Asbury United Methodist Church

Volume 53, No. 1

CIRCUIT RIDER

January 11, 2016

Hey church!
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth- dont you recognize it?
Isaiah 43:19a

Coming events
Friday, January 15th
7:00 pm
Family Movie Night (Frozen)
Sunday, January 17th
5:00 pm
Kids LIFE and Cross Talk Youth resume
5:00 pm
Methodist Mens Meeting
Saturday, January 30th
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Frozen Winter Wonderland
Wednesday, February 10th
Ash Wednesday
Sundays, February 28th & March 6th
Invitation Sundays

As we get yet another fresh new start through the grace of God, I must admit I am
much more excited by the new things God is doing in Asbury than the change of
a date on the calendar. Weve been blessed to welcome several new folks into
membership who are already offering their gifts and making huge contributions
in the life of our church. Our church council and trustees have gone full force
preparing to increase the ministry value of our property. Bluebonnets have
already been planted- they might take 2 years to really blossom, but seeds are in
the ground! Plans for a baseball backstop and volleyball court are forthcoming,
and more. We have also been asked to host some reading and science camps for
kids this summer and will have the opportunity to welcome even more folks to
our church building, and hopefully worship life, than ever before.
Most of all, I am hearing one desire sprout up from the hearts of many of our
members and leaders- in order to fulfill Gods commission to go and make
disciples, we cannot only be a welcoming church. We must be an inviting church,
we must go! Asbury is one of the most welcoming, warm, friendly churches
Ive ever encountered- it is one of our greatest strengths! The next step beyond
being welcoming once folks walk through our doors, is to invite them to walk
through our doors in the first place. This can seem like an intimidating idea at
first- what if they say no? What if theyre offended I asked? What if things get
awkward?

Heres my challenge to you- next time youre talking to a friend about your plans
for the week, include that youll be going to church. If you feel up to it, say,
Hey, Id love for you to come along and sit with us if you like. Were made to
worship. When we invite, were not offering someone poison- were offering
them living water.
In the next 2 months, were going to be given an opportunity to invite our
neighbors in a big way. Go ahead and set aside some time on February 28th and
March 6th if you can. Frozen Winter Wonderland will be one of this years best
opportunities to welcome folks to Asbury and invite them to worship- I certainly
hope youll serve in ministry for that event, January 30th, 11am-4pm. We had
someone visit worship for the first time a couple weeks ago, who came because
of Frozen, another of many weve had over the last year. You never know how
Gods going to work.
God is doing a new thing in Asbury- do you recognize it?
Blessings,

SAVE THE DATE!

Cave Quest Vacation Bible School
July 25th - 29th
9 am - Noon

Hearts that love and Hands that serve as Disciples of Jesus Christ

Welcome New Member!

Welcome Alice Webb to Asbury!

Alice has moved into our area from Houston, to care for her
mother. She was a member of Cypress UMC, and was the
videographer there. We are excited to have her as a member
of Asbury! Be sure to welcome her when you see her!

Dear Church Family,

From my family to yours, we want to express a heartfelt thanks
for the generous gift we were given at Christmas. Your
kindness and generosity mean so much to us, and we are so
grateful. We couldnt be happier to be serving Asbury United
Methodist Church. Thanks again!
Love, The Kirkpatricks

Manna Bag Ministry

Since 2007 Asbury has participated in
this ministry to help the homeless.
We provide Manna Bags, filled with
food and comfort items to be given to
homeless people in the HoustonPasadena area. We have made
countless trips to downtown Houston,
where literally thousands of homeless people stay. Several
of our members pick up these bags to take with them on their
way to work or travels, to hand them to that hungry person
they may see on the street.
We dont put much in the bags...but it is enough to satisfy
immediate hunger and thirst for the homeless person on the
street..
Right now, supplies are needed for this ministry, so that
others may eat and drink. There is a list of items needed for
the Manna Bags on the table in the Main Hall. OR if you
wish, you may make a monetary donation toward this
ministry. Be sure to note Manna Bag Ministry on your
donation. Thank you for supporting this ministry!

CHILDRENS
MINISTRIES
HAPPENINGS

Come join us in Club 252

Sunday School and WOW
Worship this month as we learn
about self-control! Weve ALL
experienced them - moments
when frustration gets the better
of us and we suddenly feel like were losing our minds.
Temper tantrums. Yelling at someone for cutting you off
in traffic. Eating the entire jar of jellybeans. Fighting on
the playground. Throwing a video game controller across
the room. Using the analogy of a video game controller,
we will discuss how the Holy Spirit is our Power Source,
helping us to Press Pause, Select Mute, and Just Hit
Stop when confronted with self-control issues. In the last
week, we are reminded to Check the Guide, Gods Holy
Word, our ultimate source for Gods wisdom!
Throughout the Bible, God talks about a lot about
self-control. As a fruit of the Spirit, self-control is a
response to the changes that He is making in our lives. On
our own, we are helpless to control anything, but with
Gods power we have an advantage. We have the power of
the Holy Spirit living within us and are able to do what we
should do even when its not what we want to do. The
book of Proverbs includes several verses where God gives
us wisdom to practice for those moments when wed rather
do anything but show self-control. Proverbs are not merely
wise sayings. Rather, they are part of Gods story where
He leans into the world that He created and whispers to us:
Heres how you should live. Over the next few weeks,
well look at self-control through Gods lens and explore
four truths that Solomon captured in the book of proverbs.
Our memory verse for the month is Proverbs 25:28: A
person without self-control is like a city whose walls are
broken through. This verse can serve as a great
reminder for kids (or adults) in those moments when they
dont want to show self-control.
January is miracle month in First Look, our Preschool
Sunday School and WOW Worshipone of our favorites!
Each week this month, we will tell a story about something
ONLY JESUS can do. The children will hear how Jesus
helped the fishermen fill their nets even after theyd been
fishing all night with no luck. Then, theyll hear the story
of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just two fish and five
loaves. And, there was food left over! In week three, well
tell the story of Jesus walking on water. How awesome
must that have been? And then, theyll hear the story of
Jesus calming the storm with just a word. Finally, well
share how Jesus turned water into a super fancy party drink
at a wedding.
By telling these stories, we are sharing with our youngest
friends the awesome power of Jesus and that He can do
anything. In fact, there are many things only Jesus can do!
As a kick-off to our upcoming Frozen Winter
Wonderland event, we will be hosting Family Movie
Night on Friday, January 15th at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary
with our feature presentation, Frozen! Come join us for
hot cocoa and cookies bring your friends, your pillows
and blankets, and get comfy in your pjs if youd like!
Our second annual Frozen Winter Wonderland event is
scheduled for Saturday, January 30! This years event is

expected to be even bigger and better than last year, so come

prepared to have a blast playing in the snow, taking photos with
Elsa, enjoying games and prizes, moonwalks, and lots of
yummy food. Help is still needed in several volunteer areas,
so if you havent already signed up, we need you!
We are looking forward to a great start this New Year!
Serving an Awesome God,

Allison

As you may know, we are once again

hosting a Frozen Winter Wonderland
event, which will be held on Saturday,
January 30, 2016, from 11:00 am 4:00 pm.
The committees ar e
working very hard, getting donations
from
several businesses in our
area. This was such a huge event last
year and we are excited to host this
event again! We are going to be having
several activities, food and raffles. We need a lot of help.
Please pray and consider helping with this event. Please
contact Pam Sweny 713-417-6244. One or two hours would
help. Sign up will be in the Main Hall soon.
Also, if you, or your group, are interested in helping with
raffle baskets for the event, you may sign up in the Main
Hall. Please let us know if you prefer to collect the items or
if you would like to donate monetarily to a theme and we will
purchase the items for you. Thank you in advance for all your
help! Questions? Contact Kerri Clyatt at 281-683-1531.

Leadership Council:
Council Chair - Rhonda Parmer
Lay Leader - Russ Morris
Recording Secretary - Andrea Mann
Staff Parish Chair - Keith Palmer
Finance Chair - Ginger Biehl
Treasurer - Barbara Grimes
Trustee Chair - Will be elected at first 2016 meeting
Childrens Ministry Director - Allison Johnson
Student Ministries Director Laurel Waller
Worship Director Joyce Welch
Growth & Nurture:
Adult Small Group Coordinator-Janice Williams
Childrens Ministry Coordinator Kim Barnett
Community & Connections Chair - Sonny Covington
Help & Hope Missions Ministry Chair - Pat Sommerfield
Help & Hope Members Care Ministry Chair - Linda Wheat
Conference Delegate - Mike Sweny
UMW President - Linda Alsobrook
UMM President - Mike Sweny
Day School Liason Brian French
Young Adult Representative - Chance Moser
Youth Representative Avery Zikogiannis
Staff Parish Relations:
Keith Palmer Chair
Class of 2016
Dorothy Fink
Delbert Hoefar
Julie Harrison
Class of 2017
Harry Porter
Bruce Guinon
Susan Warner
Class of 2018
Zach Cotton
Shelly Bracher
Michael Zikogiannis
Finance Committee:
Ginger Biehl, Chair
Barbara Grimes, Treasurer
Class of 2016
Sharon Finney
Milton Kattner
Diane Peppo
Mattie Hughes
Class of 2017
Charlie Bissonnet
Linda Wheat
Paula Zikogiannis
Class of 2018
Olga Galvan
Donna Currier

Board of Trustees:
Chair: Will be elected at first 2016 meeting
Vice Chair: Rod Clyatt
Class of 2016
Katherine Washburn

Steven Washburn
Gary Parmer
Melvin Murray
Angelle Warneke
Class of 2017
Rod Clyatt
Scott Evans
David Biehl
Don Brunswick
Class of 2018
Bob Freeman
Brian Creason
Kevin Duncan
Bryan Parmer
Lay Leadership (Nominations) Committee:
Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick, Chairperson
Class of 2016
Letha Bissonnet
Brenda Hellyer
Shirley Calhoun
Class of 2017
Susan Palmer
Sonny Covington
Albert Janda
Class of 2018
Billie Jo Riley
Brad Waller
Pam Murray
Community and Connections:
Sonny Covington, Chair
Pam Sweny
Diane Peppo
Diane Covington
Dawn Elliott
Dixie McAdams
Kerri Clyatt
Susan Palmer
Laurel Waller
Worship Committee:
Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick, Chairperson
Kay Lunsford
Tommie Lascoe
Dixie McAdams
Shirley Calhoun
Laura Bell
Mike Bell
Arlene Tumberlinson Joyce Welch
Pat Sommerfield
Diane Houston
Asbury Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick
Office Administrator: Andrea Mann
Childrens Ministry Director: Allison Johnson
Nursery Coordinator: Debbie Owen
Traditional Worship Leader: Kay Lunsford
Organist: Jackie Williams
Contemporary Worship Leader: Tommy Lascoe
Custodian: Santos Medina
Youth Director Laurel Waller
Youth Intern Chance Moser

We seek to honor our covenant through our Prayers, our Presence, our Gifts, our Serving, and our Witness...

Gifts Given in Loving Honor & Memory

Prayer Concerns:
Continued Prayers for:
Marge Colello - Paramount
Pray for those who have recently lost loved ones,
especially for the fam ily of W allace Ethredge.
Please pray for our members and friends affected by
cancer and other health concerns as well as all family
members and friends currently serving in the Military.
A weekly updated list of prayer concerns can be found in
the Main Hall on the table to the right, before you enter
the sanctuary.

PRESENCE . . .
Sunday, December 13, 2015
8:45 am Worship Service
11:00 am Worship Service

114
182

Sunday, December 20, 2015

8:45 am Worship Service
11:00 am Worship Service

72
133

Christmas Eve
5:00 pm Service
7:00 pm Service

199
108

Sunday, December 27, 2015

10:00 am Worship Service

146

Sunday, January 3, 2016

8:45 am Worship Service
11:00 am Worship Service

72
109

Sunday, January 10, 2016

8:45 am Worship Service
11:00 am Worship Service

74
114

Coats for the Cold: We are collecting

Coats (new and used) to be given to
men, women, and children in need in
the Houston area, to prepare for the
winter months.
There is a box in the Main Hall that
you may place the coats at any time.
Thank you for those in need! We will
be collecting coats until Spring. (MidMarch)

To the Memorial Fund in Memory of:

Buddy Gillioz
by Shirley Calhoun
by Tim & Mona Ashmore
by Wallace & Joetta Ethredge and
by Anonymous donor
Jim Franklin (L inda W heats brother)
by Evadell Murdock and
by anonymous donor
Donna McAdams (Dixie M cA dam s daughter-in-law)
by Asbury United Methodist Women and
by anonymous donor
Wallace Ethredge
by Betty Carter
by George & Maluan Anderson
by K. Stiles and
by anonymous donor
Ross Bissonnet
by Mr. & Mrs. August Degner
To the Building Fund in Memory of:
Wallace Ethredge
by Charlie & Letha Bissonnet
Juanita Parmer
by Carrell Parmer and Rhonda Parmer
To the McFarland Scholarship Fund in Memory of:
Wallace Ethredge
by the United Methodist Women
Donna McAdams
by anonymous donor
To the Choir Music Fund in Honor of:
Kay Lunsford
Pam Murray and
Jackie Williams
by Evadell Murdock

Asbury Remembers
Wallace Ethredge
member since 2003