CONNECT
Rev. Kyle Anderson Senior Pastor
Pastor's PERSPECTIVE
EMBRACING FAITH & COMMUNITY
Servant Faith Family,
What a month! If July was a month of saying "hello" and beginning to get to know one another, then August was a month of getting to work! Just about every week there was something exciting going on from the Servant Work Day, to Vacation Bible School, to the Choir Clinic. We’ve welcomed new members into the Servant family of faith and enjoyed reconnecting with our longtime friends and family as people returned from summer vacations and entered back into the routine of life and faith.
And we talked a lot about LEGOs, probably something you never thought you’d say about church! Of course, we all know that as we talked about building with LEGO’s, we weren’t really talking about LEGOs. That was just a doorway to get us all thinking seriously about what it looks like to build God’s Kingdom today. I so appreciated the stories many of you have shared with me about how you have applied what you’re learning on Sundays to your daily living. I’ve heard from many who have made reading our “instruction manual” – the Bible – much more regularly, if only just a few verses at a time. Steps towards reconciliation have taken place as individuals have sought to live faithfully even when it feels like everything is falling apart. And a number of new and long-term members have found ways to serve, study, and grow in their faith alongside others as they discover where they fit in to the larger work of God’s Kingdom taking place here at Church of the Servant. I am overjoyed that comparing a simple toy to the life of faith has had such a transformative impact on the lives of many of you.
As I shared on the final Sunday in August, now is not the time to slow down. Instead, as we move into September and the resuming of numerous ministries you can read about throughout this Connect, now is the time for each of us to do our part so that the Kingdom of God might be experienced, built, and shared right here at Church of the Servant. I look forward to continuing that journey with you this Sunday. See you there!
Blessings,
Kyle
SUNDAY WORSHIP @ 10:00 AM
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.
NOTES FROM PASTOR SHERI
Hello Friends,
Summer has come and gone, and the church is almost in full swing with fall activities. It is exciting to see the calendar, and see all the possible ways for us to be in fellowship, Bible study, mission, and fun.
Lately, I have had on my mind, the subject of positivity. It is so easy to complain, gossip, be negative, and think of all the things that bother us and the things that are not so good in our world. I have noticed how that can catch fire within an organization, or in a church. We humans tend to believe the worst about people, even when we don’t know the truth. I think that if we spend more time on the positive things, and if we pray for those we don’t really care for, start our days with prayer, end our day with prayer, and give thanks at every meal and every situation that happens in our day, it will change our demeanor, and we will see a difference in our family, our church, our community, and our world.
In his book Living Life on Purpose1 , Greg Anderson shares the story of one man's journey to joy:… his wife had left him and he was completely depressed. He had lost faith in himself, in other people, in God–he found no joy in living. One rainy morning this man went to a small neighborhood restaurant for breakfast. Although several people were at the diner, no one was speaking to anyone else. Our miserable friend hunched over the counter, stirring his coffee with a spoon. In one of the small booths along the window was a young mother with a little girl. They had just been served their food when the little girl broke the sad silence by almost shouting, “Momma, why don't we say our prayers here?” The waitress who had just served their breakfast turned around and said, “Sure, honey, we pray here. Will you say the prayer for us?” And she turned and looked at the rest of the people in the restaurant and said, “Bow your heads.” Surprisingly, one by one, the heads went down. The little girl then bowed her head, folded her hands, and said, “God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food. Amen.”
That prayer changed the entire atmosphere. People began to talk with one another. The waitress said, “We should do that every morning.” “All of a sudden,” said our friend, “my whole frame of mind started to improve. From that little girl's example, I started to thank God for all that I did have and stop majoring in all that I didn't have. I started to choose happiness.”
I have recently noticed that before and after worship service at COS, we are a lively bunch. Conversation is happening everywhere. People are staying longer and longer after church to chat with one another. Others have noticed too, and it has been brought up at staff meetings. How incredible it is to be in fellowship, ministry, and mission together. How wonderful it is to be a church family. I pray that our family grows as an example of Christian love. Let us choose happiness, and choose positivity. Let it be so.
Pastor Sheri
1Anderson, G. (2002). Living Life on Purpose. Three Rivers Press.
