Newsletter March 2021

THE SERVANT

CONNECT E D I T I O N N O. 21.03 |

MA RCH 2021

|

MO NTHLY NEWSL ET TE R

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

EASTER 2021

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

E

aster is less than a month away, and I am excited to announce the worship opportunities available this year. Three in-person worship services will be held on campus. I hope you will begin to pray for a tremendous and safe Easter celebration for our great church!

EASTER2021 Invite Card.indd 1

3/4/21 2:25 PM

• 6:30 AM - EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE!

12-17 Servant Kids

18-19 Servant Students

20-23 Missions at Servant

This year, Church of the Servant will host an Easter Sunrise Service in the back parking lot of the church. Please know this will not be a typical Sunrise Service. You will have two options when attending this new service. The first option will allow you to bring a lawn chair and sit close to the stage. The second option will be for those who wish to remain in their cars. For those desiring this option, you will be able to experience the worship service over your car’s stereo. A special FM broadcast will be provided for those worshiping from their vehicles in the parking lot. The music is going to be exciting, up tempo, and hopefully, the weather will be too! Should the weather be too poor for the service to be held outside, the service will then take place in the Celebration Center at the same time.

• 9:30 & 11:00 AM - CELEBRATION SERVICES Two identical services will be held in the Celebration Center. These services will give each of us an opportunity to gather during our regular worship times to celebrate Easter. Both the 9:30 and 11:00 services will conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus.

As you prepare for Easter 2021, please remember Church of the Servant will continue to follow proper protocols to do all we can to love our neighbor and keep one another safe. Childcare will be available at 9:30 and 11:00 for ages – Kindergarten and younger.

02

SERVANT CONNECT

• 9:30 AM - WORSHIP AT HOME (ONLINE) Not ready for IN-PERSON worship? We’ve got you covered! Join us online at 9:30 AM on Facebook Watch @ServantOKC, on our website at ServantOKC.org/WATCH, or chat with us at ServantOKC.online.church.

I cannot wait to be back in the Celebration Center and experience Sunrise Worship with our church family. I could never have imagined not gathering for Easter Worship last year, and this year I look forward to worshipping with each of you! As I wrote this, Psalm 113 (NIV) came to mind.

Here is what the Psalmist proclaims: Praise the Lord.[a] Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.

He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

I cannot wait for EASTER!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EASTER SUNDAY!!

We are so excited about Easter this year, but to make this special day really great, we need your help! We have more visitors to our church on Easter than any other time of the year. That is where you come in.

HOSPITALITY TEAM We need the Concourse hopping with happy, energetic greaters to welcome our visitors and help them navigate our building. If you are interested in volunteering for the Hospitality Team, please contact Jessica King at jking@ServantOKC.org.

SETUP/TEAR-DOWN CREW Easter Sunrise service is going to be so amazing!

The service will take place outside in the west parking lot. We will need to setup a large stage and projection screen, run cables, setup sound/ video equipment, and so much more. We need a crew of 12-20 to make this happen! If you can help, please contact Heather DeShazo at hdeshazo@ServantOKC.org or contact the church office at 405-721-4141.

ServantOKC.org

03

ARE WE THERE YET?

W Matt Schinske Interim Director of Traditional Worship Arts

Matt Schinske is a concert pianist known for an exquisite touch that comes from a warm spirit. As a composer and arranger, Matt has over 40 pieces and 3 books published by Alfred Music, Lorenz Publications, and Shawnee Press. Matt is also the music director and pianist for Darci Lynne and Friends.

Do you sing or play an instrument?

Join the Worship Arts Team! Contact Matt at mschinske@ServantOKC.org.

hen I was young, dad always took his two weeks of vacation all at once. In Michigan, our schools let out for summer break around the second week of June and family vacation started a week or so later. I loved it! Dad wasn’t leaving for work every day; we were together as a family – Dad, Mom, Tammy, Diana, Susan, and me. We always went to a lake and rented a cabin for the week.

The cabin always had a kitchen, but most of the eating involved outdoor grilling with chips or beans.

The days were simple. Early morning fishing started the day. Dad and I would get up before sunrise, take our lunch (which I normally ate by 8 a.m.), get the boat in the water, and find a good place to catch fish. I did a lot of casting and reeling without giving the fish time to bite. My sister, Susan, was actually much better than I at fishing, but my perspective was that the men were getting up early to fish while the girls slept late. Oh, to have the young and innocent perspective.

Afternoons were for swimming in the lake, playing in the sand, board games, and my sisters getting blistering sun burns. I’m sure my parents wanted to nap, but that was not to be found anywhere on my agenda.

The cabins we rented were typically in a community of other cabins and campers.

Although we didn’t know the other people, there was usually a centralized campfire site

04

SERVANT CONNECT

for everyone to share. People would often get to know each other in the evenings sitting at the campfire roasting hot dogs, marshmallows, and making s’mores. One of the camp managers will always stick out in my mind. He was over zealous about getting everyone together for games, activities, and campfires. We would be sitting in the cabin relaxing and his head would pop up in a window inviting us or reminding us of an activity he planned for the day.

It certainly took away from any privacy which made mom less than pleased (to say the least).

This was one of my favorite times of the year. I looked forward to it with great anticipation. The part I always forgot was the packing, the car trip when I would say, “Are We There Yet?”, and the unpacking/set up once we got to the camp site. This reminds me of where we are in regards to COVID. Although we are not yet there, the car trip seems to be coming to an end. I have great anticipation for the day we are fully mask free and able to shake hands and hug. I’m looking forward to the congregation being able to sing freely at full volume and strength. I’m looking forward to removing the limitations of how many people are on stage. Friends, the time is close, but we are not quite there. Together we can finish the COVID journey well and in the near future, the day will be here that we are fully fishing, playing in the sand, and experiencing the campfires of life at COS. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah‬40:31(KJV)‬‬‬‬‬‬ Matt Schinske

LARGE-GROUP BIBLE STUDIES Join us for Tuesday morning Bible Study in the Centrum and online! Men’s Buck and a Bible meets at 6:30 a.m., and Women in the Word meets at 9:30 a.m. We are currently studying Ray Vander Laan’s The Path to the Cross which will help us engage scripture and understand all that Jesus did for us as he prepared to go to Calvary to pay the price for our sin. Following this study, we will begin a new study, also by Ray Vander Laan, titled Death and Resurrection of the Messiah. For ten weeks, we will each learn even more about the greatest story ever lived! You will not want to miss out! No registration required. All are welcome!

ServantOKC.0rg

05

A pilgrimage where the Bible comes to life…

March 8-20, 2022

Are you ready to go on an adventure of a lifetime?

If so, grab your calendars! The 2022 Holy Land Tour will be here before we know it! The next trip is scheduled for March 8-20, 2022.

Our hope is to have at least fifty people join Dr. Matthew Mitchell on the journey of a lifetime!

One special opportunity for the Holy Land Trip in 2022 will be the trip’s dates coinciding with many local area schools’ spring break. High schoolers would only have to miss three to four days of school to experience the trip. No matter if you take your own child or a grandchild, the memories you share will never be forgotten. The trip will be open to students in HIGH SCHOOL only. Rev. Heather Morris, Director of Student Ministries will be traveling with us, so special moments for youth will be available on the trip!

TRIP SCHEDULE: • Wednesday, March 9, 2022: Arrive in Tel Aviv and begin the tour. Sites to include: The City of Joppa and Simon The Tanner’s Home.

Tremendous views of the Mediterranean Sea. Check into the hotel, dinner with the group, and prepare for our first full day in Israel.

• Thursday, March 10: First stop is Caesarea By the Sea, where our group will walk the ruins of the ancient seaport built before the time of Jesus. This is the same seaport where the Apostle Paul would have embarked on his journey to Rome. From there, travel by motorcoach to Mt. Carmel and witness the site where Elijah defeated the 450 Prophets of Baal, view the valley of Armageddon, drive through Nazareth where Jesus spent most of his life, stop for a view from the Mt. of Precipice, and then travel to the Sea of Galilee.

06

• Friday & Saturday, March 11-12: Explore the area of upper Galilee and visit many sites from both the New and Old Testaments.You will even be able to ride a boat across the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus and Peter walked on water. You will also be able to remember your baptism at the Jordan River and travel to the place where Jesus cast the demonic into the heard of swine on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. This region is where many of the stories of Jesus begin to come to life in a whole new way!

• Sunday & Monday, March 13-14: Travel to the Dead Sea and stop at Beth Shean, an ancient Roman City; pass by Jericho and visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. On day two, the group will visit Masada’s ancient fortress and the three waterfalls of Ein Gedi. Ein Gedi is where David wrote some of the Psalms and hid from King Saul in ancient caves.

WHAT’S INCLUDED? • Round-trip airfare from OKC. • All entrance fees, hotel taxes, ground transfers, guide fees, and gratuities. *Additional gratuity is welcomed.

• Accommodations for ten nights, breakfast and dinner for each day, and two lunchtime meals.

• Medical Coverage while in Israel. *Excludes Bethlehem.

• Plus, memories and new friendships to last a lifetime!

COST? The 2022 Holy Land Pilgrimage will be a two-week journey from Oklahoma City to Israel.

Both single and double occupancy accommodations are available.*Estimated as airfare cannot be booked until early May. Cost for the trip is dependent upon the number of travelers.

• Single Occupancy Estimated Costs: • • • • •

21-25 Persons: $6,020 26-30 Persons: $5,748 31-35 Persons: $5,692 36-40 Persons: $5,628 41-50 Persons: $5,579

• Single Supplement/Individual with Private Room Additional $1,312.00

• Tuesday, March 15: Visit the land of the Philistines and journey to Jerusalem.

Experience the stark difference between Northern and Southern Israel. The landscape could not be more different from the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea area. During the day, we will make a special stop at the same brook where David gathered five stones before his battle with Goliath in I Samuel 17. Bring a plastic bag and take a rock or two home from this special place.

• Wednesday, March 16 - Saturday, March 19: Jerusalem! A whole new adventure begins!

• Saturday, March 19: Depart for OKC that evening.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Rachel Gillespie at the church office, by phone at 405-721-414, or by email at rgillespie@ServantOKC.org.

ServantOKC.0rg

07

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP WE’RE OPEN! COME SEE US! We are getting glimpses of Spring, and Earthglow Gift Shop has so many cute items that you can use to decorate your home or gift to others – bunnies and chics, Spring Mat inserts, and a brand new candle line, White Squirrel, made in Piedmont. Come in, wear your mask, and enjoy all the brand new merchandise! Thank you for supporting missions through your purchases.

Now available in Earthglow - Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in a Broken World. Yvonne is one of Servant’s very own and this is her third book!

08

SERVANT CONNECT

CHURCH STAFF

UPDATE

It is with a heavy heart, I announce Chip Hogsed, Director of Modern Worship Arts, and his wife Haleigh, have made the decision to return to Georgia. The birth of their new son made them realize they want to be closer to extended family. It was not an easy decision, but it is one they feel is best for their future. Chip’s last Sunday leading the modern worship services at Church of the Servant will be March 14th.

Matthew Mitchell, Senior Minister

Chip Hogsed Director of Modern Worship Arts

“

I HOPE YOU WILL WISH CHIP, HALEIGH, ASPEN, AND JAMESON ALL THE BEST AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR MOVE.

“

I cannot thank Chip enough for all his passion, care, and insight during his time at Church of the Servant. Over this past year and a half, he has served our congregation faithfully during one of the hardest and strangest times any of us have ever experienced. As Chip leaves, he is more than able to hold his head up high as he undoubtedly helped make an eternal impact in many lives in our community. I hope you will wish Chip, Haleigh, Aspen, and Jameson all the best as they prepare for their move.

ServantOKC.org

09

JOHN & CHARLES WESLEY’S

GEORGIA

SEPTEMBER 13-17, 2021

“As a little boy, my church would take youth and adults to Georgia’s coast to visit the places both John and Charles Wesley walked while they served the British Colony long ago. For me, this ignited a deep longing to learn more about what it truly meant to be a person called a Methodist. I can still remember walking under the live oaks where both Wesley brothers also walked. I truly believe my first trip to Epworth By the Sea was the beginning of a much longer journey of which I am still traveling today.

I want to invite you to join me this fall! This trip will take place September 13-17, 2021,” Matthew Mitchell, Senior Minister at Church of the Servant.

Total Trip Cost:$1650 Deposit: $400 to reserve spot 2nd Payment: $625 June 1, 2021 Balance Due: August 1, 2021 Meals Included: All Breakfasts, One Box Lunch, Three Dinners In the month leading up to our departure, our group will gather for a time to prepare and learn more about John and Charles Wesley’s time in Georgia. You will not want to miss out on this wonderful journey!

10

SERVANT CONNECT

TRIP SCHEDULE: DAY ONE: Travel from OKC to the Shores of Georgia Our group will meet at the Oklahoma City Airport and begin our travels to coastal Georgia. A flight to Atlanta, then on to either Jacksonville or Savannah. Once on the coast, we will head to Epworth By the Sea, where we will stay for two nights.

DAY TWO: Frederica Town, Christ Church, Saint Simons Village& Jekyll Island Day Two will begin with breakfast Epworth by the Sea & devotion in the Tabby House. Then we will board our charter bus for a busy and full day in coastal Georgia.

DAY THREE: A Day of Forts and Salty Sea Air After breakfast and a devotion in the Tabby House, our group will travel north to Savannah, Georgia. General James G. Oglethorpe carefully selected Georgia’s colonial capital for its strategic location along the Savannah River and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Both John and Charles Wesley spent many days in this historic city, and our group will spend two nights here before returning home to OKC. But before we arrive in the classic city, we have a few stops along the way.

DAY FOUR: River Cruise, Wesley Tour of Savannah

by Trolly & Farewell Dinner Our day will begin with breakfast at the Planters Inn. After breakfast, two tours of Savannah await each of us! One by Trolley, the other by River Boat.

Both tours will be special moments you will not want to miss. Seeing Savannah from the river and via trolley will be memorable and help everyone see as much as possible of this beautiful and historic city. The day will conclude with a group meal on our final night in Savannah.

DAY FIVE: Return to Oklahoma City After breakfast at the Planters Inn, our tour bus will take our group to the Savannah Airport, where we will embark upon our journey home to OKC.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact Rachel Gillespie at the church office, by phone at 405-721-414, or by email at rgillespie@ServantOKC.org.

ServantOKC.0rg

11

SERVANT KIDS Report LOOK WHAT WE DID...

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

February was a wild month! Because of the epic snow storm that occurred during the week of Valentine’s Day, we postponed the “Kiss”ing Booth until the following Sunday.

Servant Kids and Servant Students wanted to show some love to our entire church family to let them know that they are loved, valued, and appreciated. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to share appreciation during February than with some chocolate kisses and also some flowers from Curbside Flowers. It was nice to be back in person and to see your smiling faces after missing a week due to the weather!

Josh Snodgrass Assistant Director of Servant Kids

SUMMER SPARK IS HIRING! 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.

12

SERVANT CONNECT

Come join our summer play and rest program for kids!

Mondays and Wednesdays June 7 - July 28, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM Children are ages 6 months – entering Kindergarten.

No teaching experience required. All supplies provided.

Children will enjoy adventures as super heroes, pirates, safari guides and more. Teachers will lead children during free play, crafts, outside time, special snacks, music, games, and rest time. Interested? Contact Dayna or Jayme at 405-728-4778 or starbrightokc@gmail.com.

ServantOKC.org

13

FRIDAY MORNING DEVOTIONAL TIME!

MARCH HAPPENINGS...

Josh and Kourtney will share a short video devotional each Friday for you to watch with your kids! These videos are typically around three or four minutes long and a great way to open discussion about different topics with your kids. The videos can be found on the Servant Kids Facebook page and on our YouTube channel (a link to the channel is available on the website under Kids Ministry).

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WE POST UPDATES, INFORMATION, PICTURES, AND MORE, SO DON’T MISS OUT! GO TO @ SERVANTKIDS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM! SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS

BY TEXTING @SERVANTKI TO 81010.

14

SERVANT KIDS IS OPEN! Kid’s Ministry is meeting in person at 9:30 and 11:00 each Sunday morning. Grades 1-5 will meet in The Point Student Center on the south side of the church. Check-in stations are located at the entrance to The Point and parents will need to be present to checkin their kids and get name tags and parent security tags. Temperatures will also be taken during check-in. The kids need to bring a mask with them to wear, but they will have opportunities once we are socially distanced from others to take a mask break to get some fresh air. We will have a lesson and games and a craft activity and all will be conducted with safety and social distance in mind. You can check them out after the worship service by bringing your parent sticker.

