February 22, 2019
Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Scripture – Luke 6:27-38 
Message: “Weaving the Golden Rule Into The Stories We Live”
 
(Note on image: A level plain near the Sea of Galilee perhaps not so different from the one where Jesus might have preached in Sunday's Scripture reading.)
Ministry News and Upcoming Events
Seminary Cinema and Dinner
The final presentation in our “Spirit of Scotland” film series is certain to be a family favorite! Greryfriars Bobby is the true story of a dog that touched the heart of Edinburgh.

View the official film trailer by clicking here .

Join us Sunday, February 24 in the Sanctuary of the Seminary Church for this film for ALL ages.  Following the film,  MEF will be hosting a family potluck in the Community Room to which all are invited!   The potluck is a revival of the Supper Club once held regularly at the seminary building. Bring your crock pot creation, side dishes, or dessert to the Seminary kitchen prior to the movie.    Greyfriar's   Bobby Trivia Contest...be prepared!!!
 
This handicap accessible facility is located at the corner of Church and Poplar at 104 E. Church St. Pre-film discussion begins at 3:30 p.m. Film starts at 4 p.m.

FREE and OPEN to ALL!
The Honored Woman Award 2019
Each year, Oxford Presbyterian Women present the Honored Woman Award to one or two women who have faithfully, willingly, and joyfully given their time and talents to the work of the church. We celebrate their many contributions to the mission, growth, and welfare of OPC and its vibrant congregation. Please consider thoughtfully any woman in our congregation whom you admire for their organizational skills, ability to lead or teach, willingness to participate regardless of task, and dedication to assisting those in need. Then write a letter of nomination detailing her work and send it to Jo Reinhart at jreinhart16@woh.rr.com , or mail it to 175 Stone Creek Drive, Oxford OH 45056. If you have questions, please contact Jo by email or call 513-523-4742.

A new letter of nomination is needed each year, even if a woman has been nominated previously. We owe a debt of gratitude for the continued service of our past Honored Women but can give the award only once to an individual.
 
The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2019.
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. 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. More information may be found here.
 
We give God thanks for Jim and the many ways he embodied Jesus Christ’s love in our congregation and community.  
Mardi Gras Jazz Worship 
Next Sunday is the final Sunday before the Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The Spirit of Mardi Gras will infuse worship that morning – Sunday, March 3rd. 
 
We are enthusiastic about welcoming back to worship Ted de Plantes and his Dixieland Jazz ensemble. Ted des Plantes is a Cincinnati based multi-instrumentalist who has been involved with numerous traditional jazz groups in a career spanning over 50 years. Invite family, neighbors and friends to this inspiring worship service featuring many favorite hymns and songs as the Spirit of Mardi Gras comes to Oxford through the sounds of Dixieland Jazz. 
World Day of Prayer
All are invited to attend the Church Women United World Day of Prayer, March 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Oxford United Methodist Church, 14 N. Poplar.

We are pleased to have as a special guests Patricia Ellis, master storyteller to share the theme with us. The soloist is Kiyaa Bowens.
Pancake Dinner Fundraiser
Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner will be on Tuesday, March 5, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Seminary building, $5/person or $20/family. This is our youth's biggest fundraiser! Tickets can be purchased after worship service in the Molyneaux Lounge, Sunday, February 24, next Sunday, March 3 or at the door on Tuesday, March 5.

Visit our website to pay online .
Ash Wednesday
Please join us for our Ash Wednesday worship service March 6th in the Seminary Building.

We will gather together for a soup and bread supper in the Community Room at 5:30 p.m. with worship to follow in the Sanctuary at 6:15 p.m. Soup will be provided and we ask those attending to bring one of the following to be shared among us: fruit dish, savory bread or sweet bread.
Creating a Healthy Oxford Community
New building. New mission. New name. The Oxford Community Choice (OCCP) pantry is evolving into something bigger, better, and more visionary now called TOPSS! Join us for worship on Sunday, March 10 to learn more about TOPSS vision to address local food insecurity. Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) is about surviving and thriving in the community. Everybody eats!
Scottish Highlands
Spirit of Scotland 2020
Registration is open for our eight-day guided tour exploring our sacred heritage, sponsored by the Oxford Presbyterian Church, from May 25 to June 2, 2020. If you ever dreamed of walking the historic streets of Edinburgh and Stirling, sauntering across the holy isle of Iona, witnessing the majestic beauty of the Scottish Highlands, or exploring St. Andrews’ ancient university and golf course, the Spirit of Scotland is for you. The tour leader is Pastor Lawrence in coordination with Rev. James Wallace (Church of Scotland). Ecumenical and welcoming, interested friends and neighboring congregations are invited to join us for this exciting spiritual journey.

A brochure, with the dates, itinerary, costs, booking form, and credit card payment information, is available on the OPC homepage . Click on “Spirit of Scotland” under News, Events, and Calendar.  Early Bird Deposits (with discount) are due March 31, 2019, and we are encouraged by the enthusiastic response to date. Printed information is also available outside the church office.

Informational Meeting: Sunday, March 10, immediately after the service in the Molyneaux Lounge.

Inquiries can be addressed to the following:
Pastor Lawrence Bartel, pastorlawrence@oxfordpresbychurch.org , (315) 369-5225; Ellen Buerk, ebuerk@hotmail.com , or Will Hazleton, hazletwa@miamioh.edu , (513) 461-1812. We are available to meet with interested participants, answer questions, or supply additional information. Please join us for this incredible journey of the heart, mind, and spirit in exploring our sacred heritage.
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

Meeting times:
Sundays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ~ Seminary Church
(white building on the corner of Church and Poplar)

  • March 10 – Allyship and Activism as Spiritual Practice
  • March 17 – Pilgrimage / Thin Places
  • March 24 (labyrinth at OPC) – Walking the Labyrinth
  • March 31 (labyrinth at OPC) – Meditation
  • April 7 - Lectio Divina
  • April 14 (Palm Sunday) – Caring for All Creation

Details: These will be informal sessions with lots of active group participation, suitable for mature middle schoolers and up. Childcare for younger children will be provided in the Memorial preschool and nursery areas. As it is over the lunch hour, please feel free to bring your lunch and eat it during the presentation. Beverages provided.

Shall we keep the theme going? Several additional people let me know they “may” want to present on a Spiritual Practice. We want everyone to be included so will extend this and call it Lent and Beyond if more folks contact me—so feel free to let me know if you want to present a topic! We’ll keep it going for as many weeks as we have people!

Questions? Contact Jenny Bailer, 255-6973, jbailer006@gmail.com to reserve your date and topic. 

Join in and learn about Christian Spiritual Practices to deepen faith.
Altar Flowers
Altar flowers are needed for March 31 and April 28. Please sign up on the Flower Calendar next to the Molyneaux Lounge or contact Marge Smith (523-3895). The cost is $20. It can be put in an offering envelope, labelled with name and purpose.
WinterJam
Our Youth Group enjoyed an exciting time at WinterJam 2019 this past Sunday.

Please join us after Church for our slideshow presentation of the Youth Program so far this year, during coffee hour in the Molyneaux Lounge to see what we’ve been up to. 
A message from our friends at - The Presbyterian Church of Hamilton
Spring Retreat
Saturday, March 9, 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Finding Your "Why" is the theme of the Spring Retreat sponsored by the Stephen Ministries of T he Presbyterian Church  of Hamilton and Lindenwald United Methodist Church, Hamilton. The retreat is open to anyone in our presbytery and will be held at the Lindenwald church  3501 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton .

The keynote speaker is the Rev. Dr.  Suzanne Allen , Assistant to the Superintendent for the Ohio River Valley District of the United Methodist Church.

Learn more to register ( click here )
Kirkmont Center Announces New Director
Jim Sexstone has been named the Executive Director of Kirkmont Center. The Board is delighted and thrilled to make the announcement following a national search. Jim brings a wealth of camp management and administrative experience from more than 20 years with the YMCA. He is passionate about the value of camp and outdoor experiences for people of all ages. 

Kirkmont Center has not had a full-time Executive Director since Ed DeLair left more than 10 years ago. During the period of part-time and volunteer leadership, Kirkmont has developed a master plan and improved and upgraded the facilities.

The first opportunity to meet Jim will be during the Day of Renewal on April 3rd. He is eager to hear your stories, your dreams, and your hopes for Kirkmont and its mission.
Your Stewardship Matters
One of the dangers of having a lot of money is that you may be quite satisfied
with the kinds of happiness money can give and so fail to realize your need for God.
If everything seems to come simply by signing checks, you may forget that you are at
every moment totally dependent on God.
-   C.S. Lewis
Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056