Asbury United Methodist Church - Getzville

06/03/2026

Grace and Peace from our Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ,

One of the reasons I enjoy playing RPG video games is that I can I decide what kind of “build” I want to be as a character. Depending on how I allocate the points granted to me in the game for stat, attribute, perk, and character development, I can make myself a mighty warrior. Or, I could shape myself into a powerful Mage/Wizard. Or, I could form myself into stealthy assassin. Or, I could mold myself into a quick footed archer. Or, perhaps I combine certain elements from each, and become a hybrid build.

In some ways, playing such RPGs reflects a desire that is pitted within the very deepest parts of our souls. Whether we recognize it or not, we all aspire to be someone. We all desire to embody the person we want to be. Not who we are now, but our ideal self. Perhaps we want to be gentle. Or courageous. Or noble. Etc. Aristotle taught that these are the innate desires of our soul, and that one could become their ideal self (“build”) only by nurturing those virtues that lead to the ideal self.

This leads to three fundamental questions, of which we are exploring this upcoming Sunday: Who do you aspire to be? Who has God made you to be? And how do I become that person?

You can prepare for the service by reading John 14: 13 and 15: 7.

Worship starts at 11am, but if you are unable to attend the service, you can watch it online here:
https://www.youtube.com/

Also, a few other things you can do in order to prepare for service:

1. Pray the rest of the week. Pray for me that I preach well. Pray that the people receive the message well. Pray that all of us meet God this Sunday.
2. Worship this week. Do not wait till Sunday to worship. Start singing the hymns and songs now. Help your neighbor. Spend time in quiet solitude with God. Take time to worship today.
3. Get there early.
4. Invite people to come to the service.
5. Bring your Bible.
6. Take notes during service.
7. Do not treat Church like a Country club.
8. Focus on God!

I hope to see you there if you can make it!

With love, compassion, and prayer,
Reverend Michael G. Whitcomb-Tavey

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

Sermon from 05-31-26

Sermon for 05-31-26

05/28/2026

Grace and Peace from our Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ,

As you read this, I am at Annual Conference, preparing to get Ordained as a Full Elder in the UMC. When this happens, I will be able to wear a stole, as a symbol of this Ordination. As I reflect upon this, I am reminded of the last time I wore a stole. Years ago, during my first appointment, before I was a licensed local pastor (I was just a supply pastor at the time), I wore a stole. I had not known that stoles could only be worn by Ordained Elders. I am grateful for the pastor who gently corrected me on this matter. What surprised me is that no one knew! People just assumed I was an Elder because I wore the stole. They did not even question it. If I were a nefarious man, I could have “played the role,” reaping the benefits of having the image of an Ordained Elder without its right. In fact, Satan tempted me to do just that!

This is a temptation we all face. Satan tempts us with image. In my case, it was wearing the stole. In your case, it could be something else. Whatever the case, the heart of the matter is that Satan often tempts us at playing the role of Christian without actually living it out. We are tempted to put on a mask, acting like a Christian, without actually being one.

But we need to take off the mask. For true worship of God is not found in playing the role of Christian, but actually being one. True worship of God is not about image. It is about identity. It is not about deceiving others into believing that you are living like a Christian. It is about actually living like one!

This upcoming Sunday, then, as we celebrate Trinity Sunday, we focus on two fundamental Truths: the Holy Spirit is God, and therefore is worthy of our Worship. Such worship, however, cannot be mere lip service. It must be real, authentic, and true.

You can prepare for the service by reading Acts 4: 32-5: 11.

Worship starts at 11am, but if you are unable to attend the service, you can watch it online here:
https://www.youtube.com/

Also, a few other things you can do in order to prepare for service:

1. Pray the rest of the week. Pray for me that I preach well. Pray that the people receive the message well. Pray that all of us meet God this Sunday.
2. Worship this week. Do not wait till Sunday to worship. Start singing the hymns and songs now. Help your neighbor. Spend time in quiet solitude with God. Take time to worship today.
3. Get there early.
4. Invite people to come to the service.
5. Bring your Bible.
6. Take notes during service.
7. Do not treat Church like a Country club.
8. Focus on God!

I hope to see you there if you can make it!

With love, compassion, and prayer,
Reverend Michael G. Whitcomb-Tavey

This site is for members of Asbury United Methodist Church. We are a Methodist congregation located in Getzville, NY.

05/26/2026

Sermon from 05-24-26

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/20/2026

Sermon from 05-17-26

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/19/2026

Grace and Peace from our Lord, Savior, and God, Jesus Christ,

Movie montages are brilliant pieces of cinema. They heighten the tension of the movie, transition the movie into the next act of the narrative, and tell a story. The Rocky movies, specifically Rocky IV, employs some of the best montages. Although quite formulaic, they always work to stir the soul. It begins after the stakes have been raised in the story. Something significant has occurred that causes you to question if Rocky can defeat the antagonist. Then the montage begins. It tells the story of how Rocky trains. How he prepares himself for the fight. Accompanied with thrilling edits and a soundtrack that gets you excited, you become invested, that much more, in the story.

Another montage that has become famous as one of the best is from “Up.” At the very beginning of the movie, the writers tell a very brief story through the art of montage. It tells the story of love, marriage, and death. The montage helps to create the backstory of the movie, explaining why certain things happen the way that they do. Although brief, this montage will cause tears be shed.

Personally, as an LOTR (Lord of the Rings nerd), I love the opening montage of the “Fellowship of the Ring.” The montage explains who the main antagonist is, the purpose of the One ring, and helps establish the stakes that shall occur in the trilogy. In my opinion, it is the best movie montage in cinema history.

Montages are not exclusive to the art of cinema, either. They exist in all forms of media. Even written media. Even in the Bible. One famous montage occurs after Peter just delivered the first sermon at Pentecost. In it, we are told how the early church structured their lives and worship. It is a montage that gives us a powerful picture of how the early church lived.

This upcoming Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost, we join that montage. Their story is our story. So, I invite you into a sacred space this Sunday. To hear the montage present in this story. To learn from the montage. And to join the montage, participating with our ancient brothers and sisters in how we are to live our lives and how we are to worship God.

This invitation is open to everyone, even if you claim no faith, are not a Christian, or struggle in your walk with God. All are welcome to come and hear, learn, and participate in the Abundant and Eternal Life that God has for everyone!

Hope to see you there.
And remember, bring a friend!

You can prepare for the service by reading Acts 2: 1-13, 37-47.

Worship starts at 11am, but if you are unable to attend the service, you can watch it online here:
https://www.youtube.com/

Also, a few other things you can do in order to prepare for service:

1. Pray the rest of the week. Pray for me that I preach well. Pray that the people receive the message well. Pray that all of us meet God this Sunday.
2. Worship this week. Do not wait till Sunday to worship. Start singing the hymns and songs now. Help your neighbor. Spend time in quiet solitude with God. Take time to worship today.
3. Get there early.
4. Invite people to come to the service.
5. Bring your Bible.
6. Take notes during service.
7. Do not treat Church like a Country club.
8. Focus on God!

I hope to see you there if you can make it!

With love, compassion, and prayer,
Reverend Michael G. Whitcomb-Tavey

This site is for members of Asbury United Methodist Church. We are a Methodist congregation located in Getzville, NY.

05/15/2026

https://youtu.be/pCzsNJA0qZg

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.