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First Church Second Wind 2008
This year First Church will once again open it's doors to the Memorial Marathon. Check out their website for details (hint: they whip up a mean pancake breakfast!) |
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It’s not every day that the world comes to your doorstep, but for First Church in downtown Oklahoma City, that is exactly what happens the last Sunday of April each year. Since 2007, Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon Committee have sponsored what has become one of the premiere marathons in the world. First United Methodist Church sits between the starting line and finish line of this celebrated race, and because of its location, is unable to have normal Sunday morning worship services on race day. So rather than keeping its doors closed on this notable morning, four years ago the church decided to open its doors with its Second Wind Marathon Outreach. This outreach has since become an integral part of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, and plays a key role in the inner workings of the race.
As part of First Church’s marathon weekend schedule, a Saturday evening worship is held, this year on April 26 at 7:00pm. It is always a big celebration and runners and their families are invited to take part in the service. A key aspect of this gathering is a special blessing of the runners, and the congregation prays for marathon participants who attend the service. This service is free and open to the public.
Many of the congregation stay all night at the church to be prepared at 4:30am the morning of the marathon, with coffee, juice, water, and bathroom facilities. From 5:30-11:00am, a free pancake breakfast is served in the church’s fellowship hall, offering a warm, safe, place where families can enjoy delicious food as well as watch the race live on a large video screen. The start of the race can be watched by stepping out on the west steps of the church. It’s always an exciting part of this busy morning. In addition to free pancakes, First Church also sponsors a kid’s play area on their 5th street parking lot featuring clowns, inflatables, crafts, face painting, and more!
First United Methodist Church shares a kindred connection with the heart of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. The April 1995 bombing that killed so many and changed our lives forever, also destroyed the church’s facilities. Faced with the decision to stay or leave downtown Oklahoma City, the church chose to remain and rebuild in the location it had held since the Land Run of 1889. The church chose to celebrate life and continue its legacy of outreach and ministry in the heart of Oklahoma City. And as the mission statement of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon proclaims, the forces of fear and hate were overcome... this race is not about running, it’s about living. First Church has learned firsthand you don’t have to be a runner to participate in the marathon race. And it considers serving the thousands who come through its doors each year a tremendous opportunity and blessing.
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