May 2024 Newsletter

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CHURCH OF THE SERVANT’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

WHAT’S AHEAD...

AT CHURCH OF THE SERVANT

If you ask that as a question, the answer is “Much indeed! And it’s full of so many good things!” Here’s what’s happening just in the month of May:

• Susanna Wesley visits Church of the Servant on Sunday morning, May 12th! Did you ever wonder where John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, received his courage and inspiration? It began on the knee of his mother Susanna! Join us for a very special visit from the matriarch of our Wesleyan heritage.

Rev. Jessica Moffatt

Pastor Transitions Team

Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoffmann Lead

• Warm World Kindergarten Graduation on Monday, May 13, at 6:00 PM. Our Warm World kindergarten celebrates the end of the 2023-24 school year with its annual graduation event. Woo-hoo! (Some of our graduating high school seniors got their start in Warm World!) “Start children off on the right path, and even when they are old, they will not turn away from it.” - Proverbs 22:6

Lead Pastor Transitions Team

• “What’s Next?” All-Church Social Gathering is on Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 PM, in Community Hall. Because there is so much ahead of us, let’s talk about this together. This conversational event will feature a time for you to hear from our Leadership Team, a time for our Leadership Team to hear from you, and a discussion of our work as a church as we experience a change of pastors.

• Our next Discover Servant Luncheon happens on Sunday, May 19, at 11:15 AM. Are you a recent visitor to Church of the Servant? Or, have you been wondering about what it means to be baptized, or to become a member of our congregation? On May 19, let us buy your lunch from Servant’s amazing kitchen. Then, we’ll talk about what’s on your mind and heart. You’ll make new friends and gain a new understanding of Church of the Servant—and of yourself.

• Annual Conference is Thursday, May 30th through Saturday, June 1st, at Oklahoma City University. Our clergy (active and retired) and three elected delegates from our membership will represent Church of the Servant at our yearly state-wide legislative gathering. With about 600 others, it’s three days of worship, reports, voting on motions and petitions, and hearing about the appointments of pastors. This year, we

Hello Servant Church Family,

My name is Sheri Lashley, and I am excited to join you in ministry as your new Associate Pastor. My passion for ministry begins with my faith, which I have never known to be without. My love of worship, in worship service and in living out my call, are wrapped around my love for the Scriptures and my love of all things music.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory with an emphasis in voice and choral conducting from Phillips University and a Masters of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary. Over the years, I have always served in church as Senior Pastor, Choir Director, Music Leader, Organist, Pianist, Children’s Choir Director, and several other positions.

Greetings from Sheri Lashley

I have served as Senior Pastor in several western Oklahoma communities including Erick, Carter, Arnett, Gage and Highland. I also served at Norman Bridgeview, and for the past 5 years, I have served as the Senior Pastor at Okmulgee First United Methodist Church.

will see the Rev. James Kim appointed as our new District Superintendent, effective July 1st, and hear from Bishop Nunn before he retires in September. Evening worship services will be held at nearby Chapel Hill UMC. Visitors are always welcome to join all Annual Conference worship events as well as observe all of the open business sessions.

• (And, here’s a peek into NEXT month): The Rev. Sheri Lashley is coming to Church of the Servant beginning June 30th! With unanimous support of our Pastor-Parish Relationship Committee, she will be joining the Rev. Kyle Anderson to form our new clergy leadership team. See the sidebar for a personal message from Pastor Sheri.

Whew! There’s a LOT that’s ahead for us at Church of the Servant. We clearly see that God is fulfilling his promise to us through Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

Pastor

Thomas

Pastor Jess

I have two adult sons: Jason, an RN at OU Medical Center and engaged to be married to Kayla Garver this June, and Stephen, the Senior Pastor of Norman Goodrich Memorial UMC and married to Taylor Barnett Lashley. I love to craft, scrapbook, and crochet. I have two dogs that are my companions: Zoe, a 10-year-old Yorkie/Schnauzer mix, and Tucker, a 2-year-old Golden Doodle, who keeps me on my toes and gives me lots of love.

My passion is worship, any and all kinds for all purposes. I love to design worship with the desire for anyone in worship to encounter God in some miraculous way, each and every time you worship. Music is a way that I worship, and you can find me singing and playing the piano often, as this is also how I meditate. I dearly love to sing and play the piano, and I can’t wait to share that part of my ministry with you.

As Christians, we are tasked to be in mission and ministry, and I can’t wait to be involved in the many ministries and missions at Servant Church, and I hope to inspire all to serve.

In God’s grip,

Pastor Sheri

Let’s Help Those Who are Hurting

With the rest of the world, we grieve over the recent destruction of property and life in southern Oklahoma. We also know that Oklahoma United Methodists and Servant members will always step up to help relieve others’ suffering.

As of today, here is how you can help:

• STAY. Emergency response teams or chainsaw operators may be needed in the short term. If so, further information will be communicated. For now, please stay where you are and do not attempt to self-deploy to these sites. This request is coming from all the participating response agencies.

