Asbury Circuit Rider 2019-9-1

ASBURY CIRCUIT RIDER

Once Upon a Time (The elements of style ) Volume 19 Issue 1

I remember buying a that Jesus once asked His fol- September 1, 2019 book for a writing class years lowers, “What are the crowds ago. The book was titled The saying about me?” Of course, Elements of Style. One of the the more important question Special points of interest: for each of us is the followup contemporary versions of th this book is now in its 4 question that Jesus asks them >>> Worship Design will meet and us, “Who do you say I edition. I haven’t opened this on Monday, September 9th at book in years and I’m not am?” This is the place where 6pm in the Asbury Library. sure if I could find it. our story intersects with the story of our origin and what The Elements of Style In this this article I refer- has happened since. So the >>> Leadership Team will was originally written ence this book more for the question is whether I realize meet on Monday, September by William Strunk Jr. in title than for its content since that my life is intricately inter- 16th at 6pm in Asbury Library. 1918. It has been published twined with the life of Jesus this article is focused more on in a number of editions using telling our story verbally than Christ? EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE the original content that is in through writing. But both are Both authenticity and how a the public domain, updating important. In fact, any form of AND WONDERFUL the language and adding story ends are critical ele- telling our story, depending LABOR DAY! content. This book has been ments of style in telling our on our circumstances, can story. A story that simply a best seller and used in work. The point of this article classrooms all over the U.S. leaves us in suspense is not is to tell our story with style. I very interesting. Unless the In 2011 Time named The want us all to learn how to story ends in a “cliff hanger” Elements of Style as one of become better storytellers. the 100 best and most Page 2 influential books written in We began our series. Tell Inside this issue: English since 1923. your story, with a question Once upon a time 1 Back to the Future (Who do you say He is?) Back to the Future 1 In Our Prayers/Coming up this Week 3 The movie, Back to the together. Otherwise, time and actually change Asbury Worship Series-Back to Future Future, is about a 17 year Marty never existed in the what happened? A sort of “do 4 old, Marty McFly, who future. -over” that erases a choice or Pastor’s Book Club 4 experiences time travel in an outcome that you regret? Leadership in Worship & Service 4 his friend’s invention. Of course, humankind, at this Asbury Worship Series 5 Marty’s trip illustrates a point, can only dream of time Once upon a time 6 paradox. What if he does travel. Those of us who are Asbury Farm to Table 7 something that alters the hoping to experience time future? In the movie’s travel are hopeful that not all Small Group Questions & Notes 8 storyline, Marty has to of the DeLorean cars Have you ever wished Back to the Future 9 find a way to make sure that you could go back in Once upon a time 10 that his future parents get Page 2 Page 2 ASBURY CIRCUIT RIDER Back to the Future (Who do you say He is )...cont. from page 1 disappear before a real scientist discov- ed. We were created to tell and hear the people who saw you at your ers how to turn it into a plutonium- each other’s stories. We can’t change worst and at your best in the past. powered, time machine. the past. But we can definitely the fu- What will they be thinking when you ture. And we can do this by just telling talk about the future? Will your his- What is missing in our daydreaming our story. tory be a good predictor of the future about going back in time to change the that you are hoping will unfold for future is the life-giving opportunity to One of the stories found in the Gos- you? share our story as it really happened. pel of Luke tells about a time when But what happened in the past is not Jesus returned to Nazareth and at- Jesus is given one of the sacred necessarily what will happen in the tended the church where He grew up. scrolls. It is the scroll that contains future. But there is a vast difference. Imagine that you are attending a high the Book of Isaiah. It is a book of The future hasn’t happened yet. school reunion or some other event prophecy. Isaiah is the name given to where you will spend time with peo- at least a couple of prophets who As we come to the end of our wor- ple who knew you before you were an lived a long time ago. Jesus reads the ship series, Tell your story, our focus adult. Many knew about the capers prophecy about a future Messiah. turns to the point of our series, We are you pulled. A few told your parents “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me be- each called to tell our story so that oth- when they saw you in places where cause he has chosen me to bring good ers can make a more informed decision you didn’t belong. They knew the news to the poor. He has sent me to today, about what their future could “former” you. proclaim liberty to the captives and become. This makes our story poten- recovery of sight to the blind, to set tially life-giving. Now you have an opportunity to be free the oppressed and announce that seen and heard by this hometown Over the past few weeks, we talked the time has come when the Lord will crowd. Maybe you are planning to run about the power that stories have as a save his people.” for public office. Perhaps you are result of how our body is constructed starting a new business. You speak to Page 9 so that we become emotionally invest-

