Category Archive

August 10, 2025 // Evangelism: Simple or Scary? // Matthew 28:16-20

In his final moments on earth after his resurrection, Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go into the world and make new disciples. For some of us today, this can be a scary task: talking to people about our faith and even facing rejection or scorn. However, sharing our faith can also be easy as we look at how easily we talk about other important matters near and dear to our hearts.

August 17, 2025 // Making Time // Luke 16:19-31

Sometimes “we don’t know how good we have it until it’s gone.” Far too often we put off things we should do, even though doing them would benefit both us and those around us. While it can be daunting to start a monumental task, if broken down into smaller and manageable components, we can begin a discipline and practice that leads us to greater and greater faith, understanding, and witness. Let’s make time for God and see the riches of God’s blessing.

August 31, 2025 // God is Good? // John 11:32-43

When life doesn’t turn out the way we hope, it can cause us to doubt God’s goodness. But many times, it’s in the midst of our circumstances that we better understand God’s presence.

September 7, 2025 // Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus // Hebrews 12:2-3

No matter if our current season of life is easy or difficult, we strive to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of our circumstances.

September 14, 2025 // When in Doubt // Matthew 4:12-13, Hebrews 4:16

We all experience doubts during various seasons of our faith journey. But doubt doesn't have to be an off-ramp to faith. In fact, it's a natural part of the journey.

July 6, 2025 // Wicked

Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Elphaba, is a misunderstood young woman who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet at Shiz University and forge an unlikely friendship - before their lives take different paths following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of OZ. Join us as we explore the themes of friendship, wickedness, redemption, and the dangers of unchecked power.

July 13, 2025 // Captain America: Brave New World // Ephesians 6:12; Galatians 6:7-10; Matthew 6:1-4

Superheroes. Individuals who fight for good, help people, and give them hope against all kinds of major and minor situations. Captain America: Brave New World continues the events of the Marvel cinematic universe following the new Captain America, Sam Wilson. The world is still trying to come back together after the return of those “snapped” by Thanos 5 years ago, tensions over superheroes persist, and unique global and/or galactical threats keep emerging. In this message, we'll consider how this film let us learn to overcome the past, work together, and see the good in one another to increase our faith and witness in the world for Jesus Christ.

July 20, 2025 // Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin. // Micah 6:8

Dietrich Bonhoeffer gets swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide.

July 27, 2025 // Inside Out 2 // Matthew 6:25-34

Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety? You're not alone. In this week's message, we explore the powerful themes from the movie Inside Out 2 and how they relate to the real-life battle many of us face with anxiety. Just as the characters in the movie navigate their emotions, we often find anxiety trying to take control. But there’s hope!

June 15, 2025 // Restoring “Project Cars” // Ezekiel 36:26-27

The process of restoring an automobile is a great metaphor for what scripture says that God does with us. He sees us, not simply as we are, but as we could be. And he is an expert at restoring people. Christ gave his life to purchase you, redeem you, and to restore you; and all of us need to be restored.

June 22, 2025 // Driver’s Ed and the Owner’s Manual // Joshua 1:7-8a, Romans 12:2

Most people never read their car’s owner’s manual, but it can help car owners understand how to operate and maintain their car. Not reading the owner’s manual has led to terrible consequences for some drivers. And if you are going to pass a driver’s test it’s imperative to read the state’s driving manual. So what does all this have to do with our faith?

June 29, 2025 // Life is a Highway // Ephesians 2:1, 4-5, 8-10

In 2006, Disney and Pixar came out with an animated movie called Cars. Rascal Flatts' contribution to the soundtrack, a song called “Life is a Highway,” highlights how driving and the adventures on the road are a picture of what our life journey is supposed to be about. If that’s the case, what can help us have a successful journey in life?

May 4, 2025 // Understanding Islam // Genesis 17:18-20

Part of Asbury’s ‘Closing the Gap’ visioning campaign is to close the justice and kindness gap. And one of those initiatives is to bring people together across faiths for mutual understanding and to stand with our neighbors of other faiths demonstrating a witness to the love of Christ. Join us for a discussion with various members of the Al Ahad Islamic Center, as we work towards a better understanding of the Islamic faith.

