July 2, 2020
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: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
Message: " The Impossible Journey: Will You Go?"
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 your HOME.
Click   Live-stream   to join us for worship
on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.

to enhance your worship experience

Click   Sunday School   to connect with teachers
and activities to nurture faith

(Note on above image: Iron Sculpture at Alto Del Perdon on the Camino de Santiago. Photo by Elliott Jones Boyle.)
Ministry News and Upcoming Events
Step by Prayerful Step – Phased Reopening
Thank you to everyone for your part in making the Phase One reopening of our ministry at Oxford Presbyterian Church so safe and healthy. As we prepare for Phase Two, we continue to monitor local health trends very closely and encourage you to do the same through the Butler County General Health District website .

Even as we move into Phase Two, Ohio and CDC guidelines continue to recommend that those over 65 and those with medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, obesity, and immune compromising conditions continue to keep their risk of COVID lower by staying home as much as possible and limiting their contact with others.
 
If you are healthy and would like to join us for worship in person during our pre-opening or "soft opening” of Phase Two on July 12, July 19 or July 26, please fill in details here . Click here to review the health precautions in Phase Two.
 
Throughout this time, the worship livestream will continue on Sunday morning.  Whether at home or in person, we look forward to gathering with you for worship every Sunday!
 
For the latest information on our Phased Opening, visit the “news and events” page of our congregational website. We stand steadfast in our love for neighbors throughout this evolving pandemic. We remain committed to putting your well-being first.
Summer Small Group Book Discussions
"Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning" The #1 New York Times bestseller is a timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America. Join us for a special 3-week discussion for MS/HS youth, parents, and community members through both large and small groups. Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. July 8, 15, and 22, via Zoom. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Marc at pastormarc@oxfordpresbychurch.org .
"I’ll Push You" This story invites the reader on the extraordinary journey of two ordinary friends along the 500 mile Camino de Santiago. Many declared the journey ‘impossible’ since a neuromuscular disease confines Justin to a wheelchair. Yet when he shared his dream of traveling the Camino with Patrick, his great friend immediately said, “I’ll push you.” Join us for a fellowship oriented discussion of this story Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on July 12 and August 9 via Zoom. If you are interested in participating, please contact Pastor Lawrence at pastorlawrence@oxfordpresbychurch.org 
Learning Together in This Season
Online Sunday School Through the Summer
 Sunday School is taking a break for the summer months, but there are still plenty of online church school resources available for children and families. Check the church website for continued updates and lessons for preschoolers from Rhonda Krehbiel, and feel free to browse our archived lessons from throughout the Spring.   

Bookmark our church school page here . We'll see you all back in the fall!
OPC Offices Closed
In observance of Independence Day, OPC offices will be closed on Friday, July 3.

Regular hours will resume on Monday, July 6 at 8:30 a.m.

Have a Safe Holiday!
Spirit of Scotland
Destiny awaits you in Scotland! Centuries old, the Stone of Destiny housed at Edinburgh Castle has endured times of peace and prosperity as well as times of war and pandemic. Down the hill from the Edinburgh Castle is St. Giles Cathedral where John Knox’s preaching fueled the Scottish Reformation.
 
Explore the religious, cultural and natural history of Scotland through the 2021 Spirit of Scotland. Rescheduled from 2020, join over twenty congregation and community members on this church tour of Scotland from Monday, May 24 – Tuesday, June 1, 2021. All are invited on this learning journey! 
 
Early bird registration is now open and continues through July 26. Everyone registering before that date receives a $200 discount from the regular rate. 
 
Find t he brochure and booking form for the “ 2021  Spirit of Scotland”   here   on our church website.
Being the Change: An Online Intergenerational Book Club -
Hosted by Zero Waste Oxford and co-sponsored by the
Caring for Creation Team
Miami University Student Organization "Zero Waste Oxford" is hosting a summer book club where they will be reading "Being the Change, Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution" by Climate Scientist Peter Kalmus.  In an age where, especially in online communities, the dialogue about climate change is overwhelmingly "doom and gloom", Kalmus challenges that by presenting a positive outlook. Incorporating the elements of science, practical action, and spirituality, he addresses the seriousness of our climate emergency. In an approach that seeks to encourage readers to start their journey toward reducing their climate impact and, per the book's namesake, 'spark a climate revolution', the actionable steps presented will inspire us all. He argues in the preface that global warming touches all aspects of our lives, so why not explore those intersections and re-evaluate the ways in which we choose to live our lives? Zero Waste Oxford president Cassie Conrad and Take3Oxford founder Carla Blackmar will lead five 1-hour long discussion sessions each week in July. Please fill out the survey here if you want to participate.  Discussions take place on Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
From the Presbytery of the Miami Valley
Just Mercy Film Discussion on Zoom

Hosted by the Committee on Representation and Diversity of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley

The film  Just Mercy  has been made available to watch for free during the month of June. This film follows the story of Civil Rights Attorney Bryan Stevenson.
 
The Committee on Representation and Diversity of the Presbytery of the Miami Valley will host two Zoom discussion events about the film. These events will be moderated by Ruling Elder  Patricia Meadows .
 
The Zoom discussion events will be offered  July 6 at 3:00 p.m.  and  July 7 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Attendance for these Zoom discussions is limited to 40 participants per discussion to ensure communication among all participants. It is required that participants watch  Just Mercy  in order to be fully engaged in the discussions.
 
Registration for the Zoom discussion events is required. Once you have registered, a Zoom invite to the event will be sent to you.
 
Register for one of the two Zoom discussions by contacting Tom Oxley at tom.oxley@miamipresbytery.org.
School Bags
Church World Service School Bags may be picked up at the church. Contact Prue Dana (513-462-3404) if you would like to fill a bag that gives children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning.
Creating a Healthy Oxford Community
Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Benefit

Oxford Farmers Market Uptown has a wonderful program going on this summer for low income seniors (65+). Seniors can shop "for free" with our local produce vendors, and get healthy fruits and vegetables. Farmers are then paid by the USDA!

Please consider sharing this information, or applying yourself. 
Altar Flowers
As our church services resume, we will be needing flowers for the altar. 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 Sundays needing flowers are: August 9, August 16, September 13, September 20, September 27.

Please call or e-mail Marge Smith to place an order (phone: 523-3895, e-mail:  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. Marge Smith
Nominating Committee
A significant work in our congregation has just begun behind the scenes of our visible ministry during these exceptional days. That work is the composition of the Nominating Committee who will help identify the next class of leaders for Oxford Presbyterian Church. 
 
Members of the Nominating Committee will meet via Zoom for prayer and discernment. Some work, mainly phone calls, may take place outside meetings. Service should end in October, when the slate for the new class of Elders, Deacons and Trustees is prayerfully completed.
 
Call Bridgite in the church office, 523-6364 or email her at office@oxfordpresbychurch.org with your interest or suggested names. Please check before you recommend, to be sure that the person is willing to serve.
 
Thank you for joining with the Holy Spirit in this work so vital to our congregation at such a time as this.
What Happened at General Assembly?
More than 400 commissioners, over 180 advisory delegates, and hundreds of staff, churches, and spectators tuned in to take part in the first-ever, fully online 224th General Assembly (2020) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) held June 19-20 and 26-27. Read the summary offered by our commissioners from the Presbytery of the Miami Valley.
Living Into Hope

When we cast our bread upon the waters,
we can presume that someone downstream
whose face we may never see
will benefit from our action,
even as we enjoy the gifts to us
from a donor upstream.

- Maya Angelou
Oxford Presbyterian Church | 101 N. Main Street, Oxford OH 45056