September 25 - Good News

Good News

September 25, 2024

From the Pastor's Desk: 

Somewhere around the year 1374, Chaucer coined the adage, “ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END.” Now, 650 years later, I would like to echo those same words. As many of you know, September 30 will be my last day with you as your Minister of Aldersgate UMC. I have truly enjoyed this past year here. I believe this is one of the finest churches in the conference, and it has been an honor to serve as your Pastor.

During my time here, I have cherished the friendships I have made, many of which I know will last a lifetime. I am leaving with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that God guides people in and out of our lives to touch, love, challenge, and help us grow. I have received all this and more from so many of you, and I am genuinely grateful for that.

Thank you for welcoming, supporting, teaching, and loving me, Jimbo, Payton, Drew, Caroline, Meigs, and our grandchildren, Wesson, Adley, and Ruthie. You have become an integral part of our lives and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

As we approach the end of my time here, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering faith, hope, and love. These qualities have been a source of strength and inspiration, and I thank God for them.
 
See you on Sunday,
Misty
 
 

Tonight!

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Rolls, Honeybun Cake 

Served by Women of Faith / United Methodist Men

 

Worship Arts Notes 

Harry Emerson Fosdick is the author of “God Of Grace And God Of Glory.”  Fosdick was ordained in 1903 as a Baptist minister.  Fosdick was a man of great talent and perhaps the most vocal proponent of the social gospel of his time—a position that brought both wide acclaim and broad disdain. 

John D. Rockefeller, however, recognized his talent and asked him to serve as pastor of Park Avenue Baptist Church.  Fosdick refused, in part because of Rockefeller’s wealth and in part because Park Avenue Baptist Church was too swank.  Rockefeller didn’t give up, though, and finally persuaded Fosdick to be the pastor of a new church that he would build in a more modest area near Harlem — Riverside Church.  After gaining a number of concessions, Fosdick finally agreed.  He wrote “God of Grace and God of Glory” to be sung at the opening service of that great church. 

This hymn is a prayer — a prayer for God to bestow power upon the church — and wisdom — and courage “for the facing of this hour.”  The hour that they were facing at that time was the Great Depression — an economic disaster that drained the nation of life and hope.  “For the facing of this hour,” however, is a timeless phrase, because there is never a time when we do not need God’s help “for the facing of this hour.” 

“Save us from weak resignation” is an important part of the prayer.  “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.”  We are always tempted to believe that the evils that we face far outstrip our resources to deal with them — tempted to retreat into a safe place and wait for the storm to blow over — but evil unopposed doesn’t blow over.  It takes the sacrifices of dedicated men and women to build a better world. 

“Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour.”  That was a good prayer when Fosdick first wrote this hymn in 1930.  It is a good prayer today. 

Copied from SermonWriter.com. 
 


We will only collect Faith Promise contributions through the end of September.
 
 
GOD CALLS!

We Are Humbled
 
Borrowing from Misty’s recent sermons, we know that someone is watching each of us - looking up to us- and we all have the opportunity to make someone’s day better. It only takes a smile, a grain of interest in that person, ‘how are you doing?’ and listening to the answer. It really is that simple and makes such a difference!
 
Armed with the knowledge that God created each one of us uniquely…”Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5), and that we are called to use our unique gifts to further His Kingdom…how humbling it is to embrace the fact that we are privileged to be Jesus’ hands and feet here on earth day in and day out!
 
A huge thanks to my church family for your example of faith, caring, and service for the last 30+ years. Each of us could offer testimony regarding those who have influenced us and strengthened our walk with the Lord, and YOU would be named amid those persons - believe it!!! Tempted to think, “not me. I haven’t ever been a good influence…”, think again. Only working together do we have ‘more strength than the sum of our parts.’ 
 
Excited to watch God work through our church family going forward, we shall remain
 
In Christ,
Elaine Britt
Click Here for At The Table event Sept 12 at Aldersgate by Communities Of Transformation
ANNOUNCEMENTS
_________________________
The website now has a  page for the church calendar under resources.

The church calendar is available for all church ministries and organizations to post meetings and events as needed.  We welcome your events!  All events need to be submitted ASAP for next  month’s calendar.  All  ministry leaders are responsible for  submitting their events  annually even if they are reoccurring.
 
Weekly Scripture

1 Thessalonians 2:8, 11-13

8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.

11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

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Contact Us:
334.272.6152  |  office@aldersgateumc.org

Mailing Address:
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
6610 Vaughn Road | Montgomery, AL 36116

www.aldersgateumc.org