Newsletter 12.19.12

December 19, 2012

Church of the Servant Bi-Weekly Newsletter Issue: 12.25

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

Christmas Grace Blesses Families Throughout the City!

Thanks to a generous and energetic Christian spirit in our congregation, we were able to touch 202 family units, involving 630 individuals, this Christmas. There was such a wonderful response to our requests for adoption that all the families were adopted by the 3rd week of the Christmas Grace program. The agencies with whom we dealt had all the gifts picked up by Thursday, December 6. This year, several of our volunteers supplemented the agencies transportation by delivering several truck loads to save the agencies from making second trips.

There was a wonderful group of volunteers who helped with this very successful program. Organized by Susy Wilson, the volunteers were Susan Dage, Carolyn Clark, Vicki Roberds, Ron Hendricks, JoAnn Pace, Ingrid Matthews, Candy and Dan Cavaness, Jim and Cheryl Wheelbarger, Cecelia Beckham, Lola Burgtorf, Sandy and Ben Ratzlaff, Judy Raulston, Denise Lingo, Mary Alice Young, Sherry and Stan Selvidge, and all of you who adopted and shopped for a family. This was yet another example of the spirit of mission that exists throughout our church family.

A big THANK YOU! to all who were involved.

If you would like to see Christmas Grace in action, check our webpage and the great video made as everyone delivered their gifts back to the church... www.churchoftheservant.com

THANK YOU!!

A big Thank you goes to the Family Ties Sunday School class for rolling up their sleeves on Saturday, December 1, and spending part of their day cleaning and mopping in the Celebration Center and many other places around the church. Shown are just a few of the class and their children who made the effort a “Family Event�. Thank you so very much for the help!

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A Gift for Each of YOU! Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated with the night sky.

Every Christmas, I find one star in the sky. Then I watch it each night of Advent imagining the Star of Bethlehem.

One of our Methodist ministers, James Harish, tells a wonderful story about a star:

Stephen Shadeeg is an Arizona businessman, the father of four children, who told a wonderful story of a particular Christmas morning.

He said they had a rule at their house that none of the children could go down to see gifts under the tree until the rest of the family was awake and they could all go together.

The year David was 7, he came bounding into their bedroom at 4:30 a.m., his face glowing with excitement, his mouth running at Dr. Robert Gorrell about 90 miles an hour. Daddy! Mother! Come quick! I saw it!

As they wiped the sleep from their eyes, both he and his wife knew what had happened. The rule had been broken. David had already discovered the new bicycle that he had been wanting for two years. They felt cheated that he had rushed ahead and they had missed seeing his discovery, but it was Christmas, after all, and they couldn’t scold him for being overanxious.

They climbed out of bed, pulled on their robes and slippers, and David took them by the hands, dragging them down the hall. They woke the rest of the children, and with all the family in tow, David led them down the stairs and through the darkened living room toward a window on the eastern side of the house, totally oblivious of the bicycle which sat unnoticed beside the tree. He pointed his little finger to the eastern sky and said, “Look! The Star of Bethlehem! I’ve seen the star!”

My gift to each of you this Christmas is an invitation…an invitation to gaze upon a star and let it lead you to the birth of our Savior!

- Robert

Missions. Earthglow. How are the two related? What does $589,224 have to do with either one? Earthglow began as a way to donate to missions in our community above and beyond Church of the Servant’s apportionment giving.

Since it began, $589,224 has been donated to local missions and ministries!

The little shop in our Concourse is run by volunteers with hearts for mission. All of the profits from purchases made there are donated the next year to different missions and ministries. You can pick up a bookmark in the shop to see which agencies received these gifts from last year’s profits. We have had a couple of special donations this year...Church of the Servant T-shirts, and beautiful note cards with beautiful pictures taken by our own Kurt Leichter. These two items are pure profit for the shop.

We want to finish strong this year in order to donate a lot of money again next year! Any gift you purchase in the shop also gifts others. What a wonderful “Two-for the price of one”! When you are doing gift shopping all year round, please remember to shop in Earthglow! Together we can help make a difference in our community! Thank you for joining us in this special mission!

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: s g n i r e f f O

Winter offerings begin the week of January 14. Check each class for specifics. Registration will take place on Sundays January 6 and 13. Brochures will be available at the Welcome Center beginning December 30. You can register by eMail with Mary Jessup at mjessup@churchoftheservant.com.

Below are the classes being offered. There are several new ones and a new Thursday afternoon class. Check out all the options!

Monday Evening

A Women God Use: Old Testament Women Help You Make Today’s Choices Mondays 6:30-8:00 p.m., starting January 14.

Led by Janis Perrault

Tuesday Morning

Gathering Together: Reflections with Dr. Robyn Goggs Tuesdays 9:15-9:30 a.m., starting January 22

Sharing the Kingdom—Gospel of John

Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m.; an ongoing opportunity; January 22. Taught by Dr. Matt Judkins

Too Busy Not to Pray

Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m., starting January 15 (for four weeks). Taught by Prudy Gorrell

James by Beth Moore

Tuesdays 9:00-11:30 a.m.; starting January 22.

Led by Lou Ann Morris

Body and Soul: Christian Dance Blast

Tuesdays 10:30-11:45 a.m., starting January 15. Body and Soul brochures available for options and pricing.

Scraps and Scriptures

Tuesdays 9:00-11:30 a.m.; starting January 15.

Led by Cecilia Beckham

God’s Handiwork Quilting Class

Tuesdays 9:00-11:30 a.m.; an ongoing opportunity; starting January 15. Led by Dixie Grosshans

Wednesday Morning

Twelve Women of the Bible By Lysa Terkeurst Wednesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m.; starting January 16.

Led by Patricia Hocker and Debbi Marshall Page 4 I SERVANT December 19, 2012

Wednesday Evening

What’s So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m.; starting January 16.

Led by Sherri Boyd, Marsha Gunter, Mary Jessup

When Christians Get It Wrong by Adam Hamilton Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m.; starting January 16.

Led by Miki Farris & Ellen Hickerson

Companions in Christ

Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m.; starting January 16.

Led by Cindy Long

A Journey With Kings by Linda Shaw—a member of Church of the Servant Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m., starting January 16.

Led by Linda Shaw (This is a coed class)

Thursday Afternoons Spirituality and Aging

Thursday afternoons; starting January 24.

Led by Doris Morrison

Friday Mornings

Mothers of Children Study and Fellowship Group Friday 9:30-11:30 a.m. Starting back in late January. Led

by Nanci Judkins - Mom’s Group, fellowship, discussion, and childcare available.

Is Your Relationship About ot Go Off the Relationship Cliff?

Or is it on a slow trajectory downward, or stalled on some impasse’ of emotional stuckness, or just in need of some fine tuning to make it run smoother? We urge you to consider attending the GETTING THE LOVE YOU WANT WORKSHOP, presented by Drs. Linda and Curtis Nigh at their home on the weekend of Friday February 8, 7-10 p.m. and Saturday, February 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s the weekend right before Valentine’s Day, so it’s the perfect occasion to gift your coupleness with the workshop. This workshop is for couples in crisis, couples before marriage, and couples who want to strengthen their marriage and make a good one even better for the long haul. All of your privacy is preserved! It is not a spill-your-guts-to-the-group kind of workshop.

Brochures are available at the Welcome Center, the Care Center, or from Curtis Nigh. If you have questions about the workshop, please call Dr. Nigh at his clinic, 848-2181, or at his home, 478-4420. Hopefully Congress would not allow this nation to go off the fiscal cliff; but with this GETTING THE LOVE YOU WANT Relationship Workshop, at least you can find some ways to not go off the relationship cliff! Pick up your brochure today!

Attention Stringed-Instrument Players!

Guitars, banjos, mandolins, fiddles and such! Starting January 3 and continuing every first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., you are invited to come and jam with Don Cole and other musicians for a couple of hours. Dust off those instruments and come have some fun. This is open to all persons who have at least basic knowledge of their instrument, (acoustic instruments only, no amps please) and want to experience the fun it is to play in a group, and learn “jam etiquette” too. There is no cost involved, and all music and charts will be provided. Contact Don Cole at the church office, 721-4141, or dcole@churchoftheservant.com so he will how many to prepare for. Let’s start the New Year off with a joyful sound!

Capture this Moment of Time in Portraits

We are doing a pictorial directory to draw our church family closer together and to celebrate our church. We will begin scheduling appointments on Sunday, January 13 for photography sessions beginning February 5. There is no cost to the church and no sitting fee for your family. You will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a copy of the directory for participation. You will be photographed, choose your pose for the directory and have the chance to make additional purchases all in one trip to the church. Look for more information in the newsletter and bulletin in the coming weeks, and please make an effort to participate in this great opportunity! Our directory won’t be complete without you!

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Our Prayers Continued.... u Mike and Pam Adams as their son, Chad Adams, recuperates from surgery. u Bill, Genny, Audrey, and Garrison Barto as Billy’s mother, Shirley Barto, recuperates from an illness.

u Dewey and Mary Milby as Dewey’s sister, Judy Brown, deals with health issues and lives in Richmond, Virginia. u Linda Kay Nichols as her brother, Gene Harrison, deals with health issues.

u Robin Bachus and Family at the death of Robin’s sister, Jennifer Green. u Dan and Candy Cavaness and Family at the death of Dan’s uncle, Bill Cavaness.

u Margaret Beck as she faces a procedure at the OK Heart Hospital.

u Betty Smith as she deals with health issues.

u Randy and Penny Crownover and Family at the death of Penny’s brother, Reggie Pike.

u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky as Darlene’s aunt, Lora Moss, deals with health issues.

u Shirley Spence as she deals with health issues and undergoes tests.

u Matt and Edna Daniel and Family at the death of Edna’s brother, Lubin Soans.

u Harry Stults and Christine Hansen as Christine is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

u Curt and Mimi Hendricks and Family at the death of Curt’s mother, Belle Hendricks.

u Bill and Harriet Brewer as their daughter-in-law, Pam Brewer, deals with health issues and undergoes tests at MD Anderson. u Bill, Kimberly, Jordan, and Jillian Brinner as Kimberly’s great aunt, Dora Grant, is hospitalized at the OK Heart Hospital. u Brenda Curtis as she recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at the OK Spine Hospital. u Mickey Gross as she deals with health issues. u Ron and Sharon Hendricks as Sharon faces surgery at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, OK. u Regina Hutchinson as she is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Cecil and Carolyn Jones as Cecil recuperates from injuries from a fall and is hospitalized at the OU Medical Center Edmond. u Walter, Shelley, Luke, and Landon Lamle as Shelley faces surgery at McBride Clinic Orthopedic Hospital. u Russell and Sherry Lawson as Sherry’s sister, JoAnn Graham, deals with health issues. u Henry and Jere Marcotte as Henry faces surgery at Integris Baptist Medical Center. u Bill and Janie Medina as Bill recuperates from surgery.

u Darrell and Belva Templeton ask for prayers for Rhett Wiseman as he undergoes tests.

CARE MINISTRIES

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 728-4735.

u Kent and Dana Israel and Family at the death of Kent’s uncle, Brad Clark. u Tracy, Heather, Emma, Deacon, and Tiegan McLain and Family at the death of Tracy’s grandmother, Velma Nutter. u Joey and Andrea Punneo and Family at the death of Joey’s uncle, Keith Punneo. u Linda Jordan-Wheeler and Family at the death of Linda’s husband, Berry W. Wheeler.

Camera Operators Needed!

We are looking for camera operators to help with Sunday morning services.

No experience necessary.

Contact Heather DeShazo for more information at 728-4704.

Have You Considered Becoming a Member of Church of the Servant?

Some of you have been attending for a short time and others among you have been here longer than you even remember. One thing you may have in common is that for one reason or another, you have not taken the step to church membership. We would like to offer you the opportunity to give God the gift of your commitment to the church. Contact Jeremy Sanders at 405-728-4767, or jsanders@churchoftheservant.com for more information.