“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa
Harper’s
Meet Director of New Member Outreach, Emma Myatt - p. 8
We are better together
LESSONS FROM TUG OF WAR AT VBS
By Rev. Dan Hutchinson, Interim pastor
Iwonder if you can recall the last time you played tug of war? During VBS at game time, tug of war is a consistent favorite. The game begins with the kids divided in half, and on occasion, leaders or high helpers (youth volunteers) will join in. But perhaps what the kids love most is when they go up against the leaders. As the viewer, it looks like a modern-day David and Goliath. On one side, you have these tiny second or third graders, and on the other, the hulking adults with rippling muscles (OK, that might be an exaggeration, but you get the idea). And yet, more often than not, when the whistle is blown and everyone begins to pull, the kids not only hold their own… sometimes they actually win.
It is not because they are bigger or faster or stronger. There are simply more of them, and they are working together as a team.
Now this is, of course, an imperfect analogy, but it got me thinking about this time in our church’s life.
Last winter, when the session of First Church got together to spend time in prayer and conversation, one of the themes that arose was togetherness: that we are better together.
This should come as no surprise. To be in Christ, to be part of the church, is to be called into the family of God; into the body of Christ. The author of Hebrews puts it this way in chapter 10, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” The invitation of Jesus is the invitation into community. We are better together! We are better when we worship together, better when we study the Word together, better when we serve together, better when we share a meal together, better when we cry and laugh together, better when we share our lives with one another. This is what it means to be the church. We are not meant to walk through this life on our own.
I believe that God has a vision for First Church. There is a mission for this church as it steps into the future… and we can only do this together, as the body. So here is my encouragement: Invest. Plug in. Get connected. Be faithful in worship. Find a place to serve. Find someone who needs connection and be the presence of Christ to them. Because we are better when we are together.
One final word on tug of war. There are times when the kids are overmatched; times when the adults are too strong. What often happens in these moments is that another leader steps in and grabs the rope, helping the kids to do what they cannot do on their own.
We are better together, but the work, the mission, the tasks before us are not our own. We do not do them by our own strength. It is Christ who works in us, by the Holy Spirit, to accomplish His will. To Him be the Glory in the church!
Thank you, Doug Crain
LEAVING A LEGACY OF DEDICATED SERVICE
By Kathy Wilson, Ministry Assistant to Member Care
Even though the TV Ministry at First Church has been around for decades, it became much more important during the pandemic as a means for our homebound and traveling members to watch the worship service.
For a few weeks, it was the only way for anyone to watch worship at First Church. Paired with a communications department that skillfully utilizes social media, the broadcasts of worship services and other videos have provided First Church with a vibrant online presence. These broadcasts have become a powerful way to reach people, not only in the Tulsa area, but throughout the US and abroad.
Without the faithful service of Doug Crain, who has coordinated productions and directed the video crew for many years, much of this would have been almost impossible to achieve.
Spending considerable hours in the darkroom with his dad inspired Doug to pursue a career in photography. He studied and earned a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Tulsa.
Since Doug grew up in the small town of Ozark, Missouri, he initially found First Presbyterian Church to be large and overwhelming. Despite that, in January 1982, he and his wife, Jane, became members of the church. As time progressed, Doug became quite involved, serving as Chair of the Session’s Communications Committee right around the time Dr. Jim Miller became lead pastor.
First Church Tulsa’s TV Ministry has helped spread the Gospel to countless viewers over the years.
Doug later joined the TV Ministry and helped produce the Sunday service broadcasts, working alongside David Crowell, Richard Halliburton, Ed Apple, Gene Vickery, and Geordie Matson. Back then, the video broadcast was sent from the church using microwave signals across a network of towers to be received by COX and then transmitted to homes.
Doug played a key role in converting the broadcasts to high definition (HD), a complex and challenging process made possible by a financial gift from the now-deceased Ed Apple. Additionally, Doug oversaw the transition to streaming services online, allowing people to access our church services from virtually anywhere. Needless to say, First Church Tulsa’s TV Ministry has helped spread the Gospel to countless viewers over the years.
The Sunday 11 a.m. Sanctuary worship is broadcast live on COX channel 3 in Tulsa and OKC.
Doug voiced his respect for Dr. Miller’s intentional practice of using the TV Ministry to broadcast “church on TV” by making the Gospel, worship, and the congregants in the pews the most important priorities.
