LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD

2017 Annual Report of the Pastor

 

The moment arrived in October as we began marking the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.  Inspired by the worship theme that Sunday morning, Sola Scriptura, we stood to sing "I Love to Tell the Story."  The essence of that hymn describes the joy we experience, as we become part of, and then share, the great story of Jesus Christ.

 

Standing in the sanctuary of Oxford Presbyterian Church, singing with brothers and sisters in Christ, both in front of and behind me, I sensed I had stepped into a thin place where the veil between this world and the next is porous.  As we sang that song, my soul offered up the quiet, almost subconscious prayer... thank you, thank you, thank you for your grace O Lord that allows me to be part of such a story.

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CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS

If you are unable to attend some of our church services on Sunday mornings, we have another option for you.  Becky Quay shows recent church services on DVD in the Country Kitchen at 10:00 A.M. on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month.  In February, it will be shown on the 13th & 27th.   If you would like to join us, but need a ride,

just give Becky a call at 523-5747

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Deadline for the March Newsletter is February 20, 2018

 

As we reflect on our year of ministry throughout 2017, we have so much for which to be thankful.  Certainly, we may be thankful to be part of the Lord's work through the body of Christ that is Oxford Presbyterian Church.  We may be thankful for the faithful witness of our congregation in Oxford for the better part of two centuries.  We may be thankful for the unfolding legacy of the Reformation that reminds us that nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Yet my gratitude was grounded in concrete experiences of mission, Christian Education and worship.  The week before we sang "I Love to Tell the Story," we heard from our mission co-workers Ellen and Al Smith about the work of the PC (USA) with our sister church in Russia.  The week before that, the seven members of the 2017 Colombian Mission Team passionately shared eyewitness accounts of how the Lord is using the faithful gifts of our congregation and Oxford Presbyterian Women to give the poorest of the poor a hopeful and healthy future in Barranquilla, Colombia.  A few short weeks earlier, the members of the Senior High youth group enthusiastically described their summer mission experience in Pikeville, KY.

 

The missional journey outward begins at home and over the last year the Community Room in the first floor of the Seminary Church has become established as an incubator for local mission with the potential for much more.  Over the coming year, renovations to the sanctuary of the Seminary Church will take place with the vision that the space will once again become a flexible place for worship, meetings, and multi-media presentations for the congregation, campus ministry, and mission organizations throughout the community.

 

We are eager to tell the story about our spiritual journey inward this year through Christian Education.  A passionate and gifted team of volunteer teachers has welcomed and engaged the children from a growing number of families joining our congregation for worship.  The youth group has significantly grown in size with youth and parents from local churches becoming a committed part of their fellowship and mission.  The coming year will likely hold welcome and exciting changes ahead for this aspect of our congregational ministry.  Today and throughout the year, please join me in prayer for the person God is calling to join our story and become our Associate Pastor for Family Ministry and Campus Ministry.

 

Woven throughout the past year for both youth and adults was the common thread of the Journey Through the Bible.  To read through scripture in one year is both compelling and challenging, it is also deeply enriching and rewarding!  In addition to the daily readings as well as the regular bible studies and discussions, our youth, university students, and adults engaged the moral themes of "Poverty and Economics" and "Race and Ethnicity" in the Bible and in our times.  I ask you to join me in prayer again as we discern how the Lord will use our Journey in 2017 as a foundation for transformation as we become more and more a part of the great story of Jesus Christ.

 

Another essential facet of our spiritual journey inward is worship.  Worship is at the heart of our faith community and I experience such joy as I lead our congregation in praise, study of the scriptures, and prayer along with our gifted choir, Kent Petersen as Choir Director and Lynn Jacobs as organist.  Over the coming year we will continue to seek ever wider opportunities for the Spirit to move in our worship as we intentionally include the diversity of our voices and gifts in this congregation that is "Reformed and always Reforming."

 

A significant portion of our congregational story that I've summarized up to this point has been what is public and observable.  Less visible, yet vitally important, is the teamwork between our staff, committees of Session, Trustees and Deacons.  I'm so grateful to collaborate with each part of this team as we inspire one another to greater ministry.  In particular, I would like to thank the excellent staff of our congregation including Bridgite Dickerson, Administrative Assistant; Mitch Hardy, Youth Director; Sarah Lake, CCNS Teacher/Administrator; Mary Martin, Financial Secretary; Priscilla Parks, Custodian; and Robert Simpson, Sexton.

What a privilege to join you in "telling the story of Jesus and his love" throughout 2017!  I am humbled and profoundly grateful to be your pastor as we seek God in the spiritual journey inward and the missional journey outward.

 

 

Our Mission Statement

 

In Seeking God ... We strive to know God and love God. As fellow seekers, we welcome all who wish to learn and grow with us. 

In Serving others ... Following our Servant Savior, we give our time, talent and resources to help bring fullness of life to others. 

In Sharing Christ's love with all ...Through our words and actions, we proclaim the unconditional love of Christ, filled with joy and hope, we build relationships across any boundaries.