Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I’ve missed being with you these past two Sundays, but I’m grateful for the time I had to rest and recharge—it was exactly what I needed. Just as a fever signals that our bodies need care, feeling drained is our soul’s way of telling us it’s time for a break. I used this time to reconnect with God and my family, allowing myself to fully rest.

I’m deeply thankful to Pastor Will and our staff for taking such good care of everything in my absence. I’m excited to return to the pulpit this Sunday as we launch a new sermon series on the Old Testament figure Jonah. The series, titled “Deeper Than a Fish Story,” invites us to look beyond the familiar tale of Jonah being swallowed by a big fish.

As we journey through Jonah, we’ll explore themes like responding to God’s call, the consequences of running away, and the depth of God’s compassion for all people, even those we might least expect. We’ll also delve into topics like forgiveness, repentance, and the surprising ways God’s grace can transform hearts and situations. Pastor Will and I are eager to unpack these powerful lessons with you over the coming weeks.

As we head into the fall, there’s so much happening in the life of our church. Be sure to peruse the rest of this email and stay engaged with the work God is doing among us.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

Hi friends,

Last Saturday, August 10th, we held a pickleball tournament on our new court—an Eagle Scout project led by one of our youth, Zane Rimes. With help from his troop, local vendors, and your support, Zane made this court a reality. We had 22 participants sign up to test their pickleball skills, including a local pro, thanks to Eve Koch, who explained the rules and gave tips—especially to newbies like me. Unfortunately, my partner, Dennis “Doc D” Stevenson, and I didn’t make it far in the tournament, but we had a blast, as did many others.

What stood out most to me was Pastor Chris’s prayer before the tournament began. He prayed for a continued sense of community, thankfulness for the beautiful weather, and, most importantly, for us not to take ourselves too seriously. I believe this was for a few reasons. First, this was a fundraiser, and we hoped to cover the remaining costs (which we did!). Second, it was also a "fun-raiser" (see what I did there?), which we also accomplished! Lastly, sometimes we just take ourselves too seriously—something I’m guilty of. I’ll never forget a time Chris reminded me of this on a Sunday morning when I was unhappy with my sermon. He told me, “God will still show up,” and that’s always the case.

On Sunday mornings, things often don’t go as planned—whether it’s a glitchy electronic device or a printing error. I tend to worry: What will people think? Will the service fall apart? But somehow, everything works out, and those are often the services where God moves the most. It’s a reminder to take God seriously, but not ourselves.

This Sunday, we’re closing our mini-series on being “Imitators of Christ” with a focus on “Living in the Light.” We’ll dive into what this means for us as Christians, especially why Paul urges us to put away anger, bitterness, and rage, particularly toward ourselves. If you can’t make it in person, we’ll be live-streaming the services at 9:30 am and 11:00 am.

I hope you have a blessed weekend, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Thanks, 

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

 Hi friends,

This week marks the start of a new school year for many of the local schools. If you joined us on Sunday or watched our service online, you may have participated in our back-to-school blessing. We made sure to include not only the students but also parents, teachers, administrators, and all school staff because we recognize the vital role each plays in ensuring our schools run smoothly. I’m especially grateful for our school here at Asbury, the Asbury Early Learning Center, and our Director, Morgan Dixon, for her leadership. This is particularly meaningful for our family, as our youngest, Alex, started this week, and Liam will begin VPK next week. Naturally, there were a few tears, including from Alex, but after a few minutes, everyone settled in and had a great time.

Someone asked for a copy of the prayer we shared, so I wanted to pass it along:

Heavenly Father,

As we begin this new school year, we seek Your guidance and blessing for all involved.

We lift up the students returning to their studies. Bless them with curiosity, resilience, and a heart eager to learn. May they face challenges with courage and find joy in their achievements. Surround them with friends who uplift and support them, and help them to be kind and compassionate to others. Guide them to grow not just in knowledge, but in wisdom and character, becoming the young people You’ve called them to be.

We pray for the parents and guardians. Grant them patience, strength, and peace as they support their children through this new season. May they trust in Your care and nurture their children’s growth with love.

Bless the teachers with passion for their subjects, compassion for their students, and creativity in their instruction. Give them endurance and joy in their important work. 

We lift up the administrators and school leaders. Grant them wisdom in their decisions, fairness in their leadership, and a commitment to creating environments where learning and respect thrive.

