First Press
an online newsletter
June 2020
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
                                                               — Acts 2:2-4

Having just celebrated Pentecost and the birth of the church, it is evident that the Spirit is moving among us at FPC. First of all, we have learned so many new ways to faithfully be the church together! Every week when we gather online for worship, we proclaim and remember that as much as we love this beautiful sanctuary, we – the people are the church, not the building. There is the arrival of our new pastor, Barrett Milner and his family early next week and Ann’s departure that will take place in late August. We have a search committee continuing its hard work to find a new music director and there are ongoing discussions about how best to nurture and care for our children and youth when we are able to be together again. Surely something new is being born among us!

How will we respond to this newness? Will we embrace it and ride the winds of the Spirit to new opportunities and ways of worship and ministry? Will we let that gift of God renew us in life-giving ways? Or will we resist the Spirit and try to douse those flames before anyone gets singed by their heat? Likely there will be variety of responses the Spirit’s movement among us. Now is the time to be praying for open hearts and minds that are receptive to God’s Spirit and willing to follow it into that unknown future. It is also a time to mine the scriptures for those wonderful treasures that remind us: “Don’t be afraid…” “I will be with you.” Wherever this Spirit is leading us, we don’t have to go alone. We have each other and we have faith in a loving God who took on human flesh in order to be with us in every aspect of our human life. That will always be enough.

Come, O Holy Spirit,
Ann and David
Finance
As our church family continues ministering during this season of social isolation, please continue to remember your faithful giving to our church. The ministry of FPC continues to make an impact within our congregation and throughout our community. Bible studies and various small group meetings continue online to enrich our lives through the sharing of scripture; local missional activities continue to care for others like More Than A Meal and Love Packs; partners in mission, like Interfaith Compassion, the pantry, Doors of Hope and more, continue their important work as well and we help make that possible.

There are a variety of ways you can give:


If you need help with any specific ways to give, please contact Frances Saralvarez at fsaralvarezfpc@gmail.com.
Worship
Currently, worship each Sunday continues to be offered online through Facebook Live! The live video feed begins at 10:25 am on the church's public Facebook group which you can access here. You do not have to have an account to participate. If you do not have a Facebook account, a message will pop up asking if you wish to join. You may click, "not now" at the bottom of that message and it will go away.


We will celebrate the sacrament of Communion this Sunday, June 7th, during worship. During this season of sheltering-in-place be sure to have bread/crackers and juice available as we celebrate the Lord's Supper together wherever we may be.
Lectionary texts for June:

June 7 - Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20
June 14 - Genesis 18:1-5 (21:1-7); Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; Romans 5:1-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8 (9-23)
June 21 - Genesis 21:8-21; Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39
June 28 - Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42
A Year with the Bible

Our journey through Scripture continues throughout the month of June! It’s never too late to jump in and beginning reading because there is no better time than right now to begin reading your bible daily. It’s an excellent Spiritual practice to develop that can center and sustain us no matter what be happening around us. This month we continue reading the historical letters of the Apostle Paul and wrap up the royal history of the nation of Israel shared in 1 st and 2 nd Chronicles. The link to June readings can be found here and on our website. May God’s Spirit rest upon you while reading!
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation and Worship Ministry teams are partnering to bring two weekly devotionals to the congregation during this season of social isolation. Each devotional is written by a member of the congregation and offers a word of hope as a reminder about the connection we continue to share with one another. If you would be interested in writing a devotional in the future, please contact Sally Hines at sallyhines@att.net or Carlisle Wood at carlislewood@gmail.com .
Bibles & Brews continues online with digital editions each Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 pm throughout June. All are welcome to participate in this group bible study as we bring and share different passages about a group picked topic. Next week's conversation is about "Miracles". Hope to see you on Zoom!
Theological Thursdays continues online throughout the month of June from Noon to 1:00 pm each Thursday. All are welcome to participate in this congregational bible study about topics you get to help pick. Each week’s class will focus on a single topic and then look to a specific passage from scripture about it. Our time on June 4 th will be about God in the Old and New Testaments. Please contact David Randolph if you would like to join the regular email about future classes.
Etcetera...
Presbyterian Women Officers for 2020-2021

Congratulations to our new Presbyterian Women Officers who were elected and installed via Zoom on Sunday, May 31. Officers include:

Kathryn Elliott - Moderator
Caroline McIntosh - Vice Moderator
Whitney Bolen - Secretary
Margaret Fancher - Treasurer
Marianna Ochs - Historian

Thank you for your willingness to serve FPC in this way!
Mission
The Pantry has a new PayPal link to allow you to make donations more efficiently in this season of social distancing. As you can imagine the longer this situation lasts, the greater the need at the Pantry. Make your donation at:  http://paypal.me/pantryoxfordms   
Memorials and Honoraria
~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~
In memory of:

