JANUARY 2020

The Warm Heart THE NEWSLETTER OF ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST

Aldersgate Church is a caring and affirming Christ-centered fellowship, lay-led and community focused.

FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR CARRIE.... Happy New Year Church! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. Josh, Cyprus, River, and I all en-joyed our holiday together and were especially blessed to worship at Aldersgate for our first Christmas Eve together as a family. It has been a busy holiday but certainly a special one and I find myself feeling very grateful for a church that has surrounded us with such a loving welcome over the past six months. As we move into January and February, we will start a new worship series called Spiritual Affective Dis-order. We know that winter can be a time that many cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder when the lack of sunlight affects our moods and ability to cope effectively. But Spiritual Affective Disorder can also be a factor as we lead lives that are too crowded, busy, overcommitted, sometimes disturbing and uncertain. The entire series is based around Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.” Each week we will explore everyday life activities that can be-come spiritual practices--deepening our experience of a meaningful life. We are also encouraging the congregation to engage in a little bit of Spiritual Practice Homework each week. These practices will be printed in your bulletin. Weekly Themes and scripture: January 5: Flip the Switch (Isaiah 60:1-6) January 12: Soothe a Savage (Psalm 40:1-11) January 19: Lighten Up! (Isaiah 9:1-4) January 26: Make My Day (Micah 6:1-8) February 2: Altars, Altars Everywhere (Psalm 84 and 112) February 9: Walk This Way (Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Psalm 119:1-8) February 16: Leave Room for Dessert (Leviticus 19: 1-2, 9-18) February 23: Get Up and Don't Be Afraid (Matthew 17:1-9) Pastor Randy and I are also excited to share that Brandon Garlock will be doing a practicum with us at Aldersgate for his final semester at Gardner-Webb for the spring semester of 2020. Brandon will gradu-ate in August with his Bachelors Degree in Discipleship Ministry. He plans to attend divinity school next. Brandon will be serving with us in a variety of ways at Aldersgate but will be focusing on preach-ing and learning how to effectively communicate God's word, while also learning how to serve in wor-ship and lead people to have a deeper relationship with Christ. I pray for a beautiful new year for all of you. In Christ, Pastor Carrie

Volume 20, Issue 1

FINANCES

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RECORD OF OUR FAITHFULNESS AND STEWARDSHIP

CONTRIBUTIONS for the Month of November

BY OUR GIFTS AS OF: Monthly YTD

40,323.26 530,202.85

Budget 53,647.88 590,126.68

Over (Under) Budget -13,324.62 -59,923.83

Bldg. Fund Balance: 88,596.33

Bldg. Receipts: 3,997.36 Disbursements 11,728.57 Bldg. Loan Balance: 440,350.99

BY OUR PRESENCE 11/03 11/10 11/17 11/24

Sunday School 95 136 118 120

8:30 A.M. Worship 108 98 97 100

11:00 A.M. Worship 122 110 85 112

Offering 13, 718 10,541 9,313 6,235

Upcoming Lecture Series

From 13 to 30: Jesus' Missing Years: Dr. Joseph Webb, professor at Gardner-Webb University, is offering a lec-ture series on Jesus' life from the time he was a teenager until he bursts on the scene with his public ministry. January 12, 19, 26 & February 9, 16, 23. 4:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Classroom.

January and February Sermon Series: Spiritual Affective Disorder

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. - Isaiah 60 Winter can be a time of Seasonal Affective Disorder when the lack of sunlight affects our moods and ability to cope ef-fectively. But Spiritual Affective Disorder can also be a factor as we lead lives that are too crowded, busy, overcommit-ted, sometimes disturbing and uncertain. At the turn of this new year, we will explore everyday life activities that can become spiritual practices–deepening our experience of a meaningful life and make us more “light-hearted.”

Weekly Themes:

January 5: Flip the Switch

January 12: Soothe a Savage

January 19: Lighten Up!

January 26: Make My Day

February 2: Altars, Altars Everywhere

February 9: Walk This Way

February 16: Leave Room for Dessert

February 23: Get Up and Don't Be Afraid

Spiritual Practice Homework: This week, pick an everyday activity, something that is part of your regular rou-tine, to become a prayer moment. Perhaps it's your regular cup of coffee, washing dishes, or your drive to work. A simple prayer suggestion: "Lord of Light, shine on me."

