Our Leadership Team Pastor the Rev. D. Kerry Slinkard Clerk of Session Bonnie Rhodes Deacons Moderator Teressa Verkamp Director of Music Peter Slauch Director of Children’s Choirs Allison Perry

Organist Julie Allport Faith Community Nurse June Hoffman Director of Christian Education Stephen Doutrich Preschool Director Nicole Hartman Secretary Eryn Gallagher Secretary Lorraine Holton Sexton Clyde Prigg Treasurer Beth Keefer

Our Vision Oxford Presbyterian Church is

a family of Christians dedicated to sharing the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with the

local and world communities.

Table of Contents: Holy Week .................................. 1 Pastor’s Corner ........................... 2 Session Notes ............................. 2 Daylight Savings Time ................ 3 Shiloh Breakfast .......................... 3 Atkinson Reading Group ............. 3 Discourse from the Director........ 3 Outreach Ministry ....................... 4 World Day of Prayer .................... 5 Nurturing Ministry ...................... 6 Apple Festival Meeting ................ 6 Preschool News .......................... 6 Presbyterian Women ................... 6 Calling all Knitters ...................... 7 Learning Ministry .................... 8-9 Oxford Senior Center .................. 9 The Green in the Blue ................. 9 March Birthdays ........................10 Financial Review .......................10 March List of Events ..................11

March 2016

THE Lamplighter V

olu

me 2

9, I

ssu

e 3

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

O X F O R D P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H

Palm Sunday March 20 8:15 A.M. Early Service 11:00 A.M. Service of Our Lord 5:30-7 P.M. Community Meal

Maundy Thursday March 24 Communion Service 7:00 P.M.

Good Friday March 25 Candlelight Communion Service 7:00 P.M.

Joint Service with Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Fifth Street, Oxford

Easter Sunday March 27 Ministerium Sunrise Service on the Green 7:00 A.M. Breakfast in Fellowship Hall 7:30-10:30 A.M. 8:15 A.M. Early Service 11:00 A.M. Easter Service of Our Lord

Page 2 LAMPLIGHTER

TRANS-FORMATION

One of the enduring images for Easter is the butterfly—Jesus emerging from the ugly cocoon of human death and rising as the beautiful resurrected Lord of all Creation. Providing cocoons to classrooms for children to watch butterflies “hatching” is a growth industry.

Easter is our time to transform as well—physically from the cocoon of overcoats and winter’s cold to the warmth of the bright sun and longer days (I wonder what our brothers and sisters in Mthatha do with Easter arriving just as the southern hemi-sphere’s winter is approaching??)

But it is also a time for spiritual transformation. Our songs move from thoughtful reflection to joyous celebration. Our scriptures shift from stories of unbelief to breathless accounts of new faith and the power of the Risen Christ. Our hearts are filled with new life and new purpose that carry us through the coming weeks and months.

We are blessed to live in a creation that celebrates transformation in an annual cycle, and to live with and worship a God who gives us all this opportunity to transform our faith every year. I pray that his Eastertide will fill each of you with new life and new hope for the journey ahead. Together, let us be TRANSFORMED!

By the way, speaking of Mthatha, I will be leaving just after Easter Sunday to return to our sister churches there to seek to better understand their “out-station” evangelical ministry. I covet your prayers for a safe and enlightening journey.

See you in church!

PEACE, Pastor Kerry

SESSION NOTES By Bonnie Rhodes, Clerk of Session

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

The Pictorial Directory is being worked on by the Deacons and Office Staff and will be available soon.

Thanks to the Deacons for hosting the well-attended Pasta Bingo night, and all their other activities.

Please remember to get your Church Surveys and Talent Surveys to Membership Development (Janet Hudler, Chair) by March 6. Please see her if you have any questions. Thanks for your participation.

If you have any questions or comments, etc., for Session, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the Elders: Alison Verbanas, Amanda Transue-Woolston, Andrew Atkinson, Andy Orechovesky, Ashley Whiteman, Beth MacMillan, Dave Keefer, Ediene Ringler, Emma Spotts, Janet Hudler, Karen Olivieri, Kay Skinner, Lillie Spotts (Youth Rep), Missy Sarver, Rob Shaffer, Walt Osborne.

