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Oxford Baptist Church
E-News
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
October 5, 2025
Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
"It Doesn't Take Much"
Luke 17:5-10
Dr. David John Hailey, Jr.
Deacon Greeters for October 5, 2025
*Brandon Winslow, Marsha Currin, Robert Garrett, Mary Kathryn Washington
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Between Sundays: Where the church lives its calling
Last week, we reflected on one of Jesus’ most powerful parables—the story of the rich man and Lazarus. This story is not just an abstract lesson; it vividly depicts two lives living side by side. One man indulges daily, while the other suffers outside his gate. What stands out most isn't the division of the afterlife but the disparity present during their lives—the rich man could have helped, but he chose not to.
Jesus isn't merely sharing a tale about wealth and poverty. He's offering a vision of God's perspective on the world. God notices Lazarus and hears the cries of the ignored. God takes sides: the kingdom belongs to those the world disregards.
The warning isn't that wealth is inherently bad, but that comfort can blind us to the suffering of others. The rich man’s mistake was not his wealth but his failure to notice the pain right at his doorstep. His gates kept Lazarus out—and prevented him from recognizing God's presence.
Between Sundays, we are called to practice awareness. Who are the Lazaruses at our gates today? Perhaps it’s a lonely neighbor, a needy family nearby, or someone we avoid because their needs seem overwhelming. Jesus urges us to open our eyes and our hearts.
Mercy isn't a distant virtue; it’s a daily choice. It involves crossing the barriers of indifference to meet others where they are. The gospel's good news is that God has already crossed that great divide in Christ. In gratitude, we are invited to cross smaller divides in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities.
This week, let's ask God to open our eyes. May we notice the Lazaruses at our gates, and may we have the courage to approach them with compassion.
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CONGREGATIONAL CODE REMINDER
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As a reminder, there is a specific congregational code for door entry, 41053, that allows you access on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and on Wednesdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you have a meeting, please contact the office so we can schedule the door code to work 30 minutes prior to the meeting and 30 minutes after the meeting.
Please note: If you have a meeting during office hours, Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., please enter through the main office entrance. In addition, please notify the office of the meeting if possible. Thank you!
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What Does it Mean to be Baptist?
Walter Shurden’s Four Fragile Freedoms offers a simple but powerful way of understanding what it means to be a Baptist. He highlights four core commitments that define our tradition:
Bible Freedom—every believer has the right and responsibility to interpret Scripture under the Spirit’s guidance;
Soul Freedom—each person is free to respond to God without coercion;
Church Freedom—local congregations are free to govern themselves under Christ; and
Religious Freedom—the state must never control faith. These freedoms are fragile and must be protected, but together they remind us of the gift and responsibility of living out our Baptist identity.
Join me for Part 2 of a four-week study during Wednesday Night Vespers tonight, Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m.
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Christmas At the Rudy
Tuesday, December 2nd
More Information to Come
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There will be Sanctuary Choir rehearsal tonight at 7:30 p.m.
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There will be adult handbells rehearsal tonight at 6:15 p.m.
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The Children's Music Program tonight!
Jubilation Ringers (3rd-5th grade) - 4:45
Children's Choirs
Happiness Singers (0-2 years) - 5:30-6:00
Joyful Noise (3-4 years) - 5:30-6:00
Music Makers (K-2nd grade) - 5:30-6:15
Young Musicians (3rd-5th grade) - 5:30-6:15
| | OBC CHILDREN AND YOUTH NEWS | | |
Sunday, October 5th Regular youth evening activities
5:00-5:45 pm - Celebration Ringers/High School Discipleship
5:45-6:45 pm - Oxford Ringers/Middle School Discipleship
6:45-7:15 pm - Dinner
7:15-8:15 pm - Choir (Parents please pick up youth from in front of the sanctuary and youth who drive please park in front of the sanctuary. This helps ensure everyone's safety.)
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OBC Trunk or Treat
Wednesday, October 29th
6:00 pm (children’s choirs will dismiss earlier on this night)
$10.00 for an adult's plate
$5.00 for child’s plate (ages 3-11)
2 and under are free.
Please use the link below to sign up your family for Trunk or Treat by Friday, October 24th. Dinner will be served at 6:00, and games and trunk or treat will begin at 6:45.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhlJcG_zp7nlVCmK0A2iGvuUgDR-UTRCaRImn1TSDzLWYJOg/viewform
OBC Youth are asking for candy donations to help with Trunk or Treat. Donations may be dropped off in the labeled box in the lobby of the Family Life Center. Thank you!
If any Friends of Youth would like to decorate a vehicle for Trunk or Treat, and help with this youth event, please contact Kristin Archer.
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Parents, Mark Your Calendars -
Summer Passport Choices
July 12-17, 2026
Converse University Spartanburg, SC
| APPALCHIAN CHRISTMAS OUTREACH BACKPACK MINISTRY | |
The WMU of OBC are distributing backpacks that are sponsored by North Carolina Baptist on Mission to Appalachian children in need, as this will be their main Christmas gift. Your participation will mean so much to these children. If you would like to pick up a backpack, please contact the Hattie Overton, WMU Director. Thank you for your consideration of this ministry.
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Pictured below are items that have been left around the church.
If items are not claimed by Friday, October 10th, they will be discarded. Please contact the church office if you wish to pick up your lost item.
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Minibus Information
If you or your group are interested in using the minibus OR the van for an outing, you MUST MAKE THE REQUEST by emailing Steve Perkins at sperkins@oxfordbc.org or by calling him at 919-482-9026. You may also leave a message for him by calling the Church Office.
Thank you!
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October 1st to October 8th
October 1
Grace Bullock
Brenda D. Currin
October 3
Chad Lloyd
Maya Lloyd
October 4
Walter Wilson
October 5
Brandon Winslow
October 6
Beth Adcock
James Lumpkins
Jenna Radford
Brandon Dickerson
October 8
Suzy Hale
| | PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING...Philippians 4:6,7 | | |
Remember in prayer...
Sandy Bullock
Meghan Bunn
Todd Comer
Lynn Cox
Betty Fudge
Robert Garrett
Pat Gravley
Carl Hann, Sr.
ML Honeycutt
Dennis Herman
Harold Slaughter
Linda Tatara
Betty Wainwright
Bill and Jean West
Betty Yancey
| DO YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE A MEETING? | |
If there is a meeting you need to schedule at the church or to reserve a meeting space, please contact the church office. Your meeting information will be placed on the office calendar and your meeting place reserved.
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If you have information for the weekly E-News, please have it in to the church office by Wednesday morning. The E-News is scheduled to go out at 1:00 p.m. each Wednesday.
If there is information you have for the Sunday bulletin, please have it in to the church office by noon on Wednesday. The bulletins are printed Wednesday afternoons.
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As a gentle reminder, if you place cash in the offering plate on Sunday and wish to receive credit for it, please place it in an envelope with your whole name written on it. Otherwise, your contribution goes into the "loose change" category for unknown contributions. Thank you so much!
Offering Envelopes – If you are currently using your tithes and offerings envelopes and wish to continue using them next year, we kindly request that you please notify the office and 2026 envelopes will be ordered for you. In good stewardship and to reduce waste, we plan to only purchase envelopes for those that request them. (**Offering envelopes will still be provided in the church pews.**)
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Dates to Remember
The Finance Committee will meet the 2nd Sunday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
The Deacons Meeting is held the 3rd Sunday of each month at 8:30 a.m.
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Reach us by our email addresses
David John -
djhailey@oxfordbc.org
Marlene -
mseamster@oxfordbc.org
Peggy -
phart@oxfordbc.org
Cindy -
obcwee@gmail.com
Steve -
sperkins@oxfordbc.org
Please call the Church Office if you would like to schedule a time for your group or committee to meet. We would like to put your event on the calendar, and we also would like to make sure you have the accommodations that you require.
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147 Main Street - PO Box 398
Oxford, NC 27565
919-693-5181
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