A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tulsa Vol. 18, Number 22 November 22, 2013 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) The Future of Camp Christian Camp Christian Needs Your Support in Raising $20,000 for Much Needed Updates Dining Hall - New floors in the dining, kitchen and office areas Ministers Retreat; VIP Cabin - Finish complete remodeling, bathroom and porch & new furniture; Large, new Camp Christian sign on State Highway 69. Camp Christian has an anonymous benefactor who will match dollar-for-dollar funds raised for this campaign. The campaign will end April 1, 2014. Please consider a one-time gift or a monthly gift. Make your check payable to First Christian Church (memo Camp Christian Update ). Remember, every $1 you give will mean $2 for Camp Christian. Your generosity is appreciated. THANKSGIVING SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24th 9:00 Children s breakfast 9:30 All Sunday School classes meet 10:30 One Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:45 Congregational Meeting to elect 2014 Leadership 12:00 Thanksgiving Dinner, Fellowship Hall Family style dinner (no lines!) Church offices will be closed for Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29. Rev. Carol Lawson and Elder Chair, Kathy Davis will be on call. Saturday, November 30 - Decorate Church for Advent & Christmas If you would like to participate, please contact Jane McKinney at 918-481-0092. One of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit is to beautify our church with Christmas spendor. "This is my Body, broken for you." JYF children are continuing their study of the five elements of Worship. Recently they had a hands-on experience with one of the elements of Communion in Worship, the bread. All the elementary children were able to make and bake their own bread to take home. Angelina - 4th Grade Director of Children s Ministries, Beverly Vale Brown, says worshippers may have wondered about the smell of fresh bread Sunday, The children were given the opportunity to take their bread home and share it with their family, and they were to tell their parents what Communion was, why we do it and who is welcome at the table at FCC. They made 38 loaves of bread; There was flour everywhere. When they were trying to stir the flour into a ball... some thought they couldn't stir that hard... but they persisted. They really wanted to watched the bread rise on the window sills in the sun.
I must admit, it doesn t seem like the holidays have arrived until I see at least two Charlie Brown specials on TV and have likely had too much pumpkin pie for my own good! Holidays are about traditions, those special acts and rituals we share as families and friends year after year. We look forward to seeing relatives and friends, hearing the old stories, getting together for games, seeing the family photos, and eating certain favorite foods you only eat around the holiday. We actually can t wait to see our uncle wear that old gaudy tie again. We long for that special dish that grandma brings every time but we still don t know what s in it. We search for hours trying to find where we hid that old centerpiece last year so we can use it on the table. And we go out of our way to make sure the tradition lives on so that we never forget the stories that are a part of them. Many of us will gather around the table with family and friends and share in Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. More than just food, those occasions are feasts of fellowship and memories and bonds of love and friendship. Somehow the feast is always worth all the preparation in fact, the weeks of preparation, with all our expectation and longing and waiting, make it that much more special for us. And when we so prepare, the celebration is amazing! The stories come alive again! Even in the midst of the oncoming winter, such holidays warm us with comfort and joy and a feast of love and hope! This December, we start our preparations once again for another feast. It is the start of the Christian calendar and our telling of the Christ story. And this story is huge! From his beginnings in Nazareth, his baptism and temptation, his ministry, his transfiguration, his journey to Jerusalem, his triumphal entry and passion, his crucifixion, death, and resurrection, and to his ascension and reign, Christ s story begins with our waiting and longing for the birth of a Savior, the one promised to come and bring us hope and peace and joy and love and light