Once upon a time (The elements of style) cont. from page 1

” with the intention of a continuation The woman has been unable to straighten One day this woman went to we are left feeling unsatisfied. It is not up for 18 years. Suppose this woman was the Synagogue. It was the Sabbath as that all stories end with “happily ever telling you her story. Imagine that her was her custom. Perhaps she faithfully after,” but we at least expect the loose story begins with promise. A young teen- went by herself week after week pray- ends to be brought together in a way that ager finding her passion, meeting her life- ing for relief from her affliction. The leaves us with a sense of completeness. mate and charging into life with energy suspense continues to build. And stories with happy endings are gener- and promise. One day she is struck by an ally our favorites. affliction. Perhaps it happened over many One Sabbath day something was years and slowly reached the point of different. She couldn’t really see much Last week we talked about what hap- where she was when you met her. of what was going on but there was this pens when we hear a story that captivates man who came that day that they call us. The suspense causes dopamine to be Is this the end of her story? This is a Jesus. He was a rabbi and some say a release into our body which sharpens our sad story and one that leaves us in sus- prophet. The woman had heard stories. focus. We want to know what happens pense. The dopamine levels will soon next. We become emotionally invested. subside but not in a way that we hoped for. But is there more to her story. She Page 6 In chapter 13 of Luke, Jesus encoun- continues. ters a woman who is bent over physically. Volume 19 Issue 1 Page 3

Coming up this week

In our Prayers Sept 2 Mon 5:00pm Youth Choir 7:00pm Flint Jubilee Curtis Young Shirley Craig Sept 3 Tues 10am-2pm Water Distribution Rachel Bastine Christopher Lewis Norma Buzzard Sarah Tanner 6:00pm Community Gospel Choir Virginia Bigger Elizabeth Wright Sept 4 Wed 12Noon Pastor Book Club Barbara McIvor Judy Tanner Austin & Mary Suffle Mary Lyons 6:00pm Beginners Bible Study 6:00pm Youth Group

Sept 5 Thu 4:30-6pm Gaming as Education FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WHO ARE HOMEBOUND OR IN NURSING CARE 6:00pm Worship Band Practice Sept 6 Fri 10am-2pm Asbury Cafe Open Mary Nations Mary Russell 6:00pm Asbury Youth Group Elaine Lamoreaux Sept 7 Sat 10am-12N Japanese Jiu Jitsi

Sept 8 Sun 8am-10am Japanese Jiu Jitsi 9:30am Café Open 10:30am New Beginnings Contemporary Worship

SUNDAY, August 25th

9:30am Café Opens

10:30am New Beginnings

Contemporary Worship

Last Week for Worship

Attendance 38 Offering $ 841 Page 4 ASBURY CIRCUIT RIDER Asbury Worship Series cause it offers an interesting paradox. Back to the Future How can we go back to a time that “Pilgrim’s Progress” hasn’t happened yet? The answer in the movie is time travel, which is the We invited our community to watch invention that the movie asks us to the newly released movie, The Pilgrim’s imagine possible. Many of us have Progress. on August 29 in our newly wondered what it would be like to be equipped Asbury Empowerment Arts Cen- able to travel through time. Going ter. The film was a big hit with both adults back in time to experience what it was and children. Our next worship series will Back to the future, the title of anoth- like back then and visiting the future use the story from this movie as a back- er popular movie, is the headline that I to see how things unfold later. drop. chose for our new worship series be- Page 5 Book Club News

After reading and discussing the book Our next book was written by Dennis Jericho will challenge our own Shame-less written by Nadia Bolz-Weber Sykes. Most of you have seen Dennis knowledge of scripture as the people our group is taking a short break. On July 10 around Asbury at one point or another. Jaymes meets challenges him to continue we hosted our youth who are working with Perhaps you would better recognize Den- reading and studying God’s Word. Jaymes us for the nis as the Roman Governor, Pilate, whom is amazed by how much people around him summer and Dennis played in our Easter musical. Per- had changed for the better after coming to a youth choir haps you remember Dennis in one of our know Jesus Christ for themselves. And a from Omaha, concerts. He sings with our community long bus ride was just what Jaymes needed Nebraska. A gospel choirs. Dennis is a member of to spend some solid reading time. week after Ebenezer Ministries located a short dis- that we tance from Asbury. Since this is novel is hot off the watched a shelves and since we want to support Den- video from Our current book is titled Jericho. The nis in his first book publishing we ordered the Nooma book follows a man by the name of ten copies at just under $20 each. A few of series by Jaymes Devans. As the novel begins, us have purchased our books directly from Rob Bell James is leaving Chicago, Illinois. He is Dennis but it helps him even more when we titled Sun- going South to make a better life for the buy his books from retailers. Dennis is with day. A great discussion followed the video family he loves. However, Jaymes finds our group each week to answer questions on why we go to church. We concluded that out that his plans and God’s plans are not and autograph books. we don’t get together out of a sense of duty, the same. He becomes caught up in a although these feelings are often felt. Ulti- world of murder, drug smuggling, crooked I encourage you to come to our mately, we go because we encounter God businessmen, politicians, secret agents, Wednesday gatherings. Our small group is in our worship and in our time together. and a God with a plan. a diverse group and we are delighted when new persons join us. I hope that you will join in on our discussion. We meet each Wednesday at Noon. Come join us for a Leadership in Worship & Service light lunch, fellowship and discussion. Our food selections have been fantastic and we Welcome Team Tony, Mirium Sylvia Pittman Worship Arts always have plenty to share. And we are Ushers Anthony, Jim Jim Craig Leadership Chair always on the lookout for our next book, Production Team Jonathon Kevin Croom Farm to Table video lesson or topic. Your participation Children Patrice & Mirium Israel Unger Business Operations and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Worship Leaders Cyndi Café Christine & Norma Asbury Café * Dennis James (Dennis Sykes). Jeri- cho: a Novel in Dialogue: Journey of a New Plan to meet outside the sanctuary each Creature. Xlibris, 2018. Sunday before worship for coffee, tea, snacks, Asbury Staff conversation and so on. The music will Rev. Dr. Tommy McDoniel Pastor Pastor Tommy start when it is time to wrap up and head Connie Portillo Office Secretary in for worship. Volume 19 Issue 1 Page 5

Asbury Worship Series–Back to the Future (Pilgrim’s Progress) ... Cont. from page 4

During our next worship series, I The answer in this case is that the During this series I hope to draw a

