August 2023 Newsletter

LISTENING TO GOD

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LISTENING TO GOD

AT CHURCH OF THE SERVANT

During our first month at Church of the Servant we, as your pastoral team, have focused on one important task for ourselves and for our congregation: listening to God. How does an entire congregationhundreds of people listen to God? How do they hear a common voice? How do they become one in heart and mind?

One way is for us to pray together - in person, at a specific time and place. In August, every Monday in the Chapel of the Cross, beginning at 6:30 PM, the whole congregation is invited to a time of prayer. We will be praying for:

• Those of us who have suffered loss.

• Those of us who are struggling with health issues or special needs.

• Those who ask for prayer in the moment and those who have sent us requests for prayer.

• Those who want to spend time kneeling at the chancel rail.

In addition to these, we will be lifting to God our entire congregation.

James tells us what happens when we do this: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.... Pray for each other so that you all may be healed.” James 5:13-16.

Note that the last line, which reads, “ . . . so that ALL OF YOU may be healed.” When we take care of each other and pray for each other, the whole church finds healing.

In addition to initiating these Monday night prayer times, we have gathered with Servant’s leadership board as they continue to listen for God’s voice. They have been focusing on several specific practices:

• When we meet, we ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us.

• With God’s help, we work to lay aside our personal agendas and the predetermined outcomes of the decisions. (This is not easy!)

• We try to thoroughly understand all sides of a situation, weighing pros and cons.

• We spend time in quiet and reflection, attuning our hearts to God’s

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!

heart.

• If there is a consensus building for a particular decision, we take time to “rest” in that decision; we ask God’s Spirit to either bring peace to us or to warn us away from where we were headed.

Here are the two parts of our church-wide prayer initiative to go along with your personal prayer time:

1. Each day, wherever you happen to be at 12:02 PM, read Romans 12:2 and pray as you are led.

2. On Mondays in August, come to the Chapel of the Cross at 6:30 PM for prayer, or email your prayer requests to Care Coordinator Vicki Roberds at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com , and we will pray for those as well.

How do we hear from God? We pray.

Pastor Thomas

Pastor Jess

PRAYER TIME

MONDAYS IN AUGUST

Chapel of the Cross @ 6:30 PM

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES

BIBLE STUDIES FOR MEN & WOMEN

TUESDAY MORNING LARGE-GROUP BIBLE STUDIES

Resumes September 5th

Men’s Buck and a Bible and Women in the Word will resume for the fall on Tuesday, September 5. Men’s Bible study meets at 6:30 a.m., and Women’s Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in Community Hall. No registration necessary. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER & BIBLE STUDY

Resumes September 6th

Wednesday Night Dinners and Bible Study will resume on September 6. Dinner will be served 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Large-group Bible study for Men and Women will be held in Community Hall and will begin at 6:30 p.m. No reservation necessary for the Bible study. If you are planning to have dinner, please register online at ServantOKC.org/kitchen, or by calling the church office at 405-721-4141.

PRIME TIME

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

SEPTEMBER PRIME TIME LUNCHEON

Thursday, September 14, 10:30 AM

Community Hall

Special Guest: EDGAR CRUZ!!!

We welcome back Edgar Cruz as our special guest for Prime Time on Thursday, September 14, at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Oklahoma virtuoso guitarist Edgar Cruz has performed professionally for over four decades and has played throughout America, Europe, Mexico and South America. He has been a headliner at the prestigious Chet Atkins Guitar Festival every July in Nashville since 1995 and has been a strong icon at major art & music festivals in his home state of Oklahoma since the late 70’s.

Michele Snow will provide us with a yummy meal that includes an entrée, vegetable, bread, beverage, and dessert. The cost for the program and meal is $12 ($2 for program only).

There’s no membership fee, just a warm invitation to anyone who would like to have a great morning of fun, food and fellowship! You can sign up anytime at Guest Central in the concourse, or on the website at ServantOKC.org/ prime-time. Join us Thursday, September 14 at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall.

ServantOKC.org/prime-time

Prime Time is a Seniors community within Church of the Servant that was initially formed in January 1987 by 27 hardy and enthusiastic people who braved an Oklahoma ice storm to begin what is today a robust ministry of the church. While Prime Time has predominantly been for those 55+ years of age, we would never turn away younger folks! Any and all adults who would enjoy a community of Christians gathering for top-notch entertainment, tasty lunches and warm fellowship, are invited to join us!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

G3 has agreed to play again for our annual Prime Time Fundraiser Concert on Tuesday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Centrum! Look for signup tables in the concourse in early October!

EDGAR CRUZ

UPCOMING BIBLE STUDIES

BIBLE STUDIES 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

Starts August 23, 2023

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

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

GOOD BOUNDARIES & GOODBYES

by Lysa TerKeurst

Started September 13, 2023

Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM |

Dinner in Community Hall

6:30-8:00 PM | Bible Study in Room 1

Love should draw us together, not tear us apart. Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? And what does the Bible instruct us to do when a relationship is no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst has asked these hard questions in the midst of her own relational struggles. But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and theological research, Lysa has discovered that good boundaries pave the road for the truest version of love to emerge within the relationships that make up so much of who we are and what we want the most.

Building upon and further unpacking the scriptural concepts in Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, this six-session video Bible study (streaming code included) with Lysa will equip you to:

• Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you.

• Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized Scriptures.

THE CHOSEN | Season Three

Started September 6, 2023

Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM |

Dinner in Community Hall

6:30-8:00 PM | Bible Study in Room 4

As the biggest crowdfunded project in TV history, The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season show about the life of Jesus. This series allows viewers to see the life of Jesus through the eyes of those that knew Him. Follow the transformations of His followers through the ministry of Jesus as He journeys to change the world. Contact for the class: Darla K. Bierig - 405-574-2464

• Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with biblical principles and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns.

• Be equipped to say goodbye when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive by studying three types of goodbyes found in God’s Word.

• Receive therapeutic and theological wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa’s Christian counselor, Jim Cress, and Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Director of Theology, Dr. Joel Muddamalle.

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

HELP US REACHED OUR GOAL OF $1M!

It’s time to talk Tailgating! School is about to start, which means football season is almost here! We have several gameday items to dress up your tabletop including flags, paper towel holders and platters. We also have chili mixes, chicken salad, sloppy joe mix, and more to round out your menu. Stop by for your gifting needs and support local missions!

CARE MINISTRIES

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

It is a well-worn cliché that the more things change, the more they remain the same. That is particularly the case with Care Ministries at Church of the Servant. As Rev. Tim Travers has begun working in his new appointment, Vicki Roberds (Care Coordinator) and Camilla Riley (Care Associate) are still carrying out the functions of care ministry, but in a new office location!

Care Ministries is now located in the Main Office Complex on the north side of the building. They continue the services provided by Care Ministries, and their hope is that the COS family will notify them of hospitalizations, surgeries, moves from home to a residential facility, new babies, deaths in the family, or other concerns. We offer prayer for yourself or a loved one, assist in funeral or memorial service planning, offer information about the Alzheimer’s care-giver support group, or assist with any other concern that falls under the care team umbrella. We want to know when a member of the COS family moves to a care facility because Camilla or another care chaplain will visit those who are unable to feel connected to the church because they have mobility or other issues. The team of care chaplains and note writers add their skills to the effort of member connectivity.

Please contact Vicki Roberds at 405-728-4738 or by email at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com if you are interested in joining this volunteer team or wish to notify Care Ministries of a prayer need or other concern.

SERVANT STUDENTS

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The Summer of 2023 is quickly coming to a close. It is so hard to believe that we are already in August. Next week, students will be returning to school for another year. I know this may be disappointing for many, understandably so. However, that means that student ministry is getting ready to ramp back up!

On Sunday, August 13, we will be providing a special blessing over students, teachers, therapists, and other school faculty during the 10am worship service. All people who can be included in that list are invited to attend this worship service. There will be custom lanyards being handed out to students and faculty during this time.

Our first big event of the new school year will be our Back to School Bash on Wednesday, August 30. All middle and high school students are invited to Main Event from 6-8pm to enjoy a night of games, bowling, pizza, and fellowship. This is such an incredible way for students to kick off the new year. After the Bash, our regular weekly programming and small groups will resume.

Be on the lookout for emails and social media posts for all the latest news about the upcoming school year!

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

STUDENTS

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

DAYSPRING

Dayspring 2023 was nothing short of incredible. Dayspring is our high school camp for rising 9th graders thru recent high school grads. Each year, churches from across the state come together for a week of camp. Recently, this camp has moved to the campgrounds of Sky Ranch in Miami, Oklahoma. It is quite the haul up to camp, but the drive is so worth it.

One of the greatest aspects of Dayspring is the opportunity for fellowship with both our church and others. Students are put into small groups that are comprised of students their age. These groups meet twice a day to discuss the theme for the week. There are also other opportunities for students to engage in activities together. Students get to choose each day if they want to participate in the yearly volleyball tournament, swim in the spring on the campgrounds, go horseback riding, ziplining, skeet shooting, and plenty of other fun activities. This fellowship is so important for these students to grow alongside one another and to create community.

This year, the main theme and focus of the week revolved around calling. Specifically, the camp speaker, Aaron Calhoun (church planter in Tallahassee, Florida), dove into the story of Peter and his calling from Jesus. Each night we discussed a different way in which Peter was called, but how God still calls us today. Students and leaders learned that we are all called out of darkness, called to follow, called by grace, and called for a purpose. Each of these examples looked at Peter’s interactions with Jesus, but also allowed us to examine our own lives.

For our students, this was a great focus for the week as many mentioned that they had learned more than they had ever learned from a camp like this. Not only did the students learn more about Christ, but they also were moved into understanding how they fit into the stories of Peter. Lives were given to Christ, new believers were created, and testimonies of faith and victory were shared. Even our own Katherine Russ shared her testimony in front of the entire camp!

DAYSPRING SERVANT STUDENTS

Dayspring is truly a special place. It is not just a fun place to be for the week, but it is a place that sees transformation in the lives of students and leaders. Students hear God’s voice for the first time, become new believers, and even accept calls into ministry. We are so thankful for this camp and we cannot wait to return next summer.

DAYSPRING SERVANT STUDENTS

2023 KENYA MISSION TRIP

MICHELE SNOW | KITCHEN

I’m assuming this is what a 1920’s modern hospital kitchen would look like! It was an experience like stepping back into time when everything was so labor intensive. My first thought was “Wow! What A Kitchen!” More like a huge Walk-In Cook House where Hansel & Gretel would have fit nicely into the six Big Cooking Pots that were placed into the cylinder wells that you see in the photos.

There were no small gas knobs to turn on, only a room off to the side of the kitchen that was stocked with kindling and huge chopped logs to start your massive fire for the day’s cooking. I didn’t get to see that task but came when it was teatime and lunch was being prepared. Tea is made in the kitchen and every department sends workers with large thermoses to pick it up. Teatime is about 10:00 a.m., lunch is about 1:00 p.m.

I was warmly greeted by four Cook House workers: Evangeline, Julius, Shaun, and Purity! Like all Kitchen/ Cook House workers, we have a sense of Familiarity/ Family/ Fun and Food even if you live clear across the World! Our tasks were to prepare lunch for all Departments of the Maua Hospital - patients, doctors, administrators, the patient wards, maintenance, etc. Now, the food we made was just simple basic foods- Cabbage, Potatoes, Pinto Beans, Corn and Rice. These vegetarian foods are the basic foods for most of the Maua community.

