Published: July 15, 2025

Looking for a great summer book? The Asbury First Library launched their book sales at the Wednesday Community Market on June 25. Find us at the Asbury First tent on July 23 and August 20 (rain date August 27) for a wide selection of children's, teen, and adult books—most priced at just $1-$2. All proceeds support new library acquisitions.

Published: July 15, 2025

The 11 am services on Sunday, August 3 and August 31 will feature your favorite hymns! Have a beloved hymn we haven't sung recently? Submit your requests to Director of Music Ministry Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org by Monday, August 18. 

We'll include as many of your submissions as possible in these special services.

Published: July 11, 2025

Join us Saturday, July 26 to help build beds for Rochester children who sleep on the floor. With 400 children on the waiting list, Memorial AME Zion Church is partnering with Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP) for this crucial event at 540 Clarissa St. We need volunteers for 9 - 11 am or 11 am - 1 pm shifts (lunch provided) or bedding donations: new pillows, sheets, and comforters. All ages welcome. Can't build? Drop off bedding or order from SHP's Amazon wish list.

Register by clicking here or donate via the Amazon Wishlist Here.

Questions? Contact Diana Carter at (585) 732-7224 or email DianaLouiseCarter@gmail.com.

Published: July 7, 2025

As weather continues to be alternately wet and/or hot, we will be posting on the Asbury First Facebook page Sunday mornings ahead of the 9 am Worship Service to keep you apprised of inclement weather.

Follow us on Facebook to be notified ahead of time whether or not the 9 am Worship Service will be held outdoors or in.

Published: July 2, 2025

Due to the holiday and vacations, Zumba class will pause until later in the month. Join us again, July 24, at 6:30 pm in the Gathering Center for moving and grooving fitness fun! No prior Zumba or dance experience needed—all fitness levels welcome!

A suggested donation of $10 is paid directly to instructor Katy Reholz.

Published: June 11, 2025

The Community Outreach Center (including the Dining & Caring Center, the UR Well Clinic and the Storehouse) will be closed Monday, June 30 through Sunday, July 6. In order to give our volunteers a much-needed respite, there will be no meals served or shopping appointments during that time. 

Published: June 9, 2025

Join Asbury First for the inaugural East Avenue Music Festival on Sunday, June 22! This FREE afternoon event features 30-minute concerts at five historic churches along East Avenue, with food and strolling between stops.

— Third Presbyterian Church: 12 - 12:30 pm (concert + food trucks)
— Incarnate Word Lutheran Church: 1 - 1:30 pm (concert + food)

— St. Paul's Episcopal Church: 2 - 2:30 pm (concert + food)
— Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church: 3 - 3:30 pm (concert + food)

— Asbury First United Methodist Church: 4 - 4:30 pm (concert with massed choral finale + food & ice cream)

Attend all or part of this community celebration. Free and open to the public!

Published: June 4, 2025

Join fellow Asbury First members on Friday, July 11 and/or Saturday, July 19 to help build the house we sponsor. No experience needed—just willing hands and hearts from volunteers 17 and older. This is a safe, meaningful way to make a real difference in our community. Ready to build something beautiful together? Contact Dave Kennedy at DAKennedy@Frontiernet.net or text (585) 339-8940 to learn more or sign up.

Published: June 4, 2025

In our continued efforts to improve the management of our many resources, Asbury First's Finance Committee has been restructured with 15 members representing various committees and work areas. The committee has also updated its charter, formed an Audit Team for 2023-2024 financial audits, and made recent meeting minutes available for review. 

A 2025 budget update will be presented at the June 22 Town Hall meeting, after the 11 am service. Our Governing Board wants to hear from you on important topics affecting the church's daily operations. Attend in person in the Sanctuary or join via livestream. Meanwhile, feel free to send your budget or finance questions to finance@asburyfirst.org.

To read more about these efforts, visit asburyfirst.org/committees to view Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from Feb 24 and April 7, an updated Committee Charter, 
and a Finance Committee Update.  

Published: June 4, 2025

Curious about our Memorial Garden and Columbarium project? Want to have meaningful conversations about death and dying? Join us on Wednesday, June 25 

at 7 pm in the Red Room (1010 COC). If the weather allows, we'll take a brief walk to visit the construction site together.

Contact Rev. Kathy Thiel for details: (585) 271-1050 x106 or kthiel@asburyfirst.org.

Published: May 29, 2025

The Storehouse is in need of the following items for our neighbors:

• Size 2X and larger men and women clothing
• Kitchen Items
• Dishes
• Utensils
• Small Appliances
• Silverware
• Plastic utensils for children
• Pots and fry pans
• Bed sized blankets and comforters (twin, full/queen, king)
• Bed sheets (twin, full/queen, king)

Donations have slowed down, so if you have general donations, please bring them to the COC. The items listed above are things we are most in need of at this time, however, we always need coats, clothing, shoes for men, women and children and essential household items. If you have questions about what we accept, call 473-0950 between 9am - 3pm on Monday-Thursday. We'd like to be able to give each family that shops with us, if needed, one blanket and one towel set. We serve 200-250 families/month. Your donations can be dropped off in the brick donation building outside of the Community Outreach Center (COC) or brought to the 1st floor reception desk in the COC Mon.-Thurs. from 9am-3pm and Fridays from 9 am-12. Thanks for your ongoing generosity.

Published: May 28, 2025

Mark your calendars! Join Asbury First's next Town Hall meeting on June 22 after the 11 am service​​​​​​. Our Governing Board wants to hear from you on important topics affecting the church's daily operations. Attend in-person in the Sanctuary or join via livestream. Your voice matters in shaping our community's future!

Published: May 28, 2025

Sign up or just show up to give blood on Saturday, June 21 from 8:30 am to 1 pm
in Asbury First's Gathering Center. Please call Ed Ristau at (585) 223-4356 or call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment.

Please remember to bring your ID.

Published: May 21, 2025

Half and Full Day Options 
August 4-7, 9 am - 12 pm (or 4 pm)

Join the buzz at "B Camp" this summer! All Kids (PreK-5th grade) will have a blast August 4 - 7 exploring the B's: being, beatitudes, and bees! NEW this year: Choose our exciting all-day adventure (9am-4pm, lunch needed) or the morning option. Don't miss out on this hive of fun and learning! Asbury First members and VBS alumni can register from May 25 to June 13, at which time spots will become open to everyone. 

Questions? Buzz Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org 
or (585) 271-1050 x111. Register at asburyfirst.org/vbs


Financial assistance is available. 

Published: May 21, 2025

In these turbulent times of shifting headlines and unsettling political events, our pastoral staff feels called to help our community maintain spiritual grounding. We invite you to join us for Morning Prayer every Thursday from 9:30-10am in the Meditation Chapel (within the Sanctuary). This simple service offers a space to center ourselves in God's presence, solidarity, compassion, and love. No special preparation needed—come as you are, whenever you can join us.