A Childlike Faith Greetings, I am excited October is finally here! So many great things happen in October each year. For me, Fall seems to really begin in October; the days grow shorter and the temperatures become noticeably cooler. Another reason I enjoy October so much is because of the fun of Halloween. I know some do not agree with Halloween, but it is a time where I check my faith. “How?” you ask. I love the costumes and events around Halloween. I love to watch my children dress up and imagine what it must be like to be a super hero or a cowboy. I enjoy their laughter, their imagination, and the belief they have for one night a year that they can be someone or something different. When they were really little, there were moments of complete faith that they had become what their costumes helped them to be. It was wonderful! Their belief and hope helped me to check my own faith and hope. Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister
In Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV), Jesus reminds the people to have a childlike faith, and I have to admit, I can learn so much about faith when I see a child dressed as a super hero:
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 2
As an adult, it can be hard to have childlike faith. Sometimes, all we need to do is watch the children around us to learn what Jesus was talking about. Would you like a special opportunity to rediscover a childlike faith? If so, join me and over 1,000 others on Friday, October 27 for Servant Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat. You can learn more about this special event later in the pages of this newsletter. With your help we might all discover the deeper meaning of what Jesus meant when he spoke about childlike faith! Serving Christ and His People Together, Matthew
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Celebrating Mission Work in Kenya
Missions
On Sunday, October 22, Stanley Gitari, Director Maua Methodist Hospital and our partner in mission, will be here from Maua, Kenya to catch us up on the work of the hospital and home for street children that we support as a church. Stanley comes to us grateful for our giving and eager to share how our support is making a difference there. He will be in all worship services for a mission moment, then he will speak and share stories and photos in Chapel of the Cross at the 11:00 a.m. Plan to come hear him share and be inspired by how we are connected in making a significant difference in Kenya.
Fish Funds at Work!
A Red Tractor and Famine Relief
Last December, a Special Fish Offering was taken to purchase a tractor for a street children rescue center in central Kenya. We hoped to collect $20,000, which was the price of the tractor and a disk implement as well as seeds and fertilizer. The money collected was almost $28,000! Mission Council approved sending $3,500 of the extra money to a drought relief fund operated by the Methodist Church of Kenya. Delivery of some of the food was made while we were in Kenya. A woman who helped deliver the food to a remote part of central Kenya told us that 200 people were expected and about 1,000 showed up. The food that each person received was 2.2 lbs of corn, 5 lbs of beans, a small container of cooking oil, and a packet of a Kenyan spice. The food was given to people in this order: the elderly (over 70), the disabled, moms with children, and finally, men. We certainly experienced the dust and parched land as we traveled in Kenya this summer. We pray that the rains come in October to provide some relief. A shiny red tractor was delivered to Watoto wa Ahadi (Children of Promise Rescue Center) located near Maua, Kenya the first week in September. Our Kenyan partners researched to find the tractor that would best suit their purposes and then put it out for bid. This tractor will be used on the 79 acres of the property where the boys are being rehabilitated and it will also be used by people in the surrounding villages to farm their own land. Servant is indeed serving people far beyond our walls. – Ann Knutson and the Kenya Mission Team
October Mission Focus: UMCOR Cleaning Buckets Every year when disaster strikes around the world, the United Methodist Committee on Relief responds to serve people in practical ways. Most recently, UMCOR is ministering to people in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico in the aftermath of one of the worst hurricane seasons on record. One of the ways this ministry happens is to provide cleaning buckets full of supplies, so those affected can begin putting their lives back together. This practical gift says, “You are not forgotten; there is hope.” Would you be a beacon of hope this month to another person around the world by taking and filling an UMCOR bucket? A supply list is included and the cost to fill it is approximately $30. Please return your bucket by Sunday, October 29, as buckets will be blessed and taken to the Oklahoma United Methodist Annual Conference the following week.
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NextGen
Darci Lynne Wins It All!! Darci Lynne is quickly winning the hearts of fans all over the world, with almost 650,000 followers on Facebook and over 37 MILLION views on YouTube! After reaching a record number of votes and views, Darci was announced as the WINNER of “America’s Got Talent” Season 12, taking home the grand prize of one million dollars and receiving a show in Las Vegas in early November 2017! Darci Lynne wowed Mel B this season on “America’s Got Talent” and received her Golden Buzzer for her performance alongside Petunia. Darci, who considers herself shy, began singing at six years old and her mother, Misty, entered her into a pageant in the hope that it would give her daughter confidence. After her first performance, Darci went on to win multiple talent contests and pageants by the age of ten. Darci was then inspired by a ventriloquist at a pageant and decided to give it a try. She has since won multiple state and national talent contests for ventriloquism and has appeared on TV around the world. Due to her success as a ventriloquist, she recently gave up being a gymnast to pursue her love for performing.1
Darci Lynne Farmer
Darci Lynne has been doing ventriloquism for two years. She attends Deer Creek Middle School. Darci is the daughter of Clarke and Misty Farmer, long-time members of Church of the Servant. As a church family, we have followed and supported Darci from the beginning, and we are so proud of her accomplishments!
A Message from the Farmer Family: It’s been over a week now and we’re still in shock! To say our daughter won “America’s Got Talent” is beyond our comprehension! It did happen and we are truly blessed to experience such joy, but we couldn’t imagine going on without saying a huge “THANK YOU” to our Church of the Servant family for supporting us all of the way. I have read countless messages from church family and friends that are overwhelmingly inspiring and so appreciated! Thank you for celebrating with us and giving of your time and love. – Clarke and Misty Farmer
Farmer family at “America’s Got Talent” (above) and at Easter church service (right): Clarke, Misty, Nick, Dalton, Darci, and Nate Farmer
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Dear Church of The Servant, this is Darci Lynne. I just wanted to say a big “thank you” for all of your support and for voting for me!! I couldn’t have won without you all and I’m so happy to belong to the best church anywhere! I pray I will always be a light of God that shines through to help anyone I can to see His goodness and grace. – Darci Lynne ------------------------------------Darci Lynne Bio NBC.com “America’s Got Talent” Web, September 2017, www.nbc. com/americas-got-talent/credits/credit/season-12/darci-lynne.
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ADULT DISCIPLESHIP: Life and Faith Fall Series of Lectures Harvey!, Irma!, and a Loving God? – How Do Christians Discuss Faith and Natural Disasters? Presented by Dr. W. Stephen Gunter Sundays, October 8 and 15 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. in 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 pair of special teaching events may pique your interest. Professor Stephen Gunter returns to ministry at Church of the Servant as “Theologian in Residence” after more than two decades at Emory University and Duke Divinity School where he served as Research Professor and Associate Dean for Methodist Studies. He has lectured 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.
Spirituality and Your Mental Wellbeing Led by Dr. Ed Beckham Sundays, October 29 and November 5 9:30 a.m. in Chapel of the Cross
Spirituality and religion have had a rocky relationship in the past with psychology and science. But now, more than ever, scientists are starting to take seriously the importance of religion and spirituality in promoting physical and mental wellbeing. New research techniques are giving us a window into the brain and into what happens when people practice their spirituality. This is opening up new sources of support for our traditional beliefs, but it is also opening up new challenges in understanding. In this two-hour series, you will learn some things about how your brain works, how it responds to spirituality, and what you can do to enhance your own psychological and spiritual wellbeing. Ed Beckham, Ph.D., has lived in Oklahoma City since coming here in 1980 to join a multi-site research program on the treatment of depression. After spending 11 years at the OU Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, he went into private practice. Since then, he has specialized in the treatment of depression and anxiety as well as having a general practice in psychotherapy and psychological testing. He has a Master’s Degree in Divinity and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He has edited two books on depression and authored a variety of journal articles and book chapters on the subject. He has been teaching an adult Sunday School class at Church of the Servant since 1982. The topic of spirituality and mental health brings together his two main interests into one presentation.
Adults Why Won’t You Apologize? How to Heal the Hurts We Give and Receive
Presented by Dr. Harriet Lerner Wednesday, November 1 7:00 p.m. in the Centrum Dr. Lerner comes to shed new light on the two most important words in the English language — I’m sorry — and offers a unique perspective on the challenge of healing broken connections and restoring trust. Dr. Lerner has been studying apologies — and why some people won’t give them — for more than two decades. Now she offers compelling stories and solid theory that bring home how much the simple apology matters and what is required for healing when the hurt we’ve inflicted (or received) is far from simple. In her most recent book, Dr. Lerner explains what drives both the non-apologizer and the over-apologizer, as well as why the people who do the worst things are the least able to own up. She helps the injured person resist pressure to forgive too easily and challenges the popular notion that forgiveness is an easy path. With her trademark humor and wit, Lerner offers a joyful and sanity-saving conversation about moving in the right direction in relationships. This is a poignant event for both women and men. Dr. Lerner is one of the most respected voices in the psychology of women, and the “how-to” of navigating the swamps and quicksands of difficult relationships. She is the author of 12 books published in 35 languages. These include: the New York Times best seller, The Dance of Anger, and her new book, Why Won’t You Apologize? Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts. This event is a FREE public event.
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Adults We Are Not Alone Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Do you crave interaction and sharing with others who have also experienced the death of someone they care about? If so, perhaps you would benefit from our Grief Support Group at Church of the Servant. Being part of a group of people who encourage and build up one another in the faith can make such a difference as we grieve. Whether you have recently experienced the death of a loved one or have been on a grief journey for a long time, we hope you’ll consider joining the group. Sometimes just realizing that we are not alone can be such an encouragement as we experience grief. The group meets in the Library (North Office Complex) on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. through January 7, 2018. Each session includes a helpful video and time for discussion and sharing. We utilize the Grief Share curriculum, and each participant will receive a complimentary workbook. Register by contacting Vicki Roberds at 728-4738 or vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.
Prime Time
October 12 at 10:30 a.m. Prime Timers, put your hands together to welcome back the 5th Street Jazz Collective from UCO, one of your favorite and most requested groups! This outstanding jazz band is comprised of UCO faculty members and alumni - trumpeter Lee Rucker, trombonist Jeff Kidwell, clarinetist and saxophonist Brian Gorrell, pianist Dennis Borycki, banjo/guitarist Danny Vaughan, bassist Michael Geib, D.M., and drummer David Hardman - under the leadership of Brian Gorrell, Director of Jazz Studies at UCO. For an encore, our own Jenny Johnson, Coordinator of Servant Academy of the Arts, will tell us about all the new fall class and individual offerings, such as strings, piano, composition, and ballroom dancing - available to students of all ages - including you! Following this entertaining morning, we will feast on Salisbury steak, cheesy potato casserole, corn, tossed salad, and apple crumb cake! And don’t forget - bring your Bingo prizes for Servant Fall Fest on October 27. Prizes should be under $5, bagged and marked for boy, girl, or either. Prime Time was thrilled to break all our attendance records last month as members and guests filled the hall to start our 31st season! Let’s keep this energy alive!! Join us again on October 12, 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall, for an exciting morning of jazz, information, and as usual, good ole’ Prime Time fellowship! Program alone is $2; program and meal is $10. Sign up at the Welcome Center, call the church office, or online at www.churchoftheservant.com/events.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group Are you caring for (or giving support to) a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia? If so, we invite you to attend our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group, which will meet from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month, beginning November 12, 2017. This group is designed to give Christian support and encouragement to people who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Whether you and your loved one are far along on this difficult journey, or if you are brand-new to dealing with this challenge in life, you are invited to join us. Some may have their loved one living at home with them, while others have their loved one cared for in a nursing home or care center. Either way, we welcome all of you, the caregivers and supporters. Here’s how it works: Just take it upon yourself to set up any care that might be necessary for your loved one during the time of our meeting (we don’t offer such care on-site here at Church of the Servant)…and then join us for a time of learning, sharing, and caring for one another in a Christian environment. If you’re interested, contact Vicki Roberds at 728-4738 or vroberds@churchoftheservant.com. Page 6 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Mission of Jesus: Triumph of God’s Kingdom in a World of Chaos!
Adults
“More than two thousand years ago, a young Jewish woman named Mary, with no place to call home, found shelter in a shepherd’s cave, or in a stable beneath a home, and gave birth to a son. With the birth of that child, God took the most significant step in his great plan to redeem a broken world.” – Ray Vander Laan Beginning Tuesday, November 7 through December 5, a new Bible study begins called “The Mission of Jesus.” It will be held in North Adult Center, room 12, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. “The Mission of Jesus” by Ray Vander Laan will deepen your understanding of God’s desire to redeem a broken world, how Jesus made God’s presence known to the world, and how God asks you to do the same. It is a 5-week video study that will take you to Capernaum, Decapolis, the Crucifixion, the Asension, and to Pentecost. John Farr is the teacher. Register at www.churchoftheservant.com/events.
Beginning Yoga Class
Tuesdays, October 10 - November 28, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Be good to yourself; awaken your mind, body and spirit with your Yoga practice. This class will focus on basic Yoga poses including stretching, breathing and relaxation. When Yoga becomes a routine in your life, it can help with blood pressure, mental clarity, flexibility, and reduce stress. These are only a few of the benefits you may experience. This 8-week class is for all ages and abilities. The class meets in the The Point Student Center. The 8-week class is $60 or single classes are $10. Contact Jo Fendrych 405-8083082 to enroll or for more information. Proceeds donated to Church of the Servant and A Place to Grow, Inc. Scholarships are available.
Servant Foundation Golf Tournament Hits a Hole-In-One! The Servant Foundation Golf Tournament on September 16 raised over $5,000 and provided fun and fellowship for all who played! The team that finished in First Place was the foursome of Dustin Baker, Joe McFarlane, Jamon Herndon, and Coby Greenhaw. Of the 108 players who challenged the preacher, eighteen beat his shot and will receive special t-shirts that say, “I Beat the Preacher!” Everyone enjoyed the event and many say they are looking forward to next year’s outing! SERVANT October 4, 2017 I Page 7
NextGen Fall Fest Needs YOU! Throughout October, we are holding a Candy Drive for Servant Fall Fest. Because we’re expecting so many attendees this year, we are seeking donations of bags of individuallywrapped candies to be passed out to children on the night of October 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The candy will supplement our volunteers manning this year’s new Trunk-or-Treat in our parking lot, where children can safely trick-or-treat and play games. Candy can be placed in any of the drop boxes throughout the church by Sunday, October 15. In addition to candy donations, we need volunteers! If your Sunday School class, Bible study group, small group, family, group of friends, or YOU can commit to providing a car and passing out candy during Servant Fall Fest’s Trunk-or-Treat, please contact Erin Page at 740-1208 or erinepage@gmail. com. We are also seeking hospitality volunteers during the event, help with set-up and clean-up, and donations of baked goods for the bake sale and cake walk. Fall Fest is a FREE family-friendly event and the perfect opportunity to invite your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors to visit our church. Also new outdoors this year will be a 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. In case of rain, all activities will be moved indoors. Costumes are encouraged for attendees and volunteers, but no scary costumes, please! Children should bring their treat bags to collect goodies throughout the evening. In lieu of admission, please consider bringing donations of diapers or wipes for Infant Crisis Services.
We had a beautiful celebration for our 3rd graders receiving their own Bible on Sunday, September 24. Pictured are some of those wonderful kiddos!
Servant High School Thunder Night
The Oklahoma City Thunder has invited Servant High School for a Thunder Night on Wednesday, October 25! This event is for all 9th-12th grade students. Tickets are limited and cost is $15. We will meet at the North Entrance of Chesapeake Arena (across the street from the Cox Center) at 6:30 p.m., and parents will need to pick up their students at the end of the game. You can sign up online at www.churchoftheservant.com/events or at The Point Student Center. Forms are due October 18, but get your form in asap to ensure that you will get a ticket!
Pancake Breakfast with Silent Auction
Our church-wide Pancake Breakfast with Silent Auction is October 29. Join us for a morning of delicious food, fantastic service, and support the High School Spring Break Mission Trip! We will serve pancakes from 7:30 to 1:00 p.m. High School Ministries is in need of several more baskets for our Silent Auction being held during our Pancake Breakfast. If you, your Sunday school class or some other group in which you are involved would like to donate a basket, please contact Sang Nguyen at 728-4754. Your help is greatly appreciated!
High School Fall Retreat
High School Fall Retreat, on November 17-19, is a chance for students to take a break from the craziness of life and retreat to Canyon Camp. This will be a wonderful opportunity for students to fix their attention on their Creator. Fall Retreat is filled with small group, games, worship, relevant teaching, hiking, and so much more. This years theme is “Pause”. We fill focus on what it means to follow Christ in a culture that is moving a hundred miles an hour! Registrations are due October 29! Register at www.churchoftheservant.com/events. Page 8 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Our Life Together Our Prayers
u Jean Arbuckle as Jean recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at OK Heart Hospital. u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky as their niece’s husband, Steve Jobe, faces surgery in Dallas, TX. u Bill and Faye DeLong as Faye recuperates from a procedure. u Thomas and Darlene Dooner as Darlene faces surgery at Mercy Health Center. u Jim and Lisa Fansher as their friend, John Evans, is hospitalized at OU Medical Center.
Our Prayers Continued
u Annell Thompson as Annell’s cousin, Becky Collins, deals with health issues. u Bob Turner as Bob faces surgery at St. Anthony Bone & Joint Hospital. u Dennis and Cheri Warren as Dennis faces surgery at Mercy Health Center. u Nicole Welch as her uncle, Jerry Hobson, recuperates from surgery. u Richard and Charlotte Wylie as Charlotte recuperates from surgery.
Our Sympathy
u Steve and Doris Morrison and Family at the death of their brother-in-law, Robert A. “Bob” Marsala. u Vicki Muir and Family at the death of Vicki’s mother, Jerre Stanley. u Suzanne Rogers and Family at the death of Suzanne’s husband, Larry Rogers. u Cheryl Wilson and Russ Pendergraph and Family at the death of Cheryl’s former daughter-in-law and Russ’s former spouse, Amanda Bassett.
u Grant, Leslie, Cooper, and Caroline Flurry as their uncle, John Marler, deals with health issues. u Steve and Lisa Hall as Lisa deals with health issues. u Ron and Sharon Hendricks as their friend, Gordon Rickard, deals with health issues. u Walter and Barbara Kendall as Walter undergoes rehab at Tuscany Village Nursing Center. u Nan Miller as Nan’s sister, Kim Loomis Irwin, undergoes a procedure in Dallas; and Nan’s friend, Stephanie Musser, deals with health issues. u Phyllis Mosher as Phyllis’ grandson, A. J. Mosher, is hospitalized at OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital. u Phyllis Narcomey as Phyllis recuperates from injuries from an automobile accident. u Jordan, Erin, Addie, Hutch, and Weston Page as Weston recuperates from surgery. u Jim and Mary Pearson as Mary recuperates from surgery. u Delbert and Linda Simmons as Delbert recuperates from a procedure. u Mark and Dianne Snyder as Dianne faces surgery at OCOM Surgery Center. u Jerry and Nancy Stearns as Jerry recuperates from surgery; and their daughter’s mother-in-law, Claudeen Harrison, deals with health issues. u Ed and Dorothy Tebow as their granddaughter, Meg Tebow, is hospitalized at OU Medical Center Children’s Hospital. u Greg Thomas and Conni Smiley-Thomas as their grandson, Deacon Thomas, deals with health issues.
Earthglow Market is Coming Soon! At Church of the Servant, the thought of fall brings to mind the smell of chili, beans and cornbread, and the memory of that infamous chocolate sheet cake. Yes, at Servant, one of the long-standing highlights of fall is Earthglow Market! You are cordially invited to spend a few hours on November 11 exploring the great selection of home décor and fashion items, enjoying the delicious food, and taking home yummy snacks from the bake sale. You can jump start your Christmas shopping with a large array of choices. Our parking is easy, everyone is welcome, and admission is FREE! Join us on Saturday, November 11, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Earthglow Gift Shop will be filled with many new holiday items as well. Proceeds from booth and table rental, food/bake sales, as well as the proceeds from the Gift Shop will go to local missions. If you are interested in participating as a merchant for the 2017 Market, please log on to www.churchoftheservent.com/events to access forms and information on how to become a vendor. SERVANT October 4, 2017 I Page 9
Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
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