April 21, 2024

Asbury Sunday Worship:

9:00 & 11:00 am: Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00 am: Sunday School

11:00 am: Live-Streamed Worship

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Donald Ferguson, who passed away on April 4. Donald was a long-time member of Asbury. 

A visitation for Donald will be held on Friday, April 19 at 1:00 pm at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, with a memorial service following at 2:00 pm.

Here is an online link to Donald's obituary: https://www.johnsoncountychapel.com/obituaries/donald-ferguson

Help Volunteer for the UWF Book Sale!

Volunteers are needed to help set-up, work, and tear-down the UWF Book Sale. Sign-up to work with a friend! All are welcome! 

Set-up: Thursday, April 25 from 9 am-10:30 am & 10:30 am-Noon

Help sell: Friday, April 26 between 7:45 am-5:15 pm & Saturday, April 27 between 7:45 am-2:15 pm (each selling shift is approximately 2 1/2 hours long)

Tear-down: Sunday, April 28 from Noon-1:30 pm

Click on the following link to sign up: Help Volunteer. If you need assistance with signing up, contact Paula Blood at pdblood@sbcglobal.net or 913-205-0100. THANK YOU!

Church Council: Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 pm

Asbury's Church Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 pm in the Parlor. All Asbury members are welcome to attend this open session. If you have any questions, please call the church at 913-432-5573.

Old-Fashioned Asbury Potluck Party: Sunday, May 5 at 12:00 pm

You know what we haven't had around here for a while? A good-old fashioned potluck! And since we've now reached the end of our Find Us Faithful Capital Campaign, we found just the perfect reason to have one.

So on Sunday, May 5 after the 11 am service, bring your favorite dish to share and let's have a potluck party! We'll see some highlights of various projects that have been finished here at the church over the past couple of years and celebrate all that we have been able to accomplish. No need to RSVP - but just bring a dish to share, and let's enjoy some fellowship and fun together as one big Asbury family!

Native American Sunday Update

$1032 was collected for Native American Sunday!

Thanks to everyone for your generosity toward supporting vital ministries and churches in the Native American communities.

Local Recycling Events: Help Care for our Community and our Earth

April is Earth Month! Let's take a moment to reflect on the "3 R's" of waste management - Recycle, Reduce, and Reuse.

Reusing still-useful items help to reduce our overconsumption and help to save landfill space. Paying attention to what's in our cleaning and household products help us to avoid things that might pollute or otherwise harm our environment.

And we all know about recycling! Check out some of the ways some local businesses are offering help with recycling beyond our weekly curbside pickups.

Overland Park Recycling Extravaganza: Saturday, April 20 from 9 am-3 pm

• Free: Medications; electronics and small appliances up to 10 lbs., tires (up to 8 per person)
• For a small fee: TV's ($20)
• Other items will be accepted for donation, such as clothing, building materials, and toys. Check out https://www.opkansas.org/city-services/trash-recycling/recycling-extravaganza/ for a full list and to learn more.

Electronics Recycling & Shredding Event: Saturday, June 1 from 9 am-12 pm

• Free: Electronics and small appliances
• For a small fee: Documents for shredding ($5/box), CRT monitors ($5), CRT and Projection TV's ($30), LCD TV's ($20)
• Learn more at https://www.opkansas.org/

Travel More with Pastor Daekyung - Trip to Africa Starts in May!

We’re happy to share the plan for the Asbury Travel More Project for 2024! Like last year, we’re going to have hands-on experiences of diverse cultures in the KC area. This year, we’ll meet mostly on Saturdays. Children and youth are always welcome (we encourage them to be accompanied by adult family members)! Click here if you’d like to take a glance at the last year’s trips.

Here is the 2024 schedule:

• May: Trip to Africa 
• August: KC Annual Ethnic Enrichment Festival 2024
• September: Trip to Japan
• November: Trip to Spain

Registration for the Trip to Africa is now open. Please call the church at 913-432-5573 or email Pastor Daekyung (daekyungk@visitasbury.org) by Thursday, April 25 if you would like to join. The Trip to Africa itinerary is below.

Week 1: Eating Lunch (Going Dutch) - Saturday, May 4 at noon at African Dream Cuisine in Lenexa

Week 2: Visiting the Ushindi United Methodist Fellowship - Saturday, May 11 from 11 am-1:30 pm at The Hub Argentine (3730 Metropolitan Ave, Kansas City, KS 66106)

Week 3: Watching the Movie “The Good Lie” (2014/PG-13 rated/1h 50m) - Saturday, May 18 at 10:30 am in the Asbury Parlor 

College Care Packages

Did you know that every semester we send goodies to our college students to encourage them to finish the semester strong? We invite you to partner with our Family Ministries in this important outreach to our college students. It just takes three easy steps!

