Newsletter 11.04.15

November 4, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.20

They Did Not Rely on All-Stars to

Win the Championship

It was midnight on the East Coast as Christian Colon of the Kansas City Royals stepped to the plate in the top of the 12th inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.

This was his first time at bat throughout the course of the entire baseball post-season, his last swings coming in the month of September. And yet here he stood with the weight of his team’s hopes on his shoulders. Calm and collected, Christian’s one-out single drove in the go-ahead run that ultimately allowed the Royals to take home the crown as World Champions. This play was typical of the team as throughout the series they had overcome 2 run leads of their opponents a record seven times during post-season play, scoring more runs in the late innings than any team in baseball history. Relying not on individual all-stars crushing home runs, the Royals instead called up and relied on every player on the team as together they chipped singles, stole bases and played clutch defense on their way to a championship.

Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister

Why this matters in an article on our current Stewardship Campaign is straightforward. Church of the Servant has never relied on one or two heroes to secure our financial future. Instead, the base of our giving is grounded on hundreds of individual pledges, as our congregation sacrificially pours themselves into the mission of the church. After collecting pledge cards for two weeks, I am pleased to report we are currently ahead of last year’s pledge campaign by almost $70,000. To this point, these early gains are not the result of any large, new pledges, but are instead a function of our family’s working to increase – if even by a small amount – their giving for the coming year. Pledge by pledge, we are putting together what can become a championship season for Church of the Servant.

As the New York Mets discovered, it is not the early innings of a ballgame that count.

For us to continue, these gains will require that we collect every possible pledge and continue to score runs into the late innings of November and December. Each pledge, no matter if it is large or small, matters to the future of our church. If you have yet to turned in a pledge card for the coming year, I would ask that you prayerfully do so.

Working together we can sustain this early success.

Thank you for your faithfulness, and I apologize if I woke you with my late night celebration of the Kansas City Royals and their World Series victory!

Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister Link to Commitment Card: http://www.churchoftheservant.com/give/

Veterans Reception

November 8, 2-3:30 p.m.

In 13.2 Coffee Shop With a flag ceremony by the Scout troop and special speaker starting at 2:45 p.m.

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The Operation Christmas Child Packing Party - THIS SUNDAY!

Missions

It’s happening this Sunday! For the past several Sundays, many of you have picked up Operation Christmas Child boxes, in which you have taken home and purchased a WOW gift for your child. This Sunday, November 8, everyone will need to bring their boxes back with the WOW item and $7, then we will finish filling them up in the Community Hall during the shift for which you signed up.

We will be packing 1000 boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The packing process will only take 15 to 30 minutes. It will be a lot of fun for you, your family, and your Sunday morning class. There will be an opportunity to have a picture taken and write a card to your child, if you don’t plan to come with these items in hand as well. It is going to be wonderful day on Sunday!

Christmas Grace Every year, we partner with local community organizations who have identified families who need a little extra love and care this Christmas. We call it Christmas Grace! A table will be setup in the Concourse this Sunday, where you can go by and select a family or individual. The information sheet you pick up will have the names and the needs of the family you chose with instructions on what to buy. What a blessing this ministry is for the hundreds of families who will receive gifts this Christmas because of you and your desire to be a blessing to others! Gifts will be due for return on Sunday, December 6.

Operation Christmas Dinner Last Christmas, over 200 meals were coordinated through the 9:23 worshipping body and delivered by dozens of people throughout our local community. Mark your calendar for delivery day, December 20, as this will be an opportunity again to reach right around our neighborhoods. Bags will go out in 9:23 in December.

Mission Outreach This Season Reaching out internationally, city wide and in our own community!

Christmas is coming soon! Mission outreach is sharing in three different opportunities to touch lives for Jesus Christ that will help us celebrate the season and truly share God’s love with others: 1. Operation Christmas Child 2. Christmas Grace 3. Operation Christmas Dinner

Christmas Eve Mission Offering: Skyline Urban Ministries Clothes for Kids Each year, Church of the Servant helps to provide children throughout the city with school uniforms by partnering with Skyline Urban Ministries. We want to get a head start on our preparation for children in 2016, therefore our Christmas Eve Offering in all three services will be for Clothes for Kids. $85 will put a child in uniforms for one year in the OKC public school system. As you are preparing your giving this holiday season, would you consider making this special gift to help a child in the 2016 school year?

Missionary Visits in November November 15, Stanley and Mary Imunya Gitari, from the Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya, will be in worship to give us an update on the work of the hospital to which we are connected.

November 22, Potter’s House Association is sending two of their full time mission workers, Anabella and Laura, whom have worked with our six teams, to present a partnership award and they will be speaking at the 10:45 hour about the ongoing work in the city dump of Guatemala City.

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Women

Women’s Ministry Presents

The Gifts of Christmas Friday, November 20 Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.

