Renewal

Did you answer that email? Get that assignment done? Don’t forget that appointment! There are chores to be done, places to go, work to complete, and a finish line that seems ever moving. The busyness in our lives and monologue in our minds can be
relentless. Is life supposed to feel anxious, rushed, and overwhelming?

Lent is a time of reflection as we approach Easter. During this six-week series we will take time to slow down and see the things we are called to throw off so that we may fully embrace the things of Jesus. Creating space to grow our faith can seem impossible amidst schedules threatening to collapse on us, but this countercultural rhythm of rest is what leads us to abundant life. There is more for us, but we must make room to receive it—will you create space to more fully embrace God’s love?

From the beginning, humanity was designed to live in relationship with God. To know Him and be known by Him is the essence of our existence; and to be separated from Him the source of our suffering. This is why sin causes such brokenness; it separates us from the source of our life. But God gave the ultimate sacrifice to restore us to Himself—His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, those that have been redeemed carry the call to share the message of salvation with those still separated from the One they were made to know. Rooted in Matthew 10:7, this three-week series leading into our Missions Gathering will teach us how to carry out this mission with endurance as we go throughout our daily lives and to the ends of the earth.

What is God calling us, both as a church family and as individuals, to surrender? What habits or struggles is He asking us to yield as we once again consecrate our lives to Him? We will see how God calls His people, His Temple, to repentance, and how this ushers
in a season of renewal. Asbury is ripe with hope–hope for newness, for change, for growth. We don’t want to miss what God is doing by holding on to what He’s asking us to release. Repentance is necessary for revival to come–will you allow Him to Clean Our Temple?

During this series, we’ll get to see what it looks like to begin a walk with God and train for the journey. It may be full of ups and downs but its just as important as reaching the destination.

Begun by John Welsey in 1775, a covenant service is a practice that continues in churches and Christian communities today, often near the beginning of the New Year. On December 31, we will gather at one service time in each venue to worship and focus on renewing our convenant to God as we approach the new year with repentance, confession, and hope as a church family.