Newsletter 12.02.15

December 2, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.22

THE TRUTH ABOUT ADVENT “A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, does various unessential things and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.”

Those words were written by Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonheoffer in Letters and Papers from Prison, as he awaited execution by the Nazi’s. Advent is all about our salvation – salvation that we cannot reach on our own. And yet it is easy to miss Advent.

Which of course, reminds me of a story! There is a story about a group of tourists visiting the Vatican. Their tour guide had told them about the famed Sistine Chapel: the place where the College of Cardinals meets to choose a new pope, the room whose ornate painted ceiling is Michelangelo’s masterpiece.

One aspect of the Sistine Chapel comes as a surprise to most first-time visitors: its size. It’s a rather small room. One young man was so eager to see Michelangelo’s painted ceiling, he dashed in one end of the Sistine Chapel and out the other. He mistook the Chapel for some kind of antechamber.

The tour guide had to chase after him, saying: “Come back, you missed it – and this time, remember to look up!”

It’s the sort of mistake that’s so easy to make during Advent. It’s so easy to confuse Advent with a waiting room: to dash through these four short weeks, arms laden with packages, eyes cast downward. Advent is a destination in its own right.

Maybe its because Advent is not the same as Christmas. Christmas is full of hope and possibility. Christmas is light. The light of a star dominates Christmas. That light is something we try to recreate with the lights on our trees and houses.

But Advent is dark. Advent is a king sending soldiers in the dark of night to murder children. Advent is suffering and crying out in pain for help. Advent is the loved one who doesn’t get well, the cemetery on a cold December day, and the empty house thereafter. Advent is about the God who stands next to the grave with us.

Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister

Social psychologist Christena Cleveland describes Advent this way: Advent isn’t a holiday party. It doesn’t pressure us to conjure up a hopeful face, ring bells and dismiss the foulest realities we face. Advent isn’t about our best world; it’s about our worst world. I think we eat the chocolate and put on the pageants because we don’t want to face the worst.

Advent is about the loved one who doesn’t get well, the cemetery on a cold December day, and the empty house thereafter. Advent is about the God who stands next to the grave with us.

But we do the Light a disservice when we underestimate the darkness. Jesus entered a world plagued not only by the darkness of individual pain and sin, but also by the darkness of systemic oppression. Jesus’ people, the Hebrews, were a subjugated people living as exiles in their own land; among other things, they were silenced, targets of police brutality and exploitatively taxed. They were a people so beaten down by society that only a remnant – most notably Anna and Simeon – continued to believe that the Messianic prophecies would one day come to pass. For many, the darkness of long-standing oppression had extinguished any hope for liberation.

It was into this “worst world” that the Light-in-which-We-See-Light was born, liberating the people from the terror of darkness. So it is in the midst of our worst world that we, too, can most clearly see the Light, for light shines more brightly against a backdrop of true darkness.” (“Advent/Night.” Christena Cleveland, November 28, 2014. christenacleveland.com).

Don’t wait till Christmas. Invite someone to church during Advent. Point them to the light in the darkness.

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MISSIONS Christmas Grace Wow! All of the Christmas Grace families have been sponsored! Thank you for choosing to gift a local family this year! Once again you have shown what it means to be Church of the Servant with hearts for God’s people! 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! Remember to return your gifts by this Sunday, December 6.

Operation Christmas Dinner Delivery drivers Needed on December 20 Last Christmas, over 200 meals were coordinated through the 923 worship body and delivered throughout our local community by dozens of people. Mark your calendar for delivery day on December 20, as this will again be an opportunity to reach the people in our neighborhoods. Bags can be picked up in the Centrum.

Christmas Eve Mission Offering Skyline Urban Ministries Clothes for Kids Each year Church of the Servant helps 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, so our Christmas Eve Offering in all three services will be for Skyline’s 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?

ANNUAL MVC FRUIT SALE To Benefit COS Whiz Kids Ministry MVC will be holding the annual fruit sale on December 13. We will have oranges, grapefruit & mixed boxes available for $20 per box. We are sad to say that Celebrations preschool closed its doors so this sale will benefit the Whiz Kids Program in which Church of the Servant is a sponsor. Whiz Kids is a faith-based, one-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program that focuses on first through sixth-grade students who live in areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels in Oklahoma City. Whiz Kids is proactive and preventative in nature, targeting inner-city schools and students who are reading below grade level and who could benefit most from a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult.

Please consider buying a box or two as they make great gifts!

We will also accept donations & will be happy to deliver fruit to Skyline for anyone wanting to provide them with fresh fruit!

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WOMEN The Gifts of Christmas Women’s Night A Roaring Success!

Most of the 300 women that gathered on November 20 didn’t know what to expect from the evening, but everyone left smiling and laughing, after enjoying an evening of pure unabashed fun and joy!

Great presentations for the holidays with practical and spiritual ideas woven with humor and traditions were given by our own Servant women. Then ‘Elves’ (thanks, 10th-grade girls) came flying down the aisles with gifts for all. Some said, “It felt like I was on the Oprah show!” Old friends were reunited and new ones were made at this first annual event for our women. There is a multitude of people to thank, all of us led by our event chairperson, Keri Chessmore. To all of you who led, helped, and came, thanks be to God for each of you and your love for your church! The night was a great celebration that pointed us all to the most important gift - our Savior, Jesus Christ!

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MUSIC HOLIDAY HOMES 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 and at the church office.

Tour in any order: Stacey & Cary Decker – Canyon Lakes 7605 NW 133rd Place // mini-sandwiches, relish tray Jimi Hadley & John Schille Briarcreek – 7001 NW 100th Street // bite size hors d’oeuvres’ Sue Dye The Greens – 13029 Green Valley Drive // dips with chips & vegetables Sue Knight & Debbie Knight – Blue Quail Ridge 15605 Allegheny Drive // punch & desserts Sherri & David Boyd – Gaillardia 5300 Wisteria Drive // fruit, cheese, crackers, sparkling juice Price: $15 per person // $25 per couple

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.

We will also have a LIVE nativity with a mini-petting zoo, great photo ops, and free coffee! 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!”

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CHILDREN ADVENT IN CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES It is the desire of the ministries at Church of the Servant that during Advent its members prepare their hearts, minds and spirit for the birth of the Christ child. Children’s Ministries has prepared the following Advent plan for its families in hope that it will help them be able to focus and to be reminders of this Holy Season: Praying for our Families: The families that are served by the staff and volunteers of Children’s Ministries will be prayed for daily during Advent in hopes that the “over-stimulated chaos” of the holiday season can take a back seat to the “real reason for the season” in their home. Open Hands, a Servant prayer group, has agreed to be the prayer group behind this effort for our families.

Sunday Mornings: Sunday lessons for children in Advent will coordinate with the sermon series, “The Best Christmas Ever,” being offered to those that attend one of the 4 worship services offered on Sundays: The Key Verse for this series is Luke 2:12 – “And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The concept of this series is for everyone to look through the eyes of those who met Jesus in that humble manger and learn from them as we prepare to meet him anew at Christmas.

Each morning lesson will focus on the following: December 6 – Joseph: Unsung Hero Matthew 1:18-25 December 13 – Mary: Servant of God Luke 1:26-30, 46-49 December 20 – Shepherds: The Blessed of the Lord Luke 2:8-20 Family Advent Devotionals – These devotionals will be available at the Welcome Counter in the children’s area. They include simple family activities for this season, as well as devotional time, if using an Advent wreath at home.

Christmas Eve Services – The 3:00 p.m. Family Service is specially designed for families with children. Every child will have the opportunity to participate in the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD during this service. Communion will be served. There will be no nursery during the 3:00 p.m. service. The nursery will be open for the 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Candlelight services.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS PARTY DECEMBER 20 This celebration will begin at 9:15 during Kids Own Worship and will continue into the 10:45 Sunday school hour.

9:15: The Kids Own Worship and Grapple lesson, which includes music, activities and videos, will focus on the lesson of the shepherds.

10:45: During Sunday school the children will travel (with their adult leaders) to different areas where they will share birthday breakfast, sing carols, make a Christmas art project, as well as see and hear the Christmas story. The Christmas story will be dramatized, by the 4th and 5th graders, complete with costumes and actions will give life to the GREATEST STORY ever told. The children will follow the story of Joseph and Mary on that eventful trip to Bethlehem and see the special event that blessed the shepherds with a special message.

We will have a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Savior all morning. Make plans for your children to be with us all morning on December 20.

ADULT PRIME TIME Community Hall December 10, 10 a.m.

This month we have nothin’ but fun for the Christmas gathering - our Annual Bake Sale & Silent Auction plus spectacular Christmas music!

The silent auction will be held from 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. If you want to bring goodies, please sign up Sunday at the table near Earthglow. If you want to take goodies home, bidding begins at 10:00. Come early so you don’t miss a chance to bid on all the deliciousness! The proceeds of this auction will allow us to be generous with our charitable giving through next year.

Financial Peace University Coming January 6!

We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God’s ways of handling money. Millions of people have taken this journey. They have pulled worries off their shoulders and put on confidence. They have rewritten and secured their futures. On average, those families have paid off $5300.00 in debt and saved $2700 in the first 90 days. That is an $8000 turnaround!

Now it’s your time to learn the steps to get where you want to be. You can do it! You just need a plan.

FPU will be held at Church of the Servant from 6:30 to 8:30pm beginning Wednesday, January 6 through March 2. Tom McGee and Peter Weaver will be instructing the 9-week event. For more information and to sign-up go to: www.churchoftheservant.com/events

Kindred Community Christmas Party for Women Who Have Lost Their Husbands Saturday, December 12, 11am A Paint Your Art Out event and luncheon Come paint, eat and share a fun morning with other women. You will be amazed at the masterpiece you will take home! Dress casually to paint! Please reserve your spot with Sherri Price at 748-3111 or at sherriprice@cox.net.

Following the auction, our own Rev. David Wheeler, accompanied by keyboard magician, Dr. Matt Schinske, will gift us with THE MUSIC OF CHRISTMAS. Don’t miss their magical offering and this gathering of friends as we share a festive Christmas season!

Following the program, we will share a festive holiday meal. You can enjoy the program and lunch for $10.00. If you come only for the program, the cost is $2.00.

Be sure to sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141 no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, December 7 to make your reservation. If you sign up, then see you will be unable to attend, please call to cancel your reservation, as Prime Time must pay for all meals reserved.

Prime Timers: you will need to deliver the pies, cakes, candy, etc. by 9:30 a.m. Please label your items with your name and a description.

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STUDENTS A

few weekends ago, my youth group and I went to Canyon Camp for fall retreat. This being my third time going, it was by far my favorite one yet. We did our normal stuff Friday night and Saturday during the day, but Saturday night was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve ever been a part of. We listened to the band and then Alex Buchner spoke, but once Alex finished they started handing out envelopes. Every student in the room got an envelope of letters from loved ones, family, friends, and other influential people in their lives. They were full of encouraging words and thoughts on how we have influenced their lives. Sang did a great job putting this together, and a great job lifting all of the students up. I had no idea how much of an impact I had made on these people’s lives, but it was great to hear that I have impacted their lives in that way. It was amazing in every way! – Cole Parker

H

ave you ever been asked to volunteer to do something for someone and what you received from the experience felt like it far outweighed what you gave? The 2015 High School Fall Retreat was that experience for me. I truly love spending those 2 days in the Canyon with our youth. What an absolutely amazing group of youth we have at Church of the Servant! I’m blown away by the maturity, the excitement to grow in their faith and the kind hearts and souls these kids have toward one another. I also love seeing college students excited to return as a Servant Team to help with activities, worship band and small groups. And I love serving along parents who also serve as small group

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Fall Retreat!

leaders to do their part in encouraging these teenagers to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. There is no greater calling. It’s a privilege to be a part of it.

students have the power to understand how deep, far and wide God loves them. Church of the Servant youth was on fire for Christ and changing lives that evening.

It’s no secret our world can be a scary, vulnerable place these days. Well, not at Canyon Camp with COS youth. One of my students in my small group said it best. He said, “I love coming here and closing off the rest of the world, getting away from technology and peer pressure and just being with friends.

No stress. No competition. No violence.” It is amazing to see these kids love each other, to pray together, to worship together. We hiked, we played games, we made up rap songs using scripture. We celebrated our beloved Hillary Neaves turning 16. We were a family in the Canyon strengthening our already tight bond, learning to love God and people more passionately and learning to BE BRAVE and stand up for Jesus!

God’s people are called to do two things.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love others. The kids were encouraged to show up in people’s lives and love them like Jesus did. It’s simple. There was certainly a lot of this happening in the Canyon in small groups, in prayer stations, in letters being written, in cabins at night, in the mess hall during dinner. Our Servant youth are an amazing group of kids. It is a privilege to get to ride alongside them as they learn how to bravely serve God more, to love God deeper, and to confidently be disciples of Jesus Christ. If you ever have the opportunity to go on a Fall Retreat, you should not pass it up.

You WILL be inspired. – Karla O’Hara

On Saturday night, I experienced one of the most moving experiences of my life. During worship and after the message, the students were handed an envelope full of letters that had been written to them by parents, siblings and other important people in their lives.

These letters were reminders that each student is uniquely made and deeply loved, that they have been given incredible gifts that they are called to use to further God’s Kingdom. As a parent and a small group leader, it was so emotional to watch this take place.

Each student read letters from people who love them unconditionally. There was not a dry eye in the tabernacle. God was moving.

He was working. He was transforming lives in a huge way that night. My prayer is that these

T

he Church of the Servant fall retreat was so amazing. It was about being brave in prayer and in your faith. The retreat taught me a lot about myself and my relationship with God. It taught me to really see what following God is about. It taught me to believe in myself and what love truly is. One thing I wrote down from worship was, “Everyone is evidence of God’s existence and that existence is God’s love.” These words are really meaningful in a way that is hard to explain.

My experience at this retreat was very eye opening. Overall, this retreat has taught me so much and helped me get closer with my church family and with God. – Jayden Knight

OUR LIFE TOGETHER OUR PRAYERS

CELEBRATING

CELEBRATING MEMORIES

u Margaret Beck as her nephew, Colin Newman, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at the OU Medical Center.

u Don and Doris Cline at the birth of their great grandson, Barrett Stubenhofer. The proud parents are Mitch and Lydia Stubenhofer. The proud brother is Tyson Stubenhofer.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Dean Gigstad by Bob & Nancy Smith

u Russal and Phyllis Brawley as Russal recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Sandy and Kathryn Cashion as Sandy recuperates from a procedure. u Ralph Engle as Ralph deals with health issues and faces treatment. u Nicole Gilbert as her grandmother, Peggy Gilbert, deals with health issues. u Steve and Lisa Hall as Lisa’s sister, Becky Harvey, recuperates from surgery; and their daughter-in-law, Beth Hall, recuperates from surgery. u Lee, Juli, Emma and Paul Hudson as their friends, Tim, Lisa and Hudson Haws, ask for our prayers as Hudson is hospitalized at Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado. u Nan Miller as Nan’s friend, Ann Bishop, deals with health issues. u Bill and Mary White as Mary’s uncle, Glenn Jackson, is hospitalized in Dallas, Texas. u Barbara Wolfe as Barbara deals with health issues.

u Brian and Lindsey Owen at the birth of their twins, Caden Warner Owen and Camden West Owen.

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Prime Time in memory of Milt Ferguson by Marty & Dottie Christensen u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Dorothy Kepler by Virginia Olds

DISCOVER MEMBERSHIP We are committed to coming alongside anyone who wants to move forward in their relationship with God. If you are interested in becoming a member of Church of the Servant, we welcome you and would love to help you make Servant a place you can call “home.” The next Discover Membership Class is in the Community Hall on Sunday, December 20 at 12:00 p.m; lunch will be provided. Come and meet our Senior Minister, Dr. Robert Gorrell. If you are interested in attending or have questions, please contact Scott Smith at ssmith@churchoftheservant.com.

JOB OPPORTUNITY The church is still seeking a person to work full time in the building services area.

Ability to stay on your feet for long periods of time and to handle some heavy lifting is necessary. Responsibilities include: outside grounds, custodial and maintenance duties. Contact the church office at 721-4141 if you are interested, or might know someone who is interested.

OUR SYMPATHY u Burke and Lovetie Major and Family at the death of Burke’s mother, Jane Scott. u Harlon and Silver Woodbury and Family at the death of Silver’s father, Lloyd Garrison.

Chili Fundraiser!

Do you want to freeze this January?

Your Boy Scouts don’t! Please come to the Chili Dinner Fundraiser at Church of The Servant! We need new tents and supplies, so come let us serve you a great dinner!

Date – Wednesday, December 9 Cost – $5/Bowl Time – Start serving at 5pm Location – Community Hall

The Elementary Kids Own Worship group praise God for their blessings every Sunday, but on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 22, they wrote them down and shared them with each other and their amazing leaders.

The Leadership of Church of the Servant gives thanks DAILY for Children’s Leaders who spend their Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights sharing their faith with the children of this congregation.

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CHURCH OF THE SERVANT 14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24 FAMILY SERVICE 3:00 P.M.

EVERY CHILD WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD!

CANDLELIGHT SERVICE 6:00 AND 8:00 P.M.* *NURSERY FOR AGES 2 AND UNDER

3 SERVICES FOR SKYLINE “CLOTHES FOR KIDS”

MISSION OFFERING TAKEN IN ALL

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT • 14343 N MACARTHUR BLVD, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73142 DR. ROBERT GORRELL, SR. MINISTER • WWW.CHURCHOFTHESERVANT.COM • (405) 721-4141