Asbury Alive Newsletter: August 30, 2026

August 30, 2026

Asbury Sunday Worship:

9 & 11 am: Worship in the Sanctuary

10 am: Sunday School

11 am: Live-Streamed Worship

We wrap up our August sermon series "Called to Serve" this Sunday. It's been a fantastic month of sermons as we have focused on ways in which we here at Asbury have been called to serve, both within and beyond the walls of the church. Getting to hear people's responses to God's grace in their lives so they can impact the community around them has been really moving.

This week, we'll be looking at a portion of the Sermon on the Mount, we'll take a look at how we give to one another and serve one another through our resources. Check out Pastor Jeff's video as he talks about this and more in his video this week. We hope to see you in worship this Sunday at 9 & 11 am!

QUICKLINKS:

Prayer Requests

Find Your Thing

Upcoming Events

Bids & BBQ Fundraiser for the Asbury Children's Center: Friday, August 28

Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Click Here for Online Auction

Join us for the Asbury Children’s Center's annual Bids & BBQ Fundraiser! This event will be held on Fri. Aug. 28 from 5:30-8:00 pm at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center.

Tickets are $50 (plus processing fee for online purchases) and include 3 BBQ meats, sides, drinks, beer & wine. Dinner starts at 6:00 pm and the live auction starts at 6:30 pm.

We will have some fantastic items to bid on - we can’t wait to see you there for fellowship and fun! There is also an online silent auction running this week through August 30 - click here to visit the bidding page!

If you have any new items or services that you would like to donate, or would like to make a monetary contribution, please contact ACC Director Ann Porter at annp@visitasbury.org. All donations will go towards improvements at the ACC.

UWF Spotlight Speaker Event: Sunday, August 30

Join Asbury United Women in Faith to hear Kelli Badgerow, LMSW from Save, Inc. on Sunday, August 30 at 10 am in Hager Hall. (Kelli is the daughter of Asbury member Nancy Bernhardt!)

Kelli will discuss how Save, Inc. provides comprehensive housing solutions that empower socially and medically disadvantaged individuals in the Kansas City area. Save, Inc. offers permanent and transitional housing assistance to nearly 2,000 individuals each year. Their mission emphasizes that housing is a basic human right, aiming to improve health and stability for those in need.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the impactful work being done in our community. We encourage everyone to attend and engage in this important conversation about housing and dignity!

For more information about Save, Inc., visit their website at saveinckc.org.

August "Banned Book Club" Read

For August, you have been invited to read Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. First published in 1985, Atwood’s work is a dystopian novel set in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic society where women have lost nearly all of their rights and freedoms.

The novel is written as a recorded journal kept by Offred, a woman forced to becoming a ‘handmaid’ so she can bear children for the ruling class. Offred recounts her memories of life before Gilead and life during her captivity, and explores issues of identity, hope, resistance, language, and freedom within an oppressive society.

Click here for this month's study guide!

On September 14, we will gather and discuss the three books we read this summer: I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, and The Handmaid’s Tale. Come if you’ve read one, or all (or even none), and we’ll explore ways Asbury can continue to be a safe space to explore and discuss banned books.

"Join the Choir" Night: Wed. Sept. 2

Are you looking to build new skills and relationships? Would you like to help lead worship every Sunday? Do you love the Asbury music program?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, we invite you to check out the Chancel Choir and come visit our “Join the Choir” night on Wed. Sep. 2 from 6:30-8 pm in the MSR. We will rehearse a little, eat some snacks, and play a game or two!

We will also resume our “Second Sunday Singers” this fall with a rehearsal on Wed. Sep. 9 and singing at the 11 am service on Sun. Sep. 13.

Singing not your thing? The Asbury Bell Choir is a fun group for musicians at all skill levels to participate in our music program and rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary balcony. Contact Lindsey Lang at LindseyL@visitasbury.org with any questions!

"Putting Your House in Order" - Thursday, September 10

The Asbury Endowment Committee and the Kansas Methodist Foundation invite you to learn more about estate planning, why legacy is important, and what goes in a memorial plan through their informative annual event, “Putting Your House in Order.”

