FIRST PRESS an online newsletter August, 2014
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With another school year fast approaching, it's time to again start thinking about the new year at FPC as well. I want to share with you two exciting updates.
First, our capital funds program is still very much in progress, having just passed its mid-point on the calendar (the pay-in period continues through December 31, 2015). Soon, the Session will have an opportunity to interview architects for the final component of the program. This last phase focuses upon expanding Fellowship Hall to accommodate additional meeting space so desperately needed on our campus, plus renovation of both bathrooms and the youth room if feasible. Initially, architectural plans will be required and the project will unfold from that point. I am looking forward to this final phase of the program and the new opportunities it will provide the congregation. Debt reduction and mission financing will continue over the next 18 months, leaving the church poised to serve its community and the world for years to come. Thank you once again for sharing and supporting this vision for Christ's church!
Secondly, I am pleased to introduce the Covenant Bible Study for 2014-15. The study is brand new and utilizes the gifts of many of our nation's brightest theologians, including Christine Yoder, David Bartlett and Christine Chakoian. It centers around our relationships with God, with each other and with the world and differs from other Bible studies in that it emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant - the unique relationship God chooses with us as God's people.
This 24-week study, which convenes weekly for 90 minutes in a home or elsewhere, moves between the Old and New Testaments in a way that shows the interconnectedness of scripture as a whole. Each week begins with a thought-provoking, 20-minute video conversation between biblical experts which serves as a model for the kind of personal learning and sharing that is central to Covenant Bible Study. It also stimulates further discussion among group members (after all, it is through community - through shared reflection and engagement together - that we best discover the Bible's transformative power).
To help a Covenant group deal with busy schedules, the episodes are structured in a modular way to provide flexibility without sacrificing committed study. Three 8-episode segments each explore a different aspect of covenant life and examine what covenant means. And, each small group sets its own schedule for completing the study.
Why should you participate? Covenant Bible Study creates a learning experience where scripture meets everyday experience - within and beyond the sphere of church life. It builds trust in others as well as confidence in scripture. And it provides an exciting new opportunity to better understand God's call, God's love and God's unexpected favor.
I invite all of you to consider forming a group of 8-12 members (or signing up individually to become a member of a group) and dedicating yourselves to the in-depth study of God's word for us today. There have never been more challenging times than ours, requiring us to seek a path forward in the world as people of the Way.
More information on this study, including cost (very affordable!), a dedicated website link and sign-up instructions, will be available throughout August using all our vehicles for communication.
Ann joins me in urging each of you to prayerfully think about utilizing this life-changing tool. It's exactly what is needed for such a time as this.
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Summer Worship Schedule Continues Through August 10
10:00 am - Worship with Communion
No Sunday School
Nursery Weekly: 9:45 - 11:15 am
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Our Regular Worship Schedule Resumes August 17
with two services of worship
8:30 am with Communion
11:00 am
Labor Day Weekend Worship - Sunday, August 31
ONE SERVICE ONLY - 10:00 am with Communion
Sanctuary flower dates are available October 5, 12, 19, 26 and November 2, 9 and 23.
If you would like to provide flowers in honor or memory of a loved one, please contact Margaret Fancher at 234-1359 or [email protected].
8:30 am Communion Servers Are Needed!
Volunteers are needed to serve communion by intinction during 8:30 am worship beginning August 17. This is a simple task to perform, but is also quite meaningful to both server and recipients. If you would like to help your church in this way, please email Sally Hines at [email protected] or call the church office at 234-1757.
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Lectionary Texts for August
August 3 - Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21
August 10 - Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Romans 10:5-15;
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17 - Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32;
Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
August 24 - Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
August 31 - Exodus 3:1-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Romans 12:9-21;
Matthew 16:21-28
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Summary of the Stated Session Meeting
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There was no July meeting. The next Stated Session meeting will be held August 11, 2014, at 5:30 pm in the Session Room.
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"Securing Our Future" Capital Campaign Update
July, 2014
Total Pledges $ 2,156,733.00
Total Contributions Received $ 1,125,812.78
Please continue making your capital contribution payments. With much prayerful consideration, these funds have been committed and need everyone's support to fulfill our goals. Likewise, the remaining summer months are generally slower collection times in the life of the church, primarily due to members vacationing. If you fall into this category, please remember you can still fulfill any financial commitments via mail. You don't have to be present to pay!
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A Reminder: FPC Members Can Access Pledge/Giving Information Online
Two years ago, the Session elected to purchase a new financial system for FPC. One of the key factors driving this decision was that the Session wanted to provide FPC members with the ability to review their giving amounts online and offer them the ability to make updates to their contact information. Ultimately, ACS church management software from ACS Technologies was selected, and the Finance ministry team embarked on the task of migrating all of the church's financial data to the new cloud-based system.
Now that the migration has been successfully completed, both the Finance ministry team and the Session are pleased to announce that FPC members can now enroll for online access to their contribution and contact data using ACS's AccessACS software. The link to access your information, along with instructions on how to setup your online account is located on the church's website.
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Organ Rededication Featuring Ramirez Set for Sunday November 9, 4:00 pm
Ra�l Prieto Ram�rez is the first Spanish organist in recent times to establish himself among the elites of the international concert scene. His powerful personality, passionate expressiveness, gift for communication and outstanding technique make him shine with a unique light. He was appointed at age 27 as the first Organist-in-Residence of the Auditorio Nacional de M�sica in Madrid, Spain's National Concert Hall. Within the first six months of his appointment, he increased attendance at the hall's organ recitals by a multiple of 30, and critics hailed him as one of the most exciting talents on the music scene in Spain.
I had the opportunity to hear Ra�l when he performed at the 2012 American Guild of Organists convention in Nashville. Since then, his career in the United States has blossomed. He secured a contract with the prestigious concert management team of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, and is now one of their most sought-after performers.
Our organ is not just for FPC; it is also a gift we should share with the community. We often take for granted the many things that surround us in worship...the simplistic beauty of our sanctuary and its stained glass windows, the excellence of the word presented each Sunday, the offerings given by the choir and soloists and yes, the organ that so greatly aids our praising God through song. While none of these material things are truly necessary, they do enhance our offerings to God and are a witness to the community of our faith in God.
I hope you will join me as we rededicate this amazing instrument to the glory of God. Ra�l is accustomed to playing for capacity crowds, so invite your friends to join you for this special event in the life of First Presbyterian Church and Oxford. The event is free and open to the public. Child care will be provided.
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A huge thank you to our wonderful VBS co-directors, Laura Montgomery and Lee Mullen. With their leadership and the support of many other volunteers, we had a wildly successful program this summer with 80 children...a new FPC record!
As we start to get ready for a new year, mark your calendars for Sunday, September 7 for Rally Day, our annual day to kick off the new Sunday School year with a celebration of our children and teachers. We hope you have all had a fantastic summer and we can't wait to have you back for another great year!
Your Children's Education Ministry team needs Sunday School teachers in all age groups. It is simple, fun and rewarding to share your time and energy with our youngest members. Contact Daniel Howie at the church office to learn more about how you can help! PYF will kick things off this year on Sunday, August 24 with a pool party. We will meet at the church at 4:00 pm to take the bus to the Haskell residence and return by 7:00 pm. Please bring a bathing suit and a towel. If you are currently in 7th-12th grades, please come join us as we start a new PYF year. Be on the lookout for our PYF letter and calendar of events. If you do not receive one, please contact the church office so we may correct your address.
Daniel Howie |
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Adult Sunday School Resumes August 17
The following Adult Sunday School classes will be available:
The Wired Word - Discussion revolves around a current news event and its implications for the life of faith. The class meets with Rev. John Semmes in Fellowship Hall.
2, 3, 4 Class - Young adults meet in the Library to discuss Making Sense of Scripture, a video curriculum featuring Dr. David Lose. Matthew and Melissa Hall, along with Rev. Ann Kelly, facilitate the discussion.
Adult Bible Study - Hale Freeland leads a co-ed Bible study in Room 101 of the Sanctuary building based on a book of the Bible or a book about the Bible.
Men's Bible Class I - Led by Max Williams, this group meets in the Session Room (upstairs in the Sanctuary building) to discuss The Present Word curriculum.
Men's Bible Class II - Members of the class rotate leadership of this Bible study which meets in Room 102 of the Sanctuary building.
Women of Faith - Corinne Cullen leads a study of the Bible with women of varied ages in the annex building.
The Alton Bryant Sunday School Class - This co-ed Bible study class under the leadership of Nolan Waller uses The Present Word curriculum.
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VIP Calendar of Events
Tentative plans have been made for the following VIP activities this fall. Watch the bulletin and newsletter for more information about specific dates and times. The VIPs (Very Important Presbyterians) are age 55 and older. They enjoy monthly outings and gatherings throughout the year. Come enjoy one of these events in 2014!
August Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery & Lunch in Holly Springs
September The Taming of the Shrew at Panola Playhouse in Sardis
October Harvest Festival at French Camp on Saturday, October 11
November Brice's Crossroads Visitors' Center and Battlefield
December Lunch gathering in Oxford
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Food, Faith, & Fellowship
First Presbyterian Church
Oxford, MS
Brochures with detail may be found in the
church office or the Nathex
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Save the Date!
Tuesday, September 9
6:00 pm
It's a time and place you won't want to miss. The Presbyterian Women's Welcome Dinner is a special time of gathering all our circle members to greet new members and remember those who have passed on. This year, we have a special opportunity. Kathy Brummett, our guest speaker, is associated with a group called Life for the Innocent, which rescues children who are victims of human trafficking. You will want to be there, so watch for more details in the September newsletter and make your reservation with the church office.
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry...
will meet Monday, August 4 at 1:00 pm in Conference Room 101.
We invite anyone who enjoys knitting and crocheting to join us in making prayer shawls for members and friends and baby blankets for our newly-baptized babies.
If you are interested in participating but cannot attend a meeting, please contact Margaret Fancher at 234-1359 or [email protected].
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News from the Pews
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Winn Hutchcraft, whose niece, Ann Andrews, died June 21, 2014 in Nashville, TN.
Wil Matthews, whose uncle, Richard Stafford, died June 30, 2014 near Jonesville, LA.
Ed Field, whose father, Dr. R.J. Field, died July 22, 2014 in Centerville, MS.
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We extend congratulations to:
Mary Kate and Edward Duke, who were married June 21, 2014.
Hannah Leslie Yates and Rush Mayo, who were married June 28, 2014.
If you have good news to share about yourself or someone you know in our church family, please email Suzan Clark at [email protected] so we can share it!
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Memorials and Honoraria
~ with gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~
In Memory Of:
Martha Elkins
Larry and Kay Tyler
Helen Bowers
Charles & Sue Treas
Dorothy Lee Tatum
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August Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
1 - Homer Burkett, Russell Coon, Walker Coon, Diane Scruggs
2 - Ellie DeVoe, Kyle Shannon
4 - Mary Glynn Wright, Sharron Alexander, Elizabeth Miers
5 - Dari Mansel, Whitney Harris
6 - Al Ling, Tennyson Monteith
7 - Rush Mayo, Harper Grace Lovelace
8 - Jon Rawl, Ella Chiniche
9 - Wyatt McCool, Jessica Simpson
10 - Barron Rosson, Carnice Woods
11 - Mary Freeman, Gale Gurner
12 - J. J. Jones, Bill Sloan
13 - Betty Coon, Ernest Flautt, Lee Miers, Megan Bundren, Dean Thompon
14 - Earl Grissinger, Jr., Bob Joiner, Marshall Love
15 - Olivia Duke
16 - Emmie Ellen Wade, Matthew Ueleke
17 - Joslin Williams
18 - Maggie Thompson
19 - Lark Lindley, Polly Morrison Taylor, Henry Hyneman, Kyle Campbell
21 - Virginia Smith, Caroline McIntosh, Julie Chadwick, Nancy Rogers, Kate Abraham, Jennifer Hitt
22 - Kathryn Elliott, Danny Collins, Machelle Williams
24 - Patricia Treloar
25 - Abby Manning, Kate Newman
26 - Mary Haskell
27 - Claire Mauldin, Bill Bowlin, Nolan Shannon
28 - Richard Gurner
29 - Sarah Margaret Hester
30 - Kate McPhail
31 - James Ling, Mary Dale Byars, Lauren Hollis
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Anniversaries
5 - Jane Lyle & Trey Byars, Nicole & Tim Tucker
6 - Jody & Ron Wilson
7 - Kate and Christopher Newman
8 - Melissa & Matthew Hall, Lynn & Bill Sloan
9 - Nancy & Jerry Warner
10 - Michelle & Marshall Love
11 - Meredith & Jon Rawl
12 - Elizabeth & David Coon, Wendy & Jay Carmean
14 - Donna & Kenneth Joslin, Kristina Carlson & Doug Alexander
16 - Ashley & John Callery
17 - Grace & Dennis Feller
19 - Kathryn & Ray Hill
20 - Lauren & Denson Hollis
21 - Mary Cates & Robert Williams
23 - Sarah & Jeffrey Hollis
25 - Mary Kay & Les McDowell
28 - Ashley & Pratt Wilkinson
30 - Mary Edith & George Walker
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First Dates
The Men's Breakfast Group will resume meetings in the fall.
Piecemakers meet the first Tuesday at 9:30 am, each Wednesday at 9:00 am and Saturday, August 9 at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall.
The Diaconate will meet until Tuesday, August 5 at 5:45 pm.
The Session will meet until Monday, August 11 at 5:30 pm.
The Book Club will meet Tuesday, August 12 at 1:30 pm in Conference Room 101. This month's book is, "The Beginner's Goodbye," by Anne Tyler.
The Grief Support Group will meet Tuesday, August 26 at 10:00 am at the home of
Fannie Elliott.
The Worship Ministry Team will meet Sunday, August 31.
Reminder: Newsletter deadline for submissions is Friday, August 15.
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The Session
Class of 2014
Jay Chain, Mary Haskell, Bob Joiner, Al Ling, Jennifer Redditt (clerk)
Class of 2015
David Flautt, Carole Haney, Niles Lovelady, Kathy Neff, Jennifer Williams
Class of 2016
Maggie Abernathy, Bill Bowlin, Bette Butler, Melissa Hall, Ernie Williams
The Diaconate
Class of 2014
Winn Hutchcraft, Scott Paul Manley, Jennifer Parker, Kay Tyler, Billy Wood
Class of 2015
Carmille Hovious, Margie McLeod, Lee Mullen, Shae Orrell, Chuck Sherman
Class of 2016
Betty Abdo, Sarah Brooke Bishop, Sam Jennings, Anna Ruth Kesler, Tony Mize
Your Church Staff
The Congregation Ministers Ext.
John M. Semmes....... Pastor............................. [email protected] 15
Ann H. Kelly............. Interim Associate Pastor. [email protected] 12
Joseph W. Garrison... Dir. of Music/Organist.... [email protected] 17
Claire Taylor............. Dir. of Elementary [email protected]
Daniel S. Howie........ Dir. of Children's Ed....... [email protected] 18
Howard Dudley..........College [email protected]
Frances Saralvarez.... Office Administrator ....... [email protected] 10
Suzan S. Clark........... Secretary......................... [email protected] 11
Carnice L. Woods..... [email protected] 11
Wade Simpson.......... Property Manager.......... [email protected]
Diane W. Lindley...... Nursery Coordinator....... [email protected]
924 Van Buren Avenue * Oxford, Mississippi 38655 * 662-234-1757 * fpcoxford.net
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