Tuesday, December 6, 2022 | E-News | Vol. 4, Issue 23

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies. – Psalms 18: 1-3 NRSV

Scroll down for • Worship • Events • Classes • Connect

Christmas Music Sunday

Sunday, December 18, 11 a.m.; Sanctuary

“Oh, come and let us adore Him” with music. On the third Sunday of Advent the Sanctuary will be filled with music from the Chancel Choir, children from Worship 101, an orchestra and bell ringers. More information here.

Christmas Eve worship

Saturday, December 24; Sanctuary

You are invited to attend worship. Each service will include candle lighting and communion.


  • 3:00 p.m., Carols and Communion
  • 5:00 p.m., Children's Live Nativity
  • 7:30 p.m., Lessons and Carols
  • 11:00 p.m., Christmas Watch Night


The 5:00 p.m. service will be streamed live here.

Cox Cable Ch. 3 will run the 7:30 p.m. worship service at 11 p.m.

Christmas Day worship

Festival Sunday

Sunday, December 25, 11 a.m.; Sanctuary

One unified service celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Lord. This service will be streamed live here.

Watch Night worship on New Year's Eve

Saturday, December 31, 9 p.m.; Great Hall, Bernsen Community Life Center

Ring in the New Year with TIF through worship and song. Pastor Terry Buxton, Sr. from Agape Bible Fellowship is preaching. Find more online.

New Year worship

Sunday, January 1

11 a.m.; Traditional worship in the Sanctuary

11 a.m.; TIF worship in the Great Hall

After joining us for pancakes prepared by the ministers at 9:30 a.m., join us for worship at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary or in the Great Hall. More information online.

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

(No meeting Saturdays Dec. 24 and 31.)


Sundays at 8 a.m.

Traditional worship in the 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
  • TIF in the Great Hall


Watch worship at home:


For the latest worship services and videos, go to FirstChurchTulsa.org/YouTube.

UKirk College Ministry

For adults 18-24 and led by Rev. Julia Metcalf, join us for upcoming events and follow us on Instagram. Holiday break from December 14, 2022 – January 10, 2023.

  • Bible study - Tuesday, December 6, 4:45 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
  • Worship - Tuesday, December 13, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
  • PJs & Pancakes - Tuesday, December 13, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Sharp Chapel

Presbyterian Women

All women are invited to join Presbyterian Women. A donation box is at the Welcome Center on Sundays for December’s mission, Emergency Infant Services. The funds collected will go to purchase diapers, food and formula. Contact Kathy Wilson at 918-584-4701 for information. Events include:

  • Priscilla Circle – Wednesday, December 7, 6:30 p.m.; Room 206
  • Esther Circle – Thursday, December 15, 10:30 a.m.; Room E202
  • Soup Group Circle –Thursday, December 15, noon; Miller Library
  • Project days – Thursday, December 22, 9:30 a.m.; Project Room fourth floor

Sing with the choir

Rehearsals Wednesdays December 7 and 14, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Choir room

Do you like to sing? Join the choir this Christmas for two performances on Christmas Music Sunday, December 18 and Christmas Eve. Simply show up for rehearsals at 6:30 p.m. in the choir room on Wednesdays December 7 & 14. If you have questions, call Ron or Gretchen at the church. Come and sing!

Celebrating Christmas Together at Anderson Elementary


Sponsor a student for Christmas

Sunday, December 11; Atrium table or online.

Sponsor one or more students for $50 each to fill a Christmas gift bag with a school sweatshirt, Bible, game, socks and a book. You can also donate online. For questions, contact the church or Jim Inhofe.


Celebrating Christmas Together party

Friday, December 16, 1 p.m.; Anderson Elementary

All are invited to deliver gifts, play games and sing carols with students. Learn more online.

 

Jammies for Jesus

Wednesday, December 14, 5:30 p.m.; Stephenson Hall and Courtyard

Grab your best jammies and your family for dinner at 5:30 p.m. and at 6 p.m. for crafts, storytime, decorating the Chrismon tree and lighting the Courtyard. Fee is $10 per family. Pay at the door or in advance online.

Young Adults Christmas party

Thursday, December 22, 7 p.m.; the Grogan home

If you are an adult in your 20s and 30s, join us for fellowship and fun. Information and contacts here.

Festival Sunday Pancake Breakfast

Sunday, January 1, 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall

Start the year off with pancakes and fellowship before the 11 a.m. unified worship. Fee is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Skip the line and prepay here.

Epiphany Plunge and bonfire

Sunday, January 8, 5 p.m.; Camp Loughridge Lake Parthenia

Bring your greens for the bonfire and plunge into the lake. This event will include a homily, cookies, and hot cider or cocoa. Greenery drop-off begins Wednesday, January 4, by the Glass Cabin at Camp Loughridge. Information can be found here.

First Church Chili Cook-Off

Sunday, January 22, 12:15 p.m.; Atrium

Time to start practicing your chili recipes for this year’s chili cook-off to raise money for Anderson Elementary students. To enter your chili, call or text Cindy DeVore at 918-630-2636. Money raised will fund spring field trips. Learn more online.

Mission Trips 2023

Witness – Worship – Work

We are currently planning our mission trips for 2023 where we will Witness what God is doing in a place, Worship with the people there, and Work in the places we are invited. Contact Hannah Damron or Rev. James Estes for information.

  • Ireland - Galway and Belfast June 9 - 19
  • Kenya - Nairobi, Bondeni, International Justice Mission July 20 – 31
 

Monday School with Rev. Wally Johnson

Mondays 11:30 a.m. lunch, noon lesson; Kirkland Library in Bernsen

No classes on Mondays Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Class resumes on Monday, Jan. 9. This study focuses on Leviticus. To pay for lunch or for more information click here.

Little Lambs

Mondays 10 a.m.; Bernsen Gym

No meetings on Mondays Dec. 19 and 26. Class resumes on Monday, Jan. 9. For children ages birth to pre-school. Find more information here.

Seasons - A Women’s Gathering

Monday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Stephenson Hall

This study is for women to connect and be transformed. Learn more online.

Seasons' Deep Dive

Monday, December 19, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Stephenson Hall

Ladies, join us for a deeper dive into 1 John with Rev. Julia Metcalf and Sarah Savage. Additional information here.

Precept Bible study led by Denise Rounds

Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.; Room E100

No meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 27. Class resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Currently studying the book of James. Find information here.

Downtown Theological Roundtable

Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Room 206

No meetings on Wednesdays Dec. 21 and 28. Class resumes on Wednesday, Jan 4. We are discussing “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Order your book here or obtain information online.

Pastor’s Study with Dr. Jim Miller

Sundays 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall

Wednesdays 11 a.m. lunch, program 11:30 a.m.; Room E104

No meetings on Wednesdays Dec. 21 and 28. We are studying Dr. J.I. Packer’s classic, “Knowing Christianity.” Pay in advance for lunch online.

Wednesday Night Downtown

Dinner at 5:15 p.m., student classes at 6 p.m., adult classes at 6:15 p.m.

Dinner and adult classes conclude on Wednesday, Dec. 7. and resume Wednesday, Jan. 4 with an event called Fun Night. Join us for dinner in Stephenson Hall and stay for a class.

Classes include:

  • First Church Mission series - Wednesday, December 7, 6:15 p.m.; Stephenson Hall. Rev. James Estes is joined by mission-minded speakers to share some of the many exciting ways God is actively working in the world through His people. Tom Boone from The Outreach Foundation to share details on how the work in Poland and Lithuania is progressing with Ukrainian refugees. He will bring news about evangelism among the Iranian diaspora in eastern Europe.
  • Seekers with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi - Wednesdays 6:15 p.m.; Room E104. Discussion on the sermon texts on Leviticus.

AWANA

Wednesdays 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center

AWANA will conclude with Jammies for Jesus on Wednesday, December 14. Register here.

Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation

Wednesdays 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Powerhouse



 

“Raising Emotionally Strong Boys” book study

Thursday, December 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E101

Bring your own lunch and book for this study. This is the last gathering. Find information here.

K Groups

Meets weekly in leaders’ homes

We are studying E. James Wilder’s book, “Renovated: God, Dallas Willard, and the Church that Transforms.” If you would like to join a small group, contact Phillip Bowman at 918-630-1786.

January Series Lectures

Weekdays January 9 – January 27, 11:15 a.m. including lunch; Stephenson Hall

Make plans now for this free 15-day lecture series that is streamed from Calvin University. This series aims to cultivate deep thought and conversations. Two of the speakers include Nate Mook, former CEO of World Central Kitchen which provides meals in crises; and Ken Jennings, who holds the record for the longest winning streak on Jeopardy! Reserve $7 lunch online.

Inquirers’ Class for newcomers

Sundays January 15, 22, 29 and March 5, 9:15 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.; Miller Library

This class is for anyone who is interested in learning more about First Church. A perfect place to meet others, get to know our pastors and ask questions. For more information contact Patricia Hall at 918-301-1028 or go online.

 

Seek first the Kingdom of God

Thank you for your gifts, your energy and your devotion which have flourished as expressions of the presence of Christ in the world He loves. Feel free to drop off your pledge at the church or make your commitment online.

Helping Hand Ministry

As of October 31, 2022, Helping Hand Ministry has disbursed $448,736 which assisted 2,513 Tulsa County residents through a difficult time in their lives. If you would like to donate, click here.

Prayer requests

If there is a pastoral need or prayer request, important family news or a change in contact information, call the church at 918-584-4701 or Kathy Wilson. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, you may call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text 918-688-2163.

AmazonSmile

Did you know through AmazonSmile you can designate First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa as your charitable organization and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases?

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First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa

Reach us at 918-584-4701