Don't miss the picnic!
The Member Care Committee would like to invite the entire congregation to a special intergenerational event. The All-Church Picnic will be held on August 8th immediately following worship. It's a chance for all to come together for some old-fashioned fun and fellowship. Bring the whole family, bring guests, bring the person who sits next to you in church!
WHEN: Sunday, August 8th, immediately following church until we get tired!
WHERE: Oak Hill Park at 33rd and Rhode Island (the large pavilion). Accessible parking, smoothly paved sidewalks to the pavilion, good seating and bathrooms.
WHAT:
FOOD! Hamburgers, hot dogs and bratwurst provided with buns and condiments. Paper goods and drinks will also be provided. Please bring a dish to pass.
FUN! Splash Pad for children, playground, field for kick ball and games.
WHY: Fellowship and fun. Suggested Donations are $4 per adults, $2 per child (2-10 years old), children under age 2 Free, and a $20 cap per family.
HOW to get there: From Aldersgate, take Louisiana Avenue north to Highway 7. Go west (left) on Highway 7 to Texas Avenue. Go north (right) on Texas to 33rd Street. Go east (right) to "T" intersection. The parking lot will be directly in front of you, and the pavilion is on the opposite side of the parking lot.

STEP goes back to school.
In late August, STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program) will be distributing school supplies to an estimated 700 St. Louis Park children in need. Their goal is for every child in need to have a fresh start to the school year by providing grade-appropriate school supplies. They need your help!
Monetary donations are gladly accepted. A $40 donation will sponsor one student with all needed supplies, including a backpack.
Critically Needed Supplies can be donated, either as a full back-to-school supply kit or as individual pieces. Click here for a list of supplies.
Volunteers are needed, too, to sort supplies, pack and distribute bags and/or provide transportation. Please call Kate at STEP, 952-925-4899 if you would like to help.

Don't take a summer vacation from supporting Aldersgate!
While our attendance patterns change during the summer, so unfortunately do our giving patterns. Some people who give every week during the school year find themselves on a vacation trip or two in the summer, and their giving patterns change. Added to these changing patterns is the reality that several members of our congregation have lost jobs this year and are, out of necessity, already behind in their giving to the church.

Even with these changes, the many valuable ministries of our congregation continue. Our support for STEP, for flood and tornado victims, for missions around the world continue through the summer. Ministries of our church, such as the youth mission trip, bell trips and summer camps still go on.

We're asking those who can, to step into the gap. Consider giving your July and August pledges in July, to help cover for those who aren't back into their attending and giving routine until September. Also, please prayerfully consider "covering" the pledge of someone who has lost a job. Include this concern in your prayers this week and see what you can do to support the many vital ministries of your church.

Summer church office hours continue through Labor Day.
The Aldersgate office will be closed on Fridays all day through the summer. Running through Labor Day weekend, summer hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am til 2:30 pm. Regular office hours will resume the week after Labor Day. Please keep in mind that if you want something included in the Bulletin, it will now be printed earlier in the week.

Women's Book Club prepares for the fall
Although the Aldersgate Women's Book Club has taken the summer off, they have already planned for their return in September. If you'd like to get a head start over the summer, the September selection is The Help by Katheryn Stockett. Women's Book Club is open to all who are interested.