Aldersgate In Motion

Volume 5

Issue

ALDERSGATE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Open Hearts , Open Minds, Open Doors

The People of the United Methodis t Church

7 Shannon Drive Greenvi l le , SC 29615

864-244-1820 phone 864 -244-9701 fax

www.aumcsc.org

SILENT NIGHT,

HOLY NIGHT

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Thoughts from the Pastor: Why is Christmas in December?

All the Bible tells us about the timing of Jesus' birth is that it was God's ap-

pointed time. Consider these facts. The shortest day of the year falls around

December 22nd. This is the darkest day; the day with the least sunlight.

Ancient cultures recognized this, and shortly after this darkest day they

had festivals. The Romans put lights in their windows to call back the sun. Ger-

manic peoples decorated evergreen trees because they were a sign that the

sun would come back.

It is no accident that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the light of the

world, at this time of year. It was into the darkness and coldness of this world

that God sent the light and warmth of eternal Love in Christ.

Through the centuries Christians have noticed this parallel between the

celebration of the birth of Christ and the seasons, and have adopted and re-

interpreted the symbols used by their neighbors. Lights and lamps became

symbols of Christ the light of the world. The greenery of evergreens, holly and

mistletoe were used to symbolize the life that Christ brought. Christian symbols

like angels and stars were given prominence in adorning evergreen trees.

So when it gets dark around 5:00 and you turn on your Christmas tree

lights, remember that Jesus, the light and life of God, came into the darkness

of our lives.

May Christ’s light be reborn in your heart this Christmas!

See you in church.

Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Dec. 16— 8:45 and 11 am

The Lessons and Carols service origi-

nally planned for Dec. 9 has been re-

schedule for Dec. 16 because of the

winter weather we had.

Come experience an inspiring service

using Bible readings and Christmas

hymns and carols with music from The

Chancel Choir, Cathedral Handbells,

and others to proclaim the Good

News of Jesus’ Birth.

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APPORTIONMENT CORNER

In our recent newsletters we featured Aldersgate’s Apportionments. Ap-

portionments are the funds that Aldersgate gives for the ministry of the larger

United Methodist Church. They are our portion of the cost of the mission of the

church. The last five newsletters featured: World Service, Conference Benevo-

lences, Senior College Scholarships Fund, Spartanburg Methodist College,

Campus Ministry, Methodist Homes Resident Assistance, Camps & Retreat Min-

istries, Congregational Development, Ministerial Education Fund, Interdenomi-

national Cooperation, the Black College Fund, Africa University and the Minis-

terial Support apportionments.

This newsletter we are highlighting the Administration apportionments.

These are a group of four apportionment lines which support the ministries of

the Greenville District, the South Carolina Conference and the Southeastern

Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

1. District Administration: This fund provides for the running of the Columbia

District Office and the Columbia District Council on Ministries. “Our-portion-

ment” for “District Administration” is $4,145 this year. To date we have only

paid $2,417.94.

2. Conference Administration: This fund provides for the administrative costs of

the South Carolina Annual Conference. “Our-portion-ment” for the

“Conference Administration” is $7,824 this year. To date we have only paid

$4,564.00.

3. Jurisdiction Mission/Ministry: This fund provides for the expenses of the minis-

tries and Administration for the Southeastern Jurisdiction. “Our-portion-ment”

for the “Jurisdiction Mission/Ministry” is $161 this year. To date we have only

paid $93.94.

General Conference Administration: This fund covered the expenses of the

General Conference, the Judicial Council, and other administrative agencies

of the general church. “Our-portion-ment” for the “General Conference Ad-

ministration” is $1,247 this year. To date we have only paid $727.44.

Please give faithfully so that Aldersgate can support these apportion-

ments. To find out more about apportionments go to: http://

www.umcgiving.org.

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Blue Christmas

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” At least that’s what the song

says. But sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes it can be time where loved ones who

have passed away are missed to a greater extent, or a time when losses are

felt more deeply. Sometimes just the lack of sunlight can contribute to depres-

sion. It can be difficult to find comfort and room to grieve when the church’s

worship is so focused on the Joy of the coming of Christ. This service recognizes

those losses and is designed as an opportunity to grieve and to lift our pain

and loss and confusion to God in prayer. Come join us at 6:30 for this special

service on December 19th. This service will include Holy Communion and an

opportunity for prayers for healing.

Christmas Eve Services

The Moravian Lovefest is at 5 pm. This Traditional Moravian service uses

Christmas songs and the breaking of bread together to celebrate the gift of

Peace and Joy through Christmas.

The Candlelight Communion service will be at 9 pm. This is a special ser-

vice including Holy Communion and candlelight to celebrate the birth of Je-

sus and coming of God’s light into the darkness of our world!

Please plan to attend one of all of these moving services celebrating the

coming of God’s Son into the world!

Upcoming Sermons

Dec. 16: Lessons & Carols

Dec. 23: Zephaniah 3:14-20 “Remember the Joy”

Dec. 24 @ 5 pm: Moravian Love Feast

Dec. 24 @ 9 pm: Luke 2:1-20 “He Came Into the World”

Candlelight Communion

Dec. 30: Luke 2:22-38 “Good News for All People” Johannah Myers preaching

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OUR SHEEP ARE STILL LOST! HELP US FIND OUR SHEEP

THRU THE END OF THE YEAR.

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SAVE THE 2019 DATE

Connect and the Pastor ’s Bible Study wil l begin on January 9 .

Women of Faith wil l begin on January

15 with a brunch k ick -of f .

MEMORIALS/HONORIARIUMS

GENERAL FUND:

In honor of Cookie & Danny Dobbs by James E. King

APPORTIONMENTS:

In honor of Alex, Johannah, Ruth, Susan, Cameron, Josh,

Grant & Ryland (Staff) by Bob & Darien Pickens

VIDEO SCREENS:

In honor of Austin Watts by Mike Smith

In memory of Terry & Pam Ivester and Ashley Ivester Tewell

by the Haddon Sunday School Class

OUR MILITARY

FAMILY/FRIENDS

Jack Bissonnette

Bradley Brown

Joseph Churchwell

Hank Gettys

Patricia Kreuzberger

Oryan R. Lahti- ACT. DUTY

Troy McDowell

Katie Pace

Nick Page

Michael Pompeo

Matthew Russell

Paul Scott-ACT. DUTY

John Williams

******************

PLEASE BE IN

PRAYER FOR THESE

FAMILY & FRIENDS

SERVING. WE

THANK YOU FOR

YOUR SERVICE

TO OUR

COUNTRY!

CONSECRATION SUNDAY REPORT

146 families have estimated their giving for next year!

The new total is: $ 491,816 So Far!

Continue to keep this campaign in your prayers!

If you haven’t turned in your Estimate of Giving Card, please do so.

FOR THOSE MAILING/HANDING IN DONATIONS PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU PLAN TO

DONATE TO THE CHURCH IN 2018, YOUR

DONATION IS POSTMARKED NO LATER

THAN DECEMBER 31, 2018 IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE

REFLECTED IN YOUR 2018 GIVING STATEMENT.

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TITHES & OFFERINGS

DECEMBER 9 - No Attendance due to Snow & Ice

Total Worship -0- ____________________________________________________

OUR RECORD

2018 Average Weekly Budgeted Giving $ 15,498.09

2018 Average Weekly Actual Giving (mailed) $ 13,483.85

2018 Avg. General Fund Wkly Expenses $ 13,514.22

Previous Week’s General Fund Giving $ 27,506.21

Sanctuary Media Project--raised to date $ 43,727.21

Nov. 2018 YTD General Fund Budget $ 738,742.51

Nov. 2018 YTD General Fund Giving $ 619,685.29

Nov. 2018 YTD General Fund Expenses $ 648,782.06

Nov. 2018 YTD General Fund Deficit — $ 29,096.77