First Church E-News | Vol. 3, Issue 19 | Tuesday, September 21, 2021
“I pray that you may have the power to … know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

– Ephesians 3:18-19 NRSV
Sunday, October 3, 12:15 p.m.; Stephenson Hall & Courtyard
Join us right after 11 a.m. worship for dinner and hear Dr. Jim Miller share highlights from his sabbatical over the summer.
Deacons’ Day of Care
Saturday, October 2 & 16, 2021
Volunteer to work with the Deacons helping members with outside home projects. Sign up to volunteer or reach out to Elizabeth DeVore 918-728-5327, or Joe Land 918-232-1306.
Volunteer to work with our kids
Help teach our children at Sunday School this fall with pre-prepared lessons, supplies and materials in the classrooms. Your part is to prayerfully read over the lesson, pray for the kids and show up on Sunday morning ready to assist. Call Sarah Savage or Rachel Tsuma at the Church or register online.
Wednesdays this fall, dinner at 5:15 p.m.; Stephenson Hall
Join us for dinner and stay for a class. No dinner or classes the week of Thanksgiving. To reserve dinner click here. Classes include:
Beauty is Oxygen – How the arts help our souls breathe
Rev. Wes Vander Lugt, theologian in residence
Wednesdays through December 8, 6:15 p.m., Stephenson Hall
Beauty is everywhere, but what does it have to do with becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ? In this study, we will explore the pivotal role of beauty and the arts in knowing God, flourishing in our full humanity, and following Jesus with vibrant wisdom in a grayscale world.
Seekers
Rev. Wambugu Gachungi
Wednesdays through December 8, 6:15 p.m., Room E104
Join us for a verse-by-verse study of the fall sermon series on Ephesians.
AWANA
Wednesdays 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center
We will meet Wednesdays after dinner. We will not be meeting Oct. 14, Nov. 24 or December 22 & 29. Register online.
Pastor’s Study with Dr. Jim Miller
Sundays beginning Sept. 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
Dr. Miller will continue his series on C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity.” Each session will be recorded and available to view online the following week.
Old Testament Survey
Sundays through December 22, 9:30 a.m.; E104
Rev. Dan Hutchinson leads a class providing answers to how the Old Testament fits into Christianity, why it is important, why there is so much blood and a host of other questions. All are welcome.
Monday School with Wes Vander Lugt
"A Biblical Theology of Kinship"
Monday, September 13 – December 13, 11:30 a.m. optional lunch and class at noon
Kirkland Library
The Bible is one story, a story of relationships formed, deformed and transformed with God, each other and the world. Over 14 weeks, we’ll explore this theme of transformed, mutual relationships, what we’re calling “kinship,” throughout the Bible and how it relates to our own lives and discipleship today. Register online or by calling Hannah Elliott in the Church office.
Join a K Group (small group)
Starting the week of Monday, September 20 for nine weeks; times and locations vary
This fall, join a small group to discuss the book “The Good and Beautiful God: Falling in Love with the God Jesus Knows” by James Bryan Smith. This deep, loving and transformative book will help you discover the narratives that Jesus lived by – to know the Lord he knew and the kingdom he proclaimed, and to practice spiritual exercises that will help you grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God. Turning to the Gospels, Smith invites you to put your ideas to the test to see if they match up with what Jesus himself reveals about God. If you are interested in joining, hosting or leading a group, please contact Phillip Bowman at 918-630-1786.
Mondays, September 20 through November 8, 6 – 8:30 p.m.; Bernsen Center
Nearly 8.4 million people provide care for an adult with mental illness. First Church is partnering with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to provide confidential support and education for families of individuals with mental illness. The classes are free, and registration with NAMI Tulsa is required by calling 918-587-6264.
Little Lambs
Mondays, 10 a.m.; playground
Parents, grandparents, caregivers and children ages birth to pre-school enjoy a Bible story, singing and prayer, while playing and getting to know other families. For questions, contact Phillip Bowman at 918-630-1786.
Precepts with Denise Rounds
Tuesdays through February 22, 2022, 9:30 a.m.; E100
Join us for this study on 2 Corinthians led by Denise Rounds. No RSVP is required.
UKirk “Gather” and “Grow” for adults 18-24
"Gather" meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m.; Sharp Chapel on TU’s campus
"Grow" meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m.; Kirkland Library Bernsen Building
Led by Julia Metcalf, follow UKirk on Instagram @ukirktulsa.
Downtown Theological Roundtable (DTR)
Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.; Room 206
If you’re interested in theological discussions, join DTR for a discussion of Martin Luther’s “On the Bondage of the Will.” Each participant is asked to purchase the book online. Please call or email Phillip Bowman at 918-630-1786 to sign up or ask questions. 
Wednesdays through 05/11/2022, 6:00 p.m.; Powerhouse
All of Exodus, including high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors meet each Wednesday night for worship lead by the Youth Praise Band and ending with a fun game or activity. In between we will have lessons, discussion and small groups. We hope you will join us for each Wednesday night and feel free to bring a friend. Non-meeting dates include Nov. 24, Dec. 22 & 29, Mar. 2 & 16.
Presbyterian Women
Priscilla Circle – First Wednesdays monthly thru May, 6:30 p.m.; Rm. 206
Esther Circle – Third Thursdays monthly thru May, 10:30 a.m.; E202
Soup Group Meet & Bible Study – Third Thursdays monthly, noon; Miller Library
Project days – First & fourth Thursdays monthly, 9:30 a.m.; 4th Floor

Women of the Church, join Presbyterian Women (PW) for Bible study, mission and lunch. For questions, contact Kathy Wilson at the Church.
Pathways to Hope with Rev. Wally Johnson
Weekly on Wednesdays, October 6 through Wednesday, November 3, noon; Miller Library
People grieve for many reasons – the loss of a loved one, losing a job or career, the end of a marriage or relationship. This class will utilize the Psalms of Lament to explore ways to cope with grief. Participants may bring a lunch or pay for a boxed lunch when registering online.
Ron Pearson’s 48th Annual Organ Concert and reception
Sunday, October 17, 4 p.m.; Sanctuary
Join us for Ron’s Annual Organ Concert featuring TU’s Chamber Orchestra performing Concerto no. 1 in F Major, op. 137 by Josef Rheinberger; and Concerto no. 4 in F Major by G.F. Handel. This event is free and open to the public. Stay for a reception following the concert.
Fall Festival 2021
Sunday, October 24 - stay tuned for the exciting details to come
Book Table annual sale
Sunday, October 31 & Sunday, November 7, Sunday mornings; Atrium
Visit the book table and choose from an array of titles on sale.
Keith & Kristyn Getty Concert - Christ Our Hope Tour
Friday, April 8, 7:30 p.m.; Sanctuary
Make plans to attend the concert of modern hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty in the Spring of 2022. Ticket information is forthcoming. If you purchased tickets for the fall concert, hold on to them and they will be honored for the new date. If you have questions about refunds, contact Gretchen Bashforth at the Church.
Sunday worship services
First Church has returned to five worship services on Sunday morning:
  • 8 a.m. Traditional worship in the Chapel
  • 8:30 a.m. Contemporary worship in Stephenson Hall
  • 11 a.m. Three services including Contemporary in Stephenson Hall, Traditional in the Sanctuary and TIF in the Great Hall
  • 5 p.m. Join us for the final Vespers worship in the Courtyard, Sunday, September 26

To view the 11 a.m. traditional worship service live from home, tune in to Cox Cable Ch. 3 or watch on Facebook or the website. To view the TIF worship service, watch on Facebook. Access the bulletins here.
 
Tulsa International Fellowship Prayers
Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – noon; Great Hall
All are welcome to this TIF prayer worship led by Wambugu Gachungi.

Coming up …
World Communion Sunday
All three 11:00 worship services will join together
Sunday, October 3, 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary
All the 11 a.m. services will gather in the Sanctuary for one service and communion. The 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. worship services will also be held this day at their normal times and locations.
Church safety protocols
The session and COVID-19 Task Force recommends face coverings (masks) be worn inside the Church. We offer masks if you do not have one. If you’d like more information on COVID-19, find it here at the Tulsa Health Department.
Children’s health safety protocols
Children are required to wear masks in the Children’s Ministry department. The desire is to keep children and adults safe due to rising COVID cases. Children ages 3 and up, parents and volunteers are required to wear masks in the Children’s Ministry areas including parents who are dropping children off.
Notifications of hospitalizations, births, marriages
Please notify Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 hospitalizations, births and deaths. Those hospitalized will receive calls, notes of encouragement or pastor visits based upon hospital guidelines.
Let us know if you need prayer
Please call the Church and ask for Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 or contact the Guild of Intercessors at 918-296-5548. We’ll be standing by to help you. If you have an afterhours emergency, call 918-584-4701.
Contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 to get signed up for this online resource.
Key links
Find all our most recent publications here.
FirstChurchTulsa.org • Do you have questions? Call us at 918-584-4701