March 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

On Wednesday, February 26, one day after celebrating her 98th birthday, Liz Grimes transitioned from life to the Life Eternal.

A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 from 6-8 pm in the Asbury Parlor.  Her memorial service will be held on Friday, March 7 at 10 am at the Heritage Activity Center in Lakeview Village. Click here to read a copy of Liz's obituary.

Second Sunday Singers: March 9

Second Sunday Singers will sing in the 11 am service on Sunday, March 9. The choir will be singing the anthem “Here I Am, Lord.”

You are welcome to learn the piece with us at 10:30 am on March 9 and then we'll sing in the 11 am service. Contact Lindsey Lang (lindseyl@visitasbury.org) if you have questions!

Banned Book Club: Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm

Banned Book Club will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30 pm in the Parlor. We'll be discussing the Young Adult novel Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart (click here for link). 

This title was recently challenged in the Gardner Edgerton School District. All are welcome to participate in our book discussion.

Used Book Sale: March 28-30 in Hager Hall

Helps Support United Women in Faith Missions

UWF is holding a used book sale from March 28-30 in Hager Hall. Help us have a successful sale by donating your gently used books, audio books, puzzles, DVDs, CDs and LPs!

We will accept books of any kind, any genre, any size. We will NOT accept: damaged books, encyclopedias, textbooks, or magazines.  

Drop off your gently used books and other items at Asbury from February 23 - March 23 on the designated cart in the west narthex. Any unsold items will be donated. 

All proceeds from the sale will go to support UWF missions, such as Della Lamb, Cross-Lines, Lazarus Ministries, Hub Argentine, and Asbury Youth.

Contact Paula Blood at 913-205-0100 or Kim Peck at 816-550-8550 with any questions or if you need assistance transporting your donations to the church. Thank you for helping support UWF missions!

Candy Needed for Easter Egg Hunt

We'll be collecting candy for the Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 beginning this Sunday. Fun sized candy works best in the eggs, and we always need plain M&Ms for our youngest egg hunters!

You can place your candy in the basket on the Easter Egg Hunt table in the Welcome Center, or make a monetary donation for us to purchase candy. To make a monetary donation, either write "Easter Candy" in the memo line of your check or on the giving envelope for cash donations. To give via EasyTithe, select "other" from the dropdown menu and type "Easter Candy" in the "note" box.

Thank you for helping create a fun Easter experience for our youngest Asbury friends!

Good Enough Online Lenten Devotion

New episodes Mondays at 6:00 pm, beginning March 10

Beginning March 10, Pastor Jeff will be posting a short devotion online on Monday evenings at 6:00 pm during Lent. He’ll be using Kate Bowler’s and Jessica Richie’s Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals For a Life of Imperfection as a guide to offer an encouraging word and prayer for the week ahead. Copies of the book are available in the office (but not necessary to enjoy the devotion). And throughout the week, if you have any questions about Lent, please e-mail Pastor Jeff at jeffp@visitasbury.org.

*Weekly episodes will be posted online at www.visitasbury.org as well as our social media channels (Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram).

Lenten Film Study: Good Enough Films About Good Enough People

Wednesdays at 11 am, Beginning March 12

Join Pastor Jeff on Wednesdays at 11:00 am to discuss three movies over the next six weeks, alternating watching a movie one week and having a discussion the other. These three films feature imperfect people striving to do the best they can, sometimes in difficult circumstances. At times uplifting and heartbreaking, these movies don’t shy away from the realities of daily living, and highlight the hope experienced by ordinary people in ordinary places. A light lunch will be provided. Sign up by calling the church at 913-432-5573 or click here to fill out the online form.

• March 12 – Tender Mercies (Rated PG / 1983) starring Robert Duvall
• March 19 – Movie Discussion
• March 26 – Places from the Heart (Rated PG / 1984) starring Sally Field
• April 2 – Movie Discussion
• April 9 – The Straight Story (Rated G / 1999) starring Richard Farnsworth
• April 16 – Movie Discussion

Lenten Musical Meditation:

Wednesdays from 6:00-6:30 pm, Beginning March 12

You are invited to a half-hour meditation in the Sanctuary during Lent, beginning at 6 pm.

These musical meditations will run from 6:00-6:30 pm each Wednesday from March 12-April 16. Each meditation features the reading of scripture, poetry, prose, or prayer, piano performance by Pastor Daekyung Kim of several hymns beautifully arranged by various composers, and a time for meditation in silence. All are welcome to attend!

Kansas Interfaith Action Gathering: Monday, March 10

On Monday, March 10, Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA) will gather people of faith to advocate in Topeka for public education, economic justice, LGBTQ+ rights, climate care, public health, voting rights & immigrant rights!

Showing up is more important than ever. We need you to help us talk to legislators, rally around our shared values, and build community amongst people of faith across Kansas. Click here to register today for KIFA Day from 8:30 am-4:00 pm at the state capitol. Bring a friend or two!

Wondering what the day will be like? Looking for more information? Check out KIFA Day FAQs here: https://bit.ly/KIFAFAQS. Contact Mandy Todd, KIFA's Director of Engagement & Development, with any questions at mtodd@kansasinterfaithaction.org.

Be the Bridge Training: March 13-15

Dates: Thu. Mar. 13 - Sat. Mar. 15

Location: Shawnee United Methodist Church (10700 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203)

Are you passionate about making your church or community group equitable and inviting for everyone, regardless of background? Elevate your leadership skills with this transformative training event. The Great Plains Board of Ordained Ministry, the Mercy and Justice Team, and other committed partners from the Annual Conference have collaborated with Be the Bridge—an organization focused on fostering racial healing, equity, and reconciliation—to offer this opportunity.

Click here for more information and here to register. $50 registration fee (lunches and dinners provided onsite). Please let Pastor Daekyung (DaekyungK@visitasbury.org) know if you plan to attend!

Apply for Beloved Community Fellowship to Help Further Racial Justice

The Great Plains Mercy & Justice Team invites you to apply for the Beloved Community Fellowship for Racial Justice. This fellowship will provide intensive training and learning from experts for a cohort of United Methodist leaders who are longing to work for racial justice.

Throughout a series of 5 three-day retreats, and one immersion trip to Montgomery, Alabama, fellows will be invited to: 1) embody a commitment to create and practice beloved community together, 2) examine the history and ongoing impact of systemic racism, and 3) practice skills for doing justice through a faith-based community organizing framework for building relational power.

The 18-month leadership training program will culminate in the opportunity for Fellows to design and implement a racial justice initiative together with Great Plains funding.

Applications are now open through April 15. If you have questions, please click here to email Rev. Sarah Marsh, Mercy and Justice Coordinator for the Great Plains Conference.

Civil Rights Immersion Trip to Alabama: June 18-22

The Great Plains Conference’s third Justice Encounter focused on the Civil Rights Movement will take place from June 18-22 in Montgomery, Alabama. You can apply by clicking here.

This immersion is available to any clergy or laity in the Great Plains Conference who is interested in learning about the history of racism in our country, as well as the past and current work of racial justice in America. Click here to learn more about the 2023 immersion to get a sense of what to expect for this summer's Justice encounter.

Questions? Contact Rev. Maddie Johnson, Doing Justice Initiative Coordinator, at mmjohnson@greatplainsumc.org.

LGBTQ Advocates Aim to Build on 2024 Gains

After decades of passionate advocacy followed by heartbreaking votes, those supporting LGBTQ inclusion in The United Methodist Church finally achieved their goals at last year’s General Conference.

So what happens when at long last you have met your goals? You set new ones.

That’s what Reconciling Ministries Network has been doing after more than 40 years at the forefront of working to end the Book of Discipline’s restrictions against LGBTQ people. Click here to read more from UM News Service!

Help Serve Lunch at Lazarus Ministries

on Saturday, March 8

We need eight people to either help serve lunch or assist in the Lazarus Boutique on Saturday, March 8 from 10 am - 1 pm at Lazarus Ministries KC (Linwood United Church, 3151 Olive, KCMO, 64109). Come out and help with a wonderful mission opportunity!

Lunches are served 'restaurant style,' so kitchen volunteers can assist with hosting, greeting, plating, and/or serving. Lazarus Boutique volunteers serve as personal shoppers to guests, assisting people one on one in finding clothing, hygiene items, linens, or other household goods they may need. 

Call the church at 913-432-5573 or email sharlynnv@visitasbury.org if you would like to sign up.

Help Out with Our Next Food Drive on Saturday, March 29

We're having a Food Drive! Join us on Saturday, March 29 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Hy-Vee at 75th and State Line in Prairie Village. We're looking for volunteers to serve a one hour shift. Check out our sign up page here to volunteer: Asbury Food Drive

Hy-Vee in Prairie Village has been a wonderful neighbor to our Food Pantry - not only have they allowed us to hold food drives at their store; they also have have contributed bakery items to our Food Pantry every Wednesday. We are so appreciative of their help.

Food of the Month for March

The Asbury Food Pantry's "Food of the Month" for March is cereal. This is always a favorite of our pantry guests! 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 11

Family Ministries Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm in the Prayer Room. We are discussing Seeking 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 the Parlor

Morning Meetup 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. Our next Speaker Sunday is April 6.

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 Children's Church.

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.

Children's Church: 11 am after the Children's Time

Kids PreK - 3rd grade are welcome to join us for Children's Church after the Children's Moment at the 11 a.m. service in the kids' wing (3rd floor east). We might make a craft, play a game, watch a movie, or learn a new song and dance. No matter the activity, kids will have fun learning and growing together!

Save the Date!

Third Grade Bible Presentation: Sunday, March 30

On Sunday, March 30, we will celebrate a milestone in the lives of some of our elementary aged children with the presentation of third grade Bibles.

We celebrate with them as they begin to encounter the Bible stories and God's love in the pages of their very own Bible. If you have a third-grade student, please contact our Director of Family Ministries to get them on the list!

Vacation Bible School: Road Trip on the Go with God - Sun. July 27 to Thu. 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.

Click here to register today!

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. 

Click here to register today!

Coffee and Convos: Sundays at 10 am

All 6th - 12th grade students are invited to join us in the Youth Lounge for treats and discussion.

Youth Group: Sundays at 6 pm

All 6th - 12th grade students are invited to meet in the Youth Lounge on Sunday at 6 pm for dinner and planning for the Easter Sunrise Service.

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.