20 More to Go! But 20 more what?
On Wednesday morning last week, I ran into Erin Page as she dropped her children off at our church’s preschool. I had to ask her how this year’s Servant Fall Fest was progressing. Since Erin is one of the coordinators for this year’s big event I knew she was just the person to ask. She quickly told me things were going very well! Then I asked her a big question: “How many cars are signed up for the trunk or treat?” “Thirty cars!” she responded excitedly. I was relieved to hear this news. Yet, I wondered what it would take for that number to rise to fifty?
Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister
I want to invite each of you to consider being one of the 50 cars. To reach this number, we need 20 more cars and trunks. With over 1,000 people in attendance and a professional fireworks show, this year’s Servant Fall Fest is shaping up to be a major event for all who attend! I want to ask each of you (who is not already signed up to help) to consider decorating your trunk. I promise you this – you will have more fun than the children who attend, and you will be home by 9:00 p.m.
To become one of the 50, please contact Erin Page at erinepage@gmail.com. Thank you for helping make this year’s Fall Fest something new! Matthew Mitchell
EARTHGLOW MARKET - A Great Way to Support Local Missions
At Church of the 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 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perhaps you are wondering how shopping this terrific event can possibly be a way to support local missions. Well, here’s the scoop. The total of the rental fees charged to vendors participating in the market, all proceeds from the bake sale and the café’ as well as the proceeds from Earthglow sales that day (and throughout the year), are distributed annually to worthwhile community/state organizations such as Circle of Care, Neighborhood Service Organization, Exodus House, Skyline Urban Ministries, and Penn Avenue Redemption Church. In Earthglow’s almost 42 years of existence, over THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS has been distributed to such agencies within our state. You can be a part of the mission of Earthglow by not only shopping regularly in Earthglow Gift Shop, but also by donating baked goodies for the Earthglow Market bake sale, by baking corn bread or the yummy chocolate sheet cake to be served in the café, or by volunteering to work either in the kitchen or at the bake sale on November 11, the day of the market. If you want to take one of these opportunities to practice your servanthood, stop by Earthglow and sign up to be part of Earthglow Market’s behind-the-scenes bakers and volunteers. Page 2 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Stewardship Before we count the costs, we must know what we have to spend.
My children will often come to me and quickly tell me how much something costs. “Dad…DAD…listen to this…I want this ‘thing’ and it ONLY costs $10.” I hear this so much that I have to admit, I often tune them out. I laugh and say, “If you can find $10 in my wallet, it is yours to spend.” My children know I don’t usually carry cash. Still, there is a much larger lesson I want to teach them. They need to ask, “How much money do we have available, and how much of that is available for us to spend?” Once they learn this lesson, I know they will begin to ask different and more important questions. Until then, it is easier to tune them out and say, “Go check my wallet.” I know for many church people, once they learn their church is about to enter into stewardship season, they begin to tune out and say, “No.” I hope this year you will not tune out. We have important questions to ask and dreams to dream. However, before we begin to dream dreams, I believe it is imperative to ask, “How much do we have?” This year’s stewardship campaign will focus on a Season of Thanksgiving. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and things unseen. Yet, when we give out of thanksgiving and faith, Church of the Servant will be able to step out in faith and begin to count the costs of what might come next in the ministry life of our great church. As you begin to pray about your household’s commitment to the 2018 ministry budget, please know you are helping us prepare for the future. You are helping build a firm foundation so that we may step out in faith as we begin to plan and dream for the next fifty years of ministry. Serving, Celebrating and Giving Together, Matthew
Stewardship News
Would you like to know more about the current financial status of Church of the Servant? Would you like to learn what was gleaned from fourteen listening sessions Dr. Mitchell participated in during the summer? Would you like to hear about plans for the future? If so, please plan to attend one of these Stewardship Meetings at the church:
Sunday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. in Celebration Center Sunday, November 5 at 6:00 p.m. in Celebration Center Members of the finance committee and other leaders will be in attendance to share where the church currently stands and what we hope to do at Church of the Servant in 2018. Please know these meetings are open to all who are committed to the ministry success of Church of the Servant. We hope to see you at one of these meetings! Please register to attend by contacting Becky Kittrell at bkittrell@churchoftheservant.com.
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Missions
Jimi Marrs:
25 years of Servant Leadership at Skyline
It is hard to believe it was 25 years ago that I responded to an article in our church newsletter seeking volunteers at Skyline, our United Methodist inner city mission on SE 15th Street. Skyline is a community of less fortunate and elderly people who depend on our services to have food, clothing and other help, without which their lives would be greatly affected in a negative way. I had just retired at 62 years old, and had a lot of life and energy to offer. I felt responding to the call might give me a fulfilling purpose in retirement, and it has for many years. Initially, I was in a volunteer role alongside others. Then I began coordinating groups from our church to prepare and serve meals to the seniors that come to Skyline several times a week to receive a warm meal. For many years, I served as our church liaison on the Skyline task force.
I have so many memories of the people at lunchtime on Wednesdays. Some of the most rewarding moments over the years have been knowing I was helping the needy and elderly have food for that day and some to take home for the evening or next day. Most of them were living on a very limited income and did not have money to buy food with other expenses. Helping with Clothes for Kids was also rewarding each school year as I saw children and their parents so happy to get new clothes. There were wonderful moments hearing their stories as I assisted in helping them get fitted in uniforms. The most wonderful changes in recent years have been seeing all the programs move to one facility and the new building added on for the food program and the eye clinic. I am looking forward to seeing the new kitchen when it is finished and plan to take my Sunday School class down for a tour of the whole facility since it has been remodeled. I remember many years ago when I papered the kitchen myself. I am so grateful for the role I have played and the opportunity to hand the mantle of service to a new generation of Servant leaders. To learn more about our Skyline partnership, visit our website under mission. – Jimi Marrs, as told to Dr. Robyn Goggs
Celebrating Mission Work in Kenya THIS SUNDAY, October 22, Stanley Gitari, Director of 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 the 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 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.
October Mission Focus: UMCOR Cleaning Buckets
Thank you for your wonderful response to the UMCOR Cleaning Bucket Mission this month! All 100 buckets went out in one week. 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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ADULT DISCIPLESHIP: Life and Faith Fall Series of Lectures 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
Adults BIBLE STUDY
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.
Mission of Jesus:
Triumph of God’s Kingdom in a World of Chaos!
Presented by Dr. Harriet Lerner Wednesday, November 1 // 7:00 p.m. in the Centrum
“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
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 sanitysaving conversation about moving in the right direction in relationships. This is a poignant event for both women and men.
“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 Ascension, and to Pentecost.
Why Won’t You Apologize? How to Heal the Hurts We Give and Receive 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.
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.
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.
John Farr is the teacher. Register at www. churchoftheservant.com/events.
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NextGen Family Worship October 25
Our NEXTGEN Ministry at Servant is about combining the influences of the Family and the Church to lead the next generation to become fully committed followers of Christ. We believe a great way to make this happen is by creating shared spiritual experiences for the families. Family Worship Night is one of those experiences. A Family Worship Night is planned for October 25, 6:00-7:30 p.m. The evening will begin with a FREE pizza/salad dinner in Community Hall. Families must register for dinner at www.churchoftheservant.com/ events by Monday, October 23. Dinner will be followed by worship in the Centrum. The Worship theme for the evening will be TRUST AND ACCEPT JESUS which is one of NextGen Ministries’ 4 Core Truths. We believe that when a person understands and lives out these 4 Core Truths, they are living as a fully committed follower of Christ.
Servant Fall Fest is next Friday!
Have you invited your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to attend Servant Fall Fest next Friday, October 27 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.? If not, there’s still time! This FREE, family-friendly event is the perfect opportunity to introduce new folks to our church. The addition of Trunk-or-Treat this year will allow children to safely trickor-treat and play games in our front parking lot. Also new outdoors will be a petting zoo for all ages AND FIREWORKS! 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. Note: The middle two parking lot entrances will be blocked starting Thursday evening through the end of Fall Fest on Friday night. Please use the north or south entrances on Friday.
The 4 Core Truths are: • Know and Love God • Trust and Accept Jesus • Grow in Faith • Serve God and Others Family Worship is meaningful, high energy and interactive. Our prayer is that this time of worship leads to great conversations among families about Faith in Christ and specifically each individual family’s faith in Christ.
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This new class of acolytes was consecrated on Sunday, September 17 during the 9:30 service in the Celebration Center. As acolytes, this group of 4th and 5th graders are part of the worship team serving God. They are symbolically bringing the light of Christ’s spirit into the worship service. The hope for children participating in this ministry is that they feel a sense of spiritual meaning and fulfillment. Pictured from left: Layla Austin, Evan Meadows, Rachel Weber, Kate Decker, Reece Mitchell, Charlie Cockrill, Landon Gaske, Ethan Burns, Maicee Cerney, Kaeley Larson, Piper Bard. Not pictured: Nate Farmer, Walker Gregory.
NextGen High School Thunder Night
Pancake Breakfast with Silent Auction
Our church-wide Pancake Breakfast with Silent Auction is Sunday, October 29. Join us for a morning of delicious food, fantastic service, while supporting the High School Spring Break Mission Trip! We will serve pancakes from 7:30 to 1:00 p.m. High School Ministries still needs 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!
Servant Kids Camp 2017 Was So Much Fun!
Kids Camp, 1st - 5th graders, was held at Canyon Camp in late September. The theme for the weekend was ENCOURAGERS. All the activities for the weekend were based on Romans 1:12: “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Activities included worship, games, hiking, crafts, and fellowship between campers and campers, campers and leaders, and leaders and leaders.
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!
High School Fall Retreat
High School Fall Retreat, 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 year’s 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.
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Adults
PRIME TIME
November 9 at 10:30 a.m. Prime Time welcomes back our friend, and the master of classical guitar, the incomparable Edgar Cruz. Edgar will entertain us with an incredible variety of musical styles. If you’re listening to Edgar play “classical”, you might find yourself listening to a Latin favorite, a classical medley, jazz, or even a big band favorite!
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 8 I ChurchoftheServant.com
Edgar has been named Oklahoma’s Top Performing Artist and/ or Acoustic Guitarist for more than ten years by the Oklahoma Gazette. He holds a bachelor’s degree in guitar performance from Oklahoma City University, where in 2010, he was honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award. His YouTube video of Bohemian Rhapsody reached 15,000,000 hits worldwide. As Oklahomans, we appreciate how generous Edgar is to share his special talents at many public occasions, often performing concerts as fundraisers for charitable organizations. To hear Edgar, all you have to do is come to Prime Time! We’ll be here Thursday, November 9, at 10:30 in Community Hall. Following Edgar’s performance, we’ll enjoy a feast to be thankful for - starting with Turkey and dressing, all the way to Pumpkin Pie! The program alone is $2; with the feast, it’s $10. Sign up online at www.churchoftheservant.com/events, at the Welcome Center, or call the church office, 721-4141. Don’t forget - Prime Time fellowship is free!
OH WHAT FUN! – A Christmas Crafting Morning Saturday, December 9 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in Community Hall $35 (all supplies for 2 projects and breakfast included) Come join women’s ministry for a Christmas Crafting morning! will feature coffee, bagels, fun and fellowship. We will be painting and creating a custom Christmas decoration as well as four wooden ornaments. Register and pay at www. churchoftheservant.com/ events or Sunday mornings in the Concourse beginning the first Sunday of November. Limited spots available, so register early! The mission outreach for the morning will be to provide a new or gently used baby/toddler coat for Infant Crisis Services.
The morning
Our Prayers
Our Life Together
u Cary and Jennifer Bartlow as Cary deals with health issues. u Gene and Susan Brantley as Susan recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at St. Anthony Hospital. u John and Genny Brewer as John deals with health issues. u Lola Burgtorf as Lola’s sister, Kris Taylor, is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center. u Landis Byerly as Landis deals with health issues. u Joyce Carson as Joyce recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Jarrell and Wilma Cathey as Wilma deals with health issues.
Our Prayers Continued
u Bill and Mary White as Mary’s mother, Mabel Fuhrmann, deals with health issues. u Linda Wright as Linda deals with health issues.
In the Kitchen
Oct 22 – Autumn Stew, Crusted Bread and Cornbread, Salad, and Dessert. Oct 29 – Pancake Breakfast Day!
Our Sympathy
u Tom and Gina Herndon and Family at the death of Gina’s brother-in-law’s father, Jim Womack. u Family and Friends at the death of Wilda Russell. u Bill and Mary White and Family at the death of Mary’s father, Clint Fuhrmann.
The Kitchen is located just inside Community Hall. Join us on Sundays for hot breakfast or lunch!
u Warren and Sue Collins as Warren’s aunt, Neva Grant Summers, deals with health issues. u Carole Colton as Carole deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Dale and Elaine Cox as Dale deals with health issues. u Joyce Gaige as Joyce’s son, Matthew Gaige, deals with health issues in Ft. Myers, FL. u John, Robyn, Noah, Daisy, and Julia Goggs as John’s father, Tony Goggs, deals with health issues in England. u Jake Hardesty as Jake deals with health issues. u Susan King-Baker as Susan recuperates from injuries from a fall. u Melissa Marshall as Melissa deals with health issues. u Ryan, Rebecca, Micah, Ezra, and Lyla McGee as Rebecca’s sister, Carrie Couch, deals with health issues. u Gerry Pinkston as Gerry deals with health issues. u Chloe Roberts as Chloe undergoes tests. u John Schille and Jimi Hadley as John faces surgery. u Chad and Leah Segress as their friend, Tamara Bossertt, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment. u Delbert and Linda Simmons as Delbert recuperates from surgery and is hospitalized at Integris Baptist Medical Center.
13.2 Coffee Shop
Fall is in the air! Come by and get a Pumpkin Spice latte or Hot Chai latte! Do you have Tuesday mornings available? We are in need of one or more volunteers to open and make coffee on Tuesday mornings during the school year. Grab a friend and contact Dana Israel if you can help! 918-914-0630 or disrael@ churchoftheservant.com. While you and your family are attending the Fall Fest, stop by 13.2 Coffee Shop! We will be open! We will also be open for the Earthglow Market! Reminder of our school year hours: Sunday: 7:30 a.m-Noon Monday: 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday: WE NEED YOU! Wednesday: 9:15-11:30 a.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday: 9:15-11:00 a.m. Friday: 9:15-11:30 a.m.
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Church of the Servant
14343 N MacArthur Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73142-9725
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED