Weekly Framework
Loneliness is the feeling of isolation we feel at times, the feeling that we have no real companions with whom to share our life. It's not the same as solitude. We all need alone time, but though we need alone time, we are also wired as human beings for companionship, for someone to share our lives with, to talk to, to listen to, someone who cares about us and enjoys being with us. How can we meet our need for companionship?
Tuesday's Devotional
Task: lead a throng of ex-slaves safely through the Sinai desert. They hadn't learned to work out even minor conflicts-their slave masters had run everything. Few of them had developed even basic leadership skills, or had reason to give leadership any thought. Moses found himself trying in person to iron out every little problem the people had. But his father-in-law wisely told him, "What you are doing isn't good.... You can't do it alone."
For Reflection:
* It was good that Moses took his role as leader seriously. "The people come to me to inquire of God," he said. But his father-in-law was God's instrument to remind him that he wasn't called to be a solo act, handling everything himself. What tasks do you carry alone right now? Look prayerfully at what parts of them you could share with others.
* We often carry an emotional burden about challenges in our workplace, family or church, even though there is nothing specific we could do to fix the situation. Or we may be able to affect one part of the problem, but convince ourselves that we alone must figure out the full solution. Have you ever tried to carry "the weight of the world" on your shoulders alone?How can you recognize people God may have sent to lighten your load?
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God, I can't do your job.
Deliver me from the temptation to try to be what you, and only you, can be: the ruler of the universe.
Remind me not to try to "do it all alone."
Amen.
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Rather have all of this week's BLAST devotionals at once? Get them here
For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
When Paul wrote these words, he had faced so many hard things just for telling others about Jesus. You can find just a few examples in 1 Corinthians 4:11-13. But Paul reminds us that while others might make us suffer, God never abandons us.
Have you ever seen one of those weighted wobble toys? They're inflated (like a big punching bag) with a weight on the bottom so that when you knock them down, they rise right back up. This is a picture of what Paul is talking about in today's verse. When it comes to following God, you might be knocked down, but you aren't knocked out. God will give you what you need to keep going because He promises He will never leave you.
If you have one of those wobble toys, say the words of the verse as you kick it around and watch it rise again. If you don't have one, ask an adult to help you blow up a balloon. Practice tapping it to keep it in the air as you repeat the words of the verse.
Videos for this week (new for 5/10):
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A note from Lee Ellenberger, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday:
Dear friends:
I was overjoyed to receive your beautiful and caring birthday cards. I miss seeing you every Sunday and meeting new friends. Besides your greetings, I received 52 other cards, four bouquets of flowers, and a celebration from Luther Crest! How am I doing??
Many thanks to each of you for making my 101st birthday even brighter than my 100th!
God bless each one.
Lee Ellenberger
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Don & Adele Bush celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on May 24!
You can help them celebrate by sending a card to:
Don & Adele Bush
4031 Coffeetown Road
Coplay, PA 18037-2131
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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
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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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