LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD–
FROM PASTOR LAWRENCE
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Pastor Mike, our host at a Myrtle Collaboration site visit, wore a t-shirt printed with the message, “I am more than you see.” As soon as I saw these words, a few mental gears clicked into place. These six simple words so aptly summed up our recent series of worship experiences during Lent.
As you may already know, Oxford Presbyterian Church is in a season of listening now through this fall as part of the three-year Myrtle Collaboration. Our prayer is that the outcome of this collaboration will fashion OPC to become, even more than it is today, a community of CALLING.
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FROM PASTOR MARC'S DESK
This past Easter Sunday following our worship service here at Oxford Presbyterian Church, I came across a reflection written by the Rev. Matthew J. Skolnik, the General Presbyter of Muskingum Valley Presbytery (my old stomping grounds) here in Ohio. The reflection included the image of a mosaic of the resurrected Christ appearing before his disciple, Thomas,
who reaches out to touch the wounds in his side.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
SEMINARY CINEMA SERIES
Fundamentalism on Film Begins with
May 4—“Take Shelter”
RUMMAGE SALE
Drop off begins May 5,
Sale begins May 9
HONORING OUR CONFIRMANDS -- May 12
HONORING OUR TEACHERS AND GRADUATES-- May 1
See the Christian Education article for more details
Women’s Retreat at Cloudland-- June 1
See OPW article below for more details
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS
Christian Education at OPC has a lot to celebrate in May! Please join us on Sunday, May 12 as we honor our new confirmands, Grady Holmes, Jens Bartel, Isabel Lykins, Isabella Walter, Zeke Groom, and Kylee Fears. This is a wonderful time to rejoice in their decisions to follow Christ and to nurture their faith journeys along the way.
Before Worship, there will be a breakfast with the confirmands when they will read their faith statements. Families and parents of the confirmands, sponsors, and session members are cordially invited and encouraged to attend the breakfast.
On Sunday, May 19, we will recognize and thank our Sunday School teachers who provide foundational support through the gift of teaching our children. The church is so much stronger because of you!
Also on May 19, we will celebrate our high school and university graduates and wish them well. It is bittersweet to say goodbye, yet we are so thankful for each of them and will celebrate their graduations with a special parting gift.
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DEACONS
The deacons would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Lenten Food Drive. As of April 17th, we have raised $4760.00 towards the new TOPSS facility. Your generosity has been outstanding and is very much appreciated!
Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? Shawls are given for comfort in times of illness or grief, as well as for celebration in times of joy. If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please contact Cornelia Browne,
513-524-7716.
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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs
IN OUR PRAYERS
:
Keep these friends in your prayers
:
Betty Barnhart, Jean Butterfield, John Curry, Tracy DeGood, Bob Douglass, Nancy Gates, Genee Hesse, Breanna Kinneman, Ruth Miller, Jan Reinhart, Becky Rudolph, Sarah Soika, Joan Teckman, Dave Wilson, Stacey Winn, John and Jean Woodruff
Lord in Your Mercy, Hear Our Prayers
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OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Tuesday Afternoon Circle
The Tuesday Afternoon Circle will meet on May 21,with Billie Maynardleading the lesson, Becky with Mission Yearbook and Karen with Least Coin. Reservations for the optional noon lunch are due by Friday May 17
th
to Rosemary Fisher. Visitors and guests are always welcome.
Tuesday Evening Circle
Evening Circle will meet in the home of Janet Holmes on May 7 starting at 7:30 pm. Billie Maynard will present the program. Debbie Davidson will lead the devotion. Anyone needing a ride should contact Karen Simpson at
[email protected]
, 523-8363
UNPLUG—Let’s Do It!
Ladies, let’s unplug and get together at Cloudland Retreat Center, a quaint and peaceful 5 acre farm at 6381 Todd Road, Oxford. Date: June 1, 9:30a- 2:00p. Retreat cost is just $15.00. Together we will experience God’s voice in the Word, in Nature and in Art. A light breakfast is included along with lunch from LaBodega.
