Newsletter 12.16.15

December 16, 2015

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 15.23

A GREAT LIGHT

As anyone who’s lived through an extended power failure knows, light is a resource most of us take for granted until it’s unexpectedly absent. When a blown transformer takes down our little corner of the power grid, sunset imposes a darkness so deep it weighs heavily on the soul. We learn anew how welcome is the dawn.

Now, imagine going without a sunrise for half the year! Imagine living in a sort of shadowland, in which dawn is but a distant dream. Noonday in such a place is not much brighter than twilight elsewhere.

Such was the daily lot of the remote Norwegian village of Rjukan, west of Oslo, in the mountainous interior of that wintry land. Rjukan is situated at the bottom of a narrow river valley, hedged by steep mountain slopes.

There never would have been a village in that shadowed place at all, were it not for the river. In the early 20th century, an industrialist named Samuel Eyde was seeking cheap hydroelectric power for a new fertilizer plant. Rjukan’s location suited his needs exactly.

Eyde’s factory offered plenty of employment, but at a certain human cost. The steep mountain walls made Rjukan a gloomy place. During the long Norwegian winters, when the sun barely rises over the horizon, the people of Rjukan live in perpetual twilight. The effects on the human spirit were predictable. Rjukan was a dark, depressing place to live..

In 2013, at a cost of nearly a million dollars, three immense mirrors were constructed atop the surrounding peaks. Carefully situated to catch the maximum amount of sunlight, their angle adjusted throughout the day by solar-powered electric motors, Rjukan’s mirror array now reflects winter sunlight down into the valley.

Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister

The change in the quality of life has been dramatic. Even the mirrors’ opponents have been won over. “I thought it would be a waste because we have a lot of bad weather here,” Robert Jenbergsen told The New York Times. “But when we got the sun, you could see the happiness it brought. We had never seen anything like that before.”

Jesus Christ was born into the world to save the light-starved people of the world.

What was once a parking lot in the village’s center has become a town square, a bustling hub where neighbors pause to socialize. This rarely happened in winters past, when villagers hurried from building to building with downcast eyes, collars raised against the bitter wind.

The citizens of Rjukan once walked in darkness. Now – thanks to the high-tech wizardry of their mountaintop mirrors – they see a great light.

The prophet Isaiah never knew a Norwegian winter, but he didn’t have to. Anyone who’s ever lived through a dark night can appreciate the cheering properties of light.

Looking hopefully to the birth of a messiah – the new king who would rule over his people with justice and kindness – the prophet compares this good news to the return of the sun.

Jesus Christ was born into the world to save the light-starved people of the world. We regard him as the Messiah of Israel, the very one Isaiah praises as the Light-Bringer.

Jesus himself said he was the light of the world: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12). Jesus is not only the Light-Bringer; Jesus is the Light!

May the light of Christmas be upon us all.

- Robert Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com

Thank You for Your Weekly Fish Offering

Missions

Each Sunday during our worship services, an opportunity comes during our servant hymn to give to the Fish Funds. Your generosity above and beyond your normal giving makes it possible for our Mission Ministries programs to continue. Whiz Kids, Hannah’s Promise, Mobile Meals, and Car Seats for Kids are the ongoing ministries that are funded by Fish Funds. The mission council also helps to discern how to make these funds available to our own church members for mission trips and special projects. The funds given in 2015 will be the funds available to disperse in 2016. As of the end of November, the weekly offering to the fish funds was $30,000. Thank you so much!

This is a great start for next year. If you would like to make a special gift to mission before the end of year, remember your fish fund ministry!

Christmas Grace Blesses Many!

What a wonderful thing it was to see all the bicycles and toys come into our church on December 6! Gifts were shared through nine agencies and helped 174 family units which included 512 individuals. 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!

Christmas Meals for Local Families

- Delivery drivers needed on Sunday, December 20 Please be in the Centrum at 10:45 for Delivery Directions We plan to deliver over 200 meals again this year in our local community.

Mark your calendar for delivery day on December 20, as this will again be an opportunity to reach right around our neighborhoods. The bags of groceries are coming in; but if you haven’t already brought yours, we ask that you please bring it to the Centrum by December 17. Hams will be purchased this week. If you would be willing to deliver a meal on Sunday, please email Susie Cobden at scobden@churchoftheservant.com, then plan to be in the Centrum at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 20 for delivery directions.

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?

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Women Women’s Ministry Presents: 2nd Annual

New Year New You Seeking Peace in a Clutter-free Life

Guest Speaker: Amber Austin

Women’s Bible Studies Our fall class line up was filled with lots of options, and the winter quarter holds the same opportunity for women who would like to study the Word and be in fellowship. The classes being offered will be on the Website by December 21. Please take a moment and see what the offerings are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays this winter. Classes will be showcased at the “New Year New You” women’s event. Classes begin the week of January 11.

Sunday, January 10, 2:00 p.m.

In the Centrum

Every new year, we resolve to improve our lives. Many say, “This is the year I am going to get organized!” Most people start out the year with good intentions, but end up getting discouraged and giving up. Amber Austin of Dwelling Places Organizing will teach us how to prevent this resolution crash and burn, and share with us the best ways to get organized in the new year. Join us and discover 5 New Rules of Organization that will lead you into lasting change in 2016.

In Amber’s own words: “Starting an organizing business is a leap of faith born out of my love for serving others and having a home that is a blessing. I love sharing what I have learned over the years about the amazing benefits of a home and life that are simple, in order, and running smoothly. During the last 11 years of raising a family, I have learned valuable lessons on clearing clutter, getting (and staying) organized, creating routines, and running a busy household. I truly believe that if your home is organized and functional you will be free to spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time on what matters most to you.”

Amber is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and Faithful Organizers which both require a commitment to honesty, trust and confidentiality.

No reservations required, except for childcare which must be received by January 4. Send requests to: scobden@churchoftheservant.com.

NewYearNewYou_2015.indd 1

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11/17/15 11:10 AM

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS PARTY�

JOIN US THIS SUNDAY!

On Sunday, December 20, the celebration will begin at 9:15 during Kids Own Worship and will continue into 10:45 Sunday school.

9:15 a.m.: The Kids Own Worship and Grapple lesson, which

includes music, activities and videos, will focus on the lesson of the shepherds.

10:45 a.m.: 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.

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Minister Update A Special Note From Dr. Scott Bartlow To Our Church of the Servant Family: Hello Friends, We have some news to share about a major life change. My wife Brooke and I have received a calling from God that is going to take us away from our friends at Church of the Servant.

Recently, Crossings Community Church, here in Oklahoma City, asked if we would consider joining their team. Specifically, I am being invited to become the Campus Pastor of their first campus launching in Edmond. This opportunity aligns fully with my ministry dreams and gifting to launch and lead a church. After much prayer, careful contemplation, and gaining the wise perspective of many friends, family and mentors, we have accepted this new ministry assignment with Crossings Community Church. My last day will be December 27, 2015.

I want to say thank you to our incredible staff, clergy and volunteer teams that have so graciously allowed me to be a part of your lives and this incredible church for this season. Although we are leaving Servant, we will be cheering you on as we all serve the same God and will always be united together as one Church. Thank you for being such a blessing to me and loving our family so well. May God continue to richly bless your efforts to share His love and expand the reach of His compassion!

With Gratitude and Blessings, Dr. Scott Bartlow

_________

It is always a challenge to say goodbye to good friends and colleagues in ministry, but that sorrow is tempered by the understanding that their leaving will allow them to live fully into the particular call that God has placed on their lives. Scott and Brooke returned to Oklahoma City and Church of the Servant almost two years ago and in that time have brought energy and a skill set to our staff that will certainly be missed with his departure. We want to wish the both of them the best of days to come and we will be sure to remain in close contact as we watch with pride all that God is certain to accomplish through their beautiful family.

Brooke and Scott, may God’s blessing rest on you all!

Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister Church of the Servant Page 6 I ChurchoftheServant.com

Adult PRIME TIME Celebration Center January 14 10:30 a.m.

Our January program will be enjoyed in the Celebration Center and will feature Peggy Payne and Alyssa Haffner. They are both outstanding concert pianists and will be performing solos and duets in a variety of musical styles.

Peggy is the principal keyboardist for the OKC Philharmonic Orchestra (a position she has held for 35 years)! She is also the harpsichordist/manager for Go for Baroque, and has her own piano studio with many students.

Are Your Finances Causing You Stress at Home?

Do you find yourself stressing every month over money? Financially, do you feel like you can never get ahead? Is your family stressed-out, because you are stressed about your finances? We want to help you!

We want to help you develop a plan for your money through a 9-week course called, “Financial Peace University” (FPU). Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are, to where you’ve dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

It will be held in the Community Hall on Wednesdays, January 6 – March 2 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tom McGee and Peter Weaver will be instructing the 9-week event. For more information and sign-up go to: www.churchoftheservant.com/blog/events/financial-peace/

Lord, Where Are You When Bad Things Happen?

By Kay Arthur

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED: • God do you hear my cry?

• God why aren’t you listening?

• Why do you allow bad things to happen in the world?

• Will evil in the world ever stop?

• If God is all powerful, and knows all, why are these things happening to me?

If you are interested in beginning the new year with the Word of God, come join us as we study a book on the sovereignty of God, and look into these important questions.

Call Susie Cobden at 728-4711 and register today!

We are so blessed to have musicians of this caliber performing for us, so you will not want to miss this outstanding program! Notice that we will enjoy this program in the Celebration Center, then move to Community Hall to celebrate our 29th birthday!

We’ll celebrate with a meal of baked chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, black-eyed peas and “29th birthday cake.” You can enjoy the program and lunch for $10, or if you come only for the program, the cost is $2.

Taught by Nancy Harris

Class begins January 13, 2016. Registration deadline is January 4.

Alyssa is a former student of Peggy’s, and is currently working on her Masters Piano degree at Oklahoma City University. She also has her own piano studio and many students.

Be sure to sign up at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141 no later than 4:00 p.m.

Monday, January 11, 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.

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Students Confirmation 2016 Is Almost Here!

Confirmation is for all seventh and eighth grade students who have never been confirmed. This great experience takes place over the course of a couple weeks, and is an opportunity for students to discover what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to explore the uniqueness of the United Methodist Church. And in the end, it is a chance for those students to profess their faith in Christ and confirm the work God has been doing in their life. Confirmation truly is an incredible opportunity that we hope every student will have the chance to experience.

If you know a seventh or eighth grade student who has never been confirmed, we hope you will invite them to take part in this amazing experience. Registrations are available at the Welcome Center, outside The Point student center, or at https:// servantokc.wufoo.com/forms/rubuh770y9xq90/. The forms are due Sunday, January 24 at our Parents Meeting (noon in the Student Center). If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Smith, Coordinator of Middle School Ministries at 728-4775 or jsavage@churchoftheservant.com.

Children GRAPPLE CLASS UPDATE

Beginning January 3, the 9:15 a.m. 4th and 5th grade Grapple Class will be spending the first Sunday of the month together in the Celebration Center, and the second Sunday of the month in the Centrum. Each month, they will attend these two worship services together with their peers and leaders to become familiar and connect with these services. A “study guide/take home� sheet will be provided, as well as input from their leaders. Parents are welcome to join with their children if they would like!

In each situation, the students will meet downstairs (checking in as always), have a minute with their leaders to get ready to go to the service, then move on up together. After the service, they will move back downstairs to be checked out by parents, or to attend the 10:45 Sunday school classes.

We pray that these experiences will help the children to build a heartfelt connection with attending church, while becoming more familiar with the special rituals and experiencing the extraordinary blessings of worshipping in this environment. Please join us in this prayer!

