Newsletter 07.18.12

July 18, 2012

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 12.14

Believe s Belong s Become

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT “WALK TO EMMAUS”?

Are you an active church member looking for “something more”? Have you felt like you needed to further your spiritual journey? Have you wanted to grow more spiritually? Would you like to see your spiritual journey revitalized, bringing new life and vision to you and your family? That’s what “Walk to Emmaus” can do for you!

If you would like to hear more about “Walk to Emmaus” and what happens on an Emmaus Weekend, don’t miss church on Sunday, August 5. Don & Judie Ellis will be visiting all four Sunday services to explain what the Walk is about, what it has done for their lives, and what it can do for your life, too! There will also be an Emmaus information table in the Concourse from 8:15 a.m. - Noon on August 5 and 12. Please come!

The next Walks are October 4-7 for the Men and October 18-21 for the Women. These Walks will be held at First UMC, Downtown OKC. United Methodist

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

Joyful Noise Arts Camp.................... July 23-26 Jen Hatmaker.................................... August 24 Servant Day....................................... August 25 Children’s Pack the House................ August 26 Disciple Bible Studies Begin........September 9

MINISTER NOTES: An Old Lesson Revisited ...................................................pg. 3 MISSIONS: Guatemala Team Celebration; Servant Day .........................pg. 4 Words of Thanks.....................................................................pg. 5 WOMEN’S MINISTRIES: Fall Offerings; Ladies Night Out with Jen Hatmaker ...........pg. 6 CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES: Servant Kidz Camp 2012 (photos) ........................................pg. 8 “Fun in the Sun” Day; Swim Party .......................................pg. 10 Boy Scout Troop 177 Report ...............................................pg. 11 ADULT MINISTRIES: Adult Softball Teams ...........................................................pg. 13 Replace Your Marriage But Keep Your Spouse...................pg. 13

An Old Lesson Revisited

In Mark 7, Jesus gets into a debate with some Pharisees about the table manners of his disciples. Were the Pharisees really the bad guys we make them out to be?

Speaking from his firsthand knowledge of Judaism, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach points out in his book, Kosher Jesus, that there were significant differences between the two major factions of Jews in Jesus’ day -- the Pharisees and the Sadducees. In religious outlook, the Pharisees were committed to the Oral Law, a tradition that went all the way back to Moses. The Sadducees rejected the Oral Law but instead relied on literal interpretations of the Torah. The religious views of the Pharisees live on in Orthodox Judaism today, Boteach says, but there is no modern counterpart to the Sadducees.

Politically, the first-century Pharisees were on the side of the common Jews and opposed to the domination of Palestine by Rome, while the Dr. Robert Gorrell Sadducees accommodated the Roman occupation and were rewarded

by Rome for doing so. Boteach says the two groups were as different as “chalk and cheese.”

The good rabbi goes on to say that the Gospels have been ‘edited’ to make the Pharisees look bad and help the early church fit into Roman “Worship only dominated world. While I disagree with that point, I do think there is works when we something very important here to consider for our faith.

In the Mark seven story, Jesus wasn’t out to “kill” kosher practices commit to (Jewish rules about food and table manners); but instead, he identified regular weekly what is truly kosher. And what is truly kosher, as Leviticus 20:25 makes clear, is to be holy to the Lord, set apart for God’s purposes. attendance.”

Kosher rules helped Jewish people remember that they were holy and set apart for God’s purpose. Jesus only attacked those who placed the practice of religion above a relationship with God. So what about Christians? What reminds us that we are a holy people set apart for God’s purpose?

We have a similar situation. Weekly worship in particular is a New Testament commandment. But the spirit we bring to worship is essential. It’s not enough to just show up. And it’s not enough to just show up occasionally.

Worship only works when we commit to regular weekly attendance. And it is essential to bring an attitude that acknowledges God as God. It is the one major (but not the only) difference that sets us apart from our neighbors. It is the root of our holiness because in worship we are in the presence of our holy God. And it reminds us weekly that we are to live our lives according to God’s purpose.

So when mom used to make you go to worship even in the summer, it wasn’t mom just being mom.

She was trying to save your soul…

- Robert

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Please Come: Guatemala Team Celebration This Sunday, June 22, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

The mission team that traveled to Guatemala in June will be sharing their experience this Sunday, June 22, 4:30-6 p.m. in The Point Youth Center. It is our time to thank all who invested in us with money, time and prayers. Come see pictures and hear stories of what God did through us and how we are planning the next trip. Refreshments will be served. If you are interested in finding out more about the future trips to Guatemala, this will be a great opportunity.

