asbury tidings - thankful for

ASBURY TIDINGS�

Asbury Tidings is a 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

3 Coming Soon

4 Simplify the Holidays

8 Bill Metsker: WWII Veteran

11 Jerry & Carol Lillard

13 Thanksgiving Baskets

16 Wrapped in Warmth

18 Jeff’s World

21 Thanks for Seasons

22 CARD

23 Call for Submissions

24 Opportunities

32 New Members

34 Family Room

CONTENTSManaging Editor Tara Lynn Thompson

Graphic Designer Nicole McMahan

Photographer Don Kreutzweiser

Guest ContributorsNikki Boyd • Susan Effron

John Westervelt

ther holidays are wonderful, too, but I think Thanksgiving is my fa-vorite holiday (unless I can count Halloween since October 31 is my birthday). George Washington

made the first national day of Thanksgiving on November 26, 1789. He said it was “to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

Thanksgiving’s essence has remained true. It is a simple day. It is not highly pressurized. It is not about spending lots of money on expensive pres-ents. It is a “Methodist” holiday, too, in that there is always plenty to eat. While there is much work to be done in preparing the food, most people coop-erate with one another. The image connects with the image of abundance, not scarcity. And there is football! Thanksgiving gathers families who are distant and may see each other infrequently.

A father called his son who lived a thousand miles away to let him know he was getting a divorce. The son could not believe it. “Dad, you and mom have been married for 55 years. This is impossible!” The man said, “Well, son, I’m tired of her constant nag-ging. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve made up my mind and I won’t be talked out of it.” When the father hung up, his wife said, “What did Tommy have to say?” The dad smiled and said, “Tommy said they ARE coming for Thanksgiving after all.”

Like anything, there is a downside to Thanksgiving. It is the day we also are re-minded that some people are no longer present with us. There is a sadness around the table, particularly when it is the first year of such loss. I’m not sure that the sadness goes away the second or third year, either, but we do become more determined to make it through. The longer we live, the more absences we begin to notice.

There are so many reasons to give thanks as a Christ-follower. I am so grateful that I have a faith that will sustain me in the face of disappointment and loss. I am so grateful that I have One who is worthy of my ultimate praise and loyalty. I am so grateful that I have a reason to live. I am so grate-ful that I have others who live out their faith with me. I am so grateful for the Bible, for music, for prayer, for ways to service, and for a place to give my money. And when it becomes me that my fam-ily and friends miss around the table, I am grateful that I will get to see them again in heaven.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Dr. Tom Harrison

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he holidays are wonderful, some-thing to look forward to and yet dread at the same time. With the all the expectations, all the hopes

of having a perfect holiday, the stress can often make the holidays a miserable time.

Here are a few tips to simplify your holiday to decrease the stress and increase the joy:

1. PlaN aNd PrEParE aHEad Of TImE.

2. SImPlIfy THE mENu. Ask family members to choose one favorite dish for the meal. Give them choices of family favorites so you don’t end up with four vegetables and six desserts. Fix one favorite for Thanksgiving and another for Christ-mas. Saves calories and time.

3. STarT SHOPPINg NOw. Make out a holiday shopping list and buy a few things each week you shop.

4. OrdEr a frESH TurkEy. Most local grocer-ies will take orders for fresh turkeys, and then there is no thawing time. You can request the size of the turkey and the date you will pick it up. Cost is only slightly more than a frozen turkey.

5. BakE THE TurkEy IN a COOkINg Bag. The turkey will brown nicely, be very moist, cook in less time and the cleanup is simple. Follow box instructions for preparing and baking the turkey. When the turkey reaches 160 degrees, remove it from the oven and let stand on the counter. It will continue to cook and reach the 165 degree, safe temperature, while on the counter. The bag will be full of hot turkey broth for the gravy. With help, have someone lift the turkey in the bag and cut a hole in the corner of the bag. Drain the turkey broth into a pan for gravy. The turkey, covered with foil and a towel, can stand on the counter for over an hour and still be warm to serve. Carve the turkey just before serving to prevent the meat from drying out. Allowing the turkey to stand be-fore carving will set the meat juices.

Top 20 Things toSimplify Your Holidays

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Thankful for…Thanksgiving

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6. PrEParE aNd BakE THE STuffINg/drESS-INg ON THE SIdE. The turkey will cook faster and free up the oven for other dishes needed to be baked. If you stuff a turkey, make sure the stuff-ing reaches 165 degrees. A stuffed turkey can also be baked in a cooking bag.

7. PurCHaSE PrEParEd ITEmS aNd add yOur OwN EmBEllISHmENT. For example, buy a frozen apple pie and add caramel ice cream topping with roasted pecans for a sauce. Add a small amount of cinnamon to whipped topping or whipped cream to serve with your dessert. Canned sweet potatoes and pumpkin puree are fine in all recipes. Use a refrigerated pie crust in your own pie plate.

8. PrEParE aNd frEEzE dISHES aHEad Of TImE. Dressing/stuffing, pie crusts, unbaked homemade apple pies and vegetable casseroles—if you can find the item in the freezer section of the grocery store, there is no reason you can’t make your own recipe and freeze it.

9. STarT SIdE dISHES THaT arE BakEd IN THE mICrOwavE TO rEduCE OvEN TImE. Place the frozen or fresh dish in the microwave for about five to 10 minutes to get it warm. Then finish baking in the oven.

10. COOk CraNBErry SauCE aHEad Of TImE. It will keep for over a week in the refrigera-tor. Make sure not to seal the storage container until it is cool.

11. ClEaN aS yOu gO. Have a family member

assigned to wash up the pots and pans as others

are preparing. After the meal, when everyone is

full and sleepy, there is less clean up. Plus, the

person who was assigned clean up before the

meal should be excused for a nap.

12. HavE THE dISHwaSHEr ClEaN aNd EmPTy BEfOrE yOu SIT dOwN fOr THE mEal. You are then ready to rinse and load after the meal.

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13. INvOlvE THE wHOlE famIly IN THE mEal PrEParaTION. Assign preparation of a dish to a family member. No time like the pres-ent to learn how Mom makes the family favorite recipe. Children love to cook but can be underfoot on the meal day. So have them help in advance. Make the apple pie together and freeze it. Help with mashing the sweet potatoes and freeze the casserole.

14. SET THE TaBlE aHEad Of TImE. If it is your daily table, you can set it the night before. Pulling out the dishes early, you know what may need to be polished, cleaned or pressed before the last

minute. Have the serving dishes and utensils out and ready to go.

15. TOSS POlyESTEr lINENS IN THE dryEr juST BEfOrE SETTINg THE TaBlE. Fold lines can be misted with water and then put in the dry-er. Pull out and put on the table while the cloth is warm and hand press on the table. It will pull out a lot of the wrinkles and fold lines.

16. uSE gOurdS, fruITS aNd NuTS fOr THE CENTErPIECE. Scatter small pumpkins, acorn squash, butternut squash, apples, pears, and shell nuts in the center of the table. Mix in silk fall leaves, ceramic or plastic fruit and candles. After the meal, you can use the squash, fruit and nuts in other recipes. The arrangement can be done days

Thankful for…Thanksgiving

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ahead and enjoyed more than just a few hours. Rule of thumb to remember, keep the centerpiece low so that guest can see each other across the table.

17. dISCuSS mEal TImE wITH all THE guESTS Early IN THE mONTH SO THaT TravEl PlaNS aNd OTHEr aCTIvITIES arE TakEN INTO CONSIdEraTION. Flexibility on time can make everyone happy. Televised football games can be recorded and watched after the meal or with DVR you can watch the game and catch up to the end of the game and see who wins right with everyone else. Holiday meals are family time.

18. ClEaN OuT THE rEfrIgEraTOr aNd frEEzEr Early IN THE mONTH. You will then

be ready for the purchased items and the left-overs.

19. dON’T wOrry THaT THE HOuSE ISN’T SPOTlESS. Dust in a straightened up home is never seen. Remember you will have lots of feet on the floor so save the thorough cleaning of the floors after everyone is gone.

20. BE flExIBlE. No meal will be “Martha Stew-art” perfect. You have no control over the weather or illness. Plans change at the last minute. The holiday meal doesn’t even have to be on Thanks-giving Day or Christmas Day. My mother always said it is a “Special Holiday” meal when we are all together.

fOOd SafETy TIPS

• Best purchase for holiday meal prepa-ration is an instant read food thermometer. Food undercooked or left out too long is asking for illness.

• Thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigera-tor or in a closed ice chest. Make sure the exterior of the turkey never goes above 41 degrees while thawing.

