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

FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"

he MessengerSEPTEMBER 2017Vol. 59 No. 9

1. First Baptist Oxford is working closely with the Mississippi Baptist Convention Disaster Relief team in providing help to those in need.

2. First Baptist Oxford has a goal of raising $50,000 to help repair damaged homes in the affected area.

3. First Baptist Oxford is asking for volunteers to help with cleaning/mud-out of damaged homes. Those interested in serving on a team will meet on Wednesday, September 6 at 5:15 p.m. in the FBC Oxford Fellowship Hall. This video explains the work that FBC Teams will be doing in Texas: https://vimeo.com/54879314.

First Baptist Oxford HURRICANE HARVEY RESPONSE

SEPTEMBER 3 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service No evening activities

SEPTEMBER 4 Labor Daychurch office closed

SEPTEMBER 5 11 a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon Noon Prayer Meeting

SEPTEMBER 6 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA: Parents 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 Rehearsal

SEPTEMBER 7 4 p.m. Grief Share

SEPTEMBER 10 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 12:15 p.m. Adopt-a-Student Reveal 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 5 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs 5 p.m. Life U classes

SEPTEMBER 11 5:30 p.m. Outreach: Preschool, Children,

Adults

SEPTEMBER 12 Noon Prayer Meeting

SEPTEMBER 13 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA: WUTS Up 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 Rehearsal

SEPTEMBER 17 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 5 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs 5 p.m. Life U classes

SEPTEMBER 18 5:30 p.m. Outreach: Youth, College, Adults

SEPTEMBER 19 Noon Prayer Meeting

SEPTEMBER 20 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA: BARF/Glow 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 Rehearsal

SEPTEMBER 21 4 p.m. Grief Share 6 p.m. Sportsmen’s Dinner

SEPTEMBER 226 p.m. Parents’ Night Out (Registration required)

September

XYZ Senior Adult Program and LuncheonTuesday, September 5 at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Program by Mrs. Ruth Chastain, ‘Behind Japanese Lines, 1942-45” Invite a friend and join us. A delicious meal will be provided.

Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org

Sept. 11 Preschool, Children, Adults Sept. 18 Youth, College, Adults Sept. 25 Adults

Our FamilySunday school attendanceAugust 6 - 520 August 20 - 566 August 13 - 528 August 27 - 562 Budget August 2017Budget $136,141.71 Building $2,828.83 Designated $65,314.91 Total $204,285.45 September Deacons of the WeekSept. 3-9 Rick Mize, Breese Quinn,

Jim Vinson Sept. 10-16 Jamie Hopson, Kevin Howell,

Martin LockeSept. 17-23 Matt Moore, Bill Rose,

Steven Russell Sept. 24-30 Mike Tomes, Jeff Busby,

David Erhart New Members July 23-Aug. 27Abby Wilson, Tim & Vanessa Moore,Alicia Canterbury, Zach Brummett, Keri Jo Finnie, Reagan Leigh Brandon and Cody MorrisCongratulationsTo Samantha & Earl Dismuke on the birth of Houston Bennett Dismuke on Aug 4. Welcom-ing him are siblings Rowan, Finley May & Heath. Our Sympathy To Donna Denton Palmertree and family in the loss of her husband, Mr. Kenneth Palmertree.

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

We have added NEW Accelerated Reader books for back-to-school reading!

SEPTEMBER 23 7:30 a.m. Men's Ministry Work Day

SEPTEMBER 24 Baby Dedication8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 5 p.m. Children & Youth Choirs 5 p.m. Life U classes

SEPTEMBER 25 5:30 p.m. Outreach: Adults

SEPTEMBER 26 Noon Prayer Meeting

SEPTEMBER 27 7 a.m. See You at the Pole 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA: Store 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 Rehearsal

SEPTEMBER 28 4 p.m. Grief Share

SEPTEMBER 30 8 a.m. Deacon Retreat

Sav-A-Life BanquetTuesday, October 3

featuring Bridget Taylor $20 per ticket. Call 662.234.4414

All proceeds go to Sav-A-Life

A light meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, followed by

phone calls, writing letters, and visiting. Preschool care begins at 5:45.

WEEKLYFOCUS: Sept. 11 Preschool, Children, Adults Sept. 18 Youth, College, Adults Sept. 25 Adults

OUTREACH

Belonging and ConnectingChurch family, let me inform you and/or invite you to get involved in a number of initiatives in the life of our church.

It is not too late to attend a Life University class. We have 5 different offerings that meet from 5-6 p.m. on September 10, 17, and 24. Let me encourage you to get plugged in with one of those classes. (The Doctrine of Bible class has been moved to room 33 in the old educational wing).

A Membership Class will be offered during the Sunday School hour on September 10, 17, 24, and October 1 in room 209. If you have joined the church in the last year, please try to participate in this class. If you are someone praying about whether or not to join FBC-Oxford, please consider attending this class. Anyone can come!

We are launching a new Sunday School class for Young Professionals (primarily single adults and couples without children) ages 24-44 in room 305. Please tell people you know that fall under this category. We are excited about how God may choose to use this class for His glory.

Wednesday nights are in full swing. Volunteer with Awana, get involved with our International Ministries, join our Celebration Choir or one of the Bible studies that meet at 6 p.m. — Explorers (for women) or our prayer and Bible study in the Fellowship Hall for everyone.

Finally, mark your calendars now for our next Dinners for 8 scheduled for Sunday, October 1. An individual or family hosts the event in their home and provides the main dish. Others are assigned either an appetizer, a side dish or salad, or a dessert. Many people have enjoyed the fellowship that happens at our Dinners for 8.

Pastor Timothy

a great way to connect with individuals of ALL ages in our congregation

To participate, sign up by September 24. Fill out the bulletin insert, contact Pastor Timothy at tgibson@gotofirst.org or 662-234-3515 or online at www.gotofirst.org.

Dinners for OCTOBER 1 12:30-2:30 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m.

COLLEGE NEWS @FBCOxfordCM

Remind Texts: Text @godsgood to 81010

FBC Oxford College Ministry

PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN'S NEWS

YOUTH NEWSFootball Parking Fundraiser Sign up on third floor bulletin board to help on Sept 2 or Sept 9.

See You At The Pole Wednesday, Sept 27. More details to come.

Rev.o.lu.tion Worship Every Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Jr/Sr Bible Study Every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Holeman’s. September’s study is Lessons from Nehemiah.

For all kids preschoolers (infants-4 years) & children (K-6th grade). Signup begins Sept. 10

Preschool & Children’s Departments

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUTSeptember 22 • 6-9 p.m.

Baby Dedication will be September 24. Sign up by September 10 with Kristen (koverall@gotofirst.org)

Kids KarnivalSunday, October 22 • 4-6 p.m.

inflatables, games in the CLC, food & door prizes!

FREE

Family Friendly

event!

CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED! Drop off candy at the welcome desk, children’s Sunday school desk, or the church office starting Sept. 10.

For the month of September, we will be collecting

Pop Top Ravioli for Lovepacks

MISSION & MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIESQuestions? Contact Jeff Holeman at 662.234.3515 or wigtake@gmail.com

It is often said that “the world is in our backyard — right here in Oxford.” With the University just walking distance from our church doors, we have a unique opportunity to share the Gospel with students from all over the world. On Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, our church provides ESL classes that offer help with reading/writing English and an opportunity for them to ask questions about American culture. By using Scripture in the curriculum, a door is opened to share about Jesus. “They’re just so thankful for everything we do to help them,” said Cindy Mattingly, one of the Wednesday night teachers. She said most of the students are not believers, and some of them are only here for a one-year graduate program. “We need others to help in mentoring,” she said. “There’s a lot of work to be done.” For more info on how you can help, talk with Cindy, Thomas Herrington, Dreher Harris, or call the church office. The way these

volunteers are reaching out and showing Christ’s love to people from other nations, is just one more thing to love about First.

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” — Matthew 28:19

Mission Team to Live Oak Church in New Orleans. Dec. 15-17. Christmas Party for Live Oak Church Planting Team. Cost is $25 per person.

Interest meeting on September 10 at 6 p.m. in choir room.

Pray for the Women’s Ministry Team going to Oaxaca | Sept. 23-29. Liesa Holeman, Beth Fitts, Pene Russell, Kristin Busby, Hilarie Bain, Dina Addy,

Meredith Meurrier, and Diane Conner

Pray for Speech Therapy Team going to Oaxaca | Sept. 26-29. Jeff Holeman, Greg Snyder, and Brad Crowe

Pray for the Men’s Ministry Team going to Oaxaca | Oct. 3-10 Patrick Mooney, Lanny Shackelford, and Jeff Holeman

We are still searching for one more married couple for the Couple’s Ministry Team to Oaxaca | Nov. 26-Dec. 1

Total cost is $350 per person. See Jeff if interested.

Join the Medical Mission Team to Oaxaca | Feb. 17-23, 2018. We will be conducting village medical clinics. Cost will be around $500 per person.

Interest meeting on September 10 at 6 p.m. in choir room.

Read the full article at gotofirst.org/more

More to LOVE about First by Brooke Hutson Gibson

Tickets: $10 advance/$15 at the dooravailable Sundays in the atrium or weekdays in the church office. Catfish and sides will be served. Call (662) 234-3515 for more info.

First Baptist Men’s Ministry presents

SPORTSMEN’S DINNER

Thursday, September 21 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Oxford, MS

SPORTSMEN’S DINNER

Guest Speakers: Rocky & Jamie BurrusHosts of Sweet Addiction TV

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