Asbury_Smyrna's Podcast

This week, we look at the Gospel of Matthew and the Miracle of the Earthquake as we continue in our Miracles of Calvary sermon series.  After the veil was torn, an earthquake hit that split rock in two and graves were opened.  This miracle was not a natural disaster, but a holy sign that sin had been defeated and that Jesus' death was shaking things up.  When our lives seem to shake, we can remember that God is our refuge.  He will shake things up but will not let US be shaken.For more information about worship services, special events, and other ministries at Asbury UMC please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.

This week, Rev. Julie Lewis looks at the time following the total darkness during Jesus' crucifixion and the moment when Jesus breathed his last breath.  At this moment, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom.  No human could have done this.  A natural disaster wouldn't have done this either.  The veil was a physical separation between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humankind.  Once Jesus died, the veil was no longer needed.  We had access to God through his atonement for our sins.  Yet, we still try to put up our own barriers to meeting with God.  God has cleared the way and we can tear down all the barriers and meet Jesus.For more information about services, special events, and other ministries at Asbury UMC please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Returned from her mission trip to Liberia, Africa, Rev. Julie Lewis begins a new sermon series to take us through the season of Lent.  Miracles of Calvary will be a series focusing on the miracles that happened during Christ's crucifixion; these are stories that scripture mentions but that we don't frequently take a good look at and reveal what God was doing in those moments.  We begin today with the Miracle of Darkness as we look at the three long hours Christ hung on the cross and the total blackness that swept over everything during this time.  The darkness represented the total depravity and sin of humankind which was being redeemed on the cross by the light of the world.  When our lives are filled with darkness, we can rest assured that the light will overcome the darkness because Jesus has already done it through his death.  For more information about services, events, and other ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Asbury UMC welcomes the Rev. Jacqueline Davis-Ford, Director of Connectional Ministries for the Peninsula-Delaware Annual Conference to the pulpit on this First Sunday in Lent while Pastor Julie is away on a mission trip.  Rev. Ford brings a message from Romans as we focus on surrendering all to God during this season of Lent.For more information on Lenten Bible studies, services, special events, and other ministries at AUMC, please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

In this final message in the Dinner with Jesus sermon series, Rev. Julie Lewis shows us the ways that the world tries to tell us that God is dead.  For three days after the cross, Jesus was dead, but then he rose to new life.  He proves he is alive by the eating of meals - with the Emmaus pilgrims and breakfast with his disciples.  We continue to eat together in Communion and in fellowship as living proof that Christ is alive in us.  When we put away our notions of who to share our meals with or finding ways to avoid being with people not like us, we find the true community that we are called to in Christ.For more information about services, events, and other ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

On this Communion Sunday, we reflect on the final meal that Jesus ate with the disciples.  Jesus gave us this meal to share with one another until he returns to remind us of his grace and love.  We are to share this meal together remembering who and whose we are that all are invited to the table.  Here we find life.  Here we find each other.  Here we find our salvation.  Here we find community as it was meant to be.For more information about Asbury UMC in Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook group or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

This week, Rev. Julie Lewis shows us how Jesus was invited to meals and how he graciously accepted those invitations.  Today we look at the story of a banquet where people were invited but found a variety of excuses to not attend.  In their stead, the least, the last, and the lost are welcomed so that the food and drink would not go to waste and they come willingly and joyfully.  Mission and ministry are acts of hospitality in the name of Christ.  If we open our homes and hearts to others we can find the relationships we build lead to grace abounding and hearts turned to Jesus.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook group or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

In the third installment of her Dinner with Jesus sermon series, Rev. Julie Lewis looks at the story of the Feeding of the 5,000 as we reveal everything going on under the surface.  This story really shows us who Jesus is an what he came to do.  Jesus is able to provide the people with enough food and more to spare.  We find that, when we trust God to provide, we have enough to share and that in sharing we are able to make a true declaration of who Jesus really is. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

In this second installment of her Dinner with Jesus sermon series, Rev. Julie Lewis looks at the meals that Jesus shared with people during his ministry on earth.  In the scripture from Luke 7, Jesus is invited to dinner by someone of high status when they are interrupted by the lowest of the low: a prostitute.  This woman treats Jesus with the respect he deserves and we see that everyone is deserving of hospitality and respect, from the highest of the high to the lowest of the low.  When we look at everyone in this light the kingdom of God will grow!For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please find either our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Rev. Julie Lewis is back in 2024 and kicking off with a sermon series entitled Dinner with Jesus.  This series is a look at the meals that Jesus shared with people during his earthly ministry; he ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, and other people unlike who you would think that the King of Kings would be spending his time with.  In this study we see the way sharing food becomes a bridge that overcomes all and helps to build connections - we will model that as we journey together and prepare for a church wide fellowship event unlike any other on January 26th.  For more information on Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

In this message, Rev. Julie Lewis concludes her Welcoming sermon series as we focus on coexisting with people of different faiths.  As Christians, we know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light.  People of different religions often find Christians to be judgemental and "holier than thou."  Jesus calls us to welcome and not to judge people of other beliefs (or no belief at all).  Jesus is all about loving those around us and not judging anyone.  This is truly the best way to spread the gospel message.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Much of the world sees people who are "other" abled as somehow incomplete or not as valuable as fully functional people.  We stare and whisper, we keep our distance and yet, in that distance, fail to see the additional abilities that they have been given.  When we look at the obstacles that people with different physical challenges have to overcome and welcome them by making adjustments or accommodations to be able to more fully include them in worship we find a new joy in receiving these children of God and the blessings they bring to the Body of Christ.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Today, the Rev. Julie Lewis begins a three-part sermon series called Welcoming.  Asbury United Methodist Church's mission statement says that we are a place that "welcomes all."  This series will look at what who that "all" encompasses and what it really means to be welcoming to people of different cultures, abilities, and beliefs than our own.  In this first message, which focuses on Welcoming Other Cultures, we focus on the ways that we find it challenging to find common ground with those we find to be so different from us.  Jesus died for the sins of all and we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  Sharing common ground is only the beginning of welcoming all in the name of Jesus Christ. For more information about worship and ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.

The Rev. Jacqueline Ford, the Director of Connectional Ministries for the Delaware District, brings a message focusing on the 23rd Psalm.  This Psalm is well known to many of us and in it we see how Jesus is the Good Shepherd who restores our soul and leads us in the right paths.  We know that when we follow Jesus we will not be left alone or led astray.For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Our faith is often being born even before we realize who Jesus is and what he has done for us.  Many people say they don't believe in God but many also say that they want to believe in something.  Jesus is here whether we see him or not.  We can see if we choose to take a look. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

What do we do when we doubt our faith?  Doubt is a human emotion that can come creeping in even when we have the evidence staring us in the face.  There is always room for doubt.  We often think that doubt is bad but we should consider that perhaps doubt is necessary.  Doubt means that we are moving in faith and trusting Jesus even when we cannot see for ourselves.  Seeing Jesus for who he is and believing in what we cannot see takes courage! For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

As we have explored the 7 deadly sins during Lent, we have been reminded that the wages of sin are death. Christ died and then rose to new life so sin and death wouldhave no power over us. This is how we overcome sin and step into new life…forever.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Gluttony is wanting or hungering for more than we need. To satisfy bodily desires, we give way to taking more than is necessary or even healthy. It is overindulgence.Taming this sin will lead to a better life as we find ourselves satisfied and content instead of always wanting more.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church please find the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Although anger can be beneficial in regards to injustice in the world, the anger we are looking at causes definite harm to ourselves and to others. Again, we put our owninterests ahead of others and the sin comes when we act in an unhealthy way in response to that anger. We can stand on our faith that God will avenge any wrongs and we can use forgiveness and meekness as a response.For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Greed is a sign of anxiety and fear of not having enough. Greed makes us believe that our value comes from what we have, both in materials and in status. When we stop worrying about what we have and begin to have concern for what others may or may not have, we find that there is enough and that we are enough.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org

Lust is another way we can be tempted to be only concerned for ourselves, for our own gratification and pleasure. Love is concerned with others well being. Lust can cause harm to all involved and only love can heal it all. Moving from allowing lust to rule over our bodies to make sure we only act when we feel true, giving love will give us deeper joy and contentment in life.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org

Envy is a sin of which most of us are guilty. We compare ourselves to others, see how we measure up and it can leave us dead inside. Moving beyond envy to being content is not an easy path but necessary as we take the gaze of our eyes off of ourselves and look to Jesus to find contentment.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Laziness can often come from depression and feeling overwhelmed. Our apathy towards others again can stem from the prideful view of putting ourselves and our own welfare first. By standing up and making the choice to do something loving, whether getting to work, lending a hand or just getting up and moving, we can change how we feel about ourselves and about life in general.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pride is considered the first sin. It is defined as being deadly because it is grounded in self: self-concern, self-worship, self-interests. All other sins grow from this sin. We can eliminate this sin by remembering how God's love and grace have saved us from all sin and remembering that we could not do it on our own. This brings humility, the ability to see our true place in the world. This is the opposite of pride and humility gives life.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pastor Julie Lewis brings another message commemorating Black History Month by sharing the stories of the lives and legacies of a few of the most influential Black Methodists.  Today, Pastor Julie tells the life story of Sojourner Truth.  Sojourner was a fighter - she fought for her freedom, for her own name, for her children, and ultimately fought for the right for women to vote.  Fighting injustice is part of Christ's call to each of us. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit our Facebook page or website. 

Pastor Julie Lewis commemorates Black History Month by sharing the stories of prominent Blak history makers (and Methodists).  This week, we look at the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.  His life and legacy encourage us to live by the spirit and to be peacemakers even under persecution.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

On this 5th Sunday the community of Asbury comes together in one special blended worship service to praise God as one united body of the church.  Pastor Julie Lewis formally introduces Amy Brown, AUMC's new Choir Director, and installs the new Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the committee that will work to prayerfully plan for the operation of the church.  Her sermon message today talks about Gracious Leadership and how we benefit through the gifts of service of others.For a complete list of those serving on AUMC's ELT team please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org and click on the "RESOURCES" tab. 

Pastor Julie Lewis concludes her Three Simple Rules sermon series with this message focused on how we Stay in Love With God.  We find that when we remain focused on the source of our faith it can help fuel us as we continue to Do No Harm and to intentionally Do Good.  For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please go to www.asburysmyrnaumc.org or the Facebook page. 

Last week, Pastor Julie covered John Wesley's first simple rule which is "Do No Harm."  This week we pivot to focusing on how we intentionally seek to "Do Good."  We find that, when we focus our attention and choices on intentionally doing good to others that we are able to look past "random acts of kindness" and "paying it forward" to attune our hearts and lives God would have us do to increase the greater good of all.  Join us next week as we cover the third of the Three Simple Rules which is Stay in Love With God.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Asbury United Methodist Church is kicking off 2023 with a dive into the Three Simple Rules followed and passed down by the founder of Methodism, John Wesley.  These three simple rules are practices for living in this world as followers of Christ and we will be exploring how those rules are relevant in our practice today.  The first simple rule - Do No Harm - is something that centers on what we refrain from doing as faithful people rather than on what we do.  This is the ground rule because when we focus on avoiding doing harm to others we come to see and fully understand how interconnected we are with everyone around us and the dramatic impact that our actions (and inactions!) can have on those around us.  Join us each week as we continue this journey and start off the new year right.  For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please find our Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

As we close 2022, we bring you a special two-fer podcast including Pastor Julie Lewis' messages from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as the community of Asbury celebrates the holiest of nights and the most blessed of days as we rejoice.  Emmanuel, God is with us!  Jesus Christ is BORN!For more information about worship at Asbury UMC in Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

As we listen to the story of God's love, we are invited to make room for Christ in our hearts.  Once Jesus lives in us we are truly at home because Christ is at home in us.  This is the true meaning of Christmas and what we celebrate this week. For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pastor Julie Lewis continues her Follow the Star sermon series with a message from Luke 2:6-7.  During the Christmas season we often find that we are distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season and we don't pay attention to the story of Christ's birth.  We get caught up in everything else going on and we fail to slow down and stop to listen.  We find that when we take the time to understand what is happening and why that we find it easier to find our way home and it is there that we find the peace that we have been searching for - the true meaning of the season.For the video that Pastor Julie references in the sermon please go to https://youtu.be/kWq60oyrHVQ.  Thank you to St. Pauls of Auckland, New Zealand for their gracious allowance of usage of this video. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please visit the Facebook page or website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

As we continue following the story of the Wise Men through the Christmas story as we approach the glorious celebration of Christmas and the birth of the Christchild.  In this message, Pastor Julie Lewis shows us how the Christmas story highlights that we are all homeless - just as Jesus and his family and the Wise Men were on that holy night - and looking for a place where we belong, a place where we are at peace.  We find that when we make the decision to look to him that we find home and that peace that we are looking for. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pastor Julie Lewis kicks off her Follow the Star sermon series following the story of the Wise Men through the Advent season.  In this first message we look at the signs and how the Wise Men knew what signs to look for and what those signs meant.  In our modern world we find that when we know where and what to look for that we are able to find that peace that passes all understanding.  We find peace when we look for Jesus. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pastor Julie Lewis preaches on Christ the King Sunday, the final worship before the beginning of the Advent season.  Today we look at the Gospel of Matthew as we learn about sharing God's love and bringing peace and calm to a world that is so often full of chaos.  We know that it is when we claim Christ as King that we find strength and focus. For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.

Sometimes, it is in our darkest moments that we hear the call of Christ telling us to "Go!"  Our commission is to "go and make disciples."  Through the story of Ananias and Paul, we can see how God blesses those who answer the call.  It can be uncomfortable and hard to go into new places and share the love of God but we all have a call to "Go!"For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Rev. Julie Lewis preaches the story of Lazarus as we see how, even in the best of times, we can find that we feel empty or dead inside.  Christ calls us to new life and to come out of the tombs of our lives to be truly set free.  We will never be truly set free until we answer Jesus' call to new life. Asbury United Methodist Church meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.  Services are livestreamed at www.facebook.com/asburyumcsmyrna.  For more information about AUMC please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

The first call we hear as individuals and as a church is "Follow Me!"  Our first step is to make the decision to become disciples of Christ.  Once we answer this call we gain all that is needed to do anything and everything Christ calls us to do.The Follow Me sermon series will be a five part study in the call that Jesus makes for each of us to "Follow Me" - both individually and as a Church - and we we understand that, although these calls serve the same purpose, we will each be called in different ways.  We will explore how to become disciples as well as learn how to make disciples as we grow, serve, and share God's love in Christ Jesus.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Think the story of the Bible is too long to take in all in one sitting?  It's not!  Join us as Rev. Julie Lewis undertakes the feat of telling the Greatest Story Ever Told all in one sermon.  Next week, we embark on a 5 week series entitled "Follow Me" focusing on the call that Jesus has placed on each of us - both individually and as the Body of the Church.  When we answer Christ's call we find that we not only become disciples but we are able to reach others with the message of the Gospel as we grow, serve, and share God's love through the miracle of Jesus Christ.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the webpage at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

District Superintendent of the Delaware District of the Peninsula-Delaware Conference Rev. Joseph Archie visits Asbury UMC with a message entitled Perfect Peace and True Hope.  For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

We don't always get a second chance to do the right thing.  As we grow in our faith, we come to find that we respond differently to circumstances than we might have at earlier times in our lives.  When we stick to our convictions and follow the Spirit we find that we are able to act out of love and compassion.  We find that God's promises and love are unbreakable.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the website www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

As Rev. Julie Lewis continues her sermon series following the life of Joseph we look at the story of Joseph's reunification with his brothers - the very same who wished him dead and caused him irreparable harm.  We see that when we allow God to work in us God can help us to grow and stand firm in doing the right thing and to have unbreakable love in even the toughest of situations. For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware please visit our website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.  

In this message, Pastor Julie covers Genesis 41 and shows how we can find that dreams come true when we hold on and trust God to work all things for our good.  All things are possible with our unbreakable God. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church please visit www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

It isn't easy to maintian our values in this life.  Every day it seems like people cast virtue aside in favor of what feels right at the moment.  Our unbreakable values give us our identity as people of God.  In the long run, keeping them at all costs reaps the best rewards.For more information about worship at Asbury UMC in Smyrna, Delaware please visit our website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Rev. Julie Lewis begins a new sermon series, Unbreakable, following the life and story of Joseph, son of Israel.  Through Joseph, we come to see the evidence of Joseph's unbreakable faith and the promise that God made through Joseph to the Israelites as God used Joseph as part of the plan to bring salvation to us all.  This sermon series will run for 7 weeks.  Worship is available live online at 9:00 and 11:00 AM EST at www.facebook.com/asburyumcsmyrna.  Services are reposted here on Mondays.  There is also a podcast, Asbury UMC Smyrna Podcast, available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, and other platforms.  Please join us as we praise the Lord together this summer. 

Pastor Julie Lewis brings a Father's Day message about the lengths that fathers can go to for their children and how God is our heavenly Father who gave us Jesus.  This is a wonderful gift to celebrate on this day, regardless of the state of our relationships with our earthly fathers or if we celebrate them today.For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church please visit www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Rev. Julie Lewis brings a message for Pentecost Sunday focusing on the scripture from Romans 8:14-17 as Asbury United Methodist Church celebrates the official birth of the Christian church.  The fire of the Holy Spirit that came down on that day is the same fire that continues to burn inside of all who believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior and are led by that Spirit. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Rev. Julie Lewis brings a sermon based on Acts 16:16-24 and faces the devastating acts of violence that have taken place in our country in the last two weeks as we also face a weekend of celebrating the ones who have laid down their lives to protect our freedoms.  One of the marks of a Christian Church is our mission to set the oppressed free.  There is so much oppression in the world and even in our community. We are called to act, to do something to be the agents of freedom in the name of Jesus Christ. For more information about Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org. 

Pastor Julie Lewis celebrates Ministry Sunday by looking at some of the ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church that reach out into the community.  We also look at the ways that every single believer is called to be a minister whether it is their profession or through other influences in their lives. For more information about worship at Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.

Rev. Franklin "Zip" Long fills the AUMC pulpit as Rev. Julie Lewis enjoys Mother's Day with her children and grandchildren.  Pastor Zip is a veteran UMC Pastor and Church Consultant who currently works with churches across the country teaching leaders and disciples how to grow and foster stewardship and a spirit of generosity in their communities.  We are blessed to have Pastor Zip as part of our extended AUMC family.  To learn more about Pastor Zip Long please visit https://www.horizons.net/franklin-longTo learn more about worshipping at Asbury United Methodist Church in downtown Smyrna, Delaware, please visit the website at www.asburysmyrnaumc.org.