Good News May 2014

Asbury Church 204 E. Arch St.

Portland, IN 47371 260-726-8464

www.asburyministries.org

Worship Schedule

8:00 a.m. Chapel Service (Traditional and Abbreviated)

9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship Service in Sanctuary

10:10 a.m. Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m. Contemporary Service, Praise Cafe—Light Meal

Asbury Staff

Pastor: Rev. Tim Dilley pastortim@asburyministries.org

Administrative Assistant: Denise Degler denise@asburyministries.org

Chancel Choir Director: Sharon Newman

Custodian: Charlie Pogue

Coord. Of Children, Youth & Young Adult Ministries: Julie Tarr julie@asburyministries.org

Financial Secretary: Joanna Stone

Minister of Caring Ministries: Tom Lightle tlight@asburyministries.org

Organist: Linda Braun

Asbury’s Mission Statement: “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for

the Transformation of the World”

Vision Statement: “We Will be a Multi-Generational

Church Who Reaches and Disciples Children, Youth, and Young Adults

Under the Age of 40”

St. Paul firmly states in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile. At Asbury Church we do preach Christ crucified and risen. We do celebrate God’s gifts, His means of grace. That is the life-giving, sustaining work of Jesus from which all of the other activities and opportunities for learning, service and growth take place at Asbury. Because Jesus lives, He is the heart and center of who we are and what we do. Be-cause of a living Savior, we at Asbury are truly excited to offer to you opportunities for worship each week at 8:00 a.m. (Chapel – abbreviated), 9:00 a.m. (Traditional – Sanctuary), 11:00 a.m. (Praise Café - Contemporary). May we be faithful each week in worship as we praise the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ who gives to us life and salvation. Sunday, May 4 (3rd Sunday of Easter) Topic: “Unexpected Moments in Life” Luke 24:13-35 Holy Communion will be served. Sunday, May 11 (4th Sunday of Easter) Topic: “How Should A Christian Observe Mother’s Day?” Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 20:12 Sunday, May 18 (5th Sunday of Easter) Topic: “The Shepherd Restores Us” Psalm 23 Choir Appreciation Sunday. Our Chancel choir will be singing some of their favorite anthems of this past year. Asbury Bell choir will also be performing. Sunday, May 25 (6th Sunday of Easter) Topic: “A Friend in a High Place” (An Ascension Day sermon) Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:44-53

MAY SERMON TOPICS

THE KEYS OF EASTER

SO . . . what are you going to do with the message of the empty tomb? SO . . . what are we going to do as the congregation of Asbury Church with the message of the empty tomb? We have just come through the most amazing time in the Christian church year with the celebration of the res-urrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, from the dead. We were blessed to have experienced wonderful worship op-portunities here at Asbury. We were reminded of the amazing fact that Jesus Christ has conquered sin, death, and hell for all people. But now what? What are we going to do with this message that is central to our hope? What are we going to do as we are called to the practice of being a fruitful congregation sharing this good news? After all, our mission at Asbury is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” And our vision is “to be a church who reaches and disciples children, youth, and young adults under the age of 40.”

I love the story I read a while ago from a pastor who shared an illustration of how many Christians treat the Good News of Jesus. He said his seminary professor who told the story compared . . . “ . . . the Good News of Jesus to a set of keys that belonged to them. He then showed all of his keys on his key ring: his house key, garage key, car key, office key, and a few others. He told us that with his keys, he could unlock all kinds of wonderful things and share them with us. But if he slipped his keys into his pocket, he could simply walk away and never share the blessings of all the things in his life. This, he went to say, is how many Christians handle the Good News of Jesus and the Easter message. They simply slip the message back into the “pocket” of their lives like the keys into a pants pocket and never use them for anyone else’s good. What a waste of the Easter message. What a detriment to the lives of those around us.” (Scott Bruick) Jesus commanded us as individuals and a congregations that “we are to GO . . we are to MAKE disciples . . we are to BAPTIZE . . and we are to TEACH the things that Jesus commanded.” (Matt.28:19) In other words, we are to share this good news message that has transformed our lives!

