Tuesday, December 19, 2023 | E-News | Vol. 5, Issue 24

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23

♦ Worship ♦ Events ♦ Classes ♦ Connect

Worship

Nativity musical special performance

Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m.; Sanctuary

Optional dinner at 5:15 p.m. in Stephenson Hall

All are invited to this special performance of the nativity musical prior to the performance on Christmas Eve. Pre-pay for the optional dinner here.

Christmas Eve worship

Sunday, December 24

11:00 a.m., Traditional worship; Sanctuary

11:00 a.m., TIF worship, Great Hall

5:00 p.m., Children’s Live Nativity; Sanctuary

7:30 p.m., Lessons & Carols; Sanctuary

11:00 p.m., Christmas Watch Night; Sanctuary

Note: There will be no Sunday school classes or childcare on Sunday, December 24.

The 5 p.m. Children’s Live Nativity service and the 7:30 p.m. Lessons & Carols service will be streamed to Facebook.com/FirstChurchTulsa and FirstChurchTulsa.org/YouTube.

Cox Cable Ch. 3 will broadcast the Lessons & Carols worship service at 11 p.m.

Christmas Day worship

Monday, December 25

11:00 a.m. in Kerr Chapel

A special Christmas worship service with Rev. James Estes. No childcare is available Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve worship, Festival Sunday

Sunday, December 31

One service at 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

No Sunday School or childcare on this Festival Sunday.

New Year’s Eve Watch Night worship

Sunday, December 31, 9:30 p.m., Great Hall

Events

Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall

Join us on December 31st at 9:30 a.m. $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. To pre-pay online, click here.  

TIF New Year's Eve Watch Night worship

Sunday, December 31, 9:30 p.m.; Great Hall

Bernsen Community Life Center, 700 S. Boston Ave, downtown Tulsa

The TIF community welcomes you to gather in worship and praise to bring in the New Year with guest artist, Emmy Chris.

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Pilgrimage of Advent

Sundays through December 24

Video study series by Reverends Dan Hutchinson and Julia Metcalf

Rev. Dan Hutchinson and Rev. Julia Metcalf created an Advent study video series for Sunday School classes as well as for individual study. This original series is designed to stimulate thought and discussion during the Advent season as it follows the journey of Mary and Joseph to the manger in Bethlehem. Watch the video series and download the study worksheets on our website at: FirstChurchTulsa.org/AdventSeries

Epiphany Plunge & Bonfire

Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Camp Loughridge

Bring your greens for the bonfire and plunge into the water of the lake. The event will include a homily, cookies, and hot cider/cocoa by Lake Parthenia. Greenery drop-off will begin on Wednesday, January 3 at the designated area by the Glass Cabin at Camp Loughridge.

Mission Study informational meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Stephenson Hall

The Mission Study is a required step of the pastor transition process for the Presbyterian Church that includes an assessment of where the church is presently and provides opportunities for conversation within the community of faith about the future of our ministry. Come meet the Mission Study team and find out more about this step of the transition process at this insightful meeting.

January Series Lectures

Weekdays January 15 – February 2

Optional lunch ($7) at 11:15 a.m., lecture from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Stephenson Hall

View speaker lineup online

Save the date for this free 15-day lecture series hosted at First Church Tulsa and streamed live from Calvin University. This series aims to cultivate deep thought and conversations. Speakers include Pearl Shangkuan, a highly sought-after conductor, lecturer, and clinician; and Jacob Goldstein, an NPR correspondent and podcast host focused on technology and the changing nature of work. Greeters and table setup volunteers needed to help on weekdays January 15 through February 2. Volunteers please sign up here.

Chili Cook-Off

Sunday, January 21, 12:15 p.m.; Atrium

Our famous Chili Cook-Off is back! The funds raised from the “popular vote” will go towards funding uniforms/coats, tutoring and other needs at Anderson Elementary. If you would like to enter your chili, please contact Cindy DeVore at 918-630-2636.

Inquirers Class for prospective members

Sundays, Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11

9:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.; Miller Library

Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about First Church? Inquirers class is a perfect place to come, meet others, get to know some of our pastors and ask questions. Sign up here for this four-week class with Patricia Hall at 918-584-4701. 

Classes

Grouped by day, Sunday through Saturday. View details on our website calendar.

