(USPS 571-680) Published Monthly by First Baptist Church Periodical Postage paid at 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford, MS 38655-3844
he Messenger
APRIL 2015 Vol. 57 No. 4
from the Pastor
If you have much familiarity with me at all, you’ll find this month’s article a bit atypical. I tend to be a bit more comfortable with carefully articulated analysis rather than with spontaneous response to the Spirit’s leading (this is an area where the Father is leading me to a more biblical balance). Usually, April’s essay would be scheduled for a reflection on the significance of Easter, a worthy topic to be sure, but God has been reminding recently that He sets the schedule, not me. A number of days ago, the Lord woke me up very early in the morning and directed me to Jesus’ “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:1127). This prompting, I’m convinced, came through agreement in prayer with another believer earlier in the week that God would direct me in leading His church through specific passages of Scripture. This passage was also last week’s focus text of a men’s Bible study that I’m a part of, and it was a passage that was highlighted in the upcoming week of our Experiencing God study. That’s enough prompting and confirmation that even a thick-headed fellow like myself can’t fail to acknowledge that God is speaking. So, I feel led to ask you my church family to examine and pray through this parable with me for the next few weeks. I don’t have any other agenda than that. Maybe there’s a word for me personally, or pastorally, or for us together as a church. Let’s just see what the Spirit says to the church. Dr. Eric Hankins
Join us for our Easter Services Maundy Thursday, April 2 Service at 6 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 5
Worship Services at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m.
No Sunday School classes. Preschool care available for all services.
fbcoxford @fbcoxford n www.gotofirst.org 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS 38655 n 662.234.3515
April
Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org
APRIL 1
APRIL 12
APRIL 22
Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA (Backwards Night) 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Worship Band Rehearsal
8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 2 p.m. Associational Bible Drill at Yellowleaf Baptist Church 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Experiencing God-small groups 6 p.m. Experiencing God-pastor session
Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA (Store Night) 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Worship Band Rehearsal
APRIL 2
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Maundy Thursday Service
APRIL 3 Good Friday - church office closed
APRIL 5 Easter Sunday Worship Services at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11 a.m. No evening activities
APRIL 6 6 p.m.
Touch Oxford
APRIL 7 6:45 a.m. Mission Mississippi Prayer Breakfast at St. John's Catholic Church 7 a.m. Youth Prayer Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A 11 a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon
APRIL 8 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Worship Band Rehearsal
APRIL 11 State Speakers’ Tournament at Liberty Baptist in Flowood, starting at 10 a.m.
APRIL 13 Touch Oxford
APRIL 14 7 a.m. 6 p.m.
Youth Prayer Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A Mississippi Singing Churchmen & Orchestra in Concert. Free admission!
APRIL 15 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Worship Band Rehearsal
APRIL 16 State Bible Drill at FBC Tupelo, starting at 2 p.m.
APRIL 19 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Experiencing God-small groups 6 p.m. Experiencing God-pastor session
APRIL 25 Double Decker Fun Zone, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
APRIL 26 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Experiencing God-small groups 6 p.m. Experiencing God Celebration Service
APRIL 28 7 a.m.
Youth Prayer Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A
APRIL 29 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA (Shades Night) 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Celebration Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Worship Band Rehearsal
Touch Oxford
APRIL 21 7 a.m. Youth Prayer Breakfast at Chick-Fil-A 9:30 a.m. Inmon Circle in the Conference Room
Sunday school attendance Mar. 1 - 592 Mar. 15 - 574 Mar. 8 - 485 Mar. 22 - 637 Budget for Mar. 1-22, 2015 Budget Building Designated
$171,357.67 $8,765.89 $12,299.91
Total
$192,423.47
Building Fund to date
$5,683,377.73
New Member in March Pharis Boone April Deacons of the Week April 5-11 Mitchell Diggs, Tom Eber, Paul Hale April 12-18 Kevin Howell, Matt Moore, Jim Pryor April 19-25 Keith Scruggs, Hank Addy, Bobby Clanton April 26Tom Dawson, Derrell Doss, May 2 Jeff Evans Congratulations To Amy & Ben Bynum on the birth of a daughter, Lily Katherine Bynum, on March 2. To Amy & Adam Burnett on the birth of a son, Herschel Mac Burnett, on March 18. Proud grandparents are Jan & Hugh Trussell. Proud siblings are Story, Meila, Oakley & Maggie. To Amanda & Grant Crockett on the birth of twins, Wilkes Grant & Walker Jude, on March 19. Proud sibling are Foster & Caroline. Our Sympathies To Diane Vinson & family in the loss of her sister, Mrs. Ginger Daniels, of Gallatin, TN. To Jake, Walt, Josh & Stan Hill and families in the loss of their grandmother.
APRIL 20 6 p.m.
Our Family
Celebration Service April 26 at 6 p.m. ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING
First Baptist Oxford Goal: $18,000
To Corie Hill & family in the loss of her uncle, Mr. Marty Wilkinson. To Sara Pugh & family in the loss of her brother, Mr. Mike Murphy. To Brantney Cox & family in the loss of his father, Mr. Jessie Ray Cox.
YOUTH NEWS
@FBCOxfordSM Follow FBC Student Ministry
XFuge on Mission
XYZ Senior Adult Program and Lunch
July 6-10 in Orlando, FL! Registration is
April 12 and 19 after the PM service. open. Contact Brandon for more information. YAP stands for Youth And Parents.
Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall
Singing hymns led by Tom Barrett. Mrs. Kathy Brummett will present the program: Global and Local Human Trafficking Free lunch provided. Invite a senior person in your neighborhood who may not be in a church and join us!
Music at First Baptist Oxford presents
Free co ncert!
Tuesday, April 14 • 6 p.m. • FBC Oxford
Preschool Ministry
We are in need of additional subs for extended session (especially for the 11 a.m. service) for the summer. To sign up, contact Kristen at
[email protected] or 801-4487.
Preschool & Children’s Departments
’ PARENTST U. TO NIG1H p 7 • 6-9 .m April
Limited space available for
TOUCHOXFORD A light meal will be provided at 6 p.m., followed by our dedicated time of outreach. Join us in making phone calls, writing letters, and visiting. Preschool care provided.
WEEKLYFOCUS:
Apr. 6 Preschool & Adults Apr. 13 Children & Adults Apr. 20 Youth & Adults
Library & Media Center
Open Sundays 9:30-11 a.m. and Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. NEW BOOKS: Playing God by Andy Crouch, Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl CHILDREN'S BOOKS: I Love You To God and Back
Thank You God For Mommy, The Donkey Who Carried A King
NEW DVDs: VeggieTales Noah's Ark, Summer Snow, Touched By Grace
OAXACA Missions Partnership Pray about joining the July 11-18 team. Details posted at www.gotofirst.org/ministries/oaxaca-missions-partnership/
YAP Volleyball
preschoolers (infants-4 years) and children (K-6th grade)
Save the date for…
May 15 & 16 • 7 p.m.
Sign up by April 12 at the Preschool Desk and/or the Children’s Desk. For questions, contact Kristen,
[email protected], for preschoolers and Meredith,
[email protected], for children
April 25 Double Decker
FUN ZONE 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join us outside the CLC for some family fun on your way to the Double Decker Festival!
VBS: JUNE 1-5 Open to all kids currently in Kindergarten-6th grades.
Register online now at http://tinyurl.com/fbcoxfordvbs
