Published: Aug. 30, 2024

We have reports of a new scam going around claiming to be Michelle. Please hover over the email to make sure it is from an @asburyfirst.org email account. The Asbury First staff will never ask you to send cash immediately or to give your personal information over an open email.

Here are a few guidelines to recognize scam/phishing emails or texts:

• Be suspicious of urgent demands for information
• Often spoofed e-mails will make some form of urgent request.
• Look for misspelled words or grammatical errors in the message or link
• Avoid e-mailing personal or financial information
• Be watchful of general greetings

Contact Asbury First directly to verify the request before responding.

Staff will only contact you using official email addresses.

For more information, please contact David Strong at dstrong@asburyfirst.org.

Published: Aug. 23, 2024

Join the Asbury First Banned Book Team for Sunday school on September 22 and 29, 9:45-10:45 am, in the Red Room (1010, COC) for a discussion and update on censorship in America in support of the American Library Association Banned Book Week, which runs from September 22-28, 2024. September 22 will focus on the national level. On September 29, Adrienne Pettinelli, Director of the Henrietta Public Library, will facilitate discussion on what is happening at the local level and how we can be advocates for the freedom to read in our schools and local libraries. Class will be held in person and on Zoom. Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for details. 
 

Published: Aug. 23, 2024

Join us for a compelling discussion on American Carnage: Shattering the Myths that Fuel Gun Violence by criminologist Thomas Gabor and Parkland father Fred Guttenberg.

This weekly series runs every Wednesday in October from 6-7 pm in Wesley Hall, (1040). Whether you've read the book or not, you're welcome to participate. Come early for dinner at 5:30 pm and stay for this powerful conversation. Books are available for purchase in the Welcome Hall starting in September. Can't make it in person? Join us on Zoom HERE. (passcode: 578697)

Published: Aug. 23, 2024

We are each born of God, and when we die, we return to God. Death is a part of our earthly lives, and yet it is not our favorite part. When someone we love dies, our lives change forever. We grieve and we question and we suffer. Asbury First is offering bereavement support in the form of group meetings beginning this October. If someone in your life has died and you would like to be part of a loving and supportive group of others who are grieving the death of a loved one, please contact Rev. Kathy Thiel about joining a bereavement support group. Please call (585) 271-1050 x106 or email kthiel@asburyfirst.org. God Bless You.
 

Published: Aug. 23, 2024

Children’s Music at Asbury First begins Wednesday, September 11 and we’d love to see your children for some musical fun and fellowship! We offer a community dinner at 5:30 on Wednesdays in the Gathering Center to make the night a little easier for parents. We also have great adult classes throughout the year from 6-7 pm if you'd like to drop your child off for music and then enjoy one of the classes. Click HERE to register. For more information contact Holly Temming at htemming@asburyfirst.org. 

Hallelujah Kids (Room 201, 1040),
Wednesdays, 5-5:30 pm
Music fundamentals class for ages 4 through 1st grade. 
Playful music, percussion instruments, dance, and games designed to foster creativity and develop a love for children’s music and classic church songs.

Wesley Singers & Ringers (Room 201, 1040),
Wednesdays, 6-7 pm
Vocal & Handbell Choir for children in 2nd - 5th grades. 
Singing, handbells, chimes, and percussion instruments will be used to foster creativity and develop a love for children’s music and classic church songs. We end the year with a children's musical in May.

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is praying for you. Do you need prayer for health issues, parenting struggles, financial needs, issues with your job or any other reason? We have you covered in prayer and want you to have a Prayer Square to remind you that you are not alone. You can pick up a prayer square for yourself or someone else you know who needs to know they are being prayed for at the Welcome Desk. 

Published: Aug. 2, 2024

We will be collecting school supplies again this year for students at School 17. This is a Pre-K - 6th grade school. We will be collecting Aug. 18 through
Sept. 8 in the Welcoming Hall. Just leave your donation at the table. Items needed include: backpacks, 24-count crayons, pencils, colored pencils, erasers and eraser tops, ink pens (blue, black, and red), color-safe markers, highlighters, child-safe scissors, rulers, glue sticks, pencil boxes or pouches, index cards, sticky notes,solid-colored folders with pockets, three-ring binders, composition books, notebooks, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Many thanks to YOU for your continued support! For more information, please contact John Smalt at 585-924-8624, or at jhsmalt@gmail.com

Published: July 26, 2024

This Saturday, August 3, from 10:00-6:00 the Park Ave neighborhood will be hosting a “Summer Stroll.” 

You can learn more by visiting the website.

And if you—or someone you know—will be heading
to the “stroll," you can support our Youth Missions
by parking at Asbury First for $5 on Saturday!
 

Published: July 26, 2024

The 11 am Worship Service on Sunday, August 11 will have a different shape, and we'll be filling the service with your favorite hymns! If you have a favorite hymn that we haven't sung in a while, let us know - we will include as many of your submissions as we can. Contact our Director of Music Ministry, Carl Johengen at cjohengen@asburyfirst.org to submit your favorite. 

The cut-off date for submissions is Monday, August 5.

Published: July 19, 2024

Perhaps you’re splitting the Hostas in the garden and unsure what to do with them? We’re looking for a few additional sun hardy perennials to complete the gardens in front of the Dining and Caring Center.

Contact Peggy Hack at peghack@aol.com to make arrangements to help further beautify our grounds. 

Published: July 3, 2024

Saturday,
July 27, 2 pm,
Gathering Space

No need to RSVP, but if
you have any dietary restrictions (specifically dairy or ice cream), please inform Barbara Eltinge at either 737-8775 or beltinge@icloud.com.

SAVE THE DATE

Our Older Adult Fall Worship and Lunch will be on Saturday, October 19, 2024, beginning at 11 AM. Announcements will be in the mail in late September.

Published: June 21, 2024

Schools Out For the Summer!! A tremendous thank you to all the Help Me Read Tutors this year. What an AWESOME year we had and we are looking forward to next year being even better! The plan is to start our tutoring the last week of September and we hope you all will be returning for the fun. We will be recruiting new tutors for next year and orientation will be scheduled for the end of August and early September. Questions or suggestions contact jhsmalt@gmail.com See You In September!!

Published: June 21, 2024

Tuesdays at 3 pm in the Gathering Center, join us for our summer sessions of Gentle Yoga. During the summer months, this gentle attention can help both to bring inner awareness to your body, as well as giving shape to your free-flowing summer day!

Classes are an hour long and open to participants at any level. $10 at the door, you're encouraged to wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes, and to bring a towel and water with you.

Published: June 21, 2024

Do you love perusing books? Do you love a cozy place to sit? Would you love a quiet place to catch up with a friend after the service?

The Asbury First Library is a perfect place for all these activities, located just around the corner from the Gathering Center in the Education Wing. 

In the spirit of Pride, this month we're featuring a selection of LGBTQ+ books on display and available to borrow from the Library. 

Published: June 21, 2024

A new Recovery Support Group for those experiencing hurt due to a Relationship Break-up, Separation or Divorce will be meeting in the Teak Room in 1050, starting on Saturday, July 13 at 10 am.

Please contact Anne Marie Strivings if you have any questions at annemarie.strivings@gmail.com