silent night, holy night · the moravian lovefest is at 5 pm. this traditional moravian service...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Page 2
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.
Page 3
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.
Page 4
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
Page 5
OUR SHEEP ARE STILL LOST! HELP US FIND OUR SHEEP
THRU THE END OF THE YEAR.
Page 6
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.
Page 7
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