Newsletter 04.22.15

April 22, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.7

REGISTRATION BEGINS MAY 10th!

WWW.CHURCHOFTHESERVANT.COM

God’s Purpose

and the

Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister

Oklahoma City Bombing

I have two mementos in my office from my time serving during the Oklahoma City bombing. The first is an actual piece of the Murray building. I saw a lot of similar pieces as I worked in the triage unit those hours and days after the bombing. It represents the brokenness of the day.

The other is a picture of the fractured building. It was presented to my wife by the staff of the New York Times for the work she did with the press during that awful time.

It represents the vulnerability we all experienced in that event.

But what is most important to me is the experience of meeting and witnessing people who faced that tragic day with courage and faith.

Susan Walton was one of those people. She was in the Credit Union when the bomb went off. It would take five years from that day for her to be able to walk again.

Susan was among the victims buried alive…

She was so badly injured that when she was dug out, even people that knew her didn’t recognize her. Susan couldn’t even speak to identify herself.

Fortunately, she found an incredible way to help doctors notify her family when she couldn’t talk and her face was unrecognizable.

Susan knows sign language, and was able to sign her name for the doctors who then let her family know she survived.

She had a basal skull fracture, damage behind both eyes, a broken nose, and six fractures against each jaw line, a ruptured spleen, both legs were severely broken from the knees down. The triage doctor never expected Susan to live.

But she did. She didn’t just survive - she thrived. Today she helps people who are struggling to re-enter the workforce.

I saw an interview with KFOR in which Susan says she lives each day with a goal:

But what is most important to me is the experience of meeting and witnessing people who faced that tragic day with courage and faith.

“To be a good Christian woman, a good wife, a good grandmother, and then give back to the world as much as I can,” she said. “I’m not through yet.”i Isn’t that amazing! It is possible to overcome the worst kind of tragedy. It takes a laser focus on being the person Christ is calling you to be.

God did not cause the bombing. A terrible group of people did that on their own: people who didn’t have a clue about God’s purpose for their lives. Lose that purpose and you lose everything.

I was asked to speak at the dedication of the new Federal Credit Union in 1995.

We planted trees around the new building for those who died in the credit union.

Those trees are grown now. They are strong and alive. They are fulfilling their God-given purpose.

How about you? Are you focused on God’s purpose for your life? It changes everything.

- Robert i

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Posted 8:27 am, April 15, 2015, by Dallas Franklin and KFOR TV and Linda Cavanaugh.

Missions

School Supplies for CHILDSHARE

Throughout the summer, school supplies go on sale. Why not pick up a few extras to help the foster children connected with CHILDSHARE? Drop your supplies at the Mission Kiosk on Sundays or bring them to the Missions office during the week.

Second Annual Night Out At the Philharmonic Saturday, April 25

Upcoming Dates for Mission: Sat, April 25 - Car Seat Fitting @ IFC

Sat, April 25 - Night Out at the Philharmonic

Tues, May 26 - Hefner Teacher Appreciation Luncheon May Mission Focus: VIM Cleaning Buckets Important Dates to Save on your Calendar:

June 22-25 - Reading Week w/ Project Transformation

Sun, Sept 20 - 6th Annual Fit to Serve Fun Walk and 5K Sun, Nov 8 - Operation Christmas Boxes

Would you be willing to serve as a host to the Philharmonic? Would you or someone you know like to attend?

This is the second year that members of our congregation have participated in this special night to show our love and care for older members of our community that might not otherwise be able to get out at night and enjoy a group event like this. The production that evening is called, “A Night at the Cotton Club.” Each volunteer will be matched with a guest. The commitment involves picking up your guest around 7 p.m. on April 25, escorting your guest to the Civic Center then taking them home afterward. There is no cost for the evening. Last year we had 40 volunteers and recipients participate. Please sign up over the next few weeks at the Mission Kiosk or contact Susie Cobden at 728-4711.

Adult

Television Ministries

We are looking for volunteers to help with setup, tear down, sound checks, and run the soundboard on Sunday mornings. Schedule is as follows: 7:30-9:00am - Setup and soundcheck 9:00-10:30am - Run sound for 9:15 service 10:30-11:50am - Run sound for 10:45 service 11:50am-12:15pm - Tear down equipment If you or anyone you know might be interested in helping with any or all of the above, please contact Heather DeShazo at hdeshazo@churchoftheservant.com.

PRIME TIME Thursday, May 14, 10:30 a.m.

Our entertainment this month is BINGO in Community Hall. Each bingo participant should bring a bingo prize to the meeting (wrapped or bagged) for around $10. Prizes should be brought to Community Hall no later than 10:15 a.m. that Thursday.

Following the program we’ll picnic with old and new friends and enjoy BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls/bread, cobbler, and beverages. You can enjoy Bingo plus lunch for $10.00, or if you come only for Bingo, the cost is $2.00.

Sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141, no later than 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, to make your reservation. If you sign up, then see that you cannot attend, please call to cancel your reservation, as Prime Time must pay for all meals reserved.

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Women Summer Bible Study Spending Time in the Upper Room Introduction begins May 13

Would you like to connect to the Word and a great group of women this summer? Then come on Wednesday mornings to study and share the Scripture devotions from the Upper Room Publication. This small treasured book can be purchased in Earthglow. Each week, under the leadership of Debbi Marshall and Patricia Hocker, the group will share scripture as it intersects with everyday life.

Prayer and a time of reflection are also included. The class will run Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:30, May 13 - July 29. Each week is a stand-alone study, so in the midst of vacations and summer commitments, one can drop in and still receive a sacred moment of connection with Christ. To enroll, contact Susie Cobden at scobden@churchoftheservant.com or 728-4711.

you are

WOMEN OF FAITH Share the Love: The Farewell Tour July 24-25

free

SARAH JAKES

MARILYN MEBERG

MARY GRAHAM

SANDI PATTY

JEN HATMAKER

KORIE LUCI ROBERTSON SWINDOLL

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK JULY 24-25, 2015

CONTACT NAME:

THELMA WELLS

Susie Cobden

CONTACT INFO: scobden@churchoftheservant.com AMOUNT:

$85

FRIDAY 7-10pm | SATURDAY 9am-5pm COX CONVENTION CENTER ARENA

WOMENOFFAITH.COM

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Do you enjoy party and event planning? Would you like to use that gift to make a difference in the life of another? Kindred Community, our ministry for widows, is looking to form a team to host quarterly dinners to bring widows together in our community. Contact Sherri Price at sherriprice@cox.net; 405-202-6954.

Get Connected with Women’s Ministry information and stories on our blog: cos-women.com

youyou are seen are known PATSY CLAIRMONT

Kindred Community Opportunity

(1.888.493.2484)

After 20 great years of Women of Faith, this is the last year of this wonderful weekend format for women all over the country to come together to celebrate their love for Christ and to discern God’s direction for us. Through worship, great speakers, and amazing fellowship, this will be a life-changing weekend. To see the details of speakers and events check out www.womenoffaith.com.

Right now, Women’s Ministry has secured 40 seats at the amazing price of $85. Tickets online are $110. These are a first come, first serve, basis until they are gone. To reserve your seat contact Susie Cobden at scobden@ churchoftheservant.com.

Music

SUMMER SINGERS New in July

This summer, we are trying something brand new - a new program for worship music in the 9:15 and 10:45 services! We are introducing Summer Singers! Each Sunday throughout July we are inviting people that would love to sing in the choir but can’t make the weekly commitment during the school year to sing! We will meet each Sunday 30 minutes before the 9:15 service and quickly work up an anthem for that day! The fun part is you can bring your family members as well. Elementary and up are welcome! Our first meeting will be July 5. I know you will pray about this and make this a new fun tradition here at Servant! We will remind you through your Sunday school classes and in worship.

Student Say HI to Caitie!

Hello! For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Caitie Gassner, and I am one of the Middle School interns. I have been at Church of the Servant working with the middle school youth since October, and have had the privilege of watching these young people grow in their faith.

Over the last few months, we have been doing Confirmation with 30 of these young people. I was blessed to get to spend the last few months being in fellowship with them and sitting in on some of the classes. Each week, they looked at a different topic, whether it was Grace, Prayer, or just the church in general, they actively participated in conversation and asked all the right questions. I think one of the things that really bonded these youth together was when we had the retreat. Not only did they have an opportunity to explore more topics, but they also got a chance to really hang out with each other. The best thing about confirmation is that through the entire journey, they never had to do anything on their own and they came away with a group of adults and people their own age to talk to when they are lost or confused about something in their faith walk.

I don’t know what it is the God has in store for all of these young people, but I honestly can’t wait to watch them continue to grow into the persons that they are meant to be, and I am grateful to get to be a part of it! - Caitie Gassner

SERVANT April 22, 2015 I Page 5

Children Caring for God’s Kids at Church of the Servant SunBeams and Hannah’s Promise Ministries

Having individuals available to share their love of Jesus with our children with special needs is an amazing gift to the child, the parents, to HIM and to the volunteer. Unfortunately, like many other wonderful opportunities, people hold back for many reasons – but as we chip away at our “needs list” God always provides – sometimes not in our time frame, but in a time frame that He knows is best. We have 3 full-time children with special needs that we care for on Sundays. If we do not have someone to share the morning with these kids, the families often miss church. And, Hannah’s Promise ministry always has a waiting list of children, for lack of enough volunteers. The following is a unsolicited note received from one of our special needs disciples and we felt SO worthy of sharing with our congregation: After serving (and loving every minute of it) for 17 years in Children’s Ministries, I “took some time off” in May of last year, not sure where God had planned to use me next. Sean & I really enjoyed worshipping in the 923 service and David Wheeler challenges me weekly to live out my Faith in a Jesus-streaming way. Yet, there was a “pull” on my heart to return to my Home in Children’s Ministries. January came and the ministries of our Church brochure was filled with opportunities, but my eyes only had to read ONE and I heard the Spirit whisper my new ministry-Hannah’s Promise & SunBeams, two ministries that serve Families of Kids with Special Needs. That was it for me; God spoke, now I need to respond. I have no “training” in special education, but I do LOVE every kid that comes my way, so I couldn’t wait to see what amazing person(s) God would pair me with in these ministries. Joey Hatley, a kid full of energy, smiles, and hugs brings me joy every time I walk down those stairs to serve. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I have the energy and patience to truly enjoy this new experience. If someone is considering a new place to serve, the SunBeams & Hannah’s Promise Ministries are in need and would love some new Volunteers! - Kimberli Brownlee Contact Cathy Hersom, Director of Children’s Ministries, for information regarding SunBeams ministries (Sunday mornings) and/or Lola Burgtorf, Coordinator of Hannah’s Promise (monthly respite ministry for children with special needs and their siblings), at 721-4141.

WOW CLOSING

What a great time we had at WOW Closing!

Bouncy houses, pizza, lots of time to talk to friends and reconnect! To top it off, the Children’s Choir gave a great performance that blessed us all.

We thank you for sharing your children with us in WOW, and thank you even more if you are one of our WOW group leaders! Continuing to build our lives around the teachings of the Bible is so much fun with all of you!

We will start again in the fall, so keep your eyes open for the registration forms!

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Our Prayers

Our Life Together

u Mark Biggs and Ann Murphy as Ann recuperates from surgery.

Our Prayers Continued...

u Jeff, Lisa, and Mark Wedel as Lisa undergoes treatment.

u Tracy Bonebrake as her daughter and son-in-law, Adam and Melinda Crider, are asking for prayers.

u Bill and Nancy Whitten as Nancy deals with health issues.

u Melba Boyd as Melba deals with health issues.

Our Sympathy

u Faye Brownlee and Sean, Kimberli, Kyle, and Mianna Brownlee, as Faye Brownlee, deals with health issues. u Joe and Jean Burke as Jean recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at St. Anthony Bone & Joint Hospital. u Robert and Rhynda Eaton as their daughter-in-law, Katrina Eaton, is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u C.J. Frederick as C.J. recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Jim and Sandy Gard as their niece, Sarah Vafadar, recuperates from surgery. u Vicki Gilstrap and Dennis and Sally Gilstrap as their granddaughter, Abby Crosby, deals with health issues. u Don and Millie Henderson as Millie’s son, Larry Gorrell, deals with health issues. u Don and Barbara Hensley as Barbara’s brother, Mike Cody, deals with health issues; and their granddaughter, Cambree Lynn Hensley, faces surgery in Boston. u Bob and Barbara Neil as Bob’s nephew and wife, Tim and Carol Neil, recuperate from injuries following a traffic accident in New Jersey. u Roy and Trina Ramirez as Trina recuperates from surgery. u Janice Reynolds as Janice deals with health issues and is hospitalized at AMG Specialty Hospital. u Elaine Schmidt as Elaine recuperates from a procedure. u Jennie Schmidt as Jennie deals with health issues and is a resident at The Lakes. u Joel, Stacey, Katelyn, and Jake Shaffer as Joel recuperates from surgery. u Linda Shaw as Linda’s son, Daniel, recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Lizette Stephens as Lizette recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Jay Stout as Jay recuperates from a procedure.

u Gary Adair and Karen Steele, and Carol Whittenbaugh and Family at the death of Karen’s and Carol’s cousin, David Waitkoss. u Roger and Marilyn Bailey and Family at the death of Marilyn’s brother-in-law, Harvey Parke. u Paul and Rosie Coulter and Family at the death of their grandson, Justin Davis. u Bob and Jan Green and Family at the death of Jan’s father, Kenneth Hazen. u Ron and Sharon Hendricks and Family at the death of Sharon’s aunt, Ruth Donovan. u Betty Murray and Family at the death of Betty’s husband, I.G. Murray. u Cole and Colleen Ward and Family at the death of Colleen’s sister, Karen Garvie.

Celebrating

u David and Jayme Cincotta at the birth of their son, Price David Cincotta. The big brothers are Lawson and Callan Cincotta.

The proud grandparents are Larry and Judy Cincotta and Jim and Jody Guilliams. u Mike and Sarah Partin at the birth of their son, Theodore Michael Partin. u Chip and Brandy Snyder at the birth of their son, Luke James Snyder. The proud siblings are Jacob, Mason, and Sarah Snyder.

The proud grandmother is Martha Snyder. u Jamie and Shelly Willis at the birth of their daughter, Macie Jane Willis. The proud sister is Morgan Willis. The proud grandparents are Rick and Connie Fitzgerald.

Celebrating Memories u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care Ministry in memory of Betty Smith by Tolova Jones u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care Ministry in memory of Betty Smith by Transitions Class u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Martha Hardin by Wes & Jeanie Mills u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Martha Hardin by Jo Wheeler u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Martha Hardin by Allen & Carrie Schlegel u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Martha Hardin by William & Cathy Bush u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Martha Hardin by William & Mary White u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Dorothy Bailey by Royal & Peggy Akins u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Dorothy Bailey by Pat & Clarence Tully u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Linda Kepler by Kent Fordyce u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Ralph Cullen Thomas

by Diane Scherber u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Theia Hulse by Kelly Riley u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Rex Warshell by Mary Young

New at Earthglow…

Stylishly hand painted burlap bags - perfect for spring and summer accessorizing - plus some novel gifts for Mother’s Day. All profits go to missions.

SERVANT April 22, 2015 I Page 7

Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED