May 22, 2013
Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.10
Believe s Belong s Become
We are ready to STAND STRONG with KINGDOM ROCK VBS! Vacation Bible School is coming to Church of the Servant Monday, June 10 through Thursday, June 13 from 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. each day. Kids from age 4 to those entering 5th grade are invited to take part in this FREE week of fun. We also need lots of adult volunteers to make this incredible week happen! Registration is free and available online NOW. Go to: http://vbs.servantokc.com. VBS T-Shirts and Music CD’s will be available to purchase for $10 and adult v-neck shirts for $12 each at the table near Earthglow on May 19 and 26 as well as downstairs in Children’s Ministries on June 2 and 9. Sign up and invite your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends! Our VBS theme for this year is KINGDOM ROCK: Where Kids STAND STRONG for God! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and dig into yummy treats, experience epic Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them to stand strong, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long. Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings. Each day concludes with Fanfare Finale—a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. ... Continued on page 7
United Methodist
Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com
Pray for Our Guatemala Mission Team Traveling June 2-9
This will be the fourth team to travel to serve the Potter’s House Mission community near the Guatemala City dump. The Potter’s House is in its 26th year of mission serving the poorest of the poor in Guatemala. With grace and dignity, the Potter’s House continues to help generations of people know Christ and find ways to make a better life through education and life skills. Our team will be working on homes, building furniture, delivering food on prayer walks, and leading a daily VBS for children. Please keep this team of 21 members in your prayers during this trip and for their familes that remain here. Team members are: Michael Magg, Kevin Wittrock, Jay Hines, Jo Edwards, Penny Hammack, Jordan Picchione, Mary Holland, Delbert Simmons, Linda Simmons, Dave Carmichael, Marge Carmichael, Leroy Ball, Pat McGarrity, David Ball, Casady Ball, Margo Price, James Price, Jennifer Robinson, Courtney Robinson, Michelle Knight, and Jeff Knight. Pray for their travels as they head out to be Christ’s servants in the world. We are so proud of their faithfulness!
Bucket Brigade!
“Thank you” to all of you who have faithfully responded to our May mission for Cleaning Buckets to help UMCOR. Remember, they are to be returned by Sunday, May 26.
Thank You for Your Response!
The Skyline Clothes for Kids Fish Appeal Sunday, May 12, raised $16,482
Donations can still be made through the fish offering during the month of May. Please just memo on your check, “Clothes for Kids Fish Appeal”.
Reading With a Child Can Change a Life Forever!
Project Transformation Dates Set for July 8-11 and July 15-18
Each summer members of Servant read with the children of Oklahoma City who are part of the Project Transformation Ministry of the United Methodist Church. This ministry was founded here in the Oklahoma Conference by one of our own members, Pat McGarrity. Many of you volunteer to keep this ministry alive and vibrant in our city. We need you and we need others who might come as new volunteers to Project Transformation this summer. The commitment is that each morning of the week you chose, you come from 9:45-noon. As a volunteer, you listen to children read, one child at a time for 30 minutes (4 children total). It is a small commitment that makes a big difference. During those two weeks the church is also responsible for meals for the college interns that run the program. The meals are delivered in the evenings to OCU. It is a great opportunity for a class or small group to serve together one evening. If you are or a class is interested, choose your dates by contacting Pat McGarrity at patnleroy@yahoo.com. Page 2 I SERVANT May 22, 2013
Support Our Troops with Blue Star Mothers On Sunday, June 6, 23, and 30, we will have a special collection in coordination with our local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. This is a non-partisan, nonpolitical group of mothers who have or have had children honorably serving in the military. They make care packages to send to the women and men serving in the military. As we celebrate the Fourth of July, we’re going to share God’s love by collecting items for these care packages. We will collect them in the blue containers in the Concourse by the Welcoming Jesus statue on all three Sundays. Please do not send anything that might melt in shipping. Also please send smaller sized items for individuals. ITEMS NEEDED: FOOD (bold items are requested often): Coffee (instant or ground) Kool-Aid (pre-sweetened) Gatorade mix in small packets Beef jerky Slim Jims, Trail Mix. Nuts, Protein bars Microwave popcorn Pringles or other canned chips Cereal (individual servings) Cereal bars, Pop Tarts Sugar and Spices (no glass) Candy (nothing chocolate or sticky) Cheese & Peanut butter crackers Tuna or chicken, Ramen Noodles Baked beans, Gum & Breath mints PERSONAL ITEMS (travel, individual sizes): Baby wipes, Toilet paper, Vaseline New Pillow cases For Women Hair bands and scrunches, Emery boards OTHER (Fun things - travel, small sizes): Hand-held, battery-op fans (with misters) Dominos, Frisbees, Batteries AA, stationary, pens, pencils, Yo-Yos, Magazines (women & men), comic books, puzzle books, books (paperbacks preferred), stamps, note pads, and neck coolers.
The Life You’ve Always Wanted... Some years ago, when I was in Ethiopia, I taught about ... a 99-yearold woman who lived about two hours outside Addis Ababa, the capital city. This woman had become a follower of Christ in middle age, and she was both blind and illiterate. She lived in a little hut, where she kept two Bibles on her table - one in Amharic (the official language of Ethiopia), one in English. Whenever someone came to visit her, she would ask the person to read. Over time, her favorite passages became so familiar that she could recite them from memory, and if her visitors couldn’t read, she would recite as a kind of gift to them. People would come from far away just to visit her. Why would they make the journey for an elderly, illiterate, blind widow? Because somehow in her presence, through her voice, the words The Lord is my shepherd ceased to be just words. Those thoughts had washed over her mind so deeply, so often, that there was simply no way that anxiety-producing thoughts could Dr. Robert Gorrell survive. In purity of heart, she willed one thing. People flocked to her because it was impossible to hear her say those words without being filled with the hope that perhaps one day they would be as real to them as they were to her.1 John Ortberg’s story about the widow really convicts me. She found the life she always wanted through her relationship with Christ. How about you? Do you have the life you want? Do you have the courage to let God use you that way? This summer we have Vacation Bible School and church camp. We have student ministries every week. We have worship every Sunday and classes throughout the week. Will you let God work through your life this summer? Make a commitment today. Be specific about how you will serve Jesus this summer. Then tell me how you are doing! Have the life you really want… - Robert 1
John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 181-182.
FAITH IN ‘REEL’ TIME Precious Life
An Israeli journalist, Shlomi Eldar, confronts the personal ramifications of life in Gaza in this deeply moving, award-winning documentary about courage and the fight for the life of a child. When a four-month-old Palestinian boy needs a bone marrow transplant to live – a procedure that could only be performed in an Israeli hospital – his mother finds herself caught between the desire to protect her son and harsh criticism from her community. An Israeli pediatrician finds himself in a comparable dilemma. A powerful appeal for peace, Precious Life explores the challenges and prejudices that must be overcome when people of conflicting nations attempt to put aside their differences for a greater cause. This is a raw film reflecting a Middle East few would expect – one full of amazing compassion, even among enemies, and breathtaking cruelty, even among neighbors. Precious Life is winner of the best documentary award from the Israeli Film Academy in 2010 and has been shown at numerous prestigious film festivals all over the world. When a recent screening ended, the crowd just sat there. The film entered their gut. After four minutes of silence, the endless clapping began. Save the date to see this powerful film on Sunday, June 23 in the Centrum at 1:00 p.m. Discussion, led by Dr. Curtis Nigh, will follow.
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Announcing a New Group Forming in the Music Ministry
Revelation Bronze-Youth Handbell Choir: Open to students who will be in 6th grade and up; must be able to read music and attend rehearsals. This group will meet on Sundays either before or after the Revelation Youth Choir. This bell choir will tour each summer with the Youth Choir. Membership is limited to 12 on a first-come basis. If you are interested don’t miss out! Email Chuck now at cweatherford@churchoftheservant.com.
Women’s Summer Bible Study on Grace
Does simply thinking of chocolate bring a smile to your face? Imagine spending a sweet hour with other women to share lunch, and talking together about the wonderful grace of God. Dr. Robyn Goggs will be sharing 4 Tuesdays, beginning on July 9, 11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch each Tuesday and enjoy a sweet treat of the Word and chocolate we will share together. Registration will begin in June.
Ladies Night Out with Jennifer Rothschild August 23 at 7:00 p.m.
If you are a woman who wants to know God more and live life more deeply, then join us for a night of worship and inspiration with Jennifer Rothschild, as she talks to us about “real hope when life doesn’t make sense.” Desserts and coffee will be served as 6:30 p.m. Jennifer Rothschild has been cleaning out her thought closet, and reconciling the missing pieces in her blanket of faith ever since her life drastically changed at the age of fifteen, when she lost her sight. Now, more than 30 years later, she boldly and compassionately teaches women how to walk by faith, and not by sight. Known for her substance, signature wit, and down-to-earth style, Jennifer weaves together colorful illustrations, Biblical principles, and music to help women live empowered. Early-Bird special available online for a limited time! Purchase your tickets TODAY in the church office or online at www.churchoftheservant.com.
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Intermediate Bridge Class Starting June 17
Would you like to update your knowledge and learn more about the fascinating game of bridge? If so, this class is for you. This class is designed for those who have knowledge of the Goren point count system, opening bids, and responses. Instruction will include re-bids, opening leads, take out double, suite overcall, primitive bids, stay man convention, strong opening two bids, and bidding slams. Copies of resource books can be purchased through the instructor. If interested in the class, call Dorothy Adams at 721-7796 to enroll or ask questions. The class will be on Mondays, June 17 through August 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church.
MEMORIAL DAY COLUMBARIUM VISITATION
Church of the Servant’s Columbarium will be open for visitation from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Memorial Day, May 27. Please feel free to visit if you have loved ones interred or if you wish to see the Columbarium.
S.O.L.O.
S.O.L.O. will be starting a new series on June 9, and all singles are invited! Andy Stanley has a great study titled “The New Rules for Love, Sex, and Dating”. As Christian singles, we sometimes struggle with this topic. Dating may be foreign to us if we are newly divorced or widowed, and the very thought of it frightens many singles! We look forward to listening to what Andy Stanley has to say, and then what YOU have to say in our open discussion after. Please join us in the South Conference Room any Sunday night. We begin at 6:00 and will end at 7:30! Tell your friends, and bring them along too! If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Marshall at melissamarshall11@gmail.com.
PRIME TIME
We’re SO excited – it’s Bingo Mania Time for Prime Timers once again! If you have never attended our June picnic with multiple games of bingo, you have missed a fabulous good time! Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 in the covered pavilion at Stars & Stripes Park. Each person playing bingo should bring a wrapped prize marked, man, women or either. Prizes should cost no more than $10 and should be a prize you would be happy to win. Following many games of bingo, we will enjoy a picnic lunch feast of several barbequed meats, baked beans, coleslaw, etc. Cost of all this fun, fellowship and food is only $9.00. Make your reservation at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141 before 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10. Our Prime Time picnic has never been cancelled due to weather. We will be in a sheltered pavilion, so rain, wind, or shine, the picnic & bingo will go on. Come join us for a really good time. If you make a reservation and later find you cannot attend, please call the church office and cancel. Prime Time must pay for all reservations. See you at the picnic!
Picnic season is in full swing. Earthglow has unique picnic supplies, (ants are printed on the plates, napkins, etc.), and cute figurine ants to complete the look. Also the newest version of Jesus Calling…it has a Bible verse at the bottom of each devotional, and room for journaling. Great gift ideas! Profits go to missions.
Let’s Play Golf
The 18th annual Servant Foundation Golf Tournament is scheduled for Fairfax Golf Course on Saturday, June 1 at 8:00 a.m. The tournament is a 4-person scramble and the cost is $55 per person, which covers the golf fee, cart, range balls, lunch and prizes. Hole sponsorships can be purchased at $100 per sponsorship. The tournament is always well-attended and provides great fellowship. Sign up this Sunday in the Concourse at the special table just outside the Celebration Center. Don’t miss this special event! If you have any questions call Tom McGee in the church office at 728-4701. SERVANT May 22, 2013 I Page 5
Get to Know Me...
Student ministry to me is more than just a youth group or a group of friends. They are my family. While at the mission trip this Spring Break in New Orleans, I realized the importance the youth group had in my life and the impact they had on me. Since the mission trip, it has been a goal to grow together with everyone in the body of Christ and to share my story with them. To me, this family has become a group I can turn to with anything and trust in them to keep me accountable in my words and my actions. Without the youth group I would not be the person I am today and I am so grateful to be a part of it! -- Bekah Sanders
Introducing Taylor Barnett
We are excited to welcome Taylor Barnett as our new High School Intern! Taylor will be attending OCU in the fall and has a heart for ministry and students. We are incredibly blessed to have her join us. The following is a quote from Taylor: “I am most excited about building relationships and doing life with Christ with the students. I can’t wait to see these youth growing in their everyday life, ups and downs, and seeing God transform their lives. To see them be radically loved by the God of the universe is a pretty exciting experience and I just can’t wait to witness it!” We are eager to see God use Taylor to share Jesus with our students!
Big Summer Events
High School Move-Up Retreat: All incoming freshmen to graduated seniors are invited to come! This is a special weekend dedicated to our wonderful incoming 9th graders! Come join us June 7-8. Registrations are due June 2. Mission OKC: The High School Ministries Summer Mission is offered to all incoming freshman through graduated seniors. This week-long mission will be an amazing opportunity to share the incredible love of Christ as we serve our community through local organizations! Join us June 17-21. Registrations are due June 5. DAYSPRING! Be a part of our biggest camp of the year! It is for all incoming 9thgraders to graduated 12th-graders! It will be from July 6-10, with registrations due June 5. Contact Sang Nguyen for more information, snguyen@churchoftheservant. com or 728-4754. Programs: No more Sunday night programs until June 2, when we will have Sunday Funday. Wednesday night program will pick back up on June 5 with Collide. D-GROUPS are coming to an end for the school year as we gear up for a fun and busy summer! It was been a great semester as we joined together as a group to have lots of fun playing minute to win it games, baby food eating contests, our favorite group game “Pull up”, and many more! Small group time has also been great as kids and leaders grew closer together and grew in their relationship with God. I want to thank all the leaders who invested so much time and love into the kids. It means more than you may ever know. If you are interested and feel a calling to help be a leader next year for our Wednesday Night Groups, please contact Jenna Savage at 728-4753.
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Leader Appreciation
Last week over 23 adults were brought together over BBQ, but more importantly, over a common goal to share Jesus with students. This year we were incredibly blessed to have so many adults investing in the lives of our students. Jesus calls us to work together. Paul asked the church to labor with him to share the Good News. And these incredible leaders have labored alongside us to share Jesus. I am grateful for these incredible people. Thank you. John Lingo, Tyler Slife, Kenyatta Bethea, Levi Clark, Laurie Simpson, Denise Lingo, Rachel Gillespie, Annaleigha Delaune, Ashlee Adams, Jennifer Beene, Scott Seitz, Sean Brownlee, Josh Bellieu, Taylor Dickerson, Kent Buchanan, Jessica Keyser, Leighann Parham, Lauren Collings, MJ Means, Ashlee Maxey, Suzanne Becker, Mike Gentry, Dillon Byrd, and Hurst Jones.
KINGDOM ROCK VBS
... Continued from Cover Page
We wrap up the VBS fun with a family night. This year we will meet at 6:30 on Thursday June 13 for a closing program in the Celebration Center. Following the program we will have an Ice Cream Sundae Party in Community Hall and North Lawn. Mark your calendar now and plan to join us! Kids will have the opportunity to participate in a mission project during the Vacation Bible School week. Each year we collect supplies to benefit an organization. This year we will support The Children’s Center in Bethany by collecting items for their pediatric unit. These donations really have an impact in the community! Can you help make an impact on a child’s life by volunteering with Vacation Bible School? We need help with a variety of tasks and are sure to have an area that corresponds to your particular talents! Participating in VBS is guaranteed to touch your life as well as that of the children involved. You can help out even if your children are too young or old to participate in VBS. We can always use teen helpers, and nursery care is available for children of volunteers that are younger than four. I have been a VBS volunteer since my first child was old enough to participate. It was so fun teaching the Bible story each day and getting to experience the fun of VBS along with the kids, all the while knowing my child was having a great time with friends. Please prayerfully consider how you can help support this tremendous ministry. Volunteer registration is also on the website listed above. I hope to see ALL of you at Vacation Bible School this year! -- Martha Stone, VBS Director
Fun Night Out at Servant!
Fourth- and fifth-grade Girls Night Out and Boys Night Out were both a great success! We were blessed by Rev. Randy Shrauner being there! He set up a tent, and led us in a lively discussion about being prepared for life, using our brains to listen to God’s voice and understand His guidance in all we do. Afterwards, we made survival bracelets, using our brains to follow the instructions. Fun games, pizza, and laughter were other highlights of the evenings. Make plans now to take part in our next fun happening in the fall. Keep an eye on the Special Events in the Children’s Ministry section of our church Website for info! -- Berli Brownlee and Cindy Brackenbury
SERVANT May 22, 2013 I Page 7
u John and Debbie Epperson as John is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.
u Dan and Candy Cavaness and Family at the death of Candy’s aunt, Kathy Drilling.
u Pam Gilbert as she recuperates from outpatient surgery.
u Family and Friends of Nell Claunch.
u John, Dawn, Sarah, and Noah Gilstrap as Dawn’s step-brother’s son, Logan Pirtle, recuperates from surgery in Arlington, Texas. u Bryan, Rachel, Mason, and Kacie Harper at the recent death of their beloved dog, Peanut. u Denene Harper as her mother, Eileen Neufeld, deals with health issues. u Ron and Sharon Harper at the recent death of their beloved dog, Holly, one of the Servant Apawstles in our Pet Therapy Ministry. u Ron and Sharon Hendricks as Sharon undergoes tests at the Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa. u Melissa Marshall as she deals with health issues. u Linda Moore as she deals with health issues and faces surgery. u Jack and Nancy Morgan as Jack recuperates from surgery. u Jerry and Pam Russell as Jerry recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized in Amarillo, Texas. u Scott, Linda, and Tyler Smith as Tyler recuperates from outpatient surgery.
Part-Time Position
The Maintenance Staff has a parttime position open for an evening and weekend custodian. Contact Eric Nance at enance@churchoftheservant.com for details.
u Aaron, Kimi, and Brooklyn Fox and Family at the death of Aaron’s father, Terry Keith Fox. u Margaret Hensley and Family at the death of Margaret’s husband, David Hensley. u Bob, Susie, Danny, and Tommy Jauch and Family at the death of their niece, Chelsea Jauch. u Martha Snyder and Family at the death of Martha’s husband, William E. Snyder. u Connie Spencer and Chris, Brenda, Christian, and Colin Spencer, and Family at the death of Connie’s husband and Chris’ father, C.V. Spencer. u Steve, Ginger, and Hannah Wells and Family at the death of Ginger’s mother, Marion Glenn.
Ministry Recognition
Congratulations to Patricia Johnson, longtime member of Servant and current candidate for United Methodist ordained ministry. She graduated May 18 from Phillips Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree. Patricia has been appointed as an associate minister at St. Mark’s UMC in Bethany beginning June 1.
u Don and Doris Cline at the birth of their great-grandson, Gavin Blaine Tate. The proud parents and brother are John, April, and Grayson Tate of Bigsby, OK. u Jane Self at the birth of her greatgranddaughter, Presley Taylor Peck. The proud great-uncle and great-aunt are Allan and Leslie Todd. The proud parents are Barrett and Tamra Peck of Edmond. u Will and Jennifer Ross at the birth of their daughter, Tennyson Lacy Ross. The proud brother is Trey Solomon. The proud grandparents are Jackie Groves and David and Becky Ross. u Monica Wittrock was awarded the “Bill Gill Memorial Award for The Title Person of the Year” by the Oklahoma Title Land Association. Monica is Vice President and State Manager for the First American Title Insurance Company, president of the First American Title and Trust Company for Oklahoma, and President of the Southwest Title Land Company. She has specialized in real estate, banking, and commercial law over the years that she’s been an attorney and has authored more than 100 articles and seminary topics related to real property. She and her husband Kevin have been a vital part of our church family ever since they were married and have brought up their children in our church as well. Congratulations to you, Monica!
Boy Scout Garage Sale
Boy Scout Troop 177 is pleased to announce its first annual garage sale. This is your opportunity to spring clean for a good cause! Is there anything sitting in your garage or your attic that needs to go? All donations will be accepted at Church of the Servant on Sunday, June 2. On Saturday, June 8, these donations will be sold in a garage sale held by our troop. Proceeds will help fund our trip to Mount Rushmore and Camp Lewis and Clark in South Dakota, as well as provide funding for new equipment for our growing troop. We really appreciate your donations and would love to see you hunting for treasures as well. Thank you for your support.