Good News June 2017

Asbury Church

204 E. Arch St.

Portland, IN 47371

260-726-8464

www.asburyministries.org

Worship Schedule

8:00 a.m. Worship Service, Chapel

9:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School Classes

10:15 a.m. Worship Service, Sanctuary

Asbury Staff

Pastor: Rev. Jill Howard

jillmoffhoward@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant: Denise Degler

denise@asburyministries.org

Chancel Choir Director: Sharon Newman

Custodian: Charlie Pogue

Coord. of Children, Youth & Young Adult

Ministries: Julie Tarr

julie@asburyministries.org

Financial Secretary: Joanna Stone

Kids Hope Coordinator: Heather Maitlen

Organist: Linda Braun

Asbury’s Mission Statement:

“Making disciples of Jesus

Christ for the Transformation of

the World”

Adult Sunday School Classes

Roundtable Class — Kay Locker, Roundtable Room (Room 7)

Open Door Class—Teachers Ro-tate, Parlor

Upper Room Class—Teachers Rotate, Room #9 Upstairs

Pastor Jill, Corey & Xavier's new address:

2247 Woodcrest Rd.

Indianapolis, IN 46227

You are encouraged to wear RED

on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, as we

celebrate the coming of the Holy

Spirit!!

The Pastor Parish Relations Commit-

tee invites you to a farewell reception

for Pastor Jill and her family on her

final Sunday, June 18, following wor-

ship.

Pastor Pondering I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God’s grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God.

-Philippians 1:3-11

Dear Asbury UMC Friends,

It’s hard to believe that this is my last “pastor pondering” to you! It has been an adventure this past year as we have journeyed through ministry together. I consider it a privilege to have walked alongside you during this past year- together we have considered what it means to be the church, to make disciples, and to ask the tough questions. I have had the privilege of presiding over weddings, baptisms, funerals, and of course, Holy Communion and worship services. There have been “God moments” when the Spirit was without a doubt present. There have been prayerful mo-ments, hard moments, and also lots of laughter.

I want to thank each of you for your commitment and love to this church, and for your love of Jesus Christ. I want to especially thank the staff of Asbury UMC who work diligently behind the scenes to make this place what it is. Make sure you take time to thank them from time to time for all they do.

Even though our time together has been too short, I want you to know that I will treasure each of you and our time together as I enter into my new season of ministry. I have so many hopes, prayers, and dreams for you as I leave this place.

-I hope that you will keep the HOPE alive!

-I pray that you will continue to seek the Spirit and vision for this church moving forward.

-I pray that you will embrace the changes necessary to bring in new persons and to keep this church

vibrant and alive.

-I pray that you will think outside the box.

-I have a dream that in 3-5 years, this place will be filled with people of all ages who are excited

about knowing and experiencing Jesus Christ for themselves.

-I have a dream that this church community will fully embrace one another and reach out to those

hurting and in need in Portland.

-I pray that Pastor Allison and her family will find a warm welcome here, and that open ears and

hearts await her to journey alongside her as she leads this congregation.

-I hope to leave you with a sense of hope and peace that all shall be well.

-And finally, I hope to leave this place, no longer as your pastor, but as your friend. My last Sunday

with you all is June 18- we hope to see you and wish you well then!

Corey, Xavier, I wish you all the very best, and the peace of God which passes all understanding.

In Christ,

Pastor Jill

CIA Report (Church in Action)

The Asbury CIA is the Church in Action Committee that is taking a fresh look at the strategic initia-tives of the church.

The CIA is a subcommittee of the Church Council and reports to the church council at their meet-ings. This provides an opportunity to bring issues to the council for discussion and action.

Current members of the CIA include some holdovers from the Fruitful Congregation task force with the addition of some new members as well.

The CIA has been meeting since January. They have reviewed the outcomes of the Fruitful Con-gregation process and recent church surveys. They have presented the survey findings to the Church Council. They have also openly discussed some key issues affecting our church. They are:

• The current spirit of our church and the tensions which are present.

• Communication….we are looking at ways to improve two –way communication within the church

• Worship preferences – the survey indicated a close split between those preferring traditional

music and those preferring blended music.

• Clarification of the focus and intent of committees. Defining the roles of all of the church

committees.

• A desperate need for volunteers. There is much to be done.

• Our mission and vision need to be determined. Our overall mission is “ Making disciples for

Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” But, how does Asbury see itself in the future? The Church body needs to be involved in helping cast the vision for the future.

