First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM                                                      November 2001

The Lantern                November 2001

November Sermons

Our pastor's sermons for the month of

November will be as follows:

 

Nov 4th     "WHO ME?"

            Just at that point in time when humanity is at its worse, Jesus ministered to His betrayers. He continues to do so. For you see, He invites US to His Table. Read Mark 14:12-21.

 

Nov 11th    "A MATTER OF PRIORITIES"

            Anxious about the thought of hearing a sermon on “stewardship”? Would a new, fresh approach interest you? Read II Corinthians 8:1-9 to see how stewardship is NOT fund raising, but a spiritual matter.

 

Nov. 18th     "A SONG IN THE NIGHT"

            Martin Luther wrote: "It is impossible for one who hopes in God NOT to rejoice! Even if the world falls to DESTRUCTION, he will be overwhelmingly undismayed under the ruins!" Surely we didn't read Luther right. Can this be true? Read Psalm 42.

 

Nov. 25th     “ON LOVING MYSELF”

            Jesus said, “Love your neighbor the way you love yourself.” What in the world? How do you suppose this would work out in everyday life if we took this commandment seriously? Read Matthew 22:33-40 and let’s find out together.

 

Bring someone to worship with you during the month of November.

 

Deacons' Outreach

            For the sixth year now, our congregation, under the leadership of our Board of Deacons, gets the privilege and fun of directly participating in a Christmas outreach project. Working with Mesilla Valley Hospice, the Deacons have accepted responsibility for seven Hospice patients and their families! In a time when families of dying persons or those recently bereaved are overwhelmed by the details and financial demands of life, we are able to give witness to the coming of Christ and the promise of a new life. We will provide food, individual gifts, and scriptural material.

            Delivery date is set for December 15, so we have to begin early this year! There will be Christmas trees in each Narthex beginning November 11 with "stars" for specific gifts and food items to be purchased. Watch for more details in December and prepare to be a part of this "gift of sharing."

 

Notes, Announcements

Finances

            This year members and friends received boxes of offering envelopes either with a weekly or monthly envelope, depending on their giving pattern. If you would like to change the type of envelopes that you receive or do not want envelopes at all, please contact Kathy in the office as soon as possible

September Summary

Operating Income                          $33,350.87

Operating Expenses                        19,637.98

Balance                                    $13,712.89

 

Year to Date Summary

Operating Income                         $279,299.14

Operating Expenses                        270,758.84

Balance                                        $8,540.30

 

In-Betweeners

            December 1, Saturday at 8:30 AM - meet to decorate the Sanctuary, we will be going to a light breakfast or early lunch depending on how long it takes to decorate.

For further information contact Jacque Parks.

---

Letter to Las Cruces Congregation

It has been with a great deal of joy and excitement that I accepted the call of your Session to serve as your Interim Pastor for the months ahead. It will be an interesting time for all of us. As you face the time between the end of one pastorate and the beginning of another, you will be entering strange territory. Many of you have not made that journey before; and for those of you who have, it's been a long time. This is called "Interim Time".

 As we begin this journey together I am reminded of the story about a big city salesperson who got lost while driving along a backcountry road. He came upon a farmer getting his mail at the end of his driveway and said, "Excuse me, sir, could you please tell me where I am?" "Yep", came the reply, "You're in Gallup's Mills." With a sigh, the frustrated salesperson asked, "Well, could you kindly direct me to Lyndonville?" Pondering for a moment, the farmer replied, "You can't get there from here." Anyone who has ever been lost in strange territory can empathize with the salesperson. If we reflect upon it, we can see that very often in life, where we start from can have a great deal to do with where we end up and how we get there. It is therefore, very important that we get our bearings.

 In preparation for our journey together, I would like to share, as briefly as possible and without great detail, where we might be headed.

 The journey, obviously, begins with "terminations". This is the stage marked by your pastor's departure. We then move on to what might be called "direction finding", when we learn the steps to be taken before a new pastor is called. The third stage is "self-study", where you will look at yourself, as a church, a deliberate process of evaluation.

 

The fourth stage is the actual "search" for the new pastor, which cannot begin until you have clearly focused your identity. Stage five in the journey is "decision". This is the exciting climax of the search when a candidate is presented and the congregation decides whether or not to issue a call.

 Continuing the journey, we reach stage six, which is the "installation" of your new pastor.

 Finally, we come to "start up", the official beginning of a new pastorate and of a new chapter in your congregational life.

 This is where we are headed in the months to come. I am most anxious to travel this journey with you.

 Peace!

Gus

 

Stewardship 2001

            As the leaves begin to fall we begin our focus on stewardship at the First Presbyterian Church. Stewardship is actually a lifestyle issue as well as a spiritual issue -- that's the theme we want to develop in our annual campaign. When we take on the life of a Christian, we change. In Paul's words, we are renewed

helplessness. Eventually, we acknowledge a desperate need for God in our lives. Is it possible that the challenges of today may awaken a widespread passion for commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? I hear opportunity  knocking, I hope you do, too.

            Key elements of the stewardship campaign will include mission interpretation, stewardship education, and financial commitment of members. During November and early December we will focus on giving during worship and educational activities, as well as through letters and articles. If any church member would like to help with this important activity, please call me at 524-0744 or speak to me in person.

Bobby J. Rankin

Chairmen, Stewardship Committee

 

Sound

Of all the senses, the one most used in a Presbyterian worship service is that of hearing. The organ opens the service, the worship leaders speak to the congregation, the choir produces beautiful music, the congregation responds with unison words. To help the congregation utilize this sense, the church has a large collection of audio equipment.

The primary purpose, of course, is to ensure that everyone anywhere in the sanctuary can hear all of the service. This purpose is difficult to fulfill. Some people are far from the front, others are close to the sound sources, some of the congregation have hearing difficulties, some are even absent. The church tries to ensure that everyone can participate to the fullest extent possible.

This effort requires some pretty sophisticated equipment. The sound enters the system through microphones. There are three wireless microphones that can be located anywhere as well as a microphone at the pulpit, and others located near the choir. There are other inputs for things like tapes, CD’s, and other musical instruments. The sound then goes to a mixer board, which is complicated enough to satisfy anybody who loves to turn knobs. The board will accommodate 16 different inputs. Each channel has at least 8 knobs that control the level and quality of the sound making well over 150 different adjustments that can be made. The sound then goes to some specialized equipment, to an amplifier, and then is distributed to various places.

It is indicative of the importance the church attaches to the worship service that the output of the sound system goes to many more places than the main speakers in front of the sanctuary. The sound goes to a special wireless system for the hearing impaired, to a tape recorder which records the service for the use of shut-ins, and to the Sunday School superintendent’s office and the nursery so that people who often have to work during the service can participate also.

There are a lot of technical details with which the operators of the system have to deal. One is the unfamiliarity with the system of the people who use it. People not familiar with the use of microphones do not realize how critical the distance from the microphone is. A small variation in distance can produce a large variation in volume. The microphones have to be sensitive to pick up speech, but that means they are sensitive to other sounds caused by breath, clothing, or even the closing of a hymnbook.

The placement of microphones with respect to loudspeakers is also critical and a particular problem for our church. If a microphone is placed in front of a loudspeaker, feedback in the form of a squeal quickly develops. In our church the speakers are placed over the pulpit so that the sound will seem to come from the pulpit. Yet for the children’s message or communion service the wireless microphones are in front of the speakers. The system operator has to carefully control the volume in these cases to prevent feedback. The operator is assisted in this effort by a special anti-feedback unit that is part of the sound system.

One can have the best sound system in the world, but it will only be as good as the people who operate it. Our church is fortunate in that there are some members who contribute a significant amount of time to get the best results possible from our system. Gary Gemoets has been in charge of the system for some time. He took over from Tommy Matkin, who serves as a valuable source of information. Gary has recruited a number of other people to help him. Typically one or two people operate the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary once a month on a rotation basis. Harry Topley, Matt Holt, Jerry Grandle, and Joel Tomlin are all involved. T. J. Burns from the high school fellowship is also enthusiastically learning to operate the system. All these people are needed to get the best possible results.

No matter how sophisticated a system, there can always be improvements. Gary indicated that two of the top priorities for our system are new speakers to improve the distribution of sound in the sanctuary and the modification of the control booth to help the operators to better hear the quality of the sound which the congregation receives.

Of course, funding is always a problem. There has been established a special fund for the sound system to which contributions are made from time to time including a recent bequest from Kennett Melgaard.

            But no matter how much money is spent on a system, nothing would be accomplished without the generous contributions of time by members to this often unnoticed effort to make the worship service meaningful to all.

An expanded version of this article with more pictures is on the church’s web site at www.zianet.com/fpc. It will be found under the music section.

 

9^th Annual

Christmas Auction

 

Sunday, November 18

3:00 P.M.

in Watkins Hall

It's time again for this all-church holiday event! Come and join in the fun as Matt Holt auctions off home-made goodies and handmade goods with style and flair (and a fair amount of puns). You'll find Christmas decorations and wreaths, embellished clothing, handmade wooden items, dolls, paintings, home-made goodies and much more.

            Grace Circle will provide drinks and a wonderful array of snacks and holiday sweets for those attending this event sponsored by Presbyterian Women.

Donations needed

Donate any item that can be auctioned (homemade ones sell the best).

Please bring your items by the church office by Friday, November 16.

All proceeds will go to Presbyterian Women mission projects - WORD (Wycliffe Bible Translators), medicine kits for Africa, John Hyson Educational Center, and expenses for the 2003 Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering.

 

The BRIDGE

Presbyterian and Disciples

Campus Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral St. 522-6404

David Sallee, Campus Minister

 

Every Wednesday       7:30 PM - 10 PM

Food & Fellowship (games, snacks & study)

Nov. 3 Saturday            1:00 PM

Las Cruces Renaissance Fair, meet at the Bridge

Nov. 22 Thursday            1:00 PM

Thanksgiving with Sallees (call if stranded in Las Cruces)

 

Students Scholarships

The Memorial Student Aid Fund is administered through a committee of Presbyterian Women and exists to financially aid students during their post high school education. The fund was established in 1969 with the proceeds from the sale of the first manse of First Presbyterian Church. It was decided that the original principal of only $2000 would be left intact and only the interest would be used for college scholarships. Through the years the principal has increased through memorial donations. These donations are greatly appreciated!

In the past, there has been no requirement for students to receive money, except to be a member of First Presbyterian Church. The committee has decided to now require of recipients an application to be completed before a scholarship will be given. These scholarship applications will be mailed out this month to all individuals who are members of First Presbyterian and are attending a college, university, or trade school. If you know of someone who may be eligible and has not received an application by December 1, 2001 please contact Betsy Holt (523-9243).

            The Memorial Student Aid Fund exists to help students. It would be wonderful to be able to assist them every year. Unfortunately, there are years that we are not able to award scholarships, due to market fluctuations that affect the balance of the Fund. All donations are gratefully accepted - just contact Kathy Tucker in the church office.

 

Presbyterian Women

Tuesday, November 20,  9:00 AM 

            Coordinating Team - Library, Jones Hall

Tuesday, December 11,  10:30 AM

            Christmas Coffee

Tuesday, December 18,  9:00 AM

            Coordinating Team - Library,

Thursday, January 17, 2002,  9:30 AM

Book review, Beverly Briggs, The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingslover. We can order our copies from Hastings for $11.20 each - talk with Beverly Briggs about it.

Stewardship 2001

            As the leaves begin to fall we begin our focus on stewardship at the First Presbyterian Church. Stewardship is actually a lifestyle issue as well as a spiritual issue -- that's the theme we want to develop in our annual campaign. When we take on the life of a Christian, we change. In Paul’s words we are renewed  in Spirit. All of life is a gift from God. To each of us God gives different gifts, expecting us to be faithful stewards, whether these gifts be money, talents, time or other resources.

            Our congregation is struggling with alarming issues. The world crisis resulting from the evils of terrorism occupies our thoughts almost constantly. Also, our church has begun the process of change in leadership. We need to renew our understanding and dedication to our mission and goals and to search for a new pastor who can lead us to accomplish them. We are extremely fortunate to have the Rev. Gus Schmitt as our interim pastor to guide us through this renewal process. He is surely the answer to our prayers. In troubled times like these, we feel fear, anger, sorrow, frustration and

Salt and Light Company

            Isn't it wonderful to hear what Beth Borchert and our young people are doing with music? That happens during Worship Skills, one of the four strands of LOGOS.

            Another part is FOG time (FOG stands for Family Of God). This is our food-and-fellowship dinnertime. Please come at 6:00 to share a meal with us. Call Linda Ramirez at the church office early in the week so we will know you're coming. We always set a guest table, and it's the best dinner you'll ever have for $2.00!

 

                                                FOG time themes for Nov. are

                                                            Nov. 7    Purple and Gold

                                                Nov. 14  Bountiful Blessings

                                                  (bring a friend)

                                                Nov. 21  No Salt & Light

                                                Nov. 28  Banana Boat (sundaes!)

 

                                                Note: Kitchen crew help is still needed.