May In faith, Pastor Lisa. * Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth, UMH 707

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1 May 2018 At long last, Spring has finally come. It seemed like the winter would not quit, but the snow is truly gone, the fallen branches have been hauled away, and green is bursting forth all around us! The words on the front sign have been changed to read, Come Grow With Us. I give thanks for the growth that God continues to bring about in our lives the new members we welcomed a few Sundays ago, the baptisms we have celebrated, and the ways we continue to learn with and from one another in our study groups. In this season of new life, I am always drawn to the Hymn of Promise* from our hymnal In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there s a spring that waits to be, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. May you feel the warmth of the sun on your face and know that God is working in your life and in the world, in big and small ways, to bring new growth and new life. In faith, Pastor Lisa * Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth, UMH 707

2 Welcome New Members! Please help us to officially welcome our newest members to Aldersgate! 7 New Members were received on Sunday, April 29, 2018 during church services. It is a blessing that we continue to add new ideas and stories to our church family as we continue to be the hands and feet of God s work. Please welcome: Kenneth & Deborah Teal, Ellen and Sarah Marson, Evelyn Atkinson, Aldo Rodriguez, and Julia Waterman. Thursday Bible Study The morning bible study class with resume the William Barclay study of the Gospel. This group meets on Thursday mornings at 10am in the Concord Room. New participants are always welcome to join! Information on the book can be found by contacting the office. Date Chapter 05/03 9:2-10:12 05/10 10: /17/ 11:1-12:12 05/24 12:13-13:37 05/31 14: /07 15:-16:20

3 Adult Studies BELIEVING JESUS: ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK EVERYTHING? A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS ADULT STUDY BEGINS SUNDAY, APRIL 8 TH In Believing Jesus, Bible teacher and author Lisa Harper retraces the steps of the apostles in the book of Acts, while throwing in a few of her own crazy adventures along the way. The disciples didn t have much of a road map after Jesus ascended to heaven, but God s grace and spirit filled in the gaps as they moved forward. It required their willingness to risk everything to establish a new community that would change the future world. As a regular speaker on the Women of Faith tour, Lisa has earned a reputation as a true theological scholar and hilarious storyteller not necessarily in that order! Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado calls Lisa one of the best Bible tour guides around. Believing Jesus will highlight both of Lisa s strengths as she tackles every chapter of the Book of Acts with biblical wisdom and modern wit. Lisa keeps it real, telling stories on herself and pointing readers back to Jesus, the only one who can truly lead. Adult Study meets between services in the Concord Room. New Participants are welcome to join us. There are copies of the book available in the office. Sunday Date Topic 5 May 6th Loving More People More May 13th (Mother s Day Breakfast) 6 May 20th The Need To Be ReGospeled 7 May 27th Turning Your World Upside Down 8 June 3th Bearing The Chain Because

4 Outreach News Change for Change This program was started by Outreach in September of We had the idea that any change put in our collection plates on Sunday could go to a mission in need either here or around the world. We are open to input from the congregation as to what would be a good mission to support so please give us your suggestions. WOW! Have those coins have made a difference! Since the start of this coin collection program we have been able to help in many areas and the total donated to this date is $14, Here is a sample of some of the programs that have benefitted from the collections. Table of Plenty Rummage Sale Start cleaning those closets and you may bring things in after the second service on Sunday, May 6, We will have the tables up after the first service so that you may put your goods in the right areas. Thanks so much for your support and help with this. Many hands make light work. We could use the help of everyone. If you have a little free time please think of helping to organize, sell or clean up after the sale. Sign-up sheets are in the front hall. Remember no electronics or heavy exercise equipment. These things are the ones that we can't get anyone to take after the sale. So start cleaning those closets for those treasures you no longer need. Thanks so much. St. Paul s Feeding There is still one month open in December for St. Paul's. If your committee or group can do this or hasn't signed up to do a meal please consider that month. Outreach can help you!

5 Pray Partner Ministry It seems like yesterday remember a year ago we began a journey together for our Renew, Restore, Rejoice building campaign? With God s help and our commitment, the positive results are indeed indicative of success! So many amazing people are blessing us on our faith journey our beloved Pastor Lisa and her family Cheryl and her family, May Lis and her family, Laura and her family, our Carol and her family are gifts from God and we REJOICE in their leadership! Just this past Sunday, we welcomed new members into our church family and I know they will feel the warmth of our friendship. The commitment they made and we recommitted together to serve God here and wherever the Word is needed to be heard was a reminder to me that our witness is so important. Our Prayer Partners witness to their faith by praying for those who are ill, alone, frightened about the next step and the outcome of a medical plan, those who have placed their loved one in the loving arms of God or the joy of a grandson s wedding or a new grandchild. God listens and cares and we are always reminded that He will never leave us or forsake us! What a promise! You are invited to share in our Prayer Partner Ministry the only restriction is that we hold in confidence the prayer requests that come our way. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please me, Joanne Snook. We have about fifty-four Partners and many prayers to offer to God, including prayers of gratitude for all our gifts and for His grace and love that is eternal. -Joanne The sun is shining and here is the prayer that appeared in our daily prayer journal for our Renew, Restore, Rejoice journey for May 5, 2017: Dear God, the sun is getting warmer on my face the grass is greener the birds are beginning to sing sometimes I take this for granted, but today I am listening to the Creator s gentle nudge not to take things for granted. This is His creation and we are the caretakers Help me and help us be aware of our surroundings so that we can fulfill the promise to support our church by our gifts, our service, our witness, our presence and our prayers. Amen.

6 Music Notes The Music people are in the process of reorganizing our storage for printed music in the space under the stairs. File cabinets are bursting at the seams and there is an overflow stacked on top. We have need of 3-4 vertical 4 or 5 drawer letter size file cabinets to complete this process. Many thanks to those that have donated one already! However, if any one has or knows of a source for used file cabinets in good working order - free or at a reasonable price, the trustees would appreciate your help in keeping costs down. "Good working order" is more important than beauty! Please let Don Goodick or Carol Prasad know if you can be of help. Thanks, CAROL Retirement Celebration for Carol Prasad As we shared with the congregation, Carol is set to retire as the Director of Music this spring. We will have a celebration on June 24th. This will also be the day we move to one service for all at 9:30am. The celebration will follow the service at 10:30am in the Fellowship Hall.

7 Small Group Opportunities Single Ladies Dining Out The group will get together for dinner on Saturday May 19th at 5 pm at Princeton Station in North Chelmsford. Please reserve your spot at the table by calling or talking with Ardie Deitz or Betsy Campbell. We need to confirm the number by Friday morning the 18th. We hope you can join us. Book Club The Aldersgate Book Club meets monthly on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm. Join us for pizza and discussion! Here are the upcoming Book Club selections: May 29th: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah June 26th: Enrique s Journey by Sonia Nazario July 25th: Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance August 29th: Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue Garden Club Walking through a garden can be good for the soul. Feel free to wander through our vegetable garden this season and see what's growing. Already, the garlic we planted last fall has popped through the soil. The oregano and chives are green and growing again. And there are a couple of leeks and one little kale plant that survived the winter. The lettuce has been planted, and more crops will go in soon. This spring, we planted a row of asparagus in the back of the garden. Asparagus is a long-term investment. We won't be able to start harvesting it until the third year (2020), and only a little bit that year. But if we tend it well, the plants should keep coming back for up to 25 years. We would love to have more people involved with the garden this year! The more vegetables we grow, the more good food we can share with St. Paul's, local food pantries, and our congregation. If you'd like to help plant, tend, or harvest the veggies, please contact Lee Williams. Another way to support the garden is at our Plant Swap on Sunday, May 20. See you there!

8 Committee Notes Christmas in May? Not exactly but since this is the time of year that people start the spring cleaning and purging items in the garage or back porch, don't forget the Faire Elves appreciate interesting containers (ceramic or metal are great!) for centerpieces and new unopened items for re-gifting or as parts of the Silent Auction theme baskets. Thanks for helping us prepare in advance! If you have any questions contact Bonnie Marden. Housekeeping While you are happily putting away all of the coats and scarves and hats and mittens, please check to see if you are missing any. The lost and found area and the coat racks are overflowing with forgotten items. Please be sure to take a look and pick up your lost items! Thank you.

