Saturday, August 8, 2020


Simon Peter was an ordinary fisherman who transformed into a follower of Jesus. He was faithful, yet flawed. Peter was the first to profess Jesus as the Son of God, yet he later denied knowing him. Peter went on to give his life for the sake of his call. In this series, we take an in-depth dive into the life, faith and character of Simon Peter.

This week, Pastor Eric continues "Peter: A Flawed, Yet Faithful Follower of Jesus." The disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee and they were terrified. Jesus walks on water in the midst of the storm and tells the disciples "Be encouraged, It's me, don't be afraid." This story is about something that happened on the Sea of Galilee a long time ago, but it's recorded in the Gospel because it's something that happens in our lives all the time if we just realize it. What can we learn about Jesus and what it means to be a disciple from this passage? Join us as we explore.

Worship will be streaming live at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org and will feature a variety of musical styles.

The outdoor service is also this weekend (weather-permitting) at 8 AM on the lawn by the lower parking lot. Visit asburylv.org/outdoorworship for more information and to register now. (Those who were registered for last week's postponed service do not need to re-register).

Resources for Worship

Weekly Framework
Simon Peter is a hard-working, uneducated fisherman from the northern region of the Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter is a flawed yet faithful disciple who plays a pivotal role in the Gospels.  When we look at him, we are meant to see ourselves in the story. Many of us can relate to being flawed and yet attempting to be faithful to Jesus.  So, what can we learn about our own faith journey from the Calling of Simon the Fisherman?
 
Moving Forward
From Pastor Eric's Daily Study Guide

Peter had no idea what hung in the balance of his decision to go fishing with Jesus.  When Peter's simple act of faith intersected with Jesus' faithfulness, everything changed. What is your next step in your faith journey with Jesus -coming back, confessing, reconciling, choosing purity, serving, giving? Whatever your next step is, take it. You don't know what hangs in the balance.
 

 
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge Recap (Week of Aug. 2)
 
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
 
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is ''Blood." Read the applicable scripture passage for each day below using the 'SOAP' method of reading scripture.
 
Scripture - First read the scripture passage.
Observation - Think about what you just read and find one thing you think God wanted you to   hear that's relevant to your life and write it down.
Application - Think about what you need to do differently as a result of what you just read and write it down.
Pray-   Pray about what you just read.

 
This Week's Readings
Monday Leviticus 4 
Tuesday Luke 22 
Wednesday Romans 5 
Thursday Hebrews 9
 

 
In your own words, ask for wisdom and guidance as you discern your "next step."



If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.

Did you know that through Asbury in Mission, you help support over 20 United Methodist Pastors in rural Lofa County Liberia?  Here are photos of the pastors receiving their quarterly support from Asbury.  The distribution location, Lutheran Training Institute in Lofa, was where we held our Asbury youth camp and VBS back in 2010.





 

That is just the beginning.  There's no limit to God's creativity.  Every single thing you see is made by God-or made out of something made by God. Here's the mind-blowing thing: God made everything from nothing. God's voice and imagination and being are so powerful that He simply thought up every single thing that exists and spoke it into being. Pray and ask God to help you take time throughout the week to stop and really see the incredible things that God has made. Then thank God for His amazing creation!  
 
Print Resources for this week:
For SPARK (3-4yr olds): Parent Cue 
For BLAST (PreK - 5th grades): 
God Time devotionals

Virtual Escape Room Zoom
Wednesday, August 19th, 8-9 PM, for all youth age students
We'll divide into teams and see which one can solve puzzles, discover passcodes and move from one room to the next until they're finally free. Will your team be the first to finish?
Register at: https://forms.gle/4yDzKiKTRVu2pEhZ9



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!
Register now at asburylv.org/HSSeniorZooms. Meeting information will be emailed to you after completing registration.


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.



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.



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.


UPDATED INFORMATION ON RAMOS SUPPLY COLLECTION

As you know, teachers at our partner school, Ramos Elementary, have requested supplies including Clorox wipes, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizer, hand soap to help keep their classrooms and students safe this fall.  It has been recently announced that Allentown School District classrooms won't be opening in September, but we're still collecting and Ramos will store the supplies for the teachers to be prepared when the classrooms do open.  We'll hold a drop-off for the items you've collected on Friday August 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  Thank you, Asbury, for helping keep Ramos teachers and students safe.



Ever heard of PLARN????

Wanted: people interested in making plastic sleeping mats for the homeless to insulate them from the cold dampness of the ground

Skills needed: cutting with scissors and single crochet (or team up with someone to share these two jobs)

Tools needed: scissors, a bigger-sized crochet hook (size "P" is recommended), a yardstick or measuring tape

Raw materials: clean used plastic shopping and grocery bags with soft seams - these are turned into a plastic yarn, called... plarn!

Guidance: Wendy Arbushites can teach you how to do the entire process. It's very easy!

Supply source: We currently have plenty of bags which have been "quarantined" for at least a week to avoid any Coronavirus issues. Please email Wendy if you are interested in helping at warb@rcn.com

Click here to view a slideshow with steps to make a mat.



The Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank needs volunteers noon to 2-2:30 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday and an occasional Tuesday to pack groceries for clients.  Everyone must wear mask.  Contact Vanessa by calling 610-821-1332 or emailing aaefb1978@gmail.com.

If 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.



Due to changes in staffing at our hospitals, the church often can no longer reach hospital staff to find out if our Asbury members are hospitalized.
Please call the church office to let us know if you or a loved one is in the hospital, so we can provide pastoral care. Thank you!



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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