Selections from The Lantern, September 1999. The Lantern is the monthly newsletter of the First Presbyterian Church.

Fellowship Groups

Vine and Branches

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 October 2 they will meet at the church at 8:00 A.M. and carpool to Bill and Barbara Diener’s cabin in Kingston. Bring a dish to share and the meat will be provided. Call Jacque Parks at 526-8180 for more information.

Desert Cruisers

 Sierra Blanca Presbytery

September 24-25

Northminster Presbyterian Church -Las Cruces

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

Emergency Relief for Turkey

With the death toll from the devastating earthquake in Turkey reaching into the tens of thousands, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance office has already sent $100,000 to our church partners in the region for the immediate purchase of tents, medical supplies, lanterns, food and other humanitarian relief items. $50,000 has come from funds designated for international disasters and $50,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. presbyterian Disaster Assistance has established a special account for those wishing to support the relief efforts in Turkey. It is PDA account # 9-2000142-Turkey relief. Donations can be sent through our church office or to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Staff News

* John Poling will be gone September 20-22 to Dallas for the Gathering of Presbyterians sponsored by The Presbyterian Coalition.

* Jackie Poling will be gone on vacation September 28-October 1 to Phoenix.

* Tammy Prahl will be out of the office on September 8 on vacation.

July Income and Expenses:

Operating Income $ 26,922.54

Operating Expenses 21,641.04

Balance $ 5,281.50

Year-to-date through July:

Operating Income $188,857.24

Operating Expenses 204,259.84

Balance $- 15,402.60

Fellowship

This international, inter-denominational program of directed Bible study for women is held on our property every Thursday. The plan for the program is designed to cover the entire Bible in six years. Women are invited to visit on Thursday, September 16 and Thursday, September 23 from 9:00-11:30 AM. Please contact Barbara Danley, 525-9390, if you are interested.

A Hometown Boy

Harry Beckett, son of Archie and Mary Beckett, is a gifted musician in Branson, Missouri who grew up in our congregation! As part of a research project, Harry has given five Contemporary English Version (CEV) texts of the Bible a new beat. The experiment tests whether CEV texts can combine with popular music styles in a way that is faithful to the biblical passage and acceptable to listeners who favor radio, audio-cassette. and music-CD programming, If successful, the experiment could expand the American Bible Society’s historic mission by including Scripture formatted as popular music.

Beckett’s songs feature a gospel rendering of Psalm 96 entitled Sing a New Song to the Lord and a bluegrass setting for Mark 10:46-52, The Story of Bartimaeus. The prototypes also include a country song based on an adaptation of 1 John 4:7-21, God is Love; a rock opera treatment of a text from Ezekiel, Ezekiel’s Shout Against the City; and an easy-listening "top 40" piece based on a passage from 2 Timothy, Paul’s Message to Timothy.

To access the songs, and the translation guidelines and principles, go to the ABS website at: http://www.researchcenter.org and click on Studio. Then, at the left, click on Studio, Prototyping/Experimenting, and Audio Scriptures.

Men, women, youth and children are needed! Call Ray Carter (522-6989) for details.

A Gathering of Presbyterians

sponsored by

The Presbyterian Coalition

September 20-22 in Dallas

This gathering of Presbyterians is committed to supporting the traditional standards of our faith. The aim is to equip presbyters to encourage the peace, unity, and purity of our church.

The Session of our church believes it is important to continue our involvement with Presbyterians for Renewal. John Poling and one elder will be attending this gathering. Please keep them and other leaders in your prayers.

Sponsored by Presbyterian Women

Start now making something to support our mission projects!

What is the 1999 Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity Building on Faith Project? The 1999 Building on Faith Project is a chance for the faith community of Las Cruces to join together with the local Habitat affiliate in helping to eliminate poverty housing in our community by building simple, decent and affordable housing for Habitat partner families. Two families in our town will be getting the exterior construction completed on their new homes by the end of September!

What can First Presbyterian Church do to help?

We want to provide a full team of 12 workers for several days! You can sign-up to work full or half shifts, single or multiple days - and lunch will be provided! It would be great to have some builders and/or contractors from our congregation, but there is a job for everyone!

Have some questions? Ready to volunteer?

Call Anne Miller (525-1469) or Al Kissling (521-0032). There will be a sign-up sheet in the office.

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