fear and blood s dates
TRANSCRIPT
SPECIAL DATES:
• October 1 Life Line Screening 9AM-5:30PM
• October 3 Communion & Food Pantry Sunday
• October 3 Launch Opera-tion Christmas Child
• October 7 Caring Hearts Food Prep 9AM
• October 7 Homecoming Parade 6PM
• October 11 Office Closed for Columbus Day Holi-day
• October 12 Loving Hands Food Prep 1:30PM
• October 16 Food Preser-vation Workshop 1-3PM
• October 17 Safety Meet-ing 5:15PM
• October 17 Trustees Meeting 6PM
• October 17 Finance Meeting 6:45PM
• October 17 Administra-tive Council Meeting 7:30PM
• October 18 United Meth-odist Men’s Meeting 6PM
• October 20 Parish Visitor Deadline 8AM
• October 21 Caring Hearts Food Prep 1PM
• October 23 Stamping Workshop 8AM-4PM
• October 24 UMW Sun-day, all Services
• October 26 Loving Hands Food Prep 1:30PM
• October 28 Women’s Study 6PM
• October 31 Trunk or Treat 5-7PM
Fear and Blood
October is upon us, and with its arrival, we have playoff baseball, beau-tiful fall foliage, Halloween, and, of course, horror movies. Because of Covid-19, last year movie theaters were closed. But that’s not the case this year. Theaters are open and they’ll be showing horror movies this month.
Candice and I haven’t been to a movie theater in two years, and I doubt if we’ll go to one this month because neither of us care for horror movies, and that seems to be the big box office draw this time of year.
Why do you suppose we have a fascination with fear? It seems that we want to be frightened. How else would you explain the success of horror franchises such as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or A Nightmare on Elm Street? Interestingly, those “fear factor” movies are generally aimed at teen-agers.
There are nine films in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise which have grossed over $252 million worldwide. The nine films in the A Night-mare on Elm Street series have raked in nearly $472 million worldwide and the twelve movies in the Friday the 13th series which have amassed a world-wide total of $468 million. But the granddaddy of them all are the ten films in the Halloween franchise which have garnered a whopping $640 million! And those figures don’t include the books, costumes and comics which have been spun off from them.
Horror movies are relatively inexpensive films to produce. On average, the budget for one movie is under $7 million. But that rather modest invest-ment will gross an average of $38 million per film. That’s not a bad return! And what to they produce? Fear and blood.
It’s almost as if we want to be scared to death. We’ll even pay big bucks to get scared. You might even say that we’ve been created by God to em-brace fear. The Bible tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7).
Despite our desire for fear, we tend to soft pedal the fear of the Lord. We’d rather call it reverence because it sounds less frightening. Maybe we preachers have been too preoccupied with presenting God just another Mr. Nice Guy. If the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, then the psalmist would probably say that we preachers haven’t been very smart.
Does that mean God is frightening? Not if we understand that God is also loving, good and merciful. But God is also awesome beyond words. And if God is infinitely awesome, then God deserves our fear—not just this Halloween season, but throughout our entire lives. (continued on page 3)
Church Website Have you looked at your church’s website? If not, go to www.myaledoumc.com and see what’s going on! Not only can you see the “basics” about the Aledo United Methodist Church, you can find the most current church calendar. Also, the month-ly newsletter can be found on our website, as well as Pastor Dave’s sermon transcripts. Stop by and check it out!
PAGE 2 THE PARISH V ISITOR
Connecting with the Word I’m going to begin the month of October with three sermons which will explore our relation-
ship to money, based on some of the more difficult sayings of Jesus. My October 3 sermon,
“When God Tells You to Sell Everything,” will be drawn from Luke 18:18-30. Other scriptures
that day include Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm 25; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12; and Mark 10:2-16. Com-
munion will also be served in all three services.
“When Jesus Needles You” will be my sermon on October 10. It will be drawn from Mark
10:17-31. Other scriptures include Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22; and Hebrews 4:12-16.