in the midst of our darkness. I invite you to join with us this December during Advent, the four weeks leading up to and preparing for Christmas. Come and discover the hope that sustains us as we wait for the coming of Christ. Come and discover the peace God promises us. Come and discover the joy we share in his coming. Come and discover the love surrounding us. Come and share in our deep traditions and discover new ways to celebrate. Come and journey with us from O Come, O Come Emmanuel to O Come all Ye Faithful. Come and sing the old familiar carols as well as discover new songs of faith. Come and join us for Advent, and discover the true gift of Christmas all along the way. Soli Deo Gloria, Rev. Michael Jazz to the World! Did you know that on page 171 of our Chalice Hymnal is a hymn written by Dave Brubeck, one of the world's great jazz composers and pianist? Of course, there are innumerable links between jazz and church music, and coming up on Thursday, December 5 at 7 pm, you'll have a chance to hear a number of jazz tunes as rhythmic and catchy as Brubeck's "God's Love Made Visible." The second annual "Jazz to the World!" concert will feature some of Tulsa's most notable jazz musicians, playing a variety of Christmas and holiday tunes that should range from playful to soulsearching. In the line-up are cool-jazz vocalist and song-writer Tavis Minner; saxman and rapper, Myron Oliver; pianist-trombonist, Tim Shadley; vocalists, Pam VanDyke Crosby, Larry Cochran, Louisa Cornelius, Sue Warwick; pianist-vocalist Joe Wilkinson and - new this year - the senior minister at First Christian Church Tulsa, Michael Riggs, an accomplished bass player and pianist. Other First Christian artists performing are choir member Phena Hackett, who also sings with Tulsa Opera, and Steve Baggett. The emcee for the evening is KOTV news anchor, Terry Hood. Tickets are $5 each. All proceeds go to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Call 918-582- 8237 to reserve tickets and learn more about the event. Page 2
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TO VOTE ON NOMINATIONS FOR 2014 This Sunday, November 24 th following the 10:30 worship service, the Congregation will elect our leaders for 2014. The Nominating Team, chaired by Brian Knight, is comprised of Kathy Davis, Millie Elswick, Jean Swanson, Michael Riggs, Mary Byrne and Carol Lawson. Nominations are presented below for 2014 officers, voting members of the Ministry Council as specified below, three Trustees, Elders, Deacons, and Junior Deacons. Officers (one-year term, eligible for two years maximum) Moderator: Rick Bowlin Vice Moderator: Kathy Davis Secretary: Richard Lawson Treasurer: Chris Murphy Ministry Council positions (two-year terms, two terms max) open in 2014 are: Worship: Steve Baggett Outreach: Cassie Gray Spiritual Growth: Marcia Boyd Communications: Sandra Lewis Planning and Evaluation: James Howard Trustees Three positions for a three-year term (2014-2016) Howard Wyble, Vi Kennett and Jim Gray (Trustees continuing are James Howard, George Hauger, Wayne Rumley and Paul Thompson.) Elders Steve Baggett, Nicholas Cox, Kathy Davis, Bob Garner, Rihab Garner, James Howard, Brian Knight, Molly Krumme, Richard Lawson, Sandra Lewis, Betsi Phillips, Helen Pummill, Jean Swanson Deacons Raylene Barclay, Darlene Blackburn, Christy Brooks, Don Brooks, Charles Crews, Margaret Culley, Jim Freeman, Sandra Freeman, Mary Garner, Joan Hauger, Mary Lynn Howard, Barbara Iverson, Joyce Kendall, Vi Kennett, Roberta Lewis, Susan McKee, Thressa Northcutt, Kate Northcutt, Tom Nulf, Bob Parks, Sue Parks, Andrea Rumley, Wayne Rumley, Winnie Stanbery, Don Swanson, Maggie Thompson, David Thompson, Elizabeth Utley, Ray Wright Junior Deacon Hunter Blackburn Camp Christian Director, Dan Bubach reports 3,000 overnights for the camp - Jan - Nov. 2013. New billboard which will be installed on HWY 69 at turn off to camp Staff Cabin - from the rear, we will be adding a bathroom and porch
Advent (Christmas) Festival Is Coming! December 8, 2013 Time: 12:30 2:30 PM Barbeque Sandwich Lunch (prepared by Carol Lawson) Have your photo taken with Santa. Visit lots of booths to create holiday gifts, crafts, and Christmas decorations. Ice, decorate and eat Sugar Cookies (YUM). Bring your family and friends for a fun afternoon of activities, celebrating Jesus birth and the spirit of Christmas! Let s all wear PURPLE if you have it! Honor your loved ones with a poinsettia adorning the chancel of the Sanctuary during Advent.
