National Collection Week

Nov. 13-20 Goal for FBC Oxford: 1000 shoeboxes

Dedication Sunday Nov. 12

fbcoxford @fbcoxford n www.gotofirst.org 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS 38655 n 662.234.3515

FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"

he MessengerNOVEMBER 2017Vol. 59 No. 11

While many would look at the red and green box and just see a shoebox, Beth and Sarah McCullen see a life-changing gift. This dynamic mother-daughter duo has been volunteering with Operation Christmas Child for three years. What was once primarily an AWANA activity, has transformed into a church-wide effort resulting in over 700 boxes last year! “Understanding that each box is a gospel opportunity is what fuels my passion for OCC each year,” said Beth. “What I love about encouraging people to pack is that it’s an opportunity to share the gospel on this side of the shoebox,” said Sarah. She has recruited sororities, fraternities, clubs, and teams on the Ole Miss campus to participate. “When you get to explain to someone why it's so much more than just a ‘Christmas present,’ that’s a chance to share Jesus with the packer,” Sarah said. The passion the McCullen Girls have for this mission effort is impacting lives on both sides of the shoebox, and is just one more thing to love about First.

Read the full article at gotofirst.org/more

More to LOVE about First by Brooke Hutson Gibson

NOVEMBER 1 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Worship for Youth 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. ESL Class 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band RehearsalNOVEMBER 2 4 p.m. Grief Share

NOVEMBER 36 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Registration required)

NOVEMBER 4Daylight Saving Time ends: Fall back 1 hourNOVEMBER 5 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 4:30 p.m. Youth Choir 5 p.m. Children's Choir 5 p.m. Evening WorshipNOVEMBER 7 11 a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon Noon Prayer MeetingNOVEMBER 8 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA: Prayer Warrior Night 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Worship for Youth 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. ESL Class 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band RehearsalNOVEMBER 9 4 p.m. Grief ShareNOVEMBER 12 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 4:30 p.m. Youth Choir 5 p.m. Children's Choir 5 p.m. Evening Worship 5:45 p.m. Church-wide Potluck Meal

NOVEMBER 13 5:30 p.m. OutreachNOVEMBER 14 Noon Prayer MeetingNOVEMBER 15 5 p.m. Fellowship Thanksgiving Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Worship for Youth 6 p.m. Annual Church Conference 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. ESL Class 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

NOVEMBER 164 p.m. Grief ShareNOVEMBER 198:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 4:30 p.m. Youth Choir 5 p.m. Children's Choir 5 p.m. Evening WorshipNOVEMBER 21 Noon Prayer Meeting

NOVEMBER 23-24 ThanksgivingChurch office closed

NOVEMBER 26 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service No evening activities

November Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org

Annual Church Conference Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship

Hall to present and vote on the 2018 church budget.

Church-wide Potluck SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12

beginning at 5:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Bring your potluck item to the kitchen before the start of worship at 5 p.m.

Our FamilySunday school attendanceOctober 1 - 492 October 15 - 555 October 8 - 474 October 22 - 430 Budget October 1-22, 2017Budget $136,807.16 Building $5,656.83 Designated $15,752.01 Total $158,216.00 Disaster Relief Fund to date $22,330.00

November Deacons of the WeekOct. 29- Jamie Hopson, Kevin Howell, Nov. 4 Martin LockeNov. 5-11 Matt Moore, Bill Rose, Steven RussellNov. 12-18 Mike Tomes, Jeff Busby, David ErhartNov. 19-25 Michael Ferris, Paxton Little, Michael Meurrier Nov. 26- Ryan Overall, Jason Simon, Dec. 2 Brodie Burns New Members in OctoberNusce Hall, Ansley Myers (Student Watch Care), Madeline Stanteen (Student Watch Care). Our Sympathy To Tatum and Hugh Brown & family in the loss of their mother, Mrs. Paula Brown.To Carolyn Carter and Bill Elliott & family in the loss of their mother, Mrs. Lake McLarty Elliott.To Mrs. Pat Gay & family in the loss of her daughter, Lynn Conlee.To Mr. John Davis & family in the loss of his father, Mr. Jim Davis.To Mrs. Candy Mize & family in the loss of her father, Mr. John Louis Brown.

NOVEMBER 28 Noon Prayer MeetingNOVEMBER 29 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Worship for Youth 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. ESL Class 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

National Goal: $160 million FBC Oxford Goal: $90,000

Men's Class: 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness: A Study in CharacterFacilitators: Matt Moore and Jeff Jones* Book: 7 Men and the Secret of Their

Greatness, by Eric Metaxas

Women's Class: 7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness: A Study

in CharacterFacilitators: Gaye Flynt

and Brooke Gibson* Book: 7 Women and the Secret

of Their Greatness, by Eric Metaxas

Couple's Class: Kingdom Marriage: God's Designed Purpose and

Pleasure for CouplesFacilitators: Steven and Pene Russell

* Book: Kingdom Marriage and/or Kingdom Marriage Participant's Guide

by Tony Evans

Group Class: Mission 101: Understand-ing Our Place in the Great Commission

Facilitator: Jeff HolemanBook: Bible

Theology Class: Doctrine of God: Who He Is, What He Does, & How

We Know HimFacilitator: Timothy Gibson

Book: Bible

*Order book and/or a participant’s guide on your own prior to the study.

SPRING 2018Classes begin Jan. 14

PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN'S NEWS

S AV E T H E D AT E !

Christmas PartiesDecember 3 • 3:30-5 p.m.Preschool in the Fellowship Hall

Children in the Christian Life Center

YOUTH NEWSAll Student Ministry Activities outside of Lafayette County require a 2017 Medical Form in order to participate. This includes all guests.

Youth OCC Shoebox Packing Party Sunday, November 5 at 6 p.m. in the CLC

THE BIG 7 TRIP. June 11-13. For youth entering and finishing 7th grade. We’ll be returning to St. Louis for Six Flags, Cardinal Base-ball, and more. Cost is $110 per student (Add $75 if you did not help park cars). Cost is $55 per parent. Payment is due on March 1, 2018.

BEACH CAMP 2018. June 24-29. Panama City Beach, FL. For all youth finishing 6th to 12th grade. Cost is $175 (Add $125 if you did not help park cars). Payment is due on March 1, 2018.

MISSION TRIP TO OAXACA, MEXICO. July 2-10. For grades 9 to 12. Those under age 16 must have par-ent with them. Cost is $450 per person and includes all. (Add $450 in you did not help park cars.) Trip will include teaching English and a Sports Camp. $100 deposit is due on January 5. Balance is due on March 31, 2018.

Super Summer 2018. Leadership Training for students finishing grades 8 to 12. Cost is $75 per student. Interviews are November 5.

Register by Nov. 9 at gotofirst.org!

Grades 1-6

For November, we will be collecting pop top chicken noodle

or veggie soup Donation box in the Atrium.

WOMEN’S MINISTRY wmin@gotofirst.org

~Save the Date~

Ladies’ Christmas TeaDecember 2

10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall • Catered by Sweet T’s Bakery Tickets on sale Sundays in the atrium and weekdays in the church office.

Operation Christmas Child Service ProjectYou do NOT have to attend a packing party to donate. Drop-off in atrium November 5.

Packing PartiesNov. 6 at 6 p.m. - boys boxes at Kay Hightower's home

Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. - girls boxes

at Lona Waller's home

Monthly Book Club Email amandabrandon@icloud.com for more info. November book: Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore

Christmas Caroling kids welcomeDec. 7 at 10 a.m. at Graceland and the VA

Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Graceland and the VA

Women’s Ministry Prayer Team FormingThe FBC Women’s Ministry is looking for prayer warriors who would like to join some strategic prayer groups. We’re still working on the details of times and dates, but if you would like to know more, please email amandabrandon@icloud.com to be added to our list. Groups will begin meeting in the New Year.

XYZ Senior Adult Program and LuncheonTuesday, November 7 at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Jeff Holeman and others from FBC will give first-hand accounts of their mission trips to Oaxaca, Mexico in recent months.

A delicious meal will be provided. Invite a friend and join us.

Library & Media CenterOpen Sundays 9:30-11 a.m.and Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.

Check out our Thanksgiving book display.