In addition to preaching on Sunday, October 17, I plan to present to the congregation how
Aledo UMC is funded to fulfill its mission. I will likely shorten our broadcast on both Facebook
Live and WRMJ radio as I do not plan to broadcast some of that information to the world. Scrip-
tures for that day include Job 38; Psalm 104; Hebrews 5:1-10; and Mark 10:35-45.
You’ll notice that the Revised Common Lectionary dwells in Hebrews throughout October.
However, the RCL skips over one of the letter’s study of Melchizedek the priest. I’m not going
to let that stop us, so we’re going to take a look at Hebrews 7 on Sunday, October 24. Other
scriptures include Job 42:1-6,10-17; Psalm 34; and Mark 10:46-52.
We’ll wrap up the month on Halloween, October 31. My sermon will be “Things that Scare
Me.” Scriptures include Ruth 1; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; and Mark 12:28-34.
Connecting People to Christ with you,
Pastor Dave
Thank You Thank you to all who prayed, sent cards, and offered support during this difficult time. Connie Alexander
PAGE 3 V ISIT US AT MYALEDOUMC .COM
WiFi Changes at AUMC
We have updated our wifi here at AUMC. In the past you could log on to AUMC1 in the Education Wing area, and AUMC2 in the Sanctuary area. With the updates, AUMC1 is now for staff, and not available to the public. AUMC2 is our public network, and works in the entire building. You may log
into AUMC2 with the password: connectmetochrist.
(Continued from page 1)
There’s more. For those of us who need to see some blood this Halloween season to be properly filled with fear, I have a solution. Take a good, long look at Calvary. It’s not a movie or a movie set; it’s where Jesus the Christ was crucified. His blood flowed from his hands, his feet, his head, and his side in order to open the way to heaven for us.
Embrace fear this October. Join me in worship and discover for yourself that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Connecting People to Christ with you,
Pastor Dave
The Fall Walk to Emmaus has been postponed until Spring due to the
Coved situation.
Did You Miss
Sunday’s
Sermon? If you miss church on Sunday, you can
STILL experience the sermon. You can go to the church website, myaledoumc.com, to see a transcript of any of Pastor Dave’s re-cent sermons that you missed. Please share
this link with your friends and family.
All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 7 is All Saints’ Sunday, his-
torically a time for the church to remember those
who have gone to glory. At Aledo UMC, we will
remember members and loved ones of members
who have died in the last year. Our remembrance
will include projecting a picture of those members
and loved ones during the Holy Communion at the
10:30 service only. If you lost a loved one since
November 1, 2020, please contact Pastor Dave to
make arrangements to share a picture of your loved
one.
NURSERY NEWS
It’s hoppin’ in the nursery!
The nursery is open Wednesday evenings from 6pm-7pm and Sunday mornings during all three services. The nursery is open to children infant to preschool. The nursery is a safe place for our youngest members to grow in the love of Jesus Christ!
PAGE 4 V ISIT US AT MYALEDOUMC .COM
New/Current Bible Studies
Beloved Disciple: “The Life and Ministry of John” by Beth Moore
WHAT: Wednesday morning MEN’S Bible Study with Gary Heard
WHEN: Wednesdays @ 6:30AM
WHERE: In the Fellowship Café, next to the Sanctuary
WHY: John's legacy was love. Perhaps like no other disciple, John understood that relationship is the point. Every command of Christ and call to obedience is to enhance relationship and place the recipient in a posture the Giver can bless.
WHAT ELSE: Books are $16
“Beginnings” By Pastor Dave
WHAT: Wednesday evening Bible Study with Pastor Dave
WHEN: Wednesdays at 6PM
WHERE: In the Fellowship Café next to the Sanctuary
WHY: Our Wednesday evening Bible study returns September 8 at 6 pm, and it returns with a twist. Rather than purchasing a Bible study, we will be studying a book as it’s being written. I have had an interest in writing but have never taken the time to actually write a book. That changes this fall. Every couple of weeks I will present the rough draft of a chapter to a book that I am writing which is called, “Beginnings.” My rough draft is already 50 pages long. Each week we’ll not only discuss each chapter, but you’ll also be able to help me fine-tune each chapter.
Pastor Dave
Thank you!
I want to thank everyone for the cards I received on my birthday. It was very thoughtful and meant a lot to me.
Katharine Jones
SERVICE HOURS
Any student needing service hours should contact Kathleen Bashem or Ruth Dulaney to arrange a time to vol-unteer. (Or have one of us sign your paperwork if you’ve already been volun-teering for the church!)
SECOND SUNDAY SPECIAL
The Second Sunday Special will be back on October 10th! Weather will determine what “special” we will have - if outside, we will have games (bags, badmin-ton, ladder ball), if inside, we will have a movie! All students in grades 6-12 are invited to attend.
Bring a friend and join the fun!
Worship Tech
Opportunities
Do you like electronics? Then your church needs YOU! We need peo-ple to help operate the sound system and computer during Sunday morn-ing Worship services. What do you need in order to run these things? The list is LONG- a willingness to serve, and…that would be about it!
The systems, designed specifically for churches, are quite simple to operate. (Don’t let all the knobs and switches intimidate you!) The great part about this ministry is that it hap-pens during worship, when you’re in church anyway! Do you feel God calling you to step up and help? Talk to Mike Millar or Ruth Dulaney.
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United Methodist Women Sunday Sunday, October 24th, brings a special day in the life of Aledo UMC…United Methodist Women Sunday! This is a time to recognize and honor all women of our church, especially those Golden Agers age 75 and older. AUMC has been blessed with countless humble servants, both past and present, who truly love the Lord and who show it each and every day.
Ladies, plan to attend any of our services to recognize the recipients of the “Special Mission Recognition Award”, the “Gift to Mission Award”, and the “Legend Servant Award.” We will also be honoring the memory of all the ladies who have died this past year.
As I say each and every year, it is no fun to honor people if only the recipients and their families are there. We need everyone else to be there that day, too, to do the honoring!
Due to continuing COVID concerns, there will be no Golden Age Lunch served after church that day.
So mark your calendar…..Sunday, October 24th….United Methodist Women Sunday at all three services.
Mary Flint,
President, AUMW
HyVee Baked Product Schedule Our HyVee bread and many other goodies are delivered on Saturday morning.
They are available for you to pick up in the Fellowship Café area when you come to Church Services on Sunday morning.
The bread is in the lobby outside the church office on Monday morning 8–11AM
for you to select bread products for your neighbors and yourself.
Add this to your weekly routine to come to the church for HyVee baked goods during these hours:
Sundays 8Am-noon and Monday, 8-11AM.
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The Nursery
Have you ever wondered why churches need good, safe, well-staffed nursery programs? Well, wonder no more! The reason churches need strong nursery pro-grams is that, for folks with young children, the nursery is often THE most im-portant part of the church. If there is a good nursery, they can comfortably leave their kids in capable hands and attend a worship service. If, however, they find a nursery that is poorly or under-staffed with folks who seem unfriendly and stressed, they A. won’t leave their kids, and B. won’t come back! Your church truly believes that children are NOT simply the future of the church- they are very much an ac-tive, important part of its present!
Pastor Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation month! The PPRC would like to encourage church mem-
bers to show their appreciation of Pastor Dave by showering him with cards, notes, words of encouragement, gift cards, etc. A decorated box will be provided in the Fellowship ca-fé on October 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. All cards that are collected will be given to Pastor Dave on Sunday, October 31st. Let’s all show our apprecia-
tion of Pastor Dave by stuffing the box full! You can also send your cards to the church office. Thank you on behalf of the PPRC.
Homecoming Parade The Homecoming Parade will be October 7th at 6PM. Line-up will be at 5:30PM. We will meet here at the church by 5:30. You can walk and do hand-outs, or ride on the bus! Sign up during Church Services, or call the office if you would like to
participate!
THE PARISH V ISITOR
Youth & Children’s Page
Page 7
THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who helped with promoting, organizing and working the Harvest Ministry concert on August 29 and the Fundraiser Pork Chop/Hot Dog meal before the concert! Thank you to Ruth Dulaney, Mike Millar, Joanne Harris, Kathy Jenkins, Diane Hunt, Sara Blaser, Sue Galambos, Doyce Hiscocks, Sue Hiscocks, Paul Flint, Mary Flint, Stan Swank, Neil Tru-man, Jon Swanson, Dwight Reynolds, John Taylor, Scott Guyton, Abby Blaser, Hazel Alvarado-Dennison, Alexsis Taylor, Andrea Noble, Jaiden LaDue, Hailey McRae, Kyla Sampson and Keairra Grammar, Mark Kelly and Walker Kelly. Thank you all for helping to make our concert event a success!
HARVEST MINISTRY OUTDOOR FAMILY CON-CERT
What a delicious meal and wonderful concert on Sunday, August 29! Thank you to all who helped with the meal, be-fore, during and after the concert, and those who attended!
We had approximately 100 in attendance for the concert and each missioner who helped with the meal earned money toward the trip to South Dakota.
It was a great evening of food, family fun and fellowship!
TAKE A TRIP, CHANGE YOUR LIFE! JOIN THE 2022 MISSION TEAM IN LAKE TRAV-ERSE, SOUTH DAKOTA!
The 2022 YouthWorks Mission Trip to Sissiton/Lake Traverse, South Dakota is scheduled for July 24-29, 2022. We still have spaces available, but they are filling quickly! Register now so you won’t be left behind!
For more information, check out the trip by clicking the “view trips” link at youthworks.com.
To register, please contact Trip Leader Kathleen Bashem at 309-582-2269 or [email protected].
FORGE
The Forge youth group meets on Wednesdays from 6 pm – 7 pm. Forge is open to students in grades 6-12 and is a time for fun, fellowship, games, snacks – and even escape room chal-lenges!
Wednesday nights are for fun! Bring a friend and check it out!
KIDS’ CLUB
Kids’ Club meets on Wednesdays from 6 pm – 7 pm and is open to stu-dents in grades K-5.
Join us Wednesday evenings – don’t miss a minute of the fun, fellow-ship time, games, snacks and crafts! Bring a friend! All are welcome!
YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School is in session!
All students, kindergarten through senior in high school, are invited to attend Sunday School at 9:15 am, Sunday mornings (during the 9:15 am Rock ‘n’ Worship service). Younger students have a Bible lesson, a craft or game and Melody Bells lesson. Older students study Christiani-ty in action, have a Beginning Bells lesson and play games.
Sunday morning is for learning - and fun!
We are still in need of one more Sunday School teacher. If you are interested in helping our youth grow into their Christian selves, please contact Kathleen.
PAGE 8 THE PARISH V ISITOR
OCTOBER
ANNIVERSARIES
THOSE WE REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS
UM Women
Golden Age Birthdays
10/01– Barbara Etheridge 10/09– Connie Midkiff 10/15– Barbara Runyon 10/25– Christy Bender
Chuck Alexander family
Amelia/breast cancer
Karen Ashton/cancer
Madison Ballard
Phyllis Batson
Bishop Beard/eyesight
Karen Buchanan/healing
Susan DeBlock/cancer
Desi/4yrs old/tumor
Ashley Dewitt/health
Doris
Adam Douglas/health
Jim Droste/health
Carla Ewing
Weslyn Fisher/5 yrs old/cancer
CJ Friedel
Debbie Giles
Bob Grubbs
Linda Hall/healing
Susie Hall/health
Karen Hanson/health
Jim Hanson/cancer
Mercer County Schools
Administration, Teachers,
Students and Staff
National and Local Governmental Leaders
Gerri Harmon/health
Dane Hartman
Mathew Hedrick family
Rebecca Heick/health
Paula Hevland/surgery
Dora Mae Howlett
Kyeleigh Hunn/13yrs old/cancer
Jerry/cancer
Gilbert Johnson/cancer
Ryan Jones
CeCe Jordan
Lyle Kenney family
Dan Kistler
Vivian Kopp
Pat Lafferty/cancer
Jack Lewis family
Nadine Liby
Dee Lundberg
Jennie Maynard
Bill McCann
Sylvia McEwen/cancer
Alice McVey/heart
Andy Mehl/shoulder sur-gery
Linda Morrow/health
Mike Newsom/healing
Joel Noe/health
Phil
Esther Rechkemmer/health
Judith Redlinger
Aunt Rie
Elizabeth Schroeder
Gavin Schroeder
Ann Sedam family
Damon Seys/healing
Merril Shipman
Kevin Shride/kidney trans-plant
Judy Spellious
Charley Thomas
Timmy Thompson/
Lowell Wedekind/cancer
Dick Zimmerman
Brookstone residents
Shut-ins/Nursing Home residents
The deadline for the next Parish Visitor is
Wednesday, October 20 @ 8am. Please have all articles submitted
by this date!
