WELCOMING A FAMILIAR FAMILY MEMBER HOME Greetings, One of the most exciting phone calls I shared prior to my arrival in Oklahoma City was a phone call with Rev. Dr. Stephen Gunter. Stephen had learned of my appointment to Church of the Servant, and very early on a Saturday morning I received a simple email stating, “CALL ME!” It was close to 6:00 a.m. that Saturday morning and with great anticipation I dialed the number. Much to my excitement I quickly heard a voice I knew very well! Stephen’s voice is a voice many in our Servant family know also. After all, he served as the Director of Church of the Servant’s Singles Ministry before moving to Atlanta, Georgia to teach at Emory University. Stephen and I proceeded to catch up for close to an hour. I was excited to learn Stephen was moving back to Oklahoma City, and he quickly told me that he and Ruth Anne would be in the Celebration Center on my first Sunday! My heart quickly jumped with joy... and a bit of fear. Stephen had been, and still is, my favorite professor from all of my journeys Dr. Matthew Mitchell in higher education. For me, he was the man who made John Wesley and the Senior Minister Methodist movement come to life in a profound way! For the first time in my life, it was in his classes that education became more than busy work, and a passion developed to dive deeper into Wesley and how our Methodist movement began. I share this excitement because I am truly delighted to share the news that Stephen will be returning to a staff role here at Church of the Servant! Stephen is now Church of the Servant’s Theologian in Residence (beginning September 1). Stephen will be participating in the staff and congregational life of the church. He will bring significant professional experience and theological integrity to our team and enable our great church to journey deeper in our discover of all things Methodist. I encourage you to welcome Stephen home when you see him on campus. His passion for Wesley may make the same ETERNAL DIFFERENCE for you that it did for me while in a classroom back in Atlanta. Matthew
Dr. Stephen Gunter
After previously serving at Church of the Servant, Stephen traveled to Atlanta where he was a professor at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Then Stephen became the President of Young Harris College, a UMC College in North Georgia, and recently retired from Duke University where he served as Associate Dean and Research Professor of Evangelism and Wesleyan Studies. Don’t miss Dr. Gunter’s lectures on October 8 and 15 at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in Chapel of the Cross titled, “Harvey!, Irma!, and a Loving God?” More information on page 7. Dr. Stephen Gunter Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com
NextGen Servant Kids Mission Leadership Team Our Children’s Mission Leadership Team, 4th and 5th grade students- Brooklyn Glenn, Peyton Disney, Katherine Russ, Greyson Gebb, Will McFarlane, Macey McFarlane, Katie Stafford, Carter Gebb, Noah Gilstrap, Walker Gregory, Deacon McLain, Sarah Sahmaunt, and Avery Stone, researched and chose Toby Keith’s OK Kids Korral to support as our 2017-18 mission project for Servant Kids. OK Kids Korral provides a cost-free, convenient and comfortable home for pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, Peggy & Charles Stephenson Cancer Center and other nearby facilities, here in Oklahoma City. Our children can bring money on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings to donate to this wonderful cause! Every time they bring money, each child will be adding a “link” to a “chain”, providing a visual way for the children to see the GROWTH of their giving, helping to build a habit of giving. This will be a competition between boys and girls!! We hope that our parents and adults will get in on the fun as well! Our team dreams that our chains, when all connected at the end of our mission time, will wrap all the way around the outside of our church! Please help us make this happen!
Front row: Avery Stone, Carter Gebb, Noah Gilstrap, Walker Gregory; Second row: Brooklyn Glenn, Peyton Disney, Katherine Russ, Katie Stafford, Sarah Sahmaunt, Deacon McLain, Greyson Gebb, Will McFarlane; Back: Cindy Brackenbury; Not pictured: Macey McFarlane.
This team, along with their parents and I, visited OK Korral Sunday afternoon. The tour gave this team a wonderful understanding of the great things that are provided for families of children suffering from cancer who come here from all over Oklahoma. We are very excited about this project and look forward to the good that God will do! Cindy Brackenbury, Servant Kids Elementary Coordinator
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Missions
Vietnam Fish Appeal Sunday, October 1
Our Missional giving at Church of the Servant takes many forms. Most basic and fundamental is our support of the week-to-week operations of the congregation allowing us to function as a ministry outpost in Oklahoma City. Emergency relief is a part of our life together – most recently through our gift to UMCOR in support of those suffering the impact of Hurricane Harvey. Likewise, we work to feed and clothe those in need within the community even as we sacrifice time and resources to improve reading skills and educational outlooks of children through our association with Whiz Kids. Each of these efforts and more provide a vital and immediate connection between what we believe and who we are as disciples of Jesus Christ. But there is one form of our giving that is proving to have the ability to sustain long-term structural change in the lives of our ministry partners in Kenya and Vietnam. When we step alongside our brothers and sisters in ministry, giving them ability to provide for their families as they work to proclaim the “Good News” of Jesus Christ in often forgotten corners of the earth, we are living into that greatest of commissions. At this time, there are twenty-three Vietnamese pastor families able to live out God’s call on their lives because of our ongoing faithfulness. Twenty-three families have received small herds of breeding cattle as a result of our gifts. On Sunday, October 1, we will gather a Special Fish Offering to continue this support. From Vietnam’s southern-most regions of the Mekong Delta, through the hills of the Central Highlands, to the rice paddies of the far north, God’s Word is being shared as a result of your willingness to come alongside this mission. In advance of this offering, we have received a special gift of $10,000. Our hope is that we will be able to triple that initial gift. It is impossible to estimate the eternal consequence of our giving. But within our own lives each of us have benefited from the faithfulness of those who have gone before us, building and establishing the church that is our spiritual home. Won’t you prayerfully consider how your gift might give others that same opportunity you have experienced? On Sunday morning, October 1, let’s come together and expand our partnership with the Church in Vietnam.
Autumn Arrives in Earthglow The signs of fall are seen throughout Earthglow, with new items arriving daily to help you decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Stop by to find festive fall inserts for your decorative doormats, ghosts, goblins, skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, turkeys, holiday towels and much more. Remember that the proceeds from every Earthglow purchase are used to support local missions. Our store is merchandised by a group of beautiful volunteers that travel to market in Dallas several times a year in search of treasures to fill our shelves. Pictured here are Sharon Evans, Margy Milewski, Beth Russ, Amber Mitchell, and Janice Flurry, who spent a couple of days selecting the next batch of goodies that we can look forward to finding in the months to come.
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NextGen 3rd Grade Bible Sunday September 24
Fall Fest Help Wanted! Please stop by the Servant Fall Fest table in the concourse Sunday, Sept. 24 or Oct. 1 to sign up to lend a hand -- or a trunk! Fall Fest will be Friday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. and for the first time this year includes a trunk-or-treat in our parking lot where children can safely trick-or-treat and play games. 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 during Servant Fall Fest. We welcome decorated trunks and costumed volunteers! We also need hospitality volunteers during the event, help with set-up and clean-up, and donations of baked goods for the bake sale and cake walk. We’re expecting nearly double the number of attendees this year, many first-time guests to our church. This FREE family-friendly event is the perfect opportunity to invite your friends, family and neighbors to visit our church. Also new this year will be an outdoor petting zoo for all ages. Indoor activities will include inflatables, balloon artists, face painting, therapy dogs, the cake walk, BINGO, hot dog dinner, cotton candy and popcorn sales, and the bake sale. A fireworks show will conclude the evening at 8:15 p.m. If you are interested in providing a trunk, and for other group or individual volunteer opportunities, contact Erin Page at 740-1208 or erinepage@gmail.com.
Church of the Servant celebrates our 3rd graders each year by presenting them with their own Bible. These celebrations will take place in the 8:15 Chapel Service, 9:30 Celebration Service, and 11:00 Modern Service in the Centrum, sharing this beautiful milestone with the congregation. Third graders and their families can choose the service in which they will be recognized. The celebration will extend into our Courtyard from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with donuts and fellowship.
We Need Help Leading Children to Christ!
Servant Kids is searching for adults who want to share their faith with kids 1 hour a week – yes JUST 1 hour a week. One class in particular is needing leaders – THE 5-YEAR OLD SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS THAT MEETS AT 11:00 am. Another NEED is for individuals who are willing to sub when a Sunday morning leader needs to be gone. Doesn’t happen very often, but it does. Contact Cathy Hersom at chersom@ churchoftheservant.com or by calling 405-728-4715.
Part-time Nursery Coordinator Needed
Servant Kids Wednesday Nights are going to be SUPER!! Our FAITHTASTIC FOUR will “power us up!!” Don’t forget to register your child for all the fun!
We are currently looking for someone to fill the position of Nursery Coordinator in NextGen Ministries. Responsibilities include operation of the Church of the Servant Nursery on Sunday mornings and during church sponsored ministries/ classes/functions as well as the management of our Nursery Staff. If you are interested in the position or want more details, please contact Cathy Hersom, Director of Servant Kids at chersom@ churchoftheservant.com.
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Women
FALLING INTO GRACE Reflections on the 2017 Women’s Retreat
According to author and theologian John Newton, “Grace is the love of God that emphatically proclaims that I am loved and worthy no matter what I do.” On an absolutely gorgeous early fall weekend on a hillside tucked in between the Lake of the Arbuckles and the Arbuckle Mountains, sixty-five Servant women met to experience a time of reflection and renewal and to delve into the transforming power of God’s grace. Several of these women have shared a brief expression of how the retreat impacted their lives both as we met in small group and worship settings, and as they have now returned to the city and the demands of everyday life. “What a wonderful time to get away from the busyness of the world and spend it with old friends and new ones. Hope to see this event continue to grow.” Amy Hammons “I went to this retreat emotionally and physically exhausted. After caring for various family members for three months without a break, I decided it was time to take care of Maurie. I came away rested, renewed, and revitalized.” Maurie Cole “The Women’s Retreat was an excellent opportunity both to deepen relationships with old friends and to begin new friendships in an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement.” Janice Hendryx “What a wonderful weekend surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and the opportunity to share God’s word with women of Faith! A weekend filled with Grace, Faith and Blessings!” Sally Riffey “I had a much-needed weekend away at the Women’s Retreat with my church. It was restful and relaxing and reflective. There were lots of women there who have been of support to me over the last six months.” Jennifer Robinson “I was undecided about going to the retreat because I was going alone. Two days before the retreat, a friend said she would go too. I’m so glad I went! Before the retreat, I felt close to friends, but not really connected to the women in my church community. During the retreat, I felt transformed! I could see how I was connected through Christ to everyone! I’m not all alone on my journey through life after all. I feel loved, lovable and loving. Thank you for the opportunity to be transformed by falling into grace.” Pat Travis This annual retreat has come to be a greatly anticipated time away for many women within our faith community. In a safe, loving atmosphere, there is sharing of food, sharing of laughter, and most importantly, the sharing of the stories of each of our lives that have unfolded in so many varied ways. And there is also the discovery of the commonality of those life experiences. In our own experiences, we have all been to the peaks and plunged into the valleys of life, but varied as those experiences may be, there is a common theme – God loves us each unconditionally and we can each fall into that grace that He alone can offer. Ladies, take out your 2018 calendar right now and block out the dates of September 14, 15 and 16. Don’t let anything stand in the way of joining us at the Chickasaw Retreat Center near Sulphur, OK for the fourth annual retreat. Details will come much later, but stand firm in your commitment to, as Maurie says, “Take time to do something for YOU.”
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Our Life Together Our Prayers
u Ted and Margie Alabester as Ted recuperates from surgery. u Jean Arbuckle as Jean faces surgery at the OK Heart Hospital. u Gary & Darlene Berkovsky as their friend, Mark Huckleby, deals with health issues. u Clive and Beryl Cadle as Clive recuperates from surgery. u Ken, Sandy, Caley, and Tanner Carlton as their friend, Alan Jackson, deals with health issues. u Lou Ann Chumbley as Lou Ann’s friend, William Hughes, deals with health issues. u Ryan, Cayse, Landon, and Callen Deane as their friend, Craig Cook, deals with health issues. u Dale and Betty Folks as Betty recuperates from outpatient surgery. u Tom and Linda Gulley as Linda’s mother, Anne Ettinger, deals with health issues. u Jim and Coleen Henry as their brotherin-law, Warren Stroud, recuperates from surgery. u Mark and Linda Hill as Linda deals with health issues. u Susan King-Baker as Susan’s sister, Ginni Burns, deals with health issues. u Elizabeth Large as her brother, Steve Large, recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at M.D. Anderson. u Charles and Nancy Lombardy as Nancy deals with health issues. u Steve and Doris Morrison as their brother-in-law, Bob Marsala, deals with health issues. u Norman and Kipp Neaves as Kipp faces surgery at McBride Orthopedic Hospital. u Pat Norton as Pat deals with health issues and is a resident at Bellevue Health and Rehab Center. u Allen and Carrie Schlegel as their grandson, Reagen Schlegel, deals with health issues. u Jane Self as Jane recuperates from injuries from a fall and is a resident at Epworth Villa.
Our Prayers Continued u Doug and Ella Sprung as Doug, their niece, Teri Wright, and their granddaughter, Lindsay Sprung, deal with health issues. u Lloyd and Zoe Williams as Lloyd deals with health issues.
In the Kitchen
Sept 24 – Meatloaf, Potatoes, Veggies, Rolls, Salad, and Dessert. The Kitchen is located just inside Community Hall. Join us on Sundays for hot breakfast or lunch!
CARE MINISTRIES
When a family is faced with an illness or crisis, it is important to remember to inform Care Ministries of that special situation. As a church family, all of us can help. If you know of a member who would benefit from our specialized care or our prayers through Care Ministries, call Care Ministries at 7284738 or 721-4141.
Our Sympathy
u David and Sherri Boyd and Family at the death of Sherri’s mother, Shirley Foutz. u Lori Burgin, Phillip and Leslie Dickey, Kevin and Monica Wittrock, Van and Sammye Bumpass and Family at the death of Lori’s and Leslie’s mother, and Monica’s and Sammye’s sister, Nonna McCorkle. u Family and Friends at the death of Ralph Engle. u Dennis and Sally Gilstrap and Family at the death of Dennis’ brother, Mark Gilstrap. u John, Kristin, Haley, and Tyler Fitzgerald and Family at the death of Kristin’s father, Gregg Jacoway. u Sharon Soergel and Family at the death of Sharon’s husband, Don Soergel. u Family and Friends at the death of Jack Wallace. u Stan Van Nort and Liz Fajen-Van Nort at the loss of their beloved dog, Molly.
“Harvey!, Irma!, and a Loving God?”
Presenter: Dr. W. Stephen Gunter, Theologian in Residence Dates: Sundays, October 8 and 15, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Location: Chapel of the Cross Do recent storms and other natural disasters leave you wondering about your faith in God? Are insurance companies right to call these “acts of God”? What does it mean when well-meaning Christians assert “God is in control!”? How can our Creator be a loving God and let all these bad things happen? If these and other related questions are of interest to you, then this special teaching event may pique your interest. Professor Stephen Gunter returns to ministry at Church of the Servant as “Theologian in Residence” after more than 2 decades at Emory University and Duke Divinity School – where he served as Research Professor and Associate Dean and Research Professor of Evangelism and Wesleyan Studies. He has lectured and preached in more than 25 world areas while remaining active in his annual conference as an ordained Methodist clergy. His most recent book, Arminius and His ‘Declaration of Sentiments’ (Baylor University Press) was translated into Portuguese this summer, and Dr. Gunter just returned in August from a 12-day book tour in Brazil. Check him out on Google under W. Stephen Gunter.
u Larry and Cheryl Spears as Cheryl undergoes treatment. SERVANT September 20, 2017 I Page 7
Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
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