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The elementary kids in Kids Own Worship made graham cracker stables in preparation for the birth of Christ.

Our Prayers

Our Life Together

u Richard and Lynda Adcock as Richard is hospitalized at Valir Hospital. u Kenyatta, Christi-Lynn, Colby, Sadie and Samuel Bethea as Kenyatta’s father, Robert Bethea, deals with health issues. u Kent and Lauri Buchanan as Lauri’s brother-in-law, Brent Tate, deals with health issues. u Dan and Cathy Bush as Dan faces surgery. u Lewis and Joni Case as their daughterin-law, Stephanie Smith, faces surgery. u Don and Doris Cline as Don is hospitalized at the OK Heart Hospital. u Paul and Anna Donat as Paul deals with health issues. u Roger and Dorothy Erickson as Roger recuperates from surgery. u Dave and Kay Filson as Dave faces surgery. u Richard and Diane Gosey as Richard deals with health issues. u Shawn Hinkel as Shawn’s father, Ed Hinkel, recuperates from surgery in Joplin, Missouri. u Max and Paula Hire as their son’s colleague, Keylie Baldwin, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at the OU Medical Center. u Nan Miller as Nan’s brother, Court Loomis and Nan’s nephew, Ceth Loomis, both deal with health issues. u Janice Moore as Janice and her daughter, Jinna Cota, both deal with health issues. u Donald and Evelyn Norris as their brotherin-law, Dean Strawn, recuperates from surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. u Nick and Ann Knutson as Ann recuperates from surgery. u Jay Stout as Jay recuperates from injuries from an automobile accident. u Tim and Jacki Travers as Jacki deals with health issues. u Bob and Vertice Turner as Vertice deals with health issues. u Lloyd and Zoe Williams as Lloyd and Zoe both deal with health issues.

Our Sympathy

Celebrating Memories u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Minister’s Discretionary Fund in memory of Evelyn White by T.D. White.

u Family and Friends at the death of Elliott Fenton. u Tom and Rita Gibson and Trent, Stephanie and Hunter Gibson and Family at the death of Tom’s mother, Trent’s grandmother and Hunter’s great grandmother, Betty Murray

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Earthglow in memory of Jim Russell by Jim Cross & Roberta Carrier Cross.

u Jean Grass and Family at the death of Jean’s husband, Henry Lee Grass.

CARE MINISTRIES

u Jim and Coleen Henry at the death of their precious cat, Stache.

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 Family and Friends at the death of Crew Johnson. u Dana Murphy and Family at the death of Dana’s brother, Thad Murphy. u Family and Friends at the death of Sue Park.

Make a Difference in Our City Through Skyline Ministries!

Remember, donating your gently-used clothing and household items IS making a different, maybe more than you know! Items donated to Skyline mean: 1. People in need receive FREE clothing.

2. Unused clothing doesn’t clog our landfills.

3. Parents that receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families are provided “jobs” and referrals for employment.

4. Our 2014 Clothing Closet’s small increment donations totaled $14,050.86 toward helping others!

The Skyline food pantry continues to grow and serve people. In the month of October Skyline served 1132 households totaling over 3,000 individuals! Of those 1132 households, over 300 were new patrons that have not been to Skyline’s Food Resource Center before! While it is so amazing that we are able to serve that many individuals, it also means that more volunteers make the ministry even better. Skyline is a great place 20 minutes down the road to make a difference for others.

There are two main ways that you can help: 1. Volunteers are vital to Skyline! We would not be able to serve as many individuals as we do without our volunteers. The shifts that we need covered the most in the Food Resource Center are: Mondays: 3 p.m. -6 p.m.; Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m.

- 2:30 p.m.; Wednesdays: 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

2. Make a donation! Whether you just pick up a couple of things while you’re at the store or you get your Sunday school class or small group to host a food drive, we appreciate and need all donations! The current most needed items are: Canned Meat, Household Items, Canned Vegetables, and Cereal.

SERVANT December 16, 2015 I Page 9

Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED