Tuesday, November 15, 2022 | First Church E-News | Vol. 4, Issue 22

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:14 NRSV

Scroll down for • Events • Classes • Worship • Connect

Young Adults

Social gatherings for adults in their 20s and 30s. Click here for information and contacts.

• Friendsgiving - Sunday, November 20, 7 p.m.; Dan and Hanna Hutchinson’s house
• Christmas party - Thursday, December 22, 7 p.m; Michael Grogan’s house

UKirk College Ministry

“Gather” is for adults 18-24 and led by Rev. Julia Metcalf. Follow UKirk on Instagram.

• Bible study - Monthly on the first Tuesday, 4:30 p.m – 6 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
• Worship - Monthly on the second Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
• Serve at Masterwork Academy - Monthly on the third Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Fellowship - Monthly on the fourth Tuesday, 4:30 p.m – 6 p.m.

Tidings - Advent issue

Hot off the presses … pick up your copy of the new Tidings magazine at the church on Sunday, November 20. One of the articles is a feature on the history and meaning behind the Advent wreath in this holiday issue.

All-City Thanksgiving

Monday, November 21, 7 p.m.; Sanctuary

Members, please join us as we host the all-city Thanksgiving worship at First Church in partnership with Agape Bible Fellowship, Asbury, First Baptist Tulsa, First Methodist Church Tulsa, First Baptist North Tulsa, and World Won for Christ Family Life Ministries. This will be a wonderful opportunity to give thanks with congregations from across the city.

This year, we are honoring retiring senior pastors Tom Harrison of Asbury and Jessica Moffatt of First Methodist Church of Tulsa. The sermon will be given by Andrew Forrest, the new senior past of Asbury. And this warm and celebratory service will be accentuated with music by pianist Donald Ryan.

Thanksgiving Day service and lunch

Thursday, November 24, 11 a.m.; Kerr Chapel

Join us for worship, then gather with others who find themselves without nearby family during the holiday for the Deacons’ Thanksgiving lunch. Reservations are requested for lunch and can be made online.

Celebrating Christmas Together at Anderson Elementary

Adopt a student

Sundays November 27, December 4 and 11; Atrium table

We are gathering donations of $50 per student to fill gift bags as we share the love of Christ and the love of First Church. You can also donate online. For questions, contact the church or Jim Inhofe.

Classroom delivery and singing

Friday, December 16, 1 p.m.; Anderson Elementary

All are invited to deliver the gifts, play games and sing carols with students.

First Ladies Council Christmas Luncheon

Sunday, December 4, 12:15 p.m.; Miller Library

The women of First Church gather for this annual event enjoying festive table decorations and a delicious meal. There is no cost for this event, however, please reserve your place online or call Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029.

Advent Workshop

Sunday, December 4, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Camp Loughridge

Families with children are invited for an afternoon of Christmas crafts, snacks, storytime and sleigh rides. Each family will take home the book, “A Better Than Anything Christmas.” $10 per family. Preregistration requested online.

Jammies for Jesus

Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 p.m.; Stephenson Hall and Courtyard

Gather with other families and children in your best jammies for dinner at 5:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. for crafts, storytime, decorating the Chrismon tree and lighting the Courtyard. Cost is $10 per family. Pay at the door or in advance online.

Save the date

Mission Trips 2023

Witness – Worship – Work

We are currently planning our mission trips for 2023 where we will witness what God is doing in a place, worship with the people there, and work in the places we are invited. If you’re interested in joining us, contact Hannah Damron or Rev. James Estes in the church office.

• Ireland - Galway and Belfast June 9 - 19
• Kenya - Nairobi, Bondeni, International Justice Mission July 20 - 31

Monday School with Rev. Wally Johnson

Mondays lunch at 11:30 a.m., lesson at noon; Kirkland Library

To pay for lunch or for more information click here.

Little Lambs

Mondays 10 a.m.; Bernsen Gym

No meeting on Monday, November 21.

For children ages birth to pre-school. Click here for more information.

Seasons - A Women's Gathering

Monday, November 21, 5:30 p.m.; Stephenson Hall (rescheduled from Nov. 14)

Monday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Stephenson Hall

This study for women to connect and be transformed. There is also an offshoot, a small group that takes a deeper dive into 1 John on Monday, December 19 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. For more information click here.

Precept Bible study led by Denise Rounds

Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.; Room E100

No meetings on Tuesdays November 22 and December 27.

