Church of the ServantBi-Weekly Newsletter

May 9, 2012

Issue: 12.9

Believe s Belong s Become

United Methodist Church of the Servant s 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73142 s (405)721-4141 s www.ChurchoftheServant.com

Rebuilding TogetherPAGE 2

Pay It 4Ward

PAGE 5

SKY VBSJune 11-14

PAGE 7

PET BLESSINGMay 19

The 2012 Pet Blessing at Church of the Servant will be held in the front portico parking lot on Saturday, May 19, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. All ani-mals will be blessed by ministers. Rev. Jeremy Sanders will have the lizards, snakes, and other exotic animals. Bring all of your pets to be blessed - no pet is too big or too small. Please have your pets on a leash or in a carrier.

DONATE FOOD! The Pet Food Pantry will be here to receive dog and cat food for people who cannot afford food for their animals.

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SAVE THE DATE!May• Sat12-Hannah’sPromise5-9pm• Sun13-SpecialFishAppealforSkylineClothesforKids

June• Sat9-Hannah’sPromise5-9pm• 3-10-GuatemalaMissionTripforAdult/YouthExperience• 11-14-VacationBibleSchool• ProjectTransformationReading• Sun17,24-Bringitemsfortroops,sponsoredbyBlueStarMothers

GuatemalaMissionTeamOn June 3-10, ten of our adults and young

people will be traveling to Guatemala to work alongside the Potter’s House Ministry on Latin America’s largest dump. Our team: Jacki Trav-ers, Ann Knutson, Traci Guthrie, DJ Bruner, Joey Simpson, Zack Travers, Bekah Sanders, Jordan Todd, Alec Warren, and Robyn Goggs. The team will be recognized and prayed for in the May 20th services. They are continuing to sell stock in their mission through that day. Stop by the table and hear about this incredible journey they are about to take for the sake of others and for mission.

ExodusHouseNeedsExodus House is a ministry of the United

Methodist Church for people who are begin-ning life again after incarceration. Twice a year Church of the Servant refurbishes an apartment for a person who has been accepted into the complex as a way of helping them meet some basic needs. The team is currently collecting things and needs them as soon as possible as our resident has already arrived. If you could do-nate one of the items below, please contact June Krumme at 749-0509.

Needs: Living Room - Area Rug (navy tones) - 2 lamp tables, TV, coffee table, narrow sofa table, curtains, pictures, floor lamp; Kitch-en - Toaster, Wall Clock, Mixing Bowls, storage bowls; Hall - clothes basket, tall skinny mirror for the wall; Bedroom - Lamp table, Lamp, new bed pillows, Area Rug, small chair or stool, curtains, and Decoration pieces for entire apartment.

SkylineSpecialFishAppealSunday,May13

Every spring we support the ministry of Clothes for Kids as over 400 children receive a year’s uniforms for school through this minis-try. $75 will purchase uniforms for a child for a year. Please come prepared this Sunday to support this ministry in some way.

City-WideStampOutHungerDaySaturday, May 12, will be the city-wide “Stamp Out Hunger” Day!

Many of these donations go to the Skyline Food Pantry. You may set out bags of nonperishable food items by your mailbox for your mail-man to pick up. Last year, it was these donations that really helped Skyline’s food pantry survive the busy summer season!

Rebuilding Together Day WasaSuccess!

Thank you to the 89 volunteers that came last Saturday to serve on our annual Rebuilding Together day. Two homes were transformed and many lives were touched as we put our hands to work and opened our hearts to others in service. Special Thanks to Clay Cockrill, Matt Thomas, and Regina Valuikas for their leadership in preparing for the day!

SERVANTMay9,2012Page3

TheUltimateDifferenceMaker!Right in the middle of the basketball playoffs every team is looking for

a difference maker - someone who can change the outcome of the game. So, who is the difference maker in your life? Does Jesus make a differ-ence in your life? What can you point to in your life that reveals your faith in Jesus?