Wednesday, November 20 10:00 CDC Chapel Time, Rm.223 1:00 Staff Meeting, EFH 1:30 4:40 TCC Memoirs Writers Class, Library, Mid-Week Peak or Choir 5:30 Light Supper, FH $5.00 Menu: Chicken & Vegetables w/ Ginger Sauce, Rice Pilaf & Garden Salad, Bread/Butter 6:00 Bible Study, FH Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday, November 21 11:00 Happy Timers, FH Community Based Resources for Older Adults, by Mickey Hinds Noon - Downtown Clerg, Trinity Episcopal Church, 7:00 Worship Team Meeting, EFH Friday, November 22 11:30 1:00 CDC Explorers Class Thanksgiving Dinner, EFH Saturday, November 23 Communion Preparation: Thressa and Kate Northcutt Sunday, November 24 - ONE WORSHIP SERVICE Paraments: White NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Yale Ave. Christian, Tulsa Mike Alpert 9:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 9:30 All Sunday School classes 10:30 Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:50 - Congregational Meeting to elect 2014 Leadership 12:00 All-Church Thanksgiving Meal, FH CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS All will share Thanksgiving dinner Monday, November 25 Michael & Cassie to FL all week Elder of the Week: Jane McKinney 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St., Devotion: Jane McKinney Tuesday, November 26 Deliver Thanksgiving Pack-A-Sacks 9:30 Prayer Group, Library 12:45 CDC Board Meeting, Rm. 320 FCC Activities and Opportunities Wednesday, November 27 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH Skype with Michael & Cassie No TCC Writers Class No Mid-Week Peak meal or Bible Study or choir practice Thursday, November 28 - HOLIDAY CDC and FCC closed Friday, November 29 - HOLIDAY CDC and FCC closed Saturday, November 30- Decorate Church for Advent & Christmas Communion Preparation: Bob and Sue Parks Sunday, December 1- First Sunday of Advent Paraments: Violet NEACCO Prayer Calendar: First Christian, Wagoner Loy Hoskins 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 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 Monday, December 2 Vision published Elder of the Week: Mike Miller 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, FirstWatch, 8101 E. 68 th St. Tulsa, OK, Devotion: Mike Miller Tuesday, December 3 9:30 Prayer Group, Library 1:30-8:00 LifeTouch Church Directory 6:30 Stewardship Team Meeting, Double Ring Classroom Wednesday, December 4 10:00 Staff Meeting, EFH 1:30-8:00 LifeTouch Church Directory 1:30 4:40 TCC Memoirs Writers Class, Library Mid-Week Peak 5:30 Light Supper, FH $5.00 6:00 Bible Study, FH Adult Choir Program 7:00 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday December 5 10:00 Outreach Opportunity - Snack Pack Packing, NFH 1:30-6:30 LifeTouch Church Directory 7:00 Jazz to the World Sanctuary, Reception in FH following Friday, December 6 1:30-8:00 LifeTouch Church Directory Saturday, December 7 Communion Preparation: Duska Vogel 1:30 4:30 LifeTouch Church Directory Sunday, December 8 - Second Sunday of Advent Communion to Home-Centered Paraments: Violet NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Disciples Village Barbara Sales; Christmas Offering 9:00 Traditional Worship Service, Sanctuary 10:00 Breakfast for the Children, FH 10:15-11:00 All Sunday School classes 11:15 Worship in Common Ground, Fellowship Hall 12:30 ADVENT FESTIVAL, FH Children and Youth in Advent Festival IMPORTANT MEETINGS Congregational Meeting this Sunday, November 24 at 11:45 to elect 2014 Leadership. (See p. 3 for Nominations) Congregational Meeting on on Sunday, December 15 following both worship services to approve 2014 budget. Page 2 Page 5 Page 2
