Newsletter 01.16.13

January 16, 2013

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.1

Believe s Belong s Become

Adam Hamilton Lecture Series “Living as a Christian Today”

We are proud to welcome Adam Hamilton to Church of the Servant on Thursday, February 28th for his lecture series, titled “Living as a Christian Today.” This series is open to everyone who would like to attend. The lectures are free. Dinner with Q&A is $10.

Even more than usual, the Rev. Adam Hamilton seemed to be here, there and everywhere in 2012, earning him designation as the Reporter’s United Methodist of the Year.

Mr. Hamilton, 48, is a megachurch pastor, best-selling author and much-in-demand conference speaker. He’s a board member of one of the UMC’s seminaries (recently stepping down as chair) and played a key role in the lead-up to General Conference, while serving as a delegate and primetime speaker there.

Through sermons, addresses, books, videos and blog posts, the bespectacled Kansas pastor may reach more United Methodists than anyone else in the denomination.

- Quote by Sam Hodges, Editor of UM Reporter For more information about Adam Hamiton’s lecture series and how to register, continue reading on page 5....

United Methodist

Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com

A Mission Focus and Celebration Story

Exodus House is one of the many ministries under the Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries of the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church. There is an Exodus House in Oklahoma City located at 433 NW 25th Street, as well as one in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Once or twice a year, a team from Church of the Servant goes to the Exodus House apartments at 25th and North Walker to refurbish, clean, furnish, decorate and stock our adopted apartment so that it is move-in ready. Exodus House is a temporary residence (6-12 months) for the purpose of equipping released ex-offenders and their families to become productive, self-supporting, cohesive family units. Preference is given to single-parent families to facilitate reuniting the children with their parent(s).

Residents must participate in the Exodus House program and follow established guidelines. The apartment is rent-free which allows the resident to save his or her income towards obtaining a rent house or apartment. The furnishings and all contents of the apartment are the resident’s to keep upon successful completion of the program.

A BIG thank you to everyone who donated furnishings and nonperishable food items for the apartment. God has truly blessed many of us to be a blessing to others. It is sincerely appreciated!

A Success Story from our Apartment 5 -

Donna moved into our Apartment 5 at Exodus House after being released from prison. She is a felon, but she has a college degree. At the beginning, she had a plan for getting her life back. Part of her plan is to become an active participant in the community. First get herself a job – took her about two weeks. It’s very difficult for someone like her to get a job. She now works for an answering service for professionals. Next, she bought a car to get back and forth to her job. The car will be paid off in two more payments.

When she isn’t working, she is busy completing the program necessary for her to “graduate”. As part of the program, she volunteers to help prepare meals for the Thursday night dinner at Redemption Church.

She has now bought a fifth wheeler to live in when she leaves the apartment in February. Currently, she is looking for an affordable space where she can park the fifth wheeler. She is always planning, and then following her plan – and gets it done!! Plan your work and work your plan must be her motto.

When she leaves the apartment, she will be eligible to take the furnishings – she may take them all, but maybe not – nevertheless, we will need certain items when she departs.

In past years, we have had some successes and we have had some who did not “graduate”, but this woman was determined. The support of the Christian community helps people like Donna to become a responsible, productive, citizen. God be with her in her journey to rejoin society and the Christian Community!

Dates for Mission Events and Ministries: • Feb 3

• Feb 24 • March 3

• March 10

Stop Hunger Now Fish Appeal Blood Drive at COS

Stop Hunger Now

Edgar Cruz Concert to benefit Mobile Meals

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SHARE THE WARMTH

Please continue to bring coats for Skyline through February for Share the Warmth. The coats can be donated in the blue bins located around the church.

One Makes a Difference!

In Joseph Cardinal Bernardin’s little book, The Gift of Peace, there is a gripping and moving account of his meeting with Steven Cook, the young man who had accused Cardinal Bernardin of sexual abuse. It is an event best forgotten except for the extraordinary way it concluded.

In 1993, the accusation became public, and Cardinal Bernardin had to live in the blare of public curiosity, constant media attention and the deep pain of experiencing his credibility and integrity questioned by many people who simply assume that an accusation is the equivalent of guilt. And then, over time, Mr. Cook acknowledged that the charges were false, and the case was dropped.

The Cardinal plunged back into his busy schedule but he kept thinking about Steven Cook, his accuser, now critically ill with AIDS, living alone.

Dr. Robert Gorrell So Cardinal Bernardin did the most remarkable thing. He located Mr. Cook and invited him to meet at a seminary outside Philadelphia. Cardinal Bernardin explained that his only reason for wanting to see Mr. Cook was to tell him that he, Cardinal Bernardin, harbored no ill feelings. He wanted to pray with Mr. Cook.

Steven Cook accepted that invitation and said that he wanted to apologize for the hurt and embarrassment he had caused. When the meeting happened, Mr. Cook told his story, including his alienation from the church. They talked for awhile. The cardinal said what he had come to say, and he gave Mr. Cook an inscribed Bible and offered to celebrate Mass. Mr. Cook hesitated at first.

Cardinal Bernardin took a 100-year-old chalice out of his case and said, “Steven, this is a gift from a man I don’t even know. He asked me to use it to say Mass for you some day.”

“Please,” Steven responded tearfully, “let’s celebrate Mass now.”

Afterward, Steven Cook said, “A big burden has been lifted from me today. I feel healed and very much at peace.”

Cardinal Bernardin reflected, “As we flew back to Chicago that evening, Father Donohue and I felt the lightness of spirit that an afternoon of grace brings to one’s life.” i I know how hard it is to invite someone to church. I struggle with it myself. But I believe it can make all the difference in the world to share Christ with someone.

Our Church theme for 2013 is One. I am asking each one of you to share the one (Christ) with one person. For most of us who are always comfortable with talking about our faith that will mean inviting someone to church.

It’s not easy to do. It is never easy to do the work of Christ. But it is our calling as followers of the Savior.

One person like you can change one person’s life when you trust in the One!

- Robert Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, The Gift of Peace (New York: 1997), 34-41.

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Church of the Servant T-shirts are available in youth through adult extended sizes! They are in Earthglow. Remember that the proceeds from your purchases in the shop go to missions! Thank you for your support!

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He Chose the Nails

What Decisions is Christ Leading Me to Make?

Lenten Luncheons begin Wednesday, February 20 for five Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m.

Using a Max Lucado curriculum, a team of amazing women will lead our Lenten Luncheons Series. Sherri Price, Julane Borth, Karla O’Hara, Sara Kyte and Dr. Robyn Goggs will be leading each week and bringing their own unique perspective on this holy season and how it speaks into our lives as women.

Lunch will be served for $9 or you can brown bag at no cost. Reservations can be made on Tuesdays at Sharing the Kingdom beginning January 22 and through Mary Jessup at mjessup@churchoftheservant.com or 721-4141. Prepayment for lunches is very helpful!

Women’s Ministry offers new class for sharing and learning: Spirituality and Aging

Thursday, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., starting January 31 SAE-6 No cost “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (Job 12:12). This women’s group is “not for the faint-hearted” as it will address the real issues of walking with God as we age and deal with the difficulties of this season of life. There will be no book and the class will be led by someone with a gerontology background. It will have a minimal structure other than keeping on topic of the day to lead to some real examination of what is so special about this time of life as well as how we realistically deal with the challenges of this time.

The class will discuss the five fundamental questions of older age: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What is life all about?

What is the meaning of suffering?

What is the purpose of living as a disabled person?

How will we understand our death and dying process?

Is there a specific spirituality of older age?

If you would like to participate in this group, please contact Mary Jessup at mjessup@churchoftheservant.com or 721-4141.

An Evening with SANDI PATTY

Sandi Patty, Oklahoma’s nationally-known recording artist, will be presenting a concert and conversation at Church of the Servant in Oklahoma City on May 7 at 7:00 p.m.

No other Christian artist at work today is better suited to sing about life’s journey than Sandi Patty. Still bursting with creative energy and magnetic talent three decades into her career, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee with 40 Dove Awards, five Grammy Awards, and an armload of platinum and gold albums has seen professional peaks and personal valleys alike while in the spotlight, all of them tempered by the grace of God. Join us for this very special evening as we get to know the woman behind “The Voice.” For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.churchoftheservant.com.

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Presented by: Esther Women (www.estherwomenokc.org)

Adam Hamilton Lecture Series “Living as a Christian Today”

Lecture Schedule:

- At the OCU Chapel 1:00 p.m. - Can We Agree to Disagree? Discussing Sexuality in the Church - At Church of the Servant 4:00 p.m. - When Christians Get it Wrong (Centrum) More and more young adults have opted out of Christianity and the church.

