Newsletter 01.28.15

January 28, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.2

START TODAY!

Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister

What were you doing in 1963? Some of you watched the debut of the longrunning soap opera General Hospital.

I bought the first album put out by the Beatles, Please Please Me. A lot of you weren’t even born yet!

Martin Luther king Jr. wrote a letter.

It was a really important letter. On April 16, 1963, King issued his Letter from Birmingham Jail.

The civil rights leader was locked up in the city jail after being arrested for his part in the Birmingham campaign, a nonviolent protest conducted by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights.

King was president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and had been invited by the Alabama Christian Movement to take part in the protest.

So why did King write the letter?

Eight white Alabama clergymen -four bishops, three pastors and one rabbi -- had written a statement calling King’s efforts “unwise and untimely.” They agreed that racial segregation was a problem, but that it should be handled in the courts instead of in the streets. These religious leaders rebuked King for being an outsider causing trouble in Birmingham.

Some of the saddest words I’ve ever heard are, “I wish I’d done something sooner…”

King responded by saying that he was not an outsider because he had ties to the Alabama Christian Movement. But more importantly, “I am in Birmingham because injustice is here.” All communities and states are interrelated, he asserted, and “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. ... Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” There-

fore, “anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider.”

The church leaders also questioned the timing of the protests. They wanted King to wait and see if a new city administration would improve conditions for blacks. But King responded that for blacks in the United States, the word “wait” had almost always meant “never.” They had already been waiting 340 years for their “constitutional and God-given rights.”

Two of the eight clergy that challenged Dr. King were from the Methodist church. It is interesting to note that they were well respected and considered progressive, even liberal, on civil rights issues.

The disagreement was over timing.

Which brings me to my point: Timing is everything.

Our good bishops were wrong. Dr. King was right. In great matters of faith waiting and hoping things will get better rarely if ever works. When it is time for change then its time to make a change.

If your marriage is in trouble, get help now. Don’t wait. If your child is struggling, do something sooner not later. If the world needs to be changed, start today.

Some of the saddest words I’ve ever heard are, “I wish I’d done something sooner…”

Is your spiritual life what it needs to be? Start changing things today. Are you making worship a priority? Start today. Are your children in Sunday school, Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry and Confirmation? Don’t ‘hope’ it will happen.

Start today.

The world doesn’t change easily.

Make a difference with your life.

Start today!

- Robert

The information on Dr. King comes from a post written by Henry G. Brinton, author of The Welcoming Congregation (Westminster-John Knox), 2012, Senior Minister of Fairfax Presbyterian Church,

Fairfax, Virginia, and frequent contributor to The Washington Post, USA Today, and the Huffington

Post online.

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Missions STOP HUNGER NOW Sunday, February 22

The Fish Appeal was a huge success!! Thank you for your generosity!! Last Sunday, January 18, you gave $20,653 as a congregation to purchase the food for the Stop Hunger Now meals we will be making on Feb 22.

What an amazing response!

Please begin to pray now - for the day, for the leaders, and for all who will participate. Pray that logically and spiritually this will be a fulfilling day - a day that blesses us here with the hopes of blessing those who receive the meals.

Register. Stop Hunger Now has been addressing this global need for the last 15 years with the goal of eliminating hunger in our lifetime. Stop Hunger Now does this by partnering with churches like us who will support and prepare the meals, then delivering them to 65 countries worldwide through school feeding programs. We will again make this our mission to address global hunger as we make meals.

There are three shifts on that day: 7:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 10:45 a.m. Shifts begin in the Centrum; then everyone is positioned around the church to make the meals.

Registration began January 25. Please begin to register with your classes, small groups, families or just yourselves. Come by the Shack located in the Concourse to see, experience, and register for Stop Hunger Now on February 22.

Words from Exodus House, our partner in helping

incarcerated individuals transition back into life. Donated items are needed. Maybe we could start our spring cleaning early?

Dear Servant Friends, Our previous manager, Doyle Hines, is no longer able to work due to his liver transplant. Tony Altizer will be taking his place. He is a former graduate of Exodus House and very grounded in his recovery and spirituality. Tony is in need of various tools and things for his position as Facility Manager. We would like to ask for your help in donating any of the listed items. Contact Tony at 417-1189 and he will gladly pick them up.

- Extension Ladder - Power Tools such as: Drills; a Sawzall saw; circular saw;

jigsaw; sander; Dremmel; drill bits; levels.

- Texturing Tools: putty knives, trowels.

- Assorted Tools: Allen wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers.

Bless Our Schools: Test Monitors Needed at Hefner Middle School

Tuesday/Wednesday, February 24 & 25 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.

The primary purpose of test monitors is to observe the test sessions, although they are allowed to bring books to read. If you are able to serve one or both days, please contact Amber Neaves at neaves3@sbcglobal.net.

Also, there is always the need to furnish the apartments with the following items: microwaves; coffee pots; convertor boxes and antennas for our TVs; televisions; any furniture or household goods - towels and washcloths are always a real need for us; full or twinsize beds; entertainment centers; couches; loveseats; recliners.

Church of the Servant continues to be a blessing as a partner in this ministry. Please continue to pray for Doyle and Michelle Hines through his recovery. Thank You and God Bless You ALL! Robyn Wertz, Director 525-2300 SERVANT January 28, 2015 I Page 3

Adult NEW 6-week Bible Study: Breaking Free from Fear For Men and Women

Led by Nancy Harris

Begins Wednesday Mornings, Jan 28, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

NO HOMEWORK - EVERYTHING DONE IN CLASS

Life is filled with all sorts of fears that can assault your mind, trouble your soul, and bring untold stress. But you don’t have to remain captive to your fears. In this six-week study you will learn how to confront your circumstances with strength and courage as you live in the fear of the Lord—the fear that conquers every other fear and sets you free to live in faith. If you would like to enroll, please contact Susie Cobden at scobden@ churchoftheservant.com.

PRIME TIME

Church of the Servant - Community Hall Thursday, February 12, 10:30 a.m.

As we read our newspapers and watch TV news, we are all keenly aware of the on-going struggle between Israel and Hamas. On Thursday, February 12, our Senior Minister, Dr. Robert Gorrell, will headline our program with his timely address titled: “Israel, Now and in the Future”. This is a program you will not want to miss! Make plans now to attend!

The program will be followed by our usual time of fellowship with old and new friends as we enjoy the meal prepared for us. The menu will be Chicken Alfredo, Caesar salad, garlic bread, coffee, iced tea, and red velvet cake! You can enjoy the program and lunch for $ 10.00. If you come only for the program, the cost is $ 2.00.

Make your reservations at the Welcome Center, or call the church office at 721-4141 no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9. If you sign up, and then see you will be unable to attend, please call to cancel your reservation, as Prime Time must pay for all meals reserved.

Student High School Ministry Spring Break Mission Trip!

March 15-20, High School Ministries will serve in Shiprock, New Mexico. This trip will be a great opportunity to build relationships with other students while serving in the community. Trip is $250. We have scholarship opportunities if need!ed. Forms can be found at the Welcome Center, Student Point, or the church Website. Please contact Sang Nguyen snguyen@churchofthservant for questions.

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Adult

S.M.I.L.E.: Single Moms In our Lord’s Embrace

A community of Faith, Hope, and Support for Women Raising Children on Their Own

A Valentine’s Weekend Parent’s Night Out Friday, February 13

Children’s Ministries is offering a Valentine’s Weekend Parent’s Night Out on Friday, February 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. You don’t have to worry about childcare; we are providing that for you. You will be able to drop them off in the Children’s area and enjoy an evening out. There will be lots of activities and fun. Dinner will be provided.

