October 22, 2022 - Billy's Weekly Message

What do Charlie Brown and the Peanut gang have to say to us now that they are in high school?

Yes, it's ten years later, and a lot has changed in the world of Peanuts. I'm afraid that our favorite canine, Snoopy, has died. (Thus, the title, Dog Sees God.)

On Sunday, we'll meet "CB" (as Charlie Brown is now called) and some of his friends, who you may or may not recognize from childhood.

You may not also recognize some of their language, actions, and problems that they are now going through. They are teenagers! And they have a lot to teach us.

Join us for our fourth God on Broadway Service: Dog Sees God. The title of my sermon is "Good Grief." Our biblical text will be Psalm 22. I hope you will invite family and friends to this unique worship experience. It's life changing.

Last Sunday, Tinker Bell paid us a visit! It was mighty good to see her again! She looked great! And she had some wonderful advice for us as we start focusing on stewardship, our pledges for next year, and as we plan our church budget. She told to "accentuate the positive" and to "keep the faith!"

It's also that wonderful time of the year when we get to hear someone share part of their story with us and what Asbury means to them. Since Dog Sees God revolves around teenagers, we will be hearing from some of our younger church members this Sunday. Come, hear what some of our great young people have to say about Asbury and what this faith community and its ministries means to them.

When infants and toddlers come through the doors of Asbury, we know that they will be in the trusted hands of our dear Karen Bolfik. Karen has spent many years caring for and nurturing the children of Asbury. Now, she needs to be spending more time with her growing number of grandchildren. It is with great regret to tell you that this will be Karen's last Sunday with us. I hope you will be able to be at church Sunday to express your love and appreciation to her...and to wish her well in this new phase of her life. We'll be having a cake in her honor at Coffee Hour after the service. "Thank you, thank you, Karen, for your years of outstanding ministry." 

If you are looking for a church home, we would love to have you be part of the Asbury/Wesley Oak faith community. We offer New Member Orientation Classes three times a year for persons wanting to explore what it means to be a member of Asbury. It just so happens that we are about to have one of those times now. We'll be having a class after the worship service this Sunday and next Sunday. Lunch will be provided. If you are interested in participating, email Candace Jenkins at: cjenkins@asburymemorial.org.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday, October 22, for Kenny Lewis and Jason Lewis, the brother and nephew of Asbury member Danny Lewis. Lunch will follow in Holliday Hall. All are invited. 

There will also be a Memorial Service on Monday, October 24, for Harry Hoecherl at 11:00 a.m. Our prayers continue to be with Sandy and the Hoecherl family as we celebrate Harry's life. A lunch-reception will follow the service in Holliday Hall. All are invited. 

Next Saturday, the 29th, is a big day for the church as we will be part of two major events:

PRIDE (at Daffin Park) and "Trunk or Treat" (at the Wesley Oak campus)

Read all about these events in the church newsletter:

Three Sundays in a row! 

Three Sundays in a row the Sunday offerings and contributions have exceeded the weekly budget need! Wow! We haven't done that in a long, long time. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving and your commitment to the people and ministries at Asbury!

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

Love, Peace, & Blessings,