Selections from The Lantern, December 2002. The Lantern is the monthly newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church.

One Sunday in November as I was greeting those of you leaving church out the east door, a stranger came up to me out of the parking lot and asked “Are you the pastor?” I told him I was and asked how I might help him. He said, “My wife and I are traveling thru and really need some food and gas. I was told the Presbyterian Church was a place I could go to get this kind of help.” I responded, “Come with me and let’s see what we can do.”

Then his words struck me. ”I was told the Presbyterian Church was a place I could go to get help”. And I thought, “Wow, what a testimony to the generosity and witness of this congregation! You have built a reputation in Las Cruces (and who knows elsewhere) as a place the homeless, the hungry, the transient, can find help.” But then, the devil in my pocket whispered, “All that means is this church is known as an easy mark, a place to be used.”

Then I thought some more and I was able to say “Get behind me you cynical Satan!” In all honesty, I can recall only one congregation I have served that had so many calls for help for food, gas, and the filling of needs. Rarely a day goes by without someone coming by and some days, two or three. And I can also honestly say, the overwhelming number of persons you help are legitimate and truly thankful.

Your Board of Deacons is to be commended over and over again for this ministry to those in need. For those of you who might not know; we give no money. We provide vouchers for gas and we have already prepared bags of food. This ministry is funded by the mission fund of the deacons in such ways as the annual Hamburger Fry.

And while I am commending people, I must also commend Linda, who so efficiently and carefully speaks with those who come, determining their needs and keeping records of those we serve.

As for that old cynical devil saying we’re being used, the words of that old hymn come ringing in my ears. ”O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where.” How good it feels to serve a congregation known as the church you can go to find help! But then, you already know that good feeling of giving, don’t you!

PEACE

The Rev. Dr. Marcus Burr, preaching.

Waiting! We all know what that means, don’t we? There are different kinds of waiting. We sometimes wait with excitement, other times with restlessness; we wait with anxiety, other times with patience. Advent is a time of waiting, a “state of waiting.” Read Luke 3:1-6, 15-18.

How far is it to Bethlehem? Would you care to venture a guess? Obviously, the answer is, “It depends upon where you start.” Besides, Bethlehem is also very much a symbol. It has become a state of being, a sign of hope, a promise; it is our place of arrival! Read Luke 2:1-7.

“How can this be?” is the wondering question of an awestruck peasant girl as she says her prayers. “How can this be?” is still the question regarding Jesus’ birth. St. Augustine once wrote, “Let others wrangle, I shall wonder”. Ah, that’s the key word, isn’t it, “wonder,” I mean. Read Luke 1:26-38 and let’s ponder these things.

Wherever you look at life around you today; whether it’s in your personal lives, or in the disturbing events of our nation and world; there is always the possibility that what’s going on is God breaking thru into our world. The story of the birth of Jesus tells us this. Read Luke 1:39-56

“And this shall be a sign for you, you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” What sign is this? An incredible, fragile, rejected, renewed, on-going sign. Read Luke 2:1-14 and come and worship the new-born king this Sunday after Christmas.

At the duly called congregational meeting held November 3^rd, the following persons were elected to the Class of 2005: Those elected to the session are: Carl Conner, A.B. Conrad, Cheri McMillan, Jacque Parks, Don Rhodes, and Nora Yaryan.

Elected as deacons were: Ruth Brown, Millie Conrad, Jon Gorzeman, Dina Schroeder, Rusty Smith and Jenny Topley.

We commend them for their willingness to give of themselves in this very important calling. We offer them our prayers and support. Ordination and Installation of these newly elected officers will be held in January.

Members of the Session whose terms of office will be completed December 31 are: Judith Ames, Ray Carter, Ralph Miller, Bobby Rankin, and Bruce White. Judith and Ray served on the Christian Education Committee; Ralph on the Congregational Life Committee; Bobby on Administration Committee and Stewardship Committee; and Bruce on Buildings and Grounds.

Rotating off the Diaconate are Kathi Becker, Alice Cooper, Betty Starkey, Ruth Ann Hurab, Mel Parish, and Kathy Walker.

At the Stated November meeting of the session, the resignation of Marsha Topley as our Interim D.C.E./Youth Director was received and accepted with regrets. Her husband, Harry, is establishing a new business in Ruidoso and she will need time to travel there to assist him. Consequently, she feels she is no longer able to devote the hours necessary to fulfill the duties of this position. December 15 will be her last Sunday with us.

