Bleakness, hunger, loneliness, fear are images of the wilderness. We do not think as clearly when we are hungry, afraid, lonely, or bone-tired. We find ourselves becoming resentful: “I don’t deserve this!” We make promises, “If I ever get out of this, I’ll….” We yield to self-pity: “It’s no good; I might just as well die.” We listen to voices that seem to offer help, and in our vulnerable state we cannot decide whether the voices are good or evil.

The children of Israel were in the wilderness for forty years. Jesus of Nazareth was there for forty days. Forty years, forty days, of being hungry and lonely and afraid and bone-tired. Both were vulnerable, easily tempted by seductive solutions.

We now stand at the threshold of our own symbolic wilderness, the forty days of Lent. Even if all is going well in our lives, this period reminds us that the wilderness is real, and that we find ourselves in it when we least expect to. We are open to voices that seem to offer hope but that deal out death.

In Psalm 91 we read, “Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you.” When we understand this, the wilderness loses its terror and becomes instead the area where we face the dark realities of life and find comfort and courage in the God who is our refuge and our strength.

PEACE!

March 2—Communion Sunday

Someone has described Christian Worship as beginning with recollection and ending with expectation; beginning with a look backward, and ending with a look forward. Let’s think more about this. Gus brings us this communion meditation.

March 5—Ash Wednesday Testing, One, Two, Three

Did you ever wonder how far your love of God could be tested, and then decide that you really didn’t want to try to find out? Then did you wonder what to do with the temptations you already are trying to deal with? Read Luke 4:1-13.

March 9—Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday

The sermon title tells it all. Read Mark 15:33-41 and let’s find out together.

LENTEN SERIES ENTITLED “WHO ARE YOU, JESUS?”

March 16—Second Sunday in Lent I Am the Way

Jesus doesn’t simply give us a lot of good advice, solid philosophy, directions on how to live. He takes us by the hand and leads us, walks with us, strengthens us, guides us, and directs us personally. He does not tell us about the way, He is the way. Read John 14:1-7.

MARCH 23—Third Sunday in Lent I Am The Door

There are all kinds of doors; plain, fancy, glass, wood. Regardless of the kind, the function of a door is to separate, divide; it represents a barrier. This fact really bothered me when I thought about Jesus being a door. Read John 10:1-9 and see what this is all about.

March 30—Fourth Sunday in Lent I Am the Good Shepherd

Does anybody care anymore? Few things are so precious to us as to have someone call us by name. No wonder we cherish the concept of God as the shepherd, who call us “by name.” Revealing Himself as the “Good Shepherd,” who calls his sheep by name, is significant. Read John 10:11-16.

This Series will be concluded in April

A special Ash Wednesday Service will be held in our Sanctuary on Ash Wednesday, March 5^th at 7:00 PM. If you do not normally attend Salt and Light for family dinner, you are invited to come share a meal with them beginning at 6:10 PM in Reeves/Watkins Hall.

This is the beginning of the Lenten Season as we begin our journey to Easter with the sign of ashes. The service will include the imposition of ashes indicating the frailty and uncertainty of life, and marks the penitence of this community. Gus will be preaching on the temptations of Jesus at that service with the sermon entitled “Testing, One, Two, Three”.

Please come join us as we being this journey together.

In 1993, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) recommended that congregations observe a Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday to be held on the Sunday closest to March 8^th. The purpose of this observance is to celebrate and honor individual women who contribute their gifts to the church and community.

We will observe this on Sunday, March 9^th during worship. The Call to Worship that day will be the holding up of women of the Bible and their contributions to the faith. Gus will be preaching about the faith of three women in a sermon entitled, What Do You Do When You Can’t Do Anything?

Statistics by no stretch give the whole picture of the life and ministry of a congregation. We do have to compile them and they do give some picture of what happened in that realm last year.

At the Annual Meeting of the congregation held February 2^nd, these following statistics were reported to the General Assembly.

During 2002 34 new members were received and 16 were lost; eleven through death, and five by letter of transfer. Active membership at the close of 2002 was 410. There were a total of 5 baptisms, four infant and one adult.

