Pastor’s Weekly Update
Weekly Update// Pastor Will
Dear Asbury Family,
It’s back-to-school week!
I remember when I was younger, back-to-school week was always the biggest bummer because that meant summer was over. It also meant that there were another ten months of school until we had summer again. I think the only part of back-to-school I enjoyed was getting some new clothes, a fresh haircut, and maybe even a new backpack. I would even go as far as to have my outfit for the first day of school planned out days in advance and laid out ready to go. Thankfully, as I got older, I started to find myself enjoying the first day of school and classes. You got to see who was in your classes, what the professors were going to be like, and it gave you a chance to look forward to (or panic) about all the work that the class required.
One thing that I have carried with me from my time in Divinity School is utilizing a calendar. It took some time, but I would take all my syllabi, dates, and deadlines and put them all into my calendar. After a few hours, it was as if I had my whole semester planned out. This worked great most semesters for only about three weeks. The reason being is I never put in any rest or downtime. My calendar was full of stuff and it looked great on paper, but the burnout was real. The work and assignments had priority, but the rest never did. I would “fit” rest in if I could or if I really needed it. After hitting burnout more times than I like to admit, I found that rest was crucial and even needed to be scheduled to make sure it happened. Rest does not always mean sleeping or sitting still but rather can consist of a good book, a puzzle, playing an instrument, or a nice leisurely walk.
Thankfully, God wants us to rest. Some of the more common stories of Jesus are when he is resting or sleeping, such as when he calms the storm in Mark 4. If Jesus finds it necessary to rest during a storm while on a boat, that’s good enough for me! So, whatever this back-to-school season brings for you, whether it be a new set of dates and deadlines or just a reason to get a haircut, make sure you be as intentional with rest as you do with your work to avoid burnout and prepare for the long haul!
Blessings,
Pastor Will
Weekly Update// Pastor Will
Dear Asbury Family,
I can’t believe summer is almost over! This is always a fun time in the church because a lot of ministries and groups are transitioning into a fall schedule. This is the time where the church is like a duck on the water. Calm, cool, and collected on top of the water, but sometimes scrambling underneath the water to make sure everything is ready to go. One thing that is starting back up is our preschool. The teachers reported in on Monday and the little ones will be here next week with (hopefully!) eager and smiling faces! :)
As Chris mentioned in last week’s email, we wrapped up our week of both VBS and Youth Week. Both were a huge success and we cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support during those events. Although it was a busy week, I did get a chance to slip out and visit The Sharing Center and wanted to share my experience. If you’ve ever been to The Sharing Center, you know that it is located in Longwood, North of the church on 17-92. It takes up almost a whole plaza with its different pieces and parts from the thrift store to the food distribution center. What amazed me the most about their operation is how thorough they are. They seemed to have thought about everything! For example, when items are donated, they are checked for quality and function. If an electronic does not work properly, it is disassembled and the metal(s) is either scrapped for money that goes back into the operation or the metal is recycled. Similarly, if a piece of clothing is a little over-worn, it will be recycled and sold to a partner of theirs instead of just tossing it. Although these are only a few examples of their thought process, there are many others that amazed me from the different ways they help people in the community find jobs or even housing.
What also amazed me is how little staff they have in their operation. Most of their operations are run by volunteers. A short conversation with Christopher Ham, their Development Manager, let me know how volunteer-based they are, but also how accommodating and easy it is to volunteer. My hope is to take a group there one day soon, but I also encourage you to check it out if you are interested, even just for a couple of hours. I’m sure they would greatly appreciate the help, but I also think you will enjoy your time there!
In other news, we are starting our new sermon series, “Light: Reflecting the Source,” where we first will look at Jesus being the light of the world, and the following week will look at our response to that. We hope you will join us at either service, Traditional at 11:00 am or Celebration at 9:30 am. Both services are available online as well!
We hope you have a wonderful week and would love it if you worship with us on Sunday.
P.S. Please keep the family of Dan Dever in your prayers after his recent passing. There will be a celebration of life service for him on August 14th, at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary with a luncheon to follow the service at Rebos Club, located at 130 Normandy Rd, Casselberry, FL 32707.
Thanks,
Pastor Will
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
It’s been a busy week here at the church. First, Vacation Bible School is well underway. Our theme for this year’s VBS is “Rocky Railway.” We have 60+ kids on our campus learning how Jesus’ power pulls us through the ups and downs of life, the mountaintops and valleys. I am very grateful to Asbury’s Children’s Ministry Director, Laura Molloy, and all our adult and youth volunteers who have worked so hard to make VBS happen. It truly takes a village!
In addition, this week is Youth Week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week, Pastor Will and our youth are visiting some fun places in the community. I was able to join them on Monday at Planet Obstacle in Lake Mary, which is the world’s largest indoor obstacle park. (I’m still a little sore from that experience!) I will also join them on Friday at Aquatica. We really do have some wonderful youth at our church, and I’m glad they’re able to enjoy some summer fun with us before school begins in the next few weeks.
Be sure to join us for worship this Sunday (August 1) as we conclude our 2-part series on the sacraments called “Sacramentum.” In this series, we’re looking more carefully at what our church believes and teaches about baptism and communion (the 2 sacraments for United Methodists). Having just talked about baptism, we now turn our attention to communion. Again, join us for worship this Sunday as we explore the significance of communion (and as we receive the sacrament together).
Have a wonderful rest of your week, and we’ll see you in person or online on Sunday morning!
Blessings,
Chris
p.s. Please continue to pray for the family of Janna Fatic, who passed away last month. A Celebration of Life Service for Janna will take place this coming Saturday (July 31) at 11am with a reception to follow. All are invited to attend.
p.p.s., Please hold the family of Dan Dever in your prayers. Dan passed away early on Sunday morning. There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Dan, and we will let you know when that Service will be as soon as that information is available.
p.p.p.s., In light of the Center for Disease Control's new COVID guidelines, Asbury's Reopening Team recommends mask-wearing, even for those who are fully vaccinated, while visiting our campus. That said, at this time, we will leave it to each individual and family unit to decide what is best for themselves. We also encourage those who are not vaccinated to get the vaccine. Studies have shown the vaccine to be a strong shield against COVID. We will continue to update these policies as we receive new guidance from both the CDC and the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
You never quite know how someone will connect to our church.
Last Sunday morning, I was talking to a young mom who visited one of our services with her infant son. This woman recently moved to the area but delayed finding a church due to the pandemic (something that wasn’t easy for her to do). Eventually she decided to give Asbury a try. When I asked how she heard about our church, she told me that she had been driving around the area and was moved by the beauty of our Lakeside Chapel. After visiting the space, she thought to herself, I should check this church out! Now she’s worshipped at one of our services.
As I thought about this young mom’s experience, I found myself filled with gratitude for countless people who, over the years, have worked so hard to invest in our facilities, making sure that our church is a hospitable, warm, and welcoming place for ALL.
Speaking of investing in our facilities, I want to share that over the past week, by God’s grace, we’ve raised more than $10,000 to help with the cost of replacing our fire alarm system (which I mentioned last week is going to cost around $42,000) and saving money for future repairs. I don’t know what to say other than THANK YOU! Seriously. Your generosity continues to amaze me. If you’d like to give toward this cause, you can do so by making your donation payable to Asbury and indicating that it’s for our Capital Reserves Fund.
Last Sunday, Hannah King, our summer intern, preached a great a message on Jeremiah 29:11. Many of you shared with me how moved you were by Hannah’s sermon, and how impressed you were by both her content and delivery. We’re thankful to have Hannah with us during these summer months. By God’s grace, she has a number of gifts and has been a real blessing to our church.
This Sunday (July 25), we start a new sermon series on the sacraments called “Sacramentum” (the Latin word for "oath"). This series is going to look at the two sacraments of baptism and holy communion. This weekend’s message will focus on baptism. If you’ve ever wondered about baptism (including why we baptize infants and children), this is a sermon you don’t want to miss.
Don’t forget Vacation Bible School is NEXT WEEK (July 26-30). I can’t wait for all the fun we will experience at VBS. If you’d like to register a child or sign up to volunteer, reach out to Laura Malloy (childrensministry@asburymaitland.org).
Have a wonderful rest of your week, and we’ll see you Sunday.
Blessings,
Chris
p.s., Our leadership team continues to monitor the rise of COVID cases in our state. For the safety and wellbeing of everyone (and out of an abundance of caution), we've decided to suspend the time of greeting at both services. We hope to be able to bring it back soon. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Last Sunday in worship I preached from Hebrews 5:11-6:3 and referred to Peter Pan Christianity (PPC). In a nutshell, PPC is when we resist spiritual growth and thus remain in the same place we were when we initially followed Jesus.
