Weekly Update // Pastor Will

 Hi folks,

As I mentioned in service this past week, the youth group and I returned from our missions week in Melbourne, Florida, where we stayed at Suntree United Methodist Church, the church I used to work at. The program, called Brevard Missions Week (BMW), is a hybrid camp and missions week focused on community service, fellowship, and building relationships while serving God.

This year looked a bit different, and I was initially apprehensive due to lower attendance and fewer participating churches. However, God showed up in incredible ways. We started early Monday morning with a kickoff at Suntree United Methodist Church, joined by Shepherd United Methodist Church from Lakeland, and then headed to our work sites. For the next few days, different groups tackled various tasks at multiple sites.

One worksite was Carver Park, a summer camp in a Melbourne neighborhood, where we spent the day playing games with the children, coloring, and even pulling a hamstring or two during kickball! Another location was Joe’s Club, an elderly care facility specializing in memory care. We've built great relationships there over the years with both residents and staff. Activities included spreading mulch, painting, sorting mailers, dancing the Macarena, and playing bingo. To my knowledge, no one in our group won at bingo, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

On Thursday, we had a fun day at Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando. That evening, we held a special "Say So" night where students shared how God worked in their lives, inspired by Psalm 107, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." We were all deeply moved by our students’ testimonies and sharing.

Friday morning culminated with a food packing event where we packaged 100,000 meals for the local community. Despite being a smaller group, many students said it was one of the best BMWs yet, as the intimate setting fostered closer connections.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement throughout the week. I’m already looking forward to next year!

We are also gearing up for Vacation Bible School (VBS), which starts on Monday, the 22nd. We have around 80 sign-ups and could use more help. This year’s theme is "Scuba," where kids will dive into God's love, ending with a big water party on Friday. If you can help, please contact Laura at 407-758-0299 or email her at childrensministry@asburymaitland.org to be placed in an area of need.

This Sunday, we continue our sermon series on Moses. I'll be preaching about the 10 plagues and the exodus of the Israelites, a pivotal moment in their history. Join us for worship at our 9:30 am Contemporary/Celebration service, 11:00 am Traditional service, or via our livestream options on YouTube and Facebook.

Have a blessed weekend, and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Pastor Will