Holiday Music Christmas Eve Church Office Programs! Services Closed See Page 2 See Page 7 The Joy Dec 25—Jan 1 of giving

Please Return Your Pledge Card! the ASBURIAN

Newsletter of Asbury United Methodist Church VOLUME 62, ISSUE 10 December 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WORSHIP Pastor’s Column 2 Music 3 EXPLORE Adult Sunday School 4 Youth 8 Asbury News 12 Spiritual Formation 10 SERVE UMW 5 FINANCE 6 ACDC 9 CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS 15

OFFICERS OF OUR CHURCH

Dale Cropper, Leadership Team Chair Carol Walston, Leadership Team Vice-Chair Bill Cropper, Staff-Parish Relations Chair Doris Webster, Staff-Parish Relations Vice-Chair Jim Miller, Board of Trustees Co-Chair Sandy Carpenter, Board of Trustees Co-Chair Pawel Szczurko, Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Ken Sterling, Finance Committee Chair Dave Vorhis, Finance Committee Vice-Chair Sharon Dashiell, ACDC Board Chair Kim Bradshaw, Lay Leader Ellen Smith, UMW President Suzanne Press, Co-Chair, BOD, Opportunity Shop Priscilla Basehart, Co-Chair, BOD, Opportunity Shop Carlton Bradshaw, Chair, BOD, ASP

Editor: Sheri Burchard

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

- Isaiah 9:2,6 (New Living Translation)

S S MESSAGE

’ And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

- Luke 9:43 (New International Version)

Have you ever thought about how much God loves you?

It’s something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. Whenever Advent and Christmas roll around on the calendar, I become aware of my own trends toward sentimentality. I become lost in visions

PASTOR brought to me by the Ghost of Christmas past. I think about Christmas’ of days gone by. I remember the drive to my Grammy’s house the day after school let out for Christmas break. I remember the traditional feast that we had on Christmas Eve followed by the 7:00 pm candlelight service at the little country church in St. Germain. (I think I remember it so well because it was the only service that we attended with any regularity. We were true Christmas and Easter Christians.) Then we would come home and play a couple of board games and head to bed. And as we were being tucked in, Grammy would read us Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Moore.

Then came the biggest challenge of the holidays; we would attempt to sleep until Christmas morning. We never did a very good job of it, and were often up at ridiculous times of the night. The rule was we couldn’t open anything until 6:00 am, but that never prevented us from sitting out in Grampy and Grammy’s living room for an hour or two, in the still of the night, ogling our Christmas bounty. Like many things in life, the anticipation was always as good as or better than the feast of present opening that was coming. Christmas morning always found us in our pajamas, knee deep in paper, and ready to help any adult that might need assistance opening their own gifts. As Jean Shepherd once said in his book, In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, “It was here! Lovely, beautiful, glorious Christmas, around which the entire kid year revolved.” No matter what else went wrong in the year, Christmas always went right.

As lovely, glorious, and beautiful as Christmas was, I always felt like something was missing. In those wee hours of Christmas night, staring at my own portion of Santa’s latest installment, I would think about God. Having just been to church the memories of prayers, carols, sermon, and lights were still in my head. So, I would fancy myself like Mary in Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” My mind would wander and I would think about school and my teachers and church and God and eternity and Jesus and the joy of Christmas. But the one thought that was too big for my juvenile brain was the thought of God’s love for me, little old me. I couldn’t believe that God would trust Mary and Joseph with the care and feeding of this most precious of all Christmas presents, our Savior.

In the past couple of weeks, I have again had time to reflect on God’s love for me. As a member of the human race, I am a child of God. That’s a promise that is made to you at birth no matter who you are, where you were born, what your family looked like, or how much stuff they had. You are a child of God, too, and God loves you with a love that can’t be described or comprehended or explained reasonably. It can only be felt and experienced. It is the most amazing thing that I have ever known.

As Christmas comes again this year and you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, spend just a few minutes, if possible, with a child that you love. Ponder this love; treasure it in your heart. Then think about how much more God loves you. And finally, share this love with everyone you can.

Blessing and Peace to you all and a very Merry Christmas,

Pastor Tom 2

MUSIC

On Saturday, November 9 we had an outstanding organ recital presented by Tyler Canonico, who came down from Harrisburg, PA. His well-crafted program showed off the many different sounds of the organ in an artistic manner. His brilliant performance included pieces by French, German, English, and American composers. Asbury’s former director of music ministries/organist, Taylor Harvey, said “superb concert by a superb player.” Daniel Cherrix, music director/ organist of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury said “Wow! What an amazing organ concert tonight at Asbury UMC!” “The Casavant sounds spectacular!” A special thanks to the Salisbury Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for their co-sponsorship of this event.

The following day we were blessed to have vocalist Cora Harvey Armstrong share her gift of music with us at the 8:45 CAYR and 11:00 Festive worship services. She beautifully played the piano while her powerful, soulful voice sang timeless sacred music such as “How Great Thou Art” and more contemporary gospel music selections. She also joined our Chancel Choir for their anthem “He Never Failed Me Yet” by Robert Ray. Both of these guest artists made for a wonderful weekend at Asbury. I’m so grateful for your continued support of our music program that enables us to have special programs for the community during the year, in addition to enhancing our worship on Sunday mornings.

As we move forward into the Advent and Christmas season we continue our love of music at Asbury. On Sunday, December 8 at 7:00 pm we will have our annual Lessons & Carols by Candlelight. In addition to congregational singing, we will have special music presented by the Chancel Choir, Woodwinds and One Voice.

On Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 pm our children and youth will present a wonderful Children’s Christmas Program. The ensembles include Little Mozarts, Cherub Choir, Kingdom Kids Singers & Ringers, Revelation Ringers, and Celebration Singers. See page 8 for more information. On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 we will have glorious music at our three worship services to celebrate the Birth of Jesus.

Dr. Michael Stefanek, Director of Music Ministries

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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday mornings 10 to 10:45 am

B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) in the Catley Library We have an open discussion format with topics ranging from books of the Bible to contemporary issues affecting our world. For more information, contact John or Shelly Marshall at [email protected].

Bible 101 in the Fox Room Do you want to know more about what the Scriptures say, and how they can apply to your everyday life? Then come join the Bible 101 class! We are observing the Church Calendar and began a new study, Light of the World for the Season of Advent on December 1. Light of the World is written by Amy-Jill Levine. After the Christmas season, we will begin a study of the Gospel of Matthew on January 1, 2020. All are welcome, and study books are available. Call Carole Brence at 410-546-9434 for more information.

Open Hearts, Open Minds in the Mackey Room The Open Hearts, Open Minds class invites all individuals who are interested in exploring the Bible and its modern day meaning. We welcome anyone willing to participate in honest discourse on issues impacting our world and our Church. If there is even one class or topic that interests you, please join us for that week. No previous attendance is required! In December, we will finish confronting controversies with author Adam Hamilton, the senior pastor of the largest United Methodist congregation in the world. Thank you to our classmates who found additional resources and presented these difficult topics: Joe Duval, Calvin & Susan Peacock, and Charles Emery. Thanks also to Ron Sauder, who assisted the class by guiding further con- versations.

The rest of the month we will join all Christians celebrating Advent by holding a four-week study of the book Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected. The book explores characteristics of God as described in the Old Testament: expectant, dangerous, jealous, and faithful. Come find out why we’re talking about the Old Testament during Advent. We don’t always follow the script during Open Hearts, Open Minds, but maybe we’ve gone too far??

December 1 Charles Emery Confronting Controversies - Capital Punishment

December 8 Barbara Emery Advent – Under Wraps - Expectant

December 15 Charles Emery Advent – Under Wraps - Dangerous

December 22 Frank Shipper Advent – Under Wraps - Jealous

December 29 Frankie Shipper Advent – Under Wraps - Faithful

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

The annual UMW Christmas Tea will be Sunday, December 15 from 3:00-5:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Bring an unwrapped baby gift and any finger food for the tea table. Each circle has an assigned duty, which the circle leader will discuss with her individual circle. Everybody helps to clean up. Let your circle leader know if you plan on attending.

Deborah: Deborah will meet Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 pm at the church for a Christmas gathering and enjoy some munchies. Since our regular first Wednesday of the month falls on New Year's Day, we will be meeting on Monday, January 6 at 6:30 pm instead. We are looking forward to our new book study: Sensible Shoes: A Story About the Spiritual Journey by Sharon Garlough Brown. Women out there - are you looking for a spiritual, supportive, and uplifting group? Do you like to laugh? Come and try out Deborah Circle! Contact Kristen Wall-Love for more information [email protected].

