Issuu

THE SERVANT

CONNECT E D I TIO N NO. 22 .03

Easter APRI L 1 7

MA RCH 2022

MO NTHLY NEWSLE T TE R

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

A NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE! • PROJECT PHASES ONE & TWO

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

GREETINGS, CHURCH OF THE SERVANT!

06-09 Servant Kids

10-12 Servant Students

14-21 Missions in Action

SERVANT CONNECT

Sunday, February 27, was a fantastic day at Church of the Servant. Only one service was held Sunday and worship, testimony, preaching and a special announcement was shared with everyone in attendance and online. After the service over, 450 people stayed for lunch and so much laughter and fellowship was shared throughout the Community Hall, Café, Courtyard, and Concourses. Both the worship team and choir came together to lead the church in very deep and meaningful worship. The day was a great success! Thank you so much to everyone who attended, served, and made the day possible. I know some of our Servant family could not be in attendance, below you will find a recap of what we celebrated! Much has changed in every organization, community, and church during the past two years. At the beginning of the pandemic, Randy Shrauner and I, along with the Board of Governance, believed the pandemic and its impact on our faith community could be severe. Along with medical health protocols, the church’s financial health was a focus of importance. Due to this, the Vision 2020 Campaign was paused until the impact of the pandemic could be better understood. During the two years of the pandemic, Church of the Servant has partnered with Cooper Project Advisors so that the deeper needs of our campus can be fully understood and a plan of action for ensuring the health and longevity of the facility can be realized. After extensive prayer, and study, we believe the focus of the initial efforts made with the Vision 2020 campaign should pivot. A new vision for the future of the church campus was presented on Sunday, February 27. The new project will have two phases. Phase One will focus on repairs and renovations to the concourses. Phase two will focus on a comprehensive renovation of the Celebration Center.

PHASE ONE HAS THREE PRIMARY COMPONENTS: I.

BUILDING REPAIR (Celebration Center Roof, Parking Lot, Water Abatement) Total Estimated Cost for the Repairs: $1,307,101.00

II. FIRST FLOOR CONCOURSE RENOVATIONS Total Estimated Cost for the Concourse Renovations: $611,915.00 III. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR BOTH PHASES (Architecture, Engineering & Design) Total Estimated Cost for the Professional Services: $374,301.00 PROJECT CONTINGENCY Total Estimated Cost of Project Contingency: $229,332.00

TOTAL COST ESTIMATE FOR PHASE ONE: $2,522,649.00 How will Church of the Servant pay for this first phase, you ask? Thankfully, it is possible for Phase One to be paid for in cash and without any debt.

THE THREE SOURCES FOR PAYMENT WOULD BE: I.

Proceeds from the sale of the corner lot: $700,000.00

II. Proceeds collected from the 2019 Capital Campaign: $1,386,000.00 III. Cash Reserves from Operations: $436,649.00 As you can see, Church of the Servant has a great deal to celebrate and be thankful for. Coming out of a worldwide pandemic with financial and congregational strength is something we must not ignore. God is doing great things amongst our Church! After Easter, we will come together to begin to talk about the potential renovations to the Celebration Center. There is not a more important space on the entire campus, and anything done to the Celebration Center will be loved by some and questioned by others. As we begin the Lenten Season, I ask you to earnestly pray for God’s will to be done in the preparations and planning. Lent can be a time for us to set our opinions and desires to the side, so that, God’s greater purpose can and will be accomplished for generations to come! Thank you so much for your continued support,

HOLY LAND 2023 February 14–26 As you read this newsletter, forty people associated with Church of the Servant and I will be journeying throughout the Holy Land. Initially, over fifty people signed up, but many people had to pause their trip and wait for a future date due to health concerns and the pandemic. I promised all of them as soon as I was able, I would schedule a future trip. Last week I was able to do just that. In 2023, I have reserved fifty spots for a Holy Land Pilgrimage for our Church. If you would like to learn more, join me on March 31 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Cross. At that time, I will host an informational meeting about next year’s trip. I will have only been home from the Holy land for five days, and I will be able to share so much with everyone who may want to go next year. Please note, at this time, COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for travel to Israel. I hope to see you at the informational meeting! Matthew ServantOKC.org

CHORAL MINISTRIES There are no auditions required, and we are hopeful to see people of all ages becoming involved in the choral ministry. Greetings, Church of the Servant Family! I hope that this note finds you duly engaged in Lenten reflection and introspection, as Rev. Shrauner encouraged us to do in our Ash Wednesday services. As you continue to “wake up” to open doors of opportunity to grow in grace and use your gifts to bless others, I hope that you will consider joining our choral ministry as we prepare for special Holy Week and Easter Offerings. Now is the perfect time to join, and we would love to have you! Whether you have been inactive as a choral singer for quite some time (even since high school or college), or would like to try a new experience with us, you are welcome! We rehearse 6:30-8:15 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Choir Room (downstairs, with the exception of March 16, when we are cancelled due to Spring Break and Holy Land trip conflicts.

Josh Phelps Director of Choral Ministries

We would especially appreciate having more singers involved in our presentation of the “The Lenten Sketches” by Joseph M. Martin, which will be offered in our Good Friday Service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15. This work is a compelling musical presentation of the events of Holy Week. It is powerful and beautiful, and the ideal project for a newcomer to our ministry. If you have family members involved in our Youth or Children’s ministries on Wednesday, this is a great opportunity for you to find added meaning in your Lenten journey this year. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about joining us. I would love to talk with you. Yours in Christ’s Service,

Join the Choir! All are welcome to attend! We rehearse 6:30-8:15 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the Choir Room (downstairs), with the exception of March 16, when we are cancelled due to Spring Break and Holy Land trip conflicts. For more information, contact Josh Phelps at jphelps@churchoftheservant.com.

SERVANT CONNECT

Josh Phelps Director of Choral Ministries jphelps@churchoftheservant.com

APRIL 10

EASTER JAM (Palm Sunday) 3PM | Centrum . Hosted by Servant Kids Songs, Games, Easter Story, Egg Hunt

APRIL 14

HOLY THURSDAY 7PM | Centrum . Modern Worship Holy Communion Service

APRIL 15

GOOD FRIDAY 7PM | Celebration Center Musical presentation of “The Lenten Sketches” Kids will meet in The Point. Nursery will be open.

APRIL 17

EASTER SUNDAY 9:30AM & 11:00AM | Celebration Center Two Identical Services Servant Kids will not meet. Nursery will be open for ages 3 and under during both services.

HOLY WEEK

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SERVANT KIDS Report SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning at 9:30 and/or 11:00 a.m. Two-hour programming is available once again. 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 9:15-9:30 a.m. and pick them up again at noon!

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

Elementary kids in grades first through fifth meet in The Point Student Center (south side of church), and kids in kindergarten, preschool, or who are nursery-aged (2 and under) meet downstairs. 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!

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.

SERVANT CONNECT

APRIL 10TH AT 3:00PM Get Ready for an Egg-stra Special Easter Jam 2022 We’re hosting an event for your family to experience together, where you’ll sing songs, play crazy games, laugh until your sides hurt, and hear the Easter story told in a way that engages every age. This fun experience will be followed by an egg hunt. We truly cannot wait to experience Easter Jam with you! #easterjam2022

ServantOKC.0rg

MARCH HAPPENINGS... PUT ON YOUR SHOES SUNDAYS IN MARCH AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

While Jesus was on earth, He lived a life that very clearly said, “Everyone can be friends with Me!” While not everyone took Him up on His invitation, those that did were changed forever in the best way. That is why we are teaching preschoolers that no matter what kind of shoes we wear, everyone can be friends with Jesus. We can be friends with Jesus no how young or old. We can be friends with Jesus wherever we live and whatever language we speak. We can be friends with Jesus no matter how much money and education we have. There are no special requirements to be friends with Jesus. It’s a come as you are kind of friendship that lasts forever. Everyone can put on their shoes and follow Jesus because everyone can be friends with Jesus. Our memory verse this month comes from Matthew 4:19 and says, “’Come and follow me,’ Jesus said.” This month, we will learn that everyone can be friends with Jesus even if they have done something wrong. Jesus is a good friend to everyone. Who can be friends with Jesus? Everyone can be friends with Jesus!

JAM SESSION: EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY SUNDAYS IN MARCH GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between COOPERATION and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Cooperation is working together to do more than you can do alone. Cooperation is a spiritual concept that originates with God. God created us to work together in a community. Throughout the Bible, we see how God brought people together to accomplish something big for Him. When we work together, we reflect what Jesus envisioned for His followers. Our love for one another can point people to Him. Our memory verse comes from Ecclesiastes 4:9 and says, “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” We will learn that God wants us to work together. He wants us to work together to help someone succeed. We will discuss how to make a habit of working together. We can’t wait to see you this month!

SERVANT CONNECT

STILL TO COME... SAVE THE DATE FOR SOME FUN EVENTS HAPPENING SOON!

BREAKAWAY (GRADES 4-8) APRIL 1ST-3RD

MEDIA! WE POST

Get ready for our second annual Kids and Students weekend! We will be serving our community, having fun with friends, and we might even have a few surprises in store for you. Register on the website to reserve your spot!

PICTURES, AND MORE,

UPDATES, INFORMATION, SO DON’T MISS OUT! GO TO @SERVANTKIDS ON FACEBOOK

KANAKUK KAMPOUT RETURNS! Mark your calendars now for the return of Kanakuk Kampout this summer! We will host for two weeks again. The dates are May 30 - June 3 and August 1-5. Contact Kourtney (kaller@churchoftheservant.com) for information about scholarships. Register at https://kanakuk.com/kampout/. Registration is OPEN!

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

ServantOKC.org

SERVANT STUDENTS 6TH - 12TH GRADE

SMALL GROUP OUTING On Wednesday, February 16, Servant Students gathered to do something a little different than usual. Most Wednesday nights look like gathering for games, worship, a message, and small groups. Due to the staff being out of town on staff retreat, we had to come up with something different for our crew back home. Each small group was able to gather off-campus for an activity of their choice. This ranged from groups gathering at restaurants for dinner, houses for games and fellowship, or even Top Golf for food and fun. This event turned out to be a hit amongst both students and leaders as it served as something new for our students to do and an avenue to further their relationships with one another outside of the church. We look forward to doing more events such as this to add variety and something just a little different to Wednesday night programming.

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

Would you like more information about Servant Student Ministries? Contact Heather at hwinner@ServantOKC.org or Skyler at srodriguez@ServantOKC.org.

SERVANT CONNECT

CONFIRMATION UPDATE For the month of February, our crew of Confirmands and leaders have been hard at work, learning some of the basics of understanding the Word of God. Our sessions have guided them through the story God has formed since the beginning of time – walking them through glimpses into the Old and New Testaments. In learning about the Old Testament, students have been challenged to think about biblical events on the same timeline as the world events they may have learned about in school. Students were introduced to the focuses of some of the major prophets and their callings to get the people of God’s attention, to draw their hearts back to God, along with the promises of a Messiah. This transitioned our study to the Gospel message, specifically the life of Jesus as fully God and fully man. We were able to

dive deep into conversation as to how we should not only view Jesus for what he did for us, but who he was and why his very presence was so necessary. On our final Sunday in February we studied the letters of Paul and how the words of the New Testament are relevant for today’s world. Along with this time in the classroom, students have also gained the experience of seeing how God’s story extends to Oklahoma City. We did this through a trip to the Oklahoma City Memorial. Guided by a park ranger, students and leaders learned of the tragic bombing that occurred on April 19, 1995. We learned about the act and the response of the city, the hope of the survivors, and the memory of those who lost their lives. There was a question murmuring throughout: why would we go to the Memorial as part of Confirmation? The tour

ended in front of the Jesus Wept statue located just outside of the memorial. There it was explained that just as we have been learning about the presence of God throughout world history, we also must recognize the presence and the power of God specifically here in Oklahoma City’s history. We spoke on how important it is to see that God did not cause the bombing on April 19, 1995, but God was working in the midst of this tragedy: through the nurses, through the police officers, through the residence near and far flooding into the area to help. And along with this, Jesus wept as the city grieved this tragedy – even knowing the resurrection would come. We cannot wait to see where this next month of Confirmation will lead. Please be in prayer for this crew of students as they continue to grow in their faith. ServantOKC.org

WHAT IS AHEAD?

