he Messenger
AUGUST 2018 Vol. 60 No. 8
from the Pastor
First Baptist Church is made up of fascinating people who do extraordinary things. Let me tell you about what one of our members is doing this month. Beth Little and her family attend FBC. Beth and her husband, Paxton, have three terrific children. On August 18-19, Beth and her support team of family and friends will be travelling to Colorado so Beth can compete in the ‘Leadville Trail 100 Run’ Ultramarathon. In case you aren’t familiar with the term, an Ultra-marathon is, in this case, a 100 mile run. Did you catch that? Yes, 100 miles! Beth hopes to run the 100 miles in under 30 hours. On top of the distance, she will be in the Rocky Mountains running at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. A regular marathon distance is 26.2 miles. But Beth isn’t satisfied to be a marathoner. Upon completion of her run, she will be an Ultra-marathoner! I suppose the question some of us might ask is, “Has Beth lost her mind?” Well, maybe to a certain way of thinking but I admire Beth’s dream and I’m proud of her willingness to take the challenge. It’s a challenge most of us wouldn’t attempt. Running can challenge us to deal with hardships, unexpected difficulties and attempt something that is beyond ourselves. Faith in Jesus Christ is something like that. Faith is a great challenge. People all around us think we’ve lost our minds to be people of faith. Yet, Philippians 3:14 says “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Years ago, William Carey, the English Baptist missionary, said; “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Most people never press on to the goal for the prize mentioned in Philippians 3. It seems too hard or we get too distracted or we settle for lesser prizes. But I believe God puts a dream in our heart of knowing Jesus and making Him known; to press toward the prize. The prize is connecting our lives to the things that God does. Why would we do this? Because the things God does are eternal. They last. Only in God’s things do we find the prize; life’s true meaning. Beth’s goal of completing a 100 mile race can remind us of the great prize all Christians can receive as we connect our lives to His. Of course, we don’t have to run 100 miles, or even a 5K, to get connected to Jesus. He has given us everything we need for that, we just choose to place our attention and affection toward him every day. Blessings, Beth. Thanks for the example. We’re proud of you and we’re cheering for you! Don
fbcoxford @fbcoxford n www.gotofirst.org 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS 38655 n 662.234.3515 FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"
August AUGUST 5
Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org
Promotion Sunday and Preschool Recognition
Ministry Fair in the Atrium 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service
AUGUST 7 11 a.m. Noon
XYZ Program & Luncheon Prayer Meeting
AUGUST 8
6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Band Rehearsal
AUGUST 10-12 DNow for Youth
AUGUST 12 8:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11 a.m. 5:30 p.m.
Worship Service Bible Study classes Worship Service Dinners for 8
AUGUST 14
Noon Prayer Meeting 4:30 p.m. GriefShare
AUGUST 15 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Meal AWANA Registration in the CLC Midweek for Youth Adult Bible Studies Choir Rehearsal Band Rehearsal
AUGUST 18 7:30 a.m. Men’s Ministry Work Day
AUGUST 19
8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes
11 a.m. 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m.
Worship Service Children’s Bible Drill Children’s activity and fellowship Youth Disciplieship Life U Studies Deacon Installation followed by Quarterly Business Meeting
AUGUST 21
Noon Prayer Meeting 4:30 p.m. GriefShare
AUGUST 22 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Meal AWANA: First Night of Club Midweek for Youth Adult Bible Studies Choir Rehearsal Band Rehearsal
AUGUST 26 8:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11 a.m. Noon 4 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m.
Worship Service Bible Study classes Worship Service College Students Lunch and Ministry Fair Children’s Bible Drill Children’s Choir Youth Disciplieship Life U Studies
AUGUST 28
Noon Prayer Meeting 4:30 p.m. GriefShare
AUGUST 29 5 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Fellowship Meal AWANA Midweek for Youth Adult Bible Studies Choir Rehearsal Band Rehearsal
XYZ Senior Adult Program and Luncheon
Tuesday, August 7 at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall We will begin with hymn singing led by Keith McGregor. Program by Bobby and Kathy Clanton with an overview of their recent Holy Land trip by video.