Finally, we pray for all the workers who keep our schools running smoothly. Bless them with good health and safety, and may they find fulfillment in their essential roles.

Lord, we place this school year in Your hands. May Your presence be felt in every classroom, hallway, and home, guiding us all in Your truth and love.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen. 

This prayer helps me remember God’s sovereignty and the peace that comes from placing our trust in Him. I encourage you to include this prayer in your time with God this week, asking for continued blessings on our little ones.

This week in worship, we’re beginning a mini-series on being imitators of Christ. We’ll explore Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he offers practical advice on living together with Christ as our guide. We’d love for you to join us at either our 9:30 AM Celebration/Contemporary service or our 11:00 AM Traditional service. If you can’t attend in person, both services will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

In the meantime, have a fantastic weekend, and we’ll see you all on Sunday!

Thanks!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

This Saturday, August 10, we are hosting a pickleball tournament to raise money for the recent refurbishing of Asbury’s basketball/pickleball court. This project was undertaken by Zane Rimes, a member of Asbury working toward his Eagle Scout rank. Don't worry – even if you have never played pickleball, you are encouraged to participate in this tournament. It’s open to people of all ages and skill levels. If you’d like to register, sign up here:  https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fforms.gle%2fjW1GMCkxhmCVZSZG7&c=E,1,wpeNyxhBSLYnr9ASp99cTw_5GkRIixD46JCd99EegBQ9AlR0msoTryL5Jbv1psuYiosAPZO-zl9l3ZT6VXmHNQoRviZJnkKhvlLoXUb4pQ,,&typo=1

On Sunday morning, we will pray for the new school year, which begins Monday, August 12, and close out our sermon series on Moses. The sermon topic that day fits well with the back-to-school prayer, as we will be discussing the importance of not only remembering our faith but also passing our faith on to the next generation. So join us for worship, and if applicable, bring your children (or grandchildren) with you!

By the way, now that summer is concluding, we are also looking to relaunch our community groups for the fall. If you’re not a part of a community group yet, over the next few Sundays, you’ll find out why you should be. Debbie Babbage, one of our members who leads a community group, is going to talk about the impact of her group in both services on Sunday. There will also be an opportunity for you to sign up for a group!

 Looking forward to seeing you all there! Enjoy the rest of your week.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

We are excited to welcome a special guest preacher, Tony Rosenberger, this Sunday, August 4. Many of you remember Tony from his time as our associate pastor from 2003 to 2006. Since then, Tony has served other churches and now works for Southwest Airlines. We’re delighted to have him back in the Orlando area.

Tony is a talented preacher who will share a message about Moses and the forty years the Israelites spent in the desert. Join us for worship at either 9:30am (contemporary) or 11am (traditional) to hear his inspiring insights. Since it's the first Sunday of the month, we will also be celebrating Communion.

We also invite you to an informational meeting on Thursday, August 15, at 6pm in the parlor to learn about a possible trip to see the work of Zoe Empowers firsthand. Ann Eppinger Davidson, a Zoe volunteer, will share more details. For more information about Zoe, please visit zoeempowers.org.

Additionally, Zane Rimes, a young man who worships with his family at our 9:30am service, is on the brink of completing his Eagle Scout Project funding. As of this writing, he needs just $1,005 more. He and his fellow scouts transformed our old basketball court into a modern basketball and pickleball court, dedicating over 450 hours. Community support, Zane's troop donation, and his Scout account donation have already covered $7,335.83. Now, he needs a little help to finish up. Your donation can make a real difference. Let's help Zane reach his goal!

By the way, a pickleball tournament is also in the works as part of the fundraiser (details about the tournament are below). In the meantime, if you'd like to give, please click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-zane-rimes-complete-his-eagle-scout-project?attribution_id=sl:03dfea35-3391-43ad-906b-ded2975f8cc1&utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet_ai&utm_content=amp1v4&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=email.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Have a great week!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Hi folks,

As I write this, we are amid Vacation Bible School (VBS) and Youth Week. This week’s VBS theme is scuba diving, with the overall message of diving into God’s love. Though it's fun for the kids, it truly reflects how immense God’s love is, as vast as the ocean. Considering how God is able to hold all of us, children and adults alike, it is certainly a tall task. Overall, all I keep hearing is how much fun and how the kids are being showered with love. I even heard Scuba Willy has made a guest appearance or two!

