Fast Facts

A Weekly e-Update on Life at First Presbyterian Church
Oxford, Mississippi
August 15, 2019
Sunday, August 18
10:00 am Worship (communion)
This week's lectionary texts:
Isaiah 5:1-7
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:49-56
It is with great excitement, that the Adult Faith Formation Ministry Team invites you to join us for our first congregational faith formation event this Sunday, August 18th, from 4-5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall for an Ice Cream Sunday! 

This is an intergenerational kickoff event to celebrate and share our new Faith Formation fall calendar. Come and enjoy an ice cream sundae with members of the entire congregation as we learn more about how we can  Feel ,  Know , and  Share  the love of Jesus Christ.  
The entire congregation is invited to participate in FPC's first "Common Read"  as we turn the pages of R. J. Palacio's book, WONDER.  Join in the conversation on Sunday, September 22 at 4:00 pm as we discuss how we too can share God's kindness with others. This is an experience we can all share no matter our age or schedule. You can read the book, listen to the audio-book, and even watch the movie as a family. We have books in the church office for $12 if you are interesting in purchasing one.
ADVENT DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 2019
After several years without an Advent Devotional Guide written by our church members, it was greatly missed. So last year Sally Hines and Carlisle Wood helped coordinate its return, and we want to continue it this year. With that in mind, would you consider writing one of the devotions for our 2019 booklet? (It would be due by October 15.) Many told us last year that they enjoyed the personal stories you wrote. Some of you shared times when you have felt God’s presence in your life; others of you wrote about a special Christmas tradition in your home. Some were based on a favorite scripture, others on a favorite hymn. Please consider sharing your story with your church family. Jessica has copies of last year’s booklet in the church office if you want to refresh your memory on the format. Let Sally Hines ( sallyhines@att.ne t ) or Carlisle Wood ( carlislewood@gmail.com ) know via email if you are willing to write this year.
Bibles with Brews continues its second summer season each Wednesday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at the Growler. Join the conversation each week from 4:30 to 6:00 pm as we read and share different scripture passages about our weekly topic of study. The topic for August 21   is "charity".
All are welcome!    
Theological Thursdays continues today at 12:00 pm in Fellowship Hall #3. The topic is "evil". All are welcome to this conversational bible study. Please contact David Randolph if you'd like to know more.  
Mark your calendars for our fall Young Adult Ministry’s kickoff event from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 25th ! We will be meeting at one of the restaurants around the square to enjoy time together as we continue building up this community of faith. Nursery will be available for this event. Following this kickoff event, the YAs will host a conversation series about Faith and Mental Health each Sunday afternoon on September 8th, 15th, and 29th. More details to be announced soon in the next YA Email. Please contact David Randolph for more details or if you’d like to be added to this email.   
Children’s Church , a special service of worship especially for rising Pre-K through 5th grade continues until September 1! Children begin worship each week with their parents for the 10:00 a.m. worship service and stay through the Gloria Patri before being escorted upstairs in Fellowship Hall for their own 30-minute service of worship led by a team of youth and adults.    
UKirk Ole Miss is busy planning for another year together, and they need your help feeding hungry college students! Are you willing to provide a Tuesday night meal for about 15 people this Fall semester? Find the list of available dates at  ukirkolemiss.org/tuesday-meals . Questions? Contact Rev. Allison Wehrung at ukirk.olemiss@gmail.com .    
Available sanctuary flower dates are September 15 and October 6, 13, 20 and 27. If you would like to reserve a date in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Margaret Fancher directly at fancherm@bellsouth.net or call 662-234-1359.     
Mission
Lovepacks  donations are an easy way to help relieve hunger among Oxford and Lafayette County school children. If you'll bring your donations with you to church and deposit them in the church office or the narthex, volunteers will get them to the Lovepacks office for you. Items needed are:

  • 10-18 oz Pop-Top Chicken Noodle or Vegetable Soups
  • Pop-Top Ravioli
  • Snack Pack Pudding Cups
  • Cheese/Peanut Butter Crackers
  • 16 oz. Jars of Peanut Butter
  • Pop Top Beanie Weenies
  • Granola Bars
  • Pop Top Canned Fruit (Please, No Fruit Cups) 
The Pantry is soliciting adult novels and children's books are also needed for its Little Free Library. Used books are most welcome! They may be left at the church office or front porch of The Pantry.    
Haven House residents greatly appreciate the daily devotional books you send them as well as inspirational books, classic novels, and all translations of the Bible. Please leave anything you can donate at the church office.     
Prayer Concerns
FPC Members: Mary Helen “Babe” Carr; Walter Nance; Mary Kay McDowell; Family of Bennett Zinn; Sue Treas; Family of Dora Leache; Max Williams; Joe Burnett; Fannie Elliott; Pierce Buford; Debbie McElreath; Marleah Hobbs; PNC Committee
 
Family and Friends: Family of Rev. Shep Crigler; Angel Thompson; Family of Reynolds Boykin; Ted Stocker; Joan Connell; Tom Callery; Idalia Balcazar; Tom Mullen; Ruth Ellen Duvall Kuhnel; Family of Helen Barkley; Linda Chavers; Family of Amy Tidwell; Family of Merline & Tommy Nix; Family of Jarrod Holloway; Suzanne & Tony Spruill & family; Mark Barnes; Don Gleason; Joe Houston; Matt Branch; Sue Gilbert; Erica Baggett; Mackenzie Stetz; Betty Hoar; Mike Smith; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents; Our Haiti partners; Oxford Police Department
 
U. S. Military: A1C Jason Freeland, USAF 4th Air Support Operation; CW4 David Lord, National Guard, Fort Campbell, KY
The FPC prayer chain is ready  if you or someone you know is in need. Please contact Catherine Mize at 662-234-6676 or 662-832-0423. All requests are held in strict confidence.    
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
August Birthdays

15  Kathryn Duke
16  Dubbie McClatchy, Matthew Ueleke
17  Joslin Williams
19  Henry Hyneman, Polly Morrison Taylor
21  Kate Abraham, Julie Chadwick, Ann Caroline McIntosh, Nancy Rogers, Virginia Smith


August Anniversaries

16 Ashley & John Callery
17 Julie & Billy Chadwick
19 Kathryn & Ray Hill
21 Mary Cates & Robert Williams
If we've overlooked your birthday or anniversary and you wish to have it included in Fast Facts, please contact Jessica McPhail in the church office.

These announcements are sent weekly from the church. If you don't want to receive them, or if your email address has changed, please send a message to Jessica McPhail in the church office at  jmcgeefpc@gmail.com .