Newsletter 08.26.15

August 26, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.16

WE EXIST

TO LOVE AND SERVE PEOPLE AS WE SHARE JESUS CHRIST Have you noticed something different at Church of the Servant?! – New logo, new color palette, updated online presence, redesigned Sunday worship bulletin, and new stationery! Read more about our new branding on page 5.

The Science of Prayer In his letter to a group of Christians outside of Palestine, James calls for prayer when people are suffering and sick, promising that “the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” (5:16). James is convinced that prayer can have a significant effect on our brain, body, heart and soul – in bad times and good.

Dr. Andrew Newberg of Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia has been studying the effect of prayer on the brain for more than 20 years. He injects radioactive dye into people, and then looks for changes in their heads when they pray. He does not claim that prayer is a cure-all, but he believes that it can be every bit as important as science in helping patients to heal.

Pointing to a computer screen that showed brain activity, Newberg said to NBC News (December 24, 2014), “You can see it’s all red here when the person is just at rest, but you see it turns into these yellow colors when she’s actually doing prayer.”

Without prayer, your brain is red – a hot and inflammatory color – and with prayer, your brain is yellow. Well, that’s not such a great color, either. You’d think that the praying brain would display a color that’s quiet and calming, like a pastel, taupe or mauve. Kidding.

Such changes cause Newberg to believe that prayer has the power to heal. He suggests that “by doing these practices, you can cause a lot of different changes all the way throughout the body, which could have a healing effect.”

Back in the first century, James had the same belief. “Are any among you sick?” he asked his fellow Christians. “They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven” (vv. 14-15).

Prayer is powerful, says James. Powerful and effective (v. 16).

Dr. Robert Gorrell So how does prayer actually work? What makes it powerful and effective? The Senior Minister power of prayer is not that it changes disease but that it changes us – the people who pray. When Dr. Newberg studied a group of Franciscan nuns who joined together in meditative prayer, he discovered that the area of the brain associated with the sense of self began to “shut down.” He saw that in this type of prayer “you become connected to God. You become conWhen Dr. Newberg studied a group of Franciscan nected to the world. Your self sort nuns who joined together in meditative prayer, he of goes away.”

Connection to God. Connecdiscovered that the area of the brain associated tion to the world around you. Loss of self. That’s real change and with the sense of self began to “shut down.” true healing. As James writes to his fellow Christians, “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up” (v. 15). Prayer does not always lead to a cure, but it saves the sick by raising them into the presence of God. Prayer changes the people who pray, making them more peaceful, accepting and aligned with their Christian convictions.

Your brain on prayer may not kill cancer cells, or convince God to cure you of your heart disease, but it might make you better able to face and to overcome your health challenges. Fundamentally, prayer doesn’t change the heart and mind of God, but it can change our own human heart and mind.

- Robert

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Missions Whiz Kids Volunteer Recruitment Is a Success!

Fit to Serve is More Than Just a Race

Over the last year, Church of the Servant has been the source for car seats to several agencies. These are agencies that don’t have the funds to provide car seats for clients, but know that the need is great.

One of those agencies is the Oklahoma Indian Clinic. The Strong Start Program invites and encourages lower-income pregnant women to have a healthy and full-term pregnancy. Classes are offered and if the course is completed, the expecting mom receives a car seat. Servant supplies 12 car seats a quarter to this program. It is just another quiet but profound way that our church is a part of the local community, loving and serving in Jesus’ name. This past year our church supplied families with 171 car seats, keeping Oklahoma children safe!

The race is September 20, 5:00 p.m. REGISTRATION BEGINS THIS SUNDAY! Please register to participate in Fit to Serve as we seek to continue this ministry as “Big Feet Running for Little Feet.”

Thank you for the many responses and the great passion shown on Whiz Kids Sunday, August 16. Tutoring has begun and it looks to be a great school year of mentoring with Edgemere Elementary.

We have 15 new tutors and subs because you said, “yes” when we asked! If you would like to serve as a substitute at any point this year - being available on Monday afternoons to step in if a regular tutor is absent - please contact our coordinator, Shirley Rolston, at 405-850-7675. Continue to pray for this vital ministry that is changing lives in our community.

Mission Central: Relocation of Skyline Bins

Your generosity is so apparent throughout the week, as you, as a congregation, respond to the mission needs of our partnerships in the community. In an effort to keep track and tidy the items, we have centralized the mission collection stations at Mission Central located in the cove just north of Earthglow. This is the place to come receive information about upcoming mission opportunities and to respond with items in the bins located there.