The reason? Christians. When young adults talk about the problems they have with Christianity and the church, they often name certain attitudes and behaviors they believe are practiced too often by Christians: judging others, condemning people of other faiths, rejecting science, injecting politics into faith, and being anti-homosexual. With his familiar style, Adam Hamilton tackles these issues and addresses the how’s and why’s of Christians getting it right when it comes to being Christ in the world.

In his talk Adam will give a different way of understanding the issues that keep people away from Christianity and keep Christians from living a more compelling faith. Because, honestly, if we don’t start getting it right, we may lose an entire generation.

5:30 p.m. - Dinner Q&A with Adam Hamilton (Community Hall) - $10 Register at www.churchoftheservant.com.

7:00 p.m. - Why? Making Sense of God’s Will (Celebration Center) When the ground shakes, and a poor nation’s economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing away a community’s hopes and dreams; when a child suffers neglect and abuse; when violence tears apart nations; where is God? If God is all powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved child of God, then how can God allow tragedy and suffering to infest his creation? When we lift our prayers to God, and no answer seems to come; when we earnestly seek to know the will of God for our lives, yet can’t seem to discern it; when God seems far away; where is God? If God counts the hairs on our head, and knows every sparrow that falls, why is finding and understanding God’s will so difficult at times? Adam Hamilton will bring fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, Hamilton addresses how we can comprehend God’s plan for the world and ourselves.

Nursery - PreSchool and Under - Available for 5:30 Dinner and 7:00 Lecture. Register Online at www.churchoftheservant.com.

REVELATION

The Youth Choir

Congratulations on your performance in “Home for Christmas”! I am so proud of all of you.

Here are a few things you need to know: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Our focus will be working on tour music and singing in worship. We will be performing “Godspell.”

May 5 will be our silent auction and performance of “Godspell” for the church.

New members will be accepted into the choir tour through January ONLY. Tour destination will be the Smokey Mountain area of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. We will have a blast!

We will let you know the cost the second week of rehearsals.

Rehearsals began on January 6 at 3:30 p.m.

This is the time to invite your friends to join us!

QUESTIONS? TEXT ME 405-550-3016 or cweatherford@churchoftheservant.com.

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Grace Based Parenting Class Offered To Parents Of Students

This semester, Student Ministries and Young Adult ministries will be partnering together to offer a parenting class called Grace Based Parenting, that is designed specifically for parents with students grades 6 through 12. This incredible class is a five week study of the book Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel and will be lead by Senior Minister, Dr. Robert Gorrell and Director of Young Adults, John Gilstrap.

The class is all about learning to see ourselves and our children through God’s limitless tenderness and discovering how to raise our kids the way God raises us. Grace Based Parenting will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Community Hall on February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6. You can pick up a registration at the Welcome Center or download one at www.churchoftheservant.com. If you have any questions, please contact John Gilstrap at 728-4726 or jgilstrap@ churchoftheservant.com.

Getting the Love You Want

Give your relationship a Couples Workshop for Valentine’s Day! “Getting the Love You Want” workshop will be held at the home of Drs. Linda and Curtis Nigh on February 8 & 9. Brochures are available at the Welcome Center.

Looking for Servant Apawstles

Please consider bringing your best “fourpawed friend” and joining Church of the Servant’s “Servant Apawstles” class starting soon.

We have fun! The class is free and will be held on a weekday afternoon.

After the dogs have been trained, we will take the Apawstles to visit twice a month at Epworth Villa on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday afternoon.

We also are available for a quick lesson/demo for children on pet safety and how to pet a dog.

This ministry is both rewarding and fun for both the dogs and those who bring them. We have special parties for holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas, the Easter Egg hunt, and the Fall Festival. The Apawstles often “dress up” for these affairs Requirements for joining the upcoming class are: 1) your dog must have attended an obedience class; 2) you must be flexible and available to go visiting on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturday afternoons.

For more information, contact Janice at 7227296 or email: yorkrazy@att.net.

Capture this Moment of Time in Portraits

We are doing a pictorial directory to draw our church family closer together and to celebrate our church. We are scheduling appointments NOW for photography sessions beginning February 5. There is no cost to the church and no sitting fee for your family. You will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a copy of the directory for participation. You will be photographed, choose your pose for the directory, and have the chance to make additional purchases, all in one trip to the church. Please make an effort to participate in this great opportunity! Our directory won’t be complete without you!

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WOW is Back!

Emma and her friends were excited to be back at WOW on January 9 for the Winter session.

WOW – “Welcome on Wednesdays” – is the mid-week ministry in Children’s Ministries that meets from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the Children’s Area.

Why do Emma and her friends love coming to WOW? It’s because at WOW kids quickly find themselves surrounded by friends! There’s laughter, fun and the chance to discover the best friend any of us will have throughout our lives – Jesus Christ. WOW is a safe place for kids to laugh, love, learn and find life. WOW is what being a kid is all about.

Even if kids haven’t started WOW yet, the doors are always open when they want to join us on Wednesday nights. We do ask that they register by completing a registration form.

These forms are available in the children’s section of the church Website, at the Welcome Center (upstairs), or at the Children’s Welcome Counter.

BSA Troop 177

This past month has been very exciting!! To kick off December, our troop decided that instead of camping out this month, we should have a lock-in at the YMCA. We arrived Friday night, and immediately got into the pool. First, our scouts took and completed the BSA swim test. After that, they had free-time in the pool. Then they got out, dried off, and headed to the gym for a fun night of basketball and dodge ball! Before bed, we watched movies, and finally drifted off to sleep. We woke up early Saturday morning and left, after having a great time!

Coming up soon is our January camp out!! Each January, our scouts head up to Kansas for our cold-weather camp out. We attend an event called Trappers Rendezvous, after the old trappers (traders). The scouts bring anything they can find to trade at the campsite, from animal furs to license plates. It’s always extremely cold in Kansas during January, but more than 6,000 scouts from Texas to Nebraska and all other surrounding states gather near Hutchinson, Kansas, for a weekend of mountain-man living and trading and it is always a lot of fun!

At the end of the month we will host a Troop Court of Honor. This is a formal Boy Scout recognition ceremony that we carry out twice a year. This ceremony focuses on our troop’s rank advancement and is followed by a dinner for the scouts and their families. This Court of Honor will be held at Church of the Servant instead of at John Nichols Scout Ranch where it is normally held. Anyone is welcome to attend on Sunday, January 27, at 4:00 PM. If you or a family member/friend is interested in scouting, please visit us at www.BSAtroop177ok.org or check out our Facebook page BSA Troop 177.

- Brett Szymanski (Scribe/BSA Troop 177)

The Girl Scout Troop (Girls ages 6-16)

Our Girl Scout Troop 177 attended the “Fall in to Art” event at Martin Park Nature Center. The younger girls had a blast working on their arts and crafts while some of our older girls delighted the attendees with a woodwind concert together with members of the Santa Fe high school band. Even though the Girl Scout Troop had already been active for a few weeks, the got a more formal start with an investiture ceremony at our Chapel in late November. Last month the girls made a Manger Craft that was given to the residents of the Quail Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center when we went to carol for them right before Christmas. They also kept busy assembling colorful bags with food and healthy snacks and an individualized uplifting message written by the girls. They distributed these bags during the Christmas Season to the homeless and less fortunate in our community. Visit www.GStroop177ok.org for more information.

The Cub Scout Pack (Boys 1st-4th Grade)

Our Cub Scout Pack 177 is also now formally organized.

They have been meeting at the Church on Sundays from 3:004:00 p.m. They have been learning the basics of the Cub Scout Oath and Promise as well as how to better serve God and Country. Last month they had an outing to the Cub Scout Winter Day at Sportsman’s Country Club. There they braved the cold to experience a variety of outdoor games and activities. They shot bow and arrows and slingshots. They learned about animal track recognition and they had a blast riding on Cub Scout propelled cardboard sleighs and having snowball fights (with flour filled fabric balls due to the obvious lack of snow last month.) They were having so much fun at the outing that they were interviewed by a local camera crew for an upcoming video about scouting in our area. This month, they will be building their cars for the Pinewood Derby races that will be taking place in February. To join them please feel free to contact the Cubmaster (Marc McChesney: mcchesneymarc@gmail.com) or visit www.BSApack177ok.org.

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Our Prayers continued... u Dustin, Laine, Bennett, Riley, and Ramsey Baker as Ramsey deals with health issues. u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker as Geoff deals with health issues. u Lloyd and Carolyn Bean as Lloyd deals with health issues. u David and Lynnda Berryhill as David is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Lou Anne Blackburn as she is hospitalized at Mercy Rehab Hospital. u Don and Doris Cline as their daughter’s father-in-law, Robert Purol, is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center; and their son-in-law, Byron Dunn, recuperates from surgery in Texas. u Harold and Jean Coleman as their grandson, Tate Hackard, recuperates from injuries from an automobile accident.

u I.G. and Betty Murray as Betty deals with health issues. u Kay Nichols as her daughter, Julie Stephens, recuperates from surgery in Colorado. u Sally Noakes as her father, Bill Noakes, deals with health issues. u Larry and Linda Nowlin as their daughterin-law Venessa Nowlin’s father, Dale Henning, deals with health issues. u Ken and Peggy Pointer as Ken deals with health issues. u Gail Roberts as she is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical. u Blair and Jeannie Schoeb as Jeannie’s father, Floyd Hardin, is hospitalized at Midwest City Regional Hospital. u Marilyn Schrameck as she recuperates from injuries sustained from a fall. u Bill and Martha Snyder as Bill is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

u Dale and Elaine Cox as Dale’s sister, Betty Cox, and Elaine’s mother, Susie Maroon, both deal with health issues and are residents at Heritage Assisted Living Center.

u Eric, Jeanna, and Amelia Stewart as Jeanna is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center.

u Jacqueline Cross and Doug and Donna Behrens as Jacqueline is a resident at Bellevue Health and Rehab Center.

u James and Sandra Telcocci as Sandra deals with health issues and undergoes treatment.

u Sheryl Dunham as she is a resident at Parc Way Nursing and Rehab Center. u Phil and Betty Fair as Betty is hospitalized at the OK Heart Hospital. u Pierce and Barbara Gandy as Pierce faces surgery at the McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital. u Lela Graham as she recuperates from an illness.

u Jay and Margaret Stout as Jay undergoes treatment.

u Wayne and Sharon Wallace as Wayne recuperates from a procedure. u Chuck and Pam Weatherford as Chuck’s nephew, Ryan Shelton, deals with health issues. u J.R. and Lorene Wolf as Lorene’s brother, Milton Evans, deals with health issues.

u Barbara Holland as she recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Storm Leslie as she recuperates from surgery. u Ted and Sue McCourry as Sue is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Mary McHard as her daughter, Janet McHard, recuperates from an illness.

u Charlie, Amanda, Ryan, and Brett Bogie and Family at the death of Amanda’s mother, Carole Sue Barby. u Bill and Kimberly Brinner and Family at the death of Kimberly’s aunt, Dora Grant. u Ray and Lois Crooks and Family at the death of Ray’s sister, Dorothy C. Otto. u Falon, Jamie, Nathan, Evan, and Catherine Fuller and Family at the death of Falon’s father, Guy Wesley Fuller, M.D. u Leon, Debbie, and Sean Gold and Family at the death of Leon’s great-uncle, Harold Downen. u Bob Guthery and Family at the death of Bob’s father, Billy Bob Guthery Sr. u Jason, Tyler, Rylee, and Gibson Hensley and Family at the death of Tyler’s grandmother, Joyce Brydges. u Paul and Ruth Johnson and Debbie Johnson and Family at the death of their daughterin-law’s grandmother, Donna Pash. u Donald, Stacy, Austin, Tyler, Connor, and Garrett McGinnis and Family at the death of Donald’s mother, Dorothy Louise McGinnis. u Hal McKnight and Family at the death of Hal’s sister, Jerry Love. u Dewey and Mary Milby and Family at the death of Dewey’s sister, Judy Milby Brown. u Arthur and Charlene Richardson and Family at the death of Arthur’s sister, Barbara Richardson MacDonald. u Bob and Pat Sholar and Family at the death of Pat’s sister, LaNese Craft.

u John Gray and Karen James as Karen recuperates from an illness. u Jim and Coleen Henry as Jim recuperates from surgery.

u Beth Allan and Emily Allan and Family at the death of Beth’s mother and Emily’s grandmother, Ann Baccus.

u Kent and Dana Israel at the birth of their son, Ryan Blake Israel. The proud grandparents are Michael and Susan Ketchersid. The proud aunt is Sandy Ebert. u Adam and Casey Carter at the birth of their son, Hearl Adam Carter V. The proud grandparents are Bob and Susy Wilson. The proud uncle, aunt, and cousin are Dave, Kristen and Maggie Mercer.

u Andy, Linda, Christopher, Jeffrey, and Stephen Snyder and Family at the death of Linda’s mother, Marie Barnes. u Bill and Mary White and Family at the death of Mary’s aunt, Helen Jackson. u Judy Wilkins and Family at the death of Judy’s mother, Mabel Allred. u J.R. and Lorene Wolf and Family at the death of Lorene’s sister, Evelyn Johnson.