Issue No. 195 | April 2017

EASTER SERMON SERIES We live in a skeptical world. People question all manner of truth. Christianity, with its claims of “resurrection” and “the power of prayer” and the importance of “church” and other “outdated” beliefs now seems to create as much doubt as faith.

This series seeks to engage the skepticism of our age with an honest and faithful look at the questions surrounding some of the major tenets of Christianity.

A Skeptic Looks at… April 16: Resurrection April 23: Prayer April 30: the Bible May 7: Suffering, Injustice, and God’s Goodness May 14: the Trinity May 21: the Church

Embrace {All} • Encounter {Christ} • Release {Servants}

o-u reporterLent means Spring. The season of preparation for Easter aligns with the return of life after the barrenness of winter. As we move through Holy Week to Easter, we feel that movement. The joy and pain of Palm/Passion Sunday leads us to the last supper and the final commandments of Jesus on Maundy Thursday. We gather in the shadows and silence to remember the pain of crucifixion on Good Friday. And then the dawn breaks on Easter Sunday. On that morning, we remember that the chains of sin and death are finally and fully broken. As resurrection people we are free.

This year, Easter Worship at O-U will be unlike anything we’ve experienced in our 180 year history. Because of construction, our worship service will move off-site to Oxford High School’s gymnasium (101 Charger Loop). I am thankful for the excitement and energy I sense as we prepare for this incredible celebration. A few details for you:

• There will be plenty of easily accessible parking at Oxford High School so we will not run the shuttles that morning.

• If you’re not sure where to go or where to park, don’t worry. There will be signs from Highway 7 all the way down Sisk Avenue. And there will be an army to help you get where you need to go.

• We will have 600 chairs on the floor of the gym so don’t worry if you can’t climb into the stands. • The Flower Cross will be in front of the gym. So bring flowers to add to the cross and plan to take pictures with

family and friends.

Here’s what we need from you:

• Invite friends and neighbors to join us. They will be glad you did. • Be a greeter! We need everyone there—whether you’ve volunteered to be a greeter or not—to see themselves as

a greeter. Set a welcoming tone for the day with everyone you meet in the parking lot, on your row, and after the service.

I’m excited about what God will do in our midst over the coming days. I hope you are, too.

I’ll see you Sunday,

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• Janice Burton, David Burton’s mother

• Miller Calhoun, Callie Kidder’s nephew

• Martin Dunagin, Virgie & Charlie Dunagin’s son

• Matthew Edwards, Mary Beth Mobley’s nephew

• W.D. Flaherty, Anita Ludlow’s father

• Brenda King, Natalie Turner's mother

• Dot Legnard, Connie Hunter’s mother

• Kay McNabb, Corley Wicker’s mother

• Todd Murphy, Erin Cromeans’ brother

• Alicia Newman, Cindy Kirk’s cousin

• Donna O’Callaghan, Dianna Mobley’s mother

• Johnny Paine, Brad Paine's brother

• Nita Press, Jessica Windham's mother

• Elizabeth Rester, Eddie Rester’s step-mother

• Robert Earl Siedell, Cindy Summerlin’s father

• Phil Sneed, Claire Hardy’s brother

• Fonda Stewart, Dicki King’s sister

• Katie Stubblefield • Ralph Watts, Norma Watt’s

brother • Bill & Tommye Webb, Molly

Meisenheimer’s parents • Jesse Williams, Barbara

Purdon’s nephew • Ashley Zepponi, Phil & Pat

Kline’s daughter

PrayersSunday Worship

March 5 8:45 a.m. 124 9 a.m. 177 10:55 a.m. 327 Brookdale 16 March 12 8:45 a.m. 75 9 a.m. 118 10:55 a.m. 312 Brookdale 16 March 19 8:45 a.m. 102 9 a.m. 159 10:55 a.m. 306 Brookdale 20 March 26 8:45 a.m. 122 9 a.m. 212 10:55 a.m. 405 Brookdale 20

・・・ Christian Love & Sympathy

is Extended toJohn Albriton

in the death of his grandmother, Posey Albriton

・ Cathy Cox

in the death of her father, C.W. Humphries

・ Nicole Gladden

in the death of her mother, Sharon Pattee

・ Sharon Fenger

in the death of her mother, Clinette Conlee

Congratulations toCarter & Flynt Griffin

whose daughter Dillon Jane was born March 22

・ Amanda & David Witt

whose daughter Andrea Elaine was born March 28. Andy is welcomed by brother Henry.

・・・

Altar Flowers The Worship Committee has

approved an option of one floral arrangement for altar flowers

during Sunday services. If you would like to place flowers—one arrangement or two!—on

the altar on May 28, June 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, please call Toya

Bruss, 662.832.3061.

Presence•Jeff Caldwell •Trish Cousley •Janie Cromeans •Tom Hall •Donna Killen •Betty Sue Moore

•Janie Rozier •Nick Russell •Trevor Shinall •Ray Turman •Charles Walker

APRIL Thursday, April 13

Maundy Thursday—6 p.m., Sanctuary

Friday, April 14 Good Friday—7 p.m., Sanctuary (office closed)

Sunday, April 16 Easter Sunday—One service, 10 a.m., OHS Gym The church office will close Friday, April 14 and Monday, April 17. Regular office hours resume Tuesday, April 18.

MAY Sunday, May 21

Graduation Sunday—10:55 Service Graduating high school seniors: Please have your information and picture turned in to Kelly Fenwick by Sunday, April 23!

Friday, April 21 12 noon, Chamber of Commerce

Speaker: Deb Helms, Oxford Leisure Life Our main dish is chicken. Bring your favorite side or dessert and join us!

BUDGET UPDATE

Page 3NEW MEMBERS & BAPTISMS

ou reporter

Jeff Lambdin & Patricia Weathersby

joined March 12

Reese Lucille Rester was baptized on March 12. She is the daughter of Jimmy & Martha Rester.

Sam Jackson Harrison was baptized on March 19. He is the son of Elizabeth & Daniel Harrison and is welcomed by brother Dan.

Daniel Lawrence Bankston was baptized on March 26. He is the son of Margaret Goodwyn & Ryne Bankston. He is the grandson of Susan Phillips and Pam and Roger Franck and the great-grandson of Peggy Schove and Nell Cox.

Bo, Faye, & Bob Weatherly

joined March 12

Nancy Chamblee joined March 12

Janie & John Cromeans joined March 12

Missy Gafford joined March 26

Shirley & Jay Turner joined March 12

The chancel choir, under the leadership of Brooke Worthy and Anita Ludlow, will present Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living on Palm Sunday, April 9 at 8:45 and 10:55 services.

A Requiem, traditionally, is a prayer for rest for the deceased. The five movements of Requiem for the Living, however, form a narrative just as much for the living, and their own struggle with pain and sorrow, as for the dead.

These performances are dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of our beloved choir member, Heard Wylie Butler.

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Each month in 2017, O-U will focus on doing One Thing as a church to show the love of Christ to others. During April, we are asking everyone to share a prayer. What does this mean? It could be as simple as adding a friend or a coworker to your daily (or nightly) prayers. It could be asking a cashier or a waiter if there’s anything in their lives that they would like lifted. We simply want you to find someone you haven’t prayed for and share a prayer for—or even with—them.

Share a Prayer will end Thursday, May 4, National Day of Prayer. Stay tuned for more information about that special day!

ONEthing

SHAREa prayer

COLLEGE MINISTRIES

friday afternoon yogaled by Missy Caldwell

2 p.m. Youth Center

free bring your own yoga mat, water, and a block if you have it

gentle, meditative class

April 7 & 21 (will not meet April 14 or April 28)

We’re moving into our ninth month of construction. And while we’re still a long way from the finish line, much has been accomplished: • The two level parking deck has been completely poured. The finishing work is ongoing. • The foundation and slab of the atrium area and the Journey worship space has been completed. • The new ramp leading into Wesley Hall for handicapped accessibility is in place. • Preparations are being made to pour the foundation and slab of the new administrative area.

In the coming weeks we will begin to see steel go up and on May 1 we will begin the renovation of our 1964 building which houses our nursery and children’s ministry. In the weeks ahead we’ll have information for the congregation about where children’s classrooms and nursery rooms will be moving.

Your building committee continues to work tirelessly meeting with the architect and builder as they oversee this important project. Thank you for your commitment to the future of Oxford-University UMC and it’s mission in our community.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

We hit our $7500 goal for Imagine No Malaria!

What does this mean? It means that Chris McAlilly will walk around the Square dressed like a mosquito sometime on Double Decker weekend (April 28-29). Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to that weekend!

$1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $6,000$7,500

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@ouyouthgroupOU YouthGroup

YOUTH MINISTRIES

NO YOUTH We will not have youth activities on Easter Sunday, April 16.

text reminders:text @ouy to 81010

EASTER EGG HUNT HELP Our children will have their Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 9th at The Blake and the youth are in charge of hiding the eggs! If your child would like to help please email Kelly at kfenwick@ouumc.org. We will meet at The Blake at 2 p.m.

CHILDREN & FAMILY MINISTRIESPage 5

THIRD GRADE BIBLE PRESENTATION

Sunday, April 23 Please email wrobinson@ouumc.org so we can have

your child’s full name spelled correctly!

We had a wonderful trip to Memphis over Spring Break! Below you'll see a few pictures from our trip. Thank you to all who gave donations towards one of our service projects. What a blessings those hiking packs will be to those who receive them!

PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION OF THE PALMS Sunday, April 9

Sunday, April 9, at the Journey (9 a.m.) & 10:55 traditional services, children will process in waving palm fronds as part of our Palm Sunday procession. Children interested in participating will gather at the entrance before the service to receive

their palm and prepare to process in and sit with their families.

MOTHER-SON BOWLING SAVE THE DATE—SUNDAY, MAY 7

4-5 p.m. (shorter option-younger sons) 5-7 p.m. (longer option-older sons)

Premier Lanes Bowling $20/family - RSVP & Pay Online ouumc.org/ministries/children

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 89 Oxford, MS 38655

Oxford-University United Methodist Church 424 South 10th Street Oxford, MS 38655 Phone: 662.234.5278 www.ouumc.org office@ouumc.org Return Service RequestedOur Church Staff Name Email

Lead Pastor Eddie Rester erester@ouumc.orgAssociate Pastor Chris McAlilly cmcalilly@ouumc.orgPastor Emeritus Warren Black warrencblack3@gmail.comDirector of Children & Family Ministries Whitney Robinson wrobinson@ouumc.orgDirector of Preschool Programs Susan Phillips dds@ouumc.orgNursery Coordinator Camille Murphy nursery@ouumc.orgDirector of Youth Ministries Kelly Fenwick kfenwick@ouumc.orgCollege Ministries Coordinator Tony Caldwell tcaldwell@ouumc.orgJourney Coordinator & Assimilation Director Julianna Ross jross@ouumc.orgJourney Worship & Creative Director Cody Hickman cody@ouumc.orgMusic Director & Organist Anita Ludlow aludlow@ouumc.orgChoir Director Brooke Worthy choir@ouumc.orgCongregational Care Coordinator Barbara Camp bcamp@ouumc.orgMissions-Outreach Coordinator Pat Forrester pforrester@ouumc.orgAdministrator Russ McLellan rmclellan@ouumc.orgBookkeeper Donna Gossett dgossett@ouumc.orgCommunications Coordinator Emilie Bramlett ebramlett@ouumc.orgReceptionist Jan Estes jestes@ouumc.orgManager of Buildings & Grounds James Young office@ouumc.orgAssistant Manager of Buildings Lisa Corrothers office@ouumc.orgCustodian Rico McThune office@ouumc.org

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APRIL 16 | 10 A.M. | OHS GYMAPRIL 14 | 7 P.M.

APRIL 13 | 6 P.M.