JUNE 17, 2015
CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER
Issue: 15.11
Getting to know Dr. Scott Bartlow
Dr. Scott Bartlow Associate Minister
I am the Minister of Evangelism and Leadership Development. I oversee our guest ministry, membership classes, connection events, outreach events, and assists with creating leadership development opportunities for staff and church members. I completed my B.A. in Interpersonal Communication at the University of Central Oklahoma, M.A. in Ministerial Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University and Ph.D. in Leadership at Tennessee Temple University. I have experience leading in multiple areas of the church—student ministry, 20-something ministry, adult small groups, baptism services, evangelism, and local and global missions. My heart is to build a church, which catalyzes transformation, and I am thankful for the diversity of my experience, which equips me to contribute in many different ways. I love helping people find and follow Christ and have a personal conviction that the local church is the hope of the world. I have seen the local church help move people to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I believe the church should not just be in existence to survive but in a position to thrive. My entrepreneurial wiring pushes me to be a ministry starter—I love strategic development and creating environments that foster innovation. I hope that such environments lead to an increasingly “sending” church which rescues the vulnerable and invites people to experience the kingdom. I enjoy teaching, and especially thrive when casting vision that inspires others toward action. Sometimes I’m teaching from a stage, but often I am developing people either one-on-one or in teams. I’m in love with 3 girls: my awesome wife Brooke, my 2-year-old daughter Faith, and my 7-year-old golden doodle, Bailey. I love Starbucks iced chai, a great movie and a good laugh. I certainly am not afraid to poke fun at myself. As each day ends, I need to know that I am maximizing my gifts, opportunities, and resources to build God’s church and raise a fun, spiritually-thriving family. - Pastor Scott
DON’T MISS: Dr. Scott Bartlow is preaching THIS SUNDAY in the 9:15 and 10:45 services in the Celebration Center!
OUTSTANDING SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE In the Elementary Area
We are so proud to have so many kiddos who make being at church and worshiping God a priority! There were a total of 16 kiddos recognized for missing no more than 2 Sundays in 3 months! Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com
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.
Missions
Skyline...Our Urban Ministry
In March, the Special Fish Appeal raised $23,225! Most of this gift will go to fund the Clothes for Kids program. Earthglow will also be donating $20,000 for designated programs this year, which takes our church giving to $43,225. This is a great accomplishment to celebrate! There are many ways to be connected to Skyline. Giving is just one, and always needed, but the gift of your time as a volunteer is also precious. Clothes 4 Kids Volunteers Needed Each summer Skyline Urban Ministry provides two new school uniforms, underwear, socks, and shoes to hundreds of children in need. Donate your time! With the large volume of clients we receive during Clothes 4 Kids, we always appreciate volunteers! Below are the dates of volunteer opportunities:
Prayers for the Mission Team in Guatemala
Please keep the team of 26 missionaries in your prayers this week as we go to serve alongside the Potter’s House in Guatemala City. The Potter’s House has served the 16 communities of people who are the poorest of the city, living and working in the city dump for almost 30 years now. During this week, the team will be building a cinder block house, restoring a home, building bunk beds and leading a VBS each day for 100 children. It will be a week of hard work but many blessings. The team this year is made up of 10 high school youth, 6 college students, and 10 adults. They are Virginia Aldridge, Kailee Anderson, Maegan Bene, Lauren Branch, Serena Branch-Evans, Andi Butler, Vicki Gilstrap, Jaydan Gilstrap, Jeremy Gilstrap, Robyn Goggs, David Hedrick, Mary Holland, Emily Jordan, Melinda Jordan, Jeffery Knight, Hillary Neaves, Todd Neaves, Sang Nguyen, Jordan Picchione, Jennifer Purvis, Katie Purvis, Sarah Sanders, Mariah Slothower, JJ Valentine, Paige Wyatt.
Clothes 4 Kids Registration
June 1 – June 25: Mondays – Thursdays Shifts Available: Mondays/Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – noon; or 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Description: Interview parents and complete intake forms to determine clothing and shoe sizes of children needed for ordering inventory. Volunteers need to arrive 15 minutes prior to start of shift for brief training. Clothes 4 Kids Distribution July 13 – July 24: Mondays – Fridays Shifts Available: Mondays – Fridays 8:30 a.m. – noon & 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Description: Personal shopper – personally take each child to designated areas to try on shoes and school uniforms to ensure a proper fit for the child.
Project Transformation:
Partnering with Church and Community for Literacy
Still need Readers and Listeners June 22-25, mornings, 9-noon at Chapel Hill UMC. Please sign up at the Welcome Center on Sunday or contact Susie Cobden at scobden@ churchoftheservant.com.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Melissa Ramey at (405) 632-2644 or mramey@skylineurbanministry.org. SERVANT June 17, 2015 I Page 3
Music
What are our Interns up to this summer?
Kay Frazier - Soprano chosen to participate in the Taos opera workshop
REVELATION YOUTH CHOIR
My congratulations to the Revelation youth choir for a great year and tour. Once again, I am struck by the students commitment and dedication. Thanks so those that made it happen: Rob Holloway, Don and Maury Cole, Michelle Knight, Jennifer Robinson, Ali Sotani, Jenny Johnson and of course many thanks to Danielle Soltani on her musical leadership and tour planning. Also a big thanks to Ashleigh Robinson and Garrett Bryant! These two graduates were with me the very first day of Revelation. You will be missed my friends!
Erica Punch - 2nd Soprano - working in a profession production of “Hair Spray” in Kansas City Katie Barrick - Violin - has been seen in the “Proud to be Chickasaw” spots on TV. Ali Soltani - Violin. Ali is not an intern but rather now a music staff team member. Ali started out as an intern. Our Suzuki Strings program grows nearly every day. This ministry program will triple in the fall, under Ali’s direction. Carter Humphreys -Tenor - Is traveling with the adult choir to Italy where is he a soloist. Major accomplishment! Garrett Bryant, Tommy Jauch and Danny Jauch all reached the high honor of “ Eagle Scout”! -- All Revelation and Bronze handbell choir members.
Women Summer Bible Study
Spending Time In the Upper Room Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
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, through 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. Page 4 I ChurchotheServant.com
Get Connected with Women’s Ministry information and stories on our blog: cos-women.com Beginning Yoga Class
Everyone can participate – all ages and body types are encouraged to try. There are many benefits of Yoga: When you stretch your muscles you feel less stiff, because you can move better. Yoga can improve your posture, and is good for your heart by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Each class ends with relaxation techniques to help you calm your mind and release stress. Some students believe this is the best part and most helpful. Classes Meet: Tuesday June 23 - Aug 11, 2015, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or Tuesday June 23 - Aug 11, 2015, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Donations will go to: A Place To Grow, Inc. 501C3 nonprofit. Suggested donation of $50 to $100 * Scholarships available * Contact Jo Fendrych at 405-808-3082 for information.
Mid-Year Church of the Servant Update
It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the 2015 fiscal year, but the 650 plus children attending our first day of Vacation Bible School is a sure-fire indicator that summer has arrived! This week, Chuck Weatherford and the Choir are in Italy with the opportunity to sing at the Vatican, Robyn Goggs will be shepherding a Mission Team to Guatemala, Robert Gorrell will be leading our church tour covering “The Journeys of Paul,” and our children and students will be scattered in camps and activities both near and far. As we near the end of the second quarter, the congregation remains on very solid financial footing. Our giving to the annual budget is exceeding our budget projections by a fraction of a percentage point and we continue to hold our operating expenses solidly under control. Unless economic conditions within Oklahoma change dramatically in the coming months, our expectation is that Church of the Servant will finish 2015 with all her financial obligations met. One area of particular note and celebration is the continued pay-down of our indebtedness. In this past month alone we received over $150,000 in special gifts designated for this purpose. On January 1, 2015, our note balance stood at just over two million dollars, but by the end of June that balance will have been reduced by almost $400,000. That is incredible progress as together we look forward to the day when we can retire the mortgage on the building. Personnel changes have also marked the first six months of the year with Ron Staton, Rebecca Baily, Lloyd Williams, and at the end of this month Leatha Ashcraft, stepping back from their staff responsibilities. Changes in our production of Worship Arts, the Children’s Choir and the Revelation Youth Choir are also afoot as we work to evaluate these ministries and within them find the way to best serve and support the congregation in their discipleship and growth as followers of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the faithful work of the congregation and staff as we reach out to the world around us, proclaiming Jesus Christ and calling the world to him. We would ask that you continue to support your congregation with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ! Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister
21 Ways to get involved at Church of the Servant Are you looking for some ways to get more involved at Church of the Servant? Well, here’s a list of some out-of-the-ordinary things you could do but that would make a big difference.
Adult
Financial Peace University Coming in September
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more! FPU will be held at Church of the Servant, beginning Wednesday, September 23 through November 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tom McGee and Peter Weaver will be instructing the 9-week event. For more information and to register go to: www.churchoftheservant.com
1. Help in the office during the week.
14. Go through some tech training and work on the tech team.
2. Be part of our social media team.
15. Take pictures at special events.
3. Escort first-time parents and kids to their classrooms.
16. Provide snacks and drinks for other volunteers.
4. Be part of a Sunday School class.
17. Pray for the church service during the church service.
5. Lead a small group of teenagers. Q/A pizza provided.
18. Join the Web team and help keep our Website current.
6. Hand out bulletins as people enter worship.
19. Help us keep track of data and spreadsheets.
7. Wear a neon vest and help park cars.
20. Rock babies during church services.
8. Review handouts for typos. (See what I did there?)
21. Write stories and recaps of events and activities.
9. Work from home to prepare craft projects for children.
Are you uniquely skilled or passionate about any of those things? Do any of these things sound interesting to you? If you want to jump in, let me know. I’ll connect you to the right person and you can take it from there. Dr. Scott Bartlow Associate Minister
10. Troubleshoot the kid’s check-in system on Sundays. 11. Wear a security shirt and earpiece, and patrol the parking lot. 12. Create announcement videos. 13. Help curate audio and video content on the Web.
SERVANT June 17, 2015 I Page 5
Children
Come to KIDZ CAMP with us!
It is a great experience at UM Canyon Camp with so many fun and crazy things to do! Church of the Servant’s theme, Heroes of the Bible Camp, (for children entering 1st thru 5th grades) will help us learn how to be super heroes for God, strengthen our faith, and help us to use the power that God has given us all. Heroes in training (children) and Hero Leaders (adults) will strive together to become closer to our real hero, Jesus Christ! Our camp theme is Nehemiah 8:10b, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Come and immerse yourself in weekend-long activities enabling you to meet and get to know so many more people, as well as really focusing on being super heroes for God. Adults are there giving their time to build God’s children in the faith. The activities keep the children on the move and interacting with each other. New friendships will be made while existing ones are strengthened. Worship is always wonderful, with great messages and songs. The fun never ends! There is still time for you to sign up! Registrations are available at the welcome counters at church or on our Website: churchoftheservant.com. BUT HURRY! Registration ends July 10. You will be blessed!
EVEREST: Vacation Bible School
We had a great time last week at Church of the Servant! We “trekked” to Everest, learning about God’s love for us and meeting many new friends. John Gilstrap and Brooke Gebb led the openings and closings with fun skits and heartfelt music to enable us all to get into the spirit and worship our God! With over 655 beautiful children and 175 amazingly wonderful adult leaders and helpers, we journeyed through the week reminding and teaching each other about God’s great power to conquer our challenges. Along the way, the mission project for this week was to provide bottles of Gatorade to Camp Shiloh, a day camp serving 700+ inner-city children from OKC in a fun, high energy, adventure-filled week on forty beautiful acres right in the heart of OKC. Almost 5000 bottles were donated!! This was a friendly competition between the boys and girls, and this year, the boys won! If you were part of making this week such a blessing by taking part, supplying needs, praying for a great outcome, THANK YOU! If you find yourself wishing you could have been a part, get ready for next year, June 6-9, and get VBS updates on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/VBSCOS Page 6 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Our Life Together Our Prayers
u j. robb Bartlett and Linda Foster as j. robb recuperates from surgery. u Dan and Barbra Case as Dan deals with health issues. u Marty and Dottie Christensen as Dottie deals with health issues. u Jim Cross and Roberta Carrier-Cross as Roberta recuperates from surgery. u Jim and Lisa Fansher as their friends, John and Cindy Evans, ask for our prayers as John deals with health issues. u John and Carolyn Hays as Carolyn recuperates from surgery. u D.A. and Carol Heggie as Carol deals with health issues. u Susan and Raye Leonard as Susan’s mother and Raye’s grandmother, Paula Josephson, deals with health issues. u Jerry Liles and Sally Carter-Liles as Sally’s brother, Randy Dennis, deals with health issues. u Bob and Marilyn Long as Marilyn recuperates from injuries from a fall and surgery. u Judi Malarkey as Judi deals with health issues. u Kay Nichols as Kay’s friend’s daughter, Brooklyn Tilley, deals with health issues. u Steve and Jimmie Pallesen as Steve recuperates from surgery. u Darlene Smithhart and John Johnson as Darlene’s sister, Nadine Reasons, recuperates from surgery in Illinois. u Jerry and Nancy Stearns as Nancy’s mother, Dolores Troyer, and Nancy’s sister, Linda Gronewaller, both deal with health issues.
Celebrating
u Happy 100th Birthday to Pauline Douglas, a long-standing member of our church!
Celebrating Memories
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care Ministry in memory of Raymond Crooks by Phyllis Armstrong.
Our Sympathy
u Lou Anne Blackburn and Mary Lou Farmer and Families at the death of Lou Anne’s aunt and Mary Lou’s sister-in-law, Betty Perkins; and Lou Anne’s uncle and Mary Lou’s brother, Robert Clement. u Van and Sammy Bumpas and Families at the death of Van’s mother, Jessie Louise Bumpas. u Dan and Candy Cavaness and Families at the death of Candy’s uncle, James French. u Victoria Galloway and Family at the death of Victoria’s husband, James F. Woods, Sr. u Family and Friends at the death of Dianna Peters. u Will, Michele, Jared and Jayden Snow and Family at the death of Michele’s nephew, Terry Hong.
Earthglow will keep its regular store hours this summer: Mondays thru Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Sunday mornings until noon. So come in and browse… plenty of books for summer reading, and plenty of cute toys to help entertain small children. Thanks for shopping at Earthglow! Hey KIDS! SOCCER FORMS are SOCCER FORMS now available at the are now available Welcome Counters and at the Welcome on the Children’s page Counters and on of our church website!! the church Website! LAST DAY to register LAST DAY to register is is August 2nd! August 2nd.
u Nicole Welch as Nicole deals with health issues. u Bill and Mary White as Mary’s father, Clinton Fuhrmann, deals with health issues. u Bill and Nancy Whitten as Nancy is hospitalized at the OK Heart Hospital. u J.R. and Lorene Wolf as their sister-in-law, Dianne Evans, recuperates from injuries from a car accident in Longview, Texas.
SERVANT June 17, 2015 I Page 7
Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
SUMMER CAMP: The Kid’s Musical Project
Calling All Kids entering Kindergarten – 5th grade (Fall 2015). The COS Kid’s Musical Project will once again sponsor our annual summer Kid’s Musical Camp, Sword of The Spirit, June 22-June 25, 9:30am-Noon. Performances will be June 25 at 6:30pm and on June 28 during both Celebration Center worship services. Camp is led by Paul Gebb, Director of Children’s Choirs, & choreographer Brooke Gebb. Registration forms can be downloaded on the church Website, under Kid’s Musical Project. For more information or questions, contact pgebb@churchoftheservant.com.