Dorcas: Our December meeting will be Tuesday, December 10 at 10:30 am at the home of Shirley Cropper. Please bring scissors, tape, and extra wrapping paper so we can wrap the gifts for the family we’ve adopted. The January meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 7 at 10:30 am at the home of Susan Cropper. eCircle: Our December meeting will be the Christmas tea. Our January meeting will be the snack packing on January 29 at 7:00 pm.

Eve: Eve Circle will be meeting at the home of Amy Cropper on Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 pm. The January circle meeting is at church in the Mackey Room with Amy Gordon hosting, on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:15 pm.

Joanna: In December, Joanna will meet at Adams Ribs for lunch at 11:30 am on Monday, December 9. In January, we will meet at 10 am on Monday, January 13 at the home of Carol Bisker to make winter-themed cards.

GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY!

Interested in a ministry, but not sure if it’s for you? Or maybe unsure just what you’re interested in? Talk to Kristen Wall-Love, our Director of Spiritual Formation & Membership. We have lots of ministries serving lots of different interests. Let Kristen find one for you, or go to a meeting and experience it for yourself. Get involved! You’ll be glad you did!

Call the church office at 410-749-2131 or email Kristen at [email protected].

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As of October, we have received 87% of our pledge commitments! Each year we receive 93%-97% of commitments. You can help us to continue this by fulfilling your pledge for 2019. If you are having difficulties in life as we all have experienced at one time or another and will not be able to complete your pledge, please notify Janice Ilczuk, Director of Finance & Building, so that she can adjust your pledge and confidentially inquire how Asbury can help you. FINANCE Have you been blessed with additional income or an unexpected gift? Would you consider an additional gift to the church? Remember, you cannot “out-give” God! Earlier in the year, the Finance Committee made an extra generosity request to help offset the 2019 unbalanced budget of (-$45,817). You responded generously by giving/ pledging an extra $26,292.50! As you review the finance chart for income/expenses through October 2019, you can see we ended the month with a net of $25,267... all possible through God and your faithful giving!

Generosity Pledge Campaign 2020

Looking towards 2020 – we have received 147 pledges, January - The Joy representing $472,001 - this October of giving year (2019) we have pledges of $598,386.10. 2019 If you have not completed a Actual pledge commitment card for next year, it is not too late! Pledge Contributions $521,212 Each pledge really does make a difference in support of our operations and ministries. Have you considered your 2020 Unpledged Giving $52,546 giving by electronic funds transfer (EFT)? It is very easy to Plate Contributions $26,255 sign up – just complete the back of your Generosity Pledge Special Contributions $5,202 Card, and we will do all the processing. Giving by EFT Endowment $11,451 lessens the worry if you have cash/checks with you when you Rentals $27,023 come to worship. This also maintains consistent giving and Interest - checking/mma/cd $3,999 avoids the need to “catch up” on your giving when you are Gain/loss on stock ($582) away. Total Income $647,106

We ask you to prayerfully consider your giving for 2020. We Property Expenses $102,725 still need additional funding to present the current proposed Ministry Expenses $237,807 budget to Leadership on December 11. Administrative Expenses $102,378 Thank you for your continued generosity! Apportionments $80,558 Employee Benefits $98,371 Janice Ilczuk, Total Expenses $621,839 Director of Finance and Building Net $25,267

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CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE INFORMATION

Asbury United Methodist Church will celebrate the Christmas holiday with three services on Christmas Eve at 4:00, 7:00 and 10:30 pm, all with distinctly different styles:

4:00 pm— Filled with the sounds and sights of the season, this service will be a family focused worship experience based on the Christmas classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Traditional hymns will be sung on organ and piano.

7:00 pm— A contemporary Christmas worship experience with music provided by the Praise Band from our very own Come As You Are (CAYR) service. A relaxed, yet meaningful way to celebrate Christ’s birth.

10:30 pm— A stirring, traditional Christmas worship experience filled with hymns, carols and special music. Ring and sing in the celebration as we worship with choir, organ, and handbells.

All services will include a celebration of Holy Communion and singing with candle light. Children are welcome to come in their pajamas! For younger children, there will be glow sticks available instead of candles. Nursery will closed on December 24 so our nursery staff can enjoy the worship services with their families.

General Conference 2020 Update Meetings

Asbury is hosting two town hall meetings to share information about the upcoming General Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2020. These gatherings will be held on Monday, December 2 and Thursday, December 12. Both meetings will begin at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary and will be exactly the same in content. Please attend the gathering that best fits your schedule. The presentation will cover the way that General Conference works, a preview of some of the legislation coming before the Conference, and the proposals to deal with the denomination’s impasse concerning human sexuality. Several options have been put forward by different advocacy groups within the UMC, and there are many possible outcomes of the voting in May. We will look at as many of these as we can. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Pastor Tom at 410-749-2131 or [email protected].

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I can’t believe it is December and Christmas is almost here… this is my favorite church season! I love the snow, but not the cold which goes with it. I love the reason why we celebrate at Christmastime, but not the craziness it brings. My time with the youth brings me so much joy and reminds me over and over how great our God is. We had an awesome Youth Group Game Night on November 20 and will be having our Youth Group Christmas Party on December 11. This will be an extended Youth Group night from 4:50-6:30 pm in the youth room. So, please put that and the following dates and details in your calendar: on Wednesday, December 18 the youth will be helping with Angel Tree gift wrapping. There will be no Youth Group on December 25

or January 1, and there is no Sunday School on December 29. CHILDREN/YOUTH

Please join me in praying that we not allow the “busyness” of the season to overshadow the importance of celebrating the gift of Christ being born unto us. May the coming of Christ be the focus as we enter into this joyous time of the year!

Leah Tatman, Director of Youth and Family Ministries

*** REMINDER: Youth Rally is January 10 - 12! ***

The annual Birthday Party for Jesus will be held on Sunday, December 22 during the Sunday School Hour (10:00-10:45 am) in Fellowship Hall. Our Sunday School classes (preschool-5th grade) will enjoy a Christmas craft and movie, and a special treat to celebrate Jesus' birthday!

Join us on Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 pm for our annual Children and Youth Christmas concert! Enjoy music from Little Mozarts, Cherub Choir, Kingdom Kids, Celebration Singers and Revelations Ringers, and sing along with some of the most cherished Christmas Carols! Cookie and punch reception will follow! Bring a dozen of your family's favorite Christmas cookies to share!

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CHRISTMAS CRAFT WORKSHOP

The Christmas Craft Workshop is Saturday, December 7 from 10 am to noon in the Fellowship Hall. There will be 5 Christmas Crafts to make, and a snack will be provided. A free-will offering will be taken. All children ages 2 -12 are welcomed accompanied by an adult. Bring your family and friends and enjoy a fun morning! For questions, call or text Ellen Smith at 410-713-9228.

IT’S SPAGHETTI TIME AGAIN!

Please come out to support Puppets for Christ’s annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Friday, January 17, 2020. This year’s show will be entitled “Songs for the Soul”. Entertainment will begin at 6:00 pm with dinner following. Ticket sales will be on Sunday, January 5 & 12 at each service, which gives you only 2 Sundays to buy your tickets!

Ticket prices are $10/adult, $5/children(4-12) and children 3 and under are FREE. The ticket sale deadline will be January 13. Tickets will not be sold after this date—no exceptions, and there will be NO sales at the door! Reservations for parties of 6 or more can be made when you buy your tickets. Assigned seating available for reserved tables of 6 or more. Won’t you join us for a night filled with wonderful entertainment and delicious spaghetti? We hope to see you there!

ACDC All of our children have been so busy creating, learning, and exploring over this past month. They have created so many fabulous projects and displays. They have continued to learn and grow each and every day! We are so very proud of our students here at ACDC!

Our school has also been very busy with different events. Our children thoroughly enjoyed their Thanksgiving feasts. On December 11 and 12 the 3’s classes will be taking part in a “Nativity” program under the direction of Ellen Smith and the other 3’s teachers. All the students are busy preparing for the ACDC Christmas Program on December 19 and 20.

Our school hopes that you all have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy time with your families and friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Casey Taylor, Director, ACDC

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Dear Faith Family,

As we enter Advent, I strongly encourage you to resist the hustle and bustle of the season—not only for your own peace and joy, but to remember that this time is not about gifts, parties, or decorations— although these things can all be wonderful, they are not the main focus for followers of Christ. One way to remain focused is to spend quiet time with God. This is difficult, but not impossible, and intentionality is key. This month, delve into our spiritual practice: meditation. I have provided a word-a-day calendar to aid us on the path this December. These calendars can be found in any Welcome Center. Carve out time to read and sit with the advent scriptures. You can find them on the word-a-day calendar and note that the scriptures for the next week are on the front cover of every bulletin. I am including an excerpt below from the Life with God Bible about our time in the Word.

A blessed Advent to you, friends,

Kristen Wall-Love Director of Spiritual Formation and Membership

God not only originated the Bible through human authorship; he remains with it always. It is God’s book. No one owns it but God himself. It is the loving heart of God made visible and plain. And receiving this message of exquisite love is the great privilege of all who long for life with God. Reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating upon Scripture have always been the foundation of the Christian disciplines. All of the disciplines are built upon Scripture. Our practice of the Spiritual Disciplines is kept on course by our immersion in Scripture… We long with all our heart to know for ourselves the with-God kind of life that Jesus brings in all its fullness.

And the Bible has been given to help us. God has so superintended the writing of Scripture that it serves as a most reliable guide for our own spiritual formation. But as in its authorship, so in its presentation to the world, God uses human action.

So we must consider how we can ourselves come to the Bible and also how we can present it to people in a way that does not destroy the soul, but inducts it into the eternal kind of life. We begin by opening our lives in Christian community to the influx of God’s life and by experientially finding, day-to-day, how to let Jesus Christ live in every dimension of our being. We can gather regularly in groups of two or more to encourage one another to discover the footprints of God in our daily existence and to venture out with God into areas where we have previously walked alone or not at all.

[Cont’d on Next Page]

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[Cont ’d from Previous Page]

But the aim is not external conformity, whether to doctrine or deed, but the reformation of the inner self—of the spiritual core, the place of thought and feeling, of will and character. The psalmist cries, “You desire truth in the inward being; therefore, teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me” (Ps 51:6,10). It is “our inner nature” that is being “renewed (renovare) day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). (Renovare = to renew.)

Although the many Christian traditions differ over the details of spiritual formation, they all have the same objective: the transformation of the person into one of greater Christlikeness. “Spiritual formation” is the process of transforming the inner reality of the self (the “inward being” of the psalmist) in such a way that the overall with-God life seen in the Bible naturally and freely comes to pass in us. Our inner world (the “secret heart”) becomes the home of Jesus by his initiative and our response. As a result, our interior world becomes increasingly like the inner self of Jesus and, therefore, the natural source of words and deeds that are characteristic of him. By his enabling presence we come to “let the same mind be in [us] that was in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5).

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ASBURY NEWS Angel Tree Still Needs Your Help!

Angel Tree is a program of Prison Fellowship that serves incarcerated parents by providing a pathway for strengthening and restoring their relationships with their children and families. It offers hope and joy to that prisoner’s family. Through the Angel Tree project, Asbury connects a child with their incarcerated parent through the delivery of Christmas gifts given on the parent’s behalf. Last year, Asbury was able to provide food for 35 families who were caring for children with incarcerated parents, as well as gifts for those children. In addition to the gifts and food gift cards, the message of God’s love and the Good news about Jesus was shared.

So, how can you help? On December 1, the Angel Trees will be set up at both Welcome Centers. You can select an angel off the tree and bring it to one of the Angel Tree volunteers to record which angel you selected. Some of the angels will have a toy or a needed clothing item that is requested by the family. Others will have requests for food gift cards from either Walmart or Food Lion. You will purchase the item listed on the angel and bring the unwrapped item to church with the angel you selected no later than December 15. You can drop off the unwrapped items with the angel at the church office during the week or at one of the Angel Tree tables by Fellowship Hall or near the main Welcome Center before or after each Sunday service. The gifts will be delivered to the families on Monday, December 23.

If you don’t have time or don’t like to shop, you are invited to make a monetary donation, and we will do the shopping for you. You will select an angel and then give the requested amount in place of the item listed on the angel to an Angel Tree volunteer. This project is an easy way to spread the love of Jesus to children struggling with being separated from their parent, especially during the holidays.

Haiti Mission Soup Fundraiser

Order delicious, homemade Cream of Broccoli or Chicken Noodle soup to enjoy for an easy meal during the busy holidays, and support the important work of our Haiti Mission team at the same time! Look for sign up sheets in the Welcome Centers to place your order, or contact Bob Love at 740-919-9164 or [email protected]. Pick up your order at the Fellowship Hall lobby Noon—2 pm on December 7. $8.00/quart.

December 29 Combined Worship Service at 10:30 am

On December 29, there will be one combined worship service in the Sanctuary at 10:30 am. Come join us for a special service!

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ASBURY NEWS

Asbury Service Project

Tonya lives in Manchester, KY in a trailer with her five children. Dakota, her oldest, suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. On Tonya’s birthday in 2018, her husband, Bill kissed her goodbye as he was leaving for work, telling her that he would be off the next three days, and that they would celebrate her birthday then. A couple of hours later, Tonya received a phone call telling her that her beloved Bill, a heavy equipment operator at the coal mine, had died of a heart attack at work.

Tonya’s trailer was manufactured in 1965, and was in extremely poor condition. ASP had installed a new roof in 2018, but there was significant damage to the floors and walls from the previous failed roof. There was no effective insulation, and the trailer had only a single wood stove for heat. Last winter, it had gotten so cold that the syrup had frozen in the kitchen.

One of your ASP work crews spent the week, in succession with volunteer crews from all over the country all summer long, replacing floors, rebuilding walls and installing a “hug” system to wrap and insulate the trailer. Further, because of your donations, we were able to replace Tonya’s range, which had failed some time ago. She told us that the first thing she was going to cook in her new oven was corn bread. Praise The Lord!

People like Tonya and her family leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those of us who are blessed to serve them. This is the power of the ASP ministry; we get to know and love God’s children, and we always come away with more than we give.

Our next pancake breakfast fundraiser is scheduled for December 8. The breakfast is free to all, but donations are appreciated. Thank you, Asbury, for your continued support of this vital ministry.

Carlton Bradshaw

ASP Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Asbury’s ASP team will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser on December 8, 2019. Join us any time after the CAYR service until 1:00 pm for pancakes, egg casserole, sausage, fruit, orange juice and coffee! Breakfast is free, but donations are gratefully accepted to help us in our mission to serve people in need in Appalachia.

Did you know that our youth have to raise $350 each to participate in the mission each year? Talk to your youth server at breakfast and ask how you can help sponsor them! Donations are tax-deductible and receipts are available. Checks can be made payable to Asbury Service Project. Thank you for your support!

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ASBURY NEWS

CESP Needs Supplies and Volunteers

The Asbury family has been amazingly supportive in the past years assisting with the Community Emergency Shelter Project (CESP), and for that we are most thankful! If you are new to our Asbury family, we supply homeless men in the community with food and overnight shelter in Fellowship Hall for 2 weeks every winter. They receive 1) a “Cozy Cot Bag” that includes a blanket, pillow, pillow case, and 2 flat sheets and 2) a “Happy Hygiene Bag” that includes a towel, hand towel, washcloth, deodorant, toothbrush, tooth- paste, and soap. As you are doing your Christmas shopping, please keep us in mind, or bring in gently used, clean items from home. After taking inventory we are in need of twin flat (please no fitted) sheets, hand towels, deodorant and pillows this year. If you want to donate money or gift cards, that would be appreciated as well, since we make trips to Walmart for shoes, socks, and boxer underwear as needed during their stay. Bins will be placed at the Welcome Center and in Fellowship Hall for collection in December. If you have any questions, please call Sharon Dashiell at 410-742-0076 or email at [email protected].

Are you looking for a meaningful way to volunteer? If you, or someone you know, enjoys helping those who are less fortunate, please consider joining our CESP team. If interested, please contact Michael Campbell by calling 301-357-7326 or by emailing to [email protected]. Thank You!

Church Office Closed December 25—January 1

The Church office will be closed December 25, 2019—January 1, 2020. Voicemail and emails will be monitored for urgent needs. Otherwise, please expect to hear from the staff upon their return January 2, 2020.

Holiday Shopping on Amazon? Support Salisbury Urban Ministries!

There are two easy ways to support Salisbury Urban Ministries (SUM) if you shop at Amazon. First, if you shop for your own purchases using Amazon Smile, then Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price to SUM. It doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up! Second, and new for SUM, the organization now has “Charity Lists” of items needed for several ministries: the Lazarus Food Pantry, the Kids’ Café after school and summer program, and the Men’s Welcome Center serving homeless men (by providing showers, clothes washing facilities and some new clothing). The website to use is https://smile.amazon.com. Log in using your Amazon password. Search for “Salisbury Urban Ministries,” and make sure you choose the one in Maryland. (1) If you are doing your own shopping, just do so and Amazon will take care of the donation percentage. Be sure you log in through Amazon Smile each time you shop. (2) If you wish to purchase items for SUM’s use, search for charity lists on Amazon Smile. Or, if you have already selected Salisbury Urban Ministries on Amazon Smile, look on your screen under the Amazon search bar. You will see “Supporting: Salisbury Urban Ministries” and a drop down arrow. Use the drop down arrow to select “Charity Lists,” and you will see a list for each of the three SUM ministries mentioned above. You can use these lists to shop for donation items, and Amazon will ship them to SUM.

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ASBURY NEWS

DECEMBER MEETINGS DATE DAY TIME MEETING LOCATION 2-Dec Monday 7:00 PM General Conference 2020 Updates Sanctuary 5-Dec Thursday 5:30 PM Finance Committee Catley Library 7-Dec Saturday 10:00 AM Christmas Craft Workshop Fellowship Hall 7-Dec Saturday 12:00 PM Haiti Mission Soup Fundraiser Fellowship Hall Lobby 8-Dec Sunday 7:00 PM Lessons and Carols Sanctuary 8-Dec Sunday 9:00 AM ASP Pancake Breakfast Fellowship Hall 10-Dec Tuesday 12:00 PM Board of Trustees Catley Library 10-Dec Tuesday 6:30 PM Cookies and Carols Sanctuary 11-Dec Wednesday 4:50 PM Youth Group Christmas Party Youth Room 11-Dec Wednesday 7:00 PM Leadership Team Catley Library 12-Dec Thursday 7:00 PM General Conference 2020 Updates Sanctuary 15-Dec Sunday 3:00 PM UMW Christmas Tea Fellowship Hall 18-Dec Wednesday 5:00 PM Youth Group - Angel Tree Wrapping Fellowship Hall 24-Dec Tuesday 4:00 PM Children/Family Christmas Eve Worship Service Sanctuary 24-Dec Tuesday 7:00 PM Contemporary Christmas Eve Worship Service Sanctuary 24-Dec Tuesday 10:30 PM Traditional Christmas Eve Worship Service Sanctuary 12/25/19 - 1/1/2020 CHRISTMAS - OFFICE CLOSED

*** Meetings are subject to change, please check with church office for verification of date and time. ***

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

Your Asbury Church Staff MEMORIALS wishes you a Joanne Wade John & Arlene Ebelein

Blessed Christmas Ernie, Patti, Caitlin & Megan Sengebusch

and a Happy New Year! Lillian Sweigert Dean & Alice Anne Wells

***Are you receiving a printed Asburian but would rather see it in color, on our website? Or would you rather not receive it? Please let us know. *** 15

Senior Pastor: Rev. Tom Pasmore Pastor of Care Ministries: Rev. Bill Sterling Administrative Office Manager: Lydia Childs Administrative Assistant: Sheri Burchard Director of Music Ministries: Michael Stefanek Director of Children and Care Ministries: Heather Harman Director of Finance and Building: Janice Ilczuk Director of Adult Spiritual Formation and Membership: Kristen Wall-Love Director of Youth & Family Ministries: Leah Tatman Maintenance Worker: Craig Brown ACDC: Director: Casey Taylor ACDC Asst. Director: Danna Abbott

www.asburyweb.org Website:

[email protected] Email:

2914 - 749 - 410 Fax:

2131 - 749 - 410 Phone:

21801 Maryland Salisbury,

Avenue Camden 1401

Church Methodist United Asbury

Permit No. 29 No. Permit

Maryland Salisbury,

ASBURIAN the

Paid Postage U.S.

Requested Service Return

org. Profit - Non

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