Hospitality at First Church begins with all of us
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. 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.
