February 9, 2025

Asbury Sunday Worship:

9:00 & 11:00 am: Worship in the Sanctuary

10:00 am: Sunday School

11:00 am: Live-Streamed Worship

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Phil Brown, who passed away on Monday, February 3. Phil and his wife, Joan, have been long-time members of Asbury.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 pm on Friday, February 14 in the Tree Top Room at Lakeview Village Southridge (14001 92nd St, Lenexa, KS). Please click here if you would like to read Phil's obituary.

"Here for the Heart" Blood Drive: Friday, February 7

Asbury youth Libby Morris is partnering with the Community Blood Center to organize a blood drive called "Here for the Heart" on Friday, February 7 from 2-6 pm in Hager Hall.

Sign up to give blood today by visiting the following link (click here). No prior donation experience needed. While 60% of the population is eligible, only 2-3% give. One of us or our loved ones may be the next one to need a blood transfusion, so let’s help our community and donate!

For more information, please contact Libby Morris at libbymorriskc@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!

"What's the Big Idea?" Leadership Breakfast: Saturday, February 8

New to a committee? Currently serving on one and would like a refresher? Join us for our annual leadership breakfast, "What's the Big Idea?" on Saturday, February 8 from 9-11 am in the Welcome Center. This is a great time to enjoy some breakfast and get to know your fellow committee members!

Please RSVP by calling the church office at 913-432-5573, or email Phyllis Williams at phyllisw@visitasbury.org.

Let's Get Ready for SOUP-er Bowl Sunday!!

We're all super excited to watch the Chiefs play the Eagles in the Super Bowl, but do you know what else we're SOUP-er excited for?! It's Souper Bowl Sunday!

We have a fun table in the Welcome Center decorated with Chiefs gear, that's also serving as a dropoff point for soup donations for the Asbury Food Pantry. Bring your favorite chunky soup to church this week (bonus points if you can find cans with pop tops!) and let's see which one wins the trophy title of CHIEF SOUP!

Will it be chicken noodle? Chili? Veggie beef? We won't know until you bring your favorites on Sunday and tally the votes...err...cans!

Contact Food Pantry Director Rosie Sanders at 913-593-7177 with any questions. GO CHIEFS!!!

Handling Loneliness As We Age: Saturday, February 15

United Women in Faith would like to invite all ladies to join them for a forum about how to gracefully handle loneliness as we age, which will take place at 1 pm on Saturday, February 15 in Hager Hall.

Featured speakers are Pastor Bailey Amtower from LifeBridge UMC and Pastor Ali Haynes from Indian Heights UMC. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Hopkins at ruthhopkinspv@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!

Free Screening of I'm So Glad: Sunday, February 16 at 3 pm

The Johnson County chapter of the NAACP is hosting a free screening of I’m so Glad: Kansas City and the Roots of Black Gospel Music, the Untold Story. This screening will take place on Sun. Feb. 16 at 3 pm at the Aztec Theater in Shawnee, KS (11119 Johnson Dr.).

This 2024 award winning documentary explores traditional Black gospel music in the Kansas City area from the 1920’s to the 1960’s, and celebrates the stories of Kansas City's musical legends, their impact on the development of traditional gospel music, and their contributions to the nation's larger cultural history. The documentary was produced by Electric Prairie Productions of Overland Park and is narrated by international gospel composer and conductor Isaac S. Cates.

The JCNAACP invites you to support this event by making a one-time contribution to: JCNAACP // PO Box 2622 // Shawnee Mission, KS 66201

Women's Chat and Chill: Sunday, February 16 at 6 pm

We'd like to invite all ladies to join us on Sunday, February 16 (and every third Sunday of the month) from 6-8 pm in the Parlor for a time of chatting and connection.

Bring your own coffee, smoothie, soda, brown-bag, take-out...or nothing at all! Bring a friend, and let's use this time to decompress from our hectic daily lives and support one another.

If you have any questions, please email Dawn Schnake at dawnschnake@gmail.com. Thanks!

Hub Argentine Gala: Friday, February 21 at Children's Mercy Stadium

Join Pastor Jeff on Friday, Feb. 21 from 6-9 pm at Children's Mercy Stadium for a Taste of Argentine: A Night of Flavor & Funding our Neighbor’s Kitchen, featuring Chef Pyet DeSpain!

Asbury is sponsoring a table for this event. Proceeds will benefit the Hub’s community kitchen. This vital initiative aims to create a shared space for food entrepreneurs, community members and local organizations to access affordable kitchen facilities and grow their businesses. 

If you’d like to enjoy an evening of great food and share in the ministry of the Hub, contact Pastor Jeff for more information!

Putting Your House in Order

Registration is open for the winter edition of Putting Your House in Order, the popular program from Kansas Methodist Foundation (KMF). If making estate plans and putting your affairs in order has been on the to-do list, then make 2025 the year to get it done!

There are two options for participation:

1. Online Cohort via Zoom: Meeting dates are Feb. 18, Mar. 18, and Apr. 15 at either 10 am or 7 pm. Register by Monday, February 10 by clicking here.
2. On-Demand: Attend sessions that fit your schedule. Pre-recorded video and course materials available for download. Click here to learn more!

Troop 299 Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, March 2

Scout Troop 299 is holding a pancake breakfast at Asbury on Sunday, March 2 from 8 am to 1 pm in Hager Hall. Tickets are $5 if you buy them early or $7 at the door.

Drew and Sara Coe will be selling tickets in the Welcome Center on Sunday, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23. Stop by to say hello and to get your ticket from them! Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, and a drink. Thank you for supporting our local Scouts!

