* Tamara Rose and Katarina Isabel Garcia on

August 12

* Ruth McDonald died on August 24, 2001

David and Nancy Sallee have a new grandson, John Phaelan Ives, 5 lbs 15 oz, born August 3, 2001 in Sierra Vista, Arizona to Erika and John Ives.

Jack and Joyce Curry have four new grandsons! Their son Tim and his wife Robin have adopted four brothers, ages 2, 5, 6 and 10!

Congratulations to these third graders awarded Bibles as the new school year begins!

Cole Anderson

Katie Edwards

Ariana Garcia

Katya Garcia

Tyler Gardner

Jessica Smith

Joshua Watson

Pat yourselves on the back! What an outstanding Sunday!!! August 19th will be remembered for many many moons as we said our goodbyes to the Polings for their twelve years of shepherding our congregation. It was nice to see so many express their feelings of gratitude. Fine food, friendly faces, families, funny jokes and a fantastic time was had by all. Doesn't it make you proud to be a member of First Presbyterian Congregation?

Your Congregational Life and Outreach Committee

We are in need of an individual or a couple to work with our mid-school youth. If this is an area of service that interests you, please contact Dan Yetter (526-5559) or Judith Ames (526-3247) to get more information about this position.

If you still need to pick up your Church Picture Directory, you can do that Monday thru Friday in the church office from 8:30 - 4:00 PM. For new members and persons who did not have their pictures taken for the directory, but would like one: please put your name on the "will call" directory list located in the office.

N. Ann Miller

Presbyterian and Disciples

Campus Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral St. 522-6404

David Sallee, Campus Minister

August 5 179

August 12 162

August 19 295

August 26 235

will meet September 9

and September 23

from 1:30-3:30

09/01 Margaret Graham

09/03 Kate Puckett

09/04 Beverly Briggs

09/04 Juanita Treat

09/06 Steve Hardin

09/10 Mike McClanahan

09/10 Janet Hansaker

09/13 Warren Boozer

09/15 Amy Holt

09/15 Randy Thornley

09/16 Laverne Guice

09/18 Christine Morgan

09/18 Joyce Roach

09/18 Katie Edwards

09/18 Sam Sullivan

09/19 Courtney Prahl

09/19 Mel Parish

09/20 Andrew Garcia

09/21 Jay Gogue

09/21 Lydia Salazar

09/22 Gena Clark

09/22 Sunny Parish

09/26 Dorothy Carlton

09/27 Judith Ames

09/27 Lillie Fitzhugh

09/28 Helen Barron

09/28 Taryn Fogle

09/29 Art Garcia

09/30 Marsha Topley

We would love to include the birthdays of all the members and friends in our congregation in the Lantern. Please call soon (526-5559) if we don't know your birthday!

9:00 AM Sunday

*Blaine Goss is a new member of our church and is a professor of Communication Studies at NMSU. He is an ordained Presbyterian elder and has been very involved in teaching Sunday school in the past. Blaine is also the newest bass in our church choir!

The Chancel Choir is beginning its fall rehearsal schedule. We would like you to consider singing with us. We are not a professional choir, nor a choir made up of trained musicians. We are normal, everyday Christians who love to sing and freely give of our gifts to the kingdom of God and First Presbyterian Church.

We urge you to think about sharing your gift of voice, mind and heart with the Chancel Choir and the congregation. Come give us a trial period of 2-3 weeks and see if this is a place you can contribute to the life of this congregation. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30 and we meet Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM. Remember, we have reserved seating! You are invited!

Bill McMillan

Choir Director

This group of retired people (singles and couples) meet for monthly potluck luncheons - and anyone is invited! The first fall meeting will be on Monday, September 24 at 12:00 PM in Watkins Hall. The program will be a report on "The Royal Canadian Train Trip." Please bring a dish to share and your own table service. For more information call Marcus Burr at 523-7917. Hosts will be Helen Barron and Mary Neuburger.

This group will get together Saturday, September 8 at 5:00 PM at the Tomlins,

75 Horseshoe, for a swim party and potluck dinner. Please bring a side dish or dessert. Call Patricia at 523-2163 for more information. While we eat and play, we'll make plans for the new year. Be thinking about some fun activities!

All women who attend our church are members of Presbyterian Women! You are invited to attend the Gatherings and to join a monthly Circle or Guild for Bible study and fellowship.

Tuesday, September 18 at 11:00 AM

Invite a friend to this style show from Lilies of the Valley followed by a baked potato bar lunch. Music by Caroline Darr. Hosted by Mary-Martha Circle.

Wednesday, September 19 at 7:00 PM

in the computer lab with Susan Grandle

*Evening Circle - 4th Wednesday, 7:00 PM

Meeting in Parlor

*Circle II, 1st Monday, 2:00 PM

(September meeting on 10th)

Meeting in homes

*Morning Circle, 1st Tuesday; 9:30 AM

Meeting in homes

(September meeting on the 11th in Jones Hall Parlor)

1st Wednesday, 10:00 AM

Good Samaritan Village, Bldg. A,

Second floor lobby

*Guild II, 1st Monday, 9:00 AM

(September meeting on 10th.)

Meeting in the church parlor

*Grace Circle, 2nd Tuesday, 9:30 AM

Meeting in the church library

(childcare provided)

2nd Tuesday, 9:30 AM

Meeting in the church parlor

Marcus (Marc) is a retired Presbyterian minister who has been a Parish Associate of First Presbyterian Church since April 1998. Marc and his wife Maggie have been very involved at the church since they came here. He has served in many capacities including guest preaching, teaching the Kerygma Bible study, serving as the "captain" of the fellowship group Desert Cruisers and is a faithful pastor to those who are ill or grieving. Marc is an avid woodworker and has even built wooden shelves and cabinet doors for the church office!

Before Marc came to Las Cruces, he served in churches in Pennsylvania, spent seven years in Kayenta, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation and was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Deming for twenty-two years. He most recently served as pastor of Kirk of the Keys in Marathon, Florida where he received the "Small Church Pastor of the Year in Florida for 1995-1996" award.

Thank you Marcus, for stepping in and helping our congregation to make a smooth transition until an interim pastor is called.

Dear Friends,

We arrived safely in Surprise and are wading through the boxes and disarray. The answer about "where to put all John's church office books and files" still eludes us! He is setting up a nice office at home to use for the New Church Development.

What a party you gave us!  It was just lovely - and a lot of fun to see so many of you dear friends gathered together!  And your generosity in gifts astounded us!!  The money for our trip to Kenya is so appreciated - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  Our plans for departing on October 1 are made and we have the tickets in our hands.  Paul says your gift makes it possible for us to take a   4-day safari to the far west side of the large Masai Mara Game Reserve where there is more big game (we should spot the Big 5!) and fewer tourists. This will be a new adventure for him, also.  We will also  have a few days at
the beach resort of Lamu and perhaps see Hemingway's place in Malindi.  Our plans include visits to Presbyterian mission sites as well as Wycliffe Bible Translators.  Paul is also planning a 3-day tour for us with Robert and Janet McPherson at the end of their mission work. 

We do enjoy all the personal gifts as well.  We love the painting by Rayma Claessen, the framed photo of the Organ Mountains, the "world map" quillow, the kitchen items painted by the children, the albums, the denim shirts, the "Hymnal Angel", the needlepoint Chrismons, and the many other gifts, notes and cards.  When we miss you we look at these tangible reminders of your love and care for us. The new picture directory is a real treasure!

Mostly, thank you again for eleven great years of ministry opportunities and friendship.  You will always be in our hearts and our prayers as we continue to live and work in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit.

John and Jackie Poling

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