1. Select an envelope from our table in the Welcome Center.
2. Purchase item or make a monetary donation for the amount listed on the envelope for the item. 
3. Return the item and the envelope or your monetary donation in the envelope.

This is a great way for Asbury to remind our college students that we are here for them, care for them, and are praying for them. If you have any questions, please contact our Director or Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.

144 Envelope Fundraiser

This Sunday, you'll notice a big board with 144 envelopes attached to it on the wall by the west entrance of the Sanctuary. The envelopes represent monetary amounts ranging from $1 to $144. Together the envelopes represent $10,423 in monetary donations. If all the envelopes are selected, returned, and donations match the amount on each envelope, we will meet our fundraising goals for both this year's youth service trip and the pilgrimage: $5,221.50 each.

Here's how the fundraiser works:

1. You decide the amount you would like to give to support the youth service trip to Slidell, LA, and the Pilgrimage.
2. Select the corresponding envelope(s). For example, if you want to give $50, select envelope #50. If 50 is no longer available, select envelopes that equal $50 (such as 24+26, or 49+1). 
3. Fill out the little card inside the envelope.
4. Return the card, your donation, and the envelope to the church. It can be given to Phyllis at the front desk, or placed in the offering plate or in the drop box outside of the Finance Office. 

You will also find blank envelopes on the counter next to the big board, where you can make a donation if the envelopes left on the board do not reflect the amount you would like to give. You can also give via Easy Tithe. If you give online, please select "Youth Missions Trips" from the drop-down menu. 

Watch this video for more info! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ld-YncroOsji_MFKpJkJmLaQpVzqWvS_/view?usp=drivesdk

Help Send a Kid to College

Asbury’s scholarship program has been awarding post-secondary tuition assistance to eligible applicants for over thirty years. Who’s eligible? Any full time vo-tech/degree seeking student connected to Asbury. Awards are not based on needs or merit, but simply on love. Last year the Asbury Endowment Committee awarded thirteen scholarships at $1000 each. This year we are expecting between twelve and fifteen applicants. A majority of funding will come from endowed funds and The Morris Family Scholarship. However, the committee is asking for your help to fund the remainder of our dollar needs.

Please show your love for our students by making a donation to the scholarship fund. To help us meet this goal, please make your gift by April 30. You may pay with check or online through Easy Tithe. Select “Other Fund” and enter “2024 Scholarship Fund” in the notes section or memo line of your check. Gifts from Qualified Charitable Donations or appreciated securities can be facilitated by contacting the church office at 913-432-5573 or Dan Clevenger (danc@visitasbury.org)

Thank you so much! The Asbury Endowment Trustees.

Asbury Scholarships: Sign Up through April 28

The Asbury Endowment Committee invites any Asbury member who will be a full-time vocational/technical school or degree seeking student to apply for a scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year.

Funding for these scholarships have been provided by bequests and memorial gifts from the Asbury community who believed in the importance of higher education. We hope all students will apply, and we look forward to reviewing your applications. 

You can find the application online at www.visitasbury.org. If you would prefer a hard copy, please click here to email our Director of Communications, Sharlynn Verner. All applications must be returned to Asbury on or before Sunday, April 28, 2024.

CLERGY

General Conference

Rev. Adam Hamilton 

Rev. Amy Lippoldt 

Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali 

Rev. David Livingston 

Rev. Cheryl Jefferson Bell 

Rev. Dr. Anne Gatobu 

Rev. Mark Holland 

LAITY

General Conference

Oliver Green 

Lisa Maupin 

Scott Brewer 

Randall Hodgkinson

Dixie Brewster

Dan Entwistle 

Jesi Lipp 

All General Conferences are critical to the life of the church, though this one again appears to be a pivot point for the UMC as a whole. It is my prayer that we can trust in the movement of the Spirit, that full inclusion will prevail as a reflection of Christ’s love for all people, and the UMC can move forward to doing the necessary work of the Gospel. We will keep you updated regarding the happenings of General Conference.

Peace,

Pastor Jeff

Support IHN and Support Local Families in Need of Transitional Housing

Asbury youth member Libby Morris is passionate about supporting the needs of those experiencing homelessness in the community. Through Asbury, she volunteers for JoCo IHN and knows what great work the organization provides. 

Libby recently applied for a Community Grant through the Natalie M. Foundation and they presented a check in her honor to IHN. This donation can help fill a pantry, outfit a child for school, or provide transportation for a resident to travel to work. Every dollar helps provide security, dignity and opportunity to those in need.