As I am out in our community and as I serve here as lead pastor at Asbury, I see people whose lives are “locked up” because of the sin that clings and holds them captive. I see it because even in my own life I was once a slave to myself, my own self-centeredness, and motives and desires. And not only did my own sin lock me up, but also the continued guilt of my past and the temptations that I continued to cave into in my present life. There also was the continued fear and anxiety that worried me about what would lie at the end of life at death’s threshold. How-ever, I am so grateful that Jesus came with His keys – the Good News of the empty tomb – to unlock me and all people so they can be free and have hope for eternity.

So what are we going to do at Asbury with the message of the empty tomb? My recommendation would be this. Let us take the “keys” of Easter and use them to “unlock” the lives of those around us. I praise God for the pastor in my own life, by the name of Chad Holtz, and his blog, desiremercy.wordpress.com, who has been giving me keys to unlock that which I have been a slave to. The reality of what Jesus said has become a reality in my own life. He said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)

It is with this message – the message of the “keys” of Easter – that we are sent out to this community of Port-land and Jay County. It is with this message that we are sent out beyond this community into the world. It is with this message that God brings the ultimate freedom that all people need for today and for eternity. The “keys” of the Easter Good News are yours – they are on your key ring to be used. Don’t slip them back into your pocket for another year! Instead, take the keys that He has given you and “unlock” His blessings of forgiveness and of eter-

Pastor Tim’s TidbitsPastor Tim’s Tidbits

Free Family Meal

Prayer Services

The Food Pantry is open for distribution on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 9:00 a.m.—12:15 p.m. If you have a passion to serve in this area of ministry and community services; please call the Food Pantry, at 726-9318 ext. 329, to coordinate and schedule a time on their calendar. The Food Pantry also needs volunteers to be placed on the CALL LIST for assistance if there should be a need.

FOOD PANTRY SUNDAY 3rd SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

Risk-taking Service

Jay County Food Pantry

UPC Campbell Labels

Asbury United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women will hold a General Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, in the Homemakers Room of Asbury Church at 7 p.m. The Wesleyan Circle will meet that night at 6 pm. Joanna Stone & Judy Zearbaugh will be hostesses. The Joy Circle will meet following the general meeting in the Parlor. Helen Rouch will be the hostess. Devotions by Kim Thomas

You are invited to join Cletes Rines on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Chapel, as Asbury, community, national, and world concerns are lifted up in prayer. Any and all interested parties are welcome! You may also offer any prayer concerns you would like remembered by calling the church office. Concerns may be specified or unspoken.

Save your bar code labels from Campbells, Pepperidge Farm, Bic, Prego & Goldfish. No money just labels. The container to put them in is in the Connection Area. Thanks. Mission Team

Bread of Life Community Meal is served at Asbury on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It is for the whole community.

Intentional Faith Development

Extravagant Generosity

Needed weekly to meet Asbury’s 2014 Budget: $ 6,976.00 Received: April 20, 2014 - $ 6,409.00

Budget Requests to date: $ 111,616.00 Actual Receipts to date: $ 113,185.47 Expenses to date: $ 108,361.94

Stewardship

Newsletter (Good News) Deadline

Turn in information for the next Newsletter by Monday, May 12 by 3:30 p.m.

The Ladies Spring Fling is Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. The entertainment will be by vocalist, Scherry Ramsey, from Ridgeville. She will be singing a variety of songs as well as taking requests from the audience. You can buy your ticket now through May 4, for $6.

Strawberry Fest is Saturday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

On Friday, June 20 at 9:00 a.m. we will stem the Strawberries and make the Sloppy Joes.

Watch for more details and sign-up sheet as we get closer.

Ladies Spring Fling

Mark Your Calendar!!!

Announcements

Celebrations

Alyson Lucas, Charlie & Vicki Tagues’ granddaughter, was the recipient of the Portland Foundation Lilly Scholarship for the Senior Class.

Currently we have two Video Techs who set-up and serve in our 9:00 a.m. and Praise Café Services. Rob Frazee currently has “stepped-down” from his position of service. His place of employment has placed additional demands on his job. He will be doing much more “out of town” travel and will not be able to maintain a regular schedule on weekends.

We will provide training for anyone who would like to serve in this area of ministry. Also, age is not a factor. If you have a passion for technology and serving God through your local church, let Pastor Tim, or Denise Degler, our Administrative Assistant, know. You may call the church office at 726-8464. We are deeply appreciative for all of Rob’s hours of dedicated service in years past.

Needed immediately . . . Video Tech

Join us for the Jay County Day of Prayer On Thursday, may 1st, community churches will join together at the Jay County Hospital Chapel to pray

for our community, leaders, friends, family, and our congregations.

The chapel will be open from 8am – 8pm. Area churches will commit to 1 hour blocks in which

members of that congregation will be at the chapel to pray.

Our congregation is committed to pray at the jay county hospital from 12:oo p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thurs-

day, May 1st.

For questions concerning the National Day of Prayer in Jay County call Pastor Bill Bradley at 260-766-1458.

Notes of Thanks

Thank You to . . .

Mick and Sharon Fowler for their time and labors put into cleaning our parking lots of the debris left over from the snow this past winter. It is greatly appreciated!

Pastor Tim

Asbury,

Thank you for all the cards and prayers for Pauline Gettinger during her illness. She appreciated hearing from her friends. Thank you all for preparing a delicious dinner and hosting a location for all of Pauline’s family to gather.

The William Gettinger Family

Next Steps Program,

Our deepest gratitude for all the kindness and light of hope to Michael and us all. It has helped greatly to find peace and comfort through very difficult moments.

David Towne

Memorial Donations to Next Steps Family Ministries have been made in Memory of Michael Towne by: David Towne, Ginny Cox, Phil Seyler, Jim Towne & Tom Towne

Mike Seyler

Charles & Sharon Bentz

Asbury,

Thank you for your generous donations. They are greatly appreciated!!

Beth Brinkerhoff Jay County Food Pantry

Thank you Asbury Church Family and Kids Hope USA Program Members!

Kids Hope USA partnering churches and schools had a terrific time on Tuesday, April 8th at Jay County High School, at our "Eighth Annual Kids Hope USA Banquet"! Gary Maitlen estimates that we had about 220 in attendance. Pastor Tim Dilley and many other pastors were there as well.

Mentors and church partners from each of the nine sponsoring churches carried in a yummy feast. Jay County Men-toring provided Richard's Chicken and Fish ( a real treat! ) and hot dogs. Mentors and mentees and families had a chance to meet, and get to know one another during the meal. Jay County Boy and Girl Scouts and leaders were also present to help with set up and carrying of food, and provided examples of community programs that Kids Hope families could connect to.

A surprise impromptu speech by "Chevy" a Kids Hope USA student, about "What Kids Hope means to me" brought tears to many eyes. This young boy spoke with the maturity and presence of an adult! He inspired us all to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag too. What a future leader!

"My Yellow Rickshaw" provided the musical entertainment, and spontaneous comedic moments, interacting with the adorable, precious, awesome Kids Hope kids! Singing, dancing and laughing brought joy to every person.

Thanks again for helping to provide for this ministry that blesses so many children and their families!

May the Lord continue to guide and inspire us, as we continue forward serving children in Jay County.

Heather Maitlen - Director

Asbury,

A big thank you to all who sent me cards and for your prayers during my recent surgery. A big, big thank you to the Roundtable Class for the beautiful spring bouquet.

