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Welcome to Advent, the season on the Christian calendar dedicated to...wait for it...waiting. Advent can be excruciating for some people, but for others it is an expected occasion to marinate in a more pregnant kind of time, deep theological thought and the prospect of darkness melting into light. But what does waiting really get us?
Craig Barnes, president of Princeton Theological Seminary, recently wrote in a November issue of
The Christian Century about the value of waiting. I found his words to be both poignant and true, and I share them with you in the hope that Advent will yield for you a new and deeper meaning as the clock slowly ticks toward Hope these next four weeks.
"We hate waiting. We get a lot of practice, but that doesn't make us good at it. We wait in traffic, in grocery store lines, at airports, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and in doctors' waiting rooms.
Sometimes the waiting is for important news. Will the medical tests reveal a terrible disease? Will we get the job for which we interviewed, or will it go to someone else? Will we ever find intimacy? Will our child grow up to be a responsible adult?
For those who worship, some of the hardest waiting is upon God. There are so many promises in the Bible, and at least one of them has captured our hearts. "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things you
do not know." "The one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion." "Go to a land that I will show you, and I will make you a blessing."
This waiting places the credibility of God's promises and our faith in them at risk. But what is faith without risk?
Ernest Hemingway was injured in World War I while working as an ambulance driver. Doctors pulled 237 pieces of shrapnel out of his body, and he spent six months in a hospital ward recovering. He was surrounded by other patients recovering from their wounds and became fascinated by how differently they waited through the seemingly endless days of recovery. Some distracted themselves with small entertainments, others cried out in lament, and still others pondered the depths of their lives.
It may have been during this time that he figured out plotlines that depicted a lead character waiting for combat to begin, or waiting for a bull to start charging, or waiting for rescue at sea.
Hemingway's thesis is that the waiting does not break us; it reveals us.
This same insight is found in the Bible over and over again. Abraham and Sarah spent 25 years waiting for the child God promised. Moses spent 40 years in the desert waiting for a call from God, and another 40 years in the same desert wandering around until God brought the people to the Promised Land. David had to wait a long time as a fugitive before he could become king. The disciples followed Jesus around for years before they knew who he was and what he was about. Even after his resurrection and ascension they were told to wait for the Holy Spirit before they did anything. The rest of the New Testament depicts all of the creation waiting for the full coming of Christ's kingdom. For that we still wait.
So what is revealed in all of this waiting? The biblical story, which is really our stories, illustrates several revelations.
One of them is that waiting makes us anxious, and anxiety makes us come up with plans of our own for salvation that are typically not so great. Most decisions made out of fear only make things worse. This is an important reminder for mainline Protestant denominations that realize they're in numerical decline. Maybe God has a new call for our church that has nothing to do with being mainline. We'll have to wait and see.
Another insight is that we're not the only ones in the waiting room of the Great Physician. Many people of various races and national groups have been in the room far longer than we. All of us wait for God's promises of the embrace of justice and peace, but if we start a conversation with someone else in the waiting room, we may learn that we're not the most desperate patient waiting for healing.
Another thing that waiting reveals is that we are creatures and not Creators. If we were gods, we would never have to wait for anyone to make our dreams to come true. But life is created by God. When we lose the humility of this truth we inflict the most harm on those around us. They pay the price as we create havoc trying to self-construct our lives.
Perhaps the most important thing waiting reveals is that we can always choose how we'll respond to the humility it brings. Those with souls filled with gravitas use the waiting to draw closer to the God whose ways are not our ways, and whose timing often seems to have a preference for arriving after the time for saving the day has come and gone.
Is this not one of the proclamations of Easter? The women who stayed near the dead and buried Jesus demonstrated how best to wait. We don't run away. After the waiting has become hopeless, we stay with our grief and our devotion to Jesus Christ. Only then are we well positioned to receive the glorious surprises of a risen Savior who is not done.
The biblical drama seems to indicate that even God is waiting to see what will be revealed in the soul of the church that waits. Will we live by faith, or come up with anxious plans that can only create more hurt?"
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From the Associate Pastor
In preparing for a presentation about Advent, I found a poem by J. Barrie Shepherd that lifts up the shepherds in the holy birth narrative. This is because they listened to the angels' song, they went to see the sight the angels had sung about, and they returned home glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard. Here is a portion of the poem:
It is almost as if that angel
had already tried the innkeeper,
but he had no time even to hesitate.
Already tried the soldiers
in the tavern down in Bethlehem,
but they were having too good a time;
and finally, as a last resort,
had come upon this pack of shepherds.
And these, at last, were folks who could hear-
could hear the best good news
this world has ever heard.
They were far enough "out of it,"
-- don't you see? - far enough removed
from what today we insist on calling "reality"
-- the fuss and bustle, jostle and hustle
of the marketplace - just far enough away
to enable them to hearken to eternity.
The shepherds listened and then they acted.
They went, even unto Bethlehem,
And with haste to find
The Prince of Peace...
From "The Shepherds and the Angel Song,"
Faces at the Manger
by J. Barrie Shepherd
In the busy-ness of the Advent season, don't forget to make time to listen for the places God may be calling you to go and to see a glimpse of what God is doing in our world so that you, too, can return home and share the story.
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Securing our Future - Capital Campaign
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October 2016
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Total Pledges
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$198,478
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Total Contributions Received YTD
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$133,393
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Summary of Stated Session Meeting
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Worship Services
8:30 am - Worship with communion
9:45 am - Sunday School
11:00 am - Worship with communion each first Sunday
Nursery Weekly: 8:15 am-12:15 pm
Please note below special worship times during and after the holidays.
Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
Child-Friendly Service at 4:00 pm
Traditional Service at 5:30 pm with communion
A nursery will be offered at the
second service only.
Please bring unwrapped non-perishables for the Pantry as part of our
Annual "White Christmas" offering and place them under
the Chrismon tree prior to either Christmas Eve service.
Please Note: ONLY ONE SERVICE
of worship will be held on January 1
at 10:00 am. No Sunday School classes will be offered.
Our regular worship and Sunday School schedule will resume
January 8, during which the installation
and ordination of officers, Class of 2019, will take place.
Advent Services of Wholeness and Healing....
...continue
December 6 and 13. Each service begins at 5:30 pm in
the Sanctuary and lasts 30 minutes, comprising prayer,
scripture and communion.
All are welcome!
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The First Presbyterian Church
Calendar of Events for Advent 2016
Sunday, December 4
Advent II Worship
Communion, Both Services
Tuesday, December 6
A Service of Wholeness & Healing, 5:30 pm*
Wednesday, December 7
Advent Bible Study, "Names for the Messiah," 10:30 AM, Session Room
Ecumenical Noonday Worship & Luncheon*
With Oxford High School Chorus
Sunday, December 11
Advent III Worship, Including Children's Anthem (11:00)
A Festival of Lessons and Carols, 6:00 pm
Joseph Garrison, Conductor
With Matthew McMahan, Organist, Enrique Cotelo, Percussion,
Diane Wang, Flutist & Ricky Burkhead, Timpani
Tuesday, December 13
A Service of Wholeness & Healing, 5:30 pm*
Wednesday, December 14
Advent Bible Study, "Names for the Messiah," 10:30 AM, Session Room
Ecumenical Noonday Worship & Luncheon*
With University of Mississippi Woodwind Ensemble
Children's Christmas Pageant, 6:00 PM
Sunday, December 18
Advent IV Worship With PC(USA) Joy Gift Offering
Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve Worship
Family Service with Christmas Story, Candlelight, 4:00 pm
Traditional Service with Homily, Candlelight & Communion, 5:30 pm
Nursery Available for 5:30 pm Service Only
White Christmas Offering, Both Services:
Please Bring Unwrapped, Non-Perishable Food Items for the Pantry
Sunday, December 25
Home Worship Only - Church Closed
*Nursery Available
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Lectionary Texts for December
December 4 - Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13;
Matthew 3:1-12
December 11 - Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10;
Matthew 11:2-11
December 18 - Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7;
Matthew 1:18-25
December 25 - Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20;
Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-14
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Give Generously to the Christmas Joy Offering
On Sunday, December 18, you'll have an opportunity to share in the joy of a promise. During Advent, we remember God's promises to us. We gather together and wait in hope for the coming of the promised Emmanuel, God with us. The Presbyterian Churh (USA) provides the opportunity for congregations to join this celebration of God's faithfulness by supporting those in need of help and hope. Thanks to your gifts, the Christmas Joy Offering is able to help provide financial assistance to individuals and families who have dedicated their lives to the church as well as help support racial ethnic education and leadership development for students attending Presbyterian-related schools and colleges. The promise made is one of hope in situations where hope can be hard to find. When we give, we delare that our lhope is well-founded, because it is God who has promised, and it is God who is faithful. thank you for your support of this vital offering. Please give generously.
