Friday, April 5, 2024 | E-News | Vol. 6, Issue 8 | |
“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” – Deuteronomy 32:2 | |
♦ News ♦ Events ♦ Worship ♦ Classes ♦ Connect |
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Education Scholarships
Applications due April 15
The First Presbyterian Church scholarship program provides financial aid to qualified individuals seeking to attend accredited institutions of higher learning. Scholarships are primarily awarded based on need, academic potential, area of study and performance.
- Must be a communicant member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
- Must normally be working toward a degree in a college, university or seminary that is fully accredited by its regional accrediting association.
- Must have established and maintained a satisfactory academic record.
Previous scholarship recipients must reapply to be eligible for consideration of a 2024-2025 school year scholarship. For more information, visit our website and download a scholarship application or contact tmoseley@firstchurchtulsa.org.
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Introducing First Church Family Lounges
Available on Sundays near all worship areas
Did you know that if your child needs to take a break during a worship service, we have specially-designed lounges for your family to use? Furnished with comfortable seating, play areas, and amenities like coffee and diaper changing stations, the family lounges provide a comfortable space for you and your children. The lounges also have TVs streaming the service, so you won’t miss the message or the music. Look for signs on the elevators directing you to these spaces.
Sanctuary worship service - Patterson Family Lounge is on the first floor in the Children’s area and can be accessed by using the Narthex elevator or by going down a short flight of stairs from the Atrium.
Stephenson Hall worship service - Stephenson Hall Family Lounge is on the second floor in Room 207 overlooking Stephenson Hall. You can take the Atrium elevator or stairs to the second floor.
Tulsa International Fellowship worship service - Great Hall Family Lounge is located directly across from the Great Hall.
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Dr. Charles W. Kerr Display
Historic ministry tools now on display in Miller Library
Dr. Charles W. Kerr was the dynamic and passionate leader who served as pastor of First Church from 1900 to 1941. During his tenure, the church experienced explosive growth. Dr. Kerr dedicated three church buildings, including the current Sanctuary. An exhibit of his personal ministry tools, curated by History & Archives, is on display now in the Miller Library.
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Patricia Hall Retirement Reception
Sunday, April 14, 12:15 in the Atrium
Join us as we celebrate Patricia Hall’s many years of dedicated service to First Church and wish her well for the next chapter of her life in retirement.
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Young Professionals Dinner
Sunday, April 14, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
First Church Courtyard
Young adults are invited to the Second Annual First Church Young Professionals Dinner. Held in the Courtyard, this event will be perfect for mingling and networking with other 20- and 30-year olds. The guest speaker, Kristin Harrington, from the US Attorney's office, will share tips for incorporating your faith in the workplace. Cost is $10 and includes dinner. Please RSVP here by Monday, April 8.
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Inquirers Class
Sundays, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5
9:15 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.; Miller Library
Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about First Church? This class is perfect for meeting others, getting to know our pastors and asking questions. Sign up online now or for more information, email Emma Myatt or call 918-584-4701.
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Chancel Choir Spring Concert
Sunday, April 21, 5 p.m.; Sanctuary
You are invited to experience one of the greatest of all choral compositions, the oratorio Messiah, by George Frideric Handel. It was an immediate success at its premiere performance in Dublin, Ireland in 1742, and it has since been heard by more listeners than any other classical composition. This concert will feature audience favorites such as “Behold the Lamb of God”, “And With His Stripes”, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”, “The Trumpet Shall Sound”, and of course the immortal “Hallelujah Chorus”. The Sanctuary will resound with the joy of Eastertide as the Chancel Choir and orchestra combine to proclaim “And he shall reign for ever and ever; Hallelujah!” Please join us for an hour of great music and a reception following in the Atrium.
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Family Adventure Afternoon at Camp Loughridge
Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Join us for a day of family fun promoting the Camp Loughridge Scholarship Fund. Enjoy hiking, fishing, canoeing, archery, disc golf and zip lining (fee for zip line). Plus, enjoy outdoor exploration and a hotdog cookout. This is a free event but the camp asks that you consider making an optional $50 donation to help support the scholarship fund that provides opportunities for kids who wouldn't otherwise get to enjoy camp experiences. For more information, contact Executive Director of Camp Loughridge Jacob McIntosh at 918-446-4194.
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VBS/VBX 2024
Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Camp Loughridge
Registration is now open! This year’s theme is “Breaker Rock Beach: God’s Rock-Solid Truth in a World of Shifting Sands”. Kids will be challenged as they discover that God’s truth never changes and that everyone needs Jesus. They will learn to speak truth in love and point others to Jesus and His truths about life. Adventure awaits each day as kids play games, make crafts, and learn scripture. We look forward to a great week!
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Weekly worship services
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
TIF Prayer meeting in the Great Hall.
Sundays, 8 a.m.
Traditional worship in Kerr Chapel.
Sundays, 8:30 a.m.
Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall.
Sundays, 11 a.m.
Traditional worship in the Sanctuary.
Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall.
International worship in the Great Hall.
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Watch online
Sundays at 11 a.m. live or anytime thereafter
Traditional worship
Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Tulsa International Fellowship worship
See all other scheduled worship and classes on our website event calendar.
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Young Adult Sunday school
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Room E201
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Little Lambs
Mondays, 10 a.m.; Wiseman Hall
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Men’s Monday Bible study
Mondays, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.; E103
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Seasons Womens Gathering
Monday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. - 8 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. In this year's video series, “We Saved You a Seat”, we will explore our relationship with Jesus as the ultimate model for authentic friendship. Nothing shapes us like the impact of a friend - it's how Jesus radically and intimately connects with us.
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Precept Bible study with Denise Rounds
Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.; Room E100
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Downtown Theological Roundtable
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; Room E206
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Wednesdays weekly, dinner at 5:15 p.m., classes at 6:15 p.m. | | | |
Seekers Bible Study
Rev. Wambugu Gachungi, Room E104
Rev. Wambugu Gachungi leads an in-depth study of the Sunday morning sermon scriptures. Come enjoy praying together, studying the Bible, and engaging in lively questions and discussions.
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Rupture and Repair: God’s story in every human relationship
Rev. James R. Estes and Dr. Tom Philp, Room E103
Join us for a four week exploration of the ways we hurt and heal in the context of relationships. Each week will consider a Biblical narrative through the lens of rupture and repair – exploring the invitation to vulnerability, grace and truth in the context of every day relationships. This course builds upon validated relational insights, and weekly “relationship hacks” to help move any relationship from surviving to thriving.
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The Enneagram, A Tool for Transformation
with certified Enneagram teacher, Liz Decker, Room E313
How would your life change if you could better understand how God created you uniquely? Drawing from scripture, interviews, and visuals to help explain the nine basic personality types, we will discover the core motivations that explain what makes us who we are and learn acceptance and compassion for ourselves and others.
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Tolkien and the Christian Life, continued
Rev. Dan Hutchinson, Miller Library
What does Middle Earth have to do with Jesus? Join Rev. Dan Hutchinson for an exploration into the biblical and theological themes (sovereignty, the nature of good and evil, creation and restoration, home, the work of Christ, etc.) 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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How To Read the Bible (Hermeneutics), continued
with John Shelton, Room E100
Learning to study, understand, and embrace the Word of God is an essential adventure for every follower of Jesus Christ. John Shelton teaches an inductive methodology that emphasizes studying books of the Bible as wholes and in context. Students will gain confidence to approach all genres of scripture and to see the plain meaning of the text.
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AWANA Clubs
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center
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P.O.W., AMASS Exodus and Confirmation class
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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“Hearts for the Lord” women’s weekly Bible study
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; E313, Third floor conference room
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Parenting brown bag lunch group
Thursdays, April 11 & 25, May 9
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E100
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Presbyterian Women
- 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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Subscribe to the First Church Tulsa YouTube channel
Did you know First Church Tulsa has built an extensive collection of our original videos for you to access on our YouTube channel? Our channel has over 200 videos including:
- Sanctuary worship services
- Ron Pearson organ concerts
- Video episodes of “The Transition Podcast”
- Classes and special speakers
- Year in pictures videos
Visit our YouTube channel and click subscribe to receive notifications of the latest updates when new content is published.
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Celebrate with us as we take a look back at 2023 with our Year in Review video. 2023 was an important year in the life of our church. It was a year of transition, a year of growth, and a year of remembering God’s faithfulness. Watch the video and see the good things that are happening at First Church Tulsa. | |
Read the spring 2024 Tidings “Year in Review”
Pick one up at the church or view online
The spring 2024 issue of Tidings magazine features a blend of the annual report and member-contributed articles under the title “Celebrating Together - 2023 Year in Review.” Alongside the regular highlights from the annual report, each ministry section presents articles, stories, insights and perspectives showcasing the good things that are happening at First Church Tulsa.
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The Transition Podcast
Listen online or watch the latest episodes on YouTube
Check out the ten episodes of Rev. Julia Metcalf's podcast exploring the pastoral trasition.
Episode 1: Introduction with Rev. Julia Metcalf
Episode 2: The three steps of the pastor transition process
Episode 3: Tim Blodgett, General Presbyter of the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery
Episode 4: Stephanie Madsen, Transition Team member
Episode 5: Rev. Dan Hutchinson, Interim Pastor
Episode 6: Jacob Thompson, Elder and member of the Strategic Planning Committee
Episode 7: Mission Study Team members John Harper and Anne McCoy
Episode 8: Mission Study Team members Mark Brown and Grace Masaku
Episode 9: Elizabeth Hamilton from HolyCow! Consulting
Episode 10: The Donohue Family
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Reporting births, marriages and hospitalizations
Since most hospitals are no longer providing information to the church about our members who become hospitalized, you can help us. Please call the church at 918-584-4701 or email Kathy Wilson to report hospitalizations/births/marriages. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text her at 918-688-2163.
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Praying through the Pastoral Transition
Join us as we pray for the pastoral transition. To receive a weekly prayer prompt, sign up for Prayers for the pastoral transition or text @pastorfpc to 81010. A text message is sent each Tuesday at 7:09 a.m. encouraging 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. Click here to download the prayer schedule.
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