Weekly Framework
Moving out of the shallow end starts with feeding ourselves spiritually. But if we stop at that first step, we'll be left spiritually fat rather than spiritually fit. How do we prevent that from happening? The next step involves a spiritual workout that's unique for each of us.
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is 'Grace.' Read the applicable scripture passage for each day below using the 'SOAP' method of reading scripture.
S
cripture - First read the scripture passage.
O
bservation - 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.
A
pplication - Think about what you need to do differently as a result of what you just read and write it down.
P
ray- Pray about what you just read.
Today's Passage
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In your own words - rather than heaping a list of your needs on God - pray as the Psalmist did:
giving thanks with all your heart;
recalling God's wonderful deeds.
being glad and rejoicing
and singing the praises of the Most High.
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Make your reservation! Asbury is holding an outdoor worship service on Sunday, August 2, at 8 AM! Here's a brief rundown everything you'll need to know:
The service will feature...
* A message from a pastor
* A liturgist
* Music, but no singing
* No offering collection
What You Need to Do
* Practice social distancing
* Wear a mask
* Bring a chair
The service will be held on the lawn on the lower level outside of the Worship Center area. A restroom will be available if needed.
An outdoor service is obviously dependent on good weather, so make sure to check our website (
asburylv.org) the night prior to the service to make sure it's still on as planned!
The outdoor service will not be streamed, but there will still be an online-only 10 AM service live-streamed from the Sanctuary.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
This outdoor service can only be possible with the help of volunteers to direct attendees to the designated parking spots, worship area and seating. Everyone will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing. As one church calls it: being a pool noodle apart! All volunteers will be trained, and also will be expected to attend a practice "run-through" of the process. (date & time TBA) If you would be willing to volunteer, please contact Laurie Wallace Theisen at ltheisen@asburylv.org by Friday, July 24.
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From
Georgina Purdon from Thembelihle School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa where Asbury sponsors three children
As an Independent School we have been fortunate to already welcome the majority of our children back to School. The School has been able to implement a "hot seating approach" where every child attends school daily. This is accomplished with half the class coming to the first 3-hour session and the other half of the class later in the day. Such an approach has meant we could adhere to all social distancing requirements and ensure the health and wellbeing of our children and staff. Our social distancing protocol is accompanied by continual teaching on good hygiene practices along with the use of face masks by all. The daily three hour academic contact sessions in smaller groups has allowed for more individual attention for each child ensuring their continued academic growth. The academic time at school is reinforced with every child having a booklet of projects and skills to complete at home. With each challenge comes opportunity and I have no doubt that following this current global crisis, Thembelihle will prevail as a Beacon of Hope and a Centre of Excellence.
We honestly cannot thank you enough for your support, as more families start to lose income and hope during this time, your sponsorship is what will keep the children and their families going. Times are very tough and we know more of our children will be looking for sponsorships moving forward, but thanks to you we have been able to care for Limise, Luyanda, and Charlene throughout this pandemic. We are so happy to have all the children back at school where we can care for them even more.
Please keep safe and well and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.
Kind regards,
Georgina Purdon
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GodTime Reflection
Have you ever had a bad day, but when you look back on it, you see that actually something really good came out of it? Maybe your baseball team didn't make the playoffs, but that meant you could do swim team, which you love. Maybe you didn't get the same lunchtime as your friends, but you made a new friend as a result.
What is something that right now seems really hard or bad?
Write about it here.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
How can you see this in a different light?
Ask God to help you find a way to see your problem differently.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Know that seeing things through the lens of faith helps you see your problems differently.
Print Resources from this week:
Videos for this week (new for 7/19):
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HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: join us Friday nights at 8 PM to catch up via Zoom!
If it's your first time joining us, registration is required!
A second session for college students is being scheduled - watch for the date to be announced soon!
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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.
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.
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Ever heard of
PLARN????
Wanted: people interested in making plastic sleeping mats for the homeless to insulate them from the cold dampness of the ground
Skills needed: cutting with scissors and single crochet (or team up with someone to share these two jobs)
Tools needed: scissors, a bigger-sized crochet hook (size "P" is recommended), a yardstick or measuring tape
Raw materials: clean used plastic shopping and grocery bags with soft seams - these are turned into a plastic yarn, called... plarn!
Guidance: Wendy Arbushites can teach you how to do the entire process. It's very easy!
Supply source: We currently have plenty of bags which have been "quarantined" for at least a week to avoid any Coronavirus issues. Please email Wendy if you are interested in helping at warb@rcn.com
Click here to view a slideshow with steps to make a mat.
Teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall. Please start gathering, Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap for classroom use. We'll have a collection day at Asbury in August to gather these items for delivery to Ramos. If you have questions, contact Dick McCreight (dickmcc@ptd.net).
The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients. Everyone must wear mask. Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332 or emailing aaefb1978@gmail.com.
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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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