THE GOSPEL OF MARK BIBLE STUDYThe Gospel of Mark is believed by many researchers to be the first Gospel written, somewhere around the year 70. Mark recounts events starting at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Mark holds an element of mystery as fragments have been forever lost and the big thinkers have toiled over the content and context of these missing fragments. How does God communicate and lead us when there is haze and human ambiguity?

Luke Cowles will lead this 9 week Bible study on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Room 175 beginning on Jan. 10.

TIME AND VALUES MANAGEMENTWhere did last year go? Many of us have ideas, hopes and plans for what we want to accomplish. In many cases, however we don’t get around to doing what we wanted to! Get your plan for 2018 designed, gain the tools and learn the tips to making your life more fun and meaningful in a five-week workshop on “Time and Values Management.”

Dr. Kevin Tully will lead this class on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Narthex beginning on Jan. 10. No sign up required just show up! It’s a new year, and a great time for getting it together!

January 10, 2018Editor: desira.mathes@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com

NEW YEAR, NEW SERMON SERIESDo you have a vision for what you would like to do and be? For some, the vision of what we’ll be is imposed by others, limited by our circumstances, or just a wish. What if you took the time to consider what your heart and soul are calling you to become? And does our faith have anything to say about the vision God has for you and your life?

Invite friends and come be part of an important sermon series in which we’ll explore these ideas. Every Sunday morning, Jan. 7 through Feb. 4!

CAN’T MAKE IT TO WORSHIP?

Even if you’re sick or out of town, you can still worship with us each Sunday if you have a smartphone or computer with internet connection. Our services are broadcast via Facebook Live each week – so please join us!

MIDWEEK RESUMES

JANE PHILLIPS SCHOOL SUPPLIESThe Bartlesville First Church Council adopted an all church goal to support Jane Phillips Elementary School in January 2016. This is the third year we have had this goal. There are many ways we can support the school. One of the ways is to provide the teachers with classroom supplies to help their teaching be more effective. Apples will be put up on the library window with supplies that the teachers have requested the first week of January. The supplies will need to be returned by Sunday, January 28th.

FIRST LADIES BOOK CLUBFirst Ladies Book Club will meet for the first time on Jan. 30, 2018 from 6:30-8 p.m. This is a women only group for all ages that will meet on the last Tuesday of every month. The first book and code of conduct will be decided during the first meeting. Space is limited to 10 women. Childcare provided. Sign up in the Atrium.

DIVINE FILM CLUBThe Divine Film Club will meet Feb. 1 in the Lecture Hall from 6 to 9 p.m. to view "Places in the Heart" (1984) PG. The group will view the film and have a discussion time after, led by Dr. Kevin Tully. Tickets are free and will be available in the Atrium on Jan. 21. Space is limited. Don't miss this entertaining and stimulating opportunity!

MIDWEEK MENUJanuary 17Potato SoupBread Sticks

Cherry Crumble

January 24Lasagna

Green BeansGarlic Toast

Brownies

January 31Chicken Pot Pie

SaladRolls

Cookies

Suggested Donation:Adults - $5

Children under 12 - $3Family of 4 or more - $15

JANUARY 14 - JANUARY 21Minister-on-Call: 918-914-9001If you need to speak with one of our ministers, there is a minister-on-call.

Van Ministry:January 14 Wayne Middleton and Shawn PruferJanuary 21 Bob Tull and Jordan Tomlin

Children’s Moment:January 14 Felicia BumgarnerJanuary 21 Linda Thomas

Ambassadors:January 14 8 a.m. - John and Xandra Manley

10 a.m. - Rick and Kathy LoydJanuary 21 8 a.m. - Roger Himstreet and Harry Farnsworth

10 a.m. - Thad and Mary Friedman

Flower Delivery:January 14 Merle and Ann BellJanuary 21 Bob and Nancy Farmer

Green Country Village Vespers:January 14 Tom GravesJanuary 21 Wayne Middleton

’’Today I read that 41% of Americans usually make New Years’ resolutions. I suspect that if we expanded the question to ask, how many have “hopes or intentions for change in the new year,” the percentage would go up significantly.

A group of our church staff met last week and though the topic was not “New Years’ resolution,” we did make some commitments to one another that I think are good ones. We agreed “more face to face conversations, less e-mail.” We

agreed “before you talk about someone, talk to that someone.” Both of these are based on Biblical wisdom that ought to be followed in all our relationships. Jesus said, “If your brother (or sister) sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back… if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you.” (Matt. 18). He also taught, “if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother (or sister) has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God” (Matt. 5).

Anger, resentment, and self-righteousness tend to grow when we close ourselves off from others. Compassion, understanding, and humility grow when we open ourselves to each other and acknowledge the moments and tendencies – both external and internal – that threaten to separate us.

This is some of what I’ll be working on this year. How about you?

See you Sunday,Kevin Tully

OKLAHOMA VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION TRAININGOklahoma Volunteers in Mission (OKVIM) is offering two trainings geared for Adults leading Adult Mission Trips. All United Methodist Mission Teams must be led by a certified team leader. If you need this training, please register for one of the following dates.

Jan. 20 at Tahlequah First United Methodist Church or Feb. 24 @ the OKUMC Ministry Center, OKC

The cost is $50. You must register and pay for one of these one day trainings 7 days prior to the event at www.okumc-reg.brtapp.com/vimtraining201671.

EARLY RESPONSE TEAM TRAININGEarly Response Teams (ERT) are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, Early Response Teams assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community. Early Response Teams require an invitation to travel to another district, conference, or jurisdiction.

The Green Country District is offering Basic ERT Member Training at Claremore FUMC on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This training will be presented by Rev. Richard Norman, OK Conference Disaster Coordinator and Tim McHugh of Claremore FUMC. The training is $25 and includes supplies, a t-shirt, and a light lunch. Participants learn the basics of disaster response, including how to stabilize and secure homes safely, and how to work effectively with survivors and others on the response team. All ERT members are trained by authorized UMCOR trainers. This standardized class is

required for the basic ERT.

Deadline for registering is Feb. 16. Visit https://okumc-reg.brtapp.com/BasicERTTeamMemberTraining to register. The class size is limited, so do not delay in registering.

The current stages of participation (either as a leader or a team member) in disaster response are:• Assessment and Communications Team (Location, Type, and Extent of Damages)• Volunteer Coordination Team (Reception, Dispatch, and Liability)• Early Response Team (Trained and Authorized for Ingress/Egress, Shoring, Securing)• Response Team (Muck-Out/Ash-Out, basic repair)• Care Team Ministry (Disaster Survivor and Volunteer Care)

Other response efforts which effectively prepare us to respond in service to the bigger disaster community. This could include specialized education and trainings such as: Chainsaw, CPR, Ham Radio, Weather, Area Trainers, Construction, etc.

MISSIONS TRAINING OPPORTUNITY

SANCTUARY FLOWERS WERE GIVEN:In honor of Lewis Donnell’s 90th birthday on Dec. 30, by his children and grandchildren.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Steve and Cindy Smith on the death of Steve’s mother, Bernice Smith, who passed

away on Nov. 29.• Sandy Barlow on the death of her nephew, Jason Wilkie, who passed away on Dec. 11.• The family and friends of Dr. Bob Pierson, who passed away on Dec. 14. • Clay and Desira Mathes on the death of Desira’s grandfather, Roger Moseley, who

passed away on Dec. 16.• Family and friends of Ann Phillips, who passed away on Dec. 22. • Loretta Ramsey, on the death of her husband, Bob, who passed away on Dec. 27.• Connie Ellis, on the death of her father, Harold Hendrix, who passed away on Dec. 27

in Abilene, TX.

CONCERN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

We are collecting non-perishable foods and other needed items in the two rolling carts in the Atrium.

JanuaryCoffee and tea

SugarChili and crackers

Bar soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushesSanitary pads and tampons

• In memory of Marti DeSalme Weber, by Tom and Judy DeSalme.

• In honor of our family, by Martha and Tom Reyburn.• In memory of our parents, Glenn & Lousie Gunn and Jim &

Kathleen Anderson.• In memory of my parents, Forrest and Lulu George, by Vicki

and Everett Stewart.• In memory of Irene Robison, by Heather Robison.• In memory of our parents, Mose & Sedilla Studebaker and

Leonard & Geneva Thomas, by Kent and Kayleen Thomas.• In memory of Sandra Graves and Margie Pendell, by Tammy,

Robert, and Kelsi Graves.• In memory of Virginia Price, by Bruce Price and family.• In memory of our parents, Charles & Doris Herbert and Charles

& Maude Thiessen, by John and Linda Thiessen.• In memory of our parents, Orrin & Frances (Rogers) DeSalme

and Ludy & Hazel (Edwards) Harman, by Tom & Judy DeSalme.

• In memory of our parents and Patti’s sister, by David & Patti Kerr.

• In honor of Bill & Leola Kerr, Mike & Kathy Carmichael, and Karen Carmichael Crossland, by David & Patti Kerr.

• In memory of our parents, by Edd & Carmen Grigsby.• In memory of Doris & Karl Patterson and Paul Friedman and in

honor of Georgia Friedman, by Thad & Mary Friedman.• In memory of Tucker Harrison, by Janice Harrison and family.• In memory of Cecil, Fairy and Dave Oakley, by the Oakley

family.• In memory of our father, Shelby D. Satterfield, by Thad and

Andrea Satterfield.• In honor of our parents, Dr. & Mrs. Charles Nevaril and Lerlene

Nevaril & Beverly Satterfield, by Thad and Andrea Satterfield.• In loving memory of our parents, Murray and Jerry Voss, by

Kathy Voss Humphries and Carolyn Voss Shelton and families.

POINSETTIAS WERE GIVEN:

Non ProfitOrganization

U. S. POSTAGE PAIDBartlesville, OK

Permit #116

Newsletter for Bartlesville First Church 4715 Price RoadPO Box 3636Bartlesville, OK 74006918-336-3361 www.BartlesvilleFirstChurch.com

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

POSTMASTER:No forwarding, only return.No address notification provided.Mail piece returned with new address or reason for non-delivery attached.

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Jaxon Knoblock, pictured with his parents Kyle and Leslie Knoblock

Roger and Jane WatersThe directories are here! You can pick up your copy in the Atrium.

DIRECTORIES ARE HERE