In addition to Vacation Bible School, we have Youth Week, where our youth helpers participate in some fun on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons. It’s Wednesday morning as I write, we haven’t gone bowling yet, but we did visit Topgolf on Monday. Without boasting, I must say I brought my A-game and showed some students how it’s done. Bowling might be a different story. We will wrap up the week with a fun day at SeaWorld’s Aquatica on Friday while the younger students enjoy a water party at the end of Vacation Bible School back at the church.

Reflecting on Vacation Bible School and Youth Week, what comes to mind is joy and a sense of wonder. These elements are integral to us, not just as humans, but as Christians. Scripture often highlights the playfulness of children, and Jesus himself spoke about letting the children come to him (Matthew 19:14). Perhaps Jesus knew that children possess a sense of playfulness and curiosity, constantly asking why. One commentary states, “It calls believers to adopt a childlike faith, characterized by simplicity, trust, and a sense of wonder.” Children are always searching for greater meaning, a trait I see in my own children as they grow up. Their curiosity sometimes leads to a bit of mischief, but I love their playfulness and eagerness to explore new things. May we all retain a sense of playfulness throughout our lives, continually having fun, being playful, and having a sense of wonder about God’s love. 

This week in worship, we continue our Moses sermon series as Pastor Chris delves into the Ten Commandments and the events surrounding God speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai. We invite you to join us at our 9:30 AM Celebration/Contemporary service or our 11 AM Traditional service. Both services are also live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for Vacation Bible School and Youth Week. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who made this week possible. We couldn't have done it without your help!

 Thanks and have a blessed weekend!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

 Hi folks,

As I mentioned in service this past week, the youth group and I returned from our missions week in Melbourne, Florida, where we stayed at Suntree United Methodist Church, the church I used to work at. The program, called Brevard Missions Week (BMW), is a hybrid camp and missions week focused on community service, fellowship, and building relationships while serving God.

This year looked a bit different, and I was initially apprehensive due to lower attendance and fewer participating churches. However, God showed up in incredible ways. We started early Monday morning with a kickoff at Suntree United Methodist Church, joined by Shepherd United Methodist Church from Lakeland, and then headed to our work sites. For the next few days, different groups tackled various tasks at multiple sites.

One worksite was Carver Park, a summer camp in a Melbourne neighborhood, where we spent the day playing games with the children, coloring, and even pulling a hamstring or two during kickball! Another location was Joe’s Club, an elderly care facility specializing in memory care. We've built great relationships there over the years with both residents and staff. Activities included spreading mulch, painting, sorting mailers, dancing the Macarena, and playing bingo. To my knowledge, no one in our group won at bingo, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

On Thursday, we had a fun day at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando. That evening, we held a special "Say So" night where students shared how God worked in their lives, inspired by Psalm 107, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." We were all deeply moved by our students’ testimonies and sharing.

Friday morning culminated with a food packing event where we packaged 100,000 meals for the local community. Despite being a smaller group, many students said it was one of the best BMWs yet, as the intimate setting fostered closer connections.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement throughout the week. I’m already looking forward to next year!

We are also gearing up for Vacation Bible School (VBS), which starts on Monday, the 22nd. We have around 80 sign-ups and could use more help. This year’s theme is "Scuba," where kids will dive into God's love, ending with a big water party on Friday. If you can help, please contact Laura at 407-758-0299 or email her at childrensministry@asburymaitland.org to be placed in an area of need.

This Sunday, we continue our sermon series on Moses. I'll be preaching about the 10 plagues and the exodus of the Israelites, a pivotal moment in their history. Join us for worship at our 9:30 am Contemporary/Celebration service, 11:00 am Traditional service, or via our livestream options on YouTube and Facebook.

Have a blessed weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

 Dear Asbury Family,

If you’re in the area, take a break from the heat and join me for Coffee with the Pastor today, Thursday, July 11, from 4:30-5:45 pm at the Starbucks in Maitland. It’ll be the first Coffee with the Pastor we’ve had in a while. If you can’t make it today, no worries – join us for a future gathering. I’ll generally be at Starbucks every Thursday from 4:30-5:45 pm.

Last week, we launched a new series on Moses, one of the central figures of the Bible. I am excited about my sermon this Sunday, which is on Moses' call in Exodus 3:1-12. It is one of my favorite biblical texts (although admittedly I have many!). I encourage you to read this passage in preparation for worship. As you read it, consider these questions:

•     How does God relate to us in our suffering?

