After Hours Minister On Call:

Children Weekday Director of Youth Youth Ministries Director of [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Building Superintendent Building [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Hospitality Coordinator Hospitality Children [email protected] Church Administrator/ Church Minister of of WorshipMinister Financial Secretary Financial ExecutiveAssistant Rev.Steve Badskey Church Staff Church Staff BennieMcGhee Miles Barnhardt Miles Miller Brian Dr. Senior Minister Senior Paxton Adkison Paxton 334/544 JimmyDennis Allison Frost Allison Erin Jackson Erin DoryHector Bookkeeper Bill Haigler Bill Director of Director of Director of LanaWard Ext. 5979 Ext. 3645 Ext. 6177 Ext. 7961 Ext. Ext. 4236 5896 Ext. Ext. 1575 4258 Ext. Facilities Ext6197 ’ s Discipleship

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 email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

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Prayer Requests Continue steadfastly in prayer – Colossians. 4:2

Pray for Our Leaders and Staff Members: Bishop David Graves; D.S., Dr. Jeff Wilson; our Senior Pastor, Dr. Brian Miller; our Minister of Worship, Rev. Steve Badskey; and the Aldersgate Staff Please Remember in Your Prayers: Clyde Hanson (Joyce Pittman’s brother-in-law, COVID), George Mingledorff (COVID), Mickey Sutherland (Melinda Hinds’ mom, COVID), Melissa Varnum (Libby Varnum’s mom, COVID), Eddie Caldwell (COVID), Gem Middlebrooks (recovery from CVI hospitalization), Steve Sharker (COVID), Cory Davis (recovery from car accident), William Pugh (rehab following ankle surgery), Kathy Dismukes (malignant brain can- cer), Claire McCann (breast biopsy needed and job search), Dick Clark (treatment for MDS), Phil Radford, Kim Rugg (breathing difficulties), Pam Sloan, Frazier “Bubba” Sloan (heart defibrillator surgery), Randy Reynolds (heart attack), Mary Stephens (recovery from surgery), Megan Warke (brain ), Eric Sumrall (COVID), our nation, our state, our city…our world Christian Love and Sympathy Our sympathy and prayers are extended to Brenda and Ed Wheat, on the unexpected passing of Brenda’s daughter, Karen Grant; to Rev. Walter Albritton and family on the death of his wife, Dean Albritton; and to the family of Josie Owens who passed away in North Carolina. Congratulations Jack and Janice Candler welcomed a new granddaughter, Tessa Grace Weaver, on Thursday, December 17th. Proud parents are Jack’s daughter Maggie, and her husband Tylor. Nursing Home/Homebound Y ou may want to send a card or note. Sam and Jeannette Kennedy, The Cottages, Rm 19, 235 Sylvest Drive, Ivy Bldg, Montgomery, AL 36117 Jean Lawrence, 3801 Oak Grove Dr, #102, Montgomery, AL 36116 Missions: SIFAT Ecuador and TMS Global Awakening to Our Call: Pray for God to give us a longing for prayer like never before. Pray for God to awaken us to the Holy Spirit’s role in revitalizing Aldersgate. Pray for good participation in the Watchnight Service and the Awakening in 2021 prayer vigil to follow Prepared December 22, 2020

Worship Arts Notes ♫♫ SEED Planting There are several variations on the story of the writing of the hymn “Silent Night”, but they all center on the little Church of St. Nicholas in Obendorf, a village near Salzburg, Austria, on , 1818— and they all recount a church organ that wouldn’t play and a priest who was determined not to let the broken organ spoil the Christmas Eve ser- vice. In one telling of the story, a band of roving actors came to Obendorf with their Christmas play, which so inspired Friar Joseph Mohr that he wrote this song. Aldersgate’s United Methodist Women (UMW) and In another telling of the story, when Friar Mohr discovered that the or- United Methodist Men (UMM) have continued in their gan was broken, he remembered a poem that he had written two years mission efforts despite this year’s pandemic re- earlier. He took the poem to the church organist, Franz Gruber, who set strictions. Although unable to have their major fund- it to music. raiser, the casserole-bake-craft sale, our UMW unit sent over $4500, raised last year, to help the UM Children’s But the story most frequently told has Friar Mohr discovering that the Home; Aldersgate’s food pantry, backpack ministry, organ was broken. Distraught over the possibility that the Christmas and communion fund; and local ministries Mary Ellen’s Eve service might be ruined, he sat down and quickly wrote these vers- es—and then took them to Franz Gruber, who composed the music. Hearth, the Family Sunshine Center, and Reality and Truth. The unit also supported our seminary student At this point, the facts are lost in antiquity—and the variations all sup- Libby Varnum and UMW activities around the port a central theme of adversity and inspiration and determination to globe. All of this was in addition to contributions made save the evening. From that point the stories merge into one. by the individual circles to missions. Friar Mohr did write the words for this carol. Franz Gruber composed the music. It was first sung on Christmas Eve, 1818, in the Church of St. No UMM’s barbeque this year meant limited funds, but Nicholas in Obendorf, and the original accompaniment was a guitar. All our men were still able to contribute to several church the stories agree on those facts. activities and events as well as local ministries and hur- ricane Sally relief; they also planted seeds for future Later, when Karl Mauracher came to repair the organ, he heard the story mission activities such as the next Ecuador mission and obtained a copy of the song. As he went about his business, he trip. We appreciate the dedication of these organiza- made the story and song known to other churches in the region. tions to continuing their support of missions in this In 1838, “Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!” was published in a German challenging year and look forward to a full return to Catholic hymnal—and in 1839 the Rainers, a musical family from Aus- their normal activities and events in the coming year. tria, traveled to New York City, where they sang “Stille Nacht!” at Trin- ity Church—and German immigrants brought the song with them and sang it in As we celebrate Christmas and prepare to ring in the new year, Aldersgate Staff-Parish Relations Committee recognizes the hard work of our ministers and staff. As well as addressing needs that arose from COVID-19, the In this difficult year, we’ve seen everyone do more, Coro-navirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act find new ways to keep us connected and continue (passed by Congress in late March) includes tax incentives to to meet the church’s mission. encourage charitable giving in 2020. There are several specific We thank you for all of the great work, and we wish you charitable pro-visions included in the CARES Act that are only and your families a very Merry Christmas! available in 2020:  You may deduct gifts of cash to most public charities to offset as much as 100% (normally 60%) of your income. This excludes con-tributions to donor advised funds or supporting organizations.  If you take the standard deduction instead of itemizing, taxable income may be reduced by up to $300 for charita- ble gifts in 2020 (when using an “above-the-line” adjust- ment to reduce tax-able income).  Corporate giving limits have been increased from 10% to 25% by the CARES Act for cash contributions made to public charities.  For 2020, Congress has temporarily waived Required Min- imum Distribution (RMD) for retirement accounts. Quali- fied Charitable Distribution (QCD) still remains a great way to make a year-end gift for those 70 1/2 and older for gifts up to $100,000.  For those over the age of 59 1/2 and not subject to the 10% penal-ty tax for early retirement plan withdrawals, the 100% deduction limit on gifts made from retirement plan Helping Others During assets is an attractive choice for charitable giving. Small Blankets & New Women’s/Men’s Underwear & Socks This information is provided by the Alabama-West Florida United Collection will run November 29 to December 27. These will be Methodist Foundation and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment distributed to the homeless in our area through our ministry part- guidance. Please consult your attorney, tax professional, or invest- ner, Reality and Truth. Small blankets are also requested. (ministry ment professional for advice. of our Local Acts 1:8 Team)

Toiletry Kits: Assemble simple toiletry kits for the homeless. Thank You for Giving! wash cloth - bar of soap – deodorant - tooth brush - Recently, it was discovered that mail, including 2 known con- tooth paste - disposable razor tribution checks, have been stolen out of the mailbox. Those Place all of these items in a gallon-sized plastic bag, and drop in contributors are aware, and we are hopeful they are the only the collection box in the atrium. A small bag of peppermint or hard victims. In order to confirm that these were isolated incidents, candy is a nice addition as well! we have sent statements to those who contribute in the same fashion. As we move into 2021 and if you have mailed a contri- bution check to the church, please check your end-of-year state- ment. Steps are already in motion to secure the mail through a new lockable mailbox. Thank you for your generosity. The newest edition is available now! Please contact Allison Frost ([email protected] or 334-272-6152 to have a copy mailed to you. Please specific y your preferred size. You End of the Year Contributions may also pick one up in the church atrium on Sundays. Contributions to appear on your end-of-the-year statement for 2020 must be postmarked 12/31/2020 or before; online contri- butions must have a transaction date of 12/31/2020 or be- fore. On Thursday, December 31, Dory Hector and Jimmy Thank You... Dennis will be in the office from 9:00 a.m. until noon to accept Thank you for all the prayers, kind words & cards for my sister any last minute contributions. Carlene. She is now singing with the angels (in tune) along with my mom & dad. Peggy & Danny Massey 6610 Vaughn Road GOOD NEWS (USPS 521-080) PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY Montgomery, Alabama 36116 ALDERSGATE , 6610 VAUGHN ROAD, MONT- GOMERY, ALABAMA 36116-1203. PERI- ODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT MONTGOM- ERY, ALABAMA. “POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO GOOD NEWS, 6610 VAUGHN ROAD, MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 36116-1203.”

www.aldersgateumc.org Volume 56 December 27, 2020 and January 3, 2021 Number 52 Join us for worship this Sunday! Our gifts to God!

Join us for in-person worship at 10:30 this Sunday! Stewardship Corner We strongly encourage our folks in the high risk groups Budget for 2020 $1,086,824 due to age or underlying health concerns to continue to Through 11/30/20 participate in our online worship options or come to our next Operating Budget Requirement to Date 996,618 Drive-In Communion Service at 8:15 am on the 1st Sunday Operating Budget Income Received to Date 915,566 of each month. (Next Service: January 3, 2021) Operating Budget Expenses to Date 861,946

Aldersgate’s Livestream worship services are also available to Faith Promise (4/1/20-3/31/21) listen to over your phone. Call 833-333-0266 to opt-in to be Total Commitments notified when our Livestream goes live. Total Received through 11/30/20 $31,230

Aldersgate Weekly Calendar of Events December 27, 2020—January 8, 2021 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 FRIDAY, JANUARY 1 9:00am Sunday School Online Church Offices Closed 10:30am In-Person/Online Worship SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29 8:15am Drive In Service | Pavilion 6:00pm Truth Seekers Sunday School Class/Room 26 9:00am Sunday School | Online THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 10:30am Morning Worship | In person and Online Church Offices Closed 11:00pm WatchNight Service | Online

Sunday, December 27, 2020 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles 10:30 am | Online and In-Person and for glory to your people Israel.” 33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said Luke 2:22-40 about him. 34 Then Simeon[f] blessed them and said to his mother Mary, 22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of , they “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be re- law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the vealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the 36 There was also a prophet, Anna[g] the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;[a] this man was after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.[b] 27 Guided by the child[h] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Spirit, Simeon[c] came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon[d] took him in The Return to Nazareth his arms and praised God, saying, 39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant[e] in peace, returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and according to your word; became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, January 3rd: 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, The Dangerous Prayer: I Am No Longer My Own | Ephesians 2:1-10