hope that you will be willing to do only connection between tomorrow and connection between some trends that some time travel with me. It won’t be yesterday is that we have fruit loops on are taking shape and the likely triggers that hard. We actually do it all the the brain. Otherwise, if we are looking that could give us a clue as to what to time. We read or hear about some- for things that happened in the past do to stop a particular trend that sug- thing that happened in the past that could predict the future, then we gests a future we would rather not when a person shares their story. A are looking for “dependent” variables. visit. story, by its very nature, already Let me explain using an illustration. As our story moves from “Once happened. Unless, of course, the I flip a coin and it comes up heads. story is about the future. Unless the upon a time” to the answer to the I flip the coin a hundred times and I story is about what could happen. question of who we have found Christ keep track of how many times it comes to be in our own life, our story be- The Pilgrim’s progress from this up heads and how often tails show up. comes a story of a faith journey. A world, to that which is to come, was My count show that heads came up 75 story about a belief in something that initially written as a book. The book times. What are the odds that tails will we cannot see. Yet we know that our was written by John Bunyan in 1678. come up on my next flip? The answer According to the information I found is fifty percent. The same odds that faith is itself a gift. And in our choosing on Wikipedia, this book may have were present on my first flip of the coin. life we can help others to choose life been the very first novel to be written Each flip of the coin is independent of simply by sharing our story. in the English language. It has since the one before. There are lots of exam- been translated into 200 languages ples where the past is not a reliable The Lord said to Abrams, “Leave and is among the most influential predictable of the future because there your country, your relatives, and books ever written. The book was is no connection whatsoever. your father’s home , and go to a written while the author was in pris- land that I am going to show Yet we have heard it said that if on for holding a church service out- you.” we ignore the past we are prone to side of the Church of England. This repeat it. There are some things that Genesis 12:1 is an extremely important connection can be predictors of the future. But for our Asbury community that will there are no guarantees. The future I pray that you will join us for our become clear during our worship hasn’t happened yet. It might rain. It new worship series called Back to the series. might not rain. And if rain is independ- future. I hope to see you each Sunday We have loads of expressions ent of the subject that we are trying to for worship at 10:30 am. Remember that reference the connections be- predict, it doesn’t matter one way or Bible study in the Asbury Café is between what has happened and what another. fore worship at 9:30 am. will happen. We sometimes call this The Bible contains loads of stories a trend when the past becomes a about the past. The Bible also has a lot predictor of the future. We ate fruit Pastor Tommy to say about predicting the future loops for breakfast five days in a based on the past. The stories about row. What are the chances that we the past can help us avoid some of the will eat fruit loops tomorrow? pitfalls that others have fallen into. They can help us recognize trends that are worth paying attention to and somethings that didn’t work very well.

Volume 19 Issue 1 Page 6 Open Upon a Time (The elements of style)...cont from page 2

What she did not know was that She had felt the healing energy of her connect even with the person who Jesus noticed her. He was behind her savior bringing salvation throughout has not met Jesus or has decided to but she didn’t know this. Some of the her broken body. She would no longer deny or to hide from Him. Perhaps onlookers were curious what this man be the stooped over woman. She was the ending doesn’t relate as well to with a reputation for stirring up trouble and still is, as Jesus said, a descendant the listener when they hear it. It might be up to. But not today, they of Abraham. But she is even more. might be years later when they real- reckoned. Today is the Sabbath when ize that they too are bent over. When everyone puts aside their work and In last week’s message I made a they realize that they too are afflict- their affections and take the day off. claim that our story is our superpower. ed. And they recall hearing a story But not just some story that we make about a person who was once afflict- When Jesus saw her, he called out up in order to try to convince others to ed but now they are free after meet- to her, “Women, you are free from like us. I contend that authenticity is the ing Jesus Christ. “This could be my key to a good story. In order for a story your sickness?” He placed his hands story,” they think to themselves. to be authentic it has to be our story. out on her, and at once she Our “real” story and not a “made for Can I sell a story that denies that straightened herself up and praised public consumption” version. Christ is who He claimed to be? Cer- God. tainly. But while the story may ad- As the authenticity of a story cre- Luke 13:12-13 vertise satisfaction your delivery will ates a connection between us and the fall short of your promise. My satis- Jesus calls out to the woman, “You person sharing their story, another hor- faction in hearing your story will be are free from your sickness.” Jesus then mone, oxytocin is released, creating shallow. Just as your story will be places his hands on her shoulders and empathy. We become emotionally in- shallow. Your story will lack sub- she slowly stands up straight. It is a vested as listeners. We can place our- stance because so much of your story miracle. After 18 years of being selves in the synagogue that day. We will be based on untruth. You are stooped over this woman can now see can recall a similar experience where who your are because of Christ. the eyes of the person in front of her our affliction was lifted. Perhaps we Denying the role of God in your life rather than just feet. And what the didn’t feel God’s touch or look into the rips away the authenticity that makes woman sees is Jesus. eyes of Christ but we somehow under- a story worth hearing. stand the connection because some- What do you do after such an en- thing similar has happened to us. counter? What can you do? You have been touched by God. Yes you. A per- But what about the person who Page 10 son who had reached the depths of des- hasn’t yet been healed? What about the pair and hopelessness. But everything person who doesn’t realize that they are has changed now. Who is this Jesus? stooped over? They are physically For the woman whose affliction was standing straight. They feel as though removed on that day Jesus is her salva- they can do it all on their own. They tion. barely need friends much less some rabbi who lived two Thousand years We read that the woman’s reaction ago. Why will they care about my sto- was to praise God. We don’t know if ry? she was able to piece the parts together and realize that God was right in front The elements of style that make of her. your story interesting and will emotionally connect with the listener will She had looked into the eyes of God. She had felt the touch of God on her broken body. Asbury Farm to Table

