The following is a summary of 2023 at Asbury Church. Thank you for another great year!
CELEBRATIONS
This year we celebrated as we welcomed 45 new members, 7 confirmands, held 11 baptisms, and celebrated 11 third graders who were presented with Bibles.
THE “BE RICH SERVICE CHALLENGE”
In November, Pastor Eric challenged every member in the congregation to serve for one hour at some point during the month – either in the community or at Asbury – with a goal of collectively serving 800 hours. The congregation rose to the challenge, serving a total of 2582 hours!
STAFFING CHANGES
In January 2023, we welcomed Mark Mangum as the Director of Finance and Operations. Israel Olivieri took on a new role as Director of Discipleship and Worship Production. Additionally, the staffing of Asbury’s maintenance department underwent numerous changes throughout the year and we welcomed some great additions.
EVENTS
Included the Annual Holiday Bazaar, clinics via our Health Ministry Team, spring and fall sessions for Rise Against Hunger meal packing, the AIM Yard Sale, a Work Day for Ramos Elementary School, an Asbury-hosted water stop at the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest, Lenten Small Groups (“Luke”), Fall Small Groups (“Stewards of Eden”), Advent Small Groups (“An Unlikely Advent”), Pastor Eric’s “Brewology” sessions, Children’s Ministries’ Easter Family Celebration and Egg Hunt, a park cleanup for Earth Day coordinated by the Environmental Justice Team, a Women’s Retreat, Grief Groups, a Trustees cleanup day, Vacation Bible School, the CROP Walk, packing “Barrels of Love” for Liberia, and two handbell concerts by the Jubilation Ringers.
NEW SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
In August, Pastor Eric challenged the congregation to lead new social-based small groups. In response, 7 leaders stepped up and 4 new small groups were formed (Walk and Talk, Cards, Games, and the Family Fun Dinner Meetup). Learn about all small group opportunities at asburylv.org/SmallGroups.
PRESCHOOL
Our preschool continues to serve our community, providing students with the building blocks for their educational journey while instilling Christian values. The preschool and Bright Beginnings programs have over 200 students for the 2023-2024 school year.
COLLECTIONS
Your generosity helped drive a large number of collections for those in need, including a toilet paper drive for the Conference of Churches, a collection of school supplies for Ramos Elementary School via our Children’s Ministries VBS program, needed items for the Ripple Community Center, a collection for the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank in conjunction with the CROP Walk, the “Thanks for Giving” food drive for the Allentown Rescue Mission, and Christmas gifts for families at Ramos Elementary. These are in addition to ongoing collections at Asbury for used stamps (sold to help provide South American Sunday Schools with lesson curriculum), toiletries (for the Lehigh County Conference of Churches “Daybreak” program), and used cell phones (for Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley).
