Newsletter 11.20.12

November 20, 2012

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 12.23

Believe s Belong s Become

United Methodist

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

Medical Mission Opportunity to Maua, Kenya, December 2013 Information Meeting Tuesday, November 27, 6 p.m., South Conference Room

We are looking to recruit medical professionals (doctors, dentists, and nurses) to be part of a medical team to The Methodist Hospital in Maua, Kenya from December 28, 2013 - January 7, 2014. Church of the Servant has been connected to the hospital through Stanley Gitari who came to visit our congregation in 2009. We have supported the hospital financially, but this team will be the first that Servant has sent to Maua. They will go to explore a partnership we can continue to develop. The cost of the trip is $3600. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, November 27 at 6 p.m. in the South Conference Room. Ann Knutson is the team leader and can be contacted at 348-5546 for questions.

Guatemala Mission to Potter’s House June 2-9, 2013 - Still Has Openings

The team is coming together for this trip, which will be the church’s 4th team to go Guatemala City. The cost is $1600 for the trip and is designed for young people (9th grade and up) to partner with an adult (family member or not) to share and reflect on this powerful mission experience. If you are an adult or youth without a counterpart, a partner will be found for you.

The final deadline to make a commitment for this trip is January 13 with a $400 deposit. Brochures can be found at the Mission Kiosk. For more information, contact Dr. Robyn Goggs at rgoggs@churchoftheservant.com.

Mark your calendar: The next Guatemala team meeting will be Sunday, January 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Share the Warmth for Skyline Urban Ministries In December and January

During the winter months, Skyline gives away hundreds of new and gently used coats throughout Oklahoma City to those who are struggling this time of year. As you are getting new coats or find one on sale, consider giving one to Skyline. If used, please clean before donation. The blue bins located in three different locations in the building will be receiving those coats each week to be picked up on Mondays.

Dates for Mission Events and Ministries:

• Dec 2 - Christmas Grace Gifts Return Deadline • Dec 9 - Fruit Sale for Celebrations! Preschool

CHRISTMAS GRACE GIFTS Return Deadline: Noon, Sunday, December 2 Courtyard

What a response we have had! Over 600 requests have been taken by this wonderful congregation to help others at Christmas! Remember to read the details about your Grace family and bring gifts in the plastic bags provided with number stickers on them.

There will be extra bags available at the delivery station on December 2.

What a great day it will be to see the courtyard filled with bicycles and presents lining the hall!

• Dec 16 - Blood Drive Sunday

Special Projects:

• November - Coats for Infant Crisis Services

• December & January - Share the Warmth Coats for Skyline Page 2 I SERVANT November 20, 2012

Are We There Yet? On any long trip it’s natural to ask yourself periodically, “Where are we? How far have we come? Are we still on the right road? Are we there yet?”

Here few a few of the highlights from 2012 so far: •

Care Ministry contacted 1,400 households for prayer requests.

•

New young adult program- Grace Based Parenting (will continue in 2013).

•

Student ministries: Middle School retreat 62 youth; Sr. high 78 youth.

•

New summer program: Kids Camp.

•

VBS had over 500 children plus leaders.

•

Dec. 2 is the one-year anniversary of our new worship service 923.

•

82 new first-time pledges so far in stewardship.

•

New mission partnerships, especially with Gaillardia.

•

52 Whiz Kid tutors with 13 substitutes.

•

Planning for Christmas Program with over 200 cast and musicians.

•

Coming Home for Christmas Evangelism Program.

•

31 new members more than last year (to date).

•

Stop Hunger Now provided 151,000 meals.

Dr. Robert Gorrell

God’s people are always on a journey: Abraham to Canaan…Israel through the wilderness…Jesus to Jerusalem…the disciples to the uttermost parts of the earth. The church of Jesus Christ is always going somewhere. We have a mission to the world. God is always taking us from here to a new there. God’s journey is about adventure, it involves risk and challenge, it’s about a changing landscape, it means not camping anywhere too long, it has a destination we always need to keep in mind, it has a roadmap (that’s the Bible), travel is often expensive, and it can be both exhilarating and exhausting. We’re often tempted to get comfortable and settle down—and that’s when God reminds us, we’re not there yet.

Our call is to be a missional church. A missional church understands we can no longer be the church of old. We live in a post-Christian culture. We need to share Christ. And we need to do this in ways that are appealing and compelling to a culture that has become suspicious of and hostile to what it thinks is Christianity. The mission field is still the whole world— but it is also the neighbors next door.

Are we there yet? No, but we are having a great time getting there!

- Robert

2012 Charge Conference Video Go to the link below to watch the 2012 Charge Conference Video “2012 - A Year to Celebrate”

https://vimeo.com/53436210

SERVANT November 20, 2012 I Page 3

Women’s Advent Luncheons Begin Tuesday, November 27 Register this Sunday at the Table in the Concourse!

Dr. Robyn Goggs will be leading a time of festive reflection and sharing as we eat and study for three Tuesdays during this Advent Season. Tuesdays, November 27, Dec 4 and Dec 11, we will be looking at “Christmas Gifts That Won’t Break”. Those are the gifts of love, joy, peace, and hope that this season offers to each of us, and beckons us to offer to others. If you are struggling with your shopping list, let the Christmas story shape it for you this year. The cost for all three luncheons is $24, and must be prepaid; or you are welcome to brown bag. REGISTER NOW!

Women’s Ministries Thanks…

What a wonderful Fall Offerings we have experienced with over 300 women in Bible Studies and small groups this fall. We have officially finished Fall Offerings, but will begin again the Week of January 14 with Winter/Spring Offerings. The brochures for these new classes will be out the week of Christmas.

Thank you to our committed and talented team of leaders for each of the classes, and to the women’s leadership team that supports and plans all of these special ministries!

Hannah’s Promise Talent Show

God delights in our gifts and how they glorify the Lord!

On Saturday, November 10, we had a beautiful evening here as our Hannah’s Promise children offered their talents in the Annual Talent Show! Thank you to all the volunteers, parents and church members that came out to support them! It was a blessing for everyone!!

Page 4 I SERVANT November 20, 2012

ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS! Pre-School Fruit Sale

Knock, knock. Who’s there? ORANGE. ORANGE who? ORANGE you happy that Sunday, December 9 will be the annual Celebrations! Preschool Fruit Sale?

What is the Celebrations! Preschool Fruit Sale? Celebrations! is a preschool that teaches English to Non-English speaking Preschool and Kindergarten students while enriching their families and the community!

After graduation, these children can then enter the regular school system at the same skill level as their English-speaking peers. Our family of faith at Church of the Servant has helped to support this school for many years and will continue to do so with your support!

One way that we help is by donating the profits from our annual fruit sale.

MVC Sunday School class will have Oranges, Grapefruit and Mixed boxes of both for sale for only $15. Please bring your purse, your wallet, your checkbook or your cash AND your desire to help children in our community on Sunday, December 9! You may pull your car up to the front of the church and we will provide full service and load your box/boxes into your car for you! Where else do you get that personal attention? If you do not wish to purchase the fruit, we will be happy to accept your cash or check donation for this worthy cause! Please look for our tables at both the East and West entrances.

Grandparents Dinner with Special Guests Rev. Jeremy Sanders and Michelle Knight

That’s right, at the upcoming Grandparent’s dinner scheduled for Thursday, November 29 at 6:00 p.m. in Community Hall, Rev. Jeremy Sanders will speak about a special gift for Christmas and Michelle Knight will sing only as Michelle Knight can sing. Cost of the dinner is $8 per person. You can make a reservation by signing up at the Welcome Center or by calling the church office at 721-4141. If you are a grandparent or just a person who would like to attend this very special dinner to enjoy an outstanding program and wonderful fellowship, sign up or call this week.

