GOOD NEWS - September, 2009

GOOD NEWS
September, 2009

Asbury United Methodist Church
1809 Mississippi Blvd.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
355-5218
www.asbury-bett.org Asbury@netexpress.net

SUMMER WORSHIP AT ASBURY:
Sunday, August 30 & September 6
8:30 and 10:00 AM
Worship in Sanctuary
8:30 – Traditional Service
10:00 – Praise Service

WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 13:
8:30 and 11:00 AM
8:30 – Traditional Service
9:45 – Sunday School
11:00 – Praise Service

“I WILL BE LOYAL TO THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH and uphold it with my prayers, my presence, my gifts, and my service.”

BY OUR PRAYERS
Please keep the friends and family on the enclosed list in your daily prayers.

BY OUR PRESENCE
August 2 Worship – 244
August 9 Worship – 290
August 16 Worship – 220
August 23 Worship – 288

BY OUR GIFTS
July Income $36,656.70
July Expense $44,180.94

BY OUR SERVICE
Thank you for your generous contributions to the Churches United Food Pantry totaling $150, 110 items, and 480 lbs. fresh garden produce.
Pastors Stephanie & Tom
Pastors Stephanie and Tom may be reached at any time at:
1123 East Columbia
Davenport, IA 52803
(PLEASE NOTE! They have no home landline phone. To reach them, please call either of the cell numbers:
Pastor Stephanie: 563-210-7723
Pastor Tom: 563-210-8823
stephanieraphael@mchsi.com
tnakos@mchsi.com

They may be reached at church at 355-5218 or through their church email:
pastorsr-n@netexpress.net
pastortr-n@netexpress.net

Pastoral Care Concern
If you are hospitalized and do not receive a visit from Pastor Stephanie or Pastor Tom within 24 hours, it means we have not been notified by the volunteer callers at the hospital. Please call the church or pastor at home to let us know.

Good News Deadline
Articles for the October issue of Good News should be in the church office by Noon on Monday, September 21, 2009. Thank you!

Office Hours:
Beginning Sept. 8th:
Monday-Friday
8:00-Noon 1:00-4:00pm

Special Music!
Manny and Tewanta Lopez will be providing music for both services on Sunday, August 30th. Come and enjoy these wonderful jazz musicians as they help lead the worship services!

SUNDAY SCHOOL
RESUMES SEPTEMBER 13TH
Sunday School will resume on September 13th for grades “2-Years” through 12th and adults. The education hour each Sunday is 9:45-10:45 a.m. Classes meet on all three levels; please refer to the list of rooms displayed in the Narthex. Call Beth at church (355-5218) with any questions about Sunday School.

2009-2010 Asbury Preschool Registration
Asbury Preschool currently has openings for the 2009-2010 school year in the Tuesday-Thursday program for 3-4 year olds. Please call 355-5218 or 441-0211 for more information.

Youth News!
6th-12th Graders
Welcome to Tina and Peter Wiklund, Asbury’s new 6-12th grade Youth Leaders! We are pleased to announce that Peter and Tina have accepted the position of Youth Director and we welcome them with open arms. They are an energetic and enthusiastic young couple with great leadership skills.
The first Youth Group meeting will be on September 9th from 6:45-8:00 p.m. Come meet them! Youth, put the 2nd and 4th Wednesday on your calendar and plan to come to Youth Group for FUN, FAITH GROWTH AND FRIENDSHIP!!

4th-5th Graders

4th and 5th Grade Youth Group will meet once a month in the Youth Center starting Wednesday, Sept. 23rd from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for Bunko Night. Look for a Flyer coming in the mail! Snacks are provided for the first meeting. A schedule for the school year will be passed out that night, but count on the Wednesday after the 3rd Sunday of the month. (December is an exception: Date TBA.) Bunko means good Prizes!!! You don’t have to know how to play – we’ll teach you. Bring your friends; the more the merrier for Bunko Night!

Asbury Choirs
As summer winds down, it is exciting to begin a new season of beautiful music at Asbury! All choirs need and welcome new members! Please join us and bring a friend!

Altar Choir for Grades 4-8 rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:00-6:40 p.m. beginning September 16th. Singers and instrumentalists needed! Altar Choir helps lead worship on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Children’s Bell Choir for Grades 4-8 rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:40-7:10 p.m. beginning September 16th. A music background is helpful, but not necessary! Children’s Bell Choir helps lead worship on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Cherub Choir for Grades K-3 rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:00 p.m. beginning September 16th. Cherub Choirs helps lead worship on the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Chancel Choir for High School Students & Adults rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:15-8:45 beginning August 26th. Chancel Choir helps lead worship every Sunday.

Morning Bell Choir for High School Students & Adults rehearses on Saturdays from 8:30-10:00 a.m. beginning September 12th. Morning Bell Choir helps lead worship on the 1st Sunday of the month.

Come Check Out all the Wonderful Music Groups at Asbury!!

UPPER ROOM CAFÉ
Upper Room Café reopens on Sunday, September 13th at 9:30 a.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall. The “café” serves gourmet coffee, tea, cocoa, and breakfast pastries. Donations are appreciated. Upper Room Café is sponsored by the Education Commission.
Please join friends for fellowship between services.

TEACHERS COMMISSIONED
Sunday School teachers will be commissioned at the 8:30 Worship on Sunday, September 13th. Please plan on attending! Teachers will be called forward in Worship, introduced and “sent forth” by the congregation. This is an important sharing of faith and trust not only for the staff, but for the children and youth to whom they minister.
Beth will open all the classrooms at 7:30 a.m. that day so teachers may prepare in their rooms if desired. An urn of coffee, juices and breakfast rolls will be available from 7:30-9:30 a.m. in the lower corridor for teachers and any young “helpers” that might accompany them! Teachers of all adult classes will be introduced for commissioning and are invited to find the coffee and rolls downstairs, as well!

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation Sunday School class begins on September 13th in Rm. 114 on the lower level. Beth Martin and lay volunteers will be leading Sunday classes at 9:45-10:45 a.m. All 8th grade students will be prepared for Confirmation by Pastor Stephanie on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:00 p.m. through April 2010. Students will be Confirmed the first Sunday in May. Students beyond 8th grade who are new to Asbury and are interested in Confirmation may join the class or call Pastor Stephanie to make other arrangements.

Parent & Student
Confirmation Meeting
A Parent/Student meeting for all 8th grade Confirmation students will be held on Wednesday evening, September 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in upper Fellowship Hall. All are asked to attend this one hour meeting. $20 activity fee is payable at the meeting or beyond. Each student and family will have their picture taken for use during the school year. Letters were sent out in August; if you did not receive this in the mail or have any other questions, please call the church office (355-5218).

BODY & SOUL
Asbury’s mid-week event for preschool through 3rd grade will begin on Wednesday, October 7th. Body & Soul meets from 5:30 to 6:30 almost every week: three sessions are scheduled throughout the school year. Children meet in lower Fellowship Hall for exercise, games, stories and craft activities. Supper will be served to the group before Cherub Choir practice at 6:30 p.m. It is not necessary to be a Cherub Choir member to attend Body & Soul, but participation in choirs and bells is encouraged for all the children and youth! Adult helpers are needed; parents and staff together provide food for supper.
Registration forms will be available in the Narthex when Sunday School resumes. Please call Beth at church if you have any questions or would like to be an adult or youth volunteer on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30. This is a great opportunity for Service hours for Confirmation or for high school students needing to donate their time.

Asbury 6-12th Grade Youth Group
Welcomes New Leaders!
Tina and I are very excited to have been offered the opportunity to be youth leaders. We hope that this will not only help grow the Church youth's faith, but also to build on our marriage and family.

About two and a half weeks ago Tina received an e-mail from Anne Wachal asking if she could give us a call that night. We both pretty much figured it was going to be something with the youth program. And we also knew we were not interested. So Anne called and we listened. We said we'd think about it. The way Anne talked about the youth program, the parents that have stepped up and took over the group, and what our responsibilities were going to be really started to inspire us. Our next step was to meet with Pastor Stephanie. She showed us some of the tools available and gave us her undying support along with support from all of you. After that meeting and some lengthy discussions we decided to accept.

Some of you may not recognize us but we became members back in spring 2005 and got married here in June 2005. We have since been blessed with a daughter, Sophie, who is 2½ years old.

Tina and I have put the ball in motion. We are feverishly working on activities and coursework for the upcoming year. We would like to invite all the youth to join us Wednesday night, September 9th in the Youth Room from 6:45 to 8pm. The parents are invited to join us at 7:30 for discussion, questions and answers, and snacks, of course!!
Peter and Tina Wiklund

EDUCATION COMMISSION
Education Commission meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. September’s meeting is Sept. 1st in Rm. 114 (Confirmation). Jennifer Morgan has treats.

