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When we join the church we make a pledge to faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Throughout the month of August we focused on prayers. As we turn the calendar into September, what does it mean to faithfully participate by our presence? Presence means “being there.” It means “showing up.” I think the first thing that comes to mind is consistent participation in worship. I think faith-fully participating with our presence does mean consistently participating in worship; but I don’t think it stops there. I think it also means being present in the committees where we have made a commitment to serve. It means show-ing up to the Sunday School class, Bible Study, or Small Group that I’m a part of. It means participating in acts of service: both inside the church and out-side the walls of the church. But I also think it means going a step further than all these things. I think it means pick-ing up the phone, or even going to someone’s house when we know there is a problem. We need to make sure our fellow Christians are not going through rough patches alone. The Bible clearly commands us not to forsake "our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near" so that we can "stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Experience

Connecting Knowing Loving Growing

United Methodist Church September 2012 Issue

Birthdays/WLN Kick-off Page 2 WNL Activities Page 3 Fall Classes & UTH Information Page 4 Young Dancers/Troop 400 Page 5 CONDUIT Page 6 Sunday Worship Page 7 Music Notes Page 7–9 Church Yard Sale Page 9 Square Dancing Page 9 Crazy Love –Compass Class Page 10 Weekday School Ministry Page 10 Haiti Hoedown Page 11 Local & Global Missions Page 12 Financials Page 13 Trustees, Altar Guild, Acolyte & Page 13 Nursery Page 13 Lay Assistants Schedule Page 14

Apparently when the letter to the Hebrews was written, there were already those who were neglecting their responsibility to join with the local church for worship, fellowship, study, service, and mutual edification. The famous preacher Charles Spurgeon compares such people to a brick in a sermon he wrote more than 100 years ago. “There is a brick. What is it made for? To help build a house. It is of no use for that brick to tell you that it is just as good a brick while it is kicking about on the ground as it would be in the house. It is a good-for-nothing brick. So you rolling-stone Christians, I do not believe that you are answering your purpose. You are living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live…” Do we stand alone as a brick that lays in the yard all by itself, or do we join with other bricks and build something important? John Wesley, the founder of Method-ism, goes on to say… ”The New Tes-tament knows of no solitary religion.” What he means is that the scriptures indicate that Christianity is supposed to be done in community, not by our-selves. Being present shows that you care about the life and work of other Christians, and that you have made being part of the body of Christ a priority in your life.

Throughout September we will look at “presence” from many different angles. We will look at our presence and participation with others in the Christian life; but also God’s presence in our lives, as well. I encourage you to make the ministry of presence a priority once again this September. May the Peace of Christ be with you. Pastor Doug

“Will You Faithfully Participate… By Your Presence? ”

“Do we stand alone as a brick that lays in the yard all by itself, or do we join with other bricks and build something im-portant?” - Preacher Charles Spurgeon

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Caleb Schalliol 09/12 Paula Alford 09/13 Susan Leonard 09/13 Lucas Setji 09/13 Cynthia Bell 09/14 Mary Beth Cole 09/15 Scott Falise 09/15 Sheryl Morgan 09/15 Matthew Smith 09/15 Chris Tomasic 09/15 Anne Bowman 09/16 Connie Drake 09/16 Emily Moser 09/16 Karsyn Roberts 09/16 Matthew Vincent 09/16 Julia Rogers 09/17 Jason Terry 09/18 Gary James 09/19 Jesse Low 09/19 Sam Panza 09/19 Jane Bahor 09/20 Carla Neal 09/20 Kevin Parham 09/20

CONNECTING (Connect with God and one another )

Christopher Bonham 09/02 Susie Medlin 09/02 Reese Westbrook 09/02 Grayson Byerly 09/03 Wanda Crutchfield 09/03 Scott Freeman 09/03 Harper Johnson 09/03 Regina Carver 09/05 Alison Andrews 09/06 Kelley Gauger 09/06 Martha Payne 09/06 Randy Lowans 09/07 Petra Taylor 09/08 Matt Gauger 09/09 Walter Finnigan 09/10 Lachlan McDonald 09/10 Gabriela Mebane Taylor 09/10 Katie Hammer 09/11 Samantha Milks 09/11 Emily Wike 09/11 Davis Brown 09/12 Eliza Brown 09/12 Jeff Given 09/12

Sarah Upchurch 09/20 Lou Ann Martin-Rogers 09/21 Michael Upchurch 09/21 Wendie Anderson 09/22 Heather Mitchell 09/22 John Sanders Jr. 09/22 Charles Andrews 09/23 JC Berini 09/23 Richard Low 09/23 Steve Smith 09/23 Preston Verble 09/24 Pam Collier 09/24 Chad McLamb 09/24 Laura Roycroft 09/24 Kimberly McClintock 09/25 Ashley McDonald 09/25 Glenn Reynolds 09/26 Lauren Stewart 09/26 Kaylee Eckhoff 09/27 April Perry 09/28 Jonathan Swaringen 09/28 Lauren Walker 09/28 Teresa Gilbreath 09/29 David Shaffer 09/29

WNL CONCERT September 5th - 6:30pm

Family Life Center featuring music from:

Kelly Lynn Logue followed by piano selection from

Baz Cunningham !

Another DO NOT MISS event from Aldersgate!

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KNOWING (Know more about God, each other, and the needs of our world.)

ALPHA - Wednesday - 5:30pm - 7:30pm - Room 202 in the Family Life Center (includes dinner). Alpha is a practical introduction to the Christian faith, a place where guests have an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed friendly setting. Led by Dale and Betty Wickham. Begins 9/12/12. PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES Wednesday - 6:30pm - 7:30pm. Room 205 in the Family Life Center. This class will look at simple ways to introduce children to the presence of God and nurture them spiritually dur-ing daily routine activities. Led by Sandra Reynolds. Begins 9/12/12. FINANCIAL PEACE - Wednesday - 6:00pm - 7:30pm - Wesley Room in the Sanctuary building. This is a fun and practical course that will teach us to handle money the way that God wants us to handle money. We will learn to live like no one else today, so that later we can live and give like no one else. Led by Jennifer McLamb. Begins 9/12/12. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? Wednesday - 6:30 - 7:30pm - Room 207 in the Family Life Center. Using James Howell’s books, the group will unpack this powerful verse from Micah 6:8. We will look at the original context in which this verse was written and how it can still guide our lives today. Led by Tara Lain. Begins 9/12/12.

WEDNESDAY PRAYER SERVICE

The Wednesday Prayer Service will return for the fall on September 5th. The service will be held at 5:00 pm weekly in the sanctuary. Come join us for a time of prayer and a short, inspirational message from one of our pastors on Wednesday nights at 5:00 pm.

On Wednesday nights, the children will participate in fun interactive

activities that will help them grow in their faith. This fall the focus will be on the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The children will learn to express God's love to others through caring actions and healthy attitudes with the help of God's spirit. Parent sign-up will be in the gym. The children will gather at their groups' banner in the gym and then go to their activities. The children will leave the gym at 6:00pm. Children arriving afterwards should be brought to the classrooms by a parent.

Once again we will be treated to some delicious cooking from Bill Paynter & the Durham Pizza Restaurant along with several groups from within our church

including the Haiti Mission team, Circles, Sunday School classes and others. Each week's menu features an entree, vegetables and simple dessert. Prices will remain at $6.50 for adults and $3.50 for children under 10. This year RESERVATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED, However, dinner will be served on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis from 5:30 - 6:15pm. So come early for a tasty meal, wonderful fellowship and a chance to partici-pate in a Bible study or other class.

ADULT STUDIES WEDNESDAY NIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVELIVELIVELIVE

FELLOWSHIP MEALS

MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRL'S SMALL GROUP Wednesday -6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Contact Paula Alford: turtlep@aol.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL GUY'S SMALL GROUP Wednesday - 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Contact Rob Tucker: rob@aldersgate.org HIGH SCHOOL GIRL'S SMALL GROUP Wednesday - 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Contact Sheilah Lowans: salbaskets@hotmail.com HIGH SCHOOL GUY'S SMALL GROUP Wednesday - 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Contact Trey Hunt: huntiii@gmail.com

YOUTH STUDIES

CHILDREN STUDIES

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ALPHA Monday mornings – 9:15am – Wesley Room – led by Dale & Betty Wickham – begins 9/10/12 MEN’S STUDY Tuesday mornings – 6:30am – Wesley Room led by John Hall – begins 9/4/2012 TOGETHER IN CHRIST - (NEW SINGLES MINISTRY) Every other Tuesday evenings - 6:00pm - FLC 209 - led by David Anderson - begins 9/4/12

TREASURE SEEKERS 2nd & 4th Sunday evenings – 6:30pm – Wesley Room – led by Dale & Betty Wickham begins 9/9/12 THE REALLY BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE Tuesday mornings–10:30am – Wesley Room – led by Jane Brannock – begins 9/11/2012 DISCIPLE I Tuesday nights –7:00pm – Sign up Full DISCIPLE III Tuesday nights – 7:00pm – FLC 205 – led by Jane Brannock & John Hall – begins 9/11/2012 ALPHA Wednesday evenings – 6:00pm - Sign up Full FINANCIAL PEACE Wednesday evenings – 6:00pm – Wesley Room – led by Jennifer McLamb – begins 9/12/2012 PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AS SPIRITUAL GUIDES Wednesday evenings – 6:30pm – FLC 205 – led by Sandra Reynolds – begins 9/12/2012 WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? Wednesday evenings – 6:30pm – FLC 207 – led by Tara Lain – begins 9/12/2012 BIBLE STUDY Thursday afternoons – 1:30pm – Wesley Room – led by Judy Alford – begins 9/13/2012 LIGHT TRAVELERS 1st & 3rd Sunday Evenings – 6:00pm – FLC 205 – led by Randy & Cathy Sheffield - begins 9/16/2012

Sign up sheets are in the hallway outside the Church Office SIGN UP NOW!

9/2/12

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LOVING (Love God through worship, and love our neighbor th rough service.)

Praise the Lord with Dancing! Come dance with us! The fall session of our Young Dancers group begins Sunday, September 9th for all children in grades 2 through 5! The group is led by Anna Van Deventer, an accomplished youth dancer, from 4:15pm to 5:00pm each Sunday afternoon. Parents are requested to sign up as Safe Sanctuary volunteers at the first rehearsal. Two volunteers are needed each week to meet the Safe Sanctuary requirements for all church functions involving youth and children. Dancers are asked to make a commitment to attend all rehearsals in the session as we create a beautiful dance together to share God’s word with the congre-gation one Sunday during the fall months. We look forward to seeing all our returning dancers and welcoming new ones as well! For more information, please contact Tara Lain - Tara@aldersgate.org. or 919-477-0509 x 102.

TROOP 400 - The Scout Shed has been moved and it is looking GREAT out near the new Activities Field......!! If you haven't seen it, go take a look ! Thanks to a lot of great work by a number of Scouts and Scouters, the re-done shed is springing up in its new location. The shell is looking good, roof is ready to be re-shingled, and the land around the building looks good, too. We’ve learned lots as we’ve gone along the way – like Assistant Scoutmaster Richard Merrit is a nail-gunning monster; and working after a rain in

site mud adds about 2 pounds to each foot when you try to walk thru it! While the troop continues to work at this, we wanted to give members of the church the opportunity to support the troop work, also. The troop is trying hard to make the shed an attractive part of Aldersgate's land-scape. SO…. if you are moved to make any level of financial donation to support the materials needed, it would be appreciated and used wisely and judiciously. (Anyone making a thousand dollar donation will have a permanent plaque inscribed and placed on the shed, as well as be as-sured of free hot coffee on all campouts they may want to ever attend as long as they live!) Seriously, though…….while the troop has money in the troop budget that can be used to help the shed renovation, we would prefer to use those dollars for Troop activities and programs that directly benefit our boys. Anyone can make a donation in any amount to the troop targeting the shed work, and know that it will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact Aldersgate Scouters John Howe or Ken Parham. And thanks for all the great support that the church provides for the benefit of our boys!! Troop 400 Committee

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CONDUIT News

It’s time to help the elementary kids with their homework again! Won’t you find one afternoon a week that you could give an hour or so in the fine afternoon program (CLC) run by the YMCA at Oxford Manor? The volunteers provided by the CONDUIT churches are highly valued by the YMCA. The individual attention given by our church volunteers means a great deal to the children. The CLC usually runs from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Mondays through Thursdays. The first day this year will be on Monday, September 17th with an Orientation following that first session. Please contact Lee King, Colleen Anna, or Peggy Allen for more information.

Our Aldersgate Clowns helped make the National Night Out at Oxford Manor a great success on August 7th. Their 6:30pm time on the schedule turned out to be perfect. The 5:00pm downpour had cleared up, making it pleasant and cool on the lawn in front of the Community Center. April Twine and Diane Weller (in costume, of course) painted faces and Verona Gillespie made balloon animals for the many children attending the affair. Earlier, the games and the evening meal furnished by Abundant Hope Church had to be moved inside. CONDUIT furnished the drinks, as usual. The children got to tour the fire truck and were sporting sheriff’s badges. Everybody seemed to enjoy the evening.

Our fellow CONDUIT church, Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church, has started a new program for the middle high school boys that play on the basketball teams run by Coach Bryan Umstead, a Deacon in their church. They are the Angels, who practice in our FLC on Mondays and Fridays. Most of the boys are from Oxford Manor. Coach Bryan has been working for years to help these boys experience some measure of success in school so that they will persevere until graduation from high school. His church has responded to his pleas for their help and started a program called S.O.N.S. (Supporting Our Native Sons), a math and literacy enrichment program. This summer they hired two certified teachers to add to a church member to teach an all day, 5 days a week program for 4 consecutive weeks, using the new Common Core Curriculum recently adopted by the Durham Public Schools. They also furnish the meals and transportation. They are planning to continue to help these boys during the school year. They came to the last CONDUIT meeting and asked for some financial assistance. CONDUIT voted to contribute $1,000 immediately. We are seeking persons and agencies that could give grants and scholarships toward this ongoing program that will have such long-lasting benefits for each of those boys, not to mention our community. If you have any ideas or leads toward accomplishing this goal, please contact one of the CONDUIT representatives, Lee King, Colleen Anna, or Peggy Allen.

A new singles group is starting at Aldersgate called "Together in Christ". This will be a new singles ministry and we need your help. We want to build a ministry that would be helpful for all single Christians in todays world. There will be a organizational meeting on Tuesday, September 4th in Room 209 of the Family Life Center. We would like to discuss your ideas and experience to build the foundation for this much needed mission. What would you as a single Christian like to see ? If you have any questions, please contact: Dave Anderson (919) 452-3715 or email unohairyman@yahoo.com

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September 2nd Message by Rob Tucker September 9th “Being Fully Present” - Message by Doug Lain OT: Deuteronomy 5:1-12 & NT: Hebrews 10:22-25 September 16th “Drawing Closer" - Message by Doug Lain OT: 1 Kings 19:3-13 & NT: Luke 24:13-35 September 23rd “We are the Church Together" Message by Tara Lain September 30th 5th Sunday - Message by Rev. Donna Banks, District Superintendent , Corridor District

Contact: Music Minister, Rev. Nan de Andrade (477-0509 x116) nan@aldersgate.org

TOP TWENTY COUNTDOWN TOP TWENTY COUNTDOWN We’ve enjoyed counting down our favorites, based on a vote taken two weeks in May this year. Here’s some interesting numbers related to our countdown this year. 9 – New to our Countdown this year. 9 – Written after 1960. 10 – Written before 1900. 5 – Written by a woman. 6 – Folk Melody. 2012 COUNTDOWN TALLY # 20 Rock of Ages #19 Great Is Thy Faithfulness #18 What a Friend We Have in Jesus #17 Sweet, Sweet Spirit #16 Morning Has Broken #15 Battle Hymn of the Republic #14 In the Garden #13 Shine Jesus Shine The final three-five in the Countdown are... #3 Go Tell It on the Mountain #251 (African-American Spiritual, adapted by John Work, Jr. 1907) A Christmas hymn that directly calls us to spread the “good news” of Jesus Christ, this favorite entered our hymnals in 1967. The publisher of the song remembers hearing it on Christmas morning before sunrise at historic Fisk University, where students would gather and walk together from building to building caroling this spiritual. (2010 ranking: none) #2.5 How Great Thou Art #77 (words and music: Stuart K. Hine, 1953 (translation of an 1855 Carl Boberg hymn and adaptation of a Swedish folk-tune) A hymn which came to fame in USA through the 1950’s Billy Graham crusades (George Beverly Shea), our version of How Great Thou Art has a long and complex history, from Swedish, German, and Russian sources. Primarily because of its soaring refrain, it has a strong impact on many congregations. Surveys conducted by our Hymnal Revision Committee showed that among United Methodists, it is of all hymns the most loved and the most disliked! (PS See why love and commitment to community are vitally important to our worship attitudes and choices?) (2010 ranking: #9)

Notes from NanNotes from NanNotes from NanNotes from Nan Music Ministry

#12 Spirit Song #11 On Eagle’s Wings #10 Be Thou My Vision #9 It is Well With My Soul #8 The Old Rugged Cross #7 Victory in Jesus #6 Pass It On #5 Blessed Assurance #4 Lord of the Dance

SUNDAY WORSHIP

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#2 Here I Am, Lord #593 (words and music: Daniell L. Schutte, 1981) Based on Isaiah 6:8, this song of commitment and sending forth is a beautiful combination of the transcendent God of sea, sky, snow, rain, wind and flame, and the prophetic themes of a caring God who calls forth God’s people to serve those in need of hope and love. This hymn may be the most-favored of the new hymns included in our 1989 Hymnal. (2010 ranking: #4) #1.5 Hymn of Promise #707 (words and music, Natalie Sleeth, 1985) Inspired by the reawakening of the world which happens every spring, and the T.S. Eliot phrase, “In our end is our beginning,” Sleeth wrote this favorite hymn which pairs “something inherent in something else, even though unseen.” (Sleeth, 1987). Often shared as a comforting word of promise at funerals, Sleeth’s own husband became ill with a terminal malignancy soon after Sleeth wrote the song. Subsequently, she dedicated the piece to him. (2010 ranking: #3) #1 Amazing Grace #379 (words: John Newton 1779; music: 19

th C. Am. melody) John Newton penned this autobiographical hymn in 1779, after his conversion and transformation from his former wretched life as a slave trader. It is set to a 19th-century American shaped-note hymn tune. The familiar verse, “when we’ve been there ten thousand years…” is not one of Newton’s verses, but it’s origin is “anonymous.” This hymn is perhaps the most well-known hymn in Ameri-ca, and even rose to the “top- 10” on the radio when sung by pop musicians Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez and the Pipes and Drum Military Band of Scotland, in the 1960’s and 70’s. (2010 ranking: #1 (tied)) OOPS…Hee Hee. I know some of you may be asking, “What’s with the 2 ½ and 1 ½ Numbers in our Countdown?” Besides being fun teasing out the final-three, there’s a reason. I (Nan) can’t count! When the results were tabulated, I missed a 10-slash that I’d noted on two of our favorites. I caught it just in time, and added them back in. So our results for the Top-Twenty became Top-Twenty-two!

ALL GOD’S CHILDREN GOT A PLACE IN THE CHOIR!! After a well-deserved break, all of our choirs and dance groups are reforming for service. This is a GREAT time to join in this joyful ministry! SINGERS CHANCEL CHOIR REHEARSALS - 7:30 -9:00pm on Wednesday, (Sanctuary); child care is

available (please let me know if you need it). Though the choir rehearses together, most weeks, folk choose to sing at one or the other of our traditional service times. Each rehearsal covers 4-6 weeks of anthems and calls, as well as preparation for upcoming special services, such as our Ad-vent Cantata. This way, when you need to miss a rehearsal, you’ll not fall to far behind. It keeps it interesting too! No experience is necessary – we learn together about healthy and beautiful sing-ing as we learn our music. Youth are also encouraged to join us. If you want to talk or explore further about the choir, please contact Nan. We hope to see you soon! PRAISE BAND – rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:15-7:30 (sanctuary). Singers need to be com-

fortable finding harmonies, and singing with a microphone. We’d especially love to add some male voices to our praise team! Instrumentalists also welcome – from guitar keyboard, drums/percussion, bass, to flute, violin, clarinet, trumpet, etc. CHILDREN’S CHOIRS – Children’s choir program is a part of the Wednesday Night Live for Kids program, which begins on Sept. 12, from 6:15-7:30. Half of our program is Bible activities and learning together, and half is singing! We split into two groups and rotate. There is also WNL Bible activities and singing for the preschoolers. Heidi Miller leads our children’s music program. Children will sing and lead in worship approximately once/month, and will also be preparing special music for Christmastime. We hope ALL children will come to our WNL for Kids – it’s a great way to nurture and reinforce the learning and spiritual growth, and it’s a joyful midweek blessing.

Notes from NanNotes from NanNotes from NanNotes from Nan Music Ministry

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Church Yard Sale September 22nd CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS!

Annual Missions Yard sale : Saturday, September 22 from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Because of construction we CANNOT take any items at the church before 6:00 pm on set-up night. Also we WILL NOT be able to store items in the Family Life Center prior to that time as the building itself will still be in construction mode. Please bear with us this year with the special times and arrangements. If you have a questions regarding an early donation or if you would like to help with set-up or sale day, please call Jane Bahor 919-479-5522 or Mary Artley 919-906-2784.

HANDBELLS JOYFUL NOISE RINGERS – rehearsals will begin on Sept. 11th from

7:30-9:00pm. This group is fairly advanced, music reading skills needed. Some openings may be available. NEW! PRAISE RINGERS – This is a NEW/ BEGINNING Handbells

group for youth and adults. We can begin as soon as there are seven of us interested in ringing! Basic music reading skills are needed, but can be taught in a couple of sessions with Nan. Potential (one hour) rehearsal times would be: 4:00pm Sundays, 7:00pm Sundays, 6:00pm Mondays, 5:30 Thursdays, (or if daytime is possible, suggest a time). Contact Nan today and start some ringing in your ears! pm CHILDREN’S HANDBELLS – Children 2nd – 5th grade are invited to try ringing with our handbell groups! Young Ringers is our “intermediate” group – these children have rung before or have had music lessons on another instrument and can read music. They will begin rehearsal on Sept. 9 from 5:15-6:00pm. NEW! Jingle Bells is for beginners, and will meet beginning Sept. 16 from 6:10 – 6:45pm. It is necessary for you to register for these groups, so we can be sure we form appropriate-sized groups. Please contact Nan by Sept. 6th, and let her know your interest! ALSO…DULCIMER - Sweet Sounds – a small group is learning to play the hammered dulcimer, and if you’re interested, we’d love to have you join us. To find out more, call Nan or you’re welcome to drop in on one of our sessions – we practice together on 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 11:00am in Nan’s office. GOSPEL LIGHTS ? We have a group of folk who love to sing and play old-time gospel songs. For the past couple of years a group of 4-10 of us have been getting together every month on Monday evenings for a sing-in. If this is something you’re interested in, we’re re-evaluating this ministry right now. Let Nan know of your interest and commitment level (once a quarter/month/week???) and we’ll make a decision on how to best meet with you for a good-old time.

Notes from NanNotes from NanNotes from NanNotes from Nan Music Ministry

Have the most fun exercising by learning to square dance. Lee and Burton King invite you to the Open House for the Durham Twirlers that meet at Edison Johnson Recreation Center on Murray Avenue at 9:00am on Tuesday mornings. There are two Tuesdays for Open House: September 4th and 11th. Lessons begin on the next Tuesday: Sept. 18th. For more information, please contact: Lee King: leebbtexking@frontier.com

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Compass Sunday School Class - “CRAZY LOVE”

Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy if you think about it. The God of the universe- the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and e-minor- loves us with a radical, unconditional, self- sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. We all know something is wrong.

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solution? God is calling you to a passionate love rela-tionship with Himself. The answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts- its falling in love with God. It is a relationship with God.

Starting Sept. 9th , the Compass Sunday School Class will begin a study entitled Crazy Love based on the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is a 10-week-dvd-based study. We MEET EVERY Sunday in Room 205 at 9:30 or so.

Everyone is welcome. (to go a little crazy!)

Teachers - 2 year old Mary Johnson Aleda Deck Kathy Mangum Michelle Schalliol Lenore Plymire Jeanie Tumbrink Amy Ludwig Deb Matthews

Teachers - 3 year old Kathy Mangum Karmon Allison Lenore Plymire Kelly Reaves Amy Ludwig Lynn Wilfong Ruth Kay Ashley Skinner

Teachers - 4 year old Jill Bosecker Carol Eddinger Angela Herman Odessa Curry Maria DiFrancesco Susan Caviness Pam Hartis Ginny Hall

Aldersgate Weekday School Ministry - Back to School! Afterschool is in full swing and things

are going great. Preschool is just beginning and it is so wonderful to see all our sweet kids. Here are our teachers:

Preschool

Teachers - Toddlers Julie Amara Lynn White Jeanie Tumbrink

Afterschool Teachers Lindsey Sellars Noelle DiFrancesco Ruth Kay Grant Mangum Mary Thomas Ray Alban Chad Swanson Kristin Hunt

Dillon Mangum Ashley Skinner Jessica Jakobcyzk Pam Hartis Jordan Jeffries Cristi Nunn Jacob Wilson Amy Ludwig

Office Staff Tammy Golden - Assistant Director Regina Carver - Financial Manager Evelyn Johnson - Director

The congregation of Aldersgate can help the Weekday School by: Pray for the families – for many of our children this is the only exposure they have to learn of God’s love for them Pray for the teachers – there are a few listed in the bulletin each month to pray for Donate your Campbell’s soup labels – we can redeem them for free school supplies Volunteer – the afterschool children always need help with their homework, and the preschool children love to have visitors who like to cook with them or read them a fun story. We are looking forward to another great year with the 150 preschool families and 120 afterschool families we will serve this year. We pray all of you have a great school year with your families as well. Evelyn Johnson

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Saturday October 6

Square and Line

AUMC Family Life Center 1320 Umstead Road

Proceeds go to support the AUMC Haiti Ministries

Live Caller

Chik-n-n-Dumplin’s Haitian Station Silent Auction

Bargain Basement

Lot’s of fun games for the kids

• Hat Decorating Contest

• Make a Better Tap-Tap than Doug Judging

ADMISSION $10 per person $25 per family

HAITI HOEDOWN

For the whole family

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Aldersgate Phase - September Construction Update

Final permits have been obtained and work is progressing on the wall framing. plumbing rough in, electrical rough in and HVAC ductwork on the second floor FLC. (photo 0435) Work is underway on the elevator pit and enclosure as well.. (photo 0431) Columbarium work will resume, weather permitting. Paving and patching of the existing parking lots will take place the week of 8/27.

photo 0435 photo 0431

Local & Global Missions As we have discussed at several of our last meetings, we are in the process of reorganizing our Missions Committee to more closely unify like missions. To further this effort, the September Missions Committee meeting will be a training session for all committee members and folks interested in missions. The focus of the training will be to conduct sessions to learn how to better work together, to energize our group efforts, team building, encourage more involvement among committee members and members of the congregation and increase overall mission effectiveness. The training will be held Saturday, September 15th, from 8:30am - 12 noon in the Wesley Room. We will start with a light breakfast and then move into several group training sessions. We will end promptly at noon. This will replace our normal September meeting. Please make plans now to join us. - Glenn Reynolds

GROWING (Grow as disciples of Jesus Christ, and as a faithf ul community called the church.)

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September Acolyte Schedule

8:15 am Worship Service

Sept. 2nd: Ella Thomas/Reid Moser Sept. 9th: Mackenzie Hale Sept. 16th: Olivia Lain Sept. 23rd: Grace Vincent

11:00 am Worship Service

Sept. 2nd: Kelly Copolo/Taylor Healy Sept. 9th: Lewis Reo Sept. 16th: Abi Lowans Sept. 23rd: Janae Andrews Sept. 30th Rebecca Johnson 5th Sunday

8:15am, 9:30am and 11:00am

Sunday Morning Nursery

Lori Fisher, Jamie Lewis & Ellen Whisnant

Tuesday Music Practices: Ellen Whisnant & Lynn Wilfong

Trustee for September Phil Stancil & Laurie Leeson

September Altar Guild Laurie Leeson, Paula James &

Beth Menchini

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH INCOME SNAPSHOTS THROUGH 8/15/12

Operating Collections Versus Budget

YTD

Budgeted Pledged Re-

ceived Unpledged

Contributions Total YTD

Contributions YTD Collections /

Budget

YTD Budgeted $ 402,647 $ 344,813 $ 100,142 $ 444,955 $ 42,308

Operating Collections Versus Spending

YTD Spent Pledges

Received Unpledged

Contributions Total YTD

Contributions YTD Collections /

Spent

YTD Spending $ 470,548 $ 344,813 $ 100,142 $ 444,955 $ (25,593)

Capital Fund Snapshot

2011 - 2014

Pledged Pledges

Received Unpledged

Contributions Total Contri-

butions Received Versus

Pledged

YTD Spending $1,360,993 $ 210,124 $ 80,045 $ 290,169 $ (1,070,824)

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8:15am Worship Service

Greeters Ushers Lay Readers 9/2 Mary Tom Roberts(m) Richard Riggsbee Lisa Clark Jackie Roberts (m) Henry Atkinson Heidi Miller (0) Mitch Adkins/Raye Lyndon 9/9 Jeff Sturkey (m) Chick Hinton/Charles Andrews Kathy Chmielewski Jean Mrosla (o) Richard Riggsbee/Henry Atkinson 9/16 Kaye Harris (o) Jeff Sturkey/Kirk Brown Ken Morris Mitch Adkins (m) Joe & Lisa Clark 9/23 Henry Atkinson (o) Raye Lyndon/Mitch Atkinson Judy Alford Norma Roberts (m) Mary Tom Roberts/Jackie Roberts 9/30 5th Sunday

9:30am Worship Service

9/2 Lara Rowland Michael/Wanda Crutchfield Betty Wickham 9/9 Michael/Wanda Crutchfield Andrea Stewart/Sue Allison Dale Wickham 9/16 Dale & Betty Wickham Cynthia Bell/Cathy Sheffield Bill Paynter 9/23 Sue Allison Betty & Dale Wickham Cathy Sheffield 9/30 5th Sunday

11:00am Worship Service 9/2 Anne Almond (o) Ginger Hawkins/Graham Nichols Summer Stanley (m)) Joyce Mackin/Jennifer McLamb Burton King 9/9 Betty Jane Upchurch (m) Paula & Gary James Lee King Ed Osteen (o) Maryellen T. & Walter Finnigan 9/16 Lisa Brown (o) Megan Hunt/Mitch Moser Lou Dernosek Sheilah Lowans (m) Nancy Grinstead/Pam Boatright 9/23 Bill Smith (o) Paula Alford/Paula Veasey Mary Cameron Megan Hunt (m) Raye Lyndon/Ron West 9/30 5th Sunday To access the monthly church calendar, please click on the link below: www.aldersgate.org and click on This Week in Our Church—on the left side of the front page.

September Lay Assistants Schedule

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Aldersgate United Methodist Church 1320 Umstead Road Durham, NC 27712 (919) 477-0509

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