In truth, PPC affects all of us to a degree, but it especially affects those of us who may not be aware of the signs. What are the signs of Peter Pan Christianity, and how do these signs differ from authentic discipleship? Here’s a list I’ve put together. Keep in mind this list is not intended to be exhaustive. However, it should help us discern whether we are on the right track.
1. Peter Pan Christians do not incorporate spiritual practices (prayer, Scripture reading, acts of service) into their everyday lives as Christ-followers.
Mature and growing Christian embrace spiritual practices.
2. Peter Pan Christians do not make corporate worship a priority.
Mature and growing Christians are intentional about attending worship.
3. Peter Pan Christians do not give financially to their local church. Or, if they do give, it’s usually random, unplanned, and inconsistent, which means God gets the “last fruits” instead of the “first fruits.”
After a great deal of prayer and consideration, Mature and growing Christians carve out a portion of their income and give regularly to the cause of Christ in their local church. These Christians recognize that Jesus meant it when he said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
4. Peter Pan Christians treat the church like a consumer. They use statements like, “I need to be fed” or “The church needs to serve my family and me.”
Mature and growing Christians say things like, “I am called to serve God through the church.”
5. Peter Pan Christians do not see their faith as an integral part of who they are as people.
Mature and growing Christians allow their Christian faith to spill out and influence every area of their lives — their marriage, finances, parent their children, how they perform their job, how they relate to other people, etc.
6. Peter Pan Christians avoid spiritual conversations.
Mature and growing Christians are not afraid to talk about spirituality in a loving and Christ-like way. They also regularly extend invites to those without a church home to worship.
In my message, I shared the story of Community of Hope United Methodist Church (located in Loxahatchee, FL) to highlight how PPC weighs down local churches. However, when discipleship becomes the main focus, local churches thrive and become a beacon of hope in their community.
I truly believe God has great things in store for us at Asbury if only we will say, "NO!" to PPC. So, by God’s grace, let’s say, "NO!" to PPC. Let's pursue spiritual maturity. Let’s embrace discipleship. And let's live into the plans God has for us.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Last Sunday in worship I preached from Hebrews 5:11-6:3 and referred to Peter Pan Christianity (PPC). In a nutshell, PPC is when we resist spiritual growth and thus remain in the same place we were when we initially followed Jesus.
In truth, PPC affects all of us to a degree, but it especially affects those of us who may not be aware of the signs. What are the signs of Peter Pan Christianity, and how do these signs differ from authentic discipleship? Here’s a list I’ve put together. Keep in mind this list is not intended to be exhaustive. However, it should help us discern whether we are on the right track.
1. Peter Pan Christians do not incorporate spiritual practices (prayer, Scripture reading, acts of service) into their everyday lives as Christ-followers.
Mature and growing Christian embrace spiritual practices.
2. Peter Pan Christians do not make corporate worship a priority.
Mature and growing Christians are intentional about attending worship.
3. Peter Pan Christians do not give financially to their local church. Or, if they do give, it’s usually random, unplanned, and inconsistent, which means God gets the “last fruits” instead of the “first fruits.”
After a great deal of prayer and consideration, Mature and growing Christians carve out a portion of their income and give regularly to the cause of Christ in their local church. These Christians recognize that Jesus meant it when he said, “Where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
4. Peter Pan Christians treat the church like a consumer. They use statements like, “I need to be fed” or “The church needs to serve my family and me.”
Mature and growing Christians say things like, “I am called to serve God through the church.”
5. Peter Pan Christians do not see their faith as an integral part of who they are as people.
Mature and growing Christians allow their Christian faith to spill out and influence every area of their lives — their marriage, finances, parent their children, how they perform their job, how they relate to other people, etc.
6. Peter Pan Christians avoid spiritual conversations.
Mature and growing Christians are not afraid to talk about spirituality in a loving and Christ-like way. They also regularly extend invites to those without a church home to worship.
In my message, I shared the story of Community of Hope United Methodist Church (located in Loxahatchee, FL) to highlight how PPC weighs down local churches. However, when discipleship becomes the main focus, local churches thrive and become a beacon of hope in their community.
I truly believe God has great things in store for us at Asbury if only we will say, "NO!" to PPC. So, by God’s grace, let’s say, "NO!" to PPC. Let's pursue spiritual maturity. Let’s embrace discipleship. And let's live into the plans God has for us.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris (Copy)
Dear Church Family,
It’s Wednesday, July 7 as I write this note. Right now we’re receiving some wind and rain from Hurricane Elsa. There’s no question that hurricane season is upon us. Indeed, it’s possible that we may experience more storms as the months go by (though we hope that doesn’t happen!).
