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Asbury's building remains closed, but we've got a busy morning online tomorrow! Here's what's happening:
WORSHIP: 10 AM @ LIVE.ASBURYLV.ORG
In worship,
Pastor Eric begins a 4-week series titled "Jonah." God works miracles through those who obey, though often times our nature rebels against Him. Regardless of which path we choose-obedience or rebellion- God is the God of second chances. Few stories illustrate this principle more clearly than the story of Jonah. Join us as we delve into the story of one man and his journey towards surrender.
Worship will be streaming live at 10 AM at live.asburylv.org and will feature a variety of musical styles.
Resources for Today's Worship Service
IN WORSHIP
& EXTENDED RECOGNITION FOLLOWING WORSHIP
AT LIVE.ASBURYLV.ORG
Congratulations to our seniors who have finished or are just about to finish their high school careers! Our high school seniors will be recognized during worship, but we also want to invite you to stay after the service for a special, longer-form video celebrating our high school seniors!
Church Council is hosting a meeting via Zoom tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, at 11:30 AM to share updates on Asbury as Lehigh County moves into the "yellow" phase.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS MEETING.
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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Saturday's Devotional
[Pentecost Sunday, which we celebrated last week] is one of my favorite Sundays in the life of the Church. We remember [that] the disciples received the Holy Spirit in a special way. The story in Acts 2 describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. At the first Pentecost over 3000 people were baptized, creating the first church. So technically, we could say, "Happy Birthday Church!"
But I'll be honest. It's hard for me to do much celebrating. This season has been heavy to walk through. Our country has just surpassed the horrific milestone of over 100,000 deaths to the coronavirus. 100,000 neighbors, friends, family member-parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and even children have all passed from COVID-19.
And as we continue to protect ourselves from COVID-19, we are also battling another virus in America: Racism. Seeing the murders that have happened to Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd should move and compel us to action.
As we continue on this journey of faith, in these unprecedented times, let us not lose hope. [Pentecost Sunday] is a reminder that God is with us. That God gives us the strength, the courage, and the wisdom we need and that is this radically, inclusive Holy Spirit. Just as the spirit came into those first followers like a loud gust of wind, God is crying out to us with a loud voice to respond.
As we [wrap up another] week, take a moment to pause and remember the loss of our loved ones who have fallen to COVID-19. Let us remember their legacy knowing that they are with the great saints that have gone before us. But let us not forget we have been called to be the hands and feet of Christ. To walk humbly with God, to seek mercy, and do justice.
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Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh upon us. Mold us, shape us, and use in the problematic times.
Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and may our voices be filled with truth and love. Help us to see that WE are uniquely created but divinely made in the image of you. We pray for all those have lost loved ones this week.
We pray for our country but more we pray for justice.
May it roll down like a mighty river.
Amen.
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Print Resources from this week:
Videos for this week (new for 5/31):
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We had a great time meeting over Zoom! Thanks for joining us! A third session
for high school seniors and a second session for college students are being scheduled - watch for the dates to be announced soon!
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Join us for virtual coffee hours on Zoom beginning next Sunday, June 14, following worship! No registration required. Meeting information is as follows:
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81517126618?pwd=eHR1Rnk3QjJFRjgyUGxxNUI3QTJOQT09
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (New York)
+13017158592,,81517126618#,,1#,654634# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 815 1712 6618
Password: 654634
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keHWo4pVEp
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Update: Thanks for your generous donation of plastic bags! We have as many as are needed right now!
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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.
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:
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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Did you know that your Amazon purchases can help Asbury? While doing your Father's Day shopping, or getting a few needed items for home, visit
smile.amazon.com/ch/23-1352369, or login to your account at
smile.amazon.com and choose "Asbury Allentown United Methodist Church" as your charity. Asbury will receive 0.5% of the price of your purchase!
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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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