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: Romans 13:8-14
Message: "Stewardship of Our Commons"
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: September’s Stewardship Focus on the first aspect of our congregation's mission "Seeking God." See the article below for more information.)
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Ministry News and Upcoming Events |
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Places Where Heaven and Earth Meet |
Those in whom the Spirit comes to live are God’s new Temple.
They are, individually and corporately,
places where heaven and earth meet.
- N.T. Wright
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In the midst of a pandemic, Wright’s words for the Season of Pentecost speak to us with such wisdom and hope. Individually and corporately, the Holy Spirit is doing a new thing throughout our congregation.
In the places where heaven and earth meet, members of this Body of Christ are caring for neighbors, serving the community and connecting with one another that bring God's good news to life.
In the places where heaven and earth meet, we are watching, praying and planning for the day when local health conditions permit us to worship together in settings as safe as possible.
We watch. Every week a team of staff members and church officers assess the latest health data.
We pray without ceasing.
We plan for outdoor worship opportunities and worship in the sanctuary as we continue the weekly worship livestream. Our Body of Christ is committed throughout this pandemic to offer everyone the deep peace, abundant grace and genuine freedom to make the best and healthiest choice as we grow in faith.
For the latest information on the Phased Opening of the ministry of Oxford Presbyterian
Church, please click here for Pastor Lawrence's September newsletter article.
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September Stewardship Focus – Seeking God |
This summer the Caring for Creation Team hosted a "Walk in the Woods" through the forest of the Indian Creek Metropark in Reily. We had a great turnout of all ages for a "staggered start" walk on the park's short trail loop, allowing both safe physical distance and space for observation, contemplation and prayer. Following our walk, we gathered in a large circle to reflect on God's gift of creation and our call to be stewards of this great gift.
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"A gift from the music ministry of Oxford Presbyterian Church during this Season of Pentecost - "The Lord's Prayer" sung by Caleb Orr.
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Connect with Sunday School Online! |
Social distancing? No problem! Virtual Sunday School lessons for all ages are available on our church school page starting this Sunday morning! You can view and download meaningful lessons from our Sunday School teachers and volunteers every Sunday morning as well as review past lessons from over the summer. Hope to see you there!
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Nominate the Next Generation of Congregational Leaders |
Seeking God...Serving Others... Sharing Christ's Love with All
That is our mission at Oxford Presbyterian.
The creative, faithful, and committed leadership of Deacons, Ruling Elders and Trustees brings this ministry to life.
Now, please take a prayerful moment.
Who in our congregation does the Holy Spirit bring to mind as you hear our mission statement?
Who in this Body of Christ deepens this mission and serves as Jesus served?
Prayerfully consider who you will nominate today.
To nominate Elders, Deacons and Trustees, please click here.
If you have any questions please reach out to the co-chairs of the Nominating Committee, Buzz Green or Ginny Layton.
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MS / Senior High Youth Group: 21-Day Challenge |
Following off of our summer book discussion series, Stamped, MS and Senior High Youth Group is participating in a 21-Day Challenge beginning this Sunday night at 6:30 pm. Each week our youth are challenged to choose one short article, podcast or film clip from this list on the topic of race, equity, and equality curated by Presbyterian pastors and social justice advocates. We will gather together for three weeks on Sunday nights at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss what they read or listened to this week, what they learned, what challenged them, what made them think, and what did they find themselves learning (or unlearning)?
Our 21-Day Challenge is a commitment to continue our own growth, development, and transformation as people and as disciples of Christ. If you would like to learn more, please check out this month's newsletter article from Pastor Marc.
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Administrative Assistant's Vacation |
Bridgite Dickerson, our Office Administrator, will be on vacation beginning Monday, September 14 until Friday, September 18. Cia Beal will be covering the office Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Regular office hours will resume on Monday, September 21.
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Due to the pandemic we are unable to meet together, but want to continue with the Bible study for this year, “Into the Light, Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament”. How fortuitous that Horizons chose a study of lamentations when we have so much to lament this year!
The pastors have agreed to lead an on-line study with us. Both Circles will meet together with Zoom on the second Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. with the first meeting on September 14. If you wish to join this study please let Sue Wilson know. If you already have the study guide with your Horizons subscription, you are set. You can order your guide through the PW website, or if you wish, Sue will order for you. Each guide will be $10 and the large print version will be $15. Please let Sue know if you wish to have her order your study guide.
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Seen any good movies? Got a favorite actor or actress you won’t miss? Or did you waste your time and want to save others the same fate?
Let us all know what and who is on your short list. Give us a brief enticement in a few sentences. Also, please rate your selections using the following scale:
No snacks (not worth it)
Popcorn (enjoyable)
Popcorn and milk duds (a great show)
Popcorn, milk duds and a Coke (an absolute must see)
Send your suggestions to Nancy Moeckel, moeckenj@miamioh.edu by September 20 for the October newsletter. Come on, join in the fun!
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COVID-19 Emergency Outreach Fund |
Lately we’ve heard from our community mission partners such as the Family Resource Center (FRC) that pandemic related challenges for our neighbors are on the rise.
With the expiration of the eviction moratorium and the supplement to unemployment benefits, an increasing number of families and individuals throughout the Talawanda School District are facing a crisis as they try to stay in their home or pay for utilities and other significant expenses.
As our ministry receives a greater number of larger requests, Mission and Outreach asked Stewardship and Finance if a COVID-19 Emergency Outreach Fund might be created. This fund will enable us to support local individuals and families through our community mission partners with an immediate and flexible response.
The COVID-19 Emergency Outreach Fund will be dedicated to responding to pandemic related crisis while ensuring that the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund continues to be a resource in emergency community assistance for non-pandemic related requests.
Knowing that our income may be also impacted by this pandemic, we invite those with extra resources to consider making a special gift to the COVID-19 Emergency Outreach Fund. Gifts may be made by mailing a check to the church with “COVID-19” in the memo or by calling our Financial Secretary, Nick Fears, at 513-523-6364. One hundred percent of your gift will go to help those who need emergency help making ends meet.
During this time, when more people are experiencing income, housing and food insecurity, our ability to assist the most vulnerable in our community becomes gospel living indeed!
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ESP (Eradicating Systemic Poverty) Team |
Greetings from the ESP Team. As convener, I want to bring to your attention news from one of our community leaders, The Director of TOPSS (Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services) Ann Fuehrer. TOPSS is ready to reopen its doors to in-store shopping with all necessary standards in place for spacing, safety, and cleanliness. Ann has communicated with the ESP Team their need for additional volunteers at TOPSS, in a variety of roles, most importantly personal shopper, but in other roles as well.
If you are able and willing to volunteer at TOPSS at its new location on College Corner Pike, near the Family Resource Center, please contact Ann Fuehrer at 513-523-3851 or email: director@topss.org.
Anne Bailey, ESP Team
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If you are in 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th Grade and are interested in learning more about confirmation this year, please contact Pastor Marc. This year's teachers will be Pastor Marc, Carla Blackmar Rice, and Carrie Ann Sherritt. An informational meeting with calendar and lesson information will be held in September, so keep your eyes open for that date coming soon. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more, please contact Pastor Marc to add your name to the list.
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Oxford Community Blood Drive -
at Oxford Presbyterian Seminary Building
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Oxford Presbyterian Church will host the McCullough-Hyde Hospital Community Blood Drive Wednesday, September 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Seminary Building, 104 E. Church St., Oxford.
Donors must make an appointment and wear a face mask. If a donor does not have a mask, one will be given. Click here to schedule your donation.
New Policies:
All CBC employees will be wearing masks and gloves.
Donors will have their temperature taken immediately at the registration area.
All cookies/snacks and juice are individually wrapped and provided by CBC.
CBC staff continually wipes down all equipment.
No volunteers needed and no homemade food allowed at canteen.
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Creating a Healthy Oxford Community |
Crop Walk 2020
It will come as no surprise that Crop Walk 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. However, the Greek Community and other student organizations at Miami University are collecting canned goods and other food products, as well as monetary donations that will be given to TOPSS (Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services) at the end of September, just as would occur if the traditional walk happened.
Meanwhile, local church members and community members are being asked to donate money that will go to Church World Service, as well as TOPSS, as a substitute for “not walking as a group and staying safe”.
Over the years, the CROP Hunger Walk has been a community led fundraising event to help end hunger and other life-threatening issues. Through the walk, there has been global solidarity with the millions of people who walk miles every day for food and water.
Last year, 2019, Church World Service supported families in 55 countries throughout the world as they worked to overcome hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster.
These challenges continue throughout the world today and are compounded by the recent spread of COVID-19. Please consider donating to: CWS CROP Hunger Walk. Your donation can be sent to Oxford Presbyterian Church, 101 North Main Street, Oxford, OH 45056. Please donate by or before October 10, 2020.
Anne Bailey and Prue Dana, coordinators
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Although in-person worship has not resumed, we still need flowers for the chancel. Max Stacy will deliver them to the church. After the service, they will be delivered in a safe way to our shut-ins by the deacons. If you wish to have your own flowers, we could make an arrangement for that. The Sunday needing flowers is October 11.
Please call or email Marge Smith to place an order. Phone: 523-3895 or email: smithme2010@hotmail.com. The cost of the flowers is $20 and payment can be mailed to Nick Fears (our financial secretary) at the church. Thank you, for your support.
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The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.
- Peter Marshall, the Scottish-American U.S. Senate Chaplain and author of A Man Named Peter
With the continuation of this pandemic, your stewardship remains as vital to ever as we increase mission support of our community partners, gather for worship via livestream, and faithfully connect in new and creative ways. 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
Joy does not simply happen to us.
We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen, 20th century
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Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056
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