Calendar of Events

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Sunday Worship Schedule Unless Noted Otherwise:

8:30 A.M. Informal Worship - Sanctuary

9:45 A.M. Sunday School for all ages

11:00 A.M. Traditional Worship - Sanctuary

Wednesday Service

5:30 P.M. Communion & Healing-Sanctuary

*Youth takes place 4:15 P.M. on Sundays unless

otherwise noted*

Mondays

5:30P Homework Club - Small Dining Room/Library at 6P

Tuesdays

6:00P Men’s Basketball

Wednesdays

10:00A Playschool Chapel Time

5:45P Cherub & Junior Choir & Bible Study (not meeting until mid-January)

Saturdays 8:30A Tai Chi—Hunter Class IMPORTANT DATES:

January 11 - United Methodist Men’s Country Breakfast - 7:00A - 9:30A Epworth

January 12 - From 13 to 30, Jesus’ Missing Years Series starts. 4:00P in the Fellowship Classroom

January 15 - Family Fellowship Meal - 6:00P in Epworth Cost: Adults $5 ~ Children under 12 yrs of age $2

January 26 - Men’s Cake Bake Contest; judging at 5:00P in Epworth

Aldersgate Evangelism Committee is asking that each member of the congregation join them in saying this daily prayer for the month of January.

Ruler of All,

Mighty and beautiful are Your works.

They are new each day.

Renew us with Your forgiveness.

And knowing Your grace is for all, help us not to judge others.

In the name of the one who saves, Jesus we pray.

The Warm Heart

DEADLINE REMINDERS

Mark your calendars; the deadline for the February

“Warm Heart” will be Wednesday, January 22.

Please submit anything you would like to include via

email to Linda. Slots for Warm Heart are first come,

first served and space permitting! Be sure to submit

on time as the newsletter fills up quickly!

Weekly Email Blast Deadlines are Mondays no later than 9:00 a.m. An email blast will not be sent the week the Warm Heart Newsletter goes out to eliminate duplication. Sunday Bulletin Announcement/Insert Dead-lines are Wednesdays by Noon.

PLAYSCHOOL

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

The Warm Heart

Children’s Ministry had a wonderful December full of activities for all. We want

to say thank you to everyone that helped and/or came to the Christmas Play and

One Starry Night. We love having your support.

We will begin Wednesday night activities in late January to begin preparation for

Childrens’ Sunday. We would love to have your child/grandchildren/neighbors

join us from 5:45-6:45p.m. each Wednesday. - Lindsay

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YOUTH MINISTRY

The Warm Heart

The Youth enjoyed helping the congregation prepare for Christmas. We decorated some trees, sang with the choir, and provided the manger scene for The Starry Night. We also had a Christmas dinner together and played dirty Santa.

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Dear Aldersgate members,

Thanks to you, the 17th Annual Graham Area Christmas Store was a success. Because of

your generosity, 288 children in 86 families received God’s agape love in the form of Christmas

gifts. More importantly, each one was treated in a loving and respectful manner.

Those of us working in the store are able to see the parents’ faces when they see the gifts that

were purchased for their children. Some parents cry. We hear their stories of birth and death.

We hear the statements like, “When I’m back on my feet I’m going to help support this minis-

try.” Some parents hug us as they are leaving.

This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and work by members of Aldersgate. Thank

you to those who shopped for a child, donated money or toys, helped with setting up the store,

filled candy bags, worked at the store, and helped with packing up at the end. We are fortunate

to be part of such a caring church family. Thank you again!

Love in Christ,

Jeanne, Kathy and Tammy

From the Salvation Army

Dear Aldersgate Friends,

Thank you sincerely for the donations to The Salvation Army given through your annual Alter-

native Gift Market. We are truly grateful for the $210 (from several donors we can’t thank

personally) to help this community ministry.

Lord Bless, Sgts. Les & Mary Ashly December 19, 2019 The Aldersgate UMC Staff would like to take a moment to thank you for your generous Christmas gifts, cards, food, and bonuses. What an incredible blessing it was for each of us! Thank you for encouraging us and joining us on this journey as we minister in Christ together! We love you and are proud to serve with you!

Happy New Year!

Thank you for all of your Love & Support

The Warm Heart

THANK YOU

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MEN’S CAKE BAKE CONTEST

Sunday, January 26, 2020 RULES: Scratch cakes only, no box mixes or bought cakes

No Women in the Kitchen

Contestants will need to bring their cakes by 4:30 p.m. to the Epworth Building. Judg-ing will begin around 5:00 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Cake, ice cream and chips will be served. There is no fee to enter the contest and the event is free to the public. $$ Prizes will be awarded!

To register, email lmcgrath@aldersgateshelby.com by January 23.

United Methodist Men’s Country Breakfast January 11 - 7:00 - 9:30 a.m. Cost is $7 Come on out and enjoy great food and fellowship! Bring a friend!

Family Fellowship Meal - January 15 – Mark your calendar! The meal will

be a delicious pork tenderloin with entertainment by our own Back Row Boyz! Please complete the blue slip in the pews for reservations or email lmcgrath@aldersgateshelby.com by Monday, January 13th.

Alex Anderson Anna Jim Barnett Renee Bumbaugh Sandy Carpenter Iris Dozier (Cassie & Jeff) Marilyn Dycus Danny Edwards Don Ellison Lynda Pruitt Erwin Ellen Champion Hendrick Family of Anne Elliott Honeycutt Patti Hoyle Ellie Hutchinson Lillie Hutchinson Lisa Iler

Chris Lee Mandy McCaw

Linda Jackson

In Our Thoughts and Prayers

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Rev. Bob Laidlaw Chris Lee Gary Lewis Marie Lewis James Lovelace Amy & Travis Mangum Jenny Melton Mason Morley Hayward Morrison Mary Jane Puckett Carolyn Ross Rob Seybold Vicki Spencer Ann Stark Cory Stevenson Roy Swofford Rick Wright The Family of Jessica Ivey and Mr. J.D. Baldree

Carol Phillips and Lisa Hauser in Memory of Helen McKee

Anne Bayliss in Memory of Robert & Emily Bayliss

Will & Tina Rucker in Memory of Catherine Porter

Phil Rucker in Memory of Catherine Porter

Did You Know…...

The narthex Chrismon Tree is placed there to the Glory of God and in memory of Bessie Smith and Ron & Jerry Gantt by Linda Eskridge Roberts.

The church bells are in memory of:

Thomas White Cothran – 1902-1981

Samuel Panel Goforth – 1921-1978

Virginia Rollins Kirby – 1944-1985

The funeral table cover is in memory of Dr. Joe Minus.

A palle covering is in honor of Rev. Robert Laidlaw.

The Communion covered table is in memory of Dot Peeler.

Memorials & Honorariums

Aaron Allen

Charles Barefoot

Brandon Edwards

Troy Goss

Justus Henkel

Julia Jablonski

Max Blankenship

1st Tom Mauney Jan Neisler James Nelson 2nd Zach Walker Matt Smart 3rd Martha Winn 5th Mike Vaughn 7th Will Blankenship Sydney Brown Gina Crow 8th David Alexander Emily Arey Elsa Edwards Stephanie Seybold 10th Randy Allen C.J. Blanton 11th Donna Trimble

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Colby Kiser Sadie Lovelace John Lewis Rom Meares

Zephaniah Meares Scott Richard Rebecca Witter

Will Blankenship

12th Mike Stark

13th Cory Stevenson

14th Barbara Irons

15th Tiffany Cantrell Joanne Cox

17th Meredith Burton

18th Lou Anne Davis Phillip McMurry

19th James Davis

20th Joan Hanna John Crow

22nd Cameron Finch Abby Garlock Wanda McMurry Matt McNeary Crystal Robinson Martha Hester

Those Serving Our Country

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS!

**SPECIAL NOTE: If your

birthday is not included and you

would like to be added to the

list, or if you see an error, please

contact the church office by

email or phone.**

23rd Judy Eslinger Sophia Hutchens 25th Maggie Hutchinson 26th Steve Morris 28th Marta Jones 29th Jamey Davis Phil Champion 30th Jennifer Laughlin Cabiness Kali Shuford Jim Woodard Linda Elliott-Rudasill 31st Martha Kelly

The Warm Heart

The Newsletter

of Aldersgate

1207 West Dixon Boulevard

Shelby, NC 28152

704.487.8491

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W E ’R E O N T H E W E B !

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CHURCH LEADERSHIP, OFFICE STAFF AND OFFICE HOURS

Church Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 8:00AM-4:00PM

Rev. Randy Blanton Rev. Carrie Carpenter

Senior Pastor Associate Pastor

Anne Goss Tommy Greene

Music director Organist

Lindsay Carter Lou Anne Davis

Director of Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry Director

Burney Drake Terrie Toms

Matt McNeary Playschool Director

Building Superintendents

Linda McGrath

Secretary

Amelia Bumgarner

Bookkeeper

Melissa Medlin

Sexton