from east and west,

and from north

and south, and

sit at table in the

kingdom of God"

In the winter of 1935 a group of ministers met to study the spiritual needs and possibilities of our church in depression days. In the Lord’s Supper they saw a great opportunity to unite the membership in dedication to Jesus Christ. This early ecumenical awareness led to the first World Communion Sunday, November 11, 1936. In 1937, the Presbyterian General Assembly changed the date of World Communion to the first Sunday of October.

By Lantern Light: All Over the World!

I was very ignorant in terms of how many members there were in my extended family as an eight-year-old moving from Philadelphia, PA to Salem, OR. We visited my mother’s family in Iowa and Dad’s brother in Phoenix enroute. Upon arrival in Oregon, I soon found myself in a family reunion that included strange German food and stranger cousins and aunts and uncles. On the way home from the reunion in Portland, I said to my parents, "I can’t believe there are so many of us!" It was the beginning of a new appreciation of the variety and humor and courage and love that has nurtured me all of my days. I know that you and I remain largely ignorant of our extended family in Christ Jesus and I want to challenge us to expand our appreciation of that family in all its variety and humor and courage and love - and to receive its nourishment.

The "Mission Imperative" of the Church of Jesus Christ, issued by the Risen Christ to his earliest followers, has spurred countless efforts to bring the Gospel to all peoples in all place. There are still some people and language groups being approached for the first time, with the goal being the establishment of the church within those groups and under their direction. The translation of scripture into their language continues at a phenomenal pace, exemplified by the work of Wycliffe Bible Translators. We support people in work that ranges from hospitals to schools; from new farming technology to adult literacy programs; from village level health instruction to inner city production co-operative groups.

We celebrate the sending of persons with the Word along with the receiving of the Word ourselves (as part of the target cultures approached centuries ago) in worship on "World Communion Sunday." Our Lord’s Supper Table is set in every time zone now, far from its initial and sometimes underground locations close to Jerusalem. Whatever our circumstances - whether encouraged, tolerated, ignored or persecuted by the dominant culture in which we live - we continue to listen to the command of Jesus to each of us and to proclaim him as Lord of all!

Plan now to commune with members of this congregation and with the Church worldwide on October 4! Celebrate our unity and diversity in the Procession of Flags from around the world that day! See the Mission Committee quarterly report in this month’s Lantern. Improve your knowledge of the missions we support by reading it, then test your knowledge by the quiz on the back page. Then, please pray for one of the missionaries listed and for the people with whom they are working.

Why do this? As we become both informed and involved with the world-encompassing reach of the Gospel, we become open to its deepening reach into all aspects of our lives right here. We become less preoccupied with ourselves and more aligned with Jesus’ concerns for those he loves and wants to reach, to heal, to save. We also begin to strip away the cultural barnacles that cluster on the hull of the ship of faith in every society and appreciate the truth of Jesus Christ.

For further reading and stimulus to growth as a Christian: order a copy of the Mission Yearbook of Prayer and Study through our church office for use during 1999. Broaden your outlook and strengthen your ties to the family of Jesus Christ all over the world!

Yours in Christ,

John Clark Poling

Sunday, October 18

Following Worship

Doing "MISSIONS" in Las Cruces!

People in our own community encounter stressfulhealth and family problems as well as difficult economic situations everyday. Our Board of Deacons is continually ministering to these people with compassion and generosity through these mission projects:

• Soup kitchen
• Christmas outreach to Hospice families
• Sack lunches for transients
• Emergency funds for Community Action Agency
• Gas vouchers for travelers

Their source of income comes from 1/2 of the "loose" offering collected on Communion Sundays; any offering designated "Communion"; and the Annual Hamburger Fry.

The stated purpose of the meeting is to

elect new church officers.

*Join in some singing!

*Enjoy the fellowship!

9:00 - 10:00

Pastor’s Study

This class will look at the basics of the Christian faith, the history and structure of the PC(USA), and the ministry of this congregation. Anyone interested in joining with this congregation or simply in exploring these topics is invited to come!

Reception into the church will be at a called Session meeting on Oct. 25 following worship.

A Request from the

Nominating Committee

This Committee is beginning its work to fill expired terms and vacant positions on the Session and Board of Deacons. They are interested in suggestions from the congregation. Information and suggestion forms are available in the church office.

A Gathering of

Presbyterians III

sponsored by

The Presbyterian Coalition

October 8-10 in Dallas

This event is to equip Presbyterians to provide effective leadership in the renewal of our denomination. The emphasis will be on new materials for the education and guidance of Christians in matters of faith and practice. Standards for the coming century, summarized in catechism, study and strategy documents will be discussed and shaped.

Continuing his involvement with Presbyterians for Renewal and Mountain States Wee Kirk, John Poling will be

participating in the Gathering and a planning meeting following.

Stewardship Training Workshop

for Deacons and Elders

Saturday, October 3 8:30-12:00

Leader: The Rev. Al Kissling

Presbyterian Women

Gathering on October 20

at 10:30 A.M.

followed by the

"A Crafty Morning"

Wreath making by Kathy Tucker

Christmas angels by Sue Carter

Miniature Christmas Trees by

Carol Peterson

Together we will assemble Harvest Care Packages for our college students!

All women who attend our congregation are members of Presbyterian Women and are invited at attend! Bring your friends, too!

*Coordinating Team will meet at 9:30.

Mini Workshop in October:

Making a Panel Vest

Teachers: Janet McPherson and

Sue Carter

October 31 9:00 A.M.

Call Sue Carter (522-6898) or

Janet McPherson (524-3831)

for more information.

Sierra Blanca Presbytery

Fall Gathering

for

Presbyterian Women

Saturday, October 17

First Presbyterian-Alamogordo

9:30 - 3:00

Lunch: $3.50

Panel Discussion

Domestic Abuse:

Violence Against Women and Children

Readers’ Theatre: "Way to Go"

presented by women from our church!

Call Beverly Briggs (522-1445) to make a reservation on the church van.

Fellowship

Groups

Vine & Branches

This fellowship group of parents and young couples meets monthly for a variety of activities - sometimes with children,

sometimes without. Vine and Branches will be having a Halloween Costume Party and Potluck on October 30 at 6:00 PM at Art and Lynda Garcia’s home (5260 Mimosa Lane). Please join this group of adults and children for a treat of a time. Call Art or Lynda Garcia at 527-5345 for information.

November Activity: Participating in the Annual CROP Walk on Nov. 15 at 1:00 P.M.

More information later!

In-Betweeners

Join this fellowship group of "empty nesters" for lunch out on the third Sunday of the month. (Meet at the After-Worship Coffee Hour on October 18.) There will be a fellowship evening on October 23. Watch for details in the Sunday bulletin.

Desert Cruisers

This group of retired people (singles and couples) will meet on October 26 at

12:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to join this time of fellowship, potluck lunch and program. Please bring a dish to share and your own table service. For information call Frances and Carl Shuster at 522-2504.

Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.

"The Jesus I Never Knew"

Teacher: Marsha Topley

(Jones #110)

"Hebrews: Glimpsing the Glory"

Teacher: Dick Dale

(Reeves Parlor)

Sunday evening at 6:30

Oct. 4, 18, 25, Nov. 1

"The Great Ends of the Church"

Teacher: John Poling

(Jones #110)

Thursday mornings at 10:00

"The Gospel of John"

Teacher: Ozzie Lutz

(Melgaards’ home, 1612 Imperial Ridge)

Thursday afternoons at 3:30

"Kerygma: The Bible in Depth"

Teacher: Al Kissling

(Jones #115)

Possible new class: Hot Headlines

New Plans

for

Women’s Retreat

When: March 20-21, 1999

Where: Camp Chimney Spring

near Cloudcroft

Leaders: Sue Carter and Jackie Poling

 As announced in the September Lantern, the Session is planning for the future of our congregation by hosting a series of Focus Group meetings on Evangelism. They want to receive your thoughts, ideas, and feelings on church growth. The hope is that these meetings will help revitalize our church’s commitment to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Within the past few days, you should have received a letter from the church inviting you to sign up for a Focus Group meeting on Evangelism. These will be held between October 19-24 at a variety of times and locations described in the letter. There is also a response card - please return this to the church office as soon as possible. We also want to hear from our youth and younger members! You are encouraged to participate! Childcare for small children can be provided at the church if you let the office know by October 16.

*********

The First Presbyterian Church

Deming, New Mexico

 Each worship service in October will have a guest preacher. The final Sunday of celebration will be on October 25 and Harry Frazier will play the bagpipes. There will be a catered dinner after the service and reservations can be made at

(505)546-2357 by October 18.

Presbyterian & Disciples Campus

Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral Street

David Sallee, Campus Minister

Wednesdays

Fellowship at the BRIDGE

8:00 PM

Bible study at the BRIDGE

9:00 PM

New Mexico State University

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH

OF LAS CRUCES

FOUNDATION, INC.

First, let’s assume you hold xzy corporation stock worth $5,000 and you purchased it several years ago for almost nothing (it could be a bond or mutual fund also). Let’s further assume that your pledge for the year to the church is $5,000.

Example 1. You sell your stock for $5,000 (or maybe a little of it each month) and give it to the church for your pledge. In doing so you will receive the normal gift deduction to the church. However, you will be responsible for paying the capital gains tax of 20% on your appreciated stock. That means you will pay approximately $1,000 in taxes and your total outlay will be $6,000 (before the gift tax credit).

Example 2. You "gift" the same $5,000 stock directly to the foundation. You might further direct the foundation to pay out 1/12 of the total each month to the church toward your pledge. This can easily be accomplished. In this example the total gift by you is the same $5,000.00 as in example 1. However, you do not have to pay any capital gains tax. Your out-of-pocket

expense was $5,000, not $6,000, and you still receive the gift tax credit. Of course, it is the hope of the church that you might share some of the savings with the foundation. This is a win/win situation.

You can see how exciting this gets! If you have further questions, call Kathy Tucker, financial secretary at the church office, or talk to one of the foundation directors: Lyn Ames, Joel Tomlin or Jim Parks. All inquiries and gifts will remain confidential. And, please do check with your financial or tax professional.

PRESBYTERY OF

SIERRA BLANCA

FALL FESTIVAL 1998

SPEAKER: The Rev. Douglas Oldenburg

Saturday, November 7

8 A.M. - 4 P.M.

First Presbyterian Church

Ruidoso, NM

Brochures are available in the church office with workshop and registration information.

Reyann Sias was born on September 11 to Carrie and Rey. Kathi Becker is the proud grandmother.

Lorene Townsend and Carl Howard will be married on October 10 at 2:00 in High Rolls.

John Poling:

* in Dallas on Oct. 8-10 at the

"Gathering of Presbyterians III"

Jackie Poling:

* joining John in Dallas Oct. 9-13 to take Elisa to Scottish Rite and spend a few days with Paul and Amy.

Brian McPherson:

Please turn in your blue survey forms so we can complete our congregational data base and know everybody’s birthday!