The Aldersgate Experience

Transcription

1 The Aldersgate Experience Monthly News of Aldersgate United Methodist Church April 2019 In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity Rupertus Meldenius. Dear Friends of AUMC, I love this cartoon story In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy is chasing Charley Brown. I ll catch you shouts Lucy, and when I do I m going to knock your block off. Suddenly Charlie screeches to a halt. He turns to Lucy and says, Wait a minute Lucy, if you and I as relatively small children, with relatively small problems, can t sit down and talk through our problems in a mature way, how can we expect the nations of the world to get along? With that, Lucy slugs him. I had to hit him quick, says Lucy, he was starting to make sense. So it is no wonder that Mother Theresa, the lover of the least, when asked what we can do to promote world peace, said, Go home and love your family. We are going through difficult times as a United Methodist Church. Heart breaking pain is evident to all of us. I am so grateful for you Aldersgate church that you are demonstrating Godly maturity in being the church that God intends, a church who while demonstrating great diversity can agree on the love of God and neighbor as first and foremost in our creed. This Easter season, let s not forget that God gave us the greatest gift ever in offering Himself in Jesus Christ so that we would have peace and be reconciled to Him. As Easter is quickly upon us, let s take stock of our lives and our attitudes in living for Jesus. If someone asked your friend or a member of your family, would they quickly be able to tell them that you reflect the joy and patience and the love of Christ? Christ conquered death and gave us the victory over sin. Let s live giving witness to His power working within us. In His Dust, Pastor Jan

2 Page 2 Follow up from Forgiveness Series My Steps Towards Reconciliation 1. I will pray daily about the two of us with humility and an open heart. 2. I will seek to understand my part in the conflict. 3. I will commit to initiate random acts of kindness on their behalf. My first step in reconciliation is: Matt 18:15-20 Health Ministries Director Resignation Dear Friends, It is with both sadness and deep appreciation that we announce that Carol Diffenbaugh s retirement as our Director of Health and Nurture here at Aldersgate. Carol has served as a faithful servant for 17 years and has touched so many lives with her care and ministry gifts. Carol and her husband Brad will begin a new chapter in their lives as both enter retirement to enjoy one another, enjoy their family and care for their aging parents. We will be honoring Carol in all worship services on April 28 th. Thank you in advance for your attendance to honor her tireless work in ministry. Pastor Jan Confirmation Journey Confirmation is well underway! The 19 students who are involved in this year's class took part in the confirmation retreat the first weekend in March at the Silver Springs Presbyterian Retreat House. During the weekend we covered numerous topics, spent time in fellowship, served at Community Cares in Carlisle, worshipped and played in the snow! The confirmands all took part in the Ash Wednesday service helping with the various stations as well as ushering and greeting. In April we will be taking a trip to Sight and Sound Theater to see the play "Jesus." Confirmation Sunday is scheduled for Pentecost which is June 9. Please continue to pray for our confirmands, their families and our mentors!

3 WORSHIP MINISTRY Page 3 April Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday: April 14th Worship 8, 9:30, 11 am Holy Thursday: April 18th 7:00 pm (Communion will be served) Good Friday Choir Cantata: April 19th 7:00 pm Easter Morning: Sunday April 21st 6:15 am Sunrise Service Outdoor Worship 6:45 am Breakfast in the FLC Worship 8, 9:30, 11 am Communion served at 8 am Maundy Thursday: April 18th 7pm Our Maundy Thursday service is a dramatic contemporary telling of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Come and be transformed by the enacting of The Ragman. Celebration of the Last Supper with Communion will be part of our time together. If you enjoyed our Ash Wednesday service, this service will speak to your heart! Choir/Orchestra to offer Sanctuary (a choir cantata) on Good Friday As a part of the worship schedule during Holy Week, the choir and orchestra will be offering a service in song entitled Sanctuary. This cantata called Sanctuary conveys the many ways in which the seeker finds shelter and safety in the grace of Christ. The dictionary defines the word sanctuary as a place of refuge or safety. To the Body of Christ, a sanctuary is the place where we gather to worship the living God: for us, Aldersgate s sanctuary is a house of devotion. Joseph Martin writes Beyond the house of devotion there is another sanctuary not made of brick or stone. This living sanctuary is Jesus! Through Christ, God s tabernacle became flesh and moved among us. It is beneath this graceful shelter that we find our way through the wilderness and into our Promised Land. It is in Christ we find our fortress of faith, and there, wrapped in His everlasting love, we at last know the deep peace that surpasses our understanding. This cantata is different than what the choir typically offers on Good Friday. Instead of telling the story of the crucifixion, Sanctuary offers refuge and safety in the arms of Jesus and his promises. The service of music will be held on Good Friday, April 19 th at 7:00 pm. Invite your friends and family to attend. You will be blessed! Son-Rise Service on Easter Morning In addition to three worship services on Easter morning, we will also offer outdoor worship to experience the Son-Rise. This service will be held in the field beside the church at 6:15 am. We will be blessed by hearing from Mary after she sees that the stone has been rolled away, and that the Savior is RISEN! Following the service, there will be breakfast served in the Family Life Center at 6:45 pm. Come experience SON-RISE!

4 Page 4 Revolution Youth Updates! Youth News Over 30 youth attended the Ash Wednesday service to celebrate the beginning of Lent. As we journey through Lent together, we are discussing ways God works in our everyday lives. We had lots of fun with friends enjoying Battleball, Bowling and a Lock-in together. We also enjoyed our Revolution Youth nights, WUW and Sunday School! Please join us anytime and friends are always welcome! Save the date for our Summer Service Project: June 19 June 22 Revolution Youth, 6 th -12 th grade, is partnering with God s Helping Hands and other local ministries for a week of local service to the community. Come out to help the local community, spend time with friends, earn service hours, and show the love of Jesus! Overnight accommodations at Silver Springs Retreat Center. To sign up please visit or talk to Jamie or Wendy. Revolution Youth Nights in April (Revolution Youth Nights are from 6:00-8:00 pm) 7 Revolution Youth Night- Meal Night 14 Revolution Youth Night 21 HAPPY EASTER NO Revolution Youth 28 Revolution Youth Night Youth Communications To receive text messages: From your phone, to Follow us on Facebook by searching for: Aldersgate Mechanicsburg Follow us on Instagram by searching Mission Central Gala Mission Central will be hosting their annual Gala at Camp Hill United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 6 at 5:30 pm. Please go to for more information and to purchase tickets.

5 Page 5 Happy Spring! Hopefully we will start seeing signs of the season outside this month. The teachers and preschoolers love being out on the playground and welcome the warm, sunny days! End of Year Celebration We are in the final stretch of preschool. May 16 th is our last day. We will have an end of year celebration at Adventure Zone Park on Friday, May 17 th from 9-11am. Everyone is welcome! R&K Sub Fundraiser The preschool will be holding another sub sale fundraiser this spring. Please consider ordering R & K subs for a quick family dinner during those busy week nights! Subs will be delivered on Wednesday, May 8 th. Order forms will be available the first week of April in the preschool office, outside the sanctuary, or the church office. Orders are due by Monday, April 29 th. Day Camp The preschool is planning to offer a day camp again this summer. Two sessions will be offered. We have not confirmed the dates, but are considering the last 2 weeks in July. Each session will run from 9 am to 1pm and both sessions will have the same theme (TBD). This will be for 4 and 5 year olds. Please contact Kathleen if you are interested: preschooldirector@aldersgatechurch.net Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Church Online App officially available TODAY! The Aldersgate UMC Mechanicsburg App is officially online. Through the app, you can listen to previous sermons, access the church calendar, fill out a digital connection card, submit prayer requests, give online and more. You do not need to register for the app, however separate registration is required to access the online church directory and to connect to mobile giving. If you have any questions about the app or require further assistance, please contact Pastor Scott. Aldersgate is on Facebook! Please like and share the Aldersgate Facebook page and be sure to check in for worship and other church events!

6 Page 6 Trailblazer Ministries News Sharing the love of Christ with children birth 5th Grade Candy donations needed by 4/7 for our Easter Egg Hunt. Nut free candy only. Please place donations in the bin near the Children s Ministry bulletin board in the main hallway or drop them off in the Church Office. Vacation Bible School To Mars and Beyond June 10 14, :15 pm 8:15 pm Youth & adults register to volunteer at the link below. Register children age 3 (by 6/1/19) (completed) 5 th Grade at Summer Church Camp Registration is OPEN! Want more details? Have questions? Need help with registration? Come to Adventure Club & Summit Seekers on 4/7. Church Camp is a great place for children to build authentic connections in Christ, community and Creation! The Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church offers many different camps and camp locations and we are fortunate to have Deans, Counselors and /or Music Leaders plus kids from Aldersgate at the following camps: GH-Greene Hills; CP-Camp Penn; WF-Wesley Forest. Register before April 30th and Aldersgate Church will pay half of the registration fee for campers. Just pay half when you register, print out a copy of your registration and submit it to Melanie Feldner and Aldersgate will pay the remaining balance directly to the conference. June 23rd - 29th Children s Musical Theater Camp - Grades 3-6 $ Green Hills July 14th 16th The Great Mini-Camp Adventure Grades 1-3 $ Camp Penn July 14th 19th Stuff They Don t Teach You at School Grades 3-5 $ Camp Penn July 14th 19th Stuff You Can Teach at School Grades 6-8 $ Camp Penn July 28th - August 2nd Wacky Week Grades 2-6 $ Wesley Forest Register on-line at Articles for the May 2019 Newsletter should be sent to the church office at secretary@aldersgatechurch.net by April 15th. Thank you.

7 Trailblazer Ministries News (Continued) Page 7 Spring Dates at a Glance Planning your spring and summer family calendar? Here are some important upcoming dates and events! April 7th Adventure Club & Summit Seekers: 2:00 pm through 4:00 pm Camp Fun Day! April 14th Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt following 11:00 Worship. Egg Hunt to follow the Brunch. Children birth - 5th grade are invited to join the fun! Bring your friends and neighbors! April 21st Easter No Sunday School for Preschool through 12th Grade. Children are encouraged to attend Worship with their families. We will offer childcare in the Nursery for Infants - KG at the 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 services. May 5th Children & Youth Sunday: All three services - Sign up information coming soon. And back by popular demand, the "Joyful Ringers." Mrs. Freeman will once again be starting a bell choir, for KG - 3rd grade children who will offer a song of praise during Children & Youth Sunday. Practice is held each week at the end of the Sunday School hour. Sunday Morning Life Group for Parents Parents are invited to join a life group that meets Sunday morning during the Sunday School hour at 9:30 am in room 203. While your children are attending Sunday School, join a group of parents who share, discuss, and explore the adventure and challenges of parenthood! Each week is a stand-alone discussion, so come when you can. There is no preparation needed; we are all super busy! This is an opportunity to connect with other parents and share experiences and ideas (and a cup of coffee). The first minutes of our time together is a casual time of connecting and getting to know one another, then we share a short devotion and discussion follows. Currently our discussions are based on the book Sacred Parenting. Example topics include: God is in the Room, The Right Person for the Job, Fear Factor, Rude is Rude, A Parent to Be Proud Of, and They Just Don t Understand. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Heather and Derrick Dreese (hmdreese76@gmail.com) or Kristin and Adam Hoover (kamhoover6@gmail.com). June 10th through 14th Vacation Bible School To Mars and Beyond. Don't miss this amazing week of fun and learning about the love of Jesus. Children 3 years of age (by June 1) through 5th Grade are invited to attend! Come join us! No experience necessary! Volunteer support is needed for all Trailblazer activities! Do you want to know more about the Kids of Aldersgate? Contact Melanie Feldner at x107 or mfeldner@aldersgatechurch.net

8 Page 8 NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY COMING Our last directory was done in 2014 and it is time for a new one. Life Touch will be the photographer and all participating families will receive a directory book, a free 8 x 10 portrait and 20% off any additional portraits. This directory will be a little different from what we ve done in the past. It will be more easily updated so we can add new families or additions to current families. Contact information will also be kept more up to date. Please consider participating in this important program. Sign up is available after services on Sundays or at the following link: Our next sermon series is called: Selfless Selfies: Turning our selfish nature into selfless behavior Do you ever get overwhelmed with all the stuff that's going on in your life? How do you love God, take care of yourself and respond to the needs of others without being selfish to one extreme or selfless to the other extreme? Learn to find the right balance that life is giving for you and for others in this 4-week series.

9 A p r i l P r a y e r C a l e n d a r Page 9 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Pray for the Women and Children of the Bethesda Mission 2 Autism Awareness Day May we thank God for the blessings and gifts these individuals bring into our lives 3 Pray for the leaders and children from Aldersgate signing up for the Summer UMC Camps 4 Pray for our Pastors; Pastor Jan Hughes and Pastor Scott Miller 5 Pray for Abraham Ben Moses, a Christian in Indonesia, who has been imprisoned since 2017 for asking a taxi driver to convert to 6 Pray for the Ladies Spring Brunch, sharing the Good News 7 God whose Word cannot be broken, help us this week to walk with you in prayer 8 Pray for the Church Choir as they practice for the Easter Cantata sharing the Good News through the gift of music 9 Pray for Bishop Park and D.S. Rev. Robison 10 Prayers for the Youth who serve in Mission Projects in and outside our community 11 Pray for those suffering from the disease of addiction, and the ministries to help them 12 Praise God for Richard Allen, an Ordained Deacon in the Methodist Church (former slave) founded Bethel Methodist Church in 1794 & the AME Church in April Prayers of Gratitude: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him John 3:17 14 Palm Sunday Hosanna, Rejoice in the Lord who brings light to those in darkness, and a love that never dies 15 Pray for our Sunday School Teachers as they prepare to share the Good News with our children 16 Pray for the United Methodist Committee on Relief as they provide disaster relief at home & world wide 17 Pray for the lost and lonely of our community and the world seeking Lord Jesus 18 Holy Thursday The Triduum begins, let us in centered stillness focus on Christ s Via Dolorosa 19 Good Friday Let us reflect on Christ s agape love for you and me today as He died on the cross for our sins 20 Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus I Thessalonians 5: Easter People, raise your voices, sounds of heaven in earth should ring. Christ has brought us heaven's choices; Heavenly music, let it ring. Alleluia! Alleluia!. WM James 22 Pray for those ill, hurting or hospitalized, prayers of God s healing mercies and Wholeness in Christ 23 Praise God for the union of the EUB and Methodist Church today in 1968 creating the UMC 24 Pray for the Daystar Ministry 25 World Malaria Day Pray for an end to this disease, causing 429,000 deaths,most of them children under 5 in Africa. 26 Prayers of gratitude for those from Aldersgate who serve at the Food Bank 27 Praise for Henry Appenzeller 1st missionary to Korea in April 1885, a Methodist from Lancaster PA 28 Gracious God, in these days of division and disagreement, open our eyes to one another. Help us see the way you work in the lives of those around us.. Bishop Karen Oliveto UMC 29 Prayers of gratitude for the UMC Global Ministries Missionaries sharing the Love of Christ worldwide 30 Prayers of gratitude for the Men s Ministry and its leaders

10 Page 10 A Special Note From our Healthcare Ministries Director Retirement NOUN- the period in someone's life after they have stopped working By now you have received the notice that I will be retiring. After 17 years as the Director of Health and Nurture Ministries, my retirement will officially start on June 1 st. Retirement is a new word in my vocabulary and I m not certain it is the term to use as I leave the office in Room 202. According to the definition Retirement means to stop working, and there is the dilemma. I have never felt over the last 17 years I have been WORKING. I have enjoyed being part of such an amazing staff under the direction of wonderful Pastors, all who have helped me grow as a disciple. I have had the privilege to walk with so many of you in the midst of your journey s: visiting you at the hospital, helping you find resources you needed, and walking along side of you during times of loss or separation. You all have been so gracious and kind allowing me to be part of your lives: seeing God s hands and heart through your lens. God has indeed blessed me with this call that He placed on my heart so many years ago and you have allowed me to live out. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. After retirement, you will continue to see Brad and me at Aldersgate; you are family! As Brad and I enter retirement together, we hope to find more time for one another, and more time to spend with grandchildren, family and friends. To paraphrase Oswald Chambers: we are uncertain exactly what is next but await in breathless expectation, abandoning ourselves to God. Although uncertain of the next step, we are certain of God as we follow Him. See you around! Your Sister in Christ, Carol Diffenbaugh The Starting Point If you're new to Aldersgate Church, take a moment after the worship service on the fourth Sunday of each month to meet one of our pastors and a member of our hospitality team. Let us help you get connected with Aldersgate Church. We will meet you in Room 100. See you soon!

11 Page 11 Life Line Screening at Aldersgate Church Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings will be at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Friday, April 12, Life Line Screening will provide (there is a cost for this service): Ultrasound screenings to Identify risk factors for Cardiovascular disease include: Carotid Artery (plaque buildup-a leading cause of stroke), Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (an enlargement or weak area in the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), Peripheral Arterial Disease (hardening of the arteries in the legs), a Heart Rhythm Screening (an EKG to detect Atrial Fibrillation-irregular heartbeat) and an Osteoporosis Risk Assessment for men and women. Being proactive about your health by knowing your risks helps you and your doctor address problems early. Register online TODAY at and re- Dear Friends in Christ, I am so incredibly grateful and humbled by all your love and support during the time of my recent surgery and recovery. Aldersgate is certainly a place where the love of God is alive. I am so blessed by all of you. God Bless You All Bonnie Knoetgen THANK YOU! As WUW ends for the year I want to say a special thank you to all who facilitated a life group this year. Your dedication every week is an awesome ministry to Aldersgate. We appreciate the work you do for the discipleship growth of our church. Stay Tune as new groups are forming for short summer studies! Diane Konieczny

12 Page 12 God s Helping Hands Home Repair Ministry God s Helping Hands Home Repair Ministry has the 2nd work weekend of 2019 on April 12 & 13 (Friday & Saturday). We will meet at 7:30 am, both days, at the GHH s Marysville site for coordination of teams and fellowship. GHH is working with several homeowners so that we can assist them in the repairs of their homes. However, in order to do His will, GHH relies upon others for their time, energy, and skills. If you are interested in joining GHH please contact John Shankweiler at johnshankweiler@yahoo.com OR Glenn Shick at glennshick@comcast.com OR Gods_Helping_Hands_@ymail.com or leave a message at

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14 Page 14 Stop the Bleed Save a Life Training Event- Sign UP Today! Saturday April 13 th Aldersgate Church will provide a FREE Stop the Bleed Training Event. This training is provided by Geisinger/Holy Spirit Hospital and is to help lay people know when and how to stop critical bleeding after a traumatic occurrence. Please consider joining us from 9 am to 10 am in the Family Life Center, as we learn how to help individuals suffering from critical blood loss. The class size is limited so please register early to save your spot. You need not have any medical background to take this training. If you have any questions contact Carol Diffenbaugh at Office: ext 104, healthministries@aldersgatechurch.net

15 MEDICATION TAKE-BACK PROGRAM The Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Take-Back Program focuses on helping our communities properly dispose of unusable prescription medications. Prescription drug misuse, abuse and overdose are a growing concern across the nation. Improper disposal of prescription drugs could create environmental hazards impacting groundwater and rivers and harming wildlife. Page 15 Preparing items for disposal at a Take-Back Box location All pharmaceutical drugs that are being disposed of need to be in a sealed container such as the original bottle or a zip-lock bag. Liquid pharmaceuticals should remain in the original container. Personal information should be removed or blotted out with a permanent marker. Items Accepted Over-the-counter medications Prescription medications, patches, ointments Vitamins Pet medicines Items Not Accepted Hydrogen peroxide Compressed cylinders or aerosols (e.g., asthma inhalers) Iodine-containing medications Thermometers Alcohol & illicit drugs (i.e. marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc.) LOCATIONS: Hampden Township Police Department 230 S. Sporting Hill Road Mechanicsburg PA Hours of Availability M-F 8 am-4 pm Sat 8 am Noon Mechanicsburg Borough Police Department 36 West Allen Street Mechanicsburg PA Hours of Availability M-F 8:30am 4:30 pm East Pennsboro Township Police Department 98 South Enola Drive Enola, PA Hours of Availability M-F 8:30am-3 pm Silver Spring Township Police Department 5 Willow Mill Park Road Suite 1 Mechanicsburg PA Hours of Availability M-F 7:30am-4 pm To find your local Drug Back Med Return go to Information taken from ALDERSGATE OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Fridays, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

16 Aldersgate Church A United Methodist Congregation 1480 Jerusalem Road Mechanicsburg, PA Reaching with the Heart of God for the Lives of Our Community NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID MECHANICSBURG, PA PERMIT NO. 226 Return Service Requested Dated Material Inside April 2019 Edition Aldersgate Staff Jan Hughes, Pastor: jhughes@aldersgatechurch.net Scott Miller, Associate Pastor: smiller@aldersgatechurch.net Sheri Dohner, Director of Worship Ministries: worshipdirector@aldersgatechurch.net Kathleen Blazey, Preschool Director: preschooldirector@aldersgatechurch.net Melanie Feldner, Director of Children s Ministries: mfeldner@aldersgatechurch.net Carol Diffenbaugh, Director of Health Ministries: healthministries@aldersgatechurch.net Jamie Barkley/Wendy Strite, Youth Directors: youth@aldersgatechurch.net Diane Konieczny, Director of Discipleship Ministries: dianek@aldersgatechurch.net Carol Purdom/Christy Zakis Malpass: secretary@aldersgatechurch.net Todd Eppley, Facility Manager: teppley@aldersgatechurch.net Bill Brandamore/Larry Merwine, Custodial Support Maureen Nacci, Child Care Provider Kristi Prowell, Accompanist