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Page 2 Lent: A Season of Preparation

Men of all ages are invited to come to the Saturday Morning Men's Group each Saturday at
Page 2 “At a Crossroads: A Lenten Journey” Sermon Series 8:00am for one hour (out at 9:00am sharp) in room 208 for a time of fellowship. No commitment
required! Come every Saturday, once a month, or whenever you can make it. We share joys and
Page 3 AUMC Youth concerns, prayer, a short devotion (e.g., short bible study, Upper Room devotion, book review,
biblical history, inspirational story, short video) given by a volunteer attendee, and coffee and
Page 5 Youth in Mission: Souper Bowl of Caring donuts (or often home-baked goods!). This group sponsors the Prayer Bear ministry at
Aldersgate. We occasionally convene the group at Claude Reed's house (Aldersgate's first Pastor)
Page 6 Acolyte Ministry for 2018 and you don't want to miss his devotions. Any questions? Please contact Jonathan Peterson at
jp@packagingsupplydirect.com. We hope you can join us!
Page 7 Confirmation at Aldersgate Church

Page 8 United Methodist Men

Page 9 The Season of Lent at Aldersgate Church

Make plans now to join us for the Friendship Luncheon! We meet each month at the DoubleTree Hotel on
Page 11 Witness/Evangelism Rt. 29N for a time of delicious food, entertainment, and visiting with each other. To make your reservation,
contact Jean Ward at 434.964.1178. Cost is $12 per person. You do not have to be part of the Friendship
Page 12 24 Hours That Changed the World Sunday School Class; as long as you enjoy Christian fellowship, you are welcome to join us.
February 13 (please note date change for this month only) — We welcome back Vance Stallard, local
Page 13 Men’s PACEM inspirational singer and musician.
March 20 — Higher Voices will sing for us, led by our own Mary Anne Thornton.
Page 14 Bits and Pieces

HERE WEE GROW AGAIN!

Spring Sale Dates: March 17-24
Pre-sale for Charity: March 14

The Spring Sale is upon us! If you would like to get involved in this wildly popular outreach event,
Karen Chang would love to hear from you. Feel free to register as a volunteer at
www.hereweegrowagain.com or contact Karen at HereWEEGrowAgain@comcast.net.

Thank you for all the gifts we received at Christmas. All of us were very happy!! God bless
you. You all are wonderful!!! Thank you, The Residents at the Cedars.
 13
This year, Aldersgate will host the PACEM (People And Congregations Engaged
in Ministry) Men’s Shelter the week of Easter, Saturday March 31st - Saturday
April 7th. This is a larger group than the women so there are plenty of
opportunities to help: greeting our guests as they arrive, entertainment,
helping in the kitchen, doing laundry, spending time with our guests, and staying overnight. Hearty
meals are greatly appreciated. Last year, families, music ministries, and Bible study groups, to name a
few, provided meals for our guests and really enjoyed it! It’s fun, easy, and satisfying. Would your
small group or class like to contribute? We can give you ideas! Sign up sheets for volunteers and
donation bins will be available at the end of February. Needs include: small toiletries, socks, underwear,
new or gently used towels and wash cloths, men’s magazines, individual non-perishable snacks,
Chapstick, combs, and lotions. Monetary donations will also be accepted for the purchase of foods,
paper goods, and other related expenses. Please makes checks payable to AUMC with PACEM on the
memo line. To make this another successful week, we are hoping for lots of volunteers to help keep
this opportunity for our community alive and thriving. For more information, contact Debbie Topping
at 434-964-6729 or ldtopping5@gmail.com.
It’s cold outside! So consider finding warmth and fellowship at Busy Hands. This group meets on
Thursdays in the Reed Room from 11:00 to 2:00. We each bring our own arts and crafts projects to
work on while engaging in interesting and lively discussions. There is a little break for a “brown bag”
lunch. Everyone is welcome, whether you attend regularly or drop in occasionally. Attendees do a
variety of handiwork, such as knitting, quilting, embroidery, beading, painting, adult coloring books and
cross stitch. It is not too late to make a New Year’s resolution to try Busy Hands and join in the fun.
2
Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. Ash Wednesday
marks the first day or the start of the season of Lent, which is a 40 day season that does not include Sundays.
Christian preparation for Easter during Lent may take several forms, including a period of fasting, repentance,
moderation (giving something up that keeps us from growing closer to God) and spiritual discipline (taking on
practices that assists us in growing closer to God). The purpose of any of these practices is to reflect on Jesus Christ -
his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection – that our reflection might draw us closer to the
living God would gave his life for the whole world.
At Aldersgate Church, we will begin the season of preparation with the imposition of ashes. Ashes will be available
in the parking lot, and perhaps elsewhere in our community, beginning at 6:30a.m. Ashes will also be available on
Wednesday evening at 7p.m. during an Ash Wednesday service in the Sanctuary. The service is scheduled for less
than one hour and will be in a time of worship and reflection that we might hear the call to observe a holy Lent. Holy
Communion also will be celebrated during the Ash Wednesday service. The Bible does not mention the custom of
Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8;
Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are used as a sign of our mortality and penitence, so we
may remember that only by God's gracious gift are we given everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
My hope for all of us at Aldersgate Church is we might grow in the grace of God and know God’s love in a more
profound way as we observe a holy Lent.
In God’s Love and Service,
Rev. Rob Robertson
Lead Pastor, Aldersgate Church
A Lenten Journey
This Lent experience a season of spiritual growth and life-
changing renewal as Aldersgate Church journeys to the cross
and toward an open tomb through the series, At a Crossroads:
A Lenten Journey. This Lenten Series begins on Sunday,
February 18th at both the 9:00am and 11:00am worship
services. Our journey will take us from the Jordan River and
into the wilderness, from Galilee to Jerusalem and to an upper
room for a Passover meal before arriving at Golgotha. Join the
journey, At a Crossroads, during Lent.
 3

Mark your Calendars today for Saturday, March 17th at 7:00 PM. Wear your
GREEN, spend time with your family, children and invite your friends for
our Annual Celtic Night of Worship!

This year the children and youth of AUMC will present "Christ the Lord Is
Mark your Calendars for Vacation Bible School 2018 Risen Today" which retells the Passion story with hymns, modern worship
songs and narration!
Sunday, June 24th through Thursday, June 28th This is a FREE, family friendly evening featuring food, desserts and games -
all with an Irish flair! Please join us for this spectacular evening of fun!
Sunday, July 1st will be a Vacation Bible School Celebration Sunday

New 6-week Study Begins Tuesday, February 20th

HOLD ON! Sunday, January 21st our Aldersgate
Youth Group headed to the mountains of
Wintergreen! We enjoyed an afternoon of
Christian fellowship, good food and of course
TUBING!
Choose either the 10am or 7pm session
No single event in human history has received more attention than the suffering and
crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. In this Lenten study that will begin on Tuesday, February
20th, author and United Methodist Church pastor Adam Hamilton guides us through the
last twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. Each weekly session is designed to help the reader
experience and understand the significance of Jesus' suffering and death in a way you may
have never done before. Whether readers are long-time Christians or simply curious about
the story of Christ's crucifixion, they are invited to join the author in retracing the last 24
hours of Jesus' life. Weekly readings from Hamilton's book and weekly video will guide
your learning. Be part of the 24 Hours That Changed the World during Lent. Sign up in your
Sunday bulletin or call the church office at 434.973.5806.

Please consider donating a flower arrangement to our church this year. The arrangements not only beautify the
Sanctuary during worship but they can hold special meaning for those who have provided them. The 2018 Flower
Calendar is posted in the Reed Room. The bouquets are created and delivered by New Leaf Florist at the cost of $40
each. Payment can be made in advance by sending a check to the church office
or by putting it in an envelope and placing it in the offering plate on the Sunday
that your flowers are scheduled to appear. You may take your flower
arrangement home after the 11:00 service or leave it to be taken to someone in
need of comfort. For more information, please contact Amy O’Brien at the
church office.
11 4

The mission of the United Methodist Church is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of
the world.” This can be viewed as a circular process in many ways as we follow this pattern: This year the District Winter Retreat for Middle and High School Youth
will be held at Westview on the James February 24-25, 2018.
• Help people relate to God and begin a relationship with Jesus Christ
The Theme is “OVERLOADED? COME TO JESUS.”

• Help lead new Christians into a developing discipleship process
• These disciples eventually help make other disciples
Scripture tells us 1 Peter 3:15 to “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you
an accounting for the hope that is in you.”
A simple way to start in the witness/evangelism ministry is to learn how to tell your story. Learn how to
share with others, in a kind and gentle way, how your relationship with Jesus Christ has changed you and
brought you hope.
If you would like to learn how to tell your story and/or to become part of the new Witness/Evangelism
Team please contact: Mike Thornton at mikethornton100@gmail.com
This retreat will be filled with fun, fellowship, and good food along way as we join in a wonderful weekend
together based on Matthew 11:28-30! Still not sure if you want to go? Ask one of youth who went in
November! So, come and join us for the fun! Don’t miss out!
Matthew 11:28-30 Westview on the James February 24-25, 2018
Payment and Registration Due to Youth Leaders: Carolyn Robertson or Samantha Shifflett
Early Bird: $65 per person by January 31, 2018.
Regular: $100 per person, February 1--February 12
($2 per person goes to YSF.)
No registrations accepted after February 12. Register early and save
If you have any questions regarding this retreat or any of the youth ministry opportunities at Aldersgate
please contact: Carolyn Robertson, Interim Children and Youth Coordinator, carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org

Please become a part of AUMC’s Youth Group in 2018!

Join us on Sunday evenings

as we discuss “Mind Games” :

High School: 5:00 - 6:15 pm

FELLOWSHIP OF FRIENDS is all about relationships: the
relationship that starts between God and each of us, and then
Dinner: 6:15 - 6:45 pm
based on Jesus’ example, it reaches out to each other. We are Middle School: 6:45 - 8:00 pm
inviting you into a special relationship with a homebound
member of our church family. Stop by and talk with us in the
Reed Room on Sunday February 4th, so we can share details and
answer your questions.

And please, take just a couple of minutes to sign one of the

Valentine Cards we have on the table. We will take care of
getting them mailed to one of our homebound. THANK YOU
5
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Sunday, March 25th at 9 and 11 am

Thursday, March 29th at 7:00 pm

Holy Communion
Music by the Chancel Choir

Good Friday, March 30th

7:00 pm
Music by the Aldersgate Praise Band
Gather with family and friends on Sunday, February 4, 2018 before or after Sunday services to enjoy fellowship
while supporting our Youth Group in Mission!

This year Aldersgate youth are participating in the “Souper Bowl of Caring” on Super Bowl Sunday!
The youth group will be selling Baked Potatoes along with various toppings, Baked Goods and canned drinks. Net
Proceeds will be directed to “Rise Against Hunger”. Our Goal is $160.

There are many ways to support the youth mission project: Holy Saturday, March 31st
• Buy a Baked Potato and join your friends or Sunday School for lunch in the Reed Room,
• Buy a meal and take with you. Yes, take-out will be available! Sanctuary open for prayer
• Buy a Drink and enjoy the fellowship with family and friends
• Buy something sweet to eat for now or later,
• Not Hungry or Thirsty? Offer a monetary donation towards the mission,
• Pray for our youth,
• Speak to our youth and share positive words of affirmation for their mission project.

Youth will take PRE-ORDERS beginning January 28, 2018.

On February 4th during Sip and Chat, coffee and hot tea will be offered; however, our regular table of food will not A celebration of Christ’s Resurrection
be provided that you might support our youth and their mission project. Thank you in advance for your support.
Carolyn Robertson at carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org
Easter Sunday, April 1st
9 and 11 am

Ash Wednesday, February 14
6:30 - 9:30 am
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray. Proverbs 22:6 (NRSV)
in the Aldersgate parking lot
Ash Wednesday, February 14
7:00 pm
Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion
New Sermon Series begins
Sunday, February 18th at 9 and 11 AM
Annual Celtic Night of Worship
Join us Saturday, March 17th at 7 pm
as our children and youth present
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
Free family event with an Irish flair!
Deadline for ordering is Sunday, March 25th
Order forms will be available
in the worship bulletins
6
WILL YOU CARRY THE CHRIST LIGHT?
The Acolyte Ministry is much more than lighting a candle. The mission of the Acolyte
Ministry is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ who will also serve as leaders in Christ’s
Church. This ministry is youth-run and adult-supported ministry. This ministry offers
the opportunity for the youth of our church and young adults of Aldersgate to find
areas to serve in worship, and continue to explore their faith. This a “Leadership
Ministry” designed to help our youth 4th through the 12th grade, grow as leaders while
learning to communicate and work with each other during worship and training
events and to ultimately be a representative for Christ as they grow to become
leaders in their church, their family, their school and their community. This past year
we have had 16 committed Acolytes serving in this ministry at both the 9 AM and 11
AM Services.
On January 28, 2018 we will offer the opportunity for our children and youth to
explore the Acolyte ministry. We all want to know what is being asked of us prior
saying yes: therefore, attending one of the “Exploring Events” is just that… exploring.
Following the event our youth will have the information they need to make an
informed decision prior to saying “Yes” to serving. This exploration event also meets
the training requirements to serve as an acolyte. If you are a youth interested in
“Exploring the Acolyte Ministry” being held on Sunday the 28th please contact Carolyn
Robertson. This ministry is also open to Young Adults. Young Adults interested in
serving should contact Carolyn Robertson directly for more information.
If you are new to the church and your child or youth is interested, please contact
Carolyn Robertson, Interim Children and Youth Coordinator at
carolynrobertson@cvaumc.org

It is NOT too late to join Confirmation at Aldersgate Church! Confirmation is a series of classes that help
youth currently in the sixth grade or higher explore their faith and discern whether they are ready to make a
profession of faith in Jesus Christ! During confirmation classes, confirmands learn more about the meaning
of Christian faith and practices, the history and teachings of The United Methodist Church, an explanation of
the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, the membership vows of the church, and more.
Each youth has a mentor from our congregation and will have the opportunity near the end of the classes to
decide if he or she is ready to join the United Methodist Church and specifically Aldersgate Church on Sun-
day, May 20th, which is Pentecost Sunday. Contact Pastor Rob Robertson at (434) 973-5806 or via email at
robrobertson@cvaumc.org for more information on how to connect with Confirmation!
Children’s Easter Pageant
th
March 17
Calling Children and Youth:
This year we are looking for children and youth that would be interested in participating in or
helping with our Annual Celtic Night of Worship, Saturday, March 17 th at 7:00 PM. This year the
children and youth will present the production "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" which retells the
Passion story. Come join your friends and be apart of telling this amazing story that changed the
world! If you are between 8 yrs and 18 yrs old and you would be interested in participating by
sharing your gifts and talents on stage or behind the scenes, please contact us by January
28th. MaryAnne Thornton, maryannethornton@gmail.com, call 825-9202 or Carolyn Robertson,
Interim Children and Youth Ministry Coordinator carolynrobertson@cvaumc
The Methodist Mens' group hold supper meetings in the community room every second Thursday of each month at
6:30 pm. We invite all age men who attend Aldersgate to attend. Our upcoming program is outlined below, and it’s
exciting!
Our February meeting will be on Saturday, February 10th since it will be our annual Valentines Sweet Heart dinner
out. Join us at 7pm at Shadwell’s on Rt. 250 at Pantops. We have a private room reserved so bring your wife,
friend, or significant other and enjoy a dinner with your church friends. We are extending this invitation to the
widows of our church since so many of their late husbands were men’s group members. Feel free to gather in the
bar area prior to 7pm and perhaps watch part of a basketball game.
Our March 8th meeting should be of interest to new fathers and grandfathers. Our featured discussion leader and
speaker will be Bob Forsyth of the Davenport Investment Co. He will be giving us the latest update on the recent tax
reform and will be outlining the Virginia 529 Educational Saving Account program. Stewart Chang is a veteran of this
tax-free college savings account experience and we'll encourage new parents to get signed up while their kids are
young so they'll have a "nest-egg" to cover college tuition. Your deposit (or those of your aunts & uncles out of
state) into the 529 are TAX FREE! Want to learn more? Join us in the Parlor at 6:30 pm.
Our April meeting will likely be a picnic out at Chris Greene Lake on April 12, so circle the date. More details will be
available in the near future.
Come join our Christian men’s fellowship! It’s a good opportunity for newer members of Aldersgate to get
acquainted with the dozens of men who keep Aldersgate going.
For more info, contact Merrill Bishop (434) 975-3072 or rambishop1@gmail.com.
Everyone enjoys a cookie or a cup of coffee on Sundays. If you have even just a few hours a year to help serve
our members, friends, and guests, the Member Care / Hospitality Team would love to hear from you!
Supporting Sip ‘n Chat is a great opportunity for families, friends, Sunday School classes, and small groups to
come together and bring joy to our weekly fellowship times. The time and effort are minimal, but the rewards
are long-lasting!
Contact Jennifer Hamlin (Jennifer@eventswithpanache.com) or Tina Shifflett (shiff82@earthlink.net) if you need
more information or are ready to help.