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Church Council will be hosting a meeting via Zoom this Sunday, June 7, at 11:30 AM to share updates on Asbury.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please visit
asburylv.org/ChurchCouncilUpdate
to register now. Following registration, you'll receive an email with information on how to join the webinar.
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Weekly Framework
When we think of church, why is a building the first thing that comes to mind? Is church a place full of robes and pews? Bands and banners? Or is church meant to refer to something different?
Tuesday's Devotional
The church is all about change - we are called to be changed as people following Jesus and we are expected and empowered to change the world. To me, that's what Paul is writing about in Ephesians 3 and 4. He knows that he has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit at work, and he is enabled to do any good that he does through the grace and power of God. Because of Jesus, we change; we become different by his grace.
And if the church is not a building, a denomination, or a worship service, but the church is the people of God... then as we are changed and transformed into these people in whom "Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith" and are "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" then surely the world around us begins to change.
What if church was a verb? If we are being transformed, changed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, how can church not be a verb? The whole world is changing one person at a time, and it begins with you and me. So let's begin allowing God to change us so that we really might be able to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received." That's the kind of church I'm interested in.
For Reflection
Three times this passage mentions God's power. It uses the Greek word
dunamis. That's the word behind the English word "dynamite"! This section rings with energy, activity and drive. Nothing here about "church" as a static place - this is about cosmic energy calling us to live out an eternal purpose.
- When verse 10 talks about God's purpose for the church it describes a group of people being and doing things that reveal God. In what ways does this differ from the common idea of "church" as a place, a building or an institution outside of and apart from you or anyone else? To what extent have you practiced "church" as a verb?
- What does the phrase "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" say to you? What do you believe would be part of such a life? What (if anything) is part of your life now that you believe would be left out or reduced in a life worthy of your calling? How can the gift of God's grace (3:7) shape in you a life that lives up to your calling?
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Father God,
Allow me to consider what my part is in being a Church, not just attending a church.
Amen.
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For SPARK (3-4yr olds)
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Do you have a friend that doesn't go to church? If you wanted to tell that friend about God, where would you start?
Use the word bank to fill in the blanks from today's verses.
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God made the _________________________.
He made _________________________ in it.
He is the _________________________ of heaven and earth.
He doesn't _________________________ in temples built by human hands. He doesn't need _________________________.
He himself gives life and breath to all ______________________.
From one man, he _________________________ all the people of the world.
He decided exactly
_______________________they should live.
He decided exactly _______________________ they should live.
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anything
made
when
everything
Lord
people
live
world
where
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We learn a ton about God from these verses! And while these words don't answer every single question about God, they tell us quite a bit about who He is. We all have questions about God. Questions help us learn and grow. But even with our questions, we can still trust God. And just like Paul did in these verses, you can tell others what you know about God too. Remember, you can keep going with determination even if you have questions.
Videos for this week (new for 5/31):
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We are excited to recognize the accomplishments and pray over the future plans of our high school seniors on June 7! If you're a high school senior (or a parent of one) and haven't submitted your things yet, please send them to Aaron Forney at aforney@asburylv.org by TODAY - Tuesday, June 2!
We had a great time meeting over Zoom! Thanks for joining us!
Second sessions for high school seniors and college students are being scheduled - watch for the date to be announced soon!
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Did you know your
plastic grocery bags can be turned into plastic mats for the homeless
? Asbury's Wendy Arbushites can take your unneeded bag (any color will do!), turn it into plastic yarn, and create a mat that will be distributed to the less fortunate among us. You can drop off your plastic bags in the bin labeled "Plastic grocery bag collection bin" at Asbury's upper entrance.
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Dates have been set for the rescheduled General and Jurisdictional Conferences. The dates, with links to more info on the conferences, are as follows:
The camps in our conference have made the difficult decision to suspend or cancel their summer camps and programs. Get more information about each camp at the links below:
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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.
In the midst of a challenging time, we still have much to celebrate! Thanks to your amazing generosity, we have reached our goal for the Capital Campaign of $350,000 as of April 19, 2020! Praise God!! Thank you to all who supported this important initiative; and continue to watch for updates on project progress in the coming months.
Get information about and past updates on the Capital Campaign at asburylv.org/capitalcampaign.
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.
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.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
Include, but not limited to:
AIM Yard Sale (cancelled)
Reschedule dates (if applicable) will be communicated when available.
No physical meetings are being held at Asbury or off-site; but please check with your group/Circle leader to see if there are plans for your group to connect online.
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f 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
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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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