First Presbyterian Church
FIRST PRESS             an online newsletter                   September, 2015 
Against the backdrop of summer news bulletins about western wildfires, stock market crashes and Ashley Madison, former President Jimmy Carter produced a rare moment of national unity and poignancy last month when he announced he has metastatic malignant melanoma, the least common skin cancer but also the most deadly. 
 
Regardless of what you think of his politics, Carter is arguably the most successful "former president" we've ever had, having dedicated his 34 years since leaving the White House to social injustice and the eradication of human suffering. His and Mrs. Carter's efforts to rid the world of the water-born Guinea Worm Disease, their labors building houses all over the world and his work negotiating hostage releases (often to the chagrin of the U.S. government) have established him both as a humanitarian and as a tireless disciple of Jesus Christ.  
 
In 2006, Cindy and I had the honor of visiting the Carters in their Plains home. Then as now, his mind was crystal clear and it was affirming to see with my own eyes his genuine kindness and authentic concern for the world and its future. The next day, we attended Carter's Sunday School class and then sat with he and his wife for worship - a weekend I will always treasure. 
 
I write about all this because in Jimmy Carter, I see someone whose understanding of the essential tenets of the Gospel is both demonstrable and inspirational. With understated ease, he lives out his doctrinal beliefs and seeks no attention for any of it. "My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference," he once said. That's pretty much the siren call for all of us Christians 
 
And now, in confronting death, he teaches us even more. His combination of tenacious anticipation for treatment, illustrative of his desire to live as long as possible, and acceptance for what is inevitably coming his way, which reveals the depth of his faith in Jesus Christ, is the way I would want all of us to look at our own mortality. "I've had a wonderful life, I've had thousands of friends, and I've had an exciting and adventurous and gratifying existence," he said at his press conference. "I'm perfectly at ease with whatever comesNow I feel that it's in the hands of God." 
 
Are the rest of us that comfortable with the prospect of our own deaths? Perhaps now is the appropriate time to visit W. S. Merwin's classic: 
 
Every year without knowing it I have passed the day  
When the last fires will wave to me 
And the silence will set out 
Tireless traveler 
Like the beam of a lightless star 
 
Then I will no longer 
Find myself in life as in a strange garment 
Surprised at the earth 
And the love of one woman 
And the shamelessness of men 
As today writing after three days of rain 
Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease 
And bowing not knowing to what 

(from "For the Anniversary of My Death")
In Christ, we are set free from the fear of death. With Christ, we find our constant companion throughout each day. For Christ, we live in faith that life is eternal and we belong to him.  
 
May God's grace, healing and peace sustain President Carter and all others who face cancer's challenge.

Peace to you, 
 John's signature
Summary of the Stated Session Meeting

The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its stated monthly meeting on Monday, August 10, 2015, at 5:30 pm in the Session Room.  Thirteen Elders were present.   
 
