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Church Council will be hosting a meeting via Zoom on Sunday, August 30 following the 10 AM streaming worship service to share updates on Asbury.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Please visit
to register now. Following registration, you'll receive an email with information on how to join the webinar.
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The drop-off for supplies for Ramos Elementary is being held TODAY, Friday August 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Saturday August 22nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Asbury parking lot.
If you're unfamiliar with the collection: 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. Thank you, Asbury, for helping keep Ramos teachers and students safe.
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Weekly Framework
Jesus asks the disciples a question that begs an answer from all of us - "who do you say that I am?" In this moment, Peter declares that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus declares that Peter is correct and that he will build his 'church' upon the rock (Peter) and nothing will destroy it. Jesus was giving Peter and through him, the church, the authority to do his work in the world. So, "who do you say that he is?" And what does it mean for your life?
Friday's Reflection
From Pastor Eric's Daily Study Guide
Today, virtually no one anywhere dies on a cross. So, what do you believe it means for you to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus?
90 Day Bible Reading Challenge
"Key Themes" Bible Reading Plan
The 'key theme' for this week's scripture passage is "Prayer." 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
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Father,
Thank you for taking up the cross for me. Give me the wisdom to understand what it means to take up my cross and follow You; and give me the courage to do it.
Amen.
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Do you ever wonder what your purpose is? Many people do! But often the people around us see us better than we see ourselves, so today, put on your reporter hat and go ask another person these questions. 1. What is one thing you think I'm really good at? 2. What is something I'm really good at that can help others? (It might be the same as #1, or could be different.) Pray and ask God to help you use this gift creatively to help make the world a better place?
Print Resources for this week:
Videos for this week (new for 8/16):
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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." During the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would soon abandon him and that Peter would deny knowing him three times. Peter adamantly proclaimed that he would never desert or deny knowing Jesus. However, before the night was over, Peter not only deserted Jesus but he denied knowing him three times. It's a night that Peter would talk about over and over again. If Peter's story is our story, what can we learn from Peter's failure?
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.
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Our next outdoor worship service is this Sunday, August 23, 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 for any or all of the 3 scheduled outdoor services (through September 6).
Want to learn more about Asbury? There will be a virtual Adult Inquirers session on Tuesday evening, September 1. Those interested in joining the church will have an opportunity to do so afterward, but we also welcome those who wish to take the class for informational purposes only. Contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries(ltheisen@asburylv.org) to RSVP.
If you would like a print copy of the September/October issue of The Upper Room devotional, please let us know by completing this form. We'll mail it to you free of charge while our supplies last.
Asbury's Health Ministry is offering flu shots on Sunday, October 4, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM on Asbury's campus (location TBA). Shots will be free to those with Medicare Part B. A high-dose vaccine will be available. All CDC guidelines will be followed.
Asbury's Stamp Ministry is continuing to collect used stamps to help raise money for missions and ask that you continue to save stamps to bring to the Asbury once the building is reopened. To learn more about the stamp ministry, visit asburylv.org/stamps.
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Drop-Off Dates:
Friday August 21, 4 PM - 6 PM
Saturday August 22, 10 AM - 12 PM
* PLARN Mats (Plastic Sleeping Mats for the Homeless) - create at home
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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.
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.
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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.
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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