We hope you’ll join us for Holy Week and Easter, as we remember our Savior’s journey: from celebration on Palm Sunday to the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday to the cross on Good Friday and triumphing over death on Easter Sunday.
Learn more about all services at asburylv.org/HolyWeek.
Asbury’s Health Ministry Team works to help educate Asbury’s congregation on all things connected to health. Read their March education article. “Adults and Seniors Socialization Health Tips”; and visit the Health Ministry Team page to learn more about the team and their impact.
Saturday, March 28, 9 AM – 10 AM
for children ages 4 yrs old thru the completion of 5th grade and their families
Join us for a family event recognizing the importance of Easter; and an egg hunt to conclude the event!
REGISTRATION: asburylv.org/FamilyEasterRegistration
Students from our Youth Ministries program are hosting a spaghetti dinner!
Join us on March 25 between 5 PM and 7 PM in the Wesley Center for a free-will donation fundraiser to help a local organization in their efforts to care for our neighbors in need.
If you plan to attend, kindly register at asburylv.org/SpaghettiDinner to help the youth plan in their preparation.
Wondering How to Support Those Who Are Grieving?
As loving Christians, we want to offer comfort to those who are grieving or anticipating the loss of a loved one. Pastor Evelyn Stupp will offer a session to help us learn how to support those who are grieving. The session will be held on March 19, 2026 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM in Room 204.
Please register with Carol Collins at LearnAboutGrief@asburylv.org to confirm your participation.
Please enter Asbury from the second floor entrance only.
ABOUT CARE MINISTRIES AT ASBURY CHURCH
Care Ministries at Asbury Church offer encouragement, support and prayer to individuals in our church family who are at various stages, places and circumstances of life. The purpose of the Care Team is to respond to the spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational needs of our congregation and to engage the congregation in service and community for one another.
Learn more at asburylv.org/CareMinistries.
The following is a message from Eric Yeakel, Asbury’s Senior Pastor and Robert A. Rutman, Asbury’s Interim Business Manager
Thanks to the blessings from our Father and the generous giving of our members and friends, the financial structure of Asbury UMC is strong and viable for the future.
As compared to 2024, our total 2025 giving has increased 1.7%; in addition, investment earnings have added a significant contribution to our solid overall financial position. The operating expenses have been monitored on a regular basis and had a modest 3.3% increase. The support of our mission partners, both locally and internationally, increased by 9.6%.
During 2025 we have capitalized $158,000 of needed building improvements and reduced our mortgage balance by $75,400. The cash position is more than ample to meet our ongoing needs; therefore, we added two higher rate Certificates of Deposit to our portfolio.
Our One Board has approved the 2026 Budget to support the mission of Asbury Church. The giving receipts are projected to increase by 3.3% and expenses are expected to increase by 3.8%. The expense accounts will be monitored on a quarterly basis and reported to the individuals responsible for each expense area. We have budgeted a moderate 3.0% increase in investment gains and earnings. The anticipated Asbury in Mission (AIM) support for all mission partners is expected to remain at levels similar to last year.
Asbury Church is in the fifth year of a campaign to “Close the Gap” between the way the world is and the way that is should be. Our prayer is that – with God’s help – we will financially support that goal.
Eric Yeakel, Senior Pastor
Robert A. Rutman, Interim Business Manager
Sarah Circle will meet on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:45 PM in Room 215
The group will using sermon notes and small group discussion questions to lead the evening’s conversation. Group leader Dot Hess says: “as always we welcome new members.”
Group contact: Dot Hess
Named after Sarah (an older mother who LAUGHS), the Sarah Circle meets both on- and off-site, in-person, hybrid, and via Zoom. Meetings focus on discussion of a chosen study book with an occasional special program. Fellowship is an integral part of the group. In December and June the group meets for dinner and enjoys several fun outings throughout the year. Monthly meetings are hybrid, which allows members who have moved, or have other restrictions, to continue participating. At Christmas, the group adopts a family in need. Most members have adult children in their 20’s and 30’s. Some are blessed with grandchildren. The group welcomes new members… especially those who laugh! Sarah Circle celebrated its 30th year in 2022.
AIM (Asbury in Mission) is holding a Yard Sale to support Asbury’s missions and mission partners on Saturday, June 20, from 8 AM – 3 PM in the Wesley Center.
