The Third Sunday in Lent
In preparation for worship,
we encourage you to read the Scripture passage
and reflect on what God’s word might be to you.
Scripture: John 2:13-22
Message: "Again & Again: A Love Supreme - Part I"
This joyful time of worship will also include the Sacrament of Holy Communion,
so you are invited to prepare elements of your own at home.
JOIN us for WORSHIP from HOME.
on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
and activities to nurture faith
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Ministry News and Upcoming Events |
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Returning to Worship in the Sanctuary |
Christian worship gives all glory and honor,
praise and thanksgiving to the holy, triune God.
These words at the very beginning of the Directory for Worship of the Presbyterian Church affirm our joy in worship – to glorify God!
We’re so excited that in the midst of this pandemic, local conditions are once again approaching healthy and safe levels for our RETURN to WORSHIP in the Memorial Church Sanctuary.
As you continue to practice healthy precautions and receive vaccinations, we are preparing to gather in person for worship on Sunday, March 21. Registration is now open for those wishing to join in person worship on the 21st.
With the return of in person worship, we’re dedicated also to offering the weekly worship livestream for those who wish to worship from home.
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.
With faith, hope and love, we
return to glorify the Triune God in the sanctuary as a
renewed ministry that is
reformed and always reforming.
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Moments ago we received word from one of the pastors of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton that our Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Hookey passed away this Friday morning. Rev. Hookey, and his wife Lois, came to Oxford from St. Louis in 1989. He led this congregation during a formative and exciting chapter in our ministry with deep faithfulness and wisdom, authentic passion and grace. Joe retired in 1996 after which he and Lois moved to the Dayton area.
Plans for a memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church will be announced at a later time.
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
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Fellowship in the Virtual Molyneaux Lounge |
Our life together as the Body of Christ is more important than ever as we overcome this pandemic with resilient faith, hope and love.
Join us this week after worship at this link on Zoom as we explore deeper bonds of fellowship.
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Lenten Creation Care Podcast Series |
Our Christian Education Committee and the Caring for Creation team continue their partnership in an exciting podcast series for Lent. This week, "Climate Change and Creation Care - What Would Jesus Do?"
Listen to the podcast linked HERE and then join members of our Caring for Creation team on Sundays on Zoom starting at 11:45 am for a coffee hour discussion of the week’s listening.
Information for Zoom Meetings is here (please scroll to bottom of document for more information)
Join Zoom Meeting
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In Lent, we're reminded that, again and again, we hold hope together throughout the Journey to Jerusalem. For Christians, engaging the forty days of Lent approximates a tithe - or a tenth - of each year. We need the forth days of Lent because this season shapes us into more faithful disciples.
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Lent is a time to reflect, to grow, to pray, and to prepare for Easter. This year’s Lenten devotional Again and Again invites us to return to the practices that transform and renew. This wonderful resource for your family includes art, reflections, and poetry that can help deepen your spiritual life as we walk through the season of Lent together.
Please let us know if you would like a Lenten devotional by contacting the church office and requesting your copy. It can be mailed to you or you can pick it up.
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Youth Group is back on Easter Sunday! |
A HUGE thanks to all of our youth who participated in our 6-week discussion series, "Worldchanging 101!" We had a wonderful six weeks of discussion and study! Youth group will be taking a short break for the season of Lent and will be back on Easter Sunday Evening (April 4 at 6:30 p.m.) for a new 4-week series, "Being Easter People." This will include topic discussion nights, caring for creation service projects...and maybe even some Spring cleaning! Stay tuned for more info! |
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The OPW sixth Zoom Horizons Bible Study using Into the Light, Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament will meet on Monday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Marc van Bulck. The focus of Lesson Six is Lament Over the City. All are welcomed to join in this discussion.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 861 2745 1953
Passcode: 435554
Dial by phone: 929.205.6099
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Campus Ministry Discussion Group |
Pastor Marc will be leading a four discussion group nights for college and campus students called "Worldchanging 101" based on the lessons in the book by the same name by David LaMotte. The discussion group will be over Zoom every other Monday night at 7:00 p.m. The dates for these discussion nights are March 8, March 22, April 5, and April 19.
To register for one (or all) of these discussion nights, please contact Pastor Marc. All materials will be provided.
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Caring for Creation Team - Getting to Net-Zero At Home
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Our Caring for Creation Team invites you to join the Presbyterian Hunger Program on March 10th at 3pm EST for this webinar featuring Rev. Dr. Patricia Tull, an environmental theologian, A.B. Rhodes Professor Emerita of Hebrew Bible at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, and author of Inhabiting Eden. Using her own net-zero home in Indiana as a model, Trisha will overview some of the promising ways homes can be built or renovated to become efficient enough to power not only themselves but family transportation and food production.
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Caring for Creation Team -
A Voyage Through "50 Ways to Help Save the Earth" in 2021
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Copies of the book are available for pickup in the Church office.
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Oxford Presbyterian Women - SERRV & Earn |
One of the main purposes of the Oxford Presbyterian Women is to support the mission of the church worldwide. For example, we give to our Russian Partnership, Family Resource Center & Kirkmont Center. During this pandemic, we’ve been unable to raise money for mission our usual ways (rummage sales, cookie walk, craft sale). However, there is one way we can safely contribute right from our own homes & that would be through SERRV International.
A fair-trade nonprofit since 1949, SERRV International empowers small-scale global artisans & farmers through long-term trading partnerships, helping them build sustainable employment & a vision of hope in their communities.
The SERRV & Earn fundraiser is a way for the Oxford Presbyterian Women to receive 20 percent of everything that is sold from their web site. Right now, there are some beautiful Easter pieces i.e. baskets, eggs, chocolates, crosses. You will also find jewelry, clothes, bedding, spices, bird feeders & many, many more unique items. Click here to visit the website.
We have a few items listed below that can be purchased from Prue Dana. Please contact Prue at 513-523-6579 if you're interested in buying any of these items.
Spicey Sacred Mark Soaps (set of 2) - $14.00
Tree of Life Shesham Trivet (1) - 18.00
Herbs & Spices
Kariba Sunset Tomato Pepper (2) - $7.00 ea.
Braai Salt Blend (2) - $7.00 ea.
Cape Garden Herbs (8) - $7.00 ea.
Madagascar Garlic Pepper (2) - $7.00 ea.
Traditional Za'atar Mix (2) - $5.00 ea.
Swahili Lemon Pepper (2) - $7.00 ea.
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The Connections Committee - Spring Fling! |
The Connections Committee Invites YOU to a
“First Day of Spring” Fling!
Saturday, March 20, begins at Noon
Bring your own lunch and beverage
Peffer Park or the Gazebo at the Community Park
Happening at both places.
Come to relax, chat, breathe fresh air and connect with friends!
Mask and social distance.
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Connecting as the Beloved Community |
Susan Maxfield treasures talking to people, misses Kent and the choir and is happy to be able to watch Sunday morning worship services via the livestream. Planning to organize household items is an ongoing activity - it is actually following through on the planning that sometimes gets bogged down. At least the plan is in her mind! She was thrilled to look out her kitchen window in the past few days to see the yellow blossoms of celandine covering the ground in the woods. Susan gives the choral interns three cheers for sharing their vocal talents with OPC.
Marcia Perry is a relatively new resident of Oxford, having moved from Richmond, Virginia to the Knolls. She and a college roommate had been planning to move to the same location, and Oxford was their choice. Marcia is keeping active with her hobby of photography. Her photos adorn the 2021 calendar put out by the Knolls. She also had an exhibit of her work at the Big House. Marcia still keeps up with her former church through their Zoom services, and OPC worship services as well.
Keith and Katie Payne are dealing with life as it unfolds. Katie is working from home and Keith working as usual. Both have had their vaccinations so are feeling a bit safer. Son Thomas is studying medical technology at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Kentucky. He has had the opportunity to work on the development of a computer program that tracks COVID-19 in retirement homes. Nicholas is face to face at Northern Kentucky University studying business. The pandemic has not slowed Katie down - says she is as busy as she wants to be.
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Love only grows by sharing.
You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.
- Brian Tracy
Your time, talent and treasure are truly vital to this ministry. If you are worshipping with us via the livestream, 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
One of the only ways God can get us
to let go of our private salvation project
is some kind of suffering.
This is why Christians hang the cross
at the center of our churches
and why we say we’re “saved” by the cross.
- Richard Rohr
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Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056
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