 I.  Ministry Team Check-In: 
            1.  Finance: 
  • As of July 31, 2015, year to date revenue was $462,738.62 and expenses were $538,118.38. 
  • The Finance Ministry Team will meet August 17, 2015. 
             2.  Property: 
  • The Property Ministry Team requested that the Session approve additional monies from the Nabors Fund to pay for the small budget overage of approximately $1000 for the installation of the gates in the church parking lot.  After discussion, the motion was made and passed unanimously.
  • Volunteers moved the contents of the youth room to the Annex building PYF will use this space as their meeting place during the renovation of Fellowship Hall. Also, the church will use the back of the Annex building for storage of items from the hall.   
  • Carter Hord Architects has submitted their completed drawings of the Fellowship Hall renovation.  The church should receive a guaranteed maximum price within the next three weeks. 
  • The renovation of the UKirk space is in the final stages of completion. 
  • Repair work will be done on the gutters and roof tiles on the Education Building. The downspout on the southwest corner of the sanctuary will be repaired soon. The ministry team will also address maintenance problems with a leak in the northwest narthex room and a water discharge problem over the South 10th Street entrance to the church. 
  • Elder Christina Torbert brought attention to the need for maintenance on the hearing aid sets for use in the sanctuary. 
  • Daniel Howie will give instructions at the next Session meeting on the use of the defibrillator. 
  • After discussion of the use of the parking lot for a UKirk fundraiser during football season, the following motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously: 
  • Movant, Moderator - Motion for UKirk to lease the church parking lot for the 2015 football season to members for $350 for 7 games. 
            3.  Personnel: 
  • The Session will address the staff model needs of First Presbyterian Church at its next meeting. 
            4.  Worship: 
  • The Worship Ministry Team has placed the new antependiums and the new communion set in the church sanctuary. 
  • Beginning September 13, 2015, the church will offer regular worship services at 8:30am and 11:00am.  
  • The church will hold Rally Day September 13, 2015. 
             5.  Children's Christian Education: 
  • The ministry team is currently finalizing the Sunday school teacher positions for the upcoming year. 
  • Children's Summer Worship was a success. 
             6.  Adult Christian Education: 
  • Wednesday's Together will begin September 9, 2015, and will conclude September 30, 2015. Allyson Ashmore will lead a program on experiential prayer in the sanctuary at 6:30pm. A dinner buffet will be held at The Round Table restaurant from 5:15pm - 6:15pm each Wednesday evening.   The children will have their dinner and program at the church from 5pm - 7pm. 
  • Let's Get Together, a church fellowship opportunity for groups of 8 people, will begin this fall. Each group, under the guidance of a facilitator, will meet once for an activity in October, November, and January. The ministry team will randomly assign groups each month. 
              7.  Membership and Hospitality: 
  • Elder Walter Nance reported that work on a new church pictorial directory will begin this fall. 
  • The ministry team is in the process of updating the church membership roll. 
              8.  Mission: 
  • After having previously supported the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) with two separate donations, the ministry team donated another $1000 to this organization to help with the challenges they face. 
  • Plans are underway for the next mission trips to Haiti in 2016. A generous donation of $7000 was received with the stipulation that it be used for a second water purification system in the Bognotte/Leogane area. The donor also requested that any leftover monies must fund positions at Living Waters University or Solar Under the Sun. The donation was accepted. 
  • Elder Ernie Williams thanked Martha Kelley for the excellent job she did in organizing volunteers for The Pantry in June. 
The next Stated Session meeting will be held Monday, September 14, 2015, at 5:30pm, in the Session Room. 

Financial Summary


Secure Our Future - Capital Campaign

June, 2015


Total Pledges: $ 2,149,933.00

Total Contributions Received:  $ 2,016,784.00

Worship 

Summer Worship Hours

Our summer worship schedule continues through September 6.

10:00 am - Worship with communion

No Sunday School

Nursery Weekly: 9:45 am - 11:15 am

Regular Worship Hours

Begin September 13

8:30 am - Worship with communion

11:00 am - Worship

Nursery Weekly
Lectionary Texts for September
September 6 - 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a; Psalm 51:1-12; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35 
September 13 - 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4:25-5:2: John 6:35  
September 20 - 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 
September 27 - 1 Kings 8(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43; Psalm 84; Ephesians 6:10-20
Sanctuary flower dates are available
September 27, October 4, 18, 25 
November 8, 15 and 22.

If you would like to provide flowers in honor or
memory of a loved one, please contact Margaret Fancher at
[email protected] or 234-1359

Music

Song is a response which engages the whole self in prayer. Song unites the faithful in common prayer wherever they gather for worship. To lead the congregation in the singing of prayer is a primary role of the choir and other musicians. They also may pray on behalf of the congregation with introits, responses, and other musical forms. Instrumental music may be a form of prayer since words are not essential to prayer. Music as prayer is to be a worthy offering to God on behalf of the people. The Word is also proclaimed through song in anthems and solos based on scriptural texts, in cantatas and oratorios which tell the biblical story, in psalms and canticles, and in hymns, spirituals, and spiritual songs which present the truth of the biblical faith.  -PCUSA Book of Order -

Chapel Choir resumes on September 13. Ages Pre-K through 2nd grade will join director Nancy Maria Balach during the 11:00 worship service as directed.

JoeSignature

Mission 

Bibles are needed for Haven House!

Please bring new or used Bibles to the church office
to be distributed to Haven House residents.

Children's and PYF News

As we start a new Sunday School year, mark your calendars for Sunday, September 13th for our annual Rally Day celebration. Rally Day kicks off the new Sunday School year with a celebration of our children and teachers. Children will meet their new Sunday School teachers in their age-appropriate rooms at 10:00 am that Sunday morning. There will be guides outside on the courtyard to help you find your classroom. Then, we'll celebrate with games, snacks and fellowship on the front lawn after you have met your new teachers. It will be a fun day for all!

NOTE: Your Children's Education Ministry Team needs two more Sunday School teachers willing to tag-team teach. It is simple, fun and rewarding to share your time and energy with our youngest members. Contact Kathy Neff by email at [email protected] to learn more about how you can help!

"Monday Mother's Morning" is a fun new group of parents (dads are welcome, too!) that meets every Monday morning in the Education Building from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. It's a great way for new and young families to meet others in the church and help your child become familiar with the FPC nursery and grounds. All young children are welcome; we ask that they be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information, please contact Emma Flautt by email at [email protected]
Presbyterian Youth Fellowship kicked things off this year with a party in our new/temporary youth space next to the Ukirk building. If you haven't seen it yet, feel free to come over and peek at it when you have some free time; it's a great new home! We welcomed a new class of 7th graders and, if you weren't there to join us, don't worry because youth is back in full swing! A big thank you to Sam and Mary Haskell for once again hosting our beginning-of-the-year pool party. It's always a highlight of our year to swim, laugh and play at the Haskell's home. We'll have our annual Fall retreat at Camp Hopewell Friday, September 18-Sunday, September 20th so parents, please be on the lookout for the retreat mailer and sign up your youth for this amazing weekend.

Christian Education

The following Adult Sunday School classes will again be available beginning in September:

 

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.

 

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. 

 

Men's Bible Class I - Led by Ed Croom, meets in the Session Room (upstairs in the Sanctuary building) - currently studying the Wisdom Literature of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs using the Westminster Bible Companion Series. 

 

Men's Bible Class II - Members of the class rotate leadership of this Bible study class which meets in Room 102 of the Sanctuary building. 

 

Women of Faith - Corrine Cullen leads a study of 1st and 2nd Samuel 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.

Etcetera...
The Prayer Shawl Ministry
 
will next meet Monday, October 5 at 1:00 pm in Room 101.

Presbyterian Women Logo
Please join PW leadership for the Presbyterian Woman Kick-off Meeting 
 
Please join us on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 pm in the SanctuaryWe'll welcome the newcomers to our church and remember those beautiful ladies we have loved and lost: Chris Cobb, Betty Coon, Janellen Day, Dewey Hickman, Martha Hudspeth and Lolly PilkingtonAfter the introduction of our new members and this year's circle chairpersonswe will have a brief overview of our circle study book, "Come to the Waters." 
 
Dessert, coffee and lemonade will be served as we enjoy good fellowship on the courtyard.  
 
We are looking forward to a wonderful year and hope to see all Presbyterian women on September 8 to begin our circle fellowship.  
 
Blessings, 


PW Council   2015-2016

Moderator - Ann DeVoe - [email protected]

Vice-Moderator - Becki Felts - [email protected]

Secretary - Julie Field - [email protected]

Treasurer - Margaret Fancher - [email protected]

Historian - Pat Lowe - [email protected]

Ex-Moderator - Mary Edith Walker - [email protected]

WEDNESDAYS TOGETHER

September 2015

5:15 - 7:00 p.m.


 

Wednesdays Together at FPC will look a little different this fall due to construction on Fellowship Hall. Our Wednesday programs will begin on September 9 and continue through September 30. Participants of all ages will be focusing on prayer and experiencing new ways of approaching prayer. Here are some of the things you'll need to know:


 

Dinner for adults will be offered buffet style at a local restaurant near the church beginning at 5:15 p.m. Children and youth will have simple meals such as pizza, chicken, macaroni and cheese and fruit at the church.


 

After dinner, our toddlers and babies will continue in nursery care while older children and youth attend age-appropriate sessions on prayer. Ann Kelly, Kathy Neff and others will lead children ages 5 and up and Daniel Howie will facilitate the youth. Adults will return to the Sanctuary between 6:15 and 6:30 for their program. The adult study is based on Allyson Ashmore's 2015 Tapestry course entitled, "Praying with the Senses" which received rave reviews from participants. See the September newsletter for more details.


 

Opportunities to sign up for these Wednesday Night programs will be available beginning August 30, before and after the 10:00 am worship service. Individuals and families can sign up each week or can sign up for the whole month. There will also be opportunities to pay in advance to make Wednesdays run more smoothly for everyone concerned. Join us for Wednesdays Together in September!

LET'S GET TOGETHER!

A new opportunity is born to meet and get to know

adults of all ages in our church while

the Fellowship Hall is under construction.

 

Fellowship for members of FPC will be difficult during the next months while Fellowship Hall is under construction. The Adult Education Ministry Team invites you to meet that challenge head-on with LET'S GET TOGETHER! Here's how it will work:

  • Groups of eight will meet once a month in October, November, and January.

  • Groups will be randomly assigned and mixed up each month, so everyone gets a chance to meet 21-23 FPC friends through the three gatherings.

  • Groups will have assigned facilitators each month who will guide each group to decide the what-when-where of the gathering for each month (i.e. dinner, bowling, movies).

  • Please sign up as singles or pairs. Friends that want to travel together can make up a pair.

  • And, please consider volunteering to be a facilitator.

Sign-up opportunities have begun. Once you sign up, you will be assigned to a group and the group facilitator will contact you by the end of September to make plans for the October meeting.

 

It will be a fun way to get to know some members of the FPC family!

Pews2 News from the Pews

We extend sympathy to:

Joanne and Rev. Jonathan Scanlon upon the death of Joanne's brother, Darryl Waldrup, on July 23, 2015 in San Antonio, TX. 
 
The family of Martha Hudspeth, who died August 13, 2015 in Jackson, MS.
New Membership Directory Planned

The Membership and Hospitality Ministry Team is planning a new membership directory. Photos will be updated from October 25 to November 1 with follow-up photos on November 4 and 11 for those who are not able to make it that first week. Sign-up will begin on the front courtyard of the church on October 4 after worship. The goal is to have new photos of each member, so please sign up!
September Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
1 -Tom Davis
2 - Goodloe Lewis, Robert Gage
3 - Parker McPhail
5 - Sparky Luster, McCay Luster
6 - Isabella Moak, Mary Frances DeVoe, Sierra Johnson
7 - Drew Mauldin, Conner Eifling, Luke Wigginton
9 - Cooper McIntosh
10 - Gina Matthews, Scotty Jimenez
11 - Hassell Wilkinson, Sr., Kelli Brisco, Judy Rose, Billy Wood
12 - Sarah-Elisabeth Davis
13 - Mike Lewis, Moni Simpson
14 - Karen Chain, Paige Spencer
15 - Carole Haney, Joe Chambers, Sarah Winsor Secrest
16 - Meg Bartlett, Dick Hercules
17 - Mack Aldridge, Holly Grissinger, Cary Lee Cluck
18 - Anna Ruth Kesler, Taylor McGraw
19 - Helen Rousseau
20 - Susan Shaw
21 - Sam Morrison, Conner McCartney, Ann Luckett Montgomery, Virginia Stricklin
22 - Catherine Rosser, Pete Boone
23 - Deanna Walker, Sherry Styers
24 - Steve Mullen
25 - Mac Monteith, Niles Lovelady, III, Avery Tucker, Ryan Tucker, Billy Staines
26 - Shelley Cribbs
27 - Lydia Moak
28 - Ray Hill, Mike Morrison
29 - Nolan Waller
30 - Patrick Bolen
Anniversaries
  1 - Judy & Barry Rose
  8 - Bette & Jeff Butler
12 - Leslie & Shae Orrell, Tricia Barrios & Marc Showalter
16 - Allisa Davis & Jeffrey Stricklin
20 - Sarah & Michael McLellan
21 - Ann & Lee Borden
24 - Ann & Danny Kelly
25 - Elizabeth & Mac Monteith, Amy & Slade Lewis
27 - Shelby & Lewis Smith
28 - Nancy & Bill Rogers
29 - Kate & Case Embry, Melissa & Brad Logan, Jenna & Tyler Lovelace
New Member Class Upcoming
 
A  New Member Class will be held Sunday, September 20 from 3:00-6:00 pmPlease contact the church office to register if you have not yet spoken to one of our pastors about attendingChildcare is available upon request. 
Memorials and Honoraria
~ with gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~

In Memory of:

Janellen Day
Anne or Robert Gowdy
Dr. Jesse M. Thomas
Mary Lou & Woody Dabbs
Mary K. Mills
Helen & George Cantrell
Evelyn & Don Perry
Dixie & B. J. Jordan
Sandra & Willard Rutledge
Lucinda Sloan
Katherine & Frank Batson
Sherry & Forrest Conley
Peggy & Charlton Lyons

 Martha Hudspeth
Rita & James Hickman
Kay & Larry Tyler
William Summerlin
Bobbie & Johnny Walton

J. C. Browne
J. J. Jones
First Dates
The Men of the Church resume meeting for breakfast Tuesday, September 8 at 6:45 am at the Beacon.
The Diaconate will meet Tuesday, September 1 at 5:30 pm in the Session Room.
The Mission Ministry Team will meet Thursday, September 3 at 5:30 pm.
Piecemakers meet the first Tuesday at 9:30 am, each Wednesday at 9:00 am and Saturday, September 12 at 10:30 am at a location TBD.
The Session will meet Monday, September 14 at 5:30 pm in the Session Room
The Book Club will meet Tuesday, September 8 at 1:30 pm in Room 101. This month's book is, "Learning to Walk in the Dark," by Barbara Brown Taylor.
The Dewey Hickman Grief Support Group will meet Tuesday, September 22 at 10:00 am at the home of Fannie Elliott.

Reminder: The October deadline for submissions to First Press is 

Tuesday, September 15.

The church office will be closed Monday September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

The Session

 

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

 

Class of 2017

Tom Meredith, Walter Nance, David Shaw, Christina Torbert, Mary Glynn Wright (clerk)

The Diaconate

 

Class of 2015

Carmille Hovious, Margie McLeod, Lee Mullen, Shae Orrell, Chuck Sherman

 

Class of 2016

Betty Abdo, Sarah Brooke Bishop, Anna Ruth Kesler, Tony Mize


 
Class of 2017

Kevin Christian, Catie Hester, Laura Montgomery, Diane Scruggs, Cliff Smith

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
Daniel S. Howie........ Dir. of Children's Ed.......... [email protected]            18
Howard Dudley..........College Ministry................ [email protected]
Frances Saralvarez.... Office Administrator......... [email protected]       10
Suzan S. Clark........... Secretary........................... [email protected]               11
Carnice L. Woods..... Secretary............................ [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