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The above is a copy of Rembrandt's "St. Paul in Prison,"
one of Rembrandt's earliest known oil on panels, from the year 1627.
Dear Asbury Friends,
The Asbury food pantry is now located outside at our main entrance. This means that people in need can drive up anytime and pick up food that they need. Somebody asked me, "How do you know they won't take advantage of this?" We don't know, but it appears that people are respecting this ministry by taking only what they need.
Steve Trenholm has been checking a couple of times each day to see if the food pantry needs to be restocked. Thanks to Steve and family! If you are able, pick up a few extra non-perishable items when you are doing your grocery shopping and drop them by the church. You can leave them sitting by the back door with the other food. We are always in need of peanut butter, hearty soups, toilet paper, and bread. If you have food to donate, but cannot bring it to the church, Steve has offered to come by your home and pick it up. You can reach Steve at 913.438.3574 or
steve@povitica.com.
Don't forget that worship will once again be online this weekend. I'm going to begin a sermon series on "The Prison Epistles of Paul." We will look at three of Paul's letters: Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, all written while Paul was in prison, to hear his message of faith and hope. Some of us may feel like we are trapped (even in prison!) in our own homes during this time. But even when Paul was isolated and alone in prison, he continued to reach out to his community of Christian brothers and sisters.
Let's do the same as we gather for worship this weekend. I believe it will give us hope during these difficult times.
Blessings,
Gayla
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 Rev. Lee Johnson is putting together a Bible Study each Tuesday on the material Rev. Gayla will be preaching on over the weekend. This week, he covers Ephesians 2:13-22 from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians. Click on the link below to read more!
https://www.visitasbury.org/bible-study-in-anxious-times/pauls-prison-epistles-march-24/
We will archive all of our Bible studies on the Asbury website under the tab "Bible Study in Anxious Times," which can be found on the home page of the Asbury website, www.visitasbury.org. New Bible studies can be found each Tuesday!
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Our food pantry outside of the main entrance of our church continues to be utilized by those in need in our community. We're really grateful to be able to have this ministry of serving our friends in need, and that people are respecting this ministry by taking only what they need. We're all in this together!
That being said, if you are out doing some grocery shopping for yourself or your family, and you are able, please pick up a few extra cans or personal items for our pantry at Asbury! You can leave them sitting by the door with the other items. We are always in need of peanut butter, hearty soups, toilet paper, and bread!
Thank you so very much for your generosity. It's wonderful to be a part of a community where all means all!
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Feeding Kansas Kids During COVID-19 with Kansas Appleseed
Children in Kansas need adequate nutrition for their physical and mental development. School meals are critical for so many of us, our families, and our neighbors. Thanks to leadership of the Kansas Department of Education, Kansas has been approved to use the summer meal program to continue food service when schools close due to COVID-19.
Sponsors, including schools and community organizations, can serve meals at approved sites while schools are closed. Program sponsors may apply to waive the congregate feeding requirements so kids can pick up to-go meals (and in some cases breakfast for the next morning).
 How Kids Receive Meals:
Children 18 and under can receive a free, nutritious meal at participating locations. The Kansas State Dept. of Education is working "full-speed ahead" in approving waivers, programs, and sites, with many schools and sponsors already approved for operation. Look to your local summer meal sponsor or school district to find out if they are participating and when and where kids can receive their meals.
How You Can Help:
In the last few days, we have seen advocates across the state come together to ensure Kansas kids still have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive during these uncertain times. Contact your local meal sponsor (
click here for link
) to see if they are participating and if they need volunteers (whether that means helping to raise awareness and beyond).
Hunger Doesn't End When School's Out:
Each year, sponsor organizations, sites, and volunteers feed thousands of children across Kansas through the Summer Food Service Program, which provides free, healthy meals to kids in low-income areas when school's out. If you want to continue to raise awareness about these important programs feeding Kansas kids, please join our Hunger Action Team at www.kansasappleseed.org/hat.
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Sympathy is extended to the family of Kathy Rogers, who passed away on Wednesday, March 25.
Kathy had been a member of Asbury for more than 40 years and served well in many capacities.
Her mother, Kitty Douglas, and stepfather, Bob Douglas, are also members of Asbury. We especially lift them up in prayer.
A Memorial Service will be held at Asbury at a later date.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sympathy is also extended to Elaine and Bob Hostetler upon the death of Elaine's brother, David Lowe, on Thursday, March 26.
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**Note: We are still listing outside events for the time being.
If you have any questions about possible cancellations due to coronavirus,
please contact the event organizer listed. Thank you so much!**
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Show You Care on Doing Good Friday | Friday, April 10
from 9 am - 12 pm at Operation Breakthrough
Please consider serving at Operation Breakthrough (OB) on Doing Good Friday (April 10) from 9 am - noon. We will carpool to the facility. After a brief tour to learn about OB's work and facilities, we will be assigned a project (sorting clothing, organizing, or some other helpful activities). Last year's group had a great time! Operation Breakthrough serves KC's poorest families with education, healthcare, parent programs and emergency services. Innovative programs help children thrive and lift people out of poverty. To join in April 10, contact Pam Ungashick at 816.590.9357 or email pamungie@gmail.com by April 3. Let's do some good together!
Day of Caring | Saturday, April 18 from 10 am - 12 pm at Harvesters
 Asbury is set to work at Harvesters during our Spring Day of Caring on Saturday, April 18 from 10 am-12 pm, at the food bank's warehouse. We will be sorting and repacking cold food items. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old, and, if under 15, accompanied by an adult. What a great team activity and a way to show we care about hunger in our community! Looking for 10-15 people with smiles. Will carpool. Call or text Pam Ungashick at 816.590.9357 or email
pamungie@gmail.com to sign up or if you have questions.
