Asbury will be assisting the Sixth Street Shelter by collecting needed supplies for the Shelter. Donations are being collected
TODAY
from
4 - 6 PM and from 10 AM- noon tomorrow, 5/30 in the church's upper parking lot. For the safety of all,
social distancing with be practiced during this time.
Items currently most in need of are:
Paper towels
Laundry detergents (no perfume or dyes if possible)
Mops (prefer Libman Wonder twist mops, they last us a lot longer)
Brooms
Hand soap
Baby wipes (sensitive skin if possible)
all-purpose cleaners
dish washing liquid
Windex glass cleaners
Stove top cleaner for electric range
Oven cleaners
Diapers (sizes 2,4, 5 & 6)
Items listed may be out of stock. Substitutions are welcome and are gladly accepting donations shipped directly to the shelter location.
Questions? Please contact Debbie Holt at 610-392-4802 or Jenn Springer at 610-395-7812.
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Weekly Framework
Getting sick, growing old, and facing death are the three things most people fear most. Many people fear growing old and becoming obsolete or irrelevant. Many, of course, fret about their health and fear getting sick, and the current pandemic has only exacerbated those fears. What all people fear most is what may happen to them when they face death. In this message, we will explore how to reduce our anxieties around coping with illness and growing old, and how ultimately, Christ has destroyed death itself so we can face even our earthly death without fear.
Friday's Devotional
From ancient Rome to today, the "ultimate" human threat is, "I will kill you." Roman officials puzzled over how little that threat seemed to affect Jesus' followers. Jesus, who died and rose again, set his followers free from even the fear of death. In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul boldly proclaimed a divine victory so sweeping that death would be "swallowed up." In John Wesley's sermon "On the Resurrection of the Dead," he quoted Paul and said, "Let this especially fortify us against the fear of death: It is now disarmed, and can do us no hurt." The Bible ended with Revelation's glorious vision of a world in which "death will be no more."
For reflection:
* Jesus faced evil and death at their very worst-you can read about his arrest, trial and crucifixion in any of the four gospels. Jesus defeated evil and death at their very worst-go on to read the Easter story in any of the four gospels. Early Christians staked their lives on the truth of Jesus' victory over death. In what ways does fear of death subtly shape your life choices? How can Jesus' death and resurrection set you free from that fear?
* When someone we love faces death, we often use "combat" language, sadly saying things like "she lost the battle." But Paul quoted the prophet Hosea to deny that death "wins": "Where is your victory, Death?" (cf. Hosea 13:14) For a Christian, death is not a defeat, but a transition into a new phase of our victorious walk with Christ. Does the idea of death cause you fear and anxiety? How can internalizing the full meaning of Jesus' resurrection lead you toward greater peace as you await God's eternity, where death will be no more?
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Lord Jesus,
you went where most of us most dread going-the realm of death-and you emerged victorious! You offer me the choice to join you in that victory. I accept your offer of a life that lies beyond the power of death.
Amen.
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Church Council will be hosting a meeting via Zoom on Sunday, June 7, at 11:30 AM to share updates on Asbury. Watch for meeting details in the daily email update this week!
Dates have been set for the rescheduled General and Jurisdictional Conferences. The dates, with links to more info on the conferences, are as follows:
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Did you know your
plastic grocery bags can be turned into plastic mats for the homeless
? Asbury's Wendy Arbushites can take your unneeded bag (any color will do!), turn it into plastic yarn, and create a mat that will be distributed to the less fortunate among us. You can drop off your plastic bags in the bin labeled "Plastic grocery bag collection bin" at Asbury's upper entrance.
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Sometimes things can be unpredictable or difficult. Things don't always go as we plan or the unexpected happens. Remember that God promises everything will be made right in the end for those who follow Jesus. In our story this week, Stephen was able to stay strong in the face of an angry mob because he knew that no matter what happened, God would make things right. And we can show courage and keep going when things get tough for us, because God knows the end of our story, too. (Spoiler alert: it's better than you can imagine!) Pray for each other, that you can keep going this week in the middle of tough situations, knowing that God is in control of your story.
Print Resources from this week:
Videos for this week (new for 5/24):
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We are excited to recognize the accomplishments and pray over the future plans of our high school seniors on June 7! If you're a high school senior (or a parent of one) and haven't received an email from us on how to submit your information for this celebration, please contact Aaron Forney at aforney@asburylv.org.
Join Aaron, Rich, Erin, and Beth for these chances to share your joys, your challenges, and anything else that's on your mind during these crazy times.
Links to the meetings will be emailed in the days leading up to the meeting to those who are registered.
YOUTH-AGED STUDENTS
TONIGHT, Friday, May 29
8 PM - 9 PM
(Second sessions for high school seniors and college students are being scheduled - watch for the date to be announced soon!)
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This week,
Pastor Eric teaches about the importance of the Church in the message "Opening Day." When we think of church, why is a building the first thing that comes to mind? Is church a place full of robes and pews? Bands and banners? Or is church meant to be something different? Church is much more than a building or a place. Church is more than pews, hymnals, lights, and music. In fact, on opening day, the church had no buildings or rituals, no bands or robed choirs. What it did have was a gathering of people intent on one thing: creating followers of Jesus Christ. The church was a movement that continues today: A multiplying, multicultural gathering of people who believe that Jesus is the Savior and whose lives reflect his teaching.
Worship will be streaming live at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org and will feature a variety of musical styles.
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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:
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
.
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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