Weekly Framework
Jonah becomes angry with God because God is compassionate and merciful to the Ninevites. This passage challenges us to consider who it is that we categorize as "other" and beyond God's reach. This week, we consider how God's love and compassion for us should guide our way in the world.
Monday's Reflection
From Pastor Barbara's Daily Study Guide
- What was the main reason for Jonah's anger? With whom was he angry?
- What does Jonah believe about God? Do you think Jonah really wanted to die? Why or why not?
- How would you describe Jonah's behavior?
- Have you ever looked back at a time when you were angry, and you could not make sense of your emotions? How do you feel about that situation now?
- Do you need to ask God for forgiveness for any unresolved anger?
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Today, say a prayer in your own words asking clarity in remembering past emotions to help guide handling emotions in future situations.
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For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Go find the darkest pair of sunglasses you have-maybe you can even borrow some from your mom or dad. Put them on inside and notice how it makes everything look so much closer to the same color. Putting on the glasses gives you a new perspective and makes everything look pretty similar.
Just like today, when Jesus was on the earth, people weren't always great about loving everyone and realizing that everyone is equally loved by God. But Jesus showed us what it means to love each other by the way He treated everyone-Pharisee and sinner, Jew and Gentile, adult and child-the same. And when we follow Jesus, we will see others the way He does: with love for all.
Listen to what God says about His children: we are equal in His sight.
Videos for this week (new for 6/28):
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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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How can you protect your dry hands?
If your hands are very dry from so much hand-washing recently, make sure to:
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Use hypoallergenic soap that is free of perfumes or other potential irritants.
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Wash with comfortably warm water.
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Rinse all soap off the hands after lathering, particularly off the wrist area and between fingers - as soap residue left on skin can be irritating.
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Gently pat your hands dry with a frequently washed towel or a paper towel. Don't let hands air-dry, as this increases evaporation of moisture from the skin.
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Apply and rub in a layer of hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion or cream. For extra effect, wait a minute or so, then apply again.
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Asbury's 2020 Charge Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 PM at Asbury. More details to follow.
If you would like a print copy of the July/August issue of
The Upper Room
devotional, please let us know by completing this form. We'll mail it to you free of charge while our supplies last.
Join us for virtual coffee hours on Zoom following worship! No registration required. Meeting information is as follows:
Gilberton UMC is spearheading an effort to provide relief for their flood-ravaged town of Gilberton, PA. Torrential rains on June 10 caused major flooding in homes and owners are in need of help to salvage or even rebuild. Learn more about this effort at asburylv.org/GilbertonFlooding.
Donations will be received and processed through the
Gilberton UMC (the only active church in town),
monitored by the North District.
GOOD NEWS: initial gifts toward this recovery effort will be
matched by District funds (up to the first $5,000.00),
meaning that a $10,000.00 goal should be within our reach!
Congregation and individuals wishing to support these efforts
can send their checks (made payable to the The North District) to:
The North District Office
PO Box 820
Valley Forge PA 19482
please note "Flood Relief" in the memo line.
The Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church has announced the schedule for 2020 Annual Conference, a hybrid of online and in-person events taking place Tuesday, October 13 - Wednesday, October 14. To learn more, read
Bishop Peggy Johnson's announcement
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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.
The camps in our conference have made the difficult decision to suspend or cancel their summer camps and programs. Get more information about each camp at the links below:
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.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
Include, but not limited to:
AIM Yard Sale (cancelled)
Reschedule dates (if applicable) will be communicated when available.
No physical meetings are being held at Asbury or off-site; but please check with your group/Circle leader to see if there are plans for your group to connect online.
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Did you know that your Amazon purchases can help Asbury? While getting a few needed items for home, visit
smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1352369, or login to your account at
smile.amazon.com and choose "Asbury Allentown United Methodist Church" as your charity. Asbury will receive 0.5% of the price of your purchase!
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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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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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