Tuesday, February 7, 2023 | E-News | Vol. 5, Issue 3 | |
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“But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.”
– Romans 5:8 NRSV
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Scroll down for Events • Classes • Worship • Connect | |
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Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 12
First Church Youth Ministries will again be asking each member of First Church to donate $1 to help fight hunger and poverty in Tulsa. Donations will be collected after each worship service and all donations will go to Helping Hand Ministry. You can also give online at FirstChurchTulsa.org/Give and select “Souper Bowl.”
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Spiritual Disciplines Retreat with Rev. Julia Metcalf
Saturday, February 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Camp Loughridge Lodge
Come for a gathering of disciples for a quiet day to draw close to the Lord. This retreat is a great entry point to learn about the spiritual disciplines or a wonderful building block if you already practice them. We will spend time in prayer, reflection and rich conversation. Cost is $10 and includes breakfast and lunch. For more information and to register online, click here, or contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019.
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All-Church Retreat at New Life Ranch – Frontier Cove
Friday, March 24 – Saturday, March 25, 2023
Join us the evening of Friday and stay through mid-afternoon on Saturday. Dr. Wes Vander-Lugt will be the keynote speaker. There will be two meals (breakfast and lunch) on Saturday and plenty of fun activities for the entire family.
Detailed information, schedule and registration will be available soon. All fees include meals, activities and lodging. If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help, contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019 or Hannah Damron at 918-301-1039.
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Confirmation retreat
Friday – Saturday, March 24-25
This retreat is for all confirmands where they will write their answers to the six statements of faith questions. For questions or to register, contact Kiona Tyler at the church.
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Mission trip to Ireland
June 9-19, 2023
Contact Hannah Damron at the church with questions.
Mission trip to Kenya
July 20-31, 2023
Contact Hannah Damron at the church with questions.
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Wednesday Lenten Conversations
Wednesdays March 1 - April 12, 6:15 p.m., Stephenson Hall
Following dinner, we will share the Lenten journey together, beginning on March 1, and continuing right straight through Holy Week on to Easter. You’re invited to join in on this seven week experience as we follow the Master straight to the cross.
Our Lenten study this year focuses on a brief devotional video series from Dr. John Ortberg, titled, "From Ashes to Beauty." We will have round table groups guided by facilitators to moderate discussion after watching one of Ortberg's Lenten devotionals.
Ortberg is a highly regarded Presbyterian pastor and author, with a long track record of faithful and inspiring sermons, book studies, essays and podcasts. A longtime pastor of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, he is currently producing daily devotional podcasts and video blogs that have spawned a remarkable online community, titled affectionately, "The Fellowship of the Withered Hand."
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K Groups Lenten Study
Meets monthly in leaders’ homes
February 19 - March 26
Please join us for First Church’s Lenten study on the teachings of American pastor and author John Ortberg. Groups will meet during the six weeks of Lent to discuss video lessons. All you need is a few friends to get started or contact Phillip Bowman to get involved in a group at 918-630-1786.
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The following events are grouped by day, Monday through Sunday. | |
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Little Lambs
Weekly on Mondays; Bernsen Gym
For children ages birth to pre-school. Find more information here.
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Monday School with Rev. Wally Johnson
Weekly on Mondays beginning February 13 at noon. Optional lunch at 11:30 a.m.; Kirkland Library
This study focuses on Leviticus. To pay for lunch or for more information click here.
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Guy’s Monday Bible study
Weekly on Mondays, 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.; E103
The gospel of John is the focus of this study. Contact Laura Stevens at 918-301-1019 and get information here.
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Seasons Women’s Gathering
Second Mondays monthly
Feb. 13, Mar. 13, Apr. 10, and May 8, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Stephenson Hall
This study is for women to connect and be transformed. Learn more online.
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Precept Bible study led by Denise Rounds
Weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.; Room E100
We are currently studying the book of James. For questions, contact Laura Stevens at the church.
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UKirk
Gather, Grow & Serve – Tuesdays, 6 p.m.; Sharp Chapel
Sunday School – Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; E104
For adults 18-24 and led by Rev. Julia Metcalf. Join us for upcoming events and follow us on Instagram.
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Pastor’s Study Faith & Physics with Dr. Jerry McCoy
Weekly on Wednesdays, 11 a.m. lunch, 11:30 a.m. program in Room E104
Weekly on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
Jerry McCoy, professor of physics at The University of Tulsa, is teaching a series ending in March on his soon-to-be-published book, “God Is A LOT Bigger Than You Think: The Story Science Tells.” If you’d like lunch on Wednesday, please pay in advance online.
