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First Presbyterian Church |
Holy Week Services
Palm Sunday, March 28 Sermon: "Welcoming the Messiah"Special Music: A Cantata by Chancel Choir
"Mass in F: Blessed is He Who Comes"
by Franz Schubert
Processional with three choirs and palm branches
Tuesday, March 30 Christian Seder Meal at 6:00 PM
Maundy Thursday, April 1 Holy Communion and Tenebrae Service at 7:30 PM
Sermon: "From the Table Through the Shadows"
Special Music by Chancel Choir
Good Friday, April 2 Service of Solemn Intercession at 12:15 PM
Prayer Vigil in the Sanctuary at 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Easter Sunday, April 4 Celebration of the Resurrection!
6:30 AM Sunrise Service with contemporary music
7:15 AM Breakfast, prepared and served by Mens Fellowship
9:15 AM Intergenerational Sunday School: An Easter Film Festival
10:30 AM Worship Service
Sermon: "From Empty to Full"
Public Reception of Confirmation Class and other new members.
Presbyterian Womens
Spring Luncheon
Saturday, April 24, 1999
1:15 P.M.
Good Samaritan -University Terrace
3045 Buena Vida Circle
$8.00
"Spring Fashions
from Carolene De Mesilla"
We will also present new Lifetime Honorariums, dedicate the annual Birthday offering, and install a new slate of officers.
All women of First Presbyterian and their guests are cordially invited! Tickets will be available from Circle and Guild members after worship on April 11 & 18, and in the church office.
Deadline for buying tickets is noon, April 20.
*Coordinating Team will meet on Tuesday, April 20 at 9:30 A.M. in the library.
The
Womens Spiritual Retreat willbe re-scheduled for this fall.
Monthly
HYMN-SING
on April 18.
Join us at 10:20 for singing favorites from the congregation!
Move your clocks
one hour ahead on
Easter Sunday, April 4!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LAS CRUCES FOUNDATION, INC.
AN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY:
DO YOU WANT TO EARN MORE THAN A CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT AND
HELP THE CHURCH?
Do you have funds currently earning CD rates or less that you are willing to loan to the church and earn 7.25%? The First Presbyterian Church of Las Cruces Foundation currently owns a home in the Telshor area. The Foundation Board will be placing a mortgage on the property (no more than 50% loan to value) in order to provide part of the funds for re-paving the church parking lot.
The Foundation Board has confirmed that the mortgage funds can be obtained through a local commercial lender (bank). However, it was suggested that there may be people in the congregation who might like to help the church while obtaining a greater return on their own funds. What the Board is looking for is a 10 year mortgage at a rate of 7.25% and in an amount of $55,000. Should you not wish to commit your funds for that length of time, we might arrange for a shorter length mortgage. If you are interested, but dont desire to tie up that much money you can still participate as a joint holder of the mortgage with other people putting up additional portions of the funds.
Please contact a Board member: Lyn Ames,
Joel Tomlin or Jim Parks or the church financial secretary, Kathy Tucker, if interested. Any inquiries will be kept confidential.
Your help is needed!
If you learn that someone has been hospitalized, or has a surgery scheduled, please call the church office or Pastor John Poling. Memorial Medical Center will not list church affiliation or notify pastors. Thanks!
Adult Education
Sunday School at 9:00 A.M.
New Adult Class
"Soundings in John: The Prologue"
This new video series by the popular New Testament scholar and teacher, Dr. Dale Bruner, presents a wonderful window on the riches in the Gospel of John.
Teacher: Marsha Topley
"A Study of Revelation"
Teacher: Dick Dale (Reeves Parlor)
Thursday afternoons
3:30-5:00 P.M. in Jones Hall
"Kerygma: The Bible in Depth"
Teacher: Al Kissling (Jones #115)
Vacation Bible School
June 21-25
9-12 AM
Note the later date!!
The Day They Kidnapped the Pope
a comedy written by Joao Bethencourt
presented by Las Cruces Community Theatre
and directed by Ray Carter
April 16-18, 23-25, 30, May 1-2
This play explores what might happen if the Pope were kidnapped and held for ransom - a day of world peace! It has been presented around the world and received highly favorable reviews. Tickets are $5.00 each for groups of 10 or more. More information can be obtained by calling Ray or Sue Carter (522-6898).
for
YOUNG
ADULTS
Free Homemade Dinner and Fellowship
Every Sunday evening 6:30-9:00 PM
Sue Spencer, our Associate Pastor, is hosting a fellowship and Bible study in her home,
2215 Coleen Ct. (524-2558). Please come!
Teacher Recognition Sunday
April 25
A large, dedicated team of teachers plant seeds of eternal hope in the hearts, and minds of our children, youth, and adults through our educational efforts. Sunday, April 25, will be a special chance to say "thank you" to all of them in worship and at a reception! Please join us!
Sierra Blanca Presbytery
will meeting in Alamogordo
April 23 & 24
The BRIDGE
Presbyterian & Disciples Campus
Ministry at NMSU
2511 Chaparral Street
522-6404
David Sallee, Campus Minister
Wednesdays
Fellowship at the BRIDGE
8:00 PM
Bible study at the BRIDGE
9:00 PM
Congregational News
* Art and Jodie Trout were married on 4/4/44 and will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary on Easter, April 4. Congratulations!!
* Col. Frank Hollar celebrated his 100th birthday on March 24. Happy Birthday!
New Babies!
* Scout Analise was born on February 27 to Frank and Carla Briggs Gonzales. Beverly Briggs is the proud new grandmother!
* Elizabeth Louise was born on March 4 to Max and Jasey Loman. Steve and Janet Loman are the proud new grandparents!
* Allison Lauren was born on March 5 to Jeff and Katrina Parks. Jim and Jacque Parks are the proud new grandparents!
Deaths
Ralph Stucky on March 9
Irene Gartley on March 13
Please keep these families in your prayers.
Staff News
* Sue Spencer at LOGOS Training School in Albuquerque, April 12-14.
* John and Jackie Poling at a Wee Kirk Conference in Colorado Springs, April 26-May 1
February Income and Expenses
Operating Income $ 24,326.10
Operating Expenses 39,192.03
Balance $ -14,865.93
Year-to-Date Summary
Operating Income $ 55,274.98
Operating Expenses 68,022.32
Balance $-12,747.34
Corrections to the 1999
Church Directory
BLACKMER, Laurie, Dakota
1717 Payne St.
LC, NM 88001
GRAHAM, Lucile
3025 Terrace Dr. Rm. #507
LC, NM 88011
GRANDLE, Robert & JoAnne
P.O. Box 2103
LC, NM 88004
MILES, Jim & Cheryl
541-1892
RATH, Mary Lou
P.O. Box 457
LC, NM 88004-0457
An Easter Film Festival
Safe at Home
April 4
9:15 A.M. in Watkins Hall
This family film tells an uplifting and humorous story sure to help believers of all ages look forward to heaven and inspire us to share our faith now. Everyone is invited to this fellowship time! There will be childcare for infants and a class for pre-schoolers.
The Mens Fellowship under the leadership of Lyn Ames will prepare a delicious meal of scrambled eggs, ham, and hot-crossed buns! 7:15 A.M.
(Donations accepted.)
An Easter Invitation
Included in this Lantern is an invitation for you to share your faith and invite someone to Celebrate the Resurrection with us on April 4!
Mid-Week Youth Ministry
Wednesdays
The Salt & Light Co. is our congregations way of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with young people! Since January, 1992, this mid-week youth ministry (a LOGOS program) has been working to provide a faithful and powerful witness to Gods grace and mercy.
It has been exciting to register 5 new kids this spring! Meeting their parents and having their volunteer efforts join ours has been a pleasure.
Special Note: Our Salt & Light Wednesdays together will continue on May 5 & 12 because public school wont be done until June 4. Mark your calendar: Well celebrate another great year of Salt & Light at a Pentecost Picnic and Birthday Party on Sunday, May 23 after worship!
Fellowship Groups
Vine & Branches
This fellowship group of parents and young couples meets monthly for a variety of activities. On April 17, well take a family outing to White Sands! Meet at First Presbyterian Church at 1:30 - bring a food to share - hotdogs and hamburgers will be provided. Call Art Garcia for details.
In-Betweeners
This fellowship group of "empty nesters" (singles and couples) meets each month for different activities. This group meets for lunch after worship on the third Sunday of each month. We will be attending a Barbershop Concert on April 24.
Desert Cruisers
Important Information for Senior Citizens! At the next meeting on April 26 at 12 noon, Officer Angie Smith from the Las Cruces Police Department will present information on the Vial for Life program. Bring a covered dish and join us!
Mens Prayer and Work Retreat
Camp Chimney Spring
May 15-17
Devotional Leader: Al Kissling
This camp will bring together men from Sierra Blanca and Tres Rios Presbyteries for a weekend of work and spiritual renewal. Meals and accommodations will be provided for Friday evening through Sunday lunch. Total cost for the weekend is just $15. (Donations for building supplies will be greatly appreciated.)
Last year First Presbyterian Church had the biggest work crew and we hope to have twice as many men go this year! Plan to join the fellowship! Sign-up in the church office. If you have any questions, call Barry Prahl (526-1458).
BEYOND OUR WALLS
April, 1999 Missions Bulletin of First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, N.M. Vol. 1, No. 5
What on earth is the 10/40 Window? Where in the world is it, and what does it have to do with us here at First Presbyterian?
Luis Bush, dynamic founder of the AD2000 & Beyond Movement, coined this useful term about ten years ago. The 10/40 Window is an area extending across Africa and Asia and lying between the latitudes 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator. It includes the northern half of Africa, the Middle Eastern countries, India, much of China and southeastern Asia and Japan and the Philippines. The countries in or near the 10/40 Window are under-evangelized compared to most of the rest of the world. Though the Window covers only 35% of the earths surface, it includes 65% of its population. Missions scholar Patrick Johnstone, author of The Church Is Bigger Than You Think, declares that 95% of the 1.2-1.4 billion people who have never had a chance to hear the Gospel live inside the Window area.
But theres more to it than that. Johnstone also tells us that over 90% of the worlds poorest, most deprived, most illiterate, and most abused people live in and around the Window. This is a part of the world where AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and similar diseases rampage largely unchecked. It is especially difficult to minister to peoples spiritual and material needs in the 10/40 Window because of a variety of antagonistic political and religious systems, climatic and other geographical difficulties, and lifestyle barriers. It is in and around the 10/40 Window that the Church faces many of its most powerful challenges.
Because of Gods concern for the entire world and because of Christs compelling love for all humanity, Christians are obligated to respond to the challenges of the 10/40 Window. We have committed ourselves to follow Christ and try to do what he calls us to do in this life and in this world. To follow him includes understanding the needs of our sin-cursed world and then responding. We need to know about and understand challenges like the 10/40 Window. We need to participate in meeting such challenges through intercessory prayer, admonition, encouragement, financial support and, for some of us, moving forward into the front lines of the struggle.
Have you read through the statement of the all peoples imperative? You may wish to review it before we continuing your look at the 10/40 Window.
This statement of the all peoples imperative appears in each issue of Beyond Our Walls. It is for those new to First Presbyterian Church and for those who find it helpful to review the scriptural foundation for our churchs worldwide outreach. You may want to use it from time to time as a devotional exercise.
Outreach is foundational to the life of our church. It is the backbone of the Old and New Testaments. It begins with Gods promise to bless all peoples of the earth through Abraham and his descendants. It is not an agreement to be carried out only if humans respond favorably. It is Gods unconditional declaration of what he will do through his followers.
We invite you to read and meditate on the following instances of Gods promise. The promise to Abraham: Genesis 12: 1-3; Genesis 18:16-18; Genesis 22:15-18. The promise to Isaac: Genesis 26:2-4. The promise to Jacob: Genesis 28:10-14. Davids recognition of the promise: Psalm 22:27-28. Isaiahs recognition of the promise: Isaiah 44:22; Isaiah 49:1, 5-6; Simeons awareness of the promise: Luke 2:30-32. Jesus proclamation of the promise: Matthew 28:19; Mark 13:10; Luke 24:44-47; Acts 1:7-8. Pauls recognition of the promise: Galatians 3:6-9; The promise in Johns Revelation: Revelation 5:8-9; Revelation 7:9-10.
The Bible contains many examples of descendants of Abraham, including Jesus himself, being a blessing to non-Jewish peoples. Any church that is functioning as God desires consists of Christians who are communicating Christs salvation and love through their words and lives to their spouses and children, relatives, friends, and acquaintances and, also, who are helping to send and support dedicated messengers of Christs salvation and love to people groups around the world.
Many of the people groups listed for "adoption" in the Adopt-a-People Program our church participates in are located in the 10/40 Window. The Dalits, (or Untouchables) of northern India lie within the Window, as does the entire country of India. The Suri of western Ethiopia also are found within the Window. Both have been adopted by our congregation for special concern and support. See the February and March 1999 issues of Beyond Our Walls for reviews of some of what is going on in these two adopted groups.
We help support work in other 10/40 groups, also. Wycliffe Bible Translator Donna Evans has been translating Scripture for the Ledo of Indonesia. Don and Kim are involved in educational ministry in southern China. John and Marnie Pickering, now on furlough in the U.S., have been working in Mongolia. Ron and Donna Pontier of the Africa Inland Mission have worked among groups in southern Sudan, though they are stationed in Kenya at the moment because of the severe dangers of working in that part of Sudan. Lu Stephens, while no longer living in Japan, is working among Japanese and other students from the 10/40 area of Asia. Finally, some of the literacy work guided by Joel and Barbara Trudell of Wycliffe Bible Translators is being done in African areas of the Window.
Some of these people are working in places very difficult or, even, dangerous for Christian foreigners. They need our encouragement and constant prayer. Though there are national Christians in all the places where these missionaries are, churches either have not yet been established or are very young. Commonly, new Christians are harassed or in danger because of their newfound faith. Only two years ago the Dalits weathered a severe attack by a militant Hindu group, and new Suri Christians have been targeted for death. We need to pray that new Christians in societies hostile to Christianity will find the strength and wisdom they need so badly.
If we open ourselves to God, He can lead us to pray daily for the coming of the gospel to all places difficult and dangerous for Christians. Johnstone lists the 10/40 countries of Algeria, Bhutan, Iran, Maldives, North Korea, Sahara, and Somalia as among the most dangerous for foreign Christians. Christian missionaries are not accepted in these countries, and national Christians, in those societies where there are any, are in danger.
Only limited tent-making ministry (see Acts 18:1-4) is possible in a number of other countries. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Comoro, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, and Libya are examples. Open Christian witness in several other countries remains limited. Surely, we followers of Christ have much to know, much to understand, much to pray about, much to do!
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Last update
2006-01-10 21:18:16