November 1, 2022

The God on Broadway Services were awesome! I want to thank everyone who participated in the services - everyone who helped with sets, costumes, music, acting scenes, prayers, greeting, ushering, and everything else that makes God on Broadway so meaningful. I want to give a special shout out to Linda Combs and Tim Steinhauser for heading up the costumes and sets for the services; Stephen Swanger, Mike Matheny, and Barri Marshall for all of their work with "Sound" and our Live Stream Ministry; and of course, Ray, Kay, and our fabulous choir!

How do you make a good transition from God On Broadway? You have an All-Saints' Service! Rev. Holland Morgan (who will be participating tomorrow) said that All Saints' is his favorite service. I agree with Holland...All Saints' is a very special, special experience. We are doing something tomorrow that I believe will make it even more meaningful. We will be adding elements of Dia de los Muertos to All Saints. Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) is the festival started in Mexico that celebrates our Loved Ones who have passed to eternity. But instead of it being a sense of finality of that relationship, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the fact that our loved ones (now "souls") are still alive...that they are with God and also with us. So our service tomorrow will be a mixture of solemness and celebration!

Here are some of the things we'll be experiencing that will help us grieve and be joyful at the same time:

Everyone is invited to bring flowers to church in order to take them to the altar in honor of deceased Loved Ones. We will first be remembering members of our church family who have made their transition since last year's All Saints' Service. When a person's name is read, please feel free to present a flower. We will also be reading the names of family members and friends of our church family who have passed this year. Again, please feel free to present a flower when the person's name is read. We'll also be remembering the people whose names are on our orange ribbons - this year's victims of gun violence in Savannah. Please feel free to present a flower in their remembrance. Then you will have the opportunity to bring flowers up for other Loved Ones who have passed. You will be able to say their name in the microphone if you so desire.

The flowers brought to the altar will be arranged in vases during the service. They will be available for you to take at the end of the service to deliver to someone you know that will be blessed by them.

Music, music, music! We will be experiencing incredible music tomorrow. The choir will be singing the anthem, Be Not Afraid. Violinist, Randal Hoecherl (son of Harry) will be playing an astounding version of Amazing Grace. But that's not all! David Alley, Bill Oakley, and Danny Beam will be playing and singing, No Hard Feelings - a song made famous by the Avett Brothers.

We will be celebrating Holy Communion together. I hope those of you who will be worshipping through Live Stream will have bread and juice or water with you so you can participate with us.

We will have a Children's Sermon about Dia de los Muertos and Stewardship!

Then the icing on the cake! We will be receiving New Members into our congregation!

Speaking of cake! The grand finale: We'll be having our BIG Coffee Hour in Holliday Hall. Come and welcome our new members as we continue to celebrate All Saints' and Día de los Muertos. Please bring food items to share with others if you are able.

What a Sunday! I can't wait!! And guess what? You don't have to get up as early for this incredible experience! Tonight, you can set your clocks back - you have an extra hour to sleep. That way, you can celebrate with us tomorrow in full force with all your family and friends...even the Ones we can't visibly see!

Our monthly newsletter is online and is filled with important articles and information. Please go to our website and then to the newsletter and read about:

If you know someone attending or visiting Asbury who may not be receiving our emails, please let them know about them. All they need to do to receive them is to contact the church office by email or by phone (912-233-4351).

Cheri and I appreciate all of the prayers, best wishes, and congratulations regarding our first grandchild. Anson Augustus Bradt was born last Sunday night in New York City. It sounds like the little one has three name options for daily living: Anson, August, or Auggie. Chelsea and Chris, our daughter and son-in-law, are doing well. Cheri (otherwise known as "Cha Cha") leaves today to go see her grandchild and to assist the new parents. My son, Wesley, and I will be flying up to New York a little later in November.

We will be making our financial pledges for 2023 during the worship service two weeks from tomorrow on November 20th. The Sunday before Thanksgiving is the perfect day to offer our pledges as we reflect on the many ways we are blessed by God and the ministries of Asbury Memorial. Please be praying about your pledge for 2023. The results of people's pledges help us determine our staff, ministries, and budget for the coming year.

I hope to see you tomorrow as we come to church thankful, prayerful, and anticipating the movement of God's Spirit in our lives!

Love, Peace, & Blessings,
Billy