Aldersgate. Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX (325)

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1 The Aldersgate logo was inspired by the Love Sculpture in Philadelphia, PA., to remind us that God is Love and that Love is the Greatest Commandment. Aldersgate Our sermon series, With God s Son: Following our Rabbi through the Gospel of Matthew, consists of sub-series designed to guide us through the first book of the New Testament. The current sub-series, Parables: Ears to Hear, invites us to consider the central truths found in four parables of Jesus. Today s sermon, Costly Encounters, is the fourth in the sub-series. You will find an order of service on Page 4 and sermon notes on Page 5. Series Spiritual Practice: You are invited to read through the Gospel of Matthew once a month for the next 12 months. This will give us an opportunity to focus on the whole book while we share the sermons based on passages in the book of Matthew at the same time. Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX (325)

2 Ministry Leaders Regularly Scheduled Services and Opportunities to Grow and Serve All are welcome! Please contact the Church Office at if you d like to know more about becoming involved. THIS WEEK Sunday, May 21: Senior Sunday 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 10:05 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship 1:00 p.m. Youth-Butman Fun Day! Monday, May 22: 11:00 a.m. Bowie 5th Grade Rewards Party at PrimeTime 6:30 p.m. Martha Circle at Al s BBQ 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts Tuesday, May 23: 6:00 p.m. Academy Graduation Wednesday, May 24: 11:30 a.m. Academy Last Day/Early Release 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice Thursday, May 25: 12:00 p.m. Senior Adults Lunch and Games 7:30 p.m. Contemporary Band Practice COMING UP Sunday, May 28: Youth Pool Party at The Dive Spot May 30-June 1: Mystery Ramble for Grades 6-9 Pastor: Steve Brooks (325) Associate Pastor: Amy Wilson Feltz (325) Music: David Wallis Connections/Communications: Lisa Alexander Children: Alayna Brooks & Amber Redman Youth/Contemporary Worship: Daniel Mathis College/Young Adults (interim): Dennis Land Administration/Finance: Mary Chavez Lust Reception: Susan Acosta Academy: Carol Rogers Custodial Services: Robert Sandoval Staying Connected Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. -12 p.m., 1p.m.-4:30 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. ENews: Sign up on our website to receive our weekly electronic newsletter, or send an to news@aldersgateabilene.org. Facebook: facebook.com/ AldersgateUnitedMethodist Church Twitter:@AldersgateABI Instagram:@aldersgateabi Text Message Reminders: gracepeace to Text To Give: Our Mission: To raise up deeply devoted disciples of Jesus Our Local Mission Field: Aldersgate Academy, Bowie Elementary School, McMurry University, Our Neighborhoods/Community Garden

3 Youth: Recognizing Our High School Seniors Victoria Dunnam Parents: Vicki Dunnam (mom) and Charles Dunnam (grandfather) Siblings: Edward Oliphant and Antia Joiner Church Activities: Aldersgate Youth Member, contemporary worship team, youth intern High School: Abilene High School School Activities: Band, Choir, Show Choir Key Club, National Honor Society Student Council Honors: National Honor Society, President of Key Club, Star Student of Abilene Reporter News, State Solo and Ensemble for Band and Choir. Plans for Next Year: Attending Hardin-Simmons University to major in Worship Music. Kyle Hodge Parents: Steve and Amy Hodge Siblings: Jay and Keely Church Activities: Aldersgate Youth Member High Schools: 9th Grade, Eagle River High in Alaska; 10th Grade, Carlisle High in Pennsylvania; 11th and 12th Grades, Cooper High School School Activities: Soccer and Cross Country Honors: National Honors Society, Ranked #27 in Class Plans for Next Year: Attending Texas Tech University to attain a Physical Therapy degree. Mary Robinson Parents: Jeff and Deborah Robinson Siblings: Michael, Donovan, Jessica and Melanie Church Activities: Aldersgate Youth Member High School: Trent High School School Activities: Cheerleading, Cross Country, Track, Basketball, UIL Academics, One Act Play, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Honors: Valedictorian, National Honor Society Plans for Next Year: Attending HSU in the fall of Melanie Robinson Parents: Jeff and Deborah Robinson Siblings: Michael, Donovan, Jessica and Mary

4 Thank You: Susan Acosta On behalf of the Aldersgate community, I am saddened to announce the resignation of Susan Acosta, church receptionist. Susan has served in this role at Aldersgate for almost 10 years, but she has been affiliated with the church as a member for more than 35 years. She has decided to resign at this time so that she can be more available for her grandson, daughter and mother. Susan s people skills are unparalleled, and we will miss her cheerful smile, pleasant voice and calming presence. Susan will continue to serve as the receptionist, training Hope Rouse to serve in that role, until June 9. Members of the congregation are invited to join the staff and Staff Parish Relations Committee in writing notes of appreciation to Susan, which may be delivered to Pastor Amy, who will collect them and present them to Susan before she leaves. And please take some time to express your thanks to Susan in person during the next several weeks! Grace and Peace! Brad Hicks, SPRC Chairperson Academy: Spring Fling Great Weather! Great Friends! Delicious Ice cream! Horseback riding! Baby Animals! Air Castles! Oh My! The Academy Spring Fling took place on Saturday, May 6, and proved to be an enjoyable afternoon for our students and their families. The pictures tell the story! Many volunteers from Aldersgate came out to walk horses, hand out ice cream, apply temporary tattoos and visit with the families and children. We even served some families who were visiting the McMurry baseball field. Serving in several areas of our mission field is what Aldersgate is all about because God s presence is evident when we come together to serve others. Thanks be to God! Carol Rogers.

5 In Depth At Aldersgate, all are invited to practice faithfulness in our prayers, presence (attendance), gifts (offering of money), service (action in the community) and witness (sharing our faith). You will find information about service and witness throughout the pages of Aldersgate In Action. This page is dedicated to matters of prayer, presence, and gifts. Prayers: Clay Meadows Doris Ogden Lou Swindell Ken Schmidt Rosalee Schmidt Alice Shaw Alice Alcala Carolyn Strain Military and Families Millie Speed Sarah Doucette Delmon Wilson Billie Langston Judy English Charles Myrick Clinton Gayle Addison English Lora Langford Bob Kuykendall Kay Burkhart Billy & Jennifer Butler Tara Goodloe June Gill Jazmine Lara, Academy student Daisy Walsh Mary Lust and family upon the death of her mother on Service: Bowie Elementary Bowie: 5th Grade Rewards Party at PrimeTime from 11-2 on Monday, May 22. Contact Pastor Amy at or for more information. Neighbor: If you are interested in serving in the community garden/neighborhood this summer, please contact Pastor Amy. Presence and Gifts: :00 a.m. Traditional Service = :00 a.m. Contemporary Service = 118 Sunday School = 188 Sunday School classes are offered at 10:05 a.m. for all ages. To learn more about Adult Sunday School classes, contact Amy Wilson Feltz at or via at amywilsonfeltz@aldersgateabilene.org. Updated Budget, Faith Promise and Giving figures will be available next week. To learn more about ways to give: visit our website or contact Mary Chavez Lust at or via at mary@aldersgateabilene.org.

6 Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee, led by Brad Hicks, has done a wonderful job of not only preparing for the current pastoral transition but of assessing the needs of the congregation and staff, writing and re-structuring some job descriptions, interviewing and hiring in the wake of additional staffing changes. It is my pleasure to share with you that our SPRC, in consultation with Pastor Steve, Pastor Gary and myself, has built an excellent team of staff members to serve with the congregation as we continue to pursue our mission of raising up deeply devoted disciples of Jesus. You will find the names, job titles, brief descriptions and start dates below. More information about each new staff person will be shared in the coming weeks. Lisa Alexander: Director of Connections and Communication Lisa will oversee the administration of the church office and will coordinate our communication plan, Growth Groups and First Impressions. She began serving in this role on May 8. Teysha Vinson: Coordinator of Artistic Design Teysha will continue to design the graphics for each sermon as she has been doing for several months now. In her new role, she will curate the art gallery and coordinate the visual messages that are shared on the hallway monitors and on the electronic sign on in the west parking lot. She began serving in her new role on May 15. Hope Rouse: Receptionist Hope has served as an assistant in the main church office this spring and will resume the responsibilities of the church receptionist on June 12, upon the resignation of Susan Acosta. (See Page 6 for more information.) Randy Johnson: Director of Finance Randy will resume the responsibilities of the director of finance, overseeing the financial management of the church, on June 19, as Mary Chavez Lust moves to McKinney. Amber Redman: Director of Children s Ministry Amber has been serving as the associate director of children s ministry at Aldersgate for more than 2 years. She will resume the responsibilities of the director children s ministry, overseeing the spiritual development of children from birth through 5th Grade, on June 18, as Alayna moves to Midland. Tim Palmer: Director of College Ministry Tim will resume the responsibilities of a full-time director of college ministry, developing ministries for the spiritual development of college students and coordinating the congregation s outreach with McMurry University, on July 3.

7 Our Mission: Raising Up Deeply Devoted Disciples of Jesus