From Pastor Eric

faith in action… imagine your life changed.
Our Vision Statement
In all aspects of our lives, we
will strive to be disciples of
Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.
PASSIONATE
WORSHIP
SUMMER SCHEDULE
WORSHIP
9:00 AM in the Sanctuary
WORSHIP
10:30 AM in the Sanctuary
OPEN DOOR WORSHIP
10:45 AM in the Wesley Center
SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:00 AM
Pastor
Eric S. Yeakel
SUNDAY MORNING CHILDCARE
ROOM 223
During our 9:00 Sunday School
time, we have childcare for
infants through three year olds.
During our 10:30 Service, we
have childcare available for
infants through PreK.
OFFICE HOURS
8 AM to 4 PM, M—F
1533 Springhouse Road
Allentown, PA 18104
Phone: 610-398-2577
Fax: 610-366-1108
www.asburylv.org
Publicity Requests:
http://publicityform.asburylv.org/
Asbury United
Methodist Church
@asburyumclv
JULY 20, 2014
The Vine
From Pastor Eric
I was deeply saddened this past weekend while watching the news about a 15
year old girl named Cassidy Stay. Cassidy’s parents and siblings, ages 4 to
13, were killed in front of her in their Texas home. This past Saturday, at the
memorial service for her parents and siblings, she said "happiness can be
found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."
Cassidy was quoting J. K. Rowling's book "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban."
As Christians, we believe that the light in the midst of darkness is Jesus Christ.
When we experience tragedy and adversity in our lives we can have assurance that with Jesus the worst thing is never the last thing. We also know that
God can take our pain and suffering and bring something good from it. God
took the pain, suffering and death of his son and used it to bring salvation to all
humanity. God promises to walk with us through our adversity and bring
something good from it. This is one of the lessons we will learn this Sunday
from the story of Ruth and Naomi as we continue with our series of messages
“Real Housewives of the Bible.”
Both Naomi and Ruth lost their husbands and were faced with living in a culture where women could not own property. Without husbands, they would be
left to gather leftover grain from the field in order to survive. But we will see
how God takes their suffering, redeems it, and brings something good from it.
We will also learn from their story how God answers prayer by using people
like you and me.
See you in church!
Since prayer should be the starting point for
everything in ministry, we ask your help with
prayer for the upcoming Cookson Hills Mission
Trip and Asbury Vacation Bible School.
Please volunteer to pray for the those leading
the Cookson, Oklahoma VBS from July 21st
through 25tth and for the children and
volunteers that will participate in Asbury’s
VBS, from August 4th through 8th.
The goal is to have enough prayer volunteers that each person participating in
these ministries will have someone praying for them individually throughout
the week of the event. If you would be willing to spend a few minutes a day, at
your own convenience, praying for someone involved in these ministries,
please contact the church office to get the name of a participant for whom you
can pray. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated!
RADICAL HOSPITALITY / CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND CARE
THE NEW MOMS’ GROUP
will meet at 6:00 PM on
Monday, 7/28, in Room 223. All moms who have children under
a year old are welcome! Contact Laurie Wallace Theisen
([email protected]) or Pam Unrath ([email protected])
for more information.
ASBURY'S VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
will be held from 9:00
AM to 12:00 noon the week of 8/4 to 8/8. This year's theme is
"Workshop of Wonders: Imagine and Build with God." We are in
desperate need of youth and adult volunteers to make this
experience possible. If you are available to help, please
contact Pam Unrath ([email protected] or 610-398-2577).
ARE YOU ABLE TO HELP SUPPLY SNACKS
for the Vacation
Bible School Teachers’ Hospitality Room? Dates for VBS this
year are 8/4 to 8/8. A poster board for sign-ups has been placed
in the Community Room. Please volunteer to help us treat our
VBS teachers to a special break during their busy mornings.
ASBURY’S TEAM FOR MEALS ON WHEELS
needs substitute and regular volunteers. If you are
available for about two hours, usually from 10:30
AM to 12:00 PM on a Thursday, we need you! It
will be the most rewarding job you never get paid
for. Please contact Evelyn Hart (610-433-5725)
for more information. Thank you!
GIRL SCOUT SIGN-UPS:
Will your daughter be in Grades K12 this coming school year? Would she like to join Girl Scouts?
Troops are forming now within the Parkland School District for
the upcoming school year. If interested or for more information,
please contact Molly at ([email protected]) for Grades K-3 or
Nicole ([email protected]) for Grades 4-12. As
always, we are looking for adult volunteers as well to help with
troops and events. Sign up now to begin your scouting
adventure!
POCONO PLATEAU SENIOR RETREAT (55 AND ABOVE)
TUESDAY, 10/7, 10:00 AM - FRIDAY, 10/10, 10:00 AM
Accommodations are in heated cabins with hot running water.
Cost is $169.00 per person. Register online at poconoplateau.org
or contact the camp office at 570-676-3665.
