Newsletter June 2023

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

GOODBYES ARE ALWAYS HARD...

Dear Church of the Servant,

This is my final newsletter article as your Senior Minister. I have put off writing this article for some time. However, yesterday Heather DeShazo reminded me of the pending deadline. Thank you, Heather! My delay was due to how challenging I knew writing this letter would be. I thought long and hard about what I would say. Story after story came to mind. All the names of people I could mention darted through my head. I attempted to type, but I did not know where to begin. Then I paused, took a deep breath, and knew what I wanted to say.

“Thank you.” Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives for six years. Together we have faced many challenges and accomplished many great things as a family of God. I have been humbled and honored to be part of your lives since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2017, and I will never be able to thank each of you near enough for this amazing opportunity. Recently, someone asked me if I have ever regretted coming to Oklahoma City. I quickly and definitively said, “Never.” I am thankful to have come to this special place and be your pastor, extended family, and friend. My life and my family’s life is deeper for having been at Church of the Servant.

Please know I love every one of you, and I wish you all the best. I am thankful to have served you and to know each and everyone of you.

Sincerely,

WOMEN’S MISSION DAY AT INFANT CRISIS SERVICES

We had a great day at Infant Crisis Services (ICS) for our Women’s Mission Day on Saturday, May 6th. Altogether, the group assembled 438 diaper packs (17,520 individual diapers), meaning 438 babies and toddlers will go to bed

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!

DISCIPLE CAMP

The beginning of this summer started out with a bang as we took 20 students, student leaders, and adults to Disciple Camp. Disciple Camp is designed for middle school students and allows 10th thru 12th grade high school students to attend as “Leaders in Training” (LITs). These leaders get to help assist other adult leaders by helping them lead small group times throughout the week and participating in all activities alongside the students as well. Disciple allows for plenty of opportunities for incredible fellowship experiences as well as impactful worship services.

Throughout the weekend, students are split into four “houses” in order to compete for the ultimate title: The House Cup. The winner of the House Cup is determined by different challenges and nightly rec activities that earn teams’ points for their houses. Each day was capped off with a large-scale game that included things like Whacky Olympics, relay races, and ultimate frisbee, and even a belly flop contest! These nightly events may be off-the-wall ridiculous, but they are wonderful opportunities for the students to get to know one another and grow their communities.

The theme for this week was centered around the story of Joseph in Genesis. Students got to spend time in small group diving into the Scriptures, learning about the story of Joseph, and also got to hear some amazing messages about Joseph and how we fit into this story. The overall message of the week was that God was with Joseph even in the midst of his troubles, and one of the Scriptures that was emphasized came from Genesis 39:2, “and God was with Joseph.” The speaker emphasized that this statement is true for us today; that God is with us in the midst of the chaos, the struggle, and the hardships. Not only is He with us through these times; He is working to perfect us and make us a new creation.

We want to say thank you to all of those who prayed for these students and for this camp. We ask that you would continue to pray for them, that God would continue to reveal Himself to them in miraculous ways, and they would continue to learn God’s of goodness in their lives.

Would you like more information about Servant Students?

SERVANT STUDENTS SERVANT STUDENTS

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

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

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

DAYSPRING

We are just a little over a month away from Dayspring 2023! Dayspring is an incredible camp experience for rising 9th graders through recent high school graduates. Dayspring will be July 10-14 this year. This camp is full of opportunities for community, worship, prayer, and fellowship with other students throughout the state. This camp takes place at Sky Ranch Camp in Miami, OK. Dayspring has proven to be an impactful, transformational place for both students and leaders over the years. If you would like to sign your student up or know someone who may be interested in going to Dayspring this year, scan the QR code below to find the registration. Registration closes on June 21, so be sure to get signed up soon!

SUMMER SCHEDULE

Servant Students summer schedule is here! Even though we will not be meeting weekly like we do during the school year, we still have plenty of opportunities for gatherings and fellowship throughout the summer season. Weekly SSAM (Servant Students in the AM) will continue on Sunday mornings at 11am in the Student Lounge. On top of this, we are excited to continue to reach out to students through various events like a movie night, night of worship, and our middle and high school outings in late July. You can learn more about these events by visiting the church website by following us on Instagram @servantstudents.