Attendance and Gifts Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 11:15 Common Ground 105 46 The Loft na Total Adults Children 150 65 Total Worship Attendance 216 Sunday School Preschool 21 Elementary 44 Youth Adults 28 74 Total Attendance 167 Finances General Fund $ 3,485.00 Sunday School 22.00 Loose Offering 18.50 Total $3,525.50 WWBS Fund $280.00 Thanksgiving Offering 46.00 Gifts Given Double Ring Scholarship Fund In memory of Ruby McKee, Don Allen, LaDonna Foster and Mr. and Mrs. Davis, given by Marcia and Phil Boyd We have received 99 commitment cards for 2014. We are grateful to all who have generously responded with their gifts of time, talent and treasure! Ninety-five people have pledged $351,344 for next year s ministries! If you have not yet done so please send your pledge card in this week, or call or e-mail Mary Byrne at marybyrne@fcctulsa.org if you prefer, and we ll include your response with our gifts to God for the coming year. Blessings, Mary Byrne Page 6 Worship 9:00 Sanctuary 11:15 Common Ground 114 42 The Loft 18 Total Adults Children 174 63 Total Worship Attendance 237 Sunday School Preschool 19 Elementary Youth 44 26 Adults 85 Total Attendance 174 Finances General Fund $ 11,215.83 Sunday School 27.00 Loose Offering 60.34 Total $11,303.17 WWBS Fund $ 1,092.34 Thanksgiving Offering $ 490.00 Week of Compassion $168.00 Week of Compassion Gifts at Work in the Philippines Through the ACT Alliance, Week of Compassion is already on the ground in the Philippines. Your gifts have enabled us to support this immediate relief effort. More support is needed. ACT members working in the disaster zone report that survivors urgently need household basics, such as food, bedding, water, blankets, tarpaulins, tents, medicines, mosquito nets, generators, hygiene kits and kitchen utensils, plastic sheets and tents. One of the most urgent needs is safe drinking water and hygiene kits across all affected areas. Thank you for putting your compassion into action and enabling Week of Compassion to be present, in the name of Christ, for those who desperately need our care. For more information, or to donate to this effort, please visit www.weekofcompassion.org. You may also write checks to First Christian Church and designate WOC on the memo line. November 21: Mary Ann Hargrove, Beverly Southard November 22: Mary Howard (101 years old!) November 23: Bob Brasel, Jim Davis, Duska Keim November 24: Mark Clay, Mark Kirkham, Tom Nulf, Ray Wright November 26: Betty Smith November 29: Meredith Miller, Marge Hutson November 30: Nick Vandivort December 1: Robin Bynum, Madeline Murphy December 3: Curtis Eckwood, Joshua Vale December 4: Celeste Barrow December 6: Jerry Parker December 7: Brooklin Knight, Sandra Lewis December 8: Takoda dawson, Shirley Plemons December 9: Doug Thompson, Jack Wilson December 10: Sara Rogers, Dick Willhour December 11: Nita Griggs, Jack Vandervort, Laurita Williams December 12: Cassie Gray December 14: Lindsey Ellerbach December 15: Michael Walton
FCC Vets Honored First Christian vets Bill Osteen and Charley Crews (Army) and Harold Hatfield (Navy) were among the Eighty-three Oklahoma World War II veterans who got a trip of a lifetime this fall. Oklahoma Honor Flights flew the veterans to Washington as a way to thank them for their service to our country. The veterans flew to Baltimore, and from there the National Park Service police escorted their buses to Washington. After arriving in Washington, the Oklahoma veterans visited the Korean, Vietnam and Lincoln Memorials. From there they toured Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Before returning to Tulsa, the veterans visited the Iwo Jima and Air Force Memorials. The veterans were treated to a water cannon send-off Wednesday at Tulsa International Airport. The cost of the trip is about $100,000, which Oklahoma Honor Flights says is all raised from donations. The trip will be one of the last Oklahoma Honor Flights with World War II veterans. Next year, the organization says they'll start taking Korean War veterans to Washington, DC. Prayers and Cares Jazz to the World on December 5th at 7:00 PM - Benefit for Community Food Bank of Eastern OK DEATHS Ruby McKee Lon Canada HEALTH John and Donna Ackenhausen Kay Bauter Shirley Bennett, cancer Mardell Campbell Jerry Carlton Pat and Jim Dalby Jeff Daniel Della Davidson Dollie Dorough, back surgery Linda Douglas David and Beth Dunning Carolyn Dyer Krista English, cancer Jerry Gay Barbara Griffin Les and Marcia Hames Hope Harder Judith Bewley Perry Inhofe Sparkle Christmas This year Outreach has chosen a new theme for our Christmas outreach, entitled Sparkle Christmas. Our theme this year is based on the children's picture book The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie. Jesus taught us that whenever we do something for someone in need, we do it for Him. Be sure to come to the Advent Festival to hear the story of Sam and The Sparkle Box and learn about a gift with the power to change Christmas. Brandy Iliff Dan Kimes, organ tuner Paul Moffett Rossie Patterson Andy Rauch, James and Mary Lynn Howard s son-in-law Veda Riggs Ethan Wesley Rosell, infant great-grand nephew of Jimmie and Karen Younger Sarah Jane Sackett Beverly Southard Cynthia Stevens Libby Stoppard Les and Wanda Warehime Anne Webb Arthena Young OTHER Turner and Anderson families There will be an opportunity as a faith community to participate in the sparkle box within our own community, and a sparkle tree to take Christ's love out in the world. At the Advent Festival, you will build your own sparkle box to place under your Christmas tree at home. More to come about our Sparkle Christmas here at FCC so be on the look out for ways to shine! Resumes Wednesday, December 4 Mid-Week Peak Continues 5:30 Light Supper, FH - $5.00 6:00 Fall Bible Study, FH the Book of Genesis Page 7
The First Christian Church VISION (USPS 012-958) is published semi-monthly for its members by First Christian Church at 913 South Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74119-2097. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISION, 913 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119-2097. Sunday School Class News Serving Schedule Sunday, November 24 One Worship Service Elder Prayers: 10:30 Brian Knight, offering; Sandra Lewis, communion Scripture Reader: Richard Lawson Elder of the Week: (November 25) Jane McKinney Communion Preparation: Mary Garner Deacons serving communion: Nicholas Cox, Duska Vogel Keim, Lucy Spear, Bill Spear, Pattie Gay-Sittler, Vi Kennett, Don Swanson and Lockie Rathbun Greeters: Helen and Bill Pummill Flowers for Sunday, November 24: The flowers are given by Winnie Stanbery in loving memory of her husband, Bill and in honor of their children and grandchildren. Flower delivery week of November 24: David and Maggie Thompson Aga-Patrian Next Sunday: Romans 8: 18-27 Last Sunday: Romans 8: 1-17 9 Present. RG Double Ring Last Sunday: Paul Thompson gave our lesson. Upcoming Events: Christmas party on December 16th (Mon.) 6:30 pm, FH. Celebrations: Marcia Hawkins and Joan Bell had birthdays. Kay and Paul Thompson celebrated an anniversary. Happy to see Della and Jimmie back even though they are still healing. 47 Present. BL Homebuilders Next Sunday: Bob Rorschach Last Sunday: Clarke Kendall Upcoming Events: Happy Timers. Nov. 21, 11 am. FH. Celebrations: ful Fall weather Class Concerns: The number who are unable to attend. 16 Present. LS Sojourners Next Sunday: We will finish Jeremiah, Chapter 5. Last Sunday: We read and discussed Jeremiah 3 and 4. 6 present Serving Schedule Sunday, December 1 Elder Prayers: 9:00 Steve Baggett, offering; Sharon Regnery, communion Scripture Reader: Donna Davis Elder of the Week: (December 2) Mike Miller Communion Preparation: Joyce Kendall Deacons serving communion: Nicholas Cox, Duska Vogel Keim, Lucy Spear, Bill Spear, Pattie Gay-Sittler, Vi Kennett, Don Swanson and Kylie Rathbun Greeters: Sandra Lewis Flowers for Sunday, December 1: The flowers are given by Sandra Hill Osteen and Duska Hill Keim in memory of husband and father, Jerry Hill. Flower delivery week of December 1: Paul and Mardell Campbell CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - SUNDAY, NOV 24 After Worship Service to elect 2014 leadership Tabitha and Emily sign a song for Common Ground Page 8