"Solidarity with the Sojourner" Webinar: Monday, February 10

Multiple The United Methodist Church leaders are set to gather for a webinar to discuss the United Methodist response to immigrant justice and United Methodists across the connection.

“Solidarity with the Sojourner: Understanding U.S. Immigration and Our Call to Respond” is scheduled for 6 pm CST on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. Register here if you are interested in joining the conversation. Click here for more information. 

Learn More about Immigration Issues

Andrea Paret, Department of Justice accredited representative at Mary Treglia Community House in Sioux City, Iowa, and the Peace with Justice Coordinator in the Great Plains Conference, recently shared her reflections as a person who works with immigrants to this country about what impact mass deportations and the closing of our U.S. borders will have on people seeking a better life for their families in the U.S.

Click here to download this episode from her podcast. 

Great Plains Conference Doing Justice Event: Thursday, February 13

Renowned theologian, lecturer and social justice activist Bishop William Barber II will preach and teach at an event on Thursday, Feb. 13 in Kansas City, KS, hosted by organizations associated with the Great Plains Conference’s Doing Justice Initiative. 

Barber, a nationally known pastor, author and civil rights leader, will speak at the collaborative event between the Direct Action & Research Training Center (DART)-affiliated grassroots justice organizations in Kansas and Nebraska. He is expected to share thoughts on renewal, civic organization, and advocacy. 

The event will be from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, KS (9301 Parallel Parkway). The event is open to all who are interested, with a special emphasis for clergy and lay members of churches interested in living out the call to justice expressed in Micah 6:8. There is no cost to attend.

Sign up today by visiting this online link: Doing Justice Event

1st Quarter Ministry Grants for 2025 Open February 1

The Asbury Endowment Committee will be accepting 2025 First Quarter grant applications beginning February 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 first quarter is March 1.

Application and instructions can be found online: click here for more!

For questions, please contact Dan Clevenger at 913-432-5573 or at DanC@visitasbury.org. 

Help Serve Lunch at Cross-Lines on Thursday, February 13

We're looking for six people to help serve lunch at Cross-Lines on Thursday, February 13 from 10 am - 1 pm (736 Shawnee Ave, Kansas City, KS 66105). Click here to visit our online sign up page, or call the church at 913-432-5573 to sign up.

Thank you for your willingness to help!

"Food of the Month" for the Food Pantry

The Asbury Food Pantry's "Food of the Month" for February are chunky soups. This is a favorite of our pantry guests during these cold winter months! Any donations can be placed on the table in the Welcome Center or on the cart by the main entrance.

If you have any questions, or if you are interested in volunteering with the Asbury Food Pantry, please contact Rosie Sanders at roseann.sanders@gmail.com or 913-593-7177. Thank you!

Family Ministries Book Club: Tuesday, March 7

Family Ministries Book Club will meet Tuesday, March at 7 pm in the Prayer Room. We are discussing Allah Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi.

All are welcome to attend! If you have questions, please contact Heather Jackson, our Director of Family Ministries, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.

Morning Meetup: Sunday at 10 am in Hager Hall!

Our next Speaker Sunday will be on Sunday, February 16. Ginger Rothhaas will be sharing about compassion (https://gingerrothhaas.com/). This Sunday, come and enjoy conversation and community building at 10 am in Hager Hall. 

This group is tailored to the needs of parents and will meet weekly in Hager Hall at 10 am for discussions with one another and community building. The group is structured, so you can jump right in when you are able to attend. Although the group will begin gathering at 10 am, you are free to join the conversation anytime between 10-11 am.  If you have questions, feel free to contact our Director of Family Ministries.

The nursery will be available for children who have not started kindergarten. Elementary aged children can join Kids' Hour (3rd floor east) and youth (6-12 grade) can join Coffee and Convos in the youth lounge (3rd floor west).

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

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

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

Kids Hour: Sunday at 10 am (Games Rotation)

Kids' Hour is a great way for kids to make friends and build community while learning Bible stories. Kids (PreK-5th grade) are invited to join the fun of exploring Bible stories through weekly rotations such as art, music, games, cooking, drama, science, and videos.

Kids Sing: 11 am after the Children's Time

Rehearsals for our next Kids Sing continue this week! All PreK-5th grade students are encouraged to join Alicia Wolff in the kids' wing following the children's time to rehearse.

Kids will offer their song on Sunday, March 2 during the 11 am service. Rehearsals will be on Sunday, Feb. 9 and Feb. 23 during the 11 am service. 

Save the Date!

Vacation Bible School: Road Trip on the Go with God Sunday, July 27 - Thursday, July 31

Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS! This Vacation Bible School series is based on Joshua 1:9 – "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together.

Registration opens in March.

GodSquad (4th - 6th grade): August 4 - 8

GodSquad is our annual service week for those in 4th - 6th grade. We will serve at a variety of local nonprofits throughout the week. Participants will meet at the church at 9 am each day and head to the service sites, and will return to the church by 1 pm daily. 

Registration opens in March.

Coffee and Convos: Sundays at 10 am

All 6th - 12th grade students are invited to meet in the Youth Lounge on Sundays at 10 am for drinks, treats, and discussion.

NO Youth Group this Sunday due to the Super Bowl!

Save the Date!

High School Service Trip to Washington, D.C.: June 1-7

Registration for the High School service trip to Washington, D.C. from June 1-7, 2025 is open! We have 3 spots remaining. You can register your current 8th - 12th grade student by clicking here.

Contact our Director of Family Ministries with any questions or concerns you may have. 

Middle School Service Trip to Omaha, Nebraska: July 13-17

Registration for the Middle School Service trip to Omaha, Nebraska from July 13-17, 2025 is open! The cost of our service trip is $75 per person. Register your current 6th-7th grade student today by clicking here!

If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.