While turning blight into beautiful and productive landscape is good on its own, transforming a food desert into abundance is life giving. But Asbury wants to make sure that produce is available on the tables of our residents. Our culinary arts and nu- tritional education programs offer residents the know how just as our farms offers nature’s bounty. In ad- dition, the Asbury Café is a culinary experience accessible to our neighbors and anyone with an appetite. Our “pay what you can” approach means that no one is turned away. Those who can help either on the farm or in the café are offered special MyFlintStones tokens that can be used either in the Asbury Café or in exchange for produce to prepare at home.

We proudly accept MyFlintStones

The Asbury Café is open Fridays 10am to 2pm & Sundays 10 am to 12 Noon Volume 19 Issue 1 Page 6 Life Group Questions & Notes

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and the recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people

Luke 4:18-19 GNT

NOTES FROM WORSHIP

______

QUESTIONS FOR LIFE GROUPS

1. Read Luke 4:18-19. Jesus is rejected by the people who knew Him growing up. Why might this happen? Can You identify with what happened to Jesus when He returned home and shared His mission? Can You identity with the rejection that Jesus may have felt? 2. Read this week’s article titled Back to the future. In what ways does your story intersect with the mission that was claimed in the prophecy of Isaiah (Luke 4:18-19)? What “good news” can be heard when you tell your story? 3. How can the members of your group help you this week and on-going to help you to be more receptive to hearing and understanding the Word of God? Back to the Future (Who do you say He is?) ...cont. from page 2 Page 9

Jesus is not the first person to Can you imagine the reaction? Our past only informs our fu- read this text. It has been read “Isn’t this Joseph’s boy? How is His ture. Our history doesn’t create our dozens of times in this very mother, Mary, handling this an- future. While we cannot erase our church in Nazareth. This text ar- nouncement?” The people, His peo- past, we can choose to follow the ticulates the hopes of the people ple, try to throw Jesus off a cliff. One who can shape our future into a for a time when God will anoint a beautiful work of art that reflects I don’t really know how Jesus felt savior of the people. A person our Creator. that day. I know that I would feel who will release the burdens of humiliated. I can’t imagine myself the people. Surely, this person, On September 8th, we will begin making a claim on the scale that Je- our next series that we will also call this messiah, will chase out the sus made, but I can definitely imag- Roman soldiers and restore their Back to the future. Our series is ine being shut down by people who country. based on the movie that was shown knew me when the earlier parts of in the Asbury Empowerment Arts The Spirit of the Lord is upon my story were unfolding when I Center this past Thursday evening. me, because he has chosen me claim that my future is nothing like Read the article on What’s Coming to bring good news… my past. Can’t you? up in Worship to learn more.

Luke 4:18 Isn’t this one of the reasons that so many of us are unwilling to share While we cannot erase our past Jesus reads the prophecy and our story? Either we think that on we can choose to follow the hands the scroll back to the per- one wants to hear our story, or One who can shape our future son who gave it to Him to read. worse, people will listen to our sto- into a beautiful work of art that The crowd’s attention is on Jesus. ry and reject us. Rejection stings to reflects our Creator. Good job. You must have done the core. Rejection returns us to the well in school. You are all grown shame that we felt when we came to now, Jesus. We are glad You came realize that we didn’t do the things Meanwhile, come join us as we back to visit. Jesus read well. The we should have done or done things accept a future designed by a loving people are pleased. that we shouldn’t have done. God. Come and share your story and But Jesus doesn’t thank the hear the stories of others. We wor- But our stories are too important crowds and take His seat. Jesus ship each Sunday at 10:30AM. Come to be kept silent. Our voices are too tells the crowd that this prophecy learn why it is important to tell your essential to be kept silent. Because that the people have waited for story and how to do so. I lead a Jesus claimed His identity, accepted centuries to come true is here short Bible study in the Asbury Cafe� His destiny as God’s son, and took now. Standing right in front of at 9:30am. You will find more infor- on the burdens of all people, we are them. It is Jesus. He has come to mation about us on our website at free to claim our identity. Not who bring good news to the poor, pro- FlintAsbury.org. others may think we are, however. claim liberty and give sight to the We can claim the identity that God blind. He has the Spirit of the Lord had in mind for us while we were within Him. Pastor Tommy still in our mother’s womb.

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Once upon a time (The elements of style ) ...cont. from page 6

In week two of our series we took a be who God created you to be. Recog- wanders away from time to time. Some- step back, or to the side, to talk about a nize that your gifts are just that — gifts. times we are persuaded by others or by health trend called loneliness. An in- Your ability to reason, to speak, to sing, our own greed or ego. Sometimes we creasing number of us are experiencing to create, and to tell a story is a gift that simply make a mistake. loneliness and this is negatively affect- comes from a loving, Creator God. If As our story moves from “Once ing our health. The cure for loneliness is your story reflects the humility that upon a time” to the answer to the ques- connection. The path to connection is comes from a recognition that you are tion of who we have found Christ to be storytelling. We are connected by our not your own creator, your story is in our own life, our story becomes a stories. After all, we have a common more credible. story of a faith journey. A story about a origin. We have the same Creator. Yet Another style point is to tell our belief in something that we cannot see. our uniqueness makes our stories story with the humility that comes from Yet we know that our faith is itself a unique. recognizing that we are not our own gift. And in our choosing life we can This week our focus is on putting creator, and that we are gifted by the help others to choose life simply by our story together. At least one chapter. God who continues to be with us. An sharing our story. Our inspiration comes from this story additional style is to recognize the hu- Once upon a time I did not know about an unnamed, afflicted woman mor that our mishaps offer us and be Jesus Christ. But now I do and this whose life changed forever after meet- willing to laugh at our own mistakes. changes everything. This is our story. ing Jesus Christ. But the most important style point of all is that our stories must answer the ques- Learn to use the elements of style in Once upon a time I did not know tion, “Who do we say that Christ is?” telling your story. Come join us. We Jesus Christ. But now I do and worship each Sunday at 10:30 am. These are the stories that give Come learn why it is important to tell this changes everything. hope. These are the stories that give your story and how to do so. I lead a life. These are the stories that connect short Bible study in the Asbury Café at An important element of style in us. Each of us was created for divine 9:30 am. You can find more information storytelling is authenticity. Be who you purpose. A purpose that can bring joy about us on our website at FlintAs- are. Which is another way of saying and healing to others. But each of us bury.org. Pastor Tommy