Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | E-News | Vol. 5, Issue 20

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” –1 Timothy 2:5

For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Make your Stewardship 2024 commitment online.

As we look ahead to 2024, may the Lord cause each of us to be both faithful and intentional in sharing the blessings that cause our cups to overflow. Please drop off your 2024 pledge at the church or make your commitment online.

♦ Events ♦ Classes ♦ Worship ♦ Connect

Events

Pastors Fun Night

Wednesday, October 18; dinner at 5:15 p.m., activities at 6 p.m.

Stephenson Hall and Courtyard

Join us for a night of fun and frivolity presented by our pastors. An optional dinner will be available at 5:15 p.m. followed by an evening of great entertainment. You won’t want to miss this event. There is no childcare offered –but you’re welcome to bring the whole family. Due to Fall Break, there will be no Awana POW or Amass Exodus.

Pathfinder Fall Retreat

Friday, Oct. 20, 5:00 p.m. - Sunday, Oct. 22, noon

Frontier Cove, New Life Ranch

Middle school students are invited to enjoy time away from distractions at the fall retreat at beautiful Frontier Cove. Learn and grow closer to God, enjoy free-time activities and fellowship with other Pathfinders. Registration is $125 and scholarships are available. Volunteers and students can register on our website.

Fall Festival 2023

Sunday, October 22, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.; Trunk or Treat begins at 5:30 p.m.

Camp Loughridge

Come out to Camp Loughridge to celebrate friends and family with fun activities for all ages. The First Church Pitmasters are preparing barbeque and there will be hayrides, music, and trunk or treat. Dinner is $9 for adults, $5 for children, $22 for families and free for children 3 and under. Click here to avoid the lines and prepay for your meal.

Deacons’ Day of Care

Saturday, October 28, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Volunteer to help First Church members with yard work and home projects at the last Deacons’ Day of Care for the year. To volunteer, click here or contact Kathy Wilson.

Dr. Jim Miller’s Retirement Reception

Sunday, October 29, 12:30 p.m. at the church

All are welcome to stay after worship for a retirement reception to honor Diane and Jim. Stories, skits, laughter and memories will be shared with deep appreciation for the Millers’ impact on First Church. A light lunch will be served.

Please note: Physical or monetary gifts for Jim and Diane should be given directly to the Millers and not to the church. Rules and regulations do not allow for the church to receive funds and then pass them on to Jim and Diane. However, gifts to the church in their honor are tax-deductible. Jim and Diane ask that members consider making a gift to the newly established Pastor's Pilgrimage Fund. This new fund will honor Dr. Miller’s strong belief that pilgrimages to holy sites matter. The fund will help defray costs and enable both students and pastors to experience a pilgrimage to Israel and other historical holy sites. Send your donations clearly identified for the Pastor's Pilgrimage Fund to the church business office.

Camp Loughridge Fall Fundraiser

Friday, November 3, 6:30 p.m.

Camp Loughridge Temple Conference Center

Make plans now to enjoy an evening with dinner, fellowship and silent auction. Funds raised will be used to improve the camp and for kids’ scholarships to attend day camp. For more information, contact Katelynn King or follow this link.

Registration is now open

Children’s Nativity Musical

Registration is now open for kids ages 3 through high school to sign up for the Children’s Nativity Musical. There will be two performances this year.

• Wednesday, December 20, 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 24, 5 p.m. during the Christmas Eve service.

Rehearsals begin November 5 and will be held each Sunday at 9:00 a.m. during choir practice. Register here by Thursday, November 2. Join us as we journey to Bethlehem!

Fall back and change your clocks

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Daylight savings time ends, so fall back one hour at 2 a.m.

Exodus Fall Retreat 2023

Friday, Nov 10, 5:00 p.m. – Sunday, Nov. 12, 12:00 p.m.

Flint Valley, New Life Ranch

High school students, come break away from distractions and busy routines to enjoy a refreshing time of faith, fun and fellowship. Build deeper relationships with one another and draw closer to God in the beautiful natural setting of New Life Ranch. Register online, the cost is $125 and scholarships are available upon request. Find more information on our website calendar.

Book Table Annual Sale

Sundays, Nov. 12 & 19, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Atrium

Autumn is a great season to curl up with a cup of coffee and a great book on theology, Christian living, prayer or spiritual formation. Visit the book table in the Atrium of the church and choose from an array of titles on sale for $1 -$5.

Young Adult Bonfire

Thursday, November 9th, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Brandon and Katie Evans’ home, 18857 E. Highway 20 in Claremore

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy fellowship by the bonfire.

Young Adult Friendsgiving

Sunday, November 19th, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Dan and Hanna Hutchinson's home, 4043 E. 48th St, Tulsa

Bring a dish to share and enjoy food and fellowship with other young adults.

Spiritual Retreat with Rev. Julia Metcalf

Saturday, November 11, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Miller Library  

Join Rev. Julia Metcalf in Miller Library for a spiritual retreat that will focus on various methods of offering our prayers to God. The cost for this event is $10 and includes breakfast and lunch. Click here to register and reserve and your spot.

Chancel Choir Fall Concert

Sunday, November 19, 5 p.m.; Sanctuary  

Enjoy an hour of inspiring choral classics that will please your ears and lift your soul. The Chancel Choir will be accompanied by a professional orchestra and will feature favorite seasonal anthems as well as modern masterpieces . Hear arrangements of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, God So Loved the World, Be Thou My Vision and Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. Following the concert, a reception will follow in the Atrium. Find out more here.

Sing! An Irish Christmas with Keith & Kristyn Getty

Monday, December 4, 7 p.m.; Sanctuary

Purchase tickets online

Get your tickets today for “Sing! An Irish Christmas” with Keith & Kristyn Getty. The Gettys and their band will fill the First Church Sanctuary with traditional and modern carols, hymns and instrumentals. Tickets are $10 per adult. Students 21 and under are free with an RSVP at this link.

Save the date ...

• TIF Worship Night, Saturday, November 18
• All-city Thanksgiving Worship, Monday, November 20
• Advent Workshop, Sunday, December 3
• Christmas AWANA and Carols & Cocoa; Wednesday, December 13
• Childrens’ Nativity Musical, Wednesday, December 20 and Christmas Eve, December 24

Classes

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

Pastor’s Study with Dr. Jim Miller

Sundays at 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall

Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m.; E104

Foundations class with Rev. Dan Hutchison

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Sundays through Nov. 26, E104

Young adult Sunday school

Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Room E201

Little Lambs

Mondays, 10 a.m. -11 a.m.; Wiseman Hall

Guys’ Monday Bible study

Mondays, 11:45 a.m.; Room E103

Monday School

Mondays, 12:00 p.m.; Kirkland Library

Precept Bible Study

Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. -10:40 a.m.; Room E101

UKIRK College Bible Study

Tuesdays, 4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.; TU’s Sharp Chapel

Note: there is no Awana, POW or Amass Exodus on October 18 due to Fall Break.

Pastors Fun Night

October 18, 5:15 p.m. dinner, 6 p.m. activities; Stephenson Hall and Courtyard

Join us for a night of fun and frivolity presented by our pastors. An optional dinner will be available at 5:15 p.m. followed by an evening of great entertainment. You won’t want to miss this event. There is no childcare offered –but you’re welcome to bring the whole family. Due to Fall Break, there will be no Awana, POW or Amass Exodus.

Dr. Jim Miller’s Reflections on the Last 31 Years

October 25, 6:15 p.m.; Stephenson Hall

Dr. Miller shares stories of his long and devoted ministry at First Church. Join him as he reflects upon his pastoral experience as he shepherded “this little flock” through the years. There will be fond memories and great thanksgiving as we all consider the overflowing blessings of our time with Dr. Jim Miller and his family.



Parenting brown bag lunch group

Thursdays, Nov. 9, 30 and Dec. 7

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E100

Join us to discuss the book, “The Worry-Free Parent,” by Sissy Goff. Led by Sarah Savage.

Seasons Womens’ Gathering

Monday, November 13th, 6:30 p.m - 8:00 p.m.

Miller Library

Join us for our series “We Saved You a Seat.” This month's topic is “Friendship Takes Encouragement.” More information here.

Presbyterian Women

Bring your donations for Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless and deposit them in the mission container on Wednesdays and Sundays in the Atrium. Items requested are hats, mittens, scarfs, coats, sweaters, underwear, women's hygiene products, and socks for adults as well as funds to support Hudson Villas. Join us for one of our upcoming events:

• 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

Worship

Reformation Sunday and Dr. Miller’s final sermon

Sunday, October 29

11:00 a.m. combined worship, Sanctuary

Join us on this Festival Sunday and hear Dr. Miller’s final sermon to the First Church family. Our Presbyterian heritage will be celebrated with glorious music, including horns, handbells and David Marshall on the bagpipes.

All Saints’ Day worship and luncheon

Wednesday, November 1, 11 a.m.; Kerr Chapel

This is a day to honor and remember loved ones who have died during the prior 12 months. The Deacons will host a light lunch after the service. Make your reservation for lunch by October 25 with Kathy Wilson 918-301-1029 or online.

Worship schedule through October

Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

TIF Prayer meeting in the Great Hall

Sundays

8:15 a.m. worship with Dr. Miller; Sanctuary

11 a.m. worship with Dr. Miller; Sanctuary

11 a.m. worship with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi; Great Hall*            

*11 a.m. Sanctuary sermon will be streamed to the Great Hall.

Normal worship schedule will resume on Sunday, November 5.

Watch worship from home

Sundays at 11 a.m. live or anytime thereafter

Traditional worship

• Cox Cable Ch. 3 (11 a.m.-noon)
• FirstChurchTulsa.online.church
• Facebook
• YouTube

TIF worship

• Facebook

Connect

Realm all-church online directory

First Church’s secure all-church online directory (Realm) is only accessible to First Church members and will soon be activated. Once you have created a Realm account, you can access the contact information* of other First Church members. If you need help creating your account, contact Kathy Wilson and request a Realm invitation to be emailed to you. Click here to find out what is available through the Realm online directory.

*You can always update your information, add/change profile picture and change your privacy settings.

Prayers for the pastoral transition

Join our First Church family and pray for the pastoral transition. If you’re interested in receiving a weekly prayer prompt, text “81010” to @pastorfpc or click to opt in. You will receive a prayer prompt via text message each Tuesday at 7:09 a.m. that will encourage you to pray in a specific way for the week. Each week will follow the path of pastoral transition, as we walk it together as a congregation at First Church.

Pastor transition information

Latest updates on our website

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the pastor transition at FirstChurchTulsa.org/PastorTransition. There you will also find a transition roadmap that indicates our status throughout the entire process. Have questions? Email the Transition Team at FPCTransition@FirstChurchTulsa.org.

“The Transition” podcast

New episode is available online

“The Transition” podcast hosted by Rev. Julia Metcalf explores the process and progress of the pastoral transition happening at First Church. You are invited into the conversation to learn, hear updates, and be encouraged by the Holy Spirit's work as we walk into a new season. The latest episode is full of helpful and hopeful words from General Presbyter Tim Blodgett from Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery.