Newsletter - December 2022

Senior Minister

Christmas Greetings!

I hope this month’s newsletter finds you well. I also hope you are preparing for a won derful Christmas season. As Christmas day quickly approaches, you may want to find a special place to discover a moment of peace and quiet. After all, each of us will need a moment or two to discover the peace that can only be found in Christ during the next few weeks. You never know, a simple place to think and reflect about what this special season is all about may be in order. If your interest is growing as you read these words, I want to encourage you to journey to the church and discover the Fontanini manger display located in the north concourse just outside the entrance to the Celebration Center. The manger is tucked away. However, it is tucked away for a few good reasons.

Years ago, a family donated a beautiful Fontanini manger set to Church of the Servant. In the past, the manger set was displayed in different locations throughout the church, and this year the manger is displayed in a new place of prominence and protection. Fontanini mangers and figurines are well known throughout the world for their fine craftmanship and exquisite detail. The cost to replace our manger set would be quite high, thus locating a place of prominence and protection is of the utmost importance.

I also hope you will be able to venture to the church and discover a place to pause, ponder and pray. In doing so, I hope you will find peace and be reminded what this season means for all of us. A bench has been placed at the manger for you to em brace a moment of pause. You never know, you may be drawn to linger, take a seat and encounter the Lord during this busy time of the year. Please enjoy this special offering during the Advent and Christmas season. If you would like to learn more about Fon tanini, go to www.fontanini.eu

I hope to meet you at the Manger this month at Church of the Servant!

Dr. Matthew Mitchell

Over one hundred years of quality and tradition, which have been perpetuated for four generations. Founded in 1908 in Bagni di Lucca.

WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM

December 9th & 10th | 6-9 pm December 11th | 6-8 pm

WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM will take place on Friday and Saturday, December 9 & 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m., and on Sunday, December 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m. On these three special nights, part of the campus will be transformed into a faraway land and an immersive experience for God’s children of all ages. Walk Through Bethlehem will serve as a unique and special way to share the great story of the birth of Jesus. During these three nights, you will have the opportunity to walk the streets of Bethlehem! The royal decree of Caesar Augustus will be fulfilled as all are counted in the census! You can attempt to check into King David’s Inn (is there a vacancy?). And as you stroll through the interactive, kid-friendly village bazaar, you will be transported back in time to the great story of the day of Christ’s birth. You can also experience a petting zoo at the Royal Stables, the Nativity, and so much more! Admission is FREE! No reservation is needed.

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

SERVANT KIDS Report

SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS

Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning at 10:00 and/or 11:00 am! Elementary kids (grades 1-5) will meet in The Point Student Center on the south side of church. Kids in kindergarten and younger will meet downstairs. Two-hour programming is available. The same topic will be covered all morning long, but each hour will have different activities and videos to reinforce the lesson. This is a great option for parents who want to attend both a class and worship service on Sunday mornings. Drop your kids off between 9:45-10:00 and pick them up again at noon! Virtual options are available on our website each week. If you can’t make it in person on a Sunday morning, check out the lessons and videos online at ServantOKC.org/kids .

Josh Snodgrass Assistant Director of Servant Kids

BRI RUSSELL!

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION, SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON COMMUNICATION ABOUT EVENTS! CONTACT KOURTNEY TO CHECK OR UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AT KALLER@SERVANTOKC.ORG OR 405-728-4715.

Bri Russell is the mom of three boys and, as a former teacher, she is excited to share her love of learning with our nursery-aged children. Bri grew up in Pennsylvania, went to college at Villanova University, and moved to Oklahoma to be a teacher with Teach for America. When Bri is not chasing after her three boys, she enjoys knitting, teaching exercise classes, and anything that involves being outside!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WE POST UPDATES, INFORMATION, PICTURES, AND MORE, SO DON’T MISS OUT! GO TO @SERVANTKIDS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM!

SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS BY TEXTING @SERVANTKI TO 81010.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

We will celebrate the most important birthday of the year, Jesus’ birthday, on Sunday morning, December 18, at 10:00 and 11:00 am. Wear your Christmas pj’s and come eat some pancakes with us as we learn about and celebrate Jesus!

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS WITH SERVANT KIDS

We will meet DOWNSTAIRS on December 7, 14, and 21, then we will take a break for Christmas. We will resume meeting on January 11, 2023.

