Newsletter 12.17.14

December 17, 2014

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 14.25

ChurchoftheServantOKC

Servant923

Dr. Robert Gorrell Senior Minister

START... Maybe the most important word you will hear this New Year!

START living a life that has purpose and meaning. START living a life in which every relationship you have really matters! START living a life that changes and transforms the world!

I would like to recommend something to you that I consider very important for your spiritual life. Beginning January 4 in all of our worship services, we invite you to start a dynamic spiritual journey. You will learn five important spiritual concepts to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. These same faith concepts will help you build better relationships and find your unique purpose in life.

Based on a book by Robert Schnase, you will discover that when we cooperate with God in our spiritual growth, things change dramatically.

These five concepts –– to receive God’s love, to love God in return, to grow in Christ, to serve others, and to give ourselves fully –– help us settle ourselves in God and become instruments of God’s grace. Following Christ will change your heart; and through you, God will change the world. We begin January 4.

All you have to do is… START! - Robert

Rev. Carlos Ramirez presents Earthglow volunteers with an award for supporting Hispanic ministries.

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Missions

Sharing Christ’s Love in the Community

by Sharing a Christmas Meal

The Chapel Community and 923 Worship Service are sponsoring Christmas meals to be delivered in the community on Sunday, December 21, right after worship. If you plan to bring a bag of groceries, have them in the Centrum this Sunday morning!

The meal consists of all the groceries to make a holiday meal, plus a ham. The goal of making the delivery is not just to fulfill a physical need, but to make a personal connection with another person or family in the name of Jesus Christ.

YOU can help by: 1. Identifying someone in your network of life who would be blessed by receiving this meal, perhaps someone who is finding the holidays hard emotionally or financially this year. Please email the name, address and phone number of this contact to scobden@churchoftheservant.com.

2. Help deliver the meals to our friends in the community on Sunday, December 23, right after worship.

Christmas Grace

Thank you, Church, for the way you give generously all year long, but especially how you joyfully give in our Christmas Grace Mission every year at this time!

This year we were able to give gifts to 207 families, which were made up of 578 individuals. We estimate that generosity was around $40,000-$50,000 worth of gifts for people in need in Oklahoma City. Under the leadership of Susy Wilson and her great team of helpers, this ministry comes together flawlessly.

Thank you for spreading Christmas love to Oklahoma City!

From Your Mission Council

Come by the Mission Kiosk in January to pick up a mission calendar for 2015, showing all the mission opportunities and partnerships available to our congregation this year. The first edition of a quarterly mission update will be available too!

Fish funds have continued to bless others in mission this year. Over $25,000 has been shared from Fish funds this year in mission. Our first edition of the mission update this year will share the specifics of those Fish funds. Thank you for your faithfulness to this mission ministry!

Susy Wilson and her faithful team of elves who serve!

Christmas Grace

Thank you from the board of Earthglow for supporting missions at Church of the Servant. For Christmas we, as a board, all bring baby shoes and socks and give them to Infant Crisis Center as a Christmas gift to each other. We fill the tree to help others.

Great last minute Christmas ideas at Earthglow!

Browse an assortment of Christmas kitchen towels, jewelry, candles, pens, books, toys, and don’t forget that family pet with a special chew toy or biscuit.

All profits go to missions. Merry Christmas!

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Adult

Thank you Chuck Weatherford and Music Ministries for a fantastic Christmas program –– The Gift of Christmas!

The Son of God Study Begins this January

What would happen if you applied the lessons from events in Jesus’ life –– temptation, suffering, death, resurrection –– to your own?

Would you come to know Him more intimately and with a greater understanding of your purpose? Would you embody more completely the mission, love and mind of Jesus?

The Son of God study, based on the recent major theatrical release, Son of God, features Pastor Rick Warren as he explains how you can find your purpose in studying the life of Jesus. The study begins Tuesday, January 13, 7:00-8:30pm in the North Adult Center, room 12.

John Farr is teaching the sixsession study. You can register in the Concourse or online at ChurchoftheServant.com. The cost is $10, which pays for the book, and is available at the church.

Women’s Ministries will kick off the year with this inspirational afternoon that will give all the specifics about some great women’s events, as well as all the meaningful studies that begin January 13. For details of all the upcoming Winter studies for women, go to www. churchoftheservant.com.