Mission Need for A Hurting Person

A 15-year-old girl, who is a member of a large family with a single parent mom, is in need of help. She comes from a very broken family and is struggling emotionally. Resources are slim in her family. Her counselor contacted our church and asked if someone in the church might have an extra camera to donate, because the girl only responds to therapy freely when they involve photography. She has a good eye and understands about framing and staging a picture. Her wish is for a Nikon SLR digital. The hope is that someone in our church might have this or a similar camera they are no longer using or have upgraded, that they would be willing to donate; or, even a point-and-shoot Nikon with at least a 10-12 mega pixel sensor would work. A good camera would enable her to take pictures and work through her therapy.

If not a Nikon, a Canon or Sony would probably do about as well. If you would like to help, please contact Dr. Robyn Goggs at rgoggs@ churchoftheservant.com.

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SERVANT DAY Saturday, August 25

Servant day is an annual tradition in the life of COS where we gather to eat breakfast, share a devotion, and go into our community and serve. It is a day in our congregation that crosses all ages and demographics because our common goal is mission in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is a fun day for parents and children, Sunday school classes, small groups, families, friends and individuals to join in making a difference in our community. This year we will be serving at Skyline McGee Center, ChildSHARE, Celebrations Preschool, Skyline Food Bank, OK Regional Food Bank, Penn Avenue Redemption Church, St. John’s UMC, Infant Crisis Services, Pauline E. Mayer Children’s Shelter, Project Transformation, Grace Fellowship, NSO, Servant Hands, and Exodus House.

Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. for $3.50 per person.

Then we will head to our projects where we will work from 9 a.m. until noon. Registration begins Sunday August 5.

Look for the table in the Concourse.

- Words of Thanks -

One of my favorite quotes: “If you have a desire to make a meaningful difference; if you have a heart that is filled with compassion for the disadvantaged, the marginalized, the oppressed; if you want to respond to the love Jesus Christ has poured out on you, there is no better way that to offer yourself to God in mission.” We see this happen at COS every day through you as a congregation.

Look below at the difference you are making. Thank you and bless you! -Dr. Robyn Goggs

Thank you for your most generous and thoughtful gift of Bible study and small group curriculum.

What an awesome gift for Penn Avenue Redemption Church to receive, as you were moving out some old for new. We are thrilled to have so many new and valuable teaching resources for our congregants. So many of our people are hungry for solid teaching in the Word of God. Your most unexpected gift will help provide many resources for the men and women Redemption UMC transports to church. At least 4 times a week we bring inmates from eight community correctional facilities around Oklahoma City to church for worship, classes, Bible studies, and fellowship. God bless you and thank you so very much for your part in helping us help them grow in Christ. Please know that our congregation keeps you in our prayers and we ask that you keep us in yours as well. In His Service, Marcia Manning, Redemption Church Volunteer Coordinator Dear Servants, support of our us ro ne ge ur yo r fo uch were Thank you so very m With your help, we . rs he ot M ar St e lu ps. chapter of the B to our deployed troo ” es ag ck pa om ed re able to send 400 “f d also the handan s on ti na do ur yo r We really appreciate oud to be a membe pr so am I . ps oo r tr Ann written notes to ou ! Thank you again, on ti ga re ng co us ro of such a gene others, Chapter 8.

M ar St e lu B , on ps Thom

Thank you for your amazing gift of $18,792 for th e Skyline Cloth es for Kids Program from the Special Fis h Offering you took on M ay 13th. Your faithfulness is so app reciated. The families are already registe ring to receive uniforms and shoes for their children.

There are families withou t the resources to purchase these uniforms.

What a blessi ng it is that Skyline, w ith your help, ca n relieve this stress in their lives. T hank you Church of the Servant for a ll you do in our nine differ ent ministry pr ograms to share in the K ingdom building that goes on at Skyline.

Sincerely, Rev. Lovelace, Skylin Claudia e Executive D irector

I am writing to thank your wonderful church for the lifesaving gift of two car seats you gave to me and my husband.

I just gave birth to twins a month ago and three weeks before I delivered I was told by the hospital that your church helped expectant mothers and wants to keep babies safe. We came to the church and everyone was so kind to us in the building and excited for us to have twins. Your minister fit the seats and prayed for us. We got in our car and talked about how it was the first time through the whole pregnancy that we felt more happiness than stress. Thank you for a simple act that made such a difference for us. Katy and Kevin H. SERVANT July 18, 2012 I Page 5

Women’s Fall Offerings Mark your calendar that Women’s Ministries will begin the Fall Offerings Bible Studies, Scrapbooking, Quilting, and Body and Soul Exercise Classes (a new addition this fall!) on Tuesday September 11. Brochures will be out in early August and registration will begin mid-August.