Preschool, Kindergarten, and nursery aged kids will meet downstairs for check-in and for their activities. For those younger kids, temperatures will also be taken but masks are optional.

SERVANT CONNECT

START YOUR ENGINES

SUNDAYS IN MARCH AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN When race car drivers hear the call to “start your engines,” the mission is clear, and they are ready to go, go, go! The same can be said for those of us who follow Jesus. Jesus is calling each of us to start our engines and go do what He has prepared us to do. His call is to “love each other the way I have loved you.” Yes, the mission is clear, and it’s time for us to help our preschoolers get ready to go, go, go and love, love, love—like Jesus!

And, how do we love like Jesus? We put others first and are a good friend. We share with others, help others, and say kind words to each other. When we do these things, our light shines bright and the love of Jesus shines through us.

Preschoolers want to show everyone that, “I can do it. I can put on my shoes. I can make my bed. I can carry heavy things.” Let’s help them add, “I can love like Jesus,” to that list. Now, start your engines!

Our memory verse this month comes from John 15:12 and says, “Love each other as I have loved you.” This month, we will learn that when you love like Jesus, you will be a light, you can be a good friend, and you can love everyone. We can celebrate Jesus!

Who can love like Jesus? I can love like Jesus.

BAKE OFF: IT’S WORTH THE WAIT SUNDAYS IN MARCH GRADES 1-5

This month, we will be learning about the connection between PATIENCE and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Patience is waiting until later for what you want now.

Waiting is a part of life. Thankfully, we don’t have to wait on our own. God can help us experience the patience we need to wait well. After all, God is patient. God is in control and knows what’s best for us. Even though God’s people had been waiting for years for the promised Savior, at just the right time, God sent Jesus. As we are created in God’s image, we can reflect His patience in our lives. We can be patient when we remember what God has done and trust God no matter what.

Our memory verse this month comes from Psalm 27:14 and says, “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope.

Wait for the Lord.” We will discuss how when you have to wait, remember God is with you and remember what’s true. We will learn about if you don’t wait, it could cost you. You can celebrate even when you’re waiting. We can’t wait to see you this month to learn about patience!

ServantOKC.org

15

STILL TO COME...

SAVE THE DATE FOR SOME FUN EVENTS HAPPENING SOON!

AT HOME EGG HUNT The Servant Kids team will be bringing eggs to your house and “hiding” them in your front yard!

Drop off will be sometime during the week of March 28th-April 1st. In order to participate in this fun event, you must register online NO LATER THAN March 24th! We will bring enough eggs for each kid in your house who is in the fifth grade or younger.

Visit ServantOKC.org/EASTER to register today!

KANAKUK KAMPOUT

AUGUST 2-6, 2021

Mark your calendars now for the return of Kanakuk Kampout! this summer!

The dates are August 2-6.

The cost is $275, and kids ages 5-12 are invited to attend.

Registration is open at kanakuk.com.

16

SERVANT CONNECT

ServantOKC.org

17

SERVANT STUDENTS LET US SING WITH ONE VOICE This past month came and went as most February’s do. Servant Students spent the first half of the month separated middle school and high school for social distancing purposes. As great as it was to focus in on the separate ages, many of the students couldn’t wait to come back together. On February 21st, students got what they were asking for.

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

On that Sunday night, we welcomed back middle and high school students in the way we felt was best: through an incredible worship night.

This continued our desire to emphasize the act of worshipping as one unit of the one true God. Our worship crew led us in a powerful set with songs new and old to our group.

Throughout the evening, students

were led to actively engage in worship through prayer stations. These stations revolved around Jesus’ command to love God with all of our hearts, our souls, our minds, and our strength, and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves.

The most powerful part of the night though, was hearing our students’ voices over the music. So often, we worship and get lost in the music itself. But standing back in the Centrum, I could hear our students praising God through their young voices – singing the same anthem as one. These moments gave me as a leader so much hope in what is to come for this ministry.

Heather Winner

CHICAGO!

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.

18

SERVANT CONNECT

Between Disciple and Dayspring camps, we will be (finally) going on our high school mission trip to Chicago. From June 26 - July 2, we will be taking students to the south suburbs of the city for a week of work and outreach.

We will be partnering with Praying Pelican Missions, an organization that helps direct, assist, and lead mission trips across the United States. We are so thankful for the flexibility and help they have offered us during these times of chaos. This trip was originally supposed to occur in March of 2020. Of course, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, this trip was forced to be postponed. After months of discussion and planning, we were able to set a new date and begin planning what this trip would look like for our group. We are so excited for these students to get out of Oklahoma and experience mission work in a different area. Please be in prayer for our ministry as we have big plans for this trip, as well as our other events throughout the summer.

Skyler Rodriguez

WHAT’S AHEAD?

A LUAU & SUMMER! JUNE 26 - JULY 2

What a crazy winter we have had here in Oklahoma City. Ice storms and multiple feet of snow have us craving warmer weather, and it looks like that is just around the corner. Servant Students will be kicking off spring break early by celebrating all together with a Servant-style luau party on Wednesday, March 10th! Now that high school and middle school students are back together on Wednesday nights, what better way than to celebrate with food, lawn games, fellowship, and the great outdoors? We’re encouraging students to wear their best beach gear with Hawaiian shirts, straw hats, sunglasses, and leighs. We hope that this party is just a taste of what is to come for this ministry.

Our summer calendar has begun to fill up quite quickly. Right away in the beginning of June, we will be taking our middle school students to Disciple camp from June 3-6. This middle-school-only camp will allow our students to not only get away and experience camp, but it’s also a great opportunity for them to meet students from other churches as well. The next month we will be taking high school students to Dayspring from July 12-16.

Similar to Disciple camp, this camp is for high schoolers and recent graduates for a week of worship and fellowship.

Skyler Rodriguez

ServantOKC.org

19

M I S S I O N S 20

GIVING BACK

A SERVANT KIDS AND STUDENTS “KISS”ING BOOTH On the morning of February 21st, congregants did a double-take as we stood at the entrance of the church. It’s not a common sight to see a kissing booth there. With the winter storm that hit Oklahoma City, we celebrated Valentine’s Day a week late, but in style of course. As Servant Kids and Servant Students, we wanted to show a little love to our congregation through Hershey’s chocolate kisses and a sweet Valentine card.

We also wanted to do a little bit more to show the heart of our ministry to give back to the surrounding community, so we partnered with Curbside Flowers to give out carnations to congregants. In purchasing these flowers, along with taking donations following both services, we were able to support this brick and mortar shop that connects with OKC’s Homeless Alliance. This flower shop provides support and employment for those experiencing homelessness. This brought even greater joy handing out carnations on that Sunday morning. We pray this is only a continuation of our desire to love God and love others – passing on this care to all who we encounter.

SERVANT CONNECT

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREFULLY RE-ENTERING LIFE SEMI-POST COVID As more and more people are receiving their vaccine doses, it’s thrilling to think about what we can do that feels more normal.

I imagine most of us are “chomping at the bit” to DO something! However, as Rev. Mitchell said recently, “We can’t trip just before the finish line”, but we can think about and plan for our re-entry! Mission Council has a list of activities to fit almost any segment within our church community. All of these opportunities are available NOW and will continue. COVID precautions are in place at each of them.

RESTOREOKC - 2ND SATURDAY WORKDAY All ages are welcome, so bring the whole family. Each month, projects are lined up either working on repairs on older homes or working in the community and/or school gardens. This is primarily outside and all COVID protections are in place. To sign-up go to: https://x.gldn.io/bss8ynzO7db OR go to the website https:/restoreokc.org, click on GET INVOLVED and then VOLUNTEER and then Restore Homes.

HOPE CENTER AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS – 1220 NE 33rd, OKC 73111 To help OKCPS parents on virtual learning days, tutors are needed at the Boys and Girls Club for two hours one day a week.

This activity is indoors, but spacing is maintained and masks worn. The elementary-age children come from several schools supported by RestoreOKC. You will be helping children to stay on top of their studies, and their parents will know that their children are safe and continuing to learn. The director of The Hope Center has asked for tutors to help assist with the kids’ virtual learning from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. If you are interested contact Justus Hill at justus@restoreokc.org or call him at 405-763-9906.

WELL-SPRING ALLY - https://www.restoreokc.org/volunteer Another program of RestoreOKC is being a mentor to women who are re-entering the workforce. Most of the women have completed the ReMerge program https://www.remergeok.org/.

Remerge serves as an alternative to incarceration that keeps women in the community and out of prison. They are now employed as housecleaners under supervision of Restore employees. At RestoreOKC, they are enrolled in Work Life which is a faith-based job education curriculum designed by the Chalmers Center for Economic Development to teach “soft-skills” to those coming from generational poverty. “We believe that lasting change happens in community, and many of the adults we employ do not have healthy support in their lives.” The role of an Ally is to check-in/meet with their participant weekly while they are in the Work Life class and monthly thereafter. For information contact Sara Hawke 405-623-2852. The next Work Life Ally Training is Saturday, April 17th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

SISU YOUTH SERVICES – sisuyouth.org Sisu is a homeless shelter which provides services to homeless youth, ages 15-23. They rely on volunteers to provide dinner 7 days a week and also lunch on the weekends for 20 people.

This would be a great Sunday School or small group activity!

Meals can be home-made, store bought or catered and then dropped off at 3131 N. May Avenue. Because most are minors, dinner deliverers are not allowed inside to protect privacy.

For more information contact Jimmy Nguyen at jnguyen@sisuyouth.org.

ServantOKC.org

21

Every spring since 1992, Church of the Servant has partnered with Rebuilding Together OKC to help rebuild lives by volunteering one Saturday to repair homes of low-income seniors and families in our community.

Volunteer teams make f ree home repairs to a home they have been assigned based on skill level. This year Rebuilding Together Day is Saturday, April 24, 2021.

Rebuilding Together teams complete repairs such as: interior and exterior painting, laying new carpet, repairing kitchen cabinets and countertops, and many more needed repairs. This is a great experience for small groups, families, and classes. All ages are welcome, anyone under 14 should be accompanied by an adult.

There are two shifts, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 1:00-5:00 PM. For more information and to register, go to ServantOKC.org/RTOKC.

22

SERVANT CONNECT

A CONVERSATION WITH LAUREN SULLIVAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Church of the Servant has a longstanding relationship with Rebuilding Together (RT). In July 2020, they welcomed a new director, Lauren Sullivan. Here is some information shared with us in a recent conversation with Lauren.

Repairs are completed at no cost to qualifying homeowners. What are the qualifications? o 55 years of age or older o Live in Oklahoma County o Own and live in home with paid property tax o Household income is at or below 50% of the Annual Median Income of Oklahoma County This April, Lauren hopes enough people will volunteer city-wide to work on 13 homes. The total cost of the repairs needed for these homes comes to $35,00045,000. A list of the cost of needed items will be available so that donors will have an idea where their money goes. For example, a door costs $300 or flooring for a house is $2,000. The cost of items is the cost of the materials and does not include the cost of labor (which is free).

Lauren mentioned that when she came last July the cost to build a wheelchair ramp was between $1000$1,500. However, now (Feb. 2021) that cost has risen to $1,800-2,000! Why? We all stayed home in 2020 due

to COVID and made home repairs; there were lots of natural disasters which increased demand for building materials as well as a boom in home building/ remodeling.

While many of us think of Rebuilding Together as a one-day project, they work all year long to improve homes in OKC. In their last fiscal year, RT were in 142 homes and completed 700 projects. Those projects included installing lots of smoke detectors and solid outside doors. There are also large projects such as complete bathroom remodels, wheelchair ramps and new floors. New flooring was installed throughout a home recently for a person who is wheelchair bound.

The wheelchair had damaged an already old vinyl floor which kept the person f rom being able to get around in their own home.

SHE-BUILD A fun addition to Rebuild Day is She-Build! It is scheduled for October 2021 but a date has not be determined. For this day women attend a workshop to learn a new skill, such as how to spackle or change a light fixture. Then they head out to work on a female-owned home. Servant ladies, let’s do this! More details to come!

ServantOKC.org

23

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

Follow Us! A United Methodist Congregation @ServantOKC SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE TIMES

9:30 • 11:00

CONTACT US: 14343 N MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73142 ServantOKC.org 405.721.4141

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