The cost is $15 for one child; $25 for two children; and $30 for the family. If you have a child(ren) 10 years old or younger, you can register today by going to www.churchoftheservant.com. Click on the “Parent’s Night Out” button and fill out the registration form. The registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4. A full refund will be given back if the cancellation is made before February 2.

Coming in February for Women Book Club Begins! Starting the week of February 9 for the next 5 weeks we will be reading two books in book club. Registration, with several times offered for each book, can be found on the website. Groups of 6-8 will be organized according to availability. After registration, you will receive an email notifying you of your group time and place. Books can be purchased on Amazon.com.

The two books this session are: 1. Simplify: 10 Practices to Unclutter Your Soul by Bill Hybels 2. The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Meets each Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in North Adult room 6 New Study begins February 1 Fight Back with Joy: Celebrate More, Regret Less, and Stare Down Your Greatest Fears

by Margaret Feinberg “What if joy is better than you imagined?

The cherished virtue has been wrapped in clichés, stamped on coffee mugs, and sewn onto decorative pillows. Fight Back with Joy declares that joy is more than whimsy; it is a weapon we can use to fight life’s greatest battles.”

Fight Back with Joy will help us: • Expand your joy threshold by awakening to God’s fierce love for you • Escape fear and regret by applying biblical strategies to whatever crisis you’re facing • Overcome depression as you reignite your imagination for laughter and celebration • Discover freedom from the past by learning how to turn mourning into joy • Rise above endless demands and become more winsome, cheerful, and thankful No matter your circumstances, you can practice defiant joy. When you do, you will embrace a life that’s richer and fuller than you’ve ever known before - a life radiant with joy!

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Children Walk into the children’s area any Sunday morning and you will see many busy bodies, some very small and some very tall.

They are busy playing, talking, sharing, enjoying, and in many other ways experiencing the love of Christ through each other.

This is what we pray for and hope to enable everyone who comes here to experience.

As we strive to make this happen, we find ourselves in need of your help. We have a few young children with special needs requiring consistent, one-on-one people to be their “person”- someone who can know them and be with them to navigate through these Sunday mornings and help them to be comfortable with their surroundings.

These children desire and deserve an adult who can support them and allow them the ability to be with the other children when they are ready, but also to move out of that space when it isn’t what is best for them at that moment. They need someone to help alleviate stresses they may find overwhelming on some mornings.

You can be that person. At this time, we need one person for the 9:15 hour and two people for the 10:45 hour. This commitment from you would be enhanced by the support of our Children’s Ministries team. We will be there to help every step of the way to enable this to be a great experience for you and the child with whom you work.

This commitment of your time and love is very important. Please pray about this and contact Children’s Ministries to sign up for this amazing opportunity! Biggest Blessings!

Cathy Hersom, Director of Children’s Ministries Cindy Brackenbury, Elementary Coordinator of Children’s Ministries

SUZUKI: Using the revolutionary Suzuki approach to music education, Suzuki Strings at Church of the Servant provides violin, viola, and cello classes and private lessons to all ages and abilities! Lesson registration is available year-round, and class registration deadline is February 1. More information can be found at www.churchoftheservant.com or at registration tables in the Concourse throughout January.

Troop 177

On January 16, we left Church of the Servant for the Trappers Rendezvous, which is an annual campout that takes place in Newton, Kansas. The idea of Trappers is for scouts to bring items that they can trade with one another, like the actual trappers would trade with each other. Trappers is also a very cold campout, and on rare occasions it may even snow (but not this one).

We also took a side trip to the Strataca Salt Mine (Kansas Underground Salt Museum), where we went underground, and got to see an active salt mine. We learned about the conditions that salt miners had to endure, and some interesting facts about salt. Then we got to each take home a small piece of salt, and/or small bag of small salt crystals.

On Sunday, January 25, we held our semi annual Court of Honor. This marks the end of the term for the Senior Patrol Leader, and when his successor is sworn in. We are also recognized for all our achievements from the previous six months.

Visit www.BSAtroop177ok.org to learn more about Troop 177 or follow us on Facebook at BSA-Troop-177.

Evan Chamberlain Star Scout Troop Scribe / Bugler Page 6 I ChurchoftheServant.com

Our Life Together Our Prayers

Our Sympathy

u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker as Geoff deals with health issues.

u Ed and Cecilia Beckham and Family at the death of Ed’s mother, Audean Beckham.

u John and Genny Brewer as John deals with health issues.

u Diana Franklin and Family at the death of Diana’s husband, William Franklin.

u Robert and Linda Carson as Robert recuperates from surgery.

u Kay Moore and Family at the death of Kay’s husband, Don Moore.

u Randy and Gayle Dekker as their friend, Janet Sehi, deals with health issues.

u Larry and Linda Nowlin and Family at the death of Linda’s uncle, Chan Tysor.

u Sue Dye as Sue recuperates from injuries from a fall.

u Bruce and Sherry Robertson and Family at the death of Bruce’s father, Ben Robertson.

u Bill and Barbara Gideon as Barbara recuperates from surgery.

u John Schille and Jimi Hadley and Family at the death of John’s brother, Don Schille.

u Dennis and Sally Gilstrap as their granddaughter, Abby Cosby, deals with health issues and undergoes tests.

u Marianne Stoll and Family at the death of Marianne’s mother, Mary Jones.

u Leon, Debbie, and Sean Gold as Debbie’s brother, Alan Scott, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Sean Gold as Sean recuperates from outpatient surgery. u David, Sandra, and Sierra Gradick as David deals with health issues. u D.A. and Carol Heggie as D.A. recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Joe and Mary Ann Legako as Joe recuperates from an illness. u Fred and Sharon Knight as Sharon deals with health issues. u Jerry and Sally Liles as Sally faces outpatient surgery. u Bob and Marilyn Long as Bob recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at OK Heart Hospital. u Bill and Janie Medina as Bill recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Bone and Joint Hospital. u Don and Kathleen Patton as Don deals with health issues. u Harrell and Wilma Pickens as Harrell deals with health issues. u John Sabolich and Lia Lea Richmond as John deals with health issues. u Wayne and Sharon Wallace as Wayne deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

u Bob Williamson and Family at the death of Bob’s wife, Virginia Williamson.

Celebrating

u Jane Self at the birth of her 5th greatgrandchild, Eleanor Roby. The proud parents are Alex and Megan Roby. The proud grandparents are Allan and Leslie Todd.

Come in Earthglow and check out new Valentine’s Day gift ideas, including a unique and intriguing Sweettalk’s ‘Rubiks Cube’ puzzle.

Also remember to ‘like’ Earthglow Gift Shop’s page on Facebook. All profits go to missions.

CARE MINISTRIES

When a family is faced with an illness or crisis, it is sometimes difficult to remember to inform Care Ministries of that special situation. As a church family, all of us can help. If you know of a member who would benefit from our specialized care or our prayers through Care Ministries, call Care Ministries at 728-4738 or 312-4634.

The Walk to Emmaus

Did you know we have over 300 Servant members who have been on “The Walk to Emmaus”? We can assure you this 72-hour event is life changing. If you would like to strengthen your walk with our Risen Christ, please stop by the Walk to Emmaus information table in the Concourse on February 8, 2015. We will be there to explain what the Walk is all about and to answer any questions you may have.

Grief Support Group Began January 22

Have you suffered the loss of a loved one? If so, we invite you to a grief support group, which will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. each Thursday, January 22 through March 12. We’ll meet at Church of the Servant in South Adult room 6 (classrooms behind the Centrum). Whether it has been a long time since your loss occurred, or if your grief is new, we think you’ll find this group helpful. We will use the Grief Share curriculum, and you’ll receive a workbook at the first meeting. There will be time for discussion and sharing, and we will view a helpful video each time. Facilitators are Rev. Tim Travers and Don Ellis. To sign up, call Vicki Roberds at 728-4738 or email her at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.

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Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

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