Tuesday's Devotional
From Pastor Barbara
We learn in the Gospel of Luke that the disciples begin to experience the Risen Christ in different places and a variety of ways. Some experience astonishment, others confusion and even disbelief. In our reading for today, we learn about how Jesus reveals himself in the breaking of bread at Emmaus.
As they tell the story, Jesus again appears to them. Imagine you are among this group of disciples. How do you experience this encounter of the Risen Christ?
Jesus encourages his disciples not to doubt. Are there times you doubt Jesus? What causes your doubt? Perhaps the experience of these last few weeks have caused you to doubt God. Are you finding the current crisis challenges your faith? Share your heart with Jesus now, knowing he can handle all your questions and loves you still.
As you listen for God to speak to you, focus again on Jesus's words, 'Peace be with you'...
Take some time now to let the Holy Spirit bring to mind a situation or place that longs for peace. Pray for God's peace to break through into our world.
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Rather have all of this week's BLAST devotionals at once? Get them here
For BLAST (PreK- 5th grades)
Have you ever completed one of those "hidden picture" pages or tried to
spot things in an I Spy book? The most helpful part of those puzzles is the list of things to look for on the side of the page. After all, if you don't know what to look for, you might waste a lot of time searching for the wrong thing.
Today's verse gives us a clue of what to look out for when it comes to following Jesus. Instead of always looking out for your own good, for the things that make you happy, we should do what? Yep, look out for the good of others! When it comes to humility, we always have to put "you" (that's others around us) before "me."
Here's a little "I spy" challenge for you.
For the next 24 hours, pay attention to the people around you. If you spot an opportunity to help or do good for someone else, do it. Ask God to help you put others first this week by spying ways you can help!
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A message from Asbury's Health Ministry:
Keep the faith by your daily actions of sticking to a schedule. Try to accomplish a positive task every day. Seek to contact others that are alone by calling or emailing them on a regular basis. Try learning a new skill or hobby as this free time is available for us. Include good nutrition, exercise, & meditation/prayer in your daily endeavors. Pastor Barbara's guide of savoring the moments each day will prepare us for the future in mind, body and spirit. Our new members have splendid ideas to enhance this for you. We hope to send out a mini survey to assess your needs and one of our members has creative ideas to share with you on Sunday mornings to make you enjoy each day. Take your blood pressure often as it holds the secret to your physical status. We hope to be able to be a part of offering the vaccine when it is developed for the virus. Stay healthy until we return to Asbury in person, as the greatest gift anyone can give is HOPE.
Doris Farrar, RN
I
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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God,
Sustain us through this tumultuous time.
Remind us that you left us peace and you give us peace.
Remind us that you have ventured to save the lost one and that you seek us each and every day.
Amen.
A note on prayers: to respect confidentiality, we will not be sharing specific prayer requests via email; however our prayer team is still actively praying for every request that they receive. If you have a prayer request, send it to the prayer team at prayer@asburylv.org.
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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.
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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.
Summer Camping registration is underway! Camps realize that the future is full of uncertainties and are considering alternative plans, including some offering full refunds if camps are cancelled. Visit the individual camp sites to learn more about their camps and their policies related to COVID-19:
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:
Jubilation Ringers Spring Concerts (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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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.
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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