Hurricanes, like every other natural disaster, can often raise questions of faith. Many of us wonder, where is God when hurricanes come? Does God send hurricanes, or are hurricanes simply forces of nature that God allows to happen? Given these questions, I want to share an email that I wrote to the congregation I was serving in Davenport, FL when Hurricane Irma happened in 2017. I hope you find it helpful.
It’s a great privilege to serve as one of your pastors. See you in worship this Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
September 15, 2017
Dear Church Family,
Now that the dust has settled (or, in this case, the storm has passed), I want to offer a few post-Hurricane Irma reflections.
It always seems that when natural disasters strike, there are people out there who like to attribute these sorts of events to God's handiwork. I read a social media post a few days ago from a popular Christian speaker. In the post, he called hurricanes "manifestations of your [God's] great might." I got curious, so I went to read the comment section of the post. One commentator wrote this:
God alone is the maker of all storms in life. He created us to think about what we have done and where we are going. Earthquakes shall come. Famines shall arrive. Floods will enter our homes. God did it all....He is trying to tell us something.
I want us to think critically about these comments. Granted, there are a few instances in Scripture where God manipulates the forces of nature to accomplish his purposes (e.g., the flood of Noah in Genesis 6-9; the earthquake that freed Paul and Silas from prison in Acts 16:26). But these instances are the exception rather than the norm. Further, the scriptural witness makes clear that when God wanted to send a definitive message to humanity about his thoughts, feelings, and attitude toward us, he didn't send a hurricane, earthquake, or flood. Instead, he took on real flesh and blood in the person of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul writes that "in him [Jesus] the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19 NRSV). If we want to hear a message from God, we don't need to look at a hurricane. We need to look at Jesus, who reveals a God of infinite love and compassion, a God who redeems suffering rather than a God who causes suffering.
I find it curious when people want to insist that God sends natural disasters, especially since scientists can predict when most natural disasters will occur. For example, because of the San Andreas Fault, seismologists know that California can expect a major earthquake every hundred or so years. And as Floridians, we know that hurricanes do not occur at random times; they always fall between June 1 and November 30, what we call Hurricane Season. Does this mean we can predict the work of God, or does this mean we can better understand the planet God has created? The reality is, our planet is a living, breathing thing, and natural disasters are phenomenon our planet uses to support itself and sustain life.
Hurricane Irma, like every other natural disaster, has brought its share of death and devastation. But already we're seeing glimpses of God taking this tragedy and forcing good out of it. I'm sure all of us have watched images of people in the community come together, pick up debris, and help out those whose homes were badly damaged. That's the work of God, not the storm itself, but the good that comes out of the storm. Nothing is wasted in God's economy of grace. Thanks be to God.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Church Family,
It’s Wednesday, July 7 as I write this note. Right now we’re receiving some wind and rain from Hurricane Elsa. There’s no question that hurricane season is upon us. Indeed, it’s possible that we may experience more storms as the months go by (though we hope that doesn’t happen!).
Hurricanes, like every other natural disaster, can often raise questions of faith. Many of us wonder, where is God when hurricanes come? Does God send hurricanes, or are hurricanes simply forces of nature that God allows to happen? Given these questions, I want to share an email that I wrote to the congregation I was serving in Davenport, FL when Hurricane Irma happened in 2017. I hope you find it helpful.
It’s a great privilege to serve as one of your pastors. See you in worship this Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
September 15, 2017
Dear Church Family,
Now that the dust has settled (or, in this case, the storm has passed), I want to offer a few post-Hurricane Irma reflections.
It always seems that when natural disasters strike, there are people out there who like to attribute these sorts of events to God's handiwork. I read a social media post a few days ago from a popular Christian speaker. In the post, he called hurricanes "manifestations of your [God's] great might." I got curious, so I went to read the comment section of the post. One commentator wrote this:
God alone is the maker of all storms in life. He created us to think about what we have done and where we are going. Earthquakes shall come. Famines shall arrive. Floods will enter our homes. God did it all....He is trying to tell us something.
