Asbury United Methodist Church - Cedar Rapids, IA

Evening Prayer Service Tonight

Ash Wednesday was the 1st gathering of the people of the Westside 6:  Asbury UMC, Salem UMC, St. James UMC, St. Mark's UMC, and Trinity UMC.  It was a glorious success.  Tonight at 8:15 pm at Asbury UMC we are gathering again, this time for a time of prayer.  You don't have to be a member to join us so please plan on participating in this time of prayer.

God's Peace and Blessings

Pastor Ed

from the Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church...

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

As you know, a series of tragic events has unfolded over the past few days in Japan. The massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11 and the accompanying tsunami resulted in the death of at least 2,800 people and possibly more than 10,000.  Damage to the country's nuclear power plants jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of thousands more.  Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the disaster the worst crisis Japan has faced in 65 years.

 

In times of immense loss and grief, we are reminded once again that God's grace is sufficient. While it does not offer us immunity from tragedy, it sustains us with healing and hope.

 

At such times, the church is called to be a healing presence among those facing heartbreaking circumstances. I am confident that the people of The United Methodist Church will respond to the call with prayers and generous support for the victims of this catastrophe.

 

I ask that you join with me in prayer for the deceased and their families; the injured; the search and rescue workers; the survivors who are without water, food or heat; those who have been evacuated from their homes as the nuclear threat worsens; and all who have been affected.  

 

When disaster strikes, we are especially grateful for the valuable ministry that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides with the help and support of United Methodists and others.  I hope that all United Methodist churches will consider taking a special offering designated for Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317, to provide financial resources to respond to the needs resulting from the disaster.

 

Working with its partners, the United Church of Christ in Japan, the Korean Christian Church, Church World Service, Global Medic, the National Christian Council, and the Asian Rural Institute, UMCOR is currently focused on working to assess the damage to determine how best to provide assistance and will then respond accordingly.

 

May we join together in opening our hearts to those suffering in the midst of devastation.

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, President
Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church

Pastor Ed to move this June

On Sunday, March 6, 2011 it was announced at Asbury UMC in Cedar Rapids, IA and First UMC in Shenandoah, IA that Pastor Ed would be moved to Shenandoah in late June.   

First UMC was expecting to receive a new pastor this year.

Asbury UMC was not expecting to have their pastor moved this year and Pastor Ed was not expecting to move this year either, so it came as a real surprise to everyone in Cedar Rapids.  Asbury’s SPRC has been working diligently for the last week to get the paper work into the conference relating to what their dreams are for future ministry at Asbury.  We are holding Bishop Trimble and his cabinet in prayer as they discern God’s will in this.  

Our prayer is that both churches will be richly and abundantly blessed:-)

The Season of Lent and a Season of Prayer

This year Asbury UMC is joining with the other 5 Westside Cedar Rapids UMC's in celebrating the Season of Lent and a Season of Prayer.

Season of Lent:

Ash Wednesday: 03/09/11 -  7pm @ Salem UMC

Maundy Thursday:  04/21/11 -  6pm @ St. James UMC

Good Friday:  04/22/11 -  7pm @ Trinity UMC

 

Season of Prayer:  Wednesday's at 8:15pm we'll gather each week for a time of prayer together.  This isn't a worship service, it's a time to be in prayer together for our churches and the world.  Please, prayerfully consider joining us during this time.

03/16/11  -  Asbury UMC

03/23/11  -  St. James UMC

03/30/11  -  Trinity UMC

04/06/11  -  Salem UMC

04/13/11  -  Sharon UMC

04/20/11  -  St. Marks UMC

Christmas Eve Service Cancelled:-(

The snow is here and it's one of those nights that everyone needs to just stay home, stay warm, stay safe and we'll see you all Sunday.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Ed

"Interactive" Seekers Service

Don't forget!  Tonight is our first "Interactive" Seekers Worship Service at 7 PM.  

We're located at 27th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids.  This service will be shaped the questions asked by those present.  Texting questions is welcome:-)

Hope to see you there:-)

God's Peace and Blessings

Pastor Ed

How to have a civil conversation.

    Does it seem to anyone else that the tone of political, social, and personal discourse has deteriorated in the United States in the past few decades.  It started slowly but seems to be accelerating more and more, picking up speed.  When people don’t have ideas or hold dearly to ideas that aren’t working, they stop discussing the issues and start attacking the other party, the other group, or the other person.  

    Good people refuse to run for political office or participate in polite conversation because of the fear of being attacked personally.  Not their ideas being discussed, but their character being attacked.  When you don’t have anything meaningful to say, character assassination draws the attention away from your bankrupt ideas and focuses the attention on the character of the other person.  What can I say, we do like to gossip. When you are in a discussion and you’re losing, change the subject, you might not win, but you won’t lose.

    The next time you are talking with someone, or you’re listening to a politician and they start smearing someone’s character, ask them, if possible, or at least ask yourself, “what does this have to do with the issue?”    

    Watch TV, listen to discussions at work, at school, in the mall, read what your friends say on Facebook.  How often is “Character” discussed under the guise of political or theological debate?   

    Romans 12:18 “⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

    The old saying, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.”  We could for the sake of this conversation say, “Love the speaker, hate the idea.”  Or as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build one another up”.  He goes on to say, “just as you are doing.”  Ouch!  I really don’t think he would say that to us today, do you?  

    How do we change the direction of personal attacks.  

1.  Be honest with ourselves, do we attack others.  If so, stop it!

2.  If those around you attack others, walk away or at least stop listening 

    them.

3.  If it’s on TV, change channels or better yet, turn the TV off.

4.  If it’s on Facebook, either don’t respond, or better yet, ask, “What does

    this have to do with the issue?”

5.  And then there’s the quote out of The Bible, “You shall love your 

    neighbor as yourself.”  This is written at least 9 times, maybe God is 

    trying to tell us something?  Are we listening?

God’s Peace and Blessings

Pastor Ed

:-)

Jesus loves you:-)