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDY

ROMANS: EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF LIFE-CHANGING FAITH Precept Inductive Study Series

Wednesdays (In-Person), 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Starts August 9, 2023

The book of Romans is Paul’s clearest presentation of the gospel. With this study, readers will discover for themselves God’s answers to some of life’s most important questions:

• How can I have peace with God?

• How can I know God’s will and ultimate purpose for my life?

• Can I really live a Christlike life—today?

More information about this class can be found at ServantOKC.org/large-group-studies

YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS. Email the following: your full name, address, email, and cell number to nancyquilter@cox.net.

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

WE HAVE ALMOST REACHED OUR GOAL OF $1M!

Drumroll please... You all helped us raise over $6,000 for Earthglow Missions at the Beans and Jeans luncheon! Thank you for your continued support; we are getting SO CLOSE to our $1M goal!

Summer is upon us and that means lots of vacations, family reunions and weekend get-aways. We have several items to help make your summer celebrations a success! Patriotic decor, food items, serving trays, and more! And don’t forget those special guys in your life – Father’s Day is coming up soon! Head into Earthglow and shop ’til ya drop!

I S S I O N S

VIDEOS FOR OUR AFGHAN NEIGHBORS

As part of ongoing mission work to help newly resettled Afghans, videos are being created to be viewed by the Afghan community on YouTube to help them with their adjustment to American life. One of the adjustments they need to make is understanding how the police can be of help to them and how to interact with police. A video was made at the downtown police station with our on-camera personality Feroz Bashari and policeman MSgt. Robert Skalla. The interview was conducted in both Pashto and Dari, the two languages spoken by the Afghan community. It was a very successful interview in the opinion of all involved. It covered issues of how to call 911 if they feel threatened. It also covered some issues about American law, such as when self-defense is permitted, and at what age children can be left at home by themselves and when they cannot be. In some cases, American law is somewhat ambiguous, and Officer Skalla was very helpful in explaining what they can and cannot do in various situations. Our next video will also be about safety, such as how to protect oneself in parking lots and other vulnerable situations. There will be another video created on what to do if they are pulled over for a traffic violation.

Ed and Cecilia Beckham

WHIZ KIDS ENDS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR

We are closing the year with fun memories of some special times together. A group of 18 therapy dogs came and the kids enjoyed reading to them. We also took them to a play at OCU’s Children’s Theatre, had fun times at Orr Family Farm for our big city-wide end-of-the-year party called Spring Fling, and ended the year with a party to celebrate our graduating 5th graders. As far as reading goes, some of our kids increased their reading levels by two grades! So, thank you to all our volunteers that made our year a success – coordinators, transportation team, set-up team, cookie team, subs, and our loyal tutors. We also want to give a special shout out to our teacher liaison, Jen Evans. Great job everyone!

Carolyn Hays

VIETNAM MISSION TRIP

Church of the Servant took a mission trip to Vietnam last month, and it was a huge success! The team’s mission was to minister to local congregations and provide motorcycles and riding gear for local pastors that would enable them to better evangelize and serve their community.

of northern Vietnam, we marveled at the lush green valleys, majestic mountains, and vibrant rice terraces that unfolded before our eyes. This unique mode of travel allowed us to intimately connect with the natural beauty of the land and its people.

As we journeyed through the countryside, we stopped at various rural churches, which were the heart and soul of their communities. These humble churches made a significant impact on our team. We were warmly welcomed by the local congregations, whose genuine hospitality touched our hearts. We shared stories, sang hymns, and broke bread together, bridging cultural and language barriers through the universal language of love.

During our visits to these rural churches, we were deeply moved by the resilience and dedication of the local pastors and church members. They tirelessly worked to serve their communities, often facing limited resources and challenging circumstances. We were humbled by their unwavering faith and their impact on their respective villages.

Trying to get to the actual churches was interesting because some of them were inaccessible by car. To get to worship, the people had to not only use a bicycle or motorcycle to get through the off-roads, but they also had to sometimes hike the remaining distance. It was evident to our team that attending church was not easy for these folks, but nonetheless, they showed up faithfully.

This mission trip to Vietnam was an unforgettable experience for all involved. It reminded us of the power of compassion, unity, and the transformative impact of stepping outside our comfort zones. On the outside, we may look different, speak different languages, and laugh and cry about different things, but the same God living in you and me is living in them, and there could be no deeper tie than that!

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We felt and needed them, and we are so grateful that whether you were physically there or not, we did this together.