Rev. Sheri Lashley Associate Pastor
FALL PROGRAMMING
BIBLE STUDIES AND CLASSES
At Church of the Servant, we believe that becoming a fully-committed follower of Christ involves more than simply coming to worship each week. It is a three-fold process that involves worship, service, and small group experiences. One way of becoming involved in a small group is by joining in one of the several Bible and book studies that are being offered each fall and spring. Consider becoming a part of one of these classes and you will enjoy great teaching, discussion, and prayer while building friendships that enrich your life.
FALL PROGRAMMING FOR
RESUMES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd
• MEN'S BUCK & A BIBLE
Tuesday Mornings at 6:30 AM
• WOMEN IN THE WORD
Tuesday Mornings at 9:30 AM
Led by Dr. Stephen Gunter
Both classes meet in Community Hall. Bring a dollar for Coffee and a Donut!
STARTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
THE STORY – Bible Study
September 11, 2024 – May 2025 Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 | Classroom 9
Led by Eric Nance
What is The Story ? The Story Bible study is an abridged and chronological version of God’s story. It reads like a novel rather than a traditional unabridged Bible. I have found this brings an easier understanding of the overarching story found in the Bible. This is a great way to learn the Bible and to have a clearer understanding on how the books of the Bible affect our lives today. If you are looking to understand how the whole Story fits together, then this Bible study is for you.
Come and eat dinner beforehand in Community Hall, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM, then join The Story as we study and fellowship together. You will need to purchase The Story Bible, easily purchased from Amazon . I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday nights! - Eric Nance
Look for the sign-up table in the concourse, or you can register online at ServantOKC.org/bible-studies
WOMEN
MEET WEDNESDAYS, 9:30-11:30 AM
"BIBLE BABES" SUMMER/FALL SESSION
Bible study group led by Patricia Hocker
“Bible Babes” is a women’s Bible study group that is open to everyone and welcomes new friends. For more information, call Patricia at 405-535-9121.
• September 4: "The Study of Luke" by Lisa Harper
STARTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th "THE CHOSEN" WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY (FALL SESSION) Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 PM | Classroom 12
Led by Miki Farris, Cathy Maxwell, and Darla K Bierig
On September 11, "The Chosen" Bible study group will begin a new 20-week series titled, "God’s Goodness for the Chosen" (Season 4) by Amanda Jenkins, Dallas Jenkins, and Douglas S. Huffman.
“Just as it was for the early followers of Jesus, suffering is a painful reality of life. But the hard things we experience are always eclipsed by the bigger things God is doing in and through them. Which means even in our suffering we can know and hold fast to how radically good God is. God uses suffering to bring about good in the lives of those He loves.”
For more information about "The Chosen" Bible study group, contact Darla Bierig at dbierig@servantokc.org
MORE FALL PROGRAMMING & DINNER MENU
Fall is right around the corner. Cooler temperatures, kids back in school, football, and the best part – our fall activities kick off in a big way! Wednesday, September 11, is our official Fall Kick-Off day! We have new Bible studies beginning, choir rehearsals, children and youth programming, and Wednesday night dinners are back! Join us for our Fall Kick-Off Cookout on Wednesday, September 11th, 5:00-6:30 PM. The Church will provide hamburgers, hotdogs and all the fixin’s! We are asking Sunday school classes, small groups, and choir to provide the sides. For more information, please contact Eric Nance at enance@churchoftheservant.com. PLEASE REGISTER FOR DINNER SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD TO PREPARE. Register for Wednesday Night Dinner at ServantOKC.org/kitchen
FALL PROGRAMMING
RESUMES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
Join us for Wednesday Night Dinner – a mid-week faith family fellowship dinner with something for everyone! It provides an opportunity for people to get connected with others before our Wednesday night Bible study and programming.
Dinner is available from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Bible studies for Men, Women, children, and youth begin at 6:30 p.m. If you are planning to have dinner, please register by calling the church office at 405-721-4141 or online at ServantOKC.org/kitchen
SERVANT KIDS WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Resumes September 11th
Meet Downstairs | 6:30-8:00 PM
Bring children preschool through 5th grade for some fun and games! We are starting the fall with the Fruit of the Spirit! We will be learning how God wants us to live our lives with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness and Self-Control!
