This Saturday at 11:00 a.m. we will be celebrating the life of Anita Clay, who was 100 years old. When one sees "1922 - 2022" on the front of the bulletin, one realizes just how much Anita experienced in her lifetime: The Great Depression, The New Deal, World War II, and the list goes on and on up until these interesting times of the pandemic. I want to thank those of you who stayed in touch with Anita after the pandemic hit. It was a difficult time for those who are up in age and who are not mobile. It was especially difficult for Anita because she was an extrovert—she loved being with people. So, thank you to those who stayed in touch—especially those who dropped by and had a porch visit with her.

I look forward to joining you in celebrating Anita's life and giving thanks for the many ways she touched our lives. We'll be having food and fellowship in Holliday Hall after the service as we continue to celebrate this great life.

After Anita fell and was taken to the hospital, she was eventually taken to Hospice House. I saw her there several days before she died. The first thing she said to me was, "Billy, I'm sorry that it has been so long since I've been to church." Here was a 100-year-old person who had fallen and broken her shoulder and was in Hospice House apologizing for not having been at church recently. Anita was part of a great generation who saw the weekly worship of God as a priority. I hope we can develop this kind of commitment again in our society. It may take a while for society to get there but let us at Asbury be leaders in this new emphasis of keeping the Sabbath holy. 

Hope you will join us Sunday at 6:00 pm for our Church Christmas Party. It's a Potluck Event so please try to bring a side dish and/or dessert to share with others.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are planning to drop by—they have a treat for the children of the church!

Please join us Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm for an important Congregational Meeting. The main purposes of the meeting are to have end of the year reports and to vote for and bless the committee members serving in 2023. This will be a Zoom meeting...so those who live far away and those who are homebound can participate with us!

Most of you probably know by now that our associate minister, Rev. Claire Marich, will be retiring at the end of December. Claire will be preaching at both Wesley Oak and at Asbury next Sunday, December 11th. Following the service at Asbury, we will have a reception in Claire's honor. Hope you will plan to be with us as we celebrate Claire's ministry.

We are still receiving Pledge Cards for 2023, so you are not too late. Please let us know what you would like to commit to give for 2023 so we know how to focus and develop our ministries for this coming year.

The December Newsletter is out! Be sure to go to our website and check it out. Here are just some of the important events & dates mentioned in the Newsletter:

The first time I experienced Asbury Memorial's sanctuary as an adult was about a year before I was appointed to be its minister. I was a guest preacher during the Advent/Christmas season. I had heard that Asbury was really struggling and that its doors may soon close. But when I walked into the decorated sanctuary I was in awe. The huge Christmas tree, the wreaths in the windows, and poinsettias carefully placed. "How could this magnificent place be closing?" I wondered. It is something I will never forget.

I want to thank those who decorated the sanctuary this year. You did a wonderful job. Soon we'll have the poinsettias added to the rest of the decorations. Which reminds me: If you want to place poinsettias in memory or in honor of Loved Ones, let the church office know soon. We want to be sure to remember your Loved One.

On Sunday, we'll be hearing about one of the most powerful images given to us in the Bible. It was given to us by the prophet Isaiah hundreds and hundreds of years ago. I'll also be sharing a story with you that you won't believe—something that happened 18 years ago to the day. It's amazing! I can't wait to share it with you.

Love, Peace, & Blessings,
Billy