ASBURY FIRST MONDAY READER | DECEMBER 15, 2025

CONTENTS: A TREE THAT GIVES BACK

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3: TURN TURN...

A Tree That Gives Back:

Asbury First's New Giving Tree Brings Community Together

This Advent season, a beautiful new centerpiece has taken root in Asbury First's Gathering Center: a Giving Tree designed not for ornaments, but for something far more meaningful. Born from a collaborative effort by dedicated congregation members, this handcrafted tree stands ready to receive food donations for those facing hunger in our community. What began as gathered ideas and conversations about available materials quickly blossomed into a full-fledged team project, with Zane Anderson designing the tree and Larry Dugan contributing resources from Asbury Community Theater's collection.

The construction itself became a labor of love and fellowship. Dave Behnk, Scott Ross, Chuck Hanarahan, and their teammates worked together to bring the design to life, while Scott Ross and Donna Anderson added vibrant color with their paintbrushes, all under Johnny Colon's watchful supervision. "It was a fun build with friends getting together, working on a common goal to help others in need," recalled one team member. Members of the Monday Morning Crew and Pumpernickel Crew transformed what could have been an ordinary construction project into an extraordinary celebration of community, creativity, and compassion.

As growing food insecurity touches more families in our area, Asbury First is channeling its holiday spirit where it matters most. Every donation placed beneath this tree will directly support the Community Outreach Center's food programs, bringing both nourishment and hope to neighbors facing hardship. This Advent, the Giving Tree stands as a testament to what we can accomplish together, a wonderful way to celebrate the season by serving those who need us most.

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL WEEK 3:

Turn Turn...

Painting: "The Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi

"a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3:6-8

Can You Imagine?

"Turn Turn Turn"

Just recently in a conversation with friends, one of the participants spoke of "always learning something new from interactions with God's people. I never come away from a conversation or a happening in my life without an uncovering of myself and a new discovery within me! I am always learning something new about me or another."

What an interesting and show-stopping statement that was to me! For a moment I had to wonder about myself and others. Can you imagine if we approached our lives and interactions in such a way that we believed the indwelling Spirit of God makes each moment a possibility to grow in our understanding of our spiritual lives and grow in understanding others?

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

– Shaker tune Simple Gifts by Joseph Brackett (1848)

God's gift of the indwelling Spirit in Mary and in Jesus, is not only a gift of a baby; it is a gift of possibility for birthing, re-birth, restoration, and reconsecration of our own hearts and minds. It is the knowledge and proclamation that the indwelling Spirit of God is in each of us.

As we recognize and proclaim that Spirit we can grow more deeply in the Spirit of God ? we can be moved to by the Holy Spirit within us to see, to feel, and to be born anew. In your life and mine, as we trust and acknowledge God's presence, we turn, and are turned, and made new again and again.

The Christmas story in all its beauty and pageantry and celebration, is also

God's entrance into our lives, not only into Mary's. This knowledge continues well beyond the happy festivities of Christmas. It is a powerful, gentle message of the Spirit that grows and dwells within each of us. May our lives be deepened in this Advent and Christmas season through the gift of God's Spirit!

God created and is creating!

God comes in the true person, Jesus

to reconcile and make new

God works in us and others by the Spirit.

We trust in God!

– A Modern Affirmation, The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 885

(adapted from The Korean Methodist Church Affirmation of Faith)

May that same Spirit work within you and make you new this season.

May you find yourself turning and turning—until you come out experiencing and proclaiming God's power of love anew.

REFLECTION:

- Can you imagine a new turning in your relationship with God?

- What might you want it to be?