I want us to think critically about these comments. Granted, there are a few instances in Scripture where God manipulates the forces of nature to accomplish his purposes (e.g., the flood of Noah in Genesis 6-9; the earthquake that freed Paul and Silas from prison in Acts 16:26). But these instances are the exception rather than the norm. Further, the scriptural witness makes clear that when God wanted to send a definitive message to humanity about his thoughts, feelings, and attitude toward us, he didn't send a hurricane, earthquake, or flood. Instead, he took on real flesh and blood in the person of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul writes that "in him [Jesus] the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19 NRSV). If we want to hear a message from God, we don't need to look at a hurricane. We need to look at Jesus, who reveals a God of infinite love and compassion, a God who redeems suffering rather than a God who causes suffering.
I find it curious when people want to insist that God sends natural disasters, especially since scientists can predict when most natural disasters will occur. For example, because of the San Andreas Fault, seismologists know that California can expect a major earthquake every hundred or so years. And as Floridians, we know that hurricanes do not occur at random times; they always fall between June 1 and November 30, what we call Hurricane Season. Does this mean we can predict the work of God, or does this mean we can better understand the planet God has created? The reality is, our planet is a living, breathing thing, and natural disasters are phenomenon our planet uses to support itself and sustain life.
Hurricane Irma, like every other natural disaster, has brought its share of death and devastation. But already we're seeing glimpses of God taking this tragedy and forcing good out of it. I'm sure all of us have watched images of people in the community come together, pick up debris, and help out those whose homes were badly damaged. That's the work of God, not the storm itself, but the good that comes out of the storm. Nothing is wasted in God's economy of grace. Thanks be to God.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
We’re halfway through the year! June is over, and Independence Day is this Sunday. Can you believe it?
Whatever your plans are this weekend (grilling out, going to the beach, lighting fireworks, etc.), I hope you’ll take time to celebrate our nation’s freedom and those who have made (and make) it possible. I also hope your plans include Sunday worship with us at Asbury at 9:30 am (contemporary) or 11 am (traditional). Even if you’re traveling or not sure if you can attend in person, you can still worship with us online by going to facebook.com/asburyumcmaitland/live.
Of course, this Sunday is Pastor Will Kendust’s first Sunday with us at Asbury! Earlier this week, Pastor Will, Alicia, and Liam stopped by the church office to say hello and meet some of our staff. We’re so excited by the gifts this family brings and trust that God will use them in mighty ways to strengthen our church. Would you take a moment right now to pray for the Kendust family as they begin their ministry work with us? I know they appreciate those prayers.
I hope you are as excited for this Sunday as I am. It’ll be here before we know it.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
On Monday, I talked to about a half a dozen people who filled out Connect Cards over the weekend and had nothing but positive things to say about our church. One consistent form of feedback I received had to do with the friendliness of our congregation. These visitors truly felt welcomed. What’s more, they told me they’ll likely return due to the warm embrace they received from us!
I want to thank each of you for continuing to go out of your way to make new folks feel connected. Of course, it’s important for us to have dynamic services and vibrant programming. Still, I believe the growth of our church will largely depend on us coming together and creating an atmosphere where all of God’s people feel a sense of belonging.
I want to invite you to join us for worship this Sunday (June 27) as we close out our message series on the book of Ruth. I’ve had a fun time exploring Ruth with you over the past month or so, and I can’t wait to preach my message entitled “Redemptive Plot Twists.” In the sermon, we’ll look at several different plot twists in Ruth and see how these plot twists demonstrate the redemptive work of God. As always, you can worship with us in person or online (facebook.com/asburyumcmaitland/live) at 9:30am (contemporary) or 11am (traditional).
It’s hard to believe but Pastor Will Kendust’s first Sunday will be next week (July 4). Mark your calendar and be sure to join us for worship that day as we welcome Pastor Will, Alicia, and their son Liam. I trust God is going to do great things through their ministry.
Let me close this email by highlighting a summer study that is entitled "Christianity's Family Tree" (based on a book of the same name by Pastor Adam Hamilton) and will be led by our summer ministry intern, Hannah King. The study will begin July 6 and meet on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm in the Fellowship Hall. It'll also be broadcast on Facebook. You can direct your questions to Hannah by emailing her (hking@asburymaitland.org).
Have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
It’s no secret that our church is in a season of transition. Last Sunday, we said goodbye to our beloved associate pastor, Mike Luzinski, and his wife Madeline. Now we await the arrival of our new associate pastor, Will Kendust, his wife Alicia, and their baby boy Liam. As we adjust to these changes, we remember the words of Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (NLT).
