Oxford Presbyterian Church

April 16, 2020

Greetings everyone,

Dear sisters and brothers,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

The Easter Season lasts for 50 days. In our church calendar it is the longest season of the year. One might be forgiven for thinking that the oomph of the Christian faith stems from what we celebrate in Advent, Christmas, and Lent—after all, we fill those seasons with more activity and pageantry. But the fact that the Easter Season outlasts all those other seasons signals the truth that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the revelation by which we know and understand and believe everything else. Advent heralds the coming of a savior. But what kind of savior? Christmas celebrates God coming among us. But what kind of god? Lent has us anticipate the action of God as Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and call us to self-reflect at the same time. But what exactly is the action of God and who am I in light of that action? Easter is the revelation that the cross truly is the power of God, that the submission to all the powers of the world including death by Jesus Christ has resulted in their exhaustion and the end of their reign of terror. Jesus Christ lives and reigns!

If there is something of a grace and mercy to be found in the suffering of the pandemic we are in, perhaps it is the fact that the Easter Season is coinciding with our season of quarantine. In the middle of the sorrow, uncertainty, powerlessness, frustration, and anger that crouch at the doors of our hearts and minds every day, Peter testifies that God “has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” There is a reality that we cannot see with our eyes that nevertheless overcomes and outlasts the circumstances and time of this Coronavirus. This time of year we are normally busy with planting gardens, preparing for weddings and graduations, paying taxes, planning summer vacations, enjoying flowers and trees blossom around us with dazzling color—we get on with life. And therefore the Easter Season is one that we don’t busy ourselves paying too much attention to. But now, as we find ourselves robbed of all the routine pleasures of spring, the Easter Season endures to gift us in our bereavement. Easter is not one Sunday a year. Instead, it is the true reality that, even though we and the world cannot see it right now, defines every single second of every single day of every single week of every single year of every single decade, century, millennia, and aeon. Jesus Christ lives and reigns forever, and he is the power of God that protects us—even in pandemic—for a salvation that one day we will see with our own eyes. Sisters and brothers, our resurrected Lord is our protector, always. Take the 50 days of the Easter Season as a gift to let that reality sink in deep.

Our ministry of social distancing for the sake of loving one another and loving neighbor continues. Those who have gone before us in the faith, those who endured pandemics and pestilence, engaged in the very same ministry. It was no easier for them than it is for us, but they endured for the sake of giving life by absence. This grace and this mercy is severe, but it is not forever. “Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped,” said the Lord instructing Job of God’s authority to call to account the march of death symbolized by the menacing sea. The resurrection calls to account all pandemics, including this one.

Our elders continue to be attentive to any governmental policy and/or orders that have material impact on our life together. But, more importantly, they continue to be our shepherds and hold all of us up to God in heart and prayer during these days. If you have need of anything, please let your elders know so that we can share in whatever burdens you may be experiencing.

Our dear friend and sister, Kathy Webb (who will be going home next week after months of rehabilitation!) relayed to me the following: “I have several friends, who are not religious, and they have expressed wonder at our church family’s caring.” All I can say it this: continue in the same affections and actions you are already undertaking—praying, caring, calling, being attentive to each other and to your neighbor. As Paul and his companions said to the Thessalonians: in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it, likewise neither do I have anything to say that can add to what you are already doing.

As always, remember that our website, www.oxfordpres.org, is there. It has calendars, newsletters, the OPC WEEKLY, sermons, and even ways to give your offerings (right here à https://oxfordpres.org/give/).

Regarding offerings, Oxford Presbyterian Church now has an offerings drop-box situated next to the door on the back side of the church at the top of the ramp if you want to drop off an offering. Or, you can mail offerings to Oxford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 652, Oxford, NC 27565. They will be collected and deposited.

You can listen to sermons through our website right here à https://oxfordpres.org/media/#sermons, and at The Oxford Exchange, found here à http://theoxfordexchange.blubrry.net/.

Some of you have asked me about the Bach oratorio performance, St. John Passion, that I made reference to in the Easter Sunday sermon. If you so desire to watch and listen to something profoundly moving that will require 90 minutes of your time, you can partake here à https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zwy1Gi4ob4&t=4s or here à https://www.mdr.de/kultur/themen/video-399658_zc-2f80f196_zs-7bf28a89.html. I have attached the libretto (with English translation) to the program as a pdf file so you can follow along.

Our worship bulleting for this Sunday will be emailed to you Saturday evening.

Here is our schedule for the week:

Second Sunday of Easter, April 19, 2020:

Scripture reading: John 20:19-31

Sermon Title: “Resurrection and Memory: No Going Back”

Mission of the Month – Our monthly mission emphasis for April continues to be the One Great Hour of Sharing. The offerings are used for disaster assistance, hunger relief, and for the development of poverty-ridden communities. Online gifts can be made here à https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/make-a-gift/gift-info/oghs/.

Announcements:

• None

Prayers for: Becky and Isabella Baird, Michael Boyd, Ann Currin, Larry Delfs, Linda and Mike Diamond, Randy Downey, Julie Gaydon, Diane and Fred Heath, Hannah Hobgood, Sue Huggins, Barbara Laurent, Carlis Laws, Will Newcomb,  Greg and Kellie Price,  Kathy Webb

Happy Birthday to: Jane Reeder – 21st; Julian Laurent – 22nd; Calvin Yancey – 23rd; Keri Rojas – 24th

?Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalms 16 NRSV)

All blessings in Christ,

Alan

Remember to utilize our website! – www.oxfordpres.org.

Also, if you are on Facebook, please friend us here:

And if you are on Twitter, please follow us here: