St. Paul s United Methodist Church

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Oswald Davis
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A Month of Transitions May is traditionally a month when people experience transitions. Transitions are any movements in our lives from one station or situation into a new situation.

1 St. Paul s United Methodist Church May 2018 Newsletter All articles for the monthly newsletter must be submitted to Barbara@stpaulslascruces.com by the 15th of the month. Our purpose is to lead people to become disciples of Christ, who know and love God and transform our world from the heart of Las Cruces. A Month of Transitions May is traditionally a month when people experience transitions. Transitions are any movements in our lives from one station or situation into a new situation. During this month more than any other, we celebrate those transitions. First, we celebrate motherhood. This major change in situations has dramatic results upon the women who give birth to children. When a young couple find out they are going to be parents, they find themselves facing one of the most daunting changes in their lives. No longer are they just a couple, but now they are a family. The two of them become three and at least one of them needs constant attention and care. The birth of a child creates change and the parents have to accommodate to the demands of a helpless child. Yet it is one of the most rewarding experiences of life. This change can be joyous and tiring all at the same time. There is so much more that could be said, but I ll leave that to your own memories. The second transition we find in May has to do with graduations. Both college and high schools celebrate the academic achievements of students who have completed their required coursework and receive a diploma for their hard work. The student now becomes a graduate and moves into the next steps for the future. Whether it is job hunting or preparing for the next set of educational goals, it is a transition in life that is celebrated. For many they have been students since they were in kindergarten and now they must somehow live like an adult or better yet become an adult. This is both scary and exciting. The future is ahead for the graduate and they are encouraged to do their best. The third transition is Pentecost. In the church, there is a significant change that takes place in the lives of the disciples. The band of disciples have been learners, sitting and absorbing the teachings of Jesus and watching his actions. They have had some trial runs at doing what Jesus did, but Acts tells us, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, "This is what you heard from me: John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5, CEB) The biggest transition they would experience was the coming of the Holy Spirit. This moved the disciples from learners to apostles or ones sent out. No longer were they to sit at Jesus feet and watch, they were to lead, preach and do what Jesus did. What transitions have you had in your life? Each one of you experienced a significant change when it took place. Whether it was parenthood, graduation or something more difficult, you changed. The interesting thing about this kind of change; there is no going back. I want to invite you to a month of transitions, graduate Sunday is May 6 th, Mother s day is May 13 th, Pentecost is May 20 th, and our Memorial Day Observance is May 27 th. Each of these worship experiences will help us celebrate these transitions in life. See you Sunday! Blessings, Darren

MAGNIFICENT MAY Calling all Artists: CDC Summer camp will be starting on June 4th through July 27th 2018. We are looking for volunteers to come and teach a few classes in art for our campers!

Saint Paul's has a team that offers the community a means to deliver their prayers around the world or to pray for individuals concerns, once a month on a Saturday at the Farmer's Market.

2 MAGNIFICENT MAY Calling all Artists: CDC Summer camp will be starting on June 4th through July 27th We are looking for volunteers to come and teach a few classes in art for our campers! Any type of art would be wonderful! Please call Lucy at if you are interested in being a part of our camp! MAY NEWSLETTER We express our sincere sympathy to the family of Rosemary Preston, mother of Jan Archey. Rosemary went to be with her Lord on Saturday, April 14. Jan s father passed away in Hey, have you been seeking an opportunity to serve? Saint Paul's has a team that offers the community a means to deliver their prayers around the world or to pray for individuals concerns, once a month on a Saturday at the Farmer's Market. The team has three shifts to cover the event. Come and serve, enjoy fellowship, meet new people, and partake in the market before or after you shift. Your presence will be rewarding and appreciated. Call Mike Hall at You are invited to Ben s Birthday/Graduation Party 1810 View Court Friday, May 18, pm Please RSVP by May 1 ( ) We collect used eyeglasses, these are donated to the Lion s Club for recycling. Cooking for Christ uses your rinsed out soda cans for recycling. We accept small bottles of shampoo and soap to be used by those at tent city. WE ARE NOT COLLECTING EMPTY MEDICINE BOTTLES AT THIS TIME Please bring any of these items to the front desk, we appreciate all your donations. Don t Forget Our Baskets for Graduating High School Seniors We have the opportunity to show and share our love and best wishes for them through Baskets for Graduates. These baskets are in The Commons, deadline is May 6. Please bring items students might need for college. Examples are, an encouraging note, laundry detergent, towels, wash clothes, toilet paper, Kleenex ssue, prin ng paper, pens, highlighters, a blanket, gi cards or whatever members would like to give. For more informa on please contact Sheila at Altar Flowers for Sunday services Sunday morning Altar Flowers are a great way to honor a family member or friend that has passed or is having a birthday or anniversary. Please consider purchasing one or both Altar Flowers for a special occasion. The cost is $50 each and you may sign up on the Flower Calendar Chart on the bulletin board next to the Fellowship Hall door. If you have any questions please call Barbara at or at Barbara@stpaulslascruces.com.

First Friday Fun Night will be held May 4 th from 5:00-8:30 pm.

We will build a bird s nest and make fireflies.

Children 18 months and up are welcome. $10 per child, $30 max per family.

Celebrate Mothers Day with tea, treats, party games, music, a photo booth

Let your children pamper you while you relax and make special memories.

We had around 300 people attend our Easter Egg hunt.

food and more EGGS, close to 3,000 of them!

3 First Friday Fun Night will be held May 4 th from 5:00-8:30 pm. Bring your children to join us for a Wilderness Adventure! We will build a bird s nest and make fireflies. Children will enjoy games, a snack and a movie as well. Children 18 months and up are welcome. $10 per child, $30 max per family. Mothers Day Tea St. Paul s! Celebrate Mothers Day with tea, treats, party games, music, a photo booth and beautiful handmade gifts to take home! Let your children pamper you while you relax and make special memories. Sunday, May 6th 3pm - 5pm Childcare available for babies & toddlers by advance request only! RSVP on our Children s Facebook Page or by calling We had around 300 people attend our Easter Egg hunt. This year we added more games, more face painters, more volunteers, more food and more EGGS, close to 3,000 of them! The Easter Bunny made an appearance as well! Vacation Bible School will be here before we know it! This year we are trying something new! A weekend FAMI- LY VBS on June 29, 30 and July 1 st. We will be offering workshops for parents while their children are in VBS. Please mark your calendars! $15 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

4 Our magnificent Senior High School Graduates for the Class of 2018 Senior Sunday is Sunday, May 6 Those not shown are Eva Barber who plans to attend Northern Arizona University and Garrison Bush who plans to attend Texas Tech University. Kira Cunniff plans to attend Colorado State University Rebekah Gill plans to attend New Mexico State University Donetto Heckathorn plans to attend New Mexico State University

5 MAY NEWSLETTER Eric Franco plans to attend New Mexico State University Kamryn Alyse Neill plans to attend New Mexico State University Miranda Sanchez plans to attend Arizona State University Benjamin Skinner plans attend to New Mexico State University

FOCUS ON PRAYER A Prayer for Purity and Truth By William Barclay O God, our father, in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus you have given us the remedy for sin.

6 FOCUS ON PRAYER A Prayer for Purity and Truth By William Barclay O God, our father, in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus you have given us the remedy for sin. In him you have opened to us the way to forgiveness for all our past sins, and you have given us the strength and power to live in purity and truth. Help us to put away all evil things. Silence the evil word; forbid the evil deed; Break the evil habit; banish the evil thought; Take away the evil desire and the evil ambition; and make our lives to shine like lights in this dark world. Help us to live in purity. Make all our words so pure that you may hear them; Make all our deeds so pure that you may see them; Make all our thoughts and desires so pure that they may bear your scrutiny. And so grant that we being pure in heart may see you. Help us to live in truth. Grant that we may never speak or act a lie; That we may never be misled by false or mistaken beliefs; That we may never evade the truth, even when we do not want to see it. Grant us at all times to seek and find, to know and to love, To obey and to live the truth. This we ask for the sake of him who is the Way, the Truth And the Life, even for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Some Thoughts on Prayer Prayer is for non-experts. It is possible...for the person with the slightest stirring of spiritual interest to begin to pray. Timothy Jones If you want a life of prayer, the way to get it is by praying.you start where you are and you deepen what you already have. Thomas Merton The adoration of God in prayer is a mixture of gratitude and reverence and awe. Douglas V. Steere Whenever there is a resurgence of the Spirit in peoples hearts, they tend to pour forth their prayers and praises in new music. Particularly when the turmoil in our mind is great, the simple tune and words of a spiritual song may lift our hearts and minds to a quieter plane. Avery Brooke A simple and great way to pray is to start counting your blessings! Ruth J. Moorer

7 St. Paul s United Methodist Church 225 West Griggs Avenue Las Cruces, NM Change of address requested W E RE ON THE WEB! WWW. STPAULSLASCRUCES. COM The Lambs Class, for adults with developmental disabilities, was started by Nona Barrick and Pat Gill, 45 years ago. For over 4 decades Heather Pollard, Terry Alvarez, David Edwards, and other volunteers, (Barbara Mosley) have kept the class going strong. The numbers served has been as high as 18 people and this past year has dwindled to six or eight each Sunday. Most of these students have been with the class for many years. Due to an aging situation, the drivers of the vans that have picked up and taken home the students has proven to be a factor and no new volunteers have come forward. There was some discussion about ceasing this ministry but as long as the teachers are willing to stay, we will have Sunday school. TRESCO and other agencies that have clients in the class have been alerted to the needs for their staff to transport the Lambs Class. They deposited their clients last Sunday, as requested, and there is optimism about the class staying together. During all these years, wonderful church members have driven the vans and we applaud each of these people and hold them dear in our hearts. There will be special stars in each of their crowns. As many church members know, the Lambs are faithful congregants of the church and take great pleasure in helping to usher (and eat the cinnamon buns). Keep all involved in your prayers and know how important this ministry has been to St. Paul s and to the life of the teachers.

St. Paul s United Methodist Church

St. Paul s United Methodist Church July 2018 Newsletter Our purpose is to lead people to become disciples of Christ, who know and love God and transform our world from the heart of Las Cruces. Thank you