“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.”
– John 15:4 NRSV
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Catch up on all the news
The worship and events listed in this edition of E-News are correct at the time of publishing. However, in this year of change, our event times and worship may change. Check our website calendar for the latest updates. Thank you. FirstChurchTulsa.org/events
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Advent Workshop – 2020 edition
Saturday, December 5, 10 a.m. – noon; Camp Loughridge
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This year’s Advent Workshop will look a little different and be held outside at Camp Loughridge. Bring the entire family and enjoy a nativity petting zoo; sleigh rides; coffee, cocoa and donut holes to keep you cozy and warm; and crafts and cookies to go. |
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Adopt an Emerson Elementary Student
Through December 6, 2020 in the Atrium or online
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Celebrating Christmas Together is a Deacon ministry which serves every child attending our Partner-in-Education school Emerson Elementary. Members can select a child for adoption from pre-K through grade five. For the $50 adoption fee, a child will receive a FCT tote including a warm hoodie jacket with the Emerson logo, reusable face mask, socks, children’s Bible, book, school supplies and a game. While this year may look different, our goal is to shine the light and love of Christ on the students. Sign up to sponsor at the table in the Atrium or online.
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Jammies for Jesus
Wednesday, December 9, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Stephenson Hall and Courtyard
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Wear your “Jammies for Jesus” and enjoy this time together in place of our annual Ceilidh. We will be serving “breakfast for dinner” at 5:30 p.m. and there will be story time, lighting the tree in the courtyard. Masks are required for all ages during the event. Reserve your spot or table online now.
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Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, December 13, 12:15 p.m.; Sanctuary
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Make plans now to participate in our annual meeting at the Church or online at Livestream.com/FirstChurchTulsa. The meeting will begin right after our 11 a.m. worship concludes.
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UKirk and Exodus Alumni Christmas Party
Saturday, December 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m.; Metcalf Home
3850 S. Florence Place, Tulsa, OK, 74105
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Exodus Alumni Lunch
Sunday, December 20, 12:15-2:00 p.m.,
Kirkland Reception Room, Bernsen Center
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For more information, visit our event on the website.
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Presbyterian Women raises funds for Emergency Infant Services |
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December's mission is to collect funds to purchase food, diapers and formula for EIS. Cleaned gently used items such as hats, gloves, sweaters or coats are appreciated. For more information, email Cathy.
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Find the most recent issue of Tidings on our website here. Read stories about our traditional celebration of Advent leading up to Christmas, the value of meeting in small groups and a message from Dr. Miller about bridging the racial divide in Tulsa.
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Faith Partners Addiction Ministry available for support |
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Members of the Faith Partners Addiction Ministry team are available for confidential conversations and support during these difficult days. If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of addiction, we are here for you. You are not alone and there is hope. We have either walked in your shoes or have professional training. Your call is confidential. Reach us at 918-407-4623 or contact Patricia Hall at 918-301-1028. Leave your contact information and your call will be returned quickly. Educational materials are in the northwest corner of the Miller Library. Watch this video about hope and positive action in the face of substance abuse.
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FPC Help Ministry for member financial assistance |
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If you’re in need of financial support or can help a fellow member in a time of need, please let us know. |
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The First Church Tulsa Covid-19 Preparedness Task Force met Monday, November 17, 2020, and discussed the impact of the growing number of cases in Oklahoma that are stretching healthcare facilities and medical personnel to new limits in terms of care in the Tulsa area. After much discussion, the task force recommended that we adopt a "mask always" requirement for anyone coming into our facilities, including Sunday worship services, Sunday school classes and other events. This requirement will be in place through Christmas and will be reevaluated based upon current data in early January 2021.
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Please register your worship attendance here.
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Sundays at 8:30 a.m., Contemporary worship; Stephenson Hall |
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Sundays at 11:00 a.m., Traditional worship; Sanctuary
Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
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Sundays at 11:00 a.m., TIF worship; Great Hall
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Sundays at 5:00 p.m., Vespers Evening Worship; Courtyard/Stephenson Hall
Check the web calendar or call the Church for updates on location changes.
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Note: there will be no Prayer Service Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in Miller Library through the end of the year. |
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Christmas Music Sunday
Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m.; Sanctuary
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Join us for joyous music of the season including the Chancel Choir and contemporary music group. |
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Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24
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Please join us for Christmas worship at the Church including candle-lighting in each service:
2 p.m. – Carols and Communion, Stephenson Hall
4 p.m. – A Family Christmas, Sanctuary (no Children’s Pageant this year)
Join us for an immersive, interactive telling of the greatest story ever told, the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. First Church families will take us through the narrative, while children participate in the pews. Each child will receive an activity bag filled with costume pieces, a coloring book and crayons, and their own LED candle. As the story progresses, children will be encouraged to use the costume pieces to become the angels, sheep, and Wise Men. Families staying safer-at-home can drive through to pick up the activity bags in advance (date TBD) and participate in the service by watching online. Let’s engage in the story together, as we celebrate the birth of Christ.
7:30 p.m. – Lessons and Carols, Sanctuary
or on Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 p.m.
11 p.m. – Watchnight Christmas Eve worship, Stephenson Hall
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Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 11 a.m.; Sanctuary
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Festival Sunday
Sunday, December 27, 11:00 a.m.; Sanctuary
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Join us in the Sanctuary for one all-congregation service at 11 a.m. Stay tuned – we will let you know in the next E-News about breakfast and Sunday School! You can also check the website events calendar for the latest. |
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New Year’s Eve Watchnight
Thursday, December 31, 11:00 p.m.; Stephenson Hall
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Little Lambs
Mondays, 10 a.m.; Playground
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10:10 Pastor's Message live on Facebook
Tuesdays and Thursdays
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UKirk “Gather” for ages 18 – 24
Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.; Miller Library
No meetings Dec. 22, 29 and Jan. 5
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For 18-24-year olds. We are discussing prayer – what it is and how to do it.
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Pastor’s Study with Dr. Jim Miller – “The Pilgrim’s Progress”
Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and Sundays at 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
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Sign up online for an optional lunch. Find recordings of this class here.
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Downtown Theological Roundtable
Phillip Bowman & Rev. Dan Hutchinson
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.; Miller Library
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We will be discussing A. W. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God." |
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UKirk “Grow” for ages 18 – 24
Sundays, 12:15 p.m.; Room E201
No meetings Dec. 20, 27 and Jan. 3
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For 18-24-year olds. Join us for a free lunch and lesson that intertwines life and faith. |
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Wednesday Night Downtown Tulsa Fall/Winter 2020
5:15 p.m. dinner and 6:15 p.m. classes
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No WNDT and AWANA on December 23 and 30
Dinner and classes restart January 6 – more information to come.
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Make a prayer request or report a birth, marriage or hospitalization |
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Do you need prayer? Please call the Church and ask for Kathy Wilson at 918-584-4701, kwilson@firstchurchtulsa.org or contact the Guild of Intercessors at 918-296-5548, mandppeterson@msn.com. Also, please call the Church for afterhours emergencies or to report a birth, death or someone in the hospital at 918-584-4701.
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Interested in getting E-News at a different email address? Subscribe here.
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Find all of our most recent publications at these links from bulletins to issues of Tidings.
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