Barbara Brown Taylor, a professor at Piedmont College and Colum-bia Seminary, in the article “Easter Preaching and the Lost Language of Salvation,” writes:

On the occasions when Jesus praises peoples’ faith, most Chris-tians automatically assume that he means their faith in his divinity, which he then rewards by helping them out; but that is just another sorry example of transactional theology. According to this theology, if you believe the right things about Jesus, then he will help you. If you don’t, he won’t. I am not sure where this idea comes from, but in the first three gospels Jesus seems much more concerned with making people well than with making them believe in him. (p. 21)Jesus wants to be directly involved in our lives. But we can’t bargain

with Jesus and control when and how he becomes our difference maker. In a wonderful piece called “Whole and Thankful, Holy Thankful,” Linda Loving writes:

Dr. Robert Gorrell

Jesus does not proclaim himself, but the coming of God’s kingdom. The only thing people have to believe is that God can help them. In Luke’s gospel, when Jesus heals the ten lepers and the lone Samaritan among them comes back to say thanks, Jesus does not say, “Rise up and follow me.” He says, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” The faith that helps Jesus do his saving work; the faith that makes people well; is their full-bodied trust that God can act in their lives, both to forgive and to heal. (p. 22)We don’t dictate how Jesus becomes our difference maker. We are called to live the best life

we can with the expectation that Jesus will become involved in our life in the very best way. That’s what faith is all about - letting Jesus be the difference maker on his terms, not ours.

- Robert

Dear Dr. Gorrell,On Sunday, April 22, our Confirmation class and mentors of 25 people

from our church were eating at Chili’s restaurant in Oklahoma City. We had just attended St. Elijah Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City. There was a family sitting in a booth next to our table and they asked who we were. We told them and they told us they were members of Church of the Servant. When we got ready to pay the bill, we were told the bill had been paid for all 25 members of our group. We do not even know the names of the members of your church who made this incredible act of generosity.

We, the members of Elk City United Methodist Church Confirmation Class of 2012, wish to express our sincere appreciation to the members of your church who paid for our meal.

- Elk City United Methodist Church

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LadiesNightOutwithJenHatmaker Friday,August24,6:30p.m.

Does it ever seem like we are burdened with excess? Too much spending, too much media, too much waste, too much stress? Best selling author Jen Hatmaker, who wrote the book, 7 - An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, will be here to speak and share an amazing Friday evening for women. Find out about Jen’s social experiment and how living a greatly reduced life helped her discover a greatly increased God.

WOMENOFFAITHOklahomaCity,OKAugust10-11

Artists/Speakers:Sheila Walsh, Liz Curtis Higgs, Ken Davis, Angie Smith, Pat Smith, CeCe Winans, Selah, and more!

DEADLINE:FRIDAY,JULY6,2012Call Heather DeShazo at 728-4704

or email, hdeshazo@churchoftheservant.com.

TasteofFaithThank You!

What a great evening Thursday, May 3 was as we laughed and shared our lives in Christ! Special thanks to the Women’s Council who planned the evening, to all those women who decorated beautiful tables, and to the 275 who came and listened to an inspiring evening of how God is working and wants to use each of us. $3,300 was raised in our mission offering for Circle of Care!

SeaSideEscapeforWomen“Be still and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10Need a day at the beach? A time to slow down, wiggle your toes in the

sand and bask in the warmth of God’s presence? Join us this summer on Tuesdays for SeaSide Escape.

This beach-themed summer series, taught by Dr. Robyn Goggs, will be filled with meaningful Bible Study, worship, connection with other wom-en, and a time for quiet reflection and lots of laughter. Where: Community HallWhen: Five Tuesdays - Starts June 19 (skip July 3)Time: 11:30-1:00 p.m.Lunch will be served for $8 or brown bag. Register in the Concourse on

Sundays, or call Mary Jessup at 721-4141.

SERVANT May 9, 2012 Page 5

ServantFoundationGolfTournament

June 2Sign ups for the annual Servant Foundation Golf Tournament, scheduled for

June 2 at Fairfax Golf Course, will begin Sunday, May 13. The tournament is a 4-person scramble tournament for both men and women. The cost of the tourna-ment is $55 per person which includes green fees, range balls, lunch, cart, and many prizes. The tournament begins at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, and lunch should be completed by 12:30. You can sign up or pick up information about the tournament at the table just outside the Celebration Center. Put together your team now and plan to be a part of this wonderful annual event.

MargoPriceReceivesPay It 4Ward

Congratulations to Margo Price for receiving the KFOR “Pay It 4Ward” for her work with the Edmond Miracle

League. Watch the video clip at the link below: http://kfor.com/2012/04/25/pay-it-4ward-april-25/

BlakeBlanchardReceivesHonors

Blake Blanchard will be graduating from Deer Creek High School with the honor of Valedictorian. He has received many honors and has chosen to play basketball at SWOSU while pursuing a Bach-elor of Science with a Pre-Med option. He received scholarships for basketball as well as a Regents’ Baccalaureate Scholarship. He was also chosen as 1/15 to the Presidents Leadership Class.

The family that will continue to cheer him on in his future endeavors include parents Cary and Mindi and siblings Bayli and Braeden Blanchard.

SERVANTMay9,2012Page6

u Gary and Darlene Berkovsky as Gary’s mother, Rosalie Berkovsky, deals with health issues and is hospitalized in Victoria, Texas.u Bill, Lisa, and Jessie Boone as Jes-sie deals with health issues and faces surgery.u Dan and Cathy Bush as their grand-daughter, Catharine Jeanne Sanders, deals with health issues.u Lewis and Joni Case as Lewis deals with health issues, undergoes tests, and recuperates from outpatient surgery.u Jennifer Clary and Gary and Carol Morris as Jennifer deals with health is-sues.u Ab and Sherilee Deakins as Ab deals with health issues and undergoes treat-ment.u Sheryl Dunham as Sheryl’s mother, Marion Winters, deals with health issues and undergoes treatment.u John and Debbie Epperson as John deals with health issues and recuperates from an illness.u Annette Gonzalez as she deals with health issues and is a resident at Quail Creek Nursing Home.u Bill and Melba Howard as Bill deals with health issues and recuperates from outpatient surgery.u Shawn, Wendi, Dade, and Beckam Humes as their infant nephew, Breck Dawkins, deals with health issues, undergoes tests, and is hospitalized at St. Frances Hospital in Tulsa, OK.u Kent and Dana Israel as Kent’s grandmother, Esther Israel, deals with health issues, recuperates from surgery, and is hospitalized in Elk City, OK.u Robert, Kay, Kalyn, and Parker Jen-kins as Kay’s sister, Sharon Hansford, deals with health issues; and Kay’s cousin, Carol Griffin, deals with health issues.

u Matt, Nanci, Emma, Caleb, and Blake Judkins as their friend, Bill Hepner, deals with health issues, recuperates from sur-gery, and is hospitalized at VA Hospital.uCarol Kiser as she deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery.u Ken Marose as his father, Elmer Ma-rose, recuperates from health issues.uDon and Kay Moore as Don deals with health issues and is hospitalized at Mercy Health Center.uJack and Nancy Morgan as Jack deals with health issues, undergoes tests, and recuperates from surgery.u Jordan, Erin, and Addison Page as Addison deals with health issues and recuperates from surgery.uJohn and Cindy Petree as Cindy’s brother, Richard Green, deals with health issues and will undergo tests at MD An-derson in Houston, Texas.uCarrie Scott as she deals with health issues, recuperates from injuries in a fall, and is a resident at Epworth Villa Nursing Home.uAlan, Jennifer, Katherine, Aidan, and Brendan White as Alan recuperates from injuries sustained from a bike accident.

u Howard and Candye Bradway and Family at the death of Candye’s son, Bryan Chavez.u Gene and Susy Imke and Family at the death of Susy’s brother, Lynn Quinn.

u J.R. and Lorene Wolf at the birth of their great granddaughter, Halle Renee Carrington. The proud parents are Jesse and Stacy Carrington of Ft. Worth, Texas.uJim Morris, one of the long-standing members of our church, has been named the recipient of the 2012 Maureen Reagan Award for his huge and tireless efforts to prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease. It is a really big community recognition that first was given to Jimmy Everest and then to Stan Hupfield. It is sponsored by such notables as Barry and Becky Switzer, Burns and Ann Hargis, Gene Rainbolt, Jim and Christy Everest, Jim Norick, John Richels, Kirk and Dana Humphries, Bruce Lawrence, Judy and Tom Love, and so many more. It is a very prestigious award, the presentation of which will be made on May 18 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Jim’s wife is Lou Ann Morris, his daughters are Kim Morris and Kelly Brown who is married to Justin. They have two grandchildren, Hannah and Ford Brown.

Our Prayers continued...

Shop Earthglow when you are looking for a gift for yourself or for someone else! A purchase in the shop gifts others in our

community as well!

u A contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Memorial Fund in memory of Gary Adams by Denise Williams.uA contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Memorial Fund in memory of Gary Adams by Bob & Jo Gentry.uA contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Care Ministry in memory of Edna Rogers by Sam Rogers.uA contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Memorial Fund in memory of Betty Schmid by Sue Miller, Lillian Decker, Charles & Beth Beck, Kathryn McAtee and Robert & Catherine Schmid.uA contribution has been made to Church of the Servant Sr. Music Ministry in memory of Betty Schmid by Robert & Opal Warren.

SERVANT May 9, 2012 Page 7

CircleofSupportChurch of the Servant Children’s Ministries

announces it’s Circle of Support Reveal Party on May 23. Parents of 5th graders have formed groups of supporters for their children. These friends have sent anonymous notes of en-couragement to the children over the past few weeks. On May 23, their identities will be re-vealed in a special ceremony honoring the 5th graders as they leave Children’s Ministries and move up to Middle School Ministries. Parents and children will attend a dinner at 6:30 p.m., the supporters will join them later for the reveal, and all will enjoy a celebratory reception after-ward. The kids will cap off the night with fun and games at The Point, in order to acclimate them to the Middle School Ministries area.

WeAreReadyToFlyWith SKY VBS!

Vacation Bible School is coming to Church of the Servant June 11-14, 9:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. each day. Kids from age 4 to those entering 5th grade are invited to take part in this FREE week of fun, and we also need lots of adult volunteers to make this incredible week hap-pen. Registration is free and available online NOW. Go to: https://www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/ez/servant. VBS T-Shirts and Music CD’s will be available to purchase for $10 each at the table in the Concourse starting May 13. Sign up and invite your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends!

Our VBS theme for this year is SKY: Everything is Possible with God. Kids will see the church transformed into a cloud-filled sky as they experience God’s love and learn to watch for God in everyday life. Each day the kids will sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, eat skydive diner treats, learn to watch for God all around them with God Sightings, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Bible Mem-ory Buddies to remind them of God’s Word, and do wild experiments in the Imagination Station. SKY is an exciting way for kids to learn about God’s love. Each day concludes at the Fly Away Finale - a celebration that gets all participants involved in living what they’ve learned. We hope SKY will get everyone thrilled about God in our community.

Each year we wrap up the VBS fun with a family night. This year we will meet at 6:30 on Thursday, June 14 for a closing program in the Celebration Center. Following the program we will have an Ice Cream Sundae Party in the Community Hall and North Lawn. Mark your calendar now and plan to join us!

Kids will have the opportunity to participate in a mission project during the Vacation Bible School week. Each year we collect supplies to benefit an organization. This year we will support Whiz Kids Tutoring Program. We will collect gently used books for early age readers. These donations really have an impact in the community!

Can you help make an impact on a child’s life by volunteering with Vacation Bible School? We need help with a variety of tasks and are sure to have an area that corresponds to your particular talents! Participating in VBS is guaranteed to touch your life as well as that of the children involved.

You can help out even if your chil-dren are too young or old to participate in VBS. We can always use teen helpers, and nursery care is available for children of volunteers that are younger than four. I have been a VBS volunteer since my first child was just 8 months old. It was so fun working as a Crew Leader and getting to experience the fun of VBS along with the kids, all the while knowing my child was having a great time with friends in the nursery. Please prayerfully consider how you can help support this tremendous min-istry. Volunteer registration is also on the website listed above. I hope to see ALL of you at Vacation Bible School this year!

- Katy LeffelVBS Director