FOR SERVANT STUDENTS

WASHINGTON D.C. We are excited to announce that this year’s high school mission trip is in Washington, DC – Saturday, June 18 – Friday, June 24. It will be an opportunity for students to be the hands and feet of Christ in a location they may have never been before through opportunities that will push them beyond their comfort zone. This trip is open to all rising freshmen to graduating seniors. The cost for the trip will be $750 and will include flight, stay, meals, t-shirt, and an incredible priceless experience of faith growth and community. We will have numerous fundraising opportunities for students on this trip. If your student is interested, email Heather at hwinner@churchoftheservant.com or Skyler at srodriguez@churchoftheservant.com.

BREAKAWAY 2022 We were so blown away by how Breakaway 2021 turned out that we seem to have no other choice but to do it again! Breakaway is a mission-focused weekend for middle school students that is hosted here at Church of the Servant. The event begins on Friday with students gathering at the church, getting to know one another, playing games, and having opportunities for fellowship to kick off the event. Saturday is where the mission work takes place. We break into teams to serve at various ministries throughout the Oklahoma City area. Last year, we served at Skyline Urban Ministries and Cleats 4 Kids. We were able to create and establish great relationships with these organizations and hope to continue to volunteer and assist with their mission. The weekend ends with a big group outing and one final mission opportunity at the church. We are currently working hard to finalize our mission opportunities and round out the final details of Breakaway 2022. This year’s event will take place on April 1-3. Our signups are currently live at servantokc.org/students and close on Wednesday, March 30th.

SERVANT CONNECT

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP $943,224 is the new number that you will soon see on the Earthglow window! That includes this year’s total disbursements of $31,500. This year’s recipients are: Neighborhood Services Organization, Skyline Eye Ministry, Skyline Food Ministry, Skyline Clothing Ministry, Exodus House, Circle of Care, and Penn Avenue Redemption Church! We are less than $57,000 from ONE MILLION DOLLARS that has been raised to donate above and beyond our apportionment giving to local Missions and Ministries! Would you like to help us throw this over to the million-dollar mark? Please shop with us! Also, mark your calendar for November 12, 2022 for Earthglow Market!

We have some great new items that have arrived

Need a gift? Please come into Earthglow and shop!

in the shop, recognizable (but new to us) named

We are now back to our normal hours. M-Th 9-3,

products. RIFLE is a lifestyle brand that uses bold

Fridays 9-12. Sundays before and after the 9:30

colors, creating products that bring beauty to every

service.

day. You will enjoy the new stationery, notebooks and accessories.

ENORMOUS thank you for all of your support to date! Let’s all march on to changing that giving to a

WARMIES provide soothing warmth and comfort

MILLION DOLLARS (and beyond)! All of the dollars

and are scented with real dried French lavender.

help the least, the last, and the lost in our very own

The items are weighted for a positive sensory expe-

community.

rience and you can warm them in the microwave. CHARCUTERIE boards… (What?) Actually, charcuterie is a fancy French word for cured meat. Recently it has evolved into a fun way to serve appetizers, snacks or even meals. We have several versions! They are such an inspiring way to entertain or serve a special meal.

