February 20 & 21, 2021


Tune into Church and Society's "Social Justice Habit-Building Challenge" for Lent!
Asbury's Church and Society Committee will host a "Social Justice Habit-Building Challenge" throughout Lent. Each week during Lent, we will send an email blast to Asbury members and post on the Asbury website a list of suggested articles/videos/podcasts/TedTalks, intended to advance a deeper understanding of social justice issues in our personal lives, communities, and world.

This program is based loosely upon the copyrighted "21 Day Racial Equity Habit-Building" program conceived by Eddie Moore several years ago, but we have broadened it to include various significant social justice issues, which we think will be of special interest to our Church community, and have extended the program to the 40 Days of Lent. We invite Asbury members and friends of Asbury to read, watch or listen to a number of these offerings each day or week of Lent, as part of their Lenten discipline this year.

The first posting of offerings is now available on the Asbury website. Click on the link to read more! https://www.visitasbury.org/social-justice-challenge/
Coronavirus Vaccine Updates

We know that this is a stressful and confusing time with looking for vaccines. Who is eligible? Who isn't? What phase am I in? We'd like to help by posting some resources to check out below. Stay safe and healthy, Asbury!

KANSAS



MISSOURI



ALL OTHER COUNTIES

  1. Fox 4 News Article, "How to get a COVID-19 vaccine in each county in the Kansas City metro" - Click here to read article
Asbury Blood Drive with the Community Blood Center: Saturday, Feb. 27 from 9 am - 2 pm
There's a little over a week left to sign up for our first blood drive of the year! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 27 from 9 am to 2 pm in Hager Hall. All presenting donors will receive a FREE Chiefs t-shirt!
 
Appointments are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, as walk-ins will only be accepted as capacity safely allows. You can sign up for an available time slot here: https://donate.savealifenow.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/73534
 
Donors, please wear a face mask to your donation. If you do not have one, we will provide you with a mask upon your arrival. Remember to bring a photo ID or donor ID card. For questions about eligibility due to travel outside the U.S., medications, or medical conditions, call 1.800.688.0900.
 
To learn more about the importance of donating at this time and to answer your questions about COVID-19, please visit www.savealifenow.org/coronavirus. Thanks so much for your consideration, and let's help make this blood drive a success!
Love working with kids?
The Asbury Children's Center (ACC) is Hiring!
Are you someone, or do you know someone, that loves educating young children and helping them grow? Consider working at our Asbury Children's Center!

The ACC is looking for quality, loving teachers. Hours can be full or part time. Full time teachers receive great benefits, paid time off, and lower ratios. Great atmosphere! Please contact Ann Porter at annp@visitasbury.org for more information and/or to submit your resume. Thank you! 
Virtual Men's Breakfast - 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the Month from 8-9 am
Men of Asbury - looking for some fun fellowship time? We've started up a Virtual Men's Breakfast at 8 am on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. The next meeting will be this Saturday, February 20

Anyone interested in attending this Zoom meetup (or if you have any questions) is invited to reach out to Roger Peck at roger.peck@outlook.com
Needs for Santa Fe Trail Elementary School 
Steve Trenholm, Asbury's Mission Team contact for Santa Fe Trail Elementary, received an email from the school's principal with some needs requested for their students.  If you would like to shop the list online, you can visit our Amazon wish list at https://a.co/3T54BPn.

If you have any questions about Santa Fe Trail needs, please feel free to reach out to Steve Trenholm at satrenholm08@gmail.com. Thank you so much!
Altar Flower Donations
Would you like to donate altar flowers in celebration or honor of a loved one? Celebrate a birthday or an anniversary? We would love to honor your loved one in our weekly service. We have a standing flower order with Village Flower Company, and the cost is $50 to provide flowers each weekend for the altar.

Please call the church office at 913.432.5573, email Phyllis Williams at phyllisw@visitasbury.org, or fill out the online form at https://www.visitasbury.org/altar-flowers/ to sign up!

Please note: all dates for February have been filled, but we have plenty of other spots available for you! Thanks, everyone!
Updated Church Directories Available! 
Phyllis Williams has updated the church directory with the latest phone numbers and addresses, so if you would like a PDF copy emailed to you or a hard copy sent to your home address, please contact the church office and let her know, and she will be happy to send one out to you. Her email is phyllisw@visitasbury.org, and the church number is 913.432.5573. Thanks!
Weekly Services Online - Beginning Saturday Evenings at 5 pm  
Many of you have been watching our weekly online worship services. We're so grateful during this pandemic that we can stay connected in this way! We'd like to remind everyone that worship services are released every Saturday at 5 pm. Visit https://www.visitasbury.org/worship/ for our latest video!

If you aren't able to watch the service on Saturday or Sunday, no worries at all. The latest video will always be posted on the Worship page of the Asbury website, so you can visit it (and, if you like, read Pastor Lee's accompanying Bible Study) throughout the week. You can even check out services from previous weeks at the bottom of the page! So you never have to miss a single service - or you can revisit an old favorite!

If you would like to stay connected with us online, please "Like" / follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AsburyUMCPrairieVillageKS/, as well as our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/. Thanks for worshiping with us!
Prayer Requests and Concerns
Did you know that you can submit a prayer request online?  We are always keeping our Asbury family in prayer!

If you would like to submit a prayer request for yourself or someone you know, please visit https://www.visitasbury.org/pastoral-care/.

If you would like to visit our Prayers of Joy and Concern page, you may find it here: https://www.visitasbury.org/prayer-requests/.


<--- Click on the Church Calendar logo for upcoming Asbury events! Do you have an event you would like to be listed on the calendar? Please call the church office or email Phyllis Williams at phyllisw@visitasbury.org. For inclusions in the Alive Newsletter, please contact Sharlynn Verner at sharlynnv@visitasbury.org.
Giving to Asbury
We need your help to keep our operations running during this tough time of needing to close down. Coronavirus has made things challenging for everyone and Asbury is no exception! Please consider giving to the church electronically through one of these four ways:

  • Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
  • Online through Easy Tithe (www.easytithe.com/visitasbury)
  • Text the word "Give" to 913-774-6060
  • Download our giving app, "Church by Ministry One" (find Asbury under zip code 66208)

Also, you can still just write a check and send it in the mail! Our mailing address is as follows:

Asbury United Methodist Church
5400 W. 75th St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208

We love you all and appreciate each of you so much. Stay safe and healthy! 
Weekly Bible Studies from Rev. Lee Johnson
Every Thursday or Friday, Rev. Lee publishes a Bible study on the Asbury website that goes along with the worship material for the weekend. Whether it be during times of anxiety and uncertainty, or of joy and hope, he helps us navigate what the Scripture tells us to do.
 
Click on the link below to check out some of Rev. Lee's current studies!
 
Children's Ministry
Lenten Devotional


Families should have received an email containing a Lenten devotional last week. If you did not receive one or would like a hard copy mailed to you, please contact Heather, our Director of Family Ministries, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.
Sunday School
Our faith word for February is "Guide," and we'll focus on showing the way, like the light of Christ. We will talk of the many ways we can be guides, showing others the light of Christ. We will strive to engage children's natural sense of curiosity to help them understand God's love and inclusion. We'll encourage kids to ask big questions and help them explore the Bible in ways that feeds their imagination and encourages creativity.
3 years - Kindergarten:  
The lesson and activities for this week's lesson, "Mary and Martha" (Luke 10:38-42), were emailed out today. A video will be posted to Facebook on Sunday.

1st-3rd Grade The lesson and activities for this week's lesson, "Mary and Martha" (Luke 10:38-42), were emailed out today. A video will be posted to Facebook on Sunday.     


4th-5th Grade: We will begin our series "Lent," and explore the stories and purpose of the Lenten season.

All 4th and 5th grade students are encouraged to join us on Zoom at 11 am this Sunday. A link was emailed out today.

SAVE THE DATE
Family Trivia:
Save the Date for the return of Youth Family Trivia on Sunday, February 28 at 11 am via Zoom. You can play as a family or we can mix it up in breakout groups.
Family Ministry Book Club:
Our next book discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm on Zoom. We will be reading "Evicted."



Follow the Facebook page to stay up to date:  https://www.facebook.com/Asbury-Childrens-Ministry-206583193254141/ or email our Director of Family Ministries (heatherj@visitasbury.org) to be added to the children's ministry email list.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Sunday School: Connecting Faith and Justice
This Sunday morning at 10 am, we'll continue our Sunday school series, "Connecting Faith and Justice." All youth 6th through 12th grade are invited to join us on Zoom for these discussions. We will look at scripture and sometimes the Social Principles to help youth discover where they are being called to put their faith into action. 

This week, we will discuss "Justice." The link was emailed out today. 
Youth Group
We'll begin our Lenten series, "With All Your Heart," this Sunday at 6 pm via Zoom. We'll be discussing God's Generous Heart this week.

Youth are encouraged to bring food, snacks, and drinks to our Zoom time together. The Zoom link was emailed out today.

We'll also be discussing what the youth want to do for Easter this year.
SAVE THE DATE
Family Trivia Night:
Save the Date for the return of Youth Family Trivia Night on Sunday, February 28 at 6 pm via Zoom.

You can play as a family or we can mix it up in breakout groups. Youth do not need to convince their family to join the fun in order to participate. Do you have a child in college? Invite them to join the family fun!! 


Stay up to date on all that's happening in youth ministry by following our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/Asbury-Youth-Group-1339326239545966/
or email our Director of Family Ministries to be added to the youth ministry email list.
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