at 272-6152 or email [email protected] if you’re interested.
Renascence One of Aldersgate’s least known Local Missions team partners is Renascence. Its mission is to assist men recently released on parole for non-violent offences to suc-cessfully reintegrate into the community. Celebrating its 10th year anniversary in September, 2016, Renascence has offered approximately 250 men the skills and assis-tance needed to succeed in the free world.
Renascence provides safe and affordable housing for 6 months to a year in a super-vised program of case management and life-skills training. Group counseling is re-quired and individual counseling is provided as needed. The residents live as part of a household, sharing chores, respecting others and taking responsibility for their ac-tions, attending AA/NA meetings and being subject to random drug tests.
Renascence helps the families of its residents by insuring timely child-support from financially responsible fathers and creating positive relationships with the men and their families. Once opposed neighbors, are now among their supporters as there have been no incidents or complaints from neighbors in 10 years. In addition, the program has an excellent reputation with judges and probation and parole authorities. It is a preferred “home plan” due to the accountability expected during a minimum 6-month commitment with 24/7 supervision of residents.
Executive Director Alan Smith’s wish list or Renascence is quite modest. All dona-tions are welcome, especially Bibles and bakes needed for transportation to required employment. The men are most in need of occasional visitors to break the monotony of essentially house arrest. They miss the social interaction with other men and enjoy conversations with others over a meal to help reintegrate successfully into society as productive and responsible individuals.
At 6:30 am in room 22, on Tuesday, January 10, Alan Smith will be speaking at the United Methodist Men’s breakfast. Learn more about this local mission and how you may be able to support them by contributing your talents and resources.
