Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

Last Sunday, we launched a new series exploring what it means to be part of the church, titled "A Community That Thrives."

In these messages, we are delving into one of the vows we make when we join Asbury or any United Methodist congregation. This vow entails our commitment to support the church and engage in its work through five essential aspects: prayers (praying for the congregation, its ministries, and the surrounding community), presence (regular worship attendance), gifts (consistent financial contributions to the operational budget), service (volunteering), and witness (sharing our faith and inviting those without a church home to engage with us).

 Over the next month, we will be working out how Asbury can become a strong, active, and faith-filled community, with the help of God and our collective efforts in these five areas.

I thoroughly enjoyed launching the series by discussing the significance of prayer last Sunday. I emphasized how crucial it is to pray for our church. I hope you're taking my challenge to heart and praying for Asbury every day. Let’s pray that God would help Asbury to be a part of what He is blessing in the world and that even in the midst of inevitable conflicts and disagreements within the church, we would remain united in our shared mission of knowing the love of Jesus Christ and passing it on. 

This Sunday, Pastor Will will continue the series and discuss the importance of attending services. Given the topic, I hope you'll make Sunday worship a priority, either in person or by tuning in through Asbury's Facebook and YouTube pages.

Exciting news! The Fall Festival is taking place tomorrow! Are you as thrilled as we are? Our kids certainly are, and Amanda and I are too. Thanks to everyone who has donated or signed up to help out. It's going to be a fantastic event, so be sure to invite your friends!

Lastly, our new District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, will be officially installed in her role this Sunday at 3 pm. The installation will take place at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Windermere. If you can attend the service, please click this link to RSVP.

https://florida-reg.brtapp.com/RevDrSharonGAustinInstallationServiceandWellWishes

Wishing you a wonderful remainder of your Thursday.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hi, friends,

In our recent sermon series, spanning nine weeks, we dove into the teachings found in Jesus' parables. We hope that these discussions have been both enlightening and enjoyable, offering insights into God and his endless love. Our concluding sermon focused on the concept of shrewdness. When Pastor Chris prompted us to consider another word associated with shrewdness, "cunning" immediately came to mind. Not in a deceitful or malevolent sense, but rather in the context of being intelligent and resourceful for advancing God's Kingdom.

Reflecting on this, I wonder if there has been a time you have used shrewdness to contribute to the growth of the Kingdom. If not, this next series might give you a chance! It just so happens the timeliness of this message aligns with our upcoming stewardship series titled "A Community That Thrives." Throughout this series, we will explore various ways we engage in the ministry of the church, encompassing prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. In preparation for this series, we have mailed out stewardship packets. Please keep an eye out for these, and do let us know if you haven't received one.

In upcoming events, mark your calendars for our Fall Festival on October 27th! We're still in need of assistance across various areas, including trunk decoration, station oversight, and candy donations. Your involvement makes all the difference! Additionally, on Saturday, November 4th, our United Methodist Men's breakfast kicks off at 7:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Following that, we're hosting a church workday beginning at 9:30 a.m. We would love it if you all could help as we spruce up our campus as we head into the Advent season.

Remember, your presence in worship is always cherished, whether in person or online, especially as we kick off our new series. Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Thanks, and God Bless!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

 Hello friends,

As you may have noticed in the traditional service, Pastor Chris and I have been moving in and out, appearing like we have somewhere to be. Your observation is correct! Just last week, we launched our Confirmation classes where we engage with some middle school students, discussing the Christian faith, the denominational roots we share as United Methodists, and what that signifies for them in their faith journey. We've completed two classes, with the third week approaching. In the upcoming session, we will explore means of grace, both individual and communal.

One thing I’ve noticed is that that these students are exceptionally bright, ask insightful questions, and remain engaged throughout the class. I’m looking forward to the coming weeks where we'll share in our learning, especially when they'll be confirmed at our combined service on November 19. I hope you can join us, as I'm confident it will be a special day for our confirmands and their families, and for our church as a whole. 

Looking back on last weekend, I want to acknowledge and commend all those who contributed to the success of the Rummage Sale, bringing our church family and the community together to experience the love and joy we share at Asbury.

