Adult Ministries
Asbury’s Health Ministry Team will be announcing educational tables that will be held in the Parlor on Sunday mornings. Check back for more information.
The mission of the Health Ministry Team is to promote healthier members in mind, body and spirit.
When: Weekly on Thursday, 9:30 AM
About the Group: The Deborah Circle meets weekly on Thursday mornings and most members have adult children in their 20’s & 30’s. Most have grandchildren. The focus of this group is Bible Study. Members also enjoy helping and supporting each other, and helping people in need throughout the church and community. They also take part in UWIF and service-related projects. They enjoy lunching together on a regular basis and enjoy periodic field trips together. New members are always welcome.
“This, then, is how you should pray…”
You may be familiar with this lead-in Jesus used before teaching the prayer we call “The Lord’s Prayer.” But what do the words of that prayer mean to us? How should we pray?
We invite you to join a study this Lenten season to learn more about the power those words hold.
Visit asburylv.org/thelordsprayerstudy to learn more and to sign up now!
a message from Asbury’s UMW (United Methodist Women)
Asbury’s UMW would like to thank everyone at Asbury and in the community for their support of this year’s Almost Virtual UMW Bazaar. It was disappointing that it couldn’t have been a single, in-person event, but we greatly appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s hope it will be better for the 2022 Bazaar. Thank you for your patience when problems arose and for all your smiles and fellowship when picking up your sales. Profits are not known at this time, but will be announced once they are determined.
This Advent, be part of a church-wide book study examining how we can not almost experience Christmas, but altogether experience Christmas.
“Almost Christmas: A Wesleyan Advent Experience” by Magrey deVega, Ingrid McIntyre, April Casperson, and Matt Rawle explores the commitment we can make to Christ during this Advent season: not being satisfied with “almost,” but striving for “altogether.” This book was inspired by a sermon given by John Wesley in 1741, titled “The Almost Christian,” in which Wesley encouraged people to follow Christ wholeheartedly, centering around the idea that we should not be satisfied with being almost Christian but rather strive towards being altogether a Christian.
At Asbury, we believe in the power of connection to each other as week seek to deepen our connection with God; and we hope you’ll connect with a small group this Advent season as we seek to be altogether love, hope, joy, and peace.
Groups meet weekly at a variety of days and times, and both in-person and virtual options are available.
This book will also serve as the basis for the Advent sermon series of the same name.
Visit asburylv.org/AlmostChristmasStudy to sign up now!
IN-PERSON SALES
NOV. 6, 8 AM – 3 PM
NOV. 7: CONGREGATION ONLY – 12 PM – 1 PM
OPEN TO PUBLIC 1 PM – 3 PM Wesley Center & Lower Lobby Areas
Sale from 12 – 3 PM: 50% OFF EVERYTHING $1.00 OR MORE
DONATIONS ACCEPTED FOR BOTH AREAS • OCT. 31 12 PM – 8 PM; NOV. 1 – NOV. 4, 9 AM – 8 PM
THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
Packing materials needed:
Accepted Items:
Please, no:
The Book Sale organizers are looking for someone to help in a leadership role during the sale weekend.
On Saturday, Oct. 23rd, the UMW will be collecting coats and winter accessories for Afghan refugees (all ages) that are going to be housed at the Joint Base McGuire Dix in NJ for the next year. They expect 10,000 refugees to come through. Most refugees left Afghanistan with only the clothes on their back and are not prepared for the harsh East Coast winters. We are working with someone who is on active duty at Joint Base McGuire Dix, NJ, to help facilitate the distribution.
In addition, clothing will be collected and packed in barrels of love for Liberia.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED • SATURDAY, OCT. 23, 12 PM – 5 PM, LOWER LEVEL
THESE ITEMS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS (MUST BE CLEAN)
Questions? Use the form below to contact Linda McCreight, coordinator.
Financial contributions can be made by sending a check to Asbury’s Office (“Barrels of Love” in the memo line) or online via Asbury’s Giving Portal (via PushPay).
Use the form below to contact Linda McCreight, coordinator, to volunteer.
Asbury’s leadership held a webinar on Sunday, March 7, to share information on the upcoming merger with Salem UMC (Allentown). The replay of this webinar can be viewed below; and a link to the slide presentation as a PDF follows.
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!…
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
– Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
The words of the ancient prophet echo to us in these challenging days, as the whole world waited in darkness for the birth of our Savior. Today, more than ever, we cling to the promise that God has, is, and will do a “new thing” as Jesus comes onto the scene. Though we may be feeling broken and weary of the pandemic, we continue to trust that God is at work bringing peace, light, and hope!
As we hang on to that amazing hope, we communicate the following difficult decisions, which were made after much deliberation at the December 2 Church Council meeting:
• All in-person worship services are suspended effective December 6 and continuing through January 31. This suspension includes in-person Christmas Eve worship.
• Asbury’s preschool will begin an early Christmas break on December 18.
• The building will still be available for streaming worship preparation and recording. The online-only service will continue to be streamed at 10:30 AM.
• The scheduled final Bazaar pickup on December 12 remains on as planned.
• Our commitment to provide a meeting spot for Alcoholics Anonymous remains, and they will continue to meet on-site with additional precautions.
These decisions were not made lightly and included consultation with a leader in a local healthcare system. Additionally, our Bishop, Rev. Peggy Johnson, has encouraged all churches in the Conference to hold online services rather than in-person services.
Please be encouraged that these are temporary measures, taken for everyone’s safety and physical well-being. During this suspension period, Church Council has committed to regularly review the COVID-19 infection trends and will reevaluate when to safely resume in-person worship.
We still have some great events coming up as we prepare to celebrate the coming of our Savior and King! Watch for more information to be announced about:
• A no-contact outdoor “Drive-thru Nativity” being planned for Saturday, December 19.
• A streaming Christmas Eve service, which will be announced this Sunday in worship and in communications to follow.
The Asbury leadership asks for your continued prayers for wisdom and for suggestions for how we can continue to stay connected and support one another through this difficult time. We are all looking forward with great hope to the time when we can gather in person again.
The mission of Asbury’s Health Ministry is to integrate health and faith through encouraging individuals to live healthier lives. We attempt to guide personal health through counseling, education and referrals to community resources. We would like to determine how we can help you and your family. In order to do that we would like to identify your health interests and needs, including physical, psychological and spiritual needs.
In order to determine how we can help, please check below all of the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs you and your family may have.
All responses are confidential.
As Christians, God calls us to “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15), and yet throughout the pandemic many families were unable to hold memorial services or could only include a few close family members at a service. On Saturday, October 24 at 2 PM, Pastor Barbara will hold a “Time of Mourning” Prayer Service outside in the Asbury Memorial Garden.
If you have not been able to mourn or celebrate the life of someone in your circle—a fellow church member or a friend, co-worker or loved one outside of the church, you are welcome to attend. Please come prepared to share the individual’s name and if you wish, a few words about them. We pray this service will bring comfort to you.
Please pre-register or call the church office to let us know you plan to attend. Face masks and social distancing will be required. If you prefer to sit for the service, please bring your own folding chair.
In case of rain, the service will be held on Sunday, October 25 at 2 PM.
Asbury’s Church Council held a webinar on Sunday, August 30, to share updates on Asbury, including information on an in-person worship service beginning on Sunday, September 13 (registration details TBA), preschool reopening, and direction for small groups going into the fall. The replay of this webinar can be viewed below; and a link to the slide presentation as a PDF follows.
When: Tuesday Mornings, 10 AM
About the Group: Join us as we pray together.
Get Connected to This GroupWhen: Fridays, 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
About the Group: [Description]
Get Connected: [Group Signup]
When: Monday nights, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
About the Group: The Monday Night Men’s group’s goal is to support one another while growing together in faith. Studies typically include Bible studies or faith-based books.
Get Connected: [Group Signup]
When: Day and Time Vary
About the Group: An informal social group that meets for events and does projects at the church and in the community.
Get Connected: [Group Signup]
When: 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30 PM
About the Group: The Susanna Circle holds meetings covering a variety of contemporary topics and issues of interest to church women. Circle members enjoy a warm camaraderie and welcomes newcomers. Social events include a fall outing, Christmas party, winter banquet, and summer picnic. Members are a variety of ages.
When: 2nd Tuesday of the month in the evening (2023-2024 dates: September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 12, April 9, May 14)
About the Group: The Priscilla Circle focuses on Bible Study through a book series with members and outside speakers leading the group. Socials include a “Soup and Salad Night” and a “Summer Picnic.” Members are a variety of ages. The group’s 2023-2024 program study year focus is the book “John: The Gospel of Light and Life” by Adam Hamilton.
When: Monthly meetings – 3rd Wednesday @ 6:45PM
Virtual Breakfast Social – 1st Thursday @ 8AM
In-person Breakfast Social – 1st Friday @ 8AM
About the Group: 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 or video) 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.
Get Connected to This GroupWhen: Weekly on Thursday, 9:30 AM
About the Group: The Deborah Circle meets weekly on Thursday mornings and most members have adult children in their 20’s & 30’s. Most have grandchildren. The focus of this group is Bible Study. Members also enjoy helping and supporting each other, and helping people in need throughout the church and community. They also take part in UWIF and service-related projects. They enjoy lunching together on a regular basis and enjoy periodic field trips together. New members are always welcome.
When: TBD
About the Group: The Crafters Circle makes crafts for the annual UWIF Bazaar while enjoying the company and fellowship of others.
Get Connected to This GroupWhen: 3rd Tuesday of each month, 1:00 PM
Where: Aldersgate Room
About the Group: The Prayer Shawl Circle crochets or knits prayer shawls or lap blankets for ill individuals or shut-ins, while enjoying the friendship of others. Members are a variety of ages.
Get Connected to This GroupWhen: Wednesdays, 6:30 PM – 8 PM
About the Group: The The Quilters’ Circle promotes an atmosphere of knowledge and participation in the art form of quilting. One of the main projects is creating a quilt to be sold at the annual UWIF Bazaar, held in November, all while enjoying the fellowship of one another. Members are a variety of ages.
Get Connected to This Group
