We begin our sermon series this week, “What Would Jesus Say About?" The topics are taken from your responses and things you wondered about. This week the theme is self-care. I am going to preach on it and then practice what I said by taking two weeks of vacation. I will be gone the evening of August 14 through August 29 and back in the office on August 30. While I am gone if you need pastoral assistance, please contact Pastor Brad or the Church Office.

I will look forward to seeing you when I return.

Blessings,

Pastor Kathy

This coming Sunday, August 14, begins our new sermon series titled "What Would Jesus Say?"

Pastors Kathy, Brad, and Heather will explore what Jesus would say about various topics that you suggested a couple months ago!

This is a great opportunity to invite a friend and spread the word about this intriguing series!

Save the date for the return of Children's Choir! The choirs meet after Labor Day in September and end their season the 1st Sunday in June with “Music Celebration Sunday”. Each of the children’s choirs sing in service every five weeks, plus various performances throughout the year.

Cherub Choir (K-2nd grade) has a fun and relaxed time - sharing, song teaching, pitch training, notation, tempo, and learning a song about every 4-6 weeks. The rehearsals usually end with an interactive game or a book, then close with Joys & Concerns and a short prayer. Contact Sharon Gach for more information.

Rainbow Choir (3rd-5th grade) singers learn musical notation and singing skills, plus some great songs about love and community. They also play percussion instruments like finger cymbals, xylophones, chimes, drums and more! Contact Jean Braun for more information.

The Serving Others with Love Committee thanks the congregation for donating funds for backpacks and supplies and for packing the supplies into all the backpacks after worship on July 31. All three dozen reward donuts were earned and eaten.

Asbury and the other participating churches are now awaiting directions from the Community Interfaith Student Support Project on how many backpacks to deliver to which Livermore schools. The child welfare and attendance specialists in the Livermore schools know which students need donated backpacks and will see that they get those backpacks when school starts.

Save the date for the return of adult choirs at Asbury!

The musical season for adult groups begins on the Thursday after Labor Day in September and goes through the first Sunday in June. There are no auditions, and anyone interested in singing or playing an instrument is welcome to come to a rehearsal or contact one of the adult directors.

Note: masks are highly recommended during rehearsal (but not required).

Contact Jean Braun for more information.

Contact Fernanda Van Atta for more information.

Sign up to donate blood or platelets and save a life! You can schedule an appointment by checking appointment times online or by calling 800-733-2767. When signing up, enter Sponsor Code: ASBURY 925.

If you would like to have a memorial brick installed in the memorial garden at Asbury, please provide the office with the following information:

If you are able, please provide the $30 cost of laser engraving the brick.

Did you know that in the 1700s, Charleston, South Carolina had the greatest number of wealthy people per capita than any other city in the soon-to-be-U.S.? That was because of Charleston gold rice, which was grown there and exported. After the Civil War, production decreased by 80%. Why? Because enslaved Africans provided all the labor and expertise to raise an extremely flavorful rice.

This, and lots of other worthwhile information is available on a wonderful Netflix series entitled “High on the Hog.” It discusses African-American contributions to American cuisine. The Antiracism group discussed the first two episodes in their last Zoom meeting. They will be discussing the final two episodes of the season in the next Zoom meeting on August 23 at 7 PM. Anyone wishing to watch those episodes and join in the discussion is most welcome.

We are also planning a potluck on Friday, Sept. 2 to make and taste some of the foods being discussed on this show. RSVP to the church office if you’d like to make a dish and attend.

Asbury follows the guidance of the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) regarding indoor masking. Currently masks are highly recommended but not required. Sunday School teachers and nursery staff will continue to wear masks when children less than 5 years old are present indoors. We encourage everyone who is able to get vaccinated and boosted.

Please pray for the requests that were made during prayer time on Sunday.

If you would like to be on the email prayer chain, please contact the church office.

The first person to email Pastor Kathy and name two ways to serve in worship gets to select a hymn for an upcoming Sunday worship service!

Bonus points if you also sign up to serve ;)