Newsletter August 2022

THE SERVANT

CONNECT E D I T I O N NO. 22 .08

Jump In! Make Waves for Jesus!

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AU G U ST 2022

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MO NTHLY NEWSLE T TE R

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

CASTING OUR VOTES ON SEPTEMBER 11th DEAR CHURCH FAMILY, On September 11, all professing members of Church of the Servant will have the opportunity to vote for the future of our congregation. A special called Church Conference led by Reverend Dr. Sam Powers will occur on September 11 at 2:00 p.m.

I am providing a list of essential points of order to know before the vote.

WHO CAN VOTE? Professing Members of Church of the Servant will be able to vote. Professing Members are those who have gone through confirmation or have officially joined the church by publicly professing their faith. Please do not hesitate to contact the church office and ensure you will be able to vote on September 11.

THE DAY OF THE VOTE—DETAILS: Dr. Matthew Mitchell

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On the day of the vote, the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the UMC will require a photo ID to be provided for a professing member to receive a ballot and cast a vote.

For youth members who have professed their faith and do not have a photo ID, we are waiting for a decision to be made by the Annual Conference to ensure these young persons can vote.

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Quorum will be all those present at the vote. You must be present at 2:00 p.m. and in the Celebration Center to vote. No absentee or proxy voting will be allowed.

Senior Minister

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE REGISTER AND PLAN TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING. REGISTER AT

ServantOKC.org/meetings

04-09 Servant Kids

10-13 Servant Students

14 Bible Studies

15-19 Missions in Action

THERE IS STILL TIME TO LEARN MORE: The discovery process began with the first informational meeting on Wednesday, July 27, in Chapel of the Cross. If you have not already done so, please register and plan to attend a meeting.

SERVANT CONNECT

Wednesdays, August 10 & 17 • Chapel of the Cross at 6:00 p.m.

Sundays, August 14 & 21 • Chapel of the Cross at Noon

A SPECIAL CALLED CHURCH CONFERENCE: An information meeting hosted by Rev. Dr. Sam Powers is scheduled for Sunday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. See Rev. Powers' letter on page 3 of this newsletter for more information.

No vote will be taken at this meeting.

“FINAL THOUGHTS” MEETINGS: On Wednesday, August 31, and September 7, two identical meetings will be held on these dates to share final details regarding the votes to be held on September 11. These meetings will be important to hear final thoughts as we prepare to cast our votes on September 11 at 2:00 p.m.

Again, if you have not already done so, please sign up and plan to attend an informational meeting. Go to ServantOKC.org/meetings for more information.

I cannot wait to see you Sunday!

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The remaining meetings will be held on:

ServantOKC.0rg

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SERVANT KIDS Report LOOK WHAT WE DID...

JULY 6 — MOVIE NIGHT Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

We gathered with Student Ministries to watch a movie, eat snacks, and hang out in Community Hall. It was nice to meet in the AC after such a hot week! Be on the lookout for movie nights this fall!

JULY 22-24 –"JUMP IN! MAKE WAVES FOR JESUS!" The weekend VBS-like kids day camp experience 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 have some summer fun together and learn how to make waves for Jesus!

Josh Snodgrass Assistant Director of 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.

AUGUST 1-5 – KANAKUK KAMPOUT The last week of Kampout was a great success! We had close to 200 kids participate in worship, games, activities, a rock wall, inflatables, Bible study, and so 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

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SERVANT CONNECT

@SERVANTKI TO 81010.

SERVANT KIDS SUNDAY MORNINGS Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning this summer at 10:00 and/or 11:00 a.m. All kids will be downstairs for the summer. 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! ServantOKC.org

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AUGUST HAPPENINGS… AWESOME ARTIST

SUNDAYS IN AUGUST AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN The most amazing work of art is the one we see in the mirror each day—people! God made everything, but people are God’s most wonderful creation because we are the only creation made in God’s very own image. God made us to think and figure things out, to create and invent, and to help others—just like God. Every time we look in the mirror and look at another person, we are seeing God’s masterpiece. We want preschoolers to know that they are wonderfully made because of WHO made them—THE awesome artist— God! Our memory verse this month comes from Psalm 129:14 and says, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” This month, we will learn about how God made everything, including me. I am wonderfully made in God’s image. I am important to God. Who made you wonderful? God made me wonderful!

EPIC: A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES SUNDAYS IN AUGUST GRADES 1-5

This summer, we will learn about the connection between LOVE and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Love is showing others how much they matter to you.

Love starts and ends with God. Love has always been the point of how God has interacted with the world. Since the beginning of time, God’s love has always been on display. That’s why we chose love to kick off a year through the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God inspired writers of Scripture, whose works come together to tell God’s Big Story. But God’s love isn’t just about what happened in history. God loves US today! And we have the chance to share God’s love with others, right here and now. We know that God loved us first. God loved us enough to send Jesus for us. In response, we can show how much we love God by loving others . . . and showing people how much they matter to us.

Our memory verse comes from 1 John 4:10 and says, “Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that He loved us and sent his son to give his life to pay for our sins.”

We will learn how to love God by loving others. God made us to take care of each other, and He loves us no matter what. We will discuss how God has a plan to show love to the world. We can’t wait to see you in August!

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SERVANT CONNECT

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STILL TO COME...

ServantOKC.org

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SERVANT STUDENTS 6TH - 12TH GRADE

DAYSPRING “WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?”

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

As we look back on July, one of our highlights has to be Dayspring! Dayspring is a high school camp open to rising 9th graders thru recent high school graduates. We took 25 students and leaders to Sky Ranch in Miami, Oklahoma, for a week of worship, fun, and fellowship. Similar to our middle school camp, Disciple, this camp consists of churches throughout the state of Oklahoma, ranging anywhere from Altus all the way up to Bartlesville. One of the great joys of this week is seeing our students interact and worship with others throughout the week. It seems as if from year-to-year, we get to see our students grow and mature, not just personally, but in their faith walks as well.

One of our students that came with us had this to say about camp:

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

Would you like more information about Servant Student Ministries? Contact Heather at hwinner@ServantOKC.org or Skyler at srodriguez@ServantOKC.org.

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SERVANT CONNECT

“Dayspring was impactful, and it felt like home.

When I’m there, I feel so cared for and loved, and each time, the sermon impacts me in a way that I thought would be impossible. It’s the best way to make new relationships with Christ and new fellowship with my church and other churches. I miss it more and more every day!”

– Kendall Arnold, Junior Deer Creek High School We always look forward to the next Dayspring; we look forward to seeing the new ways that God is stirring in the hearts of so many students and leaders. But the hardest part of Dayspring is seeing some students have their last camp experience.

One of our graduates, Henry Berry, said this about his final Dayspring experience: “This year’s camp was amazing! It was such a cool experience to be the oldest at camp, and it was such a fulfilling week for each of us. I would definitely recommend going to Dayspring!”

DAYSPRING 2022 This year, we took seven high school graduates. It has been an honor seeing them grow over the past years and seeing how their relationship with God has helped them transform into the young men and women they are today.

Dayspring is a place that was created as a place for students to share their testimonies and share what God was doing in their lives. The presence of the Holy Spirit this week was so tangible and felt by everyone there. We are so ready for our next Dayspring experience!

Skyler Rodriguez

ServantOKC.org

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THANK YOU! Dear Church of the Servant, THANK YOU! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you’ve given Servant Students this summer. As we look to the new semester to come, we would be remiss if we forgot to take another glance back at the last two months and THANK GOD for what He has done. So much of what has been experienced and blessed is due to our fellow congregants at Church of the Servant.

You have been vessels of God’s grace. You have been the hands and feet of Jesus. You have given and given and given out of love for your neighbor. For this, a "thank you" doesn’t feel like enough. You have given financially and prayerfully. You have given of your time and shared your heart and your encouragement. You have invested in the lives of the Church to come, and you have cared for this next generation of disciples.

And man, have we seen a harvest from those seeds sown!

Students have traveled and camped, and served. They have studied God’s word, worshipped, and asked really good questions. They have developed their faith and hungered for a deeper relationship with God. Students have dedicated their lives to Christ this summer. Students have remembered their baptisms. Students have found direction in calling and responded to the Holy Spirit boldly. And they are asking for more – more study, more worship, more service, more of Jesus. Yes, that was ALL this summer.

So please know that the work does continue, and we need your help. For all the hard work done on the cross, there are deeper depths and farther lengths we want to reach by grace through faith. But one thing that this summer brought us is our stronger confidence in the incredible support we have from our Church of the Servant family.

