March 13, 2013
Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.5
Believe s Belong s Become
Holy Week Prayer Vigil Begins Monday, March 25
What a blessing it will be to have every moment of Holy Week covered in prayer! The slots for 15-minute commitments are filling up, but here are still slots available if you have not signed up. On Sunday Mornings there will be a large board outside the Celebration Center where you can commit yourself to this time of prayer, as part of your Lenten discipline preparing for Easter. During Holy Week, you are welcome to come pray in the church or you can pray at home. Like last year, there will be prayer lists and meditations for prayer in the Columbarium as a guide.
United Methodist
Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com
Stop Hunger Now...What a Day It Was!
You did it! We did it! Last Sunday we came, we worshipped, we wore hats and hairnets and we made meals! And now we give God thanks and we celebrate! As a congregation, we surpassed both of the goals we set for ourselves. We had hoped to raise $37,500 to make 151,000 meals; but we ended up raising over $45,000 and making 158,100 meals with the teamwork of over 1300 people! The meals we made will be traveling to Belize where they will be systematically distributed in school feeding programs. To date, Church of the Servant has made 552,100 meals to be taken to children in feeding programs around the world. On the day of the experience, project director Matt Casteel of Jackson Mississippi presented us with “The Gong Award” which is given to groups who have made over 100,000 meals and have made a significant contribution to the mission of Stop Hunger Now! Thank you Church of the Servant for your commitment to Christ and his work here on earth. As the supplies are packed away and we already begin to think about next year, don’t forget to continue to share and celebrate the great miracle that God did using us – ordinary people as part of an extraordinary mission - in Stop Hunger Now!
Rebuilding Together Mission Day Saturday, April 13
Registration Begins this Sunday
On Saturday, April 13, the Mission Council will sponsor a longstanding church tradition of partnering with Rebuilding Together, a national organization striving to keep elderly people in their homes by repairing and updating for their changing needs. Again this year, we have adopted two homes here in the OKC metro area. To complete these projects, we need 100 people who are willing to make a 4-hour commitment to work that day. We will also form a group that can prepare lunch and snacks for our workers. Workers on these sites must be at least 18 years old. This is a great opportunity for a Sunday School Class or Small Group to have a mission experience together. There is a morning shift and afternoon shift. Come by for more info and register at the Mission Kiosk beginning March 17. If you have questions about the projects or about being involved, please contact Clay Cockrill at Clay.Cockrill@boldt.com. Page 2 I SERVANT March 13, 2013
What Easter Means to Christians… Easter is more than a holiday. It is more than bunnies and egg hunts. Easter is the celebration of the most important event in a Christian’s life (and I would argue, the most important event in the history of the world). In I Am the Resurrection and the Life, Ronald J. Lavin tells this very powerful story:
A mother living in a tenement house went shopping for groceries. While she was in the store, a fire engine raced by. She wondered, “Is the fire engine going to my home?” She had left her baby asleep at home. Forgetting about the groceries, she ran toward home. Her building had fire hoses aimed at it. It was burning like a matchbox. Rushing to the chief, she cried out, “My baby is up there.” He shouted back to her, “It would be suicide for anyone to go up there now; it’s too late.” A young fireman standing by volunteered, “Chief, I have a little baby at home, and if my house were on fire, I’d want someone to go up to save my baby. I’ll go.” The young fireman climbed the stairs; he got the baby, Dr. Robert Gorrell threw her into the rescue net, and just as he did, the house collapsed and he was burned to death. The scene is 20 years later at a graveside. A 20-year-old woman is sobbing softly. Before her, at the head of this grave, is the statue of a fireman. A man stopping by asks respectfully, “Was that your father?” She replies, “No.” “Was that your brother?” “No,” she says. “That’s the man who died for me.”
