SUNDAY SCHOOL WELCOME to ALDERSGATE We’re delighted to have you with us today! Our desire is that you sense the love of Jesus during your time here and that you discover how much God values you. If we can serve you in any way, please feel free to call on us. Our Identity/Vision We exist to: “Reach with the Heart of God for the Lives of our community!” Our Mission/Purpose Gathered to Grow - Scattered to Sow: “To reach and grow disciples in Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!” Want to Make a Request or Receive Ministry Information? Please use the Communication Card to provide or change your contact information and/or to request information about any aspect of church life at Aldersgate. Just drop it in the offering plate, leave it at the Welcome Center, or bring it to the church office. Announcements VBS Collections and Donations! VBS is free of charge to the 250+ children that attend each year. To make this possible, we ask for donations of snack items that are part of our nightly rotations. Items needed can be found on the bulletin board around the corner from the elevator and in the lobby outside the sanctuary. Pick a "flip flop," purchase the items and return them to church by May 29th. Giant Gift Cards provide a double benefit to Aldersgate - consider purchasing a Giant Gift Card outside the FLC and then donate it to VBS! Graduates to be recognized and celebrated On Sunday, June 12, at the 8, 9:30 and 11 am worship services at Aldersgate Church, we will recognize and celebrate those who have graduated from High School, earned a post-secondary college degree, or who have completed a certificate, technical or vocational program. PLEASE assist us in gathering names of those who have achieved one of these education milestones! Use the yellow Communication Card in the worship bulletin (any available space, front/back) to note the Graduate’s Name; School/program; Major/degree; Any future plans. Deadline for submission is June 5th for inclusion in the June 12 worship service bulletin. Small group study materials Do you have any Bible studies or books that you have used here at Aldersgate over time that are gathering dust at your house? If so, would you consider bringing them back to the church where they can be placed in the Resource Room to be available to be used by other groups or individuals? Items can be brought to the church office and given to Sandi Tobias, Director of Discipleship Ministries. We will then try and catalog them so they can be signed out by others wishing to use them. If your small group is in need of materials, check the Resource Room for ideas. Divorced: You don’t have to go through it alone! Come and join a DivorceCare group. Meet people who understand the pain your divorce has caused. DivorceCare has started meeting every Thursday evening at 6:30pm. You are invited to join us any week and become part of a small group of people who are also experiencing divorce. You’ll meet others who understand what you are feeling and who will be able to offer you encouragement. DivorceCare meets weekly for 13 weeks, featuring 13 dynamic video seminars featuring renowned experts on divorce and recovery. DivorceCare is nondenominational and features biblical teaching for recovering from divorce. Weekly seminar topics include: What’s Happening to Me, The Road to Healing/Finding Help, Facing My Anger, Depression, Loneliness, New Relationships, KidCare, Financial Survival and more… Come join us for the next 13 week session which started Thursday March 17th, 6:30pm to 8pm at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. To register or for more information contact Carol at 737.7923 ext. 104. “Lost & Found”: AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) & Al-Anon (Family/Friends of Alcoholics) EVERY SATURDAY 6pm to 7:15pm in the Youth Room. The Lost & Found Group combines AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) & Al-Anon (Family & Friends of Alcoholics.) A speaker from each (AA and Al-Anon) will share their story followed by discussion. “Program Birthdays” are celebrated each month. At Al-Anon group meetings the friends and family members of problem drinkers share their experiences and learn how to apply the principles of the Al-Anon program to their individual situations. They learn that they are not alone in the problems they face, and that they have choices that lead to greater peace of mind, whether the drinker continues to drink or not. Find out more about Al-Anon at www.al-anon.org. For additional information contact Carol Diffenbaugh at 737-7923 ext. 104. AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) *Additional Day* Starting May 17th EVERY TUESDAY and THURSDAY at 6:30pm in Room 206/208. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Find out more about Alcoholics Anonymous at www.aa.org. For additional information contact Carol Diffenbaugh at 737-7923 ext. 104. UPCOMING IRONMEN EVENTS May 19 "A Story Worth Living" Film 7:30pm June 13 GOLF OUTING: Hanover Country Club 9am Shotgun August 20 BBQ and Game Night 4:30pm September 16-18 CABIN Retreat Potter County (Limited to 8 spots) November 11 Veterans Day To register or questions contact Todd Cressler: [email protected] or 810-6966 Visit www.ironmenstrong.org FACEBOOK: IRONMENAUMC Pager System Now Available for Nursery and Toddlers We are excited to announce a peace of mind feature to help parents transitioning their children in the Nursery or 2 year old room. We now have pagers that will quietly "buzz" you should you be needed while your child is in our care. Each week, Maureen Nacci, Sharon Seibert, Kylie Peters (2 year olds) and a volunteer, all cleared to meet Safe Sanctuary guidelines, look forward to caring for your child. However, sometimes the need for mom or dad arises and this call system will allow you to enjoy the Worship Service knowing that you are just a "buzz" away. Aldersgate Staff Troy Howell, Pastor: [email protected] David Watkins, Assistant Pastor: [email protected] Sheri Dohner, Director of Worship Ministries: [email protected] Kathleen Blazey, Preschool Director: [email protected] Jodie Dodson, Director of Children ’s Ministries: [email protected] Carol Diffenbaugh, Director of Health Ministries: [email protected] Sheryl Behr, Youth Director: [email protected] Sandi Tobias, Discipleship Director: [email protected] Carol Purdom/Christy Zakis Malpass: [email protected] Carl Wagner, Facility Manager: [email protected] Maureen Nacci, Child Care Provider Kristi Prowell, Accompanist Office hours: Monday—Thursday 8:30 am—3:30 pm, Friday 8:30 am—12:30 pm Volunteer Opportunities VBS is for Both Children and Adults! VBS Season is Coming Soon! Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love June 6-10 from 6:15-8:30pm. VBS is open to all children 2 years old by January 1st, 2016 through 5th Grade. Adults ~ we need you as well! Being a Crew leader is an awesome way to experience VBS through the eyes of a child. We also need assistance in Games, Crafts, Snacks and Floaters. Willing to “step up” and lead in VBS? Perhaps this is the year to get a little more involved. Key leadership roles are still needed to make our VBS a success. Help is definitely provided. You’re never alone! Please prayerfully consider stepping up this year and contact me, Jodie Dodson at 737-7923 x107 or [email protected] with questions or for more information. Volunteers and participants can register on-line at https://2016.cokesburyvbs.com/aldersgatetrailblazers . VBS Work Session Mark your calendars, VBS will be here before you know it! The final work session will be held Wednesday May 18 from 6:30-8pm. Come when you can and stay as late as you are able. Help prepare for Surf Shack VBS: Catch the Wave of God's Amazing Love being held June 6-10th. Dogs for God This ministry consists of a group of caring individuals called to spread the joy, happiness and the name of Christ using the assistance of their bonded relationships with their dogs to reach the elderly, homebound, hospitalized, etc. Please mark your calendars for: May 17 - 6:30 - The Jewish Home May 31 - 6:30 - Sarah Todd For more information contact Pam Caserta at [email protected] Bethesda Mobile Mission– May 27 As part of the Bethesda Mission, the Mobile Mission is an outreach program that goes into the heart of Harrisburg from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am to meet the needs of the homeless by bringing food, clothing and necessities and share the love of Christ. The next Mobile Mission is May 27, 2016. Please meet at the church parking lot at 8:15 pm to carpool. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Lorraine Wagner at 717-732-5487. TODAY: Remember the GIANT Gift Card Program/Debt Reduction Opportunity! There's been an uptick in purchase and use of the Giant gift cards through Aldersgate Church. Please remember that with every $100 in gift cards purchased, AUMC receives $5 (5% of total purchases) back that is used against our building debt/principal payment on the loan. We're chipping away at it, and—truly—every bit helps. If just 75 households purchase $100 in gift cards each month (toward your own use for groceries and/or gas), that would generate $4,500 back to AUMC toward loan reduction! If 75 households purchased $100 weekly for gas/food consumption in their household, that would equate to $19,500 per year coming back to AUMC for debt reduction! This is not to endorse a particular business, but rather to celebrate an avenue given to us by GIANT foods. It costs us nothing to participate, and capitalizes on our ongoing food and gas usage needs to benefit our faith community's debt reduction efforts. Cards typically are available on the first and third Sundays outside the Family Life Center. We are open to exploring other times for purchase, if persons come forward to assist. Checks may be made payable to AUMC, marking the memo as "GIANT cards." Please remember that these purchases do not constitute gifts or tithes and offerings to the ministry. Join the Communion Team! All who are part of the worship life of AUMC are invited to consider joining the team that serves communion. Perfection is not a requirement! All that is needed is a love for God, and an understanding that we are all in need of His grace. Communion is offered monthly. If you wish to be a part of this team, email [email protected] or put your name, email address and "Communion Server Info" on the back of today’s communication card, and put it in the offering plate. PRAYER CONCERNS We are Privileged to Hold One Another in Prayer: Bernice Shaffer; Zedna Haverstock; Pastor Galina; Dixie Baer; Jane Campbell; Ron Campbell; Nancy S; Rob Yoho; Gertrude; Sandi P.; Heath and his parents; Dottie Stepp and family upon the death of Dottie’s sister Joy; Kelly Shaffer; Patricia Baker; Tammy Tharp; Stewart Moyer; Ryan and Katie Eisenhour upon the death of their son Eli Mitchell; Lee W and family; Johnny; Bill M and family; UMC General Conference Delegates; Barb Metzler; Sandra Cramer and family upon the death of her mother Active Military Personnel Serving Overseas: David Gallagher; Seth Baker If you know an active duty soldier you would like lifted in prayer, please contact the church office or [email protected] and share his/her name. We will list their name in the bulletin and continue to hold them in prayer until you notify us they have returned safely home. Birth - 23 months: Infant Nursery 2 Year Olds: Toddler Nursery 3 Year Olds: Room 102 4 Year Old/Pre-K: Room 104 Kindergarten: Room 207 First Grade: Room 210 Second Grade: Room 205 Third Grade: Room 201 4th/5th Grade: Rooms 206/208 Thank You! The Eisenhour family wishes to express their thanks to their Aldersgate family for all the prayers, cards, and meals during their time of loss. They are so thankful for being covered in so much support.