Hope

Listen to the news these days, and you will believe that there is no hope for the future. The economy is tanking, the environment is collapsing, crime is rampant, and morality is nearly extinct. But once in a while, you hear about something good. Often, I’m impressed with many of the young people I read about (even though I’ve gotten old enough to wonder just what’s wrong with young people these days, anyway). These bits of good news amongst the constant drone of negativity remind me that the world is not a lost cause, that there is hope for us after all.

Romans 5:3-4 tells us that “…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” As Christians, we know that God’s mercy is a presence in our lives, and our faith in Him gives us a reason to look toward the future. But what of the non-believers in our midst, where do they find comfort?

The Ministry Teams of Asbury give our congregation a way to provide this comfort. There are many projects these teams take on that show those outside of Asbury just what living the Christian faith is really about. Some of the teams minister within the congregation so that those brothers and sisters suffering among us find the support they need to persevere and find hope. The beauty of the ministry teams is that we can all find a cause that is dear to us. There is a wide range of mission opportunities and there are many different objectives among the ministry teams. Whether you feel called to help youth, the homeless, the elderly, improve the worship experience or reach out to those who do not attend Asbury, there is an opportunity.

In Proverbs 27:17, the Bible says “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” As members come together to work for the good of God, we all make each other better servants and Asbury becomes a stronger church. This is good stewardship of our time and our talents, and an important part of returning God’s blessings. Please consider finding a ministry team here at Asbury that you can help out. A list of teams and their leaders can be found on the church website, http://www.asburyumc.cc/ or stop by the church office.

The Book of Romans, Chapter 8, verse 28 tells us “…that all things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to his purpose.” Each of us has been blessed with gifts from God. He can make use of us in ways that we do not realize, but it cannot happen unless we give back from those blessings. Our time and our talents come from God. If we use the blessings we’ve been given to minister to others, then we multiply His blessings. When the congregation comes together to multiply the blessings God has given each of us, things will work together for the good of Asbury, and we will work together for the good of God.

Don Bowers, Stewardship Chair