Top Ten Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss Ladies Night Out with Jen Hatmaker 10. There will be great hors d’oeuvres!!

9. A top selling Christian author, Jen Hatmaker, will have all her

books here and will sign them.

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A great night of girl fun with no children! Child care is available by reservation.

It will be like a slumber party, but you get to go home and sleep in your own bed.

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Jen’s social experiment for social living will inspire simpler living for all of us.

It is an opportunity to call an old friend and reconnect for an evening.

Jen’s talk on mutiny against excess will make you finally clean out your closet.

Jen is a national speaker, but down to earth, fun and focused on Jesus.

Her words will reach across life stages and experiences to connect us all!

Women need this night to focus on their own relationship with Christ, free from distractions.

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

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Servant Kidz Camp 2012

The temperature on the dial might have been 100 degrees, but with 70 campers (1st – 5th grade), 17 Senior High Students, and 38 adult leaders buzzing about Jesus, the temperature was off the charts at Servant Kidz Camp, June 29 – July 1 at Canyon Camp near Hinton OK. The camp theme EVERYONE MATTERS, especially to God, was driven home all weekend through small groups, activities (hiking, games and art time), special events (movie night, luau and water games galore) and even swimming.

It was a priority when planning the camp that every child would come home knowing that they matter to God. The worship times were full of God’s word, with music that had everyone singing God’s praises. The messages of God’s love were delivered by Revs Matt Judkins, Robyn Goggs and Robert Gorrell. Worship was led by 9:23 Worship Leader John Gilstrap. It took the adults breath away to see the children come forth and kneel during worship to ask Jesus into their hearts. And when families gathered together for the closing worship and received communion together, I know it took God’s breath away.

Susan Easttom, Children’s Ministries elementary coordinator, planned the curriculum that was led by our adult leaders. The lessons began with Psalm 139 enforcing that God knows all about you and loves you. Then in Romans 3:23 we are reminded that we are all sinners and are not good enough to share God’s greatness; but because of God’s greatness he forgives us our sins when we ask for forgiveness. What an amazing God we have! ...Continued on next page

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John 3:16 reminds us that even though we are sinners, we can be made clean because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. In Luke 15:11-24 - the story of the Prodigal Son, a beautiful life application story of forgiveness - was taught. John 8:12 reinforced that Jesus is the light of the world; whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. And in closing, Matt 4:19-22 - Follow Me and I will make you Fishers of Men - was the theme. This scripture was used to tell the story that since everyone matters to God, we want everyone to be part of God’s family. This was the children’s encouragement to return home and share their faith with their families and friends because they would be sharing the greatest gift in the world with them – they would be sharing Jesus.

High School Ministries Coordinator Sang Nguyen led the 17 Church of the Servant High School Students who came to camp to serve. These selfless teenagers helped in every aspect of the weekend. They were amazing and this congregation should be so proud of the young Christians that live amongst here at Church of the Servant! To the parents of these kids – you would have been so proud!

They always say it takes a village to raise a child. My testimony to this experience is that it took a village so that these children could experience God in this setting. To those that helped us prepare, to those that shared the weekend with us, and to those that prayed for this experience - Thank You! Cathy Hersom, Director Children’s Ministries

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“Fun in the Sun” Day

Children experienced a different kind of Bible learning on Sunday, July 8. The morning theme was “A Friend loves at All Times,” based on Proverbs 17. The Bible story of David and Jonathan told in 1 Samuel 18: 1-5; 20 is a story of friendship between these two.

After their lesson, the children and their leaders went outside to participate in several water activities (and popsicles!) that gave them the opportunity to share in fun times with their friends, and to be a friend. The leaders were armed with water soakers and had as much fun as the kids. Just ask Mr. Rick.

4th and 5th Grade Swim Party

4th and 5th graders enjoyed a summer afternoon swim at the home of Tom and Leslie Pace on Sunday, July 15. What a wonderful time to solidify Christian friendships! Special thanks to the Pace family for hosting this great bunch of kids.

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Troop 177 Boy Scouts assisting with vehicle wrap installation

Life Saving merit badge class at Camp Alexander

BOY SCOUT TROOP 177 REPORT After the shooting campout at the Oklahoma City Gun Club in June, we assisted in the installation of a vehicle wrap on the troop trailer before leaving for summer camp. We would like to send a big thank you to Perfection Truck Parts & Equipment of Oklahoma City for donating the time and materials to make this a reality.

On Saturday, June 30, fourteen Boy Scouts and six adult leaders headed for a week of summer camp at Camp Alexander - also known as Camp A - in Colorado. This camp is located in the beautiful Eleven Mile Canyon in the Pike National Forest, approximately 45 miles west of Colorado Springs and two miles south of Lake George, in Park County, Colorado.

All the scouts had a great time at camp A; they loved working on their merit badges such as Shotgun, Rifle, Archery, Swimming, Lifesaving, Fishing, and many more. Nearly all of the Boy Scouts went on a Blue Mountain Sunrise Hike. We got up at 3:00 a.m. to hike up to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise. This hike was quite an accomplishment because it has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet!

We are looking forward to our next campout in August where we will be canoeing. For more information or to follow the troop, visit our website at www.BSAtroop177ok.org.

Josh Bruza Troop 177 Scribe SERVANT July 18, 2012 I Page 11

North & South CHILD SHARE

Be an Angel for Learning by Providing School Supplies for Foster & Adoptive Children

SCHOOL STARTS EARLY THIS YEAR !

Donations of Basic School Supplies are needed for Child SHARE Families: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

#2 Wooden Pencils-Ticonderoga or American Natural preferred Pink Pearl, Magic Rub Erasers Pencil top erasers 8, 6 & 24 count Crayola Crayons 8 count Crayola Watercolors Paints 8 count Crayola Wide Line Markers (Washable Primary & Classic) 10 count Crayola thin line Markers 12 or 24 count Colored Pencils Dry Erase Markers 1” Three Ring Binders Wide Lined 1 Subject spiral Notebooks-solid colors Wide Lined Loose Leaf Notebook Paper Pocket Folders- solid color with & without brads Plastic pocket folders Fiskars School Scissors, 5 inch, both -sharp & blunt tips 9 x 6 school boxes Small Glue Sticks Elmer’s School Glue - 4 oz.

Play-Doh-2 pack Kleenex or other facial tissues Baby Wipes Zip lock bags-gallon, quart & sandwich size Backpacks-no rolling bags White copy paper Highlighters Red, Blue and Black Ink Pens Hand Sanitizer-small bottle or 4 oz pump Index Cards-3x5

C all our offices to arrange for pick up or delivery or answ ers to your questions.

North OKC Child SHARE 463-6627 ; South OKC Child SHARE 826-4204

There will be a yellow wagon by the mission kiosk in August to collect donations.

REPLACE YOUR MARRIAGE BUT KEEP YOUR SPOUSE People who are unhappy in their marriages often speak of feeling trapped. They yearn to be free from the tension, the loneliness, constant arguments, or the deafening silence, but they worry that divorce may not be the right decision. After all, they took their marital vows seriously. They’re not trying to hurt their spouses. They don’t want to hurt their children. They panic at the thought of being alone. They worry about finances. They fear the unknown.

Yet the idea of living in a loveless marriage starts to feel like a death sentence. Over time, many of these people slowly convince themselves that the benefits of leaving their marriages vastly outweigh the benefits of staying. They tell themselves, “Kids are resilient, they’ll bounce back,” or “In the long run, this will be better for everyone.” It’s not until they

embark on the path to divorce and begin to piece their lives back together that they discover the real price they paid for their so-called “freedom”, the “notso-great-escape.” Regretfully, this painful discovery can come too late. They have fallen into yet another trap.

Dr. Curtis Nigh says that, “Now, after four decades of our social experiment with rampant divorce and disposable marriages, I know it isn’t a matter of people keeping their marriages together because they can, it’s a matter of people replacing the marriage that has stopped working with one that works for both spouses; keeping your spouse, but divorcing yourselves from the marriage that either one or both have found ungratifying.”

“GETTING THE LOVE YOU WANT” is a workshop that Drs. Linda and Curtis Nigh will present on Friday, September 7 from

We’re Putting Together Some Adult Softball Teams... Are You In? Yes, you heard right! Servant is putting together some adult softball teams for a fall church league beginning the week of August 27. We will have at least one coed and one men’s team. These teams are recreational and are all about having fun together and sharing the love of Christ with teammates and the other teams. You can find all the details about the league by picking up a registration at the Welcome Center or online at www.churchoftheservant.com. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact John Gilstrap at 7284726 or jgilstrap@churchoftheservant.com.

7:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 8 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at their home. Literally hundreds of people have found help through this empowering and encouraging workshop to free their marriages from the entrapment impasse’ and replace it with a revitalized one with the same spouse. The workshop is a realistic, solutionoriented program for managing marital problems, which, when left unchecked, can drain the life out of a relationship. The workshop also welcomes pre-marital couples who want to start their relationship off with a good set of skills for their marriage. Registration is limited to 12 couples.

Brochures are available at the Welcome Center or by calling either the church office at 7214141 or Curtis at his clinic at 848-2181.

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d Foun We hav d e many items in and fou our los n t Bibles, d: jewelry, um brellas keys... , A any of these it re you missin e g m s? Sto main o p ffi check o ce at the chur by the ch and ut the L ost and Found.

SERVANT July 18, 2012 I Page 13

Our Prayers continued... u Candyce, Amanda, and Audrey Adams as Candyce’s father, Jim Slack, deals with health issues. u Dustin, Laine, Bennett, Riley, and Ramsey Elizabeth Baker as Ramsey deals with health issues and faces surgery at the OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital. u Kent and Linda Kepler as Linda deals with health issues, recuperates from a procedure, and is hospitalized at Deaconess Hospital. u Alven and Helen Lawson as Alven deals with health issues, recuperates from surgery, and is hospitalized at Edmond Integris Hospital. u Kurt and Cathy Leichter as Cathy’s mother, Lucy Shank, recuperates from injuries sustained from an automobile accident and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Bob and Marilyn Long as Marilyn’s son, Robert Fisher, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Ken Marose as his sister, Karen Boatright, deals with health issues and faces surgery. u Jaquita Martin as she deals with health issues and recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Phil and Shirley Martin as Shirley recuperates from injuries sustained from a fall and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Joe and Bea Penhall as Bea deals with health issues and recuperates from injuries sustained from a fall. u John and Cindy Petree as Cindy’s brother, Richard Green, deals with health issues, undergoes treatment, and is hospitalized at the MD Anderson. u James and Kim Schlecht as their grandson, Asher Schlecht, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery at the OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital.

u Clodus and Paula Smith as Paula deals with health issues and recuperates from injuries sustained from a fall. u Paul and Pattie Teague as Paul deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Charles, Alaine, and Brian Thigpen as Charles deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery.

u David and Lynnda Berryhill and Family at the death of David’s brother, Jeffrey Berryhill. u Ken Farrell and Family at the death of Ken’s wife, Linda Farrell. u Poppy Hock and Family at the death of Poppy’s husband, Joe Lawrence Hock. u Ken Marose and Family at the death of Ken’s father, Elmer Marose.

u Donna Armstrong and the late John Armstrong, at the birth of their twin great nieces, Rose Ester Russamee Armstrong and Lillian Ruth Sansinee Armstrong.

The proud parents are Tony and Jane Armstrong. u David and Jayme Cincotta at the birth of their son, Callan Anthony Cincotta. The proud brother is Lawson Cincotta. The proud grandparents are Larry and Judy Cincotta. The proud aunt and cousins are Diane, Hailey, and Kendall Morris.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Memorial Fund in memory of Gary Adams by Marilyn Bridges. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Earthglow’s Gift Shop in memory of Gary Adams by Sheryl Dunham. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Ukraine Mission in memory of Owen Sutter by J.R. & Lorene Wolf, Richard & Sharon Krivy and David Krivy’s Family. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Hannah’s Promise in memory of Bryan Chavez by Phyllis Armstrong, L. Wenoa Harber and Judith Berger. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Hannah’s Promise in memory of Bryan Chavez by Carol Seljeseth. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Earthglow Gift Shop in memory of Marion Winters by Robert & Prudy Gorrell, James & Lisa Fansher and Earthglow Volunteer Staff. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Hannah’s Promise in memory of Bryan Chavez by Deborah Russo, Margaret Bryan, David & Pam Sewell, Wayne & Judith Rives, Willie Walker, William Doscher and T & C Fox. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory Faustine Garbrecht by Lizette Stephens. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Faustine Garbrecht by William & Melba Howard and E.T. Sunday School Class.

CARE MINISTRIES

When a family is faced with an illness or crisis, it is sometimes difficult to remember to inform Care Ministries of that special situation. As a church family, all of us can help. If you know of a member who would benefit from our specialized care or our prayers through Care Ministries, call Care Ministries at 728-4738 or 728-4735.