Most of these folks are farmers who also raise goats, chickens, and very skinny Brahma bulls. Life here in Maua is a simple way of living, but such a hardship at the same time due to the state of their economy, low income, and high unemployment.

Most of the people working in the Maua Cook House have been employed for a lengthy amount of time for very little pay. They make about $3.45 a day, based on a 6-day work week. But yetHakuna Matata!! (No worries!) They have so much resilience, perseverance and The Most Beautiful Smiles that will light up your day!

And the day must go on! Preparing food for the day consisted of a lot of chopping, peeling, washing, and stoking the fire pits below the metal cooking cylinders. Then food was prepared for each department according to a list provided by the department.

When stoking the fires, there is no real ventilation only the open windows and doorways on each side of the cookhouse, so therefore, you are constantly working in smoke with your eyes burning but thank God we all have a Sense of Humor!!

Julius and I threw 5-gallon buckets of soapy water across the floor to not only scrub away the wastes, but our sweat as well. Working with the Cook House Crew you get to know each other rather quickly and can share your personal stories with each other over a cup of hot tea, beans, and cabbage (a veggie plate)!

This was one of the highlights of my working in the kitchen, because the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach! I’ve always heard that if you know how to cook, you’ll never go hungry, but in some cases it’s not always true. Food is not the only thing they hunger for in Maua. A Better Economy - More Opportunities - And Free Education!

I’m in tears as I write this because I really have so much to share, and now, I’m really feeling The Roughness in my Heart! I ask myself, “How can one get so close to people in the kitchen in such a short amount of time?” And then God speaks to me, “Because we are as one!”

Michele Snow

PRAYER ROUNDS: A HEARTWARMING JOURNEY OF COMPASSION AND HOPE

Twice a day, every day, a group of four chaplains from Maua Methodist Hospital embark on a touching mission. They visit each patient, not just to treat ailments but to lend a listening ear and offer heartfelt prayers. Among the group were Jessica King and Ann Knutson, who were accompanied by the wise and compassionate retired Bishop Samwell on their rounds.

For Ann, this wasn’t her first time; she had experienced the profound impact of this journey a decade ago and felt called to join again. The difficulty was undeniable, but they knew they were answering the call of Jesus - to visit the sick and bring them comfort and hope.

As they followed Bishop Samwell, they entered each ward, from male to female, pediatric to OB, and even the High Dependency Unit (HDU) and isolation rooms. The wards held 6-10 beds each, where patients shared their stories, some in English and others in KiMeru. Ann and Jessica took turns praying for the patients, enveloping them in love and solace.

Among the patients, two children’s stories touched their hearts deeply. One child had burns from an unfortunate fall into an open fire, while the other, a toddler, suffered scald burns from hot water. In this region where open fire cooking is prevalent, accidents can easily happen. The 16-monthold with scald burns was in HDU, bravely fighting discomfort while struggling with the oxygen mask.

Witnessing their pain was heart-wrenching, but Ann and Jessica refused to look away. Instead, they poured out fervent prayers, seeking quick pain relief and long-term healing for these little souls. The hospital accommodations were basic, with parents sleeping in the same bed as their children, surrounded by flies due to the lack of screens on windows. Private rooms were scarce, but love and hope were abundant.

In the face of such challenges, the chaplains pressed on, knowing that their presence brought more than just physical healing. It brought warmth, compassion, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. As they prayed for each patient, they also prayed for the hospital’s growth, envisioning private rooms and better facilities to ease the burden of illness and provide comfort to those seeking solace.

This journey of prayer rounds at Maua Methodist Hospital is a testament to the power of love and the strength found in prayer. The chaplains may not be able to change the circumstances entirely, but they certainly bring a healing touch to every life they touch. With unwavering dedication, they continue to sow seeds of hope, knowing that each prayer counts and each life they touch is forever changed.

In this world of uncertainty, one thing remains steadfastthe power of compassion and prayer to uplift and heal. The prayer rounds at Maua Methodist Hospital are a beautiful reminder that love transcends all boundaries and brings warmth even in the darkest of times. Let us be inspired by the dedication of these chaplains and remember that we too can make a difference, one prayer at a time.

Jessica King & Ann Knutson

WHIZ KIDS START 13th YEAR!

M I S S I O N S

SUNDAY AUGUST 20th IS WHIZ KIDS SUNDAY

We have a place for you at Whiz Kids. Whiz Kids is a faith-based one-on-one tutoring program that meets at our partner church, New Hope UMC, on Mondays from 3:00-5:00 p.m. during the school year. We need tutors, subs, drivers & riders for the van, riders for the bus, people to help set-up and clean up, and people to bake homemade cookies for the kids to take home each week. It takes about 60 people a week to make it work. We have been very blessed in the past by people who made monetary donations or provided special treats like pizza or Chick-fil-A.

Last year we had 33 great kids in grades 2nd-5th. The kids need us for help with reading. Won’t you be a part of our Whiz Kids Family? Sign up on Sunday, August 20, in the church concourse.

Questions: Contact Shirley Rolston at jsrolston@cox.net or Carolyn Hays at chaysnana25@gmail.com

TUTORS & KIDS AT TABLES

SERVANT KIDS Report

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

THEME DAYS AND A DRIVE-IN MOVIE!

We had theme days on Sundays in July that included Red, White, and Blue Day, PJ’s and Pop-Tarts Day, Christmas in July, and Tie-Dye Day! We had special snacks and activities to go along with each theme. We also did a drive-in movie on July 25th. Kids decorated box “cars” to sit in while they ate snacks and watched a movie. We had lots of fun in July!

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.

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. 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 .

AUGUST HAPPENINGS…

STACK IT UP!

SUNDAYS IN AUGUST

AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

Which would mean more to you? Something made by a stranger, or something made by your child? Your child’s creation would be the clear winner because knowing who made something can add value to the thing that has been made.

That is why we want our preschoolers to know that God made everything because knowing God made everything makes everything very good! And since God made SO many good things, we are going to Stack It Up this month — ALL OF IT — from day one through day seven. So, let’s get ready for a whole lot of stacking!

Our memory verse this month comes from Genesis 1:31 which says, “God saw everything he had made. And it was very good.” This month, we will learn about the seven days of creation. God made light and dark. He made the sky, land, plants, and seas as well as the sun, moon, and stars. God made the sea animals and birds. He made land animals and people, then He rested on the seventh day. Who made everything? God made everything.

CANVAS: MADE TO CREATE

SUNDAYS IN AUGUST

GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between CREATIVITY and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Creativity is using your imagination to do something new.

When we look outside and see the beautiful world around us, we’re reminded that God is great, powerful, and creative. From the birds flying high in the sky, to the planets orbiting the sun, to animals scampering around the earth, everything we see points to God’s immense creativity. Jesus used creativity in the way He told parables, performed miracles, and helped His followers understand more about what it means to be part of God’s kingdom. On top of that, we’re created in God’s image. We can solve problems, create art and music, and design skyscrapers high into the sky. When we create, we reflect the image of God to the world around us.

Our memory verse comes from Ephesians 2:10 which says, “We are God’s creation. He created us to belong to Christ Jesus. Now we can do good works. Long ago God prepared these works for us to do.” We will learn that God created you so you can be creative. He created you for a purpose. You can use what God gave you to solve problems. We will discuss how to use your imagination to honor God.

STILL TO COME…

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We have spots to fill for camera operators and a person to advance the slides on the screens during the 10:00 Sunday morning service! We are also looking for greeters and people to help park cars! Interested? We would love to have you on our team! Contact Heather DeShazo in the church office or by email at hdeshazo@churchoftheservant.com.

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!