April 10, 2013
Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.7
Believe s Belong s Become
Vietnam Mission 2013
This week, I will be traveling from Oklahoma City to Vietnam, where I will join with a group of United Methodist ministers from the West Ohio Conference, as well as a group of newly-ordained ministers from the Vietnamese Methodist Church. The trip provides the opportunity to teach and preach, but more importantly, the chance to build relationships between Church of the Servant and the flourishing church in Vietnam as we look for ways that we can be in mission together in the years to come. This mission began for me several years ago as I was invited to work with the West Ohio Conference in a consulting role, teaching Church Finance and Business Administration to groups of their clergy. What I found was a conference and multiple congregations, that much like Church of the Servant, have a deep passion for Christian outreach around God’s world. The West Ohio Conference has been deeply committed to helping the Methodist movement in Vietnam find their place and their own voice in a country hungry for the gospel message. At this time the Methodist Church is small as a percentage of the total population and it is primarily organized through a series of house and small community congregations. But in each instance, vital growth is occurring as families and communities respond to God’s call. West Ohio has supported this growth through training clergy, building churches and a Methodist Ministry Center, as well as providing for the support of pastors and their families in their work. My hope is that we at Servant can find our own particular way to join in this effort. ...Continued on page 2
United Methodist
Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com
Car Seat Ministry Receives Recognition
Last week Church of the Servant hosted 250 car seat technicians for the annual Martha Collar Tech reunion conference. At the awards ceremony, our own Dr. Robyn Goggs was awarded the Metro Tech of the Year for the state of Oklahoma. She was recognized for her networking the church and its members out into the community and for her service on the Safe Kids board. Right now Church of the Servant has eleven trained technicians who can install car seats. Last year we gave away 201 car seats to families in the metro area through our scheduled events and special appointments. The ministry is looking for more volunteers as we hope to expand and find new ways to serve in the community. If you could be trained as a tech, or would volunteer on our set days to do paperwork or coordinate families as they arrive, please contact Dr. Robyn Goggs at rgoggs@churchoftheservant.com. The next car seat event here is Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to noon.
Skyline Prom Dress Event
Every Spring, Skyline Urban Ministry holds a prom dress shop for high school girls in the urban Oklahoma City area. The dresses will be distributed to young ladies who otherwise would be unable to take part in this special “rite of passage”. On behalf of Skyline, our Missions Ministry is currently collecting up-to-date, gentlyused, one-time-worn prom dresses and formal wear, especially in larger sizes. Accessories, purses, shoes, and jewelry are also needed. Dresses will start to be given away towards the end of March and through April, so the sooner we receive donated dresses, the better. Donations may be dropped off at the church in Dr. Robyn Goggs office. Please try to have donation to the church by Sunday, April 14.
Whiz Kids Ministry Receives Shooting Star Award
At the annual Seeds of Hope banquet hosted by Whiz Kids and City Care, Church of the Servant and Wesley UMC were recognized as the top Whiz Kids partnership site. This award was given for the outstanding work they have done with each other and the Edgemere Elementary School. Each week, 50 children are mentored by over 70 volunteers from these churches. We had the fastestgrowing site this year. Whiz Kids has existed in Oklahoma City for 16 years and is one of the best-organized programs for connecting schools and churches in serving children. We are so blessed to have three deeply-passionate coordinators in Carolyn Hays, Kay Morgan and Shirley Rolston, and in our liaison teacher Katie Hock, who is also a member of our church. But the many volunteers who serve as drivers, food preparers, subs, and mentors are what make this ministry what it is. What a difference each of them is making in the life of a child, and many times in the life of a whole family! Recruitment for these many necessary roles is already beginning for the fall school term. If you might be willing to make a commitment for one year at a time, please contact Carolyn Hays at chays25@cox.net.
Vietnam Mission 2013 ...Continued from Cover Page
My request of you is that you will hold Jenny and me up in prayer as I travel and that you also lift up the Church in Vietnam that it will grow into all that God hopes it might become. Pray as well for how God might be calling you personally to become involved in this mission. One of you, several of you (possibly many of you!), will have the opportunity in the days to come to travel this road. I look forward to the blessing of sharing with you stories of God’s work in Southeast Asia and the future hope of sharing these experiences side-by-side. - Rev. Randy Shrauner, Executive Minister
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Let it Be… Naked! I have your attention, right? Just put the word ‘naked’ in a headline and people are sure to read! So follow along… One of my favorite Beatles’ albums is called “Let It Be.” I love it because as it was originally planned, it was an album featuring the band playing live. It includes “Get Back” from the famous 1969 Rooftop Concert. But even the most passionate Beatles fan would have to admit it is a flawed effort. Unfortunately, the Beatles invited Phil Spector to produce. Spector did what he was famous for in the sixties. He took the Beatles’ tapes and added orchestrations, choral backing and a host of special effects. The feel of the band playing live was lost. Very sad, since the Rooftop Concert was their last live performance. Recently two Beatles - Paul and Ringo - undertook the task of restoring the original tracks. They jettisoned the orchestra, choir and special effects. They ditched a couple of added songs. And they restored one John Lennon masterpiece that had been cut from the original album. Dr. Robert Gorrell McCartney in particular was always dissatisfied with the “Wall of Sound” production style of the Phil Spector remixes, especially for his song “The Long and Winding Road”, which he believed was ruined by the process. George Harrison gave his approval for the project before he died. They titled the ‘new’ album, “Let It Be… Naked.” And we now have a definitive live recording of the Beatles at work doing what they did best…making great pop music. It is wonderful to hear John Lennon sitting in front of a microphone singing his heart out and Paul improvising harmony. And what a joy to now be able to hear George Harrison’s beautiful acoustic guitar work that was previously buried in the mix. Even Ringo sounds better! Coming out of Lent and Easter, it reminds me that I sometimes make my faith life too complicated. I bury it under excuses and rationalizations. Christianity is really simple: try to live and love as Christ did. The Hebrew word for naked rmm found in the Adam and Eve story can be translated two ways depending where one puts the vowels (Biblical Hebrew does not have vowels leading to some pretty interesting translation problems). The word can mean ‘no clothes.’ It can also mean to be ‘open and without shame or guile.’ The latter form describes a life that is totally open to God. It is to live life simply and honestly without games or deceptions. Easter is not the end of our faith story. It is only the beginning. So how will you live out your faith in the light of Easter? Maybe its time for a more naked faith - stripped down of pretense and overthinking. For me… it’s time to simply focus on Jesus. - Robert
Something New in Baptism!
Recently our pastors were discussing worship at a meeting. As a group they agreed that one of the most powerful moments in worship happens in the sacrament of baptism. The Discipline of the United Methodist Church requires baptism to be centered in the life and worship of the congregation. We will be performing the sacrament of baptism during all of our four worship services. You may select any of our four services. You may request any one of our ministers to perform the sacrament for you or your child. In unusual situations, baptism may be performed outside of worship. Examples would include someone who is home bound, someone who is in the hospital or someone on duty with the military. Baptism is a powerful celebration of the saving act of Jesus Christ. Through baptism we are initiated and incorporated into the church. Since the church is open to persons of all ages, baptism is appropriate for persons of all ages. Consider being baptized on a day you can remember like Pentecost, May 19. For children, Mother’s Day, May 12, or Father’s Day, June 16, are very special days. Contact any of our ministers for more information. SERVANT April 10, 2013 I Page 3
Special Choir Opportunity!
Would you love to sing in the choir but can’t make the every week commitment? I have an option for you! This year we are doing a wonderful Patriotic Concert and would love to have you be a part of it. The concert is set for the last Sunday in June in the evening. Rehearsals are beginning and you are invited. We will work on the concert from 7:00-7:30p.m. each Wednesday in the choir rehearsal hall. We would love to have you join us! Questions? Email Chuck at cweatherford@churchoftheservant.com.
Godspell - Coming to Church of the Servant!
Make plans now to attend the Revelation Youth Choir performance of Godspell in the Centrum on Sunday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. The concert will be preceeded by a Silent Auction. The items will be displayed all day that Sunday for you to bid on. The funds collected from the Silent Auction and Concert will help pay for transportation for this year’s Revelation tour to St Louis in June. As always, thanks for your support!
An Evening with SANDI PATTY
Time is running out! Purchase your tickets today! Tickets available this Sunday in the Concourse!
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.” Purchase tickets in the church office or online at www.churchoftheservant.com.
Browse the after-Easter sale at Earthglow. Also, the Kairos bracelets have sold out twice, but are back in stock. Your purchase of these bracelets, made by Ghanaian women from recycled glass and vinyl records, will buy mosquito nets which are sent to West Africa, where diseases caused by mosquitoes are widespread. And battery-operated candles in new sizes are now available; they can be set to glow 4 to 8 hours - a must for storm season. Remember, all profits go to missions. Page 4 I SERVANT April 10, 2013
Stand for the Silent
Kirk and Laura Smalley lost their 11-year old son, Richard Ty Field, on May 13, 2010 to suicide due to constant bullying. Since then they have been speaking out against bullying to over 690 schools and community organizations, reaching over 670,000 youths and adults, as well as meeting with president Obama and the first lady. They have been invited to speak in 23 states and 6 countries to date. Their mantra is a simple statement born from a commitment to a child lost – to stop bullying in our world today. With unequaled dedication and commitment, Kirk has tirelessly labored to inspire a world where our children can be safe and where no other parent feels the agony of a child lost to the effects of bullying. On Sunday, May 5, at 10:45 a.m. in the Centrum at Church of the Servant, Kirk Smalley will be Speaking for the Silent. While Kirk has spoken to hundreds of thousands of students, his message is equally important, if not more so, for adults to hear. Whether you are a student, a parent, or a grandparent, this is a message for everyone. In today’s world, bullying affects us all!
Shoot Sporting Clays with Friends and Family at Silverleaf Gun Range, Saturday, May 4
The shoot will begin at 9:00 and we should be finished by 11:30 or 12:00. The cost is approximately $25 if you furnish your own gun and ammunition. If you need ammunition or a gun, you can rent them for a reasonable additional cost from the gun range. You will also need eye and ear protection. This is a semi-annual event and is always a great deal of fun for all who participate. Sign up at the Welcome Center this Sunday or call the church office at 721-4141 and make your reservation. If you have questions, feel free to call Tom McGee at the church office.
Servant Foundation Golf Tournament Saturday, June 1
HAVE YOU PUT TOGETHER YOUR SCRAMBLE GOLF TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SERVANT FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 1 AT FAIRFAX GOLF COURSE? The cost is $55 per person which includes your cart, green fee, range balls, lunch and prizes. This is the 17th annual Foundation Golf Tournament and you will want to be a part of it. Your 4-man scramble team can be made up of both adults and youth. If you are interested in a Hole Sponsorship for your company or for you as an individual, you can sign up for that as well at a cost of $100. Sign-up for the tournament will begin at the church on Sunday, May 12. Or you can make your reservation by calling the church office at 721-4141. If you have questions about the tournament, feel free to call Tom McGee at the church.
PRIME TIME
WOW! Prime Time is really attracting some amazing talents! Our next program, which will start at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, is Deonna Cattledge. Deonna, a native of Michigan, is an Oklahoma City University student in Vocal Performance. She recently completed her undergraduate degree, and plans to continue her studies in pursuit of a career in professional performance. Deonna has a magical soprano voice, and will thrill us with a wonderfully eclectic program. She will entertain us with operatic pieces, sacred music, spirituals, Broadway musical tunes, and much more. This is such a special opportunity to hear a truly talented young woman blessed with an angelic voice. Be sure to sign up at the Welcome Center, or contact the church office at 721-4141. The program only is $2.00, and program and lunch is $10.00. If you sign up and cannot attend, please call to cancel your reservation as Prime Time is responsible for all meals reserved. Thank you, and hope to see you at PRIME TIME! SERVANT April 10, 2013 I Page 5
Get to Know Me...
The mission trip was an amazing experience! God moved not only through the people we met and activities we did in New Orleans, but through the kids in our youth group. It was a life-changing experience. We met the sweetest kids that showered us with joy and love. They changed my life forever by just being themselves. Leaving New Orleans, I felt they had helped me more than I had helped them. The fact that they were happy with what they had, made me so much more thankful for all the great things I have. Seeing their smiles every day made the trip worthwhile. Not only did these kids show God’s love, but our youth group was moved as well. We became so much closer as a whole. We worked without complaining every day and did whatever we needed to do to help Kenner United Methodist Church. The youth led worship and spoke every night, and God spoke through them each night. And when our bus broke down, we made the best of it. It wasn’t hard to do that because one of the most amazing couples offered us their backyard and bathrooms while we were waiting for our bus to be fixed. They were such a godly example. All in all, the mission trip was unforgettable. This quote that we found in New Orleans sums up our trip and our new way of living: “Until further notice, celebrate everything.” - Bayli Blanchard
Operation Cookie Drop
Girl Scout Troop #177 has just finished up a very successful cookie sale. The funds we raise are very important for us to run our program and help us build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. We appreciate all of you who purchased cookies from our Church of the Servant cookie booth and we hope you have enjoyed your cookies as much as we enjoy Girl Scouting. On April 27, our girls will have the opportunity to participate in the Operation Cookie Drop ceremony where the Girl Scouts will present 15,000 boxes of cookies to representatives from the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy and National Guard. These cookies will be delivered to our brave men and women serving our country overseas, as a way to thank them for their service. During Girl Scout Cookie Sales, we encouraged people to buy cookies to donate to the troops. Our Girl Scout Troop sold 180 boxes of cookies that will be donated. Many of those boxes were purchased by members of the Church of the Servant congregation and we are so grateful for your generosity. We are honored to be participating with many of our Girl Scout sisters at this very special event. Our Girl Scout Troop meets every other Sunday from 2:30-4:00 and our Middle School next meeting will be April 21. We will be meeting throughout the summer. Disciple Camp We are accepting all girls in grades K-12. For more information, contact Lori Vallejo at lori@thevallejos.com. Come join us! We’re having lots of fun! Disciple Camp is just around the corner! From May 31 through June 4, Middle School Ministries will take our upcoming 7th and 8th grade students for five extraordinary days where they can focus on their relationship High School Ministry Pancake with Jesus Christ, learn a godly lifestyle, and Breakfast Fundraiser will be on have fellowship with friends. Cost is $290 Sunday, April 21. and registrations are due April 28. You can stop by the Student Ministries office to pick Cost per ticket is $5.00. We up a packet, and contact Jenna Savage at will begin serving at 7:30 a.m. 405-728-4753 with any questions. We can’t Come Hungry! wait to spend an unforgettable week together with you! Page 6 I SERVANT April 10, 2013
Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt
It was a cold, crispy, but sunny Sunday afternoon… the church was full of “little ones”, their parents, grandparents and friends… for the annual Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt. One grandparent was quoted as saying, “We all had a wonderful time at the egg hunt. Thanks to everyone that helped make it possible! God is So, So Amazing!” A very special thanks to all those who lent a hand with the set-up, clean-up, stuffing eggs, and running the hunt. We could not have done it without you!
Deadline for Summer Ball Registration
Summer Baseball and Softball registrations are coming to a close soon. Don’t be left out! The VERY LAST day to register through Church of the Servant is Thursday, May 2. Paperwork is available at the Welcome Centers or at www.churchoftheservant.com. Don’t delay, sign up today!
Vacation Bible School “Wishing Tree”
A “Wishing Tree” is put together each year in preparation for Vacation Bible School (VBS). The “Wishing Tree” is for supplies and materials that are needed for VBS. The items are inexpensive, but because of the quantity needed, they can take a big chunk out of the VBS budget. On April 21 and April 22, there will be a table in the Concourse with the VBS “Wishing Tree”. Stop by and check out the items to be donated. If you are able to help, select a card or two from the tree, purchase the items, and return the items to the office by May 12. Thank you!
Servant KIDZ CAMP SAVE THE DATE – July 19-21
“A’camping we will go” to make new friends, hang-out with old friends, hike, make some nifty crafts, swim and, most importantly, WORSHIP our Heavenly Father. Where are we going to do this? At Servant Kidz Camp which will be held July 19-21 at Canyon Camp near Hinton, OK. Servant children, grades 1st – 5th in the fall of 2013, are invited to participate in this camp, which was created especially for them. Information brochures which include a registration form are available at the Welcome Counters and at www.churchoftheservant.com.
NEEDED: Preschool Coordinator and Nursery Coordinator
Church of the Servant is seeking two qualified individuals to fill part-time positions in Children’s Ministry and in our Nursery. For more details, please contact our Director of Children’s Ministries, Cathy Hersom, at 721-4141 or via email at chersom@churchoftheservant.com. SERVANT April 10, 2013 I Page 7
u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker as Geoff deals with health issues and undergoes tests; and Susan’s brother-in-law, John Burns, recuperates from surgery and faces another surgery in Colorado. u Carl and Patsy Brock as Carl deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center; and as their brother-in-law, Ellis Brown, deals with health issues. u Joe and Helen Dekker as Helen deals with health issues and undergoes tests.
u Max and Paula Hire and Family at the death of Paula’s mother, Myra Wilkinson. u Darlene Smithhart and Family at the death of her sister, Mary Ann Long.
u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Bob & Jo Gentry.
u Steven, Angela, and Angelica Strozier and Family at the death of their brother-in-law, Joe Buckingham.
u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Margaret Milewski. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by John and Donna Armstrong.
u Barry and Charlotte Hough as Charlotte’s mother, Bessie Pendley, deals with health issues. u Denene Harper as she deals with health issues and undergoes tests; and Denene’s mother, Eileen Neufeld, as she deals with health issues. u Bruce and Marie Jackson as Marie deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Deaconess Hospital. u Mary Jones as she deals with health issues and is a resident at Epworth Villa. u Mary McHard as her daughter, Janet McHard, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery in New Mexico. u David and Kim Myers as their daughter, Patricia, deals with health issues. u Sally Noakes as her father, Bill Noakes, deals with health issues and is a resident at Tuscany Village Nursing Center. u Ford and Sherri Price as their nephew, David Price, deals with health issues. u Randy and Lainey Robinson as Randy’s sister, Sue McNeil, recuperates from a bike accident in California. u Bill and Mary White as Bill deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u George Yarbrough and Hughlene BrittainYarbrough as George deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Select Specialty Hospital.
u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Pat Norton.
u Lola Burgtorf and Chaille Burgtorf at the birth of their great-grandson and great-nephew, Cashe Emerson McBrayer. The proud parents and brothers are Bill, Cameron, Coleman, and Creede McBrayer.
u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Vince & Marilyn Robison. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Robert & Marca Floyd. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Mickey Gross by Arthur Hays, Jr.
Forgiveness: A Time to Love and a Time to Hate, Part II Sunday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. in the Centrum
For those who saw and appreciated the first half of this documentary last October, you will remember the personal stories it covered – the Amish community whose children were shot in 2006 in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania and the savage and senseless attack on two young female campers Now in Act Two we continue with another personal story of a wife and mother who abandons her family; then examine forgiveness and its close cousins, reconciliation and apology as they have an ever growing political dimension – migrating into the lives of nations. Act Two explores stories from around the world, including: modern Germany’s penitential journey; Rwanda’s genocide and attempts to reconcile; South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation commission; Australia’s recent and remarkably effective apology to the Aborigines; and Turkey’s failure to acknowledge and apologize to the Armenians. Are these corporate acts of brutality on the part of some and apathy on the part of others worthy candidates for our forgiveness? This documentary treats forgiveness as the complex phenomenon it is, and gives voice to the stories of nations and individuals who suffered and struggled to forgive. If you are looking for a simple feel good, surface look at forgiving, this isn’t it. If you want a thought-provoking and challenging chance to grow, then plan to join us as we watch these moving and much-needed chronicles of reconciliation. We can look forward to a rousing discussion, led by Dr. Curtis Nigh, after the film. There is no charge. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office.