Donation drop-offs will be collected in the Wesley Center hallway from Sunday, June 14, following worship services (12 PM) through Thursday, June 18 at 12 PM (noon).
The following items cannot be accepted:
A note on unacceptable items: Items that are not acceptable must be thrown away in the church dumpster. AIM must pay for this dumpster to be emptied. Please help save unnecessary expense by NOT bringing unacceptable items. THANK YOU!
Packing materials are needed:
Lots of volunteers are needed to make this event a success! Volunteers are needed to help with setup (June 14-19 – help is needed all week!), the sale (June 20, 8 AM – 3 PM), and clean-up following the sale (June 20, 3 PM – 5 PM). If you would like to volunteer, please contact Linda Lawhorn, coordinator, using the form below. For general questions, please contact Jenn Springer.
Priscilla Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 PM in the Parlor (Room 201)
Priscilla Circle will hold its annual Soup, Salad, and Missions event. Soup will be provided – attendees are asked to bring either salad or dessert to share. The Missions project will be led by Sherry Minich and Rebecca Karoly and will benefit Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley. A wish list of donations needed for Turning Point has been provided and is available by contacting one of the group leaders. Group leader Judy Whitby says “all women are invited to attend this evening of fellowship and missions.”
Complete this form to contact group leaders Judy Whitby and Brenda Baxter to receive more information.————————–
Upcoming 2025-2026 Priscilla Circle Meeting Dates: April 14, May 12, June 9
Due to winter weather, Asbury’s building will be closed for daytime activities tomorrow, Monday, February 23.
Thanks to your generosity at the 2025 UWIF Holiday Bazaar, $36,615.70 was raised for scholarships and mission efforts! Thank you to all who made the event a success!
Join the Men’s Social Group on March 4 for a tour of the bird exhibit at Muhlenberg College. The will meet for coffee at Wegmans at 8:30 AM and then leave via carpool at 9:00 AM for the tour.
Click to contact the group and get connected!Group contact: David Torrey
Asbury’s Health Ministry Team works to help educate Asbury’s congregation on all things connected to health. Read their February education article. “Balance”; and visit the Health Ministry Team page to learn more about the team and their impact.
Registration is open now for a 6-week study during the Lenten season, exploring the question: “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?”. Learn more and register now: asburylv.org/WhyDidJesusHavetoDie.
Join us for a solemn day of the remembrance that “[we] are dust, and to dust [we] shall return” (Genesis 3:19, NRSV).
Worship services are being held at 12 PM and 7 PM in the Sanctuary, both including an imposition of ashes. Please note: the 7 PM service will be streamed live at live.asburylv.org. The 12 PM service WILL NOT be streamed.
Help raise funds for an emerging spiritual community in the Lehigh Valley and beyond!
The Blank Slate Community, facilitated by Rev. Sue Pizor Yoder, is holding a “Slater Soup” sale.
Homemade Italian Wedding Soup can be purchased for a suggested donation of $12/quart. Orders must be placed by February 20 and paid in advance. Pickup dates at Asbury are Saturday, February 28, from 1 PM – 2 PM; and Sunday, March 1, from 12 PM – 1 PM.
Learn more on the Blank Slate website and access their order form here.
Tonight’s (Tuesday, January 27) session of “Starting Point” has been cancelled due to weather.
Due to the winter weather, the church building will be closed on Monday, January 26. All on-site activities are been cancelled.
Due to the forecasted weather for tomorrow, Sunday, January 25:
Stay safe; and stay warm!
The final gift from Asbury’s 2025 Christmas Eve offering to the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank was $26,392. Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the work of the food bank’s vital work to care for our community through this offering!
ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS EVE OFFERING AT ASBURY CHURCH
Each year, Asbury Church donates the offering collected on Christmas Eve to a mission partner. The following is a list of recent recipients:
2024: Awa Translation of the Old Testament (missionaries Kevin and Kathy Bruce) ($16,993.00)
2023: Mobility Worldwide ($16,426)
2022: Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania ($23,543.11)
2021: Afghan Refugees (Split between UMCOR and Bethany Christian Services) ($19,187)
2020: Salem Food Pantry (over $17,000)
2019: Healthy Women, Healthy Liberia (Dr. Chris Hena) (50% of the offering, $5,301)
2018: Youth P.E.A.C.E. Ministries (50% of the offering, $6,151)
2017: Through These Hands (60% of the offering, $6,867.00)