Total income for the year from all church budgets was $490,359 of which $68,720 went to missions. Included in mission giving was a total of $16,194 given to One Great Hour of Sharing and the Christmas Joy Offering.

With deep humility we thank and praise God for His rich blessing to us last year, and with faith and vision we look forward to greater service in 2003.

Following months of study, consultations with committee chairmen, Presbyterian Women, church staff, a Facilities and Equipment Use Policy was prepared by the Administration Committee and approved by the Session. It is the desire to keep the congregation informed of these policies, so excerpts are being printed here. This is a seven page document a complete copy of which can be found in the church office.

ADMINISTRATION: All requests for use of church facilities and/or equipment must be presented in writing to the Office Manager. A Master Calendar will be maintained in the church office with all approved requests posted with dates, times, and places indicated.

OUTSIDE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS may use the church facilities if their purposes are considered worthy and if their programs do not conflict with scheduled church activities.

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO in any form shall not be served or consumed anywhere within the boundaries of the church’s property.

LOANING EQUIPMENT: Loaning equipment such as tables, chairs. dishes, tools, audio-visual, PC’s and printers to groups or organizations for use off campus is discouraged. These items may be borrowed for church related functions if requested in writing and approval is obtained from the Administration Committee. Actual checkout and release of the equipment will be coordinated thru the Office Manager.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES: All church owned office equipment is for the support of the varied church functions and shall not be used for private purposes.

KEYS: (This is too lengthy to reproduce here. Any questions should be submitted to the Office Manager.) Briefly, keys will be assigned on a “need” basis; are not to be duplicated nor loaned to others. When the need of a key ceases to exist, the key is to be returned to the church office. A Key Log will be maintained with key holders identified.

Security and protection of personnel, church buildings, equipment and supplies is an important concern.

GIFTS: Before memorials and gifts are purchased and offered to the congregation, their proposed purpose, content, and description should be submitted to the church session for determination if such gifts harmonize with design and purpose of church facilities. Used items shall not be accepted as gifts unless prior arrangements have been made for their use or disposal. All memorials and gifts received shall become, without qualification, the property of the congregation.

ORGAN – PIANO: All requests to use the organ and/or piano shall be coordinated with the Worship Committee and the church organist for determination of acceptability and practice times. All times for use shall be placed on the Master Calendar in the church office.

CHURCH VAN: (Too lengthy to reproduce here. Persons using or anticipating using the van must request a copy of the policy and agree to it.)

WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS: Policies available in the church office as needed.

Please remember the above is a brief accounting of major aspects of the Policy. It is the hope that having such a Policy in place with the congregation informed will facilitate a more efficient use of our church facilities. Any questions should be directed to any member of the Administration Committee. All session members will have copies.

At the Annual Meeting of the congregation held February 2^nd, the congregation with approximately 150 members attending, unanimously (by voice vote) approved going forth with Phase One of the Facility Renewal Project.

Phase One includes: new roofs and new air-conditioning and heating systems for all buildings on our campus (including removal of the cross on top of the sanctuary); a remodeling of Branigan Hall to meet state standards for a Christian Day Care Center to be housed in that facility; a new safe, fenced-in playground; and the bringing of rest rooms in Reeves Hall to ADA standards.

The cost of this project is not to exceed $850,000. The Finance sub-committee of the Renewal Committee has negotiated a line of credit at 5.5%.

As of this writing, the work on the sanctuary is scheduled to begin February 20^th with Jones Hall being next in mid March.

A diagram showing the tentative timeline for this phase appears elsewhere in this issue.

The official start of the Capital Campaign to fund Phase One of our Facility Renewal Program will begin with a wonderful Chamber Music Concert to be presented in our sanctuary on Friday, March 7^TH beginning at 7:30 PM.

The performance will feature New Mexico State University Faculty and Friends, including Angela Burtz; oboe; Lisa Van Winkle, flute; Christine Sanders, voice; Janet Loman, harpsichord and organ; Lela York, piano; and Cesar Camarena, cello. The program will include works by Bach, Telemann, Koetsier and St.-Saens.

There will be no charge for the concert, but members and friends of the church will be given the opportunity to make financial gifts and/or pledges to the Facility Renewal Capital Campaign.

