Last Sunday was another GREAT day in the life of First Church!  I’m so glad we didn’t miss the opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness in our first 120 years.  After all, most of us won’t be here for our 220^th even with proper diet and exercise!

I thought everything was fantastic with letters of appreciation from Mayor Mick Cornett, Kari Watkins with The National Memorial (they  even donated flowers in our honor on Sunday), our friends at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, notes and letters from Nick and Chris Harris, Craig Groeschel and special video greetings from our Bishop Robert Hayes, Jr. at our cornerstone.  It was a blessing to see Stan and Susan Cosby, Keith and Adrienne Cressman, our own Foy and Barbara Conrad, Glen and Ellen Howard and  former Choir Director Woody and Donna Hawkins, plus other First Church friends and family!

Terri Morton’s Reunion Choir enriched our worship experience and our praise and worship time was very powerful.  Roger Nelson’s portrayal of John Wesley was most interesting and humorous at times as well.  He added a unique element to our special day.  Thanks for your generous love offering!  I am so very proud of the way First Church gives to others.

The luncheon was delicious; prepared  and served most efficiently thanks to Jim Parson and his family plus an additional kitchen crew.  The historic review written by Randa Norman was “wonder – fully” complete with a re-enactment of the Land Run by our children, historic pictures, danger (Kirk with a rifle), scandal(Sean Walker with two beautiful girls on his arm), pump organ music by Sharon Austin and the Davis boys, and much, much more!!  Our collection of memories booklet by Marla Jones contained some wonderful, personal stories from our past with our theme from Psalms 78:4b... “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done…”

I am so thankful to be your Pastor and to see God at work in each of you!  We really are the core of Oklahoma City’s  “Core to Shore” development, because Jesus is the center (core) of our lives individually and together!  Our past is amazing and our future is even more so! “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.... Jer. 29:11”

Yours in Christ,

Mark

P.S. Remember, our worship service is this Saturday April 25 from 7-8pm ending with “The Blessing of The Shoes.”  All streets will be open until after our service, so be sure to come and bring a friend!  Sunday morning we’ll be in service to Christ and OKC by “practicing hospitality” with bright smiles, cooking and serving lots of pancakes, cleaning, directing people to the restrooms, caring for kids, shaking hands, etc.  Don’t miss it!  It’s going to be great!

P.S.S. Jennie Carlson wrote a great article about us last Sunday morning in The Oklahoman Sports Section (front page) with video featuring Kirk Norman, Laura Alfonzo, and Mary Nethercutt.  I’ve also had the opportunity to appear on a couple the early morning shows (KFOR, Channel 53 and Fox 25) this week promoting our Second Wind Outreach.