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THE SERVANT

CONNECT E D I T I O N NO. 21.09

SEPTEMBER 2021

MISSION ALASKA

MO NTHLY NEWSLE T TE R

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

GATHERING AT THE TABLE

MAKE A RESERVATION FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

Our first Wednesday Night meal on August 1st was a great success! I could not have been more pleased as many people came for the meal and took part in multiple ministry opportunities that evening. The laughter, conversations, and smiles on everyone’s faces made my heart sing and give thanks to the Lord for our fellowship. Gathering at the table is an essential aspect of Christian life. Our shared life together is precious and unique, especially today. So many of us are always on the go; we eat far too much fast food alone, in our cars, and we hardly have time to notice if what we have just consumed even tasted good. Wednesday nights are about coming together, slowing down, and breaking bread with new and old friends. Acts 2:46-47 states, “Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day, the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” When we gather as the people of God for a meal at the church, memorable and special moments are bound to happen. Simply slowing down and dining with others was and still is needed for each of us today. On Thursday morning, I received many messages from those who attended the first Wednesday night gathering sharing their excitement and thanks for the opportunity to gather for a meal. My friends wanted me to know what the meal meant

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to each of them. Needless to say, it was wonderful to receive the messages of those who appreciated and found the evening meaningful. One particular friend was very appreciative of the meal in the text message they sent. Two statements stand out to me from their text – “One aspect you may not have thought of is that some of us eat meals alone (me), and I hate it. So to have dinner with a great big faith family brought back memories of family dinners when I was young.” Another is – “Loneliness is prevalent among a lot of singles. It’s a hard topic, I know, but perhaps this will help others understand the power of a simple shared meal to those that are alone.” I truly appreciated this person’s text and willingness to share their heart. I want to encourage you to join your church family on a Wednesday night soon. I hope you will share a meal and stay for fellowship and Bible study. You never know, you might become a blessing to someone else, and at the same time, God may bless you with new friends too! God is up to something new at Church of the Servant, and I don’t want you to miss out on any of it! Make a reservation and plan to gather around the table. Serving Christ Together,

Walk Through Bethlehem Crew and Cast First Call September 23, 6:30pm Walk Through Bethlehem will be here before we know it. If you have participated in the past or you would like to be part of this year’s crew, plan to attend an important meeting on Thursday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. During this meeting, we will discuss everything from the village construction to the cast needed to make the village come alive. This year’s Walk Through Bethlehem will take place December 10–12. Save the dates, become part of the cast and crew, and help Church of the Servant share the beginning of the most remarkable story ever told!

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Music Ministry Bible Study Resumes on Monday, September 20 John Wesley felt congregational music was essential to the life of the Christian church. In 1761, he wrote out seven directions for singing. The third rule states, “Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.” One of life’s greatest blessings is singing and worshipping Jesus Christ! No matter how mightily or poorly we sing, all of us have been moved in and by worship. If you love music, have participated, and/or wish to learn more about the music ministries of Church of the Servant, you are invited to a Bible study specifically tailored for music ministry. This Bible study has moved to the Library on Monday evenings and meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You do not have to register to participate. Bring a Bible, a notepad, and an earnest desire to sing, play, and worship the Lord!

New Sunday School Classes Set to Begin! We are pleased to announce that we have three new Sunday School classes set to begin later this month. If you would like to join a small group, contact Jessica King at jking@churchoftheservant.com and she will help you get connected to the best class for you.

Tuesday Morning Bible Studies Ongoing | Meets in Community Hall Buck and A Bible and Women in the Word started back for the fall on August 24. 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. One difference this fall is that the classes will no longer have an online option. Plan to attend this Tuesday! See you at Bible study!

Chapel of the Cross Service Returning September 19 at 8:15am The 8:15 Chapel service is scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 19. If you have missed the Chapel service, grab your calendar, and mark the date! The service will be a 45-minute service with hymn singing, preaching, and Holy Communion served each week. Volunteers are needed to ensure the success of this service. If you would like to be a Liturgist, Usher, Communion Steward, Tech Volunteer, or know more, please contact Matthew Mitchell at mmitchell@churchoftheservant.com.

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Women’s Ministry FALL OFFERINGS CHASING VINES by Beth Moore

September 15 - October 27, 2021 Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM | Dinner in Community Hall 6:30-8:00 PM | Bible Study in North Adult Room 12

MORE FALL OFFERINGS! Don’t see the Bible study you are looking for? Our Website is updated daily! To see all of the Bible studies and classes offered this fall, go to ServantOKC.org/WOMEN or ServantOKC.org/Large-Group-Studies.