With the removal of the roof and air-conditioning systems on Jones Hall tentatively scheduled to begin mid-March, all of the church offices will be moved into Reeves Hall for approximately a month. This also means meetings and social gatherings normally held in Jones will have to be re-located.

Please be alert to this relocation and check the church bulletin each week to be aware of what’s happening where. Your prayers and your patience are requested for all of us as we go thru this time of physical transition.

You will find the tentative schedule for phase one useful.

The church office is always open during the lunch hour. Occasionally one office staff person may be gone during this time, but there will always be someone covering the office. In the event that you reach our voice mail, it is because we are helping someone else on another line; so please leave a brief message and phone number and one of us will return your call. The staff meets weekly on Thursdays from 1:30 – 2:30 PM. If you should call during this hour the voice mail will pickup. As you know, emergencies, office errands, etc., may come up and staff may have to leave the office but we will do our best to always have coverage.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30-4:00 PM

Wednesday 8:30-3:30 PM

Monday 8:30-4:00 PM

Tuesday 8:30-12:30

1:45-4:00 PM

Wednesday 8:30-5:00 PM

Thursday 8:30-4:00 PM

Friday 9:00-12:00 PM

Monday-Tuesday 7:30-12:00 PM

12:30-4:00 PM

Wednesday 7:30-12:00 PM

12:30-3:30 PM

Thursday-Friday 7:30-12:00 PM

12:30-4:00 PM

Kathy Tucker will be out of the office on March 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th for vacation.

Dear fellow members of our congregation. Our train has not slowed but our results are not up to our expectations. We were hoping to announce a new pastor by now; but while our prayers were no doubt answered, they were not answered in the way we expected. We have always known not to count the chickens before they hatch, and now we have learned to not count ministers before they are called. The good news is that the committee you have chosen is dedicated, experienced, and is hard at work on the search. And there is more,-there are many great pastors out there, great men and women of God who have been moved to seek a call, and we are now in contact with many of them.

And finally it has been most helpful that our congregation and staff have shown abundant patience. Folks are curious and expectant but are allowing us to get on with our job. Yet more patience and more prayer are required - and will be rewarded

Presbyterian Women has chosen St. Luke’s Health Care Clinic, located at the Community of Hope, as the group’s Local Mission for this month. The clinic aids the homeless, the working poor, the elderly who are in need, and patients with life-threatening illnesses who cannot pay for the medication that they need. St. Luke’s, named for Luke the Physician, has a vital function in our community because its all-volunteer staff serves only people who have no other way of obtaining health care.

One of our church members, Jean Wertz, is a volunteer Nurse Practitioner at St. Luke’s; you, too, are invited to help PW in the support of this effective and much-needed work. What can you do?

Funds are always needed, since no federal or state money is received by the clinic. Donations may be given through our church office; checks should be written to Presbyterian Women, with St. Luke’s Clinic in the notation space.

Supplies needed are lotion, facial tissues, shampoo, soap, sunglasses, sunscreen, sugar free gum, caps and hats for protection from the sun, knit hats, band-aids, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and laundry detergent. Small packs of these necessities are especially useful to the homeless. Small canisters in which rolls of film are packaged are used to give clients salve. The cardboard flats used for soda cans are needed for storage on open shelves. Adult underwear, adult white socks with loose tops, and liquid food supplements (such as Ensure) are also needed. These items may be placed in the PW Local Missions Box in Jones Hall.

This is an opportunity to serve Christ by making life a little better for those who are truly in need.

Sunday School attendance continues to improve. The Adult video is viewing a PowerPoint presentation on church history, adult Bible study continues in the Parlor; the Mid School is continuing their Spirit of the Seasons study; the High School is viewing a series on the mysteries of the Bible; the elementary continues their study on God’s People Celebrate; and our little ones are learning new things about God’s love every Sunday – sometimes twice!

Our youth program is attracting more and more young people every week. Look for related articles in the newsletter concerning their summer plans.

In mid March, you will see some big changes on our campus that greatly affect our education program. We will be moving. We will be moving, all of us — yes, all of us — from the cribs to the adults. We do pray for your patience and perseverance during these “dust” bowl days. We do pray for your support and for your prayers! Building is not an easy task but we know there is light at the end of the tunnel and that light is an exciting thing to anticipate. Watch for announcements of class location changes in Sunday worship bulletins and on the church bulletin boards and doors.