• Bake, smoke or fry a turkey until the thigh meat is 165 degrees before serving.

• Stuffing and prepared casseroles, espe-cially with eggs and meat, must reach 165 degrees in the center of the dish.

• The “Food Danger Zone” (where bac-teria for foodborne illnesses grow) is 41 degrees to 135 degrees. Food on the table or counter is in the danger zone. If food has been out for over 4 hours, it should be thrown away, especially if it has milk prod-ucts, meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, baked or boiled potatoes.

• Refrigerate hot leftovers uncovered. They will cool faster. Even in the refrigera-tor, a hot item is in the danger zone until it cools down below 41 degrees.

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Thankful for…Veterans

omen saved pantyhose and string and even cooking grease. Gasoline was rationed. Meat was a delicacy. And even tinfoil didn’t see a dumpster.

This was World War II. The era of Bogart and Berg-man. The music was Glenn Miller, the fashion…a uni-form, and the investment…war bonds.

America was a nation in battle. The entire nation. The sacrifices and bravery and fear and unity unfurled beyond military ranks to the very curb of rural Main Street. This wasn’t a war just for the boys overseas. It was here, among the tall prairies and Rocky Moun-tains, along the western and eastern coastlines, from the Heartland to the edges of the Mainland, from liv-ing rooms to classrooms to sanctuaries. Even mothers were on the front lines, saving, working, forever known as Rosie the Riveter, their handprints on the very artil-lery that protected their men.

Everyone was at war.“World War II was the last war where all of the peo-

ple were involved,” said Bill Metsker, WWII veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. “It was the last time the whole population was a part of it. I pity the guys who went into Korea or Vietnam. They weren’t backed

up. We were treated like heroes back then.”This was the generation of freedom fighters, ridding

the world of the plague of Communism threatening the very existence of any dissenting human life. You succumbed, you accepted, you gave up, or you fought until the death.

America fought. “It was a nervous time,” Bill said, remembering the

sobriety of the culture. “You didn’t know what your destiny was. But at the same time, there was patriotism in the country that I see lacking now. Whether drafted or enlisted, you felt it was necessary and you went to do your duty.”

Bill would eventually be on the front lines of a planned attack, days from a mission that offered little hope of survival. He would arrive through what would become his life’s work—engineering.

In 1941, after graduating high school, Bill accepted a scholarship in the School of Engineering at Purdue University in Indiana, enrolled in the Roster of Scien-tific Personnel under the War Manpower Commission. He, and the other 10,000 national students, where ex-empt from the draft until they finished college.

“The military wanted to be sure that there would

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Something WorthFighting For

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be a continuance of en-gineers available for the service,” Bill said.

Reserve Officer Train-ing was a requirement. Once completed, Bill would be subject to the draft and serve his country.

However, his path to higher education and military service would curve among the hills and cliffs of a country in desperate need of boots on the ground and wings in the air. His ser-vice would come sooner than expected. America needed soldiers, even-tually dressing into uni-form 16 million military personnel, according to History Shots website.

“Every family proba-bly had some relative—father, son, uncle—in the service,” Bill said.

In 1943, the engineer program cancelled. Bill, with only about a year left of education, en-listed in the Navy’s V12 Program allowing him to finish schooling and then going immediately to active duty as a Naval Officer.

“After six months in the program, I failed a physical because of deficient color perception,” Bill said.

That meant he could confuse between blues and

greens, between reds and browns.

“They couldn’t give me an honorable dis-charge because then I’d be exempt from the draft. And they couldn’t give me a dis-honorable discharge because I didn’t do anything wrong,” Bill said.

Instead, he received a “special order dis-charge,” a release from military affilia-tion that wouldn’t last long.

“Three months after discharging from the Navy, I was drafted. I don’t think the Army cared about eyes at that point,” said Bill, who was now enter-ing his second military branch within one war.

After 17-weeks of basic training at Ft. Hood in Texas, Bill was assigned to at-

tend Rutgers University for six months of special

training in civil engineering due to his previous engi-neering education. Once completed, he was assigned to the 1867th Engineering Battalion who had spent four years in the Aleutian Islands, building military fortifica-tions at the closest northern point to Russia. He joined

Bill Metsker, Camp Pendleton, CA, 1946.

“world war II was the last war where all of the people wereinvolved,” said Bill metsker, wwII veteran of both the u.S. Navyand u.S. army. “It was the last time the whole population was apart of it. I pity the guys who went into korea or vietnam.They weren’t backed up. we were treated like heroes back then.”

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them during their redeployment to the Pacific Coast to build airstrips, roads, barriers, and harbor fortifica-tions.

“I worked from San Diego to the State of Washing-ton, all up and down the coast,” Bill said. “More than anything, they were afraid of an attack from the air. We were installing radar and aircraft detection. If they tried to bomb us like at Pearl Harbor, we’d get some kind of warning.”

And as their secondary goal, the 1867th Engineer-ing Battalion was in training. They had a mission: lead the Marines on an attack of the Japanese coastline.

“Our assignment was to go ahead of the Marine de-ployment. Our intelligence figured there were barriers and traps in their bay to keep anyone from landing,” said Bill. “We would’ve been under aerial attack and cannons from the shore. We would have gone in small boats with explosive charges, clearing a path for the Marines.”

The prognosis wasn’t good. Returning home after this mission was unlikely or even assumed.

“The chances of survival were about zero. The Marines are dangerous enough, and we had to go in ahead of them,” Bill said.

Everyday they trained. Everyday meant a day closer to deployment day. Everyday meant one day less of a possible future.

Then one day, one event changed the entire course of the war. It came with a Presidential order and a bomb.

“I’ll forever be grateful to President Harry Truman,” Bill said. “It cost 100,000 Japanese lives but probably saved one million lives. If he hadn’t done it, in a few more months there would have been millions of Amer-icans trying to invade Japan.”

On Monday, August 6, 1945, the day of the Hiro-shima bomb, the war changed. American lives were saved, including Bill Metsker’s.

“I lucked out,” said Bill. “Several friends didn’t.”Through his youth, in the early-morning hours of

his adult life, Bill knew many, worked beside even more, men who sacrificed everything they had—their life—for the survival of their country. He would lose five fraternity house brothers, about 10 fellow high school graduates, and one future brother-in-law, a bomber pilot shot down over France. All men were warriors, all heroes, all veterans who have passed the inheritance of freedom to their following generations the only way they could - by serving and, when neces-sary, dying for it.

Bill Metsker, Rutgers University,Army Specialized Training Program, 1945.

Thankful for…Support

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e knew if we kept waiting to go on the mission field, we’d keep making excuses,” says Carol lillard. So three years ago, she and

husband Jerry fulfilled the call God had laid on their hearts. They went to the Czech Republic and joined Jerry’s parents, Jerry and Ulli who are missionaries already on the field. They serve together at New Be-ginnings Christian Center in Prague, the church that Jerry and Ulli Lillard established in 1998.

The Czech Republic has a rich spiritual heritage that includes Jan Hus, the reformer who inspired Mar-tin Luther, and the missionary work of the Moravian Brethren. But the impact of communism’s domina-tion in the 1900’s has left the nation overwhelmingly skeptical of religion and the church.

With a boost in their nation’s economy over the last few years, many Czech people are experiencing new financial freedom. With this comes the mindset that there is no need, especially that of a Savior. In fact, in a nation that is 99 percent atheist, Carol says most people don’t even know who Jesus is. That’s why the Lillards are using relational evangelism to reach them with the gospel.

But it takes time to build trust.

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Worldwide RecoveryCelebration

Jerry and Carol Lillard.

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In 2005, New Beginnings opened the Vysocanska Life Center. With weekly events ranging from aerobics to English classes to activities for kids and teenagers and even ballet, it is helping build relationships with non-believers who normally would never step foot into a church.

Addiction is also a profound struggle that the Czech people face.

“Alcohol is cheaper to buy than water,” says Carol. Seeing addiction everywhere with not much sup-

port to help people break free, Carol began to realize the need to establish a Celebrate Recovery ministry at New Beginnings.

“I have had it on my heart to reach out to those who have hurts, hang-ups, and habits here,” she says. “We have so many people who come into our lives that need to recover from something. Now we will have a tool to assist them and help them where they are.”

A core group of leaders are being trained and this mid-November, support groups for men’s drug addic-tion, co-dependency, eating disorders, and Divorce Recovery will begin.

“Through this ministry God’s love will become real to many who do not yet know Him, and it will help deepen the faith of those who are growing spiritually.” Carol adds, “This is an opportunity to reach many more for Christ and we are so thankful to God for the tools to help people through their most difficult times.”