• PRAY. Pray Psalm 46 on behalf of this tragedy. This video may help you enter a time of reflection. Never underestimate the power of prayer during times of disaster.

• PAY (DONATE). Finally, your generous financial support can help out immediately. Please donate online using this link: Oklahoma Disaster Response. 100% of your donation will go to tornado relief in partnership with our churches in those areas. Also, for the next few Sundays, we will ask you to “Feed the Fish” – 100% of our Fish Offering will go to Oklahoma tornado relief efforts. Make checks payable to “Church of the Servant,” with “Tornado Relief” in the notation line.

Opportunities will continue to emerge, and we will pass these along to you. Thank you in advance for your generosity and for helping your brothers and sisters in great need.

In Christ,

Pastor Jess

Pastor Thomas

Lead Pastors Transitions Team

SERVANT KIDS Report

Weekdays at Church of the Servant are full of learning, laughing, and growing with God at our preschool and children’s day-out programs. Warm World School and Starbright are about to wrap up another successful school year and celebrate the achievements of our students.

Warm World provides opportunities for children ages 3 through kindergarten, to participate in learning activities in science, reading, writing, math, and creative thinking through play, which is the way young children learn best. The small group setting at Warm World provides each child with a rich environment in which to explore and learn at their own pace while under the guidance of knowledgeable teachers. Families especially love social events such as Hot Dog Happening, Spring Sing-a-Long, and Big Wheel Rally.

Starbright Children’s Day Out is a play and rest program for children 6 months through 2 years of age. Starbright is designed to give children the opportunity to learn developmental skills and preschool readiness through activities such as crafts, music, circle time and free play.

We have had a wonderful school year with Warm World and Starbright and we wish all our students and their families a fantastic summer!

SERVANT STUDENTS

Our 2023-2024 Small-Group season has come to an end, but not without a lot of great memories! Small Groups will take the summer off and resume in the Fall. Have a great summer!

Sunday, April 28, was Senior Sunday! Thank you, Carl Shortt and Wendi Humes, for capturing the moment!

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

NEW STORE HOURS!

Earthglow Gift Shop is staffed entirely by volunteers. All profits from the sales of the shop are distributed annually to United Methodist missions in OKC. We have donated OVER $1,000,000.00 since inception. Earthglow Gift Shop is located in the main concourse of the church.

STORE HOURS:

Sunday, 9:00am-10:00am, 11:00am-11:30am Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00am- 3:00pm

SUSANNA WESLEY

PORTRAYED BY REV. JESSICA MOFFATT

MOTHER’S DAY, MAY 12, 2024, AT 10:00 AM

Rev. Jessica Moffatt

It has been said, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!” No woman exemplified this more soundly than did Susanna Wesley. Susanna Wesley was the mother of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It is possible that if not for the influence of John Wesley’s mother, there would be no Methodist Church. It was Susanna Wesley who taught her son John Wesley a theology of grace and modeled for him the “methods” that would come to make up the core practices of Methodism. Susanna Wesley’s spiritual principles would first shape a son who influenced England and America and then the entire world.

Susanna Wesley showed herself to be a person of extremely varied talents and spiritual wisdom. She undertook the education of each of her children with great zeal, even to the point of writing textbooks for home use. Her principles for raising children still ring true today. Every word of the presentation comes from the letters, journals, and diaries of Susanna Wesley.

Susanna Wesley will be portrayed in word and song by Rev. Jessica Moffatt on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Servant at 14343 N MacArthur Boulevard, Oklahoma City. Rev. Moffatt studied Theatre Arts at Southern Methodist University and the University of Tulsa. She earned a Master of Divinity degree at Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and is an ordained United Methodist elder. While living in Atlanta, she was also a member of the Atlanta Opera Company. Rev. Moffatt is one of the Lead Pastors at Church of the Servant.

SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10AM

Join us for worship this Sunday. We will be gathering together to celebrate and give thanks, to connect with one another, and to seek guidance and inspiration for the week ahead.

Sunday service time is 10:00 a.m. and includes uplifting music, prayer, and a message that I believe will speak to your heart. Whether you are a longtime member of our community or are joining us for the first time, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions or need more information, go to the PLAN A VISIT page on our website. Otherwise, we hope to see you on Sunday!

DATE: Saturday, July 13, 2024

Oklahoma Regional Food Bank: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tenaciously Teal Cancer Care Packs: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Meet at Church of the Servant (14343 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73142)

FOOD: Box Lunch provided. Cost is $15. REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

LADIES: Join us for a mission day on Saturday, July 13th! We will meet at the church at 8:00 a.m. and carpool to the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank where we will spend the morning sorting food for the food bank. We will then travel back to the church for lunch and spend the afternoon assembling cancer care packs for Tenaciously Teal. If you are not available for the full day, you are welcome to sign up for just the morning or afternoon session. More information and registration coming soon!

The Regional Food Bank is leading the fight against hunger in Oklahoma and envisions a state where no one goes hungry. Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank distributes food through a network of more than 1,300 community-based partner agencies and schools in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. The Regional Food Bank not only distributes food, it is a leader in educating the public on hunger, advocating for those living with hunger and providing access to additional resources.

Tenaciously Teal seeks to inspire hope by providing love, community, and empowerment to cancer fighters in the midst of treatment. Currently operating out of cancer treatment centers within the state of Oklahoma, Tenaciously Teal works with local hospital staff to provide Cancer Care Packs each month along with gas and meal cards to those needing additional assistance. Tenaciously Teal strives to deliver hope to each patient it touches; showing them they are not alone in this battle and there are people who care about their individual fight.

Tenaciously Teal’s founder, Tarah Warren, was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer in December of 2012. After her surgery, she began to notice many patients who needed to be reminded of God’s love for them. Tarah began bringing Cancer Care Packs to treatment, and praying with patients over her sixteen months of chemo. Care Packs contained simple things Tarah used to fight cancer and as she distributed them she was able to share her joy and hope in Christ.

HELP US COLLECT ITEMS FOR CANCER CARE PACKS!

On Saturday, July 13, we will gather together in Community Hall to assemble Cancer Care Packs for Tenaciously Teal. Help us collect items for care packs! Here is a list of items needed before our July 13th Mission Day.

Drop these items in the bins located throughout the concourse:

• 1 oz Size Lotions

• 1 oz Size Sanitizers

• Granola/Protein Bars

• Hand Written Notes

• Journals

• Lip Balm

• Powder Gatorade Packets (NOT Bottles)

• Travel Size Tissues

• Men or Women Fuzzy Socks

• 5 x 8 Puzzle Books

• Individually Wrapped Tea

NOTE: ALL ITEMS MUST BE NEW. NO HOTEL SAMPLES.

BIBLE BABES ARE ROCK’N!

The entrance of our Veteran’s Hospital was bleak. The ladies of our Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary decided to do something about it. We decided to paint rocks and “plant” them at the entrance. Every 6 weeks we take down about 60 rocks. They are always gone. Our Bible Babes Bible study group is going to help. We are going to have a Rock’n party on May 22.

CJAMM & EXODUS HOUSE

Our recent resident, Christian Powell, graduated from Exodus on April 9. Members of the MVC Class hosted a pizza dinner for everyone at Exodus. Christian and his 5 year old son Caiden have moved into an apartment in NW OKC. MVC will be preparing Apartment 5 for the upcoming residents that should arrive in May.

Exodus House had a major water leak, but it was unknown for several years. They discovered their "common room" needed a total re-do because of rot, water, and mold. The room is finished but the contents of the room had to be tossed. They are still needing round tables which are $147 each and chairs from Amazon which are $185 for 4 chairs. They are also collecting NEW pillows for the campers of New Day Camp.

For more information or to donate, please contact Anne at anne@cjamm.org or church apartment sponsors Melanie Taylor ph 405.408.5158 or Donna Powell ph 405.637.6490

NEW DAY CAMP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

At-risk kids across Oklahoma need your help! This is an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of children in our community! Since 1995, our organization, Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries, has been hosting a summer camp called New Day Camp, which aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for children aged 8-14 who have a parent who is currently or formerly incarcerated.

The camp will be held June 2 - June 7 at Cross Point Camp on Lake Texoma, and we are in desperate need of volunteers to make this initiative a success. Volunteers play a crucial role in creating a positive and enriching experience for the campers.

With every volunteer we have, we can serve two children, doubling the impact we can make. Volunteers will be responsible for assisting with various camp activities, including organizing games, leading workshops, and providing mentorship to the campers. No prior experience is necessary, as we will provide training and guidance to all volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of these children and show them the love and support they deserve. If you know anyone who is available and interested in volunteering for New Day Camp, please reach out by email to anne@cjamm. org or sign up on the website at www.cjamm.org

WHIZ KIDS COUNTING DOWN 14TH YEAR

On Friday April 26, Ralph Downs Elementary School hosted a program and breakfast for all volunteers. Whiz Kids was well represented, along with PTO, as well as Business sponsors and people from the Putnam City District. The kids and volunteers gathered in the gym for the program. The school showed the kids a slide show about the meaning of volunteering, the kids sang the school’s fight song and gave us a standing ovation. We all adjourned to the library for breakfast, which had the theme “You mean the World to Us”. The decorations reflected the theme. A small group of kids sang to us, and we each received a small gift as we left. It was a wonderful morning!

Our Whiz Meeting on April 29 was made very special because of Patti Lane and her seeing eye dog, Truffle. Patti explained the importance of a guide dog and demonstrated how she and Truffle work together to keep her safe. Sherri Price blindfolded kids and Patti gave them a cane and they had to try to get through an obstacle course without being able to see. Patti also brought a reading machine, called a Ruby, that she recently got. It lets her pick the size font she needs, and she can put it over a book page or paper that she wants to read. The kids all got to see that up close and they got to try on glasses that magnify and make everything look closer. Patti uses those to watch TV.

Carolyn Hays Whiz Kids Coordinator