Newsletter - 06.20.12

June 20, 2012

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 12.12

Believe s Belong s Become WHAT’S INSIDE: Guatemala Team Returns and Reflects Page 4 Ladies Night Out with Jen Hatmaker August 24 Page 6 SKY: Everything Is Possible With God! Page 7-9

United Methodist

Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com

HAPPENINGS UPCOMING EVENTS: Summer Songs Pops Concert .............. June 24 Kidz Camp .................................June 29 - July 1 HS DaySpring Camp........................... July 6-12 Joyful Noise Arts Camp.................... July 23-26 Jen Hatmaker.................................... August 24 Servant Day....................................... August 25

MINISTRIES: MINISTER NOTES: Father’s Day Reflection ..........................................................pg. 3 MISSIONS: Guatemala Team Returns and Reflects ................................pg. 4 Support Our Troops with the Blue Star Mothers .................pg. 5 WOMEN’S MINISTRIES: Women of Faith; Jen Hatmaker.............................................pg. 6 CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Sky VBS ............................................................................... pg. 7-9 STUDENT MINISTRIES: Middle School Disciple Camp .............................................pg. 10 ADULT MINISTRIES: Servant Foundation Golf Tournament ...............................pg. 11 MUSIC MINISTRIES: School of Performing Arts ...................................................pg. 12

Father’s Day Reflection

All of us need someone in our lives who point us to the transformational and transcendent. If we are blessed, we will have a father or father figure who fills that role in our lives.

When I was in college, I went through majors like some people go through socks, and made a change every day. Growing up without a dad, I never had anyone to advise me or guide me in such things. I finally ended up studying under a man who became very influential in my life. He’d been a prisoner of the North Koreans (and therefore also a prisoner of the Chinese) during the Korean War. He endured incredible torture during his captivity. He was a father figure to me.

He taught me something very important—to overcome.

His lessons remind me of something I read written by Peter Kahn in the Wall Street Journal about another POW, John McCain:

Senator John McCain knows how to bleed. His well-documented experience in the Hanoi Hilton has been recounted in his book Faith of My Dr. Robert Gorrell Fathers (Random House, 1999). Peter Kann observes: It is faith in himself--today’s concept of ‘self-esteem’—that prisoner McCain discovers to be the ‘least formidable strength’ in withstanding these trials. Faith in self alone, absent larger and higher allegiances, is no match for systematic inhumanity.

What sustains him and others through all this is ‘faith in God, faith in country, faith in your fellow prisoners ...without faith we would lose our dignity and live among our enemies as animals live among their human masters.’ 1

McCain learned the same thing my mentor learned as a prisoner of war— to survive incredibly difficult times one needs a strength far greater than one’s own…

Strength from God! Here’s the deal, it is almost impossible to learn to rely on God’s strength on our own. We need someone to teach us. Men, who seem powerful and strong, by admitting their vulnerability and need for God’s strength, are invaluable teachers in that way.

It means that we need to step up, guys!

One day a certain father went to visit his son’s preschool. It was a day when dads could come to visit.

But when he got there, he was shocked to discover that only a handful of fathers had come to be with their children.

Later on that morning, all the children were sitting on the floor in a circle. The teacher asked the children to tell the group something about their fathers, something that was special. One little boy said, Well, my daddy is a lawyer. He makes a lot of money and we live in a big house. Another child said, My father is very smart. He teaches at the college and a lot of important people know him.

Finally it was time for this father’s son to say something special about his dad. The little boy looked up at his father, then he looked around the circle of his friends, and then he just smiled and proudly said, “My dad ... my dad is here!”

Men, we need you. Volunteer in Whiz Kids as a mentor, help with children’s ministry, or serve in student ministries. Be here for a child!

- Robert 1

Peter R. Kann, His Crucible of Character Makes Politics Look Tame, The Wall Street Journal, September 8, 1999 A24.