Thank you for all of your support.

The mid school youth woke to the crisp mountain air at Lonetree Bible Camp during the Presidents’ holiday weekend. Lonetree is a Christian experience that emphasizes spiritual growth through fellowship, worship, and high adventure. It is located in the Capitan Mountains with a fantastic view of Sierra Blanca to the south.

The youth lucky enough to go on this retreat were Kristen Garcia, Lauren Brenner, Elise Kowalski, Lauren Tomlin, Katie Grandle, Dylan Anderson, Tiffany Daniels, and John Grandle. They learned team-building skills through exciting activities like rappelling, technical climbing, a 40-foot swing (the screamer), and the high ropes challenge course. In their “spare” time they drank loads of hot chocolate; played chess on the giant outdoor board, checkers, pool, foosball, ping-pong, basketball, volleyball; and shot targets on the rifle range. Did we forget to mention the hayride and bonfire with s’mores? Interwoven with these activities were Bible studies centered on walking in other people’s shoes, the importance of doing good and living on the raw edges of life (good risks). Needless to say, there was never a dull moment. By 8 p.m. on the last night, everyone was ready for bed.

These youth were accompanied by mid school counselors Lon Anderson and Patricia Tomlin who planned and implemented this event.

Yes, “dust” is in the air! And along with that “dust”, we are making necessary adjustments for summer programs. The session agreed last month to make an inquiry to Northminster about holding a joint VBS program together at their church. It is happening! Northminster will host VBS at the “Son Harvest County Fair” June 2 thru 6. That means we need you the congregation to get involved. We need you to step forward to teach, cook, set-up, clean up, direct, etc., etc., etc. Call the church or Nora Yaryan, 527-0528 for further details. And, watch the Lantern for timely updates.

On Ash Wednesday, March 5^th, Salt and Light will have its usual program from 4:00 until 7:00, then we will attend the Ash Wednesday Worship Service. Students may sit with their Table Parents, or with their own families during the service.

Everyone is invited to have a special Family Of God (dinner) time in Fellowship Hall at 6:00 with us, then go on to church. The dinner will be a traditional one of soup and bread.

“Sonshine In My Eyes” is our theme for March 12^th, and students are especially encouraged to bring a friend. March 19^th is “Seeing Stars”, when we’ll be hoping for a clear evening in order to view the sky with telescopes and binoculars. Along with the schools, March 26^th will be our Spring Break, with no meeting of Salt and Light.

This month we are suggesting the following books:

152.4 Clairmont, Patsy

Ladies will really enjoy reading this book. It’s about attitudes and what your attitude says when you’re not looking.

Have you ever suddenly found yourself sportin’ a ‘tude? Like the ‘tude a grocery clerk handed you with your receipt? Or the ‘tude your husband forgot to leave at the office? Perhaps you have picked up a muti-‘tude! Attitudes! We really don’t enjoy talking about them unless they’re someone else’s. for when we do, they’re seldom positive, often offensive and just like colds – easy to catch. This book has many Biblical references throughout. It’s a fun book!

Biog. Christopher, William

TV’s”Fathjer Mulcahy” and his real-life family share their story of raising a very special child.

201.42 Chafin, Kenneth

A realistic and hopeful look at marriage and the family.

Biog. Burke, Tim

The moving story of an All-Star pitcher who gave up baseball for his family.

Welcome! The children’s library has moved to the Jones Hall library. We are happy to have all the children’s books in the same room with the adult and teen books.

Now the library is open for convenient use during the after-church fellowship. Librarians will be there to help you pick out one of the many interesting books which we are fortunate to have to lend.

Thank you congregation for your participation in the Bar-b-Que dinner musical. Hats off to Clyde and Juanita Treat for doing such a great job on the musical program and food.

With a deeply grateful heart, my family and I wish to thank all the dear friends at First Pres. who have given us their prayerful support and kindness - food, visits, calls, cards – throughout our many “ups and downs.” You have meant so very much to each and every one of us!