You can help IHN as well! Sign up as a volunteer when Asbury hosts IHN guests during the first week of June. You can provide a meal, be a driver, help set-up, and more. For more information, contact Emily Morris at emilyrmorris@gmail.com.

Civil Rights Immersion Justice Encounter: June 19-23, 2024

The Great Plains Mercy and Justice team is heading back to Alabama! Join us for our next Justice Encounter from June 19th-23, where we will learn more about the Civil Rights Movement as well as the work of racial justice today.

Our application is LIVE! We will begin reviewing applications as early as the week of April 21, and will continue to accept rolling applications until May 20, or until our team is full. Find out more details and the fill out the application at the following link: https://www.greatplainsumc.org/justice-encounters

Midwest Mission Distribution Center Trip: September 22-27, 2024

Be a part of this fun, worthwhile, and uplifting experience at the MMDC in Springfield, IL (www.midwestmission.org). No matter your skills or abilities, there is an important job that needs you!

Work activities might include refurbishing bikes and sewing machines, building desks from old wooden bleachers, or assembling sleeping mats. Other tasks could include assembling flood buckets or supply kits (tornado, birthing, hygiene, etc.). In the evening, enjoy fellowship at the Comfort Inn where we will stay. The Mission Scholarship Fund will cover material costs payable to the MMDC. Individuals will be responsible for lodging, transportation and meal costs. All participants are encouraged to use scholarship funds available through the Asbury Mission Team. Questions can be referred to Dan Clevenger at danc@visitasbury.org. Reserve your slot by July 15!

MMDC Mission Statement: We send tangible resources to those in need to make an intangible difference in their lives through hope and empowerment.

Kids Hour: Sundays at 10 am

Kids' Hour is a great way for kids to make friends and build community while learning Bible stories. Kids (PreK - 5th grade) are invited to join the fun of exploring Bible stories through weekly rotations such as art, music, games, cooking, drama, science, and videos. 

Children's Church: 11 am after the Children's Time

Kids PreK - 3rd grade are welcome to join us for Children's Church after the Children's Moment at the 11 a.m. service in the kids' wing (3rd floor east).

We might make a craft, play a game, watch a movie, or learn a new song and dance. No matter the activity, kids will have fun learning and growing together!

Sunday Nursery Hours: 8:30 am to 12:30 pm

9 am: The nursery is open for children who need it, up to 3rd grade.

11 am: The Nursery is open on Sundays for children aged infant through 5-years-old (if they haven’t started Kindergarten yet). Children who have started Kindergarten are encouraged to join Children's Church.

Save the Date

Kids Sing: Sunday, May 12 (Mother's Day)

Rehearsals resume Sunday, April 28 during the Children's Church time at the 11 am service for the Mother's Day Kids' Sing.

Kids will also rehearse the following Sunday (May 5).

VBS Registration is Open!

Join us for some VBS fun June 16 - 20 from 6-7:30 pm! An optional light meal will be served at 5:30 pm. 

Our 3-year-old through 4th grade campers will explore timeless Bible stories that show how biblical characters trusted God in the face of their own fears, and went on to do great things in God’s name. Click here to register your 3-year-old - 4th grade student today!

GodSquad: July 29 - August 2

GodSquad is our annual service week for those in 4th - 6th grade. We will serve at a variety of local nonprofits throughout the week. Participants will meet at the church at 9 am each day and head to the service sites, and will return to the church by 1 pm daily. Click here to register your child today!

Coffee and Convos: Sundays at 10 am

All 6th - 12th grade youth are invited meet in the Youth Lounge (3rd floor west) at 10 am for a time of connecting and diving deeper into their faith while they enjoy food and beverages.  

Youth Group: Sundays at 6 pm

This week, we're having an offsite Fun Night for our youth!

For more information, please contact our Director of Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.

Save the Date

Youth Service Trip: June 1-9 in Slidell, LA

Youth (Grade 6 -12) are invited to spend the week of June 1-9 serving in Slidell, LA this summer with the Epworth Project. In addition to our work, we will spend a day in New Orleans. 

We try to keep the cost of our service weeks under $200. Deadline to register is April 17. Register today!

If you would like more information, please email heatherj@visitasbury.org.

GodSquad: July 29 - August 2

GodSquad is our annual service week for those in 4th - 6th grade. We will serve at a variety of local nonprofits throughout the week. Participants will meet at the church at 9 am each day and head to the service sites, and will return to the church by 1 pm daily. Click here to register your youth today!