We and Us
This morning we will gather at 10:00 am to begin remodeling and cleaning up our new location at 13164 S. Memorial in Bixby. This is a dream come true after much prayer. We are so excited to bring the clear message of grace and love of Jesus four miles south. I was really surprised to discover that there isn’t an Episcopal, Presbyterian or Disciple of Christ church in Bixby. When the former UMC church decided to disaffiliate, we were asked to fill this gap. That initial conversation happened in November of 2023. After much conversation and prayer we are in this new space and place.
I noticed that we quickly slipped into the language of us and them. Glen, Seungrok and I discussed how we needed to be intentional about saying “we.” The Bixby location is US. We are worshiping in Bixby. It is not a separate church but an extension of our church. We can have a gathering in the Fellowship Hall. We can join a Faith Group that meets there. We will have additional ministry besides what we do in our Tulsa location. This new location opens us all up to some choices that we didn’t previously have. We can hear Pastor Heather preach in Bixby.
Today Jim S. said that he would provide the refrigerator for this new location! I invited Judy H. over to see the wonderfully padded chairs and Fellowship Hall that we don’t really have at our Tulsa location. The curriculum and sermons being offered in Bixby will be the same teachings that are happening in Tulsa. Handyman Randy D. and Blake S. have already been working over there to help get our building open.
One of the best ideas that we have had, to incorporate the two locations, is the creation of a cross made from one of the original chandeliers. This new cross will be made like the cross that we have in our chapel. We are also taking pictures of our stained glass to be printed on film for the windows at our new Bixby location. They will let in light and look like the original windows in our Tulsa location.
I want to encourage you to lay down the language of “them” and “they”. When you talk about the new location, please use the pronouns “we” and “us.” Because we are ONE body in Christ. We are ONE church in two locations. We are ONE voice of love as people doing Christ centered service. We need a church planter for this location. This person has to be assessed to see if they have the type of personality that is successful in starting new things. We will need a part time Kid’s Minister to work with Linda but serve our Bixby location. We will need to hire nursery workers for this location. We have a lot of work to do. Please pray that the right people will step forward who want to serve God in these ways.
Starting this Sunday, July 13, we will be offering Bible study and fellowship at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall at OUR Bixby location. Invite a friend to try it out!
Love,
