Weekly Update// Pastor Chris

 Dear Asbury Family,

 This has been a difficult week for our congregation. I am sure many of you saw the email the other day about Mike Molloy’s passing. Mike was the husband of Laura Molloy, our Children’s Ministry Director, and the father of Tamara Alexander, who directs the music for our traditional service. Our hearts break for Laura, Tamara, and their families (Mike was diagnosed with cancer just a few months ago), and our prayers are with them as they walk this difficult journey.

 Additionally, our prayers are with the Witmer family. Yesterday Earl (Dora's husband) passed away after being in the hospital and then hospice at home for a short time. He died surrounded by family.

  Where do we turn to when facing such difficulty and loss? Here I am reminded of the opening words of Psalm 121. 

 I look up to the mountains—

does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth! 

Psalm 121:1-2 (NLT)

It’s not that God authors pain, hardship, and suffering. However, when these realities hit home (and they do for all of us from time to time), God isn't aloof or far away. Rather, he is Immanuel (with us), and he promises to uphold and comfort us. Perhaps the second stanza of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” puts it best: 

 Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” 

 If you’d like to send a note to Laura and Tamara, please email them (childrensministry@asburymaitland.org and musicdirector@asburymaitland.org, respectively) or forward your card to the church office.

If you'd like to send a note to Dora, her address is 1051 Gregory Drive Maitland, Fl 32751.

 This Sunday in worship (September 25), we’ll continue our discussion on God’s will with a look at the topic of prayer, specifically unanswered prayer. If you ever offered a desperate prayer that seemingly went unanswered (and I imagine we all have), this is a sermon you won’t want to miss.

See you Sunday.  

 Blessings,

Chris   

 p.s., We also have the great joy of celebrating a baptism at the 9:30am service. Praise God for new life in Jesus!