Thank you, Church. Let’s keep working for God’s kingdom come on this earth - good things lie ahead.

Heather Winner & Skyler Rodriguez

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WHAT’S AHEAD FOR SERVANT STUDENTS? As we transition from summer break to school, we want to reconnect with everyone throughout this month.

August is full of Meet-Ups that lead up to our Back-toSchool Bash on August 31st! Check out our calendar for this month for details!

AUGUST STUDENT CALENDAR

ServantOKC.org

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CLASSES & BIBLE STUDIES RESUME IN SEPTEMBER

TUESDAY MORNING LARGE-GROUP BIBLE STUDIES FOR MEN & WOMEN

NOW OFFERING BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP FOR MEN & WOMEN

Ongoing | Resumes September 6th

2022-2023 SESSION BEGINS

Buck and A Bible and Women in the Word start back for the fall on Tuesday, September 6th. 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 (or The Point during construction). Mark your calendar and plan to attend!

WOMEN'S OFFERINGS His Name Is Wonderful: Getting To Know The God That Knows You

by Jenni Zabel Starts September 14th | 6:30-8:00pm Jenni Zabel is in passionate pursuit of the Lover of our souls and desires to bring others along with her. Through knowing Jesus and seeking Truth, she is learning how to daily walk through life in the freedom and victory Christ came to give and believes The Father wants the same for all His beloved. As a fellow traveler on this journey of faith, she is humbly moving forward in obedience to share God’s goodness and biblical truth through writing, teaching, speaking, and trusting Him to provide the encouragement others need. It is the beat of her heart to see God’s people live in the fullness of the gospel: redeemed, loved, transformed, surrendered, set apart.

The book can be ordered on Amazon.

Contact: Darla K. Bierig – 405-574-2464 | bierigd67@gmail.com

Monday, September 12th | 6:45-8:30pm Men's BSF will return to Church of the Servant and The OKC chapter of Women's Bible Study Fellowship is adding an evening session that will also meet at Church of the Servant on Mondays, beginning September 12th at 6:45pm. They are now taking registrations! To register or for more information, go to https://join.bsfinternational.org/class/604.

WOMEN'S OFFERINGS The Chosen (Session 1)

by Amanda Jenkins Starts September 14th | 6:30-8:00pm Being chosen by Jesus has beautiful and far-reaching implications—although it says even more about the Chooser than the chooses. We are loved because He is love. We are saved because He is merciful. We belong to the family of God because Jesus invites us, making the Bible and all its promises as true for us today as it was for God’s chosen people. What does it actually mean to be Chosen? To answer that question, we’re going Old school—Testament that is—which leads us back to the New. Which always leads us directly to Jesus.

The book can be ordered on Amazon.

Contact for the class: Jill Walker

HYGIENE DRIVE 2022 High-Need Items Deodorant Full-size shampoo Tote bags/reusable bags Other Items Needed Feminine hygiene products Wash cloths Mouthwash Sunscreen Floss

July 1 - September 1

New socks (men/women) Full-size conditioner Laundry detergent

New underwear (men/women) Toilet paper

Razors Toothpaste Band-aids/first aid Hair products Q-tips

Shaving cream Lotion Wipes Hair bands

Find drop-off locations at teem.org/hygiene-drive

TEEM is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Oklahoma City providing resources, education, and employment services to individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

1501 N. Classen Blvd.

OKC, OK 73106 405-235-5671

M I S S I O N S

AUGUST FISH APPEAL ServantOKC.org/fishfund

RestoreOKC nonprofit supplies MLK, Thelma Parks and Britton Elementary schools with uniforms for $15/child. Five hundred uniforms have been ordered for MLK. Please consider giving to this great cause by making your donation through Church of the Servant's "Fish Fund" through the month of August.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH A Back-to-School Bash is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at MLK Elementary.

Uniforms and other items will be available for students as they meet their teachers. If you would like to volunteer for the Back-to-School Bash, go to https://volunteer.restoreokc.org/need/detail/?need_id=707887. This volunteer opportunity does require a background check.

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SERVANT CONNECT

KENYA HERE WE COME! JUNE 15 – 29, 2023 After a very long wait, Church of the Servant is scheduled to return to Maua Methodist Hospital next summer. An information meet-

ing will be held on Sunday, September 18 at Noon in South Adult Rm 1. Jessica King and Ann Knutson will be leading the trip.

Ann and new Servant member, Susan Barnes, were able to join a Methodist team from Fort Worth who went to Kenya this past June at the same time we will be going next year!

From Ann Knutson: It was wonderful to see the friends we’ve met over the years both at the hospital and the small hotel where we stay. While COVID has not resulted in the terrible death toll in Kenya that it has in other places, the financial toll is devastating and ongoing. Kenya’s top industry is tourism, and no one came for 2 ½ years. One of our drivers, Justus, is certified in the hospitality industry to navigate horrible roads as well as provide information about all the animals we see while on safari. During the past 2 ½ years, he sold oranges at a roadside stand and his wife sold used clothes to survive. It was heart breaking to hear.

It happened to be his birthday while we were on safari and Susan arranged to have a birthday cake for him at dinner, complete with Maasai dancers to bring it to him! The whole team agreed that we saw him wipe away tears. The next morning when we gathered together, he thanked us again for the cake and said that it was the first time he had ever had a birthday cake. Oh, the things I take for granted!

Stories like that are one of the reasons I keep going back to Kenya. I am constantly reminded to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in everything I do. It’s far too easy for me to become complacent about all that we have.

Susan with Justus at the Equator

In addition to the regular trip that Servant will take, Susan Barnes has scheduled a trip for nursing students at UCO for May, 2023.

This has been a longtime dream of hers and she spent much of her time at the hospital meeting with the Primary Tutor (director) of the Health Sciences School, talking with Florence who is the Nursing Officer in Charge (NOIC) of the hospital (Mary Gitari retired and Florence is her replacement), as well as talking with Kathie Mann, the volunteer missionary, who makes the hotel, medical camp, school de-worming etc arrangements for all the teams.

Please consider becoming involved with this most amazing partnership! Start with prayers and see where you are led! For more info, contact Ann Knutson at annknut@gmail.com.

M I S S I O N S

Ann planting trees on hospital grounds ServantOKC.org

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M I S S I O N S 18

WHIZ KIDS' MS. EVANS TEACHER LIAISON EXTRODINAIRE We would like to tell you about our great teacher liaison from Ralph Downs Elementary. Jennifer Evans has taught school for 24 years. This is her third year at Ralph Downs and 15th year with Whiz Kids. She graduated from UCO with a degree in Special Ed. and has a Masters in Educational Leadership. She has two kids who are very active in baseball and soccer, so she is a full time sports fan as well.

Jen is the one who signs up all of these wonderful kids that need our help. She conducts a short training every meeting for our tutors, explains test scores, helps with discipline, and observes and answers questions as she walks around during tutoring. We have never had someone as passionate, knowledgeable and helpful as Jen for a liaison. We are so lucky to have her on our team!

Please consider joining us this coming school year. Whiz Kids Recruitment Sunday is August 14th!

Carolyn Hays | chays25@cox.net

SERVANT CONNECT

WHIZ KIDS RECRUITMENT SUNDAY IS AUGUST 14th!

Look for the Whiz Kids table in the Concourse!

CANCER BLESSING BAGS DONATE BLESSING BAG ITEMS!

Help the Juniors of Girls Scout Troop 177 collect the items below for Cancer Blessing Bags to help them achieve their Bronze Award. These bags will be donated to patients at Mercy’s Coletta Center.

DROP OFF DONATIONS ON SATURDAYS, AUGUST 13 or AUGUST 20, 3-4pm Church of the Servant East (Main) Portico 14343 N. MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73142

SUGGESTED DONATION ITEMS: Socks, Chapstick, Unscented Lotion, Fleece Blanket, Journal, Word-Find, Coloring Book & Pencils, Hard Candy (mints/lemon drops), Kleenex, Magazines, and Snacks.

NOW HIRING CHILDCARE WORKERS! We are hiring! If you love working with kids in a loving and Christcentered environment, we would love to talk to you about openings. We have both temporary positions and ongoing positions for the upcoming school year. Contact Holly for more information and to apply.

Church of the Servant 14343 North MacArthur Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142-9725

Follow Us! @ServantOKC SUMMER WORSHIP TIME

SUNDAYS @ 10AM

CONTACT US: 14343 N MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73142 ServantOKC.org 405.721.4141

LIVE STREAM Sunday Mornings @ 10AM servantokc.online.church Facebook.com/ServantOKC