Helping Others Follow Jesus

HELPING

Others Follow TIDINGS WINTER 2020

JESUS

TIDINGS WINTER 2020 Editor: Angie Brashears

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BAPTISM

Graphic Design: Belinda Wilson

Photographers: Mark Moore (mark moore.photo.net) Deana Spyres (inspyredimages.com)

Guest Writers: Jim Davis, Lauren Berlingeri, Rob Loeber, Melissa Renkema, James Lambert, Robert Duran, Stephanie Hurd, Tracy LeGrand, Guy Ames

What are you grateful for today?

12

FINANCE

14

OUTREACH

26

WORSHIP

36

STAFFING

BETTER TOGETHER

14

16 SWEET

An “elevator speech” may only last 30 seconds but it is important to have a clear, brief speech about an important topic. They are easy to express and simply done, but there is a lot more information that could be shared.

Here is my basic elevator speech to questions like, “Why is there suffering?” I reply, “The Bible says suffering is part of life. It describes stories of people suffering for many reasons. People of faith are not immune from suffering. Everyone dies. That alone, causes suffering. I have personally encountered suffering. I’ve also seen how it can be redeemed for good.”

That elevator speech hits four sources to understand and express my faith. SCRIPTURE is our primary source.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was “a man of one book.” While incredibly well-read, his primary book was the Bible. Scripture was Wesley’s “script” for life. If you ask, “Why do people suffer?” or “What does God want me to do with my life?” I will say, “Let’s see what the Bible says.” We need to read, know, memorize and apply it, even though it can be difficult. I am always learning from it. The Bible gives general perspectives on life. We need to be careful when we demand specific, personal instructions from it. John Wesley insisted in making Scripture the primary governing authority and foundation for our lives as believers.

Second, our TRADITION helps us interpret the Scriptures. We look back into what others have believed and taught. We can listen to the voices of the past and learn our creeds and doctrines. We can also listen to the witness of others in the church. We can be in worship, classes and prayer groups with fellow believers. Other people, past and present, help us discern God’s will and make sense of life.

Third, we must use REASON. The Lord gave us a brain.

We must use it. We should investigate. Asking questions is wise.

Fourth, we must have personal EXPERIENCE. Wesley’s conversion language was, “I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation.” He did not say, “I felt my mind strangely enlightened.” We can have the Scriptures, the church and our reason, but the faith doesn’t come alive until we have a personal experience with Jesus.

Scripture and tradition are external authorities. They are outside of us. Reason and experience are internal authorities. I am interested in your thoughts and feelings, but personal opinions and expressions are secondary to the authority of the New Testament and 2,000 years of the New Testament Church.

After Philip met Jesus of Nazareth, he wanted his friend, Nathanael, to follow Jesus, too. Nathanael’s skeptical retort was: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip didn’t argue. He just invited with three simple words, “Come and see.”

Likewise, we want you to personally experience the love of Jesus Christ as shown in the New Testament.

Asbury exists to “Help Others Follow Jesus.” We have numerous ways for people of all ages and stages to be involved as learners of Jesus. “Come and see.”

In Christ,

Dr. Tom Harrison, Senior Pastor

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BAPTISM

Amber Rock

BAPTISM is a sacrament JESUS told ALL people to do.

Patty Mitchell "I wanted to get baptized as I felt it was the next step in my relationship with God. It was a decision I made for myself and it was a lovely moment to make a commitment to God." - Patty Mitchell

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"Logan is our second son to be baptized at Asbury. We feel like having our children baptized is our way of promising them to God. It allows us to make a public commitment to our son and to the church to do all we can to guide him to Christ."

Logan Taylor Rempel

- Ashlee Rempel

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BAPTISM Ryan and Isabella Goodnight

“I wanna get baptized.” Izi said over and over for almost a year. With her being so little, it seemed inappropriate. However, she was determined that it was her next step. After several classes and multiple probing discussions, we decided, “Why are we making her wait?” Her heart was pure. She had every answer about her faith in Christ. If she was determined to take the next step in her faith and be baptized, it seemed rather strange for us to be standing in her way. It was quite beautiful to hear her express her faith in Christ. So, we decided to let her follow Christ in baptism as her heart desired at the age of 4. It was one of the most beautiful decisions we ever made.

Sometimes as parents, we expect too little of these little ones. They can have the capacity to understand God more deeply at their age and have greater faith than many can as adults. After all, Jesus clearly stated, “Let the little ones come unto me.” Matthew 19:14 - Ryan Goodnight 6

Melissa Williams

Caton Nikole Cabbiness

"We wanted to get Reese baptized to show that we are committed to raising her in a loving Christian home, teaching her about Christ and raising her in the church." - Megan Sartin

Reese Elaine Sartin

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ATTENDANCE | MEMBERSHIP

2019 YEAR END STATS WORSHIP 8 AM TRADITIONAL

1,083 1,045

9:15 AM TRADITIONAL 768 737

11 AM MODERN 197 179

9:15 AM ONLINE 81 75

11 AM ONLINE

77 58

VOLUNTEERS

2019

TOTAL WORSHIP ATTENDANCE

2,414

2018 2,291

DISCIPLESHIP DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITIES

2019 300

8

208 197

2018 298

2019 97

2018 84

2019 856

2018 793

2019

2018

1,313

1,273

TOTAL SUNDAY AM CHILDREN AND STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

2019 60

2018 98

TEXT TO CHECK IN Text to check-in vs. Attendance Forms Began January 2019 - 1,375 Avg texts each Sunday, up 2.15% 1,346 Avg. attendance forms each Sunday

MISSIONS

2019 171 2018 223 SPRING BREAK MISSIONS

2019 373 2018 401

MEMBERSHIP PROFESSION OF FAITH 2019 2018

81 74

CONFIRMANDS

2019 2018 55 57

BAPTISMS2019 2018 72 67

FIRST TIME 2019 2018 GUESTS 685 596

NEWCOMER MEAL

2019 2018

Newcomer Meal participants

248

228

Attended Newcomer Meal and joined

130

115

Attended Newcomer Meal and connected in a community

100

95

9

ATTENDANCE | MEMBERSHIP

NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the neighborhood!

Eileen Axley

Ryan,Teresa and Isabella Goodnight

Edith Barrett

Jerry and Saralee Hains

Charlie and Janice Bean

Keith and Sandy Crenshaw

Larry and Susie Dyer

Lon and Debbie Harvey

Darlene Hume

D.J. Husted

Scott and Melinda Kirk

NOT PICTURED: Rich Felmlee, Teresa Jakubowski, Frank and Susan Kubes

ANNIVERSARIES

65 Fred & Nancy Gardner 1/15/55

55 Jim & Cheryl Shearrer 1/23/65

65 Paul & Shirley Hockett 1/14/55

50 Brad & Genie Clemmer 1/17/70

65 Jim & Norma Morrison 2/12/55

60 Kenneth & Beverly Capron 3/19/60

50 John & Stephanie Cole 1/26/70

50 Carl & Pat Millwee 1/24/70

35 - Tim & Nancy Thurston, 3/9/85 35 - Jim & Linda Tucker, 12/8/84 10

Ryan Glaze

60 Donald & Chris Hoose 2/6/60

50 Kirk & Adell Nellis 2/14/70

60 Larry & Judy Kindred 1/31/60

50 Steve & Phyllis Worthley 1/10/70

NEW MEMBERS Jim and Cheryl Lefler

Chad Mayes and Dana Walker

Patty Mitchell

Deanna Mizel

Jay and Barbara Muse

Sam and Sheri Perry

Adam and Erin Pfeifer

Amber Rock

Eve Sada

Andrea Shafer

Robert and Kathy Sloan

Shirley Stanberry

Beverly Stillson

Dick and Jean Wagner

Joe and Deborah Whitaker

Steven and Jessica White

Melissa Williams

Angie Zafereo

GONE HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD...

Merle Schwedimann Sandy Mastraccio Ron Bradshaw Waymon Peterson Mary Proctor Charles (Charlie) Ralph Carroll Robert Kralicek Teresa Davis Joan Link Mary Kay Ball Robert (Bob) Spears Bill Shackelford Marian Tonding Neil Geiser Ruth Beatie Reuben (Barney) Kirkpatrick Donna Floyd Giles Gere Carolyn Heath Stanley Dean

11-8-19 11-14-19 11-16-19 11-27-19 11-27-19 11-28-19 11-29-19 12-5-19 12-6-19 12-16-19 12-17-19 12-17-19 12-18-19 12-21-19 12-21-19 1-1-2020 1-6-2020 1-6-2020 1-12-2020 1-27-2020

Wife of Mike Mastraccio Husband of Carolyn Bradshaw Husband of Shelia Peterson Mother of Bruce (& Jennifer) Proctor Husband of Karen Kralicek

Father of Carla (& Keith) Hanes Wife of Gary Beatie Wife of Wade Floyd Husband of Barbara Giles Mother of Ben Heath Husband of Shirley Dean 11

FINANCE

Helping Others Follow Jesus Asbury Budget Allocations for 2020 Asbury’s operating budget funds the five ministry areas below in the pie chart with your tithes and offerings. This includes the program ministries at Asbury, including salaries of the staff who serve those ministries and the cost to maintain the facility. Donations given to a specific ministry are restricted for use identified by the donor and are not used to help us fund our operating budget. Additionally, capital improvements and building projects that ensure the future of our facilities are funded through additional sources. Any restricted giving is not included in the figures below. Your tithes and offerings are extremely important in helping Asbury fund our mission of Helping Others Follow Jesus.

Support Services 9%

Congrgational Care 10% Discipleship 27%

Worship 23%

Missions and Evangelism 31%

Missions and Evangelism: $2,760,694 Financial support of missionaries, our global focus areas, our local partners, Christian organizations, apportionments, staff.

Discipleship: $2,406,903 AsburyKids, Student Ministry, Adult discipleship, special events, communications, staff, facility usage.

Worship: $2,011,172 Media, music, equipment, events, communications, staff, facility usage.

Congregational Care: $828,013 LifeCare programs, Celebrate Recovery, congregational care, staff, facility usage.

Support Services: $813,218 Human Resources, accounting, IT, guest services, membership, staff, facility usage. â– 12

Missions and Evangelism 31%

Discipleship 27%

Worship 23%

Congregational Care 10%

Support Services 9%

MINISTRY

OUTREACH

Asbury Focus Area

IN LEBANON

God is moving among the displaced people of the Syrian refugee crisis. Three Asburians traveled to Lebanon in January to meet with our ministry partners in Lebanon and Syria. This mass displacement of people is Asbury’s latest global focus area.

backgrounds in Syria. Praise God! Maybe 10 to 20 percent have become followers of Jesus, but the rest are there on their own accord. One woman gave her life to Christ at the end of the service.

We continue to pray that more will come to know the redeemed and transformed life in Jesus.

We attended three worship services specifically for refugees at Beirut area evangelical churches.

This requires Kingdom thinking for these churches, because in general, refugees are not made to feel welcome in Lebanon. God has moved in the hearts of the leaders and members of these churches to extend Christian love to these displaced people, providing physical aid as well as the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We were also able to meet with pastors from Syria who came to join us in Lebanon. The leaders of Ananias House, our primary ministry partner in Syria, were also there. Many in Syria are also coming to faith in Jesus because of the outreach of churches there. Asbury helps to support a pastor in Syria so he can minister full time instead of seeking additional work in the difficult economy.

Asbury’s support has also kept an evangelical Christian school in Damascus operating.

Many refugees, including those from Muslim backgrounds, are responding to these acts and messages of love. Many have never been shown grace like this, which is done in the name of Jesus.

One evening worship service had 220 in attendance, all of whom were from Muslim 14

Please continue to pray for the 11 million people displaced and that they will experience an encounter with the Living God! ■

Asbury Partner

Restore families in financial crisis to economic and spiritual vitality.

2017 64,532.89

$

RAISED

2018

2019

RAISED

RAISED

100,000

$

97,518.93

$

2020 55,616.56

$

DONATIONS TO-DATE

2017

2018

2019

191,345 lbs of food to 4,135 families

243,266 lbs of food to 4,677 families

210,082 lbs of food to 3,949 families

852 Tulsa area neighbors prevented from becoming homeless

665 Tulsa area neighbors prevented from becoming homeless

1.149 Tulsa area neighbors prevented from becoming homeless

411 Bibles shared with those who didn't have one

422 Bibles shared with those who didn't have one

395 Bibles shared with those who didn't have one

There is still time to donate. If you feel led, please write in the memo line of your check RESTORE HOPE. 15

Asbury Missionary

BROADCASTING TO NEW

HEIGHTS

How Tanzania Missionaries are Sharing the Gospel One Radio Program at a Time

Asbury missionaries, Lowell and Claudia, described the "why" behind building the first local Christian radio station in Kigoma, Tanzania, when visiting Tulsa January 23. My thoughts immediately drifted toward President FDR’s fireside chats taught in my high school American History and college communications courses. At that time in the U.S., Roosevelt's radio talks allowed Americans to connect with the government in a way mediums of communication had not allowed before. It created a sense of safety and awareness in the privacy of one’s home. Now, we have many mediums of communication available instantly at our fingertips – smartphones, Apple watches, social media – we don’t have to be at home to learn important current events or read God’s word.

Home radios seem like a relic from the past; but they are everything in terms of communication in Tanzania, especially when sharing the Gospel in a Muslim-dominant country. Pastor Tom recently reminded us that “we worship freely and without fear in the United States. We have as much access to Scripture as we want. Let’s not waste our privileges. Let’s read our Bibles, come to worship and give thanks for the ability to do both.” Though Lowell and Claudia Wertz have started church plants and a community center throughout their 28-year ministry, Joy in the Harvest, God placed it on their hearts to share His good news to those who could only receive it in the privacy of their homes.

God made it apparent to Lowell and Claudia one 16

evening when a Muslim woman invited them to her home. Once they arrived, not only were they greeted by her, but many others. These women knew of the Wertzes ministry and were curious about learning or converting to Christianity, but could not attend public fellowship events for fear of harm. Here, the idea of Radio Joy was born.

Just as Peter wrote about waiting for The Day of the Lord in 2 Peter 2:4, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” Lowell and Claudia patiently waited for the day Radio Joy would go on-air. After 24 years, many prayers and courageous faith, Kigoma’s regional commissioner finally approved Radio’s Joy paperwork, its tower was installed and broadcasting began.

A bit under the population of Oklahoma, 2 million people from every walk of life could receive high-quality Christian, programming in their native tongue, Swahili, in their homes. Radios were donated and shared among the community, but only had the ability to broadcast Radio Joy due to the radio’s frequency. Shortly after Radio Joy aired, the regional commissioner recognized the vast broadcast span, approached the Wertzes and decided the station would also be used for public service announcements. From that decision, the Tanzanian government, Christian pastors and Muslim leaders (Imams) all met and were notified that they would

also recieve those same fix-tuned radios broadcasting Radio Joy, so they could recieve PSA Notifications.

That meeting made history – not only was the first time Christian and Islamic leaders had ever met together, but it also meant they would hear the Gospel and have the ability to work toward a common goal together if a child went missing, too. It was all apparent this could only be orchestrated by God.

We truly take for granted how blessed we are to attend Sunday morning church, share the Gospel with friends during weekly coffee shop meetups or flip on our car radios for a moment of worship on our way to work, without the looming danger of harassment, abuse or beheadment. Lowell and Claudia (as well as many other missionaries throughout the world) are fighting for those basic abilities

Every.

Single. Day.

Radio JOY, a not-for-profit station on-the-air with full schedule broadcast since February 2016, is the only local radio station in the Kigoma area. The station provides stable jobs for 10 Tanzanians, with the goal of expanding to 50. The station is on air 24/7 with Christian and secular music, high-quality Christian programs, public service announcements, medical programing (a Tanzanian doctor runs public health education spots for villagers lacking medical clinics or any knowledge of health care — AIDS, infant health, dental health, etc. — which is literally saving lives every day), plus programs for children, education, news, weather, emergency alerts — everything!

AFRICA FACTS: • Equals 22.3% of the world's land •

Second largest continent - only Asia is larger It can hold the continental USA, Europe, China, India, Argentina, and New Zealand... and have room for more!

• More than 3,500 ethnic groups •

Over 2,110 languages spoken - although only 10 languages are spoken by more than a million people. 30.5% of all the world's languages are spoken in Africa.

• 52 countries • 84 cities have over 1 million people - 4 cities have over 10 million • AIDS and HIV - of the 33.4 million people infected, 22.5 million live in sub-Sahara Africa • In 1998, of the 5.8 million people infected worldwide, 4 million were Africans - of which 1.7 million were African children & teenagers • Since 1990, 17 countries have been deeply impacted by war • 9 of the 10 poorest countries on Earth are found in Africa Note: You don’t have to travel across the ocean to support the Wertzes. Please contact Lowell and Claudia directly, or Jim Davis, if you feel called to support their ministry in Tanzania. ■

YOUNG HEARTS. STRONG FAITH. SERVING THE LORD. 18

ISLEY STEG

ISLEY STEGER In the hills of eastern Kentucky, an elderly man named Felix looked out over his property and smiled. There, smiling back at him, were dozens of teenagers from a different state. They had come to install new flooring in his bedroom and a put a new roof on his aging home.

They were there to work and to serve, but they also wanted to talk about Jesus. Felix listened.

The desire of his receptive heart made a lasting impression on Isley Steger, the then 13-year-old who had traveled to Kentucky with Asbury Youth for the sole purpose of helping people like Felix — people who were unable to help themselves.

“Trips like that one definitely helped me appreciate the little things in my own life,” Isley reflected. “Mission trips are an incredible way to see how other people live and such a great opportunity to spread the love of Jesus through acts of service.”

This year, Isley, a freshman at Broken Arrow High School, will spend her spring break in Memphis where she will join other ninthand tenth-graders from Asbury in practicing street ministry and showing kindness to children who may not always rub shoulders with positive, adolescent role models. It will be a somewhat drastic departure from the manual labor of Kentucky, but although the work will be different, the goal of the trip remains the same. Isley, along with her friends and pastors, is hoping to create meaningful connections and plant seeds of hope in hearts and minds.

“I’m excited to go because I think it’s going to be all about relationships on this trip,” Isley said. “It’s not always easy to start a conversation or to open up about my faith, but I’m willing to go outside my comfort zone. I think these trips have taught me how to have faith in the fact that God will use me.”

Whether the mission is rural or urban, focused on work or fueled by relationships, Isley has witnessed the power of God through each one of her experiences. She has been given a new understanding of what it truly means to be a Christ-follower and a fresh appreciation for what can be accomplished when the body of Christ is united in humble service.

“Serving with my friends will bring us closer together,” stated Isley.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Jesus from a whole new perspective.

It’s going to be fun.”

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BELLA NELLI

BELLA NELLIS Bella Nellis is eager to get back to work.

In March, she will return to Red Bird, Kentucky, the heart of the poorest county in the United States. Most households earn less than $20,000 per year and 41 percent of the people live below the poverty line. The needs are abundant. Last year, as a seventh-grader on her first mission trip, Bella and her fellow teens from Asbury Youth were tasked with constructing a 90-foot ramp to give a disabled man easier access to his home. It isn’t a typical spring break activity, but for Bella, it was less about the project and more about what she could show the people she was serving.

“I think the residents were probably a little skeptical when they saw a bunch of kids show up for construction,” recalled Bella. “But once we started working, I think they could see God in us because of our attitudes and what we were willing to do for them. I felt God’s presence there, and I could see Him moving in so many ways.”

As Bella prepares for her second trip to Kentucky, she believes it will be another life-changing experience.

Beyond the service, the construction and the new relationships she will form, the 14-year old is excited for the evening worship services and the spiritual lessons

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her youth pastors will impart. It is all a part of the moving, memorable mission Bella hopes to be a part of for many years to come.

“Our youth pastors are amazing,” Bella stated. “They give us so much knowledge and they always lead by example. It is easy to see how much they care about us and how happy they are to be watching us grow in our faith. I want to continue going on these trips throughout high school and I hope to be a college leader for these trips someday.”

Through mission work, Bella, who has been attending Asbury her entire life, has a clearer understanding of the two-way impact from serving others. She has learned not to take so much for granted in her own life. She has been challenged to become a leader among her peers. She truly believes God is at work in the hearts of the people she will encounter this year.

“It is so rewarding and so fulfilling to know you made a mark on someone’s life,” explained Bella. “When those people in Kentucky look at their home and look at the work we are going to do, they will think about a group of seventh-and-eighth graders from Oklahoma who care about them and want them to experience the love of Jesus. I think that’s incredible.”

WADE WITCHER What’s the biggest thing you’ve seen God do in your life?

God has always proved His consistency to me. Life is not predictable, but Jesus is. In my greatest moments of trial, He has been the greatest provider. In my greatest disobedience, comes His unfathomable grace. In my deepest pain, His love still surrounded me. I have felt lost and abandoned by the Lord only to look back later and see He was the only thing carrying me through.

He consistently provided when I was without – almost always in spite of my wandering heart. His consistent thread of grace has been the most daunting symbol of His love in my life.

What did your faith walk look like growing up?

Asbury has been home when I felt more like a stranger than a son of the one true King. Our youth ministry was a secure landing space when school made me feel lost. Having an identity was a far-fetched concept as a teenager and without Wednesday night worship, I may never have found security in my true identity. Life then felt directionless and it only gets worse in college. Asbury pointed the lit pathway – life with Jesus – out to me. The patience, support and love shown by small group leaders continues to have an impact I have not forgotten.

What do you see as your current ministry?

My ministry doesn’t change, but my location does.

Ministry is a fancy word for loving those you interact with daily. My current ministry is loving the campus I am at, while focusing closely on those I live with. Jesus plus nothing will always be the formula for a fulfilled life. I believe loving on people so radically and gracefully that the thought ‘all Christ followers are judgmental hypocrites’ becomes a foolish assertion. My ministry is loving people in a way culture says is “dangerous,” so that my heavenly father gets more attention and praise as a result.

How do you see God working in the community?

Where is a good ‘starting point’ for serving Christ?

I love seeing the big, green steeple while driving through Tulsa and knowing underneath I was loved. I want everyone to have that – a place where the hurt, broken and lost end up finding healing. It’s not the healthy who need doctors (Luke 5:31), therefore I want God to make Asbury a great hospital. I knew I could find love and grace here. I attended high school across the street and it’s full of broken, lost students desperate for what our community and Savior offers. Yet, they are fearful of our church’s rejection. I want them and all of Tulsa experiencing what community in His name is like.

I loved all Asbury programming, but every spiritual “milestone” happened when serving God with an Asbury community attempting to spread the Gospel further (never stop your support of our mission’s program)!

It’s the best way to take up our cross and love others.

If you haven’t experienced it, you should. It is one thing talking about being a man after God’s own heart, but it is life changing being 17, full of pride and seeing a working professional lay down his pride to serve God. It changed my whole world view and inspired me to live for something worth more than American materialism.

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SPRING BREA 6TH GRADE

20 20

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Objective: Introduce students to God’s heart for missions.

20 20

• Homeless outreach

• Manual labor

• Working with children

7TH 8TH GRADE &

Beverly, Kentucky

Objective: Expose students to a variety of needs and see their role as Christians.

• Manual labor/Construction

• Home interior improvements

9TH 10TH GRADE &

20 20 22

Memphis, Tennessee

Objective: expose students to neighborhoods affected by crime and violence and show the love of Christ.

• Backyard Bible clubs

• Work with local organizations

AK MISSIONS 20 11TH GRADE 20 Trelawny Parish, Jamaica

Objective: Introduce students to other cultures and provide opportunities to share Christ.

• Bible teaching

• Manual labor/Construction

• Infirmary visitation

12TH GRADE Guatemala

Objective: Partner with two outstanding ministries, Hope For Tomorrow Children’s Home and Engadi Ministries.

20 20

• Manual labor/Construction

• Teach English classes

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Celebrating 11 Years!

2019 2nd Saturday Volunteer Event Monthly Attendance 327 240

210

January

320 167

February

March

April

190

May

226

205 142

June

July

216

139

August

October

November

Making a difference is easy! People in Tulsa need your help.

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December

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Widow's "Beautiful Masterpiece" Dinner

395 in attendance

"Just wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful and fun night. It's always so special for me as my husband went home to be with the Lord 7 years ago. I feel so much love from you all during these special occasions. You must know that God truly had called you to the ministry, because it ministers to so many including me. Thank you for being obedient. You are loved."

International Valentine's Party

87

in attendance “Our party was unique for some people and fun for others. We had couples of different ages and it was a good opportunity to meet new friends and encourage people looking for a congregation to come and visit Asbury on Sundays. The good music and comedy made it a special night."

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WORSHIP

WHAT IS LENT?

By Pastor James Lambert

26

Lent is a period of 40 days, not counting Sundays, beginning on Ash Wednesday and leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The word comes from an Old English word, lencten, meaning “spring,” probably referring to the “lengthening” of days which happens during this season. In many other languages Lent is called “The Great Fast”or “The Fortieth.”

Lent is a season of self-denial and reflection on our mortality and need for GOD’S GRACE which prepares us spiritually to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection, practiced by all ancient Christian churches and many modern ones.

In the spirit of Ecclesiastes 3:4, Lent is the “time to weep” and the “time to mourn” which prepares us for the “time to laugh” and “time to dance.” Christians in different churches and nations practice a diverse variety of traditions during Lent, all with this same purpose. Traditionally, Lent has featured two main activities: fasting and teaching. The teaching traditionally leads to the baptism and confirmation of new believers in Christ.

The fasting is an invitation to all Christians to take on a temporary discipline which will remind us of our hunger for God. A fast can be big or small. Some very common Lenten fasts include giving up chocolate, giving up red meat or giving up alcohol. (Technically, when you give up certain food or drink, it is called an “abstinence,” while a “fast” involves not eating at all for all or part of certain days.)

One commonly missed fact is that Sundays are NOT counted in Lent, and so on Sundays we are free to partake of the thing we give up or abstain from; that is because every Sunday is a “little Easter,” where we celebrate the

resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sundays are days of joy and not fasting. Of course, if you are feeling called to give something up permanently, or if you need to make changes to improve your health, or if you are actually repenting from something sinful, then by all means you should abstain on Sundays too, and keep that going past Easter!

All this talk of “giving something up” can raise questions, such as: “Is this worksrighteousness?” Or “Are Protestants supposed to do this?” And the best way I know to answer that is to say: no, Lent is not about our righteousness at all. It’s about remembering our need for God. Fasting is a very ancient practice that reminds us of our mortality and our complete dependence upon God. It is something physical we do with our bodies in an attempt to direct our spirit toward God, similar to kneeling or raising our hands in prayer. It is appropriate for Christians of all stripes. And besides, it is a very flexible practice. For evangelical

Christians it is something we are free to practice as a voluntary discipline, or to choose not to participate in if we do not feel called to it.

And so, as we approach the season of Lent in this year of 2020, consider how you can observe this season in your own walk with Jesus. Would abstaining from a certain food help remind you to pray and thank God for His blessings in your life? Or could fasting and feeling hunger until the evening of a certain day of the week (such as Wednesday or Friday) help you put aside other distractions and focus on your need for a Savior? Or is there a different Lenten discipline you want to “take up” in this season? The choice is

yours, and the invitation is open. ■

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HOLY

WEEK

By Pastor James Lambert

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Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter Sunday each year, when we celebrate the climactic events of the last week in Jesus' earthly life which led to His trial, torture, death and resurrection. Just as each of the four Gospels builds up to the Passion narrative, the season of Lent builds up to Holy Week.

Here is a look at each day:

PALM SUNDAY

is the day we remember Christ’s “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem, when he was greeted as a conquering King, as the crowds shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Many Methodist churches will commemorate this event with a procession of palms near the beginning of worship, brought forward by children or others. Some Christians might even walk through the streets with palms before worship.

Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week are not traditional days of worship for Methodists and most Protestants. However, daily Scripture readings for these days often recall the anointing of Jesus at Bethany, Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree, Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple, Jesus’ predictions of his death and Judas’ betrayal of Jesus to the high priests.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

is the day we remember the Last Supper, Jesus’ final celebration of the Jewish Passover with His disciples. At this meal Jesus reinterpreted the Passover with himself as the Lamb of God. He declared that He was giving His own body as a sacrifice for sin and His blood to inaugurate the New Covenant between God and humanity. Along with celebrating Communion and remembering this beginning, many Christians practice footwashing on this day as an act of obedience and love. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandare, meaning “command,” referring to Jesus’ words in John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: love one another.”

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GOOD FRIDAY

is the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion, when God suffered death so that we could have eternal life. On this day Christians focus on the cross of Christ. All of our sin and death was born on that cross, so that all of God’s goodness and life could be communicated to those who trust in Christ. Evening services often end in silence, representing the sorrow and fear of Jesus’ followers after their Lord and Teacher was killed and put in the tomb.

HOLY SATURDAY

is a day of waiting, a day of sorrow in the life of Jesus’ first disciples, and yet a day of anticipation for all Christians. Many Christians hold special worship services on the night of Holy Saturday to welcome the day of Resurrection at midnight.

It was the Jewish Sabbath, when work was forbidden, which is why His disciples had to wait until “early on the first day of the week” to go and properly care for His body.

EASTER SUNDAY,

the most holy day of the Christian year, is when we remember that the tomb was empty, that the grave could not hold the Lord Jesus Christ. The origin of our English word ‘Easter’ is uncertain, with some people theorizing that it represents a pagan goddess. However, the word for this day in most other languages is derived from Pascha, the Greek word for Passover, and the moveable date of Easter / Pascha corresponds to the changing lunar calendar of Israel’s feast days.

Many Christians hold special “sunrise services” on Easter, as the light of God’s hope dawns after the night of sin and death. All of Lent and Holy Week leads us to this moment when we celebrate God’s New Creation. When you hear the traditional Easter Greeting: “Christ is risen!”

The response is: “He is risen indeed!”

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HOLY WEEK

is traditionally a time for Christian believers to be restored to fellowship with the church. It would be a perfect time for you to “help others follow Jesus” by inviting a friend who does not regularly worship to join you in Asbury’s observances of these holy days. When we gather in worship to mark the pivotal events of Jesus’ earthly life, and when we praise God for His work of redemption that has conquered death, we bear witness to a reality that is deeper and more real than anything else we can see or experience. We proclaim our eternal hope in Christ which nothing can break.

In the words of St. Paul: “O death, where is your sting?

O grave, where is your victory?”

1 Cor. 15:55. ■

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A N R E T E E

F I L . r S , n a r u D .

S rt e b o R r o t s a P

Some years ago I was talking with a church member who had not attended a worship service in many years. Asking him why he didn’t come to Sunday worship services, he looked at me and said, as if it was completely obvious, that he didn’t come because he didn’t enjoy the worship services. Well, at least he had a reason!

It came to me that pressing the fellow further might lead to him telling me how bad the sermons were, but I put aside such concerns and asked what it was about the worship services that he found unenjoyable. He seemed pleased that I had asked, and told me that it was all that praising God that he didn’t like. The hymns and songs all seemed to him to praise God, and the sermons seemed to celebrate Jesus Christ and want him to follow Jesus.

I had to admit that his objection was exactly what the worship team had been seeking to provide for the congregation. So my next question was why he wanted to get to heaven if he didn’t like singing and

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worshiping God, opening my Bible to read aloud how heaven is described in Revelation 15:3-4 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!

Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!

4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."

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That produced a smile on his face as he said that heaven didn’t sound all that good to him but he did want to avoid the wrath to come—and he directed me to read what John the Baptizer said in Matthew 3:7.

L A After a silent prayer that the Holy Spirit would give me the words to reach this man’s heart, words poured out of me, with me hardly knowing what I was saying. If he didn’t want to spend eternity in hell, where did he think he would spend eternity if not in heaven? If praising and worshiping God was distasteful to him, how could he stand eternal life in heaven?

He didn’t want to answer but did agree to think on these things, until we met again the following day. We prayed together, though he chose not to pray aloud himself, leaving that to me.

When we met again he shared that he had come to realize that he feared God but did not love God and that was at the root of his wanting to “flee the wrath to come” but not to spend eternity in God’s presence. This realization led him to consider that he admired Jesus, but did not want to follow Him now, but only to believe in Him to receive Salvation—to “punch his ticket out of hell,” as he put it.

Quite the reader and history buff, he recounted to me that he thought the Roman Emperor Constantine had it figured out just right that he should be baptized at the end of his life, as death approached. That reminded me of something John Wesley had written in one of his sermons:

Eternal life commences, when it pleases the Father to reveal His Son in our hearts; when we first know Christ … then it is that heaven is opened in the soul, that the proper, heavenly state commences, while the love of God, as loving us, is shed abroad in the heart, instantly producing love to all mankind. Spiritual Worship, Sermon 77

He responded to my question of whether he truly knows Jesus Christ, that the Father had revealed His Son to him, by breaking down in tears. That very evening, just the two of us, sobbing together, he prayed that God the Father would reveal His only begotten Son and pour out that love into his soul.

That man’s life changed, then and there. I don’t just mean that he went from fearing God and wanting to avoid hell, but to loving God and to feeling God’s love for him, and to wanting to follow Jesus as his Lord and Savior—not just Savior and nothing more.

Being about the same age, I asked him if he remembered the old folk rock ballad from the movie “Godspell” when we were both young—he did and we sang together: Day by day, day by day O, dear Lord, three things I pray: to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day.

Day by day, day by day From that day on he not only attended worship regularly, even helping lead the singing and praising God with all his heart and soul, he told anyone and everyone that he already had “one foot in heaven” (the title of a 1941 book

by Hartzell Spence about his Methodist minister father – One Foot in Heaven: The Life of a Practical Parson; and the 1941 movie starring Frederic March – One Foot in Heaven).

When does Eternal Life begin?

I believe John Wesley was right: Eternal life commences, when it pleases the Father to reveal His Son in our hearts; when we first know Christ … then it is that heaven is opened in the soul, that the proper, heavenly state commences, while the love of God, as loving us, is shed abroad in the heart, instantly producing love to all mankind. ■

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HOLY WEEK SERVICES Maundy Thursday Service THURSDAY, APRIL 9

7 pm, Mason Chapel During this unique service, we will share communion and walk with Jesus through the watches of His final night.

Good Friday Service FRIDAY, APRIL 10

7 pm, Sanctuary On Good Friday the Chancel Choir and New Covenant Orchestra will present Joseph Martin’s, Song of the Shadows, a deeply moving experience that invites us to contemplate the love and sacrifice of Christ.

Easter Sunday Services SUNDAY, APRIL 12

8 and 9:15 am, Traditional, Sanctuary 11 am, Modern, Sanctuary Please join us on Easter Sunday to celebrate the Risen Lord!

Child care is provided for all services.

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REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM

The basic meaning of a sacrament is an outward sign of an inward or invisible grace. United Methodists have two sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. These are the two things which Jesus told all His followers to do. By receiving a sacrament, we are proclaiming that we follow Jesus. During Lent we share Communion, the sacrament of nurture, every Sunday. On March 29 the congregation is invited to remember that—at some point in their lives— they were initiated into the faith through baptism.

Baptism is the sacrament of initiation.

With infants and small children, it primarily symbolizes God’s love for us before we are able to respond. In the Wesleyan tradition, this is known as “prevenient grace.” It is divine grace that precedes our decision to follow God. The baptized child may choose to make his or her own public commitment to Christ and officially join the church in the seventh grade after going through a confirmation process.

When someone is able to answer for himself or herself, baptism is a time to admit to being a sinner and acknowledge trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Water is a symbol of being washed or cleansed from sin.

It is not the amount of water or the mode of baptism that is the focus, but rather, God’s grace coming into our lives.

Since we recognize the baptism of other Christian churches as valid, we will not re-baptize at Asbury.

However, once a year during Lent and concurrent with our student’s confirmation process, the pastors offer the congregation the opportunity to “remember” their baptism.

Along with a liturgy that reaffirms our faith, each person receives a touch of water, in the sign of the cross, on the forehead. By this, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge God’s work in our lives, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy church.

If you have never been initiated into the faith and are seeking baptism or would like to learn more about it, please schedule an appointment with a pastor by calling 918.492.1771. ■

“If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” - Romans 10:10-11

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ASBURY STAFFING

MICHAEL KEMP

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP LEADER 36

For the past few years, Michael Kemp could sense that God was leading him to … something …. but he didn’t know to what and went about his days joyfully serving the congregation of Christ United Methodist in Jackson, Mississippi.

He, his wife Heidi and their children continued their daily worship in song together before bedtime. Michael prayed to best meet the change to come before he specifically knew the calling would take him to Tulsa, and service as director of traditional worship at Asbury United Methodist Church.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, the selfdescribed “music nerd and saxophonist” earned degrees in music education at Belmont University and Robert Webber Institute. His first post-graduate position was as orchestral director at Hermitage Hills Baptist Church in Nashville; he spent the past decade at Christ United Methodist. Through it all is a commitment to serving God, especially via music.

“I tend to think of music as a part of worship,” says Kemp. “In ‘old school’ tradition I’d be the music minister. But I see it outside that narrower definition as there are other arts besides the musical to incorporate into worship. And for

me, personally, I try to connect what we’re singing with scripture so that it’s not just singing a song because someone liked it. We’re singing it with a reason and truth that we need to be reminded of such as the story or scripture behind the song itself. Often, we don’t know the history of a song or why it came to be so it helps to teach it, to stay with it more and deeper.”

Faith was leading the Kemp family.

didn’t know what it was,” he said. “Then a friend reached out and asked what I knew about Asbury. I just knew it was a large church in Oklahoma and had a friend who attended. The more I looked it seemed that with my experience I could really serve and have something to offer in a wonderful, special place.”

The interview process led to a “much needed” reunion with an old friend; visiting the church in autumn 2019 and quickly understanding that, “man, I think this is where God is leading us,” he remembers thinking. “Just experiencing a Sunday morning, hearing the orchestra was so much fun and I felt God had been preparing me for this for years and thankfully, Asbury felt the same way. So, we finished out the year in Jackson and now here we are in Tulsa.”

Kemp describes his wife as an accomplished musician who will play violin in the orchestra. Heidi crafts jewelry and is Mom to Benjamin, 10, 8-year-old Violet and 5-year-old Norah. They’ve particularly enjoyed snowy days as it seldom snows in Mississippi.

“As a family, at the end of the day, we gather around the piano,” says Michael. “It’s a way to teach our kids hymns of faith and so we pick a hymn for the month and sing it as a family before bed. Recently it was a newer hymn, His Mercy is More. It’s special to hear sweet, little Norah on that refrain and she goes around singing it all the time. It reminds me of how powerful music is, especially with worship songs, that it gets God’s word and truth to you easily without you even realizing it. I know this when I hear Norah singing: ‘Praise the Lord, His Mercy is More, stronger than darkness, new every morn. Our sins, they are many, His mercy is more.’”

“For the last couple of years, I had a sense that God was preparing us for something and I

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ASBURY STAFFING 38

CHARLIE McALLISTER

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

A moment that never gets old for Charlie McAllister, the new director of AsburyKids. Even after 30 years of working at churches and sharing the love of Jesus with thousands of kids, Charlie still experiences the same overwhelming emotions when he witnesses a child give their life to Christ.

For him, there is no greater joy.

McAllister’s entire professional life has been focused on helping kids fall deeply, and desperately in love with God. More a calling than a career, McAllister sees his next chapter of ministry at Asbury as an extraordinary opportunity to build upon a firm foundation.

Regardless of the location, denomination or size of the church he has served, McAllister has set out to use his gifts for connecting and communicating with children to build spiritual champions. He doesn’t simply want kids to hear the gospel on Sunday morning, he wants to help them build an enduring faith. A faith that cannot be shaken by the inevitable mountains and valleys of adolescence or adulthood.

“Our focus as a ministry team has to be on equipping kids for the future,” McAllister said. “We should be helping them apply truth to their lives, and we also need to understand the amount of passion it takes to reach the next generation for Jesus Christ.”

Although a committed staff combined with engaging programming is important for any ministry, McAllister views parents as the most crucial components in the faith of a child. He plans to partner with Asbury parents as closely as possible while providing them with the tools they need to have spiritual conversations with their kids.

“We are not doing our job if we aren’t helping parents make the very most of the time they have with their children,”

commented McAllister. “We definitely need to capitalize on what our parents have to offer and equip them to lead their kids to Christ.”

McAllister, who is the father of four boys with his wife Becky of 34 years, acknowledges how approaches to kids’ ministry have changed over the years.

Technology has created more options, but also comes with its share of temptations. For children growing up in an age of faster access and shorter attention spans, McAllister believes he and his staff members must find a way to connect with kids on their level.

“I always want to be able to look at things through the eyes of a child and to see the world as a kid would see it,” said McAllister. “You have to have that perspective, but you also have to earn their trust. I don’t believe you can truly teach a child until you have that child’s trust. Once the trust is there, the relationships can really take off and that’s when God can really use our pastors and leaders to make an impact.”

After serving in nine churches over the course of three decades, McAllister was open to a change of scenery and also interested in moving closer to his only grandson who lives in the Dallas area. Also, McAllister was drawn to Asbury by the people and the possibilities.

“I can’t overstate how friendly and warm the people of Asbury have been to me and my wife,” McAllister smiled. “It is easy to see why this church is growing and I’m excited to see what God has in store for us here. I look forward to building strong, spiritual foundations for these kids and I plan on having a whole lot of fun in the process.”

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ASBURY FOUNDATION 40

SAVING FOR OTHERS

By Pastor Guy Ames

I love this Proverb: “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down” - Proverbs 20:21.

I always remember taking a month of groceries to a family that I was helping only to come back to their house sometime later to find that all the food was eaten. I couldn’t believe it. Human nature often keeps us from planning ahead.

Nearly 25 years ago Asbury leaders launched our foundation for the purpose of saving for Asbury’s future. These savings, invested wisely, will enable future generations at Asbury to focus more faithfully on our mission of helping people to follow Christ. Every dollar invested will grow so that we might use the interest to continue supporting the work of God’s Kingdom here at Asbury.

Have you considered designating a part of your estate to Asbury’s future through our foundation?

Gifts given to our foundation are endowed, which means that we do not spend the principal but only the interest. This past year our foundation assisted several seminary students, helped to provide matching funds for the Baltic Theological Seminary, and provided Operation Hope funds to hire an ex-offender who now interns there, helping others to find their way after a time behind bars. Your gifts to the Asbury Foundation continue growing into perpetuity.

How can you give?

You can always make an outright gift by marking your donation to the Asbury Foundation. If you are over 70½ and own an IRA, you may make gifts directly from your IRA without any tax implications. Of course, we hope you will prayerfully consider making a planned gift through your estate. If you would like to know more about our foundation please feel free to contact me at games@asburytulsa.org. ■

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BETTER TOGETHER

16 SWEET

Celebrating SWEET SIXTEEN!

We celebrated 16

YEARS at this location.

ASBURY TURNED 58.

On a rare fifth Sunday, FEBRUARY 29, 2004,

we held the first worship service at 6767 South Mingo Road.

On March 1, 2020, we conducted a GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY as the building phase of our Better Together campaign. We broke ground on our new Asbury Student Building. We used the same shovel that we used to break the ground here 16 years ago. Party favors were handed out and food trucks were available!

THANK YOU

for giving so generously to help others follow Jesus.

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r e t t Beogether t

BUT FIRST... PRAY!

Commit one minute or more daily to pray for the building phase of Better Together. Set a reminder on your phone to integrate it into your day.

SEVEN PRAYER POINTS (PRAY ONE OR ALL SEVEN DAILY)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Pray for church unity, harmony and peace. (Eph. 4:1-3, John 17:21) Pray for Student Ministry staff; for wisdom and guidance to build our student ministry to help students follow Jesus.

(James 1:5, Prov. 24:3-4, 3:6) Pray for the builders and designers; protection, skilled laborers, wisdom, integrity and good relationships that lead to salvation.

(Neh. 4:16, Ps. 91:1-2, James 1:5) Pray for provision for every detail and need to be met during the building phase. (Phil. 4:19) Pray for cheerful giving and faithfulness to follow through with commitments pledged to Better Together. (2 Cor. 9:6-7) Pray for participation in and devotion to prayer that leads to a closer relationship with Jesus. (Col. 4:2, 1 Thess. 5:17) Pray a blessing over the Tulsa Community; favor and good relationships with our neighbors that salvation may spring up among us. (Num.6:24-26, 1 Tim. 2:4)

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

EASTER FAIR Saturday, April 11 10 am -1 pm