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Friday, September 4, 2026 | E-News | Vol. 8, Issue 17

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Message from Rev. Cameron Beaty

Redeeming Work

As we continue our series this Sunday in the Gospel of Mark, I want us to consider the claim of Jesus who describes Himself as the Lord of the Sabbath (Mk 2:28). While this may not sound all that provocative, Christ is saying He can ultimately give the true rest we so long for in our day.

If our relationship with work and rest were a Facebook status, it might be described as “complicated.” In creation, God—the First Worker—made us in His image and gave us meaningful work (Gn 2:15). Now through finance or the arts, medicine or homemaking, education or business, our work extends God’s work of preserving and cultivating this world. Work is also marked by pain, frustration and thorns infest the ground. It can be life-giving and soul-robbing. We struggle to turn our work off or find lasting satisfaction in it.

That is why Jesus’ claim to be the Lord of Rest is such good news for the burned out and beat down. Christ comes not only to restore dignity to our work but to free us from finding our identity in it. See beneath our work is often another kind of work: the exhausting, never- ending effort to prove and justify ourselves through our work.

But on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). Because Christ finished the work of our salvation, we can stop working for God’s “well done” and receive His approval in Jesus as a gift of grace.

This Labor Day weekend, hear Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28).

Go to Jesus. Rest well. See you Sunday.

Cameron

Reverend J. Cameron Beaty

♦ Worship ♦ Events ♦ Classes ♦ Give & Serve ♦ Connect

Worship

Mark: The Gospel of the Kingdom

Join us as we explore the Gospel of Mark

This fall, journey through the fast-moving Gospel of Mark and encounter Jesus—who He is, what He came to do, and what it means to follow Him. Through His teaching, healing and calling of ordinary people, Mark leads us toward a defining question: Who do you say that Jesus is? Whether you’ve followed Christ for decades or are still exploring, come discover the hope and power of the rightful King. Continue the journey beyond Sunday with Jesus the King by Timothy Keller, a companion to Rev. Beaty’s sermon series, available for purchase at the book table in the Atrium.

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 combines with

International worship in the Great Hall (summer schedule)

Watch online

Sundays at 11 a.m. live or anytime thereafter

Traditional worship

Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m. & 5 p.m., Live on Facebook and YouTube

Tulsa International Fellowship worship, Live on Facebook and YouTube

See all other scheduled worship and classes on our website event calendar.

Events

GriefShare

Wednesdays weekly, September 9–December 9 
1–2:30 p.m., Room E104

GriefShare is a 13-week Christian recovery program for those grieving the loss of someone dear to them. Through helpful guidance, group discussion and encouragement from facilitators and fellow participants, GriefShare offers support as you navigate your journey through grief. Register at GriefShare.org by selecting Find a Group and choosing the First Church group. The $20 registration fee, payable at the first class, covers the cost of the workbook. Additional information about the program is also available on the GriefShare website.

Breakfast on Boston

Sunday, September 13, 9:30 a.m., Boston Avenue

Come together at 9:30 a.m. outside on Boston Avenue for a hot breakfast and enjoy fellowship and fun activities including pony rides, temporary tattoos, bubbles, chalk, photo booth and live music from The Creek Rocks featuring Ozark folk originals & ballads. There will be no Sunday school on this day. Avoid the lines and click here to pre-pay for meals. Prices: Adults $7, Children (ages 4–12) $4, Families $20, and children 3 and under eat free.

Matson Golf Tournament benefiting Helping Hand

Monday, September 21, 7:30 a.m., MeadowBrook Country Club

Join us for the 19th Annual Matson Cup Golf Tournament benefiting Helping Hand. Support our ministry’s mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community. Your registration fee includes the tournament and lunch. Register now at FirstChurchTulsa.org/golf26.

Special Guest: Dr. Scott Sunquist

Speaking events and worship, Sept. 26–27

Join us for a weekend with Dr. Scott Sunquist, president and professor of missiology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. An ordained Presbyterian minister, author and scholar of world Christianity, Dr. Sunquist brings a rich perspective shaped by years of teaching, ministry and missionary service in Singapore.

Register your child for Awana

Awana begins Wednesday, September 9, 6 p.m., Children's area

Register your child (ages 2 through 4th grade) for another great year of Wednesday night fun, engaging activities, Bible lessons and Scripture memorization during the school year.

Make a Joyful Noise

Registration is open for children and youth music at First Church!

The groups have begun, and there’s still time to join.

Through choirs and handbells, young musicians will learn the fundamentals of music, explore sacred repertoire and have opportunities to lead in worship throughout the year. There is nothing quite like music to imprint the Word in young hearts.

First Church Choristers

Children’s Choir | Grades K–4

Sundays, 9:15–9:45 a.m., Children’s Choir Room

Director: Gretchen Bashforth

Choristers will sing in worship on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, and Christmas Music Sunday, Dec. 20, with additional dates to be announced. Register for First Church Choristers

Rejoice Ringers

Handbell Choir | Grades 3 and up

Sundays, 8:45–9:15 a.m., Bell Room

Director: Carol Tipton

Rejoice Ringers will share music in worship during the fall and Christmas seasons, with dates to be announced. Register for Rejoice Ringers

Celebration Singers

Youth Choir | Grades 5–12

Sundays, 9:15–9:45 a.m., Powerhouse

Director: Hannah Johnson

Celebration Singers will sing in worship on World Communion Sunday, Oct. 4, and Christmas Music Sunday, Dec. 20, with additional dates to be announced. Register for Celebration Singers

We hope your children and youth will join us this year as we learn, worship and make a joyful noise to the Lord together.

New First Church History Exhibit

A new history exhibit is coming to the hallway between the Atrium and Narthex. Phase 1, opening this fall, will cover 1845–1940, from Rev. Robert Loughridge’s missionary work through the ministry of Dr. Charles W. Kerr. Phase 2 will continue the story from 1941–2026.

Classes

SUNDAYS

Sunday School Classes

A variety of classes offer in-depth Bible study, Christian history and doctrine, prayer and fellowship each Sunday morning. Contact Elizabeth Massey for more information. View class descriptions here.

MONDAYS

Men’s Monday Bible Study

Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, Noon–1 p.m., Room E103

Fellowship, lunch and in-depth Bible study with discussion centered on applying Scripture to everyday life.

Lunch with C.S. Lewis

Mondays beginning in October, 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m., Room E104

Explore Mere Christianity, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Screwtape Letters with Rev. Cameron Beaty. Sessions run in October and December and again in the spring.

TUESDAYS

Precepts Bible Study with Denise Rounds

Beginning Sept. 15, 9:30 a.m., Room E102

Learn how to study the Bible using the inductive method–a simple process that teaches you how to study and understand the Bible.

WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday Night Downtown returns Sept. 9!

Dinner begins at 5:15 p.m. Children's and Youth classes: 6 p.m.
Adult classes: 6:15–7:30 p.m., Choir rehearsal: 6:30 p.m.

Getting to Know the Beatys

Wednesday, September 9, Stephenson Hall

As a kick-off to the fall semester of Wednesday Night Downtown, we will spend the first session getting to know the Beatys. Cameron and Emily will share stories of their family, their faith journey, and how they have seen the Lord at work in and through their life

of ministry to His church.

Praying the Psalms

Sept. 16–Oct. 7, Sanctuary

Come to an evening gathering in the Sanctuary for a time of lessons, prayers, and contemplation. Rev. Cameron Beaty will lead us in understanding the psalms and adopting the rich prayer practices that Christians have followed through the centuries.

Seekers Bible Study

Beginning Sept. 16, Room E104

We focus on in-depth study following the sermon series on Mark, often following the sermon scriptures for the week and how to apply the Word to our lives today.  

Watch for new classes beginning after Fall Break on October 21.

THURSDAYS

Watercolor the Word

Thursdays, September 10–October 15, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Tower Room

This watercolor class led by Mary Lee Weaver will be focused on Advent through Epiphany. and include a shared Bible reflection each week. The class is limited to 15 people and the fee for the class is $20. Sign up here.

Hearts for the Lord
Thursdays beginning Sept. 17, 10–11:30 a.m., Room E313

Women gather for Bible study and encouragement in their daily walk with Christ.

SATURDAYS

Before the Rooster Crows with Phil Rounds

Saturdays, 8:45 a.m., Room E103

Read, unpack and reflect on the biblical texts for Sunday worship and prepare your heart for the Word proclaimed.

Give and Serve

How can you help welcome the Beaty family?

One simple way is through the Beaty Welcome Fund, created to help Cameron, Emily and their family as they settle into their new home and begin ministry at First Church. Gifts will help meet practical needs of relocation. Click the link below to our giving site and select Beaty Welcome Fund from the dropdown list.

Dedicate a new hymnal


You can dedicate a new hymnal in honor or memory of a loved one for $20 per copy. Other monetary gifts supporting the hymnal replacement project may also be given without a dedication. To support the hymnal project, click the button below and fill out the dedication form online.

Become a mentor to new First Church members

Help new members feel welcomed and connected at First Church! Our New Member Mentorship Program pairs each new member with a church member who walks alongside them for about six months, helping them build relationships and feel at home in the life of the church. As new members join throughout the year, there are ongoing opportunities to serve as a mentor.

As a mentor, you’ll:

• Greet new members on Sundays so they feel seen and valued.
• Connect once a month—coffee, a call, or an invite to an event.

If you’d like to be part of this meaningful ministry, contact Emma Myatt. It’s a simple way to make a lasting impact. To learn more, watch our video or sign up online.

First Friends in the Pews

As a church, we are called to show hospitality, or philoxenia, the Greek word meaning “love of strangers.” Each of us has the opportunity to be someone’s very first friend in the pew. By being attentive and welcoming to those around us, we help create a place where all feel seen and at home.

We’d love to hear your stories of meaningful moments of hospitality. Please share them via email to Jerry McCoy.

TV Ministry Team opportunities

Be part of a fun, behind-the-scenes team helping share our 11 a.m. worship service with thousands each week on TV and online. Whether you're running a camera, switching graphics, or balancing audio, every role helps bring the service to life. We’re looking for students and adults who want to make a difference and be part of a great team. For more information, email Alex Pennell, TV/Video Manager, or call him at 314-607-1032.

Connect

First Connections: A New Sunday Rhythm of Hospitality

After worship at noon every Sunday, Miller Library

As we seek to grow our church and welcome new faces, First Connections provides a simple and intentional space where meaningful conversations can happen naturally. Whether you're a first-time visitor to First Church, have been attending for a while, or simply want to help extend hospitality to others, this is an opportunity to meet people, build relationships and help create a welcoming environment for everyone.

• Visitors: Come to First Connections to meet others, ask questions and begin building relationships.
• Members: this is one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to live out hospitality. Bring visitors you met in worship to meet others and get connected. You can help visitors feel seen, known and genuinely welcomed into the life of our church.

Make this part of your Sunday routine:

• After worship, come to Miller Library
• Meet someone new
• Help someone belong


This new gathering gives us a weekly rhythm and shared place to continue that culture together. Yes, you can make a difference.

Questions? Contact Director of New Member Outreach Emma Myatt for more information.

Update your contact information

Have you moved or changed your phone number or email address recently? Please take a moment to update your information on your profile in the Realm Connect app, or contact Grace Masaku at 918-301-1029 to share your new details. Keeping our records current helps us stay connected and serve you better.

Reporting births, marriages and hospitalizations

Since most hospitals are no longer providing information to the church about our members who are hospitalized, you can help us. Please call the church at 918-584-4701 or email Grace Masaku to report hospitalizations, births and marriages. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text her at 918-688-2163.

Important links:

• Linktr.ee
• Calendar
• E-News
• Tidings magazine
• Bulletins