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Monday 9am - 4:30pm Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm Thursday 9am - 4:30pm Sunday 8:30am - 12:15pm

http://www.bartlesvilleunited.com/

Bartlesville First United Methodist Church, 4715 Price Road, Bartlesville, OK (2026)

09/08/2026

We're less that ONE WEEK away from the United Family Fair!

Think of it as a chance to connect with many of the people, programs, and resources available right here in our community, all gathered in one space.

🗓Saturday, September 12
⏰9am - Noon
📍Bartlesville First United Methodist Church

Come learn about local organizations and services that support individuals and families throughout the Bartlesville area. And while you're here, stick around for the fun! We'll have food, games and activities for the kiddos, prizes, and plenty more.

The United Family Fair is FREE and open to everyone. Whether you're looking for a particular resource, curious about what's available in our community, or just looking for something fun to do Saturday morning, come by and see us!

Know someone who might benefit? Share this with them!

09/03/2026

There's learning about Communion...and then there's gathering around the Table together.

Last week, during our second Wednesday back at Children's Midweek Discipleship, our kids spent the evening exploring the story behind one of the most meaningful practices of our faith.

They learned about the Passover meal, worked in groups to prepare their own Last Supper, and then gathered with Pastor Terry to talk about what Communion means and why we celebrate it.

They learned that in the United Methodist Church, the Communion table is an open table. They practiced what "receiving hands" look like. And they were reminded that when we receive the bread and cup, our gratitude isn't' directed toward the person serving us, it is God we give our thanks and praise.

And then, together, they came to the Table.

28 children and 15 adults received Communion that evening. Some of those little hands may have received many times before. For others, some of what they learned may have been completely new. Either way, what a gift to give our kids space to ask questions, learn why we do what we do, and experience their faith for themselves.

There is room for them at the Table. There is room for you, too!

This Sunday, we'll gather around that same Table as a congregation, and you are invited to join us. Worship begins at 10:30am, with Coffee & Community at 10am. And if you're feeling really invested, Sunday School Small Groups are at 9am.

And if you have a child age 5 through 5th grade who might enjoy learning, asking questions, making friends, and growing in faith alongside these kiddos, Children's Midweek Discipleship meets Wednesdays from 5-7pm. There's always room for one more!

09/02/2026

The Great Commission: a Way Forward Following Disruptions

As September gets underway, let’s take a glance back at last Sunday’s message.

It sounds funny, in a way, to say the topic as “Jesus”—because isn’t Jesus always supposed to be the subject? Specifically, though, we used the lens of the familiar text, often called “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:16-20) to consider what it means for Jesus to be a present Lord of life, not only a revered historic figure.

And it is easy to forget that this “great commission” (as with so many texts) is part of a story, too. It has roots and is part of a larger landscape, not free floating.

The story-scape of these familiar words—“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded”—is one of broken dreams and failing hopes. The fact there are eleven disciples is a detail that reminds us of the messiness the disciples faced:

• the unexpected arrest and crucifixion of their beloved Teacher
• their own fears getting the best of them
• the confusion surrounding Jesus’s rising from the dead

And that’s not to mention one of them becoming a betraying conspirator who played a key role in Jesus’ death.

And now, Jesus is going away? We’re told that they are on a mountain, but in many ways, this is not a mountaintop moment.

This, then, is why Jesus prefaces his marching orders by saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me.” It’s also why he concludes his commission with, “Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the ages.”

After the amen, there is power and promise for daily life throughout time as disciples then and now do their part to change lives by God’s grace.

I invited us all to do two things this week as a way to extend this message into the world:

First, think about one area of life that you need to give over to Jesus as Lord—something in your family or business, school or community, whatever it is. Go into prayer… picture that something in your hands… open and lift your hands… invite Jesus to work in it as he will.

Second, find a way to pick up the towel of service, just as Jesus took up the towel to wash his disciples’ feet. Who can you reach out to and begin or strengthen a Christ-centered relationship? Invite someone to coffee or lunch or a phone call… pray about that meeting ahead of time… ask them about their own faith journey or their dream for their own life, their family’s lives, or even for this community or beyond.

That should keep us all busy for the next few days, wouldn’t you agree?😉

I hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Terry

08/26/2026

The Best Bible Is the One You Read (and Other Nuggets of Wisdom About the Bible)

Continuing to look at basic elements of Christian faith along with our youth, last Sunday’s message dealt with the role of the Bible. There is so much to say on this topic! (I have no less than nine books in my library dealing with this very subject.)

Here, let me share a couple of important things I left out in that message.

First, in nearly every Bible study I lead, I share the idea that the Bible’s overall purpose is to help form and shape our relationship with God, with the church, and with the world. After all, the scriptures of the Old and New Testament either tell or spring out of stories of how people have related to God.

Those scriptures are also rooted in the living faith communities of ancient Israel and the early church. And, of course, the Bible has much to say about how to handle our earthly affairs as those who seek to live out God’s ways.

We won’t all always agree on the conclusions we draw, but setting the Bible in the context of that three-fold relationship helps us avoid making the Bible only a matter of opinion. (I know even this statement deserves more discussion!)

Second, this past Sunday, you might have noticed I stacked several Bibles on the communion table. These were a sampling from my library, where I have at least twenty-five Bibles in a variety of translations.

Often, I’m asked something like, “Which Bible is the best?” My response is “The best Bible is the one you will read!” I do think it’s that simple. While having several Bibles and translations has some merit, there is not a spiritual merit badge for Bible collection.

I like to ask people, “Do you have a buddy Bible?” That is, do you have one that is often with you, that you most often open for regular devotional reading, that shows some signs of traveling with you through your journey? I have one on my office desk, as well as one I use at home; for nearly every study and sermon I will have one or the other.

(I am glad to talk more about either one, or any in my collection, for that matter.)

To conclude, here are the two passages I shared that have become “buried treasure” or “hidden scriptures” for me.

• From Isaiah 30:15… “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (NRSV)
• From Colossians 2:6-7… “just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

After the amen, what matters most is how the Bible inspires us and strengthens us for the journey of faith.

I hope to see you Sunday!
Pastor Terry

08/25/2026

Did you know? CJ Shell is celebrating 20 years with Bartlesville First United Methodist Church!

That's 20 years of ministry, service, relationships, laughter, hard work, flipping of light switches (IYKYK) and probably more behind-the-scenes tasks that any of us could count.

CJ has filled a variety of roles during her years at the church, but there has been a common thread through all of them: serving people. Whether she's caring for children and families, helping a ministry come together, lending a hand where one is needed, or simply showing up for someone, CJ approaches the work in front of her with a heart for her neighbors, her community, and God.

On Sunday, we managed to surprise her (no small feat!) and celebrate this milestone with a few of the many people whose lives she has touched along the way.

But 20 years comes with a LOT of stories, and we know we only scratched the surface.

Help us celebrate CJ in the comments! Share a favorite CJ memory, a photo from years gone by, something you appreciate about her, or even just a note of congratulations.

Happy 20 years, CJ! We are so grateful for all the ways you have served, and continue to serve, BFUMC and our community.

08/23/2026

Our Youth kicked off the new school year recently with dinner at Pastor Terry & Daena's house. Good food, games, plenty of laughs, and a low-key chance to spend some time together before jumping into what's ahead.

And there's a lot ahead.

For the next couple of months, our Sunday evening Youth gatherings are going into Faith Training - taking on some pretty big topics:

JOURNEY. BIBLE. JESUS. WORSHIP. BEING METHODIST.

Some of it will be new. Some will be a refresher. All of it gives us a chance to ask questions, have conversations, and dig a little deeper into what we believe and why.

And for some of our Youth, there's an optional side quest: Confirmation.

Those students will take a few additional steps along the way, including time with faith partners and one-on-one conversations with Addie and Pastor Terry. Confirmation gives them an opportunity to explore what it means to follow Jesus, to live out their baptism, and to claim their faith for themselves. At the end of the journey, those who are ready will have the opportunity to publicly profess their faith and be welcomed as professing members of the United Methodist Church.

But here's the important part: you don't have to have all of this figured out before you show up.

Questions about God? The Bible? Church? Jesus? What Methodists actually believe? Wondering what YOU believe?

Join us.

Faith Training starts TODAY.

Sundays from 5pm to 7pm

Food

Fun

Conversations

Questions encouraged.

And adults, if you hear "journey, Bible, Jesus, worship, church, being Methodist" and think "I could probably use some of that too...you're welcome to audit Faith Training right alongside us!

08/19/2026

Mapping Your Spiritual Journey

This past Sunday, we embarked upon a new series of messages. They are companions to the Faith-Training classes for the youth, which begin this coming Sunday.

Drawing on Genesis 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-16, we considered faith as a journey with the focus on the One guiding us. We see this played out in Abram’s (Abraham’s) willingness to trust God’s call to head for an unknown land.

I shared four lessons from the scripture readings.
• First, God initiates the call, a reminder of what we Methodists call “prevenient grace,” or grace that comes before.
• Second, need for obedience often comes before having full information, trusting in God’s character more than our certainty.
• Third, we also often must leave behind our comfort so we can stretch toward God’s promise.
• Fourth, God’s blessings through the journey are never only about us; they are meant also for blessing others.
In case you missed it (or haven’t done it yet), I invited listeners to map out their journeys in whatever way made sense to them.

What have been the highs and lows, the twists and turns as you’ve sought to follow God’s direction in your life, or not sought to follow?

What have been the spiritually significant moments and places?

What have been the unexpected struggles and unexpected blessings?

Along with that came two questions:
• How would you describe where you are now in your spiritual journey?
• How do the scripture readings connect with where you are now?
I encourage you to reflect on the scriptures and these questions. After the amen, give God’s still, small voice a chance to speak into your life.
We will consider another basic faith element—the Bible—this coming Sunday. It’s a chance to honestly consider some misunderstandings about the Bible. Maybe you will discover an answer to a question you’ve had, or you will find a nugget to share with someone else.

I hope to see you Sunday!

Pastor Terry

08/18/2026

We are hosting our fall Blood Drive and we would love to see some familiar faces...and some new ones too!

Giving blood is one of those simple, practical ways we can care for people we may never even meet. One donation can make a very real difference for someone in our community who needs it.

All the details are in the graphic with this post. We'll also put the sign-up link in the comments so that making your reservation for a donation time slot is easy!

Hope to see you Sunday.

08/18/2026

Children's Midweek is BACK this Wednesday!

From 5-7pm, our kiddos will be eating dinner, playing games, making music, digging into Bible stories, praying together and, because it's Wednesday night, probably making a little joyful noise along the way!

But, underneath all the fun is something pretty important. These couple of hours each week gives kids a place to learn about Jesus, ask questions, build friendships, and begin making their faith their own.

And there is ALWAYS room for a friend.

If you've been looking for a place for your child to connect, grow, and have a while lot of fun while they're at it, we'd love to have them join us Wednesday night.

-5-7pm
-Dinner included
-New friends very much welcome!
***For this Wednesday specifically, wear something you don't mind getting wet! A towel might also be a good idea 🤪

08/14/2026

Remember Your Baptism as We All Head Back to School

As this week unfolds, more and more students, along with teachers and staff, are returning to school. Classrooms and hallways will come to life once again with instruction and conversation. Here in the church, too, we are going “back to school,” with sermons and studies aimed at helping us grow in our faith.

This past Sunday, we prayed a blessing over the school year during worship, and afterward we went to various schools around town for on-site prayers. We also signed posters carrying our prayerful thoughts, which will soon be delivered to each school.

My message focused on our United Methodist beliefs and practices concerning baptism. I encouraged each person to seek out their baptismal date. If you don’t have access to a baptismal record—a certificate, for example, or another way to research it—then choose an approximate date that is meaningful for you.

Mark your “baptismal birthday,” then call it to mind each year as you “Remember your baptism and be thankful.” This remembrance is less about recalling a past event and more about remembering that God’s grace has been at work in your life all along. As parents and grandparents, we can also do this for our children and grandchildren.

Faith Training—or confirmation, as it is often known—for our youth begins with orientation this coming Sunday afternoon and runs through much of October, with Confirmation Sunday set for October 18. I’m preparing a companion sermon series that will go along with the Faith Training lessons.

In addition, watch for announcements about fall Bible studies over the next couple of weeks.

Now, if only we could get some fall weather outside to go with the theme inside…

I hope to see you Sunday!

Pastor Terry

***Graphic used was generated using AI technology.

Bartlesville First United Methodist Church

09/08/2026

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08/26/2026

08/25/2026

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08/14/2026

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Monday	9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 4:30pm
Thursday	9am - 4:30pm
Sunday	8:30am - 12:15pm