Fast Facts

an e-update on life at

First Presbyterian Church

January 20, 2022

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Worship - Sunday, January 23, 2022


2nd Sunday after Epiphany


"For the Common Good"


 This week's lectionary texts:

 


Psalms 36:5-10

1 Corinthians 12:1-11



Join us for worship this Sunday, January 23 at 10:55 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.  

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Sanctuary floral arrangement dates are available January 23 and 30, as well as all Sundays in February. To provide flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Susan Joiner at joiner2908@gmail.com or call 662-808-3240. Contributions to the Flower Fund are greatly appreciated.

It was an uncharacteristically snowy morning as we ordained our newest class of Elders and Deacons! Thanks to all who braved the elements to come in and be a part of this beautiful service!



Adult Faith Formation

Looking for a mid-week Book Study?? You’ve come to the right place! From Wednesday, January 5th through February 23rd, we’ll study the book Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most, by Marcus Borg. You can either meet in the Fellowship Hall at 12 noon, or join us on Zoom at 7:00 p.m. This coming Wednesday (Jan. 26), we'll be discussing Chapters 5 and 6. You may pick up a copy of the book from the church office during business hours. Donations towards the cost of books are always appreciated. Click here to follow the link. Even if you have missed the first couple meetings, we still would love to have you as a part of this wonderful book study!

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Join us in the Fellowship Hall for an informal discussion on the lectionary passages for the day during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45). All you need to bring is your curious mind, open heart, and a willingness to delve into what the scriptures might have for us. No preparation required, and you can drop in any given Sunday without losing the thread. If you’ve got a favorite translation of the Bible, bring it. If not, don’t worry. We’ll have fun and learn from each other as listen for the Spirit in each other’s voices.


We had another great gathering for Bibles and Brews at The Growler yesterday evening! We hope you will come and join us at our next meeting on February 2!


Adult Faith Formation is offering Bibles and Brews though the winter and spring and is open to any adult!. We meet at The Growler (265 N. Lamar Blvd, on the Square) beginning at 4:30pm for a time of fellowship, Bible study, and engaging conversation. Meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.

2022 Confirmation Class

We're thrilled to be offering our first confirmation class since the spring of 2020! We will have a confirmation class for all current 8th and 9th graders, as well as any current 10th graders who have not yet been confirmed. If your child is interested in being in this year's confirmation class, please contact the church office by email at fpcstaff924@gmail.com or by phone at (662)234-1757. Information is being sent to families of confirmands this week. Please contact the church office if you do not receive it.


Confirmation class will begin on Sunday, February 3, with classes held during morning Sunday school time (10:00-10:45). Confirmation Sunday will be on Palm Sunday, April 10. We are looking forward to a wonderful year!

PYF

(Presbyterian Youth Fellowship)


PYF is meeting on Sundays, with 7th and 8th graders meeting from 5:00-6:00 and 9th-12th graders meeting from 6:30-7:30. Dinner for all will be from 6:00-6:30! If you have a youth in this age range, please email Lindsay at fournier.lindsay@yahoo.com or Feagin at feagin.hardy@gmail.com to be added to GroupMe.


Sunday school meets from 9:45-10:40 in the PYF Annex Building. If you are interested in joining PYF's rotation of Sunday School teachers, please contact Feagin Hardy at 864.684.3715. We are looking for 2-3 more volunteers so that our students can hear from a wide range of voices every month!

FPC Children


All children (Pre-K4 through third grade) are invited to attend "Children's Time" in the Fellowship Hall after the Time with Young Disciples each Sunday. Bible stories and craft projects keep our youngest disciples busy and engaged while moms and dads enjoy the church service!


Children can be picked up on the second floor of the Fellowship Hall after the worship service.

Attention VIP's:


On Thursday, February 3rd we will gather at 6:00 at the Sipp for food, drink and fellowship. The restaurant wants a head count before we arrive, so please call the church office before February 1st and put your name on the list.



For March we have an evening of dinner and bingo at the church. More later...a fun evening!


Thanks,

Sally Hines

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Camp Hopewell's 2022 Women's Retreat


Hello, all! We are so excited to invite you to join us for Camp Hopewell's 2022 Women's Retreat! The retreat will begin the afternoon of April 8 and end with dinner on April 9. More details will come as we get closer to the event, but in the meantime you can register by clicking here.


Please submit the deposit by February 15. Email Lindsay Fournier at info@camphopewell.com with any questions!

Missions

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Curious about the various FPC mission activities? A new email account has been created specifically for keeping FPC members abreast of mission plans, outreach programs, committee minutes, etc. If you would like to be kept in the mission loop, contact the Mission Team at missionteam@fpcoxford.net. Your name will be placed on Mission Ministry's contact list. We look forward to keeping everyone informed of FPC's outreach opportunities.



Racial Healing Seminar

Oxford First United Methodist Church and FPC are planning a five-week seminar for a dialog in racial healing. The dialogue will be held weekly from March 21--April 18, 2022. Approximately ten members from each congregation will meet to faithfully explore together what it means to be a more whole and united community in Christ. To date seven FPC members are committed to participating. Several more openings are available for anyone interested. The seminar will be led by Dr. Cade Smith, the University's Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Community Engagement. 


The next organizational meeting is Monday, January 24th, at 5:30 in the OFUMC fellowship hall. If you would like to volunteer to participate in the seminar or have questions, please email missionteam@fpcoxford.net or call the church office. Thank you for your prayerful consideration

Western Kentucky Tornadoes

Following the devastating tornadoes in western Kentucky last month, St. Andrew Presbytery immediately established a relief fund. FPC donated $5,000 to the effort, with the VIPs contributing an additional $1000! By receiving money at the Presbytery level, we hope to remain nimble as possible as needs evolve and the long-term recovery picture becomes clearer. Thank you to those who have already contributed to the fund. If you are interested in giving, mail your contribution to Presbytery of St. Andrew, 24 County Road 231, Oxford, MS, 38655 with "tornado relief" in the memo line. 


The FPC Mission Team is currently investigating opportunities for a group of volunteers from our congregation to go to Kentucky in the coming months to directly assist in the recovery effort.

The Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi is a comprehensive victim services organization. It is the only nonprofit in Oxford that specifically addresses and provides services to victims of interpersonal violence--sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide, etc. Staff and volunteers are available 24/7 to provide crisis intervention services. 15-20 children and their families per month are provided services. Interested in helping? FPC is collecting new stuffed animals to welcome each child that the facility receives. We thank those who have contributed some two dozen of these stuffed animals. If you would like to donate one, please drop it by the church office. More information is available at oxfordadvocacy.org or call 234-9929.

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Doors of Hope is an outreach program officed in the FPC education building. DOH makes available to single parents with young children temporary housing support, budget management, and other life skills training. The Step 2 Dinner is a monthly gathering for current clients to sit at table with successful alumni of the program. Due to Covid concerns the Step 2 Dinner for January was cancelled; however, volunteers are needed to host future meals. This could be your mission! 

Arc Benders is a FPC fellowship group seeking to use Bible study, authentic conversation, and mission activities to accomplish our goal of authentic racial reconciliation and justice in our community. The group meets monthly. Our next meeting is Sunday, February 6th at 5:00, via Zoom. If you have questions or would like to attend, email Ruth O'Dell, delloruth@gmail.com, or contact the church office.

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Chili Cook Off

Are you the Best Chili Cook at FPC? Bring your crockpot full of your best chili for all to enjoy! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, February 6 following the worship service. You can register on Realm, or contact the church office at 662.234.1757 or via email at fpcstaff924@gmail.com.

Remember in Prayer

 

FPC Members: Sigrid Morrison Long; J.T. & Barbara Davis; Tommy Patrick; Marianna Ochs; Family of Lynton Dilley; Max Williams; Louise & Nolan Waller; Porter Callery; Teresa Flautt; Lydia Moak; Susan & Tom Meredith; Michele Howie; Margaret Fancher; Family of Betty Mullen White; Joe Murphey

 

Family and Friends: Lafayette County Detention Center Inmates; Lenoir Stanley; Family of Lauren "Lo" Chastain; Peter C. Wood; Doors of Hope Families; Bob Flautt; Family of Elise & William Winter; 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.

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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.  

Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries

This Week's Birthdays:


20 Peter Kondos, Suzy Phillips, Nolan Franklin

21 Ed Holcomb, Avery Atkinson, Jon Crawford, Shelby Goza, Carl Davis

22 Rachel Sahlein, Anita Drury

23 Geroge Sherman

24 Alli Hayward, David Coon, Pick Scruggs, Cyndi Kersey, Emory Barrios

25 Pat Lowe, Jay Chain

26 Patsy Eads, Jeffrey Hollis, Graham Staines, Mark Atkinson


This Week's Anniversaries:


20 Deb de Boer & Mike Fagans

22 Cliff & Sarah Smith

24 Dean & Yung Chow


If we've overlooked your birthday or anniversary and you wish to have it included in Fast Facts, please contact 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 the church office at fpcstaff924@gmail.com.

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Weekly Calendar


Sunday, Jan 23

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Worship Service

5:00 pm PYF Split


Monday, Jan 24

5:30 pm OFUMC/FPC Partnership Meeting

7:00 pm Boy Scouts


Tuesday, Jan 25

6:00 am Men's Breakfast @ The Beacon

10:00 am FPC Staff Meeting


Wednesday, Jan 26

8:15 am Men's Bible Study

12:00 pm Conviction's Book Study

Property Ministry Team Meeting

6:30 pm Chancel Choir

7:00 pm Convictions Book Study via Zoom


Thursday, Jan 27

5:30 pm Mission Ministry Team Meeting

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