There are many practices that Doug has used to reflect those priorities, such as the methods of changing shots during prayers and hymns. Training future volunteers to maintain those standards is something that is very important to him.
Doug emphasizes his gratitude and appreciation for the volunteer crew that make each broadcast possible every week.
Without the camera operators, other directors, the graphic tech, and soundboard operator, these broadcasts couldn’t happen. The crew operates out of the TV control room, which is located on the 4th floor of the church and houses the director’s control board, the soundboard, and the graphics generator. The control room is now also serving as the office for our new TV/Video Manager, Alex Pennell. Since joining the staff in January, Alex has assumed the responsibility of producing the Sunday worship broadcast that can be seen on COX Cable Channel 3 and also online. Alex has also produced several promotional and informational videos that can be seen on First Church social media channels and on the church website.
Doug is stepping back from his many responsibilities with the TV Ministry, but will continue with his business, Flying Colors. He is looking forward to attending Sunday School and worship services with Jane as he passes the baton to Alex, who certainly has some big shoes to fill.
First Church has been blessed in so many ways by Doug’s faithful service, as have the many people who have connected with the church through the COX TV broadcasts and online live streaming. It will be a joy to see how Doug employs his many gifts to serve the church outside of the director’s booth.
We are always happy to receive and train new volunteers for this important ministry. If you are interested in more information about joining the TV ministry team, please contact the church.
Meet Alex Pennell
First Church Tulsa’s TV/Video manager
The vision of having a full-time videographer on staff at First Church Tulsa became a reality when Alex Pennell joined our staff in January 2024. His primary responsibility is to produce and transmit the weekly worship broadcast for COX Cable, YouTube, and our social media channels. During the week, Alex shoots videos for events, special services and interviews used in promotions and feature segments online.
Alex Pennell has been a video editor since 2012. He previously worked at Faith Church in St. Louis, where he edited their TV show, broadcasted nationally on the Victory Channel and internationally in Sweden, Finland, and Southern Africa. Alex aspires to be a director and bring a Christian perspective to genre films. In his free time, Alex enjoys board games, cooking and reading.
With First Church using video to share our sights, sounds, voices, and personalities, we will seize new opportunities. As the most popular online media, video allows us to send our messages with unprecedented creativity and flexibility. We are eager to use video to expand our ministries and reach new people, and we are excited about its impact on the world for Christ and the common good.
Additionally, our worship services are streamed live on Facebook and our YouTube channel.
Jane and Doug Crain
First Church TV Ministry team members, L to R: Henry Savage, Tiffany Pickerel, Caleb Waldie, Jeff Waldie and TV/Video Manager Alex Pennell.
What would the Apostle Paul say to First Church?
A MISSION STUDY REFLECTION
By John Harper, Mission Study Team Co-Chair
On more than one occasion, sitting in the pew or in my easy chair at home, my soul has been stimulated by the thought of the Apostle Paul joining our Mission Study Team. I find myself wondering what he would be adding to our conversations and deliberations. What might his “Letter to the Church on Boston” be?
The briefing I would give him would be very favorable, reflecting the strong momentum of First Presbyterian Church, but also remembering that our rich history, notable assets, strengths and stability cannot drift into spiritual lethargy, communal self-satisfaction, or arrogant hubris. I think Paul would assertively remind us of our challenges to be faithfully orthodox and devoted to Christ’s teachings today, of all times. He would, I think, admonish us to not be worldly conformists, but humble, by reason of being saved by grace in Christ alone. And that because of that confidant hope, we should carry on to “conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).
I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of this providential season in our church.
It is a season that I trust God will soon yield to another momentous era in the life of First Church—a new dispensation of Gospel purpose where we can seek to be obedient as those who were before us, being divinely led by the Holy Spirit, who makes us inwardly strong and outwardly focused for His greater glory.
Along with the pleasure of working alongside the other members of the Mission Study Team, each with their particular gifts and personalities, has been for me the unexpected surprise and blessing of grasping more clearly and practically the various ways our church practices our mission statement:
FIRST CHURCH TULSA MISSION STATEMENT
“Called to make fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ, Inwardly strong and outwardly focused.”
In small-group discussions and personal interactions with the leadership and congregants, I have been impressed by how often and persistently the Holy Spirit is continuing to guide us to fulfill the Great Commission in our city and, more broadly, to the other communities we seek fellowship with across the globe.
When we hear the passion and concerns of those devoting themselves to the leading voice of Christ—whether they are engaging in Member
“I
will always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of this providential season in our church.”
– John Harper Mission Study Team Co-Chair
Care, leading in teaching and mentoring our Discipleship programs in the Powerhouse, or leveraging the facilities of the Masterwork Academy or Camp Loughridge—my soul is being blessed to know we are a church that is discerning needs and acting to meet them through the devoted service of our parishioners. Even in this time of reflection, as we focus on perceiving our future direction as the First Church family, the Holy Spirit has been ministering to us. Day by day. For me, each sermon has been pertinent to the moment during this pastoral transition process. This is God’s providence for us and a testimony of His enduring purpose for us as a fellowship of Christ followers in this time of church history.
FIRST CHURCH TULSA MISSION STUDY PROCESS
Where we’ve been and where we’re going
Pastor Transition and Mission Study milestones Pastor transition roadmap
September 2023
The Transition Team was formed including Allison Biggs, Brett Crane, Jim Diacon, Stephanie Madsen, Urbanus Masaku and Gary Mathews. This team communicated with the church throughout Dr. Miller’s retirement process, addressed concerns and assisted in finding an interim senior pastor. They concluded their work with the appointment of Rev. Dan Hutchinson.
January 2024
The Mission Study Team, including Mark Brown, B.J. Dollahon, John Harper, Gary Johnson, Grace Masaku, Anne McCoy, Nicole Pugh, and Porter Shults, presented the plan for gathering information and creating the Mission Study as a part of the pastor transition process.
January - May 2024
Rev. Julia Metcalf produced and released 13 “The Transition Podcast” episodes featuring interviews discussing various aspects of the Mission Study and the pastor transition process.
March 2024
The Mission Study Team presented the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT), the online church-wide survey. The 476 survey responses received provided a wealth of data for the Mission Study Team.
April - May 2024
Holy Cow! Consulting processed the survey data and created a presentation of the findings to share with the congregation. The survey results were presented to the ministers, leadership, staff and congregation by Holy Cow! Consultant Elizabeth Hamilton.
June 2024
Focus group discussions called Congregational Conversations were held each week in June to further address topics from the all-church survey.
Wewant toknow yourstory. You’reinvitedtocomplete theCongregationalAssessment ToolstartingMarch4.
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 the church. Congregants are invited to provide further input around topics and themes that arose during the assessment. These will occur during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday School hour every Sunday in June. This is a time to understand the strengths of the congregation’s culture and what may be missing.
July and August 2024 - Mission study concludes and 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.
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.
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.
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.
Candidate interviews begin
The Pastor Nominating Committee begins interviewing senior pastor candidates while continuing to receive applications.
Applications close
The Pastor Nominating Committee closes applications for the position of senior pastor.
Pastor Nominating Committee selects a candidate
The Pastor Nominating Committee selects a senior pastor candidate subject to the Presbytery’s approval.
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.
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.
Hospitality at First Church begins with all of us
A CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION
By Emma Myatt, Director of New Member Outreach
Joining the staff of the largest Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma during a major pastoral transition has been inspiring, educational and exciting. In the two months since I became the director of new member outreach, I’ve seen and felt the Lord’s hand constantly at work in our church community.
Who I am and how I got to First Church
As a child, I remember often falling asleep in the sanctuary at Christmas Eve midnight Mass with my grandmother Ann. I was intimidated by the church building but in awe of the souls inside. It wasn’t until college that I was truly able to “taste and see” that the Lord had been at work throughout my life. I came to realize that He was true, beautiful and good.
Music has always captivated me. I began as a faithful chorister, and later participated heavily in jazz choir, all-state choirs, attending camps, conventions, taking private voice lessons and more. I studied, ate, slept and breathed music. Inspired by many clinicians, I decided to become
a music teacher and pursued a Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Tulsa. One day at TU, I met the legendary Ron Pearson. He invited me to be a scholarship singer in the Chancel Choir at First Church–and the rest is history.
An unexpected surprise
My experience as a student singing in the choir at First Church could be described like this: Imagine you’re on a road trip, driving up a big hill. Once you reach the top, BOOM! The sunrise is wide open before your eyes. All of God’s creation—beautifully lit landscapes, hills and valleys—is revealed. This is what it felt like to arrive at First Church; my heart truly burst open.
I remember being exhausted from my college classes and activities, plopping into the choir loft and letting Ryan Moore’s sermons wash over me, bringing me to tears. When Patricia Hall inspired me to become a member at First Church, I was so excited and felt “so adult.”
In 2017, I graduated from the University of Tulsa with my Bachelor of Music Education and as president of my sorority. My time at TU was coming to an end, but I couldn’t let go of my seat in the First Church Chancel Choir.
My first job was being a vocal music director at a Broken Arrow middle school where I taught choir for two years. During that time I met my future husband, Dalton. Not until after teaching did I realize the Lord led me to teach
at Broken Arrow so we could meet each other.
I soon became the associate director of choral activities at Broken Arrow High School, directing and assisting the choral program for four years while continuing to sing in the Chancel Choir.
Seasons change
After six years of teaching, I decided to step away from my career due to significant stress and a need for spiritual renewal. I switched gears completely and was a private event coordinator for one year. Since I had put all of my efforts into music my entire life, after leaving teaching I felt like an empty shell. Without my career in music, I went through a bit of a crisis trying to figure out my purpose.
Through all of my work assignments, it became clear that I was investing my gifts, skills, energy, heart, blood, sweat and tears into things that dragged me away from the Lord. I always knew the Lord was with me, but I wasn’t giving him what He deserves: my attention and time! “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
I rearranged my schedule and started having prayerful morning time. I engaged in a small group and Sunday school and became intentional about inviting my friends and coworkers to church.
Emma and Dalton Myatt
Chancel Choir spring 2023 concert
I was subconsciously trying to braid together my faith, work, and relationships. After all, Gandhi said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Answering the call
One Sunday in March 2024, I was sitting in the choir loft, peering up at eight of my friends and coworkers in the sanctuary balcony, probably saying, “Brunch?” in ASL. Suddenly, Rev. Dan Hutchinson made a quick announcement before the benediction that Patricia Hall was retiring from First Church. I immediately felt a chill down my spine, a routine feeling since I first truly welcomed the Holy Spirit. That day after church, I went home, opened my Bible, and it flipped open to Hebrews 3:7-9 which reads, “If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts.” I applied for the job immediately! Within two weeks, I had met with Duff Points, Executive Director of Adult Discipleship, Rev. Dan Hutchinson and the Personnel Committee, and I got the job. What a call and what a joy! I haven’t looked back.
A CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION
• Pass the peace. Loving Christ is as simple as it sounds. Love Christ. Love his people. Invite them in, no matter where they are in their journey.
• Learn how to be an apprentice to the Lord. Bring others to taste and see that the Lord is good.
• If the church is going to have hospitality and warmth, it starts with the culture of the congregation.
Tips for welcoming friends in the pews
Sit in a different pew and try a new style of service.
I love sitting in the balcony and the choir loft, so I know it can be terrifying to change normal routines. But, if we all sit in the same seat every week and engage in conversations with only our closest friends, we may be missing an opportunity to be fishers of men. (Mark 1:17) You can always return to your safety pew. Sometimes a different view of the pulpit can broaden your horizons and help you build new relationships within the church.
Seek the lost sheep, no matter the season.
As a good shepherd always keeps a mindful and close watch on his sheep, so should we with friends new and old. Look for those who are new and seem lost. Guide them, as you were once guided. Sometimes, we are responsible for seeking God’s lost sheep. But often, venturing into new pastures and allowing God to teach us through others makes us realize that we are the lost sheep. The Lord said, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance” (Luke 14:4-7).
Become like a child.
Do you remember being in the fifth grade and hearing your teacher say, “If you see someone sitting alone at lunch, invite them to sit with you. Or, if someone is walking alone on the playground, strike up a conversation.” We easily forget that we are still children—God’s children. God calls us to see, hear, and love as a child of the kingdom. If you think you’ve met someone before but have forgotten their name, it’s completely appropriate to say, “I think we’ve met, but I’ve forgotten your name.” They’ve probably forgotten yours, too. We are all human. That’s why we’re at church, after all.
Abide in the vine.
If you’re a gardener like me, you know that a plant or tree that isn’t twisting, moving, and growing wild is close to its end! God does not call us to sit still like the dirt or the mulch. He calls us to abundance, as the branches on His tree of life. He says to each of us, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” I always see branches reaching out to others and bearing new fruit.
The newest First Church members from the June 2024 Inquirers Class.
Biblical literacy: methods and transformation
CULTIVATING INTIMACY AND A LOVE OF GOD THROUGH THE BIBLE
By Nick McMillan, Communion Committee Co-Chair
To describe Biblical literacy, Rev. James Estes states, “Literacy is the word we use when we imagine the Bible as a thing, but the goal of becoming Biblically literate is to know, love, serve, and obey the God of the Bible.” James points out that the Bible is “unlike any other book,” and it “deserves a special approach.” The Bible is how we come to know God in relationship, and therefore, “literacy isn't quite the right word…Would a husband or wife say they are ‘literate’ in their knowledge of one another?
“The word we need is something relational; maybe intimacy, or understanding, or maybe even love.”
“The
goal of becoming Biblically literate is to know, love, serve, and obey the God of the Bible.”
– Rev. James Estes
As a witness to God, the Bible offers knowledge of God. But understanding the Bible is as much about love as it is about literacy. This approach pertains to transformation and regeneration in Christ as well as knowledge and familiarity with the Biblical story. This practice of Biblical literacy and love has shaped the lives of First Presbyterian Church members Denise Rounds and Phil Cromer.
Denise Rounds leads a Precepts Bible Study at First Church, and in addition to a love of reading scripture, she has a love of learning in a variety of challenging fields. When her son was learning computer keyboarding, she decided to learn it as well. As she strengthened her appreciation of tea, she used her new computer skills to create one of the first group blogs on the internet that is devoted to the subject. Denise’s tea blog offered people around the globe a place to learn about tea, its varieties, and where to find them.
By supporting her son’s education and expanding her own knowledge of tea, she aimed to learn with others and share this passion with them. Similarly, Rev. James says to “start with love” in order to understand the Bible. Beyond her approach to keyboarding and tea appreciation, Denise has developed her Biblical literacy by sharing effective methods and “seeking to understand God’s heart.”
Denise has read the Bible through 37 times in 35 years by reading 15 to 20 minutes a day. While reading the Bible continuously, she also studies one book in particular. “I always see new things,” she said, “and there is always more to learn. You can never fathom the depths.”
By reading scripture, Denise is inspired to ask more about people, what has happened to them, and how to care for them. She said, “Reading scripture encourages you to speak into the faith of other people if it is possible to have any influence.”
teaches marking passages to “visually see the main idea,” which, with repetition, helps her memorize passages effortlessly.
Denise, an Elder and a Discipleship Committee member, believes in the importance of “bringing people, including children, together for faceto-face conversations grounded in the Word to discuss the Word.” For her, Biblical literacy grows through these interactions and “gives us a heart for people.” Rev. James adds that this approach helps us “listen more attentively to understand and serve and labor with that beloved one.”
Denise uses various study aids, including a Bible concordance, dictionary, commentaries, the Logos Bible study platform, and the Precept Bible study method. In her Precept study, Denise
“Reading scripture softens the heart toward God, toward the world, and changes how you look at people.”
– Denise Rounds
Denise believes Biblical literacy is developed in conversation with others and by applying what we learn about God in relationship with others: “You don’t learn what you’re told, you learn what you do.”
The Precepts class led by Denise Rounds.
Phil Cromer’s first time hearing the phrase “Biblical literacy” was in one of Dr. Jim Miller’s Wednesday night pre-retirement talks, in which he raised the issue as one of both concern and promise for the future of the Church.
Describing First Church service Phil said, “This church is a Bible-based, Bible-teaching church.” And since he began attending, he has begun “really to learn the Bible, its complexity, literary quality, and truths.” Previously, Phil appreciated many aspects of churches he attended, “yet little was really focused on scripture, teaching or application, or relating experiences through storytelling back to scripture.” And as a result, he “didn’t hear the Word meaningfully.”
Phil appreciates how the worship at First Church is well-coordinated and thoughtful: “The music supports the message. The sermon is supported by scripture. Prayers support the message.”
Sunday schools at First Church are also Biblecentered, Bible-teaching, and offer great fellowship. While fellowship is an important part of developing Biblical literacy, Rev. James points out, “In the final analysis, intimate knowledge is direct and unmediated. [Another] cannot do the work of love for someone else. Loving the God of the Bible…has to be done, eventually, for yourself.”
Prior to attending First Church, Phil tried knowing the God of the Bible, reading apologetic commentaries to see the evidence in the gospel for the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. He had started believing, “in his head at least.” However, it was his focus on developing Biblical literacy that extended his faith from head to heart.
The Message translation first, then rereads it. “The initial goal is to understand what is being said,” Phil explains. Next, he reads the NIV for a traditional version, followed by all the footnotes in a study version, and then compares the versions. Phil plans to read through the entire Bible this way. His method resembles the practice of “lectio continua,” endorsed by John Calvin and described by Rev. James as “reading through a text line by line, verse by verse in a spirit of humility.”
“We can read Bible text and ask: What did this text mean to the first people who read it? What is the author trying to communicate? How do I feel God is speaking to me through this text today?”
Phil elaborates, “Jesus was a radical, and he taught in parables, in what people could understand. He was very tactile in his parables. He taught to a people that relied on agriculture.” Jesus taught this way so that the Word could enter people’s hearts and so they could live by it.
“For me, the question of believing through evidence has turned into believing through faith.”
– Phil Cromer
Practical tips to let Scripture transform
you
Engage in Bible-centered worship and Sunday school classes: Attend services where the music, sermon, and prayers are all supported by scripture.
Develop direct, personal knowledge: Cultivate an intimate, direct relationship with the God of the Bible through personal study and prayer, as no one else can do this work for you.
Read apologetic commentaries: Use apologetic commentaries to understand the evidence in the gospel, particularly regarding the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.
Adopt a structured reading plan: Follow a structured approach to reading the Bible. For example, start with a translation like The Message, then read a traditional version like the NIV, followed by studying footnotes and comparing versions.
Phil affirms that Biblical literacy goes beyond reading the Bible and familiarity with its stories. He attempted completing a program to read it in a year that included disjointed pairings of Old and New testament readings and that lacked the book of Nahum. He felt like he failed although he had read the Bible through: “I needed the threads connecting the Old Testament God with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.” This led to his unique approach to reading the Bible. He starts with Genesis, reading Eugene Peterson’s
Understanding scripture, Rev. Estes states, “means knowing the Bible in such a way that the author becomes known to the reader. We do not often get to read a book with the author right there with us at the time we are reading it. But, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that is just what can happen when we read the Bible.”
The scriptures’ transformative power is centering love in our lives, and we come to this understanding through Christ: “I suggest that everyone start with Jesus. If you have never picked up a Bible before, start with Jesus. All of the Hebrew scriptures anticipate Him, and all of the Greek scriptures tell us how Jesus has changed everything. So start with Jesus. He is the light by which we can begin to see anything else.”
Practice 'Lectio Continua': Read through the Bible text line by line, verse by verse, in a spirit of humility, to understand the original context, the author's message, and personal spiritual insights.
Start with Jesus: Begin your Bible reading journey with the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus, as he is the central figure anticipated in the Hebrew scriptures and the focal point of the Greek scriptures.
Understand Scripture’s transformative power: Recognize that reading the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit can transform your understanding and center love in your life.
Become familiar with Jesus’ teaching methods: Reflect on how Jesus used parables and tactile examples relevant to his audience to make his teachings understandable and relatable, and apply this approach to your study.
Move from evidence-based to faith-based belief: Transition from believing in the Bible solely through evidence to believing through faith, allowing scripture to enter your heart and guide your life.
Jesus loves
the little children
‘GRANDPA JOE’ DILLSAVER FULFILLS HIS PROMISE TO THE CHURCH, AND THE KINGDOM
By Elizabeth DeVore, Congregational Life Chair
Do you promise to support and assist, to nurture them while they come to know, love, and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? ... “With God’s help we will.” This is the response from the congregation each time a child is brought to the baptismal font. These promises extend to congregants of all ages as we lean into what it truly means to be a family together in God’s kingdom.
Faithful Children’s Ministry volunteer Joe Dillsaver has taken the baptismal promise to heart. He and his wife, Jackie, joined First Church in 1985 and began serving with first- and second-grade students. After being involved in other ministries they returned several years ago to work with the children.
“One Sunday in the two-year-old class,” Joe said, “a particularly ‘blessed’ youngster commanded our attention. As he left with his dad, he stopped at the door, turned, looked at me and said, 'Bye, Grandpa.’ My heart melted on the spot. Thus, I evolved into my name, Grandpa Joe.”
Joe has countless stories of how he has also been blessed as he blesses the Children's Ministry with his presence. Here are a few of his memories:
JOE DILLSAVER “GRANDPA JOE”
A sleep whisperer
“Many older siblings and parents also call me Grandpa Joe. One Sunday morning, a nine-year-old big sister came up to me and said, ‘How do you get my baby brother to go to sleep?’ That took me by surprise! I popped a few pride buttons off my shirt that day.”
From fussing to smiling
“A mother brought her young daughter to class, handed her to me and said, ‘Go to Grandpa Joe.’ On first day of VBS, the same mother brought her fussy three-year-old daughter to me. I received her in my arms and she immediately stopped fussing. To this day, when she sees me I get a smile.”
Sam's sweet act of love
“One of my favorite memories was from VBS. I skinned a place on my leg and it oozed blood. Sam Barnhart saw it. The next day he proudly placed an animal band-aid (I think either a llama or unicorn) on the ‘owie.’ What a great example of God’s love to Grandpa Joe.”
In Matthew, Jesus made clear the importance of children. The disciples rebuked those who brought children to Christ for him to lay hands on them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
First Church Children’s Ministry serves around 75 children infant-PreK and 45 elementary students each Sunday morning with the help of roughly 35 volunteers. In addition, there is AWANA programming on Wednesday nights and more than 100 children at Vacation Bible School each summer, all of which rely on the support of volunteers.
“At one time within the last year, we had 16 mothers waiting to add to our blessings,” Joe said. "Additional help is still desperately needed in the Children’s Ministry. There is a place for you whether for an hour, once in a while, or regularly. Come find your place with us!”
How to get involved
If you have been thinking about helping in the children’s area now or in the future, contact Sarah Savage, Director of Children’s Ministries at 918-584-4701 or email her at ssavage@ firstchurchtulsa.org . Your call will change the life of a child and add pure joy to yours!
Ministry behind the scenes
CHURC H MI C E & DIVINE A PPOINTMENT
By Emma Myatt, Director of New Member Outreach
One of the most quiet and unrecognized ministries at First Church works behind the scenes. “Church Mice” is a group of thoughtful and prayerful disciples who meet weekly to re-stock the Sanctuary and Chapel with Bibles, hymnals, welcome guest cards, prayer request cards, stewardship envelopes and pew pencils. Monica Smith quotes, “This is the Lord’s house! We've got to keep it clean for Him.”
While the Church Mice do work tirelessly with beautiful detail to tidy and beautify our worship spaces, their ministry reaches much further than the confines of the sanctuary walls.
For example, just weeks ago, Monica was cleaning in a corner of the sanctuary and decided to lift the hymnals out of their spaces, for a little bit of a deeper clean. When she did, a welcome guest card fell out of a hymnal, tucked away and labeled from Christmas Eve of 2023. She immediately listened to the voice of God as he prompted her to call and connect with this visitor. Smith felt strongly that the Lord had preserved the card, “for such a time as this.” There is a moving end to this story, and we encourage you to ask Monica about her special Divine Appointment with this dear guest of the church, whose card she found.
Keeping track of First Church’s welcome guest cards, prayer request cards, and friendship pad pages that hold the church's attendance and names of new members and guests is truly a divine ministry. Thank you to the Church Mice of First Church!
Our dedicated “Church Mice” from left pew to right pew, front to back: Brenda Johnson, Ellen Fuller, Janice Garbart, Al Garbart, Cindi Wright, MaryAnn Blackburn, Don Johnson, Minnie Casteel, Barbara Sanders, Monica Smith, Denise Cottrill, Gene Vickery.
The Church Mice re-stock the Sanctuary and Chapel with Bibles, hymnals, welcome guest cards, prayer request cards, stewardship envelopes and pew pencils.
Parish Register
Welcome new members February 2024
The sacrament of baptism
Norah Crane, daughter of Lauren and Chris Crane, was baptized on March 10.
Amy Kanyeki, daughter of Juddy Kanyeki and Allen Waita, was baptized on April 7.
Abeni Murage, daughter of Ann Murage and Nelson Kiragu, was baptized on April 7.
Jonathan Nsereko, son of Deborah and Eddie Nsereko, was baptized on April 7.
Alexander Doverspike, son of Jen and Adam Doverspike, was baptized on May 12
Asa Smith, son of Sarah and Alex Smith, was baptized on May 12.
The celebration of Christian marriage:
Madeline Philips married Kyle Cheves on March 16. Porter Shults married June Owings on April 22. Mesa Sharp and Jake Poplin were married on May 18. Haley Boone married Ty Milligan on June 1.
The joy of new life! We welcome:
Alexander Langholz Seibert, son of Dylan and Lauren Seibert, was born on April 4.
With gratitude for the resurrection
Robert Swofford, a member since 2018, died on March 28. Col. Shirley Schelper, a member since 2001, died on April 19. Carmelitti LeFlore, a member since 1995, died on May 21.
Looking to learn more about First Presbyterian?
Inquirers Class
Join us for our next Inquirers Class. For more information, contact our director of new member outreach Emma Myatt, at 918-301-1028 or emyatt@firstchurchtulsa.org.
Elizabeth Carroll Christopher Crane Lauren Crane Janet Drummond John Donnelly Sonya Donnelly
Jim Sengel
David Vaughan Rachael Vaughan Kathy Sengel
Mona White Ethan Willard
Ben Harmon
Jake Poplin
Bryan Harrington Kristin Harrington Brent Isaacs
Mesa Poplin
Tidings: The Holy Spirit at work in and through the members of the First Presbyterian Church
Tidings is a quarterly publication of First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, 709 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119. Read past issues of Tidings on our website at FirstChurchTulsa.org/Tidings. Please direct questions or comments to communications@ FirstChurchTulsa.org or call 918-584-4701.
Editorial Team: Mark Brown, Duff Points, Lynn Fesperman, Kathy Wilson and Paul Marsh
Contributors: Elizabeth DeVore, Emma Myatt, Jeffrey Metcalf, Patricia Hall, John McCormack, John Harper, Nick McMillan, Rev. Dan Hutchinson and Kathy Wilson.
Thank you to the members of the Communications Committee for reviewing and selecting editorial for inclusion.
Pastoral care
For pastoral needs, prayer requests, important family news or a change in contact information, please call 918-584-4701 or email Kathy Wilson at kwilson@firstchurchtulsa.org To directly request prayer by the Guild of Intercessors, call Paula Peterson at 918-296-5548 or text 918-688-2163.
First Church Tulsa online resources
Find all links at: Linktr.ee/ FirstChurchTulsa
Subscribe to the First Church Tulsa YouTube channel
Did you know that First Church Tulsa’s YouTube channel offers an extensive collection of our original videos for you to access? Our channel has over 200 videos including:
• Sanctuary worship services and Stephenson Hall sermons
• Ron Pearson organ concerts
• Video episodes of “The Transition Podcast”
• Classes and special speakers
• Year in Pictures videos
Visit FirstChurchTulsa.org/YouTube or scan the code here to visit our YouTube channel and subscribe to receive notifications of the latest updates when new content is published.
The Transition Podcast with Rev. Julia Metcalf Listen online or watch the latest episodes on YouTube
Check out all 13 episodes of Rev. Julia Metcalf’s podcast exploring the pastoral transition. Find links to all the episodes at FirstChurchTulsa.org/TransitionPodcast
Episode 1: Introduction with Rev. Julia Metcalf
Episode 2: The three steps of the pastor transition process
Episode 3: Tim Blodgett, General Presbyter of the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery
Episode 4: Stephanie Madsen, Transition Team member
Episode 5: Rev. Dan Hutchinson, Interim Pastor
Episode 6: Jacob Thompson, Elder and member of the Strategic Planning Committee
Episode 7: Mission Study Team members John Harper and Anne McCoy
Episode 8: Mission Study Team members Mark Brown and Grace Masaku
Episode 9: Elizabeth Hamilton from HolyCow! Consulting
Episode 10: The Donohue Family
Episode 11: Duff Points, Executive Director of Adult Ministries
Episode 12: Mission Study Update with John Harper and Anne McCoy
Episode 13: Mission Study all-church survey results presentation, May 19, 2024
First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa FirstChurchTulsa.org
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@FirstChurchTulsa
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Join us for Sunday worship.
8:00 a.m. Kerr Chapel, traditional worship
8:30 a.m. Stephenson Hall, contemporary worship
11:00 a.m. Sanctuary, traditional worship
11:00 a.m. Stephenson Hall, contemporary worship
11:00 a.m. Great Hall, Tulsa International Fellowship (TIF) worship