Oxford Presbyterian Church

August 22, 2020

On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. (Psalms 138:3 NRSV)

In the next couple of weeks we will reach the half-year mark of living under the conditions of this pandemic. We are all aware of the costs it has exacted from us, costs both seen and unseen. And we may wonder if we have enough capital (whether material or emotional or social) to continue to endure. The testimony of the psalmist David is that he called to God in his time of need and God answered. He was confident that no matter the circumstances, God would never leave him or forsake him. This promise of God’s presence with us is testified to throughout the scriptures, and this presence is key to our confidence in asking for what we need. As we continue through this season of deprivation, may we ask for what we need and receive strength of soul.

Our live-streamed worship will again be broadcast from the sanctuary on Sunday via Facebook Live. Worship begins at 10:00 a.m. If you have a computer or tablet or smartphone with an internet connection, you should be able to receive the stream. You do not need to have a Facebook account to participate. Our stream appears on the church’s Facebook page which is here à https://www.facebook.com/Oxford-Presbyterian-Church-152011345379561/. If you miss the broadcast, the service will remain on our Facebook page for the next several days. If you have prayer requests or announcements, please email them to me (opcpastor@ncrrbiz.com) or text them to me (919-323-7192) and they will be included in the worship.

Our worship is also being broadcast on WCBQ 1340 on the AM radio dial at 3 p.m. on Sundays! If you are not a computer hound, then the radio broadcast of our worship is an easy way to listen in and participate. If you know of someone in our community that does not do computers or finds them frustrating to use, please let them know of this alternative. Thank you.

The Sunday worship bulletin will appear in your emailbox late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning, complete with hymns and sermon so that you may have your own house-church worship. Worship is always critical, but especially at a time like this. Our faithful witness in this difficult time and world is nourished by lifting our hearts to the Lord. As always, 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/.

Our website, www.oxfordpres.org, has calendars, newsletters, the OPC WEEKLY, sermons, and even ways to give your offerings (right here à https://oxfordpres.org/give/). It is a great resource in times like these.

Oxford Presbyterian Church also 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.

Here is our schedule for the week:

12^th Sunday after Pentecost, August 23, 2020:

Scripture readings: Romans 12:1-8

Sermon title: “Conformed or Transformed?”

10:00 a.m. – Worship via Facebook Live. The stream can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Oxford-Presbyterian-Church-152011345379561/

3:00 p.m. – Worship broadcast on WCBQ 1340 AM

Mission of the Month – This month, our emphasis continues to be Backpack Buddies, an ongoing mission that sends food home on weekends with kids who depend on school meals for nourishment. The food is distributed through ACIM, and the ministry will continue to help kids whether school is in person or online.

Announcements:

• 26^th – 6:30 p.m. – Session meets via Zoom
• 27^rd – 5:30 p.m. – Book club resumes. We will meet to determine our next book. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Alan at opcpastor@ncrrbiz.com or 919-323-7192.

We have concluded our congregation meeting for the sake of electing our nominating committee. Our committee for the year 2020 is: Paul Shelton and Judy Miller (representing the Session), Herb Morton (representing Presbyterian Men), Lindsay Miller (representing the Sunday School), and Ellen Gould (representing Presbyterian Women).

Thanks to all who participated in the “drive-by donations” for ACIM and Pennies for Hunger! We will have another drive-by in September so save your change! Speaking of ACIM, they are in very short supply of canned goods. They will not be receiving any donations this year from the State Fair due to its cancellation which normally helps stock their shelves during the fall. We still have a bin at our back door if you have any canned goods you would like to donate—we will make sure they get to ACIM.

The book club will resume on August 27^th to discuss what we will be reading next. Please let Alan know if you are interested.

Happy Birthday to: Retta Powell – August 24^th; Marie Hobgood – August 26^th; Cooper Hamilton – August 27^th

As mentioned last week, our dear friend Diane Heath passed away on August 12 at the Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center after a brief illness. Her memorial service will be livestreamed in the near future. Please look for forthcoming details. In the meantime, please be praying for all who are mourning her loss, especially her husband Fred.

Prayers for: Becky and Isabella Baird, Betty Baynes, Michael Boyd, Ann Currin, Larry Delfs, Linda and Mike Diamond, Randy Downey, Julie Gaydon, Marlene Grenier, Fred Heath, Anne Heck, Hannah Hobgood, Sue Huggins, Carole, Jackson, Cotina Jones, Barbara Laurent, Carlis Laws, Donnie Messer, Ally Milton, Adrienne Morton, Will Newcomb, Greg and Dottie Price, Mike Reavis, Kay Rigg, Lynn Stone, Kathy Webb, and Alice Evans Woodlief.

¹ I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your name and your word
above everything.
³ On the day I called, you answered me,
you increased my strength of soul.
⁴ All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth.
⁵ They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
for great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
but the haughty he perceives from far away.
⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalms 138 NRSV)

All blessings in Christ,

Alan

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