Asbury’s Church Council invites you to a “Congregational Chat” update on Sunday, March 17 following the conclusion of the 11 AM worship service.
This chat is a follow-up from the February 25 chat. Please click here to find a video replay, copy of the handout, and slides from that session.
Confirmation is the class through which youth-aged students from grades 8-12 can learn about what it means to become a member of the Church and take the step to become one themselves. Classes begin on March 17 and will be held weekly through May 12 from 6:30 PM – 8 PM in Room 215. Students will join the church during a special 10 AM worship service on Pentecost Sunday (May 19). If you’re interested in (or have a student interested in) being part of the class, contact the church office.
Asbury’s Church Council hosted a “Congregational Chat” on February 25. Watch the replay and view their slide deck below.
The following announcement was delivered by Sarah Kinzel, chair of Asbury’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee, in our 9:30 AM worship service this morning:
“It is my joy to share with you today that the Bishop John R. Schol has appointed the Reverend Richard (Rick) Brown as the new Associate Pastor of our congregation. Reverend Rick will begin his new responsibilities on July 1 of this year. As a United Methodist Church, we are part of an appointment system. Our congregation’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee has identified our congregation’s needs and the needed skills in a pastor. We have also met with Pastor Rick to better get to know him and to ask questions.
“Richard (Rick) Brown, III was ordained as an elder in 2017. Prior to entering ministry he worked as support staff in an adult outpatient drug and alcohol unit as well as a child and adolescent mental health unit. Rick received his call to ministry in high school while taking part in worship at Prospect UMC and received a Master of Divinity degree from Palmer Theological Seminary in 2012. His appointments included Hellertown St. Paul’s for nine years and Quakertown United Methodist Church, where he is presently serving. Rick enjoys preaching and finding practical ways to live out our faith. His hobbies include running and various games. He is married to his wife, Kim, and has two young daughters. Our new Associate Pastor will work with us and the conference so that we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Bishop Schol and the leaders of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference will work with us to continue to grow as a vital congregation. I know you will join the Bishop, our new pastor, and me in helping to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
“Transition can be exciting but also a daunting time. I ask that you be in prayer with Rev. Rick Brown as he prepares for a new chapter in his ministry; and please also keep in prayer our church, Pastor Eric, and Pastor Evelyn as we begin this transition.
“We do want to make sure that everybody knows that nobody’s roles are changing. Pastor Evelyn will continue to be our Pastor of Bereavement and Care Ministries, and Pastor Eric will continue to be our Senior Pastor; we are just now adding a new associate pastor – a new member of the team – to help us grow into the future and really focus on family and young ministries.
“SPRC is a tough committee. We do a lot of work in confidentiality. While we welcome all of your questions, please note that there are some things that we are not going to be able to share.
“We ask for your prayers as we move forward.”
You can reach Asbury’s Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) via email at SPRC@asburylv.org
Pastor Eric delivered the following remarks:
“I’m excited to bring Rick onto the team and to mentor him and to learn from him as well [as we work to] reach out to a younger generation of people.”
Asbury’s Church Council invites you to a “Congregational Chat” update on Sunday, February 25 following the conclusion of the 11 AM worship service. Updates given will include the 2024 budget, financial results for 2023, and updates on ministry areas such as worship and small groups. All are welcome.
Register now for the Asbury Women’s Retreat! This special weekend – April 6-7 at Gretna Glen – aims to bring Asbury women together to grow in faith and fellowship with each other.
Registration is open now for a 6-week study during the Lenten season, exploring the experiences of the people who experienced the despair of Jesus’ death and the joy of his resurrection. Learn more and register now: asburylv.org/TheThirdDay.
The final gift from Asbury’s 2023 Christmas Eve offering to Mobility Worldwide was $16,426, an amount that covers the cost of 38 handcarts. Gary Moreau, Executive Director of Mobility Worldwide, says “Asbury is lifting 38 persons off the ground.” Thank you for your generosity and for providing the gift of mobility and dignity through this offering!
The display of colorful spring flowers in the Sanctuary during the Easter season is a tradition at Asbury. We invite you to be a part of this tradition by ordering a pot in honor or memory of a friend or loved one. Learn more and place your order at asburylv.org/easterflowers.
Asbury in Mission (AIM) is launching a new and ongoing collection of clean pill bottles for Dr. Chris Hena’s clinic in Kakata, Liberia. Please remove any label before depositing the plastic bottles in the designated pull-out section of the cabinet in the AIM collections area across from the church office. Clear or white pill bottles are accepted. Bottles can be from a medical facility or pharmacy. Small over-the-counter purchased medicine containers are also approved. Labels can be soaked off in hot water and the sticky residue removed with WD40 or Goo Gone.
Questions? Please contact Dick McCreight or Asbury in Mission.
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.
Teachers: we know you’ve got a tough job! This 10-week Bible study, with 5 sessions in February/March and the remaining 5 in the fall, explores 10 ways the Gospels can combat burnout. Learn more and register now: asburylv.org/TeacherSupport
Did you know cancelled stamps are a vital mission use? They are prepared and sold to stamp dealers, and every penny earned is used to prepare lessons and send to South American Sunday Schools to teach about our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The following is an update on the Alliance Stamp Ministry from Jan Kuhns, coordinator
January 2024
Two boxes of stamps from Asbury were just delivered to the Shell Point Community, where they are prepared for sale to stamp dealers, and the funds are then totally used for the Mission Outreach to South America Sunday Schools.
In 2023 $35,000.00 was raised and sent to the mission, bringing the total raised since inception in 1972 to $1,191,300.00.
Asbury has played a vital part in this ministry with the large number of stamps we have sent to it. It is greatly appreciated and send their deepest thanks.
Please see guidelines (at asburylv.org/stamps), and please keep them coming.
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Learn more about Asbury’s Stamp Ministry – and how you can help – at asburylv.org/stamps.
The Men’s Social Group will tour the Mack Truck Museum on February 2 at 10:30 AM. The group will carpool from the Asbury rear parking lot leaving at 9:30 AM. The museum is located near the Queen City Airport off Vultee Street. The Mack Store will be open to purchase various clothing items. Donation is $5. Tour group limited to 10. Register by notifying group leader Dave Torrey using the form below if you would like to be part of this outing.
Click to contact the group and get connected!Group contact: David Torrey
Save the date: the Asbury Women’s Retreat is taking place April 6-7. Watch for more information for this fantastic opportunity to enjoy fellowship with other Asbury women while growing in Christ.
Asbury is taking part in the Lehigh Conference of Churches‘ 2024 toilet paper drive. The following is information from the Conference of Churches:
Toilet paper is in great demand as it falls outside the items covered by SNAP benefits, commonly known as “food stamps.” When families and individuals come to us, receiving just one roll of toilet paper can alleviate one expense from their tight budgets.
This February we are asking the community to donate toilet paper to help those less fortunate. Last year, because of the generosity of so many we collected over 1,400 rolls!
If you can pick up a bulk load of toilet paper, consider setting some aside to donate. It is one of the most essential household items and should be readily available to everyone—with your help, it can be that again. Remember to keep possible allergies in mind when you donate items like these. Stick to unscented toilet paper and you should be just fine.
Collection bins – marked for the “On a Roll” toilet paper drive – will be located at both the upper and lower entrances at Asbury. Collections will be received from February 1 – 29.
A project began in September to refresh our Youth Lounge and we’re excited that after 4 months, our students resumed their gatherings in that space yesterday. Thank you to all who supported the project and were instrumental in its completion and for your support of our Children’s and Youth Ministries programs as we work to help them start their faith journey well.
Want to learn more about the church? At Asbury, we have a session called Adult Inquirers which gives people the opportunity to spend time with the staff, learn more about the church, our ministries, and possibly join the church (you’re also welcome to take the class for informational purposes without becoming a full member).
The next session is being offered on Sunday, February 18, from roughly 12:15 PM – 2:15 PM. Room is TBA.
Learn more about Adult Inquirers, register for the next session, and contact Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries at asburylv.org/adultinquirers.
February 9, Northampton Banquet and Events Center
Multiple churches in the Lehigh Valley are teaming up for the 8th annual Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine, an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. Your volunteer help is needed to make this an amazing night for the guests and their families. Learn more and volunteer.
