What a blessing it has been to journey with you through 2022. I'm excited about 2023 and all that it holds for the people of Asbury Memorial/Wesley Oak Church!

I hope you are planning to make worship part of your New Year’s celebration this year. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, loved having worship on New Year's Day. Each year the congregation would renew their commitment to God by offering, "A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition." Wesley’s journals tell of a large congregation “gathering at 4 am to usher in the new year with the voice of praise and thanksgiving” and God’s presence “strengthening and renewing their souls.” 

We’ll worship at our regular time, 11:15 a.m. (4 am is a little early!). At the end of my sermon, we will be saying the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer. The Prayer is in our hymnal, but I’m also sharing it at the end of this eNote, so those who are worshipping online can participate. 

I hope you will join us on this special day as we worship together, offering thanks and renewing our commitment to God.

Just think....if you worship this Sunday, you'll be on your way to perfect worship attendance in 2023!

We will not have our "Big" Coffee Hour this week as we normally have on the first Sunday of the month, so there's no need to bring food items to church this week. The church will supply special cookies and cupcakes this week as you fellowship with others and wish each other a happy new year.

One reason we're not having our BIG Coffee Hour is because we hope many of you will come back for another event at 4:00 pm. on Sunday. My wife, Cheri, will be helping lead the event, and I've asked her to write this next section to tell you about an Asbury New Year's Day tradition started many years ago by Janice Gantt. 

Take it away, Cheri...

Thanks, Billy...

Asbury Memorial has had a tradition of coming together on New Year's Day to release things from the past year and to imagine the accomplishments of a new year.

We look forward to you joining us on Sunday, January 1, 2022 to continue this tradition! * All are welcome! *

We will begin with a Burning Bowl Ceremony where everyone is invited to symbolically and literally let go of old, unwanted beliefs, habits, and fears to start the new year fresh.

Then each participant will be led through a guided exercise called an Anticipation Celebration. The Anticipation Celebration is a mostly silent activity, where your facilitators will guide you as you reflect on your goals and write a love letter to yourself. This letter can touch on all areas of your life, enhancing your dreams about who you are and what you want to realize in the coming year.

These letters are then sealed, collected and mailed to you around Thanksgiving. There is great power in the intention process. Our thoughts create our reality. So, it is always a wonderful surprise to read these letters we have written to our future selves.

Please join us. All are welcome!

What to have with you: paper, writing instruments, something to bear down on, a stamped envelope and a curious and open mind open to all the possibilities this next year holds. We look forward to you joining us and continuing the tradition!

Sunday, January 1 at 4pm

Asbury Memorial Church

1008 E. Henry Street, Savannah, GA

We will be having New Member Classes on the last two Sundays in January. If you are looking for a church home or if you simply want to learn more about the church and its ministries, we would love to have you with us.

The two sessions are held after our church service. Our wonderful Hospitality Team supplies lunch for the participants. Candace Jenkins and I will facilitate the meeting. If you are interested in participating, tell Candace on Sunday or call or email the church office.

I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou will, rank me with whom thou will.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
Exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
To thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

 

Love & Blessings,
Billy