August 19, 2016
  Aledo United Methodist Church   
Making disciples of Jesus Christ to transform the world
by loving, knowing, and serving our God.
eNews
This Sunday's Message: "TGIM: Thank Goodness It's Monday*"
Isaiah 41:8-13
PASTOR'S NOTE
The Road Less Traveled
I wrote the following column several years ago as Melissa and I prepared to send our kids back to school. I have shared it with you before, but many of you told me that it really puts this time of year into a perspective of faith and that you found it meaningful. So with apologies for repeating that which some have already read, I offer an updated version as we prepare for a new school year - WLT

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Back to School Bash
August 20, 6:30-8:30pm
Mark your calendars and come celebrate the start of the 2016-2017 School year with Aledo UMC at Splash Kingdom. Get your free tickets at the gate. Invite your friends to join us!

Books, Backpacks & Blessings
Sunday, August 21
Plan to join us for two special services on August 21, as we prepare our students, teachers and administration to head back to school.Kids are invited to bring their backpacks for a blessing of the backpacks, and we will pray for our students, teachers and administrators.

Wednesday Nights are Back!
Beginning Wednesday, August 24
4:00 Quad Opens
5:30 Fellowship Dinner
6:00 Children's Choir & Youth Worship
6:00-6:45 - Worship (7-12th grade)
6:30 Children, Youth & Adult Programming
6:45-7:30 - Small Groups (7-8 // 9-10 // 11-12)
7:00 Chancel Choir
 
Wednesday Night Programming
Children's Programming  K-6th Grade
Children's Choir Does your child like to sing and move? All children 2-5th grade are invited to join Miss Abbi Bell for choir on Wednesdays at 6pm in the gathering room. We will be learning music to sing in worship. Email Thomas Williamswith any questions.
 
Children's Programming Join us from 6:30-7:30pm for fun activities such as water games, cooking, and science exploration. K-4 will meet in the Fellowship Hall. Grades 5-6 will meet in the Rock House for fun activities and mission work. To volunteer or ask questions email Jennifer McDaniel.

Youth Programming  7th-12th Grade
4:00-5:30 - QUAD opens for hangout
5:30-6:00 - Dinner
6:00-6:45 - Worship (7-12th grade)
6:45-7:30 - Small Groups (7-8 // 9-10 // 11-12)

Wednesday, Aug 24 - Color Wars (colored powder games)
Wednesday, Aug 31 - Change
Wednesday, Sept 7-21 - Reckless (life of Peter)

Adult Programming
Parenting by Faith - (In the Chapel) Led by licensed professional counselors, this workshop will help parents guide their kids through the journey of childhood and adolescence.
 
Right of Refusal - (Room #14 in the main building) This Bible study will focus on learning to say "no" in a world that increasingly demands "yes" from us. Led by Pastor Lee.

Fellowship Dinner Menu - August 24
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli & Rice, Salad & Dessert

Acolyte Training
August 28, 12:00pm
Calling all 5th grade students and parents! There will be acolyte training for the 2016-17 school year on August 28th after the 11am Cornerstone traditional service. Lunch will be provide. Training will last 30 mins. Please email Thomas Williams to sign up.
Student Ministries Parent Meeting
August 28, 12:00pm, Chapel
Join us for our Fall Parent Meeting! We will be discussing some important dates for the upcoming year as well as other important information regarding the youth ministry! Please plan to be there.

Voices of Praise
Sunday, August 31
Do you love to sing and move in the spirit? Do you want to grow as a worshipper? Do you like gospel and modern sacred music? Then Voices of Praise is for you! This new small ensemble is looking for people that have a song in their heart. There will be an information meeting August 31st at 6pm in the sanctuary. If interested please email Thomas Williams.

Support Prison Ministries
Several members of our congregation are part of ministry teams that go into Texas prisons, offering Christ's love and redemption. Purchase a $5 meal ticket at the Connection Center, a tangible reminder to an inmate that they still have value and are not forgotten. Also, add your name to the prayer chain at the Connection Center and make a commitment to pray for all those involved in the weekends. An Epiphany weekend is coming up over Labor Day, for incarcerated teenage girls, as well as a Kairos weekend in October, ministering to imprisoned men. For more info, contact Trudy Smith.

Disciple Fast Track
Thursdays, 6:30 pm, beginning September 22
Fast Track groups, facilitated by Matt Reed & Fanci Coyle, will meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes. A brief, illustrated review video enables participants to recall important facts and ideas; lively and engaging video presenters then offer insights into the current week's session. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can live out their discipleship commitment. Sign up at the Connection Center.
Share a Prayer
Do you have a Prayer Concern you would like to share with the staff or with our church family? Please fill out a Prayer Request card (found in the back of the pews) and drop it in the white prayer box in the church lobby. The box is checked weekly. You are always welcome to contact our Congregational Care Director, Trudy Smith, with prayer concerns.
PRAYERS
In your times of prayer throughout the week, please remember the people named below.

Concerns: Geneyne Clark's daughter Melinda McDonald; Carol Dockstader's son Corey Clanton; Jennifer McDaniel's cousin Kayla Perry; Mary Mock's sister Dorothy Black; Sydney Smith; Ted Jordan; Tom Lunsford; Joy Moore; Kristi Hefner's uncle Scott Morehead; Janie Faris; Al Clark
 
Special members who are unable to worship with us: Art and Micki Authier; C.D. and Mattie Graham; Wynell Stevens
 
Long-term prayer concerns: Carrie Hester; Glenn Rogers' great-nephew, McCrae Trammell; Lori Kahil's father, Jeff Muessig; Rita Maddux-Potter; Stella Lee's daughter, Sherroll Shirley; Katie Alexander; Jana Gates' sister-in-law, Debra Lewis; Larry Wicker; Dan Tollefson's uncle, Phil Tollefson; Steven Cole's mother, JoAnn Cole; Kikee Kupper's father, Briscoe Dunn; Kathy Mayotte's father, A. Ken Hartle; Connie Dryden; Jean Smith; Chase Peysen; Leon Fleming; Mason Gomez; Fanci Coyle's father, Harvey Horton; Gavin Trietsch; Butch Fernstrom; All Military Personnel