First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM December 2015

Transcription

1 First Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM December 2015

2 College/Young Adult Group Janet and Steve Loman Now in its third year of existence, College/Young Adult Dinner Night is growing and thriving. The concept of college ministry has changed dramatically during the last 20 years, allowing for more creative and organic ways to reach out to young adults as they relate to their constantly changing world. A recent 60 Minutes report described Millennials as the generation that only takes yes for an answer. In general, today s 18- to 35-year-olds are fascinating, optimistic, can-do, individuals. This attitude has fostered a sense of great personal expectations among them: we can almost hear them say, What s next? in their enthusiasm for life. We decided to adopt the same attitude. The first year, we simply asked ourselves the question: Who are these young adults? Knowing that many are far from home, we opened our home to them, fed them, and loved them. It came naturally, for we were captivated by the unique and dear qualities of each person and their many and varied gifts and talents. The cultural diversity we enjoy within the group is a delightful reflection of our current times as the world becomes increasingly smaller and cultures merge. The second year, we began small, individually generated mission projects: we built a climbing dome 2 for the church playground; we planned and presented a worship service, including the sermon, with full leadership by the young adults; two young men came forward to offer their computer skills to create a new church website ( one student visited a church member in hospice care and is a mentor for young school athletes; another has volunteered as music director for our VBS the past three summers; two members founded a music ministry to assisted living centers, public schools, churches, and community, and it has recently been chartered by NMSU. The organization, Operation Spread the Music, will present a Christmas concert in our sanctu-

3 ary on Saturday, December 12 to raise funds for this outreach ministry. We hope you will plan to attend! This fall we continue to reach out to new friends in Christ and welcome new faces; we get to know each other and form bonds as we prepare parts of the meal together, just as they would do at home: I really enjoyed how we had an ice breaker activity in the beginning. I feel like this really helped me get to know everyone else. I really enjoyed the food, and helping make it too! Anna Harrison We reflect upon our lives in conversation as we experience the many transitions of young adulthood: Tonight, as I was throwing some trash into the recycling bin at home... it dawned on me... and finally clicked that...i have a HOME! It sounds silly but I teared up thinking about how blessed I am to be where I am at when some people have 3

4 so little. How did I get here? God always has a plan. Thank you for the incredible dinner tonight and for taking a moment to make us think about our life in retrospect. Blessed to be exactly where I am today. Ryan Fellman We encourage new ideas from the members in order to make this group their own. During the summer, Brent Brewer suggested we begin a book study; and of course, yes was the answer! We now have two small groups meeting in coffee houses each week to study C.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters. Each one of us has a unique opportunity to seek and nurture personal experiences with our God who made us, loves us, and watches over us; and we sincerely hope that FPC College/Young Adult Dinner Night will be a catalyst for a life of faithfulness in these young people. We ask for your prayers; and if you feel motivated to prepare a special dish or dessert for one of the dinners, please speak with us; we will gratefully accept! 4

5 5

6 Salt & Light 2015 Michelle Osborne Any day is a wonderful day to receive an Adventure Bible or a Teen Study Bible from our church. Bible Sunday presentations are done once a year in the Fall, but, unfortunately, as busy as families are these days, not all can arrive at church on the same day. So we make a big deal about the giving when it is done on a Salt & Light day. A special verse is picked out by Rev. Norm, for the child, and the verse is highlighted in the Bible, and marked with a faith bookmark. Rev. Norm gets special one-on-one ministering time when giving the Bible at S&L, because the children always want to know, where is my verse? Shown in the pictures are two families with both a 3 rd Grader and a 6 th Grader in it from What blessings. The Christian Education Committee of Elders and Deacons orders and organizes the Bibles for this annual giving. And they collaborate with the Salt & Light Director and Youth Directors, to ensure every 3 rd and 6 th grade child is remembered. Thanks to all who helped in 2015! Minutes of the Called Congregational Meeting November 15, 2015 Dr. Reverend Norman Story opened the meeting with prayer at 11:38 am A quorum was established. Steve Loman, Moderator of the 2015 Nominating Committee, facilitated the meeting. Thank you to the members of the 2015 Nominating committee for their call to serve. Members of the 2015 Nominating Committee Carl Connor, Nancy Tasker-Johnson, Stephen Taylor, Melanie Grant, Jacque Parks, Winnie Quinzi, Rusty Smith, Steve Loman/Moderator. 6

7 Call for Nominations of Elders Administration: Lyn Ames Building & Grounds: Robert Raposa and Richard Hendrick Christian Education: Erin Taylor (2yr) Congregational Life & Outreach: Monica Garcia Tellez and Lon Anderson (2yr) Missions: Jean O Neill (2yr) Music & Worship: Larry Courter Call for nominations from the floor - None Motion to close and accept Nominations for Elders was moved, seconded, carried. Call for Nomination of Deacons Corina Armendariz, Brent Brewer, Karen Candusso, Janet Green, Steve Har baugh, Deborah Raposa, April Vasquez, Fred Yanker, Evan Schroeder/Youth Deacon. Call for nominations from the floor - None Motion to close, accept Nominations for Deacons was moved, seconded, carried. Call for the Nomination of the 2016 Nominating Committee Austin Breck, Dot Otto, Dina Schroeder, and Greg Sherman Call for nominations from the floor - None Motion to close and accept Nominations for the 2016 Nominating Committee was moved, seconded and carried. Motion to close the Congregational Meeting was moved and seconded. The meeting was closed with prayer and adjourned at 11:43am. Christmas Joy Offering - Share in the Joy of a Promise: For God who has promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23) During Advent, we remember God s promises to us, as we gather together to wait in hope for the birth of Jesus Christ. We, in the Presbyterian Church, join this celebration of God s faithfulness by supporting those in need of help and hope. Thanks to your gifts, the Christmas Joy Offering helps provide financial help to those who have given their lives to God (our current and retired ministers, mission workers and their families). It also provides students hope for a better life through edu- 7

8 cation at Presbyterian-related schools like the Menaul School in Albuquerque. Families with children, please take a Joy Box, at the church entrances, for your kids to add change they have earned, or they may add part of their money gifts they have received. You can make it a part of your family s Advent reading time together. Please return the Joy Boxes on the Christmas Pageant day, Sunday December 13, or at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Thursday December 24. Christmas Joy Offering envelopes will be provided for your use on Sunday, Dec. 20. These gifts of generosity bear witness to our faithful response to love one another, as Christ commanded. Notes and Announcements The Deacons have placed Christmas trees with money stars at each church entrance. By choosing a star on the tree and placing that amount in the offering before Dec. 13th, the Deacons will be able to distribute Christmas baskets to Hospice families, Iglesia members, and others in need. Thank you for supporting the Deacons in this project that began 13 years ago. Special Advent Services December 13 December 20 December 24 December 24 The Cover The cover is of the area above the garage of a house near the Mountain View hospital. It is a decoration which has been put up for a number of years. A few other houses in the area put up modest decorations also. Christmas Pageant Christmas Sunday 4 PM Candlelight Worship Service 7 PM Candlelight Worship Service Photographs provided by Alex Burr, Janet Loman, and Michelle Osborne First Presbyterian Church 200 East Boutz Road Las Cruces, NM Tel (575) linda@fpc.lc Web URL Rev. Dr. Norman Story, Pastor The The Lantern Lantern is a monthly is a monthly publication publication of First of First Pres- Presbyterian Church, Las Cruces, NM. NM. Articles and and photos, photos, preferably preferably in computer in computer readable readable form are form, welcome, are and welcome, will be used and at will the be discretion used at the of the discretion publisher. of the For further information For further call (575) information call or send or to publisher. send aburr@aol.com. to linda@fpc.lc. Editor: Editor: Alex Alex Burr Burr Production: Linda Linda Ramirez Ramirez 8

9 P FIRST E S B Y T E R I A N Christmas Eve December E. Boutz Rd. Las Cruces, NM Mission Mission Statement Statement for To emulate minister the to the work, members the word, of our and Church the way and of Jesus prepare Christ them in ministering for Christian to Outreach the needs of members and preparing them for Christian outreach to people within and outside the Church of Jesus Christ. Vision Objectives To clearly and courageously communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ Our to Vision all within Objectives our reach. for are: To create develop spiritual leadership from within that recognizes our congregation and ministers to recognize those and in need. minister to members in need. To develop and maintain specific ways for members to reach out and draw the community into our fellowship. To create a God-centered atmosphere for for worship that will attract and bind individuals, families, and youth to into our Christian church. communi- to ty. 9