Newsletter - September 2023

B EING METHODIS T AT

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT

Over the last few weeks, we have had a lot of conversations with you about what it means to be a “Methodist church.” Most everyone we have talked with feels that being Methodist is very important to them. But what does it mean for Church of the Servant to be a Methodist church?

John Wesley was asked the same question in the 1700s by the new “Methodist” groups that were forming all around England. He published his answers in a small pamphlet called, The Character of a Methodist i This is a great place to start thinking about what it means to “be Methodist.”

Wesley starts off by describing what a Methodist is NOT:

1. Being a Methodist Christian cannot be based on our opinions about what this is.

2. Being a Methodist Christian cannot be based on our belief in the inspiration of the scriptures or in God acting through Jesus Christ, because EVERY kind of Christian believes this.

3. Being a Methodist Christian cannot be based on any special words we use or manner of dress or cultural expression.

4. Being a Methodist Christian cannot lie in stressing one particular part of the Bible or Christian belief and ignoring the rest. Wesley says if this were required, he would rather not be Christian!

So, according to Mr. Wesley, what IS a Methodist Christian?

1. The Methodist Christian is “one who ‘loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength.’ God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul. . . “

2. The Methodist Christian is always full of joy because of what Christ has done for them.

3. The Methodist Christian is always full of peace, knowing that whatever happens to them in this world, God is with them.

4. The Methodist Christian “prays without ceasing,” lifting up their hearts to God at all times and in all places.

5. The Methodist Christian loves every person “as his own soul.” The Methodist especially loves their enemies, always doing good to them and praying for them, especially when the Methodist is treated badly by them.

Rev. Jessica Moffatt

Lead Pastor Transitions Team Lead Pastor Transitions Team

The CONNECT | September 2023 2

SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10AM

Join us for worship this Sunday. We will be gathering together to celebrate and give thanks, to connect with one another, and to seek guidance and inspiration for the week ahead.

Sunday service time is 10:00 a.m. and includes uplifting music, prayer, and a message that I believe will speak to your heart. Whether you are a longtime member of our community or are joining us for the first time, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions or need more information, go to the PLAN A VISIT page on our website. Otherwise, we hope to see you on Sunday!

6. The Methodist Christian gives up the world’s attitudes of the heart that are destructive. Instead, they seek after purity of heart and the fruit of the Spirit: meekness, mercy, kindness, humility, and the like. The Methodist seeks to follow this pathway of God throughout their days.

7. The Methodist Christian has one aim in life: to be obedient to God’s will for them and to do everything for the glory of God alone.

8. The Methodist Christian will “spend and be spent” doing good works – both physical and spiritual – for the sake of others, so that all may come to know the saving grace of Jesus.

How did you measure up personally? We can honestly say: there is a lot here that your pastors need to work on to be better Methodists.

How did we measure up as a congregation? Can we call ourselves “Methodist”? Steve Harper, a retired professor at Asbury Seminary and former Dean of the Upper Room, helps us here. He says all of the above can be boiled down to five important actions of a truly Methodist Christian community:

1. Methodists love God.

2. Methodists rejoice in God.

3. Methodists give thanks to God.

4. Methodists pray constantly.

5. Methodists love others.

If together we are wholly committed to these five actions, we can truly say: “Church of the Servant is indeed a Methodist church.”

Pastor Jess

Pastor Thomas

John Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement.

BIBLE STUDIES

FOR MEN & WOMEN

TUESDAY MORNING LARGE-GROUP BIBLE STUDIES

Resumes September 12th

Led by Randy Shrauner, Men’s Buck and a Bible and Women in the Word will resume on Tuesday, September 12. Men’s Bible study meets at 6:30 a.m., and Women’s Bible study meets at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in Community Hall. No registration is necessary.

To prepare for our first lesson, read the first chapter of Hebrews. Mark your calendar and plan to attend!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER & BIBLE STUDY

Resumes September 13th

Wednesday Night Dinner resumes on September 13 and is available 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Largegroup Bible study for Men and Women led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoffmann will begin at 6:30 p.m. No reservation is necessary for the Bible study. If you are planning to have dinner, please register online at ServantOKC.org/kitchen or by calling the church office.

“THE POWER OF GOD WITHIN YOU”

Led by Rev. Dr. Thomas Hoffman

For several weeks now, our pastors have closed Sunday services with a blessing from Ephesians 3:20-21. Part of this passage reads, “. . . according to God’s power that is at work within us. . .” Wait a minute! God’s power is within us? Is this possible? How can we frail, human beings contain this kind of power? And if we do, how should this impact our lives?

Join Pastor Thomas each Wednesday evening in September and October, 6:30-7:30 p.m., for a Bible study on the immeasurable power of God. Together we’ll examine the kind of power it took to create the universe and raise someone from the dead – and how that very same power might be sitting inside of you and me, just waiting to ignite.

PRIME TIME

OCTOBER PRIME TIME LUNCHEON

Thursday, October 12, 10:30 AM Community Hall

Special Guest: Erica C. Thomas

Erica C. Thomas attended the University of Oklahoma where she received the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Erica’s voice teacher, the late Thomas Carey, introduced her to the Cimarron Circuit Opera Company where she served as Executive/Artistic Director from 2002 to 2008. Erica performed many roles with the company including Mimi (La Boheme), Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly) and the Witch (Hansel and Gretel). She also directed several of CCOC’s productions which include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Toy Shop, and Cosi Fan Tutte

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

There’s no membership fee, just a warm invitation to anyone who would like to have a great morning of fun, food and fellowship! You can sign up anytime at Guest Central in the concourse, on the website at ServantOKC.org/prime-time, or by calling the church office at 405-721-4141.

SEPTEMBER PRIME TIME LUNCHEON

Thursday, September 14 10:30 AM in Community Hall

Special Guest: EDGAR CRUZ!!!

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

ServantOKC.org/prime-time

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

Oklahoma virtuoso guitarist Edgar Cruz has performed professionally for over four decades and has played throughout America, Europe, Mexico and South America. There’s still time to register! Deadline is September 11th.

ERICA C. THOMAS

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 9th!

SERVANT STUDENTS

LOOK WHAT WE DID!

OFF-CAMPUS GATHERINGS

One of our favorite traditions as the school year approaches is to meet up with the students off-campus. Early in August, we gathered at one of our favorite places, Sonic. This gathering was our first “official” event and was a come-and-go night full of fellowship and fun. The following week, we gathered at Andy’s Frozen Custard. This was another come-and-go night that saw an almost unfathomable amount of ice cream (frozen custard?) consumed. These nights are a great way for our students to ease their way back into a rhythm of school and student ministry. Also, it serves as a great way to generate excitement about what is to come.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

Our Back-to-School Bash was an absolute hit! We decided to do the bash at Main Event again this year. This was a great place that allowed us to accomplish all we wanted out of a back-toschool bash. The night was so fun and included plenty of arcade games, bowling, laser tag, ropes course, and pizza. These kinds of events at the end of the summer prove one important thing: the students are ready to be back together. It is such a joy seeing new friendships form and old ones continue. We truly have a special community of students that we are forever grateful for and that make all of the hard work so worth it.

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

SERVANT STUDENTS

SERVANT STUDENTS

WHAT’S TO COME?!

The beginning of the new school year means plenty of upcoming events! You can take a look at our September/October calendar here and get your calendars marked. We can’t wait to see what is in store for this year and to see the ways that God is going to move in the lives of our students. If you would, please pray for our students and leaders as this year begins.

Back-to-School Bash at Main Event was an absolute hit!

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

SERVANT KIDS Report

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.

LOOK WHAT WE DID!

POP UP SUNDAY

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.

As kids “popped up” to the next grade level, we celebrated the beginning of a new school year by praying over them during the service and giving them Servant Kids lanyards to add to the excitement of going back to school.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

We celebrated the start of a new school year at Main Event with Servant Students on August 30. We ate pizza, played in the arcade, and even did some fun activities like bowling and laser tag. It was a great start to a new semester!

SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS

Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. (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 a.m. and pick them up again at noon!

Kids ages 3 years old through fifth grade will meet in The Point each Sunday morning. Once the lessons start for the morning we will split into age-appropriate groups: preschool and kindergarten will be in a group and elementary kids will be in a different group. 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 .

SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS…

THIS OR THAT SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN

An adult makes about 35,000 choices every day, but adults are not the only ones with choices to make. Children have their fair share of choices too— about 3,500 of them. Every. Single. Day. Should I eat this snack or that snack? Should I play with this toy or that toy? Should I do this and share or do that and keep it all for myself?

Knowing that our preschooler’s 3,500 daily choices will one day turn into 35,000 daily choices is why we want to teach preschoolers that, when they have a choice between This or That, they can trust that God knows what’s best for them.

Our memory verse this month comes from 1 John 3:20 which says, “God … knows everything.” This month, we will learn that God knows what is best for us and we can trust what He says. God knows what is best for everyone. We can trust God knows best even when it is hard.

Who knows what’s best for you? God knows what’s best for me.

HARMONY: TOGETHER IS BETTER SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER

GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between FRIENDSHIP and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Friendship is using your words and actions to show others you care.

God created us for relationships. From the very beginning of the Bible, we see how important it is to have wise people in our life who help us understand how to honor God with our actions. When God sent Jesus, we were able to see the best example of friendship ever. Jesus showed us how much He loves us as He laid down His life for His friends. With His words and actions, Jesus showed friendship to everyone He met. We can reflect Jesus’ love best when we take time to care for our friends.

Our memory verse comes from Proverbs 17:17 which says, “A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes.” We will learn about choosing friends carefully. Friends keep their promises, stand up for one another, and forgive one another.

STILL TO COME…

HONK HONK! SAVE THE DATE FOR SERVANT FALL FEST!

Servant Fall Fest and Trunk-or-Treat is back! Join us on Sunday, October 29, 3:00-5:00 p.m., for Church of the Servant’s annual family-friendly Fall Fest. This event will include a trunk-or-treat, where kids can safely trick-or-treat and play games in our parking lot. Guests will also enjoy favorites like inflatables, face painting, balloon animals, a cakewalk, games, and so much more.

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 car and passing out candy for trunk-or-treat. We welcome decorated trunks and costumed volunteers, and there will be prizes awarded! We also need hospitality volunteers during the event, help with set-up and clean-up, donations of baked goods for the cake walk, and donations of bags of individually wrapped candies. Candy can be placed in any of the drop boxes around the church by Wednesday, October 25. For group or individual volunteer opportunities, contact Kourtney Aller at 405-728-4715 or kaller@servantokc.org.

KATHLYN REYNOLDS

RECEIVES THE LUMINARY AWARD

On Friday, August 4, Kathlyn Reynolds received The Luminary Award from Superintendent Dr. Fred Rhodes at the Putnam City Convocation held at Putnam City High School. This is an award given to teachers/faculty who have made a signficant impact on the world. Kathlyn is the very first recipient of this award in the Putnam City district! For 45 years, Kathlyn directed or taught children’s music; 24 of those years were in Putnam City elementary schools, and she was loved by all!

Here is what Kathlyn had to say about that day:

Words escaped me that day. Upon hearing my name called, my heart was overwhelmed with feelings of love, appreciation, humbleness, and joy. It is the most suprised I have ever been! The Luminary Award has meant more to me than anything I have ever received. And I’m still learning to accept it... because there are so many teachers out there doing a great job that deserve this award. Oh how I treasure those years as a teacher. I believe God led me to teach; I loved my kids and I loved teaching music. The audience that day was all of the teachers from the Putnam City district. They all stood up when my name was called, and I just cried. I have never felt so blessed in all my life.

Former student, Mayor David Holt, was there for the ceremony and proclaimed August 4th as “Kathlyn Reynolds Day!” Congratulations, Kathlyn Reynolds! Your Church family is so proud of you!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

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

Kathlyn posing with family after receiving her honors.

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

Happy Fall Y’all!!! It may still be hot outside but we’re bringing all the fall weather feels – pillows, food, fall decór, football and more! AND we received 30+ boxes of Christmas goodies this week! Don’t forget, Earthglow Market is coming – Saturday, November 11. Get it on your calendars now and start your holiday shopping!

CARE MINISTRIES

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

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

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

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

I S S I O N S

MWHIZ KIDS BEGINS 13th YEAR!

We have a new manual for our tutors and had a successful recruitment, adding on seven new volunteers! Some want to be subs and a few want to be tutors, but they are willing to sub until we get more kids. We are looking forward to a great year with 35 kids, and all our transportation, set-up and cookie teams returning. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

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

SUNDAY

Sunday service time is 10:00 a.m. and includes uplifting music, prayer, and a message that I believe will speak to your heart. Whether you are a longtime member of our community or are joining us for the first time, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you there!