Currently studying the book of James. Find information here.

Downtown Theological Roundtable

Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Room E201

No meeting on Wednesday, November 23.

We are discussing “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Order your book here. Find more information online.

Pastor’s Study with Dr. Jim Miller

Sundays 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall

Wednesdays 11 a.m. lunch, program 11:30 a.m.; Room E104

Pastor’s Study will not meet on Wednesday, November 23.

We are studying Dr. J.I. Packer’s classic, “Knowing Christianity.” Pay in advance for lunch online.

Wednesday Night Downtown

Dinner at 5:15 p.m., kids classes at 6 p.m., adult classes at 6:15 p.m.

No classes on Wednesday, November 23. Dinner and adult classes conclude on Wednesday, December 7.

Join us for dinner in Stephenson Hall and stay for a class. Classes include:

First Church Mission series; Stephenson Hall

James Estes is joined by mission-minded speakers to share some of the many exciting ways God is actively working in the world through His people.

• Wednesday, November 16 – Deacon Kevin Satorius from Catholic Charities to give an update on the Afghans that have moved to Tulsa and how the body of Christ came together to welcome them.
• Wednesday, November 30 – Jonathan Ekman from The Voice of the Martyrs delivers some surprising, good news from the persecuted church.
• Wednesday, December 7 – Tom Boone from The Outreach Foundation to share details on how the work in Poland and Lithuania is progressing with Ukrainian refugees. He will bring news about evangelism among the Iranian diaspora in eastern Europe.

Seekers with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi; Room E104

Take a deep dive into the sermon texts on Leviticus.

AWANA

Wednesdays 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center

AWANA will conclude with Jammies for Jesus on Wednesday, December 14. Register here.

Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation

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

AMASS Exodus continues its series on spiritual disciplines.

“Raising Emotionally Strong Boys” book study

Thursday, December 1, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E101

Bring your own lunch and book for this study. This is the last gathering. Find information here.

K Groups

Meets monthly in leaders’ homes

We are studying E. James Wilder’s book, “Renovated: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church that Transforms.” If you would like to join a small group, contact Phillip Bowman at 918-630-1786.

Route 66 Marathon street closures

Sunday, November 20

The marathon starts at Seventh and Main and concludes at Guthrie Green. Plan on road closures for some routes coming to the church. For road maps click here.

All-City Thanksgiving worship

Monday, November 21, 7 p.m.; Sanctuary

Please join us as we host the all-city Thanksgiving worship at First Church.

Thanksgiving Day worship and luncheon

Thursday, November 24, 11 a.m.; Kerr Chapel

Take time to give thanks with worship on Thanksgiving Day. Then join others who are without family nearby during the holiday for the Deacons’ Thanksgiving lunch. Please reserve a place for lunch by clicking here.

Regular weekly worship services

See all scheduled worship and classes on our event calendar.

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., TIF Prayer meeting in the Great Hall

Sundays at 8 a.m., Traditional worship in the Chapel

Sundays at 8:30 a.m., Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall

Sundays at 11 a.m.:

• Traditional worship in the Sanctuary.
• Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall.
• TIF in the Great Hall.

Watch worship at home:

• Cox Cable Channel 3 at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• First Church Facebook
• TIF Facebook
• YouTube.

For the latest worship services and videos go to FirstChurchTulsa.org/YouTube.

Volunteer Opportunities

• All-City Thanksgiving worship needs greeters on Monday, November 21 at 7 p.m. Contact Patricia Hall, 918-301-1028 or sign up here.
• The Helping Hand Ministry needs volunteers weekly. Contact Rev. James Estes, 918-301-1010.
• Children’s Ministry needs volunteers on Sundays and Wednesdays. Contact Sarah Savage, 918-301-1011.

Presbyterian Women’s November mission

Raising money for Coffee Bunker

The Presbyterian Women are collecting funds for the Coffee Bunker at the Welcome Center in the Atrium. The Coffee Bunker assists service members and veterans with successful reintegration with their families and communities.

Member support and updates

Call the church at 918-584-4701 or Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029, if there is a pastoral need or prayer request, important family news or a change in contact information. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, you may call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text 918-688-2163.

Logo wear for fall

Looking for a new sweatshirt or hoodie? Check out our apparel and specialty store online. FirstChurchTulsa.org/CafePress.

Realm app

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Important links:

• Church events calendar
• E-News archive
• Tidings magazine archive
• Worship service bulletin archive