PRIME TIME

A Very Happy Holiday Season to all from PRIME TIME! We hope you will be able to join us Thursday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. for a marvelous Christmas program by one of our own finest musicians, Rob Holloway.

Rob will play lots of Christmas carols - both fun and inspirational - on the keyboard. We’re sure you’ll enjoy both listening to and singing along with the wonderful music Rob will bring. This promises to be a program that will definitely put you in the spirit! Don’t forget, this is our annual Bake Sale, our primary fund-raising event. Bidding will begin at 10:00 and end at 10:45 a.m., so be sure to come early! Your own baked items can be left in the library by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, or brought to the Community Hall no later than 9:30 a.m. the morning of Prime Time. As usual, the program only is $2.00, and program plus lunch is only $9.00. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141, by 4 p.m. on Monday, December 10, and be sure to let us know if you cannot stay for the delicious meal so that Prime Time will not be responsible for paying for it. SEE YOU AT PRIME TIME!

Congratulations!

We would like to congratulate these five special ladies, who are members of our congregation, for making the list of The Most Powerful Women in Oklaahoma City!

Major General Rita Aragon (Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs for our state)

Miki Farris (Founder and Executive Director of the Infant Crisis Center) Jane Jayroe-Gamble (Former Miss America, Author and Speaker) Dana Murphy (Corporation Commissioner)

Beth Short (Executive Director, Leadership Oklahoma)

Thanks from Earthglow!

Thank you to everyone who attended/worked/supported the Earthglow Market this past weekend! We broke all kinds of records!

We had 100 booths, lots of shoppers, and broke records in sales in the shop! Thank you to everyone! Remember to shop in Earthglow for gifts for your friends and family! Not only do you gift them, you gift others in our community! Thanks for supporting Missions!

SERVANT November 20, 2012 I Page 5

BSA Troop 177

This month was another very exciting and extremely busy month for Troop 177! To kick off our month, we went to Chickasaw National Recreation Area for a hiking campout. We arrived late Friday night and set up camp. Saturday morning we woke up, cooked breakfast, and set off for a 5-mile hike. We returned to camp, had lunch, and then loaded up into the cars to drive to the Chickasaw Indian Cultural Center. Our troop toured the center and then set off for the stickball field. Stickball is an Indian game similar to modern day lacrosse.

The version we played was a game where you would throw a ball at a high pole with a fish at the top. You got 2 points for hitting the fish, and 1 for hitting directly below it. We had a great time! After we left the center, we went back to camp, cooked dinner, and enjoyed a troop campfire!

Also, that weekend was National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). Two of ours scouts, Josh Bruza and Scott Kincannon, attended this 6-day Boy Scout program. They improved their leadership skills and made many new friends! It was a great experience for them!

This month, our troop has been very active in the community. To help Angie Debo Elementary, we ran a jail for them at their Family Fun Night fundraising event. People could pay a dollar to lock their friends, family members, or teachers in jail. Also, our troop helped out at the Church of the Servant Fall Festival.

We ran a slingshot game where kids could shoot at targets for candy. Finally, we volunteered at the Green’s Country Club Halloween event. Scouts in costume hid on the golf course and jumped out and scared teens who were on the hayride.

We will be climbing and rappelling at Robbers Cave State Park in November. Now is a great time to join Scouting! A scouting program for everyone in the family is right here at Church of the Servant! Scouting is a fun, values based program that will enrich the life and develop leadership skills for every member of your family. Young boys 1st through 5th grade are welcome to join our Cub Scout Pack 177. Boys’ 6th -12th grade can join our Boy Scout Troop177, and girls K-12 can join our Girl Scout Troop 177. Adults are also welcome as counselors and leaders. For more information call Charisse Dye, 405-255-6618, or visit www.BSAtroop177ok.org/scouting.

Brett Szymanski Life Scout

Page 6 I SERVANT November 20, 2012

Our Prayers Continued... u Rita Aragon as she recuperates from surgery. u Margaret Beck as she undergoes tests and deals with health issues. u Cary, Mindi, Blake, Bayli, and Braeden Blanchard as Mindi recuperates from surgery. u Lewis and Joni Case as Joni’s son, Rick Smith, recuperates from surgery. u Marty and Dottie Christensen as Dottie recuperates from surgery. u Brenda Curtis as she deals with health issues. u Gloria Factor as her sister and brother-in-law, James and Gwendolyn Jones, both deal with health issues. u Alan Frederick as he deals with health issues. u Annette Gonzalez as she deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Kindred Hospital u Phil and Cathie Harris as Phil deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Ron and Sharon Hendricks as Sharon undergoes tests and a procedure at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Tulsa. u Ron and Shirley Jackson and Norman and Jacque Long as Shirley’s and Jacque’s grandson, Jace Jackson, deals with health issues. u Phil and Luelsa LaRue as their grandson, Hayden Harris, undergoes tests in Tulsa. u Winona Madison and Judy Raulston as Winona deals with health issues. u Pat and Laura O’Hara as Pat’s brother, Paul O’Hara of Kansas, deals with health issues. u Christiaan, Heidi, William, and Kayelynne Osborn as Kayelynne recuperates from surgery.

u Ken and Peggy Pointer as Ken deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Roy and Trina Ramirez as Trina’s mother, Tina Wylie, deals with health issues; and Trina’s brother, Nick Chugon of South Carolina, recuperates from surgery. u Bill and Linda Roark as Linda’s mother, Margaret McCullough, deals with health issues and is a resident at Quail Creek Nursing Home. u Johnny and Susan Satterlee as Johnny deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u Lance, Stephanie, and Solomon Schmidt as Stephanie’s father, Mike Buckley, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at the Midwest City Regional Hospital. u Bob and Nancy Smith as Nancy deals with health issues and recuperates from a procedure. u Darlene Smithhart as she deals with health issues. u Harry Stults and Christine Hansen as Harry deals with health issues. u Jess and Mary Taylor as Jess deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u William, Lynsey, Kate, Karter, and Koleton Thomas as William’s grandmother, Phyllis Thomas, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Lynn and Joyce Treece as Lynn faces surgery at Deaconess Hospital. u Rose Welch as her father, Wayne Wann, deals with health issues. u Jim and Jo Wheeler as Jo deals with health issues. u Berry and Linda Wheeler as Berry deals with health issues.

u Gloria Bates and Family at the death of her nephew, Michael Bates. u Sandy and Kathryn Cashion and Family at the death of Sandy’s sister, Rebecca Hunzicker.Kelley. u Anne Coffee, Margaret Beck, and Bob and Susy Wilson at the death of Anne’s mother, and Margaret’s and Bob’s aunt, Helen Adams. u David and Darsi Landsberger and Family at the death of Darsi’s father, Don Garrigan. u Melvin Shoemaker and Walt Hawkins, Jr., and Lauren Hawkins and Family at the death of Melvin’s wife, Walt’s grandmother, and Lauren’s great grandmother, Ruth Whittet-Shoemaker. u Chris, Christy, and Denise Jarvis at the death of Christy’s friend, Susan McClune.

u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky at the birth of their granddaughter, Kaylee Ann Berkovsky. The proud parents are Eric and Andrea Berkovsky of Nashville, TN. u Bryan and Lara Gaston at the birth of their daughter, Dorothy Camellia Gaston.

The proud sister is Geneva Gaston.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Children’s MInistry in memory of Kerri Adams by Vince & Marilyn Robison. u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care MInistry in memory of Kerri Adams by Vince & Marilyn Robison. u A contribution has been made to The Servant Foundation, Inc. in memory of Elizabeth Weaver by Peter & Terry Weaver.