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You Are Invited to the New and Exciting Women’s Events in 2015

Student Confirmation 2015… Don’t Miss It!

On Sunday, January 25, Confirmation 2015 will officially begin! This great experience is for all seventh and eighth grade students who have never been confirmed. Taking place over the course of ten weeks, Confirmation 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 due Sunday, January 11 at our Parents Meeting (noon in the Student Center). If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Savage, Coordinator of Middle School Ministry, at 405-728-4753.

Troop 177 Veterans Day is a very important holiday. Veterans Day is mostly celebrated by thanking veterans and flag ceremonies, so we did three: one at Edmond’s First Baptist Church, one at Church of the Servant, and one at Deer Creek Intermediate School. The first two were on the Sunday before, but the last one on the day itself, so a few scouts (almost entirely the group at Deer Creek Intermediate) got a break from school that day.

We also did a food drive. On Saturday, November 8, we went around with bags and letters telling people what we were doing. Then one week later, we collected the food and took it to the Hope Center.

Then we helped set up for Christmas at Church of the Servant. We helped put the Christmas trees in their proper places.

Soon we will have our December Lock-in, which is usually at a YMCA and is a very fun event. We will swim for awhile, then go to the gymnasium, where we will play basketball or board games. Then we will wind down with movies.

On Sunday, November 30, we had a visit from a man named Mike, who was blind and deaf. He was able talk to us by using sign language, which was interpreted for us by his helper. It was a very interesting presentation, and kept our attention for at least half an hour. It showed us how humans can adapt and overcome certain handicaps that most of us could never imagine ourselves with.

Visit www.BSAtroop177ok.org to learn more about Troop 177 or follow us on Facebook at BSA-Troop-177.

Evan Chamberlain, First Class Rank Troop Scribe / Bugler

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Children Happy Birthday Jesus Party Includes breakfast and Bethlehem!

Make sure your children are in Children’s Ministries on Sunday, December 21 for the most important birthday party of the year! We will celebrate our Savior’s birth during both the 9:15 and 10:45 hours.

At 9:15 during Kid’s Own Worship, children will praise and worship God for sending his Son to be a living example of His perfect love.

And at 10:45, the children will be treated to Breakfast and Bethlehem. The children will have breakfast, sing carols, make a Christmas art project, as well as see and hear the Christmas story.

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 Sunday, December 21.

SOCCER SIGN UP

Spring Soccer Sign up for ages 3-14 is ready! You will find information on the Welcome Counters, and on our church website (Children’s Ministries-Special Events and Programs). We are ALWAYS happy to have new coaches! Sign up for all the fun!

WOW – Welcome on Wednesdays Is Alive and Well Over 150 children have registered and are attending WOW on Wednesday nights.

The last thing kids want to do after a day at school is sit through another classroom experience. WOW is not designed to be a classroom experience, but what the kids are experiencing is moving and doing – the Bible point for the evening is told through storytelling, crafts, games, snacks, Bible lessons, music and more. It’s upbeat Bible learning. And one of the best parts of WOW is kids are encouraged to bring friends, and what is even more wonderful – they do! We always encourage our kids to bring friends on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and to special events, but Wednesday nights is ALWAYS where we can count on meeting our kids’ friends.

The winter session will begin January 14. It’s not too late to join in on this fun, Jesus-learning time. Children must register though, and the registration forms are available on the church Website in the children’s section, as well as at the Welcome Counters upstairs and in the children’s area. Children registered for the fall session do not need to re-register for the winter session.

Infant Crisis Services Baby Mobile Toddler Packs was the mission project for the fall session. The kids brought food items that will be packaged and distributed through the local Infant Crisis Services organization.

Wednesday night leaders –– Dayna Slater, preschool; Cathy Hersom, lower elementary 1st, 2nd and 3rd; and Cindy Brackenbury, upper elementary 4th and 5th –– are joined by over 30 adults who share their faith with these kids every week.

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Our Prayers

Our Life Together

u Alan and JoAnn Bahan as Alan recuperate from injuries from a fall. u Geoff Baker and Susan King-Baker as Geoff undergoes tests and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Bryan and Ginny Ferguson as Ginny faces surgery at Integris Edmond Hospital. u Doug and Jaci Finch as Jaci faces surgery at Mercy Health Center. u Bob Gentry as Bob recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Deaconess Hospital. u Joyce Gaige as Joyce’s sister, Winifred France, deals with health issues and is hospitalized in Schenectady, New York. u Jim and Coleen Henry as Coleen recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Fred and Sharon Knight as Sharon recuperates from surgery. u Ron and Donna Kozak as Donna recuperates from surgery. u Matt, Melissa, Gage, and Gracie Krause as Matt recuperates from surgery.

Our Prayers

u Phillip and Kitty Smith as Phillip faces surgery at the OU Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital. u Lizette Stephens as Lizette recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Mike, Tricia, Jordan, Megan, Kristen, Brooklyn, and Austin Todd as Mike and Kristen both recuperate from surgery. u Charles and Alice Tritthart as Charles recuperates from surgery. u Harvey and Judy Weathers as Judy recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Nicole Welch as Nicole’s friend, Bucky Bradford, asks for our prayers. u Bill and Zana Willey as their infant granddaughter is hospitalized in Little Rock, AR. u Jamie and Shelly Willis as Jamie recuperates from surgery.

Celebrating

Our Sympathy

u Family and Friends at the death of Donna Douglas. u Jim and Jo Anne Eason and Family at the death of Jim’s mother, Eleanor Joyce Eason. u John and C.K. Farr and Brady, Dalton, and Ethan Farr and Family at the death of C.K.’s mother, Brady’s grandmother, and Dalton’s and Ethan’s great grandmother, Dorothe Bailey. u Fred and Nancy Forde and Family at the death of their son, Michael Overall.

Jim and DeAnna Gregory and Family at the death of DeAnna’s mother, Cleta Ann McMurphy. u Gary and Judy Held and Family at the death of Gary’s mother, Rita Held. u Gary and Pat Ingram and Family at the death of Pat’s mother, Jo Sheppard. u Jim Lynn and Family at the death of Jim’s sister, Georgia Lynn. u Tyler, Meghan, Stella, and Brooks Thompson and Family at the death of Tyler’s grandmother, Mary Ann Whitsett.

u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky at the birth of their granddaughter, Sadie Victoria Pitt. The proud parents and brother are Scott, Ghezal, and Sawyer Pitt.

u John Gilbert, Lonnie Williams, and Family at the death of John’s son and Lonnie’s grandson, Christopher Gilbert.

CARE MINISTRIES

u John and Alice Medina as their son, Michael, recuperates from surgery.

u Gary and Catherine Warren at the birth of their daughter, Gabrielle Elizabeth Warren.

The proud grandparents are Randy and Ann Peter and George and Rosilyn Warren. The proud great uncle and great aunt are Robert and Prudy Gorrell.

u Bob and Barbara Neil as Barbara’s uncle and aunt, Jim and Libby Wallis, both deal with health issues.

u Jenny Colton and Cory Rutledge were married on Saturday, December 13. Proud parents are Steve and Barbara Colton.

u Joe and Mary Ann Legako as Joe deals with health issues. u Charles and Dorothy Luke as their granddaughter, Jacie Claire Smith, deals with health issues and undergoing treatment. u Margie Malone as Margie faces surgery at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

u Don and Kathleen Patton as Don faces surgery at the OK Heart Hospital. u Harrell and Wilma Pickens as Harrell deals with health issues. u Vince and Marilyn Robison as Vince recuperates from an illness. u Matt, Christy, and Kendall Ruebel as Kendall faces surgery at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Allen and Carrie Schlegel as their daughter, Carrie Irwin, deals with health issues and undergoes tests. u Carol Seljeseth as she deals with health issues and faces treatment.

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.

Grief Support Group Begins January 22

Have you suffered the loss of a loved one? If so, we invite you to a grief support group, which will meet from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. each Thursday, January 22 through March 12. We’ll meet at Church of the Servant in South Adult room 6 (classrooms behind the Centrum). Whether it has been a long time since your loss occurred, or if your grief is new, we think you’ll find this group helpful. We will use the Grief Share curriculum, and you’ll receive a workbook at the first meeting. There will be time for discussion and sharing, and we will view a helpful video each time. Facilitators are Rev. Tim Travers and Don Ellis. To sign up, call Vicki Roberds at 728-4738 or email her at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.

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Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

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