Newsletter 08.01.12

August 1, 2012

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 12.15

Believe s Belong s Become

Adult Softball Registrations Due This Sunday, August 5 Church of the Servant is putting together some adult softball teams for a fall church league beginning the week of August 27. And we want you to take part! 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. Registrations are due this Sunday, August 5, so sign up today! If you have any questions, please contact John Gilstrap at 728-4726 or jgilstrap@churchoftheservant.com.

United Methodist

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

Jen Hatmaker.................................... August 24 Servant Day....................................... August 25 Children’s Pack the House................ August 26 Disciple Bible Studies Begin........September 9 Fit To Serve 5K Run.................... September 30 Fall Festival...................................... October 26

MINISTER NOTES: I love you. I forgive you. Dinner is ready. .......................pg. 3 MISSIONS: Whiz Kids; Skyline; ChildSHARE ...........................................pg. 4 Fit To Serve 5K; Earthglow.....................................................pg. 5 ChildSHARE Supply List.........................................................pg. 6 WOMEN’S MINISTRIES: Ladies Night Out with Jen Hatmaker ...................................pg. 7 MUSIC MINISTRIES: Music Ministry Offerings for the Fall ....................................pg. 8 ADULT MINISTRIES: Disciple Bible Study ...............................................................pg. 9

I love you. I forgive you.

Dinner is ready.

Bob Kaylor, Senior Writer for the preaching journal Homiletics, tells the following story:

A rabbi friend of mine and I were once doing a joint study for Lent/ Passover with our congregations as a way of comparing and contrasting our two synoptic faith traditions. During one of the Q&A sessions, one of the folks in my congregation asked Rabbi Josh, “How would you sum up the message of Judaism?” Josh didn’t hesitate with his answer. “That’s simple,” he said. “Jews always remember three things: They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!”

Kaylor goes on to say, “That description has stuck with me -- so simple, so direct, and so easy to celebrate. As I listened to Josh breaking down Judaism into a three-fold pattern, I began to wonder if we could articulate the foundational message of Christianity so succinctly. We should Dr. Robert Gorrell be good at threes because, after all, we have that whole Trinity thing going for us; but explaining the Trinity is, for some, like trying to explain how Jello can be a solid and a liquid at the same time. You don’t ask, you just enjoy it.”

“What three words do you most want to hear?”

Luther had 95 theses, the Westminster Confession has 107 questions, and the Anglicans have 39 Articles of Religion, which the Methodists edited down to 25. Wesley also added three General Rules -- rules being kind of his thing. While all of these doctrinal statements are important in the history and theology of the Church universal, they’re not really concise enough to fit on a T-shirt, which is really the gold standard of whether people will pay attention to what you have to say these days.

So, if you were going to boil down the gospel into three easily reproducible statements that require very little explanation, how would you put it? What would go on the T-shirt?

I heard a description once of a survey that asked a sample of people, “What three words do you most want to hear?” The top three answers were very telling: 1. I love you.

2. I forgive you.

3. Dinner is ready.

Seems to me that the words people most want to hear correspond to the words that Jesus used most often. The gospels certainly say more than this, but everything else is a variation on the theme. In Christ, God expresses God’s sacrificial and unconditional love for us. In Christ, God forgives sinners of every kind. And, in Christ, God welcomes us all to a feast where everyone who wants to come has a place at the table. It’s Christ’s table and he sets the guest list!

I love you. I forgive you. Dinner is ready. Imagine what would happen if the world saw that message from God written on us every day?

- Robert

SERVANT August 1, 2012 I Page 3

Whiz Kids Mentors Needed for the 2012-2013 School Year

As school begins again, our mentors are preparing to be with the children of Edgemere Elementary again! This reading ministry with children every Monday afternoon at Wesley UMC is not just about reading but about being a person of influence in the life of a child so he or she might have a chance at a better future.

The children we serve all live challenging lives and are at high risk of poverty and school drop out. The two hours a week a mentor spends in this relationship can change the life of a child.

Our ministry needs new volunteers this year to sustain our commitment to 30 children. Would you prayerfully consider serving this year? The commitment is one year at a time. Sunday, August 19 is the day to make a commitment, with training for new mentors being the following day, Monday, August 20 at 3 p.m. in Community Hall.

If you have any questions about Whiz Kids and being a part of this ministry, please contact Kay Morgan at 823-3491.

ChildSHARE School Supplies

Back to school means supplies needed for students.

Each fall, through ChildSHARE, Church of the Servant helps foster families by bringing school supplies to help them get their foster children prepared to go back to school. Later this month, families will have the opportunity to “shop” at the ChildSHARE office for their needs.

