Youth Musical This Sunday
"Are We There Yet?" is this year's youth musical, a dramatic retelling of the life of Moses. It will premier in worship on Sunday, February 27.
Ash Wednesday Offerings
Theologian and Pastor Nadia Bolz Weber describes Ash Wednesday in this way: “If our lives were a long piece of fabric with our baptism on one end and our funeral on another, and we don’t know the distance between the two, then Ash Wednesday is a time when that fabric is pinched in the middle and the ends are held up so that our baptism in the past and our funeral in the future meet. The water and words from our baptism plus the earth and words from our funerals have come from the past and future to meet us in the present. And in that meeting we are reminded of the promises of God: That we are God’s, that there is no sin, no darkness, and yes, no grave that God will not come to find us in and love us back to life.”

The ashes remind us of our mortality and that God is always with us in that mortality. Join us as we observe this holy day in three different ways.

Ashes-to-Go – 7:30-9:00 a.m.
Stop by Asbury United Methodist Church on your way to work or school from 7:30-9:00 a.m. on March 2 to receive a blessing and the imposition of ashes. Pull up, put your vehicle window down, and begin your day with the sign of the cross on your forehead to start the season of Lent. We will be set up in the east parking lot, and Covid precautions will be in place. Donuts and coffee will be available as you drive through as well. Hope to see you then!

Imposition of Ashes – 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Pastor Kathy and Brad will be available in the courtyard from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday for the imposition of ashes and a prayer of blessing.

Ash Wednesday Service – 7:00 p.m. Online
Asbury’s Ash Wednesday Service is online this year at 7:00 p.m. on March 2. This short service will speak to the meaning of the day and invite you to mark ashes on your head at home. Please have ashes, mud, dirt, or something else ready to mark your forehead. You can find this service online on Asbury’s YouTube page or website, asburylive.org.
Good-bye to Tom and Joanne P.
Tom and Joanne P. will be moving to Santa Rosa in March. On March 6 we will say good-bye to them in worship and at Fellowship Time. As part of the good-bye, we would like your help by writing them a note on a 3 x 5 card expressing a memory, appreciation, or thank you. Cards will be available following worship or in the church office. Please return the cards to the church office before March 4.
Prayer Chain
Asbury has an email prayer chain. If you would like to be receive the prayer chain email, please contact the church office. If you have a prayer request for the prayer chain, please contact Pastor Kathy or Brad Biggerstaff.
Worship Themes for Lent
For Lent we are reflecting on the spiritual discipline of compassion using Karen Armstrong’s book 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life. A secondary resource is the Dalai Lama’s book Ethics for a New Millennium.
  
Sunday, March 6; First Sunday in Lent; Communion; Title: Why Compassion Is Key; In preparation, read Luke 6:27-36 in the New Revised Standard Version; Theme: Compassion is a key spiritual discipline in our Christian tradition because it is meant to be a way of life.
 
Sunday, March 13; Second Sunday in Lent; Title: Compassion for Yourself; Theme: There are not many biblical stories about having love for oneself. Yet, Jesus affirms love for self when he quotes the Levitical passage to love your neighbor as yourself. In preparation read Leviticus 19:17-18 in the New Revised Standard Version.

Sunday, March 20; Third Sunday in Lent; Title: Empathy, Mindfulness, and Action; Theme: Our faith tells us that one small act of kindness can turn a life around. So how can we continue to put this idea into action in our daily lives? In preparation read Luke 10:25-37 in the Message.
 
Sunday, March 27; Fourth Sunday in Lent; Title: The Wish for Concern for Everybody; Theme: The love of the gospel is universal and meant for everyone. In preparation read Mark 7:24-30.

Sunday, April 3: Fifth Sunday in Lent; Communion; Title: Love Your Enemies; Theme: In God’s Kingdom enemies are embraced and turned into friends, not rejected and put to death. How do we make that happen? In preparation read Luke 6:27-31 in the New Revised Standard Version.
Asbury Players Are Returning!
SAVE THE DATE(S)! Asbury Players Community Theater is back! Please mark your calendars for "Done to Death," a hilarious play about five mystery authors meeting to collaborate on a new mystery TV show. Featuring many of your favorite Asbury Players, plus some special guest appearances! This is Barbara D’s final attempt at directing this crazy group, and Dave D's final set masterpiece. March 19, 25, 26 at 7 pm, and March 20 and 27 at 2 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door, or can be reserved by emailing Asbury Players. Note: proof of vaccination is required, and audience will wear masks.

You can also see the play for FREE by volunteering to help! We need help at each performance for box office and refreshments. We also need help setting up the stage on Sunday, March 13, or help with painting and decorating. Please contact Martie M. to volunteer.

Job Ad: Asbury Communications Specialist
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