Newsletter 09.11.13

September 11, 2013

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 13.18

Believe s Belong s Become

Why We Run and Walk

The Fit to Serve 5k and One-Mile Fun Walk will be on September 22 at 4:00 p.m. in Gaillardia to benefit Whiz Kids. On a beautiful summer evening, it’s a fun time that makes a big impact. It is fun because we come together - families and friend in faith - and just have a good time moving our bodies. But bigger and deeper than that is the fact that we are raising funds to help children. We are a church that remembers the words of Jesus “let the little children come to me.� We are doing ministry that points children and all people toward Jesus. We are doing that in Whiz Kids alongside the many other ministries we share together. This is a great experience to invite someone to join you in walking and running and introduce them to some of the great things your church is doing.

Register this Sunday at the table in the Concourse or online at www.signmeup.com/94895.

United Methodist

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

- MISSION OPPORTUNITIES Volunteers still needed for Whiz Kids

Tutors and subs are still needed as we begin our third year with Whiz Kids. If you are available on Mondays from 2:45-5:30, would you consider being involved in Whiz Kids this year? Contact Carolyn Hays at 740-0800.

Be a Fit to Serve Volunteer

Don’t want to walk or run on race day, Sept 22? Be a volunteer! We will need course monitors, food servers, and clean up crew to pull off this wonderful event.

Sign up to volunteer at the registration table on Sundays or contact Mary Jessup at mjessup@churchoftheservant.com.

Saturday, October 19 - United Methodist Boys Ranch Rodeo

Circle of Care invites you to be a part of festivities, fun and fellowship celebrating 50 years of service of the United Methodist Boys Ranch in Gore, Oklahoma.

The annual rodeo is a day of games, food, entertainment, touring the ranch, and watching the rodeo. The day begins at noon with a silent auction. This is a wonderful, fun day for families or groups but it will also raise funds for the ministry of the Boys’ Ranch. If your Sunday School Class or small group would like to donate a basket for the Basket Auction, please contact Robyn Goggs at 721-4141. Baskets are needed by Oct 1.

St John’s UMC and the New After-school Program

If you or a group would be willing to go to St John’s UMC at 1755 N Meridian to help sort through toys and supplies, or clean and paint as a mission day outing, please contact Kristina Thorson, our US-missionary. She is coordinating the effort of preparing the building in order to begin the after-school program later this school year. Kristina can be reached at KThorson@umcmission.org.

Potter’s House, Guatemala Sharing a Mission and Planning for the Next!

On Sunday, September 29 at 4:30 p. m., come and hear the stories from the summer mission trip to the Potter’s House in Guatemala City. Working alongside this mission that serves the people who live and work in the city dump, 21 of our members had a life-changing experience. Their sharing, and information about the upcoming trip in June 2014 might be just what you need to make a decision about having this kind of experience yourself. The presentation will be in the MidHigh Area located in the Student Ministries Center.

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Fit to Serve…

A Little Friendly Competition

Last year The Encounters Sunday School Class and The Common Threads Sunday School Class won the golden shoe awards for the Sunday school class with the highest percentage of participation and to the class with the highest monetary donation.

These traveling awards will be given again this year, so when you register, make sure you list your Sunday school class so that your class might earn the Golden Shoe for the next year!

Remember: Wear running shoes to church on the morning of September 22 to build enthusiasm for the race!

Make the Impossible Possible!

George Plimpton’s The X Factor illustrates being “in the zone”:

Examples would be Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak in 1941; Bob Gibson’s pitching performance for the Cardinals in 1968, when his earned run average was 1.12 a record in modern baseball history that, like DiMaggio’s, will surely never be surpassed.

All these feats, even to a statistician, surpass the laws of probability to an extent that suggests a level has been reached at which skill is not the only determinant.

In other sports, golfer Byron Nelson’s string of 11 straight PGA victories in 1945 would compare. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points scored in an NBA game on March 2, 1962.... Los Angeles Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin’s 554-yard passing game against the New York Yanks on September 28,1951; Walter Payton’s 275 yard rushing game against Minnesota on November 20, 1977.

But one really stands out to me: Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal on November 8, 1970. Dempsey you may remember had only a partial foot. Some inner voice led him to be a kicker nonetheless. All Pro lineman Alex Karras, playing for the opposing Detroit Lions that day, remembered that his teammates were laughing as they saw the New Orleans Saints lining up for this field-goal attempt.

Dr. Robert Gorrell Dempsey was a young man some called ‘handicapped.’ He was born without toes or fingers on the kicking side of his body. Yet he had the audacity to think he could be a kicker. And with two seconds left on that day in November 1968 he kicked a sixty-three yard field goal that gave his team the victory. It is a record that to this day has been tied but never broken.

In every life there are these moments when God makes the impossible possible. I have been praying for something that seems impossible for a friend of mine. If you are praying the same prayer for yourself or someone in your life remember the words of Jesus, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27.

Life is full of surprises… a sixty-three yard field goal… an answered prayer…

- Robert

Welcome Kristina!

We welcome Kristina Thorson as a missionary who will be working and worshiping with our church over the next two years. Kristina Thorson is a missionary through the US-2 young adult program of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

Commissioned in August 2013, she is assigned as a mission program associate here in the Oklahoma Annual Conference. She will be based at St. John’s United Methodist Church and will be helping to begin an after-school program with Hilldale Elementary. The after-school program is linked to the Hispanic/Latino ministry focus of the Oklahoma Annual Conference.

She is helping to design and implement this new initiative that includes evangelism, Christian education, social services, and recreation. Plans include activities on Sundays, as well as on Saturday nights.

US-2 missionaries are young adults who serve two-year terms in the United States. Their work, often with the poor, integrates faith and justice as they learn from, and walk with, communities in their struggles to address systematic injustice and human suffering.

Kristina is from Woodinville, Washington and is a member of the Ellensburg First United Methodist Church, Ellensburg in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in family studies from Central Washington University, also in Ellensburg. She held part-time jobs during her student years at the college, at Lazy F. Camp, and Retreat Center. Extremely active in her local church and on the annual conference level during high school, she did not find much organized United Methodist presence at her college. She and friends started their own group and in the process, she says, “I became passionate about mission work.” She says that God’s call as a missionary is fairly recent and she is “excited and nervous for what God has in store for me.”

Kristina learned about Global Ministries’ young adult service programs at a denominational youth event in 2011 while a college junior. She also considered the Peace Corps, but came back to a church relationship. She says that God has plans for her that include “stretching” her boundaries.

Kristina was a competitive horse rider in high school and college. She is excited to explore all the new interesting experiences that Oklahoma has to offer and to get to know people in our congregation who will share in the after-school ministry together with her.

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Join us at PRIME TIME!

On Thursday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall, we will welcome sculptor extraordinaire, Bob Willis, as he sculpts a bust of Christ with a crown of thorns while his wife, Lynn, sings of His sacrifice on the cross. This blend of music, testimony, Scripture, and sculpting presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a dynamic and unforgettable manner. Bob’s unique and fascinating style of sculpting is a reflection of how God desires to mold and fashion His children into His image.

Lynn’s gift in music is evident as she beautifully blends the message in song with Bob’s sculpting of Christ.

Following this exciting program and a short business meeting, we will be served a delicious meal of rosemary chicken, rice pilaf, baby carrots, tossed salad, rolls and peach cobbler. If you are unable to stay for the meal, cost of the program only is $2.00, but we strongly encourage you to stay for the meal and outstanding fellowship with old and new friends for a total cost of $10.00.

Make your reservation at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141, before 4:00 p.m. on Monday October 7. Remember, if you make a reservation and later find that you cannot attend, please call your cancellation, since Prime Time must pay for all reservations.

Servant Foundation Golf Tournament September 21

On Saturday September 21, 8:00 a.m. at Fairfax Golf Course south of Guthrie, the Servant Foundation Golf Tournament that was rained out in June will finally be played. If you have not signed up to play in this 4-person scramble tournament, please do so in the next couple of weeks. Cost of the tournament is $55 per person which covers golf cart, golf fee, range balls, lunch, and prizes. The golf tournament is always well attended and is a wonderful event! It is also a great way to support the Servant Foundation. So, sign up at the table in the Concourse on Sunday, September 16, or call the church office at 721-4141.

Save the Date – Faith in Reel Time

Sunday, October 13, 1:00 p.m. - In the Centrum

Come view Steven Spielberg’s amazing film, “Lincoln”, detailing the last four months of the chastened and weary life of Abraham Lincoln. It stars Daniel Day-Lewis in a moving and masterful depiction of the 16th President of the United States, and Sally Field, ably portraying Mary Todd Lincoln. This movie is rated PG 13, so enjoy bringing your family and friends for the free movie and great discussion that always follows, facilitated by Dr. Curtis Nigh. Don’t forget – sign up for Faith in Reel Time at the Welcome Center on Sunday!

13.2 is back in full force as the school year gets underway! Our school-year hours will return to Monday-Thursday from 8:45-11:15 a.m. Come see us and enjoy a tasty beverage or snack!

For our Warm World and Starbright Families: Remember that we have Lunchables, Juice, Chocolate Milk, Bottled Drinks, and Other Snacks available. This is always a nice option when packing a lunch slips your mind! As always, Contact Dana Israel, Manager 13.2 for more information at disrael@churchoftheservant.com or call her at 918-914-0630.

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An Amazing Month for Scouting At Church of the Servant

September is an amazing month for Scouting at Church of the Servant. On September 1, our troop had a Court of Honor. We hold this event every six months to recognize the Scouts for their achievements. A total of 45 merit badges, 26 rank advancements, and 32 special awards were presented. Our newly elected-Senior Patrol Leader (SPL), Michael Vallejo, was sworn in. He is replacing Josh Bruza who did an excellent job as our SPL over the last six months.

Last Saturday you probably saw us building a pioneering display outside the Church.

This was just preparation for a campout the weekend of September 21 called Webelos Woods. This is a competitive recruiting campout. More than 15 troops from Edmond, Deer Creek, and Oklahoma City will camp together and set displays to impress the Cubs and attract them to their respective troops. This year our pioneering projects include an observation tower, a swing, a monkey bridge, and a car. Our troop’s theme for the event will be “Are you Tougher than a Boy Scout” and we will have the Cubs participate in challenging games and other fun activities.

On September 29 we kick-off our Popcorn campaign. This is our main fundraiser and helps our Scouts pay for Summer Camp.

Finally, on September 29 we will also celebrate Scout Sunday at Church of the Servant. You are going to be so proud when you see the sea of scouts and leaders in uniform.

Last month our Cub Scout Pack grew to about 80 boys. This includes a significant number of Cubs and their leaders from Pack 171 at Deer Creek Elementary who have now joined Pack 177. We are so proud and excited to welcome them! Our Girl Scout troop, started just this past January, now has more than 20 girls. This fast growth is driving buzz in the community about Scouting at Church of the Servant. Just look at this month’s cover and article in Metro Family Magazine interviewing or very own SPL, Josh Bruza. So, on September 29, when a young boy draws the courage to look you in the eye and softly ask if you will buy some popcorn from him, please support him and support the good cause of Scouting at Church of the Servant. He will thank you, and so do we.

Scott Kincannon Life Scout – Troop Guide and Scribe BSA Troop 177

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Save the Date for Fall Festival

Church of the Servant’s annual Fall Festival is just around the corner! On Friday October 25, from 6:00-8:30, we will transform the church into a carnival midway - complete with clowns, food, games, candy, inflatables, face painting, and more! Please mark your calendar and plan to bring your family, friends, and neighbors to this great event!

4th Grade & 5th Grade FUN!

We are happy to announce that 4th and 5th graders will be taking part in the Rock ’N Box Night at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma on September 19. This fun night gives us a chance to make a difference for others while enjoying fellowship and music. We had a great time last year, and know this will be big fun, as well! Check out our website for info or contact Cindy Brackenbury at cbrackenbury@churchoftheservant.com or call 728-4756 for details.

Girls’ Night Out October 4 / Boys’ Night Out October 5

This is a great night of fun and fellowship! 4th- and 5th-grade girls will meet Friday, October 4; 4th- and 5th-grade boys will meet Saturday, October 5. We will have pizza, snacks, pop, and a great movie, as well as some other fun things to do!!

We ask for $4 per child to cover some costs. We will meet both nights in Suite 45 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. LOTS OF FUN FOR All!! Please RSVP by October 1 to cbrackenbury@churchoftheservant.com, so we will have an idea of how many to plan for. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Girl Scout Troop 177 Joins Forces With the Hugs Project

It’s a great time to be a Girl Scout! Summer with Girl Scout Troop 177 meant Horseback Riding Camp, Scout Skills Twilight Camp, a Swim Party at Pelican Bay, a Lock-In, and a lot of fun. Now that fall is approaching we have more fun planned. We will be taking a train ride to Fort Worth where we will get to see “Animals Alive”, learn about unique Texas animals, watch an Armadillo race, and go to the petting zoo. Then we’ll try to find our way through the Cattle pen maze!

September 29 is Scout Sunday. We will sit in the Worship Services together in uniform and have a display before and after each service in the morning. In the afternoon we will be hosting a Hugs Project event where Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts from the surrounding area will get together and make Christmas ornaments for our military. The Hugs Project is a nonprofit group who sends care packages to our deployed Service Men and Service Women. The Hugs Project’s goal is to have 5,000 ornaments ready to send out in care packages this year by October 1 in order to reach troops by the Holidays. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are dedicated to helping them with that mission. Please stop by and make an ornament with us on September 29. It is come-and-go from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. We will provide craft supplies. We will also be collecting items for the care boxes as well, such as travel-size toiletries, beef jerky and cards. For a full list of supplies needed for the care boxes and more information on the Hugs Project and Girl Scouts, see our website at www.

GSTroop177ok.org/projects.

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Get To Know Me...

My name is Breck Babbs. I am a freshman at Deer Creek High School. This summer has strengthened my faith tremendously. I am new to high school ministry, but I feel like I’ve been part of it for a long time. One of the first events in which I participated was our mission trip to Moore where I saw God in various ways. Whether destroying houses with strangers or playing games in the hallways with the youth group, God was working. Dayspring, our summer camp, is another example of His amazing plan for me. I met so many inspiring people and heard their touching stories. It allowed me to experience God in a new way.

This summer was truly one I’ll never forget and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me this school year!

High School Fall Programs Have Begun!

Anchor: High School’s Sunday morning program! Bring a friend and join us from 10:45-11:45 a.m. in the High School Auditorium for a message, Bible study, and discussion groups. Anchor takes place three Sundays out of the month, with the first Sunday being Youth Sunday.

Youth Sunday: First Sunday of the month! This program takes place from 10:45-11:45 a.m. every first Sunday of the month! It will be prepared and led by our student leadership team with the guidance of our caring adults. Join us for a morning of worship and a message.

Old School: Our Sunday night program that focuses on community and worship. At first we’ll play games, then we will continue with worship. This will happen 3 Sundays out of the month; the other Sunday will be Metro Worship. Come join us from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m!

Metro Worship: One Sunday night a month where youth groups around the metro come together for a worship service. We want to be a group that praises Jesus and celebrates what God is doing around the metro area. Each month Metro Worship will be at a different church. Join us once a month from 6:00 -7:30 p.m.

D Groups: Our small group ministry. We believe Jesus calls us into discipleship and this group is exploring that call. D group consist of students (same gender and grade) and two caring adults, and continues all semester on Wednesdays, 6:45-8:00 p.m. Grab a registration and join a group today!

Pancake Breakfast: High School ministry’s biggest fundraiser is coming November 10, but we need YOUR help! This year alongside the Pancake Breakfast, we are going to include the Silent Auction, so we need help putting together auction baskets! You can work alone or gather a few friends! Anything helps!

If you are interested in helping, please contact Sang Nguyen at Snguyen@churchoftheservant.com, or call 728-4754.

Pick up a calendar at the welcome desk or at The Point student center!

New merchandise is in at Earthglow!! Start the OSU and OU football season with team ornaments, magnets and stakes.

Come in and browse the new and novel Halloween decorations as well. All profits go to missions.

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u Robert and Dorothy Adams as Robert deals with health issues. u Bud and Alana Atkins as Bud deals with health issues. u Ed and Cecilia Beckham as Cecilia recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Dan and Terri Bruner as Dan deals with health issues.

Our Prayers continued... u Reynolds and Kathleen Toney as Kathleen deals with health issues. u Mary Alice Young as she recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center.

u Kinlee Farris and Dan and Linda Trammell as Kinlee recuperates from surgery. u Rodney, Diane, Peyton, and Parker Glenn as Diane’s father, Charles Brock, is hospitalized in Baltimore, MD. u Robert and Elaine Haxton as Robert is hospitalized at OU Health Sciences Center Presbyterian Hospital. u Charlie and Mary Johnson as Charlie is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Jay, Jennifer, Brooke, and Kate Lacy as Jennifer’s father, Terry Hamby, deals with health issues. u Phil and Luelsa LaRue as their granddaughter, Morgan LaRue, deals with health issues. u Melissa Marshall as she deals with health issues. u Tad and Margy Milewski as Margy’s cousin, Becky Hadsell, recuperates from surgery in Texas. u Ted and Sue McCourry as Ted deals with health issues. u Dale and Sharon Ringer as Sharon recuperates from surgery. u Bruce and Patty Ruby as Bruce deals with health issues.

u Lewis and Joni Case and Family at the death of their sister-in-law, Rose Marie Stokes. u Jay and Nancy Collins and Family at the death of Nancy’s brother, Tom West. u Linda Duncan and Family at the death of Linda’s husband, Paul Duncan.

u Joe and Helen Dekker as Helen deals with health issues. u Jim Farnbach as he recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker and Family at the death of their sisterin-law, Nita Clack.

u Martha Snyder and the late Bill Snyder at the birth of their twin grandchildren, William Edward Snyder III and Alexandra Elizabeth Snyder. The proud parents are Buck and Kerry Snyder from Woodlands, Texas. u Lauren Brecheen & Kendall Riley were united in Christian marriage on August 19, 2013.

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.

u Family and Friends at the death of Jeannice Gay. u Judy Gentry and Family at the death of Judy’s brother, Leon Owens. u Gregg, Stephanie, Braden, and Riley Henson and Family at the death of Gregg’s mother, Peggy Henson. u Burke and Lovetie Major and Family at the death of Burke’s brother, Gus Major. u Henry and Jere Marcotte and Family at the death of Henry’s sister, Theresa Freeman. u Family and Friends at the death of Barbara Rice. u Keith, Lynne, and Alex Roller and Family at the death of Lynne’s mother, Beryl Luker. u Family and Friends at the death of Louise Skinner.

Have You Lost a Loved One?

Using a book called Beyond the Broken Heart, Church of the Servant will offer a support group for anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, whether it has been a recent loss or happened quite some time ago. If you have a relative or friend who might be interested in being in the group, feel free to invite them to come as well.

Leaders for the group will be Don and Judie Ellis, long-time members of Church of the Servant, and seasoned travelers on the grief journey. A complimentary copy of the book will be provided for each participant at the first session.

We will meet each Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in Room 1 & 2, South Adult Area, beginning September 26 and ending December 5; however, we will not meet on November 14 and November 28. To sign up for the group and reserve a book, please contact Vicki Roberds at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com or call 728-4738.