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Downtown Theological Roundtable
Weekly on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Room E201
We are discussing “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Order your book here. Find more information online.
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Wednesday Night Downtown
Wednesdays weekly, 6 p.m. dinner, 6:15 p.m. student and adult classes
Note: there will be a Soup dinner but no classes/programs on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22.
Join us weekly for dinner in Stephenson Hall and stay for a class. Classes include:
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Navigating the river of culture: what Christians need to know
Wednesdays through February 15, 6:15 p.m.; Stephenson Hall
Dr. Jim Miller is joined by special speakers and pastors throughout the city as they explore the culture in which we live. Is our culture healthy, robust, or not so much? What kind of challenges face the church? Speakers include:
- February 8: Bishop David Konderla, Diocese of Tulsa
- February 15: Dr. Jeff Francis, Sharp Chaplain, The University of Tulsa
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Seekers with Rev. Wambugu Gachungi
Wednesdays, 6:15 p.m.; Room E104
This is an in-depth study of the weekly sermon scriptures.
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AWANA
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Children’s Center
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Pathfinders on Wednesday, AMASS Exodus and Confirmation
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Powerhouse
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Presbyterian Women
The Presbyterian Women’s February mission is Presbyterian Disaster Resistance. They are collecting items for hygiene kits including hand towels, wide-tooth combs, nail clippers, bath-sized, individually wrapped bars of soap, new single toothbrushes and band-aids. The mission collection bin will be in the Atrium on Sundays and Wednesdays. Contact Kathy Wilson at 918-584-4701 for information. Upcoming events include:
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Priscilla Circle, monthly on the first Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.; Room 206
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Ester Circle, monthly on the third Thursday, 10:30 a.m.; Room E202
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Soup Group Circle, monthly on the third Thursday, noon; Miller Library
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Project days, monthly on the first and fourth Thursday, 9:30 a.m.; Project Room 4th floor
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Mission luncheon – Thursday, March 9, noon; Miller Library
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Spring gathering – Thursday, April 23
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Mother’s Day Tea – Saturday, May 13, Stephenson Hall
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Birthday offering luncheon – Thursday, May 18, noon; Miller Library
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“Raising Worry-Free Girls” book study
Thursdays, February 9 & 23 (thru May 4), 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Room E101
Sarah Savage leads this parenting book study. Bring your own lunch and book. Find information here.
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Lent and Eastertide
Lent begins with an Ash Wednesday worship service when we are reminded that, “From dust you have come and to dust you will return.” During Lent, we are invited to “Stay close to the master,” focusing on our union with Christ through baptism whereby we die to our old self so that we might live anew with Him.
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Ash Wednesday dinner and worship led by Rev. Dan Hutchinson
Wednesday, February 22
Soup dinner at 5:30 p.m., Stephenson Hall
Worship service at 6:30 p.m., Sanctuary
Please join us for this meaningful service on the first day of Lent and a holy day of prayer. During the service you can elect to have ashes placed on your forehead which is a sign of our humanity and a reminder of our mortality.
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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
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 11 a.m. worship at home:
Find the latest worship service at FirstChurchTulsa.org/YouTube.
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Friendship pads
The friendship pads are now back in the pews of all worship areas. Please be sure to include your name in attendance on Sundays. Thank you.
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Volunteer opportunities
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Children’s Ministry needs volunteers on Sundays and Wednesdays. Volunteer to spend time with children a couple times a month or every week! Contact Sarah Savage, 918-301-1011.
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The Helping Hand Ministry needs volunteers weekly. Contact Rev. James Estes, 918-301-1010.
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Work opportunity for students
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. Contact Steve Wilson for more information or go online to download an application.
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Apply for an educational scholarship
First Church offers several college scholarships. Instructions on how to apply and information about each scholarship can be found here. Applications are due April 15, 2023.
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Member support and updates
Call the church at 918-584-4701 or Kathy Wilson if there is a pastoral need, prayer request, important family news or a change in contact information. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, you may call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text 918-688-2163.
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Realm app
With Realm online and the associated Realm app you can connect to other members of First Church as well as register your attendance. Contact Kathy Wilson at 918-301-1029 to obtain your invitation to Realm and follow the instructions to activate your account. Learn more online.
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