from the Pastor n Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS n FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"

Transcription

1 he Messenger JUNE 2018 Vol. 60 No. 6 from the Pastor I doubt you knew Robert E. (Bob) Dixon. Bob died a couple of weeks ago in Texas at the age of 90. The truth is, I didn t know him well. He s one of those people who influenced my life and I barely even knew him. Bob was the founder of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Having worked in that field the last fourteen years before coming to FBC, I have a special place in my heart for Bob and the ministry he started. In 1967, Hurricane Beulah hit the south Texas coast near Brownsville. The Category 3 storm brought wind and flood damage to the area killing over 600 people. Bob Dixon was a youth minister in Fort Worth at the time. He was working with kids and teens, teaching them to camp, hike, and tell people about Jesus. Hearing about the destruction in his state, Bob gathered some men together and headed south with all the food a grocery store in Fort Worth donated, a couple of charcoal grills, and sleeping bags. For two weeks the men lived in the church van and cooked all the food they brought for people in the area. They set up their operation in the parking lot of a Baptist church in Brownsville. They fed about 300 people per day. At the end of the time, Bob realized, Texas Baptists, and later Southern Baptists, could organize and meet the needs of people affected by disasters. Today, one of our Mississippi Baptist feeding units can churn out 15,000 meals per day (they did it last summer in Florida after Hurricane Irma). Southern Baptist feeding equipment can prepare an estimated 500,000 meals per day if needed. But it started with God touching Bob Dixon s heart. Bob used to say two things that stick with me today: You never know how much God can do with one small step of obedience When we behave like Jesus, people are drawn to Him through us. You never know how much God will use your obedience. Whether it s the child you touch in VBS, the teen you touch at Youth Camp, or the neighbor you might tell about Jesus, God will take that relatively small thing and use it for His glory. My prayer for you this summer is that you ll intentionally connect your life with Jesus Christ. If you do, it may be your most influential summer ever. I ll see you in church this Sunday. Don n Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS n FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"

2 June Check out featured events at JUNE 1-10 Brazil Mission Trip JUNE 2 7:30 a.m. Saturday Work Day JUNE 3 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service JUNE 4-8 Vacation Bible School, daily 9 a.m.-noon JUNE 5 Noon Prayer Meeting JUNE 6 5 p.m. VBS Family Night meal and worship rally JUNE 7 3:30 p.m. Kidz Club at Brittany Woods JUNE 9 8 a.m. FBC Golf Scramble (pre-registration required) JUNE 10 6th Grade Recognition Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff in the Library 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service JUNE Student Ministry Big 7 Trip JUNE a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon Noon Prayer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Women s Ministry Movie Night ( wmin@gotofirst.org for details) JUNE 14 3:30 p.m. Kidz Club at Brittany Woods JUNE 17 Father s Day 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service JUNE 19 Noon Prayer Meeting JUNE 21 3:30 p.m. Kidz Club at Brittany Woods JUNE 24 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 5 p.m. Luminaries informational meeting JUNE Student Ministry Beach Camp JUNE 26 Noon Prayer Meeting JUNE 27 6 p.m. Women s Ministry Book Club ( wmin@gotofirst.org for details) JUNE 28 3:30 p.m. Kidz Club at Brittany Woods XYZ Senior Adult Program and Luncheon Tuesday, June 12 at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall The program will begin with hymn singing led by Eric Johnson, followed by The healing power of the church in the opioid epidemic, by Paul Carpenter, board member of the Southern Recovery Advocacy. A delicious meal will be provided. Invite a friend and join us.

3 Our Family Deacons of the Week May 27- Mike Tomes, Jeff Busby June 2 David Erhart June 3-9 Michael Ferris, Paxton Little, Michael Meurrier June Ryan Overall, Jason Simon, Brodie Burns June Ben Hellums, Walter Locke, Thomas Herrington June Rick Mize, Breese Quinn, Jim Vinson SAVE THE DATES AUGUST 12 Dinners for 8 AUGUST 19 Sunday night kickoff Bible Drill, 4 p.m. Children activity and fellowship, 5 p.m. Life U Studies, 5 p.m. Youth Discipleship, 5 p.m. Sunday school attendance May May May Budget May 1-13, 2018 Budget $111, Building $2, Designated $20, Total $138, New Members in May Milly Shelton Our Sympathy To Mr. Dennis Fondren and family in the loss of his father, Mr. Mack Wayne Fondren. To Mrs. Jane Breeding and family in the loss of her husband, Mr. Les Breeding. To Miss Abby Wilson and family in the loss of her grandmother, Mrs. Betty Ford. To Mr. Paul Crawford and family in the loss of his nephew, Jason Crawford. To Danny Hemphill and family in the loss of his mother, Mrs. Mary K. Hemphill. Interested in teaching Sunday School? If you are a Sunday School teacher or have ever thought about teaching Sunday School, plan to join us! SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING SUNDAY, JULY 22 Family friendly meal from 5-5:45 p.m. followed by training from 5:45-7:45 p.m. Childcare will be available for newborns 5th grade from 5:30-8 p.m. Please RSVP to Pam Carter (pcarter@gotofirst.org) or Timothy Gibson (tgibson@gotofirst.org) by Sunday, July 15, and let us know how many children to expect and their ages.

4 MISSION & MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Questions? Contact Jeff Holeman at or Kidz Club at Brittany Woods. Thursdays 4-5:30 p.m. Meet at FBC Oxford at 3:30 p.m. every Thursday during June and July. Pray for MISSION TRIP TO BRAZIL. JUNE Jeff Holeman, Buster Hale, Steve Crady, Cheryl Crady, Brodie Burns, Michael Meurrier and others from First Baptist Columbus, MS, Clear Creek Baptist Church, Lluvias de Gracia Church in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Slayden Baptist Church who will be working on construction, medical, children s ministry, and evangelism teams. FBC Oxford GO TELL OFFERING will be collected during the months of June and July. This offering assists members of FBC Oxford and College Students with mission trip expenses. OAXACA Missions Partnership Women s Trip to Oaxaca. Sept 1-7. $400 per person for FBC Members. $100 non-refundable deposit is due before June 1. Ministry focus will we Outreach and Discipleship of women. Pastor/Leader Training in Oaxaca. August $300 per person for FBC Members. $100 non-refundable deposit is due before June 1. Family Mission Trip to Oaxaca. October $650 per person for FBC Members. Ministry focus will be to children and families among the Tlacolula Valley Zapotec people. Teaching English, sports and games, and more. There will be free time to explore Oaxaca tourist sites. Christmas in Oaxaca (College Students). December 29-January 12. Cost will be $950. $100 deposit is due before June 1. **All costs include airfare, lodging, most meals. Passport is required at your expense. 2ND ANNUAL Calling all golfers! FBC GOLF SCRAMBLE Saturday, June 9 8 a.m. - shotgun start Mallard Pointe in Sardis, MS Cost per team is $200 (men and/or women). Contact Timothy to register at or at tgibson@gotofirst.org. SIGN UP DEADLINE IS JUNE 4!

5 LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO FBC-OXFORD LUMINARIES. Come to an informational meeting in the choir room on SUNDAY, JUNE 24 AT 5 P.M. to learn more about a new creative venture in our church. (Soon, we envision Luminaries expanding beyond the writing forum to include art and photography as well). This is an exciting opportunity, so do not miss out! Contact Pastor Timothy (tgibson@gotofirst.org) or Thomas Herrington (thomasherrington@gmail.com) with questions. FALL 2018 Sundays at 5 p.m. beginning August 19 Check out the full descriptions at gotofirst.org MEN S STUDY The Book of Judges: Discovering the Source of Strength & Deliverance Facilitators: Don Gann and Timothy Gibson In this study, we will examine how certain men in the book of Judges reveal to us the way to overcome personal weaknesses and fulfill the various callings upon our lives by discovering the only source of strength and deliverance amid it all. WOMEN S STUDY The Book of Ruth: Snapshots of Faithfulness Facilitators: Sandy Meurrier and Anna Burns Join in on this wonderful study of how we can practically live out our faith and grow in our understanding of biblical faithfulness. GROUP STUDY The Lord s Prayer: Teach Me to Pray Facilitator: Jim Propes The only thing the disciples specifically asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. It is thus important for us as disciples today to learn the art of prayerfulness. THEOLOGICAL STUDY The Doctrine of Humanity Facilitator: Bobby Clanton Join this theological study as we explore who we were created to be, how sin distorted us, and the importance of renewal so that we can live meaningful lives of worship and discipleship. FAMILY STUDY Surviving as a Parent in Oxford Facilitator: Jeff Holeman This is an extremely practical study intended to help parents come away with a number of ideas for surviving as a parent in Oxford. Want to see your children survive the various pressures of life in this community while persevering in their faith? Come, be a part of our conversations. FOCUS STUDY Mom Set Free: Finding Relief from the Pressure to Get It All Right Facilitators: Ellen Kergosien and Christine Hellums This study intends to help mothers discover how the gospel message can empower them to parent in the freedom of God s sovereignty. Join this study so that you can breathe deeper, walk lighter, and enjoy your children as well as the parenting journey more than ever before!

6 STUDENT MINISTRY NEWS Pray for The BIG 7 Trip June St. Louis. This trip is to welcome our new 7th graders to the youth group with some great fun and some small group discipleship. Adults: Jeff Holeman, Liesa Holeman, Alyssa Lee, Dina Addy, Amy Howell, Elise Iglinsky, Craig Kirkendall, Donald Rogers, Scotty Polston. Youth Small Group Leaders: Mary Marshall Waller, Peyton Schiller, Abi-Leigh Doss, Abby Mounce, Sara Ann Ratliff, and Mason Guthrie Big 7 Students: Matthew Addy, William Berry, Caiden Cox, Sydney Howell, Ella Beth Hurdle, Michael Kincaid, William Kincaid, Katelynn Kirkendall, Youssef Nassief, Emma Reeder, Jake Ross, Currie Rogers, Drew Russell, Mason Shelton, Elizabeth Simon, Ella Snyder, and Kailee Steelman. Pray for Beach Camp 2018 June Panama City Beach, FL. This is our annual summer camp for all youth. CHAPERONES: JEFF HOLEMAN, LIESA HOLEMAN, ALYSSA LEE, ROSEANNE BROWNLEE, SCOTTY POLSTON, LAL JAYARATNA, SHANNON ERHART, JENNIFER WOODARD, MERIWEATHER SHELTON, MILLY SHELTON, DAVID LOCKE, DANIEL LOCKE, JACK SCHULTZ. Small Group Leaders: David Locke, Daniel Locke, Alyssa Lee, Jack Schultz. Worship Leader: Cole Kelly from Madison, MS. Students: Eli Abel, Bryce Addy, Caroline Brownlee, Maddie Burchfield, Lucy Chiniche, Mary Cook, Emerson Crowe, Mimi Crowe, Taylor Daniel, Hallie Davis, Jackson Dear, Abi- Leigh Doss, Emma Erhart, Annelise Evans, Madeline Gaia, Graham Golmon, Kyle Gordon, Madison Gregg, Bhanuka Jayaratna, Emma Jones, Georgia Kergosien, Michael Kincaid, William Kincaid, Hayden Moore, Mikaela Moore, Josh Morgan, Abi Mounce, Ryan Mounce, Youseff Nassief, Sarah Ann Ratliff, Currie Rogers, Abbey Russell, Peyton Schiller, Mason Shelton, Sidney Thornton, Van Thornton, Courtney Woodard. Pray for our Student Mission Trip July 3 to 10 Oaxaca, Mexico Adults: Jeff Holeman, Liesa Holeman, Alyssa Lee, Roseanne Brownlee, David Erhart, Brad Golmon, Bubba Robinson,Tonya Jones, Derrell Doss, Matt Moore, Abby McCutcheon, Jack Schultz. Students: Bryce Addy, Janna Baker, Caroline Brownlee, Madeline Crowe, Jackson Dear, Abi Leigh Doss, Emma Erhart, Graham Golmon, Mason Guthrie, John Harvey, Emma Jones, Cole Moore, Hayden Moore, Josh Morgan, Peyton Schiller, Lauren Sink, Sidney Thornton. SAVE THE DATE! DNow 2018 August We need Host Homes.

7 PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN'S NEWS Open to all kids completing Kindergarten-6th grades VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June a.m.-noon FAMILY NIGHTWednesday, June 6 Fellowship Meal 5-6 p.m. $1 per person Worship Rally 6 p.m. Parents can visit their children s rooms after the rally. Sign up at gotofirst.org Put Me in Coach, I m Ready to Read! 2018 SUMMER READING CHALLENGE PreK-6th grade June 10-July 22 More info at gotofirst.org/library MEN S MINISTRY NEWS mm@gotofirst.org SATURDAY WORK DAY: JUNE 2 Meet in the CLC at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and work details. mm@gotofirst.org to sign up! Fish Fry Friday, July 20. Details to come! WOMEN S MINISTRY NEWS wmin@gotofirst.org Movie Night Tuesday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Rachel Allen s house. wmin@gotofirst.org for more details. We are watching Same Kind of Different as Me. Monthly Book Club Wednesday, June 27 at 6 p.m. at Corie Miller s house. wmin@gotofirst.org for more details. We are reading the amazing book - Fervent by Priscilla Shirer!

8 (USPS ) Published Monthly by First Baptist Church Periodical Postage paid at 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford, MS