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Join us tomorrow at 10 AM at
live.asburylv.org as Pastor Barbara continues the Easter story through her message "Encounters on the Road". The service will feature pre-recorded music from some of our musical groups.
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Saturday's Devotional
by Aaron Forney, Director of Communications
My parents grew up in a small town nestled in a valley in central Pennsylvania, in an area where each town takes pride in having their own identity. By my time growing up there, the school districts of a few of the towns had consolidated, curtailing certain rivalries, but I grew up a block away from the now heavily-decayed building where they'd gone to elementary and middle school. Beyond the individual town identities, the schools, of course, created an additional source of pride.
Two towns over sits Elizabethville, colloquially referred to as "E-ville". While to most outside of the Lykens and Williams Valleys the Lord's Prayer is clearly asking God to protect us from the wicked, wrong, and immoral; as a child, it's understandable that my mother thought it was simply a source of pride in her hometown in Lykens that prompted the prayer in worship each week asking God to "deliver us from E-ville."
The context that something takes place in matters a great deal!
In tomorrow's sermon, Pastor Barbara will explore a post-resurrection encounter that some of Jesus' disciples had with him. But it took a certain act on Jesus' part for them to realize who it was they were face-to-face with. The context that Jesus put the interaction in opened their eyes to realize that he was still with them.
Join us tomorrow as we worship, and, for today, consider: what has opened your eyes over the past few weeks to realize - in the midst of despair - that Jesus is still with you?
MOVING FORWARD
"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31
The invitation - based on John's account, you would believe that Jesus is who he claimed to be, and then you would trust in Him.
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If we were to rewrite Philippians 2:3-7a using math symbols it would look a little like this:
Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud.
Instead, be humble. Value others
>
than yourselves.
"0"
of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should look out for the good of others. As you deal with
"1"
another, you should think
+
act as Jesus did. In his very nature he was God. Jesus was
=
with God. But Jesus didn't take advantage of that fact, instead, he made himself
0.
You may not think of humility like a math equation, but it kind of is. It means making others
>
yourself. We have the best example in Jesus, who made himself
0.
..nothing...even though He is
=
with God!
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Father, we thank You for Your greatness,
standing larger than any evil that could stand in our way.
Help us to remember to place our trust in You as we stumble through troubled times.
Amen.
A note on prayers: to respect confidentiality, we will not be sharing specific prayer requests via email; however our prayer team is still actively praying for every request that they receive. If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.
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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.
Summer Camping registration is underway! Camps realize that the future is full of uncertainties and are considering alternative plans, including some offering full refunds if camps are cancelled. Visit the individual camp sites to learn more about their camps and their policies related to COVID-19:
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:
Jubilation Ringers Spring Concerts (cancelled)
April Blood Drive (cancelled) -
please consider giving at one of their physical locations (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Reading) in this critical time of need.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings
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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If you are experiencing loneliness, or spiritual and emotional distress during these challenging days, you are not alone. Your pastors are praying for you. Please reach out to Pastor Barbara at
blee@asburylv.org. She has been making calls for encouragement, counsel and prayer. If you are aware of someone in the congregation you are concerned about, please ask that individual's permission and then pass along your concern to Pastor Barbara.
We want to encourage you during this time to continue to stay connected with others, particularly those who might need help - not just Asbury congregants, but neighbors and homebound friends. A phone call, email, or text is always a safe way to connect! Always be aware of your own safety and the safety of those you're helping!
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
Our Keep in Touch team is still striving to connect with those in our congregation who are sick or hospitalized, even in the
absence of physical visits. Members known to be hospitalized and/or sick and members who are visited monthly will be "visited" by phone. Say a special prayer of thanks for these individuals who help care for those among us who are ill!
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Connect with us online
www.asburylv.org
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