If you have a request in writing, please remember to sign it. According to the Book of Order, Session will not have to answer an unsigned request.

Worship has provided Study Booklets for our use during the Lenten Season. Various speakers are scheduled for each Wednesday Lenten Luncheon.

If you know of anyone who would like a visit from Pastor Kerry, please let the Office know, and he will make arrangements to do so.

Volume 29, Issue 3 Page 3

Discourse from the Director

Steve

This month we celebrate the event that changed the world! Resurrection Sunday changed the world, because it proved that Jesus was the Messiah! People will try to dismiss the validity of the Bible, the Christian faith and point out the problems in the church. But I ask these folks, what are you going to do with Jesus? You cannot dismiss his existence because you choose to not believe the Bible. He was a real, historical figure. His activities are recorded in the Bible, but also in other documents written by people recording the events of the day for the Roman government.

So what did the curators of history in Jerusalem write about after Jesus was resurrected? What did Pilate do after he heard about the resurrection of the King of the Jews? Was his throne going to be challenged by this new king? Well, we do not know for sure what happened, but there is a movie that has just been released titled Risen that portrays the events after the resurrection of Jesus and the determination by the Roman government and the Jewish leaders to find the body of Jesus. The story is told through the eyes of the Roman centurion tasked with finding the body of Jesus. I highly encourage you to see the movie! It will build and strengthen your faith in Jesus.

Steve Doutrich

The Atkinson Book Group

March 28 – The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Annie Barrow

April 25 – Snow, Orhan Pamuk

May 30 – Paris Wife, Paula McLain

Two others were recommended: Circling the Sun (Paula McLain) and Savage Beauty (a 2001 biography of Edna St. Vincent Millay by Nancy Milford).

Woody Hartgrove

Page 4 LAMPLIGHTER

MARCH COMMUNITY MEAL will be hosted by Girl Scout Troop 4544 on Sunday, March 20 from 5:30-7:00 P.M. It is FREE and OPEN to EVERYONE. Come and fellowship with your neighbors.

Family Promises- thanks to all who volunteered and donated supplies and

monetary donations. It was a big help to Sacred Heart, the host church. Our next

time will probably be in April.

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing enables the church to share God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Presbyterian Hunger Program

Self Development of People

One Great Hour of Sharing Financials

Responding to disasters, feeding the hungry, helping people build up their own livelihoods - these are all ways that your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing will change lives, change communities - and change the world. One Great Hour of Sharing is a unique way to join Presbyterians across the globe as we share Christ’s love and unite to create a bigger impact.

Your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing united with the talents and gifts of those who receive it, serves to create a more resilient, just and sustainable future. Please give generously. We thank the congregation on behalf of those who will find hope through the witness of One Great Hour of Sharing. An offering will be received on Easter Sunday.

Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. --1 Peter 4:10

COMMUNITY MEAL - consider signing up to host a meal. We ask that outside groups such as churches pay for the cost of the meal as part of being a sponsor. The exception would be youth organizations such as scouts. All internal groups within the church should feel free to turn in expenses for reimbursement. Outreach has budgeted $250 per meal, so please try to keep it under that amount.

Youth Group and congregation members help serve. Teressa Verkamp is the Coordinator and will help plan meals and assist in cooking. We have had a wonderful variety of organizations to share this opportunity to serve those in need. See sign-up sheet downstairs in hall.

Volume 29, Issue 3 Page 5

World Day of Prayer USA promotes justice and equality for women through prayer, partnerships,

service and celebration

A Worldwide Movement of Christian Women

The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

• It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.

• It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration – the first Friday of March – to which all people are welcome.

• It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. The motto of the World Day of Prayer is “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.”

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER * March 4 is a day to pray

Page 6 LAMPLIGHTER

NurturingMinistry

Preschool News Even though it has been cold and snowy outside, preschool has been keeping warm inside. We completed a Jump-A-Thon to support theVillage. All of the children were happy to jump to show kindness towards another child. Love has been in the air as we celebrated Valentine’s Day and talked about friendship. The children are currently learning about Dr. Seuss, Penguins, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. We are gearing up for our big St. Patrick’s Day Family Dance and Easter in March.

We are still currently meeting three Fridays a month for Faith Based Friday. The children enjoy a Bible lesson, craft, snack, story and games. Pastor Kerry visits each class and sings songs with the children. Approximately 22 children attend each week!

Again, thank you for providing such a wonderful space for our staff to share our love of learning with so many children.

Think Spring!

Nicole Hartman, Director

Can Tabs

Please bring your can tabs to the church office. They

are being collected to donate to Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in

Wilmington, DE.

The Deacons will begin serving Easter Breakfast immediately following the Sunrise Service and will serve until 10:30 A.M. Menu for the breakfast will be: bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown casserole, pancakes, and fruit.

OPC APPLE FESTIVAL - This year’s event will be held Saturday, September 24th. In order to begin our fundraising efforts, we need to decide where the funds will go. We are requesting that the congregation provide constructive input that will be considered when making the decision. Please submit any suggestions you may have by putting a note in the SPOTTS mailbox, e-mailing help@opcapplefestival.org AND/OR by attending our BRIEF committee meeting which will be held in the downstairs library Wednesday March 9th at 5:45 p.m. (You will be done in time to go to bell choir practice!) The decision will be finalized at this meeting so that we can begin our promotional efforts to obtain event sponsors and corporate donations for the silent auction. Thanks in advance for your participation!

Volume 29, Issue 3 Page 7

CALLING ALL KNITTERS! Learn how to knit Prayer Squares. We seem to need more and more each Sunday. Join us on Tuesdays from 12 to 2. We are knitting in the Bride’s Parlor.

March 13 is GIFTS OF WOMEN SUNDAY We will celebrate Gifts of Women Sunday at both services.

Women will participate in each service. Jackie Caleb and Lorraine Holton will speak about their trip to the 2015 Church Wide Gathering in Minneapolis.

Our Women’s Praise Team will provide the music.

Presbyterian Women will provide for the Fellowship Hour following each service,

When The Bough Breaks – A Presbyterian Women’s Mission on Behalf of theVillage.

Each year Presbyterian Women does a mission for theVillage. This year, beginning today and running through the end of March, we are asking our congregation to please help by making monetary donations to support theVillage with emergency foster home needs. When a child is removed from his or her home and arrives in foster care he/she comes with no personal belongings. It is not possible to wait until funding begins to purchase the items needed immediately. This need is especially acute for a baby who requires a safe place to sleep, a car seat, safety items for the new home, and start-up necessities like diapers and formula. theVillage finds temporary homes for about 20 infants and toddlers each year. The cost to support a baby or toddler entering care is about $300. This covers the cost of a portable crib, car seat, basic clothing, and necessities.

Please make checks payable to Oxford Presbyterian Women.

Thank You for Your Support

Page 8 LAMPLIGHTER

Learning Ministry

Movie and Sleepover

March 12 - 13 We will go and see the movie Risen at Manor Cinema then come back to Steve’s house for a sleepover. Hot tub will be open! We will then go to church on Sunday for Sunday School. Limit five girls and five boys! Sign up early!! Cost – FREE

SAVE THE DATE!!!

June 19-23 – 6:30-8:30 P.M.

Contact Steve D. or Janet H. if you would like to help!!!

NO

SUNDAY

SCHOOL,

MARCH 27!!

Happy Easter!

Revolution Youth

Gathering

March 6 – Clothes Pin Challenge

NO REVOLUTION GATHERING on Sunday, March 20 due to the Community Meal.

Volume 29, Issue 3 Page 9

SOUP and SANDWICH DAY

FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup * Homemade Chicken Corn Soup * Chicken Salad Sandwiches * Tuna Salad Sandwiches * Ham Salad Sandwiches * Hot Dogs * Homemade Desserts * Coffee, Tea, Sodas

All items priced at $2.00 or less

Eat in or Take-out Treat your friends to a great, inexpensive lunch

Did you ever wonder what those blue “Per Capita” envelopes in your pledge boxes are for? Or more importantly, did you ever wonder what happens to the money you put in them? Or, what happens when you don’t put money in those blue envelopes? Well, as we near St. Patrick’s Day and the “wearing of the green,” I’m going to tell you about the “green that goes in the blue.”

