Losing Your Marbles?

july / august 2014

LoSiNg YouR MARblEs? Making each day count with your children

A willingness to embrace change for the sake of developing all generations for significant lives in Christ. This is how we gratefully describe our congregation as we assess responses to the changes that took place on April 27 with worship services and adult communities. It was a pleasure to observe how things played out on that debut Sunday and on the following Sundays. Immediately, it was obvious that there was a new energy everywhere you looked. It couldn’t be missed. We’ve received many confirmations of the decision to reduce the number of services and to bring them back into the main Sanctuary. We are very thankful for all of the positive feedback and for the sense of excitement and anticipation.

Some people changed the worship service they attend. The same is true for adult communities. Some attended two or even all three of the services to determine which was best suited for them. All of this was done with a great attitude. Worship attendance for this period was strong, better than the comparable period from last year. We’ve averaged more than 3,000 in attendance. The proportion for each service is approximately 7 percent for the chapel service, 43 percent for the 9:15 am traditional, and 50 percent for the 11:00 am modern.

Our new Guest Services ministry was created as part of our new emphasis on outward focus. They have done an outstanding job. We’ve heard many positive comments about how that team is engaging with our members and with guests.

JULY / AUGUST 2014

Contents A Word From Tom Harrison 1 Confirmation at Asbury 2 Serve Thursday 4 Student Ministry Fall Kickoff 6 Is Date Night Worth the Effort?

7 Why Renew Your Wedding Vows?

8 Losing Your Marbles?

12 What If…The Churches in Tulsa Could Come Together to Take the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth?

14 Rewards of Being A Congregational Care Minister 16 Grandpa John 17 Opportunities 18 Special Announcements 22

The reworked worship services at 9:15 am and 11:00 am have also been extremely well received. The technology upgrades in the Sanctuary and the modification of the stage area have generated many compliments. Our worship teams deserve our thanks and appreciation.

Several key factors contributed to the successful rollout of these changes. Prayer has been an important part of the entire process from study through formulation and execution. Our congregation has a great attitude and is more committed to developing all generations for significant lives in Christ than to personal preferences.

Asbury’s staff has worked extremely hard these last number of months. I am proud of and thankful for their effort. Finally, none of this would have happened without the courage and leadership of our Senior Pastor Tom Harrison.

This is just the beginning. As part of “outward focus,” we will continue to make Asbury more approachable and attractive for those who are not yet Christians or who are marginally churched. Part of this deals with what happens on our campus. Part deals with our engagement in the broader community.

The third aspect of our new strategy calls for more focused attention in the area of adult discipleship. You will hear more about this toward the end of the year.

Our new vision statement is having an impact. It is common to hear references to “all generations” and to our desire to be intergenerational rather than simply multigenerational. The former signifies that we want to learn to meaningfully engage with those of other generations for mutual benefit. The development aspect is also a frequent part of discussion. We are pleased to see this new vision getting early traction.

This is a great time for Asbury. Many good things are happening. For your prayers, gifts, support and service, we are thankful.

Dwight Yoder Executive Director

We need you! Do you have a story of what God has done in your life? Please contact us and tell us a little bit about what God has done. We will all be encouraged by hearing stories of what God is doing in the lives of those around us.

Are you a writer or someone who enjoys writing?

The Communications Department is always looking for someone to do an interview and write a story for us for Tidings.

Have you noticed that we’ve been making some changes in Tidings? Please give us your feedback—both good and bad.

Email kmains@asburytulsa.org or call 918.392.1140.

Asbury Tidings is a bi-monthly publication designed to tell stories of lives being transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.

You may read back issues by visiting www.asburytulsa.org.

Editor: Asbury Communications Department, 918.392.1140, kmains@asburytulsa.org Graphic Design: Tim Jurgensen, tjurgensen@asburytulsa.org Photographers: Mark Moore (mark moore.photo.net), Ryan Farran (ryanfarranphotography.com), Sarah Adams (yellowchairphotography.com) Guest Contributors: Adrena Mahu, Betty Higgins, Charlene Giles, Christina Treat, Jim Davis, Mark Fowler, Katelyn Moore, Justin Schell, John Westervelt

PA S TO R TO M

A Word From Tom Harrison

S

ometimes living out my faith is easy and a pleasing assignment. Sometimes, like when Jesus told us to “love our enemies and to pray for those who despitefully use us,” it is very hard and unnatural. The book of James begins with another difficult statement: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Few of us “consider it pure joy” when we face trials, adversity and difficulty. I’ve certainly grumbled and complained about some/ most of my hardships. I’ve compared myself with others who seem to have been more fortunate and blessed. “Why me?” is a question that all of us have expressed at one time or another.

It’s been said that America has become a nation of quitters.

Indeed, many are – but many aren’t. I know many who truly persevere – with joy! Vince Lombardi, the famous football coach, said: “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” Winston Churchill said, “If you’re going through hell – keep going.” He also said, “Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential.” H.G. Wells said, “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” Another novelist, James Michener, said: “Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.” Robert Strauss said, “Success is like wrestling a gorilla. You don’t quit when YOU are tired. You quit when the GORILLA is tired.” Babe Ruth swung with optimism when he said: “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

Abraham Lincoln, always a wonderful source of quotes, said: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” Ask anybody who’s been successful in life, including long-term marriages, what the secret is and they’ll tell you it’s “Work hard – Don’t quit.”

On June 1, we honored Bill and Jayne Mason for 50 years of ministry with us at Asbury. Twenty-nine years of those were spent when Bill was our senior pastor (he’s been our “pastor emeritus” since then). He has persevered through all of these years. His has not been a sprint but a marathon. I’m so grateful for Bill and Jayne’s faithful witness among us for these years. Neither of them claims perfection, but both have exhibited perseverance. They have continued to run through all of these years and over all kinds of obstacles.

I’m not sure what problems you’re facing today, but I know you have some. Problems won’t cease until we go to be with Jesus. But until then, as Paul (2 Timothy 4:7) said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Let’s run our race with passion and enthusiasm. Let’s be the witnesses, in the midst of our problems, that will honor Christ and will lift up our fellow runners.

Let’s keep the faith!

Dr. Tom Harrison Senior Pastor

Save the Date!

Day of Service September 28 JULY / AUGUST 2014 | TIDINGS

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STUDENTS

Confirmation at Asbury

By Mark Fowler

Dickie’s Fish and Chips. That’s about all I remember from my confirmation time in the sixth grade back in 1976.

I was a sixth grader growing up in Stillwater (Go POKES) and attending First UMC. The church was a just a couple of blocks down the street from Stillwater Middle School, and a few of us would walk down to Dickie’s Fish and Chips, which was across the street from the church, before we had to be in confirmation class. Learning about confirmation from the older associate pastor, who didn’t seem like he really wanted to hang out with a bunch of sixth-grade students, wasn’t really exciting. That’s probably why my memory of confirmation has to do with Dickie’s Fish and Chips instead of the confirmation process and what God was trying to teach me during confirmation.

Fortunately for us, our confirmation process is designed to engage students and to instill in them a desire to grow spiritually.

Confirmation is more than just learning about Methodist history; it should involve opportunities for students to ask questions about faith, it should allow them to struggle through some tough questions and issues about life and then to come out on the other side in a stronger, more mature relationship with Jesus. If we are not providing opportunities for students to do this, then we are not following the call of Jesus on the church.

In order for us to answer this call, we use the small-group system to help students mature in their faith. Students are placed in same-gender groups of about 8-10 students with two adults and a high school student leading a group. Small groups are designed to be a place where students can learn about faith issues, ask questions about faith and learn more about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the church. It is also designed to be a fun and caring place where adults, other than their parents, are

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caring for and nurturing them and are involved in their lives. In this atmosphere, students can move through the confirmation process with more opportunities to grow.

We also use the confirmation process to help students and families have common faith experiences. One goal we have is for families to become stronger by parents participating in the spiritual formation of their children. This happens through time spent together as a family praying, reading devotions, going to a church of a different denomination, learning about Methodist history and just spending time together answering silly questions. Time together as a family learning about faith and talking about Jesus helps our students and parents mature spiritually.

All of this takes place over the course of a student’s seventhgrade year and culminates in the confirmation service where the students publicly express their desire to follow Jesus, get confirmed and join the church. It’s a big night full of special moments and memories, as you can tell by the pictures. I saw students look Pastor Tom in the eye when he placed his hand on their head and spoke the confirmation prayer over them; Pastor Tom was presented with a rose as he confirmed a girl, and some parents even got tears in their eyes when their child was confirmed.

Confirmation has definitely evolved from when I when through and thank goodness for that. No more Dickie’s Fish and Chips.

I do believe that the confirmation process is significant in a student’s spiritual growth and something that all seventh graders should be involved in while at Asbury.

STUDENTS

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STUDENTS

Serve Thursday

By Betty Higgins A fictional story…

I

am bored. I finished my freshman year in high school last Wednesday, and I am already bored with summer. Last year I spent a lot of time texting and watching TV and talking on the phone, and I want this summer to be different. I want to do something important, something that will make a difference in the world, something I can feel good about, something that will make the world a better place.

At Asbury, I heard about this thing called Serve Thursday, where the youth go out and help people in Tulsa. The youth staff said it is the fourth year they have been doing this, and last year 225 students volunteered more than 675 hours, worth more than $11,000 of free labor. I think that sounds like fun, so I am planning on going June 5.

It’s Thursday morning, and I want to sleep in. But I don’t. I drag myself out of bed and my mom drives me to Asbury by 8:15 am. I am excited to see where I can serve this morning. There are three choices: 1) I can go to the Community Food Bank and help sort food so kids won’t go hungry, 2) I can go to Emergency Infant Services and help organize diapers and clothes for babies, or 3) I can visit the elderly at Methodist Manor. I choose the food bank.

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We get in a van and are driven to the food bank. I recognize a couple of people but don’t know them well; but by the time we get there, I at least know their names. We get out, sign some forms and then get to work. I start sorting and boxing canned peaches next to a girl named Jessica. I find out that she goes to my school and only lives a mile from me! Also working around me are Brian, Stephen and Marcus. We talked about classes and teachers and what it would feel like to be hungry. Three hours fly by.

Before we leave, the staff tells us about the Eastern Oklahoma Community Food Bank. The Food Bank provides food to 450 places in eastern Oklahoma, like soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after school programs and senior citizen centers. They give more than 275,000 meals each week to hungry people. Last year they handed out 17 million pounds of food! Wow! As we return on the bus, I think about all the hungry people in the world, and I feel good that I was able to help them get food today. Tonight I will be grateful for the food on my plate!

It’s a fictional story, but every Serve Thursday, kids are introduced to tough issues like hunger and poverty and loneliness in the world, and they are empowered to make a difference. If you are a middle school or high school student, join us on July 3, 10, 17, 24 or 31 at 8:15 am at Venue to go out and make a significant difference. For more information contact Mark Fowler at mfowler@asburytulsa.org or Josh Coats at jcoats@asburytulsa.org.

STUDENTS

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STUDENTS

STUDENT MINISTRY

Fall Kickoff

By Katelyn Moore

Sunday, August 24, 6:00–8:00 pm.

Venue parking lot August is an emotional month. We’re mourning the end of summer when we stayed up too late and slept all day by the pool, when we spent all our time with our friends and not on homework, and when we didn’t even have to know what day of the week it was. But August also means that fall is right around the corner, and fall is the best season for many reasons. Who doesn’t love colorful leaves, big sweaters and pumpkin spice lattes? However, as August brings the rush for new school supplies and the beginning of getting back into a routine, it is also the start of a new school year, new classes, new friends and a return to regularly scheduled programming. And it all begins with style at Fall Kickoff.

Fall Kickoff is a giant party in the Venue parking lot where we celebrate the beginning of the school year, and we kickoff a ton of fun events in the student ministry.

Last year’s kickoff packed the parking lot with about 500 students and three times the amount of food necessary for the party. While the student ministry team took our turns in the dunk tank*, the Josh’s Sno Shack truck was hoppin’, and the photo booth was put to good use.

This year will mark our second annual Kickoff, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. This year we will start in the Venue auditorium for giveaways before moving outside to take over the parking lot. We will have a cookout and tons of food, inflatables, Josh’s snocones, games, a photo booth and a lot of chaos. This is a great night to bring a friend and introduce them to the student ministry!! *There will not be a dunk tank this year because the student ministry team learned a valuable lesson from the experience last year.

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

Sometimes one or more of the kids would be having a meltdown while I was trying to get ready (read: put on clean, passably un-wrinkled clothes and a smear of lip gloss) and I definitely thought that perhaps date night wasn’t worth the effort. But, after getting the kids settled into the child care and listening to the speaker, you cannot imagine how light my heart felt to have two wonderful, uninterrupted hours with the love of my life. Jason and I enjoyed our date nights so much that we stepped up to help make sure that 8 Great Dates will continue to bless other couples like it has blessed us and our marriage.

Is Date Night Worth the Effort?