May 11, 2025 // Mother's Day // Proverbs 31:25-31

Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we will hear from some Asbury mothers about the challenges of being a mother and the importance of their faith during motherhood.

May 18, 2025 // Dr. Chris Hena

Today we will hear a message from Dr. Chris Hena. Chris has been an Asbury missionary from Liberia for many years.

March 16, 2025 // The Kingdom of God is Near // Mark 1:14-15

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus proclaims “The Kingdom of God is near!” So what did Jesus mean by that statement and what is our role in ushering in the kingdom? In week 1 of the series, we will explore Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of God.

March 23, 2025 // The World’s Most Important Sermon // Matthew 5:1-2, 7:24-27

The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ most well-known teaching and one of history’s most famous speeches ever. Jesus delivered this sermon 2,000 years ago, and the implications of these words are still shockingly relevant and meaningful. This week, we examine what Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount means for us.

March 30, 2025 // The Parables of the Kingdom // Matthew 13:10-11, 13

Jesus of Nazareth was a master teacher; and some of his most well-known teachings are told in short stories called parables. Jesus used parables to tell us something about God, himself, and the Kingdom of God. This week, we examine the parables of Jesus and see what they mean for us 2000 years later.

April 6, 2025 // The “I Am” Sayings of Jesus // John 6:16-20

One of the distinctive elements of the teaching of Jesus is the way he expresses important truths in terms of his own personal character and mission. Unique to the Gospel of John are seven statements Jesus begins by saying “I am.” This week, we examine the “I Am” sayings of Jesus and look at what they reveal about him.

April 13, 2025 // Final Words // John 13:34-35, Luke 22:24-26

Today we take a look at the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life. And we will focus on the words he spoke as he prepared for his death and he was dying on the cross. Like anyone who knows they are dying, Jesus wanted to communicate what he believed were very important for his friends and followers to hear. But what do these words mean for us today?

April 20, 2025 // The Resurrection and the Life (Easter Sunday) // John 14:1-6

Four days after Jesus’ friend Lazarus died, Jesus came to the village where Lazarus’ body lay in a tomb. Lazarus’ sister Mary said to Jesus upon his arrival “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus replied by saying “I am the resurrection and the life.” Today, as we celebrate Easter, we will look at what that statement means for us in the here-and-now.

February 23, 2025 // The Land of ER // Matthew 27:18, Proverbs 14:30, Ecclesiates 4:4-8

We’ve all heard of a win-win outcome. But we are daily engaging in a lose-lose activity and we may not even realize how destructive it is. Being rich-er or smart-er or funny-er, or thinn-er, may feel like a short-term win, but for ourselves, our families, and our marriages, comparison is a game with no winners. This week we will examine Solomon’s wisdom about comparison from the book of Ecclesiastes.

March 2, 2025 // Looking Around // Galatians 4:4-6

God is the creator of the universe. God is awesome, smart and powerful. And he has told us to call him... Father. In this message we unpack what being part of God’s family can mean for our self-assurance. God’s opinion of us may provide something we haven’t yet found comparing ourselves to others.

March 9, 2025 // Two Bags Full (Parable of the Tenants) // Matthew 25:14-30

Comparison is being caught in the trap of constantly asking, “Does she have more than me? Are they better off? Is he smarter, funnier, richer?” We preoccupy ourselves with these questions, but God has a better plan. What you have is less important than what you do with what you have. In this message, we will use a familiar parable to illustrate the question God would have us ask; a question that will free us from the comparison trap once and for all.

February 9, 2025 // Serving Like Christ // Ephesians 6:5-9

Part 1 looks at the example Jesus set. We are meant to serve others as if they were the Lord. Let us not just be kind and courteous, generous and giving while other people are watching, but look to please the Lord in every interaction.

February 16, 2025 // Getting Off the Donkey // Luke 10:25-37, Hebrews 13:1-8

Part 2 looks at how the application of hospitality produces deep blessings. We never know what our small or grand acts of kindness, welcome, or invitation can mean to someone; it may very well change someone’s life. Let us continually be hospitable as we close the gap on the kingdom of God and our world.

January 5, 2025 // Abortion // Psalm 139:13-16

The abortion debate is a longstanding and contentious discourse that touches on the moral, legal, medical, and religious aspects of induced abortion. The debate most visibly polarizes around supporters of the self-described "pro-choice" and "pro-life" movements. In week 1 of this series, we will look at both sides of the debate and see where they point us toward scripture.

Income inequality is the uneven distribution of income among individuals, groups, or populations. It's a major factor in social stratification and social class. In the United States, the income gap between the rich and everyone else has been growing markedly, by every major statistical measure, for more than 30 years. So what does Scripture say about this issue? This week, we will look at the biblical witness in regards to the issue and see how we can address it as individuals, a community and our nation.

January 19, 2025 // Immigration // Deuteronomy 10:18-19

During the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many U.S. voters listed immigration among their top concerns. This is not new; immigration has been a touchstone of the U.S. political debate for decades. So how should Christians respond? This week, we will look at what the Bible says about immigrants and how we can live out these biblical principles in our churches, our communities and our nation.

January 26, 2025 // Christian Nationalism // Matthew 4:8-10, 20:25-28

You have probably seen all the headlines over the past few years about Christian Nationalism. Like other divisive issues in our series, Christian Nationalism has people on opposite sides of the movement. Today, we will try and answer several questions about this movement. What is Christian nationalism, and how is it different from Christianity? How is it different from patriotism? How should Christians think about nations, especially about the United States?

February 2, 2025 // Human Sexuality // Acts 11:1-9

The issue over the treatment of LGBTQ+ community has divided our society and our churches over the past several decades. Today, we will be wrestling with the topic of the Bible and sexuality. We'll start off looking the question of sexual practices in the Bible and what that says to Christians in 2025. Then we will consider the question of homosexuality and what the Bible says about it.

- ONE SERVICE AT 10 AM -

December 29, 2024 // Excited and Hopeful

In this special 10 AM service, we'll continue the Christmastide celebration, take a look back at 2024, and reveal the excitement that lies ahead in the new year.

December 1, 2024 // A People Prepared for the Lord // Malachi 3:1, Luke 1:5-17

Today we look at how John the Baptist prepared people for the coming of the Lord. But it’s not just John the Baptist that is supposed to prepare people for the Lord’s coming, we all are tasked with preparing people for Jesus’ coming and spreading hope.

December 8, 2024 // God is Gracious // Luke 1:57-64, 67, 76-79

Today we look at the birth of John the Baptist and the response of his father Zechariah to his birth; and what we learn from this story is how God brings peace to this world and how we are called to be on a peace-bringing mission as well.

December 15, 2024 // The Fruit of Repentance // Luke 1:80, 3:1a, 3:3-4, 3:7-8a, 3:10-14

Today we look at the message of John the Baptist to the Jewish people to “change their hearts and their lives,” as they prepared themselves for the coming of Jesus. Today, we are called to “change our hearts and minds” and produce the fruit worthy of repentance; and we are all meant to be a “John the Baptist” for someone else.

December 22, 2024 // Witnesses, Testifying to the Light // John 1:1-9 and 12

In varied places, the Bible saw the good-versus-evil conflict as “light” and “darkness.” The gospel writer John saw the “light” as the person that John the Baptist was preparing the way for. The Jesus he had seen/heard/known, he said, was the light shining in the world’s darkness. Jesus, the life and light, could (and can) deliver us from our world’s and our own darkness.

November 10, 2024 // How Good is Good Enough? // John 3:1-18

The belief that “good people go to heaven” sounds nice on the surface. But it doesn’t make sense.

November 17, 2024 // Defining "Good" // 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

Jesus offered the most just system possible in an unjust world.

November 24, 2024 // The Heart of the Law // John 3:17

People came before commandments. With God, relationships always precede rules.

September 22, 2024 // Messages from the Beginning

Everything has a beginning. From the very Beginning, God created and made things good. When sin entered the Creation, God helped humanity all the while working to enact complete reconciliation. Let’s explore the good works of God, the cycle of sin, and the promise of complete reconciliation.

September 29, 2024 // Redemption's Call

ONE SERVICE AT 10 AM
The call from the end of the Bible is linked to the message from the beginning: God’s desire to abide with the created, forever. Through the redemptive sacrifice on the cross, empowerment through the Holy Spirit, and a message rooted in love, the reconciliation of humanity is God’s free gift to all. Let us hear the calling to God’s heavenly home, where evil is no more and no end is in sight.

October 6, 2024 // The Power of Kindness // Micah 6:8

Someone once asked, “If we believe the other party is wrong about some really critical issues, are we simply to be nice and not address these serious differences?” No - we should stand up for what we believe in. But too often we do that with rancor; in a way that merely pushes people away from what we believe. That only further polarizes us. Micah 6:8 offers us a better way. Today we’ll focus on kindness and how it might just be the key to saving American democracy.

October 13, 2024 // Finding Common Ground // Acts 17:22-28

Our faith can either divide us and instill greater fear - and even hate - or it can be the antidote to hate, heal divisions, and bring us together. Today we will look at how and why and how our faith can lead us to love our neighbors across the religious divide.

October 20, 2024 // Malice Toward None, Charity for All // Ephesians 4:1-3, 31-32, James 1:19, Matthew 7:1-5

President Abraham Lincoln said these words in his Second Inaugural Address, shortly before the end of the Civil War: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphans; to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Today we look at how to have malice toward none, with charity for all.

October 27, 2024 // Jesus, Politics, and Religion // Matthew 5:43-46

The Pew Research Center found in a poll taken in 2019 that two-thirds of people in both parties see those in the other party as closed-minded, and 36% of each party sees the other as unintelligent. There are Democrats who see Republicans as racist;, and Republicans who see Democrats as immoral. Somewhere, we have to stop. Today we will look at what Jesus has to say about overcoming our political divide.

September 1, 2024 // Blinded by the Light // Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-6, 9

The Apostle Paul came on to the pages of history as someone who hated Christians and he became the ringleader in persecuting them. But then something happened: he encountered the resurrected Jesus… and it changed everything. Join us as we discuss the early years of Paul, his conversion, and what lessons his life can teach us about our own spiritual journeys.

September 8, 2024 // Missionary Journeys // Acts 13:2-3, Romans 1:1 and 7, Ephesians 4:1

The Apostle Paul believed he was “called” by God to his ministry and over and over again he tells Jesus followers that they have a calling as well. So have you been “called?” Do you know what your calling is? This week, we will explore what a calling is and how you discover your calling.

September 15, 2024 // Opposition, Suffering, and Death // 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 14, 17-18

The Apostle Paul continued to spread the gospel of Christ in spite of constant threats on his life, plus punishment and imprisonment. The reason Paul could continue his ministry under all this duress is the fact that he was not afraid of death. Paul had the assurance that this world was not all that there is. So are you living as someone prepared to die like the Apostle Paul?

August 11, 2024 // Voices: Greg Krausz

Greg is a Licensed Professional Counselor and CAADC. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Moravian Theological Seminary, and a Consultant/Trainer with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA. Join us as Greg will be sharing his thoughts about addiction in America.

August 18, 2024 // Voices: Sue Yoder

Rev. Yoder leads Blank Slate, an emerging spiritual community in the Lehigh Valley. Sue has done extensive research on young adults who have left the Church and how to reach them spiritually. Join us as she shares her thoughts about the “nones and dones.”

August 25, 2024 // Voices: Chris Nikic

ONE SERVICE AT 10 AM
Chris became the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon. Chris is going to share his inspiring story and how we can all be 1% better each day.

July 7 // Barbie

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans. So where does this movie point to scripture?

July 14 // Oppenheimer

The movie Oppenheimer follows the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist known as the father of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer is more than a biographical movie; it is a movie about the human condition because it points to the fact the we are all seeking a way to control the world around us. The question the movie is asking is this: “If you had the power of life and death in your hands, how would you use it?” That’s the predicament Oppenheimer found himself in. So as Christians, how do we respond when life is in the balance?

July 21 // Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

The movie Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves centers around a bard named Edgin who sought a special tablet that could bring his wife back from the dead. Surrounded by a cast of characters – each with their own abilities – Edgin rediscovers his purpose. Just like the group this film is centered around, the body of Christ comes with its own sea of people with unique talents and abilities; each of which is needed to fulfill a mission.

July 28 // Super Mario Brothers

ONE SERVICE AT 10 AM
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a 2023 animated adventure comedy film based on Nintendo's Mario video game franchise. The film features an origin story for the brothers Mario and Luigi, Italian-American plumbers who are separated after being transported to a fantasy world and become entangled in a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom - led by Princess Peach - and the Koopas - led by Bowser. So what does this movie have to do with scripture?

June 16, 2024 // The Purpose and Power of the Church // Matthew 16:15-18

Green Bay Packer coach Vince Lombardi famously said “Gentlemen, this is a football!” during the first day of training camp. He was not trying to be funny; he was stressing that fundamentals are important. Sometimes we have attended church for so long we lose focus on what the purpose of the church is. Join us this week as we talk about the purpose and power of the church.

June 23, 2024 // The Purpose and Power of Baptism // Luke 3:3, 21-22

Christian denominations tend to disagree on various aspects of baptism. Should infants be baptized or should you wait until you can make a decision to follow Christ on your own? Should we baptize by sprinkling of water or immersion? Join us this week as we look at the purpose and power of baptism in the United Methodist faith.

June 30, 2024 // The Power of Holy Communion // 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Christian denominations tend to disagree on various aspects of communion. Is Christ present in the bread and drink, is he present in ways we can’t understand or is it just all symbolism? Join us this week as we look at the purpose and power of communion in the United Methodist faith.

April 14, 2024 // Out of Nothing // Genesis 1 - 3

All ancient cultures had some type of creation story. As Christians, we believe in the Hebrew creation story from the book of Genesis. But the creation story in Genesis raises many questions. Was the world created in 7 literal days? Were Adam and Eve real people? And how do we make sense of sin in this world? Join us in worship as we ask questions and explore the deeper meaning of the creation story.

April 21, 2024 // Noah and His Ark // Genesis 6 - 7

From the simple children’s Bible story to the Hollywood movie, the story of Noah frequently raises questions. Did it really happen? Why are there flood stories in different cultures and religions around the world? Has Noah’s ark been found? Why would a loving God destroy the earth with a flood? Join us in worship as we ask questions and explore the deeper meaning of the story of Noah and its message for us today.

April 28, 2024 // The Father of Many Relgions // Genesis 12 – 23

Abraham is the patriarch of the Abrahamic religions including Judaism, Christianity and Islam. While Abraham is highly esteemed, upon closer inspection we see that he is also human and imperfect. But God uses the imperfect, just like us.

May 5, 2024 // A Father's Blessing // Genesis 25 – 35

Abraham’s son Isaac had two boys named Esau and Jacob. Jacob's name means "trickster" or "heel catcher," and he lived up to his name. Once again, while Jacob is highly esteemed, upon closer inspection we see that he is also human and imperfect. But God uses the imperfect, just like us.

May 12, 2024 // Joseph and His Brothers // Genesis 37 – 50

We all love a good story where the protagonist finds themselves in a trying or difficult situation. Whether it is jealousy, sibling rivalry, betrayal, love interests, murder plots, suffering, or despair, we all leap out of our seats when a person experiences redemption or salvation from their situation. Luckily for us, the story of the life of Joseph contains all the above.