Sincerely,

Mary H. DeBoy

Margaret Erdman died February 2^nd. A long-time faithful member of this church, she will be missed. As her spiritual family, we try not to sentimentalize. Death is too tough for that. Our triumph is faith, and we rejoice in this hope. A Memorial Service was held at Good Sam on February 26^th.

Monday, March 24^th Desert Cruisers will be meeting in Watkins Hall. The program will be a video: Mark Lowry on Broadway, a Gaither television production.

Warner Hutchinson will present a program on composing classical Christian music March 28. The pot luck dinner will start at 6 PM. Call Alex or Marjorie Burr, 522-2528 for more information.

Presbyterian and Disciples

Campus Ministry at NMSU

2511 Chaparral St. 522-6404

David Sallee, Campus Minister

The mid-school youth will be holding a bake sale after worship on March 2^nd. Please support our youth in their summer activities, and enjoy delicious, home-baked goodies at the same time.

No Garage Sale this summer due to the construction.

Communion will be served on March 2nd and April 6th.

Jan 26 265

Feb 2 298

Feb 9 241

Feb 16 265

Feb 23 282

Our Middle School young people have decided to build a labyrinth on our church property as a Lenten project dedicated to our church and as an evangelism project for the community. The session gave its approval at the January meeting.

A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. Labyrinths have been built all over the world. Some are large and intricately constructed, some are just painted onto the floors of church halls, or on parking lots. Some are made with stones and pebbles. One of the most famous is in Chartes Cathedral, in France. It was carved into the stone floor of the cathedral around the year 1220.

Labyrinths and mazes have often been confused. Moving through a maze requires an active mind to solve the problem of finding the middle, and then finding the way out again.

A labyrinth, is a one-way path. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The labyrinth leads you on a path of circles into the middle and then out again. Walking the labyrinth does not require a lot of concentration.

Because of the way they are laid out, labyrinths have been used for meditation and prayer for a long time. The process of following the circles of pathways helps the mind to both focus and relax. The experience of walking a labyrinth often brings calmness and quiet thoughts. It can represent a journey to the heart of yourself and back again out into the world.

Our youth have set Ash Wednesday as the day of completion.

Operating Income $30,709.34

Operating Expenses 35,600.30

Total -$4,890.96

Year to Date Summary:

Operating Income $30,709.34

Operating Expenses 35,600.30

Total -$4,890.96

The Lantern deadline for the month of April will be Monday the 21^th. Please get your articles into the office on time

Large kitchen pans and blue and white check gingham tablecloths from church kitchen area. Please return them as soon as possible.

A page of new members is elsewhere in this issue of the Lantern. A list of church officers also appears.

Corrections:

Harry and Marsha Topley

522-6644

Jack and Martha Wilson

4710 Lantana Ln

Destin, FL 32541-4789

Bo Rogers’ zip code is 88012

02/05 Jane Gurnea

03/03 Sam Nelson

03/03 Millie Conrad

03/04 Elizabeth Loman

03/05 Martha Mitchell

03/06 Archie Beckett

03/07 Dorris Hamilton

03/11 Jessica Smith

03/13 Milan Cobble

03/13 Madge Miller

03/14 Tammy Prahl

03/15 Lynda Garcia

03/15 Margie Rankin

03/15 Barbara Pollock

03/16 Fred Cherye

03/18 Marcus Burr

03/19 T. J. Burns

03/19 Mary Beckett

03/23 Becky McPherson

03/24 Amber Nolan

03/24 Mary Louise Nelson

03/25 Robert McPherson

03/26 Arlyn Kriegel

03/28 Merrilyn Cummings

03/28 Connie Harrington

03/29 Janet McPherson

03/30 Floris Taylor

03/30 Bill Vance

New Members

Compile data from Sunday service attendance records. Monday mornings at 9:00 AM for 1-1 ½ hours. Contact: Janet McPherson 524-3831, Congregational Life and Outreach Committee.

Host after service coffee hour Sundays. All food and materials provided. Sign up on large board in coffee service area or contact Barbara Aikin, 647-1740, .

Folding Sunday bulletins on Friday about 9:30 AM for approximately 1 hour.