By Emily Yang In a word, YES! My husband and I have been married 10 years this year. In those 10 years, we’ve lived in two cities, bought three houses, held seven jobs between the two of us, and have had three amazing kids. Our kids are now getting to the age of soccer practice, T-ball, dance lessons, swimming lessons, play dates and more. Some nights we’re so busy with practices, making dinner, playing with the kids, and doing the bath and bedtime routine, that we fall into bed exhausted with barely a kiss and an “I love you, Honey.” Because our lives are so “busy,” we rarely made the effort to have a regular date night, even though we knew how important it was. It seemed like a lot of work – coming up with a good babysitter, getting all gussied up, and then ponying up some serious $$ for dinner, a movie, and the babysitter fee. It is easier to just collapse on the couch in our sweats and flip though Netflix!

This year, instead of doing a marriage book study or having licensed counselors speak to us before we head out for our date as we’ve had in years past, we asked our Asbury pastors to be the speakers. Specifically, we asked them to pray for us and our marriages. We know how hard it is to have a healthy marriage these days, and how vitally important prayer and yes, regular date nights, are. Yes, it does take effort to go on dates with your spouse, but the effort is SO worth having a healthy marriage!

We have four more date nights scheduled this year, August 14, September 11, October 9 and November 13. The fee for childcare is $5/child, with a max of $25 per family, and reservations are required in advance. For more information, contact AUMC8greatdates@hotmail.com.

About three years ago, we heard of 8 Great Dates at Asbury. It was a regularly scheduled date night where couples could drop their kids off in the church child care for a nominal fee, listen to a speaker on a marriage-related topic, and then enjoy at least two hours out with their spouse. It seemed like a great deal – our kids were familiar with the child care workers and would have friends to hang out with, and my husband and I could enjoy a two-hour dinner without having to order off the kids menu or mop up spilled drinks. We thought to ourselves, surely we can carve a few hours once a month to have dinner with each other – after all, it really was a great deal!

So you know how it goes – best laid plans and all that! It was a lot of effort to work in a once-a-month date. Rearranging schedules, getting the kids fed and out the door to make it on time, etc.

Emily and Jason Yang and family

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

Why Renew Your Wedding Vows?

By Charlene Giles

L

ately many married couples have decided to restate their wedding vows. Have you ever wondered why? Some never had a church wedding and desire a pastor’s blessing. Some have made it through turbulent years of illness, family deaths or an affair and want to draw a line in the sand to designate a new beginning. Others have been through a season of spiritual growth that has led them to recommit themselves to one another and to God in a deeper way than before.

Rod and I chose to renew our vows on our tenth anniversary. To understand why, you need to know a bit about our past. Rod was in the Navy and 23 years old the day we married in Fort Dodge, Iowa. I was 20. We were raised in the same stately United Methodist Church where we met singing in the choir. Though we jumped through all the hoops like junior high confirmation classes and regular attendance at Methodist Youth Fellowship, the truth was that neither of us had given our heart to the Lord. But God had a plan.

When I was 23, our first son was born, and God got my attention. I was sleep-deprived and had come to the end of myself when I fell to my knees and prayed for God to help me. Rod stayed quiet about his faith so I never knew what he believed. A few years later, we made our way to Colorado Springs where we were part of a church where I sang in the choir. Rod surprised me during a required new member class we attended when he declared, “I’m here because I want to get closer to God.” We were on our way as a Christian couple.

Soon Rod took a job in Tulsa, and we connected with Asbury. We were attracted by the great child care for our two children and Bill Mason’s personal, caring touch and prayers. We joined a class about the basic assurances of the Christian life. It was there we both came to believe that the Bible is God-inspired and relevant to our lives. Next we joined a growth group where we learned to love other Christians of all ages and stages. Then God called us to serve in other areas. Through these years of preparation, God taught us important skills like learning to pray together, which was very difficult for us at first.

As we approached our tenth anniversary, we realized that we were not the same people we had been when we said our vows the first time. Then we had not even invited God to our wedding; now we both knew how much we needed Him. Rev. Bill Clark performed our renewal of vows 33 years ago. Our children and all our growth group members came as witnesses, and I bought a new dress for the occasion. After the brief service in the small chapel, we all trooped home and had cake and punch and nuts. Of course we were already married. But now we had publically acknowledged God as the center of our marriage and family. We felt the difference.

Many couples renewed their vows at Asbury Sunday, June 1, following our marriage sermon series. Why? Because sacred vows are worth remembering and repeating.

On June 1, more than 60 couples renewed their wedding vows at Asbury. What a joy!

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

Sacred vows are worth remembering and repeating.

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CHILDREN

LoSiNg YouR MARblEs?

by Christina Treat

I had the privilege of going to lunch with Pastor Tom a couple of months ago. The intention was to get to know one another better and discuss ways to improve our areas of ministry, mine being specifically elementary age.

The lunch began with him asking the typical “get to know you” questions. What does your husband do?

Where did you go to school? How old are you children?

It was his response to me after I answered the last question that has changed the course of my thinking in regards to raising my children—and our youth ministry as a whole.

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“I have two sons. Nicolas is 7 and Nathan is 9,” I answered. “You have a son that is 9, huh? Well then… you’re halfway done with that one. Nine more years, and he will officially be an adult,” Tom replied.

PUMP THE BREAKS THERE, BUDDY…WHAT?! Hang on a second! I’m not halfway done! I couldn’t possibly be.

CHILDREN

Where did that time go? How in the world did nine years just pass me by?! And why haven’t I ever thought about this before now?!

To be perfectly honest, his response hit me like a Mac truck blazing a trail out of left field. I don’t have much of a recollection of what else we discussed at that lunch. He could’ve given me the million dollar answer as to how we recruit volunteers to fill children’s ministry, and I wouldn’t remember at this point! I was so distracted by the fact that he had just told me I was halfway finished raising one of my sons! I simply couldn’t shake the truth behind his statement.

This exact thinking was affirmed to me again at a Think Orange conference I attended around the same time. One of the speakers, Reggie Joiner, was on stage holding a large, glass jar full of marbles. Exactly 936 marbles to be precise. He asked if anyone in the audience had young children. Many raised their hands, including myself, and he called a young man to join him on stage. Reggie asked, “Did you know you have approximately 936 weeks from the time your child is born until they turn 18 and leave the nest?” The man quietly responded, “I didn’t know that.” Reggie then asked the young father how old his child turned on their last birthday. “I have a little girl that just turned 4 last week,” he replied. The speaker then did something I wasn’t expecting. He took handfuls of marbles and threw them across the stage, allowing them to bounce, roll and slide everywhere.