This was a difficult decision for Marsha, due to her love for her Lord and this church. We wish her and Harry well in this new venture.

The committee is on the schedule and plan reported last month. We are in a sensitive phase with little new to report.

The January and February reports should be much more informative. Have faith in the committee but, most importantly, trust in the Lord. Faith and trust come through prayer and the PNC surely needs yours.

Meanwhile enjoy the blessing of Gus’s preaching and pastoring while you may.

On Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, all of the 100 plus turkeys prepared by the women of First Presbyterian and Northminster will be served as part of a Thanksgiving dinner in the colonias of Juarez, Mexico. It reminds one of the loaves and fishes.

By Friday, Nov. 15^th, we had purchased, baked, boned, bagged and delivered 70 plus turkeys to Hands of Luke in El Paso. Then there was more. The Northminster group baked on Nov. 21^st. Even the children got involved. They made and sent greeting cards while they learned about mission and cardboard houses, no plumbing and outdoors “facilities”.

Without your help this project wouldn’t be the success it has come to be. Thank you. Thank you who worked in the church kitchen, cooked at home, donated the funds to purchase turkeys, and prayed. We are truly blessed

November 13^th was a highlight for all of us at Salt & Light! Our Family Of God (dinnertime) theme was “God Bless America!,” and we honored the veterans of our congregation. Over thirty veterans, from WWI through Operation Desert Storm, attended. They sat with the students during dinner, and each was introduced by a student following the meal. After our communal prayer time, Courtney Prahl sent us away with her beautiful acappella singing of “God Bless America.”

Salt & Light will meet twice during December, then begin again on January 8, 2003, for our Twelfth year. Veterans, please come back for dinner any Wednesday we meet. We really hope that having so many guests on November 13 will set a precedent for having more members of the congregation come for dinner and prayer. Come at 6:10 for dinner; prayer follows, ending in time for Chancel Choir rehearsal.

December 4: “God’s Own Child and God’s Own Children

December 11: “Good Tidings Of Great Joy!”

December Christmas Coffee, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m., Watkins Hall. The Thanksgiving Offering will be dedicated with a special program, the Mary-Martha Trio will perform, and Judith Ames will give a Christmas story. There will be a Christmas Shower of Gifts for the Sunland Park After-School Program, a Border Ministries project of our presbytery. Items that are needed for the after-school program include craft supplies, white tee shirts that can be decorated, paper towels, hand towels, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable snacks and drinks.

There will be no PWCT meeting in December.

The high school youth of our church will be presenting a Christmas season play entitled Bethlehem Speaks on Sunday evening, Dec. 22 at 6:00 p.m. Six characters will give first-person accounts of their perspectives on the birth of Jesus. The characters include Mary, Joseph, the Innkeeper’s Wife, an Angel, a Shepherd, and a Wise Man. The evening will include dessert and fellowship. Donations will be accepted. Please mark your calendar now to attend this memorable Christmas service of drama, singing, and Scripture reading by our high school youth.

Our church’s web site is not concerned just with our local organization or even just with our denomination. One of the great advantages of the internet is the ease with which you can be linked to related sites. Our site has collected together on one page links to sites which are of interest to our members.

These links are divided into several groups.

Short descriptions are included with our links.

There are so many good Christian internet sites that it is impossible to list all of them. It is even difficult to keep up with their changing addresses. Readers are urged to suggest additions (with a brief description of the contents) and to report any broken links.

You can get to our link page by clicking Links under other Useful Information on our home page or go directly to www.zianet.com/fpc/links.htm.

Thanks to the very generous gift from Charlie Stone’s daughter, we now have many of his religious-type books to add to our church library. These books are fairly recent and well worth including in our collection. We will be placing them on the shelves as we get them prepared for use.

248.4 Marshall, Catherine – A CLOSER WALK

248.4 Marshall, Catherine – LIGHT IN MY DARKEST NIGHT

231.7 Tada. Joni Eareckson – GLORIOUS INTRUDER

242.33 Tada, Joni Eareckson – A CHRISTMAS LONGING

Biog. Tada, Joni Eareckson – CHOICES & CHANGES

This church will be particularly interested in one of the featured books. It is

362.71 Emerick, Sara – FEED MY LAMBS

This book is a history of the Christian Day Nursery. The book lists many people who helped with the nursery and /or the Wonderland Store.

Also featured this month are:

Biog. Graham, Billy, Mrs. – OUR CHRISTMAS STORY

231.8 Maier, Paul – FIRST CHRISTMAS

158.1 Canfield, Jack – CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE GOLDEN SOUL

301.42 Schaefer, Edith – WHAT IS A FAMILY?

To: Gus and members of First Presbyterian Church.

Thank you for all the kindness and concern this church has shown me. I’ve felt very much at home. The choir is a great group. Even Bo falls in this category. My husband and I are moving to Tucson, AZ the 21^st of this month (November). As some of you know, I have a son in Chandler and a daughter in Lake Havasu City with cancer. Many of you have prayed for Mike and Patty. Thank you and please keep praying.

This is a very special church and I will keep all of you in my memory and in my prayers. Thanks for bringing joy and love into my life. God bless you all,

Anne C. Havens.

All members and friends of the church will receive a special Advent Devotional Booklet in the mail prior to the first Sunday in Advent. It is our hope your celebration of the Advent and Christmas Season will be spiritually enriched by using the devotions you will find in the Booklet.

The Annual Christmas Eve Service will be held in the Sanctuary at 7:00 PM. This will be a service of scripture and carols. Gus will be preaching on “Finding God in the Ordinary.” Bring family and friends to worship with you as you begin your celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Presbyterian and Disciples

Campus Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral St. 522-6404

David Sallee, Campus Minister

As of this writing, members and friends of our congregation have responded to the challenge to be Christian stewards of their money by pledging $289,000 to God through our church in 2003. Last year’s pledging as of this time was $271,000. We invite those of you who have not made a pledge yet to do so by mailing or bringing it to the church office, or calling Kathy at the office. We commend those of you who have so graciously responded thus far.

Nov 3 279

Nov 10 239

Nov 17 271

Communion will be served on December 1 and January 5.

The InBetweeners are again organizing a progressive dinner, scheduled this year on Sunday evening, December 8. The evening includes dinner in a host’s home, and dessert in Watkins Hall with everyone gathered together for entertainment and carol singing. Would you like to host a small group in your home for the entrée? Or would you like to attend? Call Judith Ames at 526-3247 or Marjorie Burr at 522-2528 as soon as possible, but no later than December 2. We hope you will join us for this holiday tradition at First Presbyterian

Desert Cruisers will not be meeting in the month of December.

The Lantern deadline for the month of December will be Monday the 23^rd. Please get your articles into the office by this date.

The church office will be closed on December 25 and 26 for Christmas holidays.

12/01 Margaret Stevenson

12/02 Eric Loman

12/03 Stephanie Suggs

12/03 Nora Yaryan

12/06 Ryan Becker

12/10 Joel Tomlin

12/10 Alice Lee Cox

12/11 Bruce Griffith

12/13 Rondla Hardin

12/14 Darla Topley

12/15 Ted Novack

12/16 Katya Garcia

12/21 Mary DeBoy

12/20 Edward Duderstadt

12/22 Peggy White

12/25 Nancy Davis

12/25 Caroline Darr

12/25 Patricia Montoya

12/26 Dina Schroeder

12/28 Johanna Miller

12/29 Nora Hurab

12/29 Joy Miller-Bell

12/30 Jason Silva

12/30 Pam Briggs

12/30 Sue Carter

12/31 Marti Whaley

Throughout the history of our denomination, Christmas has been a time of grand generosity and spontaneous giving. During the joyous season of Advent, we Presbyterians celebrate the good news of the birth of Jesus through our support of the Christmas Joy Offering.

Gifts to the Christmas Offering bring the light of opportunity to ethnic and minority young people at the seven minority institutions supported by our denomination. Menaul School in Albuquerque is one.

Our gifts to the Christmas Offering also bring better quality of life to retired church workers and their spouses by providing supplemental pensions for nursing home care assistance to those who need it.

Read the inserts in the Sunday Bulletins during Advent and watch for the special Christmas Offering Envelopes in the bulletins December 22^nd and Christmas Eve.

Last year this congregation gave $3,621 to this Special Offering. Let us prayerfully and generously participate in it again this year.

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Last update 2002-12-09 21:15:14