This year’s event will take place on Thu. Sep. 10 at 7 pm in the Parlor. For more information, contact Susan Brinkman at susan@kansasmethodistfoundation.org.

Fall Kickoff: Sunday, September 13

Everyone is invited to come have fun on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 4 - 6 pm and celebrate all that happened over the summer, while looking forward to a new season of ministry, fun, and friendship!

We'll have bounce houses, hot dogs & hamburgers, ice cream, and games. Asbury UWF will be hosting bingo (with prizes!) in Hager Hall from 5-6 pm. Don't miss out on the fun - join us for this free ALL AGES event!

"Stay Salty: Being the Church in a Changing World" - Saturday, September 19

Please join us and others across our District for our "Stay Salty" Event on Saturday, September 19! It begins at 9:00 am, and will feature a variety of learning sessions (you can choose up to three):

SPRC: Leading with Grace and Accountability, led by district lay leader Beth Watson & Rev. Kathy Sym
Hospitality for Churches of all Shapes and Sizes, led by Rev. Anne Gahn
The Future of the UMC, led by Rev. Dr. Lovett Weems
What Does the Annual Conference (and the District) Even Do? Led by Rev. Nicole Conard, Interim Director of Congregational Excellence

All classes will be happening during all sessions.

You may be wondering, do I need to stay the whole day? Nope! When you sign up, you can sign up for up to three learning sessions, or join us for only one or two. Here is the schedule:

Welcoming: 9:00 am
1st Session: 9:30-10:45 am
2nd Session: 11:00 am-12:15 pm
LUNCH 12:30-1:15 pm (lunch is provided!)
3rd Session: 1:15-2:30 pm
Closing Words: 2:45-3:30 pm

So, if you can only make it in the morning or after lunch, that is not a problem! There is no cost to attend, and you can sign up here: https://forms.gle/tjvXJoymiTJqTQYi9

If you have questions, please reach out to Pastor Jeff Prothro at JeffP@visitasbury.org.

August "Food of the Month" for the Asbury Food Pantry: Cereal

Asbury Serve Day at the Hub Argentine: Saturday, August 29

Click Here to Sign Up

Join us on Saturday, August 29 from 9:30 am - 12 pm for a meaningful serve day at The Hub Argentine (3730 Metropolitan Ave, Kansas City, KS 66106). We need 15 volunteers to help make a difference in our community!

This serve day is open to all ages, with plenty of opportunities for school-aged kids, families, and individuals of all abilities. It’s a great way to connect, serve, and grow together in faith!

Interested? Contact Rev. Daekyung Kim at DaekyungK@visitasbury.org for more information or to sign up.

The Asbury Endowment Committee will be accepting 2026 Third Quarter grant applications beginning August 1. Asbury endowed funds are underwriting grants of up to $1000!

Individuals, committees, and small groups are encouraged to use these grants to create, enhance, or sustain mission and ministries within the Asbury faith community.

Application deadline for the third quarter is September 1. Click here for the application and instructions.

For questions, please contact Dan Clevenger at DanC@visitasbury.org.

Next Cross-Lines Serve Day is September 10!

Click Here to Sign Up

We’re looking for compassionate hearts to help serve lunch at Cross-Lines on Thursday, September 10 from 10 AM - 1 PM. We need *six amazing servers* to join our team and support those in our community.

This is not just about serving food; it’s about spreading love, kindness, and a sense of belonging. Ready to step up? Check out the available slots at the following link and sign up today! CLICK HERE

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 913-432-5573. Your willingness to help can truly make a difference!

Lazarus Ministries News

Volunteering at Lazarus Just Got a Little More Fun!

From now through Saturday, Sept. 26, Lazarus Ministries KC is showing some extra love to the amazing people who SHOW UP for Lazarus, and those who help GROW their volunteer family! They are having two separate drawings for prizes.

🏆 DRAWING #1: SHOW UP & SERVE!

Every time you volunteer at Lazarus, you earn an entry into our Volunteer Appreciation Drawing! The more you serve, the more chances you have to win! Coming with a church, company, or team? Your group earns entries as a team each time you come serve!

🤝 DRAWING #2: THE PLUS ONE CHALLENGE!

Help grow the Lazarus volunteer family! Bring a NEW volunteer to serve at Lazarus and YOUR NAME goes into our special Plus One Drawing! Their name goes in the Volunteer Appreciation Drawing! Even if you normally volunteer with a church, company or team, if YOU personally bring someone new, your individual name goes into the Plus One Drawing. 🙌🏽

🎁 TWO DRAWINGS. TWO WINNERS. TWO SURPRISE PRIZES!

What are the prizes? They're not telling yet - that’s part of the fun! All entries end Saturday, Sept. 26. Winners will be announced at the Lazarus Ministries Annual Fundraiser! Let’s grow the Lazarus volunteer family together! 💙

Step Up for Lazarus Ministries

The Missions Team is sponsoring a shoe drive for Lazarus Ministries Boutique from now through September 30.

We are collecting gently used shoes. Men’s and children's shoes are especially needed. Look for the collection barrel in the Welcome Center to drop off your donations.

Thank you for shining your light!

Electronic Fund Transfer
Online through Easy Tithe

Text the word 'Give' to 913-774-6060

Family Ministries Book Club

All parents and other adults are invited to our next book club on Tuesday, September 29 at 7 pm in the Prayer Room.

We will be discussing When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity, by Grace Ji-Sun Kim. All are welcome to join the discussion.

Fall Kickoff: Sunday, September 13 from 4-6 pm

Everyone is invited to come have fun on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 4 - 6 pm and celebrate all that happened over the summer, while looking forward to a new season of ministry, fun, and friendship!

Breakfast Club from 10:00-10:30 am

Breakfast Club is a time for elementary aged children (K-5th grade) to make friends and build community over a shared meal at 10 am on Sundays.

Kids Sunday School at 10:30 am

Elementary aged children will learn about the scripture lesson from worship in a hands-on and age-appropriate way. We'll begin at 10:30 am, join worship at 11 am, participate in the children's time, and then return upstairs to continue our hands-on activities.

Sunday Nursery Hours: 8:30 am-12:30 pm

9 am: The nursery is open for children who need it, up to 3rd grade.

11 am: The Nursery is open for children aged infant through 5-years-old (if they haven’t started Kindergarten yet). Children who have started Kindergarten are encouraged to join Kids Sunday School.

Does Your Child Want to Acolyte?

Click Here to Sign Up!

If you have a child in 3rd grade or older who would like to acolyte and has not been trained, please contact our acolyte coordinator, Hilary Duderstadt, at hduderstadt@att.net or 913-544-8744.

If your child has been trained as an acolyte, and they'd like to acolyte for an upcoming worship service, please use our SignUpGenius link to reserve a slot: click here.

Save the Date! Kids Sing Returns Sunday, Sept. 27

All PreK-5th grade children are invited to participate in our Sunday, September 27 Kids' Sing. We will be singing a song from our Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS. Rehearsals will be Sunday, September 13 and Sunday, September 20 following the children's time at the 11 am service. Kids will be dismissed from service to rehearse with Ms. Alicia Wolff.

Click here for a link to the VBS song video!

Coffee and Convos: Sundays at 10 am

All 6th-12th grade youth are invited to join Asbury United Women in Faith to hear Kelli Badgerow, LMSW from Save, Inc. on Sunday at 10 am in Hager Hall. Come learn about the work of Save, Inc. who provides comprehensive housing solutions that empower socially and medically disadvantaged individuals in the Kansas City area.

Middle School & High School Youth Group: Sundays at 6 pm

All 6th - 12th grade students are invited to meet in the Youth Lounge at 6 pm for a meal, and then we will split into Middle School and High School youth groups at 6:30 pm for fun, learning, and discussion.