The Per Capita contributions are the way we, as church members, or the church itself, share the expenses of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) governing system. In fact, it’s one of the primary funding sources for the PCUSA. For 2016, the per capita amount for each active church member is $32.27. The annual amount given is a combined request from the Presbytery of Donegal, the Synod of the Trinity, and the General Assembly, of which the Oxford Presbyterian Church congregation is a part. So, if one does the math, OPC’s total Per Capita contribution for 2016–based on our 427 members–will be $13,779.27. OPC pays this to the Presbytery in regular installments throughout the year.

Of the $32.27 per member, the Presbytery of Donegal receives $22.85, which is used for the following: the Presbytery Treasurer’s and Stated Clerk’s operations; the Book of Order Committees; legal and audit expenses; property purchase; quarterly Presbytery meetings; and alternates to the General Assembly.

The Synod of the Trinity receives $2.30 of the $32.27 per capita, which is used for the following: fulfilling constitutional and administrative responsibilities; facilitating conversation between the governing bodies of the church; Synod meetings; the Synod’s Stated Clerk’s and Treasurer’s operations; and legal expenses. Are you still with me? This leaves just $7.12, which goes to the General Assembly to cover a variety of administrative expenses throughout the year.

Several of OPC’s members have paid their Per Capita amounts to the church, and for this, we are eternally grateful. Each $32.27 received represents that much less that OPC must pay from its operating fund by the end of 2016. Try not to think of the Per Capita as an assessment, but rather as a funding mechanism for all Presbyterians to participate in the life of the wider, universal church. I encourage everyone to prayerfully consider your 2016 Per Capita envelope and the “green in the blue.”

The Green in the Blue by Walt Osborne

Page 10 LAMPLIGHTER

2 Alberta Gehron 3 Russ Hager 3 Herman Wharton 5 Marissa Berg 5 Megan Berg 5 Miranda Berg 7 Elizabeth King 7 Chris Arthur 8 Cristi Hahn 9 Zachary Wharton 9 Susan Gentile 10 Amanda Bauguess 10 Steve Hill

10 Carol Ware 10 Will Young 11 Luke Atkinson 12 Steve Koza 15 John Lauer 15 Shawn McCummings 18 Jacob Baity 19 Ginny Wharton 20 Sarah Carter 20 Margo Kraybill 21 Sharon Brooks 21 Connie Stoltzfus 21 Barbara Ritter

23 Marc Ball 26 Michele Ball 27 Alecsandra Fomunyam 27 Alecsis Fomunyam 27 Heather Terry 27 Tom Zundel 29 Alexis Wilson 29 Steve Doutrich 30 Kathy Lechette

If your or a loved one’s birthday does not appear in our lists, please contact the office. We’d love to include you in our well wishes.

March Birthdays

Oxford Presbyterian Church January 2016 Financial Review – Congregational Giving

*Other income is comprised of committee offerings, building use fees and non-living gifts.

INCOME  January  YTD Income  YTD Budget Members’ Giving  $25,583.00  $25,583.00  $20,300.00 Loose Offering  $1,509.51  $1,509.51  $1,060.00 Other Income*  $77,129.68  $77,129.68  $66,838.99 TOTAL INCOME  $104,222.19  $104,222.19  $88,198.99 

  MINISTRY EXPENSES    January  YTD Expense  YTD Budget Worship  $50.00  $50.00  $120.00 Learning  $0.00  $0.00  $75.00 Nurturing  $263.80  $263.80  $400.00 Outreach  $350.00  $350.00  $500.00 Serving  $0.00  $0.00  $0.00 Suppor ng  $34,543.90  $34,543.90  $38,884.39 TOTAL EXPENSES  $35,207.70  $35,207.70  $39,979.39 

  NET INCOME (LOSS)    $69,014.49    

Volume 29, Issue 3 Page 11

Mar

ch 2

016

Mee

ting

s an

d E

vent

s Recurring Meetings/Events at Oxford Presbyterian Church (summer schedule may differ)

Sundays: Worship every Sunday at 8:15 and 11:00 A.M. in the Sanctuary. Communion the first Sunday of every month. Coffee Fellowship follows each service in the Parlor.

Sunday School for All Ages every Sunday at 9:30 A.M. PW Coordinating Team Meeting–First Sunday of every month at 12:15 P.M. in the Chapel/Library. Revolution Youth Group meets on Sunday at 6 P.M. – dates may change. Mondays Junior Girl Scout Troop 4644 — 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6:30 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Membership Development Committee Meeting – First Monday at 7 p.m. in the Library/Conference Room. Tuesdays: Living Healthy/Living Well—Every Tuesday at 4:15 P.M. in the Parlor. Prayer Shawl Ministry Workshop—Every Tuesday from 12:00 P.M to 2:00 P.M. in the Bride’s Parlor. Family Literacy Program—Every Tuesday from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Parlor and Room 201. Women, Infants and Children—The second, third and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 8:30 A.M. to

4:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. (Room may vary throughout the year.) Christian Education Meeting—The second Tuesday of the month in the Library/Conference room at 7:30p Wednesdays: Office Staff Meeting—Every Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. in the Pastor’s Study. Bells of Praise Practice from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary (first practice to be announced). Chancel Choir Practice at 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary (beginning September 16). Thursdays: Family Literacy Program—Every Thursday from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Parlor and Room 201. Cub Scout Pack 213—Thursdays at 7:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall. Bible Study with Steve Doutrich—every Thursday at 6:30 P.M. in the Bride’s Parlor. Shalom Circle—First Thursday of every month at 7:00 P.M. at the home of Jackie Slauch. Fridays: Family Literacy Program—Every other Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. in the Parlor and Room 201. The Friendship Circle–Third Friday of every month at 2:00 P.M. at Ware Presbyterian Village. NA Clean and Serene—Every Friday at 7:00 P.M. in the Sonshine Room. Property Committee Meeting – Second Friday at 4:00 P.M. in the Library/Conference Room.

Special Events/Meetings in the Oxford Presbyterian Church

3/2 Lenten Lunch – Speaker–TBA Fellowship Hall

3/6 – FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT – COMMUNION

7p Session Meeting Library/Conference Room 3/7 2-7p Red Cross Blood Drive Fellowship Hall 7p Membership Development Committee Meeting Library/Conference Room 3/8 6-9p Oxford Area Historical Association Fellowship Hall 3/9 12p Lenten Lunch – Speaker–Sam Mylin Fellowship Hall 5:45p Apple Festival Planning Meeting Library/Conference Room

3/13 – FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT – GIFTS OF WOMEN SUNDAY

3/15 7:30p Christian Education Committee Meeting Library/Conference Room 3/16 12p Lenten Lunch – Speaker–Roy Caudill Fellowship Hall

3/18-20 WOMEN’S RETREAT SANDY COVE 3/19 All Day Blue and Gold Banquet—Pack 213 Fellowship Hall

3/20 – PALM SUNDAY — HOLY WEEK BEGINS

5:30p Community Meal Fellowship Hall

3/24 – MAUNDY THURSDAY – COMMUNION

7p Maundy Thursday Service Sanctuary 3/25 – GOOD FRIDAY

7p Joint Worship Service and Communion Shiloh Presbyterian Church 3/27 – RESURRECTION OF THE LORD/EASTER – ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING 7:00a Sunrise Service On the Green 7:30-10:30a Easter Breakfast Fellowship Hall

Oxford Presbyterian Church

6 Pine Street

Oxford, PA 19363

Return Service Requested The Lamplighter

Our Session

The Session meets the second Sunday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

Our Deacons

The Deacons meet the third Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018

Andrew Atkinson Karen Olivieri Beth MacMillan

Janet Hudler Andy Orechovesky Walt Osborne

Dave Keefer Rob Shaffer Missy Sarver

Ediene Ringler Ali Verbanas Emma Spotts

Kay Skinner Amanda Woolston Ashley Whiteman

Lillie Spotts (Youth)

6 Pine Street Oxford, PA 19363

OXFORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Phone: 610-932-9640 Fax: 610-932-0863 E-mail: oxfordpresbyterian@gmail.com

Visit Us on Facebook

Our Web Page: http://www.oxfordpresbyterian.org

Volume 29, Issue 3

Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018

Laura King Roy Caudill Andy Arthur

Teressa Verkamp Jenna Hammond Danielle Stapleton

Debbie Waltman Bob Hudler Herman Wharton

Tom Zundel Lara Orechovesky (vacant)

Joanne Herr (Youth)