December Aldersgate Insight

ALDERSGATE INSIGHT

December, 2019

Website: http://aldersgateumcphx.org/ Email: aldersgatephx@gmail.com

OUR SHARED STORY“

The Truth of our Stories”

“In the long run the stories all overlap and mingle like searchlights in the dark. The stories Jesus tells are part of the story

Jesus is, and the other way round. And the story Jesus is is part of the story you and I are because Jesus has become so

much a part of the world’s story that it is impossible to imagine how any of our stories would have turned out without him,

even the stories of people who don’t believe in him or even know who he is or care about knowing. And my story and your

story are all part of each other too if only because we have sung together and prayed together and seen each other’s faces

so that we are at least a footnote at the bottom of each other’s stories. In other words all our stories are in the end one story,

one vast story about being human, being together, being here.” ~Frederick Buechner Each one of us has a story –an important

story!! And in the telling of our stories we can recognize over and over again that your story and my story have so much in

common! You will say something and I will say, “I know that person also!” Or I will say something and you will say, “I have

been there also!” Even more importantly, we who celebrate The Christmas Story have a wide human thread running through

our stories. Hearing the story over and over each year, we remember stories of past celebrations. And each year we make

new memories for new stories to be told in the future. Items like the crèche we bought in Germany on our firstChristmas bring

back so many memories of the time spent in that glorious country. Hanging symbols on the tree remind me of those who gave

them as gifts. Each one has a story. The music of the season awakens within me thoughts of times shared with others. LOVE

is the theme which connects all our stories together. We celebrate the incredible act of love when God gave to us God’s Son

Jesus the Christ through decorating the tree, baking cookies and pies, wrapping the gifts, sending cards and letters, visiting

those homebound, attending one of the Advent Study Groups, and even smiling more often at strangers. We have it within us

to be Christs to each other, to work miracles of love and healing as well as to have them worked on us. We have it within us

to bless with him and forgive with him and heal with him and once in a while maybe even to grieve with those who are grieving.

When this happens, all our stories will converge and God’s story of LOVE will come true in us –really true! May you know

again and again during this Christmas time that you are truly LOVED! And then may you share that LOVE!

Pastor Shirley Wells

For December: Gerry Baker 12/05 Hailey Archibald 12/13 Betty Trabue 12/30

December Aldersgate Insight

COMING UP IN DECEMBER

Every Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Every Sunday Fellowship Hour 12:00 NOON

Every Sunday Tai Chi Beginning Class 4:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday TOPS Meeting 9:00 a.m.

Every Wednesday Men’s AA Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Every Friday Tai Chi First 17 Moves Class 9:00 a.m.

Every Friday Tai Chi Continuing Class 10:15 a.m.

Children’s Sunday School: The children will come to worship and leave after the children’s time, then they will meet

in the church office conference room. We are pleased to have leaders for this - Stacey O’Rourke, Sarah Archibald,

and Emma Rodriguez. They are planning a Christmas Children’s program on December 22nd during worship time.

Advent Bible Study: “Light of the World” takes place on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

in the bible study room on December 3, 10 and 17.

Blue Christmas Service:

Sunday, December 15 @ 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Service:

Tuesday, December 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Preaching Schedule: December 1 – Jim Fountain; December 8 - Jeff Procter-Murphy; December 15 -

Chuck Winkler; December 22 – Amy Notbohm; December 24 – Joel Bullock and

December 29 – Jim Fountain.

December Aldersgate Insight

AmazonSmile: Did you know that when you shop for the holidays at smile.amazon.com/ch/86-0173490, AmazonSmile

donates to Aldersgate Methodist Church?

Celebration of Life for one of our charter members, Phyllis

Soberg, will be Saturday, December 21st beginning at 1:00 p.m.

in our Sanctuary. Reception follows in Strivings Hall.

Be sure to stop and ponder on the fabulous

nativity scene display in our church

Sanctuary. Huge thanks to Martha

Brodersen for all her hard work to make it a

spectacular event!

December Aldersgate Insight

Borderlands P.O.W.W.O.W. December 21: This food event, is scheduled once per month for each third Saturday from

December through next June, 2020. So, let your friends and neighbors know about these sessions during the fall and spring.

If you are able to volunteer to help out, please contact the church office regarding your availability.

According to mental health experts, the holidays are hardest on those who deal with depression. Being alone

and homeless makes matters worse. While we celebrate with friends and family in our homes, keep the

seniors at Justa Center who are separated from their friends and family and don’t have a place to call home

in your thoughts and prayers.

Valerie Lintz

Winter Church office hours: Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

& Mondays/Tuesdays: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Pick up an Upper Room from the

display shelf in the Narthex by the choir room hallway.

Holiday Presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17

at 9 a.m. in Strivings Hall.