Monday, May 18, 2020
Weekly Framework
When fear of failure really takes over, you begin to avoid taking risks - because every risk includes a possibility that you will fail, that you will lose face, that you will embarrass yourself or people will laugh at you.  When this happens, you may miss out on some of the most amazing blessings in your life. What can we do with our fear of failure?

Monday's Devotional
From United Methodist Church of the Resurrection's GPS Guide for the Unafraid series

Moses had a safe, steady (if fairly boring) job tending sheep for his father-in-law. He'd long ago left his upbringing in Egypt's royal palace behind. But God had other plans. God came to Moses as he did his steady, boring job (with little need to trust in himself or God), and kept calling as Moses offered excuse after excuse. In the end, Moses left his safe life to answer God's call, and marched into history trusting God to guide him in leading Israel out of slavery.

For reflection:
* As you read all of Moses' reasons for not doing what God was calling him to do, consider which of them most resonate with any fears you face. Ask God to day-by-day help you grow, as Moses did, into a person God can use to serve where you are-your home, workplace or neighborhood-or in a special mission you sense God calling you to.
* Moses seemed to think only a strong, important person could carry out God's call. Was he really supposed to go as one man, with no army, and demand that Pharaoh let most of his slave labor force go just because God told him to? Do you ever fear that you are not strong or important enough to live as God calls you to live? God can help you shift your focus from your limitations to your strengths, the greatest strength being the fact that God will be with you.

O God, you don't call all of us to huge, historic missions like the one you gave Moses. But at times your call looks big enough that I get scared. Give me your strength to live for you beyond any of my fears. Amen. 



If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.
Rather have all of this week's BLAST devotionals at once? Get them here

For SPARK (3-4yr olds)

For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Read Psalm 23:3-4

Think about the last time you played a game of tag. At the beginning of the game, how did you feel? And what about at the end?

When it comes to following God, there is some good news. When we're tired of doing the right thing, God will guide us with new strength. And when things are really hard and it seems like everything is working against us, God promises to guide and comfort us.

Grab some sticky notes. Break today's verse up into 3- or 4-word phrases, writing each phrase on a sticky note. Stick them on the floor to create a path. Step on the notes as you read the verse aloud. Spend some time thanking God for leading you and giving you the determination you need to keep going even when it gets tough.
 

Videos for this week (new for 5/17):

We want to catch up with you!
Join Aaron, Rich, Erin, and Beth for these chances to share your joys, your challenges, and anything else that's on your mind during these crazy times.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Friday, May 22
Note the changed date so we don't conflict with the Freddy Awards!
8 PM - 9 PM

COLLEGE-AGED STUDENTS
Tuesday, May 26
8 PM - 9 PM

YOUTH-AGED STUDENTS
Friday, May 29
8 PM - 9 PM

Registration is required - visit  asburyym.org/zoomin to sign up.
Sarah Circle  will meet at  7:00 PM  through ZOOM on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.  PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!!  The group will conclude their discussion of the study book  The Gifts of Imperfection  by BrenĂ© Brown with a subtitle of "Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are - Your Guide to a Wholehearted Life". The final Guideposts 9 and 10 will be the focus. This will be a group discussion as no leader has come forward at this time.  All women are cordially invited to join!  Please contact Deb McCleary (djmccleary76@msn.com) for details as to how to connect.



Asbury will be assisting the Sixth Street Shelter by collecting needed supplies for the Shelter. Donations are being collected from
4:00 - 6:00 PM on Friday, 5/29 and from 10 am - noon on Saturday, 5/30 in the church's upper parking lot. For the safety of all,
social distancing with be practiced during this time.

Items currently most in need of are:
Paper towels
Laundry detergents (no perfume or dyes if possible)
Mops (prefer Libman Wonder twist mops, they last us a lot longer)
Brooms
Hand soap
Baby wipes (sensitive skin if possible)
all-purpose cleaners
dish washing liquid
Windex glass cleaners
Stove top cleaner for electric range
Oven cleaners
Diapers (sizes 2,4, 5 & 6)

A full list of needed items can be found at  The Sixth Street Shelter website or you can shop  their wish list at Amazon.
Items listed may be out of stock. Substitutions are welcome and are gladly accepting donations shipped directly to the shelter location. 

Any questions, please contact Debbie Holt at 610-392-4802 or Jenn Springer at 610-395-7812.



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

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:
Gretna Glen: Main Site | COVID-19 Response  
Pocono Plateau: Main Site | COVID-19 Response
Camp Innabah: Main Site | COVID-19 Response



Catch up on past announcements, devotionals, and resources at  asburylv.org/coronavirus.

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.


I 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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