Wednesday, June 5, 2024 | E-News | Vol. 6, Issue 12 | |
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29 | |
♦ Events ♦ Worship ♦ Classes ♦ Connect | |
Congregational Conversations
Focus group discussions on Mission Study topics
Sundays in June, 9:30 a.m., Stephenson Hall
Our first Congregational Conversations session was a success with over 140 participants engaging in small group discussions stemming from the all-church survey. Please join the Mission Study Team throughout the month of June to add. your input into the work of discerning First Church's mission, vision, values, and goals while preparing for future leadership transitions. Sunday School classes are especially encouraged to participate in these important and engaging discussions on these weekly topics:
June 9: Priorities and vision for spiritual vitality
June 16: Areas of congregational focus
June 23: Communities within and outside the church
June 30: Vision for pastoral leadership
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First Church Family Swim
Sundays through September 1, 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Camp Loughridge Aquatic Center
We are all a family at First Church Tulsa and this event lets us enjoy summer together at Camp Loughridge. All First Church members are welcome–bring yourself, your spouse, your kids and enjoy the new slide and climbing wall at the pool.
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Presbyterian Women June mission project
Throughout June, Presbyterian Women will be collecting bags of beans, rice and canned vegetables for the Community Food Bank. Please deposit your donated goods in the mission container that will be in the Atrium on Sundays in June.
Presbyterian Women summer schedule
Project days - First and fourth Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Project Room, fourth floor
- Circle groups have concluded for summer and will resume in September.
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Save the date:
Faith & Film – an all-church summer Sunday school class
Sundays in July and August, 9:30 a.m.; Miller Library
Ron Pearson’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday September 21, 6:00 p.m., Cox Business Convention Center
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VBS Sunday
June 16, 11 a.m.; Sanctuary
The 11 a.m. Stephenson Hall worship will combine in the Sanctuary for a special worship service celebrating our children and youth fresh off of their VBS week. Come and hear singing, stories and testimonies from our Children’s Ministry that will inspire you.
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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 in Stephenson Hall
International worship in the Great Hall
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Watch online
Sundays at 11 a.m. live or anytime thereafter
Traditional worship
Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Tulsa International Fellowship worship
See all other scheduled worship and classes on our website event calendar.
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Weekly classes and events | |
Congregational Conversations
Sundays in June, 9:30 a.m.; Stephenson Hall
Sunday school classes are encouraged to add their voices to the Mission Study Congregational Conversations during the month of June.
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Summer Precept Bible study with Denise Rounds
Tuesdays, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.; Room E100
This is a no-homework study of vital passages from Ephesians that will help you discover what God says about the lifestyle of a true believer. It will equip you to live in a manner worthy of your calling–with the ultimate goal of developing a life marked by maturity, Christlikeness, and peace. Come join us and bring along a friend!
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UKirk Summer Bible Study
Led by Jacob and Holly Thompson
Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., 3007 S. Boston Court
Meet with us at the Thompson's home to engage in conversation and questions relevant to you. When you arrive, please park on the west side of the street in front of the house.
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Young Adult Trivia Nights
Wednesdays, 7 p.m.; Welltown Brewing
Young adults are invited to meet with us every Wednesday for trivia. For questions, contact Rev. Julia Metcalf.
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What is the current stage of our pastoral transition process?
Below is an excerpt from the “Pastor Transition Roadmap” that shows the current and next steps in the process.
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June 2024 - Congregational conversations continue - The Mission Study Team conducts conversations within the community of faith about the future of our ministry. The team meets with staff and church committees to further discuss the mission of the church. Congregants are invited to provide further input around topics and themes that arose during the assessment. This is a time to understand the strengths of the congregation’s culture and what may be missing.
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July-August 2024 - Mission study concludes - a report is finalized and approved - The Mission Study Team compiles all findings into a single mission study report. This report seeks to define and project the ministry priorities and goals for the next 3-5 years for First Church. It will aid in aligning new pastoral leadership with the church ministries.
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The Pastor Nominating Committee is elected - The pastoral search begins after the mission study is complete. Session calls a congregational meeting to elect the Pastor Nominating Committee; a group of candidates brought forth by the Nominating Committee.
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Mission report information session - The Session (Elders) and Mission Study Team presents the mission study report to the congregation. This report will guide the Pastor Nominating Committee as they develop the ministry discernment profile, the help wanted ad.
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Applications open for candidates for senior pastor - The Pastor Nominating Committee utilizes the ministry discernment profile to search for candidates. The committee begins receiving and reviewing applications from candidates.
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Candidate interviews begin - The Pastor Nominating Committee begins interviewing senior pastor candidates while continuing to receive applications.
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Applications close - The Pastor Nominating Committee closes applications for the position of senior pastor.
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Pastor Nominating Committee selects a candidate - The Pastor Nominating Committee selects a senior pastor candidate subject to the Presbytery’s approval.
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Congregation votes to “call the candidate" - The Pastor Nominating Committee presents the candidate’s name and the congregation votes to call the candidate to be the new senior pastor of First Church.
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Installation of the new senior pastor - When the congregation, Presbytery and candidate have all concurred in a call to the permanent position with First Church, a service of installation occurs in the context of worship.
Please visit the pastor transition page on our website for additional information about the process, including answers to frequently asked questions, the most recent updates and even a transition roadmap showing our current stage of the process. For additional questions, email the Mission Study Team at FPCtransition@FirstChurchTulsa.org.
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Subscribe to the First Church Tulsa YouTube channel
Did you know First Church Tulsa has built an extensive collection of our original videos for you to access on our YouTube channel? Our channel has over 200 videos including:
- Sanctuary worship services
- Ron Pearson organ concerts
- Video episodes of “The Transition Podcast”
- Classes and special speakers
- Year in pictures videos
Visit our YouTube channel and click subscribe to receive notifications of the latest updates when new content is published.
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Follow First Church Tulsa on social media
Summer is a busy time for travel and family events, so be sure to stay connected with First Church Tulsa on social media. In addition to watching streaming worship on Facebook at 11 a.m. on Sunday, you can also keep up with our events and see photos and videos of our members in action.
Follow First Church Tulsa on Facebook and on Instagram.
Remember to also follow Tulsa International Fellowship on Facebook and YouTube. There, you'll find updates on events and recordings of past livestreams.
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Deacons Home Care Ministry
Now accepting requests from First Church members
Need assistance with yard work, minor home repairs or maintenance tasks? Formerly only twice a year, Deacons Days of Care is now accepting requests year-round from First Church members. Email Kathy Wilson, call 918-301-1029 or submit your request online. A team leader will follow up to discuss specifics and scheduling.
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Reporting births, marriages and hospitalizations
Since most hospitals are no longer providing information to the church about our members who become hospitalized, you can help us. Please call the church at 918-584-4701 or email Kathy Wilson to report hospitalizations/births/marriages. To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text her at 918-688-2163.
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