His spirit was hungry, his mind curious, his heart open, and his questions profound and penetrating.  We talked for the better part of a chilly yet sun-soaked morning in early January.  As he would confess, “I’ve never really been very comfortable with the Christian faith or with most Christians I know, for that matter!  I’ve just been unable to figure it out, and too many people I know seem to think they have.”  I assured him with gusto he was not alone!  I certainly hadn’t “figured it all out,” and I was quick to share as much.  Such was the beginning of an exchange that was as candid as it was fruitful.  It was good and life-giving for us both.  And what a joy it was for me to articulate for him how truly grateful I was to serve in a place with people who are still searching for themselves and who have the maturity and spiritual integrity enough to say, at times, “I’m still searching, too.”  

What is perhaps most heartening for me is that this place that we love, and this church that we call our home, is a place for inquiry and questioning, not a place where certainty is either demanded or expected.  This is a church family where love abounds, where welcome and hospitality will be our aim, and where all God’s children can come to learn.  This is a place and a church family who want to grow and who want to strengthen others as they grow and change and discover themselves. 

As we enter this Lenten season, a season that I love for the contemplation it allows us, let us enter this space with hearts full of questions.  Let us engage with others, hearts open to inquiry.  Let us come together to learn from one another.  Lent calls us to refocus our hearts, to rediscover our faith, and to reconnect with our God; a God who adores us in spite of – and because of – our questioning, yearning hearts.

To date, I still haven’t “figured it all out,” and I don’t expect to anytime soon.  But I’m trying.  

With hope, 

Barrett 

Worship: 9:00 & 11:00 am

Remember in Prayer 

FPC Members: The Montgomery Family; The Family of Louise Waller; Majorie Selvidge; Becky Murphey; Curtis Wilkie; Ann Dickins; Margaret Fancher; Mrs. Pat Atkinson; The Family of William “Wylie” Coleman; Sarah, Cliff, and Sterlin Smith; Scottye Boone; Jean Blackston; Leon McCullouch 

Family and Friends: Jeanette Wilkinson; Eileen Cheney and Family; Family of Susan Treas-Ewing; Lynda Torbert Mathers; Kicky Stovall; Thomas Hines; Olivia Flautt; Dr. Gladys Memnon and Friends in Bongnotte, Haiti; Family of Tommy Marshall; Family and Friends of Dr. Jack Davis Brown; Margaret Burnett; Doors of Hope Families; Lafayette County Detention Center inmates; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents

U. S. Military: SSgt Jason Freeland, USAF 17th Special Tactics Sqaudron

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. This is a confidential list that is independent from the names listed above. Please contact Carlisle Wood at carlislewood@gmail.com

or 662-832-8606. All requests are held in strict confidence.

Anyone interested in an FPC member directory can call the church office at 234-1757. One will be printed for you.

Membership & Hospitality

Last month we had the privilege to welcome some new members to our congregation. Pictured from left to right: Catherine & Alex Lawhorn (Lucy, William, and Molly), Michael & Dani Portner, and Rebecca Black. We are so happy to have each of you here at FPC!

Bibles & Brews is each first and third Wednesday from 4:30-6pm at the Growler. All are welcome! We'll kick off the Fall with fellowship time and a fun game this first week, and settle into Bible study starting August 16. If you'd like to join the email list or GroupMe for reminders and more details about the topic each week, contact Allison Wehrung (ukirk.olemiss@gmail.com) or Andy Spaulding (aspauldingfpc@gmail.com). 

Upcoming Events

All Are Invited!

Oxford First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church are hosting a joint Worship Experience. The service and combined choirs will highlight shared and unique musical expressions from both traditions. A casual reception will follow to afford an opportunity for our congregations to get to know one another better. The service will be held Sunday, February 18 at 6:00 at Oxford First United Methodist Church, 102 Dylan Avenue (located next to the Mary Cathey Headstart off Old Sardis Road). We hope to see you there!

Scout Troop 45

Scout Sunday

In celebration of Scouting's Anniversary Day, Troop 45 would like to show appreciation to FPC. FPC provides physical space and other resources necessary for the well-being of Troop 45. To show their appreciation, Troop 45 will be providing a light lunch to the congreation. This will take place on February 11, following the 11:00 am worship service.

Parker Stepp, a Troop 45 member, is doing a book drive! He will be collecting books to benefit the children of Charleston. Drop off boxes will be located around the FPC campus.

VIP Spring Schedule

This past weekend we had our annual Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza event. Kids were able to explore local churches and learn about the king of instruments: the Pipe Organ!

Click here to go to our website and see what the rest of 2024 holds of Music at First.

UKirk Ole Miss is looking forward to kicking off another semester together! They are seeking Tuesday night meal providers for their weekly gatherings. You can find the schedule of available dates at ukirkolemiss.org/tuesday-meals, and contact Allison Wehrung with any questions. 

Lets Support The Pantry!

If you would like to purchase a ticket, please click here!

The Mission Team meets Monday, February 5 at 5:00 in the Session Room of the Sanctuary building. Please join us as we seek creative and effective means to serve “the least of these.” If you would like more information, call the church office or contact David Shaw at dcshaw82@gmail.com.

This past Christmas various FPC members gave gifts to the twelve Doors of Hope families. Requests from the families ranged from coloring books to pots and pans. Below are excerpts from some of the thank you notes the mothers wrote in gratitude. Your generosity was deeply appreciated and brightened the lives of many. 

"We are greatly appreciative of you for thinking and assisting us for Christmas. The kids loved all of their gifts and were shocked to see all the amazing gifts. I had a blast in Marshalls and Bath and Body Works. It felt awesome to shop for my self-care needs and new work clothes with the gift cards"

"In October I lost my babygirl the day after I had her, and she is now my pretty little angel, so to receive all of the gifts made my son's day, and it was a great feeling to also receive something for myself, because I always just worry about my son being happy and not worry about myself looking to receive anything. I just want to see him happy. I want to thank you all for the gifts. I also want to Thank God for placing people here on this earth like you for thinking of someone else and how you can be a blessing to someone during Christmas"

"Words cannot explain how you have been an answered prayer in me and my daughter’s life. I didn’t have any idea how I would buy my daughter anything for Christmas. Thanks to your family, I was able to buy myself and my daughter some of the things we wanted and needed. Now, I have more than enough food. My heart cries tears of joy when I think about it."

"I'd like to first start off by expressing my deepest and warmest gratitude. Because of you and your kindness, I was able to experience one of the happiest Christmas moments that I've experienced in a long time. Thank you. It takes a special person to give unselfishly and with love. I thank you. My son thanks you."

"My family was very thrilled to receive the gifts from you all. The pots and pans are such a huge asset to our everyday lives now. Before, I was cooking an item, putting it in a bowl then cleaning it to cook the next item because I only had one pot. My heart is filled with such great gratitude for your thoughtfulness and generosity. My children absolutely adored their gifts and were so happy to receive them. My little girl has not stopped coloring since Christmas."

"Your love and grace is very overwhelming. The end of last year was very heartbreaking. Your kindness is always unmatched. My son and I are always overjoyed by everything. Being a single parent is hard and I still continue to beat myself up over the choices I’ve made that affect him deeply. Your gifts will forever be cherished and your kindness are an example of hope that God sees, hears, and is always here for us."

"You are truly heaven sent and I’m grateful for people like you in this world. We loved every single gift and everything was beautifully wrapped. It looked like it came straight from Santa’s workshop! Your gifts for me and my kids made our Christmas special and I even felt like a kid again for a moment opening up my gifts! Thank you, thank you infinitely. You are a blessing"

"First I wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. Just wanted to say thank you so much for the gifts, it was truly a blessing for me and my kids. Those smiles really made me cry. I really loved my gifts, I can’t stop using my air fryer. It makes me feel so good that God blessed good people to bless others that are in need."

In 2023 FPC's collection of loose change raised over $1,600 for Cents-Ability, the PCUSA's initiative to combat hunger in our local communities. We invite you to continue to collect a few pennies per meal at your dinner table and bring your donation to worship during the next Cents-Ability Collection Sunday, February 18. Need a collection container? They are available in the Narthex of the Sanctuary and in the church office. Children will be asked to bring their containers forward during the children's sermon at the 11:00 service on the 18th. Adults may place their donations in designated buckets in the Narthex. So keep saving those coins!

FPC continues to partner with Doors of Hope Transition Ministries by providing office space and hosting the Step 2 Dinner the second Tuesday of each month. New volunteers to host the meals are encouraged. It's easy! Pick up the prepared meal from Larson's, serve the meal in the fellowship hall, and sit at table with new friends. The following have hosted the dinner previously and would be happy to cohost with you. Contact anyone of them with questions you may have.

• Thelma Curry, 662-816-6360
• Christina Torbert, 662-816-5194
• Billy & Julie Chadwick, 662-801-1978
• Melissa Perler, 504-597-3583
• Lele Gillespie, 662-801-5077
• Greg Patton, 662-801-1073
• Wil Howie, 662-816-5194
• Kathleen Mayo, 662-801-2541
• Cade Smith, 662-418-0140

For more information about the dinner and to sign up, click here.

Leap Frog is an after school literacy and enrichment program for first through third grade students enrolled in the Oxford Elementary and Lafayette County public schools. Students meet with individual tutors at St. Peter's Episcopal Church after school Monday through Thursday throughout the semester. Twice a week volunteers from FPC partner with St. Peter's by providing snack for the sixty students enrolled. To signup click here.

If you are new to the program and would like to partner with a former volunteer, contact one of the following who have provided snacks in the past: Patty Abbott, Beth Andrews, Ann DeVoe, Kathy Griffith, Ramey Hardin, Jessica Holder, Corey Mauldin, Marty Mauldin, Catherine Servati, Andy Spaulding, Lisa Tollison and Pattye Wilson.

Stewardship

Why do we pledge?

News from the Pews

Memorials & Honorariums

~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~

In Memory of:

Alisa Elliott

The Bouldin Family

Dr. William Longest

JJ. Jones

Nancy Rogers

The Bouldin Family

Louise Waller

James Davis

Wayne & Sally Stroupe

Larry & Kay Tyler

Max & Nila Williams

In Honor of:

Our grandchildren: Mary Elizabeth, Ann Louise, and Ruthie Miers

John & Kathy Hatcher

Catherine Servati

JoAnne Oliver

Financial Summary 

Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries