Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Weekly Framework
Simon Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, but that was not the end of his story.  When the disciples find the tomb was empty, they begin to understand that the grave could not hold their Lord.  When the Resurrected Jesus calls on Peter, Jesus asks Peter to affirm his love, not once, but three times.  What will it mean for Peter to repent and be forgiven?  What could repentance and Jesus's forgiveness mean for you?  And how then might Jesus be calling you to demonstrate your love?
 
Tuesday's Reflection
From Pastor Barbara's Daily Study Guide
Peter thought his denial of Jesus would haunt him the rest of his life. Thankfully, unlike Judas (Matthew 27:3-5) he did not succumb to despair, but the scriptures suggest that he never imagined that he would be welcomed as one of Jesus's disciples again. In Mark 6:7, the messenger told Mary Magdalene, "Go tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee." What do we learn about Jesus's grace for Peter? For you?
 

 
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
 
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
 
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is "Worship." 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: Psalm 29 
Tuesday: Psalm 100
Wednesday:
 1 Corinthians 14
Thursday:
 1 Timothy 2
Friday: Revelation 4
 
Lord,
Today I come before you with joy;
not because everything in my life is what I want it to be,
but because You, as the Author of my life, are reigning over it.
Amen.
 

 
If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.
 
From Rev. Donna Jones, Pastor, Cookman Beloved Community

I pray all is going well with Asbury and its families. Thank you so much for your continued support of our outreach ministries through Cookman Emerging Ministries (EMC). Thanks also for your generous donation toward our ministry. It was perfect timing and a perfect amount!!!
 
We struggled with how to serve our children in light of COVID and discerned a way, through your generosity, to offer them a unique summer VBS experience in partnership with one of our partners Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia. Your generosity allowed us to purchase needed books and materials and ensure that each child had what was necessary to fully participate. The program began in August and will continue through December 2020!
 
The elementary-aged children were able to consider their experience in the age of COVID and Civic Unrest by wrestling with an important children's book - "Abbey Takes a Stand" about an elementary school girl experience in the 1960s south. They were then challenged to consider her Christian Character decisions in light of the Beatitudes. They are now developing a puppet skit based on their learning and in preparation for their last session during the October-November season.
 
I don't usually write such a review mid-year, but in this unusual time, it was so vital to have a bit extra at the beginning of the summer to secure this vital and life-changing experience!
 
After COVID-tide we look forward to our annual visit to Allentown - under normal circumstances we would have planned it by now - but it looks like we will miss 2020 altogether and will have to wait until 2021 to visit you sadly. The kids were asking if we were visiting as we have another Confirmation Class. Pray for them during this odd year of change.
 
Again, I pray all is well as you continue to serve our Lord with Gladness! If you discern ways we can be of service with you, please let us know.
 
Blessings,
Donna
 
 
Have you ever thought about what God looks like? Do you have a picture in our mind? Imagining is just one of the wonderful abilities God built into each one of us! God did give us a glimpse of Himself. Because God sent Jesus, His only Son, to show us who He is. Jesus grew up just like you're growing up. He had friends and siblings, chores and schoolwork. Jesus also taught people about God, healed the sick, calmed storms and performed amazing miracles. So while it's really hard for us to understand just how great God is, we can have a relationship with Him through Jesus. God created you to share His story because everyone needs to hear the good news about Jesus! Pray for others to come to know Jesus.
 
Print Resources for this week:
For SPARK (3-4yr olds): Parent Cue 
For BLAST (PreK - 5th grades): 
God Time devotionals
   


Our final outdoor worship service of the season is this Sunday, September 6, at 8 AM. (Please note there will still be an online-only service streaming at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org).

Registration is required, even if you've previously attended an outdoor worship service. Register at asburylv.org/outdoorworshipregistration.
 
Get more information about the service at asburylv.org/outdoorworship.
 

 
Church Council shared an update via Zoom on Sunday, August 30, including information about an indoor worship service beginning on September 13 (registration details TBA), preschool reopening, and direction for small groups going into the fall. Watch a replay of the webinar and view the slide presentation at asburylv.org/churchcouncilupdate.
 


As we enter the fall, we're looking for instrumentalists to share their gifts and talents as part of worship. If you're willing to lend your time, please contact Shellie in the church office at sfritchman@asburylv.org or 610-398-2577 and a member of the music staff will be in contact.
 

 
The annual Asbury Church United Methodist Women (UMW) Holiday Bazaar is being held virtually! While the ongoing pandemic keeps us from safely holding the event in-person, the Bazaar's effort to raise money for missions in the Lehigh Valley and beyond is still vitally important. Dates and details will be announced in the coming weeks, and for now we ask you to consider what you might be able to contribute for the event. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES!!!

Our email updates are changing!

 

Beginning on Monday, September 7, we'll be moving our main email back to a weekly announcement and update email format, sent on Thursdays and Sundays. You will automatically continue to receive those emails as part of our email list, and don't need to take action.

 

We know that for some of you, getting devotional resources emailed to you on a daily basis has been life-giving and we will continue to offer those emails; but you'll need to sign up to let us know you're interested in receiving them. Simply sign up using our form and you'll continue to receive daily devotionals.


PREVIOUSLY SHARED

Learn about some great ways to serve while staying socially distant:

Ripple Community Center Collection - September 19, 12 PM- 2 PM
Annual Ramos Work Day - September 26, 9AM - 12 PM
PLARN Mats (Plastic Sleeping Mats for the Homeless) - create at home
Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank - Weekly Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays (occasional Tuesday), 12 PM - 2:30 PM


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.

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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