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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE

• Reading - Read the selected text quietly, prayerfully, and expectantly.
• Meditation - Read again, entering more fully into the scene and details of the passage.
• Contemplation - Read a third time, choosing one image, word, or phrase and concentrating on it for a period.
• Prayer - Pray about this particular thought while allowing the Spirit to bring ideas, responses and other truths to your awareness.
• Action - Consider what you can do practically to make this scripture reading an effective part of your daily life... and then take steps to make that happen

WELCOME, ROBERT SIMPSON, OPC'S NEW SEXTON

Robert has long helped in many ways, doing Sexton duties, but now he has the title officially.  Just in case you are not sure, the dictionary definition is: a church officer or employee who takes care of the church property and performs related minor duties (such as ringing the bell for services and digging graves) As Robert says, he oversees the physical facilities; he looks out for the buildings.  He doesn't intend to dig any graves!  He came to this job because he heard the trustees were being overworked and in fact, as mentioned, he was already doing many sexton duties.

 

Robert kindly and in good humor, submitted to a battery of questions intended to let us all get to know him a bit better, and to find some common points for conversations.  Some of the questions were basic and some were a bit beyond. Enjoy meeting Robert. 

 

Robert was born (in McCullough-Hyde) and raised in Oxford.  He graduated from Talawanda in 1994.  He has a younger brother and sister, and two adorable nephews.  And you might know his parents, Joe and Karen. 

 

He doesn't want to be stereotyped as liking just one kind of music, his interests are broad.  He does enjoy "modern rock."  He kindly explained to his much older interviewer that this genre includes rock from the 1980's on.  Not to be confused with classical rock.  He speaks "un poco" Spanish.

Robert modestly confessed that he values being able to think logically, and it is evident that he has critical thinking skills.  He doesn't take seconds on cake and if he had a super power, it would be nice to be clairvoyant.  He doesn't have any pets right now, but did have some goldfish and an aquarium for a long time.  He enjoys other people's pets to play with, and like any grandparent, can then give the pet back when it comes time to clean up messes!  However, Robert, like the good uncle he is, will change a diaper if the situation calls for it.  Luckily, the call has never come so far.

 

One of his recent favorite movies is Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol.2.  It was pretty good, though Robert is often critical of movies.  (That critical thinking and logical mind of his makes him see through too much of the plot) 

 

Robert doesn't have a particular favorite joke, he likes most anything topical.  He's not very punny, he says.

 

He likes pineapple and most greens on his pizza.  Bacon is good, if he is off his diet for the moment.  He will even allow anchovies, though generally he avoids meats. Pizza is one of his favorite foods (though he can't have it often.  Subs on whole wheat, yum.  Coffee is his all time favorite and counts as a food, even decaf.  In fact, he once had caffeine poisoning which accounts for the switch to decaf.  If forced to, out of politeness, he will eat brown beans.  He likes great northern beans mashed up and made into Italian bean cake. 

 

He doesn't have a bucket list, believing it's better to just live now.

 

Robert has been on many mission trips, including helping flood victims in St. Louis, serving in the Dent area in Tennessee, aiding hurricane victims in New Jersey.  Other trips include two major canoe trips with Boy Scouts, one on a single river and the other through a series of lakes.  Some of those lakes had funny names, like Upper Fungus Lake and Lower Fungus Lake.  He remembers well the many mosquitoes.

 

His favorite color is icy blue.  Robert likes most any blue, especially the aqua blues.  He wishes he knew more about chemistry, physics, and quantum physics-those college courses were a while ago.

 

Robert enjoys tinkering with and has knowledge of the internal workings of personal computers and has worked on his own, increasing RAM and adding networking. His dream car wouldn't use gas, but water for hydrogen fuel and would exhaust only vapors.  He doesn't have a scar for it, but broke his collarbone on the middle school playground.  That ruined his perfect attendance record.  But that record returned to perfect attendance for all of high school.

 

Robert's hobbies include miniature gaming.  He's not a portrait painter, but he creates, models and paints miniature terrain. He builds 3D models.  He likes kit bashing.  (I had to have it explained to me.) Kit bashing is combining kits to make something new.  Sometimes it comes out fun and adventurous and sometimes you ask yourself, "Why did I do that?" Robert was active in track and field. He loves biking and camping and canoeing and did so often with the scouts.  Robert holds the high honor of Eagle Scout.  His Eagle project was building bridges for and working on the Apple Creek Trail at Hueston Woods.  The bridges are still there and in good shape, having been built with pressure treated lumber and bolted together.

 

Hopefully, these few tidbits about Robert have helped you to get to know him a bit better, and let you discover some common interests.  There is a lot more to learn about and share with Robert as you welcome him in his new role as sexton.

