Published: March 5, 2025

March 16 is the 48th anniversary of our beloved Pretzel Sunday! And this unique tradition isn't just for kids anymore!

Here's how you can be involved:
1) using the recipe at the link below, make your dough at home
2) bring that dough with you to church on March 16
3) learn all about this tradition while braiding your very own delectable pretzels!  

Join in at 10 am in Fellowship Hall, and the children will return to Fellowship Hall after children's time to finish making the pretzels.

Recipe cards for preparing the dough can be picked up at the Welcome Desk, or downloaded HERE.

Contact Paula Dugan with any questions at pdugan@asburyfirst.org

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Lent is nearly here!

Each week this devotional will serve as your guide. Commit to some intentional time to pray, meditate, reflect on whatever resonates with you, and then respond in love as your roots deepen. This practice may become your Lenten practice.

Pick up a copy in the Welcome Hall, or read them in the Monday Reader, our weekly Monday email. 

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

The Asbury Orchestra had its first rehearsal of the season a couple weeks ago, and will resume weekly rehearsals on Sunday, March 2, from 9:45-10:30 am in Wesley Hall. New members are still welcome - please contact Laurie Kennedy for more information, cellokennedy@frontiernet.net.

The Orchestra will grace our 11 am worship on Sunday, March 30.

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Throughout 2025 we are going to pair worship with action in a new way!

Each month we will collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. For the March Chapel Challenge, we are going to collect men's sweatpants (all sizes) and bath towels. Please drop them off near the rail in the front of the Children's Chapel before or after services.

Thank you for caring for our neighbors!

Published: Feb. 26, 2025

Wednesdays 10 – 11:30 am in the Red Room and on Zoom 

For the season of Lent, Asbury First's Wednesday Morning Reading Group will be reading through The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee. We will read and discuss one or two chapters each week. 

For a complete schedule, or for more information, please reach out to Mike Mullin, mmullin@asburyfirst.org

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

Let’s have a reunion! In 2005 our youth performed the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. All the youth and their families from then to now are invited on Saturday, March 8 for a viewing and gaming party. We'll have board games (provided by Chris Chan) at 4:30 pm, pizza at 6 pm, and the famous “chownies” for dessert! 

Please RSVP to pdugan@asburyfirst.org by March 6. This event will be able to be zoomed in for those who have moved away. 

Published: Feb. 17, 2025

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30 pm
Red Room, Community Outreach Center 
and Zoom

We are better together, most especially when we can be present for each other in the tough times. It is in this spirit that we are forming a support group for individuals with prostate cancer - if you have just been diagnosed and are being treated, if you are a survivor, or if you are somewhere in between, you are invited to join us the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Red Room of the Community Outreach Center. Wholistic care makes a huge difference in helping individuals with cancer achieve levels of remission or enhanced functionality, and we are glad to offer a way to connect to spirituality to be supportive. Please come and bring a support person if you would like. If you have any questions, please contact Joe Stankaitis (jstankaitis@hotmail.com), Kathy Thiel (kthiel@asburyfirst.org or 271-1050 x106) or David Strong (dstrong@asburyfirst.org or 271-1050 x110) with any questions.

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

This Sunday, we will have frozen quarts of soup for sale for $10. This is the leftover soup from our Souper Bowl fundraiser, and all proceeds will support our Youth Missions. So, if you missed out last week, or you want to grab some seconds for a snowy day, stop by after church on Sunday to grab some soup! We have Chicken and Rice (gluten free and dairy free) and Broccoli Cheddar (Gluten Free and Vegan; contains coconut). Contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org for more information. 

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

Sunday, February 23, and March 2, 9:45-10:45 in Fellowship Hall and on Zoom

Guest Speaker, Ted Adams, will be leading two sessions on Cultural Awareness. As he articulates, "we don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." For two weeks, we will engage with and seek to expand our own worldview; with a particular focus on what privilege and implicit bias looks like for us.

Published: Feb. 12, 2025

If you are looking for more ways to help be an ally – particularly in these moments when our Trans and non-binary siblings are particularly at risk – we hope you will join us 6 - 7 pm each Wednesday in February as we discuss The Savvy Ally and consider how we each may become more savvy, and more impactful. 

Join us in-person in Wesley Hall (lower level of 1040 East Avenue) or on Zoom

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30 pm

The world-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club will again fill the Asbury First sanctuary with powerful and expressive choral music on Wednesday, March 12. Doors will open at 6 pm. This fundraising performance is sponsored by the Gamma Iota Boule Foundation, Inc.

Tickets will be available from Bill Davis in the Welcome Center following the 11 am service.

You can purchase your ticket HERE.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

We're spreading the word about the good work being done at the Community Outreach Center (COC), and we could use your help. Invite a friend, colleague, business owner, or relative to join us for 1010 Tuesdays – a monthly guided tour of the facilities, a light breakfast in the Dining & Caring Center, and an open Q&A session. We want to tell more people about the COC, and we want to learn new ways we can be effective in the community. Join us Tuesday, February 11 at 8 am at the COC. Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

Visit asburyfirst.org/1010tuesdays or call the office at (585) 271-1050 x117.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Visitors from the Gandhi Institute for non-violence will be leading a workshop in the Lower Level of the Community Outreach Center on Monday, February 10 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. These are helpful skills for us all to be able to offer our neighbors and community! All are welcome.

Please register in advance by clicking HERE.

Published: Jan. 30, 2025

Sundays beginning February 9, 9:45 – 10:45 am, Fellowship Hall and Zoom

Join us for two Sunday school hour presentations on our community's housing crisis and how we can work towards solutions.

February 9: “Understanding the Scope and Cost of Local Homelessness: Working Towards Solutions” Presented by Janelle Duda-Banwar, founder and director of On The Ground Research; and Patrick Hanna, Board member of REACH Advocacy

February 16: “Smart Growth: Zoning and the Benefits of Housing Options” Presented by Bill Price, Landscape Architect and Urban Planner

Published: Jan. 23, 2025

Throughout 2025 we are going to pair worship with action in a new way.

Each month we will collect different needed supplies for the ministries of the Community Outreach Center. This February, you are invited to bring to worship donations of Hats, Gloves & Handwarmers. Please drop them off near the rail in front of the Children's Chapel before or after services. Thank you for caring for our neighbors!