GOOD NEWS - February, 2010

GOOD NEWS
Asbury United Methodist Church
1809 Mississippi Blvd
Bettendorf, IA 52722
February, 2010
355-5218
www.asbury-bett.org Asbury@netexpress.net

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00-12:00 and 1:00-4:00

WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Sunday, 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
December 20 Worship – 401
December 20 Sunday School – 119
Christmas Eve Worship - 603
December 27 Worship – 125
January 3 Worship – 186
January 10 Worship – 274
January 10 Sunday School – 137
January 17 Worship – 209
January 17 Sunday School – 135
January 24 Worship – 294
January 24 Sunday School - 126

BY OUR GIFTS
December Income $67,839.51
December Expense $49,966.50

BY OUR SERVICE
Thank you for your generous contributions to the Churches United Food Pantry totaling $246 and 127 items.

Pastors Stephanie & Tom
Pastors Stephanie and Tom may be reached at any time at:
1123 East Columbia
Davenport, IA 52803
563-323-5837

Cell Phones:
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 March issue of Good News should be in the church office by Noon on Monday, February 22, 2010. Thank you!

Earthquake Relief
Please join in UMCOR’s (United Methodist Corps on Relief) effort to help those devastated by the recent earthquake in Haiti. 100% of UMCOR contributions to this Advance Special will go to those in need. You may make your check payable to Asbury UMC with a “Haiti Relief” note on the memo line. Thank you.

Souper Bowl of Caring
Please help fight hunger and poverty by giving to Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday, February 7th. Asbury youth will be in worship with soup pots to gather your donations!

Ash Wednesday
Please join us in worship on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. Services will be held at Noon and at 7:00 p.m. Both will be contemplative in nature, and include the distribution of ashes. Mark your calendar and plan to begin your Lenten Walk with this meaningful tradition.

Lenten Study
When: Feb. 24 through March 31
Time: High Noon, Lunch Provided
Where: Asbury Upper Fellowship Hall
Subject: Wilderness Wanderings, a Lenten Pilgrimage
by Marilyn Brown Oden

Expectations: There are six chapters. Please read the first chapter for the first week, then one chapter each week. Each chapter is about 12-14 pages and there is a discussion guide included in the book. Our time together will be discussion. Please RSVP to 355-5218 by the Monday before each session.
.Books: Books will be available in the office for $14.50, hopefully by Feb. 3rd. (Check before you come!)

Youth News!
6th-12th Graders

Meet at 6:15 p.m. at the church on Friday, January 29th to go ice skating! Plan to return at 10:00 p.m.
6-12th Graders meet from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month in the Youth Center. For information on 6-12th Grade Youth Group please call Peter & Tina Wiklund at 344-8864.

4th-5th Graders
Wed., February 24, 6:00-7:30pm
Asbury Youth Center
4-5th Graders meet on the Wednesday following the third Sunday of the month through May. Future meetings hope to include a scavenger hunt, a clowning demonstration, service projects and bowling. All 4th and 5th graders and their friends are welcome; look for reminders in the mail each month. Upcoming dates are: February 24, March 24, April 21 and May 19! For more information on 4-5th Grade Youth Group please call Beth or Brenda at church (355-4218).

BODY & SOUL
Session II will begin on Wednesday, February 3rd at 5:30 p.m.! Children in Preschool through 3rd Grade are invited, and their friends are always welcome to come. Cherub Choir practice follows Body & Soul at 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. If you registered in the Fall, we have your information for the year. New students may register in the main office or call 355-5218 or when first attending on February 3rd.
Session II & III continue with the theme SHINE! Children are encouraged to let their light shine because Jesus is the Light of the world and the lamp onto OUR feet! In February and March the students will SHINE the Apples in Your Cheeks by exercising and learning about nutrition. Special guests will join the group some evenings and the children will do a lot of moving around! Supper is served before Cherub Choir. Gather in lower Fellowship Hall for Body & Soul at 5:30 on February 3rd!
Bring Friends!
Session II Runs for Six Weeks!

Afternoon at Asbury
Join us for fun and fellowship at church on Sunday, February 14th at 3:00 p.m.. Theme is “Valentines and Anything Chocolate”! Bring your favorite chocolate treat to share!

Winnie’s Place
Please remember to support Winnie’s Place, Churches United Safe Shelter for Women and Children. There is a box near the elevator for your contributions. Current needs include Illinois bus tickets, pre-cooked bacon, Miracle Whip, ranch salad dressing, fruit juice, kids’ snacks, canned fruit, vinegar, 13-gallon heavy duty trash bags, 1-step angel food cake mixes, heavy paper towels, diaper rash ointment, umbrellas, grocery store gift cards, women’s socks & underwear, children’s cold medications, and Valentine gifts for moms and children.
Please continue to keep those at Winnie’s Place (those needing safety and options as well as staff members) in your prayers! For more information on Winnie’s Place please call 764-9466.

Afghans for the Homeless
Asbury members have busy knitting and crocheting many beautiful and much appreciated afghan squares. If you would like to help with this important ministry, please drop off your 7x7 inch squares in the church office. At this time there is also one afghan to be whip-stitched. I will be happy to show you how to whip-stitch…it is very simple to do, and there is no crocheting or knitting experience necessary. The squares are ready in bags, with instructions, in the church office. Feel free to take a bag home and return it when you can.
Thank you for your help in this ministry that supplies warm afghans for the homeless in our community!
Brenda Sherrick, Parish Nurse

Special Offerings
Thank you for your contributions to UMCOR for relief to earthquake victims. To date we have received $6,340.00.
We also received $4,895.94 for the Christmas Offering (Churches United & Our House Preschool) and $138.00 for the recent Human Relations offering through the Iowa Conference.
Your generous gifts are vital to the fulfillment of Asbury’s mission statement and outreach ministry of our church. Thank you very much.

Card Ministry
The next regular Card Ministry work session will be Wednesday, February 10th at 7:00 at the church. We will be addressing the stacks of cheery valentines we made in January, and we’ll also be making another batch of birthday cards to add to our dwindling supply. The birthday cards are mailed throughout the year to our Asbury members who aren’t able to get out much and also to those in care centers, so these cards are extra special. Card Ministry welcomes everyone regardless of papercrafting experience. Even if you don’t think you’re crafty and you’ve never touched a stamp to ink before, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll be able to create! Questions? Call Christine at 514-6020.

Fellowship With a Purpose
On the first and third Friday mornings of each month church members meet to help clean the first floor of the church. Cleaning and coffee time take approximately 2 hours.
Anyone interested is welcome with “open arms” to help beginning at 8:30 a.m. with coffee break and fellowship at 9:00. Call Bob Reiter (332-5898) or Dale Seebach (359-0566) if you have questions.

BRIEFLY….from Beth
When January rolls around, often money issues do too: Christmas spending and taxes ahead. This year we are also thinking about Haiti and its people who are in dire need of help. The best aid we can give from here is money to help finance their recovery.
The Sunday School Offering most of this year was to be placed in an account that would encourage and aid the remodeling of Sunday School restrooms on the lower level. So far, thanks to the students, their parents and others who care, we have accumulated $1,557.00.
We will again put our money into this account in February (Dec-Jan was used to support Be a Santa for a Senior). In fact, the Sunday School students will have one fund-raiser, Candy Grams, on Sunday morning, February 14th that will add to our totals this year for The Bathroom Campaign. In March, April and May, however, our Sunday School Offering will be collected for Haiti. There are ways to donate through UMCOR and other agencies such as the Red Cross and we ask that students and their families investigate this and share ideas how best to distribute the money we raise.
You are always generous. Please support the children and youth for the “Bathroom Campaign” in February and their “Aid to Haiti” for the rest of the Sunday School year. (Please notice the article on Candy Grams in this Good News.)
Beth Martin
Director of Christian Education

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation students meet with Pastor Stephanie two times each month and attend Sunday School in preparation for Confirmation on Sunday, May 2nd at 8:30 Worship. Nine 8th graders in the class this year are also expected to attend and report on Worship regularly and “serve” in the church and community for 15 hours.
During February, Valentine hearts with students’ pictures and addresses, are displayed on the wall behind the Sanctuary. The congregation is asked to pray for and communicate with the Confirmation students for the remainder of their preparations. Please choose to be a Prayer Partner for one or many students! Take a card with the student’s address so that you can send him/her an encouraging note or two! Include them in your daily prayers. They will be our newest members and future leaders. Please plan on attending their Confirmation service at 8:30 on May 2nd, and honoring them with your presence at the reception in upper Fellowship Hall immediately following. Thank you!

NEW ADULT CLASS
A new class is meeting on Sunday mornings upstairs in room 303. The group is led by Tim Hocker and Lana LaSalle, who also lead the new Member’s Class when it is in session. A “contemporary adult course” called the Nooma series is being viewed and discussed during the education hour, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. weekly.
Please call Tim or Lana for more information, or just drop in on Sunday! The class is just forming so everyone is encouraged to attend!

CANDY GRAMS
Candy Grams will be sold on Sunday morning, Feb. 14th by the Sunday School students in a final effort this school year to raise money for The Bathroom Campaign.
Candy Grams ARE NOT telegrams!! Candy Grams will be cups of Valentine treats measured in grams for you to purchase as a small gift or to eat! The students will sell these on February 14th from 8:00 a.m. until just after 11:00 Worship. Visit the Candy Grams table in each Narthex; they will be reasonably priced!
The Bathroom Campaign began with Sunday School in September to encourage use of funds for lower level bathroom updates. (Please read Beth’s letter for more information on Sunday School stewardship). February will be the last month this school year that our Offering money will be applied to this project. Please Support Sunday School in this
Way! This Campaign will return in the Fall.

Asbury Church Library
Has All Kinds of Materials!
(Stop by and See!!)
You will find many reading materials, videos and cassette tapes in our Church Library.
The Children’s Library has easy reading (Read-to & Beginning Readers) on the east side, (left when entering from the hallway), and Junior books for elementary children on the west or right side.
The Adult & Young Adult/Youth (or Teen) libraries are located in the east library room. Young Adult/Youth (or Teen) books are to the right as you enter.
Adult books encompass the remainder of this room which includes books on family life, human development, devotional literature, Christian living and many fiction books for enjoyable reading. Also included are video tapes, cassettes, CD’s & DVD’s.
The card catalog, which includes all resources, is available to anyone in the Adult/Youth room.
A large magazine rack includes current Christian reading, as well as Asbury, district and conference news. (These are not available for check-out unless designated with a check-out card.)
All resources may be checked out for a limit of three weeks. Card check-outs are required. (Check out NAMES AND DATES need to be included.) Please return items to the return box in each room.
Our Library has more than 6,600 resources – one of the largest church libraries!
VISIT OUR LARGE CHURCH LIBRARY FOR FUN AND ENJOYABLE READING AS WELL AS INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES!

Asbury Worship Services
Audio of each Asbury worship service is available to stream or download to your computer from the Asbury website www.asbury-bett.org
The audio files are posted to the site within minutes of the conclusion of each service. We post a month’s worth of services on the website for you to access. The audio links are on the front page of the website. You might also want to check out the calendar of events, updated weekly, now available online as well!
CDs of our 8:30 worship services are also available for one-week check-out in the church library. The CDs are located in the adult section, next to the check-out box.

STORY HOUR & NURSERY
The new Story Hour & Nursery schedule began January 10th. Thank you to all who work in this ministry at Asbury. More adult volunteers are still needed so that everyone may be scheduled less frequently! It is hoped, also, that Story Hour can be offered this Summer during both Worship services. Please call Beth at church if you want more information about volunteering for either Story Hour or the Nursery.
Our Nursery staff includes Sue Moats who cares for children every Sunday, and Cindy Taylor who has been our care giver for quite awhile and works alternate Sundays. Cindy also provides care for children of Choir and Praise Team members while they rehearse on Wednesday evening. Volunteer adults and youth are scheduled to aid our staff weekly. We could not offer these programs without them. Please join these ministries!

New Arrival!
Congratulations to Bob and Judy Glenn on the birth of a granddaughter, Addison Kristine on January 13th. Parents are Susan and John Horbath, and big brother is Tyler!

Lenten Stewardship
This year the Asbury Church & Society Commission would like to help supply the Bettendorf Food Pantry with needed items. The Food Pantry currently has a good supply of canned items and frozen meat, so the real need is for hygiene and paper products. The items needed most at this time include:
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Tissues (Kleenex)
Liquid Dish Soap
Hand (bar) Soap
Laundry Soap
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Please help us stock the Food Pantry with these important items! You may bring them to the Food Pantry Baskets located in each narthex. There are also special offering envelopes available for monetary gifts to purchase the needed items. Please put your gifts in the offering plate at worship, turn into the church office, or send by mail.
Thank You!
Asbury Church & Society Commission
Jerry Roskens, Chairman

A LETTER FROM
YOUR PASTORS
Dear Friends at Asbury,
By now most of you have gotten the word that we will retire this coming summer. We would like to share with you some of our reasons for our decision.
First, between the two of us we have been in ministry for over fifty years. It has been, for the most part and with taking into consideration the normal ups and downs and frustrations of life, an absolute joy. In ministry we have had the wondrous opportunity to serve God and to serve God’s people and the world. It has been a joy and a privilege. Life does move on, though, and after much thought, discussion and prayer we have decided that it is now time to move into a new adventure in life.
There are numerous factors that play into the making of this decision. One is that after a four-year journey of being in ministry together in the same church, we believe that it is not the way we wish to continue in the professional aspect of our lives. It has been fun at times, frustrating at other times, but largely it has caused our personal life together to be dominated by professional considerations. Some clergy couples in ministry together in the same church have been successful in maintaining boundaries between their professional and personal lives, but for us it has been difficult.
Another consideration has been Tom’s health experience. In July it will have been two years since he had major heart surgery. He is doing very well, but the experience brought home the truth that life is a very fragile affair. On turning sixty-five years old this January he has concluded that while he has health he would like to do something new, exciting and creative. What that will be is a mystery in the process of unfolding, but it has given him a sense of hopeful expectation.
Stephanie feels she was called to ministry and that call included a ministry of healing. This was a primary focus for her from the beginning. It has come in small opportunities all along and has been rich and wondrous at times. Since being here, this type of ministry has been set aside because of the demands of PowerPoint and other things necessary in “keeping up with the times”. The whole tenor and purpose of professional ministry is changing and going in new directions. It is crucial for Asbury to find its place and purpose in this new movement. She feels that the call to healing should be renewed and is hoping this might take place through her harp playing. Also, suddenly there are health concerns. None are major, but they are taking time to deal with. This is quite a shock to someone who is never ill and unaccustomed to going to the doctor. As many of you know one is the hearing issue. So it is time for a quieter life of contemplation. She is excited about what the future will unfold and needing a change.
As scripture so wisely expresses, “to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” We believe that God is now calling us into a new “season” of life. We ask you for your prayers and goodwill, that the season we will enter will be a savory one. We also hope that in this time of expectation for you, as you anticipate your new ministry, that you will ponder the possibilities of your future as the Asbury United Methodist Church. Have a sense about where you want to go while at the same time be open to the surprise and wonder of where your new pastors will lead you. Open your hearts, minds, souls and spirits for a new birth, for that is the essence of our Christian faith. Begin praying for your new pastors and for Asbury. Somewhere they too are anticipating a change in their lives. May they become a blessing to you. They are filled with hope. Save a place in your heart for them.
God bless you as you continue to become the BODY OF CHRIST alive in the world.

Peace, fire & love, and in holy wonder,
Pastors Stephanie & Tom

Sanctuary
Enhancement Group
Seeks Feedback
Several enhancements have been made to the sanctuary in recent months to improve your worship experience. These include removing the choir risers, removing the temporary fabric screen, relocating the organ and piano toward the center, moving the bell choir to the west side on the chancel, providing the Praise Band with a larger area and relocating the clavinova there, moving the banners from the side to the front of the sanctuary, adding trim to the organ and replacing the organist’s music cabinet with a new one. Planned improvements include adding a balcony guard rail, a new solid faced communion rail with cushion pads and a video system to display services in Upper Fellowship Hall and for recording the service. The Sanctuary Enhancement Group is asking for congregation comments about these enhancements. Group members are Gail Dover, Gail Baldwin, Jan and Craig Windmiller, Rich James, Don Mitchem, Joe Buck, Michael Reese, Pastor Stephanie and Sandy Yoder.
Sandy Yoder, Group Chair

Thank You
Thank you to the members of Asbury United Methodist Church for the outstanding blood drive held recently. Your service and leadership on behalf of the community blood program is greatly appreciated.
Forty units were collected, and because of your combined generosity, as many as 120 patients will benefit from lifesaving blood products. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of dedicated sponsors like you, who believe in our mission and care enough to take an active role in the blood program.
Simply put, what you do saves lives. Thank you, for your partnership and all you do to make lifesaving possible.
Sincerely,
David Green, President/CEO
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center

Thank You
Salvation Army Bell Ringers!
Many thanks to all who rang the Salvation Army Bell at K & K Hardware this season. The $10,934.81 that was collected in the bucket was greatly appreciated by the Salvation Army. This was over $3,000 more than was collected last year! The bucket at K & K was the number one bucket in the area!
Asbury Church & Society Committee
Jerry Roskens, Chairman

From Asbury Trustees
Thank you to Bob Reiter for his work in coordinating the volunteers & helping to move the office contents during our recent carpet replacement project. The other volunteers that helped in this effort are: Mark & Angela Hayes, Nancy French, Billy Murphy, John & Patty Schwegler, Ron Stafford, Jerry Finley, Al Sloss, Jeff Ryder, Jerry Roskens, Andy Reiter, Rich Clark, Lance Vandeest, Joel Mulloy, Roger Hamman, Kevin Jones, Bob Mattison and Tom Stelk. We also want to express our heartfelt thanks to the office staff: Patty, Caron, Brenda and Beth for boxing all their books, files and supplies to assist in the moving.
The majority of the carpet replaced was installed at the time of the church renovation in 1995-96 and had exceeded its expected life and was showing significant wear in many areas. The replacement became more extensive than originally planned because the carpet manufacturer discontinued this pattern and severely discounted the price, which allowed us to complete the project with the same carpet throughout. Less than 25% of the cost came from the Trustees budget because several Asbury members have contributed for future capital expenditures over the past several years. Thank you Asbury members for your assistance for our projects to keep Asbury an inviting place to worship and serve others.
Rich James, Chairman

United Methodist Women
February Circle Meetings

UMW Executive Board will not meet in February.

Monday, February 8
RUTH Circle will meet at 12:45 p.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall.
Program: A Valentine surprise! WEAR RED!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, February 9
HANNAH Circle will meet at 9:30 a.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall.
Program: The Stewardship of Our Resources

Tuesday, February 9
RACHEL Circle will meet at 7:00 p.m. in Upper Fellowship Hall.
Program: Emergency Numbers (More Effective than 911)
Please bring your Bible and items for the Food Pantry.

Tuesday, February 16
DORCAS Circle will meet for quilting at 10:00 a.m. in Lower Fellowship Hall. Please bring your sack lunch (and a beverage if you don’t drink coffee).
***We are also looking for two volunteers, with sewing experience, to piece together quilt squares and/or to hem quilts that have been tied. These exceptionally critical tasks can be done at home at your own convenience.

Christian Women’s Connection
The Davenport Area Christian Women’s Connection invites all women to The Lodge in Bettendorf, for a Valentine Party Luncheon on Wednesday, February 10th from 12:30-2:00 p.m. Jill Esbaum, author of children’s books, will be featured; Deanna Severs will provide a musical serenade; and Lori Boruff of Aledo, will share “Hope in the Ruins.”
The cost for the luncheon is $11.00, which includes tax and gratuity.
For reservations & complimentary childcare, please contact Carla at 563-324-2291, by February 8th.

Renewal Day for
Adults with Disabilities
On February 27 from 9:00am until 3:00pm, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 4105 North Division Street in Davenport will host a day of spiritual renewal for adults with disabilities and their family, friends & caregivers. Please call 386-3781 to register, to volunteer, or for more information.

Thank You
Dear Brenda & Asbury Friends,
We are blessed by your friendship and donation of blankets & afghans. Thank you for thinking of us and the needs of our clients.
Humility of Mary Shelter

Please Keep in Your Prayers…

Kathy Clifford, Bill Coffenberry, John Cramond, Evelyn Culp, Bob Dover, Herb Hengst, Derald Montgomery, Bob Stahl, Rob Tyler

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)
Frank Brokaw (Jack & Ruth Baylor’s friend)
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)
Linda Jacobs (Jean Bowrey’s sister)
Clyde Janeski (Kay Parch’s friend)
Jesse (Deanne Graber’s nephew)
Pat Jessen (Heather Dennis’ mother)
Sue Lank-Voyles (Mindy Lank’s mother-in-law)
Janet Muir (Bob Kline’s cousin)
JoAnn Munson (Barb Nelson’s sister)
Mary Jo Myers (Linda Rorke’s mother)
Hunter Peterson (Terri Law’s nephew)
Jack Ranson (Bonne Lorenzen’s daughter’s father-in-law)
Maxine Rayburn (Marla Johnson’s friend)
Jean Richards (Jana Richards’ grandma)
Steve & Nancy Riedl (Wolff’s daughter & son-in-law)
Bradley Riner (Johanna Brenner’s niece’s husband)
Reba Ripley (Pritchard’s & Wolfe’s friend)
Jordin Roberts (Leona Gailbreath’s great-granddaughter
Rev. Bob Ruppert (former Asbury pastor)
Sandy (Billy Murphy’s friend)
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)
Gina Sloss (Al & Hue Sloss’ daughter)
Marie Stapleton (Loraine Stahl’s sister-in-law)
Paul Stobaugh (Jean Bowrey’s brother-in-law)
Wendy Syverud (Wolfe Family’s friend)
Kari Teagarden (Moran Family’s friend)
Brian Turnmeyer (Dean & Joey Arney’s nephew)
Barbara VanVooren (Carole Bondi’s friend)
Harley Ward (Pam Campbell’s father)
Shirley & Paul Whitbeck (Doris Meier’s friends)
Char Wulf (Bonne Lorenzen’s daughter’s mother-in-law)

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

Prayers for Our Military

Clayton Westercamp,
Kandahar, Afghanistan
(Dan & Jan Westercamp’s son)
Keith Philips, Afghanistan
(Deborah & Paul D’Camp’s nephew)
Capt. Adrienne Stahl and
Major Brian Stahl,
both at Langley AFB, VA
(Bob & Loraine Stahl’s grandchildren)

Thoughts of Sympathy
Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim and Deanne Graber & family on the death of Jim’s mother, Grace Graber, on December 20th.
Larry and Meri Jo Patrick on the death of Larry’s mother, Margaret Patrick, on December 22nd.
The family and friends of Adele Lefever on the death of Adele, on January 10th.
Gary and Becky Pankratz & family on the death of Becky’s father on January 17th.
Bob & Loraine Stahl on the death of Loraine’s brother, Richard Stapleton, on January 19th.
Ruth & Marvin McMorran on the death of Ruth’s brother, Richard Slaten on January 25th.

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!

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

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.

Congratulations!
Congratulations to Asbury 6/7th Grade Sunday School Class! They have accomplished their goal of 100 Points for remembering to bring their Bibles to Sunday School. Their teachers are Larry Brandt and John Hale. We are sure they will continue to increase their total and build points as the Sunday School year continues!

College Ministry
Please consider helping with this important ministry by donating money for postage. For each $5.00 postage donation you can get a free Papa Murphy's Peel-a-Deal Card valued at $30 that NEVER expires and can be used at all Quad City locations. (Postage, which is our biggest expense, now runs over $300 to ship 80 boxes.) Funding for this ministry is also received through Church & Society Commission.
You can also help by looking for the College Ministry boxes located in each Narthex. Slips are attached to each box giving you the opportunity to purchase items needed for our care packages to be sent for Valentine's Day. Our students love getting packages and knowing they are being remembered by their church family. Popular items include Microwave Popcorn, Gum, Highlighters, Candy, Ramen Noodles, Instant Hot Chocolate, Pens, etc. You may leave your items in the church office.
If you have a college student and have not been contacted, please call the church office right away so they will not miss out on their package! Also, please remember to bring your student’s picture and add it to the bulletin board in the West Narthex!

Altar Flowers
Thank you to all who provided altar flowers in January: Barb Brethauer, Randy & Laura Adams, Danielle Kimler and Bonne Lorenzen.
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.

Thank You
The Asbury Foundation wishes to thank these persons for their generous gift to the Birthday Fund: Rich Clark, Karen Arnold and Merle & Mary Gifford.
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!

Thank You
Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Bettendorf Food Pantry during the past year. Because of you, our clients have been well served during this difficult economic time. All the volunteers and clients of the Pantry want to thank you and wish you a very happy 2010! God Bless You All!!!!!
Church & Society Commission
Diana Mahoski, Pantry Volunteer

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!

Jazz & Just Desserts
Concert
St. John’s United Methodist Church’s Celebration Band and UMW invite you to a special concert featuring Ray Wierson on Friday, February 5th at 7:30 p.m. A Gift Basket Silent Auction will also be held. Call 324-5278 for ticket information.