Bread Baking for World Communion Sunday
Bread Baking for World Communion Sunday will be held for all 4th & 5th Graders on Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. With Pastor Tom’s help, the children will be baking the bread for Communion the next day, World Communion Sunday. They will also be making their own dessert for lunch, which will be provided. The classes will talk about Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and make a Mini-Banner. Each student should bring an item from home that represents their own Baptism, or if that’s not possible, a family picture from the time of their birth. These items will be held overnight for display in the Narthex on Sunday morning. Children are requested to participate in the Offering at either 8:30 or 11:00 Worship on Oct. 4th, to present the bread for communion. Letters about this will be mailed to families in September.

TEACHER IN-SERVICE
An In-Service for all teachers will be held on Saturday, August 29th from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Teachers of children and youth should meet in lower Fellowship Hall. Curriculum will be distributed and activities for the upcoming year discussed. Lunch will be provided. Teachers are encouraged to spend the last half hour preparing their rooms. It is important that all teachers and helpers attend! Please call the church (355-5218) to R.S.V.P. for lunch preparation. Alert Beth as soon as possible if child care is needed.

CHILDREN’S MUSIC
All music practices for children and youth are held on Wednesday evenings, starting Sept. 16th. Cherub Choir for Kindergarten through 3rd Grade rehearses at 6:30-7:00 p.m. in Rm. 109 downstairs. With a couple exceptions, they follow the Body & Soul schedule. Altar Choir and Children’s Bells are for 4th through 8th grade. Altar Choir rehearses in the Music Room upstairs from 6:00 - 6:40 p.m. Children’s Bells rehearse in the Sanctuary from 6:40 - 7:10 p.m. All children and youth are invited and encouraged to be members of these groups. A detailed letter will be mailed to families soon.

3rd GRADE BIBLE
PRESENTATION
Bibles will be presented to our 3rd Graders on Sunday, September 20th at the 8:30 Worship service. All 3rd Graders are asked to attend, as the Pastors will present each child with a new Bible from the church. Their teachers will call students forward by name. Parents, this is a traditional and important event for the children in 3rd Grade, so please make sure you are able to attend 8:30 Worship on Sunday, Sept. 20th. Students will be served cake and punch in the classroom during Sunday School while Pastor Tom or Stephanie signs each Bible.
3rd Graders begin on September 13th like everyone else. The teachers will discuss the "Learn to Use Your Bible" curriculum and activities with the class on the first day.

STORY HOUR & NURSERY
Schedules are new for volunteers beginning on September 13th for Nursery and Story Hour. Staff Nursery Attendants this year are Sue Moats and Cindy Taylor. Nursery is available on Sunday mornings from 8:15-12:15 for Infants through 3 year olds. Parents who use the Nursery are expected to be part of the volunteer care-givers. Please call the church office (355-5218) if you are not already helping.
Story Hour will be scheduled during both services again starting Sept. 13th. It is held during each Worship service, for children 4 years old through 2nd grade. Children begin in Worship with their families and are dismissed after "Children's Time at the Altar" for stories and activities in the Children's Library.
The Story Hour schedule is complete through January 10th. Please call Beth at church if you would like to be part of this ministry.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
FAITH SHARING
Location: Room 303, upper level
Facilitator: Tim Berkley
Faith Sharing is an adult Sunday School class that will be meeting in Room 303 on the upper level. Dr. Tim Berkley will teach on the New Testament, interspersed with other class members sharing topics of interest to them. There is always stimulating discussion! If you have questions about the class, feel free to contact Tim at 289-5339, or tberkley@mchsi.com.

SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Location: Conference Room
Facilitator: Nancy French
Focus: Bible Study
This class has been studying the Gospel of John. The group chooses their own materials and work is usually limited to class time. New participants are encouraged to join the group at any time.

Thursday Evening Adult
Bible Study
Bible Study for adults, led by Jan Coffenberry, will be held on Thursday evenings in Upper Fellowship Hall at 7:00 p.m. beginning in September. All are invited. For more information please call Jan at 355-8564. "Invitation to Psalms" will be the new study this fall.

NEW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY

A third Adult Sunday School class will begin this fall. Pastor Tom will teach this class and its focus will center on living the Christian faith within the context of the current events that confront our community, nation and world. A variety of books and articles by various authors will be our resource. The class will begin on Sunday, September 13th and the first subject for our study will be the book, The Limits of Power: The end of American Exceptionalism, by Andrew J. Bacevich
The Limits of Power has been a New York Times best seller and it will hopefully lead us into a deeper understanding of the economic, political and military crisis in which the United States finds itself. Bacevich, a professor of history and international relations at Boston University and a retired career US Army officer brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to America’s current dilemma. Bill Moyers writes the following: “Andrew Bacevich speaks truth to power, no matter who’s in power, which may be why those of both the left and right listen to him.”
If you are not now participating in an Adult Sunday School class please consider this opportunity. The class will begin meeting in the front of lower Fellowship Hall on September 13th at 9:45 a.m. All adults are welcome. Please watch the Sunday worship bulletin for information about purchasing the book.

United Methodist Women

Hannah, Rachel & Ruth Circles
Joint Meeting
Tuesday, September 8th, 9:30 a.m.
Join us for Continental Breakfast in Upper Fellowship Hall. All women are welcome! Program will be Jan Douglas giving a book review on Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. All Circle Treasurers should bring their circle’s Least Coin on September 8th (or provide it for Bev Warner by September 9th).

Rachel Circle
Fall Potluck
Upper Fellowship Hall
Tuesday, September 8th, 6:30 p.m.
Please bring items for donation to Winnie’s Place.

Dorcas Circle
Tuesday, Sept. 15th, 10:00 a.m.
Lower Fellowship Hall
All are welcome to help with quilting. Bring your sack lunch.

Church Women United

Fall Fellowship Day will be held as a brunch at First Christian Church, 510 East 15th Street, Davenport on Friday, September 11 at 9:30 a.m.
Brunch will cost $6.00. All women are welcome to attend. Please make reservations no later than Friday, September 4th to Claudia Bailey, 269-4526.
Program will be “Human Trafficking” by Gail Karp and will follow the brunch. (Human Trafficking is an issue of concern for Church Women United. Please join us and learn why and how it affects us here in Iowa and Illinois.)

Fellowship with Purpose
Mark your calendar!! The Fellowship with Purpose will start the 2009-2010 season in September. The group meets on the first and third Fridays from September through May. Our first meeting will be Friday, September 4th from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join us for cleaning, polishing, and vacuuming to make Asbury a better place to Worship! Call Bob Reiter at 332-5898 for more information.

Rummage Sale Report
The Rummage Sale was a HUGE success! We raised $2,441.35 for AIM (Asbury In Mission). The Global Ministries Committee would like to thank everyone who donated, worked, and/or bought things, and to the Evangelism Committee which held their annual Ice Cream Social one evening and donated all their donations to AIM. Those who helped had a wonderful fellowship time with familiar and new friends.
The items that did not sell went to: Thrift Store (linens, household items, and much more); Bettendorf Police/Fire Department (stuffed animals); Bettendorf Library (all adult books); Community of Joy's Food Pantry (all children's books - they give books to all kids who come in with parents); CASI (all men's ties for "Ugly Quilts" that they make for the homeless); VA Hospital in Iowa City (vases/flower pots); Discovery Shop (some of the nicer pieces of clothing); and The Salvation Army (all remaining items).
About 275 people power hours were donated to the success of the sale. We cannot list everyone who helped, but we must mention our custodian, Ron Stafford!! He was such a great help whenever we needed another table or bookcase, a heavy item moved, an electrical item plugged in and tried, etc. THANK YOU RON!!
Global Ministries Committee
Nancy French, Marilyn and Wes Whiteside, Dave Quinn, Paulette Dow, Dave Lefever

AIM
(Asbury In Mission)
I recently had the privilege of working in Cedar Rapids under the direction of the First United Methodist Church in Marion providing disaster relief. I was assigned to work as a carpenter's gofer and was blessed to work with a man who has been devoting the last six years of his life to this type of work.
Along with three other teams, we were rehabbing the home of a woman with seven children (some of them grown) who had operated a day care in her home. With the advent of the flood, she not only lost her home, but her livelihood as well. We worked at installing new windows and drywall, mudding and taping the drywall, power washing the exterior and bleaching the basement. It was fun to learn new skills, but the unexpected blessing was meeting and working with all the wonderful people who have devoted weeks, months and even years to the ministry of disaster relief.
Thiara Smith

Dining Tour Coupons
The 2009-10 Quad City Dining Tour Coupon Books will expire on November 1st. Get your NEW book now in the church office! You may start using them immediately, and they are good until November 1, 2010. Each book has over 100 different eating places to enjoy! The book is divided into three different categories: Fine Dining, Casual Dining, and Fun Eating places. Using just one of the coupons will pay for the book! A fee of $35.00 is requested, with all profit ($10.00) going to support Our House Preschool, located in the inner city of Davenport. Our help allows the underprivileged children to attend Our House Preschool during the summer months. You may put coupons that you are not going to be using from the 2008-09 coupon book in the basket (located in the East Narthex) for others to use.
Thank you for supporting Our House Preschool!!
Asbury Church & Society Commission

Flu Clinic
October 21, 2009
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, October 21st from Noon until 2:00 p.m. Asbury will once again host a flu clinic in Upper Fellowship Hall.
Flu season is rapidly approaching. Influenza is a respiratory disease, with the most common symptoms being fever, cough, malaise, headache, and sore throat. The best protection against the flu is a flu shot.
The flu shot contains an inactivated vaccine that contains the three influenza viruses that are recommended for this year. The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated) so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. It takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after the vaccination and it lasts up to one year.
Save time on October 21st to get your flu shot; however if this is not possible a vaccination in December is still beneficial. Influenza illness can occur anytime from November through May. Most cases usually occur in January or February. People that are at high risk for influenza should receive their vaccination in October. On average 226,000 people are hospitalized every year because of influenza, so please remember to save this date and come to the clinic on the 21st of October.
I will have more information on the clinic in the October Good News.
Brenda Sherrick, Parish Nurse

Light the Night
On September 26, 2009 Steve, Ben, Abbie & I will be participating in the Light the Night Walk, benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This is a charitable event that is very near and dear to the hearts of me and my family. The money raised from the Light the Night walk goes directly to the continued research and development to help those stricken with this terrible disease.
I know that times are tough for everyone. If you can find it in your hearts to donate whatever you can afford to the Light the Night Walk and support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; I and many others who have been touched by this disease would be extremely grateful.
Donating is as easy as visiting my Light the Night website, http://pages.lightthenight.org/ia/QuadCiti09/tstelk
You can also print a receipt for tax purposes from the donation page. If you would rather you can also send or drop your donation off to me. Make checks payable to: Leukemia Lymphoma Society
Thank you, Tami Stelk

Exercise Class
Join our Asbury Exercise Class!! We meet each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall. This is a very fun group meeting together for health and friendly fellowship. We have lots of new participants! Please join us.
All are Welcome! Bring a Friend!

Diabetes Screening
Find out if you need to monitor your sugar intake with a FREE diabetes screening. The screening will be held from 7:00-9:00 a.m. September 14-18 and 21-25 in Conference Room C at Trinity Terrace Park in Bettendorf. An eight hour fast is recommended.
Brenda Sherrick, Parish Nurse

Asbury Angel Network
We would like all members of Asbury to know that we have an Angel Network Fund. This fund is available immediately to help any member of Asbury that needs assistance. We are ready to provide financial help or food from the Bettendorf Food Pantry.
If you need assistance, please contact either of our pastors or our parish nurse, Brenda Sherrick. These requests will be kept confidential.

Thank You!
I have read those little `thank you’ notes for years and always thought to myself….`that’s nice’…but until you have been the recipient of the prayers, visits, cards, calls and wonderful meals do you realize how totally awesome it really is! I am recovering nicely from my total knee replacement on July 13th, but only because of the support of so many of you!
Take care and God bless,
Ruth McMorran

Thoughts of Sympathy
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Betty Barclay. Betty died on August 5th in Arizona. Condolences may be sent to her children: Theresa Carmichael, Tom Barclay & Sandra Barclay in care of Theresa ~ 8715 E. Yearling Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

The family of Patricia West, who died on August 9th.

Altar Flowers
Thank you to Jim & Theresa Carmichael (Betty Barclay’s daughter) and Carl & Rona Loweth for providing altar flowers in August.
There is a sign-up sheet in the East Narthex year-round for anyone who would like to provide flowers for our altar. This is a nice way to honor a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion.

Please Keep in Your Prayers…
Jane Alvarez, Thelma Stewart, Sybil Watson, Bruce Millage, Bill Coffenberry, Gene Rettenmaier, Carita Dyas, Kathy Clifford, Dick & Karen Arnold, Gale Dewild, Jim Eastburn, Derald Montgomery, Jim Stewart, Rob Tyler

Caring Bridge for Jim Eastburn: www.caringbridge.org/visit/jim

Claudia Arney (Dean & Joe Arney’s sister-in-law)
John Beams (Harold Hoffman’s friend)
Alyssa Bennett (Sue Moats’ daughter)
Wendy Black (Joey Arney’s niece)
Dot Bowers (Kim Brenner’s aunt)
LaRue Brown (Bowrey’s & Maack’s friend)
Bethany Byers (Amber Jerson’s cousin)
Delvecchio Family (Mindy Lank’s friends)
Jim Fleming (Doris Meier’s friend)
Ashley Gillette (Kay Parch’s daughter)
Don Hesse (Dee Shreve’s brother)
Arnold Hicks (Our House Preschool teacher’s son)
Bruce Hopp (Jan Westercamp’s brother-in-law)
Silas Cole Jackson (Celeste HudsonQuartell’s great grandson)
Clyde Janeski (Kay Parch’s friend)
Sue Lank-Voyles (Mindy Lank’s mother-in-law)
Trenton Miles (Gifford’s nephew)
JoAnn Munson (Barb Nelson’s sister)
Mary Jo Myers (Linda Rorke’s mother)
Hunter Peterson (Terri Law’s nephew)
Maxine Rayburn (Marla Johnson’s friend)
Jean Richards (Jana Richards’ grandma)
Steve & Nancy Riedl (Wolff’s daughter & son-in-law)
Reba Ripley (Pritchard’s & Wolfe’s friend)
Jordin Roberts (Leona Gailbreath’s great-granddaughter
Rev. Bob Ruppert (former Asbury pastor)
Jeff Ryan (Bonne Lorenzen’s son-in-law’s cousin)
Bill Rynor (former Asbury member)
Jo Sapp (Jan Westercamp’s sister-in-law)
Keith Schmidt (Alinda Littrel’s friend)
Marilyn Seibel (Barb Brethauer’s friend and Kristi & Brittney Halverson’s grandma)
Richard Slaten (Ruth McMorran’s brother)
John Smeby (Nathan Skjerseth’s father)
Marie Stapleton (Loraine Stahl’s sister-in-law)
Richard Stapleton (Loraine Stahl’s brother)
Paul Stobaugh (Jean Bowrey’s brother-in-law)
Dennis Stone (Billy Murphy’s co-worker)
Wendy Syverud (Wolfe Family’s friend)
Dorothy Taylor (Dee James’ mother)
Kari Teagarden (Moran Family’s friend)
Brian Turnmeyer (Dean & Joey Arney’s nephew)
Harley Ward (Pam Campbell’s father)
Shirley & Paul Whitbeck (Doris Meier’s friends)
Gina Wortman (Al & Hue Sloss’ daughter)

Our brothers and sisters at care centers or who are shut-in.

Prayers for Our Military
Keith Philips in Afghanistan
(Deborah & Paul D’Camps nephew)
Richard Cox in Iraq
(Sherri & Ron Stafford’s nephew)
Lance Cpl. Ryne McNamara
(Dorothy Parson’s grandson)
Capt. Adrienne Stahl in Korea
Capt. Brian Stahl, F-22 pilot in Tokyo
(Bob & Loraine Stahl’s grandchildren)

Card Ministry
With fall activities resuming at the church, Card Ministry meetings will be moving to a new location. We will still be meeting every second Wednesday of the month, but we will now be in rooms 302 and 303 across the hall from the balcony seating area. This should be a great work space for us since the lighting is brighter. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, September 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Whether you're crafty or not, we'd love to have you join us for an evening of fun and fellowship! Questions? Call Christine Yoerger at 514-6020.

CROP WALK
OCTOBER 4, 2009
It is time to make plans to participate in the 2009 CROP WALK. This year the walk will be held on October 4th. By walking you will be supporting a nationwide/community event to help curb poverty and hunger at home and in more than 80 countries. You will be receiving more details on the years' walk later. For now, please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the CROP Walk this year. The CROP Walk starts at 2:00 p.m. leaving from Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport.

Asbury’s Worship on CD
CDs of our 8:30 worship services are available for one-week check-out in the church library. The CDs are located in the adult section, next to the check-out box.

Thank You
For Church Mowings
Five Asbury men have been doing church lawn mowing this spring, summer and fall. They are Dave Dow, Dave Quinn, Dean Arney, and Roger Hamman. Starting in April and taking a month at a time they have hauled their own mowers, trimmers, and blowers from home to do the work. Rich James will be doing the mowing in September.
MANY THANKS to all these men for the good job they have been doing in helping keep the church landscape looking nice.
Dale Seebach
Trustee Landscaping Chairman

We Thank You Once Again!
Church and Society Commission would like to thank everyone for their school supply donations and money contributed for the purchase of supplies. Supplies were delivered as well as a check for $490! The volunteers were very appreciative and most thankful with an increasing number of children who need our help. Your support with this project will make the first day of school a happy one for many children in need in Bettendorf and other Quad City school districts. Thanks for caring and sharing again!!

Thank You
The Asbury Foundation wishes to thank these persons for their generous gift to the Birthday Fund: Debbie Mintle, Harold & Dorothy Alpers, Stanley Clinton, Steve Hampton, and Barb Brethauer.
Your gift provides the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping future generations and assures you are doing your part to guarantee a strong and promising future for the life and work of Asbury. Thank you!

Tasteful Treasures
Cookbook
Asbury United Methodist Women are proud to offer their new cookbook, Tasteful Treasures. This is a collection of recipes from all of the cookbooks created by our Asbury United Methodist Women throughout the years. Recipes from the “Fashion & Salad” luncheon programs are included. At the end of the book is an index of all the contributors, so glance back to remember members and friends from the past, present, and those who have moved away. The cookbook is available in the church office for a suggested price of $17.00 per book. Proceeds will go to different missions, which is the main focus of United Methodist Women. We know you will enjoy seeing all the names, recipes, and memories of our UMW who have been members for many years.
Thank you for your support of UMW missions!

Dear Members of Asbury,

Fall is coming and the time of change invites us back into action and enthusiasm.
Remember our mission statement at Asbury: where the living Spirit awakens us to embrace, serve and transform our world? It is time to reenact it in our choices.

We are embarking on a time of Discipleship that will focus us on the church’s ministries. When you think of Asbury you cannot help but think of all the many outreach things we do to make a difference in people’s lives. Plus we have many opportunities to serve the church in committees, choirs, ARM groups, study and fun. This October we will be celebrating our church life and ministries. The program is called Cycles of Discipleship and we will revisit this program every four months. It is a time to pause, be thankful for what God is doing in Asbury, and recommit to support your church through prayers, presence, gifts and service. Every cycle we will recommit to our church. Each cycle will be a bit different but in each we will fill out our promise card and find ways to commit to Christ through his body, our church.

Each Sunday in October will have a theme to focus us on this project.
1. Celebration Sunday (Remembering and honoring our rich heritage)
2. Vision Sunday (Envisioning future plans of ministry)
3. A Place for You (Ministry Fair and opportunities to volunteer)
4. Discipleship (Christian discipleship and filling out promise cards)

Be watching in the October newsletter, the Sunday morning Loop and the Asbury Web page to find out more about our new program.

I have great expectations for Asbury and your response to God’s love makes it all happen.

In the power of God’s grace,
Pastor Stephanie

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.

New Books in the
Church Library

Easy to Read
(Read-to & Beginning Readers)
Diego’s Birthday Surprise by Lara Bergen
My Nose, My Toes and Me! by Fridg Bing
No Excuses! How What You Say Can Get in Your Way by Wayne W. Dyer
Best Friends Forever by Sonali Fry
Little Child’s Story of Jesus by Leena Lane
Dear God by Max Lucado
The Playground Problem by Margaret McNamara
One Special Me – A Book Celebrating How God Makes Me Special by Allia Zobel Nolan
Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish
I Believe Bunny by Tish Rabe
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share by Mike Reiss

Juniors (Elementary Readers)
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli

Young Adults (Teenagers)
Someone Like Young and Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
Streams for Teens – 30 Devotions from Streams in the Desert by Jim Reimann, ed.

Adults
Troublesome Bible Passages (Vol. 2) by Randy Cross
Invitation to John – A Short-Term Disciple Bible Study by Robert D. Kysar
The Reason for God – Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
Love is a Verb – Stories of What Happens When Loves Comes Alive and Love as a Way of Live – Seven Keys to Transform Every Aspect of Your Life by Gary Chapman
Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass
The Rising by Wendy M. Wright
What Can We Learn from the Christ Child? by James W. Moore

Fiction
Take One by Karen Kingsbury
A Christmas Visitor by Thomas Kinkade
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
The Secret by Beverly Lewis

Table Talk

Back in the 70’s when I was teaching I took a class, can’t remember the name of it. I think it was through Educational Oppor-tunities. It was about communicating. Each session had lots of vignettes about people saying something and then the response of others. There would be a variety of thoughts about one particular statement. All were assumptions about what the person speaking meant. For example, someone might say, “I don’t think so” at the end of the little vignette. One person thinks they are not being agreed with and the other thinks it is an ironic statement. It all points out how difficult communication really is. Wish I still had all those vignettes.
When I was in Ottumwa I was invited to belong to the Women’s Club and we always said our purpose aloud together each month. It was quite nice and ended “remember to be kind”.
I have noticed we live in a time when people often seem mad and upset with each other and ASSUME the worst about each other. Like the vignettes above, they hear words but put a little negative twist on what they mean. Kindness as the basis of the way we approach each other seems a bit scarce. I often wonder if the attitudes of those “reality TV” shows are seeping into our environment. I don’t watch it but do see a commercial every so often. People are yelling at one another and disrespect fills the air.
What would happen if we assumed that the others we encountered had the best intentions and then filtered their words through that assumption? What would happen if we heard another and thought they must mean something nice and not something unkind? Wonder if we might like each other more? I guess Jesus said it better: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Aw… the practice of our faith. Rejoice in it.

In holy wonder,
Pastor Stephanie

Dear Friends at Asbury,
Andrew J. Bacevich is a professor of history & international relations at Boston University. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and his first career was that of a soldier having served in Viet Nam and all American conflicts through Desert Storm. He attained a rank just below that of brigadier general. I am reading his latest book, The Limits of Power: The End of American Exceptionalism (Holt Paperbacks, 2008 with Afterword, 2009). The book is introduced, and its theme set with a short quote from 2 Kings 20:1: “Set your house in order.” It is the word of God coming to King Hezekiah from the prophet Isaiah. “Set your house in order for you will die.”
In the introductory chapter, “War Without Exits,” Bacevich discusses the American celebration of freedom. He then quotes the great American pastor, teacher and theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr who identifies the American understanding of freedom as being “born of a combination of arrogance and narcissism.”
It is “arrogance” and “narcissism,” Bacevich points out, that has led the United States into a steady state of war really since the fall of the Soviet Union. With that event the United Stated found itself as the world’s only superpower. Our understanding of this status is essentially imperial. We have come to believe that the world ought to support what we believe to be in our own best interest. We want what we want and we want it now!
This introductory chapter ends like this:

Rather than insisting that the world accommodate the United States, Americans need to reassert control over their own destiny, ending their condition of dependency and abandoning their imperial delusions. Of perhaps even greater difficulty, the combination of economic, political, and military crisis summons Americans to reexamine exactly what freed entails. Soldiers cannot accomplish these tasks, nor should we expect politicians to do so. The onus of responsibility falls squarely on citizens. (p. 13)

The church also has a responsibility. If citizens are really going to get the house of state in order it is necessary for the souls of individuals to be ordered as well. If our focus in the church is centered only in “feeling good” about our salvation, our worship and our charitable activities, but not on a serious self-examination and repentance then we remain arrogant and narcissistic. If America has a problem the problem is us. Can you hear the cry of the prophet Isaiah echoing down through the centuries? Do we have ears to hear?
Peace & fire,
Pastor Tom

Rick's House of Hope Birthday Celebration September 12th
The mission of Rick's House of Hope is to ensure that the needs of grieving or traumatized children are not overlooked. The center has been reaching out to suffering children and youth from the Quad City community for 10 years. Come celebrate the healing we have provided at our Colossal Birthday Party, at our site at 4867 Forest Grove Drive, Bettendorf, IA. The event will take place Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and will include birthday party favorites -pizza, ice cream, pop corn, cotton candy, and games, games, games!

Panel Discussion on The Role of Religions in Peace-Making November 17th
The World Affairs Council of the Quad Cities and World Community Institute presents: The Role of Religions in Peace-Making Panel discussion: Lisa Killinger, Muslim, president of World Affairs Council Quad-Cities; Linda Golden, Jewish, community leader; Ron Quay, Christian, head of Quad-Cities Churches United Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at the Bettendorf Library; 2nd floor

hawk-i Income Limits Increase
Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) has increased its’ limits to 300% of poverty level! This is great news for families that are struggling with the high cost of private insurance. No family pays more than $40.00 a month and there is never a co-pay. Eligibility is based on income and family size. Parents can choose Wellmark (Blue Cross Blue Shield) or AmeriChoice (United Healthcare) as their carrier. The hawk-i program covers medical, dental, vision, prescriptions and much more. Please make others aware of this opportunity to have affordable health care coverage for children. If you need further information, please contact Tanya Smith, Enrollment Specialist, at Community Health Care, Inc. or tsmith@davchc.com. or 336-3194

Winnie’s Place
A safe shelter for women and children sponsored by Churches United.
Ways You Can Help…
There is a box at Asbury (near the elevator) designated for your Winnie’s Place contributions. Items needed include: cooking oil, Pam cooking spray, 13 gallon trash bags, canned food, kids cereal, sugar-free Koolaid, snacks for kids, brooms, dustpans, 2-pocket folders, Iowa & Illinois bus tickets and Gift Cards to HyVee, Fareway or Walmart.