Second Sunday of Advent
In preparation for worship,
we encourage you to read the Scripture passage
and reflect on what God’s word might be to you.
Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-12
Message: "Hide the Marshmallow"
(Image: “Peace” by John Stuart, a Scottish pastor serving
Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, TN)
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"Called to Life!" Congregational Retreat
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Join us this Sunday, December 8, immediately following worship for a two hour congregational retreat from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Seminary Community Room.
We will gather in small discussion groups around tables and in a large group. We will listen to the Holy Spirit and one another. We will learn more about community needs, share inspiration about how to respond to those needs and then ideas for engaging all generations
Invite others to join us. We ENCOURAGE everyone to participate in the retreat whether or not they were able to participate in the small groups this fall!
Childcare will be provided at the Memorial Church.
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Ministry News and Upcoming Events
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Your Advent devotional comes with a small bag of straw. Straw? Yes! The daily devotional has a tip how you may add straw for the manger as we prepare to welcome Emmanuel - God-with-Us - this Christmas.
Pick up your copy of the devotional and a bag of straw at stations throughout the church as we ready Jesus' manger with the straw of loving deeds and kindness.
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Creating a Healthy Community
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Tonight - Friday, December 6, the Miami University Choraliers, William Bausano, conductor, will perform Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, in Kumler Chapel at 7 and 9 pm. The concert will also feature music for oboe, harp, and organ, performed by Andrea Ridilla, oboe, Heather MacPhail, organ, and Jacquelyn Davis, harp.
Tickets are now on sale at the Miami University Box Office.
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Sweets for the Sweet!
Oxford Presbyterian Church Invites You to their
Annual Cookie Walk and Craft Sale
Saturday, December 7 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
at The Memorial Church (Molyneaux Lounge)
101 North Main Street
SERRV GIFTS also available for purchase
Sponsored by Oxford Presbyterian Women. All Proceeds Benefit the Missions of the church
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Scavenger Hunt Night at Youth Group!
Meet in the upstairs youth room. Dinner starts at 6:30 P.M. Bring a friend...hope to see you there!
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NEW!
Children's Activity Bags are available for little ones to use during worship. The bags are located just inside the narthex doors. Thank you to Candace Crist for this inspired idea and for creating the bags, and to Joe Foltz for thoughtfully researching and proposing the items to be included!
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Join us this Sunday, December 8th
for our annual visit to Safe Haven Farms to decorate their community center.
The farmers, as those young autistic adults are called, are delighted with "our supreme decorating skills." It's a joyful time of fellowship as we work together to make the Hatton Center a Christmas delight!
We will meet behind the church at 1:30 to carpool to Safe Haven, or you may go directly there. The address is 5970 No Mans Road in Middletown, OH.
You do not need to bring anything except a joyful heart and a willingness to bring a festive feeling to these farmers.
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Church Services at The Knolls
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Come join us on December 10 & 17 at The Knolls at 10:00 a.m. in the Activity Room, as we view a recent Presbyterian Church service on DVD. Pastor Marc will be joining us on December 17 and his visit will include communion.
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Celebration at the Manger
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Join us for an annual Oxford tradition! Celebrate the story of the Nativity with our children and youth on Sunday, December 15 during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Hope to see you there!
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Well meaning greetings of “Merry Christmas” may be a contrast with the feelings any one of us experience at this time of the year. For those living with the recent death of a loved one, adapting to life after a separation or divorce, struggling to find meaningful employment, facing a family crisis or living with mental illness - this may be a very isolating time of the year.
Your church family welcomes you to a special service designed for those for whom the holidays may be difficult. We extend a special invitation to you for a Service of Comfort on Wednesday, December 11 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the Memorial Church.
Come and find a safe place of rest, comfort and healing through this gracious time of song, scripture and prayer sponsored by OPC and Holy Trinity.
We find the real meaning of Christmas when hope and light shines a little brighter in the darkness.
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Oxford Presbyterian Women's Christmas Tea
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Sunday, December 15 at 2:30 p.m.
in the Molyneaux Lounge.
Jean Derickson will lead us in the Carol Sing. Karen Simpson will read a Christmas Story.
Everyone is welcomed to attend!
Contact Karen Simpson
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Hear those sleigh bells ringing?
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If not, they will be soon!
Save the date of Friday evening December 20
when MEF will coordinate our annual Christmas Caroling. We will gather at the Seminary Church around 5:30 and head out in groups to sing and bring cheer to those members who can't make it to church. We will return to the Seminary for a light dinner. ALL are welcome!! We will be joining forces with our youth as caroling is the first activity of their Lock-In!!! Watch the Voice and the Bulletin for more details!
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Bowling, Christmas Caroling, and Food!
Middle School and Senior Highs are invited to our annual overnight lock-in on Friday, December 20th. We will be meeting in the Seminary Building at 5:30 p.m. More details forthcoming.
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This year the Mitten Tree is sprouting shoes! Yes, mittens and shoes growing on the same tree! Suggested donations are $40-50 for mittens and $12.50 for shoes.
If your donations go for mittens, that money will be used by the Oxford Resource Center to buy Christmas gifts for needy children in and around Oxford.
Donating money for shoes will help our friendly Russian children to have proper foot coverings on their feet.
Help make Christmas even brighter for all of these children. Our tree will be in the sanctuary December 1st through the 22nd. Just take the mitten, shoe, or both from the tree and bring them into the Molyneaux where you may leave the item with your donation.
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Save the Date - Screening Event
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It’s A Wonderful Life!
Join us for a special Seminary Cinema screening of the classic holiday film in the Seminary Building on
Sunday, December 22
. Pre-film discussion with Matt Benzing begins at 3:30 p.m. Film starts at 4:00 p.m.
Bring your children and grandchildren...hope to see you there!
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2020 Stewardship Campaign
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As of December 3 we have received a total of 112 pledges, totaling $352,000. We are just about to the $360,000 mark!
Thank you! If you haven't pledged yet and plan to, please do, we need this projection to plan the 2020 ministry budget. Your Gifts Matter!
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Your Stewardship Matters
Generous living in Advent, and throughout the year,
is about approaching each day with an open heart, an open mind, and an open hand.
What can you do today to live more generously?
What generous and faithful choices can
you make today that will make a difference in the future?
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Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056
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