October 2024 Newsletter

CONNECT EDITION 24 .10

|

OCTOBER 2024

C H U R C H O F T H E S E R V A N T ’ S M O N T H LY N E W S L E T T E R

Pastor's

PER SPEC TIVE EMBRACING FAITH & COMMUNITY

Servant Faith Family, Another amazing month is in the books here at Church of the Servant, and what a month it has been! While the summer months of July and August brought their own sense of excitement and joy, September brought forth new and returning opportunities for all to grow in their discipleship!

Rev. Kyle Anderson

Starting in September several weekday Bible studies returned with studies focused upon the teachings of Jesus, the book of Revelation, the Chosen television series, and just about everything in between! Two new Sunday school classes were launched this month, providing much-needed opportunities for young and middle-aged adults to have a place to grow in their discipleship while providing encouragement and support to one another in the Christian community. Then, there was the Fall kickoff of our Wednesday night activities. Over 140 individuals came to our cookout, nearly all participating in a Wednesday night ministry such as Bible studies, choir, or ministries with children and youth. If you are looking for a way to grow in your faith, there’s a place for you and every member of your family here at Church of the Servant on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. Come early, and you can fellowship with others over dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Hall!

Senior Pastor

Know that we’re not letting up during the month of October! This month brings with it a mission trip opportunity for our youth during Fall Break, our annual Fall Fest on October 26th, a renewed focus on missional outreach, and the chance for each of us to look toward the future and commit ourselves to God’s Kingdom work in this place through our "Let Your Light Shine" stewardship campaign. It continues to be an exciting time here at Church of the Servant and I look forward to continuing this journey alongside you. See you soon!

Blessings,

Pastor K yle

2

The CONNECT | October 2024

CELEBRATION CHOIR

NEWS!

Church of the Servant Hires Ed Davis as New Choir Director!

Pastor Kyle and the Church of the Servant Leadership Team are excited to announce Ed Davis as the new Choir Director for Church of the Servant, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Davis has an educational background in choral conducting and has long-term experience leading a large church choir. Mr. Davis retired from full-time ministry after serving 21 years as the Director of Worship and Music at the First United Methodist Church of Stillwater, Oklahoma. There, he conducted the choir, planned three worship services every week, and led the praise team. During this exciting time, Mr. Davis looks forward to returning to church ministry and becoming part of Church of the Servant.

Join the Cantata!

It is the time of year when we gear up and start planning Christmas programs, decorations, and, of course, the Christmas Cantata! A Cantata is a piece of music that takes us on a singing journey, with narration inbetween songs. It is a piece of art in music written to tell a story.

Our choir has already begun practicing for the "City of Hope," a Christmas Cantata production. I invite you to sing with us as we prepare for the production. We will offer this to God as we perform it on December 22, 2024, during morning worship. If you would like to sing with us, we invite you to come to practice on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM. We start on the Cantata at approximately 7:30 PM each night and finish around 8:00 PM. Join in the fun!

SUNDAY WORSHIP @ 10:00 AM Join us for worship this Sunday. We will be gathering together to celebrate and give thanks, to connect with one another, andThe to CONNECT seek guidance and2024 inspiration for the week ahead. | October

3

NOTES FROM

PASTOR SHERI I was waiting. I was at an airport in California. My flight had been canceled, and I was not informed until I got to the airport. By 4:00 PM, I had missed three flights so far. My waiting began at 7:00 AM, and at 4:00 PM it showed no sign of abating. So, as I waited, I thought about waiting.

We can wait for things like a package to arrive, a taxi to drive by, or the sun to rise.

We wait for people to come to our party, to keep their appointments, and get to church. We can be waiting for another person; of course, whomever we’re waiting for may not show up.

If you’re really important or wealthy, you may not need to wait as long as others.

You get to cut to the front of the line at airport security, you get to board an airplane first, and in a restaurant, your table is already waiting for you. If you are a Queen or Princess, you have a “lady-inwaiting” who attends to your needs.

We wait in groups, and we wait in lines, and we wait in cars. Waiting implies that we’re at the mercy of someone else.

At the grocery store, we’re hostage to clerks and elderly persons; at banks, to available tellers or loan officers; at Starbucks, to barista trainees; at the clinic, to doctors and nurses; at the post office, to government employees who are made available in some conversely bizarre logic, to wit: the longer the line, the fewer clerks. Sometimes, we’re told that waiting is a good thing. We should wait until marriage to have sex, but we should also wait to get married; we should wait to buy that flat-screen TV until we can pay cash; we should wait for the ball instead of swinging too early. It’s not good to swing early.

If you’re tired of waiting, you can go to a special room designated as a waiting room. This is where you can be with 4

others who are waiting like you. There, you can play the Waiting Game, which consists of trying to guess how long you will wait before the wait is over. Waiting is especially hard if you have nothing to do while waiting. That’s why Jesus, when talking about waiting, would also talk about working — work for the night is coming. Life becomes tedious very quickly if you don’t have anything to do while waiting. Waiting is more difficult for some people than others. Waiting is always linked to hope. Only this can explain the expression, “I can’t wait!!!”

Waiting is a metaphor for faith. Why would you wait if you didn’t believe that, ultimately, your wait would be rewarded?

Sometimes, we wait when there seems to be no hope. We wait for the wife to get ready or for the husband to fix the leak in the toilet. We wait for peace. We wait for justice. We wait for our children to grow up. We wait for the day when our college loans are paid off. We can’t wait to be 16, then 18, then 21 years old. We can’t wait for the Summer to come, the Fall to come, and Christmas and snow to come. The object of our waiting may change. We can’t wait to be a family and for children to come. Then, we can’t wait for it to be just the two of us and for the children to leave!

Perhaps it is the farmer, however, who does the most waiting. Even farmers, however, find work to do while waiting for the seeds to sprout and the harvest to ripen. We sow seeds and wait … wait … wait. We prepare the soil, water the soil, provide nutrients, and wait for the seeds to sprout. We wait for signs of life, for evidence of growth. If we see some, we continue to irrigate and cultivate.

We wait for signs of fruit. We talk to our seedlings — we have classes, provide support groups, preach sermons, offer The CONNECT | October 2024

Rev. Sheri Lashley Associate Pastor

counseling, and so on. But it’s all a waiting process. Waiting is hard work and humble work because waiting is the work of self-denial. The person who waits is a person who has been put in his or her place. We wait at the good pleasure of others who, in this or that situation, are our “betters.” The person who waits — patiently — is a person who has died a thousand deaths.

The good news is that those who wait on the Lord will find their strength renewed in the Lord. So we wait. Weary but waiting. With hope. It’s what keeps us waiting. Recently, a friend of my family, someone I grew up with, died of a heart attack at age 52. He was one to always say, “I am going to squeeze every bit of living into every moment of my life.” I like that. I am going to try to do that as well.

As we wait for things to change, get better, and be different, perhaps life is passing us by. I don’t want to have any regrets at the end of my life. And I don’t know when that will be. So, in the meantime, I work, I see, I go, I live, I wonder, I wander…. Whatever the next thing is, I’m there. Something to think about, eh?

Pastor Sheri

5

WOMEN'S MINISTRY Women's Retreat Recap To “retreat” means to leave our normally occupied positions and go to a place of safety, quiet, and seclusion. This is what a group of thirty-five women from the church did the weekend of September 6-8, 2024. We arrived Friday evening at the Chickasaw Retreat Center near Davis, OK, to a beautiful facility on top of a hill overlooking Lake Arbuckle. The sun was shining, and the views were amazing. It was the perfect place to remove ourselves from life’s distractions and make space for God. Along with good food and fellowship times, we participated in a spiritual study based on “A Broken Teacup.” Spiritual sessions were held on “Embracing our Flaws,” “Healing and Transformation with Gold,” and “Kintsugi.”

Rev. Lashley, Misty Farmer, and Lindsay Ballard provided special music and directed the group to praise God by singing.

Mary Garret guided the group in a spiritual exercise of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Each participant was provided a cup, which was broken. We then began the process of repairing it with glue and gold paint. Scripture says His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

No matter how broken we may be, God is eager to do His Kintsugi work in us.

Patricia Hocker led an exercise about the different ways to pray and a reminder to everyone that the “Lord’s Prayer” is a guide for all our prayers.

Sherri Price took the group on a journey with a creative exercise called “From the Inside Out.” Knowing more about ourselves allows us to place our truest selves before God and more fully cooperate in transforming us into the one God dreamed us to be.

Retreats are where we sing our praises, share our faith stories, pray together, and hear biblical messages that help us better understand Christ and strengthen each other. We believe that was accomplished in many ways and the group is anticipating one for next year.