A delicious meal will be provided. Invite a friend and join us.
Deacons of the Week July 29- Aug. 4 Aug. 5-11 Aug. 12-18 Aug. 19-25 Aug. 26- Sept. 1
Ryan Overall, Jason Simon, Brodie Burns Ben Hellums, Walter Locke, Thomas Herrington Rick Mize, Breese Quinn, Jim Vinson Jamie Hopson, Kevin Howell, Martin Locke Ben Hellums, Walter Locke, Thomas Herrington
Help and encouragement after the death of a loved one
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life. We know it hurts, and we want to help.
GriefShare Wednesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm
beginning Tuesday, January 17 - April 25August 14 Riverwood Church, 555-5555 from 4:30-6 p.m. in the old church office 9828 Chambers Road building across Van Buren Ave.
[email protected]
For more information, contact Dr. Glenn Waller at (662)701-7226
Please join us this year to study God's Word!
Our Family
Sunday school attendance July1 - 456 July 8 - 481
July 15 - 517 July 22 - 492
Budget July 1 - 22, 2018
Budget $148,603.42 Building $4,527.83 Designated $14,638.56 Total $167,769.81 Go Tell Offering
$12,588.00
New Members in June/July Gary & Marilyn Spears; Ken & Kay Bray; Abby McCutcheon; McCord Bain.
Congratulations
To Katy & Sam Ellmer on the birth of a daughter, Mary Katherine Ellmer, July 2. Madi is the big sister and proud grandparents are Pam & Tim Carter. To Julie & Tyler Little on the birth of a son, Lee Thomas Little, May 11. Proud grandparents are Debbie & Larry Little.
Our Sympathy
To Kris & Ron DeWitt & family in the loss of their granddaughter, Alexandrea Robertson.
Explorer’s Bible Study
beginning Wednesday, August 15 This year's study will be Matthew. Beth Fitts and Joe Meurrier are the teaching leaders.
MEN’S CLASSES
6:40-7:35 a.m. at First Baptist Church – New! 12:05-12:55 p.m. at North Oxford Baptist
WOMEN’S CLASSES
To Peyton Warrington & family in the loss of her grandmother, MariAna Davis. To Mr. Jimmy Reed & family in the loss of his wife, Mrs. Gail (GeeGee) Reed. To Mrs. Ann Gilstrap & family in the loss of her brother, Mr. Donald Tribble. To Mrs. Anne Byrd & family in the loss ofher husband, Mr. Walter Ash “Red” Byrd.
9:30-11:00 a.m. at North Oxford Baptist (birth-7th grade children’s program provided)
To Mr. Mike Flynn & family in the loss of his sister, Mrs. Shirley Evans.
12:05-12:55 p.m. at North Oxford Baptist
To Ms. Mary Chrestman & family in the loss of her uncle, Mr. Matelon Chrestman.
6:00-7:05 p.m. at First Baptist Church (nursery and Awana program provided)
Call (662) 801-1517 to register.
To Mrs. Corie Miller & family in the loss of her grandfather, Mr. William Dotson.
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES “…the season of singing has come” Song of Songs 2:12
Celebration Choir and the Worship Band
will resume rehearsals on Wednesday, August 8. Fall is the perfect time to consider joining these wonderful ministry opportunities. No music degree or formal training in music is required, just a servant’s heart and a desire to make a joyful noise. In the coming weeks, the choir will start working to prepare a special Gospel Mass for worship as well as getting a head start on the Christmas Cantata. There’s no denying that singing is one of the best vehicles we have to worship the One True God and singing with a room full of believers who love Him and His music as much as you do is one of the greatest things you’ll ever experience. Please see Eric or a choir member to learn how you can become a part of our music ministries.
Dinners for
AUGUST 12 12:30-2:30 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Experience the fun and fellowship: one family serves as a host home and prepares the main course, and then others bring an appetizer, a salad/side, or a dessert. Groups meet for lunch 12:30-2:30 or for supper 5:30-7:30. Sign up cards available, or you can sign up through the church office, 662-234-3515 or
[email protected] or online at www.gotofirst.org. Sign up by August 5!
MEN’S MINISTRY NEWS
[email protected]
SATURDAY WORK DAY: AUG. 18 Meet in the CLC at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and work details. Email
[email protected] to sign up!
FALL 2 01 8 Sundays at 5 p.m. beginning August 19 Check out class descriptions at gotofirst.org MEN’S STUDY The Book of Judges: Discovering the Source of Strength & Deliverance WOMEN’S STUDY
The Book of Ruth: Snapshots of Faithfulness
GROUP STUDY
The Lord’s Prayer: Teach Me to Pray
THEOLOGICAL STUDY The Doctrine of Humanity FAMILY STUDY
Surviving as a Parent in Oxford
FOCUS STUDY Mom Set Free: Finding Relief from the Pressure to Get It All Right
SHUTTLE DRIVERS NEEDED
for Sunday morning and Wednesday night
Requirements: age 25 or older, good driving record, no special license required. Serve on rotating basis. CDL License holders, contact Robert Allen at (662) 234-3515 or
[email protected]
Assistant and Substitute teachers needed for First Baptist Weekday Education. No experience necessary. Must be at
least 18 years of age and have completed high school. We are seeking mature individuals who love children. Hours can vary. Call (662) 234-3517 for more information. Applications available at the Weekday desk on the first floor.
More to LOVE about First
by Brooke Hutson Gibson
Look around our church on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and you will see several supermoms who do it all — work full-time jobs, care for their young children and volunteer to teach Sunday School and AWANA. Christy Knighton and her husband Corey have been active members of FBC for the last eight years. Christy comes by serving naturally. “My mother and daddy taught and volunteered in many ways in my home church growing up. They were a great inspiration to me to get involved,” she said. Christy is the Community Educator for Tallahatchie General Hospital, mom of Cohen (age 9), and has taught 6th Grade Sunday School for four years and Cubbies for six years. Christy said the thing she enjoys the most about serving is getting to know the children and their families better. “It’s a great way to get to know your church family,” she said. “In teaching 6th grade Sunday School specifically, I love seeing the young boys and girls grow in their walks with the Lord.” Moms who are committed to teaching the children in our church about Jesus are one more thing to love about First. Check out other features at gotofirst.org/more
STUDENT MINISTRY NEWS
DNow 2018 August 10-12.
gotofirst.org/students to register
COLLEGE NEWS @FBCOxfordCM
FBC Oxford College Ministry
Remind Texts: Text @godsgood to 81010
Sunday, August 19
Sunday, August 26
Breakfast in Sunday School Ice Cream Social in the evening
after the 11 a.m. service Dodgeball in the evening
Kick-off Sunday
Lunch & Ministry Fair
PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN'S NEWS FirstBaptistOxfordPreschoolMinistry Follow us on facebook
FirstBaptistOxfordChildrensMinistry Follow us on facebook
Welcome Lauren Hill, our new Director of Preschool Ministries. Lauren has been a member of FBC since 2014 and is delighted to serve the preschool-aged children of FBC. Lauren is married to Josh, and they have three young children-Henry, Catherine Anne, and Marian. Pray for and join her in ministering to our preschoolers and their families. Contact Lauren: (662)234-3515 or
[email protected].
“Put Me in Coach, I’m Ready to Read!” 2018 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
was a success!
The Church librarian and Media Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the summer reading challenge for ages PreK - 6th grade. We had 64 participants representing 37 families who read over 500 books! (In 2017 we had 34 participants who read 347 books.)
NEW FOR 2018: FBC Weekday’s Summer Daycare Program for children kindergarten-2nd grade participated. 29 children representing 28 families read 456 books and added 25 new families to the program.
Aug. 15 Registration in the Christian Life Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 First night of Club, 5:30p.m.
(USPS 571-680) Published Monthly by First Baptist Church Periodical Postage paid at 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford, MS 38655-3844