A Women’s Night Out! You and the special women in your life will want to be here for a fun evening full of ideas for Christmas. The evening begins with Eileene’s gourmet cookies and coffee, followed by 4 energetic presentations on special holiday details: 1. Prepare your Heart: Ideas for making a perfect Advent; presented by Brooke Bartlow and Kristin Hersom.

2. A Welcome to Remember: The Art of Hospitality at Christmas; presented by Erin Page and Debbi Marshall.

3. Bright Paper Packages Under the Tree: latest trends in wrapped and decorating; presented by Millie Fernald, Amber Neaves and Andi Neaves.

4. The Greatest Gifts: Top 10 ideas for gifts this season; presented by Cindy Long and Meghan Thompson.

We will be collecting new or gently worn children’s coats for Infant Crisis Services that evening as our outreach.

The faithful servants who plan, decorate, cook, and serve for kindred community events

Every woman will go home with several gifts to help make your Christmas so special. It will be a night that will be talked about all season! You don’t want to miss it! Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online and on Sundays in the Concourse.

Kindred Community What a special evening it was, as 34 women came together to count their blessings and listen to Dr. Jeanne Jeffers share her own story of humor, hope and joy through widowhood. She inspired great conversation for the beautiful meal that followed.

Special thanks to all the women that attended and those who served. The next Kindred Community gathering will be Saturday, December 12 at 11 a.m. for a Paint Your Art Out event and luncheon. Please reserve your spot with Susie Cobden at scobden@ churchoftheservant.com.

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Adult Prime Time

Community Hall

Thursday, November 12, 10:30 a.m.

Our program for November will be: “Edgar Cruz – Guitarist Extraordinaire”. Edgar has been named Oklahoma’s top performing artist and/or acoustic guitarist for ten years by the Oklahoma Gazette.

Earthglow Market Saturday, November 14, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Can you smell the chili, beans and cornbread? Are you craving some of our famous chocolate chocolate cake? We can fix you up at the Earthglow Market on November 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Home Decor – for everyday and for Holidays – will be available. You can jump start your Christmas shopping with a large array of choices. Our parking is easy, everyone is welcome, and admission is FREE! Join us this Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas has arrived in Earthglow! Our fabulous “deco” ladies have totally transformed every nook and cranny! Gift ideas include: aprons that have a tree that lights up, Christmas Memories, scarves that hide your phone, a large variety of scarves, football lover gifts, POPPERS for children, coloring books for adults, jewelry, a variety of totes, advent calendars, pillows, pillow wraps, jeweled trees, soup mixes, salsa, dips, Aspen Mulling Spices, singing animals, and so much more! Visit us soon! Remember, all proceeds go to missions!

5 Reasons The Hospitality Ministry Is A Perfect Place To Serve 1) Free Food. Yes, it’s true. The hospitality volunteers receive free coffee and donuts every Sunday! Volunteers absolutely love building community and serving people to make great first impressions.

2) It’s an awesome group of people. Volunteers set the tone for everything else that follows the services. This team has a lot of fun together.

3) It’s a great family serve. This ministry is a great way to get your family to serve together by greeting guests and members and pointing them in the right direction.

4) You are the first impression a guest receives. By joining the Hospitality Team, you can make all the difference in a person’s attitude toward the Church and possibly their eternal destination. It has often been said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

5) You help people grow. By joining the hospitality team, you get to listen and help people take their next steps towards Christ.

What are you waiting for? Take the plunge and join our amazing team on Sunday’s.

We are looking for greeters, parking team, Welcome Center, and 13.2 coffee shop. Our mission is to create great first impressions so that the Holy Spirit can work in people’s lives. Contact Scott Bartlow at sbartlow@churchoftheservant.com or call 728-4767.

Following the program will be our usual time of fellowship with old and new friends as we enjoy the meal prepared for us: turkey and dressing, and all the fixin’s, dessert, and beverages. You can enjoy the program and lunch for $ 10.00, or if you come only for the program, cost is $ 2.00.

Sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office at 721-4141 no later 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, to make your reservation. If you sign up, and then see you will be unable to attend, please call to cancel your reservation, as Prime Time must pay for all meals reserved.

Reminder: Bake Sale - December 10

Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Wednesday, December 2 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Community Hall

At Church of the Servant, people serve in all kinds of ministries that make a difference in our church, in our community and in our world. In this class you can learn to better understand your personality, work on identifying your calling as part of the local church, and find the ministry role that best fits your gifts, calling and passion. Register online! Contact Scott Bartlow for more information at 728-4767.

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Music OPEN HOUSE

Holiday Homes Christmas Open House Tour is coming again! Five different homes – located in Canyon Lakes, Briarcreek, The Greens, Blue Quail Ridge, and Gaillardia – will be on display on Sunday, December 6, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Enjoy viewing these decorated homes and munching on hors d’oeuvres. Tickets on sale in the Concourse beginning Sunday, November 15.

