Sunday, August 30, 2020
 

Thanks to all who joined us for worship this morning! If you missed it or would like to watch again, you can watch the replay of today's service now!
Resources from Worship
 
Thanks to those of you who sent in prayer requests during the live stream this morning. We've forwarded them on to our prayer team!
 

 
If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.

Church Council shared an update via Zoom this afternoon, including information about an indoor worship service beginning on September 13 (registration details TBA), preschool reopening, and direction for small groups going into the fall. Watch a replay of the webinar and view the slide presentation at asburylv.org/churchcouncilupdate.




The annual Asbury Church United Methodist Women (UMW) Holiday Bazaar is being held virtually! While the ongoing pandemic keeps us from safely holding the event in-person, the Bazaar's effort to raise money for missions in the Lehigh Valley and beyond is still vitally important. Dates and details will be announced in the coming weeks, and for now we ask you to consider what you might be able to contribute for the event. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

Our email updates are changing!
 
Beginning next Monday, September 7, we'll be moving our main email back to a weekly announcement and update email format, sent on Thursdays and Sundays. You will automatically continue to receive those emails as part of our email list, and don't need to take action.
 
We know that for some of you, getting devotional resources emailed to you on a daily basis has been life-giving and we will continue to offer those emails; but you'll need to sign up to let us know you're interested in receiving them. Simply sign up using our form and you'll continue to receive daily devotionals.


PREVIOUSLY SHARED

Learn about some great ways to serve while staying socially distant:

Ripple Community Center Collection - September 19, 12 PM- 2 PM
Annual Ramos Work Day - September 26, 9AM - 12 PM
PLARN Mats (Plastic Sleeping Mats for the Homeless) - create at home
Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank - Weekly Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays (occasional Tuesday), 12 PM - 2:30 PM



Our next outdoor worship service is next Sunday, August 30, at 8 AM. (Please note there will still be an online-only service streaming at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org).

Registration is required, even if you've previously attended an outdoor worship service. Register at asburylv.org/outdoorworshipregistration.

Get more information about the service at asburylv.org/outdoorworship.



As we enter the fall, we're looking for instrumentalists to share their gifts and talents as part of worship. If you're willing to lend your time, please contact Shellie in the church office at sfritchman@asburylv.org or 610-398-2577 and a member of the music staff will be in contact.



A project is underway to replace the bridge connecting the parking lot to the playground. Matt Barraco, an Asbury member, will be completing the project as he works towards the rank of Eagle Scout. If you would like to learn more about the project, including how you can provide financial support, view Matt's video at asburylv.org/footbridge. For specific project details, the project plan is available at asburylv.org/footbridgeplan.

We appreciate your ongoing support of Asbury, and your generous contributions have allowed us to continue to worship and minister together. 
 
We realize that your personal financial landscape may have drastically changed; but if you are able to continue to financially support the ministries of Asbury, please prayerfully consider doing so.
 
We strongly encourage you to give online through PushPay, our online giving portal, at asburylv.org/give, but you can also mail your weekly envelopes or a check in to the church office.
 
Your contributions will continue to help support the worship and ministries of Asbury. Additionally, we are retaining our commitment to compensating our staff at this time.

Thank you for your continued support!

We encourage you to watch a condensed version of today's lesson with your child via video!
 
Select your child's age group: 
SPARK
(3-4yr olds)
Say Cheese (new for 8/30)
 
BLAST
(PreK- 5th grades)
Indescribable (new for 8/30)
 
 Print Resources for this week:
For SPARK (3-4yr olds): Parent Cue 
For BLAST (PreK - 5th grades): 
God Time devotionals
 

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.



Catch up on past announcements, devotionals, and resources at asburylv.org/coronavirus.

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.


If 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.



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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