Jessica King

REBUILDING TOGETHER 2023

We had a great day on April 29th working alongside the incredible people at Rebuilding Together OKC and about 30 volunteers from Church of the Servant to make some critical repairs to the home of Donald and Jenetta Hannah. Don shared many life stories with us, including one about being lost in the jungle in Vietnam for 45 days after being wounded in battle. He pulled my sons aside to encourage them to work hard in school and to share more about his faith and family. They were some of the kindest people I’ve ever met in the 15 years we have been doing this.

We helped clean up his property, demolished a shed, tore out and rebuilt their back steps, replaced their gate, and repaired some wind-damaged siding. These repairs will allow this sweet couple to continue to host their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids for family gatherings. They will also be able to live safely and independently in their home.

I’m so grateful, Clay Cockrill

I S S I O N S

BLESS OUR SCHOOLS TEACHER

APPRECIATION LUNCH

The Teacher Appreciation lunch for the staff at MLK Elementary School on Tuesday, May 9th, was a great success! THANK YOU to all who helped with the meal and donated desserts!

KENYA TEAM WORKS AT REBUILD DAY

Rebuilding Together Day is a great way to meet new people from Servant and from around town, get some exercise, and eat some of Kip Neaves’ delicious chocolate chip cookies! Thank you, Clay Cockrill and Dean Smith, for all the organization and preparation!

This year, the group going to Kenya decided to do some team bonding and joined in the clean-up at Mr. and Mrs. Hannah’s house. There were plenty of volunteers for the 8am-Noon shift, and we got started right away. After the rain of the previous week, the day was bright, sunny, and everyone was happy to be outdoors. Both spouses worked with us as we helped load dumpsters full of unwanted goods. Mr. Hannah had a hard time discarding items while Mrs. Hannah was ready to get rid of it all!

As the tornado siren sounded at exactly noon, as it does every Saturday, we went to lunch at a nearby restaurant recommended by Mr. Hannah. As we headed home after lunch, most of us decided we deserved a nap!

Come join us next year!

Ann Knutson

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

SERVANT KIDS Report

MAY 22-25 – “READY, SET, MOVE!”

VBS was so much fun for everyone involved! Our time together included Bible lessons, games, crafts, small groups, and more! It was a great way to start the summer with friends learning about how to follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere!

JUNE 5-9 — KANAKUK KAMPOUT!

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.

The week of Kampout was a great success! We had 200 kids participate in worship, games, activities, a rock wall, inflatables, Bible study, and much more. We are so thankful for everyone who helped make this week possible! The host homes, lunch providers, and overnight security people played a huge roll in allowing us to host Kanakuk Kampout again this year. We appreciate your help and support in helping kids have such an incredible week of learning about Jesus!

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.

LOOK WHAT WE DID…

SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS

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

JUNE HAPPENINGS…

READY, SET, MOVE!

SUNDAYS IN JUNE

AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

This summer, we’re talking about the best friend ever with our preschoolers. We want every preschooler to know that not only is Jesus the best friend ever, but Jesus wants to be THEIR friend... forever!

We want our preschoolers to hear over and over that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. And not only does Jesus want to be their friend, but Jesus is a friend worth following. That way, when the time comes, our preschoolers will be ready to follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere!

Our memory verse this month comes from Matthew 4:19 which says, “Jesus said, ‘come follow me.’” This month, we will learn that Jesus wants to be our friend forever, and he is always with us. Jesus gives us people to help us, and we can love everyone the way Jesus loves everyone. Who wants to be your friend forever? Jesus wants to be our friend forever!

READY, SET, MOVE!

SUNDAYS IN JUNE

GRADES 1-5

This summer, we will learn about the connection between FAITH and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Faith is trusting in what you can’t see because of what you can see.

Since the beginning, God has always been deeply involved in the world. We see God’s handiwork on display in creation. We see God’s love on display through Jesus, who came to rescue us. We respond to God in faith, believing in what we can’t see because of what we can see. When we focus on what we know to be true about God and the world God created, we can have faith in what we can’t see or fully understand. We put that faith into action as we follow Jesus and show His love to the world.

Our memory verse comes from Hebrews 11:1 which says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being sure of what we do not see.” We will learn that knowing Jesus changes how you see things, and God can change the way you see others. God can help you face your fears. He is with you even when you feel stuck. We can’t wait to see you this summer!

STILL TO COME…