Weekly Framework
What do you do when that still small voice of God calls you to do something you don't want to do? Like Jonah, many of us run in the opposite direction. But just because you run, doesn't mean God is through with you.
Monday's Devotional
Martin Luther faced a pivotal moment in 1521. In a large assembly, including the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, he had to say if he would recant his books "and the errors they contain." He answered,
"Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason-I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other-my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." The earliest printed version added the words:
"Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise." *
For Reflection
- Luther took the Scriptures as his supreme authority. He repeatedly asked his medieval opponents to show him where Scripture said he was wrong. Paul said the Scripture is "useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character," that through it "the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good." In which of these ways has the Bible had the greatest impact in your life? In what ways do you want to apply your Bible reading more fully?
- Like Jesus and the first Christians, Luther faced eminent political and religious figures who said their way of doing things was right-because it was the way they did things. Just prior to Luther's emphatic "I cannot recant" answer in 1521, a church spokesman said, "Your plea to be heard from Scripture is the one always made by heretics." ** But Luther didn't flinch in the face of the name-calling. What does it take for you to be unashamed of Jesus and the Scriptures that teach you about him in the world of 2017?
* Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950; paperback edition by Mentor Books, pp. 144.
** Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1950; paperback edition by Mentor Books, pp. 143.
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Lord Jesus,
I want others to like me, to approve of me. Sometimes that's good; sometimes that leads me away from your path. Teach me how to be unashamed of my faith.
Amen.
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For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
It's hard to believe in things when we can't see them, but when you think about it, some of the best things are impossible to see. Unscramble these words that are things we can't see, but we believe exist.
VOEL
AHTE
OGD
WDNI
TGARYVI
ODLC
SLEMLS (well, some of these are good!)
In fact, if you've ever woken up to the smell of bacon, you know that you don't have to see something to believe it's there!
Know that Jesus is knowable!
Videos for this week (new for 6/7):
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We had a great time meeting over Zoom! Thanks for joining us! A third session for high school seniors and a second session for college students are being scheduled - watch for the dates to be announced soon!
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Keep This In Mind
Get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep nightly: Your brain needs time to self-clean, clearing out the plaques and tangles that happen during the day. It also needs time to organize the "filing cabinet" that are your memories.
Keep good blood flow to the brain: If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, decrease your salt intake and increase dietary fiber. Avoid sitting for prolonged periods of time. Be sure to get up every hour for 5 minutes of light activity, such as walking or stretching.
Be kind to your brain!
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Join us for virtual coffee hours on Zoom beginning next Sunday, June 14, following worship! No registration required. Meeting information is as follows:
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81517126618?pwd=eHR1Rnk3QjJFRjgyUGxxNUI3QTJOQT09
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (New York)
+13017158592,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keHWo4pVEp
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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.
The camps in our conference have made the difficult decision to suspend or cancel their summer camps and programs. Get more information about each camp at the links below:
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.
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:
AIM Yard Sale (cancelled)
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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Did you know that your Amazon purchases can help Asbury? While doing your Father's Day shopping, or getting a few needed items for home, visit
smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1352369, or login to your account at
smile.amazon.com and choose "Asbury Allentown United Methodist Church" as your charity. Asbury will receive 0.5% of the price of your purchase!
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f 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
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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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