Change is inevitable. It’s part of the ebb and flow of life, including church life. However, in the midst of change, we recall that Jesus is our constant, and his love for us never ends. I pray we will lean on Jesus during these days and rely on his grace. What’s more, I pray we will step into the wonderful future he has for our church. Pastor Mike put it well toward the end of his sermon last week: The best is yet to come!
After taking a break last week, we return to our sermon series on the Old Testament book of Ruth that we're calling “Ruth: A Story of Redemption.” I’ll remind us that the reason we’re going with this name is that some variation of the word “redemption” shows up at least 23 times in this story. Ruth is a story about the God who redeems all things, even those things that (quite frankly) appear irredeemable.
This Sunday’s sermon is going to involve a close examination of Ruth Chapter 3. Just a heads-up. Next to Song of Solomon, Ruth Chapter 3 contains some of the most sexually charged material in all of Scripture. I kid you not – it’s enough to make us blush. Nevertheless, these verses contain incredibly profound insights about faith that are worth exploring. So, join us this Sunday for what I think will be an interesting message. (The good news is I won’t have to work very hard to get your attention!)
Don’t forget that Vacation Bible School (VBS) is just around the corner. The dates for VBS are July 26-30. If you any questions about registering a child or volunteering, please direct them to Laura Molloy at childrenministry@asburymaitland.org. We need all hands on deck for this incredible event.
Also, don't forget that Coffee and Donuts is resuming this Sunday. We had to pause Coffee and Donuts for a while due to COVID. However, we're back in full gear. Join us in the Fellowship Hall just after the 9:30am service and right before the 11am service for this fun time of fellowship. You'll be glad you did.
Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Mike
This week I spent time cleaning out the drawers and filing cabinets in my office. You never know what you’ll find when you get to the bottom of a drawer. In my experience, most people have at least one “junk drawer” where they store things that don’t have any other place to go. I went through one of these drawers recently and I found a list of people who gave me welcome cards when I arrived at Asbury. The list was over 60 people long! I remember feeling overwhelmed by the hospitality and welcome I received. It was wonderful to be embraced so strongly. Looking back, all of those cards were a leap of faith. The people of Asbury had faith in me and opened their arms to me before we ever met. The same was true for me, I had faith and loved the people of Asbury before I knew names, faces, and stories. Together we took that leap of faith! God showed up and rewarded our trust with five years of fruitful ministry together. I will never forget the welcome and embrace Madeline and I received when we came to Asbury. I see your faith in the way you loved me before you even knew me. I trust you will do the same as you embrace Pastor Will and his family when they arrive on July 1st and continue to embrace Pastor Chris as well.
Serving as one of your pastors at Asbury has been a tremendous blessing. It has been a privilege to journey with you through both the joyful and painful moments of life. I have grown tremendously and I hope you have as well. Even with the difficulties of pastoral transition, health problems, and a pandemic our church remains in a strong position. There is a lot to look forward to and I will continue to watch the Holy Spirit move through our vibrant congregation. May God bless you as you live out the mission of Asbury, “to know the love of Jesus Christ and pass it on!”
Grace and Peace,
Mike
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Last week we started a new sermon series on the Old Testament book of Ruth, which we’re calling “Ruth: A Story of Redemption.” While there are a number of different themes in Ruth, the overarching theme is one of redemption (indeed, some variation of the word “redemption” shows up at least 23 times in Ruth).
How are you doing with the challenge I issued on Sunday morning to read the entirety of Ruth at least once a week? If you haven’t read Ruth this week yet, no worries; you’ve still got a few more days until Sunday morning. Make sure to carve out time to read this remarkable little book.
My sermon this Sunday is going to involve an intense look at Ruth chapter 2. Having just entered Bethlehem (where Naomi and her family were originally from), Naomi and Ruth have no idea what the future holds or where their next meal is going to come from. All they know is they need to do something or they're going to starve. It’s then that Ruth follows what the law of Moses states in Leviticus 19:9-10 as she begins to glean in the field of a wealthy man named Boaz. As it turns out, Boaz is a male relative of Elimelech, Ruth’s late father-in-law. The title of the sermon is “Becoming Agents of a Chess Master God.” As we’re going to discover, this chapter is about a God who works all things for good (Romans 8:28) and invites us – by grace – to be a part of that process.
In addition to continuing our Ruth series, we’re going to recognize graduates at both services this Sunday (9:30am, 11am) and send them off with a blessing.
I can’t wait for what God has in store for us on Sunday morning. Until then, have a great rest of your week.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Not long ago, I came across this post on social media. I wanted to pass it along to you as food for thought.
