Lantern for June 1998

First Presbyterian Church
Las Cruces, NM

First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM June/July 1998

Members Graduated

HIGH SCHOOL

Christy Black, Onate,

will be attending NMSU

on a Regents Plus Scholarship.

Karen Carter, LCHS, will be attending

the University of Arizona in Tucson, on

an Associates Foundation Scholarship.

Trevor Enoch, Mayfield, has secured an apprenticeship in plumbing.

Ronnie Kelch, Mayfield, will enter service in the U.S. Navy later in June.

Laura Farmer, LCHS, will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Justin Newby, LCHS, will be attending Oklahoma University in Norman, OK.

Richie Nordwall, LCHS, will be attending NMSU.

Nicole Rawson, Onate, will be attending NMSU on a Regents Plus Scholarship.

UNIVERSITY

Laurie Blackmer, NMSU, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.

Christine Carter, Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT; graduating suma cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology.

Philip Djang, NMSU, Ph. D. in Industrial Engineering.

Mitzi Keffer, NMSU, Master of Arts in Education; now teaching at Lynn Middle School.

Eric Nicolitz, NMSU, M. Ph. in Public Health.

Jeff Parks, Air Force Institute of Technology, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Amy Rankin, NMSU, Master in Fine Arts.

Vacation

Bible

School

June 1-5; 9-12 AM

Its not too late to sign up your kids and grandkids for this year’s VBS! Children

3 years - 5th grade are welcome! Be here Monday at 8:45 AM to start the fun on Disciples’ Avenue! We’ll have a great time under the tent of David, the Shepherd King, and learn more about this Bible hero.

URGENTLY NEEDED FOR VBS !

craft supplies: shoeboxes

aluminum pie plates

(all sizes)

old sandpaper

yarn remnants

empty toilet paper and

paper towel rolls

snacks: cookies

cupcakes

mini-muffins

After-Worship Picnics

June 14 & July 12

Buy sub-sandwiches and yummy desserts from the Mid-School youth! or Bring your own picnic lunch!

Drinks will be provided by the Nurture Committee. Join us in the courtyard after worship - we’ll eat, visit, and watch the kids play!

Saturday

May 30

8:30-2:00

We need a BIG TURNOUT of people to get our spring cleaning done!! Big jobs and little jobs available. The Congregational Life Committee will furnish a morning snack and a delicious lunch. It’s lots of fun! Join us!!

Music Staff Vacancies

The Worship Committee and Session regretfully accepted resignations from Beth Borchert, Director of Music, and Janet Loman, Organist, effective the end of May. The congregation is thankful for their years of excellent music leadership.

The Worship Committee will be making arrangements for substitute organists for this summer’s services. They are also interested in suggestions for special vocal and instrumental music to enhance our worship. A search committee is being formed to fill these positions before fall.

* * *

Guest Preachers

June 7 - Pam Jacobi, granddaughter of Earl and Ann Jacobi, is a fourth year student at Princeton Theological Seminary and a candidate for the ministry in the PC(USA). (John will still be celebrating Holy Communion in the service.)

June 21 - Sue Dickson, former pastor of Santa Teresa Presbyterian Church (John will be at General Assembly.)

July 5 - Marcus Burr, Parish Associate for our congregation and honorably retired PC(USA) minister. (John will be on vacation in Oregon.)

Volunteer

Mission

Amy Poling will be leaving June 10 to serve as a Global Intern with the PC(USA) in Malawi, Africa for the summer. She will be teaching in a church-sponsored school in a small village. Amy thanks everyone who helped financially with her support and asks for your prayers for her good health, safety, and effective ministry.

Doing Ministry in our Community

Who are we? We are a core group, sixty to seventy volunteers, filling many positions in every phase of Rescue Mission service. We are six paid staff members working in different areas of Ministry to ensure that needs are met. We are the donors, who support the ministry with our finances and donations of food, furniture, clothing and much more. We are the Good Samaritan, the bearer of a cup of water, living water for a lost and dying world. We are a team working together to meet the needs of all who come to us for help. All of us together are meeting the needs of "The Least of These."

The Las Cruces GOSPEL RESCUE MISSION is one of six local mission services receiving financial support from our congregation’s budget and this year it is $1000.

The Rescue Mission accepts all persons who come to their doors for help. Each person has a probationary period of 3 days and then the stay can be extended to 30 days. No one can stay in the Mission during the day - they have to go out to work or be looking for work.

Health care for clients is provided by volunteer student nurses and St. Luke’s Health Clinic. All food services are provided by volunteers.

Our congregation can offer additional support by contributing items to the Thrift Store and their clothing room. Any usable item is accepted! (Toilet articles are always needed! Got any extra hotel samples?) Summer is a good time to check your inventory and share with the Mission. This provides a source of income for the Mission’s service ministry.

Also, donations can be made through our church just by designating "Gospel Rescue Mission" on your check.

Adult Sunday School

9:00 AM
New Adult Class for Summer!

*Knowing God,

Becoming God’s People

A new video series by Dr. Ken Bailey!

As set forth in the Bible, Christian discipleship is steeped in understanding God and understanding Jesus. Ken Bailey brings us in contact with three major images: servants of Christ, shepherds of the flock, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Dr. Bailey opens up windows of understanding on ancient Semitic understandings of Scripture.

The discussions will be led by Marsha Topley and it is easy to "drop in" when you are in town. Join us in the library when you can!

* * *

Vine & Branches

This fellowship group of parents and young couples meets monthly for a variety of activities - sometimes with children, sometimes without.

We’re going to a Diablos baseball game in El Paso on Sunday, June 21. Tickets are $5.00 for a box seat and we can eat hotdogs for .25 ! We’ll meet at 5:00 PM at the church and caravan together. Make a reservation by June 1 by calling Brian McPherson (525-2969) or the church office. This group will be attending the Annual Mountain Retreat together. Join us in this fun!

In-Betweeners

Join this fellowship group of "empty nesters" for lunch out on the third Sunday in June and July. (Meet at the After-Worship Coffee Hour)

Sunday School Teachers Needed

The Christian Education Committee has some wonderful plans for June and August and is looking for teachers for our children, and youth. You need only volunteer for one or two Sundays! We’ll give you all the support, materials and training you’ll need! Please call Joyce Gemoets (524-8504) or

Jackie Poling (526-5559).

There will be no Sunday School classes during July and on August 2. This provides a time for rest, relaxation, and planning for our teachers and participants.

* * *

Planning Meetings Set for

Disciples’ Avenue

Our version of the Workshop/Rotation Model for Christian education is our Disciples’ Avenue. Anyone interested in designing and planning these educational workshops for both Sunday School and Salt & Light in 1998-99 is invited to our planning meetings on June 11 & 25 at 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Childcare can be provided. Join Joyce Gemoets, Jacque Parks, Margie Rankin, and Jackie Poiling - we have a lot of fun and the kids are really benefiting from this teaching style.

The BRIDGE

Presbyterian & Disciples Campus

Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral Street

522-6404

David Sallee, Campus Minister

Wednesdays

May 27 thru July

Bible Study at the BRIDGE

7:00 PM

Coffee House at Dee Gee’s Deli

8:30 PM

Special Prayer Requests

June 1-5 Vacation Bible School

June 8-12 Mission Mexico ‘98

12 youth and 6 adults building a home in Cuidad Juarez.

June 13-20 General Assembly in Charlotte, NC. John Poling and Larry Cooper will attend.

June 20-27 Montreat-West in Ft. Collins, CO. 7 youth and Howard and Linda Daniels at this senior high conference sponsored by PC(USA).

June 27-July 3

Great Escape in Gunnison, CO. 10 youth and Barry and Tammy Prahl at this mid-school conference sponsored by Presbyterians for Renewal.

July 20-26 Youth Triennium PC(USA) at Purdue University.

Karen Carter, Elisa Poling, 9 other youth, and 2 adults from Sierra Blanca Presbytery.

July 24-25 Women of Faith Conference in Albuquerque. 12 women from our congregation will attend.

* * *

Summer Drivers Needed!

The Deacons need some relief drivers for the church van to pick up people at University Terrace and two other stops for the worship service every Sunday. More help is needed each week because of vacations, illnesses, and changed work schedules for the regular drivers. Please call David Curtiss (522-4809) or the church office to volunteer.

210th General Assembly

Charlotte, North Carolina

June 13-20

John Poling will be attending the General Assembly and again work with Presbyterians for Renewal in supporting commissioners. Larry Cooper, one of our elders, serves on General Assembly Council and will be attending a Council meeting several days prior to Assembly as well as attending the opening day. Please keep these leaders in your prayers.

Holiday

The church office will be closed Friday, July 3 and Monday, July 6.

Lost Books

The following books are missing from the Agape Caregivers’ Library:

When A Hug Won’t Fix The Hurt - Karen Dockery

When Someone Dies - Sharon Greenlee (for small children)

You Gotta Keep Dancin’ In The Midst of Life’s Hurts, You Can Choose Joy - Tim Hansel

Starting Over - Richard Kew

The Complete Divorce Recovery Hankbook - John P. Splinter

Facing Loneliness: Starting Point of A New Journey - D. Sanders

Reflections on Suicide - Perry H. Biddle, Jr.

If you have any of the above books or know where they are, please contact the church office or Carol Peterson (523-2926).

GARAGE SALE

The youth groups are planning a garage sale for later this summer to raise the remainder of funds needed for their conference trips. Items can be dropped off at the church or call for pickup. Thanks!

Financial Report

Due to the Memorial Day holiday and an earlier press date for the Lantern there was not a May financial report available. The August issue will provide a financial update for the first half of 1998.

The Board of Camp Chimney Spring thanks all the men and boys who did such great work at the camp on the retreat weekend!! Great improvements were made that will benefit our campers!

* * *

The Senior High youth want to thank everyone who came to The Roman Banquet May 3! Your enthusiastic response to our play was encouraging and your generous donations finished the payment for the house we’re building in Mexico.

Did you know?

Religious Services Improve Health

Going to church regularly is good for the soul, and now Duke University researchers have shown it may also be good for the body. In a study of more than 1,700 older adults in North Carolina, doctors found that people who attended a religious service at least once a week had a healthier immune system.

The study was reported in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine.

Congregational News

Wedding: Connie Ames and Todd Piccirello

will be married August 1 in our sanctuary.

* * *

Earl Jacobi will celebrate his 90th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his membership in First Presbyterian Church on June 7 when their family gathers for a reunion!

* * *

Staff News

John Poling * Mission Mexico ‘98,

Cuidad Juarez, June 8-12.

* General Assembly, Charlotte, NC, June 15-21.

John & Jackie Poling

* Salem, Oregon. Burial of John’s mother and a family reunion, June 30-July 7.

* Dallas, TX, August 2-9. Vacation and visiting Elisa’s doctors.

Tammy Prahl * Gunnison, CO leading mid-school youth group, June 27-July 3.

Brian McPherson

* Vacation, June 6-15.

The Lantern

Publisher: John C. Poling

Editor: Jackie Poling

Production/Distribution: Tammy Prahl

The Lantern is a monthly publication of First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM. Articles, photos and comments are welcome, and will be used at the discretion of the publisher and editor. For further information, call 526-5559

June

8:45 AM Vacation Bible School

7:00 PM Worship committee

9:00 AM Vacation Bible School

7:30 PM C.E. committee

1:00 PM Evangelism committee

9:00 AM Vacation Bible School

7:00 PM Final Kerygma class

9:00 AM Vacation Bible School

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Communion Worship

6:00 AM MISSION MEXICO ‘98 thru June 12

6:30 PM Mission committee

10:30 AM Mid-School fellowship to Soup Kitchen

6:30 PM Disciples’ Avenue planning meeting

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Worship

11:45 AM Church Picnic in courtyard

Early! Senior Highs to Montreat West thru June 27

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Worship

5:00 PM Vine & Branches -Diablo game

7:15 PM Session

6:30 PM Mid-School fellowship

6:30 PM Disciples’ Avenue planning meeting

7:30 PM Admin. committee

10:00 AM Mid-School to Great Escape thru July 3

9:00 AM Sunday School

10:30 AM Worship

July

Church Office Closed

10:30 AM Worship

Church Office Closed

6:30 PM Mid-School fellowship

10:30 AM Communion Worship

11:45 AM Church Picnic in courtyard

10:30 AM Worship

6:30 PM Mid-School fellowship

10:30 AM Worship

31-Aug. 2 Annual Mountain Retreat

Annual

Mountain

Retreat

July 31, August 1 & 2

Our annual weekend at Camp Chimney Spring this summer will be the weekend of July 31, August 1 and 2. Plans are being made to include several activities in the schedule. Reservations can be made for Friday and/or Saturday nights. As always, those not spending Saturday night at the camp are welcome to drive up for the Sunday morning church service. Sunday lunch will be available for everyone who makes a reservation.

Reservations will have to be made, and money paid by June 20, due to the camp’s policy of requiring payment 30 days in advance. Payment can be made to the church office or Rusty Smith. The prices remain the same as last year and are 50% off because our church is one of the camp’s covenant members. The prices are as follows:

R.V. site with hookups--------$6

R.V. site without hookups----$4

Tent sites--------------------------$4

Cabins-----------------------------$20

All prices are per night.

This year the mini-lodge will be available. This lodge can accommodate up to 10 people and will cost $45 per night.

Sunday lunch will be available for $5.35, and payment is due by July 12.

Please note, that if you use camp accommodations, you will need to supply your own bedding, pillows, towels, etc. Units with kitchen have basic kitchenware (pots, pans, silverware, plates). Those units also have refrigerators and stoves. For additional information, call Rusty Smith (524-2269) or the church office.

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Last update 2002-06-24 12:44:18