January 11 2016 •Editor: desira.mathes@bartlesvillefirstchurch.com

BARTLESVILLE FIRST CHURCHEPHESIANS 2:19-20: YOU ARE MEMBERS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD, WITH CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF AS THE CHIEF

CORNERSTONEStop Hunger Now gives food and life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people, and works to end global hunger in our lifetime. Established in 1998, they have provided over 225 million meals in 74 countries.

They have engaged over 500,000 corporate, student, civic and faith-based volunteers in meal packaging. In just under two hours, a group of 40 to 50 volunteers can package 10,152 nutrient-rich meals for the undernourished globally. They also educate volunteers about hunger and inspire them to help end it.

We will be holding a STOP HUNGER NOW event on Sunday, February 26, during mission Sunday from 8am - 12pm.

THE BIBLE AND ITS MESSAGEA famous preacher once said that “saying ‘the Bible says…’ is like saying, ‘The Library of Congress says…’. “ There’s so much in there, and some of it seems conflicting.

Is there a way to figure out the main and major teachings of the Bible, and to learn which teachings are supposed to weigh the most?

For five Wednesdays, Dr. Kevin Tully will be tackling this subject in “The Bible and Its Message”. Bring your Bible and come prepared to dig, ask, and learn!

GET TO KNOW YOUR BIBLE LOCK INAll 3rd-5th graders are invited to a “Get to Know Your Bible Lock In” beginning Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. and ending Feb. 4 at 8:30 a.m. Students will participate in a campfire dinner, bible activities and games, and conclude with a waffle breakfast under the careful guidance of adult mentors. Register by Jan. 28 at www.bartlesvillefirstchurch.com or by using the link on the Facebook page.

Shop Amazon Smile

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets you enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com.

The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to the eligible charitable organization of your choice.

Simply go to smile.amazon.com and choose Bartlesville First Church as your charitable organization.

Directory Picture RetakesOn Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 2 - 9 p.m. we will have a picture retakes for our upcoming directory. Each participating family will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait and a free directory. Schedule your appointment today on our Facebook page, bartlesvillefirstchurch.com, or by calling Desira Mathes at 918-336-3361.

STOP HUNGER NOW

JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 22Minister-on-Call: 918-914-9001If you need to speak with one of our ministers, there is a minister-on-call available.

Van Ministry:January 15 Bob Tull and Jordan Tomlin; Mickey RamirezJanuary 22 Grace and Scott Farmer; Mickey Ramirez

Children’s Time:January 15 Bill Lundeen January 22 Callie Rivera

Ambassadors:January 15 8 a.m. - Mickey Ramirez and Harry Farnsworth

10 a.m. - Karel and Frank RiehartJanuary 22 8 a.m. - Xandra and John Manley

10 a.m. - Kathy and Rick Loyd

Flower Delivery:January 15 Bob & Nancy FarmerJanuary 22 Wayne & Sue McClain

Green Country Village Vespers:January 15 Bob FarmerJanuary 22 Kent Mitchell

There are so many great things about being part of a community of faith, as opposed to being a “lone wolf” Christian. John Wesley correctly stated, “The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.” We all need others’ opinions, teaching, friendship, love, and even one another’s problems and needs.

One of the many blessings of being part of a church is that together, we can accomplish what none of us could do on our own. Such is the case when it comes to the facilities, ministries, and effectiveness of working together. And you’ve recently proven this point in an amazing way.

In the fall of 2016, we launched our Annual Stewardship Campaign and, believing

the time was right, also held a capital campaign to wipe out all our existing debt through three-year pledges from our members. The words of encouragement we heard through printed materials and videos for this effort stated, “We can do this!” And this week, we received word that indeed, we can – and did!

We have received pledges for 99% of next year’s budget, and for 101% of the Capital Campaign goal! Of course, these monies are yet to be given; some people will move and others will die, but there are always those who give extra, and new members continue to join us in our efforts to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

So, thank you! Let us praise God together for the Spirit which inspires such discipleship,

LEARNING ALONG THE WAY: TOGETHER WE ARE BETTERDr. Kevin Tully

commitment, and generosity. And let’s always take heart in the many ways that together, with God as our helper, great things are possible.

With sincere gratitude,Kevin Tully

CHRISTMAS JARS RESULTSDuring our Christmas Eve services we collected a total of $2,354.79 in coin from our Christmas Jars project. With bills and checks added in the grand total was $8,013.74! The funds collected go in the Bartlesville First Church Alms Fund which is used to meet human need in and around the Bartlesville area throughout the year.

Thank you for your participation and remember to start saving your change now for the Christmas Jars project this Christmas Eve.

Midweek Meals

January 18Baked Catalina chicken

Long grain riceCookies

January 25Potato bar

Broccoli soupBread sticksLemon bars

February 1Spaghetti

CornBread sticks

Texas Sheet Cake

Suggested Donation:Adults - $5

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

ALTAR CARNATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTH OF:• Samuel Scott Harban, who was born on Dec. 26. Samuel is welcomed by his parents Scott and Chelsea and big brother Eli of Edmond, and his proud great grandparents Ozzie and Jackie Peters.• Merritt Lane Bell, who was born on Dec. 27. Merritt is welcomed by her parents Melinda and Kevin Bell, and her proud grandparents Merle and Ann Bell.

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO:• Shawn and Brenda Prufer on the death of Brenda's sister-in- law, Janice Barnes who passed away Dec. 10 in Maryland.• Richard Waddell on the death of his wife, Martha Waddell, who passed on Dec. 25.• Karla and Clarence Hill on the death of Karla's brother, Joe Hall, who passed away on Dec. 29.• Jerry Stahl on the death of her uncle, Jack Stahl, who passed away on Dec. 29 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.• Marilyn Smith on the death of her brother in law, who passed away on Dec. 24 in Illinois.

Se

MEMORIALS

Lew AmblerKent and Kayleen Thomas

Cleo BeougherGlenn and Ronnie Cox

Jim CyrusLinda Thomas – Debt Reduction

Tucker Harrison – Sanctuary Choir Tom and Judy DeSalmeCharlie and Corky BowermanGlenn and Ronnie Cox

Greta HeniseyBradley and Witney Allen – Animal MinistryDaniel and Catherine Henisey – Animal MinistryJerry and Betty Jo King – Animal Ministry

Jesse and Sue Ellen LaytonCarolyn and Larry WilliamsCari and Nick NicholasCraig WilliamsAndrea and Kevin SmithBarry CooperAngela HansonLinda Hendrickson – Animal MinistryRonald and Elizabeth Tarbutton – Animal Ministry

Barbara HollingsworthTwentieth Century Small Group(Sanctuary Choir)Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation

Bill LeetonTom and Judy DeSalme

Dorothy LogueTwentieth Century Small Group(Sanctuary Choir)

Merlin MitchellTom and Judy DeSalmeBruce and Betty SmithJoe and Janece Crosthwait

Eleanor MorrisonTwentieth Century Small Group(UMW Reading Books)

Bill PlasterRussell and Sherry Lawson

Carroll RitchieGlenn and Ronnie Cox

CHINESE MINISTRY YOUTH PERFORM DURING THE HOLIDAYSix youths performed a music program for residents of Elder Care and Green Country Village Dec. 20. The program was well received and included 10 performances: piano, flute, violin, cello, and vocal as a group as well as solo. These youth are very happy to use their talents to entertain and to serve the communities.

The youth music performance was initiated by Kathy Zhang during our annual Christmas party practice. Then Kathy, Judy, and Ran got together and asked parents’ permission and youths commitments. Youths determined what they were going to perform and Kathy coordinated as musical director. She monitored and directed the program.

We enjoyed very much working with them. It was so much fun to see them so happy and so serious as they practiced together. Two of them were volunteers in Project Transformation last summer. This was an evangelical as well as missions project for us. It is also very good leadership training for them. We would like to thank the church for their support, especially the mission committee.

We plan to do it again and we wish to have more youth join us. If you are interested please contact Kathy Zhang (626-807-6232) or Judy Logan (918-333-5919).

The youth are from front left; Johnson Zhang, Stone Yang, Joyce Yang, Ryan Pan, Edwin Ding, and Emma Zhang. Adults in the back row from left are Ran Ren, Judy Logan, Youth Director Stephen Bumgartner, and Kathy Zhang.

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Are you looking for something new and different to share with your Small Group? The library has just received 9 new DVD's that might be of interest for the Small Group leaders.

Some titles in the Library include: The Bible: The Epic Miniseries, Who Was Jesus?, and Putting Love into Action. Stop by the church library to check them out.

From the LibraryCURRENT SERMON SERIESJAN. 15 - FEB. 12