August 20, 2017: 11th Sunday after Pentecost Seventh Sunday in the 2017 Asbury Memorial UMC "Summer Preaching Series"
The guest speaker for this Sunday's service was Rev. Sharon Washington Risher. Sharon was catapulted into the limelight after the Charleston, SC, shooting at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015. Her beloved mother, the church's sexton, Mrs. Ethel Lee Lance, was killed, along with eight others, including two cousins and a childhood friend. Sharon is traveling extensively to major universities, colleges, and churches around the country telling her personal journey of loss, faith, forgiveness, racism, and gun violence prevention. "Prayers and vigils are not enough. As people of faith, we must be ready to stand up for what is good for all people."
The flowers for this Sunday's service were given in honor of Cab Stewart's Angel Baby.
Special Thanks:
Every Sunday at Asbury, there are people who work behind the scenes to help make the day so meaningful and wonderful for all of us and for our visitors. We thank those unsung heroes of faith—our hospitality team, ushers, greeters, connectors, nursery workers, and children's church teachers.
Song: "(Love is) Waiting in the Wings"
Written by: Mark R. Harris and Tony W. Wood
Soloist: Sharon Page
Piano: Ray Ellis
Keyboard: Randy Canady
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Introduction of Guest Speaker, Rev. Sharon Washington Risher
Rev. Jeanette Purvis
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Sermon: "Tragedy into Triumph"
Rev. Sharon Risher
Text: Genesis 50:15-21 [NIV Translation; others available at the link]
