Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

Dear Asbury Family, 

Happy Thursday! I hope your week has been going well so far, and that you’re enjoying the cooler weather we’ve been experiencing in Central Florida. (We’ll take what we can get, right?)

  Last week in worship, we finished our 6-week sermon series titled “The Short of It: The Entire Story of the Bible from Creation to New Creation.” In the series, we explored the story of Scripture from beginning to end, starting with the creation of the universe in Genesis Chapter 1 and then closing with the vision of Eden restored in Revelation Chapter 22. My prayer is that the series has made the Bible more approachable for us. John Wesley, the principal founder of Methodism, identified “searching the Scriptures” as a means of grace. Put simply, Wesley believed that God communicates grace to us when we engage the inspired writings of the Bible, and that this grace empowers us for holy living, to be God's people in the world. 

 It’s true God wants us to read the Bible. However, it’s also true God wants us to understand (and appreciate) the diversity of Scripture and the many genres through which the Bible communicates truth (historical narrative, parable, poetry, prophecy, apocalyptic literature, etc.). Hopefully, this series has given all of us a new love for the Bible! 

This Sunday in worship, Pastor Will is going to preach a stand-alone message on what it means for us to be the church (a great segue into our next sermon series, which you’ll hear more about later). Additionally, we’re going to be receiving 3 (that’s right – 3!) new members at our 11 am service. This is now the third week in a row that our church has received new members. Please join me in welcoming these persons and praising God for the growth of our church. 

 Don’t forget to bring your candy donations to worship this weekend for our Asbury Fall Festival on October 15, and sign up to host a trunk for trunk-or-treat, which will be part of the event. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t invite all the men out there to attend our United Methodist Men Prayer Breakfast, which will be this Saturday (October 2) from 7:30-9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall. Larry Koch, who serves on our staff, will be the speaker.  

 I consider it a great honor to serve as one of your pastors. I look forward to being with you (in person or online) this Sunday!  

 Blessings,

Chris