LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD
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Movement and Stillness. These two states of being form much of my spiritual journey with Christ. One moment seven years ago remains a poignant spiritual lesson in this journey.
Our family was traveling on sabbatical with the theme “Walking with God on Holy Ground.” I had just completed walking the last half of the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Our next destination was Chartres about an hour outside of Paris. For eight hundred years, the labyrinth of Chartres Cathedral has beckoned Christian pilgrims to take the spiritual journey inward.
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FROM THE DESK OF PASTOR MARC
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost three months already!
From trips to Kofenya with college students, to overnight lock-ins with the youth at the seminary building, to dog walks at Hueston Woods, and to being able to help lead worship with Pastor Lawrence, the past few months for me have been a joyous introduction to the Oxford community and all of its warmth and hospitality.
As we continue to get to know one another, I thought it might be helpful to offer you just a brief snapshot of what I’ve been up to over the last few months as we also look ahead together to the coming year.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join us for our
Ash Wednesday
worship service Wednesday, March 6th in the Seminary Building. We will gather together for a soup and bread supper downstairs at 5:30 P.M. with worship to follow on the second floor at 6:15 P.M.
Pastor Marc’s Installation Ceremony Sunday, March 31
OPC Lenten Study-An exploration of Spiritual Practices…
see article below
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The season of Lent is a time of prayer and self-reflection. During this time, we will be offering Lenten classes on Spiritual Practices. Be sure and read the “2019 OPC Lenten Study” article for more information about these classes. Also, Lenten devotionals will be available during this season in the Molyneaux Lounge.
Our youth are hosting their annual Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner fundraiser on Tuesday, March 5, 5:00-7:00pm in the Seminary Building. $5/person or $20/family. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the cost to participate in the Presbyterian Youth Triennium this summer. The youth will be sharing information the Triennium during the Minute for Mission on March 3.
Many thanks to Debbie DeGennaro for teaching the 3
rd
-5
th
graders during January and February and to Carol Schaber for serving as the Second Adult in the preschool classroom.
Take care,
Jenn Walter
Chair, Christian Education Committee
(513) 593-4883
Jenniferwalter37@yahoo.com
EDUCATORS FOR MARCH:
Preschool and Nursery- Rhonda Krehbiel and Rori Lykins
Grades K-2- Sarah Miller and Deb Sayers
Grades 3-5- Amy Bartel
Grades 6-8- Prue Dana
ACOLYTES FOR MARCH:
Autumn and Brady Saylor (March 10, 17, 24 and 31)
UPCOMING DATES
:
March 5- Shrove Tuesday - Fat Tuesday
Youth Pancake Dinner fundraiser,
5:00-7:00pm, at the Seminary Building
March 6 – First Day in Lent - Ash Wedn
esday
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OPC Lenten Study, 2019
Join in an Exploration of Spiritual Practices
Spiritual Practices to Listen for the Voice of God…
Keeping the Sabbath between Sundays
What is a Christian Spiritual Practice?
A daily Spiritual Practice establishes and provides us with a foundation upon which we can build a new perspective of life and our role in the experiences of life. A Daily Spiritual Practice deepens and expands the awareness of our connection to our Source (innervisionsworldwide.com/daily-spiritual-practice). A spiritual practice is
any regular and intentional activity that establishes, develops, and nourishes a personal relationship with the Divine in which we allow ourselves to be transformed. (spiritualpractice.ca/what.what-2/).
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YOUTH EVENTS
Winter Jam 2019
Christian Music Concert in Cincinnati
WinterJam was a blast! We heard awesome music and inspiring messages. The most impactful story we heard was about the poverty children are facing around the world and how we can help by sponsoring a child. So, we did it! His name is Pich and he is from Cambodia He enjoys math and soccer.
It costs $36 a month to sponsor a child from ChildFund. You can donate anytime. All funds will go towards monthly sponsorship and items for packages.
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CCNS NEWS
The CCNS classroom has been busy since returning from Christmas Break and full of love during the month of February!
Open Enrollment has begun for the 2019-2020 school year and openings are filling quickly! Of course, Mother Nature has given us a few extra days off, since returning back to school due to cold, snow and ice!
Thankfully, we were able to celebrate Valentine’s Day! During arrival, the children were smiling ear to ear as they walked into the classroom, proud of the valentine’s boxes that each child (and family) had designed, decorated and made their own! Throughout the day, we discussed the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus have for each and everyone one of us! It was a great day.
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A Death in the Church Family
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord
. Romans 8:38-39 (NRSV)
We affirm these words of scripture as we report the death of James P. Sturgeon. Surrounded by family, Jim passed away on Monday afternoon in his home. A member of this congregation for 65 years, Jim served the ministry through many roles including as an Elder, Trustee and Treasurer for 25 years.
He was on the original Charter Commission drawing Oxford from a village to a city in 1960. Many knew Jim through his numerous volunteer activities. In 1999, Jim and Nancy were celebrated as Miami University Parents of the Year.
Jim's favorite pass times included attending sporting events with Nancy for 65 years, running, cycling, flying with his private pilot's license, and cruising Oxford and the Miami Campus in his beloved '65 Mustang.
Our prayers of loving support and peace go out to Nancy and the entire Sturgeon family.
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the Memorial Church.
We give God thanks for Jim and the many ways he embodied Jesus Christ’s love in our congregation and community. In lieu offlowers, donations can be made to The Oxford Presbyterian Church, memo: Pastors Discretionary Fund for Needy and Homeless people of Oxford.
(
excerpted from the obituary published in the Journal-News on Feb. 24, 2019
)
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OPC Per Capita for 2019 is
$48.20
Every church is apportioned a share of the expenses of the Presbytery, the Synod, and the General Assembly for ecclesiastical purposes. The apportionment is based on church membership. The amount varies with the needs of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly, and is a regular expense payable by this church.
If you wish to help defray this expense, this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
PLEASE include “per capita” in the memo line of your check to assure proper assignment. Thank you
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Overheard in Kroger’s one Sunday, at 11:23, when we are all there after worship, “There are lots of Presbyterians here, hungering after righteousness.” (good one, Susan Maxfield…ed.)
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DEACONS
As is our annual tradition, the Deacon's Lenten Food Drive will stretch from Sunday, March 10th until Sunday April 14th. This year, our request will be a little different. As you may know, the Oxford Choice Pantry will be relocating their facility to Merry Day Park and rebranding as Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS); they have charged congregations around the community to meet or exceed our previous monetary donations in an effort to meet building and maintenance costs for their new facility.
Our church has been asked to contribute as much as $10,000 dollars, a number I believe we can meet easily. In lieu of canned goods or boxed pasta, which we will still gladly accept, please consider donating money to this worthy and necessary effort. If you wish, donations can be placed in the plates during offering, with the note "Lenten Food Drive" on the memo line of each check or on the outside of the envelope if the donation is cash.Thank you for your past and future efforts to help those less fortunate have a brighter day and a brighter future.
Thanks!!
Matt Lykins
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Remember our friend Carol Burkhalter? She was avery dedicated shawl knitter for our ministry. She now resides in Nashville and is still knitting shawls for us. Now that is devotion!!!!!!
Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please contact Cornelia Browne, 513-524-7716.
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OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Tuesday Afternoon Circle
will meet on March 19
th
at 1:30 in the Country Kitchen with Prue Dana leading the lesson and Pat Gifford in charge of the Mission Yearbook. Karen Shearer will conduct the Least Coin. Reservations for the optional noon lunch in the café at the Knolls are due by Friday the 15
th
of March to Lynn Cronk. Visitors and guests are always welcome.
Tuesday Evening Circle
will meet in the home of Janet Holmes, 210 Ridge Ave, on March 5. Nancy Sturgeon will lead the program and Jean O’Connell will lead the devotions.The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome. Anyone needing a ride should call Karen Simpson, 523-8363.
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SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM THE AFTERNOON CIRCLE
We met to study the booklet
, God’s Promise I Am With You
, Lesson 5
- God with Us When We’re Powerless
. We read the Prayer in Psalm 27:7-9 ”Hear O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! Come my heart says, Seek God’s face.” In 2Chronicles 20: we read, “We don’t know what to do, we are looking to you.” To add to those prayers the twelve women in the Circle crafted their own prayer petitions. Perhaps their petitions and Jehoshaphat’s prayer may be helpful to you
Dear God,
“We don’t know what to do, we are looking to you.”
Remember me in time of weakness Lord, it is you Lord, who strengthens me with your tender mercies-renew me Lord.
God, grant that I and those I love find purpose and meaning.
Be with me. Help me in my struggles.
I want to learn to trust God in all things-especially when things aren’t going the way I want them to.
Lord, help me to be patient; listen before acting.
Let all people see the good in others so we can strive for peace in this world.
Be with those of old age who are nearing the end.
I would ask for comfort for my very ill friend.
God help us to see others through your lenses- how we are all alike.
I would petition God to help my neighbor who has been transported to Woodland Manor for rehab after several falls.
God, please give me strength and courage to deal with this difficult situation.
Help me to leave a good legacy for my children. AMEN
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SAVE THIS DATE
OPW Spring Friendship Breakfast
•Saturday, April 6th
•10:00-11:30
•At the Seminary-104 E. Church
•Breakfast potluck:
Bring a favorite, your grandmom's favorite, an international dish or a new recipe!
Coffee, juice & fruit provided.
•String duet-2 Young Musicians
•Brief OPW business mtg.
Contact person: Paula Foltz
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SAVE THESE DATES
2019 Spring Rummage Sale:
Sale Dates: May 9,10,11.
Sorting, displaying, pricing dates: May 6,7,8,9.
__________________
SAVE THIS DATE PLEASE
June 1, 2019
Ladies Only Retreat Let’s go on a retreat together! We will spend our time at a wonderfully quaint farm just outside of Oxford. Leave your busy world behind for part of a day and set this time aside to join together in this spiritual adventure. More details coming in April and reservations (Limited number) will be taken in May. Contact Person: Jean O’Connell, 593-5894. Sponsored by OPW
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DAVID KRAUSHAR
is a senior at Talawanda High School, son of Dave & Amy Kraushar, and an excellent 3 sport student-athlete, with a 4.33 GPA. He's looking to major in Engineering after graduation this year.
After an outstanding effort in the Fall Cross Country season, David emerged as the best runner in the Southwestern Ohio Conference.
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AUSTIN LAKE
CONGRATULATIONS on receiving the rank of Eagle Scout! Austin Lake was awarded the Eagle rank by Boy Scout Troop 956 during a Court of Honor on Sunday, February 17 at Oxford Baptist Church.
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Help us shine the spotlight on your son or daughter, or a youth you know who has been working hard, achieving, sharing, helping, more. Contact Nancy Moeckel.
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FEBRUARY SESSION MEETING
Churches in the Presbytery of the Miami Valley have a covenant of participating in a hymn focus each month.
I Come With Joy
was sung around the table and thoughts were shared about the tables we find ourselves around and how those experiences affect us.
Robert Smith was elected as our second commissioner to Presbytery. Danny Cross is also a commissioner.
Pat Gifford, Pastor Lawrence and Pastor Marc reported on their retreat at Louisville Seminary to learn about the Myrtle Collaboration.
Scott Parkinson, trustee, reported that trustees approved the removal of the playground equipment due to its deterioration. Nursery School volunteers will take it away. New equipment will be installed in due time.
The Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services. (TOPSS) is asking the faith community to contribute up to $10,000 to build a new facility. After much discussion it was agreed that many questions need answers therefore Session will delay a vote on this request until such answers are found.
Judy Fisher, Clerk
Katie Payne gave a brief history of the Brill Fund and how it works.
Membership rolls are being reviewed.
Judy Fisher
Clerk
COMMITTIEES OF SESSION
HIGHLIGHTS
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TREES FOR LIFE
Calling all OPC Youth and Friends
Most informed individuals believe that the world is experiencing negative climate change caused by human activities. They also believe that Christians have a responsibility to take action as soon as possible to slow, and eventually reverse, climate change. Among the many actions that Christians can take is the growing and planting of trees to replace tress lost to disease, insect attack, storms, climate change, construction, and a variety of other destructive actions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS
For March, I will be showing the recent church services on DVD at 10:00on March 12 & 26 at 10:00 in the Activity Room of the Healthcare wing. Pastor
Lawrence will be coming to the Knolls March 12 and will serve communion.Do join us. Becky Quay
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
All are invited to attend the Church Women United World Day of Prayer, March 3, 3 to 4:30 at Oxford United Methodist Church 14 N. Poplar.
We are pleased to have as special guest Patricia Ellis, master storyteller to share the theme with us. The soloist is Kiyaa Bowens.
The core theme for World Day of Prayer is “Come.“ and to enable the response “Everything is ready.” Come to praise, thank, and proclaim the kingdom of love. The invitation is grounded in the parable that Jesus told about a great dinner that was attended by those called in from the streets, because the first group to have been invited excused themselves. The community formed around our table is not enough to fill the house- there is still room. Who is missing from the table in our community? How would we invite and prepare the feast?
Prue Dana
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TOPSS
TALAWANDA OXFORD PANTRY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
New building. New mission. New name. The Oxford Community Choice (OCCP) pantry is evolving into something bigger, better, and more visionary! We’re the TOPSS! Our dream is to ensure the nutritional well-being of everyone in the 144 square miles of the Talawanda School District. Our job is to see that no one goes hungry, and that everyone has access to nutritious, high-quality food. We will provide and create partnerships to expand our programming for clients; helping to fill gaps in desperately needed services in the school district. Our new name is reflective of our expanded mission, and of our entire service area.
To do all of this, we are building a new building! Move in date is 7-1-2020.
We are grateful to the Oxford Presbyterian Church for the enthusiastic support we have received so far, and we hope to develop a long-term partnership to solve the problem of food insecurity. TOPSS is about surviving and thriving in community. Everybody eats!
Lara Osborne
President, TOPSS
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SUE’S NOTES FROM COLOMBIA 2017
Thursday, August 31, 2017: The BethesdaCenter is making a difference. Our drivers once again picked us up at the appointed time and drove us to the Bethesda Center to observe the health fair taking place that morning. Tenth grade students from the Nazareth School were there as volunteers and several were assigned to us as translators. They were very anxious to try their English and we were impressed with their language skills. English is taught in every grade at the Nazareth School.
Mothers and young children from El Por Fin neighborhood were there for the health checks. A volunteer pediatrician, who was also the parent of a Nazareth school student, was there giving physicals. A volunteer Dentist, who was also a parent of a Nazareth schoolstudent, was there checking children’s teeth. A barber was giving haircuts to the boys and we discovered that he was a math teacher from the Nazareth School.
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Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff
Office Hours: 8:30-4:30, M-F
Telephone: 513-523-6364
Fax: 513-523-8215
Seminary Building: 513-523-7411Pastor: Lawrence Bartel
Associate Pastor: Marc van Bulck
Music Director: Kent Peterson
Organist: Lynn Jacobs
Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey
Parish Associate: Rev. Diane Ziegler
Clerk: Julia R. Fisher
Administrative Assistant:
Financial Secretary:
Mary Martin
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MARCH BIRTHDAYS
2 Greg Hughes
4 Drena Bowerman
4 Nancy Cleaver
5 Billie Maynard
5 Jamie Thomas
11 Debbie Davidson
11 Dick Wespiser
14 Mark Boardman
15 Evalou Middaugh
16 Kyle Shriver
18 Ethan Kraushar
18 Alan Mehl
19 Emma Claire Fisher
21 David Marado
21 Owen Todd
22 Danny Cross
22 Lindsay Lawson
24 Marilyn Curry
24 Jill Grajewski
24 Trevor Richmond
25 Ted Fujii
26 Marian Nelson
26 Pat Spitler
29 Jan Cromer
29 Brad Cronk
29 Kennedy Johnson
29 Debby Snyder
30 Fred Brower
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MARCH MUSINGS
Daylight saving time 2019 in Ohio will begin at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 10
So don’t be late for church.
Equinox 2019 will be at 5:58 PM on
Wednesday, March 20 so get ready to spring into action.
The Full Moon in March is the Worm Moon, and it is usually considered the last Full Moon of winter. It is also called Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Chaste Moon, Sugar Moon, and Sap Moon.
Question of the Month
How do robins detect worms?
Hop thru each page of the newsletter to find the answer.
Return of the Buzzards Day. Every March 15 since 1957, the city of Hinckley, Ohio eagerly awaits the return of the buzzards from their winter hiatus
Johnny Appleseed Day is March 11
2,500 varieties of apples are grown in the United States.
7,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world.
100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the United States.
What is the left side of an apple called?
The part you didn’t eat.
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We welcome your feedback on the newsletter. We CRAVE your feedback like a dog craves food falling to the floor. What is missing from the newsletter that you would like to see? Let me know. Thanks, nancy. moeckenj@miamioh.edu .Now here is your bonus for reading this section.
I love the way the earth rotates. It really makes my day.
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