First Presbyterian Church
Las Cruces, NM
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First Presbyterian Church |
By Lantern Light:
Unwanted Change as Gift
Hope and plan, plan and hope. Live through the meanwhile. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Plan your work, work your plan.
These sayings are prevalent in all sorts of self-help books, some of them passed down from the far-distant past of humankind. As advice, folk wisdom is often useful, even though somewhat contradictory at times (my favorite contradictory sayings: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." "Out of site, out of mind.") An entire book of the Bible, Proverbs, is given over to distilled wisdom passed from generation to generation.We are drawn to them because we are creatures who remember and record our experiences. We are creatures who envision the future -- not always without fear -- and strengthen our resolve to work toward goals with informed optimism.
Very few things in our lives come out exactly as we had hoped or planned. When they do, we find a great satisfaction. The "Inner Planner" within us (as important to be in touch with as the "Inner Child") prompts us to take credit, to check that big item off our list, to act nonchalant in the midst of absolute surprise. We also do well to be in regular touch with our "Inner Hoper," which I think of as more a gift from God rather than a character trait. That part of us that hopes for the best while planning for the worst is the locus of surprise, but celebrates the outcome with less nonchalance and more abandon.
We also gain a sense of outcomes we don’t want in our lives. We accept, most of us, the normal range of disappointments and sorrows. That’s part of maturing and a major source of wisdom. We bolster ourselves in failure by remembering Edison’s many light bulbs that didn’t work. On a deeper level, we begin to realize that we are sometimes introduced to loss by God. God wants us stripped of all other support and confidence except that which remains from and in God. We become acquainted with loss and grief and read with new understanding Jesus’ statement about losing our lives to find them.
As Christians -- those called by Christ into the Kingdom already underway, yet not fully realized or seen -- we become skilled in living as if in a world of the not yet. Scripture and the creeds of the church are full of encouragement to live faithfully when immediate circumstances would seem to reward only the unfaithful. This movement called the Church, the activity of those who follow Christ, is a profoundly counter-cultural movement. We are immersed in counter-cultural activity that is counter to every human culture. The missionary movement is full of accounts of folks who learned more of Christ from recent converts in foreign lands than they ever knew before venturing out from home.
These thoughts have their immediate stimulus in a book by M. Craig Barnes, Pastor of the National Presbyterian Church, Washington, DC, which I picked up to read this summer. The book is titled WHEN GOD INTERRUPTS and carries the subtitle "Finding New Life Through Unwanted Change." In the first of that volume, Craig provides the following thoughts from The Confessions of St. Augustine. I offer them to you as encouragement in your own counter-cultural life:
As the time comes when you no longer wish to see what I had previously desired, when instead your will is what you wanted, it is then that you purify me. But where has my freedom been for so long? From what secret depths was it dragged out in an instant that I might agree to bow my head beneath your yoke which is gentle and accept on my shoulders your burden which is light, O Lord Jesus Christ, my strength and my redeemer? How suddenly comforting it was to lose the false comforts of the past! I had long feared losing them, and now it was a joy to throw them away. Truly it was you who put them far from me, my true and supreme comfort; you put them far away and set yourself in their place. THE CONFESSIONS 9.1
May Augustine’s comfort be our experience through hopes deferred, plans thwarted and unwanted change experienced!
And may the Lord bless you and keep you forever.
Yours in Christ,
John Clark Poling
Sunday School For Everyone!
August 15 & 22
9:00 A.M.
Adults: Video Musical Presentation:
Cotton Patch Gospel
Meet in the Cinema in Reeves Hall.
Senior High: Senior High Room
(Reeves #301)
Mid-School: Mid-School Room
(Reeves #316)
Pre-K through Grade 5:
Thanksgiving for the Great Escape
and Our Freedom in the Law.
Meet in Watkins Hall for games, lessons & video fun.
Classes for children 4 years
through adult! There will
be a class for 2 and 3 year
olds in Branigan
as well as childcare
for infants and toddlers.
New Children’s Worship Bulletins
Under the guidance of the Christian Education Committee, we are working toward a more holistic approach to studying Scripture in our worship and educational efforts. One way to do this is by using the New Revised Common Lectionary . Pastor John Poling has been preaching from the lectionary for many years and our music staff coordinates much of the worship music with this resource. Often the lectionary guides Jackie Poling’s children’s sermons. Now we are trying new children’s bulletins for Sundays that will follow the gospel lessons each week.
Classes following the lectionary passages and other resources are being planned for fall. Watch the September Lantern for more details.
Teachers Needed!
We have a quality Christian education program with excellent materials! We have bright, inquisitive children, youth and adults who want to know Jesus better! We have workshops and classrooms that are fun, inviting environments!
What we need is YOU!
All of us need relationships where we feel liked and encouraged. Teachers can provide these necessary ties in the Christian faith. Can you help? Please call Jackie Poling (526-5559) and volunteer!
The Bible in Depth
Wednesday evenings: 6:45-8:15 P.M.
The Rev. Al Kissling has offered to teach another round! His condition: at least 8 new students!!
This excellent course takes basic themes of the Old and New Testaments and follows them from Genesis through Revelation. With this thematic approach, a person can learn the people, events and books of the Bible in persective and appreciate in a deeper way how God has worked with his people throughout the centuries.
Students in the class last year asked for it again!! Talk to Evelyn Horst or Mell Peterson or Ralph or Ann Miller or Bob Hartley about what made this such a great class! Then call the office right away and signup, so we know if we can offer the class beginning September 15!
An Active Youth Program:
Summer Camp Report!
Camp Chimney Spring
9 elementary children
3 youth
1 counselor
Mission Team to Tucson
6 youth
2 children
3 sponsors
Montreat-West in Colorado (Sr. High)
3 youth
1 sponsor
Great Escape in Gunnison, CO
(Mid-school)
9 youth
2 sponsors
Support by the congregation of the many fundraisers this year made these events possible for everyone. Generous giving provided additional monetary scholarships for 16 kids.
Special thanks to the Daniels and Prahls for generously sacrificing vacation time to volunteer for these events! Sue Spencer did a great job leading the workteam to inner-city Tucson and the House of Neighborly Services.
Vacation Bible School
The Fisherman’s Story:
Jesus Calls Peter was a great success!
57 kids and 17 youth were involved. Many thanks to all the teachers and other adults who shared the work and made the week possible. Special thanks goes to directors Nicole Rawson, Christy Black, and Sue Spencer!
*A column in Time magazine (July 26, 1999) was an excellent endorsement for the value and revival of Vacation Bible Schools across the country. They were called "Camps for the Soul."
Everyone is invited to join this fellowship time in the green shady courtyard! We hope it won’t rain! (But, despite the rain, almost 90 people enjoyed themselves in July!)
One of the youth groups will provide sub-sandwiches and yummy desserts for a donation or Bring your own picnic lunch! Drinks will be provided by the Congregational Life Committee and tables will be set up.
Urgent:
Search for Music Staff
A search is beginning for a director for the Salt & Light Co. elementary choir and youth choir and for 2 handbell choirs: youth and adult. We are seeking one person to fill this position, but will accept applications for any of the choir positions. Contact Bill McMillan or Jackie Poling at 526-5559 for more information or if you have a suggestion.
In-Betweeners
This fellowship group of "empty nesters" (singles and couples) meets each month for different activities. They also meet for lunch after worship on the third Sunday of each month.
On August 27, this group will meet at 6:00 P.M. at Otis and Pauline Farmer’s home (3104 Orange) for a dinner and game night. Hamburgers and chili dogs will be provided. Call Pauline at
525-0727 to find out what to bring for the potluck. Don’t miss this evening of fun and food!
Camp Chimney Spring: 1st Annual
Open Work Retreat
The Camp Chimney Spring Board of Directors has scheduled the first work retreat for everybody - men, women, children, and youth of all ages - on October 8-10. There will be simple projects, medium-difficulty maintenance projects, and demanding construction projects. There will be fellowship for everyone and some devotional time as well. If you have questions, call Ray Carter (522-6898 or 678-1536). More details in a later Lantern.
* * *
The BRIDGE
Presbyterian & Disciples Campus
Ministry at NMSU
2511 Chaparral Street
522-6404
David Sallee, Campus Minister
Wednesdays
Bible Study at the BRIDGE
8:00 PM
Kick-off Bar-B-Que
at the BRIDGE
August 25th
6:00 - 11:00 PM
Music/Fun/Food
Annual Mountain Retreat
Keep our campers in your prayers!
Many of our members will be enjoying fellowship, Bible study, and worship together at Camp Chimney Spring, in the cool, forest near Cloudcroft on August 6-8. Both pastors, John Poling and Sue Spencer, will be leading the weekend events.
August and September
are Big Visitor Months!
New families have moved to Las Cruces over the summer and school is starting. When you see a visitor at church, here are a few practical suggestions of what to say and do:
1. Introduce yourself and say, "I don’t believe we’ve met, have we?"
2. If the person is a visitor, ask, "What brings you to our church today?"
This may provide some information on how the church may continue to be of service to that person.
3. If it can be done graciously, introduce the visitor to someone else near you or someone you know may share a common interest. (If there is a child or youth, please be sure to direct them to another parent or to Sue or Jackie.
4. Don’t forget to invite the visitor to return or to attend another event at the church.
Remember: Being interested, loving and caring is not just the job of the greeters or staff. It’s the job of every member of the congregation!
June Income and Expenses:
Operating Income $ 22,678.56
Operating Expenses 25,011.55
Balance $ -2,332.99
Year-to-date through June:
Operating Income $161,934.70
Operating Expenses 182,618.80
Balance $ -20,684.10
With full staff and program in 1999, you will note the cash flow deficit that we are experiencing. We encourage everyone to help with this, so we can catch up as we enter the busy fall season. Thank you for already giving so generously to our congregation’s ministry.
Congregational News
Births:
* Evan Richard was born on May 29 to Dina and Max Schroeder. The proud new grandparents are Steve and Janet Loman.
* Tanner Reese was born on July 23 to Kenneth and Janine Welch. Nancy Welch is the proud new grandmother.
Death:
* Lee Daniels died on July 23.
A New Doctor:
* Stacey Smith Watson, daughter of Stan and Sonya Smith, completed her residency in internal medicine at Michigan State Universtiy - Kalamazoo on June 25. Dr. Watson is presently in private practice in internal medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Staff News
* Brian McPherson will be on vacation August 18-24 in Anchorage, AK.
* Jackie Poling will be gone August 6-10 to Fort Collins, CO leading workshops at the PC(USA) National Small Church Celebration. Jackie will also be gone August 20-22 driving Amy to school in Dallas.
An Update on the Polings
After making five moves between May 13 and July 11, John, Jackie, Elisa, and Amy have settled in at 3310 Buena Vida Circle (532-0784). They will stay there until their house re-construction is finished - hopefully, the first week in September! Paul is studying linguistics at Summer Institute of Linguistics (an arm of Wycliffe Bible Translators) in Dallas. Amy will return to Austin College on August 20. Thanks for keeping the Polings in your prayers!
August 29
Kicking off another year of educational opportunities for everyone!
9:00 Intergenerational Learning Fun in Watkins HallWe’ll even prepare some music for worship!
10:30 Worship in the SanctuaryWe’ll sing some praise songs
and present Bibles to new third graders!
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Last update 2002-06-24 12:44:13