Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | E-News | Vol. 5, Issue 4 | |
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“Love … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
– 1 Corinthians 13:7 NRSV
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Scroll down for Worship • Events • Classes • Connect | |
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Lent and Eastertide
Lent begins with an Ash Wednesday worship service when we are reminded that, “From dust you have come and to dust you will return.” During Lent, we are invited to “Stay close to the master,” focusing on our union with Christ through baptism whereby we die to our old self so that we might live anew with Him.
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Ash Wednesday dinner and worship led by Rev. Dan Hutchinson
Wednesday, February 22
Soup dinner at 5:30 p.m., Stephenson Hall (Optional pay in advance here)
Worship service at 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Please join us for this meaningful service on the first day of Lent and a holy day of prayer. During the service you can elect to have ashes placed on your forehead which is a sign of our humanity and a reminder of our mortality. Note – there will be childcare for babies to age four, please register here.
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Festival Sunday with author John Ortberg preaching
Sunday, April 16
- 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
- 11 a.m. Festival Sunday worship; Sanctuary
All services gather in one service at 11 a.m. to hear American evangelical Christian author, speaker and the former senior pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo Park give the message.
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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.
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Traditional worship in the Sanctuary - Watch on Cox Cable Channel 3 or YouTube or Facebook
- Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall.
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TIF in the Great Hall - Watch on Facebook.
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Spiritual Disciplines Retreat with Rev. Julia Metcalf
Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Camp Loughridge Lodge
Come for a gathering of disciples for a quiet day to draw close to the Lord. This retreat is a great entry point to learn about the spiritual disciplines or a wonderful building block if you already practice them. We will spend time in prayer, reflection and rich conversation. Cost is $10 and includes breakfast and lunch. For more information and to register online, click here, or contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019.
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New children and youth choirs
Sign up by Sun. Feb. 26 to perform in the spring concert
Introducing two new choirs for children and youth – the First Church Choristers Children’s Choir and the Celebration Singers youth choir. They will sing for special events and services in the life of the church and community. Our singers learn sacred songs rich with Christian theology to they can share the Good News through music. They also learn to be good choir singers for life, and enjoy fun and fellowship with friends. Rehearsals are Sundays from 9 – 9:30 a.m.
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First Church Choristers – children grades K-4, meet in the West Parlor starting Feb. 26. Register here.
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Celebration Singers – students grade 5-12, meet in the Powerhouse starting Mar. 5. Register here.
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“From Ashes to Beauty” with Dr. John Ortberg
Lenten at-home daily devotionals
Weekdays, Wed. March 1 through Wed. April 12
During Lent we encourage you to watch this series of short devotionals from Dr. John Ortberg who will join us Sunday, April 16 to preach in our Festival Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. Dr. Ortberg is an American evangelical Christian author, speaker and the former senior pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo Park. Find the daily devotionals here. Or, watch them on Facebook.
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All-Church Retreat at New Life Ranch – Frontier Cove
Friday, March 24 – Saturday, March 25, 2023
Registration is now open for our retreat! Join us the evening of Friday and stay through mid-afternoon on Saturday including breakfast and lunch. Dr. Wes Vander-Lugt will be the keynote speaker. Detailed information, schedule and registration can be found here. All fees include meals, activities and lodging. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019 or Hannah Damron at 918-301-1039.
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Confirmation retreat
Friday – Saturday, March 24-25
This retreat is for all confirmands where they will write their answers to the six statements of faith questions. For questions or to register, contact Kiona Tyler at the church.
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Petra Mission Trip to Uganda informational meeting
Sunday, March 26, 12:30 p.m.; E101
Volunteers are traveling to Uganda with Petra Kids Ministry July 12-23, 2023. We are holding an advance informational meeting about the mission trip to the school in March to share the itinerary and answer any questions. For questions, contact Petra at 918-277-9112.
Mission trip to Ireland
June 9-19, 2023
Contact Hannah Damron at the church with questions.
Mission trip to Kenya
July 20-31, 2023
Contact Hannah Damron at the church with questions.
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H20 Project – Sponsor a well
Sundays, March 26 – April 9; give online or at the Atrium table
During the last two weeks of Lent, the congregation can participate in the H2O Project by fasting from all beverages but water and give the money saved from purchasing other drinks to our partners in the H2O Project, Marion Medical Mission. The mission works with local villagers in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia by digging wells for their villages and teaching them how to maintain them. The cost per well is $450 which will serve 125 people, on average. Our goal for 2023 is $13,500.00 for 30 wells, bringing our total wells dug since 2009 to 275 wells.
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Save the date
Chancel Choir Spring Concert
Sunday, April 23, 5 p.m.; Sanctuary
“Singing the life of Christ - from prophecy to resurrection” The First Church Chancel Choir presents their annual spring concert in collaboration with a professional orchestra. Take a musical journey through the life of Christ, with Scripture readings and choral anthems that remind us of His birth, earthly ministry, crucifixion and resurrection. The concert will also feature our children's and youth choirs, the First Church Choristers and the Celebration Singers. A reception follows in the Miller Atrium.
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Events are grouped by day, Monday through Sunday. | |
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Monday School with Rev. Wally Johnson
Weekly on Mondays at noon. Optional lunch at 11:30 a.m.; Kirkland Library
This study focuses on Leviticus. To pay for lunch or for more information can be found at this link.
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Pastor’s Study Faith & Physics with Dr. Jerry McCoy
Weekly on Wednesdays, 11 a.m. lunch, 11:30 a.m. program in Room E104
Weekly on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
Jerry McCoy, professor of physics at The University of Tulsa, is teaching a series ending in March on his soon-to-be-published book, “God Is A LOT Bigger Than You Think: The Story Science Tells.” If you’d like lunch on Wednesday, please pay in advance online.
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Wednesday Night Downtown
Wednesdays weekly, 6 p.m. dinner, 6:15 p.m. student and adult classes
Note: On Ash Wednesday, February 22, there will be a Soup dinner but no classes/programs. There will be childcare for babies to age 4.
Classes include:
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Wednesday Lenten Conversations - Follow the Master
Wednesdays March 1 - April 12, 6:15 p.m., Stephenson Hall
Following dinner we gather for a time of worship followed by discussions at each round table. If you’d like to sit with the same people every week, sign up in the Atrium on Sunday, February 26, or contact Phillip Bowman. Our program will include watching a 10-minute devotional led by Dr. John Ortberg followed by questions and conversations. Dr. Ortberg is a highly regarded Presbyterian pastor and author with a long track record of faithful and inspiring sermons, essays and podcasts. If you have a question, please contact Laura Stevens in the church office.
K Groups Lenten Study
Meets weekly in leaders’ homes or Wednesdays in Stephenson Hall during Lent
February 19 - March 26
Please join us for First Church’s Lenten study on the teachings of American pastor and author John Ortberg. Groups will meet during the six weeks of Lent to discuss video lessons. All you need is a few friends to get started or contact Phillip Bowman to get involved in a group at 918-630-1786.
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Seekers with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi
Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.; Room E104
This is an in-depth study of the weekly sermon scriptures.
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AWANA
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center
No meeting on Spring Break March 15
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Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Powerhouse
No meeting on Spring Break March 15
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“Raising Worry-Free Girls” book study
Thursdays, Feb. 23, Mar. 9 (thru May 4), 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E101
Sarah Savage leads this parenting book study. Bring your own lunch and book. Find information here.
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UKirk
Justice Bible Study – Tuesdays, 6 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
Sunday School – Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; E104
For adults 18-24 and led by Rev. Julia Metcalf. Join us for upcoming events and follow us on Instagram.
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Young Adults
Sunday School from 9:30-10:30 a.m.; E104
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Women’s events email sign-up
First Church conducts a number of women’s events and classes during the year, and we want you to be a part of our growing ministry. To that end, we want to make sure we share every event and class with you and invite you to sign up to receive our emails. We will be respectful of your in-box and want to make sure you join in on the fun! Please sign up here.
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Work opportunity for students
Are you a college student who loves God and enjoys working with youth? Next Generation Ministries is now receiving applications for its summer youth ministry internship program. Contact Steve Wilson for more information or go online to download an application.
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Student scholarships available
First Church offers several college scholarships. Instructions on how to apply and information about each scholarship can be found here. Applications are due April 15, 2023.
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Member support and updates
Call the church at 918-584-4701 or Kathy Wilson if there is a pastoral need, 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.
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Realm app
With Realm online and the associated Realm app you can connect to other members of First Church as well as register your attendance. Contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 to obtain your invitation to Realm and follow the instructions to activate your account. Learn more online.
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