July 17, 2013
Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.14
Believe s Belong s Become
Hannah’s Promise Volunteer Wins Miss Oklahoma On Saturday, June 8, Kelsey Griswold’s life was turned upside down when she was crowned Miss Oklahoma at the Tulsa Mabee Center. Kelsey has been competing since she was 13 years old and this was a dream come true for her. But this Tulsa native is not new to experiencing change in her life. When she was fifteen years old, her mother passed away and this event also turned her life upside down. Active in the theater program at Union High School, but caught in a wave of grief, Kelsey found a solace and began healing when she got connected volunteering with children with special needs several years ago. During that time she befriended a young girl named Danielle who had Down syndrome. Danielle struggled to communicate and the way she and Kelsey communicated was through drawing. Kelsey taught Danielle to express herself through pictures. And this expression and skill became the way that one day, Danielle actually communicated to her parents that she was sick, and their understanding and response to Danielle’s drawing saved her life. ...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
Hannah’s Promise Volunteer Wins Miss Oklahoma ...Continued from Cover Page
Kelsey left for college and got caught up in the “artistic world” on the OCU campus. But her friend, April Nelson, who sings in the choir here, told Kelsey about Hannah’s Promise, a ministry for children with special needs for which she had begun to volunteer earlier that year. Kelsey had been looking for an outlet to serve again, but found that most programs had such rigid rules and weren’t volunteerfriendly enough to fit her availability as a volunteer. Kelsey came as soon as she could to Hannah’s Promise and realized she had been caught up in her campus life and had forgotten what it meant to serve and love others fiercely. “Hannah’s Promise helped me rediscover my love and passion and continue the healing process in my life,” she said. Hannah’s Promise was Kelsey’s outlet for bringing her artistic practice back to reclaim her love of showing others how to express themselves. “The children of Hannah’s Promise remind of this deep love inside of me.” Her Miss Oklahoma platform, ART- Artists Reaching Together - reflects this passion. Her goal is to promote and encourage children with special needs by introducing art as a medium of expression and release for them. “I have realized that these children can’t reach their full potential without the help of others. There is no reason why they should not be given the opportunity to express and find themselves. Their need should not keep them from doing and being what they discover.” The platform is not only about serving, but helping artists realize they have something to share that can make a deep impact on these families. Right now Kelsey has a community of artists who are everyday OCU students that she is helping to find ways to serve others. “We need to get out of our artistic mindsets and move into the world with our gifts and talents to serve others.” Kelsey is so grateful to Church of the Servant for the opportunity to serve and is bringing a group of students to Hannah’s Promise later this fall to put her platform into action right here. “Church of the Servant touched my heart. Sitting in worship here and serving here has helped me find God’s unconditional love again and find ways to share it.” Make sure you watch the Miss America competition on September 15 as Kelsey represents Oklahoma and Church of the Servant!
SAVE the DATE! Month of August Skyline Food Drive
Sunday, August 18 - Skyline Food Pantry Fish Appeal Sunday, August 25 - Whiz Kids Recruitment Sunday Saturday, August 24, 8-noon - SERVANT DAY! Sunday, September 22, 4pm - Fit to Serve 5K
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The Cost John Buchanan is senior minister of Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois. He was Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). In one of his first acts, he led protests against the government of Iran as they imprisoned and hung a christian minister. He then went on to tell how one of the earliest trips he took as moderator was to Cuba:
We were dinner guests in the apartment of the Moderator of the Cuban Church General Assembly and his wife. When I was assured I could ask anything I wished, I asked about how the state applied pressure to believers. The moderator’s wife told me about her son, a good student at the University of Havana and a fine athlete and basketball player. Because the team represented the university and the nation, he was thrown off the basketball team and allowed to return only if he quit the church and renounced his faith. The young man did. What parent could not understand and feel Dr. Robert Gorrell deeply this Cuban family’s agony? There was a lot of pain in her voice when she told me he had moved to Germany, and they had not seen him for a long time. “We have talked about our faith for years. Now we have had to learn how to live it,” she said.i
I’m human. I understand that it’s hard to keep our faith commitments in the summer. We vacation, visit friends and spend time with family. All that is good. But our faith needs time too. Christians all over the world are sacrificing so much for the faith. What about you? Are you willing to pay the cost of following Jesus Christ this summer? i
- Robert
John M. Buchanan, The High Cost of Believing, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, Ill., October 20, 1996.
Browse in Earthglow… get your cool summer aprons for those hot summer cook-outs. All profits go to missions. This is a thank you note from one of the missions Earthglow supports at Skyline Urban Ministry: “Thank you once again for your generous gift to the Community Charity Eye Clinic at Skyline Urban Ministry. With your gift we can continue to help people get and keep jobs, children do better in school, and many others to have a better quality of life. Thank you so very much.”
Camera Operators Needed!
We are looking for camera operators to help with Sunday morning services. No experience necessary. Contact Heather DeShazo at 728-4704.
SERVANT July 17, 2013 I Page 3
Ladies Night Out with Jennifer Rothschild August 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Jennifer Rothschild will be here for our second annual Ladies Night Out. Bring a friend for a sweet evening of dessert, coffee and conversation with Jennifer as she shares with us her amazing journey of God’s presence through the darkest period of her life. Even though she lost her sight, the eyes of her heart has revealed God’s constant companionship along the way. She will be an inspiration for all of us to experience. Tickets will be available on Sundays beginning July 28, or purchase tickets TODAY in the church office or online at www.churchoftheservant.com.
Troop 177
We all enjoy watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, but few remember that everything that goes up… has to come down. This year BSA Troop 177 was approached by Levi Clark, a COS member and VP of Extreme Pyrotechnics. After some research, we found out his company not only creates spectacular firework shows, but it’s also one of the most environmentally friendly in the industry. That’s why we were quick to partner with them to help with the clean up after their shows at the Chesapeake Boat House and at UCO on Friday, July 5. Our scouts worked for hours picking up small debris from walkways, grassy areas and sport’s fields. Our hard work was greatly appreciated by Extreme Pyro and the UCO community. Summer Camp 2013 was one to remember! On the shores of beautiful Lake Lewis & Clark in South Dakota, our scouts enjoyed unique activities and great study sessions. The added visit to Mount Rushmore just made this the trip of a lifetime. Six of our most veteran scouts have one more big adventure in store for them this summer. They will be part of the contingent representing Oklahoma at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. This event, held every four years, will bring together more than 60,000 scouts from all over the nation. This is the first time the Jamboree takes place at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, a 10,600 acres newly developed high adventure base in the wilds of West Virginia. Our scouts will enjoy 10 days of exciting activities, great concerts and lots of fellowship. On the topic of fellowship, we invite you to bring your family to our Applebee’s Flap Jack breakfast on Saturday, August 3. For only $7.00 per person, you will enjoy unlimited pancakes served by your Boy Scout Troop. Feel free to call me or email me to reserve your tickets. Capacity is limited so buy your tickets now! Mobile: (405) 706-2101, Email: michael@ thevallejos.com. Michael Vallejo Scribe, Bugler & Troop Guide BSA Troop 177 Page 4 I SERVANT July 17, 2013
A Special Mid-Summer’s Night Prom for Hannah’s Promise Children
Last Saturday was a beautiful evening here at our church when our Hannah’s Promise children dressed up for a special night of dancing and celebrating at our summer prom. The decorations were magical, the music was hopping and the children were loving it! The senior high and college students came in their formal clothes as well and danced with the children all evening. It was simple, beautiful fun where the presence of God was experienced in the smiles of the children and the joy of watching them experience a special evening which is an important rite of passage for young people. Some of the parents of our children snuck back early to watch their children have this special time. Their smiles and expressions of gratitude made the evening so worth the work. Special thanks to our amazing volunteers and the extra thought and work put into this glorious evening!
Sunday FUNday!
We had a FABULOUS FUN in the SUN-day! Thank you to our wonderful Sunday School teachers and helpers who spent the morning celebrating God and his wonderful gift of water! It was wonderful to have so many kids outside enjoying each other and the water! SERVANT July 17, 2013 I Page 5
Our Prayers continued... u Jane Bronnenberg as she recuperates from surgery. u Kent, Lauri, and Keaton Buchanan as Keaton deals with health issues. u Dan and Cathy Bush as their friend, Harvey Bryant, deals with health issues. u John and Margaret Curless as Margaret recuperates from surgery. u Robert and Joyce Ezell as Robert recuperates from surgery. u Fred and Nancy Forde as Nancy’s son, Michael Overall, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Esther Fowble as she recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Judy Gentry as her daughter, Gwendolyn Wallace, recuperates from surgery in Colorado. u Leon and Debbie Gold as Leon’s aunt, Zoye Downen, deals with health issues. u Charlie and Mary Johnson as Mary deals with health issues and faces surgery. u Matt, Nanci, Emma, Caleb, and Blake Judkins as Matt recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Betty Jo Large as her mother, Ruth Large, is hospitalized at Select Specialty Hospital. u Barbara Mayfield as she recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Maurice and Carol Muirhead as Maurice is hospitalized at Mercy Rehab Hospital. u Brian, Angela, Josh, and Kylie Perry as Brian’s father, James Perry, is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Ben and Sandy Ratzlaff as Ben recuperates from surgery. u Jane Self as she deals with health issues and is a resident at Epworth Villa.
u Eric, Jeanna, and Amelia Stewart as Jeanna recuperates from tests. u Tom and Rita Team as Rita recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Charles, Alaine, and Brian Thigpen as Charles deals with health issues.
u Jeff and Sarah Dunn at the birth of their son, Abraham ‘Bram’ Dunn. The proud grandparents are Randy and Jenny Shrauner. The proud great grandparents are Ralph and Neoma Shrauner.
u Helen Vaughn as she recuperates from surgery. u Bob and Susy Wilson as Bob’s father, Joe Wilson, is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center.
u Ad Acers, Kent Acers, Tammy and Nick Acers, and Family at the death of Ad’s wife, Kent’s and Tammy’s mother, and Nick’s grandmother, Mary Lou Acers. u Rick and Connie Fitzgerald and Family at the death of Rick’s step-brother, Lee Mills. u Family and friends at the death of Sara Mae Odgers. u Brian, Angela, Josh, and Kylie Perry and Family at the death of Angela’s father, John Beck. u Kathlyn Reynolds at the death of her friend, Dr. Ramona Paul. u Jim and Kathryn Roberts and Family at the death of Jim’s mother, Wanda ‘Fern’ Roberts. u Jerry and Pam Russell and Family at the death of Pam’s mother, Carol McCormick. u David and Sherri Simpson and Family at the death of David’s father, Allen Simpson. u Roger and Patty Zody and Family at the death of Patty’s brother, Bill Willetts.
u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Bill Snyder by Harold Copeland. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Bill Snyder by Cherie & Pete Dennis. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Bill Snyder by David & Sandy Jensen. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Bill Snyder by Charles & Cassandra Bowen. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Bill Snyder by William & Melba Howard. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Skyline-Clothes For Kids in memory of Bill Snyder by Cecil & Carolyn Jones. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Billie Amis by Nabil & Mona Hanna. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Bill Snyder by Terry & Peter Weaver. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Lynn Jones by Terry & Peter Weaver.