Oxford Presbyterian Church U.S.A  | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford, OH 45056
oxfordpresbychurch.org

Sermon - "Peace. Possible? Promised!

With special musical guest "Oxford Brass" and the Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Saturday, December 3, from 9:00 am -12:00 noon is a busy time in The Seminary Church. It's the Annual Oxford Presbyterian Women's Cookie Walk. There will be lots of yummy treats and creative crafts on sale.  SERRV International Gifts will be on sale, too.  Tired?  No problem!  Our "café" will be set up for tired shoppers.  You don't want to miss it!!!!

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Please join the Loose Ends Knitting Group at the Cookie Walk from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 3rd at The Seminary Church.

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The Mitten Tree is bursting with mittens for children of all ages, you may remove mittens until Sunday,  December 11th.  Each mitten has the name and age of a needy child.  Place each mitten, along with your donation of $40-$50 in the envelope inside of the mitten.  Take everything to the Molyneaux Lounge where you may place the envelope in a basket.  Checks should be made payable to Oxford Presbyterian Church.  Your donations will allow a gift(s) to be purchased by the parents of the child.

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Congregational Meeting

A Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, December 11, immediately following worship service to elect church officers for 2017-2019.

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Special Music Fund

and Poinsettias Fundraiser

 

The Worship and Music Committee of Session hopes to make each of the worship services as meaningful as possible. Congregational participation is a crucial ingredient in that effort.

Please fill out the bulletin insert to  order a flower or contribute to the special music fund. The number of poinsettias will be limited to the first 40. Checks should be marked for flowers or the Special Music Fund. The cost of the poinsettias this year will be $15.95.  Last day to order is Wednesday, December 7th.

Sunday, December 4 at 1:30 pm, all interested people will meet in the church alley to carpool to Safe Haven Farms in Middletown. Directions will be provided for self-drivers and for car pooling Safe Haven farms is located at 5970 No Mans Road in Middletown. Contact Karen Shearer at 523-5934 for more information.

Holiday Train Expo!

Trains... Trains... & More Trains display will be held Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm at 3088 Millville Oxford Rd.  All vehicles must park at Marshall School.  There will be a free shuttle service provided.   Adults $10.00 / Children (under 12) $7.00.  All proceeds benefit Local families living with Multiple Sclerosis, C.C.N.S. and other Local Charities.

NOT HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

Christmas Caroling for all ages

Carolers needed for

Sunday December 11

 

Children, Youth and Adults are invited to sing to our parishoners that are not able to attend church.  Meet in the Molyneaux at Memorial at 5:55 p.m.   Please call the church office (523-6364) if you plan to attend.  Each family may bring an appetizer to share for the fellowship following caroling at the home of Jenn and Scott Walter.

 

When : Wednesday, December 14 th

      6:00-8:00 pm

 

Where : The Seminary

 

Who :   All youth are invited, but Middle School and High School students are                 targeted.  Interested adults are welcome to teach, or learn

 

Why :  An activity to help encourage our youth to participate in creating holiday

    spirit at home by preparing desserts (Grady's apple streudel, or G-ma's     Christmas cookies)

     Desserts are also needed for the youth fund raiser Chili Dinner

    after service on December 18th

 

Note: No previous baking skills are required!

    Instructions will be provided

    Assistance will be provided

    You can bring the ingredients and recipes for your own favorites

    You can use the ingredients provided

 

Contact : RSVP to Tom or Grady Holmes 

holmest2@frontier.com

(513)523-3857

Celebration at the Manger

 

Presented by the children and youth

of Oxford Presbyterian Church

 

Sunday, December 18th,

during the 10:00 a.m. worship service

 

Come Witness the Celebration

of Our Savior's birth!

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Join the cast and crew of the Celebration at the Manger for lunch immediately after the show on December 18 th  at the post-production wrap party following the 10am service.

 

Just follow the lighted sidewalk to the Seminary building for a steaming bowl of chili, sides, and dessert for $5.  All proceeds go to our youth's summer mission trips.

 

Autograph seekers and selfie takers are welcome! Please RSVP today to  ginamyers1000@gmail.com or 865-406-9422.

Tickets may be purchased after service on December 4 and December 11 or at the door on December 18.

The Annual Display of Creches/Nativity Scenes is Back!

 

Starting on Sunday, December 4, 2017, anyone wishing to share their special creches or nativity scenes for all to observe and appreciate are invited to bring them to the Molyneaux  Lounge.

 

Display cards will be available so items can be identified as to owner, country of origin (if known), and any other interesting facts.

 

Owners my take their items home after the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service (or earlier is desired).

 

Please note:  items of great sentimental or monetary value should be left at home.  Displays are occasionally handled by viewers young and old(er)!

 

Come and share the beauty of the Season.

Journey Through the Bible

 

2017 will be an exciting time for the Oxford Presbyterian Church family! 

 

Nearly two hundred years ago, the first Presbyterian congregation in Oxford formed in 1818.  In preparation for this first bicentennial celebration, we will take a Journey Through the Bible.  The centerpiece of this journey is an invitation to everyone in our church family to read scripture, meet together for a Bible Study, gather for forums on moral themes in the Bible and in our times, and engage intergenerational mission activities in our community throughout the year.

 

Join Pastor Lawrence for a brief informational gathering about Journey through the Bible on Sunday, December 11 right after the very short Congregational Meeting following worship.

Live Forward, Give Forward

One of the creative, life-giving avenues you may support the ministry of Oxford Presbyterian Church is through a charitable rollover provision.  Donors over 70 ½ years can make direct, tax-free charitable gifts to OPC from their IRA funds under a tax law provision made permanent in December of 2015.  This provision may be especially attractive for retirees who don't require all the income from their IRA to meet current living expenses.  If you'd like to learn more, please talk with one of the financial officers or Pastor Lawrence.  As the body of Christ we live forward and give forward.

Growing in Faith

A free app of devotionals called d365 is helping Christians of all ages incorporate scripture reading and prayer into daily life.  Each day, d365 guides the reader in scripture through the five primary themes of pause, listen, think, pray, and go.

 

Comfort My People:

A Time of Hope and Prayer in a Season of Darkness

As we approach the longest night of the year, we are particularly mindful of all among us who are grieving or struggling this Advent and Christmas.  As a result, we set aside time to come together before the Lord in the midst of that pain.  All are welcome to gather for prayerful worship of Emmanuel, the light of the world, who is with us even in the darkness.

 

Living Into Hope

 

Advent is a winter training

camp for those who desire peace.

 - Edward Hays