 

Sunday school starts up with the Fall Schedule on Sunday August 20th.  The following classes are available:

Preschool

Grades k-2

Grades 3-5

Middle School 6-8

 

The preschool class and Grades 3-5 will follow a lectionary series and begin with the story of how Joseph helps his family and the theme how God can turn bad into good.  Then they will study stories and parables in Matthew beginning with the Vineyard Workers Matthew 20:1-16 which tells how, " I am first with God".  Later in their studies they will learn "I am one of God's sheep."  The final story in the Fall Series is The Red Sea Exodus 14:1-30, "God is with me when I'm scared".

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DEACONS

The Deacon's Children's Food Drive

Many Children do not get school lunches in the summer and need extra food at home.  The Deacons request your donations of food and money to make the June Food Drive a success. Food and Monetary donations may continuously be given throughout the summer.

 

Please leave bags of food in the Narthex and if you prefer to make a monetary donation, please make a check out to the Oxford Presbyterian Church with Children's Food Drive in the note field or if cash, mark pew envelope Children's Food Drive.  The Deacon's will use the money to purchase food for the Oxford Choice Food Pantry.

 

Oxford Choice Food Pantry needs canned fruit, cereal, spaghetti sauce, and canned meals (such as Chef Boyardee or Kroger meals) and peanut butter. Toilet paper, child personal care items like body wash, deodorant, shampoo and hair conditioner

Answer to question of the Months:

An umpire and a catcher.

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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 call Diane Young, 513-255-6051

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Seeking God, Serving Others, Sharing Christ's Love With All

MAKE A WISH

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Vacation Bible School 2017 was hosted jointly by Oxford Presbyterian Church with the Oxford United Methodist Church and the Oxford Lutheran Church.  The theme this year was Water Around The World and we focused on three specific countries regarding their water sources:  Cuba, Haiti, and Ghana.

We had approximately 50 children enroll and many, many volunteers from all three churches without whom this would not be possible. 

A huge THANK YOU to all the material and financial donations also received from our congregation members. 

Volunteers from the Oxford Presbyterian Church included:

• Prep/Decorating Team: Lynn Cronk, Prue Dana, Ezekiel Groom, Autumn Saylor, Brady Saylor, Katie Saylor, Mary Shinn
• Group/Activity Leaders:  Amy Bartel, Pastor Lawrence Bartel, Lynn Cronk, Katie Curry, Marilyn Curry, Prue Dana, Debbie DeGennaro, Ezekiel Groom, Andrea Johnson, Gretchen Jones, Nancy Moeckel (photographer), Mary Jane Roberts, Katie Saylor, Mary Shinn, Robert Simpson (media/technology), LeAnne Staley
• Group/Activity Student Leaders:  Jens Bartel, Lydia Bartel, Ezekiel Groom, Grady Holmes, Bella Walters
• Meals:  Carol Burkhalter, Lynn Cronk, Dave Wilson, Jimmy Wilson, Sue Wilson (kitchen supervisor on all 3 days) 
• Tear Down/Clean Up Team:  Jens Bartel, Lydia Bartel, Prue Dana, Marilyn Curry, Noah Curry, Ezekiel Groom, Autumn Saylor, Brady Saylor, Katie Saylor, Mary Shinn

A very special thank you to Bridgite Dickerson, who, as always, showed patience and kindness as the VBS crew came in and out throughout the weeks at random hours to organize, plan, meet, set up and asked her numerous questions and assistance.  Your helpfulness was greatly appreciated!

Mary Shinn

(If we missed your name, please know that we appreciated your help and contributions.  Also please let Nancy Moeckel know so we can give you your proper and deserved credit in the next newsletter.)

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OUR OPC HERITAGE 

Presbyterianism in the Oxford area began with the origination of the Hopewell Church in 1808. The first settlers had traveled from Chester County South Carolina on foot, on horseback or by wagon for perhaps five months to reach a site in Israel Township where they built their cabins and shelters and established a community. Having migrated in response to their opposition to slavery in the south, they brought with them their dedication to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian beliefs and soon built a 30 X 30 ft. building which they named Hopewell after their former SC church and community.

As more and more settlers came into the area, the congregation of the Hopewell church grew to more than 400 members. With members having to travel further and further from their farms to attend church, daughter churches were built to accommodate the overflow.  The daughter churches were established in Fairhaven (1835), Oxford (1837), College Corner (1849) and Morning Sun (1876).

Over the years each of these daughter churches served their respective congregations building on the spirit of their Hopewell roots. Regular services at the Hopewell church were discontinued in 1916. As the structure deteriorated, repairs were made and the building was again used for summer services in 1961. Major renovations took place in 1998 and in 2008 the site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Time an d circumstances took their toll on many of the daughter churches as well. While the Fairhaven church continues in active service, the College Corner church has been converted into a residence and the Morning Sun church recently closed. The Oxford Seminary church merged with the Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1966 forming the United Presbyterian Church of Oxford.

Current efforts to stabilize and restore the Seminary building as the mission center of the Oxford Presbyterian Church will open new avenues of community service as well as preserve our Hopewell heritage. Following the closure of the Morning Sun church, we collaborated with members of that congregation in pursuit of an appropriate artifact to preserve a bit of their history into a Hopewell Heritage display to be featured in the Seminary church. Our appreciation goes to Tom and Karen McQuistan and Jim Wilson, who provided the Morning Sun alter cross, candle holders and vase shown below. We look forward to displaying these items in celebration of the completion of the Seminary restoration work. Efforts will be ongoing to additionally secure artifacts from the other daughter churches. Any suggestions and assistance in this effort would be appreciated.     Click here to see images

Thanks to Cornelia Browne who contributed to this article

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LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD

Full Article

From the moment Jesus said, "Go," he set the pattern.  When he sent out the disciples two by two, Jesus established a practice woven into the DNA of our faith that we continue to engage today.  When Peter and Andrew shared with others the healing and transformation they had experienced in Jesus' presence, the disciples really possessed abundant life in a much deeper way.  When James and John told others that Jesus taught the love of God trumps the law, the disciples truly claimed the gospel in a much deeper way.

 

Paul's encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road was certainly a journey inward, but it drove him toward the journey outward, as deep inner experience often does.  As we've read Paul's letters in our Journey Through the Bible, we've glimpsed how completely the apostle dedicated the remainder of his life to following the pattern Jesus set by sharing the good news throughout the Ancient Roman World.

 

This summer at OPC, we've been living out that command to "Go."

Over the last week of June, high school members of the youth group traveled to Pikeville, KY.  In that community nestled among the Appalachian Mountains, the youth and chaperones worked on a farm, repaired homes, and volunteered at a nursing facility.  To quote one participant, "The mission trip was excellent.  The youth were terrific and bonded well, and we laughed, laughed, laughed as only happy, healthy teens can do."

You'll not want to miss the testimonies of the Youth Group Mission Trip on Sunday, September 3 as they lead us in worship.  (In the meantime, read more about the mission trip in the article by our Youth Director, Mitch Hardy, on page 7 of the newsletter.)

 

Throughout this summer, another team of OPC members is readying for a special journey to Colombia in late August.  

 

This story began 20 years ago when a team, including Holly Gage and Melanie Ziegler from OPC, traveled to Colombia in an effort to establish an enduring mission partnership between the Presbytery of the Miami Valley and the Presbytery of the North Coast.

 

If Holly and Melanie could be considered our team of two in the gospel sense, they returned to OPC and shared a vision that gave birth to the durable and marvelous partnership with the Seventh Presbyterian Church of Barranquilla, Colombia.

 

Since then:

• Small mission teams of Colombians have traveled to Ohio nearly every year including five who visited Oxford this summer;
• More than a dozen different members of OPC have journeyed to Barranquilla over four trips; and
• The generosity of our congregation has changed the lives of countless youth by supporting the GOEL initiative through the Bethesda Center, a ministry of the Seventh Presbyterian Church.

 

Though we may not have been able to envision any of this, the Lord saw this and more...including the Bethesda Christian Community Center!

Starting on page 10 of this newsletter, Sue Wilson continues to share the good news about the brief mission journey six of us will be making to Colombia in late August.

 

I am humbled by God's grace to allow me to join the story of those over the years who wanted to be a part of the Lord's work through this partnership.  Our mission team will celebrate and give thanks for the mission work accomplished when we follow Jesus' command to "Go."  With our brothers and sisters in Barranquilla, we will dedicate the Bethesda Christian Community Center to the glory of God and the transformation of generations to come.  

 

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 

Full Article

Sunday school starts up with the Fall Schedule on Sunday August 20th.  The following classes are available:

Preschool

Grades k-2

Grades 3-5

Middle School 6-8

 

The preschool class and Grades 3-5 will follow a lectionary series and begin with the story of how Joseph helps his family and the theme how God can turn bad into good.  Then they will study stories and parables in Matthew beginning with the Vineyard Workers Matthew 20:1-16 which tells how, " I am first with God".  Later in their studies they will learn "I am one of God's sheep."  The final story in the Fall Series is The Red Sea Exodus 14:1-30, "God is with me when I'm scared".  

