Selections from The Lantern, February 2000. The Lantern is the monthly newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church.

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 6, 2000

at 12:30 P.M. following the Spaghetti Lunch

Lunch donations will be used by Mid-School Youth for their summer camps.

Our Annual Meeting is a celebration of our ministry in the world for Jesus Christ. It is both an annual checkup and a reunion. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the reports of the various Session committees, to review the 2000 budget, to act upon the pastors' terms of call, and to anticipate the coming year. Participation by all members and associated friends is encouraged. Join us for lunch and support our mid-school youth in their spiritual growth and service. Come and celebrate!

New Bibles for Sanctuary Pews!

You can help! We have ordered 208 new black Bibles with larger, clearer type in the NIV translation. Each Bible costs only $8.00. You are invited to purchase as many as you desire and designate "in honor of" or "in memory of" on the nameplate. Just call the church office to place an order.

The Bibles in our pews have been used for many years - they are dog-eared, dirty, and some have broken spines and missing pages. The Worship Committee selected and approved purchase of new ones. Our old ones will be given to other churches that need them.

New Member Classes:

Sunday afternoons

February 13 and 20

3:00 - 5:00 PM

Anyone who is interested in uniting with this congregation or is curious to learn about the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is invited to attend. John Poling will be teaching in his study. A Called Session meeting to receive new members will be on February 27 and public reception will be on March 19.

Fellowship Groups

Vine and Branches

This fellowship group of parents and young couples meets monthly for a variety of activities - sometimes with children, sometimes without. Watch the Sunday bulletins for this month’s event.

In-Betweeners

This fellowship group of "empty nesters" (singles and couples) meets each month for different activities. They also meet for lunch after worship on the third Sunday of each month. The men will be planning "dinner out" on February 25 at 6:30 P.M. Call Jim Parks for details.

Desert Cruisers

This group of retired people (singles and couples) will meet on February 28 at noon for a potluck lunch. Joe and Miriam Walstad will present a slide show on their early years of service with the Presbyterian Board of Missions in the Ni-Ve-Do Parish in Nebraska. Reminder: $2.00 membership dues will be collected at this meeting.

A New Study Catechism

For a New Generation

And a New Century

All of us in the Presbyterian Church (USA) received a great gift when the 210th General Assembly approved The Study Catechism. With a variety of resources available, it is a contemporary version of an old teaching tool designed to introduce children, youth, and adults to our Reformed tradition of Christian faith. It is a way to understand and embrace our identity as a people saved by Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

So, what's the educational plan???

Beginning in February, the New Study Catechism will be the focus of study for our children and youth. The following is the schedule:

Belonging to God: A First Catechism

Grades 1-5 at Salt & Light

February 9 - March 22

The Big Picture

Mid-School at Sunday School

February 27 - May 28

Can We Talk: Conversations for Faith

Senior High at Salt & Light

January 26 - March 22

Watch for an adult class to be scheduled in the future. And keep John Poling, other teachers, and the kids in your prayers for their spiritual growth during these weeks.

And 1999 Annual Reports . . .

These will be passed out at the lunch prior to the Annual Meeting on February 6. Copies of the proposed budget for 2000 will also be available. After Sunday, copies of all 3 items will be available in the church office. It really is good reading and a cause for thanksgiving for the life and ministry of this congregation.

Adult Education

Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.

New Class

"What Is Reformed Theology?"

by R.C. Sproul

Teacher: Marsha Topley

(Jones #115)

"A Study of Romans"

Teacher: Dick Dale

(Reeves Parlor)

"The Big Picture" a class for young adults

Teacher: David Sallee

(Reeves #317)

Thursday evenings at 7:00 P.M.

"Kerygma: The Bible in Depth"

Teacher: Al Kissling

(Jones #110)

Girl Scout Troop #379

First Presbyterian Church is a sponsor of this young scout troop. In fact, its been a Brownie troop until this month! They meet in our facilities twice each month and Susan Grandle is one of the troop leaders. Girl Scouts of America will be honored in our worship on March 12.

Youth Leadership:

Contemporary Worship Service

February 27 at 10:30 A.M.

Music and other worship leadership at this service will be provided by youth from our mid-school and senior high fellowships.

John Poling will be preaching.

Eleventh Annual Growing Through Loss Conference

Keynote Speakers:

Marcia E Lattanzi-Licht

Dr. Luis Vasquez

February 10-11, 2000

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

at 225 W. Griggs

Las Cruces, NM 88005

A brochure with a full description of the many course offerings as well as information on the speakers is available in the church office. Registration is required.

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to be "site hosts" on Saturday mornings. Their four building sites are located on Willow and Elder Streets (off N. Solano). The host is responsible for setting out the snack and coffee for the house builders. This can be anybody who wants to help the community in this way! Call Janet McPherson (524-3831) for further information and to volunteer.

