Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear friends at Asbury,

I write to you this week with gratitude as I share this news. One of the great gifts of the church is that every season brings new opportunities to follow where God is leading. Sometimes that means stepping into a new role, and sometimes it means stepping back to make room for what comes next.

After ten years of faithful service as Asbury's Director of Connections, Cyndi Johnson has shared with your Staff Parish Relations Committee and pastors that she will be stepping away from her staff role. While we will certainly miss her leadership, this is a joyful transition for Cyndi and her family. She believes this is the right time for the church to look at some things with fresh eyes, while she embraces a new season of life. 

Many of you know that Cyndi has poured countless hours into helping people find community, build relationships, and connect more deeply with the life of Asbury. Her ministry has touched so many lives, and we are deeply grateful for the dedication, care, and faithfulness she has shown over the past decade.

This is not goodbye as Cyndi is not leaving Asbury. She remains an important part of our church family and is excited to discover how God may be calling her to serve and grow in this next chapter. She is also looking forward to spending more time with family and eagerly anticipating the arrival of a new grandchild.

As we celebrate Cyndi's ministry and look ahead with hope, we give thanks for God's faithfulness in every season. Please join us in thanking Cyndi for her years of service and praying God's blessings upon her and her family as they begin this exciting new chapter.

Grace and Peace,

Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor John

Hello Asbury,

The church is buzzing this week with kids participating in Vacation Bible School. Our theme this week is "Rainforest Falls", learning all about a God who created us, loves us, and is our safe place. It has been awesome to see all the kids, youth, and adult volunteers. VBS is definitely a huge undertaking, and I'm grateful to our Children's Director Laura and her volunteers for all their hard work.

In worship, we will get to sing along to some of the VBS songs led by our kids! I hope you'll join us as we look at Psalm 23 and talk about who God is.

Invite a friend and join us at 9:30 or 11:00.

Shalom,
Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Greetings!

This is an exciting week for United Methodists across Florida as Clergy and Lay members gather at Florida Southern College in Lakeland for Annual Conference. One of the things I love most about our church is that we exist in a “Connection” of local United Methodist churches. That is unique and it means that we are part of something much larger than ourselves with the ability to impact people’s live across the world with our theology of Grace. We also believe in Holy Conferencing. We actually believe that when we come together to celebrate and do the work and ministry we were called to do, the Holy Spirit is present and work.

Pastor John and I will join up with Lori Nadler (Lay Delegate), Letha Heulitt (Lay Delegate), and Teresa Cunningham (East Central Delegate at-large) to represent Asbury and the East Central District. Please pray for us and all those across the Annual Conference as we do this holy work together. We’ll see you on Sunday and report all the exciting things God is doing!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor John

Dear Asbury Family,

As the school year winds down, we look forward to a fun summer together. I hope you get to enjoy time with family, find some rest, and stay cool in the heat.

This Sunday, May 31, is Trinity Sunday. We believe in one God in three persons, as we sing in the Gloria Patri: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost… God in three persons, blessed Trinity." Our text is Matthew 28:16-20, the Great Commission, where Jesus sends his disciples to make more disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is love, and that love flows between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are invited into that love, and then sent out to invite others in. Join us Sunday as we dive deeper.

One pastoral reminder. Attendance typically dips during the summer, and so does giving, which means our available funds tend to run low this time of year. Even while you're on vacation, I want to encourage you to give consistently through the summer months. Our goal is to end the year with a balanced budget, and it will take all of us giving generously and sacrificially to get there. Every gift is an act of faith that keeps the ministry of this church alive, and your faithfulness makes possible everything God is doing through Asbury. We are so grateful for the many ways each of you support this church family. We have some great ministry planned for this summer and into the fall of 2026.

Shalom, John

Weekly Up date Pastor John

Dear Asbury Family,

This Sunday we will reflect on Acts 1 and Jesus’ call for us to be His witnesses in the world. Together we will explore what it means to share hope, love, and the good news in our everyday lives.

We will also celebrate a very special Baptism and recognize our graduates during Graduation Sunday. It will be a joyful morning filled with worship, celebration, and encouragement for the journey ahead.

It’s going to be a great Sunday, and we hope you’ll join us and invite a friend to come with you!

