A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tulsa Vol. 18, Number 15 August 9, 2013

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1 A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tulsa Vol. 18, Number 15 August 9, :00 am Traditional, Sanctuary 10:00 am Breakfast for Children 10:15 11:00 am Sunday School 11:15 am Common Ground Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm The Loft (1 st and 3 rd Sundays) New Banners Promote FCC Worship Services Vacation Bible School Finale & Kick-Off Sunday August 25th Honoring all FCC Educators and Students On Sunday morning August 25th, we will conclude our summer-long Vacation Bible School as FCC youth and children present a VBS grand finale God s Big Backyard, with a skit and songs. A family-style barbeque lunch will follow recognition of our students and educators returning to classrooms. During the service we will bless those involved with all levels of education: Sunday School, K-12, college, administration, support - all who do their very best to ensure the next generation is wellequipped to lead and succeed in the future. We are proud to have so many members of our congregation who are part of our country s education system - one that is the very bedrock of freedom, democracy and religious liberty. (See EDUCATION Page 2) Scholarships Awarded to 27 Students Sunday Large vinyl banners now display worship times to catch the eye of those in downtown traffic. The banners face West 9th, West 10th and northeast on Main street. Communion to Home- Centered Members will be served Sunday, August 11th. All Elders are to participate. Back row: Chad Sullivan, Mike Miller (Scholarship Committee), PJ Daugherty, Lindsay Swanson, Montana Poorboy. Front row: Ian & Isaac Stansell, Nick Vandivort, Jennifer Koljack, Dakotah Poorboy. (Not pictured:lara Blackwood Pickrel, Kelli Frazier, Joanna Pratt Hubbard, Lynette Li, Matthew Limback, Scott Murphy, Matthew Silvers, Geoffrey Weinman, Richard Bowlin, Meghan Comer, Curtis Eckwood, Jessica Marston, Peter Marston, Tanner Miller, Kayla Reather, Kim Reschick, James Rogers and Jackie Wright. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org

2 EDUCATION Skit, Songs, Waterslide & Backyard Barbeque to Mark End of VBS and Start of School Year Partners in Education School Supplies Needed It s time for our annual outreach project to help supply our adopted school, Hawthorne Elementary, and our families in need with school supplies. Please donate what you can by August 18th; there will be baskets in herbsthyme Mark your calendars! It is going to be a fun-filled and meaningful Sunday on August 25. This is the first Sunday after school starts and we will be honoring all of our students, teachers, educators, and school support staff in our morning worship service. AND for the sermon our children and youth will be presenting some meaningful songs and stories from Vacation Bible School. Beverly, the teachers and many of our youth have been leading the children through our Vacation Bible School Service: Family, Friends, Neighbor, Community, and Jesus. The children will be sharing a story and many of the songs they have learned and sung during VBS. Plan to be in worship, Sunday, August 25, for a wonderful day of worship and fellowship as we honor our educators, students, and what they learned in VBS. This next Sunday we will welcome back Carol, as she and Richard return from their family holiday in Philadelphia. As always, let us keep Ben and the Search and Call Team in our prayers. They continue their faceto-face interviews over the next few days. Thank you for the many kind words about the sermon this past Sunday. Blessings, Herb Page 2 What better transition from VBS - school of spiritual studies to the school of scholastic studies -than one last summer-fun festival with music, delicious food and drinks, water and playground activities and dramatic presentations? Sunday, August 25 at 12:15, FCC will celebrate the kickoff of the academic school year and conclusion of VBS by hosting a funfilled summertime family event on the FCC playground and parking lot. Director of Children s Ministries, Beverly Vale Brown says VBS has provided many wonderful spiritual learning opportunities for children, We are completing a service learning unit that involved the children making cards of appreciation for city employees. Last Sunday, they hand-made thank-you cards with candy stuck to them. This week, our four vans will take groups of children to four different locations in the city, where our kids will go to a fire or police station and present the cards to the men and women stationed there. This completes their act of community care. Beverly says the last two weeks of VBS will be focused on serving the world through Jesus. As far as the children go, they have learned a great