NEWS ARCHIVES - SEP-DEC 2001

Thanks to all who purchased poinsettias to help decorate our sanctuary during the Christmas season. Thanks to those who made the Christmas Eve services a moving experience. Thanks to the many who helped decorate the church for the season. Thanks to all who who brought gifts for the Sharing Tree Project to see that needy individuals in the community had a Christmas gift. Thanks to all who who contributed to the Christmas Card Fund to help needy with heating bills _

Thanks to all who helped with The Advent Celebration on December 2. We had craft activities, Bible study, lunch, carol sing, Rainbow Bells performance, a Teen Choir performance, and an advent play. The play The Little Tree's Christmas Gift was very meaningful. Thanks to all who helped decorate the church for Advent.
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The Bibles and Bagels adult study had a four week Advent Study by James W. Moore on Let Us Go Over to Bethlehem. _

Again this year, Aldersgate was one of the sponsors of the Community Thanksgiving Food Baskets program. The program provides thanksgiving meals for some of our county's neediest families. Thanks to all who contributed time and money to the program. With the help on many other churches, over 700 bags of groceries, 450 dozen cookies, and other necessities were collected, sorted, and distributed at Aldersgate to 380 needy families on November 18-20. Thanks to Jeri and Darryl Smith for coordinating this effort. Financial contributions to help in the cost of the purchase of turkeys and other fresh foods may be sent to:
  Midland County EFPN
  1600 Clover Lane
  Midland MI 48640
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Saginaw Bay District Superintendent Tom Robinson led our Annual Charge Conference on November 14. Reports on Church activities were presented and new officers were elected. Visit our action and people pages for more information _

November 11 was Commitment Sunday for our stewardship campaign. Pledges or time, talents, and financial support for the coming year may still be sent to the church office. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
-- 2 Corininthians 9:12-13.

The Mission Committee sponsored extra-mile giving to supplement the normal budgeted funds devoted to missionary support. We continued to support former member Nancy Lightfoot's work in the translation of the Klao Bible and the work of Dan and Kelly Harmon for Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Cedar Camp. _

On October 28, we commissioned our ChristCare equippers. This is a small group ministry to model a life of discipline, pray for others, reach out to others in missional service, and help others grow as disciples and leaders. _

Thanks to the Readers Theater for their presentation on October 28. The group presents short programs as part of worship services several times during the year. New members are welcome. Jan Young, 835-3183. _

Our Playground Improvement committee has been very active this summer. Check out the results. Thanks to all who have helped. _

On October 21, we presented the following acolytes:
        Rachel Cuthbert         David Fennell         Allison Groves         Chris Hockemeyer         Chelsea Miller         Keith Miller         Kirsten Warner         Alex Beckwith         Kayla Smith         Tom Dukes         Andrew Pirie         Janae Smith         Jordan Tobey         Alan Warner _

Thanks to all who helped with the The fall rummage sale Oct 18-19. We made a net profit of $2,643.38. _

On October 14, we welcomed the following into membership:
        Arthur and Elaine Kastl         Dawn Fennell         Beulah Ames         Gordon Hall         Christie Mulder         Brent, Marlene, and Amanda Smith         Jeri Fish         Tracey Thompson         Thomas Birdsall         Cassie Cuthbert         Jeffrey and Penny Anderson         Jan Eurich         Ruth Hitchcock         Muriel McGaw _

The annual Crop Walk was Sunday, September 30. Thanks to all who walked and supported the walkers. We raised a total of $3,129. _

On September 16, a Silent Bell was dedicated in loving memory of Marion Brown, Founder and First Director of the Aldersdate Adult Hand Bell Choir. The bell will be on the altar whenever the choir performs. _

Thanks to all who help with Celebration Sunday on September 9. What a great way to start the new church year. _

http://www.gmgm-umc.org/AldersgateUMCMI/news01-3.html JIM