Pastor Jill is sharing all of this information with Pastor Allison so she will be up to speed with the issues and planning that are currently being addressed when she arrives.

The Church in Action committee asks these two things from the congregation:

1. We invite anyone who is interested in being part of this important committee to let any of the committee members know.

2. If you have opinions, ideas, or concerns, please share them with Pastor Jill or any of the other committee members. Please don’t be silent.

Please Support the Pregnancy Care Center We are totally funded by your generosity. No GOVERNMENT MONIES are in-volved. The funding we receive from you will help buy diapers, formula, lo-tions and such. You will find baby bottles in the Overflow Room. Please fill these baby bottles with your loose change. Return the bottles to Asbury by June 4. Thank you for your support.

The Pregnancy Care Center Board of Trustees.

If there are repairs and upkeep items that you may notice needing attention in our church build-ing and facility, please let us know. There is NOW A REQUISITION FORM AVAILABLE IN THE INTER-OFFICE MAILBOX LOCATED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/PASTOR’S OFFICE. Please fill-in the informa-tion requested on the form and place it in the Trustee’s mailbox.

Repairs and Upkeep at Asbury . . .

Brianna’s Hope Meetings are

at Asbury on Thursdays from

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the

Fellowship Hall. All are wel-

come to join the meetings.

Brianna’s Hope Meetings

Many thanks to all who contributed to “Feed My Starving Children”. Thanks to the Asbury members who worked to pack food. Bonnie Maitlen, Heather and Jason Maitlen and Eliza-beth Hudson who all worked the second shift. Joyce Eldridge, Pastor Jill Howard, Barry Hud-son, Angie, Brian and Ian Bentz who all worked the first shift.

Mission Committee

Thank You

Asbury,

As a niece of June Beard, I wanted to thank

Pastor Jill, all volunteers and the funeral

meal committee who made the day so spe-

cial, for all our family members! We all

happen to be United Methodists from differ-

ent states. Thanks again.

Beth Kellum

Asbury,

Thank you for the cards & visits for

my birthday and for the monthly vis-

its from Elizabeth Hudson.

Millard Schwartz

Dear Asbury Friends,

Thank you to everyone that at-

tended my birthday open house

and for the many warm wishes. It

was a special day, made more spe-

cial by all my family and friends. I

am blessed to have so many won-

derful people in my life.

Nina Records

Announcements

Free Family Meal

Prayer Time

Newsletter (Good News)

Deadline

UPC Campbell Labels

Turn in information for the

next Newsletter by 3:30 p.m.

on Monday, June 12.

You are invited to join Cletes Rines on Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Chapel, as Asbury, community, national, and world concerns are lifted up in prayer. Any and all interested parties are welcome! You may also offer any prayer concerns you would like remembered by calling the church office. Concerns

Bread of Life Community Meal is served at Asbury on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. It is for the whole community.

Save your bar code labels from Camp-

bells, Pepperidge Farm, Bic, Prego &

Goldfish. No money just labels. The con-

tainer to put them in is above the mail-

boxes by the church office. Thanks.

Mission Team

Announcements

QUEST Worship, June 12

Please remember our nursing

home and shut-in members

with a visit, call or card.

SENIOR SNAPSHOT

Have you tried QUEST yet? Join us for music, interactive worship, prayer, and fellowship following the Bread of Life meal at 6:15 pm, June 12. All are welcome to attend!

Announcements

www.facebook.com/asburychurchportland

Like Us on Facebook!

Don’t you just love birthdays? God made everyone so wonderfully complex and placed His hand of blessing on our heads! How precious it is to realize He is thinking of us constantly – with love! We at Asbury would like to celebrate that special time by having a party the first Sunday of each month honoring those having birthdays that month. We will have cake, coffee and punch following each service and are anx-ious to have you join us in the Overflow Room for lots of fellowship and fun. The next celebration will be June 4. Please mark your calendars and come ready to be filled with God’s love. The whole congre-gation is invited to celebrate each month with those having a birthday that month. Happy Birthday!

Fellowship and Connection Opportunity

Media:

We are in need of someone to assist with the media center on Sunday mornings. If you are

able to help, even once or twice a month, please let the church office know. We will be happy

to train you and show you what to do. It’s fun and easy!

Children’s sermon:

Would you like to help encourage and teach our children valuable faith lessons on Sunday

mornings during worship? Pastor Jill would like to get a rotation going so that our children

hear from multiple people. It really does take a village to raise a child! Let the church office,

Pastor Jill, or Julie Tarr know if you are interested in this special ministry opportunity.

Ministry Opportunities: Putting Faith into Action and Service:

This mission project is to help families get school supplies and clothing for school. The tags on the bus will have items that you will need to purchase. Tape the tag to the item and return it to the church and put it by the bus. The bus will be up June 18 through July 30 in the Over-flow Room. All gifts with tags must be re-turned to the church by July 30. If you are unable to go out and purchase school sup-plies you may donate money and some-one from the Mission committee will get the school supplies for you.

Back to School Bus

Radio Message participants for June

June 4- Angie Bentz June 11 - Ron Freeman

June 18 - Julie Forcum June 25– Barry Hudson

Liturgists for June June 4—Bonnie Maitlen June 11—Kenzie Huey

June 18—Angie Bentz June 25—LJ Wagner

Greeters at South Door for June June 4 & 11—Rudy Bauman

June 18 & 25—Rosemary Loucks

Greeters at West Door for June June 4 & 11—JoAnn Gierhart

June 18 & 25—Lew & Vera Heffner

Greeters at North (Elevator) Doors for June June 4 & 11—Larry & Alice Paxson

June 18 & 25—Rose Snow

Ushers for June: Charles Bentz, Bruce Bailey, Brian Bentz, Glen Bryant,

Tom Dunn II, Donald Gillespie, Carl Locker and Larry Paxson

Worship Participants

Apr 30 May 7 May 14 May 21

8:00 Worship 12 21 17 16

10:15 Worship 114 94 84 135

Nursery - 2 - -

Total 126 117 101 151

Worship Attendance

Apr 30 May 7 May 14 May 21

Upper Room

Class

9 4 8 8

Roundtable

Class

0 10 13 12

Open Door

Class

12 10 11 11

Totals 21 24 32 31

Sunday School Attendance

Weekly Schedule

7:00a Moments of

Devotion

8:00a & 10:15a

Worship Services

9:00a Adult Sunday

School

4:00—7:00p Middle

& High School

Youth, Youth

Room

1

9:00a Prayer Time,

Chapel

6:30p Brianna’s Hope

Meeting,

Fellowship Hall

2

3

4

No Youth Group

Graduates Recognition

8:30a Graduation

Breakfast &

Recognition

2:00p Worship at

Jay County

Retirement Home

5

9:30a Monday Morning

Disciple Group,

Finance Office

5:30p Bread of Life

Community Meal,

Fellowship Hall

6:00p Finance Meeting,

Roundtable Room

6

7

5:30p Weight Watchers

6:30p Choir Picnic,

Newman’s home

8:00p Praise Team

Practice, Sanctuary

8

Annual Conference

9:00a Prayer Time, Chapel

6:30p Brianna’s Hope

Meeting, Fellowship

Hall

9

Annual

Conference

10

Parlor Reserved

Annual Conference

11:00a Strawberry

Fest, Fellowship

Hall

4:30p Strawberry

Fest, Fellowship

Hall

11

12

Deadline for

Newsletter Articles

5:30p Bread of Life

Community Meal,

Fellowship Hall

6:15p Quest, Basement

13

6:00p Jay County

Fair Queen

Candidate

Banquet,

Fellowship Hall

14

5:30p Weight Watchers

8:00p Praise Team

Practice, Sanctuary

15

9:00a Prayer Time,

Chapel

6:30p Brianna’s Hope

Meeting,

Fellowship Hall

16

17

18

Father’s Day

Food Pantry

Sunday

Back to School Bus

19

9:30a Monday Morning

Disciple Group,

Finance Office

5:30p Bread of Life

Community Meal,

Fellowship Hall

20

21

5:30p Weight Watchers

8:00p Praise Team

Practice, Sanctuary

22

9:00a Prayer Time,

Chapel

6:30p Brianna’s Hope

Meeting,

Fellowship Hall

23

24

25

Back to School Bus

26

5:30p Bread of Life

Community Meal,

Fellowship Hall

27 28

5:30p Weight Watchers

8:00p Praise Team

Practice, Sanctuary

29

9:00a Prayer Time,

Chapel

6:30p Brianna’s Hope

Meeting,

Fellowship Hall

30

Monthly Activities

June 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

June 2017 Birthdays

If you don’t see your birthday on the list and would like to have it

added, please let the church office know (726-8464). Thanks.