•     What is God’s preferred way of working in the world?

•       What do we do when we feel called by God to an assignment but don’t feel qualified to fulfill it?

As we’ll discover on Sunday, this text addresses all these questions and more.

Please continue to hold our youth and their leaders in prayer as they serve in the Melbourne area for Brevard Mission Week (BMW). I am so grateful for the ways they’re making a difference in others’ lives in the name of Jesus.

Finally, don’t forget that Vacation Bible School is later this month, from July 22-26. Signups have gone tremendously, but we are in desperate need of volunteers. If you can help out in any way, please send a note to Laura Molloy at childrensministry@asburymaitland.org.

Thank you for all you do to share God’s love in this world. If I don’t see you at Coffee with the Pastor today, see you Sunday!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

 Dear Friends,

We’ve just come off another very eventful week here at Asbury! It was a full week with shows, a combined service, potluck, and even some Eagle Scouting. Our main event this weekend was our Joseph production, put on by our Traditional Worship Director, Tamara Alexander, and her team. There were three shows, all of which were packed. Personally, I attended two of them and saw some of the same folks come back because it was so good! The show not only highlighted the talent we have here at Asbury but also the hard work and passion of many people here. This was evident in all aspects of the production. We praise God for the wonderful story of Joseph and the folks who helped bring it to life!

In the midst of all that, we had our combined service on Sunday, where we had the pleasure of hearing from our East Central District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, who also serves as the Director of Justice for the Conference. She challenged us to care for our neighbors, as highlighted in the story of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke. After the service, we enjoyed a wonderful potluck hosted by the Open Door class, featuring some amazing food. We want to show our appreciation for all their hard work and for everyone else who brought a dish!

Lastly, we’ve had our Eagle Scout project going on at the basketball (soon to be basketball & pickleball) court. This project is being led by one of our youth, Zane Rimes, along with his troop 148, the girl troop 4148, and some help from his proud parents,Miranda and Trevor Arnold. The project, which is a big undertaking and officially kicked off on Friday, includes cleaning, patching, and painting

lines. After speaking with Miranda this weekend, one of Zane’s troop members

commented, “I think this is the biggest project we’ve ever done!” Of course, we

have to break in the court with a tournament, so get your partner and stay

tuned for info on that.

We can’t forget to mention the Fourth ofJuly and all the freedoms we celebrate in our country. I often think of theverse from Galatians that challenges me. In the fifth chapter, the thirteenth

verse, Paul says, "For you have been called to live in freedom, my

brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.

Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." (NLT) I believe

Paul references a few freedoms in this verse: freedom from the Law, which the

church in Galatia struggled with due to some religious folks teaching a false

gospel, and freedom from sin because of Christ's sacrifice. Because of these

freedoms, we should use them to serve one another instead of focusing only on

ourselves, which I often need reminding of! We are so blessed with the lives we

have; let’s celebrate it and use it to live into the calling that Christ has placed on our lives!

 This weekend, we’re kicking off a newseries on Moses titled, “Called: The Story of Moses.” This series will run for six weeks and explore the full story of Moses, the most prominent figure of the Old Testament. It is also the first Sunday of the month, so we will be celebrating Holy Communion at both our Celebration/Contemporary Service at 9:30am and our Traditional Service at 11:00 am! Both services will be live-streamed if you cannot attend in person.

We hope you have a wonderful and relaxing Fourth of July and look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday!

God Bless!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

 Dear Asbury Family,

I hope your week is going well! We have a full weekend ahead at the church, so let me share the highlights.

First, the Asbury Players are presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this weekend! Performances are on Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29 at 7:00 pm, with a matinee on Sunday, June 30, at 3 PM. All performances are FREE and will take place in the sanctuary. I am very excited to see this performance, and I am sure you are too. So come on out and prepare to be impressed!

Second, we are hosting our quarterly combined service in the sanctuary this Sunday at 10:45 AM (all other Sunday services are canceled). Our preacher for the morning will be Rev. Dr. Sharon Austin, who serves as the District Superintendent of the East Central District of the Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church. Dr. Austin is a gifted speaker and leader with a passion for the Lord and His gospel. I know you will be blessed by the message she shares this Sunday.

