This will be the last fast facts of 2020! Our January Newsletter will be released at the start of the Blessed New Year. 
So that our staff can enjoy some much-deserved family time over the holidays, the church office will be closed the week of December 28 through January 1, 2021. Please know that your pastors can be reached at any time during this time of holiday celebration.
Following much deliberation and prayer, the Session of the Church voted to hold our Christmas Eve services online this year. A “kid friendly” service will be broadcast on Facebook Live at 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve and our candlelight service will be broadcast at 5:30 pm, also on Facebook Live. In addition, a service of Lessons and Carols will be released on Christmas Day at 2:00 pm. COVID Update Letter
Worship - Sunday, December 20, 2020
4th Sunday of Advent

"Imagine"
Luke 1:26-38

This week's lectionary texts:

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26
Luke 1:46b-55
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38
Join us for worship this Sunday, December 20 at 10:25 am on Facebook Live. You do not have to have an account to join us. The video will go live on the church's public Facebook group. If you do not have a Facebook account, a message will pop up asking if you wish to join. Simply click, "not now" at the bottom of that message and it will go away. You may then enjoy the video as it plays live. 
This Sunday our virtual Sunday School will continue for Pre-K thru 6th grade from 9:45-10:00 am. We hope parents will support their children in participating. A Zoom link will be sent out to all parents in a dedicated email on Friday, December 18.
Seasonal greenery and berries dates are available throughout Advent. The dates available are December 27 and January 3. To provide seasonal greenery and berries in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Margaret Fancher at [email protected] or 234-1359. Contributions to the Flower Fund are greatly appreciated.
FPC's Adult Faith Formation event, Advent Together! concludes this Sunday, December 20, via Zoom at 4:00 pm. All are welcome to participate in this discussion about the Christmas Story told through our hymns and carols! Contact David Randolph at [email protected] if interested.
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 [email protected].
Hello, my name is Reid Rochelle and I am a member of BSA Troop 45 here in Oxford. I am currently a Life Scout working to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. With the ongoing COVID 19 Pandemic, many families continue to struggle and depend on the Oxford and Lafayette County Food Pantry for food supplies throughout the year.  Since the Pandemic, the Pantry has seen an increase of 50-70 percent in people needing food. I plan to have a food drive to collect the current requests of the Pantry. 
 
With the help and availability of First Presbyterian Church UKIRK/PYF parking lot (corner of Harrison Avenue and South 10th St), my project will consist of 2 dates – Saturday, December 12th (10-12pm and 1-3pm) and Saturday, December 19th (same times).
 
The drop off will be similar to most curbside deliveries in order to maintain social distancing and following local guidelines from the City of Oxford. 
Here is a list of the preferred donations for the Pantry:

  • Canned Corned Beef Hash
  • Canned Ravioli
  • Canned Spaghetti
  • Diced Tomatoes
  • Boxes of Cocoa Mix (Swiss Miss)
  • Canned Pork and Beans
  • Canned Fruit Cocktail
  • Vegetable Oil and other cooking oils
 
Thank you in advance for any sized donation!
 
Sincerely, 
Reid Rochelle
Remember in Prayer
 
FPC Members: Elizabeth Owen; Family of Shirley Crawford; Helen Scruggs; Wil Howie; Billy Wood; Martha Walcott; Family of Mary Sims; Lark Lindley Wells; Lydia Moak; Family of Pierce Buford; Max Williams; Family of Joe Burnett; Family of Doug Alexander; Family of Marleah Hobbs; Family of Elizabeth Black; Family of Jane Boykin; J. T. Davis; Becky & Joe Murphey; Lynton Dilley; Walter Nance; Debbie McElreath; Director of Music/Organist Search Committee
 
Family and Friends: Rhona Justice-Malloy & Amanda Malloy; Paulette Logan; Tommy Waters; Mary Gietzen; Donna Buckley; Rachel & Bruce Robinson; Family of Betty Field; Joyce Sumners; Richard Bremer; Sarah LaPrade; Mary Tyler Browne; Patch Hailey; Family of Mary Poole; Family of Ruth Ellen Duvall Kuhnel; Family of Carolyn Stevenson; Sigrid Morrison Long; Family of Barbara Young; Pauline Dick; Bill Sessions; Family of David Brooks; Roun McNeal; Jamie Henderson Turner; Family of Joel James; Lowry Davis; Family of Don Gleason; Brad Hovious; B. Jones; Pat Gillenwater; Ted Stocker; Tom Callery; Tom Mullen; Linda Chavers; Mark Barnes; Joe Houston; Matt Branch; Erica Baggett; Mackenzie Stetz; Betty Hoar; Mike Smith; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents; Our Haiti partners; Oxford & Lafayette County First Responders; Community leaders
 
U. S. Military: SSgt Jason Freeland, USAF 4th Air Support Operation
 
Please pray, too, for those with unspecified needs.
 
If you wish to have a name removed or added to this list, please contact the church office.
The FPC prayer chain is ready if you or someone you know is in need. Please contact Carlisle Wood at [email protected] or 662-832-8606. All requests are held in strict confidence.
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
December Birthdays:

17 Debbie Boutwell, Logan McPhail, Wes Snellgrove
18 Marty Mauldin
19 Derek Baker, Joyce Gibbs
20 Matthew Chow, Hale Freeland, Grace Gillespie
21 Julie Field
22 Maggie Abernathy, John Edge, Robert Hall, Mike Lovelace, Davis McCool, Randall Mize
23 Jack Hill, Robert Lake, Liza Orrell, Entje Webb
24 Alissa Davis, Lee Mize
25 Lynton Dilley, Marjorie Selvidge
26 Luke Gibbs
27 Cliff Smith
28 Allison Crawford, Lainey Schuesselin
29 Kristen Phillips
31 Ashley Callery

December Anniversaries:

18 Melissa & Matthew Graves
21 Ann & Bill Dickins, Jody & Pick Scruggs
22 Patsy & Guff Abbott, Ann & Richard DeVoe, Susan & David Shaw
24 Marianna & Monte Ochs
28 Mary & Sam Haskell
29 Joyce & Monte Gibbs
30 Julie & Ed Field, Cynthia & Hale Freeland, Lele & Guy Gillespie, Marjorie & Roy Selvidge, Sarah & Trey Bridgers
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 [email protected]. 
First Presbyterian Church
924 Van Buren Ave. | 662.234.1757