Upcoming, we have the United Methodist Men’s breakfast this Saturday at 7:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall where the UMM president, Jim Van Horn, will be speaking. Later in the month we have our Fall Festival on October 27th. If you can sign up for a trunk, bring some candy, or volunteer, please contact the front office or signup during worship. Your support is crucial for this event.

This Sunday marks the conclusion of our series on the parables, The Stories Jesus Told. Both Pastor Chris and I have enjoyed preaching on these, and we were blessed to have Pastor Brian Carr share his insights as well. We hope you've enjoyed this series too. See you all on Sunday, and have a blessed weekend!

Finally, we are profoundly disturbed by the senseless and horrific violence perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist group in the Middle East. Our prayers go out to all those caught in the midst of this turmoil. May the peace of Christ prevail in all of this, and may we hold our family and loved ones a little tighter during these challenging times.

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

 Hello friends,

As you may have noticed in the traditional service, Pastor Chris and I have been moving in and out, appearing like we have somewhere to be. Your observation is correct! Just last week, we launched our Confirmation classes where we engage with some middle school students, discussing the Christian faith, the denominational roots we share as United Methodists, and what that signifies for them in their faith journey. We've completed two classes, with the third week approaching. In the upcoming session, we will explore means of grace, both individual and communal.

One thing I’ve noticed is that that these students are exceptionally bright, ask insightful questions, and remain engaged throughout the class. I’m looking forward to the coming weeks where we'll share in our learning, especially when they'll be confirmed at our combined service on November 19. I hope you can join us, as I'm confident it will be a special day for our confirmands and their families, and for our church as a whole. 

Looking back on last weekend, I want to acknowledge and commend all those who contributed to the success of the Rummage Sale, bringing our church family and the community together to experience the love and joy we share at Asbury.

Upcoming, we have the United Methodist Men’s breakfast this Saturday at 7:30 AM in the Fellowship Hall where the UMM president, Jim Van Horn, will be speaking. Later in the month we have our Fall Festival on October 27th. If you can sign up for a trunk, bring some candy, or volunteer, please contact the front office or signup during worship. Your support is crucial for this event.

This Sunday marks the conclusion of our series on the parables, The Stories Jesus Told. Both Pastor Chris and I have enjoyed preaching on these, and we were blessed to have Pastor Brian Carr share his insights as well. We hope you've enjoyed this series too. See you all on Sunday, and have a blessed weekend!

Finally, we are profoundly disturbed by the senseless and horrific violence perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist group in the Middle East. Our prayers go out to all those caught in the midst of this turmoil. May the peace of Christ prevail in all of this, and may we hold our family and loved ones a little tighter during these challenging times.

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

 Dear Asbury Family,

I would like to express my gratitude for your kind words and sincere well-wishes following my announcement on Sunday morning that Amanda is expecting (just one baby this time!). We are thrilled to anticipate the arrival of our third child in April and deeply appreciate that Asbury will be the church where this precious child will be baptized and nurtured in the Christian faith.

A few days ago, Amanda wrote a contribution for Asbury’s Advent Devotionals. As you'll soon read in her reflection, there is something special about expecting a child during the time when we intentionally remember Jesus’ entry into the world as a vulnerable infant. I am getting ahead of myself (Advent is still nearly two months away), so for now, let me say that we appreciate your ongoing prayers and support for our family.

We are approaching the end of our sermon series on the parables (we’ll conclude the series on October 15). I hope and pray that you have found each of these messages meaningful. This Sunday’s sermon will focus on the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13. I encourage you to read that chapter in preparation for the sermon.

The preview of Asbury’s Fall Rummage Sale was yesterday, and sales will continue this Friday and Saturday. Come to our campus and explore the various items that have been donated to our church. All the proceeds will go to support missions! While you’re here, be sure to purchase some baked goods to support Asbury’s Early Learning Center.

 See you at the Rummage Sale and then again on Sunday for worship!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

 Dear Asbury Family,

Earlier this week, Amanda and I gathered with our Community Group for the second time. Three individuals who couldn't attend our initial meeting two weeks ago joined us. Our time together, marked by sharing a meal, laughter, conversation, prayers for one another, and the sharing of intimate life details, was profoundly meaningful. I am deeply thankful for this group and for all the new and established groups that contribute to our growth, fostering our relationship with God and each other. If you have not yet become a part of a Community Group, please don't hesitate to reach out to Pastor Will Kendust (pastorwil@asburymaitland.org) or Cyndi Johnson (connect@asburymaitland.org) at the church office. We would love nothing more than to help you get connected!

During last week's worship service, we continued our exploration of Jesus' parables, focusing closely on Luke 15, which contains the Parables of the Searching Shepherd and the Seeking Woman (Luke 15:1-10). In my message, I explained why I prefer these titles over the traditional ones (the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin). Ultimately, these stories center around God, not us, and powerfully illustrate God's unwavering commitment to finding all of us and bringing us into a right relationship with him.

This week, we will delve further into Luke 15 by exploring the most renowned story Jesus ever told, the Parable of the Prodigal Son (though I prefer the Parable of the Lovesick Father, because this story too is about God). I look forward to seeing you, either in person or online, for what I hope will be a profoundly meaningful worship experience. Additionally, there is something particularly special and personal that I plan to share during the sermon on Sunday. I am excited about our time together!

Please remember that you can drop off your items for the Rummage Sale this Sunday afternoon. Make plans to join us for the Rummage Sale on the following weekend, October 6 and 7 (the church preview day for all the items will be on October 4 from 5-7 pm).

Wishing you a wonderful remainder of the week!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hello, friends,

This weekend marks one of my favorite annual events - our Youth Beach Retreat. As the name suggests, it's a weekend getaway at the beach! We'll kick things off on Friday evening, heading to the lovely El Caribe Resort in Daytona Beach. Before checking in, we'll make a pit stop at Chick-fil-A for dinner to fuel up. The evening will be a chance for us to connect, go over some guidelines, and share a message before calling it a night.

Saturday kicks off early with breakfast and another message, followed by a day of sun and fun at the beach. We'll break for lunch and then dive back into the action. Around 4 p.m., we'll head back to the room, freshen up, and prepare for dinner. Personally, I usually try to squeeze in a much-needed nap. Then it's off to dinner, followed by ice cream. 🙂 The night will conclude with another group session and a presentation of the Gospel. While we're here for fun, we never lose sight of the true reason we come together - Jesus!

Throughout my years in youth ministry, one constant has been the ever-changing nature of youth culture. Trends come and go, from social media platforms to music groups, but the longing for community remains unwavering. It may take different forms, but it's always there. Much like our Community Groups, my hope for our youth is to build meaningful relationships with each other and with our leaders. Not all of these connections will endure, but I believe some will become strong and reliable. When life throws its inevitable storms our way, and as Jesus reminds us, they will come, our youth will have loving and trustworthy individuals, be they friends or leaders, to turn to if needed. This retreat is an opportunity to nurture these relationships, and I'm grateful for the love, support, and trust you, as a church, place in me to do so.

As I mentioned in last week's letter, there's a lot happening within our church family. Next weekend, on Sunday, October 1st, we'll transform our campus for the Rummage Sale, and that's when we'll begin accepting drop-offs. Later in the month, on October 27th, our Children's Ministry will host the Fall Festival, featuring bounce houses, a hayride, trunk-or-treat, delicious food, a DJ, and much more! We'll provide further details as the date approaches.

In this Sunday's worship service, we'll continue our series on the parables of Jesus. This week, we'll delve into two different parables - the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin (though I believe Pastor Chris is going to quibble with those titles as part of the message). If you're able to join us for worship in person or online, we look forward to seeing you then!

Until then, take care and God bless!

Warm regards,

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hello, friends!

This time of year fills me with overwhelming excitement. The temperatures are beginning to drop slightly, and I can swap my iced coffee for a comforting (usually pumpkin) warm one. We're eagerly anticipating the holiday season, and football has made its return! There's so much more I could talk about, but you get the gist.

It's also a thrilling period in the life of our church. Our Community Groups have kicked off this week, and I'm pleased to report that from what I’ve heard, the initial gatherings went exceptionally well! We're gearing up for our Rummage Sale starting on October 6th and we'll start collecting items for this event on the 1st. Don't forget to mark your calendars and RSVP for the Dinner in Spanish next Saturday evening, September 23rd at 6 pm. Our Confirmation program is beginning. And there's more to come with the Fall Festival later in October. 

Amidst all these fantastic milestones, we mustn't overlook the myriad contributions of the wonderful individuals who generously invest their time, resources, and talents to guide our church toward fulfilling God's calling. Many dedicated people contribute to the functioning of Asbury's ministries, and at times, it can be challenging to keep track of them all. For all of this, we are deeply grateful!

During our recent service, Pastor Brian Carr, a cherished former Associate Pastor of Asbury, delivered an inspiring message on the topic of the Wise and Foolish Builders. This week, Pastor Chris will deliver a sermon on the parable of The Great Banquet. We would love it if you joined us, and we wish you a truly joyful and fulfilling weekend!

God Bless,

Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope you're having a great Thursday! I wanted to let you know about our upcoming Sunday worship services on September 10, where we'll gather as a community to grow in our faith and worship together. We've got a special guest preacher joining us this week.

Brian Carr, who used to be one of our associate pastors at Asbury, will be with us. He's currently serving as the Director of Church Relations for the Florida United Methodist Children's Home. Brian plays a crucial role in connecting the Children's Home, an organization that helps vulnerable children, with United Methodist congregations across Florida. We’re fortunate to have him back, and we're looking forward to hearing what he has to say.

 Brian will be continuing our series on the parables, focusing on the parable of the wise and foolish builders. He's an excellent preacher, and I believe his message will help us build our lives on Jesus Christ.

 This Sunday, we'll also be remembering the anniversary of 9/11, a day that had a profound impact on the world. During both of our services, we'll take a moment to honor the lives lost and pray for peace and unity.

Exciting news: Our new community groups will be starting next week! So far, around 60 people have signed up to be part of these groups. They're going to be a fantastic addition to our church's ministry.

Thank you for being a part of our church community, and I can't wait to see you (in person or online) for worship on Sunday!

Blessings,
Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Dear Friends,

As I write this, we are closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Idalia. This feeling is reminiscent of last year when Hurricanes Ian and Nicole approached. There's a mix of panic and anxious anticipation as we await the storm's landfall. Personally, I experience a range of emotions about preparing to keep my family and me safe. Amidst these emotions, I strive (though not always very easily) to trust that God is in control. The story of Jesus calming the wind and waves in Matthew 8 comes to mind. The passage concludes with verse 27, "Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” In my own life, I reflect on how Jesus brings peace to storms around me. Will there be destruction? Unfortunately, yes. Did God cause or want this? Absolutely not. However, God will stand with those impacted. We'll pray for those affected and hope for minimal impact.

Let's also remember to pray for the Jacksonville community, reeling from hateful and racist killings this past weekend. In times like this, we must recognize that we're all created in God’s image and come together in support. Please continue to uplift the community in prayer as they grapple with this.

This Sunday, our worship series "Stories Jesus Told" continues. Last week, I enjoyed preaching about my favorite parable, The Parable of the Sower. This week, Pastor Chris will delve into The Good Samaritan, one of the most renowned parables. Additionally, it's the first Sunday of the month, and we'll celebrate Holy Communion in both services at 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Feel free to join us in person or watch the livestream on Facebook and YouTube if you can't make it.

As you read this, we pray that Hurricane Idalia has passed with minimal damage for those in its path. We look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday and wish you a safe Labor Day Weekend.

Thank you and God bless,

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope your week has been going well.

I want to start this email by celebrating some donations our congregation recently made.

Earlier this week we made an online donation for Maui wildfire victims in the amount of $2,785. We also cut two checks – one for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home ($1,893) and the other for the Russell Home ($866). The total amount for all of this was $5,544! Thank you for your generosity! In addition to supporting our operational budget, this church continues to show generosity in other ways. I have great faith that God is going use these funds to touch the lives of many people in need. Again, thank you!

