Weekly Framework
What do you do when that still small voice of God calls you to do something you don't want to do? Like Jonah, many of us run in the opposite direction. But just because you run, doesn't mean God is through with you.
Wednesday's Devotional
Most Israelites saw Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as an undesirable town where their worst enemies lived. When God first called Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah resisted. He "fled from the presence of the Lord" toward Tarshish, in Spain, as far from Nineveh as he could get. Though Jonah denied his calling, God remained persistent. When He called Jonah, for the second time, to travel to Nineveh, the prophet obeyed. He left his comfort zone to pursue God's plans for him.
For Reflection
- More often than not, we find it extremely difficult to leave our comfort zones. We feel safe in what we know and it becomes hard to leave the boundaries we've created. When God first called Jonah to go to Nineveh, Jonah quickly rejected the idea. He was afraid to be sent "out of the office" to an unknown place. What "comfort zones" do you have in your life? What makes these boundaries so comfortable to you?
- God's persistence with Jonah reflected his persistence with the people of Nineveh. God desperately wanted Jonah to reach Nineveh's people, because he wanted to show love even to an enemy city. God's persistence moved Jonah to abandon his sense of comfort and to go to Nineveh. In what ways is God calling you out of your comfort zones? Where do you see an opportunity to answer God's calling today?
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Loving God,
it may be scary to leave my comfort zones to explore the unknown, but I know you're present in everything I do. Thank you for being so persistent with me, nudging me toward new opportunities daily. Help me see all you have in store for me.
Amen.
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If you would like a print copy of the July/August issue of
The Upper Room
devotional, please let us know by completing this form. We'll mail it to you free of charge while our supplies last.
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For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Get permission from an adult to take your GodTime outside today. Sit really still. What do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? Is it a windy day? Do you see branches moving? Even if it's a still day, you can probably remember a really windy day and how it felt to have the wind hitting your cheeks.
One of the reasons you can know Jesus so well is because He sent the Holy Spirit to help you understand. When you put your trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit becomes like a helper to you, to help you get to trust God no matter what and make wise choices. The Holy Spirit is kind of like the wind. You can't see it, but you can feel the effects. Like when you know you shouldn't do something or when you sense you should do something. That stirring in your heart is a reminder that even though you can't see Jesus, you can know Him.
Listen for that still, small voice that reminds you that Jesus is
with you.
Videos for this week (new for 6/7):
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Join us this Friday at 8 PM (and ongoing at that date and time for the time being) for another Zoom session!
Registration is required!
A second session for college students is being scheduled - watch for the date to be announced soon!
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In response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, the Council of Bishops of the UMC and the College of Bishops of our Northeastern Jurisdiction have released powerful statements decrying the racist systems in our country and outlining next steps to address ongoing racial injustices "with even more urgency and passion." We strongly encourage you to read each statement and consider what your personal next steps may be:
Parents/Guardians of youth: Register to attend a meeting with Pastor Eric to learn about the next steps being taken in Youth Ministries, being held on Thursday, June 11, at 7 PM via Google Meet. Following registration, meeting login information will be emailed to you.
Visit
asburylv.org/youthparentmeeting
to register.
Join us for virtual coffee hours on Zoom beginning next Sunday, June 14, following worship! No registration required. Meeting information is as follows:
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81517126618?pwd=eHR1Rnk3QjJFRjgyUGxxNUI3QTJOQT09
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (New York)
+13017158592,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keHWo4pVEp
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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.
The camps in our conference have made the difficult decision to suspend or cancel their summer camps and programs. Get more information about each camp at the links below:
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.
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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Did you know that your Amazon purchases can help Asbury? While doing your Father's Day shopping, or getting a few needed items for home, visit
smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1352369, or login to your account at
smile.amazon.com and choose "Asbury Allentown United Methodist Church" as your charity. Asbury will receive 0.5% of the price of your purchase!
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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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