ServantOKC.org

M I S S I O N S 14

WHIZ KIDS NEEDS BUS DRIVER Our Whiz Kids site is doing great and growing! We have had a wonderful holiday season with Sally Riffey sharing her stories, a visit from Santa, a Christmas party, a Valentine Party and much more! Most importantly, we have been blessed with so many wonderful tutors and subs that care about children and their literacy rate and well being. Our support volunteers – set-up, transportation and cookie teams – are faithful and willing to pitch in for extra duties as well. We now have a good problem, however. We are still welcoming new tutors and kids and have run into a transportation issue. We pick up the kids at Ralph Downs Elementary in vans (provided by New Hope UMC) and one car to bring them back to us at New Hope. Our max to transport in those vehicles is 28 kids plus a driver and rider. We are now getting another child, which will make our total 29 with the possibility of another, making it 30. New Hope has a church bus on which we could transport all the kids, but we need someone who has a current CDL license to drive the bus. This commitment would involve arriving at New Hope (11600 N. Council Rd) at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays, driving the bus to school with a rider accompanying you, and picking up the kids when they get out (about 3:10) and bringing them to New Hope. The total commitment is one hour or less. Please contact Shirley Rolston at jsrolston@cox.net if you can help or know of someone who can. Thanking you in advance for your support as we wind up our 11th year serving with Whiz Kids. Carolyn Hays chays25@cox.net

SERVANT CONNECT

Myanmar Orphanage Update by Yvonne Morgan yvonne@orphanreliefeffort.org Our orphanage in Kalaymyo, Myanmar, houses 50 orphans. Kalaymyo lies in a rustic part of the Sagaing Division, very close to the border with Chin State; much of the population belongs to the ethnic Chin group. Most Chin are devout Christians (as opposed to the Buddhist majority in Myanmar), which causes them to be targets of the Junta army. Since the military seized control on February 1, 2021, they have brutalized the country. What started as civil disobedience in response to the military actions has now turned into a civil war across Myanmar. And the town of Kalaymyo has been hit hard in this war with many attacks. A new offensive against the city started on February 24 with more heavy artillery attacks. Last week, the army brutally killed a mother and two children in town.

Locals Escape the Fighting

Buildings and Homes on Fire

Here are the latest updates from our orphanage: “Tensions between the Junta army and the people’s forces are increasing day by day and more and more people are leaving their homes and fleeing for safety. Homes are burnt and their properties are destroyed by the Junta. But the Lord has kept us safe, and we praise God for His well protection and provisions. On the other hand, the Omicron virus is spreading very widely here in Kalaymyo again and the whole area has been in lockdown since yesterday. Our churches are also shut down again.”

All of the Children

Please continue to pray for their safety and for God to provide for them. Here are some recent photos of the town and the children.

ServantOKC.org

M I S S I O N S 16

MEALS ON WHEELS Continuing a long time Church of the Servant ministry, 29 members currently volunteer monthly to deliver 200 meals to 24 qualifying seniors living in an approximate 5-mile radius of our Church. These meals are purchased primarily using your FISH donations. While the individuals receiving these meals have obviously changed over the long life of this very important service, the almost universal sincere appreciation from the individuals receiving these hot meals in their homes has never changed. Thank you! James and Cathy Maxwell

SERVANT CONNECT

KNITTERS at NOON We continue to meet on Tuesdays at Noon in 13.2 Coffee Shop. Everyone is welcome. If you don’t have a current project, we are working on face mask extenders for healthcare workers and Fidget sleeves. The sleeves are a way to reduce stress for patients with dementia. Both projects are a great way to use up leftover yarn (we have plenty, if you don’t). Join us for fun projects and lots of fellowship!

REBUILDING TOGETHER 2022 - 30 HOMES FOR 30 YEARS! Our annual workday with Rebuilding Together 2022 will be SATURDAY, APRIL 30. TWO SHIFTS AVAILABLE: 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. AND 12:00 - 4:00 P.M. Thirty years ago (1992 to be exact), an organization was created to repair Oklahoma City homes, one at a time. Church of the Servant has been part of this wonderful organization for about 20 of those years. Saturday, April 30, will be the date this year when all ages and skill levels can come together to make a huge difference in the life of someone in our city. More details to follow on the homeowner, location, scope of work, and tools/equipment needs. To sign up, please email missions@servantokc.org and leave which shift you are interested in as well as any special skills you have, although none are needed. Any children under 15 need to be accompanied by an adult.