In addition to Dr. Austin, we will welcome a presentation from Rev. Gaston Warner about Zoe Empowers, a ministry that Asbury plans to financially support in the coming years. Zoe Empowers is dedicated to helping vulnerable children and youth become socially and economically self-sufficient. Rev. Warner will explain more, but if you'd like to read ahead, check out this website: zoeempowers.org I am excited about Asbury's support of this life-changing ministry. Of course, since it's a fifth Sunday, we'll also continue our ongoing support of Residing Hope (formerly Florida United Methodist Children's Home).

Then, when the service is over, we will do what we all love to do: fellowship and eat. We’ll gather for a potluck in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

It’s going to be a wonderful, full, and inspiring weekend. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Will

 Hi friends,

As summer continues, I often get asked why we change things up so much for youth during this season. Traditionally, our youth schedule includes weekly Wednesday evening meetings and various events throughout the year. However, in the summer, we switch things up and release a summer packet with all the information you need for our youth events.

In the summer packet, you’ll find details about our Bible Study and lunches that occur every other week, as well as our nights out—whether it's bowling, going to the movies, or visiting Top Golf. It also includes information about trips like our Mission Trip to Brevard, called BMW (Brevard Mission Week), and our Imago Dei (Image of God) retreat, where we focus on being created in God’s image. We also have a day at the beach planned. This change of pace mimics the rhythms of summer, where schedules vary with trips and vacations but also include some slow moments. We wrap up the summer and restart our Wednesday evening program in mid-August. It's a fun time of the year, and I’m excited to share more as summer progresses!

As we approach the middle of summer, we want to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth, which is observed on June 19th. This holiday commemorates the freeing of the last group of enslaved people in Texas in 1865, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Although you may be reading this on Thursday, we closed the office on Wednesday to honor this important holiday.

In Sunday worship, we are concluding our series on Faith and Doubt, with Pastor Chris discussing why he is a Christian. I hope you have enjoyed this series and found comfort in exploring your questions about faith and doubt. Join us for our services at 9:30 am (Celebration/Contemporary) and 11:00 am (Traditional). On Sunday, the 30th, we will have a combined service at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary, with Reverend Dr. Sharon Austin as our guest preacher, followed by a potluck.

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to all of you for making our Asbury Community so wonderful. It’s been a joy and privilege to be in ministry with you all, and I look forward to seeing how God continues to move within us as we grow together.

Blessings,

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Will

Hi friends,

It’s hard to believe that we are almost halfway through June already, but here we are! I feel like there’s a slight collective breath we are taking, but then we are diving right into summer with camps, retreats, productions, and combined services. All really, really good things!

This Sunday, we are celebrating Father’s Day. Father’s Day has meant a lot of different things for me over the years as I have become a father myself. Initially, as a child, I thought it was odd that we had Father’s Day and Mother’s Day but never Kids or Children’s Day. I remember asking my parents once why that was, and they responded that every other day is Kid’s Day, which was pretty accurate. I think about the years following my father’s passing and how I hated Father’s Day. After all, it was a reminder of what I had lost, but then I sensed a shift when I realized what a blessing it was to have had a father who loved me so much that I was sad when he was gone, because I know that’s not always the case.

While I know that some of us had good dads, that wasn’t always the case, and that breaks my heart. I also know it is sometimes difficult for folks to see God as a father figure because of difficult relationships with their earthly father. I’m reminded of David’s words in Psalm 68 that call God “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy.” (NLT) Reflecting on this, I find solace in knowing that God's fatherhood transcends our earthly experiences. His love and care are perfect and unchanging, offering a healing embrace to those who have felt the absence or pain of an imperfect father. In God, we can find the ultimate protector and provider, a divine parent whose compassion and justice are unwavering. This divine relationship invites us to experience a depth of love and security that earthly relationships may have lacked, reassuring us that we are never truly alone or unloved.

In whatever manner you celebrate Father’s Day, whether it’s one of mourning or jubilee, know that God is with you in those difficult moments. And to all the dads and father-like figures in our Asbury Community and family, we love you, celebrate you, and appreciate all you do to shape us into the people God has created us to be!

In the life of the church, we have plenty happening! In just a few weeks, we have the program of *Joseph* that Tamara and her team have been working on. We are also still collecting newspapers, magazines, and catalogues for Central Florida Wesley’s Craft Night. We’ve got our eyes on our June 30th combined service where our District Superintendent, the Reverend Dr. Sharon Austin, is preaching, with a potluck to follow. We’ve seen great success with these services and know this is going to be a great one as well! There’s plenty more happening in the life of the church. Be sure to check the bulletin, web page, and Facebook for all the happenings. Also, be sure to join us for worship as we continue our series on Faith and Doubt, where Pastor Chris will be exploring the Creation Story and asking the question, “What about Faith and Science?" which is a question I’m sure we’ve all asked at some point. Join us in person or online at either our 9:30 am Celebration/Contemporary Service or our 11:00 am Traditional Service!

God Bless, stay cool out there, and we will see you soon!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope your week is going well and that you're staying cool and hydrated during these hot days!

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for your generosity towards our Annual Conference initiative to combat food insecurity among children in our local Florida communities. Because of your faithful giving, we raised just over $1,200 for this cause. I am excited to see how God will use these funds to positively impact vulnerable children and their families. Thank you!

This Sunday (June 9), we continue our series on faith and doubt. I am thrilled to announce that my good friend from college, Bryant Manning, will be delivering the sermon. Bryant is a United Methodist pastor and serves as the Director of the Wesley Foundation at Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College. Our friendship is one where we can rag on each other while also demonstrating a deep level of love and respect. Do you have friends like that? I am excited for you to meet Bryant and hear his message.

Additionally, we will be welcoming a new member at the 9:30am service, which is very exciting.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend honoring the brave women and men who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Our family spent Monday grilling out and swimming in the pool. When I came into the office on Tuesday, I told our staff I was having a hard time getting started—the heat took a lot out of me! Let's enjoy the beauty of God’s Creation this summer, but remember to do so in moderation. It’s hot out there!

Amanda and I also celebrated our wedding anniversary on Memorial Day. As I sat there with our family of five (eight if you count the pets!), I was reminded of how quickly life moves. I am truly grateful to spend my life with Amanda, who is not only a hard worker and fantastic mother but also my best friend and partner in ministry. 

Don’t forget that this Saturday is the monthly prayer breakfast for our United Methodist Men. Bob Burkhart will be the speaker. Also, this Sunday you’ll have another opportunity to give to our Annual Conference Offering. The offering will support programs of local churches across the Conference that provide food to children or want to start new ministries to families dealing with food insecurity. Please give generously to this worthy cause! 

Last week, we continued our series titled “Faith and Doubt.” Pastor Will preached a great message exploring questions around seemingly unanswered prayer. This Sunday, the sermon will address one of the most commonly posed questions to Christianity: If God wants a relationship with us (as Pastor Will shared, that’s God’s highest agenda and top priority for us), then why does God even allow room for doubt? Why doesn’t God make himself more obvious to us? Why doesn’t God just rip open the heavens and “prove” himself once and for all? This is a question I personally struggled with when I got serious about my Christian faith. Please join us as we think through what I believe may be the answer.

Enjoy the rest of your week and see you Sunday!

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

It was wonderful to reunite with you last Sunday. We not only experienced the transformative power of God through music but also launched our new sermon series exploring the intricate relationship between faith and doubt. The opening sermon, titled “Five Observations about Faith and Doubt,” set the stage for this discussion. Here’s a brief recap of the insights shared:

1.    As long as you are breathing, you will have doubts. Doubt isn’t just about religion; it affects nearly every part of life.

2.    Just as no one can avoid doubt, everyone lives by faith. Every single person relies on faith in some way.

3.    Faith always exists alongside doubt.

4.    People in the Bible wrestled with doubt.

5.    Doubts don’t have to stop us from trusting God and following Jesus.

This Sunday, we will continue this discussion by delving into the consequences of unchecked doubt. While doubt can be beneficial—spurring us to question, learn, and grow—it can also turn detrimental, much like milk spoiling when left out too long. Sunday’s sermon will focus on three specific forms of what I’m calling “bad doubt.” Join us as we explore how to recognize and address these forms of doubt. Our desire is that doubt won't hinder our faith walk, but instead enrich our understanding and relationship with God.

Looking forward to seeing you there and continuing our journey together!

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family,

 It's been a while since I've written one of these emails, but I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your understanding and support during my recent leave.

 As many of you know, we welcomed Levi into the world on April 9th. Your willingness to give me time away to be with our growing family meant the world to us. The meals and congratulatory letters that many of you shared were incredibly thoughtful and deeply appreciated. We feel truly blessed to be part of such a caring community here at Asbury. Your kindness has made this transition into parenthood smoother and more joyful for Amanda and me.

 Speaking of Amanda and me, we will be returning to worship on Sunday, which also happens to be Mother's Day (interesting how that works out!). We'll have Levi with us, but I wanted to share that since he hasn't had his vaccines yet (which won't happen for another few weeks), our pediatrician has asked that we refrain from having non-family members hold and touch him. Thank you for your understanding here. Don't worry - there will be plenty of baby-holding opportunities in the coming weeks! Additionally, though I'm returning to worship, my office hours will be modified over the next month as Amanda and I continue to adjust to being back at work while caring for a newborn and parenting 6-year-old twins. Thanks for your patience here.

 I'm excited to be preaching on Sunday. The other day, I told Amanda that this is the longest I've ever gone without delivering a sermon, so hopefully, I haven't forgotten how to do it. In any case, I trust that God will strengthen me, give me clarity of thought, and provide the appropriate words to share. We’ll be launching a new series exploring the relationship between faith and doubt. Some of you may remember I preached on this topic when I first came to Asbury 3.5 years ago. However, that was during the pandemic when many people still weren't back yet. Additionally, we've had new people join the church since then, so it seems like a good time to revisit these matters.

 See you Sunday!

 Blessings,

Chris

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

Hi friends,

A few weeks back, I shared a story about John Ortberg and his mentor, Dallas Willard. Dallas advised John to "ruthlessly eliminate hurry" from his life, stressing the importance of managing busyness. This story highlights the value of mentors, even for accomplished individuals like John Ortberg. Though Dallas has passed away, John likely seeks guidance from other mentors. We all need wise figures we can confide in and seek counsel from—sometimes they come into our lives unexpectedly, perhaps through divine intervention, while other times, we actively seek them out. Regardless, their presence is invaluable. Reflecting on my own journey (and trouble I’ve gotten into), I'm reminded of Proverbs 13:20 (NLT): "Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." Fortunately, I'm surrounded by people who continue to guide me toward wisdom and growth. 

I mention this because Joel Lusz serves as one of those mentors for me, if not the primary one. He'll be preaching this Sunday at Asbury United Methodist Church. I remember my initial uncertainty about him when he became the Youth Pastor at Suntree while I was a 15-year-old (just a couple of years ago). But over time, he became a mentor, a friend, and someone I still look up to today (figuratively and literally)! With over 30 years of experience in Youth Ministry, Joel has a deep passion for Jesus and youth, and I'm excited for him to share his insights with you all this Sunday. He'll be continuing our Sermon Series: Faith At a Crossroads, focusing on Technology, another area close to his heart. Join us for our Celebration/Contemporary Service at 9:30 am or our Traditional Service at 11:00 am. If you can't attend in person, don't worry—we'll be live-streaming both services on Facebook and YouTube.

This Saturday, Our United Methodist Men have their monthly meeting at 7:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Dr. Frank Steig, a friend of Jim Esch, will be the guest speaker, discussing "Blessed are the children—the anxious generation," a topic we can all relate to. Feel free to bring a couple of bucks and invite a friend along!

That's all for this week! I hope and pray for a wonderful, blessed, and restful weekend, and I hope to see you on Sunday, if not before!

Take care!

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

Hello friends,

It's been an eventful few weeks at Asbury, especially with the arrival of new babies! As Phyllis Klock, the chair of our Staff Parish Relations Committee (which is akin to the church's Human Resources), mentioned during last weekend's services, and Tom Moore, our Finance Committee Chair, reiterated, Pastor Chris and I are both reappointed to Asbury for the upcoming year. Praise God! For those unfamiliar with the process, a cabinet convenes in early January to consider all requests and openings, prayerfully placing pastors accordingly. One thing worth noting is the Florida Conference's excellent practice of prioritizing new incoming pastors. While other conferences do this too, Florida stands out for its dedication to this approach.
Pastors are assigned annually, from July 1 to July 1 of the following year. If neither the church nor the pastors request a move or are not asked to move, they are considered to be reappointed, as is the case for Pastor Chris and me. I believe I can speak for him as well when I say we both feel blessed to serve as your pastors. We're excited about the path God has led us on and continues to lead us, anticipating the exciting journey ahead!
I ask for your continued prayers for the ongoing General Conference, which began on Tuesday, April 23rd, and concludes on Friday, May 3rd, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Let's pray for God's guidance and presence to be palpable among all participants.
Last Sunday, we launched our new series titled "Faith at a Crossroads," exploring various topics and how we, guided by scripture and our faith, should navigate them. Last week's focus was on busyness, and this Sunday, we'll delve into consumerism—not just material possessions, but also the broader implications, including the influence of platforms like Amazon. We've made some slight adjustments and will conclude the series a week early. This means that this week will also focus on stewardship. These topics go hand in hand, so we'll discuss them together! I encourage you to join us for service, either at the 9:30 am Celebration Service or the 11:00 am Traditional Service. If you can't attend in person, you can catch the services on YouTube and Facebook.
Thank you, and have a blessed weekend!
Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