Darla Bierig Women’s Vision Team 6

The CONNECT | October 2024

"A Broken Teacup" Women's Retreat

The CONNECT | October 2024

7

WOMEN'S MINISTRY "Faith, Hope & Art" Tuesday, November 12, 6-8 PM LADIES: Bring a friend, and join us on Tuesday, November 12, 6:00 - 8:00 PM in Community Hall for a fun evening of art and sweets. The cost is $15 and includes desserts, coffee, and all the art supplies you will need to complete a beautiful Christmas-themed art project.

We will paint a “Festive Fir” Christmas tree with acrylic paint on an 11" X 14" canvas. You don’t have to be artistic to complete this project. Easy, step-bystep instructions will be given, and basic techniques of painting with acrylics will be demonstrated. All materials and supplies will be provided. Come have some fun while exploring your own creativity. Your masterpiece will truly be one of a kind!

Carpool is available for anyone who prefers not to drive at night but would like to attend this fun event. To register, go to ServantOKC.org/art.

"He has filled him with God's Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every kind of craft." - Exodus 35:31 CSB

Register today at ServantOKC.org/art.

8

The CONNECT | October 2024

SERVANT YOUTH Fall Break Mission Trip October 17, 18, 19

Youth from 6th grade through high school are invited to join our Fall Break Mission trip on October 17, 18, and 19! Our time will be filled with fellowship, devotion, and service to the Oklahoma City community by working at the Regional Food Bank, Urban Mission, and more!

We are excited to partner with the Stillwater FUMC Youth Group for this mission!

The cost is $150, which will help cover the cost of food and project materials. For questions and information, please contact Chris Ward, Director of Family Ministries, at cward@churchoftheservant.com. Please register by October 6 by going to the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EAEA928A0FDC07-51748925-youth#/

The CONNECT | October 2024

9

FAMILY MINISTRIES SUNDAYS WITH SERVANT KIDS Servant Kids meet in person on Sundays. Kids ages 3 years old through fifth grade will check in upstairs and join their parents in the 10:00 Celebration Service. After the Children's Conversation in service, the children will go downstairs with Chris Ward, Director of Family Ministries.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT KIDS It is harvest time on Wednesday nights for elementary kids at Church of the Servant. We are teaching the children how to have lives full of fruit, just like Paul taught the churches of Galatia. When people see our lives, we want them to see baskets full of fruit—the Fruit of the Spirit. Each week, we are teaching how to live your life with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When we put our faith in Jesus, we receive an amazing gift from Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit leads us, we grow and start to bear fruit! It’s a way of saying that we become more like Jesus. Each week, the children learn about a different fruit of the spirit through lessons, games, and crafts. The kids really enjoy learning the Bible lesson with our science experiments. We will learn new worship songs and even try special fruity treats. All the fruitful fun is also a great way to build relationships with new friends. Join us on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 PM.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT YOUTH Each Wednesday, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Servant youth group meets for various activities, including learning Bible stories, having group discussions, and playing fun games.

If you’re a middle or high school student, or know someone who is, we’d love to see you on Wednesday nights! It’s a perfect time to recharge during the busy school week, make new friends, and explore faith in a fun and encouraging setting.

YO

H T U

We are currently planning a local mission trip during Fall break! For more information, email Ms. Chris at cward@churchoftheservant.com.

10

The CONNECT | October 2024

d 6 - 12 G ra

e!

SERVANT FALL FEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS! Join us on Saturday, October 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m., for Church of the Servant’s annual family-friendly Fall Fest. This event will be INDOORS and include bouncy house, trick or treating, face painting, games, and so much more.

Admission is FREE! We are partnering with Skyline Food Resource Center (FRC) for the month of October! All who attend Servant Fall Fest are encouraged, but not required, to bring donations for FRC. Their most needed items are: Cereal, Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Chunky Style Soups, Pasta, Canned Fruit, Toilet Paper.

The excitement and outreach generated from previous Fall Fests has been incredible! Can you help us continue that success? We need Sunday School classes, Bible study groups, small groups, families, groups of friends, and individuals to commit to providing a decorated booth and passing out candy for trunk-or-treat. There will be prizes awarded for the best booth and the best costume! We also need hospitality volunteers during the event, help with set-up and clean-up, donations of baked goods, and donations of bags of individually wrapped candies. Candy can be placed in any of the drop boxes around the church by Wednesday, October 23. For group or individual volunteer opportunities, contact Chris Ward at 405-721-4141 or cward@churchoftheservant.com.

11

12

The CONNECT | October 2024

The CONNECT | October 2024

13

M I S S I O N S WHIZ KIDS

ARE WORKING HARD AND PLAYING, TOO September has been a busy month for Whiz Kids. We’ve been getting to know each other, celebrating birthdays, reading, and playing educational games. We have 34 wonderful kids & tutors. Some of our kids have already finished 17 pages of their sight words. We are so proud of them.

We would love for you to drop by our site at New Hope UMC at 116 & Council anytime between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM on Mondays when school is in session.

14

The CONNECT | October 2024

EXODUS HOUSE

M I S S I O N S

Annual Reunion Festival Saturday, October 26, 2024 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM • • • • •

Bring your favorite fall dish or dessert Donate a raffle basket Volunteer to run a game booth Bake a pie for the Pie Bake Off (Don’t forget to bring the pie) Located at 433 NW 25th Street, Oklahoma City

Exodus will be having its annual reunion on October 26! If you have goods or services you can donate for the raffle basket or if you are the ultimate pie baker and can provide pies, contact Melanie Taylor at 405.408.5158 or Donna Powell at 405.637.6490.

Other ongoing needs are: • • • • • •

Shampoo, shaving cream, razors, body wash, towels, laundry baskets and laundry items. $25 Walmart gift cards Lunch gift cards (Sonic, McDonalds) Provide Tuesday night meals for all residents Provide birthday cake, prayer cards, cards Invite Exodus to speak to your Sunday School class

• • • •

Winter bedding or coats Donate furniture, housewares, and clothing (call Matt at 405.417.1189) Food basket Sponsor a resident when they move to aftercare or give a holiday basket.

EXODUS HOUSE is a Christian organization established for the purpose of helping released ex-offenders and their dependent children to become productive, cohesive family units. We offer assistance in job placement, budgeting, homemaking, living skills, and parenting.

The CONNECT | October 2024

15

SAVE THE DATE: Earthglow Market - Saturday, November 9, 2024 Mark your calendars for a day of shopping and community support at the Earthglow Market on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. With over 100 booths offering holiday and home decór, gifts, jewelry, yummy treats, and more, this free-admission event is the perfect opportunity to find unique treasures for your loved ones and, of course, a few treats for yourself! The Earthglow Market is not just about great shopping—it’s about giving back. All proceeds from booth and table rentals, food and bake sales, and profits from the Earthglow Gift Shop go directly to local mission work.

If you’re a crafter, limited booth space is still available, so be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible, visit the church website for more details. Sponsored by the Earthglow Gift Shop, this annual indoor market has become a cherished tradition in our community, helping to raise over $1 million for missions over the years. Your participation in the Earthglow Market has made a significant impact, and we’re grateful for your continued support. See you there!

CHRISTMAS GRACE has been a Church of the Servant tradition for over 20 years! Each year, we work with community agencies that have identified local families needing a little extra love and care at Christmas. Christmas Grace preparation is well underway! We will have a list of numerous families and individuals needing gifts for Christmas. Won’t you join us in spreading Christmas cheer by being the hands and feet of Christ this season?!

Beginning Sunday, November 3, Christmas Grace tables will be set up like a mission fair in the Concourse. Please stop by the tables to learn about each organization and their needs. Each table will have a list of families and individuals to choose from. Plan now with your family and your classes and small groups to sponsor a family or individual. This is one of the many ways in which we follow the teachings of Jesus and reach out with His great love!

16

The CONNECT | October 2024

17

OCTOBER MISSION FOCUS Skyline Food Resource Center We are partnering with Skyline Food Resource Center (FRC) for the month of October! Please help us try to reach our goal of 1,000 items! You can bring donations for FRC to the church; there will be bins in the concourse throughout the month of Octobe. FRC's most needed items are: Cereal, Canned Meat, Peanut Butter, Chunky Style Soups, Pasta, Canned Fruit, Toilet Paper.

Our Fish Appeal on Sunday, October 6th, will benefit Skyline Food Resource Center. Please tune in to the worship service on Sunday at 10:00 AM to hear more about the wonderful things Skyline Urban Ministry is doing for our community!

What is the FISH FUND: Every Sunday, Church of the Servant collects what we call a voluntary “Fish Offering.”

There are a few fish-shaped baskets placed around the sanctuary. We use these offerings for missions. On the first Sunday of each month, the fish offering will be dedicated to a particular organization, such as Skyline Urban Ministry, Meals on Wheels, or Rise Against Hunger. On the other days, the offering goes into a general mission fund called the Fish Fund to be used for mission work as it is needed in the community, the state, and the world.

We love and appreciate your support!

18

The CONNECT | October 2024

PRIME TIME O C T O B E R / N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 4

OCTOBER

PRIME TIME LUNCHEON Thursday, October 10, 10:30 AM Community Hall

Special Guest: G3 We welcome back one of our favorites, Gospel Guitar Guys (G3), who will bring us their own brand of “American Gospel” – a combination of bluegrass, rock and roll, country, blues, and jazz. If you’ve never heard G3, you’re in for a real treat! Registration coming soon!

-----------------------------------Michele Snow will provide us with a yummy meal that includes an entrée, vegetable, salad, bread, beverage, and dessert. The cost for the program and meal is $15 ($5 for program only).

Church of the Servant has an active group of Senior adults that participate in small groups, Bible studies, and other activities throughout the year. On the second Thursday of each month, a special Prime Time Fellowship Program with a luncheon is held in Community Hall.

G3: Gary Rutz, Don Cole, Lindsay Ballard

ServantOKC.org/prime-time DEADLINE TO REGISTER: MONDAY, October 7th!

NOVEMBER

PRIME TIME LUNCHEON Thursday, October 14, 10:30 AM Community Hall

Special Guest: Michael Kleid A Touch of Sax is an easy-listening, classy live music experience, exquisitely performed on the saxophone by Michael Kleid. The songlist is a diversified compilation of popular songs from yesterday and today.

Genres include Motown, standards, classic rock, contemporary hits, R&B, and smooth jazz. Michael has a repertoire of over 250 songs, suitable for all ages.

The CONNECT | October 2024

19

CARE MINISTRY ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS’ SUPPORT GROUP Do you have a loved one who is dealing with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia? If so, we invite you to attend our support group, which meets on the third Tuesday of each month (3:00 – 4:30 PM) at Church of the Servant in the Library. The meeting dates for the next few months are October 15, November 19, and December 17. Our group is an official support group offered by our local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and that same local chapter has trained our group facilitators. The group is open to anyone in our community whose family has been affected by dementia. You can register by contacting Vicki Roberds at (405) 728-4738 or vroberds@churchoftheservant.com.

Whether your loved one is living at home, or if they’re a resident at a care facility…either way, we hope you’ll consider attending. If you need care for your loved one during the time you’re at the meeting, you’ll need to make your own arrangements for that care. There is no cost to register for the group. We hope you’ll consider staying connected with others going through a similar experience to yours. A burden that is shared is always a burden that becomes lighter.

Come and see what blessings come your way when you become part of the giving and receiving of support.

Chrismons

20

It is that time again to begin getting ready for the Advent Season, and part of this is the making of the Chrismons. Chrismons are a decoration for the Chrismon Tree, and the name tells us what it is: Christ Monogram. Chrismons are typically colored white and gold, sometimes silver or cream. White is the liturgical color for Christmas and symbolizes that Jesus was pure and perfect. Gold symbolizes His Majesty and Glory. Silver is also a color of Royalty.

Chrismons can be made from nearly anything, but common materials are wire, beads, ribbon, gold thread, and so on. The symbols used in Chrismons are ancient Christian symbols, and each has its own significance. While Chrismons are a more recent development in the long history of Christmas traditions, they embody the same spirit of faith and celebration that has always been central to the holiday. They are handmade, and are gifts to the church by those that make them. If you would like to be a part of Chrismon making, please call the church at 405-721-4141 to receive more details.

The CONNECT | October 2024

Church of the Servant will be offering a support group for those who are going through a season of grief. We are using GriefShare as the resource. If you are interested, please contact Vicki Roberds in the church office or by email at vroberds@ churchoftheservant.com.

A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way.

All Saints Sunday November 3rd

While all Sundays are important here at Church of the Servant, I want to extend a special invitation for you to join us for our annual All Saints celebration. This is a time for the Servant faith family to remember and give thanks for those in our family who have entered into God’s eternal kingdom over the past year. Our entire service this day will connect to this theme, including a time of reading the name and lighting a candle in memory of each individual. I know you find it just as important as I do that we give thanks for those who have gone before us, and I look forward to seeing you on November 3rd!

Blessings, Kyle

CAMERA OPERATORS NEEDED! We are looking for a few volunteers to run a camera on Sundays during 10:00 worship.

No experience necessary! See what happens behind the scenes with our Media Team and join the fun!

Contact Heather DeShazo for more information at hdeshazo@churchoftheservant.com or by calling the church office at 405-721-4141.

The CONNECT | October 2024

21

Calling All Military Veterans

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION As we move forward in our mission to support and honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces, we are working on several upcoming events designed specifically for our military veterans. One such event is Veterans Sunday, which will be held on November 10, 2024.

Veterans Sunday: Honoring Our Heroes Veterans Sunday is a special day dedicated to recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans. We will be hosting a special church service and a recognition ceremony. This day is not only a time for us to show our gratitude but also an opportunity for veterans to connect and share their experiences.

To ensure that you receive timely and relevant information about Veterans Sunday and other events, we kindly request that all military veterans update their current emails and mailing addresses. This will allow us to provide focused informational emails and keep you informed about all the activities we have planned.

Please update your information by filling out the form at ServantOKC.org/veterans, or by contacting David Myers at 479-586-2212 or bugmesh@gmail.com. The following information is requested: • • • • • •

Name Mailing Address Email Branch of Service Rank at Separation Theater of Operations

Stay Connected Staying connected with our veteran community is a priority for us.

By updating your contact information, you will receive: • • •

Personalized invitations to events like Veterans Sunday.

Important updates and news relevant to our veteran members.

Information on resources and services available to veterans.

We are committed to making sure that our veterans feel supported and valued within our church community. Your participation and engagement are vital to the success of our events and initiatives. We extend our deepest gratitude to all our veterans for their service and sacrifice. We look forward to celebrating Veterans Sunday with you and hope to see many of you there. Please take a moment to update your contact information so that we can keep you informed and connected.

For questions or assistance with updating your contact information, please contact David Myers at 479-586-2212 or bugmesh@gmail.com. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Update your contact information at ServantOKC.org/veterans.

22

The CONNECT | October 2024

CHURCH OF THE SERVANT

LEADERSHIP TEAM UPDATE Your Leadership Team has been busy working on high-priority items as we move forward. Here are a few key items: •

Vision & Mission—After several prayerful months of work, we have a new Vision and Mission that will be our guideposts going forward. At an upcoming allchurch meeting, which we will call Listening Post on October 17, we will review this with the church body and then work towards incorporating it into our work as followers of Christ.

•

Goal setting - We have begun setting our strategies to carry us through 2025, and with those goals for our pastors, staff, and volunteers. These will be reviewed at a future Listening Post meeting when appropriate.

•

•

Security - The security of our staff, members, and children, including those attending Warm World and Starbright, is a top priority in our uncertain world. To that end, changes to our physical security systems and services have been and continue to be made to reinforce those already implemented earlier in the year. We will continue to look at all options to ensure the safety of all within our facility.

Technical enhancements - Over the years, the budget hasn't been sufficient to keep pace with the technological needs of our church. This includes

We welcome your input and attendance at Leadership Team meetings and appreciate your service.

Further Leadership Team information and meeting dates can be found in our website's 'About' section.

It's an exciting time to be part of the Church of the Servant family!

Brian Dickerson Leadership Team Member

both computer-related devices/software as well as audio/visual. A full assessment of needs has been completed and issues are being addressed in order of urgency. With a restricted budget, we can't do everything at once, but in the 2025 budgeting process, we will be allowing for upgrades over time that will keep our staff and volunteers supplied with the tools needed.

•

The Servant Foundation has been a vital part of Church of the Servant for decades. With recent membership turnover, it is time to elect a new Board and review the Foundation's by-laws. Board Member nominations are underway, and once finalized, they will require approval at the first following Charge Conference. Then, the by-laws will be reviewed and revised as appropriate.

•

With such a large church facility and so many different things taking place therein, it is important that we 1) make maximum use of the space for church or mission-related activities, and 2) ensure those using the church are properly vetted and, if necessary, have a usage agreement in place. A task force has been established, and we will provide updates on their activities as they happen.

LEADERSHIP TEAM Church of the Servant’s Leadership Team governs the congregation's work and ministry. The Leadership Team has scheduled monthly meetings. All Leadership Team meetings are open to the public. For more information about the Leadership Team, go to ServantOKC.org/leadership-team.

The CONNECT | October 2024

23

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

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

U.S.POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT NO 99

OKLAHOMA CITY 73125

Follow Us! A United Methodist Congregation

WORSHIP TIME

SUNDAYS at 10:00 AM

CONTACT US

14343 N MacArthur Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73142 ServantOKC.org (405) 721-4141

@ServantOKC

LIVESTREAM

Sundays at 10:00 AM servantokc.online.church Facebook.com/ServantOKC YouTube.com/@ServantOKC