Weekly Framework
During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would soon abandon him and that Peter would deny knowing him three times. Peter adamantly proclaimed that he would never desert or deny knowing Jesus. However, before the night was over, Peter not only deserted Jesus but he denied knowing him three times. It's a night that Peter would talk about over and over again. If Peter's story is our story, what can we learn from Peter's failure?
Tuesday's Reflection
From Pastor Eric's Daily Study Guide
Do you believe the disciples would have handled things any better if Jesus had given them a pep talk rather than this somber warning? Spiritually, which is more important for you-to believe you've got the strength to handle anything, or to be aware that you need to rely on God's power, which is greater than yours?
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is "Care for Needy." Read the applicable scripture passage for each day below using the 'SOAP' method of reading scripture.
Scripture - First read the scripture passage.
Observation - 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.
Application - Think about what you need to do differently as a result of what you just read and write it down.
Pray- Pray about what you just read.
This Week's Readings
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Jesus,
Thank you for going before us, leading us even when we've denied you.
Amen.
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Do you remember the song "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes?" You probably learned this song as a preschooler to help you to identify different parts of your body. It's hard to imagine but there really was a time when you didn't know your knee from your elbow. Just like a body has different parts that do very different things, God has given people different skills and abilities. Whatever job we've been given, we should do it with all our ability. Everyone is important, that's why God made each of us unique and gifted in our own way. Pray and thank God for the people around you and their gifts.
Print Resources for this week:
Videos for this week (new for 8/23):
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Youth Ministries Zoom
TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 26th from 8 - 8:45 PM
Join us as we play a few games and briefly check-in to see how everyone is doing before heading back to school.
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WELLNESS TIPS FOR FALL TO IMPROVE IMMUNITY We are all facing the new normal daily living activities of life with the COVID-19 virus. It is crucial that we remain positive and follow the guidelines as they are updated and modified with new information about the disease. 1. Get outside everyday during the warm Fall days to benefit from the sun and natural vitamin D.
2. Stretch and exercise every day for 15 minutes to keep agile and promote balance to prevent falls.
3. Offer to help others by phone contacts or donating time to improve your community. A consistent pattern of involvement is needed to help stabilize the soul and return to a new normal routine. Many activities can be included as long as you make good choices of handwashing, using the mask when inside and close to others to prevent the droplets spreading to you/others and also outside if in close proximity of 6 feet of others in larger crowds.
4. Socialization prevents depression and exercise builds immunity to help us avoid not only COVID-19 but many illnesses that are common to all year round.
5. It is not a healthy choice to remain isolated in your home. Keep safe by following the above guidelines and keeping updated of new research. We will overcome!
6. THE MOST EFFECTIVE MASK ARE THE DOUBLE TO TRIPLE COTTON ONES FOR EVERYDAY USAGE. They absorb droplets. The nylon type is not as protective. Wash every day with hot water and soap as that kills the droplets. Do not use bleach to cause a break down of the threads in the cotton material. It is recommended to have 2 masks to alternate. Make sure you cover your nose and mouth areas. If You need to break to breathe-exit to an isolated area for short periods.
Tips from The Bottom Line Newsletter, Aug 2020 |
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Our next outdoor worship service is this 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 for either or both of the 2 scheduled outdoor services (through September 6).
Church Council will be hosting a meeting via Zoom this Sunday, August 30 following the 10 AM streaming worship service to share updates on Asbury.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please visit
to register now. Following registration, you'll receive an email with information on how to join the webinar.
Want to learn more about Asbury? There will be a virtual Adult Inquirers session on Tuesday evening, September 1. Those interested in joining the church will have an opportunity to do so afterward, but we also welcome those who wish to take the class for informational purposes only. Contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries(ltheisen@asburylv.org) to RSVP.
If you would like a print copy of the September/October 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.
Asbury's Health Ministry is offering flu shots on Sunday, October 4, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM on Asbury's campus (location TBA). Shots will be free to those with Medicare Part B. A high-dose vaccine will be available. All CDC guidelines will be followed.
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Our email updates are changing!
Beginning on 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.
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* PLARN Mats (Plastic Sleeping Mats for the Homeless) - create at home
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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.
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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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