One of the biggest challenges the Lillards face is the expense of translating the CR material into the Czech language. With each page costing $13 to translate, and with 234 total pages in the manual, over $3,000 is needed to complete the project.

That’s where a recent fundraiser at Asbury comes into the picture.

John Thompson, pastor of Tulsa’s All Nations Church, contacted his friend Mary Ann Smith, Asbury’s Director of Missions. He told her about the Lillard’s need and how Carol and Jerry had been active leaders at All Nations while attending Oral Roberts University.

It wasn’t long until an offering was taken at an As-bury Celebrate Recovery meeting and $700 was raised. Since then, that amount has been matched twice, bringing the total to $2,100. John says with several other local churches investing in the cause, he has no doubt the remaining balance needed to complete the

CR manual translation will be met.But financial support is just the beginning. Carol

asks that believers back at home pray for the people of the Czech Republic; that those outside the church walls would be drawn to the gospel.

“We want to send a message that ‘Europe is not forgotten,’” she says. “There is a hunger here and we have a vision to see the people of Europe touched by God.”

Celebrate Recovery is designed to help those strug-gling with hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a re-covery process. This purpose to see lives transformed is beautifully reflected in the call that God has put on the hearts of Jerry and Carol Lillard.

“We believe that our sphere of influence is only as big as our willingness to love. The more we love oth-ers, the more influence we gain,” says Jerry. “And in-fluence is simply for the purpose of allowing God to do his work in people’s lives as He guides us. The success is not measured by how many people we influence, but by the change in people’s lives.”

To find out more about the Lillard’s work in the Czech Republic, go to lillardconnect.com


addiction is also a profound struggle that the Czech people face…Seeing addiction everywhere with not much support to helppeople break free, Carol began to realize the need to establisha Celebrate recovery ministry at New Beginnings.

Thankful for…Nourishment

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t’s the holiday of plenty, a time of celebration for what you’ve been given, not what’s missing. It’s a day of saying “thank you” and mean-

ing it. A festival of blessing. And the symbol of it all lies within the circumfer-

ence of a single plate. The Thanksgiving meal is the tradition, the sym-

bol of prosperity – be it in monetary value or spiritual gain – and a time to feast. The Asbury food baskets program is working to bring that celebratory spirit and moment of sharing to families without.

“It truly brings me joy,” said Jamie Schaffetzil, a volunteer with the Thanksgiving Food Basket pro-gram, which repeats itself at Christmas. “I volunteer at a million different things and this is one thing that really touches my heart.”

The baskets, all stuffed and overflowing, are de-livered to 150 needy families, the bulk going to fami-lies with children involved at the Youth at Heart, a program that provides preventative after-school and summer programs for inner city youth six through 18 living in Tulsa public housing communities and low-income apartment complexes.

“It’s a tremendous help to the families we serve

who definitely have a need at that time,” said Rod-ney Gray, director of education, Youth at Heart. “A lot of families are going paycheck to paycheck. Some are on zero income. They still want to celebrate the

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Basking inThanksgiving

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holidays like other families do.”The baskets include a full holiday meal with all

the dressings, plus dessert. They are assembled at Asbury and then delivered directly door-to-door or community-to-community.

“All the kids come and play with our kids,” Ja-mie said, concerning the children in the program.

It’s no small task. Jamie got involved four years ago, helping to organize the food purchases, transportation, assemblage, and delivery. Now, she oversees the basket preparation with the vol-unteers and the delivery.

“I get so caught up in so many things during the holidays, and it really keeps me grounded,” Jamie said, whose children leave school early to assemble the baskets and participate in what has become their family tradition.

The food comes in mountains of 300 cans each of green beans, corn, and carrots, as well as 150 turkeys, bags of potatoes, and roll packages. That doesn’t include the cakes, the frosting, the cran-berries, the yams, the stuffing and margarine and jello and apples and oranges and more. The food is purchased through Sam’s Club and Reasor’s, who sells to the basket program at cost, with each assembled meal only $30 each.

That simple amount makes their holiday, said Rodney, who doesn’t know what Youth at Heart would do without the local Christian community.

“It’s a big help to us. The services at Youth at Heart are unable to provide without support from churches, like Asbury, who love on the family at this time,” Rodney said. “The families are then more willing to hear about the Christian message on a weekly basis when they receive help, such as this, when their family needs it.”

The affect dominos. Those children in the pro-gram on the receiving end, often grow up and come back to be the givers.

“We see a lot of these children when they become adults, come back and roll up their sleeves and want to give back,” Rodney said.

One 10-year-old boy who participated in the pro-gram, grew up, went to school, obtained a Master’s in Business, and now works as an accountant for Habitat for Humanity, volunteers at his church for his old community, and works with Youth at Heart on a volunteer basis.

“He said he wants the children in the commu-nity to know they can be successful at life,” Rodney said.

He isn’t the only success story. Many children, due to help through Youth at Heart, return as adults to volunteer or eventually return with social worker de-grees to become paid staff. Reaching these children


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is only possible through programs that show them compassion and concern, like the Thanksgiving food baskets, Rodney explained.

“The major reason we have entry into their lives is because of the church community at the holiday time. It’s like that old saying, ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,’” Rodney said. “It shows the families that God cares through people who care about them. Because of the love and care of Asbury, it’s a great time for these families.”

There are many ways to get involved, Jamie said.

First, donations are needed. Only $30 can cover the cost of one basket. And all donations in the offer-ing baskets with the words “food basket” on memo line goes directly to this program.

“People do want to bring food. However, due to

the mass quantity of the food, as well as delivering the baskets to families who live at the same commu-nity complexes, it is easier to receive money dona-tions,” Jamie said.

During Christmas, another basket is also assem-bled for the families, along with toys for the children. Each year the funds are emptied so that whatever you give will be used now. One year, for example, the donations were enough for the program to also purchase new winter coats for the children.

“We just pray the Lord will provide, and He al-ways does,” Jamie said.

Second, volunteers are always welcome. Deliver-ing the baskets is usually when the most hands are necessary.

To get involved, email Beth McCalman, Oklahoma Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected], or call Jamie Schaffitzel at 369-0631.

“The major reason we have entry into their lives is because of the church community at the holiday time. It’s like that old saying, ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’ It shows the families that god cares through people who care about them. Because of the love and care of asbury, it’s a great time for these families.” - rodney gray, youth at Heart

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Thankful for…Comfort

ary Pearson and her friend talked for two hours. They reminisced and they laughed and they found comfort in a time when comfort seldom came.

And it all started with a quilt.“She was overwhelmed when she found out the

ministry and her Sunday school community had prayed over this quilt,” said Mary, whose close friend is fighting cancer. “She kept saying, ‘It’s too beautiful to use. It’s too beautiful to use.’ I told her she most certainly could use it because it would re-mind her of all the prayers.”

The quilt was made by the Quilting Ministry at Asbury, a group of women using their love of the sewing craft for a purpose far beyond even physical warmth. Like most great movements, it started with an idea.

Jan Steffensen wanted to quilt. She wanted to learn the patterns and colors and art, creating what could be seen as a painting in cloth.

“I took a quilting course because I wanted to learn to quilt. After a few quilts, I found there was a limit to what I could do and pass on to family and friends,” Jan said. “I wanted to turn it into some-thing worthwhile.”

That was approximately six years, 75 lap quilts, and 5 full-size quilts ago. Jan started the quilting group and refers to it as “a ministry, that’s all there is to it.”

The group consists of 22 on the roster, with ten active members, who come together as individuals to make a solitary piece of wrap-able, lovable, soli-tary comfort, like a constant hug with color.

“It’s really a small group that does a lot of work,” Jan said.

The process starts with purchasing the fabric, washing and ironing it, developing the unique pat-tern, cutting out the pieces, and stitching them to-gether. Each lap quilt takes approximately 15 hours of manual labor, Jan said.

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The group meets every other month to coordinate projects and then head home to sew.

Once the project is finished, Jan said she hopes the recipients “physically find warmth and emotionally find comfort. I hope they receive something someone lov-ingly made.”

The majority of the finished quilts are given to the church where the quilts are prayed over before given to individuals dealing with sickness, loss, hurt or pain.

“(Pastor) Cindy Mayes is really great about supporting this project. In fact, last month she gave nine quilts away. She talks it up when she teaches in the com-munity,” Jan said.

Every year the Quilt Ministry also creates a queen-sized quilt for the Oklahoma United Meth-odist Circle of Care fundraiser in Tulsa, raising $600 last year for the ministry’s Child S.H.A.R.E., a program that supports foster families, adoptive and respite families. The Child S.H.A.R.E. ministry

is working in congruence with licensing agencies, faith communities and volunteers to find homes or provide support for the 7,000 orphaned children in Oklahoma’s foster care system.

“We hope the recipient will feel the prayers that have gone out for them,” said Jan. “We hope they will feel the warmth and love that goes out to them, God’s love to them, even though they don’t know the people who made the quilts.”

That was exactly what Mary’s friend, in a time of difficulty, felt—love.

“It was an experience of love that made her feel very humble,” said Mary, recalling the quilt given had been blue, her friend’s favorite color. “It was wonderful.”

“we hope they will feel the warmth and love that goes out to them, god’s love to them, even though they don’t know the people who made the quilts.” - jan Steffensen, Quilt ministry

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Thankful for…Joy

udy wright rocked her baby. He snuggled within her arms, lulled

to sleep by the rhythmic motion, the serene silence, the sanctuary of Mom’s

caress. Jeff drifted to a place of sweetness and light, a place only babies travel in their dreams.

Judy remained awake, alive with the reality of the “what’s”—what’s next, what’s happened, what’s to become of his future. Her alertness was permanent. And she knew it.

“I prayed a lot. It was not an easy thing to digest at first,” said Judy, sitting next to her 34-year-old son Jeff, fresh off his job at Arby’s and still dressed in his uniform and gold nametag. “I would sit in the rocking chair and rock him, talking to God.”

When the doctor presented her baby, he also presented the prognosis. Judy and her husband Stephen would come home from the hospital with a beautiful baby boy and a beautiful challenge: Jeff had Down Syndrome.

“I made a vow. If God would give me the strength to deal with this, I would do everything within my ability for Jeff to be all he could be,” Judy said. “If ever there was an answered prayer, it would be that one.”

Jeff has accomplished unthinkable milestones. And that was just yesterday, the day before, the weeks previous. Tomorrow means something new for Jeff to conquer.

“Jeff will do just about anything in the world if you make it into a competition,” Judy said.

He entire life has been a competition, a challenge of the “yes’s” outweighing the “no’s.” He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1996, already an accomplished individual with a love of all things sports. He had been in the Boy Scouts, excelling to the rank of Star Scout.

“Almost an eagle. Pretty close,” Jeff said, holding his fingers an inch apart. He learned to hike, cook, and camp out, spending time with his father and one of his older brothers in a man’s world.

Jeff was one of three Wright boys, the youngest with older brothers Scott and Doug.

“He went everywhere and did everything that we did,” said Judy, a teacher by profession and birth. “It was good development for him. He was just one of the three. It was not all about him.”

From early on, Stephen and Judy had decided not to talk about Jeff’s situation. They used the words “special needs,” but otherwise opened the

tara lynn thompson

Jeff ’s WorldA Special Needs Young Man Proves Just How Special He Is

ASBURY TIDINGS 1�

door of possibil-ity to anything Jeff wanted to conquer. He has never been shy about walking through that door.

In 1994, Jeff was the Special Olym-pian of the Year, chosen to “carry the torch,” Jeff ex-plains, animated with an explanation of what that entails, including his gift of a special watch.

That was when he met coach Barry Switzer, an Okla-homa sports buff’s dream, and even attended a Dallas Cowboy’s football

game with VIP seats in Switzer’s box. “It was good,” Jeff recalls with a grin. He’s the guy most coaches around Tulsa know by

name, Judy said, due to his enthusiasm for athletics and uncanny ability to recall anything and every-thing about sports.

“Barry Switzer still says, ‘Hi Jeff,’ and it’s been years,” Judy said.

Limits were never marked and tagged in the jour-ney that has been Jeff’s life. The road was open. The light was green.

“Lets not limit. We don’t know. Only God knows,” Judy said, her smile often as big as Jeff’s when speaking of his life.

She took the same advice and never limited her-self or God working through her to help Jeff. “Ev-

erything I tried to do I felt God was in the mix. I was just the messenger, He took care of everything.”

And everything barely covers it. When Jeff wanted to be a part of a sport’s team,

Judy went to work, calling coaches and finding ways Jeff could participate. He worked for a time as part of the equipment staff at The University of Tulsa. He is also part of Team Tulsa, a group of special needs people who get together to play basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer.

Jeff plays first base. “His mother went around and found him jobs ev-

erywhere she could,” Judy said, laughing.When Jeff wanted to attend college, Judy forged

ahead refusing to acknowledge the difficulties. In-stead, she found doors within brick walls.

“I’m really proud of everything jeff can do,” judy said. “jeff doesn’t look at life as a challenge. He just lives it with so much enthusiasm and joy that it’s contagious to everyone around him.”

ASBURY TIDINGS�0

Judy worked with Tulsa Com-munity College (TCC), schedul-ing special education courses at the college. The class usually has 34 students who are picked up by Tulsa Transit, riding the city lift bus to class, which was another obstacle Judy cleared.

She also became certified as a Habilitation Training Specialist (HTS), licensed to work with her son as an aid. Along with Lisa, his ETL (Effective Training and Learning), Jeff has a support team to help him adjust to ev-eryday social events like attend-ing concerts, going to Frontier City, or checking out at a grocery store.

“If I need to do something, Jeff will put his hand up and say, ‘I got this Mom,’” said Judy, who now struggles with a back injury. “He’ll come back out of a store, carrying two bags of cat food, and you’ve never seen a grin like this. He’s so proud. That smile gives me chills.”

The weeks are full and busy for Jeff.On Monday afternoons, Jeff competes in bowling,

usually winning first, sometimes second. During a recent game, he and his partner bowled 253, an ac-complishment he doesn’t mind bragging about.

Tuesday nights are TCC classes. Thursdays in the spring are packed with baseball. When Friday comes, that’s “our veg time,” said Judy. “We go out and get a video.” Or, they hang out and watch “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race,” Jeff’s two favorite shows.

On Sundays, Jeff often volunteers as an usher at Asbury services, and he attends a Sunday morning class.

During the day, he’s busy working at Arby’s, pre-viously working at McDonald’s, taking care of the lobby, sweeping, cleaning, responsible for trays and excited about getting a new name tag in April once he’s reached the one-year employment mark.

“I’m really proud of everything Jeff can do,” Judy said. “Jeff doesn’t look at life as a challenge. He just lives it with so much enthusiasm and joy that it’s contagious to everyone around him.”

After Jeff was first born, Judy’s pastor at the time asked her what she would want most for Jeff. She answered, “For him to be happy.”

Now, 34 years later, Judy said, “He is,” and shares his abundant joy with others.

Thankful for…Joy Thankful for…Seasons

O

ASBURY TIDINGS �1

Thankful for…Seasons

n a fall morning, the raspberry colored leaves on the dogwood outside my kitchen window are motionless under a hanging fog.

This begins a new season in the life of the dog-wood.

Some years, the leaves quickly turn brown and are swept away by the first wind. Other years, the leaves hold themselves in an array of color for several weeks. I always hope for the latter.

The green leaves turning red let me know it’s time to plant pansies. The impatiens in the front flowerbed and the periwinkles filling a square on the back patio gave me and those passing by pleasure all summer, but they will wilt and die with the first freeze.

I know from last year and the years before that even though the dogwood looks lifeless through the winter, it will begin a new season in the spring after its winter rest. The rebirth is celebrated with white blossoms tipped with a

mysterious bruise. Legend holds that the deep purple bruise shows the pain God felt when His Son was on the cross.

Spring for the dogwood is like my youth when growth was bountiful and somewhat rambunc-tious. By summer the tree is basking in warm sunshine storing nutrients for her fall season. The middle years for me were filled with grow-ing children, time at work and church, and stor-ing up God’s treasures of friendships and assets to carry me through the winter.

After the dogwood is dormant all winter, it will begin a new life right where it is. For me, the new life following winter will be in heaven. I wish I knew more about what the seasons there hold in store for me. I am thankful for the earthly seasons that have prepared the way for my time there.

john c. westervelt

O

Thanks forthe Seasons

ASBURY TIDINGS��

ards for CARD is a project pio-neered by Lisa Tresch and Melanie Burdick that related to Asbury’s Caspian Ministry.

After Lisa and Melanie visited Azerbaijan, they had a compelling desire to make a difference in the lives of women, especially those in a psychiat-ric hospital. They produced and sold the cards last year and have extended the project to Christmas cards this year.

Last year’s sales, plus a matching gift, replaced all of the windows in the hospital making their winter more bearable. Shortly after the windows were replaced, they had freezing tem-peratures that froze many of the water pipes in the whole city! The windows literally saved lives in the hospital due to their marginal nutritional and health status.