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Sanctuary flower dates are available...
January 8, 15 and 29
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Also, if you would like to provide seasonal greenery and berries during Advent
in honor
or memory of a loved one on January 1, please contact
Margaret Fancher at [email protected] or 234-1359. |
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41st Annual Christmas Store Just Ahead
The Christmas Store provides two toys and books to children in Oxford and Lafayette County that otherwise might not have much for Christmas. The annual event, which originated at First Presbyterian but is now overseen by the Oxford-Ole Miss Rotary Club, provides gifts to over 650 children. Community volunteers and Rotary members shop for specific toys for each child based on a wish list on their application. Specific dates and times for shopping will be announced soon. Other opportunities to volunteer including the "Sorting and Preparation Day" on Saturday, December 10th, and the big event to distribute the toys to the families on Saturday, December 17th.
We need your help! To volunteer or to receive more information, please email
[email protected].
Pantry Volunteers Needed!
The Pantry needs several substitute screeners to be available as needed for Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:00 am. Compassionate, sensitive individuals are sought for this most important job. Please call Conny Parham at 234-4561 for more information and the invitation to observe the operation. Traning will be provided.
The Pantry needs several on-call volunteer substitutes to deliver groceries to a home-bound client once a month. Please call June Rosentreter at 234-8063.
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Donate to Lovepacks this Holiday Season!
Don't forget to donate to Lovepacks this holiday season to help fight hunger in our local schools. Children who are placed on the Lovepacks list are those who've been identified by school counselors and others as those most likely to be without adequate food on weekends and holidays when they are not receiving breakfast and lunch at school. Additional food items are sent home during the holiday season to help ensure that no one goes hungry. Items needed include: 16 oz. jars of peanut butter, granola and protein bars, pop-top soups and pastas, non-refrigerated pudding, peanut butter crackers.
Thank you for all of your generous donations throughout the year! Please keep them coming in 2017.
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Adult Sunday School Classes Continue this Month
The following classes are available:
The Wired Word
-- Discussion revolves around a current news event and its implications for the life of faith. The class meets with Rev. Semmes in Fellowship Hall, Rooms 1&2.
Young Adult Class -- Young adults meet in the library of the Education Building to discuss the lives and stories of familiar and not-so-familiar characters in the Bible and how their stories are relevant in our lives. Matthew and Melissa Hall, along with Rev. Ann Kelly, facilitate the discussion.
he discussion. amiliar and not-so-familiar characters in the Bible lissa Hall,
Men's Bible Class I
-- Led by Ed Croom, the class meets in the Session Room (upstairs in the Sanctuary building). It is currently studying the Wisdom Literature of 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. They are currently studying the Book of Matthew.
Women of Faith -- Women of various ages meet in Room 4 of Fellowship Hall to share in a group study of Learning To Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor.
The Alton Bryant Sunday School Class
-- This co-ed Bible study class, under the leadership of Nolan Waller, uses The Present Word curriculum and meets in Conference Room 101 in the church office building.
fo
vailable:
ations for the life
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Young Adult Fellowship News
YAF, formerly Roundtable, is a newly reorganized opportunity for the 20s, 30s, and 40s in our church with kids, no kids or singles to join together for fellowship and spiritual growth.
A Christmas party will be held December 7 at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be provided. For more information, please email
[email protected].
Coming Soon: Tapestry 2017
Tapestry, a leadership training event for people the Presbytery of St. Andrew and the Presbytery of the Mid-South, will be held Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church, Memphis. The keynote address features Reverend William J. Carl, III, who will explore some basic fundamentals of growing churches and how to incorporate them into the life of our own. The event begins on Friday with registration followed by a keynote address and dinner at the Rendezvous restaurant. Saturday morning worship is followed by three sessions of classes on a wide variety of topics that appeal to church members, officers and ministers. Pick up a brochure at the church and see what courses interest you. Then, plan to join in on the fellowship and education provided at Tapestry.
Article Headline
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PYF Tree Sales Now Underway
Our youth have been hard at work preparing for the 9th annual Christmas tree fundraiser. Things are looking a bit different this year. Instead of working off the front lawn, we are selling trees on the church parking lot and storing our inventory inside the nearby garage area of our property. The lot is open daily from 9:00 am-7:00 pm and will remain open until all trees are sold. This is a great fundraiser for youth that will support their summer trip to the annual Youth Conference at Montreat...and we need your help. Be sure to stop by our lot and buy a tree for your home or office, and tell all your friends to come by too! We are also selling wreaths and offer home delivery and set-up. Thank you all for your support in this fundraiser. We wish you a "Happy Holiday" from all of us here at PYF!
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| An Important Sunday Parking Reminder
Bridge Properties, 1000 Tyler Avenue at 10th St., has advised the church it will tow all unauthorized vehicles on its parking lot, including Sundays, effective immediately. Please do not park on the Bridge Properties lot to attend worship or other church events!
Ride the Bus to Church!
Make plans now to park at the Blake and ride the bus to church each Sunday so that you won't have to worry about parking downtown. Time of departure from the Blake is weekly at 10:30 am. The bus returns immediately after 11:00 am worship. Thanks to all our volunteer drivers who make this service possible!
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Welcome to Our Newest Members!
We welcome our newest members, who were received by the Session on November 20:
Lindsey and Dr. Phil Baquie (Allie Rose, 3 & Ruby Jane, 6 months), Reaffirmation of Faith.
Lindsey is owner of Epicure Spa; Phil is founder of Oxford Counseling Center.
Sarah Kathryn and Trey Bridgers (Elsie James & Tucker, 9, Jack, 5), TOL Taylor United Methodist Church, Taylor MS.
Sarah Kathryn is owner of Studio Whimzy; Trey is associated with My Michelle's Catering.
Cydni and Kris Kersey, Reaffirmation of Faith.
Kris is an adjuster with Winchester Ammunition; Cydni is the daughter of our own Toni and Joe Joyer.
Angela McRae and Buddy McRae (Lauren, 4 & Shelby, 3), TOL. Grace Chapel Presbyterian Church, Madison MS.
Angela works at the School of Law at the University of Mississippi; Buddy is COO at Tallahatchie General Hospital.
Elizabeth Owen (affiliate), Reaffirmation of Faith.
Elizabeth is Registrar and Marketing Director at Camp Hopewell and interim director of the UKirk college ministry at Ole Miss.
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The Prayer Shawl Ministry...
...will meet Monday, December 5 at 10:00 am in Room 101.
Greening the Church Requires Volunteers
Volunteers
are needed on Friday mornings at 9:00 am during Advent, December 2, 8 (Thursday, 1:00 pm), 16, and 23. Please contact the church office to sign up for the dates you are available to help.
Remember to bring your gloves and clippers!
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Alma Shaw Circle will meet at 9:45 am, Tuesday, December 6,
Mary Kay McDowell, 104 St. Andrews Road.
Carroll Barr Circle will meet at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, December 13,
Nancy Rogers, 1410 South Lamar Blvd.
Esther Ethridge Circle will meet at 4:30 pm, Sunday, December 11,
Taylor Wilkinson, 1588 Buchanan.
Gerry Duvall Circle will meet at 12:00 pm, Tuesday, December 20,
Fellowship Hall.
Lula Gregory Circle will meet at 9:45 am, Tuesday, December 20,
Judy Edgar, 514 Exbury Drive.
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| Birthdays and Anniversaries |
December Birthdays:
1 - Brett Estes, Baxter Elliott, Jimmy Heidel, Brent Hardin, Kathy Griffith, Jon Crawford
2 - Sandy Grisham, Margaret Fancher, Mary Kay McDowell, Scott Thompson, Tyler Lovelace, Mary Glenn Carrington
3 - David Cook, Ashley Abraham, JoAnne Oliver, Robin Geurin, Lilian Geurin,
4 - Ernie Lowe, Monte Gibbs, David Coon
5 - Mary Clark Hayward, Chad Redditt, Robert Williams
6 - Ty Gillespie, Dean Chow
7 - Tom Meredith
8 - Sandra Webb
9 - Rosie Cooper, Gracyn Ashmore, Sharon Lovelace, Caroline Croom,
10 - Syd Shaw, George Abdo
11 - Ben Pettis, June Goza, Damein Wash
12 - Emma Flautt, Jenny McPhail, Merrel Johnson
13 - Guff Abbott
14 - Scott Burton, Jason Farris
15 - Vaughn Grisham, Laura Whitten, Kristina Carlson, Tom Embry, Mary Elizabeth Miers
16 - Kate Rosson
17 - Debbie Boutwell, Wes Snellgrove, Logan McPhail
18 - Marty Mauldin
19 - Joyce Gibbs, Derek Baker
20 - Mary Sims, Hale Freeland, Matthew Chow, Grace Gillespie
21 - Julie Field
22 - Maggie Abernathy, Davis McCool, Mike Lovelace, Robert Hall, Randall Mize, John T. Edge
23 - Robert Lake, Jack Hill, Antje Webb, Liza Orrell, Wil Matthews
24 - Lee Mize, Alissa Davis Stricklin
25 - Lynton Dilley, Marjorie Selvidge
26 - Luke Gibbs
27 - Cliff Smith
28 - Allison Crawford, Alice McCormick, Lainey Schuesselin, Lu Brock
29 - Kristen Phillips
31 - Ashley Callery
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December Anniversaries:
4 - LuAnn & Tommy Smith
6 - Machelle & Ernie Williams
8 - Maribell & Doug Sullivan-Gonzalez, Suzan & Jim DeLoach
9 - Cary Lee & Justin Cluck
11 - Bonnie Avery & Christopher McCurdy
12 - Jenny & Sparky Luster
15 - JoAnne Oliver & Gary Wright
18 - Melissa & Matthew Graves
21 - Jody & Pick Scruggs, Ann & Bill Dickins
22 - Ann & Richard DeVoe; Patsy & Guff Abbott, Susan & David Shaw
24 - Marianna & Monte Ochs
28 - Mary & Sam Haskell
29 - Joyce & Monte Gibbs
30 - Lele & Guy Gillespie
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Memorials and Honoraria
~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~
In Memory Of:
Walker Atkinson
J. J. Jones
Greg Patton
Nancy Wilkie
J. J. Jones
Charlene Mize
Betty & George Abdo
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First Dates
The Men of the Church meet each Tuesday at 6:30 am at the Beacon Restaurant.
The Diaconate will meet Tuesday, December 6 at 5:30 pm in Room 102.
The Property Ministry Team will meet Tuesday, December 6 at 5:30 pm in Room 101.
Piecemakers meet each Wednesday at 9:00 am in Conference Room 101 and Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 am in Fellowship Hall.
The Session will meet Monday, December 12 at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.
The Book Club will meet Tuesday, December 13 at 1:30 pm in Conference Room 101 to choose books for next year.
The Dewey Hickman Grief Support Group will meet Tuesday, December 27 at 10:00 am at the home of Fannie Elliott.
The Children's Christian Education Ministry Team
will meet Thursday, November 17 at 5:30 pm in the Education Building library.
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| Reminder: The January deadline for submissions to First Press is Friday, December 16.
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The Session
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)
CLASS of 2018
Darren Ashmore, Dorothy Lou Aldridge,
Jane Lyle Byars, Paul Chiniche, Kathryn Hill
The Diaconate
CLASS of 2016
Betty Abdo, Sarah Brooke Bishop,
Gale Gurner, Anna Ruth Kesler, Tony Mize
CLASS OF 2017
Kevin Christian, Catie Hester,
Laura Montgomery, Diane Scruggs, Cliff Smith
CLASS OF 2018
Whitney Bolen, Julie Chadwick, James Day
Teresa Flautt, JoAnne Oliver
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