COURIER. Pastor s Letter

Transcription

1 COURIER First Presbyterian Church March, 2019 The seasons of the Church Year give us the opportunity to reflect upon different aspects of our faith. Our Book of Order places the season of Lent, which begins on March 6 th, at the heart of the Christian year with its emphasis on the mystery of Christ s death and resurrection. The lectionary texts point us to some of Jesus most important teachings about discipleship. It is a good season to read something that challenges you in your faith. Here is something to ponder as you begin the journey. People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway, Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you have anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway. May your discipleship deepen as you walk with Jesus through this holy season. Thoughtfully, Ted Mattie Pastor s Letter First Presbyterian Church 304 McCutcheon Ave. PO Box 1155 Socorro, NM87801 Office Phone Interim Pastor Rev. Ted Mattie Church 1stpressocorr@gmail.com Church Website 1stpresbyterian. qwestoffice.net Church Mobile office@1stpressocorro.org Editor Kurt Winton Inside this issue: Session News 2 Remember The Deacons Fund 2 MMM I Didn t Know That! 2 Seen-and-Heard 3 Birthdays & Anniversaries 3 Deacons Doings 3 Presbyterian Women 4 Thanks You! 4 Recital March 8th 4 Calendar 5 The NEW Church -1stperssocorro@gmail.com The NEW Website-office@1stpressocorro.org Menaul School 6 Treasurer's Report 7 Worship Guide 8

2 The Session s February meeting included a full agenda and lively discussion of the items. Among the items discussed, the Session Approved Barbara Oates as the Clerk of Session for 2019; Session News Approved the updating of the Church s alarm system with the purchase of a new control panel; Authorized the Moderator of the Building and Grounds Committee to spend up to $500 for emergency repairs without further action of the Session, with a report to be made to the next Session meeting; Approved the hiring of Gaby Benalil as Accompanist for Sunday morning services Extended the contract of Interim Pastor Ted Mattie from March 1 through May 31 or until the arrival of a new pastor, whichever occurs first; and Established 6 PM as the times for the March 6 th Ash Wednesday and the April 18 th Maundy Thursday service. Ted Mattie, Moderator Since 1977, the loose offering (the coins and currency not attributed to a specific donor) on the first Sunday of each month is given to the Deacons Fund, where it is used to support the Deacons ministry. This includes Remember The Deacons Fund expenses for receptions, coffee hours, kitchen supplies, greeting cards, and support for a community family at Christmas. Donations can be made on other Sundays by using the pew envelope marked for the Deacons. A recent article in the Presbyterian Outlook magazine indicated that the new 116 th Congress is one of the most religiously diverse in American history. While that may not be a surprise, it is interesting to note that 88.2% of MMM...I Didn t Know That! the legislators identify themselves as Christians. That is more than the 71% of the general population who self-identify as Christians. The majority are considered Protestant. Of interest is that twenty-six of the con- gressional members are Presbyterians, comprising 13% of the Senate and 3% of the house. Page 2

3 Seen-And-Heard Seen-and-Heard includes tidbits of news heard around the congregation to help us get to know each other better. For the privacy and safety for our members, Seen-and-Heard is not posted online. Birthdays And Anniversaries Here are the upcoming birthdays and anniversaries for members of our church family as gleaned from our church directory. If you spot an error or omission, please contact the church office. March 6 Gerry Schwab March 7 Ted Mattie March 25 Harlen Smith Congratulations to all! Deacon Doings by Nancy Dotson Deacons met in the church library on February 12 at 7 PM. All six Deacons were present: Beth, Pam, Denise, Betsy, Marsha, and Nancy. Minutes from the January meeting and the Treasurer s report were approved. Reports were given by various committees, additional assignments for third Sunday coffee and Usher/Greeter duties were spoken for. No additional funds were allocated for the Discretionary or Food Pantry funds as there have been few requests for those moneys. We would like to remind everyone that there will be an after- service potluck brunch on Sunday, March 31, in our fellowship hall. Our next Deacon meeting will be held on March 12. See you in church! Courier Page 3

4 February PW BIBLE STUDY NEWS Presbyterian Women Bible Study members met on February 1, 2019 at 9:30 in the church library. Due to inclement, icy weather during January, two lessons were studied at this meeting. After refreshments, a brief business meeting was held where members decided to keep the same PW pledge amounts as Presbyterian Women by Carol Seery last year to Worldwide PW Mission, PW Synod Pledge (New Mexico/Arizona) and PW Presbytery Pledge. The fifth lesson of the Horizons Bible Study entitled God With Us When We re Powerless and the sixth lesson entitled God With Us Through Our Trials were studied. Attendees worked their way through the two lessons which included scripture from 2 Chronicles, Deuteronomy, Isaiah and Psalms that addressed the ways that God is with us in our many life situations. His promise of presence when we are powerless invites us to lay down our weapons of worry and keep our eyes on God. The next PW meeting is planned for Friday, March 1, 2019 at 9:30 in the morning in the church library. Please come join us! Dear Church Member of First Presbyterian Church, Charles and I want to thank you for the cards and prayers. They have worked. Charles had a second tumor removed and we are waiting for the type of treatment. Thank You Thank and keep the prayers coming. Rosemary Rutta A Variety Recital with Classical & non classical music We will have a recital on March 8 at 3pm -3:30pm ( 30 minutes recital) at Recital Hall for the International Women s Day Recital March 8th Page 4

5 March 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Day Light Savings Time move your clocks ahead 1 hr. 1 Presbyterian Women 9:30 am 2 3 Menaul School offering Ash Wednesday Service 6:00 pm Session 10:10 am Menaul School Offering Day Light Savings Time Deacons 7:00 pm 13 Bible Study 6:00 pm Coffee Guest Pastor Bible Study 6:00 pm Bible Study 6:00 pm Courier Page 5

6 Menaul School by Maggie Beck Our greatest need for support continues to be financial aid for students from families with modest to low income. More than 50% of our students received need-based financial aid last year totaling over $1.1 million; without this support, approximately half of our students would not have access to the life-shaping education that the Menaul School community provides. While much of this aid is provided by the Presbyterian Church (USA), additional grants and individual contributions are also needed to ensure that each child seeking a Menaul School education has the opportunity to attend. As an expression of their faith and call to social justice, the Presbyterian Church and its congregations established Menaul School in 1896 to ensure that Hispanic children of all incomes from New Mexico and Southern Colorado would have access to a college-preparatory education that would positively change the course of their lives. And as the Alums of Menaul School recently returned for their 2018 Homecoming, (some of them graduating as many as 70 years ago), we repeatedly heard stories of how transformative the community and their educations were to them setting them on the path to success. Our world has changed significantly in the last 122 years and so has Menaul School; yet our mission has remained steadfast. Today, Menaul School, rooted in its Presbyterian heritage, is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school, with 184 students in grades The school boasts a boarding school program for domestic and international students in grades The only day and boarding school in Albuquerque, Menaul School also has the most diverse student population among independent schools in the region, with more than 84% of students self-identifying as coming from racially or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Students represent more than 16 countries. Students of Menaul School benefit from a program of study that emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual self-awareness, and physical well-being. Because our students are immersed in a diverse international community, they are world smart not just book smart. They are prepared for success in college and also have the confidence and skills needed to succeed in a world that, more than ever, needs citizens who are comfortable living and working with people from a variety of cultures, countries, and ethnicities. Investing in students to attend Menaul School has high returns. Ninety-nine percent of Menaul School students graduate from high school regardless of their socio-economic or ethnic-racial background. In comparison, 63 % of students graduate in the Albuquerque Public Schools, including 63% of Hispanics and 45% of Native Americans. In addition, 98% of Menaul School graduates go on to attend a college or university including such schools as New York University, Brown, University of New Mexico and Tulane. Research indicates that having a college education improves earning potential. For instance, USA Today recently reported that on average, college graduates make 56% more income than persons with only a high school degree. Having more education and higher income also are shown to be key factors in improving overall health and wellbeing. Making an investment in a child s Menaul School education is one investment that pays benefits for a lifetime. On behalf of all of our students, we thank you for your past support and continue to invite you to invest in their futures. Truly, your gifts change their lives and ultimately our world - for the better! God bless you. Page 6

7 TREASURER S REPORT January 2019 By Geraldine Schwab General Fund Checking Account 01/01/2019 Balance on hand $19, Receipts 6, Disbursements 4, /31//2019 Balance on hand 22, Receipts include: Socorro Cooperative Nursery School, $ January May Rummage sale receipts from AA donation for use of building Christmas Joy Offering Donation for The Upper Room devotionals 5.00 Disbursements include: Replace east-facing door to playground Employers taxes & fees Replace one kitchen faucet Gas service Pulpit supply Christmas Joy Offering Peanut butter for The Storehouse We spent $2, less for budgeted items in January than we received for budgeted expenses. We received $6, for budgeted expenses in January and spent 4, for budgeted items. Rental Property Checking Account 01/01/2019 Balance on hand $16, Receipts Disbursements 1, /31/2019 Balance on hand 16, Receipts were: Rent, 306 McCutcheon Disbursements were: Siding & flashing between two levels of roof, 308 McCutcheon 1, Memorial Fund Checking Account 01/01/2019 Balance on hand $11, Receipts /31/2019 Balance on hand 11, Receipts were interest. John Browne Memorial Fund 01/01/2019 Balance on hand $ This account is set aside specifically for education. It was not used in January. New Covenant Funds Investment Accounts Building Fund 10/01/2018 Our value $27, Receipts 2, /01/2019 Our value 30, Receipts were: Income reinvested $ Capital gain reinvested 2, Short term capital gain reinvested Capital Equipment Fund 10/01/2018 Our value 12, Receipts 1, /01/2019 Our value 13, Receipts were: Income reinvested Capital gain reinvested Short term capital gain reinvested John Browne Memorial Fund 10/01/2018 Our value 29, Receipts 2, /01/2019 Our value 31, Receipts were: Income reinvested Capital gain reinvested 1, Short term capital gain reinvested This account is dedicated to education uses. Courier Page 7

8 First Presbyterian Church 304 McCutcheon Ave. PO BOX 1155 Socorro, NM WORSHIP PLANNING GUIDE March 2019 (subject to change) Sunday, March 3, 2019 Transfiguration Sunday; Communion; Deacons Fund Sunday Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-36 Sermon Title: Maintaining Perspective / The transfiguration helps us balance the divine Jesus with the incarnate Jesus. Sunday, March 6, 2019 Ash Wednesday, 6 PM Scriptures: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Matthew 6:1-6, Sermon Title: Putting Piety into Perspective / Insincere piety is not what God values. Sunday, March 10, st Sunday in Lent; Daylight Savings Time begins Scriptures: Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13 Sermon Title: Facing Temptation / What can we learn about facing temptation from Jesus experience in the wilderness? Sunday, March 17, nd Sunday in Lent; Ted Mattie away Preacher: Guest Sunday, March 24, rd Sunday in Lent Scriptures: Isaiah 55:1-9; Luke 13:1-9 Sermon Title: Running Out of Time / Jesus warning is that time is short. Sunday, March 31, th Sunday in Lent Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b- 32 Sermon Title: Following God s Heart / The father in the text models God s love for us.