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We are excited that you are interested in our Christian community at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The information provide on this web site is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Aldersgate. Please contact the church at 972-492-9393 or info@aldersgatecarrollton.org if you have other questions. We invite you to join our church family as we gather in Christian community, grow in love and understanding, give of our gifts in service and stewardship and greet the world with the love of Christ. 
What is Aldersgate?Aldersgate is a community of faith seeking to care for each other, the community, and the world in Christian love. Founded in 1992, Aldersgate chose a logo that depicts “a gateway to new beginnings,” which holds many different personal meanings to those who have entered.As a United Methodist Church, we are part of a larger connection, the North Texas Conference, that provides resources and opportunities for mission and ministry. The name Aldersgate comes from an experience of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, at a meeting on Aldersgate Street in 1738. Why is Aldersgate a “Gateway to New Beginnings"?For many people just coming into or returning to the church, they are truly at some kind of crossroads in their lives. Whether it is looking for spiritual awakening, continuity or re-energizing, a need for belonging or some other life-altering experience, Aldersgate has been a “Gateway to New Beginnings” for so many. It is a loving and caring Christ-centered community, where one can feel safe as they grow their spiritual foundation and journey down whatever new path they are traveling.What can I expect as a first-time visitor?Visiting a church for the first time can be an uncomfortable experience. At Aldersgate, our community will do our very best to make you feel at home. Please introduce yourself as a visitor to anyone of our greeters at the front door. Our greeters are available to answer any questions you have; they can also provide you with a visitor information packet and registration card. The registration card is not required but it allows us to follow up on your church visit. We promise to make our follow up informative and courteous.As you walk into the sanctuary, you will be handed a worship bulletin at the 8:45 service, or a bulletin and hymnal at the 11:00 service. Aldersgate has many wonderful traditions, and the service bulletin is an integral part of our worship that will guide you through our service. Our services begin with announcements, prayer, and praise and end with scripture and a lesson. However, you will soon discover that the Aldersgate experience includes much more than the one-hour service. Our church offers fellowship, learning programs, and opportunities for service. Please remember that we were all new to this church at one time or another, and we want you to feel as comfortable as our most veteran members. Am I welcome to take Communion?The table of Holy Communion is Christ’s table, not the table of The United Methodist Church or of the local congregation. The table is open to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love and seeks to lead a new life of peace and love, as the invitation to the table says.All who intend to lead a Christian life, together with their children, are invited to receive the bread and cup. We have no tradition of refusing any who present themselves desiring to receive. (From The United Methodist Book of Worship. Copyright © 1992 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission. http://umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1288 )  What is the meaning of the cross and flame?The Cross and Flame is the official symbol of The United Methodist Church, adopted in 1968. The cross symbolizes Christ; the flame, the Holy Spirit of Pentecost. What is the meaning and history behind the Jerusalem cross?The Jerusalem Cross was first used as a coat of arms for the Latin Kingdom in Jerusalem. Because of this origin, it has also been known as the “Crusaders Cross.” The four small crosses are symbolic of the four Gospels proclaimed to the four corners of the earth, beginning in Jerusalem; the large cross symbolizes the person of Christ.At Aldersgate, we use the Jerusalem Cross as a symbol for the ways we carry out our mission of making disciples: we Gather, Grow, Give, and Greet. Why is Aldersgate here?Our mission is the same as the mission of United Methodist Church throughout the world: To make disciples of Jesus Christ.That mission goes beyond a one-time spiritual experience. As disciples, we are called to care for each other as we continue our own faith journey, and to share the Gospel with others. How do I become a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church?People interested in joining Aldersgate may choose to speak with the pastor or another church staff member first, but it’s certainly not required. Whether you’ve discussed becoming a member ahead of time or not, you are invited to come forward during the singing of the closing hymn at any worship service.What about my baptism?The United Methodist church honors baptisms from all Christian churches. If have not been baptized, you may request to be baptized just before you join the church, or you may come forward and express your desire to become a member, then prepare for baptism at a later time.What does the Methodist church believe about infant baptism?In infant baptism, God claims the child with divine grace. Clearly the child can do nothing to save himself or herself, but is totally dependent on God’s grace, as we all are — whatever our age. We can no more wait for our children to decide about being in the family of God than we wait for them to decide if they would like to be a part of our human family. As parents, we make many decisions — in matters of health, safety, education, for example — for our children. Of course, they may later reject what we have done for them. But, this possibility does not relieve us of the responsibility to do all that we can for them spiritually, as we do in other aspects of their lives. The Baptism is a divine act, a pledge and gift God gives to us. Baptism includes vows of dedication, but chiefly it celebrates what God is doing and will do.Why is there another church sign in front of the building?The members of Aldersgate have sold the church building and the approximately 3.5 acres which the building is on to the Sarang Mission Church. We are presently renting the facility from them and sharing the facility. Our building committee is working diligently creating plans for a new church building which will be built on approximately 5.5 acres just north of the present facility. Worship should begin in the new building by August of 2008.A church is not a building, it is the people. Please visit What Aldersgate United Methodist Church means to me... what the people of Aldersgate are saying. |
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Aldersgate United Methodist Church |
