Newsletter 04.05.17

April 5, 2017

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT Bi-Weekly NEWSLETTER

Issue: 17.06

Introducing

Dr. Matthew Mitchell What a great weekend at Church of the Servant as we make our way through the last weeks of the Lenten season and prepare for the celebration of Easter Sunday. To make this all the more special, we are now able to introduce our new Senior Minster designate – Dr. Matthew Mitchell, along with his wife, Amber, and their four children. The reception of this good news has been universally positive. As I write this note, the VIDEO we produced as an introduction for Matthew has been viewed over 8,600 times! There is no doubt as to the wide-open possibilities for ministry and lives changed for the sake of God’s Kingdom through Jesus Christ that wait on the horizon for this faithful congregation. It is an exciting time to be a part of Church of the Servant! I ask that as you read Matthew’s introductory remarks below, you will be in prayer for their entire family, as he prepares to lead us forward into the fullness of God’s blessing for Servant.

– Randy

Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister

F

inally, the announcement has been made! I must admit, it seemed as if April 2 would never arrive. In our house, we commonly referred to April 2 as Announcement Day. Now that Announcement Day has come and gone, I want to begin to share my excitement and a little bit of my story. Most importantly, please know we are honored and humbled to have such an incredible opportunity to come to Church of the Servant. If you were in church on Sunday, April 2 and/or you are a friend of the church on Facebook, you were able to catch a quick glimpse of my family and me in a video made to assist in the transition process.

In the weeks leading up to our arrival at Church of the Servant, I will begin to share stories about different people and events that have impacted my life and walk with the Lord. I hope you will enjoy reading these stories and discovering who I am and who God has called me to become. I look forward to hearing and learning your stories, as well, once we are in OKC. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home. As a child, my sister, Meredith, and I played all types of sports, worked hard and grew up in the United Methodist Church.

My mom and dad, Susan and Lenny, have always been involved in church. In fact, they helped launch a UMC in Denver, Colorado where I was born. Unfortunately, I do not remember much about Colorado. My family moved back to Georgia in 1980 and I have not been back since. Needless to say, a road trip to Colorado may be in our future once we are settled in OKC.

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister Designate

While in high school, I was like most of my friends – we worked, went to school, played sports, and attended church.

For me, golf was my first passion. I loved and still love the game. I played every day I could and even worked at the golf course. If it was not raining sideways or too cold, I was at the course. Luckily for me, my love of golf helped provide a wonderful opportunity for me to play college golf at LaGrange College. LaGrange College is a small United Methodist college in Georgia only a stone’s through from Auburn, Alabama. While at LaGrange, I was involved in almost everything from student government to a little bit of fun at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house where I was a brother, but golf ...Continued on page 4 Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com

Women

Taste of Faith 2017 “Snapshots of Our Lives” Thursday, May 4, 6:30 p.m.

Community Hall will come alive with festive tables set to celebrate mothers, daughters, sisters and girlfriends! As women, we know those relationships are life-giving.

You will enjoy a wonderful dinner, and be blessed when you hear stories from women in our church who are dealing with real-life issues at different stages of their lives. Our church is full of amazing women with rich stories, and our program for the evening will highlight some of those stories. We pray you will honor us with your presence. Make your reservations while space is available. The cost for the evening is $15, and reservations can be made at the Women’s Ministry table in the Concourse on Sunday mornings, or by calling or emailing Susie Cobden, 405-478-4711, scobden@ churchoftheservant.com. Bring a mother, daughter, sister or friend with you, or come on your own and meet new friends.

Our mission focus for the evening will be the YWCA Women’s Shelter. We will be collecting money to be given for items needed at the shelter. It is the only shelter in Oklahoma County for victims of domestic violence and their children, and unfortunately is always at capacity. Most women leave an abusive relationship with the clothes on their back and nothing else. The YWCA provides their needs, and helps these brave women transition back into society.

Missions

Mission Calendar Dates Thursday, April 6, 6pm – Rebuilding Together Team Meeting Saturday, April 8, 8am-5pm – Rebuilding Together Day Sunday, May 14 – Clothes for Kids Fish Appeal

Spring Cleaning?

Remember Skyline.

Remember that the blue bins located in the Concourse are for Skyline. Clothes, household items, and appliances given will help individuals struggling in our city. Food is also appreciated for the pantry and can be placed in the grocery cart. Thank you!

Bless Our Schools: Test Monitors Needed at Hefner Middle School Each year in April, Hefner Middle School does schoolwide testing and is always needing volunteers to serve as room monitors.

It is a simple role of just being a presence in a classroom as the students are testing. If you are available on any of the following dates, please contact Amber Neaves at neaves3@sbcglobal. net to volunteer. One to two volunteers are needed for each date, and help is especially needed on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13. All of the testing is in the morning and any monitors would need to be here by 7:45, with testing beginning by 8:00. The test will last up to 2 ½ hours. There will be a very short training to prepare each volunteer.

TESTING DATES: Thursday, April 6 Monday, April 10 Wednesday, April 12 Thursday, April 13 Monday, April 17 Thursday, April 20 Monday, April 24 Tuesday, April 25 SERVANT April 5, 2017 I Page 3

Adults

PRIME TIME Friendship Dinner

Introducing Dr. Matthew Mitchell

...Continued from page 2

was still my main focus. I worked hard and became the first four-year letterman in the history of our nationally-ranked golf team!

I must admit, while in college, my focus was not always on listening to the Lord and His claim upon my life. Thankfully, professors and key leaders at LaGrange College gave me the space and time I needed to mature and hear the voice of God in my life. It was during my time at LaGrange College and Sunday mornings at LaGrange First UMC that God began to grab hold of me in a whole new way. Furthermore, I began to see how much of an impact my family and the church had played in my walk with the Lord. My time at LaGrange College was life-changing; those four years served as a springboard for understanding God’s call and beginning a deeper walk with the Lord.

LaGrange College became a place of great impact for me. I cannot wait to hear how Church of the Servant has been and is a place of impact in each of your lives.

Prime Time plans an after-tax celebration for our next Friendship Dinner. Bring your favorite dish to share on Thursday, April 20, 5:30-7:30 in The Point Student Center. We’ll share food, friends, fun, and prizes, and rejoice that tax day has passed once again! Sign up now at the Welcome Center.

The story of Church of the Servant is well known, and I look forward to serving alongside each of you as we help develop new stories of eternal impact throughout our world in the name of Jesus Christ! Until then, back to boxes, searching for a home in OKC, and our next great adventure with each of you! June 4 will be here sooner than we can imagine!

Impacting the world together with the love and truth of the Servant,

Matthew’s Baptism

– Matthew

Dr. Michael Strauss Speaking in April On Sundays, April 23 and 30, Dr. Michael Strauss will be speaking at Church of the Servant in the Centrum at 10:45 a.m. Dr. Strauss is a Professor of Physics at the University of Oklahoma. His primary focus is experimental particle physics. He is currently conducting research in that area using data from the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland.

Dr. Strauss is a renowned speaker on various topics about the relationship of science and biblical Christianity. He has the ability to explain complex topics in easily understandable language and to offer life applications based on science and biblical ideas.

Last April Dr. Strauss spoke at Church of the Servant answering the question: “Do Modern Scientific Studies Contradict the Bible?”

This April he will be speaking on two topics: April 23 - The Scientific Evidence for God - The discoveries of modern science give evidence of God. April 30 - The Resurrection - Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus from a scientist’s viewpoint.

Everyone is invited. No registration is required.

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Dr. Michael Strauss

B

HOSANNA! HOSANNA!

lessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! For as long as I can remember, every Palm Sunday, I have witnessed a processional of children entering the sanctuary waving palm branches. As a child, I was in that processional. I remember lining up with the other children, handed a palm branch and told to wave it high as we walked among the people. There is something special about seeing children waving branches shouting, “HOSANNA! HOSANNA!”

husband today.” I smiled and gently received the offering, receiving yet another gift from the Body of Christ, whispering, barely getting the words out, “Thank you.” The feeling of being so deeply loved once again welled up so greatly inside of me that tears of gratitude began to fall all over again, with my heart whispering, “Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.”

Bringing forth the remembrance of His promise, Your King is coming, do not be afraid, bringing the gift of His life.

Two years ago, we were in Pensacola Beach, Florida, at our son’s wedding.

We were traveling to the airport on Palm Sunday to fly home. We stopped to refuel our rental car and Erin, our daughter-in-law, found a palm tree and got each of us a palm branch to carry with us through the day. There we were, our own processional in the airport and airplane, waving our branches, with our hearts joining in with others around the world, “HOSANNA! HOSANNA! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Dr. Breaux, our pediatric trauma surgeon, is a Godly, loving, brilliant man who helped to save Jess’ life. He came by early to see her on his way to church. He told us he was singing in church this Palm Sunday in a cantata. We were also blessed to experience a special Palm Sunday cantata presentation called “The Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross.” After church, Dr. Breaux stopped back by wearing a palm leaf cross on his lapel. He held 2 more palm leaf crosses in his hand saying, “I got these for you and your

And then Palm Sunday, this moveable feast commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, includes a procession of the faithful, waving palm branches and claiming victory. Only a King would be greeted this way. These very branches were also used as a symbol of Christian martyrs and their spiritual triumph over death.

In Revelation 7:9, “the white clad multitude stand before the throne and the Lamb holding palm branches in their hands shouting with a great roar, ‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!’”

In John 12:15, “don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem, look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt, fulfilling the Old Testament predictions regarding the Messiah, that His kingship was not that of a warrior. His gift is life, not a conquest.”

We are privileged people to be able to join in with all those who have gone before us and all those who will come after us, waving palm branches, remembering our King is coming, bringing us his life.

Eight years ago on Palm Sunday, we were in Grand Junction, Colorado, with our critically brain injured daughter. Here is a part of a posting from our Carepages on Palm Sunday 2009: This evening we three gathered in Jess’ bed and watched church on the computer. To see our church family worshipping, singing, and hearing the message was good, but what was best was Jessie seemed to watch it with her eyes. She hadn’t missed very many Sundays in her 15 years.

ating this hunger, this awakening that enables us to feast on His presence within us, around us, and in others.

Lisa & Bill Boone with grandkids Perhaps the celebration of Palm Sunday is a way we can prepare our hearts for the really hard part of the Lenten journey, the death before the Resurrection. On Ash Wednesday, we began that journey with ashes on our foreheads reminding us of our own mortality and brokenness.

Then we were invited on the journey with Jesus in the wilderness of life, fasting from the world of stuff that fills us so full there is little or no space for Jesus, fasting from those actions, or reactions, that cover up the very presence of Jesus within us. This helps to create space and remove layers cre-

No matter what season of Palm Sunday you find yourself in, we are told to not be afraid of what is happening now or going to happen in this life. Jesus shows us He has conquered death with His life. We must share this great news with everyone. Paul Claudel explained it well, writing, “Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it.

He came to fill it with His presence.”

We are an Easter people with hope.

We should be hope-givers. We never have to face anything alone. He fills our life with His presence (His life) in all circumstances. Now that is a reason to shout with a great roar! Hosanna! (Save us!) Hosanna! (Save us!)

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

– Lisa Boone SERVANT April 5, 2017 I Page 5

E A S T E R HE

IS

RISEN

Easter Sunrise Service At Servant This Year!

This year we will have our Easter Sunrise Service right here on-site at Church of the Servant. The service will begin at 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 16 in the indoor Courtyard of Church of the Servant at 14343 North MacArthur Boulevard, Oklahoma City. As always, Holy Communion will be served, and we will enjoy some wonderful music… and, of course, sing songs together. Rev. Tim Travers will preach, and there will even be some breakfast refreshments to enjoy (along with fellowship together) after the service. The service will end right around the time of sunrise. Get your Easter started off right by coming to our sunrise service this year! Whether you roll out of bed with your kids holding the baskets of treats they just got that morning, or if you are dressed up in all your Easter glory – either way, we’d love to have you come! Join us for this time of praising God for the awesome gift of a risen Lord who grants us eternal life – and who is the very center of our lives each day! We look forward to seeing you there!

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE “A Journey to Hope” April 14, 7:00 p.m.

In just a few days will we celebrate Good Friday with the wonderful music from A Journey to Hope by Joseph Martin. the service format will be the ancient service of Tenebrae. The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin meaning “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service that makes use of gradually diminishing light through the extinguishing of candles to symbolize the events of that week from the triumphant Palm Sunday entry through Jesus’ burial.

This increasing darkness symbolizes the approaching darkness of Jesus’ death and of hopelessness in the world without God. The service concludes in darkness, sometimes with a final candle, the Christ candle, carried out of the sanctuary, symbolizing the death of Jesus. A loud noise may also sound symbolizing the closing of Jesus’ tomb. The worshipers then leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ’s death and await the coming Resurrection.