Cross-Lines 25th Annual Plant Sale | April 29 through May 2
 As you "think Spring" and plan to beautify your outdoor spaces, please remember to include Spring Dig, a major fund-raiser for Cross-Lines. Pre-orders are due by April 13. For additional information, contact Donetta Shaner at donetta@kc.rr.com or 913.897.2488. Thank you!
Asbury Scholarships | High School Grads and Graduate Students to Apply
 The Asbury Foundation Trustees welcomes all high school graduates and graduate students attending classes in the 2020-2021 school year to apply for scholarships. These scholarships are not endowed; our generous and gracious community provide the funds to keep these scholarships available, believing in the importance of supporting our community in pursuing higher education. We hope all students will apply and we look forward to reading the applications received.
They are due Sunday, April 26. You can find the online form at
https://www.visitasbury.org/grow/scholarship-applications-2020-2021/.
Vote in 2020
The Kansas Presidential Primaries are on
May 2.
If you are a Republican: The Kansas Republican Party chose not to have a Presidential Primary this year.
If you are a Democrat: To register, re-register or check your registration, go to
https://www.ksvotes.org/.
March 30: The Kansas Democratic Party will start sending mail-in ballots to registered Democrats.
April 3: If you registered to vote as a Democrat after March 9, you can request mail-in ballots via the website,
https://kansasdems.org/2020primary or contacting Topeka headquarters at 785.234.0425.
Note: this form will not be accessible until April 3.
April 17: Last day to request a mail-in ballot.
April 24: Last day to postmark your mail-in ballot.
May 2, 10 am to 4 pm, ELECTION DAY: In-person voting, registered voters can drop off mail-in ballots, and non-registered Democrats can register and vote in person.
For more information, contact https://kansasdems.org/2020primary or email Julia Cotter at juliaacotter@gmail.com.
Covid-19 Resources
 This is a page that has information for Kansans about the disease, along with resources and strategies about education, jobs, and more, from the Mainstream Coalition community and beyond.
https://www.mainstreamcoalition.org/covid19
 <--- Click on the
Church Calendar logo for upcoming Asbury events! Do you have an event you would like to be listed on the calendar? Please call the church office or email Phyllis Williams at
phyllisw@visitasbury.org. For inclusions in the e-Alive or weekly bulletins, please contact Sharlynn Verner at
sharlynnv@visitasbury.org.
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We still need your help to keep our operations running during this tough time of needing to close down. Coronavirus has made things challenging for everyone and Asbury is no exception! Please consider giving to the church electronically through one of these four ways:
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
- Online through Easy Tithe (www.easytithe.com/visitasbury)
- Text the word "Give" to 913-774-6060
- Download our giving app, "Church by Ministry One" (find Asbury under zip code 66208)
Also, you can still just write a check and send it in the mail! Our mailing address is:
Asbury United Methodist Church
5400 W. 75th St.
Prairie Village, KS 66208
We love you all and appreciate each of you so much. Stay safe and healthy!
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1. There have been some pretty cool ideas going around Facebook about ways to love our neighbors during a time of social distancing. One idea proposed by one of our very own families was to put our Christmas lights back up to bring a little cheer to people on walks or taking drives.
2. Some retirement places and nursing homes are allowing people to send notes, pictures, etc. to the people living there who cannot have visitors right now. I have checked with Lakeview Village and they are still allowing mail deliveries. If you are interested in doing this, please let me know. Pastor Lee is putting together a list of addresses for some of our Asbury folks living in these places.
3. Call, Facetime, text, or Zoom with others.
4. Asbury has a food case outside its main entrance if you would like to donate non-perishable food items. You can drop some off on the bookcase, or you can always order from Amazon and have it sent to the church. If you are in need of food, or know someone who might be, let them know they can drive by and grab some food from the case.
Heather Jackson,
Director of Family Ministries
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Childr
en's Sunday School
 PreK - K: Emails containing the week's lesson, "Jesus Prays" (Matthew 26:36-46), will be emailed out on Saturday night. Heather will make a video and post it to Facebook on Sunday. We are working on a way to post some of the crafts and activities to Facebook as well. Follow the Facebook page to stay up to date:
1st - 3rd Grade: Emails containing the week's lesson, "Jesus Prays" (Matthew 26:36-46), will be emailed out on Saturday night. Heather will make a video and post it to Facebook on Sunday. We are working on a way to post some of the crafts and activities to Facebook as well. Follow the Facebook page to stay up to date:
https://www.facebook.com/Asbury-Childrens-Ministry-206583193254141/
 4th - 5th Grade: We will have Sunday school via Zoom at 11 am this Sunday (
https://zoom.us/j/659156368). We will be discussing the story of the Last Supper in Matthew 26:14-30.
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Youth and college students are invited to join us for a check-in and time of prayer tonight at 6:30 pm on Zoom. You can join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/485539147.
Youth Group
Youth Group will be via Zoom. Youth can use a phone or computer to connect to the meeting at
https://zoom.us/j/185136471. They are encouraged to grab a drink, snack, or even dinner to munch on during the meeting. We are treating the online meeting just as we would a face-to-face meeting and keeping the 6 pm start time.
Family Ministry Book Club
If you are not receiving the children's ministry or youth ministry emails and would like to,
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The stay at home orders in Johnson County have cancelled our annual Easter egg hunt. However, that doesn't mean we still can't do something for the kids! We can make paper Easter eggs and put them in our windows facing the street and / or the front of our houses / garage doors for families to find on their walks the weekend of Easter (April 10-12).
If you would like Easter egg coloring pages as a template, please email our Director of Family Ministries, Heather Jackson, at heatherj@visitasbury.org.
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SHOPPING ON AMAZON?
2. Search "Asbury Methodist Church"
3. Select the Prairie Village location...and SHOP!
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