The recent fires in Green Country

A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tulsa Vol. 21, Number 4 Feb 26, 2016 Sunday Schedule 9:00-9:30 Breakfast for children and youth 9:00 Coffee Fellowship, East Fellowship Hall 9:15-10:15 Adult Sunday School 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for children and youth 10:15 Coffee Fellowship, East Fellowship Hall 10:45 - Noon Worship, Sanctuary 11:00-11:30 Children s Worship, The Lo, 4th Floor Sanctuary Building 11:30 - Noon Children s ac vi es, 3rd Floor What s in this Issue 2 From the Pastor s Pen Keyboard 3 Attendance & Gifts 4 FCC Activities & Opportunities 5 Ministry Council Report 6 Pastor s Class Easter Egg Donations 7 Worship Words 8 Book Recommendations 9 Lenten Sermon Series Well over 100 people joined us for purple, green, and gold pancakes at our Mardi Gras celebration and then stayed to take part in our Ash Wednesday service. Many people from our congregation as well as East Side Christian Church were here and were served both great helpings of pancakes and bacon and served spiritually through our service including the imposition of ashes. 10 Lent and Social Media 11 Holy Week Schedule 12 Regional Assembly Festival of Missions 13 Bubble Soccer 14 Outreach Ministry Gifts 15 The Wilder Side Prayers and Concerns 16 Serving Schedules Sunday School Class News Page 1

From the Pastor s Pen Keyboard The recent fires in Green Country have brought to light the dangers of not only our natural environment and its dry conditions but also our vulnerability to such destruction. When fires consume, they take no pity. Land, houses, lives, animals, churches, schools, even entire communities have been lost or destroyed in the wake of such fiery devastation. We are fortunate to be served by such heroic individuals in our various fire and emergency departments. Their efforts are brave and self-giving, but what recognition do they receive? Our Outreach Green Team has decided to reach out to the brave women and men who serve us and protect us when fiery devastation strikes. They deserve our thanks for all the ways they help and save us in both the emergencies we see and hear about through the media as well as those that never receive media attention. They need to know that they are appreciated and that they have our prayers. Therefore, our March Outreach project will be writing thankyou letters to every fire station in the Tulsa Metro Area a simple but powerful expression of our love and thanks. Here s how you can help: 1) Pick up an address card in the lobby of First Christian (or call the church office and get an address from us). 2) Write a simple but heartfelt letter saying: Who is writing the letter and specifically that it is from a member of First Christian Church. The recent fires have brought to mind all the many times and emergencies in which you risk your lives to help us all. Thank you for giving of yourself for the sake of others, both for the things we hear about and the things we ll never know of. The church is praying for your safety and courage. How we can pray specifically for you? (Invite them to contact you and/or the church with their prayer requests.) On behalf of the people of First Christian, thank you so much for serving, protecting, and saving us in so many ways! Sincerely... 3) Send the letter to the fire station on the card. Remember, this is just a sample outline and suggestion. Please make yours personal and heartfelt. This Outreach project may seem simple, but it only costs the time it takes to write a letter. Everyone can participate in this project! It will mean so much to the women and men of the fire service, it will join us together in prayer, and it will bring us closer to 100% participation in Outreach. Our goal is to have mailed a letter to every fire station by the end of March. Please consider how you can make a difference in the heart of Tulsa through this project. Soli Deo gloria, Rev. Michael Week of Feb 14 Worship 105 Children 22 Total Attendance 127 Sunday School Preschool 5 Elementary 17 Youth 17 Adults 76 Total 115 General Fund $5,490.00 Sunday School 27.50 Total $5,605.95 Attendance and Gifts Week of Feb 21 Children 25 Total Attendance 112 Sunday School Preschool 10 Elementary 15 Adults 69 Total 102 General Fund $1,600.00 Sunday School 31.00 Total $1,657.00 Budget Contingency Fund In memory of Anne Webb from Helen and Bill Pummill Mary Semones Byrne Children s Camp Fund In honor and loving memory of Paul Moffett whose birthday was February 13, and our anniversary February 28, from Marianne Moffett March 1-10, 2016 Dear First Christian Church, Thanks Received for Outreach Thank you for your recent gift. It will directly provide hot, nutritious meals and friendly contact for frail elderly and disabled people who live in Tulsa Metro and other surrounding areas. Kelly Hawver Vice President of Community Relations and Development Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa Dear Friends, Thank you for your recent gift. Through it, you are providing meals, shelter, and life restoring programs to the homeless and at-risk men, women, and children of our community. This month, which marks the celebration of St. Valentine s Day, I fectly though his son, Jesus Christ - is all encompassing, forgiving, generous, compassionate, and healing. It is what restores hope and turns lives around. This is the love that inspires and energizes the work that takes place here at John 3:16 Mission. I am so grateful that love, Rev. Steve Whitaker President and Sr. Pastor, John 3:16 Mission Page 2 Page 3

Wednesday, February 24 1:00 Staff Meeting, East Fellowship Hall Mid-Week Peak 5:30 Light Supper, Fellowship Hall - $5.00 5:45-7:15 Bible Study, FH - "According to Luke - part two: The Acts of the Apostles" 7:15-8:30 Sanctuary Choir, Choir Rm. Thursday, February 25 11:00 Happy Timers, Fellowship Hall Program: Scott McQuade Friday, February 26 Saturday, February 27 Communion Preparation: Jim and Becky Gray 10:00 - Noon Good Friday Combined Choir rehearsal, Sanctuary Sunday, February 28 Third Sunday in Lent Week of Compassion Offering 9:00 Coffee Bar open, East Fellowship Hall 9:00-9:30 Breakfast for children and youth, South Fellowship Hall 9:15-10:15 Sunday School for adults 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for children (PreK-5th) 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for youth (6th-12th Gr.) 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg. 10:15-10:35 Choir rehearsal, Choir Room 10:15-10:45 Coffee fellowship, East Fellowship Hall 10:45-12:00 Worship service, Sanctuary 11:00-11:30 Children's Worship in the Loft, 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg.- NE corner 11:30-12:00 Children's activities, 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. 12:00-12:15 Trustees Meeting, Archives Center CHILDREN S PROGRAMS (Pre-K 5 th grades) 12:00 2:30 Junior Youth Fellowship Away from church YOUTH PROGRAMS (6 th 12 th grades) 12:00 2:30 Youth Mission project at FCC 12:00-2:30 Pastors' Class, Fellowship Hall 1:30-3:30 Mission Tulsa serving meals to homeless in east parking lot 3:30-5:00 "We are Family" Lenten Disciples Fellowship, East Side Christian Church, 1438 S Indianapolis NEACCO Prayer Calendar: First Christian Church, Jenks Monday, February 29 - Happy Leap Year! 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, McDonald's 49th and Harvard Tuesday, March 1 6:30 AM -7:00 PM Voting, East Fellowship Hall 9:30 Prayer Group, Library FCC Activities and Opportunities FCC Activities and Opportunities Wednesday, March 2 10:00 Staff Meeting, East Fellowship Hall Mid-Week Peak 5:30 Light Supper, Fellowship Hall - $5.00 5:45-7:15 Bible Study - "According to Luke - part two: The Acts of the Apostles" 7:15-8:30 Sanctuary Choir rehearsal, Choir Rm. Thursday, March 3 7:00 Elders meeting, East Fellowship Hall Friday, March 4 World Day of Prayer Saturday, March 5 Communion Preparation: Pattie Gay Sittler, Lockie & Ezri Rathbun, Brooklin & Malorie Knight Sunday, March 6-Lætaré Sunday Fourth Sunday in Lent Communion to Home-Centered 9:00 Coffee Bar open, East Fellowship Hall 9:00-9:30 Breakfast for children and youth, South Fellowship Hall 9:15-10:15 Sunday School for adults 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for children (PreK-5th) 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for youth (6th-12th Gr.) 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg. 10:15-10:35 Choir rehearsal, Choir Room 10:15-10:45 Coffee fellowship, East Fellowship Hall 10:45-12:00 Worship service, Sanctuary 11:00-11:30 Children's Worship in the Loft, 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg.- NE corner 11:30-12:00 Children's activities, 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. 