So grateful to you, members of the congregation, who give and share of yourselves in this way!

Important Dates to Save on your Calendar: Sat, Sept 12, 5-9 p.m.

- Hannah’s Promise

Sun, Sept 13, 4 p.m.

- Edgar Cruz Mobile Meals Benefit Concert

Sun, Sept 20, 5 p.m.

- 6th Annual Fit to Serve 5K and Fun Walk

Wed, Sept 30, 9-11 a.m. - Kindred Community Special Event Fri-Sun, October 2-4

- Women’s Ministry 2015 Fall Retreat

Sun, November 8

- Operation Christmas Child

These moms completed the course at the OK Indian Clinic and received car seats from Church of the Servant!

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Women

Women’s Ministry 2015 Fall Retreat “Hearing the Voice of God” Rest, Refresh, Reflect, Renew Sulphur, OK, October 2-4, 2015

Christians often ask, “How do I know God’s direction for my life?” The first step in seeking to grow closer to God is to create space for God in your life.

This retreat seeks to do just that with a weekend to slow down and engage your senses in practices that will help you notice God in your surroundings. Through soul-stirring worship, reflective Bible study and engaging workshops, you will have plenty of opportunities to connect with God, nature, and other women in fun and meaningful ways. Under the direction of Dr. Robyn Goggs, Director of Women’s Ministries, the women of our church will lead a retreat that will bring renewal in your own walk with God and new thoughts to take home with you.

There will be large group experiences, workshops for reflection and learning, and plenty of space to exercise, play, rest, be with others, or simply be alone as you seek closeness with God. Once registered, participants will be emailed a list of workshops and experiences from which to choose.

Early-Bird special extended to September 15. Go to www.churchoftheservant.com/events for more information.

Women’s Fall Bible Studies Begin the Week of September 15

Are you looking to connect with a group of supportive and faithful women this fall? There are wonderful classes offered this fall on Tuesday mornings, Wednesday mornings, and Wednesday evenings through Women’s Ministries. From in-depth Bible studies to poignant topical studies, there is something for everyone. Register online at www.churchoftheservant.com/women/classes-studies.

S .M.I.L.E. Single Mothers In our Lord’s Embrace BELIEVE is our Fall Study

Meeting Sunday mornings at 10:45 in North Adult room 6, SMILE seeks to be a safe place to share, learn, and support women who are raising children without a partner in the home. If you know a woman who would benefit from this kind of support, send her this way! It is a dynamic group of women offering support and faith to each other and the community. If you would like to connect, please contact Dr. Robyn Goggs at rgoggs@churchoftheservant.com.

Friday Moms Begins Again September 11, 9:30 a.m.

In 13:2

School is back in session and the routines have begun! Give yourself a couple of hours of refreshment on a Friday morning by coming and joining a caring, vibrant group of moms that meet all year long to take care of each other.

New Study this fall is Fight Back with Joy: Celebrate More, Regret Less, and Stare Down Your Greatest Fears by Margaret Feinberg. “What if joy is better than you imagined? The cherished virtue has been wrapped in clichés, stamped on coffee mugs, and sewn onto decorative pillows.

Fight Back with Joy declares that joy is more than whimsy, but a weapon we can use to fight life’s greatest battles.”

It is a great way to connect with other Christian moms caring for kids! Come join us!

Kindred Community Special Event For Women Who Have Lost Their Husbands Wednesday, September 30, 9 -11 a.m., Centrum

Dr. Terri Cox comes to share how walking through grief can lead us to greater purposes and a bright future in Jesus Christ.

Dr. Cox joined the Sisterhood in March of 2012, and offers words of hope for the journey.

This city wide event is an invitation for all women in this season of life to come together for support and inspiration. Whether you are new to the Sisterhood of Widowhood or are many years into the journey, Terri’s message will inspire you.

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Have You Noticed Anything New Around Servant?

Branding

I’m not talking about all the new faces of guests and new members, and not all the cute little babies we’ve been baptizing. Nope, I’m talking about the new Servant brand that we’ve begun rolling out this summer!

Servant is pretty well known in the greater Oklahoma City area because of how we serve the community, how we minister to children and students, and because of the incredible people who make up our congregation. Put this together, we have a brand, so to speak. What is missing? A clear visual representation of that brand, so here are our 5 key focus areas to define the new Servant brand.

1. A New Servant Logo

Our design stems from the unique architectural design of our physical building integrated with a clear triangle representing the holy trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. A New Color Palette

We created a namely green color palette that compliments and ties in with our classic greenery look and feel while lending some more modern touches.

3. Updated Online Presence

Visit our new responsive Website and social media channels that best communicate our new brand. Our new Website, at churchoftheservant.com, has great features for sharing sermons, searching for classes, Bible studies, events and more! Our brand is reflected on our social media Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

4. Redesigned Sunday Worship Bulletin

Sunday was our first new bulletin. We hope you liked it! Along with the branding re-design, this bulletin has been categorized to help you navigate our major ministries and events so you can stay connected to the life of our church.

5. Fonts, Letterhead, Stationery, Business Cards

We continue the branding by adopting some font standards for communication and carrying those fonts through to our printed literature here at church. Mostly just a cosmetic upgrade that carries a more contemporary feel.

We hope these new communication pieces will help you continue to share the story of Church of the Servant in our community. Be sure to check out our new welcome brochure and new car sticker decals to share, located at our Welcome Center.

Edgar Cruz Mobile Meals Benefit Concert with Special Guest, Dr. Robert Gorrell Sunday, September 13, 2015, 4 p.m., Centrum

Concert!

Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County is making a difference to seniors in our city, many who are living in poverty right around us. Church of the Servant is a partner with Mobile Meals in addressing hunger and malnutrition in seniors by the delivery of meals each week. Edgar Cruz has a great heart for this citywide ministry. He offers this concert at no charge, but with the hope that our community will be generous during the donation time and by purchasing his CDs, proceeds from which go to Mobile Meals. This is a wonderful, fun afternoon, and Edgar will entertain you not only with his unbelievable talent on the guitar, but also with his lovely spirit and humor. Our own pastor brings himself to support this as well, as they strum and entertain! Please invite someone to attend with you. It’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss!

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Music

Adult PRIME TIME

Thursday, September 10, 10:30 a.m.

Community Hall

For our first program of the new Prime Time season, our senior minister, Dr. Robert Gorrell will tell us of his recent pilgrimage along with Prudy and 47 others, following the journeys of Paul, the Apostle who spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to new believers. It’s a fascinating and colorful story you won’t want to miss!

Following the program will be our usual time of fellowship with old and new friends as we enjoy catfish, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, hushpuppies, dessert and beverages. You can enjoy the lunch for $10, or just the program for $2.

Sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141, no later than 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 8, to make your reservation. If you sign up, then see that you cannot attend, please call to cancel your reservation, as Prime Time must pay for all meals reserved.

SEE YOU AT PRIME TIME!

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Suzuki Strings It’s been a sizzlin’ Summer for Suzuki Strings as students from the program performed for residents of Epworth Villa, patrons of Full Circle Bookstore, and the wonderful children and staff of Hannah’s Promise! We feel blessed and hope to spread the blessings of music.

With over 70 students in the program, Suzuki Strings is also launching a brand new scholarship and sponsorship program to provide the joy of music through lessons and classes to students needing financial assistance. Donations can be labeled “Suzuki Strings Donations” and turned in to Church of the Servant’s main office. If you’d like to sign up as a sponsor or donate online, please visit www.churchoftheservant.com/music/suzuki-strings.

Sign up today! Offering classes and lessons for beginner through advanced violin, viola, cello, fiddle, and guitar students. All ages, children through adults, are welcome! Register online at www.churchoftheservant. com/music/suzuki-strings or with a brochure found at the Welcome Center.

50% off back to school special: Register for a violin, viola, fiddle, or guitar group class in person at a registration table Sunday morning August 30 or September 6 for a 50% discount on your first month of classes!

SERVANT FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT September 26

Signup starts Sunday, September 6, at a table across from Earthglow, for our twentieth-annual Servant Foundation Tournament! The tournament will be held at Coffee Creek Golf Course in Edmond on September 26.

This is a four-person scramble and costs $60 per player, which includes: green fee, range balls, cart fee, lunch, and prizes. Get your team together now and come enjoy the fellowship!

Golf Tournament Coffee Creek September 26

Children Pack the House September 13

Come one – come all to the 7th annual PACK THE HOUSE in Children’s Ministries on Sunday morning, September 13. Children won’t want to miss the fun and exciting morning of activities to celebrate the gift of PRAYER. Beginning at 9:15, the children will rotate to different centers which include: breakfast, crafts and Bible time, where they will experience a lesson on prayer.

During the 10:45 hour, we will move to the Centrum where Darci Farmer will share with us her special gifts, which include: ventriloquism and music. Families are encouraged to bring their children’s friends with them to share in the experience.

“There’s no better way to set the standard for a new school year than to make worshipping on Sundays and participating in Sunday church activities a priority. We want all our kids to celebrate the new school year and to make a commitment to their faith,” said Cathy Hersom, Director of Children’s Ministries.

SERVANT KIDS – be here for the entire morning, bring a friend and wear your favorite Christian t-shirt, and spread the word about PACK THE HOUSE. We look forward to seeing all our kids and their friends. Check-in and out is as usual.

BSA Troop 177 2015 Caving Campout

Troop 177

Do you like adventuring? Are you ready to embrace your fear of the dark? Then read on!

This campout was very fun and adventurous. The troop went to the Alabaster Caverns State Park in Oklahoma, with three major caves: Owl Cave, the easiest, Bear Cave, the more adventurous one, and finally, Ice Cave, the hardcore one!

All 18 of the scouts that were there went to Owl Cave, and Bear cave, but not many to Ice Cave. Owl Cave was a pretty easy cave to go through, and was a fun small cave for beginners. But Bear Cave involved going through some water. With about three feet of space to crawl through, two feet of which were filled with water, they all made it through the 20 feet. Even though everyone was soaked, some still wanted to go the Ice Cave. The few that did were subjected to tight spaces, and even a 100-ft crawl through a two-foot high space, with only six inches of air, the rest filled with muddy water! The ones that went took a wrong turn and had to go back through the 100-ft muddy crawl!

After that, we all had dinner, which included an amazing cobbler by the adult leaders! Unfortunately, one of our young, brave scouts that went through Ice Cave earlier, got stung by a wasp and had to go home.

Later that evening we all had a very nice campfire. Many funny skits were done, including a dance off! We all slept great, and the following morning we were ready to go home!

All in all, it was a great campout and an amazing adventure! I hope to have more like it!

Visit www.BSAtroop177ok.org to learn more about Troop 177 or follow us on Facebook at BSA-Troop-177.

Wesley Reser BSA Troop 177 Scribe

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Children

WOW – Welcome on Wednesdays…

– is about to begin another fun school year of JESUS LEARNING, SHARING AND FELLOWSHIP!

Register your child, 3 years – 5th grade, ONLINE at www. churchoftheservant.com. Fall semester begins September 9.

Doors open at 6:25 p.m. and we finish at 8:00 sharp.

Bible Points that will be topics for discussion and activities this session include: •

Jesus Knows Us

•

Come Follow Jesus

•

Jesus is Most Powerful

•

Jesus Came to Help Us

•

Jesus Cares When We’re Afraid

•

Friends Bring Friends to Jesus

•

Tell God What You Need

CAN’T DO IT ALONE!

The evenings activities are led by Dayna Slater (preschool), Cathy Hersom (lower elementary), and Cindy Brackenbury (upper elementary). But Children’s Ministries staff cannot do it alone. WE NEED adults that: •

love Jesus and have a desire for children to love HIM;

•

who understand that having a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in life and have the desire for children to also have that relationship;

•

are committed to serving Jesus and have a desire for children to learn this commitment;

•

are ready to build relationships with these children and have the desire for children to experience how it feels to have someone care about them;

•

desire to strengthen their own relationship with Christ!

If you are an adult who identifies with these traits, contact Cathy Hersom NOW for more information – chersom@ churchoftheservant.com. We promise you will not be sorry and at the end of the year will say “I got so much more out of it” than I could ever imagine.

DEEP BLUE

The Sunday school curriculum for children 3 years old through 5th is changing. Cokesbury (Methodist publishing house) has begun a new series entitled Deep Blue, and we are jumping in!

Our prayer is that this new curriculum will be more “family” usable with: •

a free app to reinforce what your child learns on Sunday (http://www. deepbluekids.com/app.html)

•

a take-home Family Devotional page with great ideas to do each night or pick and choose (this will also be on our Website soon)

•

a TAKE-HOME idea that will encompass the main point of the lesson

•

a CAR TALK section on the child’s Bible story page to get you started with some great conversations with your kids.

All this will be enhanced with a great lesson taught by our SUPER SERVANTS who are here to love your children and help them live for Christ.

If you have any questions regarding this curriculum, contact Dayna Slater, preschool coordinator at dslater@churchoftheservant.com or Cindy Brackenbury, elementary coordinator at cbrackenbury@churchoftheservant.com.

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DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME…

Share your faith with the NextGen of our congregation. Opportunities await you in Children’s Ministries. Sunday school teachers for 5th grade; Kid’s Own Worship Leaders for preschool and WOW small group leaders for Wednesday nights are immediate opportunities.

Minimum commitment is 2 Sundays a month for Sunday school teachers and Kid’s Own Worship Leaders and Wednesday evenings in September – November and January – April. No words can express how much you will be blessed and the children you share your faith with will be blessed. God put us on earth to share our greatest love – HIM. Contact Cathy Hersom for more info: 728-4715 or chersom@ churchoftheservant.com.

Our Life Together Our Prayers

u Bud and Alana Atkins as Alana’s father, Jack Swopes, deals with health issues. u Faye Brownlee as Faye deals with health issues. u Joe and Jean Burke as Jean faces surgery at St. Anthony Bone & Joint Hospital. u Don and Judie Ellis as Judie deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Kinlee Farris as Kinlee deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Jewell and Peggy Garrison and Jon and Dayna Slater as Jewell recuperates from surgery. u Joe and Nancy Harris as Nancy faces surgery at McBride Orthopedic Hospital. u Connie Harrison as Connie’s aunt, Loretta Plumlee, deals with health issues. u David and Mona Hedrick as Mona’s father, Jack Esford, deals with health issues. u Rob and Sissy Holloway as Rob deals with health issues. u Bob and Marilyn Long as Marilyn deals with health issues. u Nan Miller as Nan deals with health issues. u Rob and Susan Mitchell as Susan deals with health issues. u Jim and Mary Pearson as Mary deals with health issues and undergoes a procedure. u Tom Sauter as Tom recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Deaconess Hospital. u Jenna Savage as Jenna’s friend, Chase Tibbs, deals with health issues. u Elaine Schmidt as Elaine’s mother, Bennie Holston, deals with health issues and is a resident at Epworth Villa. u Harold and Peggi Schnack as Peggi’s brother, Andy Jones, recuperates from surgery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. u Linda Shaw as her son and daughter, Daniel Shaw and Jenny Shaw, both deal with health issues. u Lizette Stephens as Lizette deals with health issues and faces surgery at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Wayne and Sharon Wallace as Sharon’s mother, Mollie Lovelace, deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

Our Prayers

u Richard and Charlotte Wylie as Charlotte recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at the McBride Orthopedic Hospital. u Lloyd and Zoe Williams as Lloyd recuperates from a procedure.

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 312-4634.

Our Sympathy

u Carol Clark and Dennis Clark and Family at the death of Carol’s mother and Dennis’ grandmother, Mickie Browning. u Kay Ewing and Family at the death of Kay’s aunt, Maurine Jensen. u Robert and Prudy Gorrell and Family at the death of Robert’s aunt, Juanita King. u Jake Hardesty and Family at the death of Jake’s daughter, Therese Hardesty. u Kent Kepler and Family at the death of Kent’s mother, Dorothy Kepler. u Joe and Bea Penhall and Family at the death of Joe’s son, Steve Penhall. u David and Linda Reed and Family at the death of David’s mother, Alma McDaniel. u Family and Friends at the death of Lillian Shaver. u Ron Sirmons and Family at the death of Ron’s wife, LaNita Sirmons. u Ron and Pat Vernon and Family at the death of Pat’s father, Coy Stanley. u Bill and Mary White and Family at the death of their son-in-law’s father, Alan Huddleston. u Ed and Erma Wise and Family at the death their daughter, Carol Kleson.

Celebrating

u Barbara Mayfield at the birth of her great grandson, Madison Eugene Mason. The proud parents and big brother are Jacob, Jessica and Tyler Mason.

Thank You!

u Thank you all for the many expressions of love, concern and kindness shown to us during this sad time of loss. The countless cards, phone calls and prayers are deeply appreciated. God bless you. - Frances Ferguson and Family of Milt Ferguson.

Celebrating Memories u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Milt Ferguson by Henry & Jere Marcotte u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Milt Ferguson by Robert & Opal Warren u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Jerry Potter by Kathlyn Reynolds u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Milt Ferguson by Kathlyn Reynolds u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Wesley Mills by Kathlyn Reynolds u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Prime Time in memory of Milt Ferguson by Bill and Melba Howard

In the Kitchen

August 30: Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans September 6: Closed for Labor Day Weekend

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Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

20th ANNUAL SERVANT FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT

– Saturday, September 26, held at Coffee Creek Golf Course. Sign-up begins Sunday, September 6 in the Concourse. The tournament is a four-person scramble and costs $60 per player, which includes: green fee, range balls, cart fee, lunch, and prizes. Get your team together now and come enjoy the fellowship! Register on Sunday in the Concourse or call Tom McGee at 721-4141.