The children get so excited to pick out their supplies and the parents feel such relief to have this resource. We will have a big yellow wagon parked next to the Mission Kiosk in August where you can bring supplies. Pick up a supply list at the Welcome Center or Mission Kiosk or see the list on page 6.

Skyline Special Fish Appeal

On August 19 during worship services we will be taking a Special Fish Offering for the Skyline Food Pantry. In its relationship with the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank, Skyline has the opportunity to purchase food at discounted rates to go along with the food that is donated by churches.

In Oklahoma, one in four children is at risk for hunger every day. Skyline is working to change this. Our offering will go to purchase food and continue the programs that Skyline offers to help people learn to make a better life for their family.

Please mark your calendar for this Special Fish Appeal and help us address hunger in Oklahoma.

Page 4 I SERVANT August 1, 2012

August Food Drive for the Skyline Food Pantry

All during the year Church of the Servant is donating to the United Methodist Skyline Food Pantry, with many of you bringing groceries and putting them in the baskets throughout the building. During August we are drawing awareness to just how great the need is and asking everyone to be a part of getting the pantry supplied through the end of the year. At this time of year, the donations get lower and the need gets higher. See the good work Skyline is doing with its resources: •

Skyline can stretch all donations and feed a family of 4 for 4 days with just $3.85!

•

Last year, the Skyline food pantry served 7,076 families and 17, 996 individuals.

•

During the first half of this year, the Skyline food pantry has already served 3,423 families and 8,199 individuals - about 65 people every day!

•

The greatest needs right now are: Peanut Butter (16oz), Canned Meats (esp. Tuna), Powdered Milk, Hearty Soups and Canned Fruit.

Please make an extra effort to bring non-perishable goods throughout this month. Let’s send tons of food to help feed the people of Oklahoma City!

Earthglow is happy to share the following: “Dear Volunteers & Administrative Board of Earthglow, On behalf of Exodus House, our ministry and all of our residents, thank you for your continuing support. What a blessing!

We could not do this without your generosity and support. That you share the same hope, desire and willingness to love and help those like us in need of a second chance, gives us a new start and opportunity to be a new person in Christ.

I am living proof and a testimony of what this program can do. I came to the Exodus House from prison in June 2007 and was given that very chance.

If not for this program, I cannot say where I would be today. How blessed I am to share my experiences, hopes, and dreams with those coming into our program. It is always a reminder of the struggles I faced and overcame as I watch our new residents face some of those same struggles, and to be able to encourage them to keep reaching their goals and that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. What a wonderful daily experience that is for me!

I continue to be the case manager of the very program that took me in and your ministry and your congregation continues to inspire me to this day with your love and continued dedication and commitment to Exodus House.

For your continued sponsoring of apartment #5, your faithful support of Exodus House, your generosity, and always being the hands and feet of Jesus to help those who are in chains or in need, we are so grateful, and so blessed for you to give from your hearts to us... Thank You!!!�

In Christ, Exodus House Staff and Residents

Case Manager: Robin Wertz

Fit to Serve Sponsors

CHURCH OF THE

SERVANT FIT TO SERVE 5K HELD AT GAILLARDIA COUNTRY CLUB

SUNDAY SEPT. 30 4:00PM

REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.DGROADRACING.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 405.721.4141 OR VISIT WWW.CHURCHOFTHESERVANT.COM

$25

PROCEEDS BENEFIT WHIZ KIDS WWW.WHIZKIDSOK.ORG

The Mission Council is seeking businesses that would sponsor the Third Annual Fit to Serve 5K Mission Run. Our church people who are out in the community are our best resources for finding the sponsors we need to make this event for mission a success. The race will be Sunday, Sept 30 at 4 p.m. at the Gaillardia Country Club.

This will be first of its kind held at that location.

Sponsorship begins at $250 to get a name on the t-shirts; a $500 sponsorship includes name on t-shirts, banner, posters, and 4 spots in the run; $1000 and up donations include all those, plus an advertising spot at Gaillardia on the day of the event. The race this year will benefit the Whiz Kids literacy ministry for children, in which many of our congregation serve. If you are a business owner or know of a business that would be interested, please contact Dr. Robyn Goggs at rgoggs@churchoftheservant.com or 721-4141 for more details. Sponsorship deadline is August 26 for publication purposes.

SERVANT August 1, 2012 I Page 5

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.

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.

8. 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.

6.

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

5.

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

4.

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

3.

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

2.

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

1.

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

7.

SERVANT August 1, 2012 I Page 7

MUSIC MINISTRY OFFERINGS FOR THE FALL AUGUST 1 - CELEBRATION CHOIR 7:00 p.m., Choir Room (Childcare provided)

The Choir is made up of people that love to sing and laugh! You do not have to read music to be part of this fellowship. We need 20 additional singers for the fall season. We are flexible and will work with your busy schedule. Chuck Weatherford, Director; Ron Staton, Accompanist.

AUGUST 8 - WORSHIP ORCHESTRA 6:15 p.m., Celebration Center (Childcare provided)

The orchestra is made up of high school and older players. Don’t worry if you have not played for a while.

It won’t take long to get back in the groove! Chuck Weatherford and Christiaan Osborn, Directors.

AUGUST 19 - REVELATION YOUTH CHOIR (6th – 12th Grade) 4:00 p.m., Choir Room

This is the second year for our youth choir! The group is made up of students from several different schools. We need students that play guitar, drums, dance, and of course, sing! We participate on a regular basis in worship and will tour to the Atlanta, GA. area when school is out next spring. Chuck Weatherford, Director.

SEPTEMBER 13 - CELEBRATION RINGERS 5:30 p.m., Bell Room

This is an advanced handbell choir that enjoys playing many different styles of music. The bell choir is currently full. Just contact the music office and we will put you on a waiting list for the next open spot! Chuck Weatherford, Director.

SEPTEMBER 30 - JOYFUL NOISE ELEMENTARY CHOIR 12:30 p.m., Choir Room

This wonderful ministry is a great place to get your young person “plugged in” to the worship life of our church. This choir sings several times a year in worship. An extra plus for the students is the chance to work with our gifted director, Paul Gebb and his talented team. Rehearsals are designed for busy Church of the Servant families.

SERVANT SINGERS – ON-GOING THE WAY – ON-GOING You are invited to join this vital ministry! Some wonderful events are planned for this season. On December 16 in the evening, enjoy our “Christmas Festival”, which includes all of our musical groups plus our dancers, actors, and live Nativity. In the summer, our Revelation Youth Choir will travel to Atlanta, Ga on tour; and you can enjoy our “Summer Songs Concert”; “Patriotic Sunday”; and of course, “Good Friday”; and “Joyful Noise Performing Arts Camp,” just to name a few of the exciting things within the music ministry!

COME AND JOIN THE FUN AND FEEL THE JOY OF SERVICE! We love questions! Contact Chuck at cweatherford@churchoftheservant.com Page 8 I SERVANT August 1, 2012

This Is the Year to Get Into a Disciple Bible Study!

Wouldn’t you love to have a better understanding of your Bible and how it all fits together? Make this the year to get involved in a Bible study. Beginning this fall, we have four outstanding Bible studies from which to choose!

Disciple I, “Becoming Disciples through Bible Study”, is an overview of both the Old and New Testaments. Over the course of two 10-week sessions, you will not only gain information which will help you understand your bible, you will begin to see how God’s word can transform your life. Rev. Randy Shrauner is leading this study.

Disciple II, “Into the Word into the World”, focuses on four key books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. This study will take you deeper into the Scripture. This is the next step for those who have taken Disciple I. Randy and Lainey Robinson are leading this study.

Disciple III, “Remember Who You Are”, focuses on the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. Participants will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, as well as the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. Don Ellis is leading this study.

Disciple IV, “Under the Trees of Life”, concentrates on the

Writings (Old Testament books not in the Torah or the Prophets), the Gospel of John, and Revelation. Present through the entire study is the sense of living toward completion – toward the climax of the message and the promise, extravagantly pictured in the Revelation. Blair Schoeb is leading this study.

Each of these Bible studies will meet Sundays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. for two 10-week sessions beginning Sunday, September 9, through November 18. Each will resume Sunday, January 6, 2013 and end March 10. Registration begins Sunday, August 12. You can register at the registration tables in the Concourse on Sunday mornings or online at www.churchoftheservant.com. The fee for each study is $35 which includes the study manual. Childcare is provided for children up to 10 years of age.

Grief Support Group Beginning August 28

A great opportunity for support and spiritual growth will be offered this fall at Church of the Servant. Beyond the Broken Heart is a 10-week grief support group for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. There will be a video segment (10-12 minutes) at each session. The leader for this group will be Rev. Tim Travers, Minister of Congregational Care at Church of the Servant. We’ll meet each Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 in Room 1 & 2 in the South Adult area of Church of the Servant. Our final session will be October 30. Each participant will need a workbook ($10.00 each). If you’re interested in attending this group, just call Vicki Roberds at Church of the Servant at 728-4738 or email her at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.

Getting the Love You Want

Remember Robert Browning’s famous poem…

Grow old along with me!

The best is yet to be; The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in his hand who saith, “A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: See all, nor be afraid!”

If your deepest desire in your marriage is to finish well, then what do you want your marriage to look like? Do you know couples that are finishing well?

Where are you in your marriage journey? Are you in the middle of diaper days, adolescent years, empty nest? Regardless of where you are, couple life is always teetering on the brink of new challenges, obstacles, and opportunities for growth. Let us encourage you to reinvent your marriage if you need to, hold onto the best from the past, or discover new and exciting ways to enrich your marriage.

Over a thousand couples have gone through the “Getting the Love You Want” workshop presented by Drs. Linda and Curtis Nigh in the past thirty years.

Mark your calendar now for the next workshop which is coming soon - Friday, September 7 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Nigh home. Brochures are available at the Welcome Center, or call the Nigh’s clinic at 848-2181 for more information.

SERVANT August 1, 2012 I Page 9

Our Prayers continued... u Beth Allan as her mother, Ann Baccus, deals with health issues and is a resident at The Lakes. u Bob and Mary Austin as Bob deals with health issues and faces surgery at Community Hospital. u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker as Geoff’s sister, Annita Wagner, deals with health issues and is hospitalized in Pennsylvania. u Hazel Bishop as she deals with health issues and faces a biopsy at Mercy Health Center. u John, Sherri, and Brendan Bradford as Sherri’s sister, Teresa Ogle, deals with health issues. u Bryan, Margo, and Bryleigh Carpenter as Margo deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Warren and Sue Collins as Warren’s daughter, Kathy, deals with health issues. u Larry and Michele Comptom as Larry’s father, Dee Comptom, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment.

u Jack and Nancy Morgan as Jack deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Vicki Muir as she deals with health issues, recuperates from surgery, and is hospitalized at Midwest City Regional Hospital. u Tate, Gina, Ryan, and Jaeden Musae as Gina deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u John, Cindy, Kelli, and Carrie Petree as Cindy’s brother, Richard Green, deals with health issues. u Bill, Robyn, Kayla, and Amanda Reed as Amanda recuperates from injuries in an automobile accident; and their nephew, Brett Reed, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Jack and Sharon Stockton as Sharon’s friend, Teresa Taylor, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u George Yarbrough and Hughlene Brittain-Yarbrough as George deals with health issues and faces surgery at St. Anthony Hospital.

u Denene Harper and Family at the death of her infant granddaughter, Abigail Grace Uteg. u Marta Motley and Madison Motley and Family at the death of Marta’s mother and Madison’s grandmother, Margaret Manning. u Robert and Freddie Nelon, Greg Nelon, and Eric and Lindsay Stout and Family at the death of Robert’s mother and Greg’s and Lindsay’s grandmother, Neata Nelon. u Bob Neeley and Donna Raynor-Neeley, Jeff Neeley, Steven Raynor and Joe, Dorothy, Heather, Taylor, and Shannon Ray and Family at the death of Donna’s and Dorothy’s grandmother and Jeff’s, Steven’s Heather’s, Taylor’s, and Shannon’s great grandmother, Carrie Scott. u Jim and Stacey Webb and Family at the death of Stacey’s mother, Anne O’Toole. u Scott and Shannon White and David and Susan White and Family at the death of Scott’s and Shannon’s infant daughter and David’s and Susan’s granddaughter, Grace White.

u Jo Duncan as her daughter, Katy Smith, asks for our prayers. u Bob Fowler and Sharon Stiles as Sharon’s sister, Jo Smuda, deals with health issues and undergoing rehab. u Alan and C.J. Frederick as C.J. deals with health issues and faces a procedure. u David, Sarah, and Jackson Krivy as Sarah deals with health issues. u Jerry Liles and Sally Carter-Liles as Sally’s father, Dutch Dennis, deals with health issues. u Billy, Courtney, Easton, and Evan Lindenborn as Evan deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Kevin and Cindy Long as Cindy’s brother, Brad Fink, deals with health issues and faces surgery in Illinois.

u Taylor Easttom and Cody Kelley are the proud parents of a son, John Porter Kelley. The proud grandmother is Susan Easttom who works in children’s ministries. u Elvan and Nancy Lombard at the birth of their 12th great grandchild, Grayson Haul Donaldson. The proud parents are Jordan Donaldson and Michelle HansonDonaldson. The proud grandparents are Chris and Jeanne Legaly and Kelly and Judy Hanson.

u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Faustine Garbrecht by Cal & Terry Moser. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care Ministry in memory of Lynn Quinn by Chris, Brent & Chase Quinn. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Memorial Fund in memory of Faustine Garbrecht by Rosalie Rahe.