NextGen Kanakuk KampOut! at Servant

KampOut! is a ministry of Kanakuk, a non-denominational Christian summer camp ministry dedicated to developing dynamic Christian leaders through lifechanging experiences, Godly relationships, and spiritual training. Kanakuk created KampOut! as a way to partner with the local church to impact the community by reaching families with the Kanakuk experience – all for the sake of the Gospel.

Kanakuk describes KampOut! as a “one-week high energy, non-stop excitement, traveling Christian day camp experience!”

KampOut! will take place on July 10-14 for ages 5-12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Servant. Camp fee is $250. Camp and registration information is available at www.kanakuk.com/kampout.

YOU’VE BEEN EGGED Children’s Ministries has prepared “YOU’VE BEEN EGGED” kits for Servant families to pick up on Palm Sunday in the children’s area.

The “You’ve Been Egged” project is a Family Outreach idea for Easter. Because one of the strategies of the NEXTGEN Ministries at Church of the Servant is to created shared spiritual experiences, we offer this project to families to share with another family.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: The kit includes twelve empty plastic eggs, miscellaneous candy, door hangers and suggestions for making this project a meaningful family experience. Eleven eggs are to be filled by the family with candy, personal notes, etc – but ONE egg is left empty representing the empty tomb.

Families are to hide the eggs in a neighbor, family, or friend’s yard – someone that they have wanted to reach out to. The door hanger explains the eggs hidden in the yard. Also it is suggested that the family sign the door hanger with messages of affirmation so that the recipient knows who reached out to them.

This is an opportunity for families to play together, worship together, and serve together.

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NextGen Mission Rio Bravo Our mission in Next Gen Ministries at Servant is to combine the influences of the family and the church to lead the next generation to become fully committed followers of Jesus Christ. One of the ways we do this is by creating opportunities for families to have a shared experience in Missions. This summer, June 18-24, High School Ministry will be going on a parent/student mission trip to Rio Bravo, Mexico. You can pick up registrations at The Point Student Center or on the church Website, www.churchoftheservant. com/events. Contact Sang Nguyen at snguyen@ churchoftheservant.com for more information.

Adults PRIME TIME The Elderly Brothers? Who in the world are they?

Come to Prime Time on April 13 to get acquainted! In reality, they’re just local boys who happen to like entertaining with great music, especially music from the 50s and 60s.

Steve Coleman and John Hochgraefe have deep roots in Oklahoma. John played through his late high school and college years with a successful local band (The Ho-Dads), performing for radio stations such as WKY and KOMA. Steve began playing professionally while studying at the University of Oklahoma. Although John took a “time out” from music, Steve continued as an outstanding musician and vocalist playing with too many bands to name. Steve’s musical travels have taken him across the United States and Japan.

This fun, entertaining program will wet our appetite for another delicious meal of ham, sweet potatoes, dressing, salad, rolls and coconut cake! Program alone is $2; with the meal it is $10. Prime Time fellowship is free! Sign up soon at the Welcome Center or call the church office, 721-4141. Don’t miss the fun!

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High School Summer Move Up Getaway and Dayspring High School Move Up Getaway is May 30-31! This event is for all incoming 8th graders to outgoing 12th graders. This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome in our new 8th graders in a trip that includes Six Flags! More information can be found at The Point Student Center or on the church Website.

We believe it’s important for students to know and love God. We want to create space for students to trust and accept Jesus. At Dayspring, our High School summer camp, students are given opportunities for both. It’s from July 6-10. More info can be found at The Point Student Center or on the church Website.

Our Prayers

Our Life Together

u Faye Andersen as Faye’s cousin, Sharon Kingsley, is dealing with health issues. u Ellen Bennett as her step-father, Bill Spurrier, faces surgery in California; and her mother, Janet Bennett, recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Pati Carpenter as Pati is recuperating from surgery. u Jay and Nancy Collins as Jay is dealing with health issues. u Ben and Sammye Cravens as Sammye is undergoing treatment. u Jennie Dunaway as Jennie’s sister, Debbie, is dealing with health issues. u Gloria Factor as Gloria’s son, Scott Factor, is facing surgery. u Dave and Kay Filson as their son, Mike Filson, is recuperating from surgery. u Doug and Jaci Finch as Doug is dealing with health issues. u Shirley Foutz as Shirley is dealing with health issues. u Diana Franklin as Diana is dealing with health issues. u Jewell and Peggy Garrison as Peggy’s brother, Carlon James, is dealing with health issues. u Teri Green as Teri is facing surgery.

Jim Hammond as Jim’s brother, Ron Hammond, is dealing with health issues. u Barry and Pam Henthorn as Barry is dealing with health issues. u Brad and Robin Krieger as Robin’s mother, Allie Roberts, is dealing with health issues. u Harold and LaDonna Leverett as Harold’s son, Ashley Leverett, is dealing with health issues. u Robert and Debbie McCord as Debbie is undergoing treatment. u Nonna McCorkle as Nonna is dealing with health issues. u Denny and Edie Mesenbrink as their son, Adam Mesenbrink, is dealing with health issues. u David and Kim Myers as David’s stepmother, Lottie Myers, is dealing with health issues. u Penny Pavy as Penny faces surgery.

Our Sympathy

Our Prayers Continued u Craig, Jennifer, Danielle, Ashleigh, Anthony, and Courtney Robinson and LeRoy Ball and Pat McGarrity as Danielle is recuperating from surgery and is hospitalized at the OU Medical Children’s Hospital.

u Cristi Andrews and Brian Harris, Randy and Julie Likes and Tricia Likes, and Family at the death of Cristi’s and Julie’s father, Randy’s father-in-law, and Brian’s and Tricia’s grandfather, D.A. Heggie.

u Randy and Lainey Robinson as Randy is recuperating from surgery in California.

u Josh, Rachel, Alexis and Alyssa Caywood and Family at the death of Josh’s mother, Rachel’s mother-in-law, and Alexis’ and Alyssa’s grandmother, Sue Razook.

u Tim Sieber and Cindy Novotny-Sieber as Cindy’s mother, Ann Briggs, is dealing with health issues and is hospitalized at the OU Medical Center. u George, Jane Anne, and Heather Slane as Heather is facing surgery; and their grandson, Evan Slane, is recuperating from surgery in Wisconsin. u Rachel Whelan as Rachel recuperates from a fall and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.

Sundays in the Kitchen Full Breakfast - $6; Lunch - $9; Kid’s Plate - $3.50

u 3/9 – Easter Dinner with all the trimmings.

u Linda, Lucas, and Amy Kongs and Family at the death of Linda’s husband, and Lucas’ and Amy’s father, Chris A. Kongs. u Roger and Judy Murnan and Family at the death of Judy’s mother, Phyllis McDonald. u Clodus Smith and Family at the death of Clodus’ wife, Paula Smith.

Celebrating

u Tyler and Jenna Smith at the birth of their daughter, Emery Ann Smith. The proud grandparents are Scott and Linda Smith.

The proud uncle, aunt, and cousin are Cody, Jessica and Leightyn Keyser.

u 3/16 – CLOSED for Easter.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Hello! My name is Earthglow. I’m a quaint little gift shop tucked into a space along the east wall of the Concourse at Church of the Servant. This week, it’s my 41st birthday (drum rolls, cymbal crashes, and lots of hip, hip hoorays). That’s right, for fortyone glorious years I’ve been here just hoping you will stop by and purchase a card, a gift item, some jewelry, a piece of art work, a book, or any of the literally hundreds of wonderful items inside me.

Do you know why I hope you will shop within my walls? Because the profits from every dollar you spend in Earthglow is distributed to very worthy local missions. In fact, over the last 41 years, these local organizations have received over $745,000 from me!

I think I may have mentioned that it’s my birthday.

And it might seem a little presumptuous, but I really would like for each of you reading this article to buy me a present. That’s right. Come into my inviting front door the very next time you are in the church, be greeted by a friendly Earthglow worker (and treat her kindly, because she is volunteering her services and doesn’t get a paid a penny), and shop, shop, shop. I’m not the least bit particular about what you buy, because every item in the shop will generate a small amount of profit – and that is what I’m looking for – a few dollars from each of you so I can pass it along to one of the local missions that I support. So, happy birthday to me! And thank you for breathing life into me for the past 41 years. I’m hoping to live to be at least 101!

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Church of the Servant

14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725

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