May 5, 2024

Asbury Sunday Worship:

9:00 & 11:00 am: Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00 am: Sunday School

11:00 am: Live-Streamed Worship

Old-Fashioned Asbury Potluck Party: Sunday, May 5 at 12:00 pm

You know what we haven't had around here for a while? A good-old fashioned potluck! And since we've now reached the end of our Find Us Faithful Capital Campaign, we found just the perfect reason to have one.

So on Sunday, May 5 after the 11 am service, bring your favorite dish to share and let's have a potluck party! We'll see some highlights of various projects that have been finished here at the church over the past couple of years and celebrate all that we have been able to accomplish. No need to RSVP - but just bring a dish to share, and let's enjoy some fellowship and fun together as one big Asbury family!

Ladies Night Out: Sunday, May 5 at 6:00 pm

This one's especially for the young women and Asbury moms in the house! Join us for a Ladies Night Out the first Sunday of each month at 6 pm.  We'll meet at the Panera Bread in Overland Park off 75th & Antioch (click here for directions).



We'll enjoy dinner and conversation and have a chance to click the reset button before we start another busy week. If you have any questions, please contact Dawn Schnake. Thanks!

Kansas City Musical Club Concert: Monday, May 6 at 12:00 pm

Please join us for KC Musical Club's last FREE concert of the season! On Monday, May 6 at noon in the Sanctuary, they will recognize their 2024 Award Winners: Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich and Asbury's own Elizabeth Suh Lane! 

Music performances will be by the Cello Roos, UMKC Conservatory's ensemble of 7 cellos, and by the AndEs Piano Duo. All are welcome to attend! Further musical selection details, as well as more info about the KC Musical Club, are available online at www.KCMusicalClub.org.

Graduation Recognition Sunday is May 19

We will celebrate our graduates (high school, college, and post-graduate), and award our scholarships at both the 9 and 11 am worship services on Sunday, May 19. There will be a small reception in the Welcome Center following each service.

If you have a graduate this year, please email heatherj@visitasbury.org the following information by Tuesday, May 14:

1. Name of graduate
2. School issuing diploma
3. Degree (college & post-graduate)
4. Future plans

Great Plains UMC Disaster Response to Nebraska Tornadoes

United Methodists in Kansas and Nebraska are encouraged to make a monetary donation to the Great Plains Conference disaster response fund to help people harmed by the outbreak of tornadoes last Friday evening in the Omaha area.

At least seven tornadoes damaged hundreds of homes, destroyed businesses and caused injuries in the Lincoln-to-Omaha corridor along Interstate 80, with the strongest twisters appearing to have touched down in the western and northern suburbs of Omaha.

Learn more about how the Great Plains UMC is rallying to help here: click link for article.

The UWF Used Book Sale was a Success!!

We are pleased to announce that the Asbury United Women in Faith Used Book Sale raised just over $2,200!!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone that donated and/or purchased items!

The remaining books were given to Operation Breakthrough, the Johnson County Christmas Bureau, KC Shepherd’s Center, and local thrift shops.

Proceeds from the Used Book Sale will go toward UWF mission projects that support women and children, including Asbury Youth, the Asbury Children's Center, Crosslines, and Della Lamb.

144 Envelope Fundraiser

There's a big board with 144 envelopes attached to it on the wall by the west entrance of the Sanctuary. The envelopes represent monetary amounts ranging from $1 to $144. Together, the envelopes represent $10,441 in monetary donations. If all the envelopes are selected, returned, and donations match the amount on each envelope, we will meet our fundraising goals for both this year's youth service trip and the pilgrimage: $5,220.50 each!

Here's how the fundraiser works:

1. You decide the amount you would like to give to support the youth service trip to Slidell, LA, and the pilgrimage.
2. Select the corresponding envelope(s). For example, if you want to give $50, select envelope #50. If 50 is no longer available, select envelopes that equal $50 (such as 24+26, or 49+1). 
3. Fill out the little card inside the envelope.
4. Return the card, your donation, and the envelope to the church. It can be given to Phyllis at the front desk, or placed in the offering plate or in the drop box outside of the Finance Office. 

You will also find blank envelopes on the counter next to the big board, where you can make a donation if the envelopes left on the board do not reflect the amount you would like to give.

Lastly, you can give online via Easy Tithe. If you give online, please select "Youth Missions Trips" from the drop-down menu. 

Check out this video from our Director of Family Ministries for more info!

What is Leadership Lab?

Leadership Lab is a newly launched discipleship/leadership development program through the Great Plains Conference for high school youth. Each module is called a "quest" and the completion of the three-phase quest earns a "badge." Each Leadership Lab youth has a mentor to help guide them through the leadership lab process. 

Potential quests are: Emotional Intelligence, Social Holiness, Grit & Resilience, Fruit of the Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Engaged in Ministry, and Spiritual Practices. Each of these quests involves three phases: learn, live, and lead. At the end of each phase there are questions for youth to discuss with their mentor.

What do each of these phases entail?

LEARN involves working through material prepared by the conference. This could be videos, articles, podcasts, and/or books. 

LIVE involves putting what they've learned into practice. Our Leadership Lab youth have created a rule of life (click here to read), served in the nursery, served in children's church, served as liturgists, and served as ushers and greeters as part of this phase. 

LEAD involves selecting a project and working to bring it to fruition. Our Leadership Lab students have: planned a work day at Fred Burns and Kay Richter's community garden, planned and led Sunrise Service, taught the Confirmation class about prayer, and led an Earth Day presentation for multiple Sunday School classes. They are also leading the devotionals and planning the evening activities for this year's service trip, which you all will hear about as they lead services on Youth Sunday in August. 

Leadership Lab youth can also earn a badge by serving on a ministry committee, speaking/preaching, creating their own quest, and participating in conference events like the Mercy and Justice immersions. Our Leadership Lab youth serve on Family Ministry Team, participated in the Mercy and Justice encounter in KC in January of this year, and are creating their own Racial Justice quest. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our Director of Family Ministries. 

Food Pantry Item of the Month

The Food Pantry's "Food of the Month" for both April and May is cereal. This includes any option in that category as well, such as breakfast bars and granola.

The Food Pantry volunteers are very grateful for the donations from Asbury members! Thank you to all for your continued generosity. Please feel free to visit the pantry and storeroom any time with Rosie Sanders, Director of the Asbury Food Pantry to become acquainted with what we're doing there to provide food for our neighbors. 

Sign Up to Help with Lazarus Table on Saturday, May 11

We need eight people to either help serve lunch or assist in the Lazarus Boutique on Saturday, May 11 from 10 am - 1 pm at Lazarus Table (Linwood United Church, 3151 Olive, KCMO, 64109). Come out and help with a wonderful mission opportunity!

Lunches are served 'restaurant style,' so kitchen volunteers can assist with hosting, greeting, plating, and/or serving. Lazarus Boutique volunteers serve as personal shoppers to guests, assisting people one on one in finding clothing, hygiene items, linens, or other household goods they may need. 

Civil Rights Immersion Justice Encounter: June 19-23, 2024

The Great Plains Mercy and Justice team is heading back to Alabama! Join us for our next Justice Encounter from June 19th-23, where we will learn more about the Civil Rights Movement as well as the work of racial justice today.

Our application is LIVE! We will accept rolling applications until May 20, or until our team is full. Find out more details and the fill out the application at the following link: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/justice-encounters

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Trip: September 22-27, 2024

Be a part of this fun, worthwhile, and uplifting experience at the MMDC in Springfield, IL. No matter your skills or abilities, there is an important job that needs you!

Work activities might include refurbishing bikes and sewing machines, building desks from old wooden bleachers, or assembling sleeping mats. In the evening, enjoy fellowship at the Comfort Inn where we will stay. The Mission Scholarship Fund will cover material costs payable to the MMDC. Individuals will be responsible for lodging, transportation and meal costs. All participants are encouraged to use scholarship funds available through the Asbury Mission Team. Questions can be referred to Dan Clevenger at danc@visitasbury.org. Reserve your slot by July 15!

Family Ministries Day at the K

Join a night of fun at the K on Tuesday, August 6 to celebrate a great summer and to watch the Royals take on the Red Sox.

It's Dollar Dog night and tickets are $26 each. The game starts at 7:10 pm and we'll carpool from the church. Contact our Director of Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, to reserve your tickets. This event is open to parents/guardians, youth, and kids. 

Kids Hour: Sundays at 10 am

Kids' Hour is a great way for kids to make friends and build community while learning Bible stories. Kids (PreK - 5th grade) are invited to join the fun of exploring Bible stories through weekly rotations such as art, music, games, cooking, drama, science, and videos. 

Kids Sing: Sunday, May 12 (Mother's Day)

Rehearsals continue this Sunday during the Children's Church time at the 11 am service for the Mother's Day Kids Sing.

Sunday Nursery Hours: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

9 am: The nursery is open for children who need it, up to 3rd grade.

11 am: The Nursery is open on Sundays for children aged infant through 5-years-old (if they haven’t started Kindergarten yet). Children who have started Kindergarten are encouraged to join the Kids Sing rehearsal.

Save the Date

VBS Registration is Open!

Join us for some VBS fun June 16 - 20 from 6-7:30 pm! An optional light meal will be served at 5:30 pm. 

Our 3-year-old through 4th grade campers will explore timeless Bible stories that show how biblical characters trusted God in the face of their own fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. Click here to register your 3-year-old-4th grade student!

GodSquad: July 29 - August 2

GodSquad is our annual service week for those in 4th - 6th grade. We will serve at a variety of local nonprofits throughout the week.

Participants will meet at the church at 9 am each day and head to the service sites, and will return to the church by 1 pm daily. Click here to register your child today!

Coffee and Convos: Sunday at 10 am in the Youth Lounge

All youth 6th - 12th grade students are invited to come enjoy treats and drinks while diving deeper into the Bible. 

Youth Group: Sundays at 6 pm in the Youth Lounge

All Youth (6-12 grade) are invited to join us for dinner and discussion.

Save the Date

Youth Service Trip: June 1-9 in Slidell, LA

Our 20 spots for the youth service trip are filled. If you have a youth in 6th-12th grade who would still like to participate in the service trip to Slidell, LA from June 1-9 with the Epworth Project, please email our Director of Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.

GodSquad: July 29 - August 2

GodSquad is our annual service week for those in 4th through 6th grade. We will serve at a variety of local nonprofits throughout the week. Participants will meet at the church at 9 am each day and head to the service sites, and will return to the church by 1 pm daily. Click here to register your youth today!