Last week we started a new sermon series on the parables called “Stories Jesus Told.” As I mentioned on Sunday, the English word parable is a transliteration of the Greek word parabola, which means “to cast alongside.” Essentially a parable involves placing two things side by side for comparison. In the parables, Jesus would often place God or the kingdom of God alongside something else, like a shepherd searching for a lost sheep or a woman baking bread, to help explain his spiritual teachings.

 Last Sunday we looked at the parable of the vineyard workers. Our parable for this Sunday involves the farmer who scattered seeds, which is one of eight parables that shows up in all three of the first three Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. I hope to see you in worship on Sunday (in person or online) as God uses Pastor Will’s sermon to deepen our understanding of this story.
Since I started this email on a celebratory note, let me also end on one. Right now, we have almost 50 people who have joined the community groups we are launching on September 10. By the way, this count does not include those who are part of existing community groups (formerly called life groups). I can’t wait to see how God is going to use these groups to build community and bring even more life and energy to our church.
Enjoy the rest of your week, and we’ll see you Sunday!
Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hi friends,

As you may know, we're introducing a new initiative called Community Groups. While you might have heard about this before, we want to ensure that we convey all the details clearly and enthusiastically. As we start on this journey of launching these groups, I'm reminded of a valuable lesson from an old friend.

Back in the day, I was struggling to create something, held back by the fear that it wouldn't be perfect. This hesitation prevented me from even starting. During that time, my friend posed a question: "Would you prefer to craft one perfect item or a hundred that are just average?" Uncertain of my response, he provided his insight. He said, "The wiser choice is a hundred average ones, as you'll eventually transition from creating 'average' to 'perfect' ones." Essentially, the idea is that sometimes, you just need to begin the process. It might feel awkward or wonky initially, but overthinking can halt your progress. Yet, once you start, you'll find opportunities to refine and approach perfection over time.

This philosophy aligns with our approach to these community groups. We acknowledge that achieving absolute perfection is unlikely, but we're confident in the strength of our facilitators and the overall groundwork we've laid. While this venture might encounter a few hiccups along the way, we recognize it as a somewhat new undertaking and expect to work out any kinks as we proceed. Thus, we're placing our trust in God's guidance and appreciate your patience and understanding as we embark on this exciting new journey together!

For those of you who haven't yet signed up but remain interested, remember to signup via the bulletin insert or on our website. If you still have questions, call the front office as they may be able to help!

On another note, this upcoming Sunday during our worship services, we're starting a sermon series titled "Stories Jesus Told." Throughout this series, we'll delve deeply into the various parables Jesus used to illustrate his love and teachings about the Kingdom of God. Pastor Chris will kick off this series by exploring "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." While I'm tempted to share some intriguing insights he's given, I'd rather not spoil anything for you, so I'll keep quiet on that :) Pastor Chris' message will be featured in both of our services—our 9:30am Celebration Service and our 11:00am Traditional Service. Both services will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook. We would love for you to join us!

Wishing you all a fantastic and blessed weekend. We look forward to connecting with you soon.

Warm regards,

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

Today marks the first day of school for many within our community. This past Tuesday, Amanda and I took Hannah and Noah to the "Meet the Teacher" event at Dommerich Elementary in Maitland. They had the opportunity to meet their kindergarten teacher, explore their classroom, interact with classmates, and tour some of the campus. It was a wonderful day, and as a family, we are eagerly anticipating the experiences that today and the upcoming year will bring. I ask for prayers for all those involved in this new school year – including students, families, and school staff. May this year surpass all expectations!

During last Sunday's worship services, I unveiled an exciting "Big Announcement." The announcement pertained to new community groups initiated by our vision team. These groups have been designed to help us grow in our relationship with God and connect deeply with each other (as I emphasized during Sunday's message – we are made for community, both with God and each other). These groups will consist of anywhere from 3 to 12 people and will meet about every two weeks. Meetings will take place in homes, coffee shops/restaurants, or on the church campus.