Hi Friends,

We have exciting news to share! Our Asbury United Methodist Church family has welcomed three beautiful babies in the past couple of weeks:

·        Lisa Wilstrup welcomed her granddaughter Charlotte Grace on Monday, April 8th.

·        Pastor Chris and Amanda welcomed Baby Levi last Tuesday, April 9th.

·        Michael and Kendra Cira welcomed their daughter Sophia Marie early Tuesday morning, April 16.

These precious new lives remind us of God's abundant blessings. As James 1:17 (NLT) says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..."

Let's take this opportunity to reflect on the good things in our lives, not just the things we pray for. Sometimes, we can get caught up in asking God for things that we forget to appreciate the blessings he's already bestowed upon us. This is especially true as we reflect on Psalm 78 during Morning Prayer, which reminds us that even after God's deliverance, the Israelites struggled with thankfulness.  While perfection isn't expected, remembering God's goodness strengthens our trust in Him.

News and Upcoming Events

Last Sunday, Pastor Erwin Lopez from Central Florida Wesley spoke about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Three Evils. As Pastor Erwin reminded us, our baptismal vows call us to resist these evils. We're grateful for Central Florida Wesley's active work in this area and our connection with them.

In the coming weeks, we'll begin a new sermon series called "Faith at the Crossroads." This series will explore how our faith intersects with everyday challenges like busyness, consumerism, technology, and stewardship. We'll kick things off this week with a discussion on busyness, a topic that resonates deeply with me!  Consider joining me for this self-reflective sermon, available at both our 9:30 am Celebration/Contemporary service and 11:00 am Traditional service (both services will be live-streamed).

Wishing you a blessed and joyful weekend,

Pastor Will

Weekly Update // Pastor Will

Hi friends,

Although I write this message early in the week, I’m sure the feeling will still ring true later that Sunday’s worship was a gift. To be able to have such talented, gifted individuals use their gifts for the glory of God is something that warms my heart. Further, the fact that college students are doing so warms it that much more! As I mentioned during offertory time, as Methodists, we witnessed our connexionalism firsthand. Each year, part of our budget consists of apportionments, which the Methodist Conference uses to help fund various ministries around the state, including Bethune Cookman, and other college ministries such as Central Florida Wesley. Thankfully, Asbury has been able to fulfill their apportionments completely and have historically done so!

In other Methodist news, April 23-May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be the United Methodist Church General Conference. This is the General Conference, which was originally planned for 2020 but was postponed due to Covid, will be themed around Psalm 46, “…and know that I am God.” The idea behind this theme is that God will be the guiding force during the conference as decisions are being made. We would ask that you pray for General Conference in the coming days and weeks and that God would indeed be recognized and known to all who are involved!

In local Asbury news, we have some exciting announcements! We welcome a new addition to our church family. Woo hoo!! Pastor Chris will be taking some time to be with his family, and they thank you for your continued love and prayers, especially for Baby Levi. In Chris’ absence, we have the pleasure of hearing from Central Florida Wesley leader Pastor Erwin Lopez.

We were originally planning to have Pastor Erwin preach a little later, but this turn of events works out well for everyone! He will be delivering a message based on Luke 16:19-31, focusing on Martin Luther King Jr.'s concept of the Triple Evils and how it relates to our Baptismal Vows. We will also celebrate Holy Communion and hear an exciting announcement from our Staff Parish Relations Committee. We have two worship services available: our Celebration Contemporary Service at 9:30 am and our Traditional Service at 11:00 am. Both services will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook as well!

God Bless and we will see you all soon!

Thanks,

Pastor Will