The Joy of Christmas December 13, 9:15 and 10:45 a.m.

Featuring: Celebration Choir, Worship Orchestra, and SYNERGY (vocal ensemble)

The Joy of Christmas will be a joyous celebration of the holidays. You will experience the holiday spirit with some of your favorite Christmas songs and carols, such as: •

O Holy Night

•

Little Drummer Boy

•

Do You Hear What I Hear

•

Mary Did You Know

•

Carol of the Bells

Plus many others, including a “huge” Christmas Carol sing-along! We guarantee you will leave with a smile on your face and a carol in your heart. Plan to join our entire Church family for “The Joy of Christmas!”

SYNERGY CONCERT “Tunes and Treats”

November 22, 4 p.m.

In the Courtyard

A fun hour of not-so-serious holiday songs and treats!

Everybody is invited for this fun look at the holiday season.

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Our Life Together Our Prayers

u Phyllis Armstrong as Phyllis faces surgery at Norman Regional Hospital. u Faye Brownlee as Faye faces surgery at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Sean, Kimberli, Kyle and Mianna Brownlee as Sean recuperates from surgery. u Sheryl Dunham as Sheryl recuperates from a procedure at the OK Heart Hospital. u Elliott Fenton and Lu Simpson as Lu deals with health issues. u Rick and Dixie Grosshans as Rick recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Mary Jessup as Mary recuperates from surgery. u Linda Moore as Linda recuperates from an illness. u Cal and Eleanor Moser as Eleanor recuperates from surgery. u Dick and Susan Muehleisen as Dick faces surgery at OSSO. u Ben and Kathryn Olds as Ben recuperates from surgery. u Linda Shaw as her son, Daniel Shaw, undergoes tests in Dallas, TX. u Bob and Nancy Smith as Bob recuperates from a procedure; and Nancy recuperates from an illness. u Harvey and Judy Weathers as Harvey recuperates from surgery; and their daughter, Misti Gilles, recuperates from surgery. u Tom and Elaine Swanson as their brotherin-law, Richard Weaver, deals with health issues. u Tommy and Rita Team as Tommy recuperates from surgery. u Jon and Sandy Trudgeon as Sandy deals with health issues.

In the Kitchen November 8 – CLOSED

November 15 – Come join us for a Thanksgiving Feast with all the “fixins”!

Our Sympathy

Celebrating Memories

u Mark, Sylvia and Nick Amundson and Family at the death of Mark’s and Sylvia’s son and Nick’s brother, Scott Erik Amundson.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Mobile Meals in memory of Dean Gigstad by David & Mary Walker.

u Rita Aragon and Family at the death of Rita’s father, Rhoper Bly.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Music Ministry in memory of Larry Larson by C.K. & John Farr.

u Bonnie Bales and Family at the death of Bonnie’s sister, Esther Fowble. u Linda Burgett and Family at the death of Linda’s brother, Jeff Clark. u Dave and Marge Carmichael and Family at the death of Dave’s sister, Beth Beale. u Kevin, Keri, Kolton and Kennedy Chessmore and Family at the death of Keri’s friend, Lauren Ridener. u Bill and Barbara Gideon and Jeff, Gaybra, Savannah, Jackson and Molly Schultz and Family at the death of Bill’s and Barbara’s son and Gaybra’s brother, Greg Gideon. u Judy Gigstad and Family at the death of Judy’s husband, Dean Gigstad. u Joseph and Nancy Harris and Family at the death of Nancy’s aunt, Fran Caron. u Don and Millie Henderson and Family at the death of Millie’s son, Larry Gorrell. u Nan Miller and Family at the death of Nan’s friend, Sam Tucker.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Carol Heggie by C.K. & John Farr. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Nita Miller by C.K. & John Farr.

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.

u Sue Miller and Family at the death of Sue’s aunt, Betty Spillane. u Phyllis Mosher and Kevin Mosher and Family at the death of Phyllis’ daughter-inlaw, and Kevin’s wife, Becky Mosher. u Linda Shaw and Family at the death of Linda’s father, Otto Theel. u Shirley Spence and Family at the death of Shirley’s brother, Floyd Clayton. u Ben, Stacy and Amelia Stall and Family at the death of Ben’s mother, Angela Stall. u Craig and Melissa (Beck) Timmons and Family at the death of Craig’s father, and Melissa’s father-in-law, Harold Timmons. u Reynolds, Jessica and Jason Toney and Family at the death of Reynolds’ wife and Jessica’s and Jason’s mother, Kathleen Toney.

Suzuki Strings Suzuki Strings students and instructors recently performed at Spanish Cove Retirement Village in Yukon, and what a joy it was! Wonderful music and company made for an exceptionally enjoyable evening, which even featured a special rendition of Happy Birthday for one delighted resident’s 100th birthday! We are blessed to share the joy and love of music and are thankful for Spanish Cove for inviting us to be a part of their community!

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Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED