November 20, 2013 CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER Issue: 13.23
Veteran’s Day
Thanks to everyone who made our Veteran’s Day event so special! Thanks to our Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts for participating! Thanks to the woodwind ensemble for music; you were all awesome! Thanks to our speaker Rita Aragon; you inspired us. Thanks to our servers and greeters. Thanks to Robert and Prudy Gorrell for hosting the event. And most of all… thanks to our vets and military men and women. We are so proud of you! United Methodist Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com United Methodist Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com
Charge Conference Senior Minister’s Report November 2013
Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister
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In 2013 we will schedule about 5,000 ministry events at Church of the Servant. This has been a great year for our church! We have so many areas of ministry to celebrate! But let me highlight a few as you celebrate with me: *362 persons participated in Fit to Serve, raising $11,909 for our inner city tutoring program, Whiz Kids. Church of the Servant provided 70 volunteer tutors from our church to help 48 students at Whiz Kids. We have had a real impact there, with the school raising its test scores due to our help. *Our budget is full of mission items including over $654,389 we provide to the Conference and General Church for ministry. But even beyond that, we raised $128,000 through special fish appeals for Stop Hunger Now, Skyline Clothes for Kids, the Skyline Food Pantry and tornado relief. *After the tornadoes we sent eight teams into the field to minister to the storm victims. Countless volunteers from our church manned the site at St. Andrews Methodist Church to provide additional help. *We also prepared and distributed 138 Mission Buckets to storm victims. *Children’s Ministry this year was highlighted with 520 children participating in Vacation Bible School. Over 200 adults helped make VBS a major outreach in our community. *In Student Ministries, 99 of our young people traveled and served on mission teams. And 230 of our students attended camps and retreats where they learned more about Jesus and were encouraged to go beyond our walls and serve others. *Nine new Care Chaplains were commissioned to serve the people of our congregation.
*Responding to a deep need in Oklahoma City, we provided 206 child car seats to the poorest and most vulnerable members of our community. In addition to the seats, we taught dozens of parents and grandparents how to safely install car seats. There are so many great things to celebrate but two really stand out for me: *Stop Hunger Now, a ministry in which over 1,300 Servant volunteers prepared 158,100 meals for the hungry. Since 2010 our church has prepared and given away 552,100 meals. *Confirmation, a ministry that invites our young people to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, was amazing this year with 56 Confirmands. The passion these young people have for Christ is nothing short of inspiring! In 2014, our church wide emphasis is “Leading People to Jesus Christ!” We will feature two important ministries in our effort. The first comes from a book our leaders studied called Fusion. Our focus from Fusion is a ministry aimed at the first seven minutes a new person visits our church. We want to use those seven minutes to highlight the friendliness and the warm hospitality our congregation offers. This builds on the strength of our church—we are a warm caring people. The second is a new ministry I call “Three Simple Things”. We will ask our entire congregation in 2014 to commit to reaching out to our neighbors and inviting them to meet Christ during those special times of the year at our church - Easter and Christmas. As we celebrate one year and look forward to the next, please lift up our church in your prayers. - Robert
MISSION IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS Mission trip to Potter’s House Guatemala City, Guatemala Date: June 1-8 Cost: $1600 Mission Team Meeting: Sunday, December 8, at Noon Location: South Adult room 1 The meeting will be the first one for the team, so it is not too late to join. This will be the 5th team to serve at Potter’s House from Church of the Servant. This youth and adult team will serve the people in the dump community where 16,000 people live and work in the center of the city. The team will do a construction project, go on prayer walks, present VBS, and learns so much about how to change the direction of poverty in the lives of these families. There are many great testimonies in our congregation about this trip. For more information, contact Pat McGarrity at 990-2265.
Help the Skyline Jets Shop for Their Families
Jets is an after-school program that works with children four days a week on academics and character building. Throughout the year the children earn Jet “bucks” by doing small Jet jobs, such as passing out song books, taking attendance, etc. Then before Christmas break, they can “purchase” gifts for their families with the “bucks” they have earned. This is something they look forward to and work hard for all year. It is a very rewarding experience for the children. What is needed are small gifts they can “purchase” in the store for their family - for moms, dads, and siblings. Items to bring to stock the store might be socks, lotions, costume jewelry in good condition, small tools, toys, games, small items from the dollar store. This is a great way to re-gift things! Please bring items to the Mission Kiosk by Sunday, December 1.
Missions Hannah’s Promise Special Gifts
Hannah’s Promise Ministry is offering unique Christmas gifts made by the children. Once a year, Hannah’s Promise, our respite ministry for children with special needs and their families, creates special pieces to be sold for our ministry fundraiser. This year the children have decorated canvas bags and aprons that will be available on Sunday November 24 and December 8. These limited edition bags and aprons will be very special gifts because they have a beautiful story behind them of children who find a place of their own here at Church of the Servant. Come by the table and purchase one as a gift or for yourself.
The Gallery: St John’s UMC AfterSchool Academic and Arts Academy
St John’s UMC will begin The Gallery on January 8 after school. The church is located at 1755 N Meridian and will be working in partnership with Hilldale Elementary. Volunteers for this program are needed! There will be many different roles in this new ministry. To find out more about the roles and the programs, go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/1Bq_ZcL4gn0_xGLp7pLfPeWm1GI6qg8czvETNnj9n_H0/ viewform, or contact Kristina Thorson, our US2 Missionary directing the program, at 425-772-8131. After filling out the application, you will be invited to a volunteer training being held on December 5 at St. John’s UMC.
Who Did You Pick to Receive Christmas Grace?
Do you ever wonder about the families we serve through Christmas Grace? Here is how one of the families described themselves: “We are a low income family, as I became a single mother last year when my husband passed away. I work full time and I am trying to go back to school. Skyline is a great help to us and we are glad to be able to sign up for Christmas Grace this year.” Christmas Grace gifts are due back Sunday, December 1.
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Adult Hope for the Season: When the Holidays Hurt Sunday November 24, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Chapel of the Cross Teaching moment with Dr. Robyn Goggs Followed by a time of worship with Rev Tim Travers
Have the losses of the last months or years made is hard to think about approaching the holidays this season? Come equip yourself with practical and emotional tools to travel through the holidays, even if you find yourself grieving. The teaching will be focused on how to be authentic to oneself during the holiday season followed by a hopeful worship experience that is sensitive to the reality of loss and the promises about life and death in Jesus Christ. Mark your calendar to be at the experience and invite someone you know to come with you who might benefit from an event that recognizes that the holidays are sometimes a difficult season to pass through when we feel broken and vulnerable.
Christianity and World Religions
S.O.L.O. PM is leading a study called Christianity and World Religions: Wrestling with Questions People Ask. It is a six-week study that deals openly and honestly with questions people ask about other religions, including why we should believe the claims of Christianity over those of other faiths. As part of the study, author and presenter Adam Hamilton interviews a religious leader from each tradition: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism. He treats the world religions with great respect, recognizing the unique contributions of each. Christianity and World Religions continues this Sunday for S.O.L.O. PM at 6:00 p.m. in South Adult room 6.
Silverleaf Shooters
It was a beautiful day for the Church’s Sporting Clay Shoot held at Silverleaf Gun Range in Guthrie. All those in attendance enjoyed the fellowship. The winner of the shoot with the highest score was Lynn Knight, and his father, Fred, took second place. There will be another shoot scheduled in the spring, so all that are interested in shooting sporting clays should plan to attend that event. Watch the newsletter for that date.
Friendly Face Needed
13.2 has an opening for a friendly face to volunteer on Thursday mornings from 8:4511:30 during the school year. It’s fun, easy, and a wonderful way to serve Christ! Warm up with your favorite winter drinks as the weather is getting colder! Apple Cider, Peppermint Mocha, Mint Hot Chocolate, and many more!!!
Join Prime Time for a Christmas Celebration On Thursday, December 12 at 10:00 a.m. (note time change) in Community Hall you will be in for a “treat” when Prime Time holds its annual Silent Auction Bake Sale. If you have never attended our silent auction and would love a frenzied good time, this is THE place to be. We will start one-half hour early to allow plenty of time for bidding. If you are contributing to the sale, please have your items (cookies, cakes, pies, candies, breads, nuts) in Community Hall by 9:45. Be sure your name is on the items you bring. Following the bidding, two of our musically talented church members, Rob Holloway and Michelle Knight, will present a delightful Christmas program. Page 4 I ChurchotheServant.com
We hope you will plan to stay for a delicious meal of glazed ham, mac & cheese, baked beans, salad, roll and red velvet cake. If you can stay for the program only, the cost is $2.00, but we recommend you stay for this delicious meal and fellowship with old and new friends for a total cost of $10.00. Make your reservation now at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141, no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, December 9. If you make a reservation and later find you cannot attend, please call your cancellation, as Prime Time must pay for all reservations made. SEE YOU AT PRIME TIME!
Music These are exciting times in Music Ministry! The Choir is full and singing better than ever and filled with the spirit. Members of the choir are also preparing for a trip to Rome in 2015. The orchestra is playing with unusual power and skill. We have formed a new audition group SYNERGY that has done so very well every time they have been in worship. The children’s music ministries continue to evolve. The youth choir is hard at work on holiday music along with their regular appearances in worship. The choir will travel to Nashville for tour in the early summer. Our handbell choirs continue to flourish. Revelation Bronze, our newest handbell ensemble, will soon make their
debut in worship. This group is made up of 10 excellent young musicians. All of the members of this choir play instruments outside of bells and many sing in the youth choir as well. I am so proud of them! In a time where Music Ministries are having trouble maintaining a full program, we fortunately are flourishing. Many thanks to my great staff team as well. I hope these ensembles are all a great blessing to you during the upcoming Advent season. Chuck Weatherford Director of Music Ministries
Troop 177
Troop 177 would like to thank all of the veterans at Church of the Servant for their service to our great nation. Troop 177’s Flag Team performed flag ceremonies for Church of the Servants veterans by Showing the Flags and reading a poem to thank all those who served. The Flag Team also did a flag ceremony to open the Cimarron Middle School Veterans Concert. Also, this month Troop 177 is helping out the community with Scouting for Food. This event happens every November where troops across Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Deer Creek collect food for the Hope Center to stock up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Troop 177 will go from neighborhood to neighborhood collecting cans for the Hope Center. Just like last year, Troop 177 participated in Earthglow Market, helping people set up their stands and also taking them down. Troop 177 also had a stand of its own and sold popcorn, spices, and first aid kits. For our November Campout, Troop 177 will be going to Cedar Lake National Recreation Area. The troop will be hiking 12.7 miles across southeastern Oklahoma along the Horsethief Springs Trial. This is the first campout for most of the scouts where they will hike with heavy packs and camp on the trail. This is also the longest hiking trip that we will do this year. Follow Troop 177 on Facebook at BSATroop177 or ww.BSAtroop177ok.org. Scott Kincannon, Life Scout Scribe and Troop Guide | BSA Troop 177
Annual CELEBRATIONS! Pre-School 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. What is the Celebrations! Preschool Fruit Sale? Celebrations! is a preschool that teaches English to non-English speaking Preschool and KinderEARTHGLOW garten students while enriching their families and the community! After graduation, these children can then enter the regular school system at the same Christmas has arrived at Earthglow! skill level as their English-speaking peers. Our family of faith at Church of Lots of fun Christmas tree hats, the Servant has helped support this school for many years and will continue ornaments, trees, and awesome to do so with your support! One way that we help is by donating the profits reindeer wearing wool slacks! Come from our annual fruit sale. in and browse while supplies last! THE ROCK November 20, 2013 I Page 5
Student Middle School Fall Retreat
A couple of weekends ago Middle School Ministries took a trip to Canyon Camp for our Fall Retreat. We loaded 68 students in a bus and a few cars, along with 16 amazing leaders! The weather was beautiful for our weekend trip, but the movement of the Holy Spirit was the most beautiful part of the entire retreat. Our weekend theme was “Own It”. All weekend we talked about what owning our faith means in our walk with Christ. We discussed how we can “own it” at school, at home, and in the community. As the youth pastor, I had the awesome opportunity to watch the students as they worshiped and got to hear how every small group explored their faith. You often hear people say negative things about the younger generation, but I would like to tell you how amazing these kids really are! I witnessed these students praying with and for each other, I heard about amazing life-changing conversations that took place throughout the weekend, and I watched them make commitments to truly begin owning their faith. Our kids make me laugh, they make me tired, but they also make me proud. Proud to be their youth pastor, proud of the decisions they are making to own their faith, and proud to watch as they serve God. - Jenna Savage
hool c S h Hig t etrea R l l a F NG
Get to Know Me
My name is Brenden Barnett. I am a senior and attend Church of the Servant with my mom and sister. I am active in the Student Ministries and am so glad I am! I enjoy being with them because it allows me to meet new people. I also enjoy it because I can worship God and be spiritually filled while also being surrounded by my peers. It is important to me to be active and a part of student ministries because it allows me to have people that can keep me accountable in my spiritual walk and I can do the same for them. It also is important to me to be a part of Student Ministries so I can make new friends and make memories with them. I am so thankful for all that Church of the Servant has already done for me and can’t wait to get more involved! - Brenden Barnett, Senior
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Pancake Breakfast
Pancake Breakfast was a huge success! Thank you for your contribution and support. Whether it was flipping pancakes, showing up for breakfast, or donating a basket - this wouldn’t have been possible without you all! We were able to raise over $6000 to help with camp and mission trips. Another area of success that can’t be measured in money is the interaction between our students and the congregation. One of my favorite things about Pancake Breakfast is watching our students converse and pray with members of the church. This event isn’t just about raising money, but the church coming together and breaking bread. And we thank you!
Our Prayers
Our Life Together
u David and Janet Battles as Janet deals with health issues and recuperates from a procedure. u Warren and Sue Collins as Sue’s brother, Ronald Lloyd, deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery in Little Rock, AR. u Jim and Lisa Fansher as their friend’s daughter in Tulsa, Emma Mambuca, deals with health issues. u John, Robyn, Noah, Daisy, and Julia Goggs as Robyn’s grandmother, Thelma Thompson, deals with health issues. u Joe and Nancy Harris as Nancy deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery. u David and Sandy Jensen as their granddaughter, Hannah Jensen, faces surgery at the OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital. u Talova Jones as she deals with health issues. u Dale and June Krumme as Dale deals with health issues. u David and Nancy Landrum as David deals with health issues. u Bob and Marilyn Long as Bob recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Melissa Marshall as she deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Tate, Gina, Ryan, and Jaeden Musae as Tate deals with health issues and recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Larry and Linda Nowlin as Linda’s mother, Fran Tysor, deals with health issues; and Linda’s uncle, Chan Tysor, deals with health issues. u Eric, Jeanna, and Amelia Stewart as Jeanna deals with health issues. u Jim and Lynda Talkington as Lynda recuperates from a procedure. u Helen Vaughn as she deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Bill and Mary White as Bill deals with health issues.
Our Sympathy
u Robert Adams and Family at the death of Robert’s wife, Dorothy Adams. u Family and Friends at the death of Connie Sanmann. u Richard and Charlotte Wylie and Family at the death of Charlotte’s cousin, Carson J. Schardt.
Celebrating
u Rev. Nancy Pittman was installed as the new Dean of Phillips Theological Seminary located in Tulsa, OK. She is the daughter of Robert and Marilyn Bailey.
CALLING ALL CAMERA OPERATORS!
We need your help! On Sunday, December 15, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m., we will be LIVE streaming our Christmas program - Carols by Candlelight. In order to make this possible, we will need camera operators to run the three cameras in the Celebration Center. The only requirement is a servant’s heart... no experience necessary. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Heather DeShazo at 721-4141 or hdeshazo@ churchoftheservant.com.
Faith in Reel Time
Prepare your hearts for Christmas by joining Dr. Curtis Nigh Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. in the Centrum as “Faith in Reel Time” presents the movie Silent Night. This Hallmark film, based on “an incredible true story”, takes place on Christmas Eve 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, when the Nazis made their last offensive attempt to stop the advance of the Americans. At a cabin in the forest, where both American and German soldiers appear, hostile tension is strong for a time. But what happened that Christmas Eve truly honors the Prince of Peace, as “The Peaceable Kingdom” reins over a shared, sacred meal. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141, for this special Christmas-Advent movie.
Women
Women’s Advent Brown Bag Luncheons Tuesdays, December 3 and 10, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., With teaching beginning at Noon. Dr. Robyn Goggs will present “Gather ‘Round the Table” Living and Sharing Faith like Susanna Wesley
Do you believe that behind every good man is a good woman? Me too! The woman behind John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist Church, was their mother, Susanna Wesley. Not only did she set the course of faith and service for her sons, but she did that for many others who would gather ‘round her table all those years ago. Come and hear about her inspiring life and how when we gather ‘round our tables today, they can still be places where faith and life are shared in deep ways. Bring your own lunch. Cold and hot drinks provided. No reservations necessary. THE ROCK November 20, 2013 I Page 7
Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
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November Sermon Series: More information on page 4