PARISH NURSE HEALTH MINISTRY:
Asbury member Abby
Frick is a nursing student needing to do blood pressures in the
community this summer. She has a goal of accomplishing 150
in the coming weeks. Abby will set up an area in the Community
Room and near the Welcome Desk in Wesley Center Lobby
during the coming weeks. Take time to get your blood pressure
checked!! You never know when it may be elevated or even
very low. Blood pressures are an indication of your overall
health. It only takes three minutes to have it checked — it could
save your life!
Prayers of Our Congregation
The Summer Harmony/Allentown Band Concert will be held at
Parkland High School on Friday, 8/22, at 7:30 PM. Reserved
seat tickets for the concert ($20.00 or $15.00) are available via
the Summer Harmony Ticket Hotline (610-351-6001), on the
website (www.summerharmony.com) or at the door the night of
the concert.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.”
-- Jesus (Matthew 7:7)
For those who need health and healing
Lord, we ask your healing for all those currently hospitalized
or recently discharged, including Gregory Goodge, Susan
Jennings, Betty Snow, and Doris Nichol. We ask you to have
mercy on all those in pain, both physical and mental and
grant them your peace.
For those who need your special help
Lord, we affirm that your power is infinite and that you love us
all like a devoted parent. Gratefully acknowledging your love
and mercy toward us, we lift up these people for your care:
Joe Heller (June Matthew’s neighbor) needs healing after
kidney surgery; Sherwood Silfies, Betty’s husband, needs
strength, healing, and support while facing surgery for a
mass on his lung; Jenna, the Offutts’ granddaughter, who
has relapsed in her recovery process; Traveling mercies for
the Springers’ daughter-in-law and two grandsons who are
driving from KY to PA.
For those who mourn
Lord, we ask comfort for all who mourn the loss of loved
ones. Reassure them of your unending mercy and love.
For our children
Lord, we ask your protection of children around the world,
that they may be saved from war, have enough to eat, and
enjoy the comfort of families who love them.
For our congregation
Lord, inspire us to greater love, compassion and forgiveness.
For the world, its people and its leaders
Lord, look upon the world with mercy and bring peace to
warring nations, especially the Ukraine, Israel and the Gaza
Strip, Iraq and Afghanistan. Strengthen our resolve to work
for peace and for relief of the suffering caused by war.
With thanksgiving for our joys
We celebrate the following joys: The baptisms on 7/13 of
Keagan Lynn Frisbie and Dylan Sean Buzgierski; 17 Sr. High
Youth and 22 adults were commissioned last Sunday and
then left for Philippi, WV for their annual Work Week; Fistfuls
of black raspberries were found in Debbie Goodwin’s
neighborhood; Ensign Tyler Hess returned safely from a 7
month deployment with the US Navy; Karen Dearborn
celebrated a birthday on 7/13; Sue Dymond has a brand new
grandniece, Cecelia Laurel Dymond; Paul & Gerri Carlson
celebrated 60 years of marriage on 7/17.
For the missions we support
Lord, we ask your blessing on Meals on Wheels of Lehigh
County. They provide nutritionally balanced, home delivered
lunch and evening meals to residents of Lehigh County who
are predominantly homebound and unable to prepare
nutritious meals for themselves.
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Contact Pam Unrath, Director of Children’s Ministries,
for information on all Children’s Ministry activities
([email protected] or 610-398-2577).
Children’s Sunday School: Child care is available during the 9:00 AM worship
service in Room 223 for infants through 3 years of age. Children Age 4 through
Grade 5 will participate in Summer Sunday School in Fellowship Hall.
4th and 5th Graders get out your skates! J.A.M. will meet on Sunday, 7/20, from
2:30 to 4:00 PM at the Independence Family Fun Center in Schnecksville to go roller
skating. To RSVP, please contact Pam Unrath or use the sign-up sheets outside the
Wesley Center or in the Community Room.
Mark your calendar! Vacation Bible School
is almost here! 8/4 to 8/8, Asbury will host
VBS for more than 120 children. During this
high energy, fun-filled week children will
learn, grow and experience God’s love as
they participate in Music, Games, Storytelling, Science, Art and Snack workshops
each day. We are in desperate need of youth
and adult volunteers to make this experience
possible. If you are available for the entire
week, or even a few days, please contact
Pam Unrath. We hope you will join us!!
Contact Aaron Forney, Director of Youth Ministries,
for information on all Youth Ministry activities and
opportunities ([email protected] or 610-398-2577).
Visit www.asburyym.org to see videos and photos from the Sr. High Mission/Work Trip
to Philippi, WV. You can also visit our Facebook page and Twitter feed (on both with
the hashtag #WVWorkWeek2014)! Check it out!
Make sure to “like” our Facebook page, “Asbury Youth Ministries” to keep up-to-date
and get content you won’t see anywhere else! Not on Facebook? Not a problem! You
can still access the page!
Join us every Sunday over the summer for Sunday School at 9:00 AM (Youth
Lounge), Worship (10:30 AM blended in the Sanctuary or 10:45 Open Door alternative
in the Wesley Center), Lunch at 12:00 PM (Wesley Center), and a Game/Hangout
Time at 12:30 PM (Youth Lounge). All activities are open to students who have
completed Grades 6-12. Visit www.asburyym.org for the full summer schedule!
Asbury Youth Night at the IronPigs: Take me out to the
ballgame! On Sunday, 8/3, 5:35 PM, join us to see the Lehigh Valley
IronPigs play the Durham Bulls. There is a Youth Replica Jersey Shirt
Giveaway to the first 2,000 children and youth under 17 years
old. Please order tickets at www.asburyym.org or contact Cyndi
Frank, (610-799-6079 or [email protected]) to reserve your
tickets. Tickets are $10.00 each, and include a $2.00 credit value for
food, beverage, or merchandise purchases in Coca Cola Park. Our
seating is in the third base to home plate section. Carpooling to Coca
Cola Park will be available.
Save the date for the Night on the Move Lock-in: August 15-16.
Registration will be open next week!
RISK-TAKING MISSION
AND SERVICE
CHANGE
FOR
CHANGE
is designated for a program of The
Allentown-West Rotary that supplies
food to economically disadvantaged
children of the Northwestern Lehigh and
Parkland School Districts. Each “Snack
Pack” costs approximately $7.00 and
includes nutritious foods and juice for the
children to take home over the
weekends. Please place your monetary
contributions in the containers at the rear
of the Sanctuary or in the Wesley
Center.
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for the overwhelming
donation to the Music Program at Ramos
Elementary. Music is an outlet for many
students whose life is tough and where
they find little to look forward to. The
instruments purchased will bless these
students for many years. I know this to
be true as students return to pick up
their younger siblings and remind me of
their “fun” in music classes.
The
instruments will help bring joy to their
time here and perhaps a vocation for
some lives. God bless you!
Leslie Monahan
Music Specialist
Ramos Elementary School
EXTRAVAGANT
GENEROSITY
Copies of Asbury’s financial picture (as
of 6/30) are available at both the upper
and lower level Welcome Center desks.
Updates will be issued monthly as they
become available.
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday, July 20
9:00 a.m. Worship Celebration- Sanctuary
9:00 a.m. Sunday School All Ages
10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration- Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. Open Door Community Worship- WC
12:00 p.m. Youth lunch- WC
12:30 p.m. Youth Group- YL
1:00 p.m. Church of God- FH/106/108
2:30 p.m. J.A.M. Rollerskating- offsite
Wednesday, July 23 (continued)
7:00 p.m. Safe Sanctuaries Training- Parlor
7:00 p.m. Summer Harmony- FH
7:30 p.m. VBS Meeting- Parlor
Thursday, July 24
6:30 p.m. Music Staff Meeting- offsite
7:00 p.m. NARANON- 108
Friday, July 25
Families on the Grow Camping Trip Begins
Monday, July 21
Cookson Hills VBS Begins
6:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
Country Crossing HOA Meeting- Parlor
Boy Scout Troop 12- FH/106
Finance Committee- Aldersgate
Tuesday, July 22
12:30 p.m. Program Staff Meeting- Aldersgate
7:30 p.m. OA- 204
Wednesday, July 23
9:00 a.m. Prayer Group- 231
1:00 p.m. AA (Open)- 108
6:30 p.m. Asbury Quilters- 204
AA (Open)- 108
Saturday, July 26
10:00 a.m. Church of God- 106/108
Sunday, July 27 / Baptism
9:00 a.m. Worship Celebration- Sanctuary
9:00 a.m. Sunday School All Ages
10:30 a.m. Worship Celebration- Sanctuary
10:45 a.m. Open Door Community Worship- WC
12:00 p.m. Youth lunch- WC
12:30 p.m. Youth Group- YL
1:00 p.m. Church of God- FH/106/108
KAITLYN FURST
Over 50 folks from Asbury have been
hard at work making meaningful
improvements. Find out what they
have been doing by visiting
www.GrowingAsbury.com
Our Staff
Kaitlyn, a 2014 Confirmand, earns high praise from Deacon
Greg Ellis, who says “The last 2 times she was my acolyte, I
threw her a curve by adding some last-minute changes to
her duties. Not only was she flexible, but did a great job
with them!” Director of Lay Ministries Laurie Wallace
Theisen adds, “One Sunday morning, the Faith Ringers
were one ringer short and couldn’t do their song. With
about 10 minutes notice, Kaitlyn agreed to ring with them
and also did a great job.” Thanks, Kaitlyn!
Eric Yeakel, Pastor
[email protected]
Glenn Asquith, Director of Congregational Care [email protected]
Laurie Wallace Theisen, Director of Lay Ministries [email protected]
Pam Unrath, Director of Children’s Ministries
[email protected]
Aaron Forney, Director of Youth Ministries
& Leader of Open Door Worship Band
[email protected]
Karen Bowermaster, Director of PreSchool
[email protected]
& Interim Director of PlayDays
[email protected]
Tom Gibson, Business Administrator
[email protected]
Larry Hein, Head Custodian
[email protected]