November 15, 2019
Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

In preparation for worship,
we encourage you to read the Scripture passage
and reflect on what God’s word might be to you.

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19
Sermon: "Little Apocalypse"

(Image: A painting of the temple in Jerusalem by Luke Karcz)
Ministry News and Upcoming Events
My Gifts Matter
Thank you for your enthusiastic and generous participation in our 2020 Stewardship Campaign. Pledges are still being made – and joyfully received – for the financial support of our growing ministry in 2020.

If for any reason you pledged at one time yet haven’t pledged over the last several years, this is the opportune time – this is the year to begin again.

If you are new to this body of Christ, we extend a personal invitation for you to make a pledge to the ministry of OPC. Pledge cards are available throughout the church.

Thank you for investing in the future of Oxford Presbyterian Church.

Thank you for engaging our mission to seek God,
serve others and share Christ’s love with all.

Thank you for inspiring others to participate in this ministry of God’s grace.
Community Change Offering
Please remember to bring your change to make a change. On Sunday, November 17, the colorful buckets will make their reappearance as we take up our Community Change offering. This offering does make a difference and is used for our part in making our community better. This year our collections are going to support TOPPS.
New Members Experience
Become a Member of Our OPC Family!  We welcome all interested people to explore membership at OPC!! Please join us for a New Members Experience in Pastor Marc's office Sunday, November 17 directly following worship.

New Member Sunday will be November 24 during worship.
Spirit of Scotland – Fall Series
This Sunday, November 17th "How the Church of Scotland became the Presbyterian Church," presented by Dr. Scott Parkinson

Presentation begins approximately 11:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary (2nd floor) of the Seminary Church. A light lunch will be served.
Youth Group News
This Sunday, 6:30-8:00 p.m. join us in the Youth Classroom for Dinner and Discussion. Kylee Fears will be leading a discussion on healthy spiritual practices to cope with anxiety and stress.

Hope to see you there and bring a friend!
Celebration at the Manger 2019 Sign-Ups and Rehearsal Schedule
Calling all youth! Please sign up by THIS SUNDAY 11/17 to participate as a musician, narrator, actor or singer in this year's Celebration at the Manger! You can signup here:  https://forms.gle/NaXoPepLf1kokMwA9 , by filling out one of the forms in the Molyneaux Lounge and dropping it in the brown CATM box, or by emailing Carla  cabalckmar@yahoo.com. 

The rehearsal schedule is as follows:

  • Sunday 11/23 Distribute scripts and parts, read-through songs during Sunday school.
  • Sunday 12/1 Rehearse lines and songs with any who are in attendance at Sunday school.
  • Sunday 12/8 Full rehearsal during worship--participants should be dropped off directly at Sunday school this day. 
  • Thursday 12/12, 6:30-8 Choir rehearsal for all singers.
  • Saturday 12/14 1-3 Final Dress rehearsal 
  • Sunday 12/15 Performance-- everyone arrives by 9.
Creating a Healthy Community
Be A Symbol of Hope for Those Who Are Waiting.

National Donor Sabbath initiative will be observed Friday, November 15th - Sunday, November 17.

National Donor Sabbath is and interfaith celebration of life and thanksgiving. It is a special time for congregations across America to learn about the critical shortage of organs and tissue and to celebrate the greatest blessing of all - LIFE. Learn more here .
Tuesday Afternoon Circle
The Tuesday Afternoon Circle of Oxford Presbyterian Women will meet November 19 at 1:30 in the Country Kitchen at The Knolls. Carol Schaber will conduct the lesson. An optional lunch for $8 is available at noon in the café by making reservations with Rosemary Fisher at 524-7748 by today - Friday, November 15 . Visitors and guests are always welcome to attend this lunch and meeting of Presbyterian Women.
Christian Baptism
On November 19, we will celebrate with the Todd family the second anniversary of Aiden’s Christian Baptism. Aiden is the son of Matt and Molly Todd. If you would like to learn about baptism at OPC, please talk with one of the Pastors.
Adult Christian Ed (ACE)
November’s book, “Love Undocumented” by Sarah Quezada , will be discussed on Thursday, November 21 at 6:00pm in the Molyneaux Lounge. All are welcome to join us!

Feel free to bring a brown bag supper. Books have been ordered and can be picked-up in the church office for $14.
CCNS News
CCNS will be selling Warm Glow Candles for our Fall Fundraiser! This fundraiser will help the Christian Cooperative Nursery School with the cost of field trips, activities in the classroom and other expenses (examples: butterfly growing project, STEM toys and materials for new outdoor toys).  

Please contact Sarah ( ccnsoxfordpreschool@gmail.com ) to view a brochure with all the new candle options and scents available!

The fundraiser ENDS on NOVEMBER 22. The warm glow products will be in by the last week of school before Christmas break (December 20 & 21).
CCNS can accept Cash and Checks for this fundraiser. Please make checks out to Oxford Presbyterian Church.
Mission Co-Workers – Mark Hare & Jenny Bent
In the November newsletter you may read all about the upcoming visit of Mark Hare and Jenny Bent to Oxford over the weekend of November 23-24. Join us Sunday, November 24 for their Mission Presentation in the Community Room of the Seminary following worship.
Offering of Letters
The Peacemaking Committee is asking again for 7 minutes of your time during Fellowship time to write letters to your congress people on Sunday, November 24. All the writing materials and suggestions for letters and addresses of our Congress will be available in the Molyneaux Lounge following worship and in the Community Room of the Seminary where there will be a luncheon for/presentation by Mark Hare and Jenny Bent.
Seminary Cinema
Sunday, November 24 – They Shall Not Grow Old (R)

3:30 p.m. – Pre-film Discussion presented by Matt Benzing
4:00 p.m. – Film

Join us in the Sanctuary of the Seminary.

FREE and OPEN to ALL!
Cinema Soul
The Cinema Soul blog is back from hiatus. Matt Benzing writes about the new Stephen King adaptation, Dr. Sleep and its depiction of addiction and recovery. https://mattbenzing.blogspot.com/2019/11/sins-of-father.html
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. One example of participation is seen in the enthusiastic response to the opportunities to honor or memorialize others with the purchase of flowers to enhance the beauty of the sanctuary throughout the year, particularly at Christmas and Easter. It has been suggested that opportunity be given to honor or memorialize others with a gift to the Special Music Fund in lieu of, or in addition to the purchase of flowers. The Special Music Fund is for the express purpose of providing a small honorarium for guest soloists or instrumentalists or musical events not included in the regular worship and music budget. Contributions to this special fund will be welcome at any time, but members and friends of the church are invited to make contributions during the Christmas and Easter seasons. One may designate a person or persons to be memorialized or honored. Such gifts will be noted in the church bulletin.
 
The cost of the poinsettias this year will be $16.50. Order forms are available outside the church office and in the Molyneaux lounge.

The last day to order is Sunday, December 1, 2019.
Advent Workshops & Chili Lunch
Join us Sunday, December 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the Seminary Community Room. Come and have some fun designing your own Make-n-Take crafts.

All funds from the chili lunch benefit youth mission trips. More details forthcoming.
Cookie Walk - Sweets for the Sweet
We need you …

Can you bake cookies? We need you! Your delicious cookies, packaged and wrapped a-dozen-to-a-plate

Can you make candy? We need you! Your delectable delights, packaged and wrapped a-dozen-to-a-package

Can you help sell goodies? We need you! On Saturday, December 7th, to welcome guests, stock goodies, serve coffee

Can you help pack it up? We need you! On Saturday, to help put away what may be left and Sunday morning to continue the goodies sale

We need you … please contact Debbie Davidson, 513-255-0092, or Carol Klumb, 513-330-2387, to let us know. Signup sheets are available outside the church office and in the Molyneaux lounge.
December Newsletter

Don't miss the deadline!
Please submit all articles to  moeckenj@miamioh.edu
by  Wednesday, November 20
Our Congregation is Recognized for a Commitment to Mission
At the Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley in Piqua on Saturday, OPC was recognized for being the first congregation in the Presbytery to support each of the special offerings across the PC(USA) and for sustaining this commitment for over twenty years. These special offerings include: One Great Hour of Sharing, the Pentecost Offering, the Peace and Global Witness Offering, and the Christmas Joy Offering. Thank you for your witness to Christ's love through your continued generosity to these offerings. 
Living Into Hope

When I stand before God at the end of my life,
I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left,
and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’
- Erma Bombeck
Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056