The artwork on the note cards is re-produced from original paintings by artists in the Ganja Psychiatric Hospi-tal in Azerbaijan. The patients receive art lessons through the project CARD

(Central Asian Research and Development), a hu-manitarian organization that seeks to bring light into the dark world these patients live in.

The proceeds from these cards will be used to improve the living conditions in the hospital. Your purchase will help bring hope for the artists, and all the patients who live there.

To learn more about CARD, visit the website at www.card.org.uk or you may contact Mary Ann Smith at 392-1117 for card purchases or more in-formation.

When You Want toSend the Very Best…

C A R D

C

Central Asian Research & Development

ASBURY TIDINGS ��

Everyone has a story…

In fact, you probably have thousands. They

are the experiences, the joys, the heartaches,

the rhythm of our lives, the journey we are

on and the horizon we are approaching. And

they are given as a gift, a gift to share.

You have a story. And it isn’t solely for you. It can

lighten a load for others, provide hope, give support,

strengthen, calm, energize, excite, relieve, intrigue,

explain, inform, entertain, do all these things for

someone else.

First, though, you have to share it.

If you have a story (and you do), and would like to

share it, Asbury Tidings is your platform. We want

to hear them.

To have your story considered for publication,

email your submissions to Tidings Editor Tara

Lynn Thompson at [email protected].

Stories should be approximately 800 words.


asbury opportunitiesgeneral informationBreakfast

Served from 7:15-9 am in the

CLC. Come enjoy fellowship with

Asburians along with fresh donuts,

bagels, biscuits & gravy, sausage,

eggs, fruit, and cereal. $2 for adults

& $1 for children 12 & under.

Sunday Morning Worship

8 am, Mason Chapel

(Traditional Communion)

9:15 am, Sanctuary

(Contemporary)

9:15 am, Open House Worship

(CLC) (Acoustic Worship, Casual

Setting)

11 am, Sanctuary (Traditional w/

sign interpreter)

11 am, Venue 68 (Modern)

Sundays for Children & Students

6 Weeks-4 Yrs: 8:00, 9:15 & 11 am

K-6th Grades: 9:15 or 11 am

7th-9th Grades: 9:15 & 11 am

10th-12th Grades: 9:15 am only

Adult Discipleship Communities

8:00, 9:15, & 11 am & Wednes-

days, 6:00 and 6:30 pm and NEW!

Tuesdays at 6 pm. Also new is

“Footprints” on Sundays at 11 am

for Single Ladies ages 30-55. (See

Discipleship)

Surgery or HospitalizationScheduled?

Be sure to let Asbury know ahead

of time by calling Ruth at 392-1146

so your pastors can be in prayer for

you. When you enter the hospital,

please designate Asbury as your

church. The after-hours pastoral

emergency line can be reached by

calling 492-1771, selecting option

2, and leaving a message for the

pastor on call.

Engaged Couples

If you are planning to use an

Asbury pastor to officiate and/or

use Asbury’s facilities, be sure to

book ASAP to allow ample time

for Couple-to-Couple (required

premarital sessions). Six months to

one year lead time suggested.

The Gazebo is Open

CDs of Tom’s “Message of the Day”

are available immediately following

the worship service for $3. Prayer

Journals are also available for $5

each.

Recycling

Recycle unwanted paper products.

Three bins are available, located in

the south and east parking lots.

Asbury Family News is available at

the Welcome Centers. It includes

hospital lists, births, deaths,

marriages, baptisms and military

listings.

Doors of Asbury posters are at the

Welcome Centers…FREE! Suitable

for framing.

New Additions to the Library

The Asbury Library is a wonderful

resource. Thank you to all who

continue to contribute books to our

Library.

accessHands of Love Sign Choir

Sundays, 6-7 pm, Rm. 2821

Friends in Christ Community

Sundays, 11 am, Rm. 1507

bible study

RoadMap

All courses being offered in the Fall

2008 RoadMap session are listed on

the Asbury website at www.asbury-

tulsa.org and in the Fall brochure.

care and supportVisits to Asbury Members

Asbury has a unique group of vol-

unteers (Asbury Connection) who

regularly visit people who are either

homebound or in nursing homes. If

you are interested in being visited,

call Ruth at 392-1146, or contact

the coordinator, Abby Sluice at

[email protected]

Prayer Card Sending Team

Usually meets first and third

Mondays at 10 am in Rm. 1621 to

send cards with God’s encouraging

words and our prayers to those

who are ill or going through hard

times. Cards and care packages are

also sent to Asbury-related military

personnel. Contact Gwen Mohler

at [email protected] for more

information, or call 392-1146.

Asperger Support Group

First Thursday from 7-9 pm in Rm.

1506. For mothers of children with

Asperger Syndrome. Childcare

available.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

Third Thursday, from 1:30-3 pm in

Rm. 1621. Christian hope, support


and education for friends and

family of those with Alzheimer’s or

other dementia.

Cancer Support Group

Second Sunday of each month,

4-6 pm, Parlor. For those living with

cancer and their family and friends.

Divorce Recovery

Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm, Rm. 1335.

For those suffering from the early,

highly emotional stages of divorce

and separation trauma. Childcare

available.

Divorce Rebuilding

Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm, Rm. 1335.

For those ready to rebuild their

lives after separation or divorce.

Childcare available.

Eating Disorder Recovery

For individuals seeking support in

the recovery process. First and third

Wednesdays at 12 pm in Room

1621. Bring a sack lunch. Contact

Marcy McMurry at marcymcmurry@

sbcglobal.net

Grandparents RaisingGrandchildren

First and third Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30

pm, Rm 1506.

Mental Health Support for Families

For family members or caregivers of

people affected by a mental illness.

4th Thursdays, 1:30-3 pm in the

Parlor. Call Ruth at 392-1146.

Military Connection

Please join us in praying for our

troops in harm’s way and their

families. Periodic care packages and

monthly encouragement cards with

God’s Word are sent to Asbury-re-

lated military personnel. The Prayer

Ministry also covers them in prayer.

Please send contact information

(complete name and address) to

Gwen Mohler at [email protected]

or call 392-1146.

Preparing for the Holidays Grief Workshop

Saturday, November 8, 10 am-12

pm in the Parlor. Coping with the

holidays during the challenging

times following the loss of a loved

one. No cost and no registration

necessary. Carl Novinger, Facilitator.

Asbury Bear Bags

Asbury Bear Bags with coloring

books have comforted young

children for many years, but now

you may give a Bear Bag with a

scripture-based journal included

instead! Great for teens and adults.

Anyone may deliver an Asbury Bear

to someone who is grieving. For

more information, contact Beth at

392-1116.

childrenRegistration forms for all children’s

activities are available in the

preschool and elementary lobbies.

Core Childcare Hours

Parents who are involved in

RoadMap classes during these core

hours will have childcare provided

for children 6 weeks-12 yrs. of age

with no reservations needed:

Sun: 8 am-12 pm

Mon & Tue: 9 am-12 pm

Tue, Wed, & Thur: 6-9 pm

Murdock Villa

November 16. A mission op-

portunity for our 5th & 6th grade

students. Usually the second

Sunday of the month from 12:30-

3:30 pm. Cost is $5 for CiCi’s Pizza.

We’ll eat, then visit Murdock Villa

where we will play Bingo and do

crafts with special needs adults. It is

an amazing time to witness in our

local community. Limited to 10 kids

each month. For further information

contact Jami at 392-1166.

Wednesday Night Live

Our 4 year olds – 5th graders will

want to join us on Wednesday

Nights for worship in the Chapel

— Kid Style. We will combine mu-

sic, high energy and a Bible lesson

in a setting that encourages kids

to learn about worship. For more

information contact Amber Cox at

392-1171 or at acox@asburytulsa.

org

KRS Round Up: 1st & 2nd Graders

November 21 from 5:30-9:30 pm in

the CLC we will be rustling up some

grub and fun. We’ll have a great

evening on the trail with dinner

and lots of activities. Cost is $10.

For questions or more information,

please contact Amber Cox at 392-

1171 or email acox@asburytulsa.

org

Upward Coaches Training

Mandatory training will be Satur-

day, November 15 at 9:30 am or

Thursday, November 20 at 6 pm. All

coaches MUST attend one session.

Please contact Kim Renkema, 392-

1159 or [email protected]

for further information.


discipleshipDiscipleship Communities

If you have not yet found an Adult

Discipleship Community check out

“Get Involved” on our website,

www.asburytulsa.org or pick up a

brochure at one of our Welcome

Centers.