Mike Sells, who’s an English Professor, writes, “The single biggest failure of my life as an English Professor is being unable to shake my students’ belief that what we’re doing is finding ‘hidden meanings’ in a text rather than improving the quality of attention we’re giving it.”
The above quote is good to keep in mind when it comes to Scripture. When we search the Scriptures (something John and Charles Wesley encouraged Methodists to do), our goal isn’t to look for the “hidden meanings” of a text. Rather, our goal is to slow down enough to pay attention to what’s in the text, what the writer intended for us to learn and discover about God and God’s wonderful grace. I am rarely good at slowing down, but in my experience, an intentional and careful reading of Scripture always gives way to new insight.
We’re actually going to be providing this kind of intentional and careful reading of Scripture in our new sermon series that starts this Sunday (May 30). The name of the series is “Ruth: A Story of Redemption.” Over the next few weeks, we’ll slowly make our journey through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Along the way, we’ll discover different themes, but the primary theme we’ll discover is that of redemption (some variation of the word redemption shows up at least 23 times in Ruth). Here’s my challenge for us to complete before Sunday: read Ruth. While the book is only four chapters, there’s so much in these chapters to discuss.
Of course, this Sunday also marks Memorial Day weekend. So, in addition to starting our new series, we’ll be sure to honor fallen soldiers, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Not long ago, I came across this post on social media and wanted to pass it along to you as food for thought. Mike Fells, who’s an English Professor, writes, “The single biggest failure of my life as an English Professor is being unable to shake my students’ belief that what we’re doing is finding ‘hidden meanings’ in a text rather than improving the quality of attention we’re giving it.”
The above quote is good to keep in mind when it comes to Scripture. When we search the Scriptures (something John and Charles Wesley encouraged Methodists to do), our goal isn’t to look for the “hidden meanings” of a text. Rather, our goal is to slow down enough to pay attention to what’s in the text, what the writer intended for us to learn and discover about God and God’s wonderful grace. I am rarely good at slowing down, but in my experience, an intentional and careful reading of Scripture always gives way to new insight.
We’re actually going to be providing this kind of intentional and careful reading of Scripture in our new sermon series that starts this Sunday (May 30). The name of the series is “Ruth: A Story of Redemption.” Over the next few weeks, we’ll slowly make our journey through the Old Testament book of Ruth. Along the way, we’ll discover different themes, but the primary theme we’ll discover is that of redemption (some variation of the word redemption shows up at least 23 times in Ruth). Here’s my challenge for us to complete before Sunday: read Ruth. While it’s only four chapters, there’s so much in these chapters to discuss.
Of course, this Sunday also marks Memorial Day weekend. So, in addition to starting our new series, we’ll be sure to honor fallen soldiers, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Have a great weekend, and we’ll see you Sunday!
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
I couldn’t be more excited about worship this weekend.
First, it’s Pentecost Sunday. For those who may not be familiar with the church calendar, Pentecost is the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his ascension into heaven (Acts 2:1-41). One person put it this way: Jesus ASCENDED into heaven so the Holy Spirit could DESCEND upon his followers. That descent gave birth to the church and empowered the church to continue the great, liberating, and redemptive work Jesus had started when he came among us. The color for Pentecost is red, symbolizing the flame of the Spirit. So, whether you are planning to join us online or in person, make sure to wear red when you worship God this Sunday.
As I mentioned already, Pentecost marks the birth of the church. Therefore, it’s fitting that this Sunday is also Confirmation Sunday. Indeed, we are confirming four students at our 9:30am service (two of these students will be baptized). In addition, we are baptizing Aislyn Malloy, Tamara and Lance Alexander’s one-year-old daughter, at our 11am service. So, it’s going to be a celebratory day no matter what service you attend.
It’s a humbling to be a part of the wonderful things God is doing at Asbury. I hope you will join us for what’s sure to be an inspiring Sunday.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Mike
Dear Asbury,
Two days ago, I went to my car and the steering wheel was so hot I could barely touch it. There I was pulling out of the parking lot with my hands at the bottom of the wheel as opposed to ten and two. The seasons are changing -- it is almost summer time. That means we have many things to look forward to on our church calendar. Our preschool is about to celebrate graduation next Thursday and four of our youth will celebrate their confirmation on Sunday May 23rd. We will soon welcome our summer intern, Hannah King, coming to us from the Wesley Foundation at the University of Central Florida. As summer approaches we have a lot to look forward to!