Jesus, the Son of God is real. He was nailed to a cross. He endured the pain. He suffered. He died. And he did it all for you… What will you do for the man who died for you? How will you honor him? How will you give thanks? Be in every Holy Week service. Don’t miss one. Take the time to give thanks for all he has done for you, Follower of Christ. - Robert
Our Exodus House Apartment Is Being Refurnished
Our latest resident has graduated the program and will begin a new life with the things in her apartment that were given to her from members of Church of the Servant. We celebrate her success in starting life again, going in the right direction after a time in prison. The Servant apartment will be welcoming a new resident with high hopes for great success too. The team that prepares the apartment has gathered most items, but does have some specific needs: a sofa, a living room side chair and a chest of drawers.If you have these items in good condition and are willing to donate them to an excellent ministry, please contact Dale and June Krumme at 749-0509.
Skyline Food Pantry on 8th Street Needs Some Volunteer Help
Skyline needs a few volunteers to be a receptionist to give callers information on the food pantry. Volunteers are needed: Mondays, noon-3pm; Wednesday and Friday, 9am to noon. A volunteer is also needed to be a substitute in the pantry on weekdays 12:30-2pm If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Brandy Conrad, Pantry Director, at 236-5212.
Remember Skyline in Your Grocery Shopping
Skyline Urban Ministries, on an average day, provides food to 72 people in Oklahoma City. The need for groceries - especially protein staple food - is always present. When you are shopping this week consider purchasing something extra to put in the grocery basket on Sunday. Needed right now: Peanut Butter, Tuna, Canned Meat, Powdered Milk. SERVANT March 13, 2013 I Page 3
PRIME TIME Special Invitation to the Whole Congregation! Celebration Center Thursday, March 14, 2013, 10:30 a.m.
PRIME TIME is honored to present, for the enjoyment of the entire congregation, Sergio Monteiro, currently head of OCU Bass School of Music. Also a world-renowned concert pianist, he has played in Italy, Berlin, Rome, Finland, the Kremlin, Helsinki, as well as the Kennedy Center and Steinway Halls in New York City and Dallas. Dr. Monteiro will perform on our Steinway in the Celebration Center. He began his musical studies at the age of 4, then received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the National Music School of Rio de Janeiro, winning several piano competitions, and was recently invited to join the prestigious Steinway Artist’s Roster. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts on a scholarship to the Eastman School of Music in the U.S. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss! After the program, Prime Timers can move to Community Hall for a great lunch of B-B-Q sandwiches, tater tots, coleslaw and cherry cobbler, all for just $10. But if you’re staying for lunch, don’t forget to sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141.
REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES WITH AN EASTER LILY !
Beautiful Easter lilies will be on sale at the table across from the Welcome Center on March 10, 17, and 24. They will grace the Celebration Center on Easter Sunday. For more information, please contact Sarah Krivy at skrivy@churchoftheservant.com or at 721-4141.
Winter News from Women’s Ministries Minister
The Lenten Season has been so meaningful for Women’s Ministries as our luncheons have been led by a group of amazing women who have brought their hearts and voices of faith to share. A huge thank you to Sherri Price, Julane Borth, Sara Kyte, and Karla O’Hara,for preparing and leading us in thought-provoking dialogue and as they have inspired us with their own thoughts and experiences. I appreciate the gifts of their individual lives and the different flare that each of them has brought to our Lenten series. I am so grateful to the women’s leadership team: Judie Ellis, Cindy Long, Patricia Hocker, Ashlee Adams, Bea Penhall, Sandy Mills, LouAnn Morris, Vicki Gilstrap, Joyce McDaniel and Mary Jessup who have continued to prepare and lead Women’s Ministries in my absence this winter. Thank you for all the joy you have all shared with me in the birth of our daughter, Julia Grace, and the support you have offered with meals, gifts, cards, prayers and calls during this time of being away. I am excited to be back into my work and service on March 25. I look forward to all that will be happening for women this spring and summer. Our spring Bible studies will finish up at the end of April and culminate in the Sandi Patty Concert on Tuesday, May 7. Don’t forget to purchase a ticket and invite a friend to come to this intimate worshipful evening with Sandi. Summer holds new Bible studies and a series of special days called “God’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Watch in April as the details unfold here in the newsletter. Thank you again for being such a wonderful, loving church to serve. - Robyn Page 4 I SERVANT March 13, 2013
Easter Sunday!
On Easter Sunday, March 31… •
Preschool will meet at 9:15 in the preschool area for KOW.
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Nursery will be open for all services (except Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery).
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There will be NO elementary KOW, Sunday school classes or Grapple on Easter.
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We are encouraging families to worship together with their church family.
Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt
Join us on Sunday afternoon, March 24 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. for the annual Church of the Servant Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt. The activities include an Easter egg hunt, crafts that symbolize our Christian heritage, cookies, punch and coffee for all, the Easter Bunny (bring your own camera for that memorable photo), and the opportunity to paint pottery (there is a small fee for the pottery painting). If the weather cooperates, the egg hunt will be held on the playground; if the weather is inclement, the hunt will be held inside the church. Hunt times are: 3:15: 2s and under 3:35: 3s – Kindergarten 4:00: 1st – 3rd 4:20: 4th and 5th
This event has become a tradition for COS families, their friends and neighborhood children. In order to make sure that we have adequate refreshments and craft supplies, we ask each family to register. Registration forms, which include the pertinent information, are at Welcome Counters and on the church website. Please invite all your friends and neighbors to attend with you!
Palm Sunday!
Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. During the morning worship and classes on Palm Sunday, March 24, our children will share this story with leaders and friends and study the biblical history of this day. Also on Palm Sunday during the 9:15 and 10:45 services in Celebration Center, the children will participate in a re-enactment of this journey. Children should be in the children’s area by 9:00 and 10:30 respectively so they can travel with their friends and leaders upstairs to the Celebration Center.
Soccer Players Say Thanks!
Our soccer players are on the move! Thanks so much to our WONDERFUL Church of the Servant Coaches: Matt Judkins, Eldon Burns, Brad Mitchell, Dustin Baker, Laine Baker, Tyler Hensley, Joe McFarlane, and P.J. Gaske. These people are giving their time and talents to guide these players to their goal! Check with them for game days and times!
Kids for UMCOR
Our kids are in mission! The Elementary classes (1st through 5th grades) are collecting items for UMCOR health kits. This began in early February, and will continue through the end of March. All information can be found on our website at www.churchoftheservant.com under Children’s Ministry: Sunday Morning. CHECK IT OUT!
WARM WORLD ENROLLMENT
Warm World School (3 years – Kindergarten) and Starbright Children’s Day Out (6 mo. – 2 years) are enrolling for school year 20132014. An exclusive enrollment period for Church of the Servant members only will be March 11 – 15, prior to making enrollment available to the general public. Don’t forget to take advantage of this exclusive opportunity by calling to get on the wait list! To learn more about these outstanding programs, visit the Websites (www.warmworld.com, www.starbrightokc.org) or call 721-4141.
SERVANT March 13, 2013 I Page 5
Confirmation Transformations
As you know, we are weeks deep into Confirmation. As the Middle School Coordinator, I have had the privilege of not only watching fifty 7th and 8th graders go through this amazing process, but also of working with an amazing group of Adult and High School leaders. For all of you that missed hearing one of our High School Leaders, Magen Eissenstat, speak in service a few weeks back, here are her words on the experience: What do you think of when you think of middle schoolers? Most of us probably think of things like trying out makeup, suddenly growing six inches taller, or learning to handle several classes at a time. On the other hand, some of us, whether because of our own middle school experiences or the experiences of our children or grandchildren, remember that middle schoolers also have the capacity to be unwelcoming, obsessed with image, or sometimes even cruel. Perhaps this is true of some middle schoolers today. However, it is not true of the fifty seventh and eighth graders we are blessed to have going through Confirmation this year at Church of the Servant. Instead, I’ve been blessed to watch the Holy Spirit transform this group into something so much more. On the Confirmation retreat, I watched the Spirit lead middle school girls to stay on topic for the entirety of small group sessions. I watched one girl who was led to be very honest about the fact that she was still in the decision-making process when it came to Jesus. I watched her ask very thoughtful and difficult questions about the God we love and serve. So I was overjoyed, but not entirely surprised, when I found out Sunday morning that she had given her life to Christ the previous evening. This is the power of the Spirit among us. Saturday night, I saw six or seven middle school girls led by the Spirit, huddled under blankets in the freezing cold, making teary-eyed confessions to one another, apologizing for judging or gossiping about each other, and confirming sightings of God’s work in each others’ lives. I’ve listened to a seventh grader tell me about what a blessing her grandfather is in her life. These are not the kind of things we usually think of when we think of middle schoolers, but perhaps that is due to our own shortsightedness or lack of faith. These are beautiful and holy children of God. Middle school is a difficult time for everyone, but God is transforming it into something so much better--a time when we can hold onto the Gospel to get us through rough waters, a time when we can learn what it means to love one another, a time when we learn how to be God’s people when a sinful world clamors for our attention. I praise God for the work he is doing in these kids’ lives--it is not something I could ever do. I believe he can use these transformed hearts to in turn transform their schools, sports teams and communities. If you still don’t believe me, I encourage you to talk to any of the other high school and adult leaders--we all have stories to tell. Or maybe even talk to the middle schoolers themselves, and hear firsthand how God is transforming them, and in turn, all of us. Warmest regards, Magen Eissenstat Thank you, Church of the Servant, for all for your support and prayers as we go through this beautiful, unforgettable experience. Blessings, Jenna Savage Page 6 I SERVANT March 13, 2013
Get to Know Me
Why do I love student ministries? For me the best thing about student ministries at Servant is the constant feeling of belonging somewhere. The people in the ministry are extremely friendly and there is always someone to hang out with, no matter how old you are. Student ministries have inspired me to change the way I live my life and grow closer to Christ. The first time I entered student ministries, I felt like I didn’t belong here, but I was wrong. Since I first attended youth groups, I have been happier and more relaxed knowing that whatever happens in my life, Christ will always be there. I have to thank Sang Nguyen for inspiring me to follow Christ. - Lucas Shelley
MISSION New Orleans
We are leaving for our Spring Break mission opportunity over the week of March 17-22. We are extremely excited to see how God is moving in New Orleans and how He will use this experience to transform our hearts. Please keep our team in your prayers!
The “S” in Scouting is for Service!
That’s right! The “S” in Scouting stands for Service. The Scout Oath reads: •
On my honor, I will do my best
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To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
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To help other people at all times;
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To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
This sets three basic duties for everyone involved with scouting. First there is a duty to God and country. Second there is a duty to others; and third there is a duty to self. At Church of the Servant we are blessed to have three very dynamic scouting programs teaching boys and girls of all ages how to responsibly carry out these duties. We generally start in reverse order, learning first how to take care of ourselves even when confronted with difficult situations. We believe a young man or young woman who does not know how to take care of himself/herself is hardly in a position to serve others or to perform his/her duties to God and country. Then we learn how to serve our community and care for others. Finally, it is only in the process of helping and serving others, both in our community and around the world, that we develop the capability and understanding to properly serve God and our country. This is the Scout way. That’s why we were so excited to join forces with the rest of the Church of the Servant family to again participate in the “Stop Hunger Now” campaign on Sunday, March 3. This campaign provides a perfect example of how a small individual service effort can compound into a major force to address a global problem. We want to thank Church of the Servant and the “Stop Hunger Now” organization for giving us this opportunity to be of service. We also want to invite all of you to stay tuned to our other yearly hunger-fighting campaign, “Scouting for Food”, coming up in November before Thanksgiving. For more information about the Scout programs at Church of the Servant please visit our web sites: •
Boy Scout Troop 177: www.BSAtroop177ok.org
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Girl Scout Troop 177: www.GStroop177ok.org
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Cub Scout Pack 177: www.BSApack177ok.org
Michael Vallejo, age 14 Life Scout, Scribe, Bugler and Troop Guide BSA Troop 177
EARTHGLOW
Just arrived at Earthglow...unusual Kairos bracelets made by Ghanaian women out of recycled glass and vinyl records. Each bracelet sold will buy a mosquito net which will be sent to West Africa to help fight widespread diseases caused there by mosquitoes. Bracelets have a Kairos charm and a cross. All profits go to missions. SERVANT March 13, 2013 I Page 7
u Donna Armstrong as her sister, Shirley Muller, deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Alan Bahan as he recuperates from surgery. u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky as Darlene’s brother, Doug Appleman, recuperates from surgery in Texas; and her friends, Lowell McGougan and Inez McDowell, are both dealing with health issues. u Carl and Patsy Brock as they both deal with health issues.
Our Prayers continued... u Nancy “Robbie” Robertson as she deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Steven, Angela, and Angelica Strozier as Angela deals with health issues; and her brother-in-law, Joe Buckingham, deals with health issues. u Bill and Mary White as Mary’s uncle, Delbert Fuhrmann, recuperates from an illness. u Lloyd and Zoe Williams as Lloyd is hospitalized at the South OK Heart Hospital.
u Grant, Leslie, Cooper, and Caroline Flurry as Leslie’s father, David Phillips, recuperates from surgery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. u PJ, Betsy, Coulter, and Landon Gaske as PJ’s father, Paul Gaske, is hospitalized in San Diego. u Jeannice Gay as she deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Phil and Cathie Harris as Phil recuperates from surgery. u Max and Paula Hire as Paula’s mother, Myra Wilkinson, recuperates from surgery and is a resident at Parc Way Nursing Home. u Steven and Angie James as Steven’s mother, Carolyn Parks, deals with health issues. u Walt and Barbara Kendall as Walt recuperates from outpatient surgery. u John and Denise Leonard as their sonin-law, Russ Andrews, is deployed overseas. u Storm Leslie and T.J. Lusk as T.J. deals with health issues and recuperates from an illness. u Bob and Debbie Marshall and Jordan, Erin, and Addison Page, as Bob’s mother and Erin’s grandmother, Ada Mae Marshall, is hospitalized in Houston, Texas. u Bill and Janie Medina as Bill recuperates from surgery. u Sally Noakes as her father, Bill Noakes, deals with health issues. u Geren and Linda Roberts as Geren recuperates from surgery. u Jim and Kathryn Roberts as Jim’s mother, Wanda “Fern” Roberts, deals with health issues.
u Rob and Cindy Brackenbury and Family at the death of Cindy’s brother, Wayne Nelson. u Jim and Carolyn Clark and Family at the death of Carolyn’s brother, Larry Miller. u Family and friends at the death of Frances Durrett. u Mike and Suzanne Labadie and Scott and Stephanie Snider and Family at the death of Suzanne’s and Stephanie’s mother, Kay Crofutt. u Pat Lauffenburger and Family at the death of Pat’s husband, Ray Lauffenburger. u Marilyn Peetoom and Family at the death of her husband, Richard Vance Peetoom. u Roy and Trina Ramirez and Family at the death of Roy’s father, Roy Ramirez, Sr.
u Rick and Shirley Jackson at the birth of their grandson, Grady Cole Jackson. The proud parents and big brother are Stuart, Whitney, and Jase Jackson. The proud uncle, aunt, and cousins are Jason, Jama, Reagan, and Avery Baskin.
u Family and friends at the death of Marie Ryan. u Jerry Liles and Sally Carter- Liles and Family at the death of Sally’s father, M.D. “Dutch” Dennis. u Bob Tehan and Linda Quinlivan and Family at the death of Bob’s sister and brother-in-law, Cathy and David Rackley.