Reservations are due by May 26
and can be made by phone, mail or online. Phone and mail reservations go to Jean O’Connell, 513-593-5894, 1277 Elizabeth Dr., Hamilton OH, 45013 or Ginny Layton by email
[email protected]
.
Reservation for June 1 Retreat
Name
Phone
Lunch Choice (includes chips, pickle, and cookie)
Check one.
- Veggie Club (swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, 1000 isle dressing wheat bread)
- The Dinah (smoked turkey breast, provolone, basil, mayo, lettuce, tomato, French bread)
- The Muffalata (salami, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, Italian dressing, French bread)
- Sweet James (honey ham, cheddar, apple chutney, spicy Dijon, tomato, lettuce, rye bread)
PS. You can bring your phone. Also, carpooling would be helpful.
Sponsored by Oxford Presbyterian Women
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CONGRATULATIONS
to our own Jenny Bailer, Butler County Health Commissioner. Did you see her picture and article In the Cincinnati Enquirer of April 14? The title is “Disease Sleuths Fight Hep A.” “Almost imperceptibly, the virus edged into Butler County. But Jennifer Bailer saw it. She recognized it. She knew she could not wait. She went on full alert.” To find the whole article online, put this into your Google search—“jennifer bailer hep.” or
click here
See what good hands we are in. Thank you Jenny, for your dedication. (She didn’t want us to applaud her, but we had to, it’s too good a story and she does a tremendous job!)
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APRIL SESSION MEETING
The hymn focus this month was “In the Bulb There is a Flower” - bringing the message of hope, renewal, promise of new beginnings.
A gift of $1000 was received from Dave and Sue Wilson to be applied to the Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services project.
Mission and Outreach Committee reviewed their Vision 20/20 goals.
Buzz Green, Elder of the Month, shared his hopes for the future of OPC and offered a suggestion as to how to reach this goal: bring someone to church, whether a former member, a current member who has not been coming, someone who has never been inside the door. Encourage them to attend and maybe participate.
Facilities Committee is distributing surveys to the congregation for input on future upgrades to the Memorial Building.
Motion was approved to make OPC a Certified Hunger Action Congregation. Description of a Hunger Action Congregation can be found elsewhere in the newsletter.
Motion was approved that the church allocate money, not to exceed $500, for the purpose of having Brandon Abbott assist in the drafting and dissemination of a Request for Qualifications, followed by his assisting in the sorting of the applicants into an appropriate pool to whom we seek bids for a better audio visual system (for the Memorial Building).
Judy Fisher, Clerk
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SESSION APPROVES ACTION FOR OPC TO BECOME A CERTIFIED HUNGER ACTION CONGREGATION
What does this mean?
The purpose of the Hunger Action Congregation process is to acknowledge the faithful work of Presbyterians around the country who are responding to the biblical call to help alleviate hunger and end its causes. Through stories and encouragement, we wish to be mutually inspired to pursue broader and more justice-oriented ministries.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS
In May, I will be in the Activity Room in the Healthcare wing at The Knolls the 9th & 23rd (Thursdays) at 10:00. Pastor Marc will be joining us for fellowship and communion on May 23.
Becky Quay
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WOODMAN COULDN’T SPARE THAT TREE
You would never know there had been a tree there. The space is ready for the long awaited ramp, which despite losing a tree is quite exciting.
(Photos for this article by Bill King)
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SHADY HAPPENINGS AT THE SEMINARY!
Just in time for the upcoming Seminary Cinema, the room darkening shades have been installed on the second floor.
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CCNS GRADUATION
Christian Cooperative Nursery School
On May 20, at 6pm, 12 young graduates of the CCNN will be celebrated! Everyone is invited to share in this fun event. Join in the fun, and enjoy the cookies and drinks after.
At the school and in the Molyneaux.
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COMMUITY
TOPSS
I
t's official! We received $75,000 from the Butler County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)!
This is the largest CDBG ever awarded to a nonprofit in Butler County. The commissioners and community development manager were impressed with the level of knowledge and skill of our board, and the detailed preparation process we have gone through.
Thanks everyone for your support and hard work! Lara Osborn
e
Mark Your Calendar: Every 5th Wednesday,
Oxford Presbyterian Church
hosts the weekly Community Table. Our next opportunity to respond to food insecurity in the Oxford community will be on Wednesday, May 29th at 5:30 p.m. in the Seminary Church at 104 E. Church St.
(white church on the corner of
Church and Poplar)
We need:
Dinner Salad (Ham, Tuna fish, Pasta), Bread, Dessert
We need volunteers:
Setup at 4:30 p.m. / Serve at 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Clean up at 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Call or email Bill Fisher at 524-4504 or [email protected] if you can help. Any dry goods for the dry goods pantry are also accepte
d.
RUMMAGE SALE REMINDER!
Sunday May 5, from 2-5, at the Seminary begins drop off! The following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are drop off, sort, set out and price days, from 10 to 6pm.
Sale days: Thursday May 9, 6p to 8p, Friday May 10, 10a to 3p and Saturday May 11, 10a to 12noon, Pack up, 12noon to 1p-ish,
Oxford Area Guided Walking Tours
Guided walking tours are offered every Saturday in May, featuring a different historic neighborhood each week.
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Oxford Presbyterian Church Staff
Office Hours: 8:30-4:30, M-F
Telephone: 513-523-6364
Fax: 513-523-8215
Seminary Building: 513-523-7411Pastor: Lawrence Bartel
Associate Pastor: Marc van Bulck
Music Director: Kent Peterson
Organist: Lynn Jacobs
Pastor Emeritus: Dr. Joseph R. Hookey
Parish Associate: Rev. Diane Ziegler
Clerk: Julia R. Fisher
Administrative Assistant:
Financial Secretary: Mary Martin
Youth Director:Jake Smithers
Director/Teacher C.C.N.S.:
Sarah Lake: ccnsoxfordpreschool@gmail .com
Newsletter Editor:
Custodian: Priscilla Parks
Sexton: Robert Simpson
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MAY BIRTHDAYS
2 Lisa Brunckhorst
3 JoAnne Hagerman
3 Joe Simpson
5 Lynn Cronk
6 Katya Fisher
6 Michael Hughes
6 Violet Suit
7 Breanne Parks
8 Valerie Green
8 Betty Wills
9 Spencer Lykins
9 Melanie Ziegler
13 Cia Beal
14 Bryon Fears
14 Nancy Gates
14 Genee Hesse
15 Bryan Richmond
16 Hank Thomas
17 Brent Bader
17 Zachary Grajewski
17 Katie Payne
18 Doug Gardener
19 Amelia Johnson
20 Cathy Fujii
22 Rachel Lathery
23 Dave Ferris
23 Keith Payne
24 Joan Teckman
25 Dennis Deahl
26 Allison Gayhart
26 Autumn Saylor
27 Mark DeGennaro
27 Kyle Gardener
27 Sarah Jane Soika
28 Melissa Chase
28 Charles Teckman
29 Cristina Hunter
(Missionary)
30 Candace Crist
31 Lawrence Bartel
31 Debbie DeGennaro
31 Carlisle Myers
31 Winston Myers
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MAY MARVELS
What cheese is made backwards?
Edam
Question of the Month: a sundial has the fewest moving parts of a timepiece. Which has the most? Spend your time reading the newsletter to find the answer.
May 5
is
Cinco de Mayo
This day celebrates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862.
May 12
is
Mother’s Day
!
May 20
is
Victoria Day
in Canada. This holiday celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria.
(When the flag is hung either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the Union should be to the observer’s left.)
The Old Farmers Almanac says: On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 25 (at FAIRFIELD, OH climate station).
From the National Climate Data Center:
Last Freeze Date 4-May
Last Frost Date 14-May
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We welcome your feedback on the newsletter. We CRAVE your feedback like a horse craves peppermint. What is missing from the newsletter that you would like to see? Let me know. Thanks, nancy. [email protected] .Now here is your bonus for reading this section.
“
Worrying works! More than 90 percent of the things I worry about never happen.”
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