Pastor Will and Teresa Cunningham will delve deeper into the specifics of these community groups during this upcoming Sunday's worship services. We hope to have you join us in person or virtually, either at the 9:30am (contemporary) or 11am (traditional) services. The Sunday bulletin will contain specific details regarding the groups, including dates, times, and biographies of the facilitators. Additionally, we will start sign-ups on Sunday, with the groups officially commencing during the week of September 10.

We live in a world that's getting more and more divided, and we're often feeling more alone. That's why being part of a community is so important, now more than ever. I'm excited about these new community groups. I genuinely believe that God will use them to bring a breath of fresh air.

Blessings,

Chris

p.s., This Sunday we welcome another new member. Please join me in welcoming Nikki Reynolds from the 9:30am service to our church family!

Weekly Update// Summer Intern//Lily Stride

Asbury,

This is your summer intern, Lily Stride, with the last weekly email of my internship. What an amazing summer it has been! I would like to thank you all for allowing me to spend another summer with you and for the awesome experiences I was able to have with you all. Looking back on last week, we had an awesome Vacation Bible School week learning how to shine Jesus' light! Looking into this Sunday, be ready for the big announcement being shared by Pastor Chris. 

Have an amazing rest of the week everyone!  I’ll leave you with this passage from Isaiah 26:3-4:

3 You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
4 Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Lily Stride

Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope this email finds you well. We are currently in the midst of an exciting and vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Youth Week. It's been delightful and crazy at the same time (in the best way possible). I am immensely proud to be part of a church community that places such strong emphasis on children and youth, showing them God's love in tangible and meaningful ways.

Last Sunday, I shared with you that our VBS enrollment exceeded expectations, and as a result, we faced a budget shortfall. It inspired me to witness the immediate and generous response from all of you. In just one week, we received over $2,000 in contributions to support our VBS efforts. This incredible display of generosity is truly a testament to the spirit of our congregation. As Scripture teaches, when we welcome children, we welcome Jesus into our midst (Mark 9:37), and it's evident that we have embraced Jesus wholeheartedly this week.

This Sunday, at 10:45 am, we are coming together for a special combined service in the sanctuary. The service promises to be uplifting and inspiring, featuring powerful music and a heartfelt message from Pastor John Peterson of the Florida United Methodist Foundation. Moreover, we plan to be led in music by some of our talented VBS kids, and our youth will have the opportunity to share their impactful stories from Brevard Mission Week. We will also be receiving a new member. It will be a morning filled with faith, community, and celebration.

Following the service, we invite you to join us for a potluck in the Fellowship Hall. We ask that you bring a side dish to share, as we come together to eat great food and enjoy one another's company. Additionally, John Peterson and Christie Morrison will be leading an endowment presentation for those interested in attending.

Again, I want to thank you for your support and generosity during VBS and Youth Week. Your dedication to our community enables us to create such meaningful experiences for our children and youth, helping them grow in their faith and love for God.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Summer Intern Lily Stride

Good Afternoon Asbury, 

This is Lily Stride, Asbury's summer intern, and I’m excited to share about my week with all of you. This past week has been a whirlwind. As some of you know, I was in Costa Rica working with the organization Agua Viva Serves, which works to provide safe and clean water to less fortunate areas of Los Chiles. During the week we worked on building an office and a septic system in a small village in Los Chiles, as well as providing a Vacation Bible School to the local children.

I am forever grateful for this experience, and I learned so much about people and God's beautiful creation. Seeing God came so naturally in Los Chiles and I can’t wait to go back. 

Looking ahead to this Sunday, Pastor Chris will be finishing his

series on the Soul. His main focus will be how to restore the soul in times of struggle.

I found this scripture that reminds me of how intentionally and beautifully God made the Earth, and I wanted to share it with you. 

Psalm

104:24-30

"24 How many are your works, Lord!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teemingwith creatures beyond number—

living things both large and small.

26 There the ships go to and fro,

and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 All creatures look to you

to give them their food at the proper time.

28 When you give it to them,

they gather it up; when you open your hand,

they are satisfied with good things.

29 When you hide your face,

they are terrified; when you take away their breath,

they die and return to the dust.

30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground."

Lily Stride

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hi friends,

This week, I'm in Melbourne, FL at Suntree United Methodist Church for Brevard Mission Week, also known as BMW. It's a week-long mission trip that combines a camp-like experience into one. Every day, we visit different worksites where we collaborate with groups and organizations dedicated to improving the community. One of the organizations we work with is Harmony Farms, which offers young individuals with special needs an opportunity to interact with horses and ponies. Another organization we support is Healthy Start, which aims to provide information and assistance to new or expecting moms who may not have support otherwise. At each worksite, there are typically two to three tasks assigned to the groups. These tasks can range from physically demanding yard work to simple activities like cutting out newspaper clippings. For instance, on Monday, I had the interesting task of cleaning out raccoon cages. :)

Each day concludes with a fun activity, such as a dance party or a shaving cream fight, along with a worship experience featuring music and a message. This week is one of my favorites because it encourages the youth to step out of their comfort zones, fostering new relationships with students of other churches and deepening their connection with God. As we approach the end of this transformative week, I ask that you continue to pray for us and for God to continue to move.

This week in worship we will hear the second part of our sermon series titled “Soul Keeping.” You can hear this Sunday’s message called “What the Soul Needs” at either our 9:30am Celebration or 11:00am Traditional services. Both services will be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook if you can’t make it in person. Later that day we will host the Choir Concert at 3:00pm in the Sanctuary. This will be a chance for our choir to showcase some of their favorite songs. Mark your calendar for Wednesday the 19th, where we will have an ice cream bar in the Fellowship Hall at 1pm like last month, so bring a friend to that! Lastly, we still require assistance with Vacation Bible School during the week of July 24th. We currently have 111 registered participants, so if you are available, please consider signing up to help us make this event a success. You can register at https://vbspro.events/p/events/411722. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Have a blessed weekend and see y’all soon!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update// Pastor

Dear Asbury Family,

It’s summer, which means it’s the time of year when a lot of us take vacations. Personally, I am grateful to have had some time away the past two weeks. During this time, I prayed, read, walked, swam in the pool, worshipped at an area church, watched movies, and of course, spent time with Amanda, Hannah, and Noah. Amanda and I also found a new TV show that we’ve been watching at night once the kids are in bed called Under the Dome. The show came out ten years ago, but we just recently found it through our Paramount + subscription. We’re already on season 2 and thus far have been enjoying it!

I want to thank everyone for granting me this time away. Somebody once said, “If you don’t come apart for a while, you will come apart in a while.” The longer I’ve been around, the more I find this quote to be true. God made us to work and exercise dominion over our planet (Genesis 1:28), but God also made us to rest and enjoy ourselves (Genesis 2:2). Indeed, when I think of those times in my life when I have been irritable, impatient, and less generous in my thoughts and actions, it’s usually because I was running on empty and not making space for God to fill me. Is it any wonder that the word recreation literally means re-creation? Put simply, when we rest and play, God recreates us! That said, I hope you’re finding ways to rest and have fun this summer.

As thankful as I am to have had some time off, I am also excited to be back. Part of what excites me most is kicking off our new sermon series called “Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You.” Based on a book of the same name by Pastor John Ortberg, this three-part sermon series will explore the ins and outs of the soul, which is the center of our life and the most important part of our existence. This Sunday’s message will answer the question, what is the soul? While all of us will agree that we have a soul, we may be hard-pressed to define the soul. What exactly is the soul? Join us for Sunday worship as we explore that central question.

Can you believe that we already have nearly 100 children signed up for Vacation Bible School (VBS), which is happening the last week of July? I can’t wait for all our kids to “blast off” into a wonderful week of fun as they learn about the God of love. Thank you to all of you who have signed up to volunteer. However, we need even more volunteers, so be sure to contact Laura Molloy if you're able to help (childrensministry@asburymaitland.org).

 Enjoy the rest of your week, and I’ll see you Sunday.

 Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Happy Thursday Asbury!

Are you a celebratory person? Do you make a big fuss even over small wins? I’ll be honest, I don’t. Not near enough at least. All too often, I find myself just focused on the next task or whatever it is that requires my attention. I even tell myself that it makes me a better pastor if I operate that way, so I get more done. Lately, I’ve been feeling convicted about all that and realizing, that isn’t in fact making me a better pastor. Sure I’m getting more “stuff” done, but to what end, so that I can say I was accomplished? Earlier this month at my commissioning the Bishop addressed this saying that we need to be better about finding joy in our ministry. I think his point is that we need to be better about celebrating, even the small victories.

This past weekend in the Kendust household, we started potty training Liam. One thing we heard about and found works is celebrating those victories. So, every time he used the potty, he got a sticker. The good life! It was a chance for me to be better about celebrating the victories. It also happens that in our staff meeting this past week we read Psalm 150, the last Psalm. It’s a very celebratory and joyful Psalm. Go read it if you get a chance. Our reflection time circled around the victories that we have in and around Asbury, which is a lot! I speak from experience knowing it is so easy to focus on what went wrong or what is next, but when we do that, we can overlook where God was present. As the final verse in the Psalms says, “Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Ps 150:6 NLT) Amen? Amen!

On the calendar, we have Handbags for Hope being put together Friday morning, June 30th at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. The very next day, Saturday, July 1st, is United Methodist Men’s breakfast at 7:30 am, also in the Fellowship Hall. Can you believe it’s already July? I digress! Later in the month is the choir concert on Sunday, July 16th, at 3:00 pm in the sanctuary. And of course VBS! We’ve had more volunteers sign up to help, but still need some more! Let us know if you are available to help the week of July 24-28!

 Then on Sunday, I’ll be preaching on Joseph and piggyback on Lily’s fantastic sermon last Sunday where I’ll be looking at the gifts that God gave Joseph. We’d love it if you could join us at either our Celebration Service (9:30 am) or our Traditional Service (11:00 am). As always, both will be live-streamed. Hopefully, you can join us on this Fourth of July weekend!

Thanks!

Will

Weekly Update// Pastor Will

Hi Church family!

It's hard to believe, but it's true! I have been commissioned, and the reality is finally sinking in. The journey to this point has been long, filled with countless hours of paperwork, classes, prayers, a few tears, and immense hard work. Reflecting on Alina's letter from a few weeks ago about the village it takes to raise a child but also a pastor, is so accurate. It's a collaborative effort, intertwined with life experiences and witnessing God's presence in our lives. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering love and support of my family, church family, and especially my wife. I am truly blessed.

With that being said, the journey continues. There are still more projects and paperwork ahead in the process of becoming a Full Connection Elder. Typically, two years as a Commissioned Elder are required before reaching Full Connection status. However, a ruling was made at last year's annual conference, counting the previous year towards the required time. This means I am halfway there! As for whether I will apply this year, that decision is yet to be made. The application process involves fulfilling numerous requirements and paperwork, which demand significant time and energy. I want to ensure that I can dedicate the proper effort and focus while also fulfilling my responsibilities to Asbury. Time will tell!

There are a few things to be on the lookout for in the upcoming weeks. We are still collecting donations for Handbags for Hope, and we will be assembling those on Friday, the 30th, in the Fellowship Hall. The United Methodist Men’s breakfast is on July 1st at 7:30 am in the Fellowship Hall where David Vatcher will be speaking on Christianity Coming to America. And looking a bit further into next month, we of course need help for VBS, the week of July 24th through the 28th. Reach out to the front office or to Laura directly at ChildrensMinistry@AsburyMaitland.Org if you can volunteer.

In worship on Sunday, our Summer Intern, Lily Stride, will be looking at the story of Bezalel and Oholiab in Exodus 31 and how we can use our gifts for God’s glory. We hope you can join

us at either our 9:30 am Celebration service or our 11:00 am Traditional service. If you can’t make it in person, both will be live-streamed on Youtube and Facebook.

Have a blessed weekend and see you all soon!

Pastor Will