9 Church School News Children s Sunday - May 20th! All of our church school classes will be participating and leading worship during our second service on Sunday, May 20th at 10:45 a.m. We will be celebrating Pentecost during the service. We hope that all families can come celebrate our children and youth in our church school! This will be our last church school class time until the fall! VBS - Save the Date! Monday, August 20 - Friday, August 24 9:00-noon For children ages 4-12 Aldersgate U.M.C. invites children ages 4 12 to join us for Vacation Bible School this summer. The theme for the week is, Rolling River Rampage. This whitewater rafting adventure includes exciting music, amazing science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and memorable Bible stories that will help children know God is always with them as they ride the rapids of life! The adventure runs from August from 9:00 a.m. noon at Aldersgate Church. Registration forms are in the welcome area downstairs. You can also find out more information by calling Cheryl Ortolf at or at aumc education@verizon.net Summer Camp Programs The New England Conference offers many summer camping opportunities for all ages. Please visit this website: to find out more information. There are scholarships available to all children and youth who attend a camp program, thanks to our Doris Miller Camp Scholarship Fund. Please see Cheryl Ortolf for any questions.

10 Junior Youth Group This fellowship group is for youth in grades 5 th 8 th. Our mission is to provide your children with a safe, healthy and loving environment to help them grow and experience Christianity. Scooter Hockey & Game Night Fun! 5 th 8 th grade Friday, May 11 th from 6:30 8:00 p.m. We will have fun playing scooter hockey and other games! Please meet downstairs in the youth room! Merrimack Valley Pavilion 5 th 8 th grade May 18 th from 6:30 8:30 p.m. We will play mini-golf, laser tag and have ice cream! We will also need some chaperones. Senior Youth God Squad We are a fun group of spiritually focused youth who celebrate Christ s presence among us by engaging in community and group activities, church participation and mission projects. All youth in grades 9 12 are welcome to join us at any time. We ALWAYS welcome friends and remember you are an important part of this group! Mother s Day Breakfast Sunday, May 13 th from 8:00 10:30 a.m. Come help cook and serve breakfast! Great Brook Picnic Sunday, May 20 th from noon 2 p.m. We will go to Great Brook in Carlisle for a picnic and ice cream. Friends are always welcome! Summer Youth Mission Trip July 15th - 20th Our youth mission trip is open to any youth in grades We will be traveling to Mission Central in Mechanicsburg in PA. We will also go to Hershey Park, tour Philadelphia museum and go on a ghost tour. Our theme is: Dare to be Different! Deadline for deposit is: Sunday, May 27th!

11 MOTHER S DAY BREAKFAST SUNDAY, MAY 13 TH 9:00 10:30 A.M. MENU: MINI EGG FRITTATA S SAUSAGE PANCAKES WITH ASSORTED TOPPINGS FRUIT CUPS VEGAN SELECTION TOO!

12 OUR NEXT SERVICE IS: MAY 6 TH! at 6:31p.m. Everyone is welcome!

13 Community Member Events We wanted to let you know that Adam Lavoie will be performing in the musical Hairspray with Peacock Players in Nashua. Adam has an ensemble role, but is thrilled to be a part of this very talented cast of teens and adults. If you are looking for something fun to do, we invite you to join us. Show dates are: Friday, May Saturday, May 2pm & 7pm Sunday, May 2pm Friday, May 7pm Saturday, May 2pm & 7pm Sunday, May 2pm. Tickets are $19 ($17 for students and seniors) and can be purchased at Please note this show is rated PG.

14 Ushers Jim (8:30 a.m.) Carmen, Dan W. (10:45 a.m.) Greeters 5/06 Robin Jill 5/13 Evelyn Christine, Ashley 5/20 Beverly Cate 5/27 Bill Wilkinson Family Acolytes 5/06 Declan Alex 5/13 Joshua Ashley 5/20 Sofia Alyson 5/27 Jack Erin Readers 5/06 Roger Bob 5/13 Nancy Ben 5/20 Janice Don 5/27 Dan Kira Communion 5/06 Debbie B., Carmen Christine, Lee, Kira, Betsey D. 5/13 Charles, Jane 5/20 Dan V., Wendy K. 5/27 Cheryl B., Vera Contact Us! Pastor Lisa s address is revlisabc@gmail.com. The Church Office is aldersgatechelmsford@verizon.net and the for Cheryl Ortolf, Director of Education, is aumc-education@verizon.net For upcoming events, see Aldersgate s Online Monthly Calendar at www. aldersgateumc.us Paper copies are also available on the Welcome Desk. Office hours are Monday-Friday 9am-2pm.