Wednesday, January 3, 2024 | E-News | Vol. 6, Issue 1 | |
“If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” – James 1:5 | |
♦ Events ♦ Classes ♦ Worship ♦ Connect | |
Epiphany Plunge & Bonfire
Sunday, January 7, 5:00 p.m., Camp Loughridge
Bring your holiday greens for the bonfire and plunge into the lake. The event will include a homily, cookies, and hot cider/cocoa by Lake Parthenia. Greenery drop-off begins on Wednesday, January 3 at the designated area by the Glass Cabin at Camp Loughridge.
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Children’s & Youth Choirs 2024 Kick Off
A fun, spirit-filled semester is planned for the kids' choirs in 2024. Choirs will lead worship for Youth Sunday, Palm Sunday, and Easter. In May, the choirs will present a spring musical. Kids will learn to love singing their faith, and enjoy fun and fellowship along the way.
First Church Choristers children's choir
Weekly beginning Sunday, January 7, 9:00 a.m., West Parlor
Open to children in Kindergarten to Grade 4. New singers please register by January 31.
Celebration Singers youth choir
Weekly beginning Sunday, January 14, 9:00 a.m., third floor choir room
Open to students in grades 5-12. New singers please register by January 31.
Join us to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord!”
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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 in the Presbyterian Church that includes an assessment of where our 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.
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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
Save the date for this free 15-day lecture series hosted by First Church Tulsa and streamed live from Calvin University. This series aims to cultivate deep thought and conversations. The series begins on Jan. 15 with Lerone Martin, associate professor of religious studies at Stanford University, speaking on “Soul Force: The challenge of Martin Luther King.” Other speakers include Robert George, director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University; and Caroline Randall Williams, an award-winning poet, young adult novelist, and cookbook author as well as an activist, and public intellectual. Click here to see the full list of speakers.
Greeters and table setup volunteers needed to help on weekdays January 15 through February 2. Volunteers please sign up here.
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Chili Cook-Off
Sunday, January 21, 12:15 p.m.; Atrium
Mark your calendar for Sunday January 21 after the 11:00 a.m. service for our famous Annual Chili-Cook Off to benefit activities and needs at Anderson Elementary. If you would like to enter your award-winning chili, sign up at the Atrium table on Sunday, Jan. 7 or reach out to Cindy DeVore at 918-630-2636.
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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.
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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
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Little Lambs
Weekly on Mondays beginning January 8, 10 a.m.; Wiseman Hall
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Men’s Monday Bible study
Weekly on Mondays beginning January 15, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.; E103
Contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019 or find information here.
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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 continue our series, We Saved You a Seat, in which we explore our relationship with Jesus as the ultimate model for authentic friendship. Come join us and bring a friend! 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.
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Precept Bible study led by Denise Rounds
Weekly on Tuesdays beginning January 9, 9:30 a.m.; Room E100
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Wednesdays beginning January 10, dinner at 5:15 p.m., classes at 6:15 |
Mission Study Informational Meeting
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 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.
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Resuming January 10
AWANA Clubs
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center
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Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation classes
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Powerhouse
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Chancel Choir rehearsal
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Choir room
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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.
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Tolkien and the Christian Life
January 17 – February 7, 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.; Miller Library
What does Middle Earth have to do with Jesus? Join Rev. Dan Hutchinson for an exploration into the biblical and theological themes such as sovereignty, nature of good and evil, creation and restoration, home, and the work of Christ, that arise from the world and writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. No prior knowledge of Lord of the Rings is required.
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Seekers with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi
January 17 – February 7, 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.; Room E104
Rev. Wambugu Gachungi leads an in-depth study of the Sunday morning sermon scriptures. Come and enjoy praying together, studying the Bible, and engaging in lively questions and discussions.
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From Surviving to Thriving In Your Relationship
January 17 – February 7, 6:15 - 7:30 p.m.; Room E103
Join Rev. James R. Estes and Dr. Tom Philp for a four-week exploration of four core characteristics of a thriving marriage. Every week will include biblical and theological reflection, robustly validated relational insights, and weekly “marriage hacks” to help move any relationship from surviving to thriving.
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“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 e-mail her at phall@firstchurchtulsa.org
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Presbyterian Women
The 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
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FIRST CHURCH TULSA SERMON SERIES
Sundays, January until Easter
God’s covenant faithfulness: In season and out of season
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul recounts the story of Israel and tells the church that these events “were written down for our instruction…” Using this passage as a launching pad, we will be walking with the people of Israel through the stories that Paul references from the books of Exodus and Numbers. Along the way, we will explore God’s mighty acts, the challenges that we encounter as God’s people, and the recurring reminder of God’s faithfulness: in season and out of season. Join us as we journey and learn together!
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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 Kerr 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
- International worship in the Great Hall
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Watch worship online
Sundays at 11 a.m. live or anytime thereafter
Traditional worship
Tulsa International Fellowship worship
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Realm all-church 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.
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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.
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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, visit helpinghandministry918.com or visit FirstChurchTulsa.org/give and select Helping Hand Ministry from the dropdown list.
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Contact us for prayer
For pastoral needs, prayer requests, important family news or a change in contact information, please call 918-584-4701 or e-mail Kathy Wilson. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text 918-688-2163.
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