Karen Vance

Mar. 30 Apr. 6 Apr. 13 Apr. 20

8:00 Worship 17 20 16 20

9:00 Worship 127 123 129 261

Nursery 2 5 4 7

Praise Café 32 36 35 Combined

Total 178 184 184 288

Mar. 30 Apr. 6 Apr. 13

Nursery/Toddler 2 5 4

Pre-2ndGrade 0 0 0

3rd-5th Grade 0 4 3

Youth 0 5 8

Roundtable Class 9 10 15

Open Door Class 17 17 24

Homemakers Class 14 17 15

Upper Room Class 6 11 8

Totals 48 69 77

Apr. 20

0

7

0

0

0

13

0

7

27

Worship Attendance

Sunday School Attendance

Radio Message participants for May

May 4—Angie Bentz May 11—Ron Freeman May 18—Julie Forcum May 25 —Tom Lightle

Liturgists for May May 4—Bonnie Maitlen May 11—Tom Lightle

May 18—Julie Forcum May 25—Larry Paxson

Greeters at West & South Doors for May May 4—Wanetta Shreeve, John & Diane Coldren May 11 & 18—Larry & Sandy Bubp, Marlene Runyon & Joyce Eldridge May 25 & June 1— Ron & Loni Freeman, Mary Boozier & Rita Lutes

Greeters at North (Elevator) Doors for May May 4—Glen Bryant May 11 & 18—Charlie & Vicki Tague May 25 & June 1—Darrel & Fay Williamson

Nursery Workers for May

May 4—Ruth Degler & Mary Boozier May 11—Alice Paxson & Adrianna Spencer May 18—Jane Spencer & Julie Hunt May 25—Marlene Runyon & Joyce Eldridge Ushers for May: James Hedges, Jim Forcum, Michael Fowler, Brad Glentzer, Mark Horn, David Minnis and Roger Prescott

Worship Participants

Monthly Activities

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

May 2014

Weekly Schedule 7:00a Moments of Devotion

8:00a & 9:00a Worship Services

10:05a/10:15a—11:00a Sunday School

11:15a—Praise Café, Fellowship Hall

4:00p—7:00p Middle & High School, Youth Room

1 “National Day of

Prayer” 9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

2 3

4

5 9:30a Monday Morning Disciple Group, Finance Office 10:45a Staff Meeting, Work Room 5:30p Bread of Life Community Meal, Fellowship Hall

6

6:30p Care Team Meeting, Parlor

7 5:30p Weight Watchers 6:00p Ladies Spring Fling, Fellowship Hall 8:00p Praise Team Practice, Praise Café

8 9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

9

10

11 Mother’s Day

12 Deadline for

Newsletter Articles 9:30a Monday Morning Disciple Group, Finance Office 5:30p Bread of Life Community Meal, Fellowship Hall 7:00p Trustees Ministry Team Meeting, Roundtable Room 7:00p Worship Ministry Team Meeting,

13 6:00p Wesleyan Circle Homemakers Room 7:00p The General United Methodist Women will meet in the Homemakers Room, with the Joy Circle meetings to follow 7:00p FCJ Discovery Town Hall Meeting, Fellowship Hall

14 5:30p Weight Watchers 6:00p Bucks for Books Small Group, Roundtable RM 6:30p Asbury Bells Practice, Sanctuary 7:15p Praise Team Practice, Praise Café 7:30p Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 8:00p Choir Apprecia- tion Dessert, Parlor

15 9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

16

17

18 Food Pantry Sunday Choir Appreciation

Sunday

19 9:30a Monday Morning Disciple Group, Finance Office 10:45a Staff Meeting, Work Room 5:30p Bread of Life Community Meal, Fellowship Hall 7:00p N. O. W. Ministry Team Meeting, Roundtable Room

20

21 5:30p Weight Watchers 6:00p Bucks for Books Small Group, Roundtable RM 7:15p Praise Team Practice, Praise Café

22 9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

23

24

25

26 Memorial Day Office Closed 5:30p Bread of Life Community Meal, Fellowship Hall

27

28 5:30p Weight Watchers 6:00p Bucks for Books Small Group, Roundtable RM 7:15p Praise Team Practice, Praise Café

29 Annual Conference 9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

30 Annual

Conference

31 Annual

Conference 1:00p—5:00p Brentt Lewis’ Graduation Party, Praise Café