Shalom,
Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear Friends,

 I pray that your week has gone well and I look forward to seeing you this weekend in worship either online or in person. Maybe this is the week to extend an invitation to a friend or invite someone to come and sit next to you in service. 

For all those who are attending the United Women in Faith event Friday night, get out those boots and get ready to boogie across the Fellowship Hall! It’s going to be a blast as we celebrate Mothers and Daughters.

 Grace, love and peace to each of you!

 Pastor Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear Asbury Friends,

This Sunday we’ll explore John 10:1-10 where Jesus paints a picture we can step right into. We see images of a shepherd standing at the entrance of a gate, and sheep listening for the voice of their shepherd. Then, we hear Jesus say, “My sheep hear my voice.” (John 10)

This is a great reminder for us because there are a lot of voices out there. Some are loud while some are subtle but not all of them lead us to the abundant life God offers to us and wants for each of us. Some leave us anxious, worn out, just trying to get through the day.

But then Jesus says, “I am the gate.” And in doing so, reminds us Jesus offers a way forward no matter what we face. 

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

This Sunday, we’ll listen for that voice once again and remember what it means to follow it.

Come join us.

Peace and grace,

Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor John

 Dear Asbury Family,

It is good to be back from vacation. I am grateful for the rest and excited to be back with you in worship and ministry. Huge thanks to Rev. Dr. Bob Bushong for filling in for us. 

This Sunday we will look at the road to Emmaus in Luke 24. Two disciples are walking in confusion and grief when Jesus comes alongside them, though they do not recognize Him at first. It is a powerful reminder that Jesus meets us in our ordinary moments and opens our eyes to His presence.

As we look at this story, we will also focus on our Asbury mission: to know the love of Jesus and pass it on. That is what the Emmaus story is all about, recognizing Jesus and then sharing what we have seen and heard.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Shalom,

Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor John

 Hey Asbury,

Pastor Emily and I are so excited for our first Holy Week and Easter Sunday with you. This is one of the most meaningful times of the year as we proclaim the hope and good news of the resurrection. If you have been going through a hard season, struggling with grief, or dealing with change, Easter Sunday is an opportunity to hear what is possible because Jesus left the tomb.

Throughout Lent, we have been focusing on the idea of decluttering and letting go of what holds us back and distracts us from prioritizing our relationship with Jesus. Come celebrate Easter with us as we shed those chains, experience healing, and walk in the light of Christ.

Each Holy Week service offers a unique opportunity to experience hope and healing. Maundy Thursday at 7 pm in the sanctuary will be a time for reflection, confession, and receiving forgiveness at the Lord’s Table. On Good Friday at 7pm in the sanctuary, we will gather for a Tenebrae service where beautiful music and readings will help us reflect on the depth of God’s love shown through Jesus, who gave himself completely on the cross. And finally, Easter Sunday, where we will proclaim together, “Where, O death, is now thy sting?” as we sing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.” (6:30 sunrise, 9:30 contemporary, 11:00 traditional)

Come just as you are. Come expecting to experience the love and grace of Jesus. Come and invite someone to sit with you who needs some good news this Easter.

Shalom,
Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor John and Emily

Dear Church Family,

Today we wave palms and shout Hosanna! and step into the most sacred week of our faith.

Holy Week has begun.

This is more than a series of services. It is a journey from celebration to sacrifice, from longing to love poured out, from the cross to the empty tomb. The invitation is not to watch from a distance but to walk it together.

Palm Sunday reminds us how quickly the crowds can shift. That is why we need the fullness of this week. We need the reflection of Maundy Thursday, the honesty of Good Friday, and the hope that builds toward Easter morning. When we experience the whole story, the resurrection becomes more than a celebration. It becomes new life for today.

We are so excited for what God will do in and through our community this week.

So come. Come to all of it. Bring your family. Invite a friend. Walk the journey. Let’s not rush to Easter. Let’s experience the depth of the cross so we can fully rejoice in the resurrection.

We can’t wait to worship with you.

With hope and expectation,
Pastors Emily & John

Weekly Up date Pastor John

Hi Folks,

 This week, we continue our sermon series, “Simplify: Decluttered Disciples,” by turning our attention to one of the heaviest burdens many of us carry, shame.

In Psalm 130, we hear a cry from the depths, a voice calling out to God in the midst of guilt, regret, and longing. And yet, that cry is not met with condemnation, but with mercy. The psalm reminds us that with the Lord there is steadfast love and full redemption. Likewise, in Romans 8, we are given one of the most freeing truths in all of Scripture: there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. We are not defined by our past or our failures, we are claimed as beloved sons and daughters of God.

So much of what clutters our spiritual lives isn’t just busyness or the stuff we have in storage, it’s the weight of shame, the quiet voice that tells us we are not enough or that we don’t belong. But the gospel speaks a better word. Through Christ, we are forgiven, restored, and invited into a new way of living, one marked not by fear, but by freedom; not by hiding, but by humble, joyful service.

This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to release the baggage we’ve been carrying and step into the life God is offering us. What might it look like to truly believe that you are forgiven? What might change if you lived as someone fully loved by God?

I hope you’ll join us as we continue this journey together, and consider inviting someone who might need to hear this message of grace and freedom.

Shalom,

Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

 Dear Friends,

Tomorrow is the Art Show and Silent Auction for our Early Learning Center. I hope you can come and support this vital ministry of Asbury UMC. When we invest in our children, it lays the groundwork for lifelong learning, builds a strong foundation for their future, and provides a safe place for our little ones to learn about God’s love for them. We hope to see you there!

 On Sunday, we continue our series about Decluttered Discipleship. I am looking forward to worshipping God together-Bring a friend!

 Love and peace,

 Pastor Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor John

 Dear Asbury Family,

This Sunday, we enter the season of Lent as we prepare to celebrate Easter. Lent is a meaningful time to return to the spiritual disciplines we have been exploring over the past six weeks in worship.

In the past, you may have fasted from something you enjoy as a way of practicing dependence on God and learning what it means to go without. That can certainly be meaningful. However, I believe it can be even more transformative to evaluate the things in our lives that are unhealthy or not life-giving and intentionally begin to strip those away so we can be more present in our relationship with God and with others. Lent is a season that invites us to take inventory of the things that clutter our lives and keep us from experiencing the abundant life we are offered in Christ. Throughout Lent, our worship series will be called “Simplify: Decluttered Disciples.” Our goal is to examine the spiritual, emotional, and physical clutter that holds us back and invite God to help us let it go. 

As part of this series, we will also turn our attention to our church campus for some spring cleaning and decluttering. Each room, each closet, and each space presents an opportunity to ensure that everything we have is helping people know the love of Jesus and pass it on.

As those called to be good stewards, we will take inventory of what we have here at the church and ask whether it still serves our mission, or whether it is something we can release so we can focus more clearly on why we are here.

Shalom,

Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

 Greetings Asbury family,

This is the final week of our Awakened to Grace series and we are focusing on Service. Serving other people is another way we can experience the grace of Jesus Christ. Personally, I have experienced God's grace in new ways over the past few weeks. I've learned things and had new experiences. I've even witnessed in conversations with people who were feeling the Holy Spirit and who learned something new about who God is and how God's grace works. Praise God!

 As we focus on Service, I pray we'll understand more deeply what it means to humbly serve God and give ourselves for others. I invite you to think about where you might be feeling Jesus leading you. Maybe it's a new idea or making that phone call you've been setting aside. Perhaps it is volunteering in the community or around Asbury. Are we paying attention to the Holy Spirit's whisper whether it's at church, at work, or in your neighborhood that can help others know the love of Christ and pass it on?

  Join us Sunday either in person or online and bring a friend with you. See you there!

Love and Grace,

Pastor Emily

Weekly Up date Pastor John

Dear Asbury Family,

It has been a fast start to the year, and February is already here. When life moves quickly, Sabbath becomes an intentional way of slowing down. Author Eugene Peterson once said, “You’ve got to quit, one day a week, and just watch what God is doing when you’re not doing anything.”

How often do you stop everything else and simply pay attention to what God is doing? My guess is not very often. Most of us move from task to task in an endless box-checking frenzy.

This week, as we continue our Awakened to Grace series, we will explore the practice of Sabbath, not just as a day of the week, but as intentional time set aside to become aware of God’s grace at work in and around us.

Come and join us for worship, and invite a friend.

Shalom,
Pastor John

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear Asbury Family,

This Sunday we continue our Awakened to Grace series by exploring the practice of fasting.

In the Wesleyan tradition, fasting is not about punishment or proving our faith. It is a means of grace. It is a way of making space for God. Fasting helps us notice what shapes our lives and gently reminds us that our deepest hunger is for God alone.

This week, we’ll talk about fasting not as deprivation, but as freedom to listen more closely to the Spirit and to open ourselves to the grace already at work in us.

Whether fasting is familiar or brand new to you, come as you are and be open to what God may reveal.

And a special note for families: this Friday night is our Kids Glow Party! It’s going to be a fun, high-energy evening full of light, laughter, and joy! Mark your calendars and invite a friend.

We’re grateful to be on this journey of grace together.

With hope,
Emily
Co-Pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear Asbury Family,

 We are continuing in our sermon series Awakened to Grace this week as we look at ordinary practices that help us experience God’s love and grace. This week we will talk about Silence. In a world that is filled with constant noise and distractions, silence might be the hardest spiritual discipline to practice, but also one of the most needed. As we find stillness and silence we can tune into the voice of God speaking into our lives. I pray that this week you will find silence at least for a moment and I hope you’ll join us in worship this week and invite a friend. 

Scripture to read this week: Psalm 62 

P.S. After worship we will have a short service opportunity as part of what we are calling “Passing it on” Sundays. Join us on Sunday to find out more!

Weekly Up date Pastor Emily

Dear Asbury Family,

This Sunday we continue our Awakened to Grace series as we move into Week Two: Scripture.

Scripture is more than words on a page. Inspired by the Spirit, it is a living witness to God’s grace, shaping us, grounding us, and opening us to the work of Christ in our lives right now. As people called United Methodists, we believe Scripture is a primary way God awakens us to truth, love, and transformation.

This week, I invite everyone to go a little deeper by visiting wesleyanrooted.org and downloading the free Awakened to Grace app. Inside you’ll find:

• Daily devotionals

• Scripture-based practices

• Tools to help you grow in grace

• Resources to help you stay attentive to the Holy Spirit’s movement in your life and in our world

Whether you’ve been reading Scripture for decades or are just beginning, these resources are designed to meet you where you are and help you stay rooted, awake, and open to God’s grace at work among us.

We can’t wait to worship with you this Sunday as we listen together for what God is saying to Asbury through Scripture and through the Spirit.

Grace and peace,
Emily 

Weekly Up date Pastor John

 Hi Asbury Family, 

We’re excited to begin a new sermon series, Awakened to Grace, as we step into 2026 together. Over the coming weeks, we’ll explore simple, life-giving spiritual practices that help ground us in God’s grace, steady us in uncertain times, and awaken us to where God is already at work in our lives.

This is a great series for anyone feeling stretched, distracted, or hungry for deeper connection, and a perfect opportunity to invite a friend to join you. Come be renewed, re-centered, and reminded that grace meets us right where we are.

We can’t wait to worship with you this week.

Shalom,

John 

Weekly Up date Pastor John

 Dear Asbury,

This week in worship, we will light the Love candle, hear from Matthew’s Gospel about Joseph’s faithful love for Mary, and continue preparing our hearts for Christmas. Our 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service will feature special music, and if you missed Light Up Asbury, you’re in for a treat. At 9:30 a.m., our youth group will light the candle together. You won’t want to miss either service.

I also want to remind you about our special March to the Manger offering, which we will receive this week. This year, we are supporting The Warren Willis Camp and Conference Center, a vital ministry within the Florida United Methodist connection. Many of you hold special memories of Warren Willis, as campers, parents, or counselors. This ministry helps children, youth, and young adults experience the love of Jesus and equips them to share it in their churches and communities. Please prayerfully consider a gift.

Finally, you are warmly invited to one of our Christmas Eve services at 5:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. We will sing beloved carols and share in candlelight worship. At 5:00 p.m., children are invited to a birthday party for Jesus, and at 7:30 p.m. childcare will be available for ages 1–6. Children are welcome to remain in worship for both services. Invite a friend and join us!

Shalom,
Pastor John