Members from the Bartlesville First Church saw a need for a new pre-school playground at Jane Phillips Elementary. Small groups and individuals from the church joined with the United Way, Women’s Leadership Council, Jane Phillips PTO, and the Bartlesville School System to provide money for this project. Ground-breaking for the playground began Oct. 16 with completion about a week later.

October 18, 2017Editor: desira.mathes@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com

MIDWEEK CLASSESThe Midweek meal begins at 5 p.m.; classes begin at 6 p.m. If you are interested, please sign up for desired class(es) in the Atrium. Some classes require payment and supplies at time of class. Classes are limited in size.

OCTOBER 25What's Up at Bartlesville First Church A conversation about upcoming events and the goings on at Bartlesville First Church.

NOVEMBER 1Fall Pumpkin Craft and Fun!Join us for a delightful evening of painting pumpkins and having fun together! You are encouraged to purchase a pumpkin at our Pumpkin Patch or purchase a fake pumpkin in the class. Painting materials and picture ideas will be provided.

Campfire and S’mores with the YouthEnjoy an evening by the campfire hosted by our youth group. Make s’mores; make connections with someone of a different age; make a new friend.

Jewelry Making and Essential OilsCome make jewelry with essential oils in them! Kits available during the class ranging in price from $3-$10.

JANE PHILLIPS ELEMENTARYBARTLESVILLE FIRST CHURCH DONATES TO THE JANE PHILLIPS ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND

DIVINE FILM CLUBThe Divine Film Club will meet on Nov. 2 in the Lecture Hall from 6 to 9 p.m. to view Elmer Gantry (1960) 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 Oct. 22. Space is limited. Don't miss this entertaining and stimulating opportunity!

KIDS FIRST TRICK OR TREATFor years the children at kids first have enjoyed dressing up for Halloween to parade the church halls trick-or-treating! The staff of Bartlesville First Church and Kids First would love for you to join us on Oct. 31. Dress up if you want and bring your goodies (nut free please) to share. You can set up a small station around 8:45 a.m. and enjoy the adorable parade of girls and boys beginning around 9 a.m.

CHILDREN'S PUMPKIN PARTYJoin us on Wednesday, Oct. 25 for games, costume contest, snacks, and crafts at our annual Pumpkin Party! Dinner is at 5 p.m. and the party will begin at 5:55. Come in costume if you wish, but please no scary costumes, and no masks. We don’t want to scare the little ones! As always, parents are welcome to join their children and help out with the fun!

PUMPKIN PATCHJoin us on Saturday, Oct. 28 for more Pumpkin Patch fun! There will be yard games, bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, hay rides, horse rides, and petting farm!

All Pumpkin Patch proceeds will be going to help our Student Ministries with mission trips, summer camps, and other needs of our Student Ministries the coming year.

Dr. Kevin Tully, senior minister, of Bartlesville First Church is shown presenting the check to Kevin Brown, the principal of Jane Phillips Elementary.

MIDWEEK MENUOctober 25

Smoked SausageRice and Red Beans

Garlic ToastBanana Cake

November 1Stew

Corn BreadBrownies

November 8Salisbury Steak

Mashed PotatoesCornRolls

Lime Jello Cake

Suggested Donation:Adults - $5

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

OCTOBER 22 - OCTOBER 29Minister-on-Call: 918-914-9001If you need to speak with one of our ministers, there is a minister-on-call.

Van Ministry:October 22 Scott and Grace FarmerOctober 29 Rusty and Heather Cutts

Children’s Moment:October 22 Callie RiveraOctober 29 Bill Lundeen

Ambassadors:October 22 8 a.m. - John and Xandra Manley;

10 a.m. - Charlie and Corky Bowerman, Bob HasbrookOctober 29 8 a.m. - Roger Himstreet, Scott and Grace Farmer;

10 a.m. - Joe Todd and Jimmie Lee Stark

Flower Delivery:October 22 Phyllis Cummins and Kathy MitchellOctober 29 Wayne and Sue McClain

Green Country Village Vespers:October 22 Wayne MiddletonOctober 29 Tasha Hollopeter

’’We often think of Jesus as a great spiritual teacher, and appropriately so. But much of what he said is of such practical value, too! He shows such insight and awareness of how we human beings are, and gives us hints and tips about developing healthy relationships. My guess is that he did so because “people getting along” is an important part of what God cares about.

Here’s a good one: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary…”

(Matthew 5:25). This doesn’t mean “roll over”, or “give in”, but it does have to do with not letting things fester. When feelings are hurt, unkind words are said, or when misunderstandings happen, our human response is often to not address the situation. In such a case, one or both of the offending / offended parties usually think, broods, stews, and grows more resentful. Best to “settle matters quickly…”, even if it’s just saying, “I want you to know I’m sorry this happened. Maybe we can discuss it later.”

Seems to me that one of the clearly-taught instruction for living in Christian community is “take initiative”. We

are instructed to be eager in seeking reconciliation, in forgiving, and in showing kindness. Disagreements and difficulties happen in all relationships: church, family, spouse, siblings, and friends. Sometimes damage occurs not only because of the original issue, but because of delayed response. The Holy Spirit can give us the power (and even the willingness!) to become those who take the initiative in doing what we can to put relationships right. Don’t wait, be the first to settle matters quickly.

See you Sunday,Kevin Tully

YOUTH CONFIRMATION MEALSAt every infant baptism, we affirm the duty of each member of the congregation to assist in raising up children in the church as a child of God. An important step in this process is the confirmation class we offer our youth as we prepare them to assume responsibilities as full members of the church. Confirmation will be held each Sunday starting November 19, 2017 and ending March 25, 2018.

You are invited to participate with our youth in this step of their spiritual journey this fall by feeding them lunch on a Sunday of your choice. You may do so by bringing lunch for them, providing gift cards which can be used to purchase lunch or by contributing cash. Sign up in the Atrium.

CJ was raised in Gilmer, Texas where she spent loads of time learning and worshipping at First United Methodist Church. Her college years were spent at Texas A&M University and Texas A&M Wesley Foundation. She says that the Wesley Foundation

taught her about service projects and true acceptance by the church.

After college, CJ taught junior high and high school math in Center Point, Bandera, LaGrange and Giddings, Texas. She also worked in Christian education in United Methodist churches in Boerne, Bandera, Kerrville, La Grange, and Mason, Texas. CJ was very active with

United Methodist Women while living in Texas-she served as a conference officer for eight years and a district officer for four years. She learned about the International Christmas Market through UMW and has been continuing that ministry for over 25 years.

CJ moved to Bartlesville in 2005 to teach math at Nowata High School. She now teaches Geometry at Bartlesville High School. She joined Bartlesville First Church in July 2006 and began working with the children’s music in August 2006. She now works as an associate in Children’s Ministry helping in many different ways. She has

been a site coordinator/supervisor for Project Transformation since it started in Bartlesville. CJ is part of the missions committee, children’s council, United Methodist Women, and the Sanctuary Choir at Bartlesville First Church. CJ’s family includes her cats Milo and Tenny.

MEET THE STAFF: CJ SHELL, CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ASSOCIATE

SANCTUARY FLOWERS WERE GIVEN:• In memory of Belinda and Ann Thomas, by Horace Thomas.• In memory of Denise, by her father, John Chouteau.• In grateful celebration of our wedding anniversary, by Kevin and Georgia Tully.• In memory of Jerry Stahl on her birthday, Oct. 14, by John and Margaret Williford.

CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Karen Wood, on the death of her mother, Barbara Wood, who passed away Sept. 21.• Family and friends of Robert “Bob” McGregor, who passed away on Sept. 27.• Joe Todd, on the death of his mother, Mildred Todd, who passed away on Sept. 30.• Glenn and Ronnie Cox, on the death of Glenn’s sister, Helen Yahr, who passed away

on Oct. 4.

ALTAR CARNATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF:• Ethan Andrew Haas, who was born on Sept. 13. Ethan is welcomed by his parents

Steven and Julia Haas and great-grandparents Tom and Martha Reyburn.• The birth of Karter Marie Gorby, who was born on Sept. 4. Karter is welcomed by her

parents, Kerry Gorby and Lisa Watts.• The adoption of Javier Reign, who was officially adopted by Stephen and Felicia

Bumgarner on Oct. 4. Javier is the brother of, Emilio, Simon, and Luis.

CONCERN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS

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

OctoberCanned vegetables, beets, carrots, mixed vegetables and green beans. Dry milk, Jiffy corn muffin mix. Personal care items; bar soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

NovemberCanned vegetables, peanut butter, flour, sugar, and dry milk.

HARVEST OF HOPE BENEFIT FOR CONCERNCONCERN is a local mission operating a child learning center for low income families, urgent services offering financial help and emergency food, and a representative payee program ministering to those who have trouble managing their own affairs. First Church is one of the founders and we hope to have a good turnout for their upcoming fund raiser.

CONCERN is celebrating their 50th anniversary with the Harvest of Hope benefit on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $50 each and festivities will include a catered dinner and music featuring the fabulous Lenny Baker. For reservations and tickets, please call Marie Cubbage at 918-397-3665.

CONCERN SEEKING VOLUNTEERSCONCERN, located at 333 SW Penn, is looking for a few good volunteers. They currently have 2 shifts (2 hr, 15min each) available at the front desk on Thursdays and one shift on Tuesdays. Duties include greeting incoming customers and light computer work.

If you have an interest to help, please call 918-336-4693 and speak to either Kay Martin, the director or Jolly Rohrs, the volunteer coordinator. They are anxiously awaiting your call!

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.

UMCOR CLEANING BUCKET ASSEMBLYBartlesville First Church will assemble and donate the contents for at least 30 cleaning buckets in response to the recent hurricanes and flooding. We will assemble the contents into the buckets on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in the Atrium. If you would like to donate to support the assembly of these cleaning buckets, you can pick one or more item cards from the library window. Cash contributions are also welcome.

WEBSITE LAUNCHWe have launched our redesigned website. Only the basic information is available now. As time goes on new content will be added. Try it at www.BartlesvilleFirstChurch.com.

PUSH PAYFirst Church is implementing a new electronic giving process. More information will come later but, if you are interested you may get started now. Text BARTLESVILLE to 77977.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED WORLD COMMUNITY DAY Church Women United invites all faiths to the 2017 World Community Day on Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. at Disciples Christian Church. World Community Day is a celebration that began in 1943 as a call to unity among the churches in the cause for peace. Today, even with technology, it is important to come together as a people of faith and share again respect, caring, rebuilding of community and especially to Rekindle a New Fire toward Peace.

TOOLE TYMEThe Mission Council and UMW invite you to join us for the “TOOLE TYME" workday at our Cookson Hills Center on Saturday Nov. 12. Our Church van will leave the west parking lot at 7 a.m. and return by 6 p.m.

Mission-minded women and men gather in love and service to help Cookson Hills prepare for Christmas. The center provides services to the needy local population. There are plenty of jobs for all ages; members from their 20's to 90's have worked at Toole Tyme in past years.

The registration fee is $25.00 (includes lunch and transportation); registration forms are available at the welcome desk in the Atrium. Forms should be returned to Wayne Ford by Nov 1. Please attach your check payable to Bartlesville First Church with your name and "Toole Tyme" in the memo line. Contact Judy Logan 918-333-5919 with questions. We sincerely hope you can join us this year!