Young adult Sunday school

Sundays beginning January 7, 9:30 a.m.; Room E201

Little Lambs

Weekly on Mondays beginning January 8, 10 a.m.; Wiseman Hall

Men’s Monday Bible study

Weekly on Mondays beginning January 8, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.; E103

Contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019 and find information here.

Seasons, A Women’s Gathering

Monday, January 8, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Miller Library

Seasons is a space for women of all seasons of life to connect with one another and be transformed by the word and presence of God. We will continue our series, We Saved You a Seat, in which we explore our relationship with Jesus as the ultimate model for authentic friendship. In this month’s session, Friendship Takes Forgiveness, our points will include:

• Forgiveness is hard and uncomfortable.
• We need to deal with past hurts and acknowledge how forgiveness is needed in friendships.
• Unforgiveness can impact all our relationships but forgiveness sets us free.

Come join us and bring a friend!

Precept Bible study led by Denise Rounds

Weekly on Tuesdays beginning January 9, 9:30 a.m.; Room E100

UKIRK College Bible Study

Contact Rev. Julia Metcalf for information.

Wednesday Night Downtown

Wednesdays beginning January 10, dinner at 5:15 p.m., classes at 6:15

Mission Study informational meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Stephenson Hall

Adults please join us for this important informational meeting on the first session of Wednesday Night Downtown for 2024.

AWANA Clubs

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center

Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation classes

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Powerhouse

Chancel Choir rehearsal

6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Choir room

Adult classes begin January 17

How to Read the Bible (Hermeneutics) with John Shelton

Wednesdays, Jan. 17 - Feb. 7 and Apr. 3 - May 1

6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Room E100

Learning to study, understand, and embrace the Word of God is a great adventure for every follower of Jesus Christ. John Shelton teaches an inductive methodology that emphasizes studying books of the Bible as wholes and context. The methodology starts with observation, and then moves to interpretive questions, interpretation, drawing inferences, application, and finally to correlation. Students will gain confidence to approach all genres of scripture and to see the plain meaning of the text. 

Stay tuned for information about other WNDT adult offerings coming in January

• Rev. Dan Hutchinson will teach on the topic of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings
• Rev. Wambugu Gachungi - Seekers Bible Study explores the weekly sermon text
• Tom Philp and Rev. James Estes teach about Christian marriage

“Hearts for the Lord” women’s weekly Bible study

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; Kirkland Library

The “Hearts for the Lord” Bible study is starting again! For more information, please contact Patricia Hall at 918 301-1028 or email phall@firstchurchtulsa.org

Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Women’s January mission is Anderson Elementary School. They will be collecting Kleenex, pencils, crayons, erasers, copy paper, white construction paper and disinfectant wipes. The PW Mission collection bin will be in the atrium on Sundays and Wednesdays.

• Priscilla Circle - First Wednesday monthly at 6:30 p.m.; Room E204
• Esther Circle - Third Thursday monthly at 10:30 a.m.; Room E202
• Soup Group - Third Thursday monthly at noon; Miller Library

Connect

Realm all-church online directory is now online

 As of December 3rd, our secure Realm online directory, which is only accessible to other members and staff, is live. Members who have not previously logged on to Realm should have received an e-mail with a notification about that change. If a member would like to check or change their current privacy settings, and/or would like to receive an invitation to log on to Realm, please contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 or email kwilson@firstchurchtulsa.org.

Pastoral transition resources

We look at the pastor transition process with hope and expectation of how the Lord is working at First Church Tulsa. Several resources have been set up to help you pray for the transition as well as keep you informed every step of the way.

• Get prayer reminders on your phone. Sign up here for Prayers for the pastoral transition or text @pastorfpc to 81010.
• Read the latest transition updates and view the timeline at FirstChurchTulsa.org/PastorTransition
• Listen to "The Transition" podcast with Rev. Julia Metcalf
• Have questions? Send an e-mail to FPCTransition@FirstChurchTulsa.org.

Helping Hand Ministry

Helping Hand Ministry is an outreach of First Presbyterian Church that combines ministry and mission by offering short-term assistance to Tulsans in need. Volunteers help individuals and families dealing with a temporary crisis by assisting in the payment of their utility bills and prescriptions and also assisting with the distribution of food from the pantry. This year, Helping Hand Ministry has disbursed $389,174, helping 2,985 Tulsa County residents through a difficult time in their lives. If you would like to donate, go to helpinghandministry918.com or visit FirstChurchTulsa.org/give and select Helping Hand Ministry from the dropdown list.