Military & families
All ill/in hospitals
Our world leaders
Our Church/congregation
Marriages in crisis
Our denomination/peace
Our country/world
Covid 19 pandemic
Fires out West
Flooding around the nation
Hurricanes
People of Afghanistan
People of Haiti
10/04/2003- Paul & Kendra Crede 10/09/2010– Trevon & Sara Dunn 10/12/1974– Bill & Molly Joseph 10/18/2014– Jeffrey & Kaycee Stine 10/23/1976– Lewis & Wava Minteer, Jr 10/25/1974– Doyce & Sue Hiscocks
Caring Hearts Food Ministry The food is free to anyone who is in need of food or needs some cheer.
Our Caring Hearts Food Freezer is located in the basement by the elevator door.
Those obtaining food from the freezer need to observe
our guidelines for picking up food
only during office hours 8:00 AM – Noon Monday through Friday.
Pick up a pamphlet with our guidelines listed as well as other food sources in Mercer County pamphlets on the basement bookshelf near the Caring Hearts Freezer
PAGE 9 V ISIT US AT MYALEDOUMC .COM
Trunk or Treat We will be hosting our 10th annual Trunk-or-Treat this year on the south side of the church. This event will be held on Sunday, October 31, from 5 to 7 pm. However, it will look different as we enact safe practices during this pandemic.
You are invited to decorate your car and line it up socially distanced from other cars. Also, please bring a table to assist with candy distribution while maintaining social distancing from trick-or-treaters as we offer no-contact distribution of both candy and hot dogs.
Please let the office know if you will participate. Also, if you do not have a table, we will provide one for you. We are ac-cepting donations of both money and candy in support of this event. Please drop them of at the office. Also, if you have questions, feel free to call the office for more information.
Connection Coins
For October The Connection Coins (the “thinly-veiled Pringles cans”!) are doing great things in the life of the Ale-do UMC! On the 2nd Sunday of each month, those cans are set out. You are encouraged to drop your change in- although we WILL accept “folding mon-ey”! And that change goes toward helping fund a ministry within the church.
This month (October 10th), the Connection Coin offering will go toward an awesome ministry! The HyVee Bread Ministry touches so many in our con-gregation and beyond. Bill, our bread delivery man, does this as a mission, asking for nothing in return. We help with the fuel expenses of this valuable ministry, giving him $15 a week for gas. So, 100% of the money that is col-lected in the cans on the 10th of October will be used to help fund this valua-ble Ministry. What a GREAT way to help connect people to Jesus Christ. So, remember to bring your change on Sunday, October 10th.
PAGE 10 V ISIT US AT MYALEDOUMC .COM
You can help by:
• Providing craft items – Set up on November 4th 9:00 AM • Donating monetary gifts – Send to Office marked “ UMW Bazaar” • Working at the Mini Bazaars • Preparing food at church
2021 Follow the Star Holiday Mini Bazaars
Friday, November 5th and 12th 1:00 – 6:00 PM
Sunday, November 7th and 14th 7:30 AM to Noon
In the Basement Activity Room next to AUMC Dining Room
The Proceeds will be distributed to our local
Food Pantry, Crisis Center and the 2022 AUMC Youth Mission Trip
All Kinds of Creative Crafts and Rada Cutlery each day
November 5th and 7th – Frozen Chicken Noodle Casseroles (2 sizes) and Frozen Vegetable Beef Soup for sale
November 12th and 14th – Cookies and Candy for sale
We hope you plan to attend and bring a friend!
• Make Soup – October 13th 9:00 AM • Make Casseroles – October 20th 9:00 AM • Make Candy – November 9th 9:00 AM • Bake Cookies – November 10th 9:00 AM
Methodist Men will meet on Monday, October 18, 2021 at
6PM. There will be a meal, a short business
meeting, and lots of fellowship. All men are welcome
AUMC October 2021 Meals Since we are still experiencing an uptick of the Covid 19 Del-ta Variant in our area, the following October planned meals at AUMC will be cancelled for everyone’s safety.
• Wednesday Night Meal on October 6th
• CIA meal on October 24th • Golden Age Dinner
Operation Christmas Child….
You hold the key!!
It’s here….it’s Operation Christmas Child time!! Once again our church will be filled with those familiar red and green shoeboxes filled with goodies for children around the world. It’s exciting, inspirational, and heartwarming….and those are just the emotions we feel. I can only imagine the excitement and anticipation felt by the children who receive these gifts. For many, this is the only gift they will receive this year. If that’s where the story ended, it would make for a good Hallmark Christmas movie….but that’s only the beginning.
Those shoeboxes that you lovingly fill this time each year hold the key to God’s kingdom. You may ask, “How does a gift-filled shoebox do all that?” Well, after the boxes are delivered to regional processing
centers, Christian education materials are added. It doesn’t stop there. Once the shoeboxes are delivered to the children, scores of volunteers walk the children through those materials….explaining God’s love and unlocking the doors to his kingdom. This is no Hallmark movie. This is real life evangelism. This is connecting people to Jesus Christ!! This is what we do.
So, when you’re packing your boxes this year (and I hope you’ll pack several), do not look at it as merely making sure that a child somewhere in the world has a Christmas gift. While that may make us feel good for the moment, it does not really capture the intent of this mission. We exist to be the hands and feet of God and these boxes are excellent evangelical tools that both show and spread the love of Christ. Children, in every corner of the world, deserve to know there is a God who loves them….especially in a world ravaged by racial tensions, war, and a pandemic. Please help us to make that a reality. Remember, you hold the key.
Thank you for your continued support,
The Aledo United Methodist OCC Team
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BILL-PAY GIVING
It’s SO easy to forget your checkbook at home one week. It’s also so easy to forget to give your offering when you are out of town. But the truth of the matter is that the financial commitments of the church...the bills, if you will...don’t decrease on those weeks when people forget to tithe. Our financial commitments are steady all year long. Therefore, having a steady, dependable stream of giving helps us better plan for next week, next month and next year!
Your banks probably offers online “bill pay”. With that service you can set up your church giving for whenever and however much you want it to be. It’s simple, easy and dependable.
Won’t you consider electronic giving?
DON’T FORGET: $9 Postage Required/Box
Start Date: October 3rd End Date: October 31st
REMEMBER: NO Candy NO Gum
NO Toothpaste/Liquids
Sponsors for our October Radio Broadcasts October 3– Scott & Dianna Spencer in memory of Margaret Wilhouse
October 10– Sponsored by a friend, to God be the Glory!
October 17-United Methodist Men
October 24-
October 31-United Methodist Men
OUR USUAL
WORSHIP TIMES:
Sundays 8AM,
9:15AM, 10:30AM
PAGE 12 V ISIT US AT MYALEDOUMC .COM
183Date 09/05/2021 09/12/2021 09/19/2021 09/26/2021
Attendance 143 183 160 159
Receipts
(Toward
Budget) $8,047.00 $4,071.58 $2,007.00 $4,971.00
FINANCIAL MATTERS (WEEKLY NEED $6,993.29)
PRAYER WALK THROUGH THE
CHURCH EVERY
SUNDAY MORNING AT 7AM.
Need a ride to church? Contact the office at
309-582-2169 to make arrangements
to be picked up.
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