In preparation for worship at home,
we encourage you to read the Scripture passage
and reflect on what God’s word might be to you.
Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14
Message:
"The Impossible Journey: Terror and Awe"
JOIN us for WORSHIP from your HOME.
on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
to enhance your worship experience
and activities to nurture faith
(Note on above image: A storm brewing the Camino de Santiago.
Photo by Elliott Jones Boyle.)
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Ministry News and Upcoming Events
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Affirming the foundation of faith, Jesus taught, “‘Love the Lord your God’ … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:37-39). Through the extraordinary days of this pandemic, our ministry of Oxford Presbyterian Church has repeatedly affirmed that one way we express love for our neighbor is by taking precautions to protect them from illness.
In the same way, one of the ways that we express love for God is by caring for our bodies “as temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and taking precautions to protect ourselves.
Since March, the staff and elected leaders of OPC have used both faithful wisdom and the best science to guide a phased reopening of our ministry in the midst of COVID-19.
At their June, Session members approved the following time frame for Phases One and Two in consideration of current medical conditions.
Phase One
has begun. The office is fully staffed. All staff, members, and visitors will enter through the memorial garden and portico door.
Phase Two
will take place in two parts with the step-by-step resumption of in-person worship. A soft opening of worship with capacity limited to 35 people will begin on
Sunday
,
July 12
. A full opening of worship with capacity limited to 65 people will begin by
Sunday
,
August 2
. Please stay tuned for further details about worship as these dates approach.
We are and will continue to be the people of God in worship and ministry. As the body of Christ – we are the church – not our facilities.
Worship will continue via the livestream throughout each of these phases
.
In
Phases One
and
Two
, upon arriving at church, all staff, members and visitors will take a health assessment.
- Everyone will be asked - Do you have a cough or flu-like symptoms?
- With infrared thermometers, everyone’s temperature will be taken.
- Everyone will sanitize their hands.
- Social distancing will be maintained.
- Masks will be worn. The church will provide a mask if needed.
Additional
Phase Two
health precautions for worship include:
- Greeting through any touch before, during or after worship will be expressly discouraged.
- Ushers will guide worshipers to and from the pews.
- Masks will be worn by everyone including worship leaders except when a worship leader is called upon to lead a primary function of the service.
- If communion is celebrated, All-in-One Communion Cups will be used.
- Offering plates will be available at collection stations before and after worship.
- The Sanctuary Choir will not sing.
- There will be no Fellowship Hour following worship.
Whether you choose to worship from home or in-person, you are part of the Beloved Community. We will strive to remain connected and caring in every possible way.
Thank you to the Ruling Elders and Worship & Music Committee, Trustees and ministry staff, Butler County General Health District and many others. Our collaboration through this pandemic has made all the difference in our congregational response.
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Virtual Vacation Bible School This Weekend!
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A big thanks to all of our volunteers and helpers who made Vacation Bible School possible this year!
To everyone who helped film videos, stuff bags, cook yummy snacks, create crafts, stuff bags, and deliver supplies, a BIG thank you from all of us here at Oxford Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Oxford United Methodist Church, and Faith Lutheran Church. Watch your mailbox this weekend for supply boxes, and let's get ready to Journey with God!
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"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning"
The #1 New York Times bestseller is a timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America. Join us for a special 3-week discussion for MS/HS youth, parents, and community members through both large and small groups. Wednesday nights at 7:30 P.M. July 8, 15, and 22, 2020 via Zoom.
Update: The book is currently out of stock and back ordered, but there are still digital copies and audio versions of the book available.
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"I’ll Push You"
This story invites the reader on the extraordinary journey of two ordinary friends along the 500 mile Camino de Santiago. Many declared the journey ‘impossible’ since a neuromuscular disease confines Justin to a wheelchair. Yet when he shared his dream of traveling the Camino with Patrick, his great friend immediately said, “I’ll push you.” Join us for a fellowship oriented discussion of this story Sundays at 11:30 A.M. on July 12 and August 9 via Zoom. If you are interested in participating (or need a copy of the book for yourself) please RSVP with Pastor Lawrence at
pastorlawrence@oxfordpresbychurch.org
by June 30.
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Learning Together in This Season
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Online Sunday School Through the Summer
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Sunday School is taking a break for the summer months, but there are still plenty of online church school resources available for children and families. Check the church website for continued updates and lessons for preschoolers from Rhonda Krehbiel, and feel free to browse our archived lessons from throughout the Spring.
Bookmark our church school page
here
.
We'll see you all back in the fall!
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Upcoming Event: Online Intergenerational Summer Book Club -
Hosted by Zero Waste Oxford
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Miami University Student Organization "Zero Waste Oxford" is hosting a summer book club where they will be reading
"Being the Change, Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution"
by Climate Scientist Peter Kalmus.
In an age where, especially in online communities, the dialogue about climate change is overwhelmingly "doom and gloom", Kalmus challenges that by presenting a positive outlook. Incorporating the elements of science, practical action, and spirituality, he addresses the seriousness of our climate emergency. In an approach that seeks to encourage readers to start their journey toward reducing their climate impact and, per the book's namesake, 'spark a climate revolution', the actionable steps presented will inspire us all. He argues in the preface that global warming touches all aspects of our lives, so why not explore those intersections and re-evaluate the ways in which we choose to live our lives?
Zero Waste Oxford president Cassie Conrad and Take3Oxford founder Carla Blackmar will lead five 1-hour long discussion sessions each week in July. Please fill out the survey
here
if you want to participate.
Discussions will take place on Sundays at 1:00 p.m., starting June 28.
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Upcoming Virtual Event: The Story of Plastic - June 30 at 4:00 p.m.
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The Interfaith Center at Miami University is hosting a virtual, "screen at your leisure" film screening of the fascinating new film
"The Story of Plastic."
By registering at the link below, you get a link to watch this film anytime during the month of June. Then, on June 30 at 4:00 p.m., you can participate in a virtual discussion of this film with others in our community. If you can't make the time, you can submit questions in advance and we will discuss them during the meeting-- which will be available for all to watch afterward. Hope you will consider attending!
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From the Presbytery of the Miami Valley
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Just Mercy Film Discussion on Zoom
Hosted by the Committee on Representation and Diversity of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley
The film
Just Mercy
has been made available to watch for free during the month of June. This film follows the story of Civil Rights Attorney Bryan Stevenson.
The Committee on Representation and Diversity of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley will host two Zoom discussion events about the film. These events will be moderated by Ruling Elder
Patricia Meadows
.
The Zoom discussion events will be offered
July 6 at 3:00 p.m.
and
July 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Attendance for these Zoom discussions is limited to 40 participants per discussion to ensure communication among all participants. It is required that participants watch
Just Mercy
in order to be fully engaged in the discussions.
Registration for the Zoom discussion events is required. Once you have registered, a Zoom invite to the event will be sent to you.
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Church World Service School Bags may be picked up at the church. Contact Prue Dana (513-462-3404) if you would like to fill a bag that gives children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning.
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Creating a Healthy Oxford Community
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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Benefit
Oxford Farmers Market Uptown has a wonderful program going on this summer for low income seniors (65+). Seniors can
shop "for free"
with our local produce vendors, and get healthy fruits and vegetables. Farmers are then paid by the USDA!
Please consider
sharing this information,
or
applying
yourself.
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With the evolution of our ministry, your stewardship remains as vital to ever as we increase mission support of our community partners, gather for worship via livestream, offer creative and original Christian education content, and faithfully care for our church staff. Your gifts matter and make an impact as we respond together to the impact of COVID-19.
In lieu of a contribution to the physical offering plate, we would encourage you to mail your pledge/tithe to the church office or give through one of these digital avenues. To give online both conveniently and securely, you may access our online giving opportunity from your computer at
https://onrealm.org/oxfordpresbychurch/Give
.
To give via QR code, scan the code in the image below with your phone and follow the brief prompts. View a video tutorial
here
on giving through QR code.
To give via text message, text opc1825 and your designated amount to 73256. For example, text "opc1825 25" to 73256 for an offering of $25 and follow the prompt. View a video tutorial
here
on giving via text message.
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Living Into Hope
Life is short
we have but little time
to gladden the hearts of those who travel this way with us.
Oh, be swift to love
And make haste – to be kind!
- Henri-Frederic Amiel
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Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056
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