he Messenger NOVEMBER 2017 Vol. 59 No. 11 Dedication Sunday Nov. 12 National Collection Week Nov. 13-20 Goal for FBC Oxford: 1000 shoeboxes More to LOVE about First by Brooke Hutson Gibson 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 fbcoxford @fbcoxford n www.gotofirst.org 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS 38655 n 662.234.3515 FREE app "First Baptist Oxford MS"
November Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org NOVEMBER 1 NOVEMBER 2 NOVEMBER 3 6 p.m. Parents Night Out (Registration required) NOVEMBER 4 Daylight Saving Time ends: Fall back 1 hour NOVEMBER 5 NOVEMBER 7 11 a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon NOVEMBER 8 : Prayer Warrior Night NOVEMBER 9 NOVEMBER 12 5:45 p.m. Church-wide Potluck Meal 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. NOVEMBER 13 5:30 p.m. Outreach NOVEMBER 14 NOVEMBER 15 5 p.m. Fellowship Thanksgiving Meal 6 p.m. Annual Church Conference Annual Church Conference Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to present and vote on the 2018 church budget. NOVEMBER 16 NOVEMBER 19 NOVEMBER 21 NOVEMBER 23-24 Thanksgiving Church office closed NOVEMBER 26 No evening activities
Our Family NOVEMBER 28 NOVEMBER 29 SPRING 2018 Classes begin Jan. 14 Men's Class: 7 Men and the Secret of Their Greatness: A Study in Character Facilitators: 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 Character Facilitators: 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 Couples Facilitators: Steven and Pene Russell * Book: Kingdom Marriage and/or Kingdom Marriage Participant's Guide by Tony Evans Group Class: Mission 101: Understanding Our Place in the Great Commission Facilitator: Jeff Holeman Book: Bible Theology Class: Doctrine of God: Who He Is, What He Does, & How We Know Him Facilitator: Timothy Gibson Book: Bible *Order book and/or a participant s guide on your own prior to the study. Sunday school attendance October 1-492 October 15-555 October 8-474 October 22-430 Budget October 1-22, 2017 Budget $136,807.16 Building $5,656.83 Designated $15,752.01 Total $158,216.00 Disaster Relief Fund to date $22,330.00 National Goal: $160 million FBC Oxford Goal: $90,000 November Deacons of the Week Oct. 29- Jamie Hopson, Kevin Howell, Nov. 4 Martin Locke Nov. 5-11 Matt Moore, Bill Rose, Steven Russell Nov. 12-18 Mike Tomes, Jeff Busby, David Erhart Nov. 19-25 Michael Ferris, Paxton Little, Michael Meurrier Nov. 26- Ryan Overall, Jason Simon, Dec. 2 Brodie Burns New Members in October Nusce 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.
PRESCHOOL & CHILDREN'S NEWS Grades 1-6 Register by Nov. 9 at gotofirst.org! SAVE THE DATE! Christmas Parties December 3 3:30-5 p.m. Preschool in the Fellowship Hall Children in the Christian Life Center YOUTH NEWS All 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 Baseball, 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 parent 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.
XYZ Senior Adult Program and Luncheon Tuesday, 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 Center Open Sundays 9:30-11 a.m. and Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. For November, we will be collecting pop top chicken noodle or veggie soup Check out our Thanksgiving book display. Donation box in the Atrium. WOMEN S MINISTRY Operation Christmas Child Service Project wmin@gotofirst.org Monthly Book Club You do NOT have to attend a packing party to donate. Drop-off in atrium November 5. Packing Parties Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. - boys boxes Email amandabrandon@icloud.com for more info. November book: Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore Christmas Caroling kids welcome Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at Kay Hightower's home at Graceland and the VA Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. - girls boxes Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Lona Waller's home at Graceland and the VA Women s Ministry Prayer Team Forming The 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. ~Save the Date~ Ladies Christmas Tea December 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.