fbcoxford @fbcoxford n www.gotofirst.org 800 Van Buren Ave., Oxford MS 38655 n 662.234.3515

FRee app "First Baptist oxford Ms"

he MessengeroCtoBeR 2016Vol. 58 No. 10

from the PastorIn preparing lectures on the Trinity for the BSU and my Systematic Theology class, I have been reminded that this doctrine has fallen on hard times in the evangelical church not because of outright rejection but widespread neglect. One of the first (and one of the severest) theological controversies in church history concerned the Trinity. While the ultimate solution to the problem was a century or so in the making, it was masterful:

The Father, Son, and Spirit are co-equal, co-eternal; three persons, one essence. While there have been moments within the church and movements against the church that attempted to deny the Trinity, the classic formulation of three-in-one has been the dominant orthodox consensus.The success of the Trinitarian formulation is, however, the best explanation for its neglect in the church. It is assumed to be true with little thought as to how that truth manifests itself in the life of faith. All the obscure talk of “persons,” “essence,” and “perichoresis,” make little sense to most Christians. With this in mind, let me offer what I believe is the basic significance of the Trinity. First, the Trinity means our God is deeply, fundamentally relational. It is the fullest expression of the Scriptural claim that “God is love.” The word “agape” essentially had to be invented to describe this deep relationality that exists in God, a relationality that He freely and graciously shares with all creation. In all the places where Trinitarian concepts appear in Scripture, it is with reference to God’s engagement with the world in creation, redemption, and the life of the church. Because of the Trinity, we are the people of God, the body of Christ, the Temple of the Holy Spirit.Second, the Trinity means our God is deeply, fundamentally mysterious. He is holy and wholly Other. His existence is beyond our comprehension, and He cannot be contained by our constructs. All analogies ultimately melt before the magnitude of His ineffable existence. How exactly is He three and one? Only He knows. Trinity means that, while God freely chose to create, He absolutely did not have to. He was utterly and completely satisfied in Himself. His love was fully in action and perfect within Himself. The fact that He chose to make us and redeem us is all of grace.The only proper response to the relational yet mysterious Father-Son-Spirit is worship. In response to His Greatness, His Forgiveness, and His Call, we, like the prophet Isaiah, simply bow and surrender. Bro. Eric

oCtoBeR 2 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 5:30 p.m. Dinners for 8 No evening activities at the church

oCtoBeR 411 a.m. XYZ Program & Luncheon

oCtoBeR 5 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA - Store night 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

oCtoBeR 6 5:30 p.m. Grief Share

oCtoBeR 7 6 p.m. Parents’ Night Out

(Registration required)

oCtoBeR 8 7:30 a.m. Men’s Ministry Work Day 8 a.m. Pumpkin Patch Field Trip for K-6th

oCtoBeR 9 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Life U Classes 6 p.m. Evening Worship

oCtoBeR 12 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA

6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

oCtoBeR 13 5:30 p.m. Grief Share

oCtoBeR 14 6 p.m. Deacon Retreat

oCtoBeR 15 8 a.m. Deacon Retreat

oCtoBeR 16 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Life U Classes 6 p.m. Evening Worship 7 p.m. Quarterly Business Meeting

oCtoBeR 19 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA - Goofy Hat night 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

oCtoBeR 20 5:30 p.m. Grief Share

oCtoBeR 23 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Kids Karnival No other evening activities

October Check out featured events at www.gotofirst.org

XYZ Program and LunchTuesday, October 4 at 11 a.m.

in the Fellowship Hall

Deacon RetReat for all ordained men of the church Oct. 14 • 6-8:30 p.m. | Oct. 15 • 8 a.m.-noon Purchase $12 Ticket for Catfish Dinner in the church office.

Our FamilyCheck out featured events at www.gotofirst.org

sunday school attendanceSept. 4 - 494 Sept. 18 - 512 Sept. 11 - 534 Sept. 25 - 501

oct. deacons of the WeekSept. 25- Walter Locke, Rick Mize, Oct. 1 Breese Quinn, Jim VinsonOct. 2-8 Brandon Beckett, Jamie Hopson,

Kevin Howell, Martin LockeOct. 9-15 Matt Moore, Mike Tomes,

Hugh TrussellOct. 16-22 Will Dabbs, Andy Field,

Brian HarveyOct. 23-29 Mark Moore, Mike Quarles,

Dan Reed, Chris RileyOct. 30- Brodie Burns, Ben Hellums, Nov. 5 Thomas Herrington, Todd Johnson

oCtoBeR 26 Noon Prayer Meeting 5 p.m. Fellowship Meal 5:30 p.m. AWANA - Costume night 6 p.m. Rev.o.lu.tion Youth Worship 6 p.m. Adult Bible Study 6 p.m. Women’s Explorers Bible Study 6 p.m. English as a Second Language 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 7:15 p.m. Band Rehearsal

oCtoBeR 27 5:30 p.m. Grief Share

oCtoBeR 30 8:30 a.m. Worship Service 9:45 a.m. Bible Study classes 11 a.m. Worship Service 4 p.m. Children’s Bible Drill 5 p.m. Children’s Choir 5 p.m. Life U Classes 6 p.m. Evening Worship

Budget september 2016Budget $121,212.02 Building $5,357.83 Designated $24,765.91

Total $151,335.76

Building Fund to date $5,807,795.00 Margaret Lackey given to date: $1,654.00

new Members in september Tommy & Judy Harrison, Terry & Jennifer Baker, Wilson Baker

CongratulationsTo Reanna & John Mayoral on the birth of a daughter, Emery Anne Mayoral, on August 30. Proud siblings are Braden, Olivia and William Henry.To Heather and Jim Moffatt on the birth of a son, Myrick Allen Moffatt, on September 1. Proud big brother is Lawson.To Amy & Jon Bardwell on the birth of a daughter, Stevie Allen Bardwell, on Septem-ber 12. Proud big sister is Lila Grace. Proud grandparents are Sandra & Steve McCluskey.To Wes & Ali Sneed on the birth of a daugh-ter, Hadley Grace Sneed, on September 26. Proud big brother is Liam.

our sympathy To Mr. Mike Flynn & Family in the loss of his mother, Mrs. Alma Flynn.To Mrs. Marvelyn Greer & Family in the loss of her nephew, Mr. Jay Mayfield. Sr.To the Tettleton family in the loss of their daughter & sister, Rebekah.To Carol & Buddy Lowrey & family in the loss of their nephew, Mr. Robert Bentley.To Mr. Tim Carter & family in the loss of his brother, Mr. Chuck Carter.To Sylvia & Jim Pryor & family in the loss of their niece, Amanda Scott.To Steve, Chuck & Gary Smith in the loss of their mother, Mrs. Evelyn Smith.

Library & Media CenterOpen Sundays 9:30-11 a.m. & Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.

neW dVd: God's Not Dead 2

Missions updateoaxaca Medical Mission trip: Feb. 4-11 Contact Mike Tomes by Oct. 31 if you would like to participate.

Missions moment from Jeff and Liesa HolemanThank you so much for your continued giving to the Oaxaca Ministry Fund. Those funds are a huge blessing to us as we’re able to accomplish some things that might not happen otherwise. These past couple of months we’ve been able to buy some ministry supplies (paper, pens, crayons, markers, arts/crafts supplies). We’ve been able to distribute several of the Audio Bibles to people out in the villages that do not like to read. Also, we’ve used some of the funds to pay for a Training and Prayer Retreat for our team of missionaries. We appreciate you all so much and miss you all terribly. We look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

Boston Mission trip: Dec. 9-16 Partnering with Grace Bible Church and North Oxford Baptist Church

oaxaca spring Break trip for College students: Mar. 11-18 Anyone interested contact Glen and Ruby Wilson for information.

The youth will be collecting items for Operation Christmas

Child each Sunday in October. You can find a list of suggested

shoebox items on the OCC table in the Atrium.

Please place all donated items in the boxes at the OCC table during the month of October. The youth will be filling up boxes in early November. Shipping for a shoebox is $7. If you are so led, you can make donations at the church office to cover shipping costs.

pResChooL & ChiLdRen's neWs

Youth neWs CoRn Maze tRip Oct. 16

More to LOVE @ First by Brooke Hutson Gibson

“He’s amazing,” Lynn Riley says about Billie Gene Johnson. “Each Sunday morning, he’s always a smiling face who gives away hugs for free.”If you come through the side doors by the office, you will encounter Billie Gene most every Sunday morning. If you come through the Atrium doors, Devon Jones will likely greet you. These two men, Billie Gene and Devon, have been greeting folk for about 20 years. Why? They serve in this way simply because they enjoy it and because they love meeting all the people who enter into our sanctuary for worship.Meanwhile, Tim Carter has also joined this formidable greeting and meeting team at FBC over the last few years. If you have young children, they have likely heard Tim say how much he loves their green shirt even when it is actually blue. What do these men have in common? They love to help make people smile and feel welcome. They love to serve their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you Billie Gene, Devon, and Tim for giving us more to love at First!

Blue Mountain Pumpkin Patch Field trip for K-6th • Saturday, october 8

$5 per person. Bus will leave from the CLC at 8 a.m.Sign up by oct. 2 (662) 837-0797 or diaddy@gotofirst.org

Kids KarnivalSunday, October 23 4-6 p.m.

FREE family friendly event with inflatables, games in the CLC, food & door prizes!

No scary costumes!

Candy donations can be dropped off at the welcome desk, children’s Sunday school desk, or the church office.

Weekday education is looking for full time Christian workers who enjoys working with infants and toddlers. Hours are 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday. Come fill out an application at front desk on the first floor.