DECEMBER HAPPENINGS…

PAJAMA PARTY

SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH

KINDERGARTEN

Christmas is about celebrating the most special person –Jesus! Jesus is special because Jesus is God’s Son. We don’t have to buy him a gift, and we don’t have to wear fancy clothes to His birthday party. But we can celebrate Him.

So, let’s throw a pajama party to help our preschoolers celebrate and learn that Jesus is God’s Son. We want our preschoolers to know that God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, to be our friend forever and to make a way for us to always be with Him. It’s our biggest hope that you will create such a memorable month for preschoolers that they will never forget that Jesus is special because Jesus is God’s Son.

Our memory verse this month comes from John 3:16 which says, “God loved the world so much that he gave his only son.” This month, we will learn that God told Mary she would have a son, Jesus. Jesus is born, and the shepherds run to Jesus. The wise men also come to see God’s son. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s son.

THE BIG GIVE: GET WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS SUNDAYS IN DECEMBER GRADES

1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between CHRISTMAS and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Courage is all about celebrating Jesus, God’s greatest gift.

James, the brother of Jesus, wrote that every good and perfect gift comes from God, but the best gift God ever gave was Jesus. From the beginning, God has had a plan to rescue the world from the consequences of sin. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan. Because of Jesus, it’s possible for us to have a relationship with God that will last forever. As we remember the Christmas story, we take time to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever known.

Our memory verse comes from Luke 2:11 which says, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

We will learn that God always has a plan, and anything is possible with God. We will discuss how Jesus is the greatest gift and how the good news is for everyone. We can’t wait to see you in December!

KANAKUK KAMPOUT!

Mark your calendars now for the return of Kanakuk Kampout! next summer! The dates are June 5-9, 2023. Registration is now open, so make sure to register early before the spots fill up like last summer! https://kanakuk.com/kampout/

HANGING OF THE GREENS

Thank you to all the ladies of the church who joined us for the Hanging of the Greens on Sunday, November 20, 2022. It was a fantastic event! We spent the first part of the afternoon decorating the church halls with greenery. We then went into the Celebration Center for a special service led by Patricia Hocker and the singing of Christmas carols led by Joyce McDaniel and Kelly McDonough. After the service, we went into Community Hall, where we decorated Chrismon ornaments to display on our 12-foot Chrismon tree in the center of the north concourse. If you haven’t had a chance to see the beautiful decorations, make sure you come and take a look next time you are at the church.

Jessica King Director of Connections

BOOK OF JOB

TRUSTING GOD WHEN ADVERSITY COMES

Do you ever ask, "Why is this happening to me? Where is God?" Discover new meaning in the difficulties of your life as you follow Job's amazing journey from prosperity to pain and back again. Learn how to wait in complete dependence for God to come through in your life.

In this study, you will learn tools to do just that to trust God in good times, and bad times. To be able to wait in complete dependence of God. To watch His will unfold in your life. You can trust God because He is sovereign He reigns over everything in this world He is always in control, even when we can’t see it.

Where: North Annex Room 12 Wednesday – January 11 – April 5, 2023 9:30 am – 11:30 am Workbook cost estimate $18 + shipping)

PRIME TIME

JANUARY

PRIME TIME FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON

Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

In Community Hall

We are excited to bring Oklahoma Folk to our first Prime Time event of 2023! Oklahoma Folk is a delightful trio of musicians that are known for their soulful harmonies. They are excited to make their debut with Prime Time and are designing a program of music that will be beautiful and moving, aimed at addressing the richest components of the human experience.

Oklahoma Folk is a trio comprised of Church of the Servant music ministry members Lindsay Ballard and Steve Muns, and their dear friend and collaborator Donnita Dagg. Lindsay can be seen every Sun day morning leading worship at Church of the Servant and has made previous appearances at Prime Time as a member of G3. Donnita was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and now resides in Edmond. She is a former law enforcement officer and insurance fraud investigator. Steve Muns is retired from the oil and gas industry. In addition to Oklahoma Folk, Steve plays mandolin and guitar in the Weak Stream String Band (aka Upstairs String Band). Steve and Donnita began singing together in the early 90s, and Lindsay joined them in 2020. The trio often performs with three additional musicians when appropriate for the venue.

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.

There’s no membership fee, just a warm invitation to anyone who would like to have a great morning of fun, food and fellowship! You can sign up any time at Guest Central in the concourse, or online at ServantOKC.org/PrimeTime. Join us Thursday, January 12, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in Community Hall. Hope to see everyone there!

SERVANT STUDENTS

6TH - 12TH GRADE

BOWLING NIGHT

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

Skyler Rodriguez

Assistant Director of Servant Students

Would you like more information about Servant Student Ministries? Contact Heather at hwinner@ServantOKC.org or Skyler at srodriguez@ServantOKC.org.

It seems as if every year around November, students begin to seek some change in their everyday lives. Being in school for over three months now, the days begin to look more and more similar. But even beyond just their school and social lives, we also feel as if they are seeking some newness from student ministries as well. In the month of November, we wanted to try to put an emphasis on their communal faith as a student ministry. In early November, we decided on a whim to take the students out for a night of bowling instead of doing our usual Wednesday night programming. Any time you make a sudden change to a regularly scheduled programming event, there is some worry. Will people be upset that we made a change? Will anyone show up? How will the overall ministry react? To our surprise, this was one of the most well-attended events this year! We saw our usual crowd, but we also got to see some new faces, along with some students that we haven’t seen in a good while. I believe this really showed us just how much our student ministry loves one another and their hunger to be in fellowship together, whether that be on the church campus or at a bowling alley.

Skyler Rodriquez

NIGHTS OF WORSHIP

Still wanting to introduce some change in the month of November, we had two special nights of worship for the students. Rather than beginning our Wednesday nights with fast-pace games and competitions, we decided to take a step back, slow down, and worship together. Megan Brydges, one of our worship leaders for both modern and traditional services, has volunteered to help lead the students in worship. For some of the students, this was their first time to worship since summer camp, mission trips, or other retreats. For some others, this was their first time to ever worship. The response was phenomenal, both from leaders and students as well.

“The worship brought a totally new aspect of connection to our total group! Bonding with the Lord through music and song is always incredibly powerful, and the worship team does a lovely job of making a welcoming setting during worship for everyone to really connect with God.”

- Audrey Barto, Senior

“The past two weeks have been full of energy at Servant Students Wednesday Worship! From the fellowship as we gather, the praise and worship, to the message and small groups. We have found fun and fellowship celebrating our relationship with Christ together.”

- Joe McFarlane, High School Leader

We are looking forward to doing more nights of worship in the future. In the meantime, our prayer is that our students would recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our worship and praise. We can’t wait to worship together again!

Skyler Rodriquez Assistant Director of Servant Students

AWAY IN A MANGER...

As the Christmas season approaches, Servant Students have been given an incredible opportunity. This year’s Walk Through Bethlehem will feature some new faces in the manger scene! These faces include students and leaders willing to participate in a live nativity and narration of the nativity story. With this opportu nity, some will play shepherds, some will play wise men, and some will play the role of Mary and Joseph. We cannot wait!

It has been a joy getting to ask students for their participation. At first, as we pitched the idea to them, so many seemed shocked to get to help. Some were intimidated, some jumped at the idea, but I believe all were excited for the chance to tell the story of the birth of Jesus.

As we prepare for this incredible weekend, we find this to be an incredibly humbling experience. Who are we to tell this story? Who are we to act as these men and women who appear in the greatest story ever told? In these thoughts, though, we find an invitation so beautiful: God invites all, no matter the age, into the story of His grace and love for the world. We look forward to seeing our students come to this same realization as they receive the blessing of declaring what happened "away in a manger."

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

SERVANT STUDENTS HOLIDAY HAPPENING

We want to end the year together with some service. Join us for a day of helping out at City Rescue Mission, a local nonprofit that works to help the homeless and the hurting transform their lives for the better in downtown OKC. Learn more about City Rescue Mission by going to their website: https://cityrescue.org/about/

We will also spend a great deal of time in fellowship with one another, enjoy breakfast and lunch, and spend some time at Scissortail Park.

WHEN? Saturday, December 17, 9am-5pm

WHERE? Drop off and pick up at Church of the Servant; Students will be driven to City Rescue Mission and Scissortail Park during the day.

WHO? All middle and high school students

COST? $20 for breakfast and lunch (students will have the option to bring $$ for ice skating if they would like)

Register at ServantOKC.org/students

SERVANT STUDENTS WINTER RETREAT

Calling ALL students! Sign up for Winter Retreat is WIDE OPEN! Join us for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and the best of memories as we join a few other youth groups from the OKC and Tulsa area for Winter Retreat. This will be a weekend of friendship building, faith restoring, and hope growing. Join us for an unforgettable retreat!

REGISTRATION CLOSES ON JANUARY 23RD!

Register at ServantOKC.org/students

• WHEN? February 17-19

• WHERE? SkyRanch Cave Springs in Miami, OK

• WHO? 6th - 12th Grade

• COST? $150 per student

MISSION FORT MYERS

Our high school mission trip will be to South Florida to participate in a hurricane relief program through the mission organiza tion Praying Pelican. This mission trip will not only offer travel and service, but also an amazing opportunity to create and build relationships with one another. Your student will not want to miss this incredible week.

NOTE: We will have SEVERAL fundraising opportunities throughout the month of January for your students, including Sweets for South Florida (donuts on Sunday Mornings and desserts on Wednesday Evenings), and individual support letter writing. Please do not let the cost of this trip hold your student back from participating. Please reach out to Heather or Skyler if you have any questions or concerns.

WHO? All current 8th graders to current Seniors

WHEN? March 11-17, 2023

WHERE? South Florida

OVERALL COST? $1,400 per student This will cover transportation to Florida (flight) and while in Florida (van), stay, food, and a T-shirt.

REGISTRATION COST: Reserve your student(s) spot on this trip with a minimum of $50/student.

NOTE ON PAYMENTS: Registration will remain open until January 6th, and the cost to register for this trip is $50. After registration closes, you will receive additional information on completing this payment and details on fundraising options. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Winner at hwinner@churchoftheservant.com

Register at ServantOKC.org/students

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP

Earthglow Market 2022 has come and gone. Thanks to you, our loyal customers and supporters, this was our best Market weekend ever! You know that every purchase you make in the store, every Frito chili pie, and most of the bake sale purchases contribute to the funds we are able to donate to our local organizations! We are so grateful for you! Are you looking for Christmas gifts for men? We have them! Choose from sneaker cleaning kits, karaoke soap on a rope, trivia games, socks, and soap that will have those fellows smiling!

• Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 3 PM

• Friday - 9 AM - Noon • Sunday - 8:45 - 11:30 AM (before and after service)

Earthglow Market photos by Carl Shortt

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Last month, our Women’s Ministry Steering Committee was able to get out of town for a three-day planning retreat at Lake Texoma. Our goals for the weekend were to get away from the hurry of everyday life, spend some quality time with God and each other, and listen to the Spirit as He guides and directs us in planning events for this important ministry.

The reality of the weekend did not meet our expectations; they far exceeded them! As a result, we not only planned an entire year of events for 2023, but we were also able to begin planning for the spring of 2024.

I cannot wait to share the complete list of upcoming events in January’s Servant Connect so you can mark them on your calendars. Until then, let’s spend the next weeks in anticipation of the celebra tion of the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas!

Questions about membership, Bible study, or how to get involved? Contact Jessica at jking@churchoftheservant.com

Jessica King

Jessica King Director of Connections

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WHIZ KIDS !

We are wishing you a blessed Christmas season. We are thankful for your support and prayers. Looking forward to a great 2023 with all our volunteers and kids!

Carolyn Hays | chays25@cox.net

BLESS OUR SCHOOLS

Last week, we served lunch to the staff at MLK Elementary!

Amber Neaves, Leader of Bless Our Schools

A RETURN TO VIETNAM!

Church of the Servant has received an invitation from Rev. Dr. Ut To, President of the Vietnamese Methodist Church, to bring a team to Vietnam in April of 2023. Tentative plans have us departing Oklahoma City on Friday, April 14, with a return on Sunday, April 23. We will be traveling to Hanoi and be joined by a group of Vietnamese pastors. From there, we will travel on scooters (accompanied by a support van) to points west into the mountains of the far north as we visit congregations along the route.

God willing, this will be my seventh trip to Vietnam, and I could not be more excited to renew the relationship between our people. A combination of the pandemic and political struggles within Methodism required we place our shared work on hold for a season, but with this invitation, a new day has come!

People often ask, "What is the purpose of such a mission trip?" My answer is twofold. First, it is impossible to confuse the context of the church in Vietnam with what we experience here in Oklahoma City. While it is not illegal to be a Christian in Vietnam, the winds of social pressure press hard against such a choice. Our travels will take us deep into the countryside, where Western faces are rarely seen. To have a group of Christians from the far side of the globe make the journey to pray and worship together provides support and validation–and builds a bridge to evangelism to neighbors and friends.

But the flip side of that coin is elemental as well. The people who make this trip will return with a new perspective on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Given the relative comforts available to us in the Western church and the low cost of partici pation in its ministries, it is easy for us to become complacent and take for granted the blessings offered.

Gathering for worship with our brothers and sisters in Vietnam provides a stark reminder of what is essential and what is optional, what is central to our life in Jesus Christ, and what is merely a matter of personal preference. My experience with the church and the people of Vietnam has changed my prayer life and understanding of what it means to be a disciple. If you commit to such a journey, I expect it will have the same impact on you.

This mission trip is not the easiest of journeys, but do not overlook the opportunity. We are looking for a small group of ten to twelve adventurous people with a passion for Jesus Christ and a heart for mission to form this team. If you are interested in participating in this mission trip, do not hesitate to contact me at rshrauner@churchoftheservant.com for the full details. God is at work in his Church in Vietnam. Let's join him there!

Rev. Randy Shrauner Executive Minister

rshrauner@churchoftheservant.com

AFGHAN NEIGHBORS

AFGHAN Girls Driving

Women are not allowed to drive in Afghanistan. While I knew that already, the 14-year-old son from one of our families told me this when we were first getting to know them. Because we were talking through a phone translator, I didn’t know the tone in which he said it. Was he teasing me? Was he telling me he didn’t want to drive with me? Was he saying that women shouldn’t be allowed to drive. I don’t know. I do know that he often drives with me, and we have fun as I ask him to guide me places, such as the pharmacy which is close to his house. He has been very quick to learn street names and where places are in relation to his home. His English and his older sisters' English have become incredibly good, and we seldom need a translator anymore.

Recently, our team decided to pay for driving lessons for the two oldest girls in this family. They are almost 17 and 18. Frankly, I was delighted that the oldest two happen to be girls. As a woman, part of me wants those girls to show their brother that they can drive as well as he will be able to! However, they have a long way to go! Their driving instructor (who is also an immi grant) said that they will need a lot of work before they are ready to take their actual driving test. He said he was very glad he had a brake on his side of the car when he took them on practice drives. Once again, James Maxwell to the rescue. A few months ago, you may have seen James driving around the church parking lot in an old red car with the fathers from our families. He has now volunteered to set up cones and driving lanes to help the two teenagers! Thank you, James!

Ann Knutson | annknut@gmail.com

Part-Time Jobs Needed

The two oldest children in our family of 12 are about to turn 17 and 18. Their Dad has a very good entry-level job with an excellent company, but he won’t be able to pay all their bills for some time. Starting in 2023, each of the Afghan families in OKC will begin on a staggered timeline to pay their own utility, phone and rent bills. The girls are very eager to earn money to help the family out and to gain some work experience. Over the year we have known them, we have been impressed with their ability to cook a meal from scratch without any help from Mom, as well as the care they provide for their younger siblings. They are responsible, reliable young women. Together, their English is quite good. We know it’s a long shot, but would you give some thought to where they might work after school or on weekends? The family has a car and the team from Servant could also help with transportation. Contact Ann Knutson at annknut@gmail.com , or James Maxwell at jmaxwell19551955@yahoo.com

STEWARDSHIP

COMMITMENT CARDS

Sunday, November 13, 2022 was Commitment Sunday for our 2023 operating/ ministry budget. This is the day that we turn in our 2023 Commitment Card to the church so that we can plan the 2023 operating/ministry budget. The 2023 Commitment Card represents a tangible opportunity to serve God through generosity. When we return a portion of our financial blessings through our tithes and offerings, we create an opportunity for God to work in and through us. Giving changes lives in our church, our community, and our world!

Please complete a 2023 Commitment Card and return the card one of 3 ways:

• Place it in the offering basket at Sunday service;

• Return the card to the finance office through the mail;

• Scan or click the QR Code to submit an electronic commitment card.

We ask that everyone return a Commitment Card, even if you can only make a limited financial commitment at this time. If your situation changes, you can always increase or decrease your commitment by calling our Finance Department at Church of the Servant, 405-721-4141.