SERVANT STUDENTS WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Resumes September 11th
Meet in The Point | 6:30-8:00 PM
Calling all youth grades 6-12!
Come to Church of the Servant Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, starting September 11 to meet with Pastor Kyle! On September 11, we will get to know each other. How different are we? How much do we have in common? Regardless of differences, what unifies us?
WEDNESDAY DINNER
RESUMES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th
Served in Community Hall | 5:00-6:30 PM
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO EAT DINNER AT CHURCH, PLEASE REGISTER SO WE KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD TO PREPARE. You can register for one meal, or for the whole season at ServantOKC.org/kitchen.
All meals are served with salad bar, tea/water.
• $12.00 - ADULTS
• $4.50 - KIDS (under 10)
• $2.50 - DESSERT
• $4.00 - BAKED POTATO (available upon request)
• $3.00 - 1-TRIP SALAD BAR (included with meal)
SEPT 11 - FALL KICK-OFF! - FREE
Hamburgers and Hotdogs with all the fixin's. Sunday school classes, small groups, and choir are planning to provide the sides. If you are one of these groups, please let Eric Nance know what you are bringing by emailing him at enance@churchoftheservant.com
SEPT 18 - FRIED & BAKED CATFISH - $12
Fried & Baked Catfish with Hushpups and Choice of two sides.
SEPT 25 - HAWAIIAN CHICKEN - $12
Hawaiian Chicken with Seasoned Fried Rice and Salad Bar.
NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR ADULTS
During the month of September, two new Sunday School classes will be starting. If you have yet to connect with a Sunday School class here at Church of the Servant, look to see if either of these might be a good fit for you!
YOUNG ADULTS
Beginning Sunday, September 8, at 11:10 a.m. in Room 5, a new Young Adult Sunday school class led by Pastor Kyle will begin. This class is for all young adults whether you are single, married, a working professional, or continuing your education, all are welcome! This class will focus upon ways in which we can practically apply our faith to our lives while also providing opportunities for fellowship and service outside of Sunday mornings. For more information, feel free to reach out to Pastor Kyle at kanderson@churchoftheservant.com .
THE MIDDLE
This is a new Sunday school class for single and married adults in the middle stages of life beginning Sunday, September 22, at 11:10 a.m. in Room 3. The class will be led by Andi and Todd Neaves with plans to cover a wide variety of topics relating to scripture, society, and carrying out our faith in everyday life. Group opportunities for service and fellowship beyond Sunday mornings are also in the works. For questions, please reach out to Andi Neaves at andineaves@gmail.com
PRIME TIME
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
SEPTEMBER
PRIME TIME LUNCHEON
Thursday, September 12, 10:30 AM
Community Hall
Special Guest: Pastor Kyle
We welcome Rev. Kyle Anderson, Senior Pastor at Church of the Servant, as our special guest for first Prime Time of the season on Thursday, September 12, at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Pastor Kyle has been at Church of the Servant since June 30th, when he preached his first sermon. He comes to us from Stillwater UMC, where he pastored for many years.
Michele Snow will provide us with a yummy meal that includes an entrée, vegetable, salad, bread, beverage, and dessert. The cost for the program and meal is $15 ($5 for program only).
Church of the Servant has an active group of Senior adults that participate in small groups, Bible studies, and other activities throughout the year. On the second Thursday of each month, a special Prime Time Fellowship Program with a luncheon is held in Community Hall.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: MONDAY, September 9th!
OCTOBER
PRIME TIME LUNCHEON
Thursday, October 10, 10:30 AM
Community Hall
Special Guest: G3
We welcome back one of our favorites, Gospel Guitar Guys (G3), who will bring us their own brand of “American Gospel” – a combination of bluegrass, rock and roll, country, blues, and jazz. If you’ve never heard G3, you’re in for a real treat! Registration coming soon!
FAMILY MINISTRIES
SUNDAYS WITH SERVANT KIDS
Servant Kids meet in person on Sundays. Kids ages 3 years old through fifth grade will check in upstairs and join their parents in the 10:00 Celebration Service. After the Children's Conversation in service, the children will go downstairs with Chris Ward, Director of Family Ministries.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT KIDS
Bring children preschool through 5th grade for some fun and games! We are starting the fall with the Fruit of the Spirit! We will be learning how God wants us to live our lives with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, faithfulness and self-control!
Don’t miss bringing your child to this fun evening event where we will have fun while learning and enjoying fellowship! If you have questions, call or text Chris Ward at 405-614-2333.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT STUDENTS
CALLING ALL YOUTH, GRADES 6-12! Come to the Church of the Servant Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM starting September 11 to meet with Pastor Kyle! On September 11, we will get to know each other. How different are we? How much do we have in common? Regardless of differences, what unifies us? Christ calls us to be on the same team, to work together and to support each other – even when we are different! Let’s talk about how we can feel loved by Jesus and how we can share that love with our friends (without it feeling weird)! Come and let Pastor Kyle know what you want to see this youth group doing. Where would you like it to go? What activities would you like to see the youth participate in? This is an opportunity for you and your friends to create the youth group that you want to be a part of!
YOUTH
HONK HONK! SAVE THE DATE FOR SERVANT FALL FEST!
Join us on Sunday, October 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m., for Church of the Servant’s annual family-friendly Fall Fest. This event will be INDOORS and include bouncy house, trick or treating, face painting, games, and so much more. Admission is FREE!
We are partnering with Skyline Food Resource Center (FRC) for the month of October! All who attend Servant Fall Fest are encouraged, but not required, to bring donations for FRC. Their most needed items are: Cereal, Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Chunky Style Soups, Pasta, Canned Fruit, Toilet Paper.
The excitement and outreach generated from previous Fall Fests has been incredible! Can you help us continue that success? We need Sunday School classes, Bible study groups, small groups, families, groups of friends, and individuals to commit to providing a decorated booth and passing out candy for trunk-or-treat. We welcome costumed volunteers, and there will be prizes awarded for the best booth and the best costume! We also need hospitality volunteers during the event, help with set-up and clean-up, donations of baked goods, and donations of bags of individually wrapped candies. Candy can be placed in any of the drop boxes around the church by Wednesday, October 23. For group or individual volunteer opportunities, contact Chris Ward at 405-721-4141 or cward@churchoftheservant.com
"Excited to be back in the Tuesday/ Friday nursery routine!”
A Y V B S
1-DAY VBS!
AUGUST 17, 2024
On Saturday, August 17, Church of the Servant hosted a one-day Vacation Bible School called
“Building the Kingdom!” Over 80 children ages 3 through 6th grade spent the day learning about God’s love and the importance of sharing the good news of Jesus with all people! With the help of 40 adult volunteers, the children heard stories of God’s love and faithfulness.
Children participated in crafts, a special snack, games, watching a Bible story drama, STEM activities, a science palooza show, and ended the day with giant water slides! Children leaving asked, “Can we do this again tomorrow?” A fun time was had by all!
I S S I O N
S WHIZ KIDS STARTS IT’S 15TH YEAR!
We need more volunteers!
It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this great program for so long! You have been a big part of our success! We do need some of your help right now. We still need tutors, and more help with transportation, and one more person for our set-up team for the third Monday of each month. Transportation takes about 40 minutes. You do not need a CDL license to drive one the vans. Please contact Kent Bradford at 405-503-6872 or email at kbradford1@outlook.com
The team arrives at 2:00 PM at New Hope United Methodist Church (116 N. Council Rd), and goes to Ralph Downs Elementary (about 5 minutes away). They return with the kids at about 2:40 PM. It just takes about 30 minutes to do the set-up. It involves putting snacks out on the tables and rolling the book and game carts out to the appropriate places. The set-up team arrives at New Hope at 1:30 PM.
We hope God might be nudging you to help in some way. Please pray about it and let us know. You may email Shirley Rolston at sdrolston@outlook.com, or text/call her at 405-850-7676. Please consider helping us help the kids. All teams are important for this mission!
THE LADIES OF MVC met at Melanie Taylor’s house for dinner and missions. We packed 60 bags of dog food, wet wipes, snacks, juice boxes, fruit bars, and hygiene items to distribute to the homeless population that we serve through the Salvation Army.
Wow! I cannot think of a better word to describe the Servants 4 Servant workday! It was very overwhelming for me personally to see so many come and clean the church. Folks jumped in and cleaned and scrubbed bathrooms, washed windows, cleaned flowerbeds, changed air filters, touched-up paint, cleaned railings, tables and chairs, cleaned and replenish the pews, and well... the list goes on and on. I want to thank the 50+ volunteers who worked and sweated to polish our approximately 180,000 sq ft building. Saturday was a firm statement to me that we truly are the SERVANTS – the hands and feet of Christ! THANK YOU all!
Eric Nance Director of Facilities
M I S S I O N S
August 10, 2024
I S S I O N S
Love’s Family Splash Pad at Duffner Park - No one in our families swim and the girls cannot wear swimsuits, so this splash pad was an immense joy this hot summer. Even a shy 8th-grade girl enjoyed getting wet! They all wore street clothes!
At a dental checkup –no fear on that sweet face!
AFGHAN FAMILIES UPDATE It's been three years!
While we might not specifically remember August 15, 2021, many of us will never forget the images of huge US military transport planes carrying thousands of Afghans out of Kabul. August 15 was the day the capital of Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. None of us could imagine that within two months Church of the Servant would be sponsoring two of those fleeing families.
I want to give you an update on each of our families as funds from just one collection from Church of the Servant are still being used to assist them in their transition. Here’s a short review of our families. We have a large one (10 children) and a small one (3 children). Of the four parents, only one can read and write their native language, Pashto. One mom never had the opportunity to go to school, the other mom only went to third grade. Both men worked directly for the US military but reported to other Afghans and, therefore, did not learn English.
They had to learn to navigate WIC, SNAP (food stamps), American schools with required attendance, parent conferences, school supply lists, learning to drive, and so much more. Navigating the healthcare and dental systems are still a huge challenge (as it is for many Americans!).
In addition to Servant, many churches assisted Catholic Charities and The Spero Project in the resettlement of 1800 Afghans here in Oklahoma.
Three years later, the large family has four licensed drivers. Church of the Servant paid for those driving classes, and volunteers waited in long lines early in the morning to help them get their permits. Volunteers explained car insurance to the men as well as helped them obtain coverage. Volunteers helped set up automatic bill pay for their rent and utilities.
The teenagers of the large family speak very good English now, write passably but reading is difficult. They are a joy! Curious, resilient, and extremely hospitable. Many, many times when I visit, I think of the extravagant hospitality Abraham showed to the three strangers. That’s what they show me.
There are three children in the small family – one in 8th grade and two in elementary school. When I first met the girl who is now 6 and in first grade, she spoke no words –just made unintelligible sounds and pulled on my shirt to get my attention. This year when I took her to first grade, as
A second grade boy broke his arm and was totally fascinated with the Xray of his arm and watching the PA put a cast on.
soon as her principal saw her, she said, “Shabana, come with me! I need you to translate!” I also cried in the hallway! The ESL (English as Second Language) teachers say that by the time she and her brother, who’s in second grade, get to middle school, they won’t need any special language accommodations!
I’d like to enroll the second grader in the small family on a soccer team. Being involved in school sports can be a terrific aid in assimilation. Transportation may be an issue so if someone could help provide some help, please let me know (annknut@gmail.com). Mom can’t drive and Dad works until 5:00 PM and on Saturdays. Shawkat asks me many questions about who is better –Ronaldo or Messi, how much money do they make, which one is the “GOAT.”
On a separate note, I cannot help but mention how incredible the Putnam City and OKC public school teachers are. I have so many stories of exceptional kindness and concern for not only our Afghan families but all the other ethnicities represented in these school districts. OKCPS website states that 60 languages are spoken in their schools.
Please pray for the dad of the large family to find a better job and for the other dad to find the cause of internal bleeding which has resulted in two blood transfusions in the past 16 months.
Thank you, Servant, for the generosity of years past which is still being put to good use.
Ann Knutson Afghan Outreach Coordinator
Sidra getting a certificate for Kindess from her teacher and also celebrating a birthday at school. Her teacher bought the cake with her own money because the family doesn’t celebrate birthdays (most of the Afghans I know do not).
Sidra is a middle child in our family of 12 so this attention is wonderful!
M I S S I O N S
What an incredible experience the Celebration Choir had on August 24th! Forty-five of us gathered to sing, learn, pray, and spend time together in clinic to learn new songs, dust off the vocal chords, and sing, sing, sing. Ed Davis, our clinician, helped us to learn several new songs, and we began our Christmas Cantata. Anyone can come join to sing in the Celebration Choir. We meet every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. We would love to welcome new members, or perhaps you have sung with us before and might come back! Please feel welcome to come. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email Pastor Sheri at slashley@churchoftheservant.com, or call the church at 405-721-4141. Come sing with us!
Ed Davis
Chrismons
It is that time again to begin getting ready for the Advent Season, and part of this is the making of the Chrismons. Chrismons are a decoration for the Chrismon Tree, and the name tells us what it is: Christ Monogram. Chrismons are typically colored white and gold, sometimes silver or cream. White is the liturgical color for Christmas and symbolizes that Jesus was pure and perfect. Gold symbolizes His Majesty and Glory. Silver is also a color of Royalty. Chrismons can be made from nearly anything, but common materials are wire, beads, ribbon, gold thread, and so on. The symbols used in Chrismons are ancient Christian symbols, and each has its own significance. While Chrismons are a more recent development in the long history of Christmas traditions, they embody the same spirit of faith and celebration that has always been central to the holiday. They are handmade, and are gifts to the church by those that make them. If you would like to be a part of Chrismon making, please sign up in the concourse or call the church at 405-721-4141 to receive more details.
EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP
Score Big at Earthglow: Game Day Gear and Goodies that Give Back!
As the football season kicks off, make sure you swing by the Earthglow gift shop to check out our brand-new selection of game day items! Whether you're looking for festive decór, spirited accessories, or unique gifts for your fellow fans, we've got something to add a touch of fun to your football gatherings. Plus, don’t forget to stock up on our delicious dip and snack mixes—perfect for your next watch party or tailgate event.
Remember, every purchase at Earthglow goes beyond just a great find; it directly supports meaningful mission work in our community. So, as you gear up for game day, know that you're also helping to make a difference. Come in, find something fun and cute, and contribute to the incredible work being done through our missions.
SAVE THE DATE: Earthglow Market - Saturday, November 9, 2024
Mark your calendars for a day of shopping and community support at the Earthglow Market on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. With over 100 booths offering holiday and home decór, gifts, jewelry, yummy treats, and more, this free-admission event is the perfect opportunity to find unique treasures for your loved ones and, of course, a few treats for yourself! The Earthglow Market is not just about great shopping—it’s about giving back. All proceeds from booth and table rentals, food and bake sales, and profits from the Earthglow Gift Shop go directly to local mission work.
If you’re a crafter, limited booth space is still available, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible, visit the church website for more details. Sponsored by the Earthglow Gift Shop, this annual indoor market has become a cherished tradition in our community, helping to raise over $1 million for missions over the years. Your participation in the Earthglow Market has made a significant impact, and we’re grateful for your continued support. See you there!
C HURCH OF THE SERVANT
LEADERSHIP TEAM UPDATE
It’s early Monday morning, August 26, 2024. As I prepare this Leadership Team update, my mind is wandering a bit into the happenings for the day. Later this morning I will attend a celebration of life service at Church of the Servant for the mother of one of my best childhood friends. I woke up this morning with memories flooding my mind of all the moments I shared with this dear family.
Glenda DeShazer passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 23, 2024. I had the honor and the privilege of growing up with the DeShazer family. Glenda and her husband Mickey (Gary) had three children: Gary, Julie (Julianne), and Stephanie. Julie, Mickey and Glenda’s middle daughter, was one of my very best friends. We connected with each other in elementary school, at Wiley Post Elementary. From childhood to adulthood, our friendship was solidified at Church of the Servant, where both of our families were “charter” members when the church began over 50 years ago on Northwest Expressway. We maintained that friendship bond through Elementary, Junior High, High School, and College. After college, we were in each other's weddings as bridesmaids, we had a small dinner group of friends that met monthly, and we showered each other as we grew our families by having children. We have stayed connected throughout our adult life.