They made a huge noise and a huge mess. The young father just stood there looking confused, as did the audience sitting in their chairs. Reggie then responded, “The marbles on the stage represent the time that has already passed by. You can’t put those marbles or ‘weeks’ back in the jar. What you see left in the jar is the time you have left with her…so make it count.”

homework is done, dinner is thrown together, soccer practices are complete, baseball games are finished and I’ve answered the emails on my phone, I barely have the time or the energy to think about what I invested in their SPIRITUAL life throughout the week. One hour at church a week is NOT ENOUGH. We have to be intentional in creating a larger sphere of influence in the spiritual lives of our children. And if we, as parents, are still learning what that looks like for ourselves, then we need to be intentional in surrounding our families with people who can walk alongside us and help us within that process.

We have placed marble jars measuring out the weeks we have left with our little ones in the hallways of early childhood and elementary ministry areas. I would encourage you to make one of your own at home. Let it be a visual reminder to make time for what matters most as we raise our children week after week.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” What you do this week – MATTERS. The clock is ticking…

WHOA. That was heavy. About as heavy as Tom laying it on me that half of my own “marbles” were already out of the jar! Now what? I needed to make a change. I needed to refocus. I needed more time!

I have a confession to make – I’m not a perfect parent. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’ve wasted time. I’ve missed opportunities. I haven’t taken time when I should have. I’ve lost my temper, my patience and at times…MY MIND while parenting. And to be honest, after hearing what Tom and Reggie had to say, I sort of felt like I had failed. Had I already missed big opportunities to make a lasting impact with them?

I spent a lot of time in thought and prayer about how God wanted me to use this information for my personal life – and the life of our children’s ministry. God gently reassured me that I wasn’t too late. And to put it simply, “What we do this week matters.”

We only have a certain amount of time to spend with our kids and how we spend that time will make all the difference in their spiritual growth and development. It’s time we raise the bar and get serious about how much time we spend on nurturing their spiritual growth. I don’t know about you, but by the time

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GLOBAL OUTREACH

What If…The Churches in Tulsa Could Come Together to Take the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth?

by Justin Schell and Jim Davis That was a question asked by Justin Schell, an Asbury member and supported missionary, last fall at a Tulsa Missions Mobilizers meeting, a monthly gathering of churches and agencies that network about missions. Would that even be possible? What would that look like? Could we really get dozens of churches of different backgrounds and denominations to work together to accomplish a goal as big as that?

More specifically, Justin suggested not just taking the Gospel to faraway places but to work together to reach 100 Unreached People Groups (UPG) with the Gospel. An “Unreached People Group” is an ethnic group that has almost no presence of the Gospel within it (see the inset). What a huge task, especially because they are usually in hard-to-reach places, both geographically and culturally.

The idea resonated with a number of folks at that mission lunch, and a group of believers from several churches in Tulsa have gathered several times since to talk further. How would we even start? How long would this take? Has a city ever done this before?

What kind of organization would be needed? How do you integrate varying theological viewpoints? We quickly realized this would not be a single organization or task; it would take a movement within Tulsa.

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Every “movement” exists because of a shared goal. Whether you consider the Civil Rights movement, Women’s Suffrage movement, Fair Trade movement, or any other movement, the heart of each one is the desired end result. What makes it then a movement is a growing avalanche of participation of individuals and organizations working towards that same goal.

While there are often champions of the movement (e.g., Martin Luther King, Jr.), no one individual or organization controls every action. Instead, manifold moving pieces are acting, one might say, independently, yet in a concerted flow moving toward a common end.

A vision statement was developed for the Tulsa Area Missions Movement: Believers partnering to reach, by God’s power, 100 Unreached People Groups by 2040. The goal is to aid in the completion of the Great Commission of Christ given in Matthew 28:18-20. The vision that drives this movement is the completing purchase Jesus made on the Cross. This is declared in Revelation 5:9-10 when the multitude of heaven sings, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” There is no manmade vision or movement that can match that goal around which all of history is waiting, according to Matthew 24:14

GLOBAL OUTREACH

Tulsa Area Mission Movement: Believers Partnering to Reach, by God’s Power, 100 Unreached People Groups by 2040 So then, when we say that believers in Tulsa want to reach 100 Unreached People Groups, it means that we want to see the Church planted among them. Not just one church, but a growing, reproducing movement of churches who are capable of reaching their own people. Missiologists (people who study missions) have suggested that once a people group is comprised of 2 percent evangelical Christians, they are capable of reaching the rest of their people themselves.

Whether representatives of a church, business, Christian organization, or simply a passionate individual, we invite all of God’s people to rally together towards this goal in Tulsa. We pray that the movement will also bring unity to the churches in Tulsa, which will be a great witness in our own city. It is exciting to think of the “Church in Tulsa” working together, in the same sense that Paul wrote letters to the Church in Philippi and the Church in Corinth. There were no doubt multiple congregations in each of those cities, but collectively they were the Body of Christ – the Church.

can be common events such as prayer meetings, classes like Perspectives on the World Christian Movement (a class already periodically offered in Tulsa), and training sessions for those who feel a call to the mission field. Churches could participate with each other on specific projects as much or as little as they want. Hopefully, churches can use their specific areas of calling and gifts to work together to cover many aspects of work. For example, Asbury has a particular passion for Bible translation and distribution, so maybe we could contribute efforts in that area, while other churches send church planters.

Asbury already has connections to two Unreached People Groups (the Kami in Tanzania, and a group near the Caspian Sea in Central Asia), so two of the goal of 100 are already in process!

Several other Tulsa churches have connections to other groups.

Please pray that this movement will continue to develop, and that the Church in Tulsa can do its part to hasten the day when every tribe and language and people and nation is represented in heaven.

There are still many directions this movement can take, and they probably won’t be well-defined on purpose. However, there

WHAT IS AN UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP? The Great Commission in Matthew 28 calls us to make disciples of all “nations.” The word used for nations does not refer to political nation-states like we think of today (England, China, Nigeria, etc.), but instead refers to ethnicities. In fact, the Greek word used throughout the New Testament for nations is ETHNE, where the English words ethnic and ethnicity come from. The groups, all unique due to language, culture, religion and worldview, are commonly referred to as “people groups,” and there are about 16,000 in the world. An Unreached People Group (UPG) is a people group with little to no access to the Gospel. They aren’t only lost, but they don’t have access to the Gospel by which they might become found!

Most do not have the Bible in their language or a church in their midst. Many don’t even have a single known believer. There are still about 7,000 unreached people groups in the world, and about 3,000 are still waiting for even a single believer to take the Gospel to them…they are called UNENGAGED unreached people groups.

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CARE AND MARRIAGE

Rewards of Being A Congregational Care Minister

By Adrena Mahu

I

n November 2013, Asbury commissioned 22 Congregational Care Ministers (CCMs). These are members who, under the umbrella of a pastor, visit those who are hospitalized, in rehab, or suffering from a chronic disability. This spring, 11 more CCMs were commissioned giving us a total of 33.

On May 22, 2014, I had the privilege of interviewing two of these CCMs—Liz and Bob Miller. Liz and Bob were in the first group to be commissioned and have had several assignments. In addition, Bob recently had triple bypass surgery and experienced for himself what it was like to be on the other “side of the bed” with a CCM. My first question to them was: “How did you hear about becoming a CCM?” They answered that Dick Read had approached them and said they had been invited to fill out an application to become a CCM. Their first question was: “Who did that?” in their humorous way. They did get the application, and at first, it felt very daunting. They felt they weren’t qualified, had always struggled with praying “out loud” and thought it might take up a lot of time. They did, however, pray about it and decided to “give it a shot.”

In September 2013, they began their training. At first, the classes seemed overwhelming as they didn’t know what to expect.

“There was so much information!” said Bob. But, they went through the training and began to feel a little more comfortable with this new ministry

As they accepted their assignments, they began to relax and found being a CCM was not as time consuming as earlier thought. Also, they discovered this to be a very rewarding ministry – even more so “to us than to our care receivers,” they both stated. “We get more out of it than we give.” Up to this time, they have had four care receivers with one continuing.

At the present time, we have three pastoral teams headed by Pastors Mike Hardgrove, Charlie Ryser and David Thomas.

Mike and Charlie have hospital CCMs while David Thomas has what is called Bridging Links CCMs. The two hospital teams are alike but Bridging Links serves the chronically ill, homebound or permanently disabled. Bob and Liz are on Mike Hardgrove’s pastoral team. They said that they really enjoy going to their pastoral team meetings (held monthly). In these meetings, they find the experiences of others to be helpful, they get to know their team members and they are bonding with them.

Since I knew that Bob was not only a CCM but also, after surgery, had requested a CCM, I was eager to do this interview. This would give me an opportunity to hear about Bob’s (and Liz’s) experience from both perspectives. In addition, Bob, after his surgery, said: “I just really want to test it out!” So I assigned Jim Cooper, another CCM, to the Millers. Jim immediately paid them a visit and continued to call. Overall, Bob and Liz, both said having a CCM has been a very positive experience—it made Bob feel like the church was really interested in their welfare and he and Liz were important to the church.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE? We are recruiting for more CCMs and are planning ahead for two more training sessions; one in the fall of 2014 and one in the spring of 2015.

For questions and more information, please call either Guy Ames, our CCM Coordinator at 918.392.1125 or call Adrena Mahu at 918.392.1144.

Liz and Bob Miller

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G R AN D PA J O H N

A Father and Son and Tools

by John C. Westervelt

A

month before getting married in Oklahoma in 1954, I built a redwood car top carrier for the move to New Jersey for my job with Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York. Back in Tulsa a year and a half later, I set the 4x6 foot car top carrier on 8-inch concrete blocks, added two shelves and a drop down worktop, and I nailed it to the garage wall.

It was 50 years ago. Nelda, Paul, Mary Kim and I lived on 23rd Street in Tulsa near Hoover school. Paul was 7 years old.

Anytime I was at my workbench, Paul was close by watching me work and handing me tools. When Paul was 8, we moved to our new house on 53rd Street near Salk school. The fold down workbench was installed on the wall opposite the garage door. A seven-foot-deep raised workspace meant I did not need to move the car to use the workbench. Paul continued to watch me work and hand me tools. By the time Paul was a young teenager, he was doing projects on his own.

When I left my home of 48 years to move to Crestwood at Oklahoma Methodist Manor, I filled a small toolbox with several kinds of screwdrivers, several types of pliers, wire cutters, a hammer, a tape measure, a scout knife, putty knives and a 9-inch level. I filled a large toolbox with an electric drill, a set of drills, an electric screwdriver, tin snips, a small socket set and a micrometer.

Paul and his wife Sandy live in Katy near Houston. Over a year ago, Sandy’s mom, Nancy Parks, who had lived all her life in Tulsa, died. Paul and Sandy had worked in Tulsa several weekends getting Nancy’s house ready to sell.

As Paul stood on a ladder installing ceiling light fixtures, I handed him a hand screwdriver to start the long screws into the ceiling electric box. Next I handed him the electric screwdriver to drive the long screws until tight.

In the kitchen, I held the wastebasket next to Paul while he used the electric screwdriver to remove kitchen cabinet knobs. We both installed knobs. I asked Paul to tighten the screws on the knobs I put in place.

A hummingbird stained-glass window I made and installed in Nancy’s bathroom window 20 years ago was secured for a lifetime of use. The electric screwdriver and several hand screwdrivers were needed to remove 10 brass screws. Caulking was cut. For the final step, Paul emptied a small board that held a half dozen screwdriver inserts and used the board with a hammer to drive the frame out of the window opening.

This story began with Paul at age 7 watching me work and handing me tools. On this Saturday, I watched Paul work and handed him tools. I hope he enjoyed watching his daddy work and handing him tools when he was 7 as much as I enjoyed watching Paul work and handing him tools when I was 85.

In early November 2013, Paul arrived in Tulsa on a Saturday morning flight at 10:00. Sandy stayed home to administer a women’s conference on Friday night and Saturday. Paul went by the carpet store and picked up carpet samples. I had met the carpet salesman at Nancy’s house during the week to measure the floor space. When I arrived at the empty house with two toolboxes and a card table to set them on, Paul was taking down ceiling fans and light fixtures in two bedrooms.

Paul checked the carpet samples in each bedroom against the freshly painted walls. We returned to the carpet store to buy carpet for all bedrooms and linoleum for the walk-in pantry.

At Home Depot, Paul picked out two ceiling light fixtures. He looked over several dozen bins of kitchen knobs to find the one that matched the one that Sandy had selected in Katy. We needed 35 knobs. The bin held 24. We drove to another Home Depot and bought 10 more knobs.

Other stories at www.jwestervelt.com

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O PP O R T U N ITI E S

Asbury Opportunities GENERAL INFORMATION

CARE AND SUPPORT

When you enter the hospital, please designate Asbury as your church. Otherwise, we will not know you are there, and a pastor will not know to visit. Some hospitals in the Tulsa area do not ask for this information, so you will need to alert Asbury at 918.492.1771, Monday–Thursday from 8:00 am–5:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am–noon. The after hour hospitalization and surgery line can be reached at 918.392.1198 and is checked each weekday at 8:30 am. If you know ahead of time and would like a pastor to do a pre-surgery visit, please call 918.492.1771. Please know that Asbury pastors want to be in prayer for you and your family.

Emotional/Relational Fitness Workshop • Thursdays, July 17–August 14, 6:30–8:00 pm, Room 2820, no cost, child care available • Register online or call 918.392.1191, Instructor: Jenniffer Callaway, MHR

If you have an emergency or death to report after hours, please call 918.392.1192 and leave a message for the pastor on call. You will be contacted as soon as possible.

Prayer Line If you would like for Asbury’s prayer team to pray for you, please call 918.392.1142 to leave your prayer request so that you will be included on Asbury’s prayer list.

Death in the Family When a family member dies, you should make one phone call automatically. Contact Victoria Williamson at 918.492.1771 and she will help you make arrangements for your loved one. Victoria will also work with your family to arrange the memorial service at Asbury.

Making Peace with Your Past • Wednesdays, August 27–November 19, 6:00–8:00 pm, Room 1335, cost is $15 • Pre-register by calling Diane Taylor, facilitator, at 918.254.6131. Limited to first 12 paid registrants GriefShare and Beyond GriefShare • Wednesdays, August 27–December 10 (will not meet on November 26), 3:00–4:30 pm (no child care) OR 6:00–7:30 pm (child care provided), Room 2319, cost is $15 • Register online or 918.392.1191, Team Leaders: Ann Peterson and Tom Berry Stephen Ministry Our Stephen ministers are here to walk with you during hard times, or to listen as you work through difficult decisions. We are there for you as a nonjudgmental Christian friend. Please call Adrena at 918.392.1144 if a Stephen minister may be the support you need.

www.myasburytulsa.org This website is available to all members as a way to update your contact information, register for events, give online and indicate ministries you would like to receive communication from. Make sure you have an account and check it out. If you have any problems setting up your account, call Kim at 918.392.2159 or email her at krenkema@asburytulsa.org.

Quilting Ministry • Second Wednesdays in odd months (January, March, etc.), 1:00 pm, Parlor • Utilize your love of quilting to make lap quilts. Contact Dotti Westerberg at 918.369.5460 or dottiwesterberg@hotmail.com • If you know of someone who is ill or in the hospital and would benefit from the comfort of a lap quilt, call Adrena at 918.392.1144

Breakfast available on Sundays Did you know that you and your family can enjoy one of Virgina’s wonderful breakfasts every Sunday morning from 7:30–9:30 am in the Community Life Center (CLC)? Cost is only $5 for adults, $1 for children, $20 max for family.

S.M.I.L.E. (Single Mothers in the Lord’s Embrace) Join us for scripture-based lesson and discussion.

• Third Thursdays, 6:00–8:45 pm, Parlor, child care provided.

Attend at any time.

• RSVP to Janet at 918.688.3392 or asburysmile@ymail.com

ASBURY FOUNDATION

Healing Hats (Created to provide hats to cancer patients) Simply knit, crochet or sew a hat or decorate a ball cap of your choice and drop it in the collection box located near the northeast entrance.

• Crochet/Knitting Group –– Every Tuesday, 2:00–4:00 pm, Room 1506 • Ball Caps (If you can cut and glue, this is for you! Baseball caps and decorating items available)

Leave a legacy that continues to give forever to a ministry you want to support. There are endowments that support many areas of Asbury’s outreach including children, youth, music, missions, and training of pastors as well as a general endowment. You can easily impact a ministry through your will or a current gift.

• Contact Guy Ames at 918.392.1125 or games@asburytulsa.org

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O PP O R T U N ITI E S

–– Fourth Tuesdays, 9:30–11:30 am, Room 1508 –– Contact Sue Fisher at healinghatsmin@aol.com or 918.455.2816 Asbury Connection • Regularly visit members who are homebound, in nursing homes or assisted living • Contact Adrena at 918.392.1144 or amahu@asburytulsa.org Prayer Card Ministry/ Military Connection • Send cards to people who are ill or in the military • Usually meets first and third Mondays at 9:00 am, Room 1508 • Contact Ruth at 918.392.1146 or rwinn@asburytulsa.org to volunteer or add someone to list to receive cards • Military: Contact Jo VanDeWiele at 918.459.0888 Divorce Recovery • Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 pm, Room 1335, child care available • Contact Malia Miller at 918.494.9596 or malia.miller@ sbcglobal.net Divorce Rebuilding • Thursdays, 7:00–8:30 pm, Room 1335, child care available • Contact Jim Small at 918.697.4220 or divorce-rebuilding@ cox.net

fifth grade. Contact Eryn Wallis at ewallis@asburytulsa.org.

• CR Child Care – Parents who are involved in Celebrate Recovery have child care provided for children 6 weeks to pre-k with no reservation needed. Mondays, 6:45–9:00 pm, downstairs children’s area.

CHILDREN FaithZone Sunday Mornings • Sundays, 7:45 am, ages 6 weeks to pre-k, downstairs children’s area • Sundays, 9:00 am and 10:45 am, ages 6 weeks to pre-k downstairs, and kindergarten to sixth grade upstairs in the children’s area In order to encourage families to worship together, children from kindergarten-sixth grade are invited to stay in their Sunday school room for one hour only. The exception is for those children of parents volunteering within the church or members of the choir/orchestra. These children may stay two hours in their Sunday school class to allow their parents to serve. Children in the nursery and preschool may stay for both hours.

Mental Health Support for Families • Fourth Thursdays, 1:30–3:00 pm, Parlor • Contact Linda Lytle at 918.298.2707 or lllytle@wildflower.net

Core Childcare Hours Childcare for children 6 weeks to sixth grade is provided for parents attending RoadMap courses or communities during these core hours with no reservation needed: • Tuesday and Wednesday 8:45 am–12:00 pm • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5:45 pm–9:00 pm

Asbury Bear Bags • Anyone may deliver an Asbury bear bag to someone who is grieving • Pick up bags at the south Guest Services desk

Special Volunteers for Special Kids Do you have a heart to help children with special needs?

Contact Dotti Westerberg at dottiwesterberg@hotmail.com or 918.381.0874.

Counseling Referrals • Individuals or couples who are seeking a referral to a local Christian therapist are encouraged to call 918.392.1199, X270 anytime, night or day, and leave a message.

• Calls are returned Monday through Friday. In-church recommendations are also given.

Why Not Wednesdays Fun activities planned for kindergarten through 6th grade (younger if accompanied by and adult) from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Register online at www.myasburytulsa.org.

• Mega Movie Morning on July 9 (bring money for movie snacks) • Super Kids Day on July 16 for $5 (plus money for snacks) • Sky Zone on July 23 for $13

CELEBRATE RECOVERY Celebrate Recovery/The Landing/Celebration Station • Celebrate Recovery – God never intended for you to live in bondage. Every Monday night: dinner at 6:00 pm, worship from 7:00–8:00 pm, small groups from 8:00–9:00 pm, dessert from 9:00–9:30 pm • The Landing – Hope-filled truths and real-life strategies for students. Every Monday night, 6:30–9:00 pm in Venue north lobby. Grades 6–12 • Celebration Place – Inspiring kids with hope, joy and happiness while they learn to rely on God. Mondays, 6:45– 9:00 pm, downstairs children’s area. Kindergarten through

Toddler n’ Me For a parent and/or grandparent and their 2 and 3-year olds to enjoy activities together.

• July 15, 10:00–11:30 am, cost is $3 per child, register at www. myasburytulsa.org • Nursery provided for younger (over 6 weeks) and older (up to sixth grade) siblings Family Bingo Night • Wednesday, July 30 from 6:00–8:00 pm in the Community Life Center (CLC) • No cost, but there will be a concession available

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O PP O R T U N ITI E S

• Contact Jennifer Barnes at 918.392.4582 or jbarnes@ asburytulsa.org

DISCIPLESHIP Adult Discipleship Communities If you are looking for an Adult Discipleship Community, check out “Community Life” on the website, www.asburytulsa.org, or pick up a brochure at one of the Guest Services desks.

Ongoing Opportunities Women of the Word • Gail Knox teaches on different passages from God’s Word, no cost and no registration • Every Wednesday 10:00–11:00 am, Room 2818, child care not available • Lunch July 23 and August 27, 11:00 am, Community Life Center (CLC) RoadMap Discipleship Classes • Developing a Powerful Prayer Life, Wednesdays, July 9– August 13, Room 1504, Cost $10, child care available, taught

by Jackie Carter • Disciple Bible Study Preview/Enrollment Meeting, Tuesdays, July 22 or July 29, OR Thursdays, July 24 or July 31, 6:30–7:30 pm, Room 2818. Before registering for the Disciple Bible Study, you must attend one of the preview/enrollment meetings. Classes will begin in early August.

GUEST SERVICES Would you like to help new members feel welcome at Asbury on the day they are actually joining? We are looking for volunteers to meet with the new members 30 minutes before either the 9:15 or 11:00 am service on the Sunday they join, stay with them through the service (so that they are not alone), and then be sure they get to the front foyer to be greeted after the service. If you would like to volunteer, contact Lauren Burke at 918.392.1104 or lburke@asburytulsa.org.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY The Art of Marriage • Friday, August 1, 6:30–9:00 pm AND Saturday, August 2, 9:00 am–4:00 pm, Family Room • Cost $10/person includes pastry breakfast Saturday morning, lunch on your own Saturday • Register online or 918.392.1191, no child care • Facilitators: Pat & Deborah Calhoun, pat.calhoun007@ gmail.com 8 Great Dates with Your Mate • 2nd Thursdays through November (except June and July), 6:15–6:30 pm, Room 1502 • Child care cost: $5/child, $25 max per family (RSVP to ewallis@

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asburytulsa.org no later than one week prior to each date) Milestone Wedding Anniversaries Email your upcoming Milestone Anniversary (5, 10, 15, 20, etc.) to Carolyn Schutte at brucars2@cox.net or call 918.451.1559.

MEMBERSHIP Joining Asbury Are you interested in membership at Asbury or just want to learn more about who we are? Plan to attend our Joining Asbury luncheon.

• Sunday, August 10 , 12:15–2:00 pm; lunch provided; Community Life Center (CLC) • Child care available for children six weeks to sixth grade • Call 918.392.1191 to register or register online at www. myasburytulsa.org

MEN Men’s Ministry BBQ Event • Sunday, August 24, Community Life Center (CLC) • Learn about all the ministries at Asbury and hear an important message from Pastor Tom Harrison Car Care Ministry Workday • To volunteer to help with this ministry, contact Mike at 918.492.8177.

• Saturday, July 12, 9:00 am–noon Home Improvement Ministry Workday • To volunteer to help, contact Michiel at 918.640.4382 • Next work day is Saturday, August 9 Men’s Prayer Breakfast • Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 am, Community Life Center (CLC) • Cost is $3 per person; first-time guests are free Mature Men’s Ministry R.O.M.E.O. Luncheon • Meets every second and fourth Friday, 11:15 am, Village Inn (71st and Memorial) • Contact Joe at 918.249.4571

MISSIONS/VIM OJT (Overcoming Job Transitions) • Third Tuesday of each month, 6:30–9:00 pm, Room 2319 • Contact Russ Knight at OJTJobs@gmail.com 2nd Saturday • Saturdays, July 12 and August 9, 8:15 am–noon, meet at Venue. Choose between multiple work sites.

• Contact Betty Higgins at bhiggins@asburytulsa.org or ssaturday@asburytulsa.org

O PP O R T U N ITI E S

Redemption Dinners Prepared and served on the third or fifth Sunday of every month for inmates transitioning out of prison and their families.

Communities encouraged to serve.

• Local outreach will match up to half of your expenses • Contact Katie Thompson at kthompson@asburytulsa.org Volunteers in Mission (VIM) 2014 TEAM SCHEDULE Where will God have you serve?

• July 3–14: Estonia, Tallinn – Lighthouse Ministry • Fall: Tanzania, East Africa – Construction • Fall: Cookson Hills, Oklahoma – Light construction/ ministry support • Fall: Central Asia – Relationship, teaching and light construction • November 5–9: Rio Bravo, Mexico – Medical • November 12–16: Rio Bravo, Mexico – Men’s construction VIM Team Leader Training September 6, November 1 For more information about these exciting mission opportunities, contact Marilene Long at 918.392.1164 or mlong@asburytulsa.org. For information about the Men’s Rio Bravo, Mexico, opportunities, contact Jim Furman at jnlfurman@cox.net.

MUSIC For more information on any of the music groups, please contact the music office at 918.392.1151.

Choir and Orchestra • New Covenant Orchestra meets Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 pm in Room 1510 • Chancel Choir meets Wednesdays, 7:00–9:00 pm in Room 2706

PRAYER Prayer Room Days and Times Our prayer rooms are accessible to you at these times: • Mason Chapel and Venue –– Sundays from 7:00 am–12:30 pm, through the interior doors • Main Facility, Mason Chapel and Venue –– Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–9:00 pm –– Saturday, 10:00 am–3:00 pm –– Sunday, 12:30 pm–9:00 pm Call Pam in the adult ministries office at 918.392.4589 to reserve the Prayer Room for your group on a weekly or monthly basis or to obtain door codes.

SENIOR ADULTS Many opportunities are available for our senior adults: • Senior Walk in the Gym With Him – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8:30–9:00 am, gym • Senior Sit and Fit Stretching Class – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00–9:30 am, gym • Senior Adult Meal & Movie – Dates and time vary. For more information or to sign up for the call list, contact Sally Wood, sally77onestick@cox.net • Save-a-Label – Can you help? Seniors are collecting Shurfine and Best Choice product labels from canned goods, boxed food, eggs, cheese, etc. Bundle your labels and drop them off at the south desk to the attention of “Tweenagers.”

SINGLES Singles Ministry Summer Luncheon • Sunday, July 13, 12:15 pm, Community Life Center (CLC) • Cost $5; kids ages 10 and under eat free; no reservations required Adult Volleyball • It’s free, and you do not have to be a member of Asbury. For ages 18 and up.

• Every Sunday, 6:00–9:00 pm, gym • Questions? Contact Doug at 918.607.0830

STUDENTS 789 Sunday Mornings • Sundays, 9:15 am, Junior High Room, upstairs in the Venue 10 11 12 Sunday Mornings • Sundays, 9:15 am, downstairs in the Venue Senior Trip Don’t miss our first ever end of the summer trip to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City. For students who just graduated from high school as well as those who will be seniors in the fall.

• August 2–3; cost of $105 includes transportation, 2-day park ticket, lodging and all meals • Register online no later than July 20 • Contact Josh Coats or Katelyn Moore for more information Fall Kickoff • August 24, 6:00–8:00, Venue parking lot • Party with lots of food and fun Student Small Groups We are called to live in community, and we want to help you get plugged in. Small groups are made up of students your same grade and gender. We meet together for worship then break into small groups around the church.

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O PP O R T U N ITI E S / S PE C IAL AN N O U N C E M E N T S

• Sunday nights beginning September 14: 7th–9th grades: 4:30–6:30, 10th–12th grades: 6:00–7:30 • For questions contact: Mark Fowler, junior high, mfowler@ asburytulsa.org; or Josh Coats, high school, jcoats@ asburytulsa.org Fall Retreat 2014 Come find out what it means to be known by God. • September 5–7, New Life Ranch, 7th–12th graders • For more information, contact Mark Fowler, mfowler@ asburytulsa.org, 918.392.1155

WOMEN Car Care Ministry Workday Volunteers from the men’s ministry will check your tires, belts, fluids, filters and batteries. Single women and widows—if your vehicle needs a basic check-up and you qualify, have your vehicle in line by 11:30 am.

• Saturday, July 12, 9:00 am–noon

UMW Garage Sale The United Methodist Women’s Annual Garage Sale benefitting mission efforts • Friday, July 11, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, and Saturday, July 12, 8:00 am–noon, Community Life Center (CLC) • Donations received in the CLC on Thursday, July 10, 9:00 am–5:00 pm • No underclothing, socks, shoes or computers, and all clothes must be on hangers UMW September Luncheon Toni Moore, President/CEO of Hospitality House of Tulsa, will share the mission and ministry of their program which is to provide a “home away from home” for families caring for loved ones in medical crisis.

• Thursday, September 4, 11:30 am–1:00 pm, Community Life Center (CLC) • Lunch $8, no reservation needed

WORSHIP

Home Improvement Ministry Workday Teams help widows and single women who are Asbury members with minor home repairs and home improvement projects.

• Applications located at main Guest Services desk must be turned in by July 30 for workday on Saturday, August 9

• 8:00 am • 9:15 am • 11:00 am

Deaths

Milestone Anniversaries

• Lauraleene “Lalli” Price died 3/29/2014 • Dave Heinlen died 4/3/2014, husband of Jenny Heinlen • Jolinda Brattin died 4/5/2014, mother of Joan Brattin-Warrior • Geneva Hickman died 4/11/2014 • Jack Bruin died 4/18/2014, husband of Doris • Peyton Arens died 4/29/2014, son of Jim and Katie Arens • Jean Ham died 5/1/2014, wife of Laneer Ham • Frank Sober died 5/5/2014 • Shirley Tinkler died 5/8/2014, daughter of Bill and Geneva Tinkler • Susan Rouse died 5/22/2014, wife of Herb Rouse

65 YEARS

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Traditional Service in Mason Chapel Traditional Service in Sanctuary Modern Service in Sanctuary

• Tom & Lillie Hardcastle • Joe & Mary Pottorf • Warren & Roberta Roberts

07/02/49 07/31/49 08/21/49

60 YEARS • Bill & Phyllis Taylor

08/22/54

55 YEARS • • • • • •

Harold & Donna Brantley Glen & Charlene Ravens Cecil & Jan Burnett Charlie & Jeanette Sessom Jim & Judy Parker Carl & Sue Richards

07/24/59 07/25/59 07/25/59 08/08/59 08/22/59 08/29/59

S PE C IAL AN N O U N CE M E N T S

50 YEARS • Warren & Sandy Gandall • Clark & Sally Eldridge

35 YEARS 07/03/64 08/08/64

45 YEARS • Bill & Jodie Johnson

• Rus & Pam Wallace • Brock & Diane King

08/05/79 08/18/79

25 YEARS 05/29/69

• Brad & Tracy Rinehart

06/24/89

Tom & Lillie Hardcastle 07/02/49

Joe & Mary Pottorf 07/31/49

Warren & Roberta Roberts 08/21/49

Bill & Phyllis Taylor 08/22/54

Harold & Donna Brantley 07/24/59

Glen & Charlene Ravens 07/25/59

Cecil & Jan Burnett 07/25/59

Charlie & Jeanette Sessom 08/08/59

Jim & Judy Parker 08/22/59

Carl & Sue Richards 08/29/59

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New Members

Andrea Stephens

Gary and Robyn Robinson

Brandon Sanders and Christa Valentine

Jason Bradley

Richard and Tiffany Hilburn with LaTisha and Xander

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Candace and Jonathan Joiner with Isabella and Kennedy

David and Tracy Thompson with Taggart and Finnegan

Evan and Anna Gundy with Grayson and Hudson

Jennifer Dunn

Joe Rogers

Kelli Bryant

Matt Lima

Scott Watkins

Stephanie Knapp

Tim Ottley

Tony and Hillary Bravo with Declan

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Olga and Carl Schneider

Benefiting mission efforts in our community and beyond!

Friday, July 11 8:00 am–4:00 pm Saturday, July 12 8:00 am–noon in the Community Life Center Toys, books, jewelry, gently-used clothing, small applicances, furniture and so much more!

Drop off donations Thursday, July 10, 9:00 am–5:00 pm, CLC (No underclothing, socks, shoes or computers, and all clothes must be on hangers, please.)

Questions? Contact Jeanne at 918.742.0042.

Asbury United Methodist Church 6767 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74133 asburytulsa.org

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Tulsa, OK Permit #2439