Weekly Framework
Have you ever felt like God has given up on you? Sometimes we are ashamed of our actions and think God will never use us again. But what we learn from the story of Jonah is that God is a God of second chances. But how do we get that second chance?
Wednesday's Reflection
From Pastor Eric's Daily Study Guide
We can all identify with the ongoing battle with indwelling sin that Paul speaks of in Romans 7:15-17. Repentance means to turn from sin; to change one's mind and actions so that they agree with God. How does true repentance transform a person, inside and out?
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God,
Allow me to be open when You're calling me to change; and allow the changes in me to be evident to others, not for my glory, but for Yours.
Amen.
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Health Tips from Alicia Kraemer, member of Asbury's Health Ministries:
Connect with the Outdoors
Spending more time outdoors is an easy way to improve your health, as it reduces risks of chronic diseases, increases sleep duration, and alleviates stress. Get outside more often by going on a daily walk, planning at least one outdoor activity every weekend, and eating meals outside when the weather permits. All foods taste better outdoors! Clear your mind and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Ahh...fresh air!
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For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
What are your biggest fears? If you're like most people, they probably have a lot to do with other people. Worrying about what other people are doing, or what they're thinking, is normal. But it's not how we should live our lives. When we trust in God, it doesn't matter what others think or say, we can face our fears.
Try to trace the phrase below with a pen or marker, but don't look at the letters as you do it. Instead focus on "your biggest fears" (in the first sentence). How'd you do?
Now trace the letters again with a different color pen, this time focusing on the letters as you go. It's amazing the difference when you're focused on trusting in God, isn't it?!
TRUST IN GOD
Know that focusing on Jesus helps you face your fears.
Videos for this week (new for 6/21):
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From Pam:
I'm excited to get started in youth ministries and want to begin with a Zoom for all youth- aged students!
TONIGHT, Wednesday, June 24, from 8 PM - 8:45 PM
We will play some games and check-in to see how everyone is doing.
Registration is required: https://forms.gle/YvsgBKScnBrsWX1n9
Hope to see you there!!
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 2020 Charge Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 PM at Asbury. More details to follow.
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.
Join us for virtual coffee hours on Zoom following worship! No registration required. Meeting information is as follows:
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The following is information shared by the North District about relief efforts for Gilberton, PA, which suffered major flooding 2 weeks ago:
Overnight on June 10, torrential rains soaked much of Northeastern PA - but when the pumps failed in Gilberton, the small town suddenly faced a particular disaster far beyond its past history with flooding. Many of the homes received rising water up to two or three feet. With the loss of electricity and fresh water, and surrounded by soaked possessions, families have been displaced and crucial decisions need to be made about re-building....or leaving homes altogether.
On Saturday, June 20, a team of thirty-seven (37) volunteers joined in on the initial effort organized by EPA Disaster Recovery Coordinator. Hours were spent walking the main street of Gilberton, talking with its residents, offering encouragement and prayer . . . and, when invited, touring the vacated homes in order to assess Next Steps.
CLEARLY the community will benefit from our prayers right now....and from an available source of funding.
Donations will be received and processed through the
Gilberton UMC (the only active church in town),
monitored by the North District.
GOOD NEWS: initial gifts toward this recovery effort will be
matched by District funds (up to the first $5,000.00),
meaning that a $10,000.00 goal should be within our reach!
Congregation and individuals wishing to support these efforts
can send their checks (made payable to the The North District) to:
The North District Office
PO Box 820
Valley Forge PA 19482
please note "Flood Relief" in the memo line.
Learn more about the flooding in Gilberton:
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A note from Asbury in Missions (AIM)
Now that we're in Yellow, we've decided to proceed with the shipping of much needed medical supplies on June 27th to Dr. Chris Hena, our Liberian mission partner. We'll start at 10:00 am at an old school in Lehighton (1122 Fairyland Rd, Lehighton, PA 18235) that Through These Hands is using as a warehouse, to pick up some of the larger and awkwardly shaped items. This is less than ½ hour north of Asbury up the NE Extension. As much as we'd like to carpool, with social-distancing we should probably only travel with family members. From there will drop down to Through These Hands in Slatington (454 Chestnut St, Slatington, PA 18080) to pick up 250-300 boxes of medical supplies. All volunteers will be required to wear masks and gloves and practice social distancing. We should complete the loading of the truck by 1:00 pm. Please contact Dick McCreight (dickmcc@ptd.net) if you can help or if you need additional details.
Thanks, Asbury for your ongoing support of this life-saving mission.
SOME OF THE ITEMS BEING SHIPPED
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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 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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