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Asbury will hold "BOLT" virtual VBS on July 27th - 29th.
During BOLT, your family will see Bible story videos, participate in fun games and complete crafts that illustrate what it means to listen to, focus on, and follow Jesus. Each day's experience will last about 30-45 minutes and can be done in the morning, afternoon or evening - whenever best fits your schedule! While all are invited to participate, the activities are geared towards children 3yrs & older.
If you have any questions, please contact Pam Unrath at punrath@asburylv.org
Please use the following link to register by July 19th:
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Weekly Framework
No one strives to be shallow. But how do we grow deeper? The journey starts with a step that each of us can only take for ourselves. Feeding ourselves spiritually isn't intended to be another thing on our "to-do" lists. The reason we feed ourselves isn't just because of what we find there, but who we find there. It's a way we encounter more of Jesus. It's a step we take to lead ourselves into a growing relationship with Jesus that's marked by closeness. As a way to pick up your fork and feed yourself, I invite you to join our "90 Day Bible Reading Challenge."
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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Jesus,
In an era of excess and waste, thank you for securing for us "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade."
Amen.
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Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, opens with Paul's typical greeting of, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 1:2). He continues with a blessing (vs. 3-24); and then in verse 15, he says he has heard of the faith of those in Ephesus. He knows that this church in Ephesus is a faithful church, and so he prays for them in a way that we should pray for our own churches and fellow Christians today.
John Wesley was what some call a "conjunctive theologian". While there are many examples of this both/and theology, the most prevalent was his understanding of the necessity of both faith and works. He believed undoubtedly that grace is a free and undeserved gift from God, but he also believed that once that grace had been bestowed the recipient must respond. We see some of that conjunctive theology in this passage.
Paul recognizes that the Christian faith is a journey. This journey can only be completed by God's grace working in our lives when we believe. Paul lists three things about which we receive knowledge as we grow in Christ along the Christian journey: 1) the hope to which we are called, 2) the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and 3) the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. As the eyes of our hearts become more enlightened with this knowledge, we grow in our faith and we desire to respond to God's grace with good works. As we respond and our faith grows, we become even more enlightened by the Spirit.
This is the snowball effect of God's grace. As we share God's love and grace with others, we should pray this prayer of Paul's for them as well. Maybe we can create an avalanche of grace!!
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GodTime Reflection
Yesterday you did some research and found out about some missionaries or organizations doing great work to share the good news of Jesus. Praying for those groups is great and super important! But God has more for you. He spoke to the prophet Jeremiah and told him no matter how young he was, God had a big plan for His life. He feels the same way about you! There are things you can begin doing today to help others know Jesus.
Make a list of talents and resources you have:
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Now, how can you use those gifts to serve others and help them know Jesus? Maybe you can bake cookies to sell and donate the money to the organization you learned about yesterday. Maybe you could write a poem about how God's love has changed you and submit it to your school paper. Or maybe you could put your organizational skills to work and organize a neighborhood garage sale so you can donate the proceeds to a local shelter.
Look for ways you can share Jesus with others even though you're young!
Print Resources from this week:
Videos for this week (new for 7/12):
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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
.
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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