deal about thinking outside of themselves. They ve learned that in every area of their lives--family, friends, neighborhood, school -- they can help other people. Right now, Beverly says she could use some help from serviceminded adults and teens who would be willing to help with preparations for the the family fun fair. the Main Street Lobby in which you may place your school supplies gifts. If you are unable to shop we will gladly accept your $$ & do the shopping for you. Needed items: Pencils, Children's Scissors, Pencil Boxes, Spiral Notebooks, Crayola Colored Pencils, Washable Markers, Elmers Glue, Notebook Paper, Kleenex, Folders with Pockets, Erasers, Glue Sticks, Zipper Pencil Bags, Rulers and Scotch Tape, Thank you in advance for your support, gifts and participation! Children's Ministry Team My Most Influential Teacher Mr. Garrison was my most influential teacher. He was my history teacher when Kennedy was assassinated. He was the reason I majored in history in undergraduate school. I centered myself on American History from the Civil War to the present. At Crestview (Ohio) Junior High School Mr. Garrison made it all real. He didn t just stand up front and lecture. He told stories about the various historical men and women; their relationship with each other and their relationship with history. He was a teacher I always looked up to. Herb Lynskey First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org

3 Sunday, July 28th Attendance and Gifts Sunday, August 4th Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 78 11:15 Common Ground The Loft 25 na Total Adults 103 Children Total Worship Attendance Sunday School Preschool Elementary Youth 12 Adults Total Attendance Finances General Fund $ 7, Sunday School Loose Offering 5.00 Wheeling Trust Grant 16, Total $ 24, WWBS Fund $ 3, Gifts Given Double Ring Scholarship In memory of Stanley Hawkins, given by Thelma Koons Bob and Sam (Carlene) Miler Budget Contingency Fund In memory of Helen Sanders and Stanley Hawkins, given by Bill Osteen Endowment Trust Fund In memory of Don Iverson and Stanley Hawkins, given by Marcia and Les Hames First Christian Church Empowering Life Changes through Christ... Scholarships, VBS, Camp experiences, Service Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 11:15 Common Ground The Loft 19 Total Adults Children Total Worship Attendance 213 Sunday School Preschool 28 Elementary Youth Adults 77 Total Attendance 149 Finances General Fund $ 16, Sunday School Loose Offering Total $ 16, WWBS Fund $ Thanks Received... Scholarship recipient Nick Vandivort writes: Dear FCC Scholarship Team, There are no adequate words that can describe the debt of gratitude I owe to First Christian Church. In fact, for as long as I can remember the church has always been the first to lend a hand to my family. I am so incredibly lucky and blessed to have had continual support from my First Christian family throughout my education. Your dedication to generosity is making my college education attainable, and for that I am grateful to no end. I hope to take this opportunity and make First Christian Church proud, and again, thank you for awarding me this scholarship. I know I can always count on your support. - Nick Vandivort August 9th - 31st August 9: Sue Trimble, Rex Daugherty August 10: Katie Murphy August 11: David Dunninng, Edith Treusch August 13: Berneita Semones, Nathan Stevens August 14: Ethel Mae Brown August 15: Jim Baker August 17: Ernie Smith August 18: Kate Northcutt August 20: Lucy Spear, Bob Rorschach, Trecie Ruff August 21: Ben Gray August 22: Jill Holland, Ami Bowlin August 24: Linda Lobaugh August 25: Kathy Davis August 26: Barbara Reinhardt August 27: Barbara Russell, Natyah Gordon August 28: Jim Dalby August 29: Kim Hauger, Robert Hauger August 30: Jeff Daniel, Jack Gray August 31: Amanda Dawson Grateful Hearts SCHOLARSHIPS Nick Vandivort Rev. Matthew Silvers OUTREACH GIFTS Clarehouse Community Food Bank of Eastern OK Day Center for the Homeless Iron Gate John 3:16 Mission Neighbor for Neighbor OASIS Adult Day Services Salvation Army Week of Compassion

4 FCC Activities and Opportunities CALENDAR August 8-25 Thursday, August 8 5:00 7:00 Outreach opportunity: prepare and serve meal for folks at Day Center for the Homeless, 415 W. Archer; Sign-up sheets in Main Street lobby Friday, August 9 Rex Daughertyʼs Birthday 11:00 12:00 ICC Parent-Teacher End of Year Lunch, FH 11:30 Homebuilders Luncheon, FirstWatch Saturday, August 10 Communion Preparation: Nick Cox Sunday, August 11 Communion to Home-Centered NEACCO Prayer Calendar: First Christian, Tahlequah Ann Jordan 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:00 12:30 VBS on 3 rd Floor & Playgrounds 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall Monday, August 12 Elder of the Week: Kay Thompson 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St. Tulsa, OK, Devotion: Kay Thompson 6:00 Ministry Council, EFH 7:00 Camp Christian Meeting, NFH Tuesday, August 13 9:30 Prayer Group, Library Wednesday, August 14 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH Thursday, August 15 11:45 NACBA Lunch & Program, SFH Saturday, August 17 Communion Preparation: Marcia Boyd Sunday, August 18 Vision to be published Monday NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Bethany Christian, Tulsa Kelli Driscoll 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:00 12:30 VBS on 3 rd Floor & Playgrounds 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall 6:00 The Loft Worship Service, North end of the Youth Lounge, 4 th floor Mon, July 29 Mon, August 5 8:00 Prayer Breakfast First Watch Devotion: Jennifer Annis Devotion: Bob Garner Monday, August 19 Vision published Elder of the Week: Jane McKinney 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St. Tulsa, OK, Devotion: Jane McKinney Tuesday, August 20 9:30 Prayer Group, Library 6:30 p.m. NEACCO Board Meeting, Place TBA Wednesday, August 21 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH 10:00 CDC Chapel Time, Rm.223 Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday, August 22 Tulsa Public Schools start 11:00 Happy Timers, FH Program OSU,Barbara Swiggart, Tulsa Site Coordinator ( ) Friday, August 23 6:00 p.m. Wedding Rehearsal, Sanctuary Megan Miller to Buddy Ray Cronk Saturday, August 24 Communion Preparation: Mary Garner 6:00 p.m. Wedding, Sanctuary Megan Miller to Buddy Ray Cronk Sunday, August 25 Kick-Off Sunday Honoring all Educators and Students NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Tulsa Metropolitan Ministries Ray Hickman 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary VBS Finale 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:00 12:30 VBS on 3 rd Floor & Playgrounds 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall VBS Finale All Church BBQ and VBS Party, Parking Lot (see Page 2 for more information) Custodian Jeremy Nichols and FCC Building Superintendent Dwight Wallace prepare to repaint the church sign on South Main. Ministerial Scholarship Thanks Dear Scholarship Team, It is with great joy and thanksgiving that I write to your generous congregation. When I applied to Brite in order to begin my D.Min. program, my wife and I kept wondering how we could make this work. Now that we have two children, the prospect of going back to school seemed daunting and financially draining....thank you so much for your kindness and willingness to help students, even those you may not have met before. What a tremendous blessing your congregation has been to me and to other church leaders! -Rev. Matthew Silvers

5 New Minister Search Team Update This has been an exciting week in the search and call process. We had candidates in Tulsa to visit with the team and tour the church and community. While we have corresponded extensively with these individuals it is great to finally meet them in person. We were able to share with them the ministry currently happening at FCC and hear what their vision for our future might be. As I mentioned in the last Vision, the first impression is important. To aid in making ours a good one Cassie Gray made great hospitality baskets that had the FCC book How Firm a Foundation, information about Tulsa and Oklahoma, and snacks (including several Oklahoma made products). We are grateful for her helping to share the extravagant hospitality that FCC has become known for. The search team is enthusiastic about what we have seen and heard. As we continue discerning who God is calling to be here, we feel that we are getting closer to understanding who that might be. I continue to ask for your prayers for these candidates and the congregation. Bright days are ahead. Sincerely, Ben Gray On the Wilder Side We enjoyed seeing the Scholarship Recipients Sunday. I heard several folks say they would like for them to be called up out of the congregation, so we would know who they are. Maybe next year? It was nice to see Bill Clark in church Sunday! FCC was well represented at the Broken Arrow PAC Saturday night (fantastic theater)! The Rankin Brothers Classic Music Review recreated sounds of the musical stars from the 50s through 80s. Elvis was especially good! Liz Utley, Della Davidson, Charlie Crews, Gay Wion and I really enjoyed the show. This handsome boy was eating with Bob Rorschach one evening last week and I went over and said, Don t tell me this is Leigh and Tom s little boy! He stood up and up and is as tall as I am. He said Yes. I am Daniel, and I am 18 and will be a senior at Metro Christian next year. What a nice young man! My five-year-old great-grandson was visiting his other greatgrandparents a couple of weeks ago, and he sat them down and told them, Now, I know you all are not used to little kids being noisy and running through the house, and it is because you re old, and that s okay. After they stopped laughing, they let him stay. A group of friends on a cross country road trip took a tour of their favorite brewery. As they marveled at the process, one of them slipped and fell into a huge vat of beer. While his friends waited outside, brewery workers tried to save him. A half hour later, a supervisor came out and told the guys their friend had drowned. Do you think he suffered much? one asked. I don t think so, he climbed out three times to go to the bathroom. See ya, Ruthie PRAYERS & CARES In the hospital: Kindred Hospital: Jerry Carlton Inverness Rehab: Les Hames Health: Matthew Alspaugh; Paul Moffett; Andy Rauch, James and Mary Lynn Howard s son-in-law; Ruth Reather s daughter-in-law, Tammy Reather; Barbara Griffin; Karen & Jimmie Younger; Veda Riggs; Carolyn Dyer; Louis Hayward; Wanda Warehime; Craig Eiland; Jeff Daniel; John and Donna Ackenhausen; Mary Clark; Sarah Jane Sackett; Kay Bauter; Anne Webb; Rossie Patterson; Marcia Hames; Pat Oliver; Lynn Ray s sister, Janet Markley James; Bernie Bowers brother, Tom; Brandy Iliff; Velma Pishel. Happy Timers Luncheon Series resumes with OSU College of Education Program Thursday, August 22 11:00 AM. The program is brought to us by Barbara Swiggart, adult learning coordinator for Oklahoma State University College of Education in Tulsa. Barbara will explain a fun, nongraded, educational initiative for senior citizens; it s called OLLI, which stands for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The program is offered through Oklahoma State University College of Education. TULSA COURSES: education.okstate.edu/images/olli/ documents/olli_tulsa_fall_13.pdf First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org Page 5

6 The First Christian Church VISION (USPS ) is published semi-monthly for its members by First Christian Church at 913 South Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK, Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISION, 913 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK Sunday School Class News Aga-Patrian Next Sunday: Romans 4:1-25 Last Sunday: Romans 3:21-31 Upcoming Events: Sunday, August 11, Children s Breakfast; it s our turn to feed the children. Number Present: 9 RG Double Ring Serving Schedule for Sunday, August 11 Elder Prayers: 9:00 Sandra Lewis, offering; Brian Knight, communion Scripture Reader: Don Brooks Elder of the Week: Kay Thompson Communion Preparation: Raylene Barclay Deacons serving communion: Raylene Barclay, Christy Brooks, Don Brooks, Lon Canada, Jim Freeman, Mary Garner, Joyce Kendall, Bobbie Lewis, Barbara Pollard, Caleb Allen Greeters: James & Mary Lynn Howard Flowers for Sunday, August 11: The flowers are in celebration of Bob Rorschach s 91st birthday on August 20th, given by his children. In addition, Liz Utley gives an arrangement in loving memory of George Utley, whose birthday would have been August 10th. Flower delivery week of August 11: Bill Osteen Serving Schedule for Sunday, August 18 Elder Prayers: 9:00 Mike Miller, offering; Meredith Miller, communion Scripture Reader: Sharon Regnery Elder of the Week: Jane McKinney Communion Preparation: Marcia Boyd Deacons serving communion: Susan McKee, Thressa Northcutt, Bill Northcutt, Kate Northcutt, Bob Parks, Sue Parks, Millie Elswick, Marcia Boyd, Margaret Culley, Hunter Blackburn Greeters: Paul & Mardell Campbell Flowers for Sunday, August 18: The flowers are in loving memory of Margaret & Harold Rorschach, given by Bob & Susan Rorschach and Margaret & Harold s grandchildren, Tom, Leigh, & Molly. Their anniversary would have been August 25th. Flower delivery week of August 18: Helen & Bill Pummill Last Sunday: Clarke Kendall spoke about the dispute on displaying the Ten Commandments on public property. Visitors: Kim, Ian and Isaac Stansell; Mike Callahan Celebrations: Jimmie and Karen Younger will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary on Wednesday; James and Mary Lynn Howard (54th) and Bill and Lucy Spears (67th) Number present: 45 BL Homebuilders Next Sunday: Richard Lawson Last Sunday: Hugh Henderson gave us our lesson. Upcoming Events: Homebuilders Luncheon at First Watch Date: August 9, 2013 Time: 11:30 am Program: Delicious food and great fellowship Celebrations: Our many blessings Class concerns: Many unfortunate people throughout the world Number present: 15 LS Sojourners Next Sunday: Isaiah 48 Last Sunday: Isaiah 46 and 47 were talked about. Isaiah 46.9 says, Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me. Number present: 4 CB First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 913 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK fcctulsa.org Page 6