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TEACHERS -CALLING TEACHERS

to Sign-Up in the Molyneaux to work in the nursery and to teach the preschool and Grades 3-5 Class. Our teachers are required to have a background check as mandated by Presbytery.  The pay is low but the rewards are priceless. Curriculum materials are available and have been ordered for Fall.   For more information call Lynn Cronk 513-524-8574.   

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SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE   

 August 20, 2017 - May 28, 2018

Nursery /Preschool

Open each Sunday that service is held in the Memorial building

Kindergarten/1st Grade:  No Sunday school on the following dates:

(K-3 may attend preschool class)

• 12/24/2017 Christmas Break
• 12/31/2017 New Year's Eve Day
• 2/18/ 2018 President's Week-end
• 4/1/2018 Easter Sunday
• 5/27/2018   Memorial Day Week-end 

Materials will also be available for children in the sanctuary if they choose to stay in the service. 

Elementary (3ND THRU 5TH) Middle School (6th - 8th) No Sunday School on the following Sundays:

• 11/26/17 Thanksgiving Break
• 12/24/17 Christmas Break
• 12/31/17 New Year's Eve Day
• 2/18/2018 President's Day Week-end
• 4/1/2018 Easter Sunday
• 5/27/2018 Memorial Day Week-end

Thanks to Lynn Cronk for all this info.

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The Oxford Presbyterian Youth Group has been busy!  Some highlights include:

 

On Saturday March 25, 2017, the youth group volunteered at the Oxford Food Pantry, vacuuming and mopping floors and shelves, restocking food and breaking down boxes along with a couple of parents including Pastor Lawrence.  We learned how the Oxford Food Pantry works and the population it serves.

 

Friday March 31st, the youth group left for the Presbytery of the Miami Valley 2017 Spring Youth Retreat at Kirkmont with the youth group leader, Mitch Hardy and three parent chaperones-Amy Bartel, Lara Freidline and Mary Shinn.  The theme was "Finding Jesus Piece by Peace."  We examined the gospels and studied how different disciples shared different perspectives as written in the Bible but the overall message and account of what was witnessed was the same, just as in real life when different people give their accounts.  Some favorite highlights from the youth in attendance:

Bella:  "The singing, crafts, and meeting new people"

Isabelle:  "Playing April Fool's joke on Mitch and the boys, crafts, and the food"

Jacob: "April Fool's joke and cage ball"

Jens:  "April Fool's joke and cage ball"

Zeke:  "April Fool's joke and cage ball"

 

On April 30th, under the guidance of our Deacons Molly Todd and Matt Lykins, the youth prepared and lead an after church book study luncheon, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park for interested members of our congregation.  The youth were inspired to look at poverty and economics around the world.   Jesus talks a lot about seeing and listening. We hope our eyes are a little bit more open, and our ears are a little bit more open, if we can grab ahold of one thing to do to make a difference, however great or small it may be, then we will carry that forward and make a change in the world.

 

Fun and fellowship occurred on Saturday, May 20th, as the youth group met to play paintball in Hamilton, Ohio, muddy, paintball welts and all!

 

On June 25th, three youth attended the PYC summer camp at Kirkmont and continued to strengthen their relationship with God as they explored art, sports, science, music, robotics, hiking, and made new friends.  Favorite highlights reported include:

Bella: "Smores, the giant swing, the camp counselors, playing volleyball and soccer, making bracelets and singing around the campfire"

Isabelle:  "Making new friends, activities, the food, but NOT the top bunk!"

Zeke:  "Having a cool 65 year old counselor who acted 30, dissecting a shark and being able to bring home the shark jaw"

 

In July, several youth volunteered as assistant group leaders during the annual Vacation Bible School for our younger children.  They enthusiastically gave their time to prepare, plan and lead and clean up during this three day event. 

 

Youth group is meeting on Monday evenings, 7-8:30 PM at Oxford Presbyterian Church, Memorial building on the second floor.  There are two more summer meetings scheduled:  Monday, July 31st, and August 7th.  We will return to the fall schedule of meeting every Thursday evening 7-8:30 PM starting August 31st.  Come join us!

 

Mitch Hardy

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YOUTH MISSION TRIP

During the week of June 25 through July 1, the Youth Ministry at OPC had a group of students travel to Pike County, KY for a Mission Trip,

The students that attended Mission Trip were Jens Bartel, Cora Friede, Grady Holmes, and Eli Walter. They were accompanied by chaperones Amy Bartel and Youth Director, Mitch Hardy. It was a full week of work including painting homes, weeding gardens, and spending time with various individuals in the community. It was truly a blessing having our students spend time serving others through Christ in this community!

 

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