3:30-5:00 "We are Family" Lenten Disciples Fellowship, Forest Park Christian Church, 9102 S Mingo Rd NEACCO Prayer Calendar: Odyssey Christian Church, Jenks Monday, March 7 Vision to be published 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, McDonald's 49th and Harvard 7:00 PM Camp Christian Board Meeting, North Fellowship Hall Tuesday, March 8 9:30 Prayer Group, Library Wednesday, March 9 1:00 Staff Meeting, East Fellowship Hall Mid-Week Peak 5:30 Light Supper, Fellowship Hall - $5.00 5:45-7:15 Bible Study - "According to Luke - part two: The Acts of the Apostles" 7:15-8:30 Sanctuary Choir rehearsal, Choir Rm. Thursday, March 10 10:00-2:00 Sewing Group, Rm. 101 5:30 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, March 11 Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences for Tulsa Public Schools Saturday, March 12 Communion Preparation: Jim & Sandra Freeman 10:00 - Noon Good Friday Mass Choir rehearsing, Sanctuary Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM Sunday set clocks forward 1 hour! Sunday, March 13 Fifth Sunday in Lent Daylight Saving Time begins 9:00 Coffee Bar open, East Fellowship Hall 9:00-9:30 Breakfast for children and youth, South Fellowship Hall 9:15-10:15 Sunday School for adults 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for children (PreK-5th) 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. 9:30-10:30 Sunday School for youth (6th-12th Gr.) 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg. 10:15-10:35 Choir rehearsal, Choir Room 10:15-10:45 Coffee fellowship, East Fellowship Hall 10:45-12:00 Worship service, Sanctuary 11:00-11:30 Children's Worship in the Loft, 4th floor Sanctuary Bldg.- NE corner 11:30-12:00 Children's activities, 3rd floor, Ed. Bldg. AFTERNOON CHILDREN S PROGRAMS (Pre-K 5 th grades) 12:00 2:30 (Junior Youth Fellowship) Baking Day - Church Kitchen YOUTH PROGRAMS (6 th 12 th grades) 12:00 2:30 (Chi Rho and CYF) 6th-7th Graders Movie Room; 8th-12th graders in Youth Room 12:00-2:30 Pastors' Class, Fellowship Hall 1:30-3:30 Mission Tulsa serving meals to homeless in east parking lot 3:30-5:00 "We are Family" Lenten Disciples Fellowship, Pine St. Christian Church, 762 E Pine St. NEACCO Prayer Calendar: South Grand Lake, Langley Monday, March 14 TPS Spring Break March 14-18 Spring Break Kidz Klub, 3 rd floor 8:00 Prayer Breakfast, McDonald's 49th & Harvard 6:00 Ministry Council, East Fellowship Hall Ministry Council Report Running Hard out of the Gate! Your Ministry Council met Monday night, February 8. Here s what you need to know: Mary Byrne presented our financial report for the month ended January 31, 2016. In summary: Mary indicated that during January, our use of budget contingency funds was actually less than expected by $7,355. We are making final preparations to invest our restricted funds (scholarship, etc.) to create a better return. The Council heard reports from Ministry Council Representatives. Resources: Bill Osteen reported we have identified a significant issue with our plumbing that, as with most things in this old house, will be expensive to repair. We are working on getting bids for this. Outreach: Becky Gray reported Outreach has already seen increased participation in Outreach programs by our members, including the book drive, the Homebuilders Food Pantry and snack packs. In February, we will be hosting a Loads of Love program at a local laundromat. This is the program Kathy Davis discussed at our congregational meeting on February 7. By the time you read this, the activity will have occurred, undoubtedly with tremendous success. Be sure to keep an eye open for the March activity and the service opportunities that go with it. (See Michael's article for more!) Communications: Marilyn Carlton reported our proposal from Channel 2 was beyond our budget, but she expects the proposal from Channel 6 to be a good one. Her team is looking at setting up homehosted chats with Rev. Michael, hoping to reach 100 mem-bers by the end of July. Finally, we are looking at opportunities to jointly promote activities with other Tulsa charitable organizations who have similar aims and values. Hospitality: Susan McKee reported Hospitality has been busy preparing for the Mardi Gras celebration with East Side Christian Church. As you all know by now, the pancake supper was a great success, as expected anytime our Hospitality team is involved. Strategic Planning: James Howard updated the Council on preparations for the regional assembly to be held at FCC April 29th and 30th. Participants in the assembly will focus significant time on doing mission in Tulsa. Please keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities as the time draws nearer. In old business, the Council approved Kay Thompson and Charles Hargrove as Wheeling Trust and Endowment Trust Officers and Christy Brooks as Grant Officer for the Wheeling Trust. Rev. Cassie reported modifications to the FCC Parent Handbook are underway. Moderator Kathy Davis reported on open lay leadership positions, including Vice-Moderator, Nominating, Pastor/Parish Relations, and Worship. Kathy is actively trying to fill those roles. Susan Baston reported the Elders have set shepherding groups and Sandra Lewis shared the deacons serving experience has gone well so far. Highlights of staff reports include: Rev. Michael shared his views on the successful pulpit exchange with Fred Turner at East Side Christian Church. In addition he shared the Tulsa disciples congregations are actively seeking opportunities to worship and fellowship together. Rev. Cassie reported the Pastors Class will be done jointly with East Side and Bethany Christian Churches, and expressed her thanks to the mentors that have come forward to help with this. Rev. Joshua reiterated Marilyn s hope that the Channel 6 proposal will be good, and also shared that we are running an ad showing our mission quilt square in the Tulsa World. Beverly shared that we have 12-14 children interested in Pastors Class, and that preparations are already begun for summer camps. We encourage you to attend the next Ministry Council meeting which will be held in East Fellowship Hall on March 14 at 6:00 p.m. Blessings Chris Murphy, Ministry Council Secretary Page 4 Page 5

PASTORS' CLASS Pastors' Class is off to a fantastic start with many young people from First Christian Church, East Side Christian Church, and Bethany Christian Church excited to learn about God, Jesus, and what it means to be a Christian. We have a wonderful group of mentors helping our young people learn as well as learning some new things themselves! With the start of Lent, that means Easter is coming! Our Easter Egg hunt will be on March 20, but in order for that to take place, we need eggs for the children to find! And for that we need you! There will be a basket in the lobby if you can donate plastic eggs for our hunt. Feel free to bring them already filled with goodies (wrapped candies, but avoid peanuts as a few of our kids have peanut allergies) and taped shut. Thank you for helping to create a great experience for our children. In the previous three columns, we looked at what worship means in how we adore God, how we reimagine the world around us as God wants it to be, and how our participation makes up the liturgy (the work of the people). This column explores how we shape that adoration, imagination, and work in the context of Jesus Christ. Christian worship has embraced for the vast majority of its history a four-fold pattern: gather, proclaim, share, and send. We gather together in the presence of God. We proclaim God s loving presence. We share in the love of God at the Table. We are sent forth to share God s love with the world. These four basic elements have shaped Christian worship for centuries and centuries, with the details being dependent upon culture and context. This pattern is seen across many different Christian traditions and is rooted in the understanding of Christian worship as a celebration of Easter, a feast built upon the Word of God. Of course, there are other patterns of worship as well, but this is the basic pattern used across the many cultures and traditions within Christianity across its history. Perhaps a good way to think about worship is this: feasting on the Word. The feast begins as we gather around the Table. We then feast upon the written Word through scripture and sermon and song. We continue to feast upon the Word through holy sacrament, bread and wine. Finally, having been nourished by the Word, we are empowered to take the Word out into the world and share the feast with others. Gather, proclaim, share, send. Worship. How do you pattern your worship? How do you think about what you do in worship and why? What is the overall purpose and experience? Is it personal? Is it communal? Is it life-changing? Worldchanging? What courses of the meal do you eat? Do you spiritually skip some of them? Are you spiritually impoverishing yourself by picking and choosing what servings on your plate you try? Maybe it s time for us to fully feast upon each course presented to us. Maybe if we did that, we would find ourselves filled with the Word and given the energy to go do the work of a Disciple rather than be hungry for what does not sustain us. The meal is served; what you eat is up to you. Make the most of it! See you Sunday! Page 6 Page 7

Book Recommendations for Lent Revs. Michael, Cassie, and Joshua were in Fort Worth last week for TCU and Brite Divinity School s Ministers Week. The book recommendations for this issue come from books that two of the speakers at this conference wrote and on which they based their talks and a children s book that hits on the same themes that our minsters explored in Fort Worth. A Door Set Open: Grounding Change in Mission and Hope by Peter L. Steinke Dr. Steinke argued in his lecture last week that the church resists change less when that change is associated with mission and fortified with hope. Much of Dr. Steinke s talk resonated with our ministers, as many of the challenges that FCC Tulsa is facing as well as the changes that we are undertaking are due to our realization that change is now necessary and that becoming more mission-focused is the way to make that change. Dr. Steinke took many of his points in this speech from this book. In this book, he explores the relationship between the challenges of change and our own responses to new ideas and experiences. Drawing on Bowen system theory and a theology of hope as well as his experience working with more than two hundred congregations, Steinke makes the case that the church has entered an era of great opportunity. Theologian and sociologist Ernst Troeltsch said the church had closed down the office of eschatology. Steinke re-opens it and draws our attention to God s future, to a vision of hope for the people of God. The door is set open for exploration and new creation. Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles Sara Miles spoke on the connection between hospitality and evangelism. She is a former atheist who through the act of communion had a conversion experience and has since become heavily involved in ministry to people, particularly concerning food injustices. When our church was starting a Food Pantry, we took inspiration on how it would look and work from this book. Sara Miles turned the giving of bread and wine that had such an impact on her into action that resulted in dozens of food pantries in the poorest parts of her city. She notes that Christianity isn t something we can do on our own, but that it requires a group of people. It requires the ministers and those being ministered to (roles that can interchange and swap many times in the same conversation). She talks about the importance of listening and hospitality and notes that we have as much capacity to be changed as do the people we are helping. This is a book about what Christianity needs to be, a story of finding sustenance and passing it on. It does contain some explicit language, so consider yourself warned! Ordinary Mary s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson While this book wasn t written by anyone at Ministers Week and doesn t have a clear connection to the week the way the other two books do, it is a book for our younger members on the very same themes that resonated so clearly with our ministers in regards to what we are trying to do at our church. In this book, a young and in no way outwardly special little girl makes a huge and very special difference in her community. Paul writes to the people of Corinthians that God doesn t care about our worldly status when it comes to the Kin-dom of God. God cares about the work we do here to bring about that kin-dom. The work that helps change churches through Mission that Dr. Steinke talks about and the impact that the people in Sara Miles s book have after finding connection with church are played out through the actions of a small and ordinary girl in this book, where an ordinary girl is able to accomplish extraordinary things through the gifts she has been given. 2016 LENTEN SERMON SERIES What Should the Church Give up for Lent? The First Sunday in Lent (2/14) Same as It Ever Was: The Talking Heads of Church (Luke 4:1-13) with apologies to Talking Heads The Second Sunday in Lent (2/21) I Can t Go for That (No Can Do) (Luke 13:31-35) with apologies to Hall & Oates The Third Sunday In Lent (2/28) Looking for Figs in All the Wrong Places (Luke 13:1-9) with apologies to Johnny Lee The Fourth Sunday in Lent (3/6) (Lætáre Sunday WEAR PINK!!) I Just Dined in Your Arms Tonight (Luke 9:10-17) with apologies to Cutting Crew The Fifth Sunday in Lent (3/13) A Nard Habit to Break (John 12:1-11) with apologies to Chicago Palm Sunday (3/20) The Sound of Silence (Luke 19:28-40) with apologies to Simon & Garfunkel Page 8 Page 9

You might have noticed that each day our Facebook page has a new photo representing a word for that day. This is a Lenten discipline that we are taking on along with many other churches and individuals based on a program put together by Rethink Church, a Methodist organization. They put out a list of words for each day of Lent and have invited people to share pictures based on those words. Our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages are posting the pictures that Rev. Joshua takes or chooses for each day s word. There are a couple of easy ways that you can get involved with this project as well! You can share your own picture that represents that day s word for you in the comments of our picture each day as one way to be involved. Another, easier way, is to just share our photo each day on your own Facebook timeline. Facebook s algorithm on how certain posts show up on Newsfeeds and how many people get to see it are based in part on the amount of interaction that those posts get from the people who do see them. LENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA For our posts (not just on the PhotoADay posts for Lent, but our podcast posts and all the other articles, pictures, information, and more that we share) to have a wide reach, allowing all of the people that follow us and Like our page to see them, but also potentially other people that might be interested in our church and what we are doing to see them, we need you to interact with our posts when you do see them on Facebook. That means hitting the Like button, maybe adding a little comment (such as your own photo for whatever the word of the day is during Lent or just saying what you think about whatever we posted), and most importantly, hitting the Share button in order to have our post go out to all of your friends. You can either just share the post as is or you can comment on it so that your friends see what you have to say before they see our post. Either way helps us get our message out to more people to let them know what we are doing. These Lenten posts with the different photo each day are an excellent way to get in the habit of sharing what we re doing with everyone you know. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm Sunday (3/20) 10:45 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) We begin Holy Week with the grand tradition of celebratory palms branches as we remember Christ s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Holy Tuesday (3/22) 5:30 p.m. Seder Supper (Fellowship Hall) Come discover the Passover roots of our Eucharistic tradition and share with Rabbi Micah Citrin from Temple Israel as he leads us in a Jewish seder supper. Maundy Thursday (3/24) 7:00 p.m. Worship & Communion (Fellowship Hall) This is an intimate service of candles, scripture, holy communion, and stations of prayer. Meditative acoustic music and hymns heighten our sense of community as we sit concentrically around the Table of our Lord and remember the Upper Room and the commandment to love one another. Good Friday (3/25) 7:00 p.m. Tenebrae Worship (Sanctuary) Come join with other Disciples and Christians from the Tulsa Metro Area as we gather to remember Christ s sacrifice on the cross. Through readings of sacred scripture, the extinguishing of candles, and the music of the mass choir, we will hear again the story of Christ s Passion and his great love for us all. A simple reception will follow. Holy Saturday (3/26) We have again been invited by the people of First Lutheran Church of Tulsa & Fellowship Congregational Church of Tulsa to share in a joint Easter Vigil. The service will begin with the kindling of the fire of the Resurrection, prayers of new hope, scriptures of life, and sharing together in holy communion. For those who wish to participate in this most ancient of Easter traditions, the service will be at First Lutheran Church at 10:00 p.m. 1244 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104 (918)582-0917 Easter Sunday (3/27) 10:45 a.m. Worship (Sanctuary) Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Come share in the feast of the Resurrection as we share in the most important worship service of the entire year! Page 10 Page 11

On February 14, 2016, the Youth Group had their first outing of the 2016 year. We went to Turning Point Soccer in Jenks to play Bubble Soccer. Now let me tell you, this is the most intense game of soccer I have ever played. Think of it as part soccer, part football (it s full contact), and human sized pinball combined all into one game. You wear a 3 foot inflated blow up ball and then attempt to play soccer while wearing this thing that you are strapped into. When you fall down from being bumped by a member of another team (or your own if you were on Nick Cox s team), you end up like a turtle on your back with your legs in the air. The collisions are big, and the fun is even bigger! We played regular 4 on 4 soccer for almost an hour and then played a game entitled Last One Standing where you try to knock people down in their bubble. Whoever is the last one left standing is the winner. All of the youth had a great time and said this was by far their favorite youth adventure we have been on. (And they want to know when we can go again!) Until our next adventure, Rev. Cassie Friday evening, April 29th, and Saturday, April 30th, will be the dates for the Oklahoma Regional Assembly for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This year, we, First Christian Church Tulsa, will be hosting the Regional Assembly. With a dinner and a worship service Friday evening, Saturday morning will be dedicated to actually doing mission work throughout the city of Tulsa. Service projects include the following: packing Snack Packs at FCC Tulsa, making packets for Church World Services, working at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, working in the community garden at Harvard Ave Christian Church, working at the Oxley Nature Center at Mohawk Park, and more to come. After a morning of rewarding mission work and a Taste of Tulsa lunch featuring Tulsa Food Trucks, we will hear from Mission First, the new outreach program of the general Disciples denomination, as well as have a "Missions and Carols" worship service Saturday afternoon, highlighting various mission work being done by churches throughout the state of Oklahoma. Registration information will be coming soon, as well as opportunities to serve as we host this important event. Page 12 Page 13

Page 14 10% Pledge/Undesignated Gift Income- Actual 54,867.42 NON-BUDGET FUNDS Unspent BALANCE 12-31-2015 Monthly Mission Fund (Tent, Empty Bowls) 2000 Helping Hand Fund Balance 733 Snack Pack Fund Balance 7,625 WWBB/S Outreach Funds Available 20,457 BUDGET FUNDS Food Ministry (Pantry) Fund 15,211 10% Pledge/Undes. Income 54,867.42 Day Center Homeless Meals 545 10% Estate Gifts 536.22 Budget Outreach Gift 75.00 TOTAL AVAILABLE 55,478.64 10% of Pledge & Undesignated Income through Dec 31 54,593.33 94% of expected Spent or Committed through Dec 31 55,478.64 10% New Life Gifts - Visitor & New Members 268.70 Balance to allocate 0.00 10% Extra Budget Gifts through Dec 31 5.39 2015 Budget Sources 10% of 2015 Est. Pledge Income 57,800 10% of Est. New Member Gifts 300 Budgeted Total 58,100 Estimate Only - Spent according to actual income 2015 OUTREACH TEAM GIFTS Spent or Allocated EXTRA EXTRA 1st Quarter 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. TOTAL YEAR Designated Estate Gifts Gifts Allocated 2015 2015 2015 2015 Jan.-Dec. 2015 Outreach Gifts FCC Child Development Center 6,250.00 6,250.00 6,250.00 6,250.00 25,000.00 Disciples Mission Fund 300.00 300.00 600.00 Disciples Mission Fund - Special Offerings 0.00 3,095.01 Christian Church in OK 300.00 300.00 600.00 NE Area Christian Church in OK 300.00 300.00 600.00 Week of Compassion 0.00 850.00 FCC Day Center Homeless Meals Fund 575.00 200.00 775.00 Transfers to FCC Designated Fund FCC Monthly Mission Projects &Tent for Mission Tulsa ($463.78 Budget, $536.22 Estate gift) 463.78 463.78 Transfers to FCC Designated Fund 536.22 FCC for Empty Bowls FCC Table 2016 1,000.00 1,000.00 Transfers to FCC Designated Fund FCC Snack Pack Ministry 2,687.50 2,687.50 2,687.50 2,687.50 10,750.00 Transfers to FCC Designated Fund FCC Helping Hands - Util., Rent, etc. 571.56 571.56 Transfers to FCC Designated Fund FCC Children and Youth Outreach-Meals, Supplies 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 6,000.00 Budget-to-Budget Outreach FCC Children's/Youth Ministry-Van Expenses 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 1,500.00 6,000.00 Budget-to-Budget Outreach FCC Kids' School Uniforms 249.11 249.11 Barber Chair for Homeless Haircuts 16.23 16.23 Blue Star Mothers 0.00 104.00 Emergency Infant Services 1,000.00 1,000.00 John 3:16 Mission 0.00 625.00 Meals on Wheels 0.00 948.00 Neighbor for Neighbor 0.00 600.00 Salvation Army 0.00 600.00 Lunch for Outreach Volunteers 144.18 144.18 Prayers and Squares $1200 budgeted 0.00 558.62 243.74 802.36 Thanksgiving Turkeys- Pantry clients Member Gift 0.00 Christmas Outreach - Xmas bags for Mission Tulsa & FCC kids 222.16 222.16 Food Pantry Birthday Celebration - June 21, and Bus. Cards 58.04 58.04 Sam's Dues for Outreach shoppers 90.00 90.00 TOTALS 12,837.50 14,528.68 11,937.50 15,638.74 54,942.42 6,822.01 536.22 As we are making a push to put more focus and attention on the outreach that we are doing as a church, here is a look at the allocation of funds from our Outreach for the last year. 2015 Outreach Ministry Gifts and Special Offerings Bill and Sandra Osteen have been to San Diego to see their grandson Grayson. He has just finished 13 weeks of basic in the Marines and was unanimously chosen Honor Man of his Battalion. Bill and Sandra were treated royally, with the best seats! They had a wonderful time and are very proud of Grayson. It surely was nice to see Norma and Hugh Henderson in church Sunday. We miss them when they can t be there. Donna and John Ackenhausen Matthew Alspaugh Amy Barnard Paul Campbell Peggie Clendenin Jim Dalby Jeff Daniel Mike Fawcett Edward Finley Cyrus Ford & family Roger Ford On The Wilder Side Larry Gibson Russell O. Grettum, Jr. Nita Griggs Alexia Hale Les & Marcia Hames Ebony Hawkins Dan Kimes Irene Lewitt Pat & Dennis Molloy Bill Northcutt Pat & Carl Oliver Vic Osteen Prayers and Cares When Shirley Plemons and I went to see the Million Dollar Quartet at the Broken Arrow PAC, we immediately thought of Rick McKee when we saw Jerry Lee Lewis. Remember how he always ended his concerts with Good Golly Miss Molly dedicated to his Dad? Well, sure enough, when we were walking out we ran into Susan McKee and Sandra Freeman, grinning from ear to ear! We told them to tell Rick we were thinking of him. A reporter asked a football coach the secret of his success in selecting young players. I have a system, the coach said. I take them into the woods and fire my gun, they all start running. The ones who run around the trees become guards, and the ones who run into trees become tackles. A visitor to a huge corporate office asked his guide, How many people work here? Probably about one in 10, the guide replied. Goodnight...gotta go watch Downton Abbey. - Ruthie Leon Patterson June Phillips Mark Pitcher Tammy Reather Sharon Redricks Veda Riggs Abbey Roberson s mom Jack Sanders Christie Richardson Schreppel Cindy Skinner-Steward s family Betty Smith Michael Smith Doris Sorensen Beverly Southard Ashley Stubblefield Opal Irene Tudor Rick Umbarger Vicki Vandivort Neva Varner Joy Welsh We extend our Christian sympathies to the family of Mary Sudberry, who passed from this life on Saturday, February 13, 2016. We extend our Christian sympathies to the family of Rossie Patterson, who passed from this life on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Continued prayers for Prayer Quilt Recipients Ashley, Beckie, Beverly s family, Brian s family, Chesney, Christie, Cindy, Cyrus, David s family, Debbie, Gordon s family, Gyniss, Howard, Irene, Jerry, Jennifer, Joan, Joseph (PJ), Judy, Judy, Karen, Rev. Katie, Kern s family, Larry and Molly, Les, Lilia, Marcia, Maddie, Margaret, Marilyn, Mark, Michael, Miranda, Otavia, Paul, Ray, Richard, Rick, Shaina, Stacee, Susan, Susie, Sybil, Terry, Tonya, and VickiSusie, Sybil, Terry, Tonya, and Vicki Page 15

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, 74119-2033. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMAS- TER: Send address changes to VISION, 913 S. Boulder Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119-2033. Sunday School Class News Serving Schedule Sunday, February 28 Elder Prayers: Bob Parks, offering; Dick Willhour, communion Communion Prepara on: Jim and Becky Gray Deacons Serving Communion: Rick Bowlin, Becky Gray, Jim Gray, Mary Lynn Howard, Barbara Iverson, Susan Prabhu, Andrea Rumley, Barbara Russell, Winnie Stanbery, Joey Bowlin, Kaleb Bowlin Greeter: Karen Williamson Flowers for Sunday: The Flowers are in memory of Jayne Hopson, whose birthday would have been on March 5th. Flower delivery: Helen and Bill Pummill Serving Schedule Sunday, March 6 Elder Prayers: Kate Northcu, offering; Lynn Ray, communion Communion Prepara on: Pa e Gay Si ler, Lockie and Ezri Rathbun, and Brooklin and Malorie Knight Deacons Serving Communion: Rick Bowlin, Becky Gray, Jim Gray, Mary Lynn Howard, Barbara Iverson, Susan Prabhu, Andrea Rumley, Barbara Russell, Winnie Stanbery, Joey Bowlin, Kaleb Bowlin Greeter: Joan Hauger Flowers for Sunday: The flowers are given by Sue Trimble in loving memory of her daughter, Jane, whose birthday would have been March 8th. Flower delivery: Helen and Bill Pummill Serving Schedule Sunday, March 13 Elder Prayers: Dick Willhour, offering; Jay Gibson, communion Communion Prepara on: Jim and Sandra Freeman Deacons Serving Communion: Samantha Cox, Jim Freeman, Sandra Freeman, Pa e Gay-Si ler, Brian Knight, Sandra Lewis, Tom Nulf, Betsi Phillips, Dorman Walton, Rudene Walton, Brooklin Knight, Malorie Knight, Ezri Rathbun, Lockie Rathbun Greeter: Jay Gibson Flowers for Sunday: The Flowers are given by Dorthy Wells in memory of her parents, Maurice and Marie Hadaway. Flower delivery: Bill Osteen Double Ring Class Next Sunday: Richard Lawson will teach. Last Sunday: Charles Hargrove and Joe Wilkinson played for us, then Charles gave a lesson on Why Did Jesus Come to Earth. Celebra ons: James Howard, Sue Ann Duckworth, Gay Wion, John Russell, and Joe Wilkinson had Birthdays. Class Concerns: June Phillips is in St. Francis. Dennis Molloy suffered a stroke and is in rehab in Sapulpa. Helen Pummill is s ll ill. 45 Present Next Gen Class (new young adult/post youth group class) Last Sunday: Talked about how to have good founda ons for life. Next Sunday: Working with the Wired Word. 6 Present Patrian Class 14 Present Sojourners Class Last Sunday: Discussion 4 Present Page 16