February 24, 2016
CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER
Issue: 16.4
Temptation
The road from the Jordan to Jerusalem passes through the desert. In Israel you are always close to the desert. Travel in any direction and you will hit the desert. When Israeli soldiers go into that desert, they drink a pint of water every hour just to stay healthy. The conditions are rough. From the top of the Mount of Olives itself you look west over Jerusalem with its vines and fig trees and other signs of fertile life. But look east down to the Dead Sea, and between you and the Dead Sea there is only desert. The rain comes up from the Mediterranean, falling on the hills of Judaea, up to and including Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. From there on eastwards, it’s all dry, except for the occasional storm that sends flash floods down the rutted valleys to the Dead Sea. When you’re in Jerusalem, the desert is just over the next hill. The Gospel writers tell us the desert is where Jesus faced temptation. If you want to follow Jesus get ready for the desert. I promise you, its coming. And its full of temptation. Jesus goes into the desert “immediately” after his baptism. Mark is clearly telling his readers that their temptations are part of following Jesus. Jesus went by that same desert road we travel. He faced temptation just like us.
Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister
Mark omits the fasting of Jesus and the nature of the temptations, but he is clear that this was not a physical test but a spiritual battle. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 2:18, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” In Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” These verses describe the entire incarnation, but the focused temptation of Jesus is also in mind. The writers of scripture want us to see this as real battle. The victor is the almighty Son, but he is weak and weary like we are, yet he has resisted and has shown us how to resist (Eph 6:10). His victory over every kind of temptation is a hope to every person who prays out of their own spiritual struggle. There are so many things to tempt us in this world. But Jesus is bigger than them all. - Robert
The victor is the almighty Son, but he is weak and weary like we are, yet he has resisted and has shown us how to resist. Join Our Team!
Did you know that Earthglow is and has always been staffed by volunteers? They have worked for almost 40 years to keep the shop open 4-5 days a week and on Sunday mornings. If you would be interested in helping with this mission, please leave your name and contact information with a volunteer and we will contact you about working! Our shifts are 3 hours during the week and before and between services on Sunday. We would love to have you join us to help others! Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Mission Calendar Dates Saturday, March 5 – ChildSHARE Easter Party for Foster Families Saturday, March 12 – Hannah’s Promise 4:30-9pm Sunday, March 20 – Special Fish Appeal for Stop Hunger Now Saturday, April 9 – Rebuilding Together Day Sunday, May 1 – Stop Hunger Now
CIRCLE OF CARE Easter Party and Egg Hunt for Foster Families Cookies Donations and Volunteer Opportunities On Saturday morning, March 5, Church of the Servant will host the annual northwest OKC ChildSHARE Easter party for foster children and the families that care for them. It is a beautiful morning where these families who give of themselves to children enjoy a time of someone else caring for their family. With snacks, a cute program, and an egg hunt, these families are blessed by their time in our church. Would you be a part of making this day happen by donating cookies or coming to serve from 10-12 that morning during the event? Please contact Shirley Rolston at 850-7675 or jsrolston@cox.net.
Bless Our Schools: Hefner Middle School On Tuesday, February 9, the teachers and staff were blessed to walk into the lounge and be bombarded by the wonderful smells of soup and chili and the beautiful spread that our team prepared for them. Amber Neaves and many other helpers cooked and served a luncheon of love for the ones who serve our community and children in the local school. They were so grateful to receive the care and recognition from Church of the Servant. One teacher sent these words before she even arrived at the luncheon: “I can’t wait to eat lunch! The smells down the hall are fantastic. You are all so nice to do this for us. We really appreciate it.” Thank you to everyone who cooked, baked and served. It feels good to share Christ’s love in our community in simple and meaningful ways.
Teachers at Hefner Middle School
Missions Spring Cleaning? Remember Skyline Remember that the blue bins located in the Concourse are for Skyline. Clothes, household items and appliances are received to help individuals struggling in our city. Food is also appreciated for the pantry and can be placed in the grocery cart. Thank you!
Mobile Meals Looking for Saturday Drivers
Could you give 2 hours, one Saturday a month to deliver meals to some of our most vulnerable neighbors? It is a hidden problem in our city, but many of our seniors, our aging neighbors, are going hungry. Currently we deliver meals on Mondays and Wednesdays. A need has arisen for drivers to help deliver on Saturdays. We are hoping our members can help cover two Saturdays a month. We are part of a route in NW OKC; meals are prepared and then we deliver. This would be a great opportunity for a couple or parent/child to serve together. If you would be willing to explore this possibility please contact Cherie Dennis at 641-5418 or cheriedennis@hotmail.com.
The Hannah’s Promise open house on Saturday, February 13 welcomed new volunteers! Here’s just a small group of those who said yes to serving. Twentyseven people have expressed interest in serving this year!
The awesome team that served at Hefner MS! SERVANT February 24, 2016 I Page 3
Adult
Lenten Church-Wide Scripture Reading: Finding Hope in the Bible How is God speaking hope to you this Lenten season? As we continue through the book of Mark on Sundays, the opportunity for preparing our hearts for worship is still arriving by email each week to you. Take time and read the scripture for worship this week and hear what it is God is saying to you and as we come together with this scripture on Sunday to allow it to speak to all of us. The Bible is God’s Word for our lives. It is to guide us, shape us, move us and remind us who we are! The season of Lent is a time for renewal in our lives. Be renewed by the Word of God. Weekly eBlast for Lenten reading arrives each Sunday afternoon during Lent to your email. To view the readings, go to www.churchoftheservant.com/resources/servant-blog/. Wednesdays Lenten Reading with a Group Continue on Wednesdays through March 15, 12-1pm in Community Hall. No reservations required, just come!
Remember or honor a loved one with a beautiful Easter lily! Lilies are $15 and are on sale at the table in the Concourse beginning March 6. You may also purchase one by contacting Sarah Krivy at skrivy@churchoftheservant.com or by calling the church office.
PRIME TIME Thursday, March 10 Prime Timers - don’t blink twice, or you’ll think you’ve been whisked away to New Orleans on March 10, as we welcome back the 5th Street Jazz Collective, an outstanding jazz band comprised of UCO faculty members and alumni - trumpeter Lee Rucker, trombonist Jeff Kidwell, clarinetist and saxophonist Brian Gorrell, pianist Dennis Borycki, banjo/guitarist Danny Vaughan, bassist Michael Geib, D.M., and drummer David Hardman - all under the leadership of Brian Gorrell, current Director of Jazz Studies at UCO. Jazz actually started out at what was then Central State College as an extracurricular venture in 1960, and 10 years later it became an accredited course in Central’s Department of Music. Since then, Central has become University of Central Oklahoma and traditional New Orleans Jazz has been going strong there and throughout the OKC Metro area for all these years. As of now, this love of jazz has fostered eleven student jazz groups, all receiving numerous awards and honors for outstanding performances at events held literally around the world. So put on your happy face and come to Prime Time at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 10 in Community Hall. We’ll enjoy some wonderful music from the 5th Street Jazz Collective, be served a great meal of Shepherd pie, salad, hot bread, and dessert, and enjoy the fellowship of old and new friends. Program plus meal is $10.00; program alone is $2.00. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 7214141 no later than 4 p.m., Monday, March 7. Page 4 I ChurchotheServant.com
MARCH 20 – PALM SUNDAY PARADE OF PALMS
Holy Week
Children (3-Yrs to Fifth Grade) will be participating in the traditional Parade of Palms on Sunday, March 20 during the 9:15 and 10:45 worship services in the Celebration Center, and during the 9:23 worship service in the Centrum. All children are welcome! Invite your friends to come with you! We will re-enact the waving of the palms during Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. Children should be in the Children’s area by 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. respectively.
FAMILY EASTER CELEBRATION
A fun-filled Easter Celebration is planned for families on Sunday, March 20. Beginning at 3:00 p.m., Servant kids will be performing their Spring Musical, VIP, in the Centrum. The original musical will be directed by Paul and Brooke Gebb. The musical is the story of Jesus’ Palm Sunday journey. Other activities including egg hunts, crafts, inflatables, pottery painting, and refreshments begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Community Hall. Bring your cameras for pictures with the Easter bunny!
Egg Hunt times are: 3:45 – 4:05 p.m. for 3-Yrs and under 4:15- 4:45 p.m. for 4-Yrs to Kindergarten 4:45 – 5:00 p.m. for First to Fifth Grade Children need to be registered! Register online at churchofthservant.com/events. Church of the Servant will provide the eggs. Be sure and bring your basket. Registration deadline is March 18.
MARCH 24 – MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE 7:00 p.m. – CENTRUM
Dr. Robyn Goggs will lead us in a communion service, commemorating the Last Supper. Nursery available for ages two and under. What is Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, which means “commandment.” As recorded in John’s gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). While John’s gospel does not record the institution of the Lord’s Supper among the events of this night, the other gospels do. Christians therefore keep this night with celebrations at the Lord’s Table (Holy Communion).
MARCH 25 – GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE 7:00 p.m. – CELEBRATION CENTER
A Service of Darkness with the stripping of the Altar. Featuring the Celebration Choir, Soprano Soloist Michelle Knight, and the Worship Orchestra, performing the beautiful “Requiem” by renowned British composer John Rutter. Nursery available for ages two and under.
MARCH 27 – EASTER SERVICES 6:30 a.m. – SUNRISE AT THE RESURRECTION CEMETERY CHAPEL
Location: 7801 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City – Led by Rev. Tim Travers. This service ends at sunrise with Holy Communion.
8:15 a.m.* – CHAPEL OF THE CROSS – Liturgical service with Holy Communion, led by Rev. David Wheeler. 9:15 & 10:45 a.m.* – CELEBRATION CENTER – Classic service with choir and orchestra, led by Dr. Robert Gorrell, Senior Minister. 9:23 & 11 a.m.* – CENTRUM – Modern service with contemporary band, led by Rev. David Wheeler. *Nursery Care available for 2 and under at all services, except Sunrise service. No Youth programming or Adult Sunday morning classes on Easter Sunday. CHILDREN ON EASTER – Preschool at 9:15 a.m. ONLY. No Elementary programming. SERVANT February 24, 2016 I Page 5
Children Family Easter Celebration Sunday March 20 3 – 5 p.m. RAIN OR SHINE Bring your family and friends to the Family Easter Celebration, Sunday March 20 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. in the Centrum, The Kids Musical Projects kicks off the afternoon of fun with the presentation of their musical VIP. At 3:30 p.m., the activities continue in Community Hall, which include: egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny and other photo ops (bring your own camera), inflatables, crafts, pottery painting (small fee), and refreshments. Register at www.churchoftheservant.com/events. Find your Easter baskets, invite your friends and neighbors and join us for an awesome family event!
A Sunday afternoon full of fun and fellowship: 3:00 p.m.
Spring Children’s Musical VIP, Centrum
3:30 p.m.
Other Activities, Community Hall EGG HUNTS: will be held inside 3:45p.m. ~ 3’s and under 4:15p.m. ~ 4’s-Kindergarten 4:45p.m. ~ 1st-5th
Inflatables (weather permitting outside Community Hall) Pictures with the Easter Bunny (Please bring your own camera) Easter crafts (Community Hall) Brush Fire Ceramics (Community Hall - Small fee for pottery)
Memorizing Books of the Bible Our 4th and 5th-grade Grapple (9:15 Sunday morning) attendees are memorizing the books of the Bible! We will be working on it for a few more weeks, so don’t forget to practice! Come on Sunday mornings and tell either Mr. Dustin, Ms. Laine, Mr. Greg, or Ms. Betsy when you are ready to show what you know for a fun prize!
Refreshments (Community Hall)
REGISTRATION: All children that participate must be registered. You can register online, at www.churchoftheservant.com/events. Church of the Servant will provide the Easter eggs - be sure and bring your basket. Deadline for registration is March 18th.
The registration drop-off box will be available after February 28 at the Children’s Welcome Counter on the lower level.
SAVE THE DATE 2016 KIDZ CAMP July 15 – 17
PARENTS: When organizing your summer calendar don’t forget SERVANT KIDZ CAMP. This is such a fun time for kids and parents to spend the weekend together in God’s beautiful Red Rock Canyon near Hinton, OK. The time together is spent worshipping, hiking, building strong friendships, spending time in small group settings, playing games – the fun is constant. Campers (children entering 1st – 5th grades in the fall of 2016) will interact with each other and adult leaders, learning how to build STRONGER FRIENDSHIPS WITH GOD IN THE CENTER. Registration forms, which include additional information, can be found on the church Website at www.churchoftheservant.com/events and also at the Children’s Welcome Counter in the lower level. For additional information, contact Cathy Hersom at chersom@churchoftheservant.com or 721-4141. Page 6 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Our Life Together Our Prayers
u Donita Brown as Donita’s aunt and cousin, Sarah Reames and Darin Reames, both deal with health issues. u Kathryne Cates as Kathryne deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Doyle and Janice Eiler as Doyle recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Roger and Dorothy Erickson as Roger deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Robert and Joyce Ezell as Joyce’s daughter, Sara, deals with health issues. u Joe and Pam Lovell as Joe faces surgery at the Northwest Surgery Center. u Barbara Maillet as Barbara’s mother-inlaw, Alpha Ross recuperates from surgery in Missouri.
Celebrating Memories u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Don Cline by Steve and Lisa Lohmann. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Don Cline by Tony and Kayla Davis.
Our Sympathy
u Faye Anderson at the death of her beloved dog, Spanky. u Carole Colton, Steve and Barbara Colton, and Cory and Jenny Rutledge and Family at the death of Carole’s husband, Steve’s father, and Jenny’s grandfather, Robert Colton.
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Don Cline by Michael and Kathleen Stubenhofer. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministries in memory of Don Cline by Joe and Mary Legako. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministries in memory of Don Cline by Clarke and Misty Farmer. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Don Cline by Charles, Hollie, Chris and Shawna Mayfield. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Vertice Turner by Vince and Marilyn Robison.
u Earl and Sandy Mills as Earl deals with health issues.
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Sandy Trudgeon by Lil Cox and Virgil Grantham.
u Bob and Barbara Neil as their daughter, Kelli Brown, deals with health issues and faces surgery.
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Sandy Trudgeon by Terry and Cal Moser.
u Brian and Angela Perry as their friend, David Makinzie, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment at MD Anderson. u Sherry Robertson and Sherry’s parent’s, Oscar and Janetta Allen, both deal with health issues in Cotton Center, Texas.
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Sandy Trudgeon by Jan Bradford. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Senior Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Sandy Trudgeon by Dick and Ketty Champlin.
u John Schille and Jimi Hadley as Jimi’s cousin, Cathy Naifeh, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Lizette Stephens as Lizette deals with health issues. u Wayne and Sharon Wallace as Wayne recuperates from injuries from a fall.
Sundays in the Kitchen Full Breakfast - $6; Lunch - $9; Kid’s Plate - $3.50
u 3/6 – Hawaiian Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Vegetables, Salad, Dessert, and Tea. u 3/13 – Catfish, Hushpuppies, French Fries, Coleslaw, Peach Cobbler, and Tea. u 3/20 – BBQ Brisket Sandwiches, Baked Beans, Okra, Dessert, and Tea. u 3/27 – Ciabiatta Sandwiches, Ham or Grilled Chicken Chef Salads, Kale Salad, Chips. Desserts are a la carte.
We are picking up our crosses and following Christ! SERVANT February 24, 2016 I Page 7
Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Register your child(ren) today! Go to www.churchoftheservant.com/events