Softball Coach Needed!

The church co-ed softball team needs a coach! They play in a church league during the late spring and summer. Call Art Garcia (527-5345) if you are interested.

Amateur Talent Night and Dinner

When: Friday, March 17 at 6:00 P.M.

Where: Watkins Hall

Who: For the whole congregation

Cost: Donations

Sponsors: Presbyterian Women

We need talent!! Of any age!

Can you sing? play an instrument? be a stand-up comic? know a funny skit? Perform acrobatic gyrations? juggle? You are invited to auditions in Watkins Hall on Monday, February 21 at 7:00 P.M. You can prepare just a short piece - not necessarily a finished product for auditioning for the panel of judges. Bring everything you need! Call Nora Yaryan (527-0528) or Janet McPherson (524-3831) if you have questions.

March 8-12

Pan Am Center

This five-evening event presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ to young people in relevant 21st century ways using elements of the culture itself to deliver the message. It is sponsored by Youth With A Mission - "an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to presenting Jesus Christ to this generation." Before this tour gets to town, counselors are needed who are trained to provide immediate spiritual support and long-term follow-up for the many young people who may dedicate their lives to Christ. Can you help? If you are interested, please call Sue Spencer (526-5559) for more information.

Congregational News

Memorial Services:

* A service for Hilda Jones will be held at First Presbyterian Church in El Paso on Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 P.M. with John Poling and Sue Dickson officiating. The family will greet friends at a reception following the service. Call the church office if you need transportation.

* A service for Ed Downing will be held in our Sanctuary on Saturday, February 19 at 11:00 A.M. with John Poling officiating. The family will greet friends at a reception following the service.

Deaths:

* C.J. Waguespack died on January 2.

December Graduates from NMSU:

* Caree Contreras received a B.S. in Communication Disorders from NMSU with honors.

* Eric Loman received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Bachelor of Accountancy with honors.

Thank you:

* Ruth Brink thanks all her friends in the congregation who offered cards, prayers, food and support when her husband, Charles, died.

Staff News

* Jackie Poling will be at the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators Conference in Houston on February 1-5.

* John Poling will be on a study tour of the Holy Land on February 28-March 9.

* Bill McMillan will be at the Texas Music Educators Conference in Austin February 10-12.

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PASTOR POLING TOURS THE HOLY LAND

Those participating in worship on January 19 already know that the New Mexico Knights Templar awarded our pastor, John Poling, an expense-paid trip to the Holy Land! John will join a group of over 40 clergy flying out of Newark on February 28 and he will return to Las Cruces late on March 9.

The Knights Templar trace their history back to the Crusades and their founding as an armed escort for Christians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Today this Order selects pastors from various denominations across the country to sponsor on pilgrimages of study to the Holy Land. Please keep John in your prayers during this study leave.

Garage Sale

The senior high youth are planning a garage sale for March 4 to raise funds for Mexico Mission 2000. They plan to build a house for a homeless family in Juarez. Items can be dropped off at the church anytime during the day or call for pickup. Thanks!

There is an urgent need for more help on our kitchen crews on Wednesday nights! Especially to run the dishwasher! If you can help, please call Jacque Parks (526-8180).

Sierra Blanca Presbytery

There is an immediate opening at the Presbytery office for someone with highly-developed organizational and communication skills and is self-motivated. This is a full-time position with pension and major medical benefits. There is a job description and application information available in our church office.

The Bible in 50 Words

God made, Adam bit, Noah arked,

Abraham split,

Jacob fooled, Joseph ruled, bush talked,

Moses balked,

Pharaoh plagued, people walked,

Sea divided, tablets guided,

Promise landed.

Saul freaked, David peeked,

Prophets warned.

Jesus born, God walked, love talked

Hate crucified, hope died,

Love rose, Spirit flamed, Word spread,

God remains.. taken from the newsletter from First Presbyterian Church-Hagerman & Dexter

Summer of 2000

*Senior High Mission Trip in Cuidad, Juarez: May 29 - June 2

*Vacation Bible School: June 19-23

*Mid-School Great Escape in Gunnison, CO.: June 24-30

*Senior High Montreat-West Youth Conference in Ft. Collins, CO: June 24 - July 1

*General Assembly in Long Beach, CA: June 24 - July 1

*Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Louisville, KY: July 14-19

Camp Chimney Spring

Men's Work Retreat: May 5-7

Family Camp: May 27-29

Senior Camp (grades 9-12): June 4-10

Mid-High Camp (grades 6 & 7): June 11-16

Junior Camp (grades 4 & 5): June 25-30

Elementary Camp (grade 3): July 6-8

CLER Camp (grade 8): July 9-15

Presbyterian Coordinating Team will meet on Tuesday, February 15 at 9:00 A.M.