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Guatemala Team Returns and Reflects…

What a week of hard, life changing, blessed mission our team to Guatemala had. We witnessed poverty in the people who live and work on the dump of Guatemala City. But we also witnessed their spirits that trust God even in dire circumstances. For one week we gave a little of our time, energy, money, and drew on all the different mission experiences we had, to make a small difference in the lives of around 13 families. We will never forget, and I don’t think they will either. I can say that all 10 of us were transformed and drawn closer to Christ through our experiences. To read the blog that the team members wrote during the week, go to missiontrashandtreasures. blogspot.com. The reflections will move you.

– Dr. Robyn Goggs

Mark your calendar:

The Guatemala Mission team will give a presentation on Sunday, July 22, 4:30-6:00 p.m. in The Point Student Center. It will be an opportunity for you to learn about their trip and hear the plans for the next one.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday August 25 Servant Day

Sunday September 30, 3pm Fit To Serve 5k (note date and time change)

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Support our Troops With the Blue Star Mothers On Sunday, June 24 and July 1, we will have a special collection in coordination with our local chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. This is a non-partisan, non-political 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 both June 24 and July 1.

ITEMS NEEDED: FOOD (bold items are requested often): Coffee (instant or ground) Kool-Aid (pre-sweetened) Gatorade mix 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 For Women Hair bands and scrunches Emery boards

OTHER (Fun things - travel, small sizes): Hand-held, battery-operated 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.

Oklahoma City, OK August 10 - 11 Chesapeake Energy Arena

Heads Up, Ladies! You’ve never seen Women of Faith like this before! LIVE Worship Band! New Speakers! Ballet Magnificat! And much more!

Artists/Speakers: Sheila Walsh, Liz Curtis Higgs, Ken Davis, Angie Smith, Pat Smith, CeCe Winans, Selah, and more!

We all experience good times and bad days, triumphs and tragedies. But no matter what life throws at you, this is what matters: God loves YOU. (Always has.

Always will.) You’re invited to be part of a very special celebration. Compelling stories, Bible-based teaching, world-class music, unstoppable inspiration, and a few surprises combine for an experience like no other.

DEADLINE - FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2012 Reserve your seat today! All tickets must be paid in full by the Deadline - Friday, July 6, 2012. Call Heather DeShazo at 405-728-4704 or email, hdeshazo@ churchoftheservant.com. $99 PER TICKET**, plus a $2 service fee.

Pay by check, cash, or Credit Card (add $3 for CC) ** Price of ticket does not include lunch.

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Ladies Night Out with Jen Hatmaker August 24, 6:30 p.m.

Does it ever seem like we are burdened with excess? Too much spending, too much media, too much waste, too much stress?

Best selling author Jen Hatmaker, who wrote the book, 7 - An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, will be here to speak and share an amazing Friday evening for women. Find out about Jen’s social experiment and how living a greatly reduced life helped her discover a greatly increased God.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Sky VBS

June 11-14th once again saw God in overtime at Church of the Servant. With 473 children registered and more than 200 adults, the building filled with clouds, pinwheels, music and laughter. We give thanks for another successful VBS! The lessons of the week were focused on one thought – TRUST GOD. This thought was reinforced by some very powerful scripture: 1Samuel 16:7 – People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart; John 14:1 - Don’t let your hearts be troubled; Isaiah 40:31 - But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; Romans 8:38 - And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

These scriptures were translated into some very wonderful life applications from which everyone can learn: No matter who you are – TRUST GOD; No matter how you feel – TRUST GOD; No matter what people do – TRUST GOD. No matter what happens – TRUST GOD. At the closing on Thursday evening it was announced that over 3000 “gently used books” would be donated to the WHIZ KIDS reading program. Thanks to all the parents that helped support that project!

There is a multitude of people to be thanked for this successful faith enriching week, especially the VBS Leadership Team headed by Katy Leffel – Jennifer White, Kelli Lay, Meredith Parker, Toni Reiss, Brooke Gebb and John Gilstrap.

SAVE THE DATE: Plans are already underway for VBS 2013, June 10-13.

God Bless, Cathy Hersom, Director Children’s Ministries

Soccer Fun

The rain and mild temperature didn’t stop about 75 Church of the Servant soccer players and their families from enjoying hotdogs and swimming at the Summit Place Pool recently. Pictured is Ben Power, son of Justin & Nicole Power. Ben is wearing his soccer medal, which the coaches presented at the party.

Church of the Servant is currently registering participants for Fall Soccer. Forms are available on the church website. For more info, email Susan at seasttom@ churchoftheservant.com or call 728-4756.

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“SKY - EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD!” WHAT THIS VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL HAS MEANT TO US

Judie & Don Ellis

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If someone had told us a few months ago that we would be helping with Servant Vacation Bible School this summer, we would have probably laughed. But then we signed up for the Alaska Mission trip and, guess what? That trip is to teach the same VBS there. We’ve been involved in Adult Ministries in and out of The Servant for a number of years, and had no idea how to start preparing for this mission trip.

When Randy asked us to do the Opening & Closing in Alaska, we decided we would simply attend Opening and Closing at The Servant VBS just to get an idea of what was in store for us in Alaska. We had no intention of signing on to help. Instead, we became “floaters” and helped decorate the Church. One of the leaders told us that if we would like to be Crew Leaders, we would have the opportunity to see everything that goes on. That’s exactly what we did. After watching the first Opening with Brooke and John, we thought we might not be able to pull this off. Those doubts have turned to excitement. After all, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD! The theme of “Sky” VBS is based on Mark 10:27: “Everything is possible with God”, and how we must trust God. No matter who we are, no matter how we feel, no matter what people say, no matter what people do...Trust God! We did, and we were blessed! We had nine fourth graders on our crew, and they were all precious and so willing to follow instructions and participate in all of the activities. They demonstrated to us what VBS is all about. We wouldn’t hesitate to claim all of them as our own. And right now, this Friday morning, we are missing them! ...continued on next page

Everything about VBS was so well thought out and organized. It was amazing to see 450 kids having so much fun. For us 71 year olds, it was an impressive sight.

So, you see, something changed in us - our hearts! What started out as a learning experience turned out to be one of the biggest blessings in our lives. We fell in love with VBS and will continue to work with our Servant kids for as many years as we can. Why don’t you plan on joining us next year. You will be blessed, too!

We trusted God to show us how to be good crew leaders, and we will continue to trust Him as we take this awesome adventure to Alaska. We honestly believe we were more blessed than the kids. EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, EVERY-

THING IS POSSIBLE, EVERYTHING IS

POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

- Judie & Don Ellis

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Middle

p m a C e l p i c s i D l o Scho

June 1-5, we took 40 Middle Schoolers and 16 adults and Students in Training (SITs) to Heart O’ Hills Camp near Tahlequah, OK. Besides the storms, lack of sleep, and seemingly endless walking, we had a wonderful weekend. Several of the students truly experienced God for the first time. Worship was the favorite part of the weekend for most. Many memories and friendships were made that will last a lifetime. We will miss our new freshmen as they move up to High School! We enjoyed spending their last Disciple camp with them!

Custodial Position Available

Currently the church is seeking a part-time custodian able to work three evenings during the week. If interested contact Don Cole or come by the church office and fill out an application.

New Service Dog!

Kathleen Kennedy is the owner of a new service dog as of June 6, 2012. The dog is a Golden Lab and her name is “Jamie”. She weighs in at 59 pounds and her birthday is July 6, at which time she will be 2 years old. If you are concerned about “Pasha”, she is with Kathy’s son in Dallas. Greet Kathy warmly, but refrain from touching or petting the new dog, Jamie.

Earthglow now has gift cards available!

You can purchase them in any dollar amount and they are a great gift! We are now accepting American Express and Discover in addition to Mastercard and Visa! As always, any purchase you make in Earthglow also “gifts” others in our community!

Thank you for supporting Missions!

Servant Foundation Golf Tournament

On Saturday, June 2 the Servant Foundation held its 17th Annual Scramble Golf Tournament at Fairfax. The weather was wonderful, the condition of the course was outstanding and everyone who participated enjoyed the tournament as well as the luncheon, prizes and awards that were given.

