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Dear Asbury Friends,
Our "Gospel on Broadway" series continues this week with "Les Misérables." Here is something about that Broadway musical that you may not know - the Broadway production opened March 12, 1987, and ran until May 18, 2003, closing after 6,680 performances! At the time of its closing, it was the second-longest running musical in Broadway history. As of 2019, it remains the sixth longest-running Broadway show. Below, I'm providing a summary of this story. I think one of the reasons it has such incredible appeal is that it deals with those timeless themes of good and evil - of law and grace. As I write this letter for the Alive, I'm looking outside my office window at cars driving up to get food from our 24/7 food pantry. Every person who comes to the food pantry has a story. Who knows why they need this ministry. But we are honored to provide food for them to eat. It enables us to "practice what we preach..."
Gayla
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Les Misérables is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its original French title. However, several alternatives have been used, including The Miserables, The Wretched, The Miserable Ones, The Poor Ones, The Wretched Poor, The Victims and The Dispossessed. Beginning in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, the novel follows the lives and interactions of several characters, particularly the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. Examining the nature of law and grace, the novel elaborates upon the history of France, the architecture and urban design of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, anti-monarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. Les Misérables has been popularized through numerous adaptations for film, television and the stage, including a musical." - Wikipedia
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Urgent Needs for Santa Fe Trail Elementary
Steve Trenholm, Asbury's Mission Team contact for Santa Fe Trail Elementary, received an email from the school's principal with some urgent needs requested for their students. The needs are listed below. If anyone is able to help out, donations can be delivered to the Asbury Food Pantry, and place them in the weatherproof tub marked "Santa Fe Elementary."
1. Boys underwear, sizes 4T-5T and 6-7 (to keep on hand in the nurse's office)
2. Unisex sweat pants with elastic waists in boys and girls sizes 4T-5T, 6-7, and 7-8
(to keep on hand in the nurse's office)
3. Sugar-free gum, which is used to help students concentrate during testing 4. Board games and puzzles for school-age children to be used for indoor recess as well as for prizes for Positive Behavior Support Assemblies If you have any questions about Santa Fe Trail needs, please feel free to reach out to Steve Trenholm at [email protected]. Thank you so much in advance for your generosity with helping out community children in need!
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Soup - Just Bring It!
Were you anxious during the last Chiefs game?
I was. Now imagine being anxious about your next meal. With football's Super Bowl, comes the SOUPer Bowl - a time to collect soup for our neighbors in need.
Soon, a big blue barrel will be outside Asbury's main entrance. Buy some extra of your favorite soups and drop off your donation anytime! And mark your calendar: two big things are happening on Sunday, February 7. Asbury's Drive-Through Communion (and soup collection), and the big game.
Soup, just bring it! God bless you!
- John Ebert, Chair of the Mission Team
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Asbury Blood Drive with the Community Blood Center:
Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9 am - 2 pm
We've scheduled our first blood drive for 2021! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 27 from 9 am to 2 pm in Hager Hall.
Appointments are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, as walk-ins will only be accepted as capacity safely allows. You can sign up for an available time slot here:
Donors, please wear a face mask to your donation. If you do not have one, we will provide you with a mask upon your arrival. Remember to bring a photo ID or donor ID card. For questions about eligibility
due to travel outside the U.S., medications, or medical conditions, call 1.800.688.0900.
To learn more about the importance of donating at this time and to answer your questions about COVID-19, please visit www.savealifenow.org/coronavirus. Thanks so much for your consideration,
and let's help make this blood drive a success!
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Zoom Valentine's Day Bingo -
Sunday, February 14 at 7 pm!
Valentine's Day is on a Sunday this year, and since we're still in the middle of a pandemic we figured that this is a perfect time to get together to have some VALENTINE'S DAY BINGO with our Asbury friends on Zoom!
Everyone is welcome to this online event. Pastor Lee and Director of Music Lindsey Lang will be your hosts for the evening, so you know it will be full of fun! Register today at https://www.visitasbury.org/zoom-bingo/ so we know how many people to prepare for and so we can get you your bingo cards ahead of time!
Any questions? Email Lindsey Lang at [email protected]. We're really looking forward to a fun-filled Valentine's evening with YOU!!
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Virtual Men's Breakfast - 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the Month from 8-9 am
 Men of Asbury - looking for some fun fellowship time? We've started up a Virtual Men's Breakfast at 8 am on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. The next meeting will be on February 6.
Anyone interested in attending this Zoom meetup (or if you have any questions) is invited to reach out to Roger Peck at [email protected].
 Altar Flower Donations - Dates Available for 2021!
Would you like to donate altar flowers in celebration or honor of a loved one? Celebrate a birthday or an anniversary? We would love to honor your loved one in our weekly service. We have a standing flower order with Village Flower Company, and the cost is $50 to provide flowers each weekend for the altar.
Weekly Services Online - Beginning Saturday Evenings at 5 pm  Many of you have been watching our weekly online worship services. We're so grateful during this pandemic that we can stay connected in this way! We'd like to remind everyone that worship services are released every Saturday at 5 pm. Visit https://www.visitasbury.org/worship/ for our latest video!
If you aren't able to watch the service on Saturday or Sunday, no worries at all. The latest video will always be posted on the Worship page of the Asbury website, so you can visit it (and, if you like, read Pastor Lee's accompanying Bible Study) throughout the week. You can even check out services from previous weeks at the bottom of the page! So you never have to miss a single service - or you can revisit an old favorite!
Prayer Requests and Concerns
 Did you know that you can submit a prayer request online? We are always keeping our Asbury family in prayer!
 <--- Click on the Church Calendar logo for upcoming Asbury events! Do you have an event you would like to be listed on the calendar? Please call the church office or email Phyllis Williams at [email protected]. For inclusions in the Alive Newsletter, please contact Sharlynn Verner at [email protected].
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 We need your help to keep our operations running during this tough time of needing to close down. Coronavirus has made things challenging for everyone and Asbury is no exception! Please consider giving to the church electronically through one of these four ways:
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
- Online through Easy Tithe (www.easytithe.com/visitasbury)
- Text the word "Give" to 913-774-6060
- Download our giving app, "Church by Ministry One" (find Asbury under zip code 66208)
Also, you can still just write a check and send it in the mail! Our mailing address is as follows:
Asbury United Methodist Church
5400 W. 75th St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208
We love you all and appreciate each of you so much. Stay safe and healthy!
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Weekly Bible Studies
from Rev. Lee Johnson
Every Thursday or Friday, Rev. Lee publishes a Bible study on the Asbury website that goes along with the worship material for the weekend. Whether it be during times of anxiety and uncertainty, or of joy and hope, he helps us navigate what the Scripture tells us to do.
Click on the link below to check out some of Rev. Lee's current studies!
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Valentinefest has been reimagined this year. If you are interested in making and sending Valentines to some of our homebound members, please let Heather Jackson, Director of Family Ministries, know via email or text. You will receive 3-5 names. You have a few options:
1. Using supplies you have at home
2. Purchasing valentines
3. Letting us know you need supplies and we will have some at the church for you to pick up.
Please let Heather know if you need supplies when you sign up to make and send Valentines: [email protected]
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Sunday School
Our faith word for January is "Include," and we'll focus on how God includes all people in God's love and community. We will strive to engage children's natural sense of curiosity to help them understand God's love and inclusion. We'll encourage kids to ask big questions and help them explore the Bible in ways that feeds their imagination and encourages creativity.
 3 years - Kindergarten: The lesson and activities for this week's lesson, "Showing Love" (Matthew 5:43-48), were emailed out today. Heather will make a video and post it to Facebook on Sunday.
1st-3rd Grade: The lesson and activities for this week's lesson, "Showing Love" (Matthew 5:43-48), were emailed out today. Heather will make a video and post it to Facebook on Sunday.
4th-5th Grade: We will continue our series "Everywhere You Look" and look at the lesson we can learn from the Netflix series "Fuller House." All 4th and 5th grade students are encouraged to join us on Zoom at 11 am this Sunday. A link was emailed out today. Save the Date
Save the Date for the return of Family Trivia! Our next time of fun is Sunday, January 31 at 11 am via Zoom. You can play as a family or we can mix it up in breakout groups. Let us know you plan on joining this event at https://fb.me/e/24N8U67V7.
to be added to the children's ministry email list.
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Sunday School: The Gospel According to Harry Potter
This Sunday morning at 10 am, we'll continue our Sunday School series, "The Gospel According to Harry Potter," with Part 3 of "The Deathly Hallows." All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to join via Zoom. The link was emailed out today.
 Youth Group - TIME CHANGE DUE TO CHIEFS GAME: We Will Meet
at 4 pm this Sunday!This week, we'll continue our series "Together, We Create," where youth will plan and lead the youth group lessons. This week, we will be led in discussion by Ethan Blood and we will be discussing how inequality impacts movies. We will continue to meet via Zoom and youth can use a phone or computer to connect to the meeting. The link was emailed out today. Youth are encouraged to grab a drink, snack, or even dinner to munch on during the meeting.
We encourage all youth to sign up to lead a lesson by letting Heather know (GroupMe or email) which week in February they would like to lead. Heather and our youth sponsors are available to assist youth with their planning as needed.
Save the Date
 Youth Family Trivia Night - Sunday, January 31 at 6 pm via ZoomSave the Date for the return of Youth Family Trivia Night! Our next night of fun is Sunday, January 31 at 6 pm via Zoom.
You can play as a family or we can mix it up in breakout groups. Youth do not need to convince their family to join the fun in order to participate. Do you have a child in college? Invite them to join the family fun! Let us know you plan on joining the event at https://fb.me/e/1QBhRcsG3.
Stay up to date on all that's happening in youth ministry by following our Facebook page!
or email our Director of Family Ministries to be added to the youth ministry email list.
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