Newsletter - July 2023

H OPE FOR

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT

Dear Church Family,

In the language of “church-ese” you’ll sometimes hear the word “benediction.” It usually means “a blessing bestowed on the congregation.”

The Bible is full of blessings and benedictions. They are found in the very first Hebrew writings and through the last words of the Revelation of John. Blessings kept the people of God going. Blessings kept far-apart communities of faith connected. Blessings provided the fledgling Christian Church with new vision and new purpose.

Benedictions are not intended to signal the end of worship. Just the opposite! Blessings bestow on us the ability to continue to worship God anywhere, at any time, and in any circumstance.

In short, a benediction is God’s gift of enduring hope—hope for you, hope for us, and hope for all who will receive it.

Rev. Jessica Moffatt

Lead Pastor Transitions Team Lead Pastor Transitions Team

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!

As we prepared to take this journey with you, one of the scriptures that guided us was Ephesians chapter 3. We started to follow its pattern:

• We often knelt before God in prayer for Church of the Servant.

• We prayed that God would strengthen all of us so that Christ would remain central in our lives.

• We asked God to show all of us the height and breadth and length and depth of the love of Jesus Christ.

• And – day after day, on your behalf and on ours – we opened our hearts to words spoken by the Apostle Paul 2,000 years ago in Ephesians 3:20-21:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

These words filled us with so much hope! We knew they were not just for Thomas and Jess, but for all of God’s Servants. This is why you will hear us speak this same benediction to you in many of our upcoming Sunday worship services. When we do, please listen prayerfully. As you receive them, you, too, will rejoice that our greatest hope lies— not in what God gives to us—but in how faithfully we glorify God as the Church of the Servant.

In Christ,

Pastor Jess

Pastor Thomas

P.S. – Do you know that already you have been God’s blessing to us? Even though we have been at Servant just a few days, we are deeply touched by your warm welcome, your kindnesses, and your words of encouragement. We look forward to being in ministry with you in the days ahead, within our church and beyond.

SERVANT STUDENTS

SUMMER HAPPENINGS

Even though it is summer break, Servant Students is still staying active! The month of June started off with an incredible week at Disciple Camp with our middle school students. This is always an amazing way to begin the summer schedule and to connect with other students from around the state. On July 10-14, the high school students will be traveling to Sky Ranch in Miami, OK for Dayspring. But summer break is more than just camps. There is so much time and opportunity between these two weeks of camp. We want to offer opportunities for students to take a break and gather with one another in the midst of their busy schedules.

On June 14, Servant Students had a movie night in the Centrum. Movie nights are always a favorite of the students as they get to be together, watch a movie they haven’t seen or want to see again, and get to spend time in fellowship. But Servant movie nights are more than just a movie. To offer the true theater experience, students were offered a variety of theater-style treats like popcorn, candy, and soda. It may seem simple, but these fellowship nights truly go a long way for our students.

The following Wednesday, June 21, we hosted a night of worship for the students. The night of acoustic worship was a great time for the students to be reminded of the importance of worship in the middle of the summer. The message that was shared came from the Gospel of Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This message was written in order to remind the students where true rest comes from. Summer break is not so much a break anymore. With summer classes, camps, sporting events, vacations, and everything else that quickly fills our schedules, it is important for us to find time to rest. Not rest that looks like watching TV or reading a book, but rest that looks like true worship and coming to the Lord. Nights of worship are always special for our students, and we can’t wait for the semester ahead to have even more!

Heather & Skyler

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

BEAT THE HEAT

Last summer, we started a late-summer tradition where we take our middle and high school students on an outing that is sure to “beat the heat.” This year, our middle school students will be heading to Hurricane Harbor in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 19. Students will meet at the church at 10:15 a.m. We will arrive at Hurricane Harbor by 11:00 a.m. and will return to the church by 5:00 p.m. The cost of this event will be $30. Students will be responsible for the food and drinks they buy in the park, so they will need to bring some extra cash.

On Wednesday, July 26, high school students will gather at Riversport OKC in downtown. Rather than meeting at the church and carpooling, students will meet at Riversport at 11:00 a.m. We will be there for a day of rafting, tubing, surfing, and so much more! Cost for this event will be $40. Students will need to bring extra money for any food or drink that they buy at Riversport.

Registration for these events can be found at our Servant Students Linktree. Scan the QR code and click on the event for your student to begin registration!

SERVANT STUDENTS

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

WE HAVE ALMOST REACHED OUR GOAL OF $1M!

Come shop at Earthglow and let us help you find just what you need to host and/or attend all of your summer gatherings. Whether it be THE LATEST Fancy Panz Charcuterie inserts, Chicken salad mix, or patriotic and collegiate table dressings, we have just what you need for worry-free and fun gatherings. Need a hostess gift? We’ve got you covered!

Shop guilt free as all proceeds benefit local charities. Hurry in before your favorite items are gone.

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES

ROMANS: EXPERIENCING THE POWER OF LIFE-CHANGING FAITH Precept Inductive Study Series for Men & Women

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

BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN

TWELVE MORE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE

By: Lisa Harper, Karen Ehman, Bianca Juarez Olthoff, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Margaret Feinberg, Courtney Joseph, Sherry Harney

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

Starts August 23, 2023

Bible Babes women’s Bible study group will begin a new study on Wednesday, August 23. In this twelve-session video Bible study, some of today’s best-loved authors and speakers look at the spiritual lessons learned from twelve women in the Bible and what they mean today. The study guide can be purchased at Amazon. We meet in Classroom 9 on Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:00 a.m. We hope you can join us!

Contact for the class: Patricia Hocker – 405-535-9121

WHIZ KIDS NEEDS YOUR HELP – COMING SOON!

M I S S I O N S

Whiz Kids Recruiting Sunday will be August 20. We will need more tutors, subs, transportation helpers, set-up crews, clean-up crews and cookie bakers.

Watch for more information staring in August. If you have any questions, please contact Shirley Rolston at jsrolston@cox.net or Carolyn Hays at chaysnana25@gmail.com.

2023 KENYA MISSION TRIP

We spent almost nine months in preparation to spend two weeks in Kenya so we were ready to hit the ground running when we got to Kenya! Everything is new and different; everything! The electricity is unreliable, tap water cannot be used to brush your teeth, and the toilets are erratic but better than a hole in the ground. While people speak English, it is with a different accent and takes a lot of focus to follow. Coping with jet lag and a huge culture change, we began our first day with a church service. Please continue reading as we share stories of our adventures in Kenya.

WE BUILT A HOME

On Monday after a tour of the 19-acre campus of Maua Methodist Hospital, some of our team went to work on the AIDS home and some of us stayed at the hospital to sort the donations we brought in 12 suitcases. Dax Byers was so excited to work at the house! While we usually rotate each day so that everyone can be involved in each project, Dax and Stephane chose to work at the house. They became very close to the young girl, Miriam, whose name the house would be put in. The family consisted of Dad, who was absent a lot, a stepmother and 6 children. They had been living in two huts made of branches, tin and plastic. One hut also had an open fire for cooking (At a later time, when Jessica and I made prayer rounds with the chaplain, we saw two burned children in the hospital – one from an open fire and one from scalding water from a pot on an open fire). Their new house is 10’x20’ with a tin roof, windows on all sides with bars and glass, a secure front door, guttering, a rain barrel, and a concrete floor. In addition, they were given new futon beds and health insurance for one year. Most of the family likely is HIV+.

2023 KENYA MISSION TRIP

HOME DEDICATION

The dedication of the house on Thursday afternoon was incredibly joyous! As our two vans pulled onto the dirt road, we saw a large crowd of adults and children start to sing and walk towards us. Two school children grabbed each of our hands and walked us up to the house. One of the women attending was the lead teacher at the school, and she let many of the children out for an hour to celebrate their young friend’s new house. Lots of speeches were made praising God for His goodness. A group of middle school children presented us with a song and poem that they were taking to a regional competition. It was not in English, but they were very well prepared and professional in their performance! Dax and Stephanie were given a huge cardboard key and symbolically opened the door of the new house. Most houses in this area only have a piece of fabric for a door, so a heavy door that locks is a very important gift. The most touching part is when everyone (about 100+) lays a hand on the actual house as a benediction is said by a local pastor. There are no dry eyes.

CHURCH IN MAUA

The children in Sunday School are dressed in their finest and have the biggest eyes and smiles. They joined in when we sang “This Little Light of Mine” to them and they sang a song in Kiswahili back to us. There are several hundred adults in the main service. The Sunday we were there was Disability Sunday and many of the speakers were disabled. One woman got the biggest applause when she said that we are all disabled in some way: someone has cerebral palsy and another person has an anger issue, someone is blind visually and another is blind to the needs of others. After the 2-hour service, we were asked to tea by one of the ministers. There were 11 of us and about 15 others –Muslim visitors from Sudan and a Catholic whose brother is a pastor there. Several church staff are also employed at the hospital, so we were introduced to the head of the nursing school, a pharmacy tech, and others who we would see during the week.

TEAM AT CHAPEL

PASTOR GRACE HOUSE DEDICATION

CROWD WAITING AT HOUSE DEDICATION

OLD HOUSE & NEW HOUSE

MEDICAL CAMP

On Friday, we loaded up our two vans and two hospital vans to drive about 45 minutes to a remote school where we held a medical camp. We took school supplies and soccer balls (always the biggest hit!) for the school and were told we were the first group to ever visit the school! The clinic was supposed to start at 10:00 a.m., but when people walk miles and miles, it starts when they arrive. All day, we watched as people trickled in in groups of 3 or 4. Through our church funds, we furnished medications, eyeglasses, and consultations with PA’s. One man brought his 2 ½ year-old son who had a urinary abnormality which would require surgery. Maua Methodist Hospital does not have a surgeon on staff. The first step to helping the child was to get him on national health insurance. Our team paid the $60 premium for him (and his family for 1 year) The surgery is estimated at about $2,000, and we plan to stay in touch to see if we can help pay for that. Two other people presented with symptoms of TB, which in this area may also indicate HIV. We also paid for their insurance so that after a 3-month waiting period, they can get an X-ray and begin treatment as necessary.

KITCHEN GARDENS

Several of our group helped fill tall round fabric cylinders with rocks surrounded by soil into which seedlings were planted. This was done at the homes of people dealing with AIDS. To fight the disease requires good nutrition and this has proven to be an effective way to provide fresh produce to people whose income and transportation are limited. The cost is only $60 and our team felt that it was a practical project of deep impact for them as well as those served.

DAYS FOR GIRLS TRAINING

daysforgirls.org

Our last mission day was spent driving about an hour to a school we visited in 2019. We brought along two Days for Girls trainers from Nairobi who presented information about women’s health issues, male and female physiology, sex trafficking, and other topics. There is a great deal of incorrect information on those topics, and Days for Girls has a wonderful program to sensitively give accurate information in a safe and open environment. Normally the training is given only to girls. However, we chose to invite their mothers also. If the moms don’t have accurate info, how can they train their daughters (or sons, for that matter)?

Each of the 78 girls who attended received a kit which contains reusable menstrual products which can last for up to three years. In addition, while the girls were in the training session, our team put together sack lunches. We served 170 lunches in a ‘loaves and fishes’ scenario! Every mother and girl received lunch. We had exactly enough for them. The staff and our team went without lunch, but it was a very small sacrifice to make.

Ann Knutson

ASSEMBLING THE KITCHEN GARDEN

MARGY AT MEDICAL CAMP REGISTRATION

DAYS FOR GIRLS TRAINING - 78 GIRLS

SERVANT KIDS Report

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION, SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON COMMUNICATION ABOUT EVENTS! CONTACT KOURTNEY TO CHECK OR UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AT KALLER@SERVANTOKC.ORG OR 405-728-4715.

Servant 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. Two-hour 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

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…

WATER DAY: FUN IN THE SUN-DAY!

On June 25, preschool and elementary kids met for a fun day of water games. The kids played on the inflatable water slide, on a slip and slide, and with various water toys. We also had some bubbles and chalk fun! We cooled off on a hot day with popsicles and water activities. A fun time was had by all!

JULY HAPPENINGS…

READY, SET, MOVE!

SUNDAYS IN JUNE & JULY

AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

We have been talking A LOT about how Jesus wants to be our friend forever. It is THAT important!

Jesus is a gift for everyone, everywhere. And we want preschoolers to know they can move here, there, and everywhere telling people that Jesus, God’s Son, wants to be their friend forever. And when we are friends with Jesus, He helps us love others in the same way He loves us. And that is worth going here, there, and everywhere so that everyone can be with Jesus...forever.

Our memory verse this month comes from Ephesians 5:2 which says, “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us.” This month, we will learn that Jesus is a gift for everyone, and Jesus helps us choose joy. Even when it is hard, we can love like Jesus. Jesus is preparing a place for us.

Who wants to be your friend forever? Jesus wants to be our friend forever!

READY, SET, MOVE!

SUNDAYS IN JUNE & JULY

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 Ephesians 2:8 which says, “God’s grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn’t come from anything you do. It is God’s gift.” We will learn that Jesus is a gift for everyone, and God can help you find joy. When bad things happen, God is with you. We will discuss how our faith is stronger together, and how God will make everything right in the end. We can’t wait to see you this summer!

STILL TO COME…

SUNDAY

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!