ServantOKC.org

SERVANTOKC.ORG/AFGHAN

LARGE AFGHAN FAMILY UPDATE

M I S S I O N S

We have some exciting news to share! The very first Afghani family that Church of the Servant sponsored on December 9, 2021 – the family of 11 – has FINALLY found a place to live! We are going to be able to set this family up for success in a warm home that has been thoughtfully furnished and prayed over. What an adventure! What a learning experience! What a long time to wait for a place to get situated in Oklahoma City! They will be residing in an apartment complex off of NW Penn close to 150th street. They will have a small community of other Afghani families in the same complex. We have been working hard behind the scenes to collect EVERYTHING that a family of 11 would need to set up a new household. We have collected dishes and silverware, sheets and towels, extension cords, lamps, light bulbs, dishwashing detergent, toaster…you get the idea. Everything! One kind soul lovingly made quilts for every person in this family. MVC and Seekers Sunday School classes have been so helpful with purchasing brand new items that we were lacking. Keep in mind that these families arrived in the US with clothing only. The new unfurnished apartment will be available and ready (hopefully) for us to begin moving in the furniture on March 8. We will need volunteers with trucks and able bodies to carry items up the stairs and to help move furniture into the apartment on March 8. We will then need help on Wednesday, March 9, getting everything cleaned, put away and organized for the family to move in. They would like to move in as soon as possible. We will be in touch with those of you that have offered furniture very soon. If you are able to deliver your furniture items to the apartment yourself, please let Stacy McGinnis know when she calls to make arrangements. Thank you to everyone who has donated items, money, and manpower to helping our new OKC neighbors! Stacey Brim

SERVANT CONNECT

ENGLISH CLASSES FOR AFGHANS were able to attend ESL (English as a Second Language) classes at a location in Warr Acres. Servant is paying for a Putnam City school bus twice a week to take them to the class and back. Once again, this is your generosity at work.

Which is more important for a refugee, learning the language or getting a job? Of course, the answer is both. With so many Afghani people coming here all at once, the demand for them to learn everything is great: doctor and dental visits, driver’s licenses, applying for asylum and the list goes on. Learning how to use food stamps, getting cheap WIFI so the children can use tablets from school, going to parent/teacher conferences. Add to this the plight of many of their family members who are still in Afghanistan and call asking for money for food. It is heart-breaking; many of our new neighbors come from large families and while the families in Afghanistan don’t need to be evacuated, the new regime has caused huge food supply issues. The pressure to get a job is great; however, it’s just as necessary to learn English quickly.The Spero Project (thesperoproject.com) last December held a pilot program for any of the Afghans who wanted to participate. They were picked up in buses at their hotels, taken to a school and the children learned the routine of an American classroom. The men learned about finances (Rick McDaniel spent an entire day explaining US currency and making change) and language. The women with small children enjoyed visiting together and working on embroidery projects. It was such a huge success that in mid-January they started a M-F, full day transitional school. It’s so much fun to watch the children come into the hotel after school – happy, smiling kids! It’s wonderful. The issue for the people who have moved into their own apartment is somewhat different. The children are in regular public school. Our family’s two school-age children seem to be thriving. One day last week when Dad told them school was cancelled due to weather, they cried, “No, we are going to go to school anyway!” But mom and dad don’t have access to English classes and the children need lots of practice speaking English. Beginning in early February Afghans from three apartment complexes

By mid-March, classes of several kinds will be offered at the apartment complex where our family is located. The complex is near the intersection of NW Expressway and MacArthur which is less than 5 miles from Church of the Servant. There are 35 Afghan families there and Spero decided to rent an apartment at the complex and provide women’s emergent literacy classes in the mornings Monday to Thursday, and homework help from 4-5:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. There will also be men’s emergent literacy, intermediate, and advanced classes on Mondays and Thursdays at a nearby church (within walking distance). We have discovered that in our family of five, dad has only a 6th grade education and mom has no formal education. They are both in their early 30’s. Dad drove big trucks for the US Army. He says that they just didn’t have opportunities to go to school and he tells his 3 children every day how lucky they are to be here and to be able to go to school. He emphasized he tells them this ‘every day’. I sensed he was embarrassed about his limited education, which was not his fault in any way. It made me all the more determined that he and his family will have all the necessary tools for them to become self-sufficient and thrive here. Please consider signing up to help with these classes. Times have not been set for the daytime classes for women or nighttime classes for men. Remember they speak very little English, so anyone will be able to provide invaluable help to them. Email Ann Knutson at annknut@gmail.com. Could you help? Provide tutoring for: •

Women’s emergent literacy classes in the mornings Monday to Thursday.

•

Homework help from 4-5:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.

•

Men’s emergent literacy, intermediate, and advanced classes on Mondays and Thursdays.

Homework help will begin first as soon as 6-8 tutors become available. Please consider giving it a try. Servant volunteers who are already working with the Afghans will be available to go with you the first time. Ann Knutson annknut@gmail.com ServantOKC.org

Walking to School

A Trip to the “Market”

AFGHAN ADVENTURES Note: While Servant is sponsoring two families, we have met many more through weekly grocery shopping trips in which we take anyone at their apartment complex who wants to go and we are continuing to take any family to Infant Crisis Services who needs car seats or any of their other services.

M I S S I O N S 20

I’ve had the opportunity to take many Afghans to get groceries. They are anxious to go to the “market” and usually want to visit a halal market. The entire family usually wants to go. Halal stores sell an unusual variety of foods not found elsewhere including specially cut meats, yogurt milk, mung beans, many varieties of rice, strange vegetables, and unusual spices of many, many types. Did you know they sell turmeric and cumin in 5-pound bags? The Afghans like dates and figs-plain or not plain, chocolate covered or uncovered, baked in or baked out. Women and girls searched through the many different oils available. They included mustard, grape, olive, and coconut. I thought they were searching for cooking oil, but no, it was hair oil they sought. One amazing thing I noticed is the children are so well behaved. Not once have I seen a child beg for candy and they always follow parents closely. Taking them to market is an adventure like no other. James and Cathy Maxwell and I took the Afghan family of 5 to the OKC Metro Library where we helped them get library cards and showed them around. They didn’t seem to appreciate the value of a library filled with English and Spanish language books. We picked out several children’s picture books to help in their English language education, thinking we could read to them. I’ve read several books to the children, and they are enthusiastic learners. I’ve taken them twice more to exchange books and I believe they are seeing the value of the books and available computers that have educational programs such as counting and ABCs. Harv Hampton

WALKING TO SCHOOL For the last three weeks, if it is not too cold, Cathy and I walk in the morning to Wiley Post Elementary school with the Afghani children. We started with just two children from the family that COS sponsors, but as new families have arrived, our caravan of scholars has grown to over 10. We get to the apartments around 7:45 to assemble the kids and walk the 3/4 of a mile to school. The children are so happy and excited about going to school, it really makes us

SERVANT CONNECT

happy to share this journey with them. Along the way we practice our English by talking about stop signs, big dogs and lately, snowmen. As the days have passed, you can sense the children feeling much safer and at home in OKC. The Wiley Post teachers and staff have been terrific. What a blessing that these children can live in Oklahoma. James and Cathy Maxwell

AFGHAN DENTAL VISITS Ann Knutson | annknut@gmail.com 405-323-4292 Along with doctor visits, we have begun to take our family of five to the dentist. Both parents mentioned to us that they had teeth pain. All of the Afghans are currently on Sooner Care and thus are covered for most dental work. Appointments were made for both parents and once again we completely relied on the 800 number translation line. The staff was wonderful and caring with the parents, although it took some time to get used to speaking, waiting for the translation, and waiting for response to translation. It quickly became apparent that Rozina, the wife, had serious mouth issues. In fact, the recommendation was for 15 teeth to be removed along with numerous fillings. Through the translator she said that her teeth didn’t hurt, it was her jaw. Many of her teeth were broken down to the gum line and there were several infected places. Of course, her jaw hurt! Who knows how long she had been suffering with this? Her teeth were very stained, and the hygienist said the staining and decay could be from a lack of fluoride in their water. Two weeks later, she had surgery with conscious sedation which went very well. Everything was paid for by Sooner Care except for the sedation which was $200. Thanks to our generous congregation, that cost was paid for by Church of the Servant. She has done very well since the surgery and is anxious to get dentures. There is a large backlog at Sooner Care for approval of procedures so that may take a couple of months to happen. We are very grateful that Sooner Care is being provided to them.

After surgery, she went home to rest, and I went to the pharmacy to pick up her prescriptions. There were 4 of them; all of which needed to be explained to her husband. One was taken every 8 hours, another every 12 hours, one only if she needed it and one she needed to take all of. The translation person had a huge job explaining all that. Her husband is such a dear – he repeated back to me what I said to the translator so I could make sure he understood. In addition, I talked about how groggy she would be after the sedation and she wouldn’t be able to prepare meals that day, and she could only eat soft foods. She had plenty of pudding, applesauce, and ice cream for that! Next week, her husband goes in to have a few teeth extracted and numerous cavities filled. In addition, their 4-year-old daughter will also have her first visit and cleaning. Slowly but surely measures are taken to provide access for them to the wonderful healthcare we have in the US! Ann Knutson annknut@gmail.com

M issions

ServantOKC.org

CONGREGATIONAL

CARE

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP FOR SPRING 2022 Tim Travers Minister of Congregational Care

During hard times in life, we need all the love and support we can get – both from God and others. In fact, God often manifests His presence through others! Being “God’s heart and hands” is the very purpose of our Care Ministry. We have many ways to minister to Church of the Servant’s families: • Our Care Chaplains • Various support groups • Hospital and home visits • Encouraging care notes • Intercessory prayer We also provide care and support during joyous times when a new baby is born, such as gift basket!

Have you experienced the death of a loved one? If so, we invite you to be part of our Grief Support Group, beginning on Thursday, March 3, 2022. We’ll meet in person. Face masks will be recommended but not required. The course will last for 13 weeks, going through June 9. We’ll meet each Thursday morning (10:00-11:30) in the South Conference Room at Church of the Servant. Perhaps it was just recently that you experienced the loss of a loved one...or maybe you’ve been on your journey of grief for a long time. Either way, we think you’ll find it quite helpful to connect with others and benefit from mutual support. We utilize the Grief Share curriculum, which is Christian based. There’s a helpful video each time, and there’s always plenty of time for sharing and discussion. There’s no cost for the course, and each participant will receive a complimentary workbook. If you’d like to register for the group, just call (405) 728-4738 and speak to Camilla or Lola, or you can send an email to vroberds@ churchoftheservant.com. Registration never closes, so you can join us for any or all of the meetings, and it’s never too late to sign up.

HELP KEEP THE CARE TEAM INFORMED Needing Prayer or Support? Servant is blessed with a wonderful Care Staff and a team of fantastic Care Chaplains. It is our heartfelt desire to prayerfully attend to members of our church family in times of sickness and death as well as on those especially joyous occasions We count on each of our members to keep us apprised of events as they occur. Remember that a call to the Care Center is ALWAYS welcome when you learn of a death, hospitalization, birth, or specific need for prayer. Please don’t assume that just because you have been informed, the Care Center has the news. When you go to the hospital and list Church of the Servant as your church home, you may assume the church will be notified. This is NOT the case. KEEP THE CARE TEAM INFORMED OF THE NEEDS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY! Call the Care office at 405-728-4738 or email vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.

Saturday

April 9, 2022 6PM WITH SPECIAL GUESTS

Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy LOCATION: First Americans Museum 659 First Americans Blvd, OKC

The Blind Side

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary invites you to attend this year’s Celebration of Hope 2022 fundraising event. We are excited to have Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, the real-life parents portrayed in the popular movie, The Blind Side, as our featured guests. They will be sharing their moving story of making a difference to someone in need. Purchase tickets at the link below!

CELEBRATIONOFHOPEOKC.COM Melissa Marshall & Jill Walker, Celebration of Hope Event Committee Chairs ServantOKC.0rg

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Church of the Servant 14343 North MacArthur Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142-9725

U.S.POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO 99

OKLAHOMA CITY 73125

APRIL 10TH at 3PM

Hosted by Servant Kids | Songs, Games, Easter Story, Egg Hunt

8:15 • 9:30 • 11:00

LIVE STREAM Sunday Mornings @ 9:30 & 11:00 servantokc.online.church Facebook @ServantOKC