Worship, Sunday school and new events

Worship, Sunday school and new events

Worship and events updated August 14, 2020

Worship with us:
5:30 p.m. – Prayer Service – Thursdays in July and August, Sanctuary
8:30 a.m. – Contemporary Worship – Sundays, Stephenson Hall 
11:00 a.m. – Traditional Worship – Sundays, Sanctuary
11:00 a.m. – Tulsa International Fellowship Worship – Sundays, Great Hall
5:00 p.m. – Summer Vespers through Sunday, August 9 at Camp Loughridge 

Sheltering at home? Watch services online or on TV:

Livestream.com/FirstChurchTulsa, 11 a.m.
Facebook.com/FirstChurchTulsa , 11 a.m.
Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.



Reopening update – Sunday school opens August 23, 2020

As of August 23, 9:30 a.m.,  Children's, Pathfinders and Exodus Sunday programming returns to the Church for fellowship and study. Welcome back!

Children - All children coming for Sunday morning programming at 9:30 a.m. (infant to fourth grade) or 11 a.m. worship hour (infant to pre-kindergarten) must RSVP here. We will have nametags ready for no-touch check-ins and temperatures will be taken at the door. Parents are asked to wear masks while moving through the halls. No snacks will be served. Children who are in kindergarten and older are invited to attend worship with their families in one of the two 11 a.m. services.

Pathfinders and Exodus – All students fifth through eighth grade (Pathfinders), and students ninth through grade 12 (Exodus) will begin Sunday School August 23 in the Powerhouse which opens at 9:20 a.m. Each student is encouraged to prescreen his or her temperature at home, and each will be rescreened at Church. Masks are required inside the Powerhouse and we will provide masks to the students who don’t have one.

Adults– Some of the adult Sunday school classes are already meeting. For more information, contact Hannah Elliott at the Church.


Vacation Bible School - In-person VBS canceled, July 2020

The last week has been filled with a lot of prayer and conversation as we have watched the rapid increase in COVID-19 case numbers, hospitalizations and the new mask mandate; and heard continuing words of caution from our medical community. In light of the current situation, and out of an abundance of caution, we have made the difficult and sad decision to cancel our in-person Vacation Bible School. This choice has not been made lightly, and I know that it comes as a great disappointment to everyone involved. At this point, however, we believe that it is the wisest course of action.

Summer Swim and Vespers will continue throughout the summer

The Children’s team has chosen a curriculum that can be done by families with an online component. This will be the plan moving forward, and they will pass along more information soon. Thank you all so much for your understanding in the midst of these decisions.

In the meantime, may the Sovereign Lord bless each of you, and may He hold you fast as we move forward together.


Tulsa's mask ordinance and First Church worship

Friends, with Tulsa's new mask ordinance in place, we are designated as a “public setting." We ask those coming to the Church to wear masks as they enter, exit and move through the building where social distancing is difficult. We have masks available if you don't have one. Attendees may remove their masks, if they desire, once situated in their seats spaced six feet apart from others. Our ministers, worship leaders and singers will also follow the same guidelines in services and maintain social distancing when they remove their masks to talk or sing. Those who are exempt from wearing masks include children under 18 years of age and anyone congregating outside while maintaining required social distancing. We look forward to seeing you at worship in person or online. Many blessings.

Reopening update – Phase 3 Adult Sunday school

Some adult Sunday School classes begin on July 12, 2020 with CDC protocols in place. Children's, Pathfinders and Exodus Sunday School classes will begin at a later date. Vacation Bible School and Masterwork Academy’s summer programming are scheduled for later in July. Small groups, Bible studies, meetings, weddings and funerals were approved starting June 15. For more information, call the Church or find details in upcoming announcements.

Reopening update - Phase 2 Events and small groups

As of June 15, 2020, the Session approved the next phase of reopening that includes the Church being open for:

  • Weddings and Receptions for FPC members (subject to capacity determined by current social distancing protocols).
  • Funerals (subject to capacity determined by current social distancing protocols).
  • Baptisms (with parents to decide if the Pastor can hold the child, or if the parents will hold them).
  • Facilities open to reservations for small groups, Bible study and committee meetings (subject to current social distancing capacity of the meeting room). To meet with a pastor or staff member at the church, please call ahead to make an appointment and check in with the front desk when you arrive.

Reopening update - Phase 1 Worship-only

Since Sunday, May 31, 2020, the Church has been open for worship-only on Sundays.

We appreciate how beautifully this congregation has sought to stay connected, worshiping together online, praying with and for each other, and serving the community at large during this extraordinary time of “sheltering-at-home.”

And, we’re grateful to the FPC Session and a task force led by Cynthia Stewart for their continuing work in assessing and scheduling the phased reopening. 

How can you help prepare for entering the Church for worship, meetings or events?

Consider your health and well-being. If you are immune-compromised, have underlying conditions, or are hesitant in returning to worship for any reason, you’re encouraged to stay where you are and share in our online and televised services from your residence. We love you and want you to choose the best option for yourself.

Church facilities:

Our facilities have been completely cleaned and sanitized in preparation for opening the Church. A protective spray has been applied to keep the area sanitized for six months and our weekly cleaning practices have been updated to comply with CDC guidelines. Additionally, maintenance team members regularly disinfect bathrooms, elevators, handrails, doors and other high traffic areas.

When you come to the Church, you will see:

  • Signage placed around the campus to remind congregants about social distancing
  • Less furniture in the Atrium and outside the Great Hall
  • No food or beverage service
  • Sanitization stations for hand cleaning throughout the facilities
  • Protective face masks available
  • Occupancy limited to two (2) for bathrooms and three (3) for elevators

Congregant guidelines:

Everyone who comes into the facility plays a part in looking out for the well-being of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Please monitor your own health and choose your avenue of worship accordingly – on site, online or televised services.

For those choosing to worship on-site at the Church, please:

  • Temperature – Take your temperature before coming to Church and if it is above 100.3 degrees, please self-quarantine. Temperatures will not be taken at the Church.
  • Social distancing - Individuals and families are asked to maintain social distancing of six feet (6 ft.) or more from other people including sitting in the worship space, entering and exiting the facility and occupying small spaces including elevators and bathrooms.
  • Sanitizing hands - Each person is asked to sanitize their hands at the stations before and after touching surfaces inside the Church.
  • Masks and no-touch policy - Congregants are encouraged to wear face coverings or masks, and we have masks available for you at the Church. It will be so nice to see friends that you haven’t seen in two months. However, please refrain from shaking hands or hugging them (at least for now) and adhere to a no-touch policy.
  • Children - Parents are asked to keep children close to them at all times and observe the six-foot (6 ft.) distancing rule from others.

If you or a family member tests positive for COVID-19, please alert the Church so that we may hold you in prayer and conduct necessary contact tracing.

Worship space guidelines:

  • Spacing - Members of households will sit together and leave six to eight feet (6-8 feet) of distance between others. If space does not allow for safe distancing, please consult an usher. 
          - In the sanctuary, every other pew will be available for seating
          - In Stephenson Hall and the Great Hall, please leave six to eight feet (6-8 feet)           
            between you/your family and the next congregant
    • Bulletins – A printed bulletin will be available at traditional worship in the Sanctuary.
            - Contemporary and TIF worship will utilize screens to display the order of worship. 
            - Announcements will be made and are also available in E-News and the website.
    • Offerings – Plates will be stationed by the doors for congregants to share their tithes upon exiting the worship space. Online giving is available on our website.
    • Worship areas – please dispose of food and drink prior to entering worship areas.

    Online and television worship services:

    11 a.m. Traditional Sunday Worship
    Livestream.com/FirstChurchTulsa
    Facebook.com/FirstChurchTulsa
    Cox Cable Ch. 3 at 11 a.m., 5 p.m. and 10 p.m..

    11 a.m. Tulsa International Fellowship (TIF) Sunday Worship
    Livestream.com/FirstChurchTulsa
    Facebook.com/FirstChurchTulsa

    In closing …

    We are grateful for the unprecedented efforts made by so many to examine and review the best course forward for this congregation.

    With gratitude to God for blessings received both at home and together, we commend each of you into the care and keeping of our Lord Jesus, the Lord of the Church!

    For all of the updated events, see our Church calendar.