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Thursday, August 27, 2020
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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?
Thursday's Reflection
From Pastor Eric's Daily Study Guide
If any human ever had a direct connection to God, it was Jesus. Yet he asked his three closest friends to be with him, stay alert and pray. Do you try to hide your hurts and your needs from your friends, to handle them on your own? Or are you, like Jesus, open to asking people you trust for the friendship and support you need?
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,
Give me the strength to be vigilant and awake towards your commands for my life.
Amen.
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Let's talk about coral! While it might look like a rock or a plant, it's actually an animal. Each piece of coral that you see is made of hundreds, possibly thousands, of individual coral called polyps (POL-ips). These polyps all mass together pulling the calcium from seawater to produce that recognizable rocky appearance. Coral also provides shelter to hundreds-sometimes thousands-of sea creatures. It's a safe place for fish to lay their eggs, even acting as a sort of nursey for the babies of larger fish until they are big enough to swim on their own. Studying coral helps us understand the idea of unity or cooperation-working together as one. It's what Peter is talking about when he asks us to "agree with one another, to be kind and humble and understanding and to love one another." Because when we stick together, we can get way more done. Just like God created those individual polyps to work together, God created you to work with others.
Print Resources for this week:
Videos for this week (new for 8/23):
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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.
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.
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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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