Back-to-School

Please put this date on your calendar and plan to volunteer during our annual FBCT Back-to-School drive. Homebuilders and Urban Life have been asked to assist families at Anderson Elementary again this year. We will be helping the kids pick out backpacks, clothes, and school supplies, working at registration, manning the popcorn machines, and serving lemonade and sno-cones. It will be a blessing and a lot of fun. Your kids are welcome to come along, too. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet. Please let us know if you want to participate. You do not need to stay the entire time.
Saturday, August 13th– 2:00p-5:00p
Anderson Elementary
1921 East 29 Street North
Tulsa Oklahoma 74110

FREE TO BE . . .
SAVED BY GRACE
The endless struggle between trying to earn salvation and accepting it.

Read Galatians 3:1-26
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203:1-26&version=MSG

Do you remember the book, “Life’s Little Instruction Book?" Here are some sample entries from the self-titled web-site:
1. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen every day.
2. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
3. Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures.
4. Overtip breakfast waitresses.
5. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all they have.
6. Never resist a generous impulse.
7. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
8. Never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink.
9. Leave everything a little better than you found it.
10. Call your mother.
How about a bucket list? Maybe you have one. Turning a milestone this year and I find my self at times reviewing my progress, and accomplishments. This type of lifestyle can be obsessive-compulsive. Or lesson writer says:
“We tend to view our walk with Christ as a series of religious tasks to perform, such as praying, reading the Bible, tithing, and serving in ministry. When we can check things off our spiritual to-do list, we feel like we’re being good Christians. This task-oriented approach to Christianity is legalism, and it’s not good.” This week we will take a look at Paul’s take on legalism.

1. Our Legalistic Tendencies (Galatians 3:1-3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203:1-3&version=MSG


2. Works Don’t Set Us Free (Galatians 3:10-14)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203:10-14&version=MSG


3. Resting in Faith (Galatians 3:19-26)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%203:19-26&version=MSG


We still have a lot of legalisms, in our congregation, let alone the Southern Baptists Convention. Our lesson writer says: “No wonder we have such a hard time accepting that our relationship with God isn’t performance-based. When we understand that, through God’s grace, our salvation is based on faith in Him alone and we can’t do anything to earn or lose it, we’re set free from the checklists and works that enslave us.”
Remember, God who created everything is still in control of His creation. Keep praying for each other, caring for each other and take care of your families. Hope to see you Sunday. John
Doing LIFE together.
Homebuilders LIFE Group: Learning the Scripture / Involvement in Service / Fellowship – Sharing Life / Evangelism of Seekers

Men's Retreat

Transformed . . . by the renewing of your mind.
2011 FBC Tulsa Men’s Retreat
Date: Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20
Location: Tulakogee Conference Center on beautiful Lake Fort Gibson near Wagoner, Oklahoma.
Featured Speaker: Dr. Calvin Miller. Author, Pastor, Professor, poet, storyteller, artist and friend, Dr. Miller is no stranger to FBC. He served as the beloved interim Pastor at FBC for a year and a half and is the mentor of our Pastor, Deron Spoo. Calvin is the author of over 40 books and is in great demand as a preacher and guest lecturer. We are extremely happy and fortunate to have Dr. Miller as our featured speaker. He will speak on the theme of “Into The Depths of God.”
Featured Musician: Ken Holland. Ken is Minister of Worship and Music at FBC Cabot, Arkansas. He is a native Tulsan and is a writer, composer, instrumentalist and vocalist.
Theme: Transformed. The theme is taken from Romans 12:2 and reminds us of God’s ultimate goal – our transformation into the image of Christ.
Lodging: Warren C. Hultgren Lodge. This new Lodge features motel type accommodations including private bath, individual beds for up to four per room, linens and towels. Each room has a beautiful view of Lake Fort Gibson. Participants are encouraged to plan rooming arrangements with Life Group friends.
Cost: $65 person for triple/quad occupancy, $70 double occupancy. A limited number of single occupancy rooms are available for $85. Cost includes three meals including opening night steak dinner.
Registration: Available online at www.tulsafbc.org. Brochures will be mailed to homes. Individuals may register and pay by mail, online, or at the display tables in the church in late July through mid-August. Registration deadline is Sunday, August 14.
Recreation:
Golf - Arrangements have been made to play at Pryor Creek Golf Course in nearby Pryor on Friday morning. Tee times will be announced at a later date. Payment is made at the course.
Fishing - Fishermen are encouraged to come early and enjoy a day on the lake. Bring your boat or fish from the dock available on site.
Schedule: Check in begins at 4:00 pm. Steak dinner begins at 6:00 pm. Opening session will begin after dinner. Two sessions will be held Saturday morning. The lunch meal will conclude the retreat.
Directions: Directions are clearly marked on the highway and instructions will be available on the printed brochure and online.

Prayer Requests for the Week of July 3rd

Cindy Ingram - Cindy's brother, Brett, took some of the senior boys camping and offroading in Colorado this week. Please pray for safety and fun while they are there and also on the trip home.

Amber Remke - Amber asked us to pray for her friends, the King family. The husband died unexpectedly and they have 2 young children. Please pray for comfort for this family during this time of deep grief and loss.

Andrea Dolan - One of her friends died this week leaving behind a husband and 2 young sons. Pray for the Ketcher family as they struggle with the loss. Husband's name is Jessie.
Also Andrea asked that we pray for her boss' nephew, Jessie Schoenhofer, who had a motorcycle wreck this weekend. He has broken three vertebrae in his neck, broke his femur and a few ribs. He also has a collapsed lung so is on a ventilator. Please lift Jessie and his family to the Lord for peace, comfort and healing.

Allison Walden - Allison has six weeks left before baby 'W' is born. Please pray for her to have strength, be able to sleep and stay cool in this unbearable heat these last couple of weeks. Pray for their baby boy to continue to grow healthy and strong before his birth in August. Allison also asked us to pray for her sister in law who's dog has run away. Pray she will find him soon.

Scott Grizzle - Scott is trying to make a decision soon whether to run for a soon to be open City Council seat. Pray he'll have clear direction from the Lord on what His will is for him.

Camden Bearden - Camden went back to work last week after being on maternity leave only to find out on Friday that her position is being eliminated. Pray for Camden as she seeks His direction in His will for her life and her job situation.

David Dale - David has a co worker, Jordan Simon, who was critically injured in a motorcycle accident. Please pray for Jordan's healing and especially his salvation.

Elmores - Please pray for Jim's youngest nephew, Michael Briggs, as he struggles to detox from a drug addiction. Jim's sister and Michael's mom, Mary, went to Denver to bring him back to Arkansas and he was in very bad shape when she arrived. It took a week before they could even attempt the trip home. He is very gradually improving a little each day and they hope to get him into a doctor this week. Pray this will be a wakeup call for Michael that he needs to get back to walking with the Lord and turn away from this destructive behavior. Pray for Mary, too, as she seeks to help him find the professional help that he needs.

Thank you, Homebuilders, for being such faithful prayer warriors for each other and sharing each others burdens.

'We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort that God gives us.' 2 Corinthians 1:7

Free to Be . . .
Following last month’s look at materialism (and the chains that come with that to weigh us down), this month we will be taking a look at freedom. Of course. The name of this week’s study is “Selfless: Freedom in Christ leaves no room for selfishness.”
Read:
Philippians 3:17-21; 2 Peter 2:4-22
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:17-21;%202%20Peter%202:4-22&version=NIV
(Yes, NIV, published by Zondervan!)
Do you struggle with entitlement? How about people around you? People standing in line at the check-out counter? Our lesson writer says: “focusing on freedom can easily turn into a self-indulgent focus on ‘my rights.’ In this week’s session, we’ll look at what Peter and Paul wrote about the difference between self-indulgent ‘freedom’ and the personal rights of people truly free in Christ.”
1. Combatting Entitlement (2 Peter 2:10b-14)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:10b-14&version=NIV
2. A Challenge to Change (2 Peter 2:15-19)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%202:15-19&version=NIV
3. Freedom Exemplified (Philippians 3:17-21)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203:17-21&version=NIV
In exercising our freedom, we will be faced will choices. Our lesson writer states: “Choosing the kingdom is at odds with our nature. It means allowing someone else to rule and lead our lives. It requires abandoning our will and control. But we do it because we know there’s a better way, and we know we can make a difference. Following Christ gives us a desire to change our ways and for the gospel to be known. And a life lived with that goal in mind is a life lived freely in Christ.”
Remember, God who created everything is still in control of His creation. Keep praying for each other, caring for each other and take care of your families. John
Doing LIFE together.
Homebuilders LIFE Group: Learning the Scripture / Involvement in Service / Fellowship – Sharing Life / Evangelism of Seekers

Men’s Retreat

SAVE THE DATE! FBCT Annual Men’s Retreat will be August 19th and 20th at Camp Tulakogee. More details to follow next week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. For Sunday, July 3:
– Regular Morning Schedule
– First Glance Class #1 at 9:45 a.m.
– All-Church Picnic at the Hillenburgs’ in Broken Arrow at 6:00 p.m.
– No CrossOver or other regularly scheduled PM activities

2. The First Glance Class meets this Sunday, July 3, and concludes on Sunday, July 10. If you have recently joined or have been visiting FBC Tulsa and would like to take a closer look at our fellowship of believers, please make your reservation for the July class by calling Deron Spoo ’s office, 918-594-5019, to make a reservation. The sessions will meet in the Church Parlor at 9:45 a.m. and will be led by our Lead Pastor, Deron Spoo .

3. Our Annual All Church Picnic will be held this Sunday night, July 3, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the Hillenburgs in Broken Arrow . The directions are:
a) from Tulsa via the Broken Arrow Expressway (Highway 51) –
Take the BA Expressway East to the Lynn Lane exit (S 177th E Ave).
Take the Lynn Lane exit and go South on Lynn Lane for approximately 4 ½ miles.
Look for the picnic area on the right (West) side of the road.
The location is approximately 116th and Lynne Lane .
b) from Tulsa via the Creek Turnpike South Loop –
Take the South Loop East to the 161st / Elm Street exit. There will be a Wal-Mart at this exit.
Take the Elm Street exit and go South on 161st/Elm Street to 121st / Tucson .
Turn left (East) on Tucson and go approximately 1 mile to Lynne Lane/9th Street .
Turn left onto Lynne Lane and go approximately ½ mile to the picnic area on the left (West) side of the road.
The location is approximately 116th and Lynne Lane .

4. The Church Office, Caring Center and Children’s Day Camp will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

5. Two First Family Nights in July!
a) Everyone is invited to Family Night at Camp Loughridge , 4900 W. 71st St. , on Sunday, July 10, at 6:15 p.m. Youth volleyball will begin at 4:00 p.m. and the Family Swim Time at the pool, including snacks, will start at 6:15 p.m. A Family Worship Time will follow that at 8:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
b) The whole family is invited to participate in Family Night at The Drillers on Sunday, July 17, at 7:05 p.m. We have reserved seat tickets for the baseball game, $5.00 per person that are now on sale. Our pastor, Deron Spoo , will throwing out the first pitch. Don’t miss it!

6. Sunday Nights in July at FBCT:
a) on Sunday, July 3 – All-Church Picnic in Broken Arrow at 6:00 p.m.
b) on Sunday, July 10 – Family Night at Camp Loughridge at 6:15 p.m.
c) on Sunday, July 17 – Family Night at The Drillers at 7:05 p.m.
d) on Sunday, July 24 – Quarterly Business Meeting at 5:15 p.m. and
30th Anniversary Reception for Larry Merideth at 6:00 p.m.

7. Wednesday Nights in July at FBCT at 6:00 p.m.:
a) Preschoolers, 3’s through Pre-K, have Team Kid in Room 207 North
b) Children, Grades 1-6, have Team Kid in Room 319 North
c) Students have Ichthus in The Student Underground
d) Adults have The Bible in 90 Days program in Kaffe Bona

8. Another opportunity for service! Could you help out in the Welcome Center on Sunday mornings? We need people who can work either one Sunday a month or one Sunday a quarter. The shifts are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., but can be split (8:30 to 9:30 or 9:30 to 10:30) if necessary. Contact Margaret Jones for more information.

9. Larry Merideth has been a minister with First Baptist Tulsa for 30 years. A reception in his honor will be held on Sunday, July 24, at 6:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Please take a few minutes to send an e-mail with your thoughts, memories, or stories of Larry’s ministry to: kwhite@tulsafbc.org. Kristen has offered to compile these e-mails into a memory book for Larry that will be presented to him on the night of the 24th.

10. FBCT’s Mission Action Project for July involves School Supply Stock-Up. Since school starts in August, we will be collecting school supplies in July. Please try to bring these items to the church early in July so that we can have them ready for distribution before school starts. You can bring notebook paper, spirals, crayons, pencils, pens and boxes of tissues. These much needed and much appreciated supplies are distributed to children in our church’s adoption of some area elementary schools. For more information, please contact Maribeth Dean at 918-481-5834.