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Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Weekly Framework
All of us have fears and worries in life. Our body's capacity to experience fear, and our ability to respond to perceived threats is a gift from God. But too often, this gift from God goes off when it's not supposed to. There are times when we imagine the threats that are not real. So how can we take seriously what's happening in the world without being afraid?
Wednesday's Devotional
Today's passage may feel radical at first, utterly against simple common sense. That must have been even more of a challenge for Jesus' first hearers.
"Jesus' audience would have been ordinary peasant people who had to worry about their next meal all the time, yet Jesus tells them not to worry about anything. He asks them instead to view the world with new eyes, in order to see all around them evidence of God's care and provision."
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Questions:
* Worry generally focuses our energy and attention either on the past ('I wish...") or on the future ("What if..."). Jesus called us into the present, the only "time" we can directly affect and use to meet with God. Practice pausing your worries and concerns, and sensing God's presence with you. Keep doing this (whether you call it "meditating," "going to your 'happy place'" or some other name you choose) until you are able to 'be' with God anytime, day or night-in the present moment.
* Jesus also made the practical point that worry seldom does any good (verse 27). Can you think of things you spent a lot of time and energy worrying about that never happened?How does worry differ from wise foresight or precautions? What are some more effective, sustainable approaches to life's challenges than worry?
1 Eugene Eung-Chun Park and Joel B. Green, study note on Matthew 6:25-34 in The CEB Study Bible. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013, p. 17 NT.
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Lord Jesus,
you modeled a life of peace and trust.
Help me to keep learning how to live a life in which my energy can focus on your purposes rather than my fears.
Amen.
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Help us celebrate a milestone birthday!
Lee Ellenberger is turning 101 on Thursday!
Help us shower her with cards by sending them to:
Lee Ellenberger
Luther Crest
800 Hausman Road
Room 611- Personal Care
Allentown, PA 18104
If you received an email appearing to be from Pastor Eric from the email address revericyeakel@gmail.com, please disregard it. This email was NOT sent by Pastor Eric.
This is not a result of an email hack, so rest assured that information that you have sent to Pastor Eric's Asbury email account (eyeakel@asburylv.org) is secure.
The fake emails originate from an account that is designed to appear to be from Pastor Eric, but the emails are not actually from his account or an account associated with him. Pastor Eric - the real Pastor Eric - will ONLY contact you via his official Asbury email account (eyeakel@asburylv.org). PLEASE make sure that you check the originating email account before replying to any email that seems suspicious. If you have questions as to whether an email you receive from Asbury is legitimate, please contact the church office via phone (610-398-2577).
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Rather have all of this week's BLAST devotionals at once? Get them here
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Humility is understanding who God is. It's trusting God's way and following Him instead of thinking our way is best. It's recognizing that as we grow in our relationship with God, there is always something new to learn.
In today's verse, David asked God for two things: To guide and to teach. You could pray these words just as David did. Why? Because God is your Savior. He sent His only son to rescue you so that you could have a relationship with Him forever.
We can put our hope in God, when? Only in the morning? After school? Nope, all day long.
Grab four sticky notes. Write each s
entence of Psalm 25:5 on a separate note. Then, stick your notes on four different clocks or in four different places around your house where you spend time. Each time you read a phrase this week, ask God to teach you how to follow Him, knowing there's always something new to discover.
Videos for this week:
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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.
In the midst of a challenging time, we still have much to celebrate! Thanks to your amazing generosity, we have reached our goal for the Capital Campaign of $350,000 as of April 19, 2020! Praise God!! Thank you to all who supported this important initiative; and continue to watch for updates on project progress in the coming months.
Get information about and past updates on the Capital Campaign at asburylv.org/capitalcampaign.
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.
Summer Camping registration is underway! Camps realize that the future is full of uncertainties and are considering alternative plans, including some offering full refunds if camps are cancelled. Visit the individual camp sites to learn more about their camps and their policies related to COVID-19:
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:
Jubilation Ringers Spring Concerts (cancelled)
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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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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