In this 6-week Bible study, we will explore the ways God delights in watching things grow―and how the vineyard holds the secret to how we can have a more abundant and meaningful life. The book is available on Amazon. Contact for the class: Jill Walker at jwalker@macciniconstructioncompany.com.

THE CHOSEN by Amanda Jenkins,

Dallas Jenkins, Douglas S. Huffman

September 22 - November 10, 2021 Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 PM | Dinner in Community Hall 6:30-8:00 PM | Bible Study in North Adult Room 1

This 8-week study of The Chosen is the companion study to season 1 of the television series about the life of Jesus. What does it actually mean to be Chosen? To answer that question, we will take a deeper look at Isaiah 43 and its fulfillment in Jesus and the lives of His followers (including us). We belong to the family of God because Jesus invites us and we invite you to join in this study. Contact for the class: Darla K. Bierig 405-574-2464 or email at bierigd67@gmail.com.

GOD OF CREATION by Jen Wilkin September 1 - October 27, 2021 Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 AM | South Adult Room 1

In the first eleven chapters, the Book of Genesis addresses our deepest questions, declaring to us a transcendent God and shaping our understanding of the Bible as a whole. We join Jen Wilkin as she walks us through Genesis 1-11, searching these familiar passages for their larger meaning in the in the story of Scripture and in the life of every believer. This study is 10 sessions long, each with a 30-40 minute video. The Wednesday Women will welcome any women who would like to come. Contact for the class: Patricia Hocker – 405-535-9121

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RISE AGAINST HUNGER POSTPONED There were high hopes that we would be able to host our church-wide meal-packaging event in October 2021. Initial talks with Rise Against Hunger (RAH) about meal-packaging events in this time of COVID had taken place, and Mission Council was on a hunt for a steering committee. But then the Delta variant showed up and haulted everything. Church staff decided that, out of an abundance of caution, RAH would be postponed until some time in 2022. While it is disappointing, it also gives us more time to organize a steering committee. If you would be interested in a shared leadership role on our next RAH steering committee, please email missions@servantokc.org.

WHIZ KIDS RECRUITING A HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you, Church of the Servant, for responding to God’s call on your heart! We are truly blessed! Servant and New Hope combined had a total of 61 people at our informational meeting on August 23. Here is the breakdown of volunteers who have signed up for our new Whiz Kids site this year: 23 tutors, 15 subs, 11 cookie chefs, 17 for the set-up team, and 10 for the transportation team. That is a grand total of about 80 people! Our boxes are unpacked and 23 kids are being signed up! Now all we need are your prayers for health and safety for the whole team, the kids, their families, and the teachers and staff at Ralph Downs Elementary. Watch for more updates as the year progresses.

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RESTORE JOBS

LOOKING FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES AND SMALL GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE One of the components of Restore OKC (restoreokc. org) is their jobs program. All the job holders (Ex Wellspring, see below) participate in a 10-week program. The program through the Chalmers Institute is heavily based in Scripture as well as dealing with conflict resolution, interview skills, and resume writing. The class is comprised of no more than 15 women (mostly single moms) who are unemployed or underemployed. Many are walking through addiction recovery, justice involvement, homelessness, or are working to get back on their feet and meet basic needs (food, shelter, clothing, etc). The role I (and you) would play is to attend a Saturday training (August 7th) and then sign up, as our time allows, for the twice weekly sessions with the women clients. Those sessions are from 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday f rom August 24 to October 28. Dinner is provided each session. No one is expected to attend every session, but Restore Jobs would like a commitment. That’s why it would be great to do this with several people. We would attend and participate in the training sessions alongside the single moms. Restore Jobs hopes that relationships grow organically with us participating on an equal level with these young women. The hope behind us attending the training with the women is that a bond would develop that would be carried over after the 10-week class as the women go to work and use their newly learned skills. The training program for the women is one year in length; if we are paired with someone, they would like us to reach out via text or phone or meeting for lunch once a week for that year (another reason to work in pairs or triplets). Here is a link to one of the job programs Restore created because of a great need expressed by the community. There is also a 3-minute video on this link. https://www.wellspringcleaning.org/ WellSpring Cleaning: “We are a cleaning company on a mission to end un and under-employment for single-mothers. With residential & commercial cleaning experience and CDC-certification in COVID-19 remediation, our cleaning team is ready to tackle your biggest or smallest commercial or residential cleaning needs.”

Q/A 1.

It sounds like a huge time commitment. It won’t be if 2 or 3 commit together with one client.

2. I don’t quite understand it all. Call Sara Hawke, Manager of Job Training Education at 405-623-2852 or email her at sara.hawk@ restoreokc.org 3. What benefit would one of these young women gain from older women who have had a very different life trajectory? Sara says that role models and people who care are needed. Also, we have gained some wisdom in all our years, haven’t we? 4. I can’t attend the August 7th training; can I still participate? Yes, parts of the training are recorded via Zoom, and you can watch at home. In addition, Ann Knutson is attending the training and will take good notes. 5. I don’t know if I can put myself out there like that. Me either! But I’ve tried to ignore this challenge for almost a year, and it hasn’t gone away. I hope several of you can join us! Ann Knutson annknut@gmail.com

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MISSION ALASKA Church of the Servant was honored with an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus for a community in need. Last week, Randy Shrauner and I led a group of ten individuals to Willow, Alaska, to cut and chop firewood for this small community where 90% of its residents live in poverty. We were also able to deliver wood to the homes of those who had no means or ability to buy or cut their own wood. In Alaska’s dark and cold winters, having wood to heat one’s home is simply a matter of life or death.

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Willow United Methodist Church hosted our team, providing a warm building to sleep in and connecting us with members of their community in need of our help. As someone who has lived overseas for more than a decade and been on many mission fields, the level of poverty we witnessed in Willow, Alaska, was some of the most extreme. The homes we visited had no running water or indoor bathroom and were certainly not built to any code we are accustomed to here in the United States.

While we were there, we were also able to organize and stock the church’s food pantry – which provides free groceries to 20% of the residents of Willow, Alaska – and visit with the many people who would travel to the church to use the outside faucet to fill water jugs to take home for their daily water needs. One thing that stood out to our entire group was how much Willow, Alaska people look out for one another. They care for their neighbors and live in community in a way that we do not, mostly because we do not need to. It was beautiful and humbling, and above all, it was a blessing to us to see others loving each other well. Jessica King, Director of Connections

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HAVE YOU DONATED BLOOD RECENTLY?

NEXT BLOOD DRIVE IS SEPTEMBER 19th REGISTER TODAY AT OBI.ORG The Oklahoma Blood Institute is responsible for collecting approximately 1,200 donations a day to support patients in hospitals across Oklahoma. Each of these donations has the potential to save three patients’ lives. Blood is a pharmaceutical and cannot be manufactured. Volunteer blood donors are screened, and their donation is thoroughly tested to keep our blood supply safe. OBI is proud to partner with Church of the Servant to be the “donor-to-patient lifeline,” for those in need. Every 2 seconds someone needs blood, yet less than 10 percent of those eligible actually donate. The next blood drive will be in Community Hall on Sunday, September 19. All donors receive a mini-physical, cholesterol screening and now thru October 31 donors will receive free A1C testing for Diabetes. Fifty percent of people with Diabetes are undiagnosed. On Sunday, September 12, a representative f rom OBI, Julie Gimmel, along with a member of our congregation, Dave Hammons, will speak in all services. Julie is the OBI account rep for Church of the Servant and Dave has a personal story to share about the truly life or death value of blood donations.

NEW COFFEE SHOP HOURS! • Sundays – 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM • Mondays & Wednesdays – 8:30-11:30 AM; 6:30-8:30 PM • Tuesdays – 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM Volunteers needed for ALL SHIFTS! Contact MJ Means at mmeans@churchoftheservant.com or 405-306-1169 if you are interested.

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EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP SNEAK PEEK AT NEW MERCHANDISE Take a sneak peek at the back room of Earthglow Gift Shop. Can you see fun new items that will be great for your Halloween decor? What about the charcuterie boards and dip and chip servers (or veggies/fruit and dip)? How about the tray that could hold mustard, mayo and ketchup, or three types of jelly or jam? Use your imagination.

Did you see the Daily Blessing journal and cross sets?

As exciting as it is to see the pictures, in person is so much more fun! Come in often to see the new merchandise. We are a volunteer-run shop that gifts our profits to local missions (beyond our church apportionments)! Check out the number on our window to see how much has been donated – thanks to our wonderful customers! Thank you for supporting missions!

NOVEMBER 13 | 9 AM - 3 PM Earthglow Gift Shop sponsors a market each fall, which includes gifts, holiday and home décor, both handmade and commercial. Proceeds from booth and table rental, food/bake sales, as well as the profits from the Gift Shop, go to local missions. Over our history, Earthglow has donated over $911,000 to various missions in our community. Your participation in our Earthglow Market has made a valued contribution to this effort! Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 13. For more information about booth rental, go to ServantOKC.org/EarthglowMarket.

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SERVANT KIDS Report LOOK WHAT WE DID... JUMP IN WITH JESUS Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

On August 13 and 14, we had a Servant Kids Day Camp called “Jump in with Jesus.” It was a weekend VBS-like experience for elementary kids. We had 30 kids participate in a fun weekend that included Bible lessons, games, crafts, small groups, and more. We ended our summer together by making a splash with Jesus!

PROMOTION SUNDAE On August 15, we celebrated the promotion of kids to their next grade level with some sweet ice cream treats! It was an exciting Sunday as we began a new school year.

FAMILY GAME TIME Families participated in a super-fun, highly interactive game time on August 15th before the Back-to-School Bash! The friendly competition during fun game stations ended with families heading outside for the Back-to-School Bash on the south lawn.

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.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH On August 15, families met on the Servant Lawn for pizza, games, inflatables, and a color war! It was a fun time for all ages as we celebrated the beginning of a new school year!

before

after

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SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS... TOY BOX

SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN Many of us remember a special toy or plush friend from our Toy Box that gave us comfort and companionship when we needed it. It’s part of growing up. We were made to want someone with us. And that Someone is who we will be talking about this month. He is the only One who can truly always be with us. We will say countless times this month, “God is always with me.” We want our preschoolers to believe it with all of their hearts. With this truth as a foundation, they can be brave and wise. They can have courage and strength. Then, when the time comes that their favorite toy, blanket, or pillow cannot be with them, they will know that there is Someone who loves them and will always be with them. No matter where they go or what they do, God is always with them . . . and you. Our memory verse this month comes from 2 Chronicles 32:8 and says, “We have the Lord our God to help us.” This month, we will learn that God is with us so we can be brave, wise, courageous, and strong. Who is always with you? God is always with me!

READY FOR LAUNCH: BOLDLY DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between INITIATIVE and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Initiative is seeing what needs to be done and doing it. God took the initiative by sending Jesus to show us how much He loves us and fix the relationship between us. When we see a need and choose to do something about it, we reflect God’s image in us. Through our initiative, others can see the reality of God’s love for them. Our memory verse for July comes from Colossians 3:23A and says, “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord.” We will discuss how we shouldn’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done and how we can look for ways to make things right. We will also learn about staying focused on what needs to be done and also how to look for ways to celebrate what God has done. We can’t wait to see you this month to learn about initiative!

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SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning at 9:30 and/or 11:00am! Two-hour programming is available once again. 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 9:15-9:30 and pick them up again at noon! Elementary kids in grades first through fifth meet in The Point Student Center (south side of church), and kids in kindergarten, preschool, or who are nursery-aged (2 and under) meet downstairs. 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!

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT KIDS Wednesday night programming is back this fall! The dates will be September 1 November 17, but we will not meet on October 13 due to Fall Break. Each week, there will be classes and activities for all ages! Before programming begins, dinner will be served in Community Hall from 5:00-6:30pm. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at ServantOKC.org/KITCHEN. Kids will remain with their families until 6:30. The doors will open DOWNSTAIRS at 6:30 for kids from birth through fifth grade. For the fall semester, kids will be learning about “Heroes of the Bible” from the Old Testament. We will conclude our time together on these nights at 8:00pm.

Meet the newest member of the Servant Kids family! Caleb James Snodgrass was born on August 4th. He weighed 8 pounds and was 22 inches long. Congrats to Josh and Bekah Snodgrass on his birth. He is precious!

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. ServantOKC.org

STILL TO COME... SAVE THE DATE FOR SOME FUN EVENTS HAPPENING SOON!

BIBLE BOOT CAMP

5 WEEKS STARTING SEPTEMBER 22 Kids in third through fifth grade will be participating in a special series for five weeks that will teach them how to better understand and use their Bible. Kids in this class will meet from 6:30-8:00 each Wednesday night (except for October 13) and will need to bring their Bibles. Does your child not have a Bible? No worries! Let us know and we will get one for them. This series will be fun, informative, and interactive. They won’t want to miss this!

THIRD GRADE BIBLE SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Church of the Servant celebrates our third graders each year by presenting them with their own Bible. These celebrations will take place in the 9:30 Celebration Center Service and 11:00 Modern Service in the Centrum, sharing this beautiful milestone with the congregation. Third graders and their families can choose which service in which they will be recognized. Register online at ServantOKC.org/KIDS.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT SEPTEMBER 24 AT 6:00PM

Spend your Friday evening with family and friends as we watch a movie together in the Centrum! The “concession stand” will be open for snacks, but feel free to bring your own too. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us!

HONK HONK!!!

SAVE THE DATE FOR SERVANT TRUNK-OR-TREAT! Join us on Sunday, October 31 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. for Church of the Servant’s annual family-friendly Fall Fest. We will start collecting candy for the event this month and would love to have your help with this! Please consider donating bags of individually-wrapped candies in any of the drop boxes around church or in the front office by Wednesday, October 20. There will be some great (safe) volunteer opportunities, so be looking for more details later this month!

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VETERANS SUNDAY November 14, 2021

On Sunday morning, November 14, during the 9:30 service, we will be celebrating the service and recognizing the sacrifice of the 92 veterans of the Church of Servant. This group of individuals compiled a combined total of 892 years of service to the United States. That is an amazing accomplishment in and of itself, but on top of that we have members that stretch from the time of WWII to the current conflicts overseas, that’s over 75 years.

We would like to gather all the Veterans together in Community Hall at 0830 hrs (8:30 AM for the civilians) to have coffee, fellowship, and provide information about how the parade will proceed. We look forward to seeing all the Veterans and their families here at the Church of the Servant on Sunday, November 14 at the 9:30 service so we can give each of you a sincere “THANK YOU” for your service and sacrifice to and for this country.

We will have a parade of Veterans that will be accompanied by the “Highlanders of Oklahoma City” Pipe and Drum Corps at the start of the service. Each military service will have a flag bearer representing and preceding their respective service and service members. A “Missing Man” table will be set up in the area across from Earthglow. This table will represent the 1,458 service members still officially listed as “Missing in Action” or “Prisoner of War” from all military engagements since WWII. The static display will have a recurring video playing describing the table itself and the symbolism of each item on the table. ServantOKC.0rg

SERVANT STUDENTS 6TH - 12TH GRADE

STUDENTS STUDYING THE WORD: WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAMMING Wednesday Night Small Groups

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

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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began on August 18, just a couple of days after our bash. We were so grateful and excited about seeing the students back together in our small groups setting for the first time in over three months. As we begin this new school year, both middle and high school students will be going through the sermon series “Cool Christianity.” This sermon series was created to remind us of the true purpose of authentic Christianity and why we are called to live radically different lives from the culture around us. One particular question we will be answering through this series is, “What does an authentic Christian do?”

Servant Students AM (or SSAM) began on August 22 and serves as our Sunday morning programming. We gather in the Student Lounge (former south administration offices) for breakfast, fellowship, and breakout sessions. For the first month, we are focusing on the series “Fathom.” Within this series, we are exploring the book of Genesis and looking into the beginnings of God’s creation and how we fit into this story. So far, our breakout sessions have been full of discussion and questions that has fueled some amazing conversation. We are glad that we have had such a wonderful start to this new school year.

WE ARE BACK: BACK TO SCHOOL BASH On August 15, our middle and high school students gathered on the south lawn of the church for an amazing Back to School Bash celebration. Although some students had already begun their school years, the students were still able to feel as if this was truly the beginning of their new years. Between water slides, slip-n-slides, jousting, and sumo wrestling, there were plenty of activities for the students to partake in. All of this led to the grand finale, a giant color war. Each grade group was given a certain color of powder and instructed to get as much on other students as possible. The end result was a parking lot and the sky full of color powder. It was an incredible scene.

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SERVANT STUDENTS WHAT’S AHEAD: THE TOP 3 FOR SEPTEMBER

Servant Students has so many awesome gatherings planned for students to grow as faithful individuals and as a powerful body of believers. Your student will not want to miss out on these opportunities and all that is in store.

FALL KICK-OFF SEPTEMBER 22 | 6:30-8:00PM We love celebrating new seasons in life. As our seasons change from summer to fall, we want to kick it off together. On this first day of Fall, students are invited to play some football, eat some good food, watch a fantastic movie, and so much more. This is a totally free event for students to enjoy.

FALL RETREAT 2021 OCTOBER 15-17 Fall Retreat 2021 is an opportunity for all students, middle school and high school, to take a weekend to get away, spend time with friends, grow in their faith, and worship. Students will look into how we are called to live unhindered by the weight of this world, not hiding the light God has given us to display. Where is it? Oak Ridge Ministries in Anadarko, OK Who is invited? All middle and high school students What is the cost and what does it cover? $175 per student. This will cover their stay, meals, transportation, and a t-shirt. How can you sign up? Sign up is by using the QR code or follow the registration link found at ServantOKC.org/STUDENTS.

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Servant Student CONFIRMATION 2021 SEPTEMBER 19 – DECEMBER 5

Current ninth grade students are invited on this journey to confirm their faith and become members of their local church. They will have the opportunity to absorb and learn so much during this journey. We will be looking into the history and foundations of the Church universal, discovering and learning about some of our own traditions at Church of the Servant, and even leaving campus to see what worship looks like in different faith settings. We hope that by diving into these different experiences, the students would feel moved into asking the question, “How do I fit into the greater picture?” Rather than Confirmation feeling like a seminar or a class that the students are required to take, we hope that Confirmation would spark conversation, curiosity, and interest into becoming a lifelong disciple of Christ. How can you sign up? The easiest way to sign up is by using the QR code or follow the registration links found at ServantOKC.org/STUDENTS.

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IT IS OKAY TO GRIEVE So much of my life is different now; at times it is overwhelming. When asked, “How are you doing,” I find myself answering, “I am doing fine.” 17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

Eric Nance Director of Facilities

have been trying to write this article for a couple of weeks. I have written it over and over again. Never quite sure where I am going, or what point I am even wanting to make. The fact is, I have not fully processed recent events to fully write what I am feeling. My Mother passed earlier this year in February. I had been her caretaker for fifteen years. So much of my life is different now; at times it is overwhelming. When asked, “How are you doing,” I find myself answering, “I am doing fine.” We all know; however, this is a simple answer to quickly move beyond the question. I am in the midst of grief; the truth is I am not really sure how I am doing. So much of my life was directed and focused on taking care of Mom. Now that it isn’t, I am sad, lost, and without direction. Having put my life on hold, I forgot to take care of myself. I am realizing now that I have to readjust and start living my life again – for myself. Today I read John 16:17-33. I would like to share it with you.

SERVANT CONNECT

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. 25 “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” 29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of

speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” 31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Mom is with Jesus now. She no longer asks the questions about her suffering and her pain. Her grief and her struggles are over. I am still grieving her passing and will for some time yet, but I have found joy in Christ! As Christ said, “In this world you will have troubles. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Blessings! Eric Nance Director of Facilities

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? If so, perhaps you would benefit from our Grief Support Group at Church of the Servant. Whether you have recently experienced the death of a loved one, or if you have been on a grief journey for a long time, we hope you’ll consider joining the group. Each session includes a video and plenty of time for discussion and sharing. Each participant will receive a complimentary workbook. Registration never closes, so you can join us anytime during the course. To register for the next course, contact Vicki Roberds at vroberds@churchoftheservant.com or 405-728-4738.

DOWNLOAD THE CHURCH APP #ServantOKC

CONNECTING WITH SERVANT JUST GOT EASIER! UPDATED DAILY! To download the church App: 1. Go to the App Store and search for “ServantOKC” 2. Press “Get It” or “Install” 3. OPEN the App and enjoy! Direct link to download App: https://subsplash.com/churchoftheservant/app MORE WAYS TO VIEW LIVESTREAM: There are now more ways than ever before to view the church livestream and worship together! View our services ONLINE in the church App, or on our website (ServantOKC.org). Livestream is also available on Apple TV, Roku, Facebook, and YouTube! Simply search for “ServantOKC”! JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Chat with us during the livestream. Link in church App! BULLETIN: Open the digital bulletin and follow along with the service. Link in church App! CALENDARS: Stay connected with the day-to-day life of our church. GIVE: Giving online has never been easier! Give a one-time donation, or setup a reoccurring gift. Download the App today!

ServantOKC.org

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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

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OKLAHOMA CITY 73125

9:30 • 11:00

LIVE STREAM Sunday Mornings @ 9:30 & 11:00 servantokc.online.church Also on Facebook @ServantOKC