News & Updates
AUMC ADVENT DEVOTION GUIDE
We are hoping to provide an ENCORE presentation of the AUMC Advent Devotion Guide this year to lead us through the Christmas season. Please be thinking about an "Upper-Room-type-format" devotion you would be willing to share with your fellow worshippers. When we have done this in the past, folks have loved seeing how the Holy Spirit moved in our midst to share encouraging/thoughtful/inspiring/consoling messages with one another.
Devotions should be one to four paragraphs long and can include a relevant Bible verse at the beginning and prayer at the end (like the Upper Room). Or we can add a Bible verse and prayer for you. You just need to provide the message.
Advent begins on December 1st so we will need some submissions by Sunday, November 24th to kick things off. So don't delay.
Please send devotions to Ann Hall (annmhall24@gmail.com) or John Hall (johnrhall20@gmail.com).
NOTICE -There will be prizes for the first two submissions received.
Reverse Advent Calendar
This year, we invite our church family to participate in Reverse Advent. Instead of receiving a gift each day—as is traditional—Reverse Advent encourages us to give each day. See the calendar below for items needed. Donations may be placed on the shelves outside the preschool office or under the tree in the Commons. Please bring all items by December 30 so our volunteers can distribute them promptly. Thank you for giving generously and sharing Christ’s love in this season of giving.
COMPASSION FUND
As we approach the holiday season, many families in our community are facing tough times. We are seeking your support through gift card donations to help build our Compassion Fund, which provides essential assistance to those in need.
We’re looking for gift cards ($25 limit) from:
Fast Food Restaurants for quick meals.
Gas Stations to help with transportation costs.
Walmart for groceries and essentials.
Gift cards give families the flexibility to choose their needed resources, respecting their dignity and preferences.
Please drop off your gift card donations at the church office or feel free to place them in the offering plate on Sundays. Thank you for helping us support those in need!
STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Church family, a quick stewardship update. Through August 31, our General Fund income is $12,570 under budget, and expenses are $34,434 over—mostly from facilities, technology, and essential staffing—leaving a $49,809 deficit. We’re asking every household to prayerfully consider three steps by October 31: make a catch-up gift to the General Fund, start or increase recurring giving, and fulfill your 2025 pledge or make one if you haven’t yet. Our 2026 stewardship campaign launches on Sunday, October 12, and we’ll celebrate Consecration Sunday on November 2 with a Pancake Breakfast as we return our Estimate of Giving Cards. Thank you for your generosity and the way you steward God’s gifts for our neighbors and our mission.
Pastor Shelly
Community Circles
You are invited to the following school assemblies 9:00-9:30 (please arrive at 8:45 to get signed in at the front desk).
December 19th
February 11th
May 21st
Students and staff would love to put faces to the partners who help make their school year memorable!
As you look forward to Christmas '25 or graduation '26 consider giving a quilt as a gift for a loved one. The Aldersgate Quilt Sewciety is taking orders for this fall. Prices vary depending on the quilt size. Contact Dixie Gilliland (dgilliland717@sbcglobal.net) or Mary Calder (okiecajun55@gmail.com) for more information.