Newsletter February 2023

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

BIBLE BEDLAM March 8, 2023

Wednesday, March 8, is a night you do not want to miss! This will be the night of Church of the Servant’s second-ever Bible Bedlam! The youth leaders and children’s ministry team have told me the youth and kids have been waiting for this day since November of 2021! The first COS Bible Bedlam took place in November of 2021, and ever since that night, the youth have been seeking their revenge as the adult team won with a last-second game-saving answer. To all the adults in the church, we must be ready for an all-out competition this year! The team colors for this year are YELLOW for Kids/Students and BLUE for Adults.

Bible Bedlam will take place in the Centrum, and just like in 2021, the youth will be pitted against the adults for the crown of Bible Bedlam CHAMPIONS. The night will kick off with dinner in the Courtyard. A tailgate-themed cookout will happen as you enter through the main entrance of the church, and hamburgers and hotdogs will be served to all who sign up for dinner. Kona Ice will also be on campus for a special treat for those participating in the evening. The evening is a great-spirited event where our church family comes together to have fun and experience what church family is all about.

One of my favorite memories from Bible Bedlam 2021 came from one of the Adults who admitted he did not want to attend the event. He felt the night would be silly and not anything he would find meaningful. He also shared that he only came because he did not want me to tease him for not coming. Much to my delight, this person shared how Bible Bedlam was one of the most memorable experiences of

REGISTER FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT

his many years at Church of the Servant. He had a giant smile sharing with me how thankful he was he did not miss out! He loved watching the youth, kids, and his adult friends have so much fun competing, laughing, and being a church family. In closing, he promised me he would not miss the next one.

To all the adults of the church, the youth and kids’ leaders have a challenge for us! Save the date, make your dinner reservations, find a blue shirt, and be prepared for the youth and kids to give everything they have to become the 2023 Bible Bedlam CHAMPIONS!

You do not want to miss Wednesday Night on March 8! Until then, now is the time to prepare! Let’s make it two in a row!

Fun photos taken at our 2021 Bible Bedlam! Save the date, make your dinner reservations, find a yellow or blue shirt, and be prepared for a fun night of BIBLE BEDLAM!!

March 8, 2023!

March 8, 2023

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Jessica King Director of Connections

Questions about membership, Bible study, discipleship, or how to get involved? Contact Jessica at jking@churchoftheservant.com

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR WOMEN

Ladies,

We invite you to come and be a part of Church of the Servant’s Women’s Ministry as we exist to encourage, equip, and nurture women so they can fulfill God’s mission for their lives. We seek to serve women of all ages by offering various opportunities to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and one another. We desire that every woman will find a place to belong and a chance to serve within the body and the community. Please save the dates on the following page, and invite other women in your lives to come and be a part of our community as we press on together in 2023.

Jessica King

MARCH 3, 2023

Dinner and Night of Worship

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Come enjoy a lovely sit-down dinner, surrounded by other women of faith. Following dinner, we will head into the Celebration Center for an incredible night of praise and worship. Look for more details and registration link this week!

MAY 6, 2023

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

UPCOMING EVENTS

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Mission Day PUMPKO

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Meet at the church in the morning, and we will carpool to our first mission project of the day. After, we will enjoy lunch together before heading to our second mission opportunity. Both mission projects will suit people of all ages, so bring your daughters or mothers and let’s have fun giving back!

SEPT 24, 2023

2:00-5:00 p.m.

Come and join us for an afternoon of games, creativity, and everything pumpkin. This event will be full of laughter and lighthearted fun. Make sure to invite a friend!

BIG EVENT!!

NOVEMBER 5, 2023

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these great events, please contact Jessica King at jking@churchoftheservant.com

We are currently talking with an exceptional guest speaker to come and lead this extraordinary Women’s Ministry event! Once the contract is signed, we will announce her name and the theme. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

ASH WEDNEDSAY

Join us for Ash Wednesday Service led by Rev. Randy Shrauner.

Offering 3 Service Times:

• 7am & 12pm | Chapel of the Cross

February 22 VIEW MENU AND REGISTER FOR DINNER HERE

• 7pm | Celebration Center

Wednesday Night Dinner will be available before the evening service. We will not have Bible study on this night, but dinner will be served in Community Hall - 5:00-6:30pm. Cost is $10. Make a reservation for dinner at ServantOKC.org/KITCHEN

PRIME TIME

MARCH PRIME TIME FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON

Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

In Community Hall

We are thrilled to welcome back Major General Rita Aragon. In honor of “Empowering Women” month, the Major General will be speaking on “Wonder Woman: God Empowering Women.”

Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2016, Major General Rita Aragon was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, in 1947, but calls Dale, Oklahoma, her hometown. An educator by trade, Aragon began her career as an elementary school teacher and eventually became a principal. She was named Principal of the Year in 1988 and 1992 by Oklahoma City Public Schools.

Aragon joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1979. She started out as a basic airman, acting as a draftsman for an engineering squadron. She applied three times before being accepted into an officer candidate school. At the time of her acceptance, Aragon was the third choice to attend officer candidate school; however, she graduated as an honor graduate. During the Gulf War, she served at Dover Military Mortuary, because she was a Mortuary officer. She held the rank of Brigadier General, the first female in the Oklahoma Air National Guard to ever hold that rank, before becoming Major General. Aragon is the first woman to command a unit, a base, and, ultimately, the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Aragon served two tours at the Pentagon as the Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and as the Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Manpower and Personnel.

Aragon is the first female and the fourth Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans’ Affairs. In addition, she is a member of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MONDAY, MARCH 6th!

REMINDER: FEBRUARY PRIME TIME FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON

Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

In Community Hall

We are delighted to announce that the Red River Ramblers are returning to Prime Time on February 9th! The Red River Ramblers are UCO’s faculty Dixieland band. The group plays traditional New Orleans Jazz, made popular more than a century ago. Favorites include: “Honey Suckle Rose,” “Five Foot Two,” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Church of the Servant has an active group of Senior adults that participate in small groups, Bible studies, and other activities throughout the year. On the second Thursday of each month, a special Prime Time Fellowship Program with a luncheon is held in Community Hall.

There’s no membership fee, just a warm invitation to anyone who would like to have a great morning of fun, food and fellowship! You can sign up any time at Guest Central in the concourse, or online at ServantOKC.org/Prime-Time.

Major General Rita Aragon

SERVANT STUDENTS

THANK YOU, CHURCH!

On March 11, thirty of our students and leaders will head to Fort Myers, Florida, for a mission trip led by Praying Pelican. When that day finally comes, it will be a trip we have planned for and prayed over for many months. A trip is nothing, though, without a great deal of good preparation, and Skyler and I have learned that it is in these times we see the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work, encouraging this trip to come to be. This has been the case in the number of students who registered, the leadership who stepped forward to help us, and, of course, the fundraising.

“Sweets for South Florida” has been our main form of church focused fundraising for this mission trip, and God has shown off! We cannot thank Church of the Servant enough for the generosity and love that has been shown toward our students. As of now, through your gifts, we’ve raised over $10,000 to go towards attendance on this trip. As we’ve given out donuts on Sunday mornings and desserts on Wednesday evenings, we’ve come to see such a great willingness to give for the sake of mission and discipleship. This is a testimony of God’s hand in the preparation and our necessity to trust in what He has planned for our week in Fort Myers.

Thank you, Church of the Servant, for your heart to give and for joining with us in this mission.

Heather Winner

Would you like more information about Servant Students?

Contact Heather Winner at hwinner@ServantOKC.org or Skyler Rodriguez at srodriguez@ServantOKC.org

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

SERVANT STUDENTS

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

SERVANT STUDENTS

Believe it or not, it is that time of year. Confirmation season has kicked off and is underway. Confirmation is a season where students grow in their faith, learn of the biblical foundations of Christianity, and get to ask questions about why we believe what we believe. United Methodists use Confirmation as a time when a student “confirms” their faith in Christ and says “yes” to His plan. This is also a season where students are reminded of the vows taken at their baptism. By being confirmed, students are affirming their baptism and deciding to pursue what God has in store for them. This year, we are excited to welcome in the newest group of confirmands. We made the decision to include both 7th and 8th grade students in this year’s Confirmation class. Over the past three years of ministry, we have seen these two grades of students grow together

CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2023:

Grace Barrios-King, Samuel Mosley, Trey Afonien, Brooklyn Weber, Sophia Byers, Dominic Trupiano, Oliver Berry, Maegan Solomon, Mackenzie Clark, Bailey Mitchell, Harrison Mitchell, Taber Traynor, Alexander Marmen, Logan Cravens, Hayden Rodriguez, Onesimus Garner, Matthew Swindler, Katie Taylor, Reagan Lykes, Grace McKinney, Kaden Ross, and Colton Finney.

in beautiful ways. We believe that it would be very beneficial for these grades to experience Confirmation together. We are also excited to have student leaders assist with Confirmation. These students that have volunteered have shown the desire to remember their Confirmation journeys as well as learn even more through being in leadership positions. The journey ahead for this class is long, but so fruitful. There will be days where students and leaders will want to stay in bed or will want to skip class. But we believe that this is a transformational season in the lives of all involved. We ask for your prayers for endurance, wisdom, understanding, faithfulness, and community through this season. If you would like, you may also pray for the individual students and leaders listed below. We cannot wait to see the incredible ways that God moves through this group.

STUDENT LEADERS:

Caroline Flurry, Anna Traynor, Avery Sullivan, Noah Aller, and Tyler Bilyeu.

ADULT LEADERS:

Sarah Mosley, Brad Traynor, and Chandler Winner.

High School Bible Study

SERVANT STUDENTS

Marks of a DISCIPLE

The beginning of a new semester means the resuming of High School Bible Study. As a reminder, this group began out of an abundance of curiosity from students wanting to dive deeper into Scripture and wanting to know more about Bible Study. We were so pleased with the response of the students in the fall semester and their willingness and desire to come to this group. As we start a new semester, we have a little more of a feel of what direction this group is headed. We have started our new study called “Marks of a Disciple.” This study helps believers take a look at six different measurements to see whether or not we are developing spiritually. These steps are so much more than just a checklist, but they are traits and practices that become integrated into the life of the believer that helps them grow as disciples of Christ. Over the following weeks, we will be looking at these six topics: Repentant Life, Healthy Habits, Eternally Minded, Generous Living, Theologically Sound, and Missional Heart. Each of these topics help the believer grow into the disciple that God has called each of us to become. As always, please be in prayer for this group of students as we continue to grow together through studying the Word of God.

This group began out of an abundance of curiosity from students wanting to dive deeper into Scripture and wanting to know more about Bible Study.

• When? Sundays at 11:00 AM

• Where? Student Lounge

• Who? 6th - 12th Grade

Servant Students is all about helping 6th through 12th-grade students become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. We provide opportunities for students to worship, fellowship, serve, and just be together as they learn more and more about their Creator.

Servant Students meet Sunday mornings at 11:00 in the Student Lounge.

WINTER RETREAT Prayer Requests

On the weekend of February 17-19, a crew of our middle and high school students will head to SkyRanch Cave Springs in Miami, Oklahoma for Winter Retreat. As that time gets closer please take some time to pray for the following:

• The travel to and from camp – Please pray for safety as we transport these students to a fun weekend, and that we arrive home safe and sound at the end. May we see the goodness of God in the drive.

• Connections for students to make with one another – Please pray for new relationships to begin and for old relationships to deepen. May we see the goodness of God in our connections with others.

• Connection for students to make with other churches – Please pray for students to find new friendships within their small groups, free time, meals, and other time throughout the weekend. May they make bonds that will last through future camps. May we see the goodness of God in our connections with others.

• Our leaders – Please pray for our leaders as they shepherd our crew of students along with the other churches present. Pray for their hearts, minds, and exhaustion levels. May we see the goodness of God in this shepherding.

• Our relationships with God – Finally, please pray for a deepening of faith. Pray for a fresh wind of worship. Pray for hope to be restored. Pray for chains to break. Pray for the darkness to leave. Pray for the goodness of God to be recognized and the holiness of time in His presence to be cherished. May we see the goodness of God at all times.

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

SERVANT KIDS Report

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT KIDS

This semester we will DIG IN to the life of Jesus and what it means to really know Jesus and His heart, not just to know ABOUT Jesus. We will lead kids in walking Jesus’ footsteps through a chronological look at his life from birth to his death and resurrection. Join us in the downstairs children’s area from 6:30 to 8:00 pm!

Josh Snodgrass Assistant Director of Servant Kids

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION, SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON COMMUNICATION ABOUT EVENTS! CONTACT KOURTNEY TO CHECK OR UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AT KALLER@SERVANTOKC.ORG OR 405-728-4715.

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SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS BY TEXTING @SERVANTKI TO 81010.

LOOK WHAT WE DID…

SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS

Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning at 10:00 and/or 11:00am! Elementary kids (grades 1-5) will meet in The Point Student Center on the south side of church. Kids in kindergarten and younger will meet downstairs. Two-hour programming is available. The same topic will be covered all morning long, but each hour will have different activities and videos to reinforce the lesson. This is a great option for parents who want to attend both a class and worship service on Sunday mornings. Drop your kids off between 9:45-10:00 and pick them up again at noon! Virtual options are available on our website each week. If you can’t make it in person on a Sunday morning, check out the lessons and videos online at ServantOKC.org/kids .

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS…

CANDY HEARTS SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

Have you noticed any heart-shaped candy boxes or giant teddy bears in stores yet? It’s that time of year when we do extra special things to show people how much we love them. One sweet way to do that has always been with candy hearts. Candy hearts are such a fun way to show someone you love them, which goes perfectly with what we are teaching preschoolers this month. After all, everything Jesus did while He was on earth was to show us how much He loves us. And if there’s one thing we really want preschoolers to know, it’s that Jesus loves them.

Our memory verse this month comes from Ephesians 3:18 and says, “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” This month, we will learn that Jesus loves us and wants to spend time with us. He wants to help us. Jesus loves us no matter what. Who loves you? Jesus loves you.

ROAD RULES

SUNDAYS IN FEBRUARY

GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between RESPECT and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Respect is showing others they are important by what you say and do.

We often think about respect in terms of vertical relationships with have with others—respect for parents, teachers, and people in authority. Those are important, but equally important are the more horizontal relationships we have with people, like siblings, friends, and even people we may not get along with. This idea of valuing others and having mutual respect is seen all throughout Scripture and is a necessary way to communicate with others and demonstrate God’s love with them.

We see throughout Scripture that all people have value because they were created in God’s image. God values us and wants a forever relationship with us. God sent Jesus to make that possible. We follow God’s example when we show others that they have value too.

Our memory verse comes from Luke 6:31 and says, “Do to others as you want them to do to you.” We will learn how to include people who are left out and to take time to show others they are important. We will discuss how to show respect even when we don’t get along and to remember that God is most important.

STILL TO COME …

KANAKUK KAMPOUT!

Mark your calendars now for the return of Kanakuk Kampout next summer! The dates are June 5-9, 2023. Registration is now open, so make sure to register early before the spots fill up like last summer ! https://kanakuk.com/kampout/

I S S I O N S

Tutoring Afghan Children

Several months ago, we became aware of the need for tutoring for some of the Afghan children. We are now working with children, ages of 5-12 (pre-K through 6th grade). Some of them are doing well in school and learning English well; some are not. One of the children we work with is far behind her classmates, creating a major dilemma we have not yet solved, even though we have met with school personnel to try to address the issue. We have assisted her in learning some basic vocabulary words and assessing her math skills.

The parents in the home are limited in how much they can help, because their own education is limited, with little to know reading and writing skills in their native language, Pashto, and they do not understand much English.

The biggest problem for the children is that they have very limited English skills; for this reason, they often don’t understand what is being taught. For example, just reading their science lessons can involve advanced English reading skills as well as some basic knowledge about the physical world. The boy in the family, who has the greatest understanding of English and can carry on a conversation in it, appears to be making the most academic progress.

We are using a variety of ways to help them, such as reading to them, engaging in games, working puzzles, and doing other hands-on activities. Games can teach counting and other skills such as the names of colors in English. Board games are a novel idea to them and to their parents. The children have never owned a board game before. They also have not owned books.

The children have been excited to receive the tutoring. We try to make the learning as fun as possible. For example, we are using a large floor puzzle to show the continents of the world.

The tutoring is not going to be a magical solution because the educational discrepancy for some of them is so large. We’re still in the process of trying to figure out how to be as effective as possible in the limited time we spend with them each week. But we are pleased that the children are showing signs of improvement and are understanding more. The process has been enjoyable for us as well as for them.

Ed Beckham

M ISSIONS

KENYA DONATION BOX

Once again, we are asking for donation items for Kenya. Our team will be traveling to Kenya in June of 2023, and with us will be any donated items we have received. Requested items include #2 pencils, blackboard chalk, and light blue medical scrubs... just to name a few. Each year, the hospital compiles the list based on their needs. We are very grateful that Servant has been so faithful in fulfilling their requests in years past.

If you would like to donate items for Kenya, simply drop your donations into the red and green box located in the concourse outside Earthglow Gift Shop. For a complete list of donation items requested, go to https://servantokc.org/global or click on the link below.

KENYA DONATION LIST

Afghan Prayer Request

Please include the two Afghan families that COS sponsors in your daily prayers. Their rent subsidies administered by Catholic Charities are ending in a few weeks and we are all very concerned. Even though the fathers have jobs, family incomes are not very high given their lack of American work experiences and limited language skills. Catholic Charities is urgently trying to find low-income housing that these large families can qualify for on their own. Please keep them in your prayers as we struggle to help the families with this transition. Thank you.

Rick McDaniel and James Maxwell

Valentine’s let’s end Day

Period Poverty

Sponsor an HIV/AIDS young woman for $25 to provide sanitary supplies.

Valentines for Kenyan Women

These are not traditional hearts and cute saying cards, but rather a reusable feminine hygiene kit for girls and women of Kenya. Often in rural areas, females resort to dried leaves, strips of cloth or even dried dung because they have no access or funds to purchase sanitary products.

Stanley and Mary Gitari, who have visited Church of the Servant multiple times in the past 10 years, have recently retired from the hospital, but their ministry to the people of Maua continues. They used Mary’s lump sum retirement money to build a counseling and education center next door to their home in Maua. In this center, Mary conducts a 3-day alternative rite of passage Christian program to teach against FGM (female genital

This year the Center for Health and Hope is assisting in starting a small business to make reusable sanitary supplies for the young women in the school and their community.

mutilation) which is still practiced. There is also training about the basic facts of life that even many adult women do not know about – monthly cycles, ovulation, a woman’s right to say NO.

Together we will work towards health and self sufficiency for young women, through both menstrual hygiene supplies and educational hygiene seminars for the students .

Please consider supporting this program by sending a Valentine gift of $25. Mary is starting a small business with local women to make the kits locally rather than ordering them from Nairobi. If you would like to see the kit and some of the training materials, I’d be happy to show them to you. Contact Ann Knutson at annknut@gmail.com

Donate via gift at our website: centerforhealthandhope.org

Ann Knutson, Kenya Mission Team Leader

Or send checks to: 7185 S. Niagara Circle, Centennial, CO 80112

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

Happy Valentine’s Day from Earthglow!

January sped past and February is upon us! All the goodies that the buyers found at Market are coming in. Have a look at some of the new items. Don’t forget Valentine’s Day! These lotions and soaps are perfect gifts. What an easy way to give to missions! Thanks!

CHARIS Chinese School

SUNDAYS 2-4 PM CLASSES:

• Mandarin Class (4 years old to adult)

• ACT Prep Course(High School Students)

SUNDAYS 4-5 PM CLASSES:

• Music for Little Kids, Chess, Origami, Arts and Crafts.

WEDNESDAY 5-6 PM CLASS:

• Beginning Mandarin Pinyin Class

Charis Alive offers Chinese Classes, ACT Prep courses, and fun Interest Classes for Kids of all ages at Church of the Servant. For more information or to sign up, please check out www.charisalive.org/chinese-school or contact Victoria Lee at (405) 916-8515.

GIFT SHOP HOURS:

• Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 3 PM

• Friday - 9 AM - Noon

• Sunday - 8:45 - 11:30 AM (before and after service)