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A Night with the Author-Everything is Gonna Be All Right, a new book providing hope during COVID-19

A NEW BOOK PROVIDING HOPE AND STRENGTH DURING COVID-19: Everything Is Gonna Be All Right: Devotionals for Faith and Encouragement 

 St. Andrew United Methodist Church Senior Pastor Robert Hasley, Jr., has authored his first book, Everything Is Gonna Be All Right: Devotionals for Faith and Encouragement, releasing in November by Invite Press, for $9.99 to $22.39 (hardback, paperback, audio book, ebook) at https://store.inviteresources.com/product/everything-gonna-be-all-right/. “A Night with the Author,” including a Q&A with Rev. Hasley, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 5801 W. Plano Parkway. Anyone purchasing a book may register for this uplifting evening of encouragement and support. Seating is limited.

As a young man, Rev. Hasley wondered how his grandmother could always say, “Everything is gonna be all right,” when pain, harm and suffering persist? Yet hers was not a Pollyanna faith, but a faith that sustained and comforted in times full of fear, anxiety, and stress. In this book, Rev. Hasley tells homespun stories and anecdotes of a life lived in faith through good times and bad. A compilation of his life experiences and devotional messages, Everything Is Gonna Be All Right is not tied to specific days of the week or year and may be read in any order for inspiration and support.

“Today we are navigating our way through unprecedented times caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and we must look after our mental and spiritual well-being as well as our physical health,” said Rev. Robert Hasley. “It is my goal that this book, a collection of my experiences of seeing God in everyday events of life, will help the reader to see how God is active in their own lives, providing hope and encouragement. My Grandmother Maude Stephens is my inspiration for putting this book together. Whether I skinned my knee, got a bad test grade, or dropped a pass during a big game, she was there telling me that everything would be all right – words which have been with me for a lifetime, words that provide a welcoming sense of comfort, and words that we all need to hear right now.”

Maude Stephens lived from the end of the 19th century into the very beginning of the 21st century. She died in 2000 at age 101 in a hospital in Gurdon, Arkansas. Despite a life with much sorrow and many challenges, including seeing her husband off to World War I and her son off to World War II as well as surviving the Spanish Flu and the Great Depression, her deep faith led to an abiding conviction that everything would, indeed, be all right.

“In this book, Robert’s deep pastoral insight leads to unexpected revelations that link a storm over the ballpark to our safety in God’s hands,” said Rev. Arthur Jones, lead preaching pastor, St. Andrew UMC. “His awareness of the faith of children inspires faith from us.  His willingness to admit his own mistakes and embarrassment helps us appreciate God’s love for us in all the circumstances of our lives – even when we are not at our best. His love for his family, friends and church community is genuine and pervasive. And his deeply held belief that things will be all right shows up clearly in his conviction that God does place the right people at the right time at the right place, that needs are met, and prayers answered.”    

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen fear, anxiety, and stress among members of the community, our congregation, and within our own families,” added Rev. Hasley. “Every aspect in our lives has been affected, and every day feels uncertain. We are all at risk and many are sick and dying. Life as we once knew it has been turned upside down, movement and gatherings are restricted, unemployment is soaring, and now there are many new anxieties about the beginning of the school year. We must remember that our faith sustains and comforts us, providing us a sense of control during these uncertain times. Like Grandmother Stephens, we must keep that faith knowing that this storm will pass, and everything is gonna be all right.”

Attendance for a “A Night with the Author” is limited to the first 300 registrants and requires an RSVP at the time of registration. Details are available at the church website.  A book signing will follow the event. All proceeds from the book will support the ministries of St. Andrew.

"Everything Is Gonna Be All Right is an inspiring collection of stories that I had the privilege of hearing firsthand while attending Rev. Robert Hasley's church,” stated Troy Aikman, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback. “His life experiences can bring confidence, peace, and strength to anyone in these trying times!"

“This has been a year like no other for everyone, and without question, we will all be looking for meaningful Christmas gifts or stocking stuffers for friends or family members. This book would be a wonderful choice,” added Rev. Jones. “I’ve known Robert Hasley for 12 years and have benefited tremendously from his wisdom and life experiences from decades of service in ministry to others. I know you will, too.”

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About Robert Hasley - From his birth in Hope, Arkansas, to the eve of his 35th anniversary as founding pastor of St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas, Robert Hasley’s faith and worldview has been shaped by key Christian relationships, including his wife, Sharon, his immediate family, the Highland Park and St. Andrew families of faith, and many good friends, all of whom who have dedicated themselves to “doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). As instruments of God’s amazing grace, they are the reason he said “yes” to serving Christ full time as a United Methodist pastor and why he continues to experience the joy of glorifying God by offering the faith, hope, and love of Christ to others today.

Invite Press is the imprint of Invite Resources, a ministry of St. Andrew United Methodist Church. The mission of Invite Resources is to share the promise of the New Creation by inviting all people to discover a deeper faith and relationship with Christ, use their gifts for the benefit of others, and participate in God’s kingdom. As such, it is a ministry designed for both laypersons and church leaders. Visit www.inviteresources.com

St. Andrew United Methodist Church began in 1986 in the spirit of its namesake, a disciple of Jesus. The life of the Apostle Andrew embodies the church's mission, which is to invite the Christian-ish and the unchurched to become passionate servants of Christ. The congregation of St. Andrew follows Jesus, lives in relationship, serves others, and takes risks in faith. Worship includes four services each weekend on a 21.2-acre campus at the corner of Plano Parkway and Mira Vista in Plano, Texas, where more than 2,000 people gather each weekend. Recent renovation allows the Sanctuary to host worship in both Traditional style, with the classic pipe organ, and Contemporary style, with a new LED center screen and lighting technology. Small groups and Bible studies gather on campus and throughout the region every day of the week. Mission opportunities serve our local area, neighboring regions, and global communities. The church has been repeatedly selected as a "Best Place to Worship in Plano” by the readers of the Plano Star Courier. St. Andrew United Methodist Church is located at 5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093. Visit www.standrewumc.org; call 972-380-8001.

Everything Is Gonna Be All Right
Author Rev. Robert Hasley, Jr.
Friday, 23 October 2020