Asbury United Methodist Church Loving...Serving...Transforming Lives

June 14, 2020 ~ 10:00 am Online Worship Service

Mission Statement

Love God and one another, serve our community, and transform lives.

Vision

A radically inclusive community, empowered to spread God’s love

throughout the world.

Beliefs

We believe all are created in the image of God. We believe God loves everyone and

through Christ saves-revives-renews the world. We believe God through the Holy

Spirit changes lives. We believe the church is the body of Christ with a mission. We

believe the Bible is the word of God. We believe that God has gifted everyone and the

church for the purposes of God. We believe discipleship is a continuing journey.

“ONLINE CHURCH SERVICE”

Sermon Series

UNDEFEATED (Because Giving Up Is Not An Option!)

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ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Second Sunday After Pentecost / Online Service

10:00 AM WORSHIP

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS YOUTH MOMENT Miles Davies GATHERING PRAISE Standing On The Promises MORNING PRAYER Kevin Huff SCRIPTURE READING Genesis 18:1-15 Kevin Huff SERMONIC SELECTION Somebody Bigger than You and I Kevin Green (bass) SERMON “Is Anything Too Hard For God?” Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor RESPONSE TO THE WORD The United Methodist Social Litany INVITATION TO GIVE CLOSING HYMN Farther Along BENEDICTION POSTLUDE A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Minister of Music/Organist: Everett Williams

Liturgist: Kevin Huff Soloist: Kevin Green

Youth Moment: Miles Davies

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The United Methodist Social Litany

God in the Spirit revealed in Jesus Christ,

calls us by grace

to be renewed in the image of our Creator,

that we may be one

in divine love for the world.

Today is the day

God cares for the integrity of creation,

wills the healing and wholeness of all life,

weeps at the plunder of earth’s goodness.

And so shall we.

Today is the day

God embraces all hues of humanity,

delights in diversity and difference,

favors solidarity transforming strangers into friends.

And so shall we.

Today is the day

God cries with the masses of starving people,

despises growing disparity between rich and poor,

demands justice for workers in the marketplace.

And so shall we.

Today is the day

God deplores violence in our homes and streets,

rebukes the world’s warring madness,

humbles the powerful and lifts up the lowly.

And so shall we.

Today is the day

God calls for nations and peoples to live in peace,

celebrates where justice and mercy embrace,

exults when the wolf grazes with the lamb.

And so shall we.

Today is the day

God brings good news to the poor,

proclaims release to the captives,

gives sight to the blind,

and sets the oppressed free.

And so shall we.

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Standing on the Promises Verse 1 Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Verse 2

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,

When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

By the living Word of God I shall prevail,

Standing on the promises of God. Last Verse

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,

List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,

Resting in my Savior as my all in all,

Standing on the promises of God.

Farther Along

Verse 1

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long;

While there are others living about us,

Never molested, though in the wrong.

Verse 2

When death has come and taken our loved ones,

It leaves our home so lonely and drear,

Then do we wonder why others prosper,

Living so wicked year after year.

Last Verse

When we see Jesus coming in glory,

When He come from His home in the sky;

Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

Refrain:

Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior; Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:

Farther along we’ll know more about it, Farther along we’ll understand why; Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine, We’ll understand it all by and by.

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ONLINE WORSHIP GUIDE

How to Join Us for Worship?

Via Livestream

Go to Asbury’s Homepage at www.asburyumcdc.org Scroll down and CLICK the WATCH LIVE STREAM button OR enter this URL directly in your browser: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVJWE3WEkAzNHwOOr-OxJ-Q

Via Conference Call

Dial-in: 1-712-770-5345 When prompted Enter Access Code: 368937#

Online Worship Etiquette (for Video or Audio Conference Calls) 1. Be On Time 2. Don’t Announce Yourself 3. Use Your MUTE Button (If your telephone does not have a MUTE button, Press *6 to MUTE)

Three Ways to Give 1. Give Online:

Go to Asbury’s Homepage at www.asburyumcdc.org Scroll down and CLICK the DONATE button

2. Give electronically through your banking institution 3. Mail Your Offering: Make check payable to

Asbury United Methodist Church 926 11th St NW Washington, DC 20001

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Asbury UMC – We Are Here!

SUNDAY WORSHIP ONLINE 10:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship Online via Livestream

(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVJWE3WEkAzNHwOOr-OxJ-Q) Or Dial-In: 1-712-770-5345

Access Code: 368937#

5:00 p.m. – Bridge Contemporary Service Online via Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/thebridgedcumc/)

PRAYER Email prayer requests to prayer@asburyumcdc.org

Wednesday Prayer Line – 12:00 Noon Dial-In: 1-712-770-5345 Access Code: 368937#

SERVE Be a phone pal with neighbors and friends

Run an errand for an elderly neighbor

GIVE Give your offering online at http://www.asburyumcdc.org/

Give through your banking institution Mail your offering

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Asbury’s Week At-A-Glance

Sunday, June 14, 2020

10:00 am — Online Worship Service, via Livestream, link

5:00 pm — The Bridge Worship Service, via Facebook Live , link

Monday, June 15, 2020

3:00 pm — Asburyan Deadline

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

11:00 am — Office Weekly Staff Mtg., via conference call

7:00 pm—Communications Meeting, Via Zoom

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

12:00 pm—Wednesday Prayer Line, Dial-In: 712-770-5345, Code

368937#

6:30 pm—Finance Meeting, via Zoom

Thursday, June 18, 2020

1:00 pm—Communications/AV Team Recording (Sanctuary,

Room 1-8)

Friday, June 19, 2020

The Office is Closed

8:00 am—10:00 am: Juneteenth March for Racial Justice (walk

from Asbury UMC to St. Johns Episcopal Church)

Saturday, June 20, 2020

From The Senior Pastor’s Desk

June 2020

Word for the Month: UNDEFEATED

Scripture of the Month: Psalm 91

Thought for the Month: Just turning on the news lets us know we are living in uncertain times. Economic instabilities, eruptions of violence, and natural catastrophes can alter the lives and landscapes of entire communities. Our individual lives are often just as unsteady: relationships can break, plans can falter, and confidence can fail. Uncertainty can definitely be uncomfortable. Many of us prefer stability and a predictable future to an unknown fate. We are wired to want to control our destiny. The reality is that in our fast-changing, unpredictable world there are few guarantees in life. It's those who are willing to embrace uncertainty and make the risky decision to follow Jesus despite the many "unknowns" who will reap the greatest rewards. Embracing the Uncertain invites readers to engage and wrestle with life's uncertainties, not ignore them. Emphasis for the Month: Spiritual Growth Pastor’s Book of the Month: Embracing the Uncertain: 40 Devotions for Unsteady Times by Magrey R. deVega

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The Bridge: A Diverse Community Gathered

for The Word, Worship, Wheat and Wine

(Contemporary Worship Service)

June 14, 2020 5:00 p.m.— Online Service

Rev. Alexis Brown

SAVE THE DATE

Juneteenth March for Racial Justice

Friday, June 19

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

A Juneteenth March from Asbury UMC, at 926 11th St, NW in Washington, to Black Lives Matter Plaza near St. John's Episcopal Church, will be held Friday, June 19, from 8 to 10 a.m. Participants are asked to carry prayers, petitions of the people, and calls to action for realizing racial justice. These petitions will be given to elected officials. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, the enslaved in Texas were notified that the Civil War had ended. This was more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was ratified.

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June 8, 2020

Council of Bishops statement on the Scourge of Racism

The past few weeks have left many hurt, angry and outraged as we have witnessed the

deaths of unarmed Black persons at the hands of police and racism; Ahmaud Arbery,

Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and the countless others whose names are known only to

mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends.

Many bishops have worked to amplify and magnify one another’s voices. The words of

Bishop Bruce Ough, resident Bishop of Minneapolis area, were a clarion call to the crisis

before us, “There is more than one pandemic ravaging Minnesota and our country at this

time. In addition to fighting COVID-19, we are besieged by a pandemic of racism, white

supremacy, and white on black or brown violence.”

The voice of Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, resident Bishop of the Baltimore-Washington

area, gave power to the realities, “Being Black is not a pre-existing condition; being Black

is not justification for probable cause; being Black is not to be inherently suspicious nor

suspect. Being Black is a gift from Almighty God and a manifestation of an aspect of God.”

These prophetic voices and those of others have provided words when we had none.

As bishops of the United Methodist Church, we ask every United Methodist to reclaim their

baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present

themselves.

We ask every United Methodist to name the egregious sin of racism and white

supremacy and join together to take a stand against the oppression and injustice that

is killing persons of color.

As bishops of the whole church we affirm the peaceful protests as a means of giving voice

where it is needed most.

We are clear that it is beyond time for all United Methodists to act. It is time to use our

voices, our pens, our feet and our heart for change.

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We join with other church leaders and boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church

to add strength to the message that we will no longer remain silent nor complicit but must

act now!

As a next faithful step we ask United Methodists to read all they can on the subject of anti-

racism and engage in conversations with children, youth and adults. Have

conversations with coworkers and friends. These will not be easy but they will help us gain

a greater appreciation for one another. In a recent podcast, “Unlocking Us,” lecturer, author

and podcast host, Brene Brown, hosted author, historian and American University

professor, Ibram X. Kendi who said, “By not running from the books that pain us, we can

allow them to transform us. I ran from antiracist books most of my life. But now I can’t

stop running after them – scrutinizing myself and my society, and in the process changing

both.” May we listen not only with our ears but with our hearts and run after books,

podcasts and conversations that transform entire communities.

For at least the next 30 days, we ask every United Methodist everywhere to join in prayer

at 8:46 a.m. and p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time the officer held his knee

on George Floyd’s neck. Do this for at least the next 30 days. Pray for all persons of color

who suffer at the hands of injustice and oppression. Pray for our church as we take a stand

against racism. Imagine the power of a concert of prayer heard around the world.

And finally, to borrow from Bishop Easterling once again, “The time is now. Dismantle the

architecture of whiteness and white supremacy; stop creating, implementing and supporting

policies that perpetuate economic injustice; stop the dog-whistle political maneuverings

which incite violence against people of color; commit to being an anti-racist; stop over-

policing Black and brown bodies; stop using deadly force in ordinary police interactions

with Black and brown people. Stop killing us.”

May the God of Grace and Peace be with you.

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

President - Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church

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NAME Name the egregious sin of racism and white supremacy and join together to take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of

color.

AFFIRM Affirm peaceful protests as a means of giving voice where it is needed

most.

SPEAK Use our voices, our pens, our feet and our heart for change.

ACT No longer remain silent nor complicit but act now!

ENGAGE Read all we can on the subject of antiracism and engage in conversations

with children, youth and adults.

PRAY For the next 30 days, join United Methodists around the world in prayer at

8:46 a.m. and p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time the officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck.

6 THINGS WE CAN DO TO END RACISM

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Asbury United Methodist Church

Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Senior Pastor

Rev. Alexis Brown, Howard University UM Chaplain/ Bridge Worship Service

Tawana C. Jackson, Stephen Minister

Rev. Irene Pierce, Bereavement Minister

Bishop Forrest Stith, Retired Bishop in Residence

Sandy Adams & Darryl Wyles, Lay Leaders

Rev. Gerard A. Green, Jr., District Superintendent

Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, Episcopal Leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference

Visit asburyumcdc.org for information about our ministries. Find us on Facebook and Twitter.

926 11th St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 ~ 202-628-0009 ~ asburymail@asburyumcdc.org

Monday-Thursday ~ 8:00 am-3:00 pm / Friday ~ 8:00 am-3:00 pm Teleworking (The Office is Locked)

DAILY WORD GETTING AROUND

Sunday, June 14

Psalm 34:4-7

Monday, June 15

Acts 26:12-18

Tuesday, June 16

John 1:35-50

Wednesday, June 17

Romans 8:25-28

Thursday, June 18

Psalm 103:13-18

Friday, June 19

Isaiah 46:3-4

Saturday, June 20

John 11:32-44

There is an elevator in the Education Building

that accesses all levels of the church—the

sanctuary, the fellowship hall, and all the

Sunday School rooms.

Free parking is available Sundays in the garage

adjacent to our 11th Street entrance. Pick up a

parking pass from the 11th Street reception

desk.

Restrooms are on the lower level on either side

of the narthex and on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Psalm 91:7 (NRSV)

A thousand may fall at your

side,

ten thousand at your right

hand,

but it will not come near you.