New! Footprints Community

Join this NEW Discipleship Com-

munity especially for Single ladies

ages 30-55 Sunday mornings at

11 am in rm. 2502. Developing an

intimate relationship with Jesus,

hiding God’s word in our hearts,

and receiving the support of

sisters in Christ allows separated,

divorced, or widowed women to

more forward and thrive. This is

a place for women to feel safe,

accepted, and loved as we share life

together, functioning as the body of

Christ, with each of us playing an

important and necessary role.

Alpha

Got questions? Get answers! An

opportunity to explore the meaning

of life every Tuesday evening 6:30

pm-8:45 pm in the Community Life

Center September 16-November 18.

Alpha Preview/Luau Dinner Party

on September 9. Come check it out!

Alpha Sprouts for kids ages 4-12.

Please call 392-1191 register for

Alpha or Alpha Sprouts. For more

information, call Dawn Snyder at

557-6843 or go to www.asburytulsa.

org, search Alpha.

employmentPT Nursery Staff PositionsAvailablePart-time position will work 10-15 hours weekly in the Asbury

Nursery. The schedule will include

Sunday morning from 8:30 am-

12:30 pm with a few remaining

hours during the childcare weekday

and weeknight core hours. Suc-

cessful applicant should have a

love for children, willingness to

portray Christian beliefs and values

to children and families. Resumés

should be sent to Vicki Ihrig, Asbury

UMC, 6767 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK,

74133 or call her at 918-392-1160.

marriage & familyAttention “Graduates” ofCouple-to-Couple

Please stop by the marriage display

tables on November 16 and pick

up a survey—or pick up anytime in

Care Note racks (in front of CLC and

at South entrance) before Decem-

ber 28. Your input is valuable for

future planning.

Attention Engaged Couples

If you are planning to use an

Asbury pastor to officiate and/or

use Asbury’s facilities, be sure to

book ASAP to allow ample time

for Couple-to-Couple (required

premarital sessions). Six months to

one year lead time is suggested.

Milestone Wedding Anniversaries

Email your December or January

Milestone Anniversary (5,10,15,20,

etc.) to Carolyn Schutte at

[email protected] or call

Ruth at 392-1146.

membershipAsbury Exploration

Come to a lunch/class to learn more

about becoming a member of As-

bury. Sunday, November 2, 12:15-2

pm in the CLC. Lunch provided and

childcare is available for children

six weeks through 6th grade. Call

392-1191 to register.

menMen’s Prayer Breakfast

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 am in the

CLC. Attention men of Asbury.

Make plans to join us for a great

time of meaningful worship, life-

changing prayer and an awesome

big breakfast, all for just $3 per

person. First-time guests are free.

November 5 Bill Johnson

November 12 Mark Springer

November 19 Dub Ambrose

November 26 Pec Clark

Car Care Saturdays

November 15, 9 am-12 pm, north-

east parking lot. This every-other-

month workday is provided for

Asbury’s widows and single moms.

While the ladies wait in the comfort

of the cafe, volunteers check tires,

belts, fluids, filters and batteries.

They also vacuum and wash the

vehicles, then update owners on

what’s running smoothly and what

needs professional attention. This

free service gives our men the

opportunity to put their faith into

action through loving and serving

those in need. To volunteer, contact

Debbie in the Adult Ministries

Office, 392-1177.

Men’s Fraternity: The Quest for Authentic Manhood

Tuesdays, September 9-November

25, 6:15-7:30 pm, Rm. 2820, $10

fee. Come learn how to live a life

of authentic manhood as modeled

by Jesus Christ and directed by

the Word of God. Designed to

help men come together, these


time-tested resources equip men

to pursue noble manhood as a

life-long priority. Facilitated by Rev.

Dub Ambrose and Brent Colgan.

Men’s Fraternity: The GreatAdventure

Wednesdays, September 10–No-

vember 19, 6-8 pm. Rm. 1300, $10

fee. A follow-up course to “The

Quest for Manhood,” this 20-week

study explores a man’s world be-

yond the every day. It will help you

find your “unique fit” in life—one

that is realistic, thrilling and deeply

satisfying. Through this series you

will develop a personal mission that

fits the “real” you, discover the best

practices of successful men, and

find out how to surround yourself

with teammates to help achieve

those goals. You’ll also learn to deal

with unfinished business and how

to leave a legacy of which you can

be proud. Facilitated by Rev. Dub

Ambrose and Greg Ruley.

Men’s Open BasketballThursdays, 7:45–9 pm and Fridays, 11:30 am–1:15 pm, Gym. Men! Make plans to join other Asbury guys and their friends each week as we get together for a little “round ball” and lots of fun! We have Thursday evenings from 7:45-9 pm and Friday lunchtimes from 11 am–1:15 pm reserved, just for us. Come show us what you’ve got (or what you want to get!), and we’ll have a great time of exercise and fellowship. Invite your friends, and we’ll see you on the court!

Boy Scout/Veteran’s Celebration Pancake BreakfastSaturday, November 8, 7–11 am, CLC. The Asbury Scout Leadership

Foundation invites you to “A Salute to our Veterans,” to be held on Saturday, November 8, from 7-11 am in the CLC! It is our privilege to salute those men and women who have served their country as mem-bers of the armed services, and those today who proudly wear the uniform of the Active, Reserve and National Guard forces. Please join the Asbury Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Crew members for an all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast, while honoring our veterans. Advance tickets, $4 for adults and $3 for children under 10 years of age, will be on sale at the church, on Sunday, October 26 & Sunday, November 2, or you may purchase them at the door. All proceeds benefit the Boy Scouting programs of Asbury.

missions/outreachMission Books

Pick up the 2008 mission books at

the Welcome Centers or come by

the Missions office. Make sure to

pick up two books...one for Global

Outreach and one for Oklahoma

Outreach (previously called Re-

gional Outreach).

Eyeglass Donations

Are you wondering what to do with

those old eyeglasses? Donate them

to missions! You may drop your

glasses off in the Global Outreach

office.

Campbell’s Soup Label

Save Campbell’s soup labels for

missions. Please cut the UPC sym-

bol and the Labels for Education

symbol together. Turn these in for

missions! Questions: Contact Missy

Sistrunk at 392-1163.

Mission Matters

A monthly newsletter is available

with recent news of mission hap-

penings. Preference is for the email

version, but hard copies can be

mailed if needed. If you would like

to receive the newsletter, please

contact Missy Sistrunk at 392-1163

or [email protected]

Global Outreach Prayer Ministry

News and prayer requests from

our missionaries and ministries

are sent each week to our prayer

ministry list. If you would like to join

and become a prayer intercessor for

those serving around the world,

contact Missy at 392-1163.

missions/vimVolunteers-In-MissionOpportunities

• Nov. 5-9, Monterrey, Mexico:

Medical, $900.

• Nov. 12-16, Rio Bravo, Mexico:

Men’s Construction, $600.

All costs are approximate. For more

about these exciting mission oppor-

tunities, contact Marilene at

[email protected]

or 918-392-1164.

musicChancel Choir

Wednesdays, 7 pm, Choir Room

New Covenant Orchestra

Wednesdays, 6-7:30 pm, Rm. 1510

Children’s Choirs

Wednesdays, 6 pm, various

Asbury Power & Light

Sundays, 8:15-9:15 am, Rm. 1510

Celebration RingersTuesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm, Rm. 2506


Youth Orchestra

Wednesdays, 5:30 pm

Asbury Ringers

Wednesdays, 6-6:50 pm, Rm. 2506

Perpetual Light

Thursdays, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Rm.

2506

Saints of Swing Dixieland Band

Thursdays, 2-3 pm, Rm 1510

Service of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, November 30, at 6 pm in

the Sanctuary. We celebrate this

first Sunday of Advent with a lovely

service helping us focus on the

real meaning of Christmas. Carols

and Scripture readings will be

interspersed by Christmas anthems

presented by the Chancel Choir, the

New Covenant Orchestra, Perpetual

Light, One Voice, and the Young

Musicians. You will not want to

miss this event.

Children’s Choir Christmas Pageant

Sunday, December 7, 6 pm in the

Sanctuary. Come join the fun and

hear our children’s choirs tell the

story of Christmas through drama

and songs.

Christmas Music Sunday

Sunday, December 14 at the 9:15

am and 11 am sanctuary services.

The Chancel Choir and New Cov-

enant Orchestra will present Glad

Tidings by Randol Alan Bass under

the direction of Hart Morris. This

stunning presentation will feature

traditional Christmas carols ar-ranged for choir and orchestra.

Rick Fraley in Concert

Sunday, December 21 at 6 pm in

the Sanctuary. One of Tulsa’s finest

concert pianists, Rick Fraley, will

present an evening of Christmas

music. Take a break from Christmas

shopping and come enjoy this

meditative time of Christmas music.

prayerAltar Prayer

If you would like someone to pray

with you during Holy Communion

or immediately following a worship

service, please come to the altar

rail. A pastor or member of the Al-

tar Prayer Team will be glad to pray

with you for your needs—physical,

emotional or spiritual—at the altar

or in the Prayer Room.

Prayer Room Reservations

The leadership of Asbury’s prayer

ministry would like to remind you

that the main facility Prayer Room

is open not only to individuals

desiring to pray in a quiet, medita-

tive atmosphere, but also to prayer

groups within communities and

ministries. Just give Debbie in the

Adult Ministries office a call at 392-

1177 to reserve the Prayer Room for

your group on a weekly or monthly

basis.

Prayer Room Days & Times

Our prayer rooms are accessible to

you at these times:

Mason Chapel (during construc-

tion): Sundays, 7 am-12:30 pm

through the interior door.

Main Facility: Mon.-Fri., 7 am-9 pm;

Saturday, 10 am-3 pm;

Sunday, 12:30 pm-9 pm.

Election Day Prayer Vigil

Tuesday, November 4, 7 am–7 pm,

Mason Chapel Prayer Room. Come

devote yourself to prayer for our

2008 Presidential Election, at any

time between 7 am and 7 pm, in the

Mason Chapel Prayer Room. You

may stay for as little or as long as

you like. “If my people, which are

called by my name, shall humble

themselves, and pray, and seek my

face, and turn from their wicked

ways; then I will hear from Heaven,

and will forgive their sin, and will

heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

(KJV).

Service of Remembrance

Sunday, December 14, 5 pm, Ma-

son Chapel. Join Pastors Darlene

Johnson and Cindy Mayes, as well

as members of the grief support

programs, in a service of prayer

and healing. The emphasis will

be on grief and loss experienced

within the past year or two. A time

has been set aside for participants

who so desire to light a candle in

memory of those they’ve lost. This

special service can offer “strength

for today and hope for tomorrow.”

recoveryCelebrate Recovery

Come join this supportive group

of people each Monday night at 6

pm. Dinner at 6 pm; Worship from

7-8 pm; Small Groups from 8-9 pm;

Dessert from 9-9:30 pm. Hiding

any hurts, habits or hang-ups? God

never intended for you to live in

bondage.


senior adultsVisits to Asbury Members

Asbury has a unique group of vol-

unteers (Asbury Connection) who

regularly visit people who are either

homebound or in nursing homes. If

you are interested in being visited,

call Ruth at 392-1146, or contact

the coordinator, Abby Sluice at

[email protected]

Senior Sit and Fit Stretching Class

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

from 9-9:30 am in the Gym. All

senior adults are invited to join us

for a time of stretching, coupled

with lots of fun and fellowship. No

high impact workout here. We take

it nice and easy. Come give it a try.

Senior Walk in the Gym with Him

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays

from 8:30-9 am in the gym. All

senior adults are invited to join us

for power walking, coupled with

lots of fun and fellowship. Come

give it a try.

Asbury Singing Ambassadors

Tuesdays from 1 pm to 2:30 pm in

the Choir room. Come join us for an

exciting time of singing and fellow-

ship if you are AARP eligible…or

even if you are not quite there yet!

November Tweenagers Program& Luncheon

Everyone aged 55 and up is wel-

come to join us for our monthly

Tweenagers meeting & luncheon,

taking place on Thursday, No-

vember 13, from 10:30 am-1 pm,

in the CLC. Our program will be

presented by Ruth Drew, with the

Alzheimer’s Association. Music will

be presented by vocal favorites,

Angela Parris and Billie Kay Saw-

yer! You don’t want to miss this

program, and remember to invite

your friends! Call the main office at

492-1771 to make your reservations

BY NOON, Monday, November 10.

If, during that week, you find you

need to cancel, please also let us

know as we need to give an accu-

rate count to the cooks. Should you

choose, you may make a donation

for the meal when you check in that

morning. Come join us for fun and

fellowship!

Amazing Widows and Widowers Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 13, 1-3 pm,

CLC. Come and celebrate the joy-

ous season by bringing a widowed

friend to our annual Christmas

luncheon! You will enjoy an amaz-

ing meal, as well as experience

the beautiful music of the season

presented by our own Nancy Wil-

liams. There are other surprises,

too, that will delight and encourage

you during this holy season of

Love. Tickets may be purchased in

the south foyer on Sunday, No-

vember 23 and Sunday, November

30. Or, you may call Janie Hedrick

or Jeri Ann Robinson to make

arrangements for the purchase.

The deadline to purchase tickets is

Sunday, November 30. Cost is $10.

singlesSingles Meet and Greet

Sunday mornings from 10:20-10:50

am. All singles out from communi-

ties or worship services are invited

to join together for a short time of

fellowship. Look for us in the north

café (former student café) begin-

ning October 5! See you there!

Divorce Rebuilding

Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm, Rm. 1335.

For those ready to rebuild their

lives after separation or divorce.

Childcare available.

Divorce Recovery

Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm, Rm. 1335.

For those suffering from the early,

highly emotional stages of divorce

and separation trauma. Childcare

available.

Café Celibataire LuncheonSunday, November 23, 12–2 pm, CLC. Asbury single adults, you are invited to join us for Café Celibataire—our new Singles Café! You will enjoy a relaxed, bistro-like atmosphere, where you can sit and chat with your friends as you are served a delicious, catered lun-cheon. The food is always fabulous, and the cost is just $5 per person, for those 11 years of age and up. Children 10 & under eat FREE from a special children’s menu! This is an event you do not want to miss!

Christmas Shop for SingleParent FamiliesSaturday, December 6, 10 am–3pm. Did you know there are ap-proximately 175 single parents at Asbury, with 350 children to raise, and so many more just outside the doors of our church? During the Christmas season, it becomes more difficult for those families to make ends meet, and many children do not get to experience the joy of selecting and purchasing gifts for others. Through the Asbury Singles Ministry Christmas Shop, we hope to offer some relief from that pressure. On Saturday, December 6, kindergarten children through fifth graders coming from a single-parent

ASBURY TIDINGS�0

home will have the opportunity, for just $5 each, to select gifts for their parents, grandparents and siblings. (Hardship scholarships available upon request.) The Christmas Shop will be open to children of Asbury families, Grove Elementary School, Lindbergh Elementary School, Walt Whitman Elementary School, Jenks East Elementary School, and Youth at Heart. Individuals and Asbury communities are being asked to assist by providing small gifts valued at no more than $5 each, or financial donations to help with purchases and refreshments. Unwrapped gifts may be brought on Sunday mornings to the singles “Meet & Greet” table in the north café (former student café), or dur-ing the week to the south welcome desk. In addition to the purchase of gifts or financial contributions, volunteers are needed to assist with set-up and clean-up, greeting, registration, hospitality, wrapping gifts…the list goes on and on! To offer your services, e-mail Gretchen at [email protected], as soon as possible, and begin pray-ing for this inspired effort to bring the love of Christ to “the least of these.”

students7th, 8th & 9th Grade Breakaway

Sunday mornings, 9:15-10:30 am

in the Breakaway Area. This isn’t

your normal Sunday school. Come

join us for worship, fun and games,

interactive talk/lesson, and some-

times free candy and gift cards.

7th, 8th & 9th Bible Study

Wednesday night Bible Study is

the place to be from 6:30-8 pm on

Wednesday nights beginning Sept

10. Come to the Venue and hang

out, have fun and study what God’s

words has for us.

7th, 8th & 9th Small Groups

Don’t miss our on being a part of a

small group! It’s a place to grow in

your relationship with Jesus, have

some accountability, and just have

fun! 7th and 8th grade meet from

4:30-6 pm and 9th grade meets

6:15-8 pm in the Venue68. (It’s never

too late to sign up, just come by

Student Ministries Area!)

Called to Ministry: 10th, 11th, 12th

Is God speaking to you, leading

you...okay, maybe CALLING you

into a future vocational ministry?

You may not know what that looks

like; you just know that God is

stirring something in you. Join

us every month on the SECOND

SUNDAY from 12:30-2 pm in the

Student Ministry Area for lunch and

to talk about what this means for

you. This is for 10th, 11th & 12th

graders. RSVP to Amy at 392-1156

the Thursday before.

10th, 11th & 12th Breakaway

Join us every Wednesday (except

Nov. 26, Dec. 24 & 31) at Venue68

for a time of connection, wor-

ship, and God. We will also have

nights of just random fun! Don’t

miss the food and hang out times

afterwards! Come be a part. 6:30-

8:30ish pm.

AWAH Girls Slumber Party

AWAH Girls Slumber Party, Novem-

ber 7-8 @ Venue 68. See Amy or

Marsha for details.

789 Rebelution Gathering

Don’t miss the opportunity to

deepen your love for continue

living the life of Rebelution on

November 11! Meet upstairs in the

Venue 68 area from 6:30-8 pm. All

7-9th graders welcome!

7th Grade ConfirmationScavenger Hunt

If your student is going through the

Confirmation Program then you and

your student must attend this awe-

some Scavenger Hunt experience,

meet in the Venue Area at 4:30 pm

we will be done by 6:30 pm. 8th and

9th Grade Small Groups will meet

off site for open night!

Life Hurts, God Heals

Life Hurts, God Heals is created

specifically for teenagers who

have experienced some type of

pain in their lives—divorce, bad

breakups, sexuality issues, disap-

pointment, rejection, alcohol, etc.

Every Wednesday night, 6-8 pm.

Contact us anytime or come by the

Student Ministry area and sign up.

Parents, if this is something that

grabs at your heart to help lead we

need you, please call Marsha at

392-1157!

Metro Worship

All 7th-12th graders come join

youth from all over the city in a

night to just worship Jesus. We

meet the first Wednesday night

of every month from 7-8:30ish at

Venue68.

womenCar Care Saturdays

November 15, 9 am-12 pm. This

every-other-month workday is

provided for Asbury’s widows and

single moms. While the ladies wait

ASBURY TIDINGS �1

in the comfort of the cafe, volun-

teers check tires, belts, fluids, filters

and batteries. They also vacuum

and wash the vehicles, then update

owners on what’s running smoothly

and what needs professional at-

tention. This free service gives our

men the opportunity to put their

faith into action through loving and

serving those in need. No reserva-

tions required; just get your vehicle

in line by 11:30 am.

Women of the Word

Wednesdays from 10-11 am in

Rm. 2319, Rev. Darlene Johnson,

teacher.

Phone Buddies

Ladies, would like a “cheer me

up” with your morning coffee? We

have dedicated, caring women who

would love to meet that need in

your life by being your very own

“phone buddy.” Call Shirley Martin

and she’ll connect you with a loving

volunteer.

Crafty Ladies Fellowship

Mondays, 9:30 am-2 pm, Rm. 2820.

We gather to work on our own

individual arts and crafts, stop

for a delicious potluck lunch, and

continue on through until 2 pm. We

would love to have you join us. For

more contact Beverly Clarke and

stop by some Monday!

UMW November Luncheon& Program

Thursday, November 6, 11:30 am–1

pm, CLC. Attention ladies! The

program planned for November’s

luncheon will be a presentation by

our Partner in Education, Walt Whit-

man Elementary School, and key

volunteer Barbie Paige! A delicious

luncheon prepared by our church

hostess, Virginia, will also be pro-

vided for just $6 per person. Bring

a friend, and be a part of the bless-

ing! Our scripture emphasis for this

month comes from Luke 18:16; “But

Jesus called the children to him and

said, ‘Let the little children come to

me, and do not hinder them, for the

kingdom of God belongs to such as

these.”

UMW Sixth Annual ChristmasTour of Homes

Friday, December 5 & Saturday, De-

cember 6, 11 am–4 pm. Mark your

calendars now, church family, for

the fun and excitement of UMW’s

Annual Christmas Tour of Homes

to benefit missions! As always,

four beautiful homes are being

readied for your visit, each filled

with unique and wonderful decora-

tions. Family traditions, decorating

ideas and the sights and sounds of

Christmas await you! And for those

who wish to ride our shuttles to and

from the homes, you’ll enjoy com-

plimentary tea and cookies while

you wait, as well as the opportunity

to browse the Christmas Shoppe

and purchase homemade goodies!

Tickets, $8 in advance and $10 at

the door, will be available from all

circle leaders or in the main church

office, beginning October 6. Again,

ALL proceeds benefit missions

so come be and blessing, and be

blest! And remember to bring your

friends and family, too!

Amazing Widows and Widowers Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 13, 1-3 pm,

CLC. Come and celebrate the joyous

season by bringing a widowed

friend to our annual Christmas

luncheon! You will enjoy an amaz-

ing meal, as well as experience

the beautiful music of the season

presented by our own Nancy Wil-

liams. There are other surprises,

too, that will delight and encourage

you during this holy season of

Love. Tickets may be purchased in

the south foyer on Sunday, No-

vember 23 and Sunday, November

30. Or, you may call Janie Hedrick

or Jeri Ann Robinson to make

arrangements for the purchase.

The deadline to purchase tickets is

Sunday, November 30. Cost is $10.

worship• 8 am, Communion Service:

Mason Chapel. Traditional service.

Communion is served and Dr. Har-

rison preaches.

• 9:15 am, Contemporary Praise &

Worship: Sanctuary. Music, time

of prayer and the message will all

carry a prevailing theme for the

morning. Dr. Harrison preaches.

• 9:15 am, Open House Worship:

Community Life Center. A relaxed

atmosphere with engaging wor-

ship. Dr. Tom Harrison’s message

is simulcast with an occasional live

sermon from another pastor.

• 11 am, Traditional Service: Sanc-

tuary. The Chancel Choir and the

Asbury Orchestra and Concert Band

offer a variety of styles of music.

Sign interpreters for the deaf are

offered. Dr. Tom Harrison preaches.

• 11 am, Modern Service: Venue 68.

Rich blend of ancient and modern

worship, led by the worship band.

Dr. Tom Harrison’s message is

simulcast.


asbury new members

Kashonda Harbin Jim & Ceretta Harris Melissa Henley Kendall & Suzanne Johnson, Taylor & Nicholas

Jim & Katie ArensElle, Peyron & Porter

Catherine Atkins Jake & Jessica Bell

David & Carol Clements Nancy Dougherty

Phillip & Amy Everett& Ben

John Fox Dustin Fry Richard & Carolyn Fuchs

Ron & Carolyn Bradshaw

Randy & Cammy DraperAnna & Garrett


welcome to asburywe’re glad you’re here

Jim & Betty Logan Del & Joyce Ludlum Steve & Joan Meyer

If you are interested in learning more about who we are, plan to attend one

of the Exploration classes designed to tell you more about Asbury and what

we believe. Choose from one of the upcoming Sunday membership classes:

November 2, 2008 & December 7, 2008

Classes are from 12:15 - 2 pm. Call 392-1191 to reserve your place.

Childcare is available and lunch is provided.

Trisha Pride Ken Ruffin Nick Sesso Louise Shewmaker

Fred & Nancy Starkweather& Louise Starkweather

Kayla Welch Sarah Wheeler Bryan Wood


in celebration of marriage

65 yearsCharles & Shirley Nelson

November 20, 1943

55 yearsVan & Nola DicksonNovember 21, 1953

Cleo & Frankie WarrenNovember 26, 1953

50 yearsKen & Helen McCauley

November 27, 1958

35 yearsMike & Susan Stanford

November 24, 1973

5 yearsMatt & Robin Bartlett

September 6, 2003

• Allie Mackenzie Parsons, daughter of John & Sara Parsons, born September 29

• Bryson William Cox, son of Brent & Stephanie Cox, born July 3

• Gabrielle Kathleen White, daughter of Michael & Kristen White, born September 8

• Rylan Nicholas Austin, son of Ted & Shelia Austin, born September 17

• Joseph Curtis Dennis II, Son of Joe and Amy Dennis, born September 4

• Margaret Brooke Butler, daughter of Ryan & Kelly Butler, born August 27

• Reagan Emmalee Flake, daughter of Travis & Liz Flake, born August 25

wecelebrate

weremember

• Jason Magnuson, died September 29

• Evelyn Brentlinger, wife of Abe, died September 5

• Keith Boyd, husband of Betty, died August 15

• Ruby Boyce, mother of Norma Jackson, died September 22

30 yearsMike & Alicia Knapp

October 6, 1978

asbury family room

45 yearsSkip & Dyanne Sidner

August 24, 1963

thanks “Thank you” to all of those who participated in the Memory Walk in honor of

my sister, Kathy Robbins. Asbury Discipleship Communities and individuals

contributed over $7,300. We had over 40 walkers register, too. Special thanks

to Victoria Williamson, for her hard work in putting this together.

- Pastor Tom

Glorify God…Make Disciples

asbury tidings - thankful for

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