Glenda had an infectious laugh. She had the most kind and gentle spirit. A quirky, yet endearing way of enunciating certain words. I remember how she loved her morning coffee. She had a twinkle in her eye that sparkled when she smiled. She had a keen sense about being a mother that I can now appreciate in a way I didn’t see when I was a child. She was always present, encouraging, and full of love. But, she carefully negotiated when to insert into our childhood experiences. I don’t recall any harsh moments or distasteful words ever coming from Glenda. She was just lovely, genuinely lovely, always radiating love. So authentic and pure in spirit.
The DeShazer family were active members of Church of the Servant until they relocated to Texas in the early 1990’s. Julie and I grew together through a multitude of experiences
in children and youth ministries at Church of the Servant: Confirmation, MYF (as we used to call Wednesday and Sunday night programming), youth church camps at Canyon Camp, lock-ins, day trips to Six Flags over Texas, mystery trips, etc. I could go on and on. We were pre-teen leaders together of a Summer Spectacular group (known as VBS today). I even remember the name we gave to our small group of active young participants, the Smiling Smurfs (some of you will remember this popular caricature, which became a cartoon series called The Smurfs, popular in the US in the early 1980’s).
One of my clear memories of the DeShazer family is how Sundays were family days. They would attend church, come home and clean house and prepare for the week, and then have family dinner and time together before the work and school week started over.
Mickey and Glenda, although living in Texas for the last 35-40 years, maintained relationships with their living room group formed at Church of the Servant. Some 46 years of friendships.
It is not lost on me the role that Church of the Servant played in these connections and relationships, not just for Julie and I, but also for the DeShazer family. It is so beautiful that after being away for so many years, Glenda would desire for her celebration of life to be in her faith home at Church of the Servant. We should all strive to root ourselves that deeply in Christ’s love. Christ’s home. Our church. As our personal lives are built on him, so too is the life of our church. For this faith, grown strong in truth, we should overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7).
This is just one of literally hundreds, if not thousands of examples I could share about my lifetime at Church of the Servant. But these are the very reasons behind my passion for Church of the Servant and my desire to serve as a member of the Leadership Team.
The Leadership Team of Church of the Servant continues to meet monthly. This week's meeting, from an official ...continued on next page
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Church of the Servant’s Leadership Team governs the congregation's work and ministry. The Leadership Team has scheduled monthly meetings. All Leadership Team meetings are open to the public. For more information about the Leadership Team, go to ServantOKC.org/leadership-team.
business standpoint, covered “generative” work related to the Servant Foundation and rebuilding the board of trustees, a building use task force, a technology task force, and a safety and security task force. Rev. Sheri Lashley will also begin to form a Missions Team that will help prepare, educate, and lead mission opportunities for the COS family.
It is so great to also take some meeting time to celebrate the many wonderful things happening at COS: Children’s Ministries programming, a focus on Music Ministries through the direction of Rev. Sheri Lashley, the upcoming Women’s Ministries Retreat, the Point of Grace Concert with special guest Darci Lynne, the Fall Kick-off Cookout, and much, much more. It is important to celebrate these quick wins because it strengthens our connections, provides opportunities for our team to grow and improves our ability to support and meet the needs of our faith family. Celebrations can help people to feel empowered and build momentum for change efforts. Celebrations highlight church leadership (Pastor Kyle and Pastor Sheri), renew optimism, and shift the narrative to positive outcomes. Remembering to recognize, reward, and celebrate accomplishments is a critical leadership skill, oh, and it re-ignites passion!
We look forward to sharing many more celebrations (big and small)! Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our Leadership Team members. You are welcome to join us at our next meeting, September 29, 2024, in Room 12 at 6:00 p.m.
With love,
Dana Renner Leadership Team Member
Church of the Servant will be offering a support group for those who are going through a season of grief. We are indeed fortunate to have a licensed counselor who is offering to lead this group. We are using GriefShare as the resource. If you are interested, please sign up in the concourse or call the church office to be put on the list.
A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way.
CAMERA OPERATORS NEEDED!
We are looking for a few volunteers to run a camera on Sundays during 10:00 worship. No experience necessary! See what happens behind the scenes with our Media Team and join the fun!
Contact Heather DeShazo for more information at hdeshazo@churchoftheservant.com or by calling the church office at 405-721-4141.
