1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

Volume 60, Issue 5
The ECHO
April 29, 2015
Aldersgate United Methodist Church
“sharing the Living Christ through life -changing service and love”
Youth Sunday
Graduate Recognition Service
Sunday, May 3
After many years of hard work and
determination, the Senior Class of 2015
will be graduating soon. Sunday
Morning Worship on May 3rd will be
led by members of our youth group and
graduates, as a way of celebrating their
many achievements and rejoicing in
how they are moving on their journey
of faith.
During both services, youth will lead
music, serve as ushers and communion
stewards, and graduates will share
reflections on their experiences at
Aldersgate. Our graduating Seniors will
be presented and recognized at the
11:00 am worship service!
Following the 11:00 am service,
everyone is invited to attend a luncheon
in the John Wesley Center in honor of
the Class of 2015.
Please make plans to celebrate and
share this day with our group of
graduates!
Confirmation Sunday
May 17
One Service at 10am
Come celebrate on May 17th when 12 youth and 2
adults affirm their faith in Jesus Christ,
acknowledge what God is doing for them, and
make a commitment to Christ’s church and this
congregation of Aldersgate UMC.
These confirmands have studied, prayed, served
together and talked about what it means to make
this commitment to minister in the name of
Jesus with their prayers, presence, gifts, service
and witness. In addition, we have two other adults
who will be joining the church through a
reaffirmation of their faith. All stand ready to
take their places alongside you as full members
of our congregation.
We will celebrate together as one congregation
in one service at 10 am. Join us for this exciting
service and plan to stay after for a covered dish
lunch. Please bring a dish to share.
Last Name —
A-F: Salad
M-S: Vegetable
G-L: Main Dish
T-Z: Dessert
Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th
Annual Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the
Aldersgate Do-Dats!
The breakfast will take place in the John Wesley Center from 7:30 am to 10:30 am.
Women eat FREE! $5 for everyone else.
Music shared by our Children’s Choirs during the Sunday School hour.
Evangelism Is a
Four Letter Word
A rather colorful discussion erupts between an
older member of the church and a much younger,
relatively new member over the topic of
evangelism. Just then the pastor turns the corner
coming up the hall toward them. “Hi Chuck” says
the younger member. “What do you think of the
‘E’ word?” Chuck replies, “Emu – I’m strangely
ok with that!” I suppose that’s one way of dodging
the question. Seriously though, when we think of
evangelism our minds immediately go to the “in
your face – “Repent! Hell awaits” passerby that
mugs you as you’re simply trying to get a breath of
fresh air away from the office. Or, thumbing
through the channels we catch the end of the show
hearing this soft, melodic voice inviting us to place
our hands on the TV and on what we need healed
followed by “… and please don’t forget Holy
Ghost ministries as you write your check this
week!” I may be a pastor but I’m not dead! I see
and experience the same things you do.
We don’t need anyone to tell us there is
something terribly wrong with this picture of
evangelism and there is. But, why is this the image
many have – even if this isn’t our teaching or
practice here at Aldersgate? Evangelism isn’t
inviting someone by “telling them” anything.
Evangelism isn’t something we have to do. It
should be something we can’t help doing.
Evangelism isn’t telling others how wonderful your
“religion” is by tearing down all other’s beliefs.
Evangelism is about trust and love. Evangelism is
about relationship. Evangelism is what breaks out
when we truly strive to live into the love that is the
cross of Jesus. You see that kind of love is what the
Holy Spirit brings to each of us in the form of
God’s grace. Evangelism is sharing that love by
sharing our experiences – experiences of being
transformed from the inside out! Evangelism is an
authentic “I want the very best for you” attitude
expressed to everyone we meet – wherever we meet
them!
You see, evangelism is a four letter word –
L-O-V-E. It is one way that we respond to the Holy
Spirit living in our hearts. Evangelism is being a
light in dark places. It is bringing peace to a noisy
world. Evangelism is seeing people the rest of the
world has cast aside. This side of heaven,
evangelism is “sharing the living Christ through life
changing service and love.” For those of us who
identify with being part of Aldersgate United
Methodist Church, we know evangelism as
“Sharing the life.”
Peace,
Rev. Mike Palermo
The inspiration for this article comes from the Youtube
series “Chuck Knows Church.”
Pray Without Ceasing
Christian Condolences: Susan & Bill Alexander in the
passing of Susan’s mother. Family & Friends of Julie Menard.
Family & Friends of Ethan. Family & Friends of Beatrice Graf.
Family & Friends of Gwendolyn Ajubita.
Joys: Birth of Connor Crosier, great-grandson of Connie &
Clint Crosier. Mike Rich received his Certified Financial
Planner Certification. Well attended Identifying Key Legal
Documents meeting. Birth of healthy baby, Laurel Graves.
Paula & Terry Townson expecting a grandchild in October.
Gordon Greenwood was selected to be a representative of
WWII and join the Veteran’s Tour.
Impending Tests/Surgery: Shirley Hill, Carol Overton,
prayer@aldersgate- David Long, Andy, Sara, Gwen Mascaro, Gloria Thibodeaux
Hospitalized: Pat Doyle, John Occhipinti, Betty Carbonette,
slidell.org
Walter “Bubba” Groce, Jordan Cocran
Our Care Team
Recovering at Home: Jules Hillery, Bill, Carmelie Mancuso,
coordinators are:
Rhea Snyder, 643-3945; Harley McPeek, Mary Pecuese, Baby Maci, Gene Williams
Prayers: Judy Benandi, Esther Stephens, Bobbie & Harold
and Charlotte Clifford,
Stephens, Arthur Arseneaux, Angie Brumfield, Ashley Eaves,
847-0966.
Betty Russell, Sue Wofford, Fisher Abrams, Trudy Garpard,
Our church family is
our best source for
names of those persons
in need of care.
Please contact the
pastors (641-5829) or
a Care Team member
when you know of a
need. You can also email
your prayer request to
Linda, Kurt, Paul, Sara & Baby Noel DeJarnette, Noah Eyraud,
Carol Iennusa & Family, Kimberly Moreau, Harley Brown,
Jennifer Surface, Andrea Suhor, Scott Mitchell, Stacie Ann,
Jack Lynch, Pam & Paul Augustin, Stacey Boerner, Raven &
Robbie Brown, Janet Gerace, Joyce Victor, Dan Alderette,
Kelly, Jeff, Gary Halley, Ivy Praytor, Jeanne Aucoin, Rev.
James Biedenham, Vera Beech, Sheerie Ferg, Curt Carlson,
Alex Richards, Rick Pahnka, Anna Thomas, Coy Faucheux,
Irene Caton, Our Country and our Military, Homebound
Members, The Unemployed, Aldersgate UMC
Continuing Concerns: Rusti & Ryan Wilson, Andrew
Hanson, Susan Grant, Sara Delaha, Avery Watts, Debbie &
John Roberts Jr., Stacey Iennusa, Helen Hughey, Camille
Callais, Dot Hartman, Helen Hodge, Zachary Cheek, Dr. Bill
Nelson & wife Suzanne, Hermanie Garrett, Ian Brennan and
Family, Bry and Blanche Copeland, Vivian Richard, Rachel
Cochrane, Derek and Lauren Whitty Webber, Pat Mancuso,
Bob and Barbara Walker, Rick Saluga
What you need to know!
Budgeted offering for
March $67,315
Actual offering from
March $69,364
Actual Year-to-date
Budget Year-to-date
Variance to Budget
$185,827
$201,944
-(16,117)
April’s Communion Rail Offering
supporting Safe Harbor Women’s
Shelter on the Northshore,
raised $340.00
Our nonperishable food collection in
April for CCC weighed in at 55 lbs.
Thank you for your generous gifts of time,
talent & treasure.
Question: What do
Pentecost and Aldersgate
Day have in common?
I AM so We Are
Jesus promised he would be with us
always. More specifically, he promised
to be IN us always. We say we are the
body of Christ, that we are filled with his
Spirit, but what does that mean? That will
be our focus in our Summer Sunday
studies and worship.
Using the gospel of John, each week we
will focus on one of the ways Jesus
defines himself: the bread of life, the
light of the world, the good shepherd
and more. In doing so we will find that
the more we know who Jesus is, the
more we know who we are.
The God We Can Know
@ 9:45 am
Summer Adult Study-John Wesley Center
College Students-Cokesbury 209
Youth-Genesis Hall
Children-Susanna Wesley Building
Answer:
A. They both involve fire and the Holy Spirit and lead
to bold, unstoppable, courageous faith.
B. They were both life-changing, world-changing
events.
C. They are both celebrated on May 24 this year.
I AM so We are
Worship Series @ 8:30 and 11
Beginning May 31
D. All of the above.
Join us May 24th and find out more!
Apple Tree Preschool Presents….
Family Movie Night
And ALL are invited!
When: Friday, May 8th At 6:00pm
Where: The Aldersgate JWC Bldg
(located next to the Apple Tree bldg.)
Bring a comfy chair or blanket to sit on & watch the
movie. Apple Tree will be popping popcorn & will have
lemonade available. You are more than welcome to
pack snacks, etc for your family to enjoy.
MOVIE: Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Rated PG
Because we, the people of Aldersgate, believe that “the Earth is
the Lord’s and the fullness thereof” we are trying to be better
stewards of that Earth by recycling what we can. To that end, you
may have seen some new recycle containers and informative
posters on our campus. These containers look like “blue
wastebaskets”. To tell them apart from wastebaskets, remember
this: “If it’s blue, it’s a recycle container; If it isn’t blue, it’s not a
recycle container!” There are posters near each of those blue
containers; the posters explain what can and what can’t be
recycled. Please “think before you toss.”
Here’s a question: What happened to the newspaper recycling bin
which used to be in the parking lot next to Genesis? Answer: the
company which emptied that bin has stopped that service. We
now use “Progressive”, the company which serves all Slidell
residents. Their “big red bin” is now our collection point for all
on-campus recyclable materials. Unlike the old newspaper bin, we
derive no monetary benefit from this recycling. We know that
some Aldersgate members (and others) are bringing recyclables to
that bin. That’s fine! If the day ever comes that the bin is too
small to accommodate our on-campus recyclables, and materials
brought from “offsite”, we’ll deal with it.
Thanks for supporting Aldersgate’s recycling efforts.
Adult Ministries
Mary Stokes, Director
[email protected]
The Bridge: A Small Group for College Students
Starts on Sunday, May 31
Cokesbury Building, Room 209
College students are invited to gather each Sunday for discussion, prayer, reflection, scripture reading and
fellowship. We will also have opportunities for fellowship at Reverend Nancy’s house and community events.
For more information contact Alison and Stan Laskos, 330-608-8098 or [email protected].
MONTHLY
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
All seniors 55+ are invited to join us in May for these
fellowship opportunities:
First Monday Matinee
Singin’ in the Rain starring Gene Kelly
May 4th at 2 pm in Genesis Hall
Coffee and Conversation
Coming this Summer! Starting May 31
Sunday Mornings at Aldersgate!
Join us on Thursday, May 28th at 10:00am as we gather in
Genesis Hall and enjoy a time of fellowship and share in
informative and entertaining programs provided by leaders
in our community.
Something’s Brewing this Summer…
A time of fellowship, summer reading and Bible study for women of all ages
We will be reading Jan Karon’s Somewhere Safe
with Somebody Good and coupling this work of
fiction with weekly Bible studies. If you enjoy
laughter and the company of friends, you
will enjoy spending your summer
Tuesday mornings with us. A nursery
is provided in our Otterbein Building.
Tuesday Mornings at 9am
Starting June 2
Genesis Hall
"Welcome home, Mitford fans...to
Karon's gift for illuminating the
struggles that creep into everyday
lives—along with a vividly
imagined world." —People
Somewhere Safe
with
Somebody
Good
conveys the
sense of
peace and
joy brought
about by the
very simple
things in life.
Family Promise Dedicates Day Center
On Friday more than 150 people representing our
community and 20 churches gathered at Christ
Episcopal Church to
dedicate the new Family
Promise Day Center and to
welcome the newly
appointed Executive
Director of Family Promise
St Tammany, Ms. Melissa
Landrum. The new day
center is located at 513
Michigan St., on the
campus of Christ Episcopal. The day center is an
essential part of the overall Family Promise program
because it will provide a clearing house of resources to
each family we serve. The resources available will
range from financial counseling to job skills. The day
center will also be the administrative hub for Family
Promise as well as the office for Melissa. The hosting
of families will commence the first week of May with
St Luke’s being the host. Aldersgate will follow St.
Luke’s and host our first
families start starting May
10th. If you have not
talked with Donna, Mark or
Jill about how to get
involved with this exciting
new ministry please take a
few minutes and do so.
Mark and Jill Senn can be
reached at
[email protected] and Donna Lew can be reached
at [email protected].
There truly is a place for everyone in our
congregation to play a part with just a small block of
your time and talents. God Bless, Dale Kimball
All About Faith
On March 8th, Faith Nakaiywa, her
mother Margaret, and interpreter
Christine arrived in Slidell from
Kampala, Uganda. Faith, only 2 years
old, arrived with a heart condition, but
thanks to the partnership formed
between Children’s Heart Project,
HeartGift of Louisiana, and Aldersgate
UMC, she was able to receive the
surgery she needed to close a hole in
her heart and remove scar tissue in one
of the ventricles.
Children’s Heart Project, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse
International, arranges for life-saving operations for
hundreds of children who live in countries where the
required medical expertise and equipment are not available.
Through their Ugandan office, they worked with the
Nakaiywa family, provided for a translator, and coordinated
medical care, housing and travel needs. HeartGift of
Louisiana secured funding for the needed surgery and
follow-up care at NOLA Children’s Hospital. Aldersgate
hosted the family while they were in Louisiana, providing
meals, housing and surrounding them with loving care.
Special thanks to Sarah and Larry Tester who opened their
home and their heart to Faith, Margaret and Christine. They
provided a safe, comfortable place to wait and heal, as well
as accompaniment and care throughout the process. The
CareTeam surrounded them with prayer and food, and the
Lost and Found Sunday School class along with so many
others in the congregation brought gifts, supplies and
donations to help meet their needs. Over and over, through
your prayers, gifts and companionship you helped Faith,
Margaret and Christine experience the love of God in a
tangible way. Sarah Tester writes:
Christine the Interpreter is a devout Christian and has
been a very long time. Mother Margaret is new to the
faith. Her mother and sisters are not Christians,
which makes it difficult for her. The week of
quarantine pre-surgery and the long quarantine postop was tough on them. Nancy brought Communion to
the house and all took part, including Faith. The next
night on a Thursday, is when Margaret and Larry
attended the service in the chapel. Larry said it was
very moving experience for the Care Team to pray for
and lay hands on Margaret for her blessing. She
needed that, again to help her understand that the
Church Universal brought them here, and was with
them through the entirety of the journey. We sent
Margaret home with an Aldersgate keepsake: a little
wooden replica of the church that was made for the
church’s 20th anniversary. We hope that it will help to
make the story of people in Louisiana seem real to
friends and family.
Faith and her family returned home on April 10th.
Samaritan’s Purse has an annual Ugandan Heart Camp
attended by children who have gone through cardiac
surgery. In a culture where few receive this medical
intervention, the kids love meeting others who like them,
“got their hearts fixed.” As HeartGift’s Stephanie Berault
says, “there’s a lot that needs fixing that we cannot
approach. But, we can get a heart fixed! In the process, our
hearts over-flow with God’s blessings.”
Youth Ministry- AUMY!
Eric O’Quinn, Director
[email protected]
Music Ministry
Scott Clausen, Director
[email protected]
You are invited to
Prime Time’s
A celebration of our year!
Sunday, May 10th at 10am in JWC
During the Mother’s Day
Breakfast
*Reminder parents, Children’s Bells and Choirs
will sing in church the next Sunday,
May 17th, for the Confirmation Service at
10am. Please bring your child to the
Sanctuary by 9:15am that morning.
Welcome
Home!
Concert by
Reflections Choir, Bell Choir,
and Nameless Youth Praise band
Sunday May 24th at 7pm
Sanctuary
The youth will be returning from a tour to
Baton Rouge and Alexandria, and will share
their concert with us.
Come support these “mission musicians”
and join us for a great concert!
Children’s Ministry
Vicki Frick, Director
[email protected]
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL
Starts May 31st
We are in need of Sunday School Teachers &
Assistants for the Summer. Beginning, May
31st, we will once again be combining the
children’s classes for the summer term and
we will need AT LEAST 2 adults for each class.
The children will be divided into the following
groups:
Preschool - for 3-yr olds thru 5-yr olds
Early Elementary - for K thru 2nd
Older Elementary - for 3rd thru 5th
Our exiting 6th Graders will be joining the Jr.
High Sunday School class in Genesis Hall
(next to the church office).
Please remember that Promotion Sunday is in
the Fall (August 9th). At that time, the
children will “promote” to their new grade.
If you can help, please give
Vicki a shout and come
Share the Life
with us this summer!
Camp Istrouma, our overnight
church camp, is filling up quickly!
Register TODAY thru their website:
Vacation Bible School
June 15-19, 9am-12noon
Calling All 3-yr olds thru 5th Graders!!
Get ready to see God’s Love in Action!
Non Refundable Registration Fee:
Early Bird (By May 15th): $15/child ($40/family max)
Late Registration (After May 15th): $20/child (no max)
*Preschoolers must be 3 and potty-trained in order to
participate; however, we will have a nursery and a 2-year
old class available to Volunteers—and, we do need LOTS
of Volunteers to PUT God’s Love in Action!
SUMMER SONshine!
For Preschoolers thru
Exiting 1st Graders
June 2 - July 16
Tues/Wed/Thurs
9am—12noon
(excluding VBS week-June 15th)
This 6-week summer program is designed specifically
for our younger friends. Our mornings will be filled with
Chapel, crafts, music, play and lots of adventure. We’ll
even have some in-house “field trips.” We want them to
know that, no matter how young or small, they are loved
and they, too, can put God’s Love in Action!
Program Cost: $150 per child
(family discount: $125/each additional child)
*Children must be 3 and potty-trained at the start of the
program. The family discount is available for siblings only.
Registration Forms for our Summer Programs can be found in the
Church Office, the Welcome Center, the Preschool Bldg. and on
our website: www:aldersgate-slidell.org
Registration for Camp Istrouma must be done on THEIR website.
For Camp Scholarship information, call or email Vicki at the church.
THE ECHO
ALDERSGATE
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
[email protected]
Pub. No. 023968
Published bi-weekly
Periodical-Paid
Slidell, LA 70458
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Aldersgate United
Methodist Church, 360 Robert Blvd, Slidell, LA 70458.
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AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS...
Cindy Alberts, Realtor
Coldwell Banker TEC Realtors ~ 2040 E. Gause, #4
“I’ll Go The Extra Mile For You!”
C: 707-7676 W: 649-6300 x208
Homes, Vacant Land, Commercial
Michael Guevara, DDS
Specialist in Orthodontics
“Achieving a healthy, beautiful smile together”
1251 7th Street, 641-3587
Peffley Constuction, LLC
Andrew Peffley, 504-512-0276/fax 985-649-3851
Email: [email protected]
www.peffleyconstruction.com
Honaker Funeral Home Forest Lawn Cemetery
“Dedicated To Those We Serve”
641-1900 ~ Hwy 190 West
Terry Tranchina and Kevin Tranchina
Lowry-Dunham, Case, and Vivien Group
Insurance since 1901
643-1234 ~ 1-800-200-1258
ACCU-TEMP
Air Conditioning~Heating~Refrigeration
“We guarantee your comfort!”
985-726-9984
Mike Rich
Pontchartrain Investment Management
Financial Services and Insurance
2242 Carey St., Olde Towne, Slidell
985-605-5064 ~ [email protected]
Securities offered through LPL Financial,
Member FINRA/SIPC
CHRIS WHITTY CONSTRUCTION
Residential New Homes
Commercial Renovations
985-960-1484 ~ 985-847-9417
See our FB page ~ www.chriswhitty.com
We are looking for a new sponsor to
fill this space. Is your company the
“MISSING PIECE”
that Aldersgate needs to help
support our church?
Please call or email our office for
more information.
8:30 am • Traditional Worship
9:45 am-10:45 am • Sunday School
(for all ages)
11:00 am • Contemporary Worship
Staff Email:
Pastor Nancy Wofford:
[email protected]
Pastor Mike Palermo:
[email protected]
Music Ministry:
[email protected]
Children’s Ministry:
[email protected]
Youth Ministry
[email protected]
Adult Ministry:
[email protected]
Facilities:
[email protected]
Membership/Finance:
[email protected]
Church Secretary:
[email protected]
Office Information:
[email protected]
Prayer Concerns:
[email protected]
Louisiana Conference Website:
www.la-umc.org
Apple Tree Preschool Director: [email protected]
General Information:
Church Website:
Church office:
[email protected]
www.aldersgate-slidell.org
985-641-5829