This Sunday, we will conclude our sermon series on prayer. Over the course of the series, we have wrestled together with tough questions about prayer like, “does prayer change things?” and “how do we make sense of unanswered prayer?” We affirmed God’s presence with us through every circumstance and remembered God is not responsible for the suffering we experience. Even after a month of diving into prayer I still marvel at the depth of the topic. This Sunday, Pastor Chris will wrap up our series with a final sermon entitled “Prayer & Us.” I am so grateful for your engagement over the course of this series and have enjoyed exploring questions of prayer as we deepen our faith together. See you in church!
Blessings,
Mike
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Happy Thursday! I hope your week has been going well.
This Sunday in worship (May 9) we’ll honor moms and mom-like figures for Mother’s Day. We’ll also continue our journey through our series on prayer called “Deep to Deep: Diving into the Mystery of Prayer.” This Sunday we’ll take up the question of unanswered prayer. Certainly, of all the dilemmas we face while praying, unanswered prayer is the more difficult (maybe the most difficult) among them. Why does God seem to answer some prayers but not others?
For many of us, unanswered prayer can be downright painful. However, it’s also confusing when we consider some of Jesus’ words about prayer. In a nutshell, Jesus seemed to indicate that unanswered would never exist. For example, take a listen to what Jesus says in the following four passages.
Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt . . . You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for ANYTHING, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT, emphasis added)
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning ANYTHING you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.”
Matthew 18:19 (NLT, emphasis added)
“I tell you, you can pray for ANYTHING, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Mark 11:24 (NLT, emphasis added)
“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for ANYTHING you want, and it will be granted!”
John 15:7 (NLT, emphasis added)
Obviously, we don’t always receive what we ask for in prayer. How then do we make sense of Jesus’ words? We’ll examine that question this Sunday as well as make some other observations about unanswered prayer. If you’ve ever struggled with unanswered prayer or wondered about this difficult topic, I hope you won’t miss this Sunday’s message.
Prayer is a mystery, but it's also a channel that God invites us to explore. I encourage you to come explore prayer with us at 9:30am (contemporary) or 11am (traditional).
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Without question, my most formative experiences as a child happened in church.
I was almost seven when my family started attending Christ Church United Methodist in Fort Lauderdale on a regular basis. Fairly soon, church became a regular part of our lives. There was hardly ever a Sunday when we weren’t at church.
Amanda and I get excited when we think about instilling in Hannah and Noah the same commitment to church that our parents instilled in us. We also grow excited when we think about the specific role that Asbury will play in Hannah and Noah’s faith journey in the years to come. My hope is that Asbury will be to Hannah and Noah what Christ Church was to me, and that years down the road our twins will say to themselves, “Asbury was the church that taught me about God’s love and inspired me to follow Jesus.”
This Sunday (May 2) we’re going to announce the name of the person who is going to serve as the new director of Asbury’s Children’s Ministry. Please join me in praying for this person as she partners with us in helping our church claim children and families for God’s kingdom.
As I close this note, I want to share with you a post I came across on Facebook about taking your kids to church. I hope it will inspire you the same way it inspired me. Whether we have kids of our own or not, every one of us is charged with making ministry to children a priority and helping younger generations to understand the depth of God’s love.
Blessings,
Chris
Weekly Update// Pastor Chris
Dear Asbury Family,
Without question, my most formative experiences as a child happened in church.
I was almost seven when my family started attending Christ Church United Methodist in Fort Lauderdale on a regular basis. Fairly soon, church became a regular part of our lives. There was hardly ever a Sunday when we weren’t at church.
Amanda and I get excited when we think about instilling in Hannah and Noah the same commitment to church that our parents instilled in us. We also grow excited when we think about the specific role that Asbury will play in Hannah and Noah’s faith journey in the years to come. My hope is that Asbury will be to Hannah and Noah what Christ Church was to me, and that years down the road our twins will say to themselves, “Asbury was the church that taught me about God’s love and inspired me to follow Jesus.”
This Sunday (May 2) we’re going to announce the name of the person who is going to serve as the new director of Asbury’s Children’s Ministry. Please join me in praying for this person as she partners with us in helping our church claim children and families for God’s kingdom.
As I close this note, I want to share with you a post I came across on Facebook about taking your kids to church. I hope it will inspire you the same way it inspired me. Whether we have kids of our own or not, every one of us is charged with making ministry to children a priority and helping younger generations to understand the depth of God’s love.
Blessings,
Chris