Weekly Framework
Moving out of the shallow end starts with feeding ourselves spiritually. But if we stop at that first step, we'll be left spiritually fat rather than spiritually fit. How do we prevent that from happening? The next step involves a spiritual workout that's unique for each of us.
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is 'Judgment.' Read the applicable scripture passage for each day below using the 'SOAP' method of reading scripture.
S
cripture - First read the scripture passage.
O
bservation - Think about what you just read and find one thing you think God wanted you to hear that's relevant to your life and write it down.
A
pplication - Think about what you need to do differently as a result of what you just read and write it down.
P
ray- Pray about what you just read.
Today's Passage
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Lord,
Help me to remember that my mandate is to love others as You have loved me.
Amen.
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Make your reservation! Asbury is holding an outdoor worship service on Sunday, August 2, at 8 AM! Here's a brief rundown everything you'll need to know:
The service will feature...
* A message from a pastor
* A liturgist
* Music, but no singing
* No offering collection
What You Need to Do
* Practice social distancing
* Wear a mask
* Bring a chair
The service will be held on the lawn on the lower level outside of the Worship Center area. A restroom will be available if needed.
An outdoor service is obviously dependent on good weather, so make sure to check our website (
asburylv.org) the night prior to the service to make sure it's still on as planned!
The outdoor service will not be streamed, but there will still be an online-only 10 AM service live-streamed from the Sanctuary.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OUTDOOR SERVICE
The upcoming outdoor service can only be possible with the help of volunteers to direct attendees to the designated parking spots, worship area and seating. Everyone will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing. As one church calls it: being a pool noodle apart! All volunteers will be trained, and also will be expected to attend a practice "run-through" of the process. (date & time TBA) If you would be willing to volunteer, please contact Laurie Wallace Theisen at ltheisen@asburylv.org
by TODAY, Friday, July 24.
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Our Bottom Line this week is: Knowing Jesus changes the way you see your problems. Take a minute and think about something in your life that's difficult or frustrating right now. In our Bible story this week we see how Paul faced a lot of challenges, but chose to see those difficulties as opportunities. He knew that Jesus can work even the hardest things for good, so when he was arrested, he shared about Jesus. When he was stuck in a storm, he encouraged his fellow travelers. When he was shipwrecked, he prayed for God to heal sick people. It's okay to be frustrated and sad about the difficult things you face, but you can also ask God to change your perspective. Ask Him to show you where He can work in your challenges. Then pray that God will guide you through your difficult times this week.
Print Resources from this week:
Videos for this week (new for 7/19):
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Upcoming Zoom for all youth- aged students with Erin, Rich & Pam
Wednesday, July 29th from 8 PM - 8:45 PM.
Hope you can join us!!
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: join us Friday nights at 8 PM to catch up via Zoom!
If it's your first time joining us, registration is required!
A second session for college students is being scheduled - watch for the date to be announced soon!
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Asbury's mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. But how do we grow deeper in our faith? No one strives to be shallow. It's easy to feel lost when we go at it alone. But what if there was a way to thrive?
This week,
Pastor Barbara teaches in the final week of the "Into the Deep End" sermon series. Many of us have viewed faith as something we do alone. We might have said that it's private. But there's a limit to our faith growth when we go it alone. There's a deepening to our faith that we only experience together. When it comes to consistently growing our faith, "we" is greater than "me." Who's spurring on your faith and whose faith are you spurring on?
Worship will be streaming live at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org and will feature a variety of musical styles.
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Asbury's building is now closed indefinitely. When the time comes to re-open, rest assured we will send that communication as far in advance as possible (and very ready to celebrate gathering again!).
For the safety of all, and to keep Asbury's building virus-free, access to the building is now limited to office and custodial staff only. All other key cards have been deactivated. Should you need to gain access to the building, please contact Israel Olivieri, Business Manager, at
iolivieri@asburylv.org.
For those wishing to support COVID-19 relief, we encourage you to consider giving to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Advance. 100% of donations to the Advance go to COVID-19 relief, as UMCOR's administrative costs are paid through connectional giving.
All updates regarding Asbury's response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will also be shared at that page; as well as via email blast and on our social media feeds (
Facebook and
Twitter).
Please know that during the time that the office is closed, all calls to Asbury are being received by our answering service, as there is no one available in the office to take your call. Any messages you leave with the answering service are forwarded to us and we will relay your message to the appropriate staff member to respond to you as soon as possible.
Asbury is
now a drop-off site for home-sewn masks for Lehigh Valley Health Network. The collection bin is located at the doors by the upper entrance to the building. If you're able to sew masks, but not able to deliver them,
email Pastor Barbara to get connected with a helper. We do not have supplies available to offer; but could help coordinate a pickup for an order you place at a local fabric or craft store that's offering curbside pickup.
Instructions:
St. Luke's is also collecting personal protective equipment (PPE). Learn more about the items they're accepting and their drop-off locations (their Care Now urgent care locations in Allentown, Whitehall, Bethlehem, and more)
on their website.
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Ever heard of
PLARN????
Wanted: people interested in making plastic sleeping mats for the homeless to insulate them from the cold dampness of the ground
Skills needed: cutting with scissors and single crochet (or team up with someone to share these two jobs)
Tools needed: scissors, a bigger-sized crochet hook (size "P" is recommended), a yardstick or measuring tape
Raw materials: clean used plastic shopping and grocery bags with soft seams - these are turned into a plastic yarn, called... plarn!
Guidance: Wendy Arbushites can teach you how to do the entire process. It's very easy!
Supply source: We currently have plenty of bags which have been "quarantined" for at least a week to avoid any Coronavirus issues. Please email Wendy if you are interested in helping at warb@rcn.com
Click here to view a slideshow with steps to make a mat.
Teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall. Please start gathering, Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap for classroom use. We'll have a collection day at Asbury in August to gather these items for delivery to Ramos. If you have questions, contact Dick McCreight (dickmcc@ptd.net).
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients. Everyone must wear mask. Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332 or emailing aaefb1978@gmail.com.
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f you are experiencing loneliness, or spiritual and emotional distress during these challenging days, or if there's someone you're concerned about, please reach out to Pastor Barbara at
blee@asburylv.org
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Due to changes in staffing at our hospitals, the church often can no longer reach hospital staff to find out if our Asbury members are hospitalized.
Please call the church office to let us know if you or a loved one is in the hospital, so we can provide pastoral care. Thank you!
We know that these stressful times have and will cause hardships for some in our community. The following groups, recommended by Asbury in Mission (AIM), have resources available for assistance if you or someone you know has a need:
Kingdom Life Family Center Food Bank
4333 Lime Kiln Rd, Orefield, PA 18069
1401 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 18102
AIM also reminds us that while volunteer opportunities are few due to the current crisis, our mission partners can still be supported financially. Learn more about all of our AIM mission partners at
asburylv.org/aim.
If you are in a position to donate to the food banks, please be aware of the following information about donations:
Kingdom Life Family Center in Orefield wants people to make an appointment to drop off food on a Tuesday morning.
Call 610-398-0111
Salem United Methodist Church in Allentown, Food bank can take donations in the morning by appointment only.
Call Rev. Navin Satyarvata 610-432-2577
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