Fast Facts A Weekly e-Update on Life at First Presbyterian Church Oxford, Mississippi August 29, 2019

Sunday, September 1 10:00 am Worship (communion) This week's lectionary texts: Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1, 10-16 Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 Luke 14:1, 7-14

Available sanctuary flower dates are 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.

Join us on Sunday, September 8th for a reception following our Rally Day service in honor of Joseph Garrison's 12 years of service to First Presbyterian Church. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome!

Starting Sunday, September 8th, if you were signed up for 8:30 am communion, you will serve at 10:30 am service instead. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 662-234-1757 or contact Sally Hines at sallyhines@att.net .

FPC's Young Adult Ministry will host a new conversation series about Faith and Mental Health on September 8th, 15th, and 29th. Come and participate in this conversation as we talk about how our faith impacts how we care for ourselves and others who wrestle with things like anxiety, depression, addiction and more. At each event, we will be joined by a few members of the medical and social work community here in Oxford. The first conversation takes place on Sunday, September 8 th , from 4-5:30 pm at Tallahatchie Gourmet. FPC's Nursery Ministry will be available for these conversations.

FPC's Congregational Bible Study  returns this fall as we study different parables of Jesus. The book will be "Short Stories by Jesus, The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi" by Amy Jill-Levine, Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. This 10 week study will be offered three times this fall to accommodate a variety of schedules. Things kick off on Wednesday September 11th at 10:00 am or 6:00 pm and on Thursday, September 12th at 12:00 pm. If interested, a nursery can be provided for the 10:00 am Wednesday class. Books will be in this Sunday and can be purchased for $10. Contact David Randolph at  drandolphfpc@gmail.com  or call the church office if you are interested in participating.

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.

Theological Thursdays concludes today at 12:00 pm in Fellowship Hall #3. The topic is "predestination". All are welcome!

Bibles with Brews begins its monthly schedule on the first Wednesday of the month this week, September 4 th , from 4:30-6:00 pm at the Growler. Join in this bible study conversation as we bring and share different scripture passages about our topic of study. This week’s topic is “Roots” all are welcome!

VIPs monthly gathering will be at Fergndan's on Thursday, September 19 at 5:45 pm. If you are 55 or older join us for wood-fired pizza, great fellowship and fun! Please call the church office to make a reservation.

UKirk Ole Miss has officially kicked off its 2019-2020 school year! Thanks to the generosity of FPC members and a few other neighbors too, their Fall meal schedule is 100% covered. UKirk is grateful to FPC's Deacons for hosting an ice cream social kick off, and looking forward to the start of regular Tuesday night programming on September 2. For more in-depth occasional updates, subscribe to the Friends of UKirk newsletter here , and always feel free to contact Campus Minister Allison Wehrung with any questions you might have.

Children’s Church , a special service of worship especially for rising Pre-K through 5th grade concludes this Sunday, 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.

Mission

September Food of the Month: * Poptop cans of ravioli

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; 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

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 29  Sarah Margaret Hester 30  John Edge, Sr., Kate McPhail 31  Mary Dale Byars, Nat Harris, James Ling September Birthdays 1 Tom Davis, Daniel Fudge 2 Goodloe Lewis

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 .

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