Doug Alexander

Yung & Dean Chow
J.J. Jones
Libby & Leon McCullouch
Susan & Tom Meredith

Gladys Marie Bowlin

Susan & Tom Meredith
Nila & Max Williams

Dr. Joe Burnett

Patsy & Guff Abbott
Dara & David Bigger
Laura & John Bradley
Thomas R. Brown
Richard Buntin
Martha W. Byars
Diana & John Cissell
Nancy Coffler
Shirley Crawford & family
Julie & Jeff Dalton
Judy & Bob Davis
Ann & Jim Greenlee
Fay & Earl Grissinger
Clair & W.B. Gurley
Jean & Edward Hill
Carson Hughes
Beth & John Kakales
Libby & Leighton Lewis
Marty & Steve Mauldin
Robert L. (Bobby) Mays
Libby & Leon McCullouch
Jo Ann O'Quin & Ken McGraw
Susan & Tom Meredith
Emily & Don Newcomb
Janet & A.S. Povall
Robin L. Satyshur
Kay & Larry Tyler
Caroline & Todd Underwood
Maelyse & Kyle Webb
Carolyn & Cecil Williams
Nila & Max Williams
Carlisle & Billy Wood
Marleah Hobbs

Shirley Crawford
J.J. Jones
Susan & Tom Meredith
Nila & Max Williams

Ruth Ellen Duvall Kuhnel

Patsy & Guff Abbott
Shirley Crawford
Toni DeVoe
Toni & Ed Manning
LouAnn & Leroy McCarty
Marty & Steve Mauldin
Susan & Tom Meredith
Emily & Don Newcomb
Nila & Max Williams

John R. Neff

Yung & Dean Chow
Susan & Tom Meredith

Raphael Eustace Semmes

Shirley Crawford

Barbara Young

J.J. Jones
Birthdays and Anniversaries
June Birthdays:

2 Irma Buchanan, Sloan Hollis, Emily Semmes, Gary Wright
3 David Flautt, Jr., Jane Henderson, Margie McLeod
4 Patsy Abbott, Elizabeth McLellan
5 Cecilia Jimenez, Bradley Mayo
6 Allyson Ashmore, Jacquelyn Gage
7 Jennifer Williams
9 Fay Grissinger, Ben Neff, Molly Tanner
11 Brum Abernathy, Lock Elliott, Thomas Franklin III, Brian Hyneman, Henry Johnson, Sarah McLellan, Abigail Robbins
13 Bill Rogers
14 Judy Edgar, Sallie Wilkerson
15 Katie Goodwiller
16 Teresa Flautt
17 Luke Harris, Cindy Snellgrove
18 Suzanne Black, Whitney Bolen
19 Lindsey Estes, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Williams
20 Heath Stevens, Mary Conlee Mize
21 Miller Callery, Jenna Lovelace, Rose Paris
22 Olivia Estes
24 Sam Haskell
25 Keith Hayward, Talmadge Lewis
26 Edward Duke, Ruchell Phillips
28 Sharon Fenger, Mary Rhodes Manley, Shelby McRae, Caroline Wigginton
29 Anne Grace Kennon, Anderson McIntosh

June Anniversaries:

1 Caroline & Earl Wigginton
2 Erin & Hayden Alexander
4 Maggie & John Abernathy
6 Betty & George Abdo, Allison & Nat Harris
8 Nila & Max Williams
9 Leigh & Kevin Christian
12 Sandy & Vaughn Grisham
13 Barbara & J.T. Davis, Ferriday & Charly McClatchy, Abigail & Nathan Robbins
14 Rosie & Robert Cooper, Laura & Don Whitten
18 Nana & Francis Boateng
19 Blair Hobbs & John T. Edge, Julia & Scotty Jimenez
20 Katie & Bradley Goodwiller, Pat & Ernie Lowe
21 Mary Kate & Edward Duke
22 Kay & Ed Croom
23 Anastasia & Dunbar Jenkins
24 Carolyn & Randel Gibson, Catherine Servati & Taylor Webb
26 Stefanie & Greg Goodwiller
27 Becky & Joe Murphy
29 Emily & Don Newcomb
First Dates...

  • Adult Faith Formation = June 1st at 5:00 pm via Zoom
  • Diaconate = June 2nd at 5:30 pm via Zoom
  • Finance = June 8th at 5:00 pm via Zoom
  • Mission = June 11th at 5:30 pm via Zoom
  • Session = June 14th at 1:00 pm via Zoom
The Session
 
  CLASS of 2020
Ashley Callery, Ann DeVoe, Ben Griffith, Matthew Hall,
Monte Wood
 
  CLASS of 2021
Hayden Alexander, Pete Boone,
Julie Field, Carmille Hovious,
Ruth O'Dell
 
CLASS of 2022
Susan Abbott, John Abernathy, Trey Byars, Kevin Christian,
Greg Patton
The Diaconate

CLASS of 2020
Todd Abbott, Rosie Cooper,
Ed Croom, Lisa Hickman-Tollison, John Schuesselin
 
CLASS of 2021
Thelma Curry, Karen Elliott, Luke Harris, Brian Hyneman,
Niles Lovelady
 
CLASS of 2022
Gabrielle Chiniche, James Day, Rob Howell,Cliff Smith,
Pattye Wilson
Your Church Staff
 
Ministers
 
Interim Associate Pastor
 
Associate Pastor
 
Pastor, UKirk Ministry
 
Interim Choir Director
 
Director of Elementary Music
 
Office Administrator
 
Director of Communications
 
Property Manager
 
Nursery Director
Contact us:
662.234.1757
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