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Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | E-News | Vol. 7, Issue 4

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6

♦ Worship ♦ Events ♦ Classes ♦ Connect

Worship

Sermon on the Mount series: Kingdom Fulfillment

Continue with us as we explore the way in which Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Law and at the same time calls us into a deeper obedience that reflects the heart of the God who made us and who has claimed us as His own. Be warned: Jesus’ words are not for the faint of heart! Christ calls us to Himself, to follow Him, to claim Him as Lord in every arena of life. This is the invitation of the Sermon on the Mount.

Ash Wednesday Worship

Wednesday, March 5

• Noon; Service in the Kerr Chapel
• 5:30 p.m.; Soup Dinner in Stephenson Hall
• 6:30 p.m.; Service in the Sanctuary

Take time out at noon for a short worship and reflection time in Kerr Chapel and enjoy a light soup lunch afterward. Later that evening, the family worship service in the Sanctuary will include songs led by the youth and children's choirs. A soup dinner before the service is also available. Childcare is available for birth to pre-K beginning at 6:15 p.m.

This special day marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter. In reverence, ministers will impose ashes as a sign of our humanity, our mortality and repentance.

Events

2025 Lenten Groups

Beginning March 5

Sign up before Friday, Feb. 21!

Sign up for a Lenten group by Friday, Feb. 21. Join a group, start your own, or use your existing K group for the six-week study, To Seek and To Save by Sinclair Ferguson, exploring Luke’s account of Jesus’ final days. Groups begin after March 5 and conclude during Holy Week with a home-based Messianic seder dinner. Sign up online below or email Duff Points for more details.

Lunch and Learn

Second Mondays of each month

beginning March 10, 12 p.m.; Room E104

We are excited to announce the return of Lunch and Learn, a monthly luncheon program for retirement-aged members and their guests, beginning Monday, March 10, and continuing every second Monday of the month. Lunch is available for $7 and programs will center around common concerns for people who have reached retirement age. Register online to attend or contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029. You can pre-pay for lunch online or pay at the door. We hope to see you there!

Grief Share

13-week grief recovery program

Wednesdays, February 5 - April 30, 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Miller Library

Registration is open throughout the program

Grief Share, the world’s #1 grief recovery program, is now being offered at First Church. This program helps those dealing with grief move toward healing. Each session includes a 30-minute video featuring grief recovery experts sharing their experiences and insights, followed by facilitated discussions. Participants receive a personal workbook aligned with the videos and discussion topics. The topics covered address sadness, loneliness, anger, regrets, fear, anxiety, relationships, questions for God, hope and resilience. The cost is $20. Sign up and pre-pay online or contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 to register.

All-Church Retreat - “Life Together”

Friday, March 28 to Saturday, March 29

New Life Ranch – Frontier Cove

Join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship at the First Church retreat, held Friday and Saturday at New Life Ranch! Enjoy family-friendly activities like go-carts, ropes course, fishing, bonfire, and more. Engage with inspiring sessions led by First Church speakers, exploring how we live our faith together. Overnight accommodations available for Friday night, or you can just come Saturday to enjoy the fun. Sign-ups begin March 2 in the Atrium—stay tuned for more details!

Classes and recurring events

UKirk and Young Adult Sunday school

12 Essentials Doctrines to Transform Your Life

Sundays, 9:30 a.m., E201

Adult Sunday school

Sundays, 9:30 a.m.

Contact Laura Stevens for more information about our class offerings.

Men’s Monday Bible Study

Mondays, 12:00 p.m.; Room E103

Precept Bible Study

Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.; E100

Wednesday Night Downtown

Due to the weather conditions, our Wednesday evening activities are canceled for February 19. The regular WNDT schedule will resume on February 26.

Faith Foundations: What We Believe

Led by pastors and lay leaders, Miller Library

Wellness & Worship: Yoga & Nutrition Classes 

Led by certified yoga instructor, Holly Hughes

Through February 26, Bernsen Building, first floor reception area

Seekers Bible Study

Led by Elder Patrick Kirunda and Rev. Wambugu Gachungi, Room E104

NEXT GEN PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN

AWANA Children’s programming

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Children's Area

AMASS Exodus

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Powerhouse

Pathfinders on Wednesday (P.O.W.)

Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Powerhouse

Presbyterian Women February Mission

Presbyterian Women’s February mission project is raising funds to create Easter baskets for the children living at Lindsey House with their moms. Lindsey House provides transitional housing and support to help newly homeless mothers and their children regain stability and achieve financial independence. As a founding partner of Lindsey House, First Church is committed to this mission. Donations can be placed in the box at the Welcome Center. Checks should be made out to Presbyterian Women.

Connect

The Transition Podcast Episode 16

A conversation with Joel Donohue, Clerk of Session

Curious about the latest in the pastor transition process? In her latest podcast, Rev. Julia Metcalf interviews Clerk of Session Joel Donohue. He shares insights into the Pastor Nominating Committee’s search for our next senior pastor. Watch the episode now on the First Church Tulsa YouTube channel.

Pastor Nominating Committee

Pastor Nominating Committee Members include Elizabeth DeVore, Joel Donohue, Gary Johnson, Patrick Kirunda, Ben Peterson, Nicole Pugh, Kate Swan, Jacob Thompson, Amy Tingleaf, John Frame (Alternate), Allison Biggs (Alternate).

Please pray for wisdom and guidance for this gifted team as they diligently work through their process. To find the latest updates on the pastor transition at First Church Tulsa, visit FirstChurchTulsa.org/PastorTransition.

Education Scholarships

Applications due April 15, 2025

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 for to be eligible for consideration of a scholarship for 2025-2026 school year. For more information, visit our website and download a scholarship application or contact tmoseley@firstchurchtulsa.org.

Be a Greeter!

Serving on the greeting team at First Church is an easy way to get involved while meeting people and making a difference in the atmosphere at church! You can choose specific times on certain Sundays you would like to greet. It's easy to start small and choose a time and location that works best for you! Be an example of the warm and welcoming presence of Christ at First Church Tulsa. Be a greeter this Sunday! Sign up here.

Applications for summer internship

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! Find our more and download the application on the First Church website.

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