The three people who worked very closely with the Foundation to put together this tournament that deserve a great deal of appreciation from all of us are Renny Reeves, Stan Mortimer, and Mike Bible. The winners of this year’s tournament were:

1st place—Mike Bible, Randy Allison, Trent Fisher, and Robbie Treadwell 2nd place—Floyd Gilreath, Michael Cunningham, Warren Cunningham and Greg Robinson 3rd place—Greg Biggs, Del Boaz, Terry Hixon, and Steve Armstrong The tournament could not have been the success it was without the hole sponsors and others who make donations to the tournament. Those individuals or companies are:

Arvest Bank; BC Clark Jewelers; Beggs Financial; Bradford & Erwin Insurance; Russal and Phyllis Brawley; Breast Imaging of Oklahoma; Classic Printing; Encounters Sunday School Class; Eskridge Lexus; Farmers’ Insurance—Roy Wallace; John and C.K. Farr; Vernon Hyde & Co., CPA; ING Financial Partners—Kevin Wittrock; Legends of the Game; Kurt & Cathy Leichter; MidFirst Bank; Oklahoma Parks and Recreation; TLC Sunday School Class; Two by Two Sunday School Class; Louie’s on the Plaza; Interurban; San Marcos; Earl’s Rib Palace; Portofino Restaurant; Golf US; Parakletos Sunday School Class; Lynn Hunt; 13.2 Coffee Shop.

Next year’s tournament will be held the latter part of May or first part of June, so mark your calendars now and plan to participate. If you would like to be a hole sponsor or furnish prizes, contact Tom at the church at 721-4141.

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School of Performing Arts The Music Ministry is pleased to announce a brand new offering for the Fall. Church of the Servant School of Performing Arts. All teachers will be related to our church. We will offer classes in various instruments - winds, strings, brass, drums, piano, and guitar to start. We will also offer dance. In the next few weeks we will have a table set up with more information. You will have an opportunity to preregister for the Fall.

Our Vision The School of Performing Arts exists to help students of all ages glorify the Lord with their talents by providing professional quality instruction in a Christ-centered environment.

Our Goal Our goal is to help students maximize the potential and personal enjoyment of their God-given gifts while training them to be future leaders in performance and ministry.

Our Purpose We find in the Bible the basis for training in the arts, when people were set aside to be trained as musicians, singers and leaders of worship in Solomon’s temple (1 Chronicles 25:6-8, 2 Chronicles 5:11-14). With this biblical example of experienced artists training less-experienced artists in mind, our purposes for the ministry of the School of Performing Arts are: To provide a Christian environment in which students of all ages are taught to develop the artistic gifts God has given them, and to better understand how they can use those gifts to glorify Him.

To give highly skilled Christian instructors the opportunity to pass on their knowledge in teaching and nurturing new generations of artists. To help students develop life skills such as responsibility, discipline, respect, determination and perseverance through their study. To encourage the participation in the Worship Ministry of Church of the Servant.

To strengthen and encourage relationships between Church of the Servant and the community.

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FAITH IN REEL TIME Sunday, July 15, 1:00 p.m.

In the Centrum

If you’re ready to finally see a movie that, as one critic puts it, “actually could make the world a better place”, then BUCK is the movie for you! BUCK was the 2011 Sundance Film Festival Audience winner, and its main character, Buck Brannaman, was the inspiration for the novel and movie The Horse Whisperer. The story of Buck Brannaman is, on the surface, that of a man who turned a childhood of pain into grace operating from a reservoir of patience and profound love of horses. In a very quiet way, BUCK looks at those lines connecting parent to child, man to beast. To watch Mr. Brannaman work with the horses - and their often more jittery handlers – is absolutely mesmerizing. “A lot of times,” he says in his soft, pleasant drawl, “rather than helping people with horse problems, I’m helping horses with people problems.” Rated PG, bring the family to watch a very special man magically transform horses – and people – with understanding, compassion and respect. As an added bonus, Chuck Schroeder, President and CEO of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and a personal friend of Buck Brannaman, will join Dr. Curtis Nigh in discussion after the film. You won’t be disappointed!

Our Prayers continued... u Alan Bahan as he deals with health issues, recuperates from surgery, and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u David and Janet Battles as their cousin, Sandra Brown, deals with health issues. u Max and Debbie Colclasure as Debbie’s mother, Paris Osborne, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Joe and Helen Dekker as Helen deals with health issues. u Grant, Leslie, Cooper, and Caroline Flurry as Leslie’s cousin, Todd Tacker, deals with health issues. u Leon, Debbie, and Sean Gold as Debbie deals with health issues and recuperates from a procedure. u Bill and Nancy Haaland as Nancy deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Denene Harper as she deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Walt Hawkins as Walt’s uncle and aunt, Richmond and Mary Hawkins, both deal with health issues. u Rick and Shirley Jackson as Shirley’s grandson, Jase Jackson, deals with health issues. u Joe and Pam Lovell as Pam deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery; and Joe’s sister, Mary Kersey, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Tom and Judy McGee as Tom deals with health issues and recuperates from injuries sustained in a fall. u Linda Moore as she deals with health issues and recuperates from a procedure. u Brian, Angela, Josh, and Kylie Perry as Angela’s father, John Beck, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment.

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u Dale and Phyllis Regier as Phyllis’ brother, Terry Harms, deals with health issues, recuperates from surgery, and is hospitalized at the OK Heart Hospital. u Bob and Kathlyn Reynolds as Bob deals with health issues, recuperates from an illness, and is a resident at Bellevue Rehab and Nursing Home. u Jim and Kathryn Roberts as their infant granddaughter, Amelia Roberts, recuperates from an illness. u Heather Slane and George and Jane Anne Slane as Heather deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Will, Michele, Jared, and Jayden Snow as Will’s aunt, Nimfa Stewart, deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Eric, Jeanna, and Amelia Stewart as Jeanna deals with health issues. u Steven, Angela, and Angelica Strozier as Angela’s mother, Sharon Burpo, deals with health issues, undergoes a procedure, and recuperates from an illness. u Mary Elizabeth Thigpen as she deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Bob and Linda Wheeler as Bob deals with health issues and faces treatment.

u J. Robb Bartlett and Linda Foster and Family at the death of J.Robb’s sister, Martha Jean Kintzinger. u Don and Doris Cline and Family at the death of their brother-in-law, Bill Yowell. u Phil and Betty Fair and Family at the death of Phil’s mother, Aline Fair. u Jim and Suzie Fentriss and Family at the death of their nephew, Mark Wilson Anderson. u Walt Hawkins and Lauren Hawkins and Family at the death of Walt’s uncle, Wesley Hawkins. u Michael and Susan Ketchersid, Kent and Dana Israel, and Sandy Ebert and Family at the death of Michael’s stepmother, and Dana’s and Sandy’s stepgrandmother, Mildred Ketchersid. u Jay, Julie, Jason, and Jenna Kriegel and Family at the death of Jay’s mother, Gloria Kriegel. u Jim and Mary Pearson and Family at the death of Jim’s father, O.J. Pearson. u Scott, Linda, and Tyler Smith and Cody and Jessica Keyser and Family at the death of Linda’s stepfather and Tyler’s and Jessica’s step-grandfather, Fulton Fite. u Bill, Cleda, and Eric Spaeth and Family at the death of Bill’s father, Ervin L. Spaeth.

u Russ and Jennifer Andrews at the birth of their daughter, Kennedy Carmel Andrews.

The proud grandparents are Jack and Denise Leonard. The proud great grandparents are Bob and Kathlyn Reynolds. u Brian and Stephanie Byers at the birth of their twin daughters, Lillie Adelaide Byers and Mollie Katherine Byers. The proud siblings are Aubrey, Daxton, Georgia, and Sophia Byers. u Suzie Drake at the birth of her grandson, Wyatt Morgan Payne. The proud parents and sister are Don, Laura, and Hailey Jo Payne of Mountain View, OK. u Kent Buchanan has been named the Assistant Provost for Oklahoma City University!

He used to teach in the medical school at Tulane University until Katrina hit that city and he and Laurie decided to head back this way to Oklahoma where they are both